Winter is an important season for South African agriculture, with some of its key field crops being produced during the cold months of June, July and August, and maturing after that, with harvesting in December.
Preparation of the land for winter crops begins in April, which is the same time that harvesting of the summer crops begins.
Farmers in the Western Cape, the Northern Cape, the Free State, Limpopo and other winter crop-growing regions are making arrangements for growing winter wheat, canola, barley and oats.
All the country’s wheat production takes place during the winter months, making winter an important contributor to the country’s wheat needs. South Africa produces roughly 60% of its wheat requirements and imports the balance. It also produces, on average, about 90% of its annual barley…
