Indholdsfortegnelse for 6 December 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

I spend a lot of time mulling over local agricultural news, and almost as much time poring over international agricultural news. This is largely because South Africa competes on the global stage when it comes to agriculture, and poor (or good) harvests in one particular region may have an impact on South Africa’s agricultural exports or prices. This, of course, impacts our farmers directly, and it’s my responsibility and the responsibility of the Farmer’s Weekly team to bring this to light so that South Africa’s farmers and other agricultural role players don’t have to do this research themselves but can stay informed about pivotal decisions that are being made abroad. A big talking point on the international stage at the moment is Britain’s proposed amendments to inheritance tax (IHT). While…

Earlier in 2024 it was mentioned in this column that more than half of the global population will be subject to elections of some kind this year. Some of the most interesting elections, outside of the presidential election in the US, were seen in the UK where years of Tory government were rejected in a landslide victory for the Labour Party of Sir Keir Starmer. Labour won with 34% of the vote and 402 seats in parliament and the Conservatives got 24% of the vote and 121 seats. If it was a system of proportional representation, the two main parties would have been forced into a coalition of sorts. A similar scenario played out in Botswana in November 2024. The Botswana electoral system is a single member constituency system with…

Climate talks reached an impasse at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in November in Baku, Azerbaijan. Coined the ‘finance COP’, the event, meant to strengthen financing for mitigating climate change and assist those most vulnerable in adaptation measures, fell flat. Speaking at the conference, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said that since the current financing mechanisms had proven insufficient in scale and effectiveness, COP29 would serve as a platform to introduce a new financing model. George was tasked with co-chairing discussions on mitigation with his Norwegian counterpart, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. While George was optimistic that consensus could be reached on the financing model, countries that are due to make the biggest financial contributions dug their heels in as COP29 progressed.…

The 2024/25 maize planting season in Gauteng officially began with the Pannar Seed Farmer’s Day in Vereeniging, an event highlighting the latest in agricultural practices, technologies and strategies to boost productivity. The planting season had been delayed this year due to a lack of rain. Reggie Mchunu, technical advisor at Pannar, detailed the importance of early preparation to avoid yield losses, saying that by July (before planting in October/November), soil testing should be complete and by August, liming needed to be done. “If you delay these activities, you risk impacting your crops’ potential and if your optimal planting date is 15 October but you delay until December, yield can drop by as much as 15% every 15 days. Planting on time and budgeting are critical to ensuring profitability,” said Mchunu.…

The newly established Commercial Cold Holdings (CCH) cold storage facility in Greenbushes, Eastern Cape, is set for launch on 5 December. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Francois Roux, chief commercial officer at CCH, said the Greenbushes facility had been designed to address challenges in the province’s postharvest infrastructure, with the aim of reducing food losses and improving the quality of exported produce. “The facility offers expanded cold storage capacity with 6 700 pallet spaces and an annual throughput of up to 120 000 pallets of fruit exports. This will ensure that fresh produce from the region can be handled more efficiently and reach international markets in optimal condition,” he said. Roux added that the facility’s proximity to the ports of Ngqura and Gqeberha would alleviate congestion at other major ports like…

The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible. “In South Africa, which has the world’s largest captive lion population of around 8 000, the captive lion industry faces escalating ethical, regulatory, conservation and economic hurdles, and does not align with global conservation trends,” the statement read. The notice came on the heels of a task team report, started under the previous minister of the department, Barbara Creecy, which recommended voluntary exit options from the captive lion industry and an end to the stockpiling of lion bones and derivatives, including carcasses, skins, teeth and claws. In 2022, Farmer’s Weekly reported that lion bones…

The Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) recently partnered with Landworks, a dedicated recruitment platform for the agriculture sector, and Crewit Resourcing, an Irish specialised recruitment service, to launch 100 job opportunities in Ireland. Francois Rossouw, CEO of SAAI, told Farmer’s Weekly that the initiative was aimed at giving agricultural students invaluable hands-on experience with advanced machinery and transportation systems, while earning and saving for their future farming endeavours. He added that the opportunities, however, were not limited to agricultural students, as there were also jobs for drivers and mechanics in the agricultural space. According to Rossouw, the launch was seen as a pilot, with more job opportunities in the pipeline if the first round was successful. “Ireland has an aging farming population, so there is a big demand for workers…

The past season is one that summer grain producers want to forget as soon as possible. They faced very dry conditions in summer, and in some areas the crops failed completely. The total summer grain crop for the 2023/24 season is currently estimated at 15,4 million tons, down 23% on 2022/23. The 2024 wheat crop is estimated at 1,94 million tons, down 4% on 2023. The current maize crop is estimated at 12,7 million tons, down 22% on the previous season. Soya bean production for this season is 34% lower, while sunflower production is 12% lower. The white maize price did increase by 50% from July 2023 to July 2024, partially compensating farmers for the lower production, while the price of yellow maize only increased by 15%. Wheat prices are…

ARC National Best Elite Cow Awards 2024 This award category only considers actual performance data of participating cows. Participating cows should exhibit exceptional reproduction figures and other economically important traits like maternal ability and pre-weaning growth rate (weaning weight). This award category is contested, as in the past, among cows across all breeds, and only one cow per breed is crowned as the top female of each participating breed. Our valued partner, Farmer’s Weekly, has been the sole sponsor of this award category for 46 years in a row, which in itself is indeed praiseworthy. Both registered and commercial cows are eligible to participate, and specific qualification criteria include age at first calving; the average intercalving period; days since the last calving; the completeness of records for weaning weights; performance…

FOCUS ON AGRITOURISM This writer found the ideal destination for a digital detox in North West. Only 20km west of the small town Magaliesburg, Dream Lodge makes for a relaxing break for travellers exploring the region. Stephen and Sam Savage purchased the lodge in 2003. Gecko Cottage was already operational then, and Sam says she had to prepare supper for the guests on the day they took ownership of this 74ha farm, which they call Broken Hill. With Stephen being a consulting geologist by profession and Sam a social worker and trauma counsellor, they stepped up and expanded Dream Lodge to add another cottage called Agama in 2008, with another called Chameleon opening in 2010. Sam also co-owns a restaurant and art gallery in Magaliesburg. ACCOMMODATION The farm is off-grid…

While wine consumption is stagnating internationally, wine tourism is growing and turning into a valuable way for wineries to increase revenue. JC Martin points out that having a restaurant allows Creation Wines to generate about 35% of their income from direct cellar-door sales, which is more profitable than having to sell through retailers or other middlemen. Most of the people who visit the farm also become repeat consumers. Martin believes that South African wineries can do much more to unlock the benefits of wine tourism than wineries in most other countries, thanks to the country’s rich diversity and unique landscapes. According to the latest research conducted by FTI Consulting on behalf of South African Wine Industry Statistics, wine tourism as a percentage of total turnover of wine cellars rose from…

5 KEY WORDS: PAUL SKELTON Fish researchers and enthusiasts around the country are celebrating the third edition of Paul Skelton’s Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa (Struik Nature, R470). Skelton is emeritus managing director of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, and the three editions of his book, with its unusually enthralling introduction, are a major part of the legacy of his career that has spanned more than 50 years. As well as including new species, the latest edition has been expanded – with scientific names, species information, and maps updated – and new photographs and illustrations added. Like 1993’s first edition and 2001’s second, it represents another milestone in the development of the scientific study of our freshwater fish. Read on for five of Paul’s key guiding words: 1. Wonder.…

Chinese researchers have manufactured a robot that can recognise various plant species and track their growth stages by ‘touching’ their leaves. The study, published in Device in November, reveals that, unlike traditional methods that rely on visual observation, this robot ‘feels’ the leaves with an electrode, allowing it to measure details like surface texture and water content. During testing, the robot has already shown remarkable accuracy, identifying 10 plant cultivars with an average precision of 97,7%, and correctly identifying the leaves of the flowering bauhinia plant at various growth phases with 100% accuracy. In future, farmers and researchers may find this technology to be a useful tool in monitoring crop health, determining a crop’s water and fertiliser needs, and the early detection of pests. “It could revolutionise crop management and…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. Lorien Pichegru is an adjunct professor at Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape. She focuses on the impact of anthropogenic changes in the marine environment. Email lorienp@hotmail.com. Dr Alistair McInnes is a research associate at Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research. Email alistair.mcinnes@birdlife.org.za. Katrin Ludynia is an honorary research associate and research manager at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, University of Cape Town. Email kludynia@gmail.com. Peter Barham is an emeritus professor of physics at the University of Bristol, UK, and an extraordinary professor in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape. Email Peter.Barham@bristol.ac.uk. "In October 2024, the African…

On 14 November, Agbiz and its partner in the process, Agrifusion, hosted a workshop on environmental, social and government (ESG) sustainability in Pretoria. The objective of the workshop was to empower companies across the value chain with the necessary information and a workable methodology to apply ESG in their context. Sustainability and ESG have become popular buzzwords, but there is actually no single definition or agreed framework to define it. Broadly speaking, there is a movement whereby stakeholders ask companies for greater transparency in relation to their societal impact. In a nutshell, ESG involves integrated reports whereby businesses report not only on their financial performance to selected stakeholders, but also on the impact that their activities have on the environment and the people who are affected by it. VARIOUS REPORTING…

This month, CropLife South Africa stewardship specialist Hiresh Ramanand hosted a webinar to explore the implications of the 2023 Major Hazard Installation (MHI) regulations for the pesticide industry. The discussion shed light on the regulatory framework’s impact on pesticide storage and handling. “The MHI regulations of 2023 establish a framework aimed at managing risks associated with installations that handle hazardous substances,” said Ramanand. “These regulations are critical for ensuring safety in industries where hazardous materials are stored, processed, or used, such as pesticides, warehouses and depots.” According to Ramanand, the regulations classify facilities as MHIs if they store or handle hazardous substances above specific thresholds outlined in the legislation. This classification includes many pesticide warehouses and depots, which frequently store flammable, toxic and environmentally hazardous substances. Ramanand emphasised the importance…

Mango industry experts are calling for improved regulations and stricter enforcement to safeguard growers and consumers, as South Africa grapples with ensuring that only mature, highquality mangoes reach the market. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association, said that the South African Mango Growers’ Association (SAMGA) lacked the authority to enforce legislated quality standards. He explained that the Perishable Products Export Control Board managed export quality standards, while Product Control for Agriculture (Prokon) monitored compliance for local markets. SAMGA’s role was limited to advising the Department of Agriculture on setting these standards. Donkin added that there was a significant gap in the local mango maturity standards: they did not specify when internal fruit colour should be assessed. “A hard, unripe mango may fail…

In his video address to the Global Soil Conference 2024 held recently in New Delhi, India’s Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan raised concerns about soil degradation, which currently affected 30% of the country’s farmland. Chouhan called for immediate action to protect soil health, which was vital for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that include zero hunger, climate action and biodiversity preservation. “India produces over 330 million tons of food grains annually and exports agricultural products worth US$50 billion [over R900 billion]. While this achievement is remarkable, addressing the urgent concerns about soil health is non-negotiable,” he said. He cited factors like excessive fertiliser use, poor soil management and the overuse of natural resources as key contributors to the soil degradation problem. According to Chouhan, the government had launched…

The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has launched Iindaba zika DRDAR, a news bulletin series broadcast on its Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as radio stations Tru FM and Umhlobo Wenene, and television station Mpuma Kapa TV. The series is aimed at promoting rural development and agriculture, and the first episode aired on 31 October from a state-of-the-art digital studio in East London. DRDAR MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe told Farmer’s Weekly that the initiative was a tool for public education and communication. “These news bulletins help us educate the public about the department’s programmes and services, packaging technical information in an accessible way for the people of our province,” she said. According to Kontsiwe, the bulletins featured stories about government programmes designed to support agricultural…

South Africa’s livestock and wool industries are navigating significant pressures, with stagnant consumer demand, rising input costs, and volatile global markets posing ongoing challenges. Industry experts Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB, and Brendan Jacobs, head of agriculture at Standard Bank, outlined strategies to stabilise these industries and stimulate growth. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Makube said it was important to address infrastructure as an immediate priority for economic recovery. “With electricity challenges largely resolved, the next short-term focus should be on accelerating investment in port and rail infrastructure to boost exports.” He said municipal infrastructure had also deteriorated over time, undermining rural economic activity. “Allowing public-private partnerships would stimulate investment, particularly for agribusinesses in rural areas.” Makube said rising crime rates had further deterred investors, making innovative solutions essential.…

Sustainable youth development and ways to empower the youth to advance the South African dairy industry were discussed at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Dairyman of the Year Awards. Speaking at the event, Prof Norman Maiwashe, general manager of the ARC Animal Production Campus, said agriculture had become far more attractive to the youth over the years, especially because of the diversity it offered and technological developments. “Gone are the days that agriculture is seen as a second-grade job. The question now is how we can incentivise young people to stay in the sector,” he said. Nevertheless, Maiwashe said the sector was investing less than in the past to promote agriculture and connect people with the industry. He suggested that government and the sector work together, and more resources be…

André Brink from Groot Phesantekraal Boerdery Trust in the Western Cape was last month named Farmer of the Year at the 2024 Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) Awards, held in Centurion, Gauteng. Thulani Magida from Juta Agritech in the Eastern Cape was named New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year, and Prof Driekie Fourie as Agriculturalist of the Year. This year, a special award was given to renowned vet Dr Faffa Malan, who was honoured for the pivotal role he has played in advancing animal health in South Africa. These annual awards celebrate individuals who drive progress and sustainability in South Africa’s agricultural landscape, and are nominated by AWSA members. Brink runs a well-diversified farming business comprising crops, cattle, sheep, and wine on the outskirts of Durbanville. Magida is a…

Whistle-blowing is essential in both public and private sectors, serving as a critical mechanism for exposing wrongdoing within organisations. It involves revealing information about actions that are considered illegal, unethical or improper and impacts private, public and non-profit entities alike. By shining a light on misconduct, whistle-blowers contribute to integrity and accountability in the workplace. In February 2001, the Protected Disclosures Act (No. 26 of 2000), or PDA, was enacted to offer legal protection to whistle-blowers. This legislation safeguards individuals who report misconduct, and also fosters a culture of transparency aimed at combating illegal activities. By promoting openness, organisations can create a more robust framework of good governance, where ethical standards are prioritised and maintained. SIGNIFICANCE OF WHISTLE-BLOWING IN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS The relationship between employers and employees fundamentally relies on…

Scott Gooding, author of The Good Farm Cookbook (Murdoch Books, R535), is a cook and holistic nutrition and performance coach. His co-author and life partner Matilda Brown is a writer, director, and actor. They set up their Good Farm Shop in Sydney in 2021, and the book shares the flavour of the health-driven ready meals they deliver along Australia’s east coast. Gooding’s introduction discusses how they prefer natural and unprocessed over highly processed foods, aiming for a balanced diet with occasional indulgences. Brown makes the case for regenerative agriculture, with soil being “the real hero of the story”. Then the recipes – from berry butter and spicy romesco sauce to kedgeree – are all very tempting. 5 COPIES OF FRESHWATER FISHES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA TO GIVE AWAY! TO ENTER: Email the…

When the British Army sourced horse feed from Argentina for their war effort against the Boers between 1899 and 1902, serrated tussock grass (Nassella trichotoma), Chilean needlegrass (N. neesiana) and Mexican feather grass (N. tenuissima) were unwittingly introduced to South Africa. By the mid-1900s these species had become naturalised to higher-lying veld, and in the 1970s, state-funded research and control campaigns (mainly spraying herbicides) were launched to curb their spread. However, these efforts were abandoned in 2000. Since then, these unpalatable Nassella grass species have continued to proliferate in South African veld. According to Centre for Invasion Biology-funded (CIB) PhD student Anthony Mapaura – who in 2020 completed an extensive literature review on Nassella with the support of researchers at CIB, Rhodes University, and the University of the Free State’s…

The 12th wool sale of the season put up a solid performance, driven by a weaker rand against the US dollar as well as better market sentiment. Good competition among buyers resulted in positive results across all micron categories, with an excellent overall sales clearance of 98,4%, according to Cape Wools SA. The sale saw 11 534 bales on offer, with 550 bales withdrawn before the sale. Around 65% of the offering consisted of fine-micron, long-length wools, with 51% of the Merino wools certified as sustainable. The all-Merino indicator increased by 2,9% to close at R164,30/kg, while the certified indicator gained 3% to close at R166,88/kg. A highest price of R333,91/kg (clean) was paid for a two-bale lot of 15,1 micron Merino wool. Major buyers were BKB Pinnacle Fibres (2…

ARCHIVE Combining broilers and fish on just 1ha can be a profitable business, as this article proved. Using the manure of farm and domestic animals to fertilise fish ponds is at least as old as recorded history. In the East, all the usual animals plus some unusual ones, such as silkworms, have been used successfully. In the West, however, integrated fish farming is fairly rare and it is more usual to feed fish with pelleted food. William Hughes-Games has been teaching such a system to the Shangaan of Gazankulu in the north-eastern Transvaal [now Limpopo] for the past few years. The central farm is used to demonstrate farming methods and to teach managers from the other farms. It consists of four 0,25ha ponds within a 4ha fenced-in area. Buildings comprise…

A joint fund of R500 million will be established by the departments of Trade, Industry and Competition and Small Business Development to support township and rural businesses, including community convenience stores. This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 November, following the recent deaths of children due to foodborne illness. Ramaphosa made the announcement following a total of 890 reported incidents of foodborne illness in the country since the beginning of September 2024, which claimed the lives of at least 22 children. According to him, the funding was intended for the refurbishment of businesses and non-financial support in terms of technical skills, regulatory compliance and capacity building. He also announced that the Department of Agriculture was reviewing and updating all relevant legislation regarding the regulation and authorisation of agricultural…

The South African citrus industry experienced a drop in export yield in 2024, packing 164,5 million (15kg-equivalent) cartons for global markets. This was 600 000 cartons fewer than those packed in 2023, which was largely a result of smaller fruit and lower yield. Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) of Southern Africa, described the season as “truly unusual” when speaking to Farmer’s Weekly. “Warm and dry weather reduced fruit sizes, while three severe weather events (frost in Limpopo, floods in Citrusdal and strong winds in the Eastern Cape) further impacted crops,” he said. “Considering these unforeseen circumstances, it is a testament to the strength and continually strengthening citrus industry that the decline in exports was so slight.” According to Chadwick, the CGA adapted its approach throughout the…

UNITED STATES An E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots produced by Grimmway Farms (one of the biggest carrot producers in the world) has caused the death of one person and illness in 38 others across 18 states since September. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suspected there were more unreported cases: “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli,” it said in a statement. According to radio network NPR, Grimmway Farms had recalled organic baby and whole carrots at major retailers, and had advised customers to discard affected products and sanitise surfaces. COSTA RICA Costa Rica has introduced its first fertiliser made from agricultural waste, developed by Innovaciones Circulares, an agritech company that specialises in advanced mineral fertilisers. According to…

South Africa faces job losses in excess of 20 000 should the EU proceed with legislation that bans the use of tea tree oil. Globally, essential oil producers are fighting the EU’s reclassification of tea tree oil as a reprotoxic substance, which was announced earlier this year. Tea tree is one of the top export oils from South Africa. Locally, the industry employs around 10 000 people directly and another 10 000 indirectly. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Ryan Biggs, general manager of Ayanda African Oils in Mpumalanga, said government had set up many tea tree farmers as part of its empowerment programmes. If they were to lose the EU market, it would affect thousands of households. He added that of greater concern was that the legislation would affect the essential…

Severe weather conditions that resulted in rain, floods, strong winds and hail in South Africa in October highlighted the lack of disaster management contingency plans on municipal level, according to Tarien Cooks, disaster management specialist at Afriforum. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, she said official disaster management structures in the country, except those in the Western Cape, had been eroded to such an extent that most of them ceased to function. “That is why it has become essential for South Africans to put disaster management measures on a household level in place in order to prepare for lifethreatening weather conditions such as extreme winds, floods and veld fires. “To that effect, Afriforum has made a guide available on its website in order for people to prepare for dangerous weather conditions. The…

At the 2024 Veritas Awards held in Cape Town earlier this year, KWV won the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine, chosen from 1 265 entries and 70 double-gold winners. The wine and spirits producer clinched this prestigious trophy with The Mentors Perold 2020, a Cape Blend of Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Malbec. It also won this award in 2020 with its Bordeaux-style blend The Mentors Orchestra 2018. This year was the third time a red blend won this top award since its introduction in 2014. Along with this, KWV was named the Best Producer for more than 11 wines entered and it took six Double Gold medals for brandy and three for wines. Its other Double Gold wines were The Mentors Perold…

Donald Trump is known for his tariff legislation and his foreign policy, encapsulated by the slogan ‘Make America Great Again’. During his first term as US president, Trump cited national security concerns to institute import tariffs on steel and aluminium in the US. The range of tariffs was then extended to include tariffs on other products, including agricultural goods. In response, Canada, Mexico, the EU, Türkiye, and India retaliated with import tariffs on US products including fruit, vegetables, nuts and pork. China specifically instituted tariffs of between 5% and 50% on goods from the US in a period now referred to as the US-Chinese trade war. One specific commodity often referred to as an example of the effect of the protectionist drive during Trump’s first term is soya bean. From…

Civil society plays a crucial role in the increasingly evolving constitutional democracy in South Africa. When the Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996) was adopted, the civil society sector was accorded protection in the Bill of Rights, ascertaining the freedom of association, expression, and speech. The rights of civil society are legislated through the Nonprofit Organisations (NPO) Act (No. 71 of 1997). This Act provides a legal framework in which civil society organisations (CSOs) can flourish and take public interest litigations to the courts if required. The laws have facilitated a thriving civil society in South Africa. Between 1997 and 2023, there was a significant rise in demand for NPO registration at the Department of Social Development, the administrator of the NPO Act. By the end of March 2023, the…

When Carolyn and Jean-Claude ‘JC’ Martin bought a sheep farm near Walker Bay on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in 2002, there was little to indicate they would be able to turn it into what would become one of South Africa’s finest wineries, Creation Wines. “The Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge was new to winemaking at the time, leaving us with little information to benchmark the farm’s potential. All we had to go on was that the neighbouring farmer produced apples for export, and climates that favour apple colouration are good for wine production,” says JC. It also helped that both are from wine pioneering families. Swiss-born JC’s grandfather, Jules Martin, established a family winery on the banks of Lake Bienne in Switzerland in 1935, while Carolyn’s grandfather, Maurice Finlayson, bought Hartenberg in Stellenbosch in…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I want to start a small-scale poultry farm to finish broilers, as I have access to fertilised eggs and there is a good market. Is it better to keep them in cages or to have them on the floor? Malume Dear Malume, Although it was fashionable at one stage to keep broilers in cages, it has been found that it is more affordable and far easier to keep them all together on the floor. This allows for more muscle and bone development and leaner carcasses. Caged broilers often start pecking out their own and other birds’ feathers, and are more prone to parasites and bacterial diseases due to their high stress levels. Cages restrict movement, and as the birds grow bigger, this results in leg and skin…