Innehållsförteckning för 7 June 2024 från Farmer's Weekly

Until his death about three years ago, I was the proud owner of an English Thoroughbred. He was around 12 years old at the time, was exceptionally grumpy and bucked like a demon, but was a very special member of the family. I had initially bought him for the purposes of showjumping; I was hoping to move up through the various classes. And, at around 16,2 hh and with an enormous jump, he seemed like the perfect horse to take me on our journey. Unfortunately, he didn't have the best start in life. He had been raced fairly extensively, with around 55 starts, and came from a well-known racing lineage. But, as with many other racehorses, this resulted in some serious back issues, which I was not aware of when…

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The winter grain season is off to a bumpy start in the Swartland. Koos Blanckenberg, chairperson of Grain SA's canola specialist committee, said it was very dry in the region, which meant that farmers had to plant in dust this year. In the absence of moisture, some seed had been in the soil for almost three weeks, at the time of writing, and had not yet germinated. “You see seed germinating here and there, but germination in general so far is poor,” Blanckenberg said. He is especially worried about the impact this could have on canola yields and quality, as later germination would give the plants less time to grow. Some farmers, especially to the north of the Swartland, have decided to stop planting because of the dry conditions, and…

The South African farming community experienced almost one murder every week in 2023. This was according to the latest statistics released by Afriforum, which stated that 49 farm murders (0,94 murders per week) took place during 2023 in 296 attacks (5,7 farm attacks per week). Jacques Broodryk, Afriforum spokesperson on community safety, said in a statement that the situation was exacerbated by the fact that the South African authorities seemingly did not consider farm crimes serious enough. “A specialised approach to farm crime and criminality is urgently called for,” he added. “However, there are questions as to why the South African government refuses to follow the same approach with farm attacks and murders as it does with other crimes like political assassinations. “Farm attacks and murders occur [more frequently] and…

The federal government of Canada has invested millions of dollars in projects that promote growing food in an effort to increase food security without having an impact on the environment. The announcement was made in May by member of parliament Lloyd Longfield. He said that a large sum would be going towards the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance to further its research on developing diverse crop rotations that would withstand climate change and other weather-related issues. Longfield said the aim with this funding was to ensure agriculture remains profitable in the face of climate change. “The research is going to include developing new oat varieties that will meet the demands of processors and consumers, and new shortseason soya bean varieties,” said Longfield in a statement. “Activities will also explore how…

Fishery production in Mozambique grew by almost 107 000t (25%) in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2022, while industrial aquaculture more than doubled between January and March to 1 596t, 31,6% of the target for the entire 2024, according to a report by FurtherAfrica.com. According to government figures, this was 20,5% of the total 2024 target of 522 671t, spread between fishing and aquaculture. “Live crab (621t) and live lobster (3t) contributed very well in this subsector,” the report read. Fishing production in the country reached 496 373t in 2023, a growth of 9% compared to the previous year. Artisanal fishing went up by 7,8% to 466 491t in 2023, followed by commercial fishing (industrial and semi-industrial) with a 16,4% increase, while aquaculture production grew by 73,1%, to…

Great managers maintain a delicate balance between hard and soft skills. However, while there is no denying the importance of hard skills, far too much emphasis is placed on them. And it is soft skills that propel managers to excel. Schooldays are usually dominated by learning and practising the hard skills of writing, mathematics and the natural and physical sciences. Even subjects like history, geography and languages are taught in a way that requires heaps of rote learning such as dates, geographical features, rules of grammar and so on. At college or university, the acquisition of hard skills progresses apace, focused on equipping us with the hard skills needed to enter ‘real world’. In agriculture, among other subjects, the focus is on subjects such as genetics, animal and plant nutrition,…

When asked to determine how much of South Africa's land was owned by foreign nationals, the late Prof Shadrack Gutto said land was an integral component of national sovereignty and a basis for national cohesion. His research found that foreign natural persons owned about 3% of the country's land, with a high proportion of coastal and game farmland. Parallel to this is the question of how much of the country's land is owned by black persons. Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo and Prof Johann Kirsten of Stellenbosch University estimate that 25% of the country's land is owned by black persons, a figure that was cited by President Ramaphosa in his 2024 State of the National Address. Against these studies, the official land audit published by the then Department of Rural…

Sheep shearing is the process of cutting off the woollen fleece of a sheep. According to British Wool, sheep shearing is a skilled profession “which should only be carried out by professionals who have been trained to shear carefully and sympathetically”. There are various reasons why farmers shear their sheep. Of course, the most obvious reason for this is wool harvesting: collecting wool for the purposes of selling. But there are also other reasons that sheep may be shorn. One of these relates to animal welfare. According to British Wool: “Sheep grow wool continuously to protect them from the weather. Wool is a natural product of the sheep's life cycle and the welfare of sheep is improved by them being shorn every 12 months. Shearing keeps sheep cool in the…

Most South Africans love a kick of spice in their food, and South African chef and food entrepreneur Aiden Pienaar is determined to make sure they find a big place for Mexican food. That's what he did as a child when his parents used to throw Mexican-themed parties, and time working in Los Angeles helped him pick up both authentic flavours and modern twists. Back in South Africa, he's come up with marriages such as Mexican chakalaka, which is smokier and contains black beans. Or there's a Mexican durky sauce, sosatie and boerie taco or, my favourite, chilli con carne vetkoek. Pienaar's attitude is that Mexican food is a cuisine for the world to celebrate in its own way and he enjoys adding ingredients such as Japanese sevenspice to these…

EASTERN CAPE 29 JUNE Izebo Boran Stud, Kirkwood. On offer: one stud bull and 30 SP female animals. Phone Riaan van Rensburg on 082 877 7226. FREE STATE 1 JUNE Dorrland Meatmaster Production Sale, Afridome, Parys. On offer: 300 ewes and 40 rams. Phone Ian Grobbelaar on 060 965 6207. 4 JUNE Langlyf & Nonnie Tuli Stud Production Sale, Avoca, Reitz. On offer: 110 stud Tulis and commercial Tuli-Senepol types, including 35 bulls and 75 in-calf cows. Phone Francois Duminy on 082 528 1899, or Jan Mostert 083 306 8408. 5 JUNE • CGOC Bonsmara Production Sale, Bethulie. On offer: 300 stud and commercial cows and 50 bulls. Phone Pieter Vorster on 083 303 7953. • Milne Trust Simbra Production Sale, Bultfontein Auction Grounds. On offer: 50 + 50 cows…

Leafroll virus is a problem on many farms despite great progress being made with this issue. Vinpro consultant Francois Viljoen said during a Leafroll Info Session held at Vergelegen, near Somerset West, that information on ways to combat leafroll was readily available and numerous awareness campaigns had been given to date to eradicate the disease. Despite these efforts, the industry remained in a management phase and would have to go far before reaching eradication. Viljoen questioned why some farmers were still slow in adopting practices to protect their vineyards against leafroll virus. “The benefits of keeping vineyards virus-free is a no-brainer. It negatively affects grape yields and wine quality, which in turn translates into lower income per hectare. The disease also significantly shortens the lifespan of vineyards. Farmers are lucky…

The Namibian Directorate of Veterinary Services lifted its ban on poultry meat imports from South Africa on 20 May 2024. However, Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said in the announcement of the lifting of the ban that only poultry meat from biosecure poultry farms, as listed by the veterinary authority of South Africa, would be permitted to be imported into Namibia. This followed an earlier suspension of the importation and transit of live poultry and poultry products from South Africa following the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a report by TheBrief.com Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the South African Poultry Association, said poultry exports to Namibia had already resumed in March 2024. “The lifting of the ban is clearly welcomed by the local poultry industry. Namibia has…

SAUDI ARABIA The Saudi Arabian government is preparing for a surge in the coffee industry and is set to invest billions of dollars in the industry over the next decade. The wealth fund of the country, known as the Public Investment Fund, said in a statement that the Saudi Coffee Company launched a model farm in 2023 and was expecting exports to pick up. UNITED STATES Northern Arizona University recently released the findings of their pollinator research data and the team said that bee and butterfly populations were in decline in major regions of North America due to ongoing environmental change. The US Department of Agriculture said that the declining number of pollinators would impact on agriculture. “More than 3 500 species of native bees help increase crop yields,” the…

A process that uses a specialised fermentation process to convert cellulose fibre-rich waste from pulp and paper-mill operations into ethanol was demonstrated recently at the Sappi Tugela mill in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal. The project is being funded by the Paper Manufacturers’ Association of South Africa (PAMSA) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and run in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, Sappi Southern Africa and Mpact, a demonstration plant. Ethanol is a versatile starting material that finds diverse application in the production of industrial chemicals, bio-based plastics and sustainable aviation fuel, said Jane Molony, PAMSA's executive director. Paper sludge is a solid waste with a high moisture content and comes from the production of paper using virgin wood fibre or recycled paper and collected from the paper mill wastewater treatment systems.…

Many communal farmers keep goats and it seems as if this species of livestock is becoming increasingly popular. I have farmed goats for most of my livestock farming career spanning 32 years and have come to know them as being hardy animals and prolific breeders. Known for having twins and even triplets, meat goats such as Kalahari Reds, Boer goats and Savanna goats can quickly increase in number and this is attractive to farmers, particularly start-up or novice farmers. They do not enjoy crowded environments such as feedlots and are prone to certain illnesses if kept under such conditions. Considering their love of open rangelands or bush, they tend to be prone to developing health challenges if kraaled nightly or over weekends when herders are not working, and this practice…

What are the reasons behind South Africa's water crisis and what could be done to prevent further deterioration? The water crisis we face today stems from a combination of factors that have been allowed to fester over time. Despite funds being allocated for upgrades and maintenance, they often end up being diverted elsewhere. Compounding this issue is a severe lack of technical expertise in many of our municipalities. Corruption further exacerbates the problem, draining resources and impeding progress. Another critical issue is the lack of accountability for municipal officials. Without consequences for negligence or non-compliance, there's little incentive for improvement. The failure of various government departments, such as the Department of Water and Sanitation, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to collaborate…

Sheep shearing is a skilled task that requires a combination of physical ability, technical knowledge, and experience. There are a number of skills that a shearer or aspiring shearer needs. These include: • An understanding of how to handle sheep calmly and gently to minimise stress for both the animal and the shearer. • Knowing how to position and restrain sheep effectively to ensure safety and efficiency during shearing. • An understanding of shearing tools and techniques to remove the fleece without harming the sheep. • An understanding of the shearing pattern, which includes starting from the belly and moving through a sequence that ensures the entire fleece comes off in one piece. • Strength and endurance, as shearing is physically demanding, requiring good upper body strength and stamina to…

OPINION AND ANALYSIS Fireside conversations have drifted towards predictions of the outcome of South Africa's elections and what it could mean for agriculture. We could be headed for a coalition of some kind, and questions naturally gravitate towards what this could mean for critical policies affecting the agriculture sector. Without looking too deep into the crystal ball, here are a few policy areas that are worth looking out for post-elections. Looking at the various manifestos, all parties across the political spectrum have two issues in common this year, namely skills development and immigration. Interestingly, all political parties support training and skills development for agriculture as it is seen to harbour the potential for significant job creation. This could be a very positive sign if it leads to a renewed focus…

Nampo Harvest Day 2024 once again illustrated the sophistication of the South African agriculture sector and reiterated the fact that the agri value chain was operating on a world-class scale. This was according to Dr Johan Willemse, an independent agricultural economist. He said Nampo illustrated the vitality, resilience and energy of the entire South African agricultural value chain. Grain SA's 56th Nampo Harvest Day took place between 14 May and 17 May at Nampo Park outside Bothaville. A record number of 86 474 visitors attended over the four days, as well as 865 exhibitors. The very first Nampo Harvest Day was a two-day affair held on the farm Donkerhoek near Bloemfontein in 1967. It was moved to the permanent Nampo terrain in 1972. Nampo 2024 was a far cry from…

Having long championed the Sugar Cane Value Chain Master Plan as an invaluable platform to address problems in the industry, the South African Cane Growers’ Association (SA Canegrowers) is hopeful that recent engagement with Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza will mark a step forward in the creation of a second phase of the master plan, a social compact between industry and the government. The engagement with small-scale sugar cane farmers and industry bodies was held by the South African Sugar Association (SASA) in Kwa-Shukela in KwaZulu-Natal to mark the successes of the first phase of the plan. According to SA Canegrowers chairperson Andrew Russell, as the industry recovers from years of successive crises, the one million livelihoods it…

The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which was attended by several heads of state and governments, discussed food security and the strategies being applied with a single voice. They alluded to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Malabo Declaration, which was adopted during the 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June 2014 to end hunger and poverty in Africa. However, few remedies were initiated there. The AU committed itself to inclusive agricultural transformation and to demand measures to improve food security. One of the reasons the discussion was held was because the continent is grappling with ‘withered soil’ that lacks nitrogen and there is a need to improve crop production. This is due to many factors including soil…

COMMODITY PRICE TRENDS Year-on-year (y/y) price trends displayed declining movements, except for tomatoes, at the back of higher vegetable volumes sent to markets at this time of the year compared with last year. Potatoes were the only exception to the typical supply and demand patterns, with prices slightly declining despite lower yearly volumes. This article also examines recent month-on-month (m/m) price trends. CABBAGE Average monthly price trends depicted a 16,6% decline m/m (see Graph 1), moving from R4 722/t to R3 939/t, on the back of a slight 2,3% increase in monthly volumes supplied. Yearly price trends depicted a decrease of 10,5%, with prices moving from R4 400/t to R3 939/t due to a volume increase observed. Cabbage y/y volumes rose 1 268t in the first week of May to…

The National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCA) has significantly reshaped the credit landscape in South Africa, affecting not only traditional credit providers but also extending its influence to less typical scenarios, such as loans issued by employers to their employees. Understanding the requirements and implications of the NCA is crucial for compliance and to maintain lawful employer-employee relations when it comes to credit. KEY REQUIREMENTS AND AMENDMENTS UNDER THE NCA A critical component of the NCA is the regulation of credit providers through mandatory registration. Initially, the act stipulated that credit providers who either managed a minimum of 100 credit agreements or held a principal debt total exceeding R500 000 were required to register. However, this was amended substantially. The registration threshold was reduced to zero (R0) as per…

Sorghum is an important cereal crop in Africa and a staple grain for millions of people. It is well adapted to arid and semi-arid environments and has the ability to thrive in relatively poor soils, low rainfall and high temperatures. Grain sorghum also has diverse uses across multiple industries. Sorghum is used to make bread, porridges, soups and cakes for human consumption and as malt in the production of alcoholic beverages such as opaque beer, traditional sorghum beer (umqombothi) and non-alcoholic drinks (mageu). Additionally, sorghum is also used for livestock and poultry feed due to its high nutritional value and digestibility. Speaking at a cultivar demonstration day organised by Grain SA and the Sorghum Trust on the farm Hamburg near Settlers in Limpopo, farm owner Willem Groothof expressed his optimism…

Radio in South Africa turned 100 years old in December last year. That milestone for what he calls “the magical medium” prompted Durban radio junkie, advocate, academic and broadcaster Robin Sewlal to compile the memories of 100 local celebrity, academic and media listeners in a delightful and absorbing book, My Radio Memory: Listening To The Listener (Radiocracy, R390; MyRadioMemory@radiocracy.co.za.) “Curating this book has deepened my passion for the medium,” says Sewlal. “There are still many more lovely tales to be told.” His diverse career includes chairing the DJ Association and serving as a commissioner at the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa. Here he reflects on five key words that mean radio to him … 1. Captivate: I remember being captivated in the 1970s by all the information, entertainment and…

A public research university in ‘the country of chocolate’, Switzerland, ETH Zurich, has developed a sustainable and nutritious chocolate. In a research paper published in the journal Nature Food, they wrote: “What is less known is that the cocoa fruit contains additional valuable ingredients that have been underutilised until now.” Researchers from the university teamed up with Koa (a new company dedicated to sustainable cocoa cultivation) and Swiss chocolate manufacturer Felchlin to develop a recipe for cocoa-fruit chocolate. In their research they wrote that conventional chocolate only made use of the beans, but the team was able to use the flesh and parts of the fruit for their cocoa-fruit chocolate recipe. They processed it into powder and mixed it with part of the pulp to form cocoa gel. “This gel…

There is an ideal overnight stop in the Karoo if you were to travel between the Western Cape and Gauteng. You will find Finchley Farm Cottages only 3km west of Willowmore in the Eastern Cape, on the R407 towards Prince Albert. Make sure you break your travel, or simply visit for a relaxing Karoo-farm holiday. Michael and Joanne Kroon moved to the farm in 1996, and the first guests visited Finchley Farm Cottages in 2004. The old home and outside buildings, dating back to the late 1800s, were restored and made available to guests. Farming primarily includes sheep and wool, with some horses, goats and cattle, and game also adds to the farming activities. COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION Farmer's Weekly received a warm welcome upon arrival. We were shown around and received…

Dear Prof McCrindle, How can we prevent fires on our farm? Last year all our grazing was burned and seven of our sheep died. Kind regards, Gauteng Farmer Dear Gauteng Farmer, The number of fires in rangeland depends on many different factors. The main factor is the location of the farm and time of year, because the time of year influences the occurrence of fires. In the Western Cape, for instance, the fire danger is related to rainfall, which occurs mainly in winter. However, the more northern provinces have summer rainfall and the grass is high and very dry in winter. The type of farming also has an effect. Traditional livestock farming in South Africa depends on grazing, while intensive dairy, poultry and livestock production systems need less land, as…