Indice dei contenuti per Vol 22 - No 2 2025 in AgriProbe

Sowing innovation in a season of change Autumn is a wonderful time of the year – a gentle pause before winter. The air cools, trees shed their leaves and nature slows its rhythm. Our scarves emerge from drawers and the sharp whites of summer give way to the warm reds of burgundy wine. It’s a season of preparation, a reminder that survival depends on adaptability. This moment in nature, perhaps, reflects the global mood. Rising geopolitical tensions and an unpredictable trade environment signal a metaphorical winter – a period of uncertainty. Yet, winter is not a time of inactivity. Deep in the soil, seeds begin the quiet work of preparing for spring. In the same way, challenging times ignite the flame of innovation and resilience. The latest edition of AgriProbe…

Abstracts now available! The 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Cape Town highlighted the transformative potential of sustainable farming. Representatives from around the world emphasised the urgency of adapting agricultural systems to combat soil degradation, climate change, food insecurity and biodiversity loss. CA, based on minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and diversified crop rotations, is celebrated for restoring soil health, conserving water and increasing resilience to extreme weather. The congress showcased CA’s global growth, with nearly 20% of the world’s cropland now under CA practices. Success stories from South America, Africa, Australia and Canada highlighted CA’s benefits and challenges, including herbicide dependence and the need for diverse crop rotations. Mechanisation and understanding the soil microbiome were identified as critical enablers. The congress called for coordinated global action,…

Dr Jacques van Zyl, senior scientist in vegetable research in the Directorate Plant Sciences at Elsenburg, attended the 12th International World Potato Congress in Adelaide, Australia in June 2024 and also participated in the post-congress tour. Dr Van Zyl delivered a scientific paper regarding the long-term conservation agriculture project in the Sandveld named: “Conservation tillage practices for potato production and the associated bacterial and fungal community analysis, spanning three production cycles”. The objective of the visit was to do a presentation, gain insight and accumulate the latest relevant knowledge and information regarding potato production that could enhance the productivity and sustainability of our local potato industry. The theme of the 12th World Potato Congress was “Old world meets new” with more than 1 000 delegates from 40 countries. Scan the…

Winter is synonymous with cold and often rainy grey weather, fireplaces, comfort food and red wine. To make this winter sweet and warm, unwind with a glass of Port. Port is the generic name for the fortified wines of the Upper River Douro in northeastern Portugal close to the border with Spain. The region has a hot, dry climate. Granite and fragile schist soils contribute to the basic wine. The vineyards and wine estates also referred to as quintas are situated on the hills that line the Upper Douro and its tributaries. The best vineyards are to the east of the town of Peso da Régua and some around the town of Pinhão. The wines of the region were officially demarcated in 1756. Demarcated means the quality of Port wine…

The ostrich research effort of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has benefitted tremendously from collaboration with numerous institutions and individuals. One such partnership started more than a decade ago after Prof. Schalk Cloete (Elsenburg) and Prof. Charlie Cornwallis (United Kingdom) were introduced to each other by Prof. Michael Cherry from Stellenbosch University. Charlie recalls: In 2007 I was working at Oxford University where I shared an office for six months with a visitor from South Africa, Michael Cherry (Zoology Dept, SU). This fortuitous event would tie me to South Africa for the next 17 years, providing insights into one of the strangest farmed species, the ostrich. At the time, I was working on the reproductive biology of chickens, but I was interested in studying how genetic differences between…

Western Cape agricultural employment performance in the last quarter of 2024 Tshepo Morokeng Western Cape Agricultural Trade Quarterly Brief: 2024 Q4 The global agricultural markets shifts post the USA national elections Ayabonga Sibulali & Ntokozo Ngwenya Did you know? Vergelegen proudly supports Fairtrade, promoting fair prices, decent working conditions and empowering farmers through ethical, sustainable global trade practices. Learn more! Scan the QR code or visit: vergelegen.co.za/sustainability/fairtrade/…

“Agriculture is not merely a sector but a cornerstone of our economy.” On 4 April 2025, I tabled the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s main appropriation budget of R1 billion for 2025/2026. I highlighted that the budget carries an undeniable responsibility to the people of the Western Cape, and we must all recognise our crucial role in this endeavour. We must make 2025 the year we demonstrate our commitment to energising our communities. I asserted that the agriculture sector will rise to this challenge. Agriculture is not merely a sector but a cornerstone of our economy. It contributes 11% to the Western Cape’s GDP and employs over 313 000 individuals across various facets. This sector is instrumental in job creation, and we must ensure it continues flourishing. The value of…

Overview On 10-12 February 2025, the 14th edition of the Argus Fertilizer Africa Conference took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This is the continent’s largest commercial fertilizer conference and attracts more than 300 senior decisionmakers from across the fertilizer and agribusiness supply chains. The notable attendees include executives from leading fertilizer companies, such as Omnia, Foskor and OCP Africa. On 11 February 2025, Tim Cheyne, the head of Agriculture and Fertilizer at Argus Media, opened the event and welcomed all attendees. In his opening remarks, he acknowledged the volatile nature of markets panel discussion focused on “Food Security for Africa”, which highlighted how Africa is the new epicentre for food security research and development. Other sessions included the Argus Global Price Outlook and what sustainability means for…

The Mxokozeli siblings’ story is one of determination, grit and an innate love for farming. Bolstered by the success and reputation of their uncle Michael Mxokizeli, as well as the support from the Cape Flora community and local government, Justice, Phosiza and Thandiwe Mxokozeli are giving the Iqhude project wings. Eight years into a 30-year lease of Riverside Farm, the Mxokizelis have already cultivated five hectares that produce market-ready Cape flora varieties. This is part of 16ha earmarked for this purpose. The total size of the land is 1 235ha, of which 780ha is covered in fynbos. From this natural fynbos, flowers and foliage are bought and harvested by an outside party. The family experimented with cash crops on the remaining arable land, but that proved to be unsustainable. They…

Grond is noodsaaklik vir lewe op aarde. Alle voedingstofsiklusse maak op een of ander stadium ’n draai deur grond. Landbouers moet die welstand van grond monitor – maar hoe? Grondlaboratoriums regoor die land doen basiese chemiese en fisiese analises wat belangrik is vir die verbouing van landbougewasse. Sommige laboratoriums meet ook aspekte van die grondbiologie, maar laboratoriumanalises is duur en word dikwels afgeskeep. Dit is waar die SLAKES-selfoontoepassing ’n verskil kan maak (shorturl.at/GiULw). Hierdie selfoontoepassing is gratis op die Google Play-en App-winkels beskikbaar (Figuur 1). Leer meer! Skandeer die QR-kode of besoek shorturl.at/MLsXn Figuur 1: Só lyk die SLAKES-toepassing vir selfone. “Die Direktoraat Plantwetenskappe het hierdie selfoontoepassing getoets teenoor ’n standaardlaboratoriumtegniek vir die meting van aggregaatstabiliteit.” Leer meer! Skandeer die QR-kode of besoek shorturl.at/Jlvcj Hierdie toepassing meet die spoed waarteen…

References Bonato, M., Rybnik, P.K., Malecki, I.A., Cornwallis, C.K. and Cloete, S.W.P., 2010. Between male variation in semen characteristics and preliminary results on the dilution of semen in the ostrich. South African Journal of Animal Science, 40(5), pp.438-441. Bonato, M., Rybnik, P.K., Malecki, I.A., Cornwallis, C.K. and Cloete, S.W., 2011. Twice daily collection yields greater semen output and does not affect male libido in the ostrich. Animal Reproduction Science, 123(3-4), pp.258-264. Bonato, M., Cornwallis, C.K., Malecki, I.A., Rybnik-Trzaskowska, P.K. and Cloete, S.W., 2012. The effect of temperature and pH on the motility and viability of ostrich sperm. Animal Reproduction Science, 133(1-2), pp.123-128. Bonato, M., Malecki, I.A., Rybnik-Trzaskowska, P.K., Cornwallis, C.K. and Cloete, S.W., 2014. Predicting ejaculate quality and libido in male ostriches: effect of season and age. Animal Reproduction Science,…

On Thursday, 6 February 2025, the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event honoured the achievements of five remarkable individuals in the South African wine industry for their exemplary standards worthy of emulation. This prestigious gathering has become a cherished tradition within the South African wine community, encouraging excellence and marking the pivotal birth date of South African wine 366 years ago in 1659 – when wine was pressed for the first time from Cape grapes. Marcus Lewis, from the farm Kanonkop, was nominated by the department as part of their annual Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards competition as the inaugural Wine Agri-Worker. The initiative honours the invaluable efforts of vineyard, cellar and agri-workers who are instrumental in the success of South Africa’s wine industry. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has been…

Agriculture is at the heart of South Africa’s economy, and combating crop diseases like Sclerotinia stem rot is critical to maintaining food security. This fungal disease, prevalent in the Western Cape’s canola-producing regions, poses a significant threat each year. Recognising the need for innovative solutions, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) implemented a pioneering initiative to monitor and predict the disease’s development. This project, led by Arie van Ravenswaay and Lizette Nowers, has now been recognised with two prestigious accolades at the CPSI Awards: Combatting Sclerotinia with precision Sclerotinia stem rot thrives under specific weather conditions. Predicting its outbreak is critical, as fungicides must be applied shortly before infection occurs. A key indicator of the disease’s onset is the formation of apothecia, which are tiny fungal structures that develop…

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Burgundy Exchange Programme ushered in its 25th year by welcoming a group of nine students from the partner French Agricultural College, the Centre de Formation Professionelle et de Promotion Agricole de Beaune (CFPPA), to South Africa for the 2025 harvest season. The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI) hosted the students within the college hostel so that they could get a full South African experience of college life. The programme lasted from 24 February until 8 March 2025. As part of the programme, the students were placed at specific farms in the Cape Winelands for two weeks of harvest as part of a skill and technology exchange, whereby they learnt how the South African wine industry handles the harvest season. “We are very fortunate…

The Western Cape Veterinary Services Sub-programme: Veterinary Public Health (VPH) meat microbiological surveillance programme continues with promising results. As reported in a previous AgriProbe issue, sampling data demonstrated that hygiene processes implemented at high-throughput beef abattoirs in the province are effective. “The results received indicate that hygiene processes implemented are effective.” The same sampling method and tests were conducted on a defined sample population at all high-throughput sheep abattoirs. Indicator organisms including Total Plate Count (TPC), Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae were surveyed to determine the bacteriological quality of the carcasses produced at the abattoirs, which in turn correlates directly with the efficacy of hygiene protocols implemented at these abattoirs. Hygiene protocols are the cornerstone for ensuring safe meat for public consumption. These protocols are the only way to manage microbiological…

Regenerative agriculture is gaining popularity worldwide – it is a farming approach that focuses on the regeneration of nature and biological systems within the farming system. This builds resilience into the food supply-chain and helps farmers to adapt production to the impact of climate change, and also to mitigate the impact of food production on climate change. Regenerative farming has made him realise that there are no quick fixes, as the agroecosystem is a living, interconnected system that requires holistic change. His input costs have declined significantly, and he is producing a quality, profitable crop (Kriel, 2021).“ Soil health can be improved through conservation agriculture, where soil tillage is minimised, a permanent soil cover (minimum 30%) is maintained, and a diversity of plant species is cultivated. Plants can be grown…

1 Agricultural Economics Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture Theme: The global agricultural markets shifts, post the USA national elections 1. Introduction This brief report provides insights and outlines the shifts in the South African (RSA) and Western Cape (WC) agricultural (agriculture, forestry and fisheries) trade trends by delving into the changes realised in export and import values, market shares, and product performance dynamics. The RSA agricultural trade contribution to the country’s total exports was approximately 20% in the fourth quarter of 2024 (BFAP, 2025). The RSA agricultural exports declined marginally by 1% in quarter four of 2024 year-on-year (y/y), underpinned by declined export trade in Asia and other regions (Oceania & Antarctica), whilst the agricultural imports realised an increase (12%), this driven by the Americas’ (154%) and the Asian…