Indholdsfortegnelse for 1 November 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

World Food Day, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is celebrated on 16 October every year and aims to raise awareness about global hunger by drawing attention to the issues of food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in developing countries. The day also encourages efforts to improve food security and ensure that people everywhere have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Moreover, it highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices that can feed the growing global population while simultaneously allowing farmers to protect the environment. Finally, it acknowledges the contributions of farmers and agricultural workers in ensuring food supply and advocates for improving their living and working conditions. World Food Day thus puts the spotlight on those who go without, while also celebrating those who…

Never waste a crisis, they say. When Ocean Basket placed whole seabream on its menu two summers ago, stock was sold out within six weeks. The success of this strategy to serve a broader range of seafood and introduce South Africans to eating whole fish – a more sustainable and less wasteful means of consumption – took the company by surprise. Eager to purchase more stock but unable to source any in time for the festive season, Marco Coelho, our head of supply chain and procurement, decided to implement an idea that had been brewing for a while: look local and look to small-scale fishing communities that, he had been illadvised, were not producing large enough catches to consider. H stumbled upon a growing, disruptive organisation called Abalobi, which opened…

Ordinarily, we use agricultural machinery sales to gauge farmers’ intentions for the season ahead. When the sales are robust, we are typically positive that farmers are eager for the new season. Equally, we worry when there are poor machinery sales. However, we are in no ordinary period: the recent months’ sales cannot be a guide for the season ahead, for various reasons. The data shows that in September 2023, tractors and combine harvester sales were down 8% year-on-year (y/y) and 6% y/y to 660 units and 17 units, respectively. This continues the declining trend we have observed since the start of the year. The first reason why we cannot use these figures as a guide for the season ahead is that the agriculture sector has had a few seasons of…

Producing food in a sustainable manner does not have to be a major expense but should be planned properly. This was the main message from the panellists at Agri SA’s Green Horizons 2024 Agricultural Congress held in Cape Town in October. Kobus Pienaar, technical manager of food security at Woolworths, said farmers needed to be careful and calculated when working to improve the sustainability of their production system. First, they should measure what they are doing and then base decisions on reliable data that can be interpreted. From this a strategy should be developed and priorities set. “If you don’t base decisions on reliable data, you might run into a loss. It is like shooting a gun over 500m; half a degree off at aim will result in meters out…

The South African Sheepdog Association’s National Championships were held from 26 to 29 September on the farm Rhenosterfontein in Witsand, Western Cape. Now in its 63rd year, the championships highlight the exceptional skills and abilities of sheepdogs and their handlers in herding and managing sheep, a particularly significant skill in extensive systems. The courses this year were set up on the farm of Attie and Karen Gunter. A large square field, with a good covering of mixed grazing from the handler’s post, was provided. The field had a gradual slope down to the set out points with a few subtle undulations and ridges. The event opened on 26 September with the Novice Championship, which is open to beginner dogs, as well as dogs currently in the junior class. The course…

SCOTLAND The value of Scotland’s exports of red meat and offal has grown significantly, reaching £137 million (about R2,6 billion) for the year to July 2024, according to an annual export survey conducted by government agency Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). This was a notable increase from previous years, where exports had not surpassed £100 million (R1 billion). It noted that while some of this growth was due to inflation, it also reflected a stronger focus on exports, including 12 non-EU markets, within Scotland’s meat-processing sector. TAJIKISTAN Over the past nine months, the Central Asian country has boosted its exports of agricultural products to Russia by 30%, while Russia’s exports to Tajikistan grew by 38% over the same period compared with the same timeframe last year. This was according to a…

Despite an average to above-average harvest, wheat producers are not profitable due to wheat-market dynamics. Government’s delay in publicising the wheat import tariff in the Government Gazette, as well as the delay in the adjustment of the base reference price, are putting additional pressure on their profitability. This was according to Corné Louw, applied economics and member services lead at Grain SA. The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) estimated that 505 300ha were planted to wheat this season, which was 31 650ha or 6% less than the previous season. This was largely due to wheat farmers planting alternative crops due to the profitability of wheat coming under pressure, said Louw. In its second estimate for winter grains for the season, the CEC marginally increased its yield estimation by 1,8% from its…

The Competition Commission is stepping up efforts to ensure fairness and transparency in the South African agriculture sector by closely monitoring food prices. Siyabulela Makunga, spokesperson for the commission, told Farmer’s Weekly that the regulatory body was focusing on publicly available data, including average prices from Statistics South Africa and the annual reports of listed food producers and retailers, to track price movements. “The commission will engage directly with market participants, if we find it necessary to do so,” he said. This vigilance is part of the commission’s ongoing initiative to safeguard competitive pricing in the sector amid growing concerns about rising food inflation. The commission’s recent report also shed light on the relationship between financial speculation and food prices. “In this edition, we compared the speculative ratio with commodity…

Seed certification in Africa has been boosted through a joint initiative of the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This should bring progress in ensuring Africa has the correct systems in place to ensure seed quality, boost yields and farmer incomes, and strengthen agricultural productivity across the continent. OECD secretary-general Mathias Cormann said that the new G7-OECD joint initiative, the first of its kind, will boost African countries’ capacity to effectively certify seeds. “Better certification is expected to reduce fraud, strengthen crop yields, and boost the growth potential of the agriculture sector in Africa.” Kobus van Huyssteen, technical manager at the South African National Seed Organization, explained that while South Africa had robust seed certification system is in place, this was not the case across most…

Cattle, poultry and pigs require different forms of nutrition during different seasons of the year and different stages of their lives. Even dogs usually require more protein in their diets as they’re growing into adulthood, and this stands to reason because they’re in an active growth phase and are building important muscles and even immunity functions within their biological systems. The larger livestock feed and supplement manufacturers in South Africa have very handy advice booklets that are sometimes available at farmer supply stores and co-operatives. If you’re serious about making headway as a communal farmer or emerging commercial farmer, I advise that you get your hands on these booklets when you can, as they offer a wealth of information on livestock feed and supplements. The advice therein not only refers…

Why does Syngenta need farmers' data? To be clear, Syngenta doesn’t need farmers’ data. Farmers use tools developed by Syngenta, feed this data into these tools and get insights for their own use. All the data they feed in remains for their own insights. Unless explicitly shared by the farmer with anonymisation, Syngenta doesn’t need this data, doesn’t use it for any other purposes, and doesn’t share it with anyone else. However, when farming data is shared with the informed consent of farmers, it can benefit them by creating collective intelligence or tap into innovation and services from third parties. For example, when data about a certain disease is shared, all farmers nearby could get an alert and even ways to avoid being affected. It is a give-and-take approach: the…

Finding the optimal amount of fertiliser for wheat is an ongoing challenge for farmers. Apply too little and the crop’s growth will be limited; apply too much and the excess nitrogen will make its way into the environment, causing damage to ecosystems and the climate. Since wheat is a staple food around the world, the balanced use of fertiliser is all the more important. To address these issues, researchers, including Senthold Asseng, a professor of digital agriculture at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, looked at experimental wheat cultivars that could help improve global food security. The team collected data from five experimental fields representing wheat-producing regions around the world. They included these and other fields in a computer simulation to examine how they would perform under three climate…

The export industry has been left in limbo after all hopes to have a private operator for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 (DCT 2) in place this year were dashed. Philippines company International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) would have been the first private company to be allowed to operate a Transnet terminal, as the beleaguered state-owned enterprise seeks to bring in private investment to get South Africa’s dilapidated ports up and running optimally. But just as export-orientated farmers saw hope on the horizon, Durban High Court Judge Robin Mossop brought the deal to a halt, highlighting serious flaws in the procurement process. In July 2023, Transnet declared ICTSI the preferred bidder for the 25-year joint venture to develop and operate DCT 2. Losing bidder AP Moller Terminals, a subsidiary of…

Chester Fisch, a seasonal wine industry worker from Mountain Ridge near Wolseley, Western Cape, has won the 2024 edition of Agri’s Got Talent (AGT) in what judges said was probably the toughest competition yet, with just a small margin separating the top three contestants. Fisch, however, just had that something extra, getting almost the whole audience to their feet while singing the Michael Jackson hit ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and showing off his diversity while singing Sam Cooke’s politically inspired ‘A Change is Gonna Come’. According to an AGT press statement, the gospel genre is Fisch’s first love, but he also excels in R&B and pop. “I am versatile and would like to grow in all areas when it comes to music,” he said. He added that participating…

The first-ever container load of South African avocados, which landed in China in October, bodes well for future developments in the industry. The load, which comprised 21 pallets weighing 21t in total, arrived at the Shanghai Huizhan Fruit and Vegetable Market on 8 October 2024. According to Derek Donkin, CEO of the SA Subtropical Growers’ Association, the exported avocados were of the Hass variety. “The fruit was of good quality and was very well received. This is the only load that will be shipped to China this year, since we’ve come to the end of the 2024 season. Exports will only resume next year.” He stressed the fact that while the Chinese export market held various economic benefits in the broader sense, it would play a particularly important role in…

Absa and the Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) held a ministerial stakeholder dialogue at the Maslow Hotel in Pretoria, Gauteng, in mid-October. The occasion provided a forum for dialogue, co-operation, and practical suggestions to promote long-term expansion in South Africa’s agriculture sector. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen gave the keynote address at the event. During the address, he said that economic expansion and job creation were government’s two main concerns, and emphasised the value of collaboration in advancing the agriculture sector. He also highlighted the function of the Department of Agriculture as a hub for forming alliances throughout the value chain. “For South Africa to stay competitive, we need a regulatory environment that is progressive, responsive, and allows for the adoption of new technologies essential for improving yields and addressing climate…

The global Brent crude oil market continues to face significant volatility, driven by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) production strategies and broader geopolitical factors. Brent crude prices reflect the persistent efforts by OPEC+ to stabilise the market through coordinated production cuts. In a meeting held on 5 September 2024, OPEC+ key members Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman reaffirmed their commitment to the voluntary production adjustments agreed upon earlier in the year (see table below). These cuts, first introduced in April 2023 and extended further in November 2023, have been central to the efforts of OPEC+ to manage oil prices in response to fluctuating global demand. Iraq and Kazakhstan, two members who have overproduced since January 2024, were…

The Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) plays a critical role by monitoring and enforcing labour law compliance. This helps protect workers’ rights while fostering a safe and productive work environment. Many employers are concerned about security due to people falsely posing as inspectors from the DoEL in order to gain access to the premises. It is imperative to insist on positive identification of the person who introduces themself as a DoEL inspector and then to verify the information before giving the person access to the workplace. The DoEL inspectors will always carry official identification. In terms of Chapter 10 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No. 75 of 1997 (BCEA), there is an obligation on a labour inspector to produce his or her official appointment certificate upon request.…

Vergelegen wine estate, near the top of Lourensford Road in Somerset West, Western Cape, is bordered by the Lourensford, Erinvale and Morgenster estates and has been an important agricultural centre for more than 320 years. In the past five years, important changes to the farming and hospitality aspects of Vergelegen have seen the business improve its product range and customer-facing service offering significantly. Vergelegen’s wine range, its primary agricultural output, has been overhauled for the first time in several decades. Reducing the number of wines from 17 to 10 has been a three-year process, and their new labels better reflect Vergelegen’s natural heritage and plans for the future. Wayne Coetzer is Vergelegen’s managing director and a renowned captain in hospitality circles. He previously helmed The Oyster Box Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal’s…

5 KEY WORDS: KAREN CROSS In 1970, teacher Karen Cross and her engineer husband John, both 25, sailed off on the Carina, a 10m yacht, from Durban to England, ultimately meeting ancestral family in Denmark. This adventure of a lifetime included their first-born son, Peter, who was only four months old when they began their return journey. Karen tells the story through her journal and letters and John’s logs in The Baby Boat (Rockhopper, R280). Peter, now 52, remembers it making him feel special as a child and awkward as a teen, but is now “proud of it”. Five words to sum up the experience: 1. Fear. The first frightening moment came while drifting off Bird Island near Port Elizabeth. We started the motor and a rope wrapped itself round the…

Dear Prof McCrindle, We own indigenous sheep in northern KwaZulu-Natal and our family has bred them for many generations. Are these African sheep or were they introduced from Europe after Jan van Riebeeck landed in the Cape? Kind regards, Walter Dear Walter, Today’s Zulu breed of sheep was not imported from Europe after 1652; it is far more ancient. Sheep were present in North Africa more than 7 000 years ago. Paintings from Ancient Egypt show a thin-tailed, hairy sheep with curved horns as well as donkeys and cattle. This matches descriptions of sheep in the Bible’s Old Testament. Genetic evidence links ancient domesticated sheep in Africa to wild ancestors in Eurasia, not Europe. There is evidence that the fattailed breed entered Africa about 5 000 years ago. They interbred…

ARCHIVE This article looked at what was once considered useless land that was then developed into a 257ha paradise of fauna and flora in the heart of South Africa’s winelands. Wiesenhof Private Game Reserve near Klapmuts in the Paarl district of the Western Cape is the brainchild of RA Kulenkampff, who developed a mountainous portion of his farm into a booming tourist attraction. Only three years old, the park already attracts more than 24 000 visitors a year and the figure is steadily rising. Many different species of game roam free in this wildlife sanctuary and the variety of flora is enough to make the mind of any nature lover boggle. Thousands of proteas and numerous species of wild flowers greet the visitor along an 8km drive meandering through nature…

At Agri SA’s recent Green Horizons 2024 Agricultural Congress in Cape Town, under the theme ‘Cultivating success, harvesting futures’, various speakers shared insights on strategies to unlock the agriculture sector’s full potential. Johann Kotzé, CEO of Agri SA, spoke about the importance of the industry re-engineering itself to remain a force amid population growth, urbanisation and climate change. He said the sector would have to look at ways to improve efficiencies, reduce waste and build relationships to remain relevant and improve food security. “The industry will have a battle to exist if we do not remain food secure in South Africa.” He added that the definition of food security had changed over the years, and that it was no longer just about the availability of food, but also affordability; whether…

The recent detection of African citrus greening disease in Gqeberha has led to heightened concerns among citrus growers in the Eastern Cape. Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), told Farmer’s Weekly about the steps the industry was taking to mitigate the spread of this disease, which included implementing measures recommended by the Department of Agriculture and Citrus Research International (CRI). “As advised by the department and CRI, people in certain residential areas of Gqeberha are urged to co-operate with [the department] and CRI officials who will be working in and around their areas conducting surveillance. They are also urged not to tamper with any of the department’s yellow sticky traps, as they collect valuable information,” Chadwick said. Further clarification from the department highlighted specific…

Agile and highly intelligent, octopuses are able to navigate mazes, use tools and even recognise different people, making them some of nature’s most fascinating creatures. However, according to animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), these animals are being exposed to ‘cruel and unsustainable’ farming methods, with governments worldwide spending millions in public funds on this practice. Spain, in particular, is being scrutinised for investing nearly €10 million (around R200 million) in octopus farming, with almost half of this figure coming from the EU. Other countries implicated in this practice included Australia, Chile, Mexico and New Zealand. However, the CIWF stated on its website that, since information on public funding was not always available, the actual figures could be even higher. As a result, the CIWF has urged Spanish…

As South Africa enters its 2024/25 agricultural production season, experts predict a favourable outlook for farmers, particularly in the grain and oilseed industry. A potential La Niña event is expected to bring improved rainfall across much of the country, boosting hopes for a recovery following the challenges of the 2023/24 season. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Dr Peter Johnston, a climate scientist at the University of Cape Town, said the La Niña prediction was fairly certain but that it was expected to be weak and only last until autumn, when conditions should change to neutral. “This means that while many forecasts are saying above-normal rainfall, this is not the case for all regions, especially the northern areas,” Johnston said. He added that while improved rainfall was likely, farmers should not expect…

The effects of the current drought in Limpopo are escalating dramatically and could result in the exit of farmers from primary agriculture production. Coupled with the black frost that virtually annihilated the province’s 2024 potato harvest in August, farmers are now experiencing severe economic hardship. This was according to Fanie Havenga, the chairperson of TLU SA North. “While I have not received any reports of livestock that have succumbed to the drought, the wildlife industry has been particularly hard hit,” he said. “The deaths of game species like kudu have been reported all over the province. The drought has taken a heavy financial toll and our members simply can’t afford to feed wildlife.” The majority by far of the livestock producers in the province were left with no choice but…

Do you remember when the Proteas – despite including legendary players Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock – lost by seven wickets to Australia in the semi-finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup? They were vilified and labelled ‘chokers’, and it took some time for them to redeem their reputations. The then CEO of Cricket South Africa (Cricket SA) blamed the loss on the ‘players’ lack of mental strength’, and despite the players’ outstanding performance up to that point, no one from Cricket SA management came to their defence or accepted any responsibility for this result. The following year, our athletes only brought home one silver medal from the Beijing Olympics. Even before the Games had ended, the then president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee…

The success of South Africa’s agriculture sector is reflected in the rising exports and relatively high job numbers, despite farmers adopting mechanisation and automation. The availability of food in all parts of the country throughout the year demonstrates the resilience and sustainability of the sector in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and protectionism in the world market. However, this inspiring story is often overshadowed by the increasing level of poverty and the limited participation of black farmers in commercial agriculture. Another criticism of the sector is the failure to expand operations into tribal land in rural areas. There are a couple of factors that have discouraged agricultural investors from venturing into tribal land, such as unsecured land tenure rights and poorly developed infrastructure. Most of the rural areas are…

At just 22 years old, Resego Njoro is the founder of Oarabile Holdings 21, based on a farm in Vereeniging, Gauteng. Here, he manages a thriving agribusiness that produces maize and soya beans and raises livestock. From his early years working on his father’s farm to establishing his own agribusiness, Njoro’s story reflects the spirit of a young man who is determined to make an impact on South Africa’s agriculture sector. LESSONS FROM HIS FATHER Njoro’s journey into farming began in 2018 when he started working part-time on his father Amos’s farm in the Vaal area in Gauteng. As a boarding school student, his exposure to farming was limited to weekends and holidays. However, even in this brief time, he developed a deep passion for agriculture. “My interest and passion…

Jeffrey Archer is back in bubbly form with An Eye For An Eye (HarperCollins, R350), the latest William Warwick mystery. It’s driven, as the title suggests, by revenge. One of Archer’s favourite villains, billionaire and jailbird Miles Faulkner, is determined to humiliate Warwick and embarrass his own ex-wife Christina and her friend Beth Warwick, William’s wife and the director of a prestigious art gallery, at the same time. A British aristocratic family is targeted as part of this – but for quite some time the jury is out on whether they’re being duped or doing the duping … Forgery, from art to antique documents, assassination, and dirty deals by British diplomats in the Middle East, all weave together in a tale that requires split-second timing. 5 COPIES OF AN EYE FOR…