Innehållsförteckning för 9 May 2025 från Farmer's Weekly

The budget saga continues! On the morning of 24 April, many South Africans awoke to the news that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had scrapped the controversial VAT increase, a mere eight days before VAT was due to increase by half a percentage point to 15,5%. For those who have not been following the VAT controversy very closely, here is a brief summary: in February, Godongwana was set to deliver the Budget Speech, but this was postponed to March because the Government of National Unity (GNU) could not reach a consensus on a proposed two percentage point increase in VAT. When he finally did deliver the Budget Speech, Godongwana asked for a 0,5 percentage point increase in 2025, and the same increase in 2026. The DA, one of parties of the…

Recently, I noticed posts on the social media platform X suggesting that South Africa has banned the import of agricultural products from Tanzania. These statements surprised me, so I contacted the authorities responsible for regulating the import of agricultural products into our country. The message I received from them is that there is no such widespread ban on agricultural products from Tanzania to South Africa. The main issue, which is presented as a broad agricultural concern, appears to specifically be the import of bananas from Tanzania into South Africa. South Africa hasn’t imported a notable volume of bananas from Tanzania in over two decades. To supplement domestic production, Mozambique is the major supplier of bananas to South Africa, accounting for 74% of the US$48 million (almost R900 million) in annual…

At Agri Western Cape’s regional congress held in April in Grabouw, members were encouraged to check facts and not get worked up by misinformation. Villiers Loubser, president of Agri Western Cape, said Agri SA was sometimes criticised for reacting too slowly with communication to new information, but this was because the organisation and its provincial affiliates wanted to ensure the response was 100% correct and based on facts. He warned producers to be wary of fake news, which has greatly increased with social media: “We see an increasing number of people, who are posting misinformation, causing uncertainty, disunity and negativity, for personal gain.” Loubser also encouraged producers to report any type of crime. “If crime is not reported, statistics will not reflect the seriousness of what is happening on the…

The beef industry is optimistic that current positive market conditions signal a road to recovery after last year’s poor performance. Slim margins over the past few years were a result of high feed and low producer prices. As a result, many beef farmers reduced their herds. While slaughter numbers were high in December and January, Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB, told Farmer’s Weekly that this did not necessarily point to a mass depopulation of the national cattle herd. “Production conditions were not looking good at the start of the year due to the low rainfall, but the situation has improved markedly. Producers will likely be holding onto stock for a little longer as a result, which will also play into higher weaner calf prices,” he explained. Makube noted…

Growing demand for hemp in the textile and building industries offers much potential for South African farmers, since the country has both the land and climate to cultivate this crop. However, a chicken-or-egg scenario is hindering growth, as more processing facilities are required before farmers can ramp up production. “We need high volumes of hemp to justify investment in processing facilities. And without a consistent supply of large volumes of processed product, we can’t convince product manufacturers to switch to using hemp instead of traditional textiles,” Muofhe Kwinda, CEO of Green Route Hemp Industries, told Farmer’s Weekly. However, he added that South Africa had more than enough production capacity, since hemp made for an ideal rotation crop in a vegetable or grain farming system, and could be grown by small-…

An initiative aimed at uplifting rural farmers was recently officially launched in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal. The Jozini Smallholder Farmer Project, spearheaded by Unilever Southern Africa, is set to benefit 100 smallholder farmers from villages that include Ndumo, Makhane, and Mahlabeni through training, infrastructure support, and access to formal agricultural markets. Justin Apsey, general manager of Unilever Southern Africa, described the project as “a beacon of hope” during the official launch event. “This ambitious programme is designed to enhance the skills of smallholder farmers and ensure sustainable and profitable futures. By integrating modern agriculture tools, like the tractor we unveiled today, drying tunnels, and continuous mentorship, we aim to drive a holistic development approach,” he said. Apsey explained that the initiative also placed a strong emphasis on empowering women and the youth,…

Hollywood on the Veld by Ted Botha (Jonathan Ball, R320) New Yorker IW Schlesinger arrived in South Africa in 1894 and went on to challenge the brash new US film industry for three glittering decades. He made a fortune selling insurance, then parlayed it into an empire of movie houses and other businesses, including an Eastern Cape pineapple estate and canning factory. From his studio in Killarney, Johannesburg, he produced some of the world’s first and best newsreel footage, travelogues, and documentaries through his African Mirror. This included President Paul Kruger entering the Volksraad, then introducing him to movies by showing the footage at his residence. Schlesinger loved setting up film spectacles with tens of thousands of extras, whether historical, such as an account of the Great Trek, or fictional, such…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I am a small-scale chicken farmer, and I have heard that moringa, a traditional plant, can help fatten chickens. How much must I feed them, and when? Kind regards, Limpopo Farmer Dear Limpopo Farmer, A recent scientific publication gives in-depth information on the use of Moringa oleifera for growth and performance in poultry; specifically, when and how to feed it to broilers and layer hens. The chemical composition of moringa leaves varies, so it’s better to purchase the commercial product than plant it yourself. It’s a known fact that rapidly growing broiler chickens are susceptible to infections unless antibiotics are included in their feed. However, any antibiotics that remain in the carcasses after slaughter are dangerous to human health. Some people are allergic to antibiotics, and antibiotic…

The Chinese government has issued an action plan to boost consumer spending to stimulate the local economy as it braces for the effects of the trade war with the US. The Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption was launched at the end of the first quarter of this year and is aimed at stimulating Chinese household consumption of food, including imported food. This would be achieved by encouraging reasonable wage increases, promoting hospitality services, establishing childcare subsidies, and strengthening and expanding eldercare services. A report from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service stated that the Chinese government also planned to appropriately increase the basic pension for retirees and launch special actions to stimulate healthy consumption. “The government would like to improve residents’ awareness of healthy eating, which could…

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) hosted a webinar in April, bringing together 90 guests from across the industry. The session focused on RMIS’s Field to Future Process, offering insights into the ongoing development and strategic direction of the industry. According to Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS, the webinar marked an important step in the organisation’s mission to enhance research, development and industry collaboration. “The Field to Future Process, which was launched with a significant statutory levy application in 2021, was designed to provide a roadmap for the red meat sector. “The first phase of operation began in November 2022, after the levy was promulgated, and it wasn’t until late 2023 that the organisation began focusing on specific projects,” he said. The discussions during the webinar focused on several key…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for greater investment, equity and infrastructure development in South Africa’s soya bean industry, declaring the crop a “strategic” one that could play a transformative role in the country’s agricultural future. Speaking at the Soy Celebration Day held at Kievits Kroon Wine Estate in Pretoria, Gauteng, in mid-April, Steenhuisen addressed industry leaders, farmers, researchers and private-sector stakeholders. He praised the growing momentum behind soya bean farming in South Africa, but warned that systemic issues threatened to stall it. “Soya [bean] is no longer a sideline crop in South Africa. It’s central. It’s strategic. And it’s time we treated it that way – in how we plan, how we invest and how we regulate,” Steenhuisen said. In 2024, South Africa planted over one million hectares…

Average vegetable prices increased month-on-month in four of the five categories covered here. While prices in some categories were supported by lower average supply volumes, others were affected by market dynamics like consumer demand and heavy rainfall at the end of March and into early April. CABBAGES Average prices rose by 11,3% month-on-month (m/m), increasing from R3 356/t to R3 737/t despite a staggering 275,7% rise in volumes supplied (see Graph 1). In contrast, average annual prices declined by 9,9% due to a 225,3% increase in volumes supplied. This supply-and-demand dynamic was driven by strong market demand, which helped support prices. The first two weeks of April saw a slight increase in cabbage prices, followed by higher average volumes supplied, again supported by strong demand. Historical trends indicate that the…

Nefdt highlights balance in his feeding approach as another important consideration. He admits that the kikuyu pastures, while lush and nourishing, are known for creating problems with the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio necessary for horses to maintain prime condition. He addresses this by dressing the veld with a phosphorus-rich supplement, as well as providing the horses with access to PhosSure P6, a phosphate lick intended to improve this balance. He also supplements with lucerne at important times, including periods like weaning. The horses largely survive off of the veld in summer, with additional supplementation provided in winter as necessary. The brood mares in particular have access to maize stover during winter. Stock being prepped for showing, inspections or training are further supplemented with a balanced horse ration produced by Epol.…

South Africa will soon face a more volatile and complex global trade environment, particularly in its agriculture sector. With the recent imposition of a 10% universal tariff by the US, alongside a 31% country-specific surcharge, the long-standing export relationship between the two nations will enter a period of strain. Although higher tariffs have been temporarily paused, the baseline levies are already in effect and are expected to challenge South African export competitiveness in the coming months. In addition to these tariff challenges, the potential exclusion of South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will likely further disrupt trade flows. Should AGOA benefits be withdrawn, agricultural exporters will lose duty-free access to one of their most valuable markets. While estimates suggest the broader economic impact may be modest,…

Cyberattacks on agricultural companies are increasing, with NWK and Astral Foods affected so far this year. Farmers, who are increasingly reliant on digital systems, have been warned to scrutinise their level of risk and put proper security systems in place. “Cybercriminals are starting to cast a wider net, targeting a larger range of companies,” Johan Bezuidenhout, group manager of corporate marketing and communication at NWK, told Farmer’s Weekly. “Cyberattacks are high on our list of risks within the company and, as a result, we have invested a lot in firewalls and cybersecurity to keep our systems safe. This attack was the first we have experienced, and because of our due diligence, the attackers were not able to cause any significant financial losses. There were also no data breaches,” he added.…

The NGO Freshwater Research Centre, with support from the Ford Wildlife Foundation and the Table Mountain Fund, is leading a pilot project to reintroduce the endangered witvis (Cheilobarbus capensis), also known as the Berg-Breede or Cape whitefish, to the Berg River in the Western Cape. According to a press statement, witvis used to be one of the most dominant large-fish species in the Berg River, but had disappeared from the river by the 1990s due to habitat degradation, predation by invasive species, and their active removal by fishermen, who considered them pests. As part of the pilot, the Fresh Water Research Centre team, led by senior researcher Dr Jeremy Shelton, populated Bluegum Dam with witvis for over a year, where the fish was allowed to grow to a size that…

The outlook for raisin production has been adjusted downward because of unfavourable weather in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, according to a statement by Raisins South Africa (Raisins SA). In December 2024, the industry projected that marketable production might increase by about 6% from 89 000t in 2024 to 96 720t. By mid-March 2025, however, this was adjusted slightly downwards to 96 000t, with another downgrade made in April to 84 000t, representing a 6% decline on last year’s production. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Wessel Lemmer, CEO of Raisins SA, said the Olifants River region in the Western Cape had a particularly good season this year. However, production in the Orange River region, which represented 86% of total production, was negatively affected by widespread rain during the…

The 2024 season was a difficult one for summer grain and oilseed producers. The maize crop of 12,8 million tons was 22% lower than the 2023 crop, while the soya bean crop decreased by 33%, sunflower by 12%. However, more favourable rainfall in the spring of 2024 resulted in positive expectations for the 2024/25 season. In January 2025, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast a 15,3 million ton commercial maize crop. Since then, conditions have deteriorated. In its first production forecast for the 2025 season, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) forecast higher grain and oilseed crops for 2025 (see table), but significantly lower than the USDA estimate. The expected yellow maize crop of 6,515 million tons is 4% less than the 2024 crop and 18% down on the 2023…

Efficient sheep production starts with making smart decisions – from selecting productive animals and managing grazing to balancing wool and meat output. Willem Goosen, production adviser at the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) in the Eastern Cape, says emerging farmers can thrive by focusing on quality over quantity. For sheep farmers working on limited land, especially in communal areas, making the most of each animal is essential. Instead of increasing flock size, the real gains come from improving flock quality. Goosen says identifying and replacing non-productive sheep with high-yielding animals can significantly boost a farmer’s income. MAXIMISING PRODUCTIVITY WITH LIMITED RESOURCES “From better wool yields to additional meat production, strategic breeding and proper herd management can transform small-scale operations into profitable ventures,” he says. Goosen points out that one of…

Since industrial farming frequently drains the soil of essential nutrients, farmers are forced to use environmentally harmful fertilisers. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (Salk) in California, US, are working on a solution to reduce this reliance on fertilisers. The scientists have discovered a chemical known as CLE16, which promotes a natural collaboration between plants and helpful fungi in the soil, according to a study published in April this year in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. They claim that this partnership could give plants vital nutrients, promoting crop growth without the usage of toxic fertilisers. The study shows that CLE16 boosts the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi, where fungi deliver nutrients in exchange for carbon. “Many plants evolved to engage in symbiotic relationships with…

After the turmoil of World War II, during which all international sporting events were cancelled, the rugby-playing nations all soon implemented recovery plans for the game in their respective countries. Before the outbreak of the war, a triumphant Springbok side returned from New Zealand and Australia as possibly the best team in the world at that time. This famous 1937 team was captained by Flip Nel, a farmer, who played for Greytown and Natal, and Danie Craven, a teacher from Grahamstown, who played for Albany and Eastern Province. The touring Springboks won the series against the All Blacks by a margin of 2–1 and beat Australia 2–0. Sadly, Nel announced his retirement and threw his boots overboard on the voyage back home to South Africa. In 1938, Samuel Walker’s touring…