Innehållsförteckning för 2 February 2024 från Farmer's Weekly

In the world of farming, equipment and machinery are essential for efficient production. No harvest or planting season can be completed without the use of at least a tractor if the farmer wishes to produce commercially without the use of many labourers. In my last editorial, I spoke about the farmer protests in Germany, which were sparked by the German government announcing that it would cease diesel rebates for agricultural machinery. The aim of the German government is clear: to reduce the use of agricultural machinery on farms. However, as many, if not most, commercial farms cannot produce efficiently and cost effectively without machinery, the question becomes: what does the German government propose in lieu of the use of diesel-powered agricultural machinery? Electric tractors? In 2021, the Washington Policy Centre…

On 11 January 2024, a delegation from Agbiz, the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF), the South African Table Grape Industry, Hortgro and the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa met with Transnet's executive team under the leadership of CEO Michelle Phillips. The meeting followed a letter co-signed by Agbiz, Fruit South Africa and the FPEF drawing attention to challenges experienced at the Port of Cape Town. At the meeting, the industry reiterated the need for short-, medium- and long-term interventions needed to manage the remainder of the summer export season and beyond. It was decided that as an immediate measure, a ‘war room’ would be established between industry and Transnet that met on a day-to-day basis. The aim is to improve real-time communication between the port and its stakeholders and…

The South Korean government recently passed a new law banning the sale of dog meat. According to the government, the legislation, which will completely come into force by 2027, will bring an end to the practice of people consuming dog meat. The Korean government said that under the new law, the consumption of dog meat itself would not be illegal, as it focused on the trade in dog meat. Those convicted of farming and selling dog meat could face up to two years’ imprisonment and those butchering dogs could face up to three years. According to statistics released by the government, there are over 1 500 dog meat restaurants in South Korea and over 1 100 dog farms. They are now required to submit their plans to phase out their…

A meeting was pending between South Africa and Botswana following the decision by Botswana to extend the ban on agricultural imports from South Africa. The ban, which was due to end in December 2023, was extended in early December and will remain in place until 2025, despite the free trade agreements in place between the two countries. South Africa, historically contributing about 80% of the Botswana's food supply, faced a significant challenge with the initiation of the ban, which started in January 2022. According to Botswana's agriculture ministry, the ban was put in place in an effort to boost its own farmers, allow the country to become self-sufficient in food production, and reduce its import bill. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the import ban had led to a 71% reduction…

While I wrote about foot rot in the past, I have recently received many calls from people seeking advice about this condition, which, if left untreated, can result in lasting and severe damage to the hooves of livestock. Foot rot is caused by bacteria that thrive in muddy or waterlogged soil, so as part of your holistic approach to combating this problem, you can implement these measures: • Raise the level of soil around drinking troughs and top these areas with shale (beware not to use sharp stones that can harm hooves), or lay flat stones so that water is unable to dam up. • Make certain to regularly clear kraal areas from excessive mud and manure. • Plan handling areas and kraals on sloping ground where water is able…

Aquagel started supplying the market with the soil conditioner Hydrocache in 2017. The product, consisting of biochar granules combined with superabsorbent polymers, was specifically developed for the forestry industry and later expanded to the farming industry. Postma explains that foresters and farmers add Hydrocache to planting holes when planting new trees. This helps the trees by improving the water and nutrient retention capacity of the area in which they are planted. It is also used in the process of hydroseeding to establish grasses and cover crops that replace conventional mulching to prevent evaporation. Aquagel has been looking for a way to make biochar available to the broader farming industry. “The problem is that biochar is extremely light and dusty, which drives up transportation costs and makes it difficult to handle,”…

Marcus Rosochacki of Rosoberry at Hermanus River Farm says his choice to grow organic berries is based on evidence that suggests certain common herbicides used between orchard rows are harmful to human health. “There are certainly published papers that discuss the negative impact of various chemicals on the environment at large. To move away from this is worthwhile and worth paying extra for by eco-conscious consumers. So aside from just being health conscious, there is the angle of environmental concern too,” he says. “There are several factors to my decision to focus on organic, smallvolume, for local-only production. In order of importance they are: the initial investment costs are extremely high; the industry is not protected from logistical nightmares such as Transnet failures, which, in the wrong week, can sink…

The Wild Bird Trust, a nonprofit company founded in 2009 by conservation biologist Dr Steve Boyes, was used to launch the Cape Parrot Project (CPP) in the Amathole mountains of the Eastern Cape to protect the most southernly population of parrots in South Africa. Dr Kirsten Wimberger, an animal physiologist and Boyes’ wife, became CPP director in 2014. By this time it had become clear that the regeneration of Afromontane forests would have to be a central pillar in the region's Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) conservation strategy. HABITAT The Cape parrot, South Africa's only endemic parrot, is found throughout a degraded archipelago of forest patches stretching from the Eastern Cape to southern KwaZuluNatal. A small population of parrots has also been discovered in an isolated forest in Limpopo. It is…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was first published by The Conversation. Read the original at: https://shorturl.at/mDLX0 “In 1950, as part of the Group Areas Act, South Africa's apartheid government banished people of colour to outlying areas, away from central business districts. The Cape Flats, sprawling to the east of central Cape Town, was one such area. Today the legacy of apartheid spatial planning endures. The area is home to several densely populated townships (lowincome public housing) such as Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Langa. In these communities, there's limited infrastructure and few transport links to the city's economic hubs. One way in which these factors affect residents is that it's difficult to access nutritious food. Studies reveal that there's…

Racial tensions are expected to intensify in the lead-up to South Africa's general election later this year. Political rhetoric during an election year in South Africa is typically characterised by intensified calls for transformation and land reform, with expropriation without compensation (EWC) featuring regularly. This year will be no different, with the EFF especially inflaming rural communities since EWC is one of the party's seven cardinal pillars. Political analyst Prince Mashele cautioned the agricultural community to keep calm amid a heated political climate. “Rhetoric around racism will rise, resulting in increased anger between white and black people. It is crucial that the agricultural community not enter into any discussions or actions that could possibly be blown out of proportion, and used by the EFF or ANC to gain popularity. They…

Problems at the Port of Cape Town are forcing table grape exporters to use Port Elizabeth to ensure their table grape exports arrive at their destinations as close as possible to the planned dates. According to a press statement by the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), shipping lines have strategically diverted some vessels from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, with these vessels now docking at Port Elizabeth instead of Cape Town, thereby reducing pressure on the Port of Cape Town. Exporters are also transporting some products via road to Port Elizabeth instead of to Cape Town. Along with this, shipping lines are sailing weekly conventional vessels to the EU and UK to relieve pressure at the Cape Town Container Terminal, while larger vessels destined for the Far East no…

Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer said it expected its agricultural plane to make record deliveries this year due to the growth of the industry. The company said the aircraft, called Ipanema, was used in crop-dusting activities. The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture said it was expecting more than 300 million tons of grain to be harvested this year. Embraer said it expected to make more than 70 deliveries of the Ipanema plane this year, and the company showed year-on-year growth. On its website, it said each plane sold for US$741 412 (about R14 million). The company said agribusinesses drastically impacted the country's GDP and it was happy to be contributing to high productivity and income. It added that agribusiness accounted for roughly a quarter of Brazil's GDP and helped it overshoot market…

Dr Kobus Laubscher, agricultural economist, welcomed a decision by the People's Republic of China to reduce tariff rates on imports of South African rooibos tea. This followed a recent announcement by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition that China has reduced the import tariff to 6%. The tariff previously ranged between 15% and 30%. Laubscher said the reduction will benefit the entire rooibos value chain, including producers. According to him, rooibos is mainly produced in a part of the Western Cape that is relatively unsuited to other forms of agriculture. Not only will an increase in exports add to the expansion of the industry, but it will also benefit the area as far as job creation is concerned. According to the South African Rooibos Council, the tea is traditionally…

There has been a 43% decline in the kapenta fish population in Kariba Dam over the past five years, according to Food Business Africa News. The drop in the kapenta numbers is being ascribed to a combination of illegal and unregulated fishing practices as well as a climate changeinduced decline in fish stocks. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) was introduced from Lake Tanganyika into the man-made Lake Kariba, where it now supports a large and viable fishery for Zimbabwe and Zambia, who share the lake. The largest fishery is on Lake Kariba and contributes almost 90% of the country's fish production. Lake Kariba supports an open-water semi-industrial night fishery for the kapenta as well as an artisanal inshore industry run by…

Fresh produce has mostly exhibited decreasing trends for average prices, despite declines in volumes. This has been due to modest consumer demand during the festive season, despite analysts anticipating higher demand based on historical buying patterns. CABBAGE Cabbage prices followed a decreasing trend month-on-month (m/m), falling by 11,97% (see Graph 1). The drop in price was due to a decrease in quality available to the market; analysts note that second-grade quality dominated in the first two weeks of December. The major suppliers to the markets were the Delmas and Brits regions, with supplied volumes falling from an average of 2 632t to 2 197t from November to December. Fortunately for the Joburg Fresh Produce Market, no material losses were recorded amid the power outage that took place at the end…

When an employee's alleged misconduct in the workplace comes to the employer's attention, it is necessary to investigate. This ensures that the employer makes an informed decision based on the facts. The purpose of the investigation is to establish if there is enough evidence to prove the alleged misconduct, and if there are sufficient grounds for a dismissal. However, employees are entitled to an expeditious finalisation of disciplinary proceedings. Balance is key between conducting a thorough investigation in pursuit of relevant facts, and finalising the disciplinary process in a timely manner and avoiding unreasonable delays. Failure to do so may result in both substantive and procedural unfairness towards an employee. Preferably, an investigation must be without delay. An investigation depends on the nature and complexity of the case, the amount…

Since launch in 2022, the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast Agri-CULTURE Tours are fast establishing the South Coast as an attractive agritourism destination offering a host of family-friendly adventures and giving visitors an experience beyond the traditional sites. The Agri-Tourism Route is one such offering, with the farmlands presenting a chance for outdoor adventure and home-grown tastes. The Agri-Tourism tour gives visitors a taste of homegrown produce, from bananas and vegetables to coffee, with fun outdoor activities to try including fishing, quad-biking, or simply picnicking, says Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of the South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). According to Mangcu, the yearround warm climate and nutrient-rich soil have seen the KZN South Coast's agriculture sector increase in dominance. “We realised that this area was ripe for further economic opportunities. As an…

My 5 key words: Nikki Brighton Most people curse weeds not Howick's Nikki Brighton. Her new book Wild About Weeds (R400, order at www.plantabundance.co.za) entertains and intrigues with musings and memories of non-indigenous weeds and recipes to introduce you to their flavours and nutritional value. This weedeater's found an unusual business opportunity in this niche and explains five of the things that drive her: Love: I remember saying as a child that I wanted a garden full of weeds when I grew up – just because they were pretty. My Aunt Jess, who was wandering round the garden with me, was horrified! Now I've even written a poem about that moment and it's in the book. Discovery: I lived on a farm in the Dargle for many years and began…

TLU SA, the South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (SAPTU), the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) and the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) have called on the Department of Labour to reconsider the existing minimum wage policy. According to a press statement issued by the four organisations, TLU SA and SAPTU acknowledged the potential benefits of a minimum wage, but asserted that these could only be realised in an environment of job opportunities, which the current policy milieu failed to achieve. They, therefore, outlined several minimum requirements for future wage regulations, including a linkage to minimum education standards, giving preference to productivity over mere presence, addressing infrastructure challenges, restoring property rights, and abolishing race-driven policies. NEASA and SAAI agreed, and proposed that unemployment be addressed by focusing…

Pome fruit producers are set to bounce back in 2024 thanks to favourable market conditions and higher-thananticipated export volumes. Roelf Pienaar, managing director of TruCape, said supply levels in general looked promising and that shipping challenges in some competing Southern Hemisphere countries, such as Chile, would create opportunities for South Africa to sell more fruit in some markets. While unfavourable climatic conditions and hail damage resulted in apple exports declining by 4% and pear exports by 16% in 2023, Pienaar said the harvest this year looked promising. This was confirmed by Hortgro's recently released estimate, according to which apple export volumes were expected to increase by 7% from 43 580 735 (12,5kg equivalent) cartons in 2023 to 46 420 996 cartons in 2024. Bi-red apple exports, such as Gala, Cripps…

SA Olive plans to explore various new markets, including neighbouring African countries, the US, Asia and Europe. This strategic expansion plan is prompted by a global heightened demand for extra virgin olive oil, Wendy Petersen, SA Olive's newly appointed CEO, told Farmer's Weekly. The SA Olive association represents the interests of the South African olive industry. According to Petersen, the apparent health benefits associated with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are increasingly capturing consumer attention, fostering a growing interest among both new markets and consumers. Around 1,5 to two million litres of extra virgin olive oil are produced locally each year with a further five to six million litres estimated to be imported annually. “About 95% of all South African olive oil is EVOO. The SA Olive Commitment to Compliance…

UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan is one of the largest producers of cotton in the world and, according to the World Bank, the industry can expect to grow after the end of the ban on Uzbek cotton. According to media reports, in 2010, the Cotton Campaign banned Uzbek cotton due to forced harvesting and because children were forced to work on the fields. The World Bank has put in place a monitoring system that ensures that child labour is not in practice and labourers are paid fair wages. Since then the ban has been lifted. ROMANIA Farmers joined truckers as they blocked all major roads in Bucharest, Romania, in protest over the high price of insurance, fuel and fertiliser. According to a transport association from Bucharest, the transport and agriculture industries had seen…

If you have ever caught yourself uttering the age-old excuse ‘I don't have the time’, you've been guilty of perpetuating one of the biggest lies in the history of mankind! Time is a democratically allocated resource. You've been bestowed with the same 24 hours a day as giants in history like Michelangelo, Charles Dickens, Albert Einstein and Bill Gates. What has set them apart has been their astute choices in the use of their time. Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, was among the first persons to recognise this reality. In his groundbreaking work, The Practice of Management, he proclaimed: “Until you can manage time, you can manage nothing else,” but even he didn't get it quite right. SELF-MANAGEMENT No one can ‘manage’ time. The time you have on…

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) crisscrossed the country in December 2023, informing farmers that they will be receiving title deeds for the farms they are leasing from the department. This has brought delight not only to the leaseholders but to the wider agricultural fraternity, who have argued that the lease arrangement was disadvantaging black farmers. CONTEXT OF LAND REFORM Restitution, redistribution, and tenure security are the pillars of land reform. Restitution focuses on the redress by assisting individuals who were dispossessed of their land by race-based policies such as the Natives Land Act of 1913. To remedy the injustice, government enacted the Restitution of Land Rights Act in 1994, which established the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR). In 1998, a total of 79…

Urban agriculture, by definition, means practising cultivation, processing and distributing food in urban set-ups. Today this terms also applies to aquaculture, beekeeping and horticulture. A group of researchers from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences said that this system has the potential to increase food supplies and provide environmental benefits, but they have now identified knowledge gaps in the benefits and risks of urban agriculture. In a research paper published in the Nature Food journal they used existing international research results and applied it to their own work. Assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and co-author of the research paper, Chloe Wardropper, said they used the existing data to propose a…

What's Your Money Personality? by Vangile Makwakwa (Macmillan, R280) isn't about budgeting but about why we behave the way we do around money – breaking budgets, overspending, scared of investing, all of which can ultimately damage your family, career and business. Money was at the heart of much family turmoil and trauma when Makwakwa was growing up. She hoped a UCT honours in finance and then an MBA from the Simmons School of Management in Boston, in the US, would equip her to manage better. Instead, at 25, unmarried and with a huge student debt, black tax kicked in. A meditation retreat prompted her to explore the link between emotional intelligence and money, leading to coaching those with money problems, her company Wealthy Money, her first book, Heart, Mind And…

Dear Prof McCrindle, It's hard to get the live bluetongue vaccine. I've heard there is a new killed vaccine, but how does it work? Kind regards, Luke Dear Luke, The recent heavy rains have meant that midges will be flying soon and transmission of bluetongue is becoming likely. Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) is not yet producing sufficient quantities of live vaccine. A new formalised vaccine, produced by Design Biologix, was registered under Act No. 36 in 2023 for use in South Africa. At this stage, the vaccine is only registered for use in sheep, not goats. It is available in 20ml and 100ml bottles and the instructions are included. It is not recommended for use in adult ewes and breeding rams in the breeding season, as further research is needed…