Indice dei contenuti per 11 May 2018 in Farmer's Weekly

There are a number of lessons that South Africa can learn from Brazil; not least of them is how to send a corrupt president to jail. But what really impressed me on a recent visit to attend Agrishow, the largest agricultural technology show in Latin America, was the magnificent strides Brazil has made in agricultural production over the past 20 years. The country has a lot counting in its favour, including good weather and access to abundant natural resources. Farmers in Brazil have benefitted greatly from the investment the government has made in agricultural research through the state-owned Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), but they also face a number of challenges. Infrastructure, such as the roads network, still requires a lot of improvement. One of the main drivers of Brazil’s…

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 9 TO 11 MAY Agri World Osaka, Osaka, Japan. For more information, visit agritechjapan.jp/en/kansai. 10 MAY South African Table Grape Conference, Stellenbosch. For more information, phone 021 809 1100 or visit spier.co.za . 28 MAY TO 1 JUNE ‘The Big Thirst’ Hortgro Science Technical Symposium, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West. For more information, phone Thea van Zyl on 021 870 2900, or email thea@hortgro.co.za . COURSES & TRAINING 7 TO 9 MAY Cattle: Artificial Insemination, George. Phone Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985, or visit rltsafrica.com . 7 TO 11 MAY Introduction to Smallstock Management, ARC, Irene. For more information, phone Mpho Makhanya on 012 672 9153, or email makhanyam@agric.za . 10 MAY Cattle:…

NORTH WEST PROTEST WAS THE STRONGEST REVOLT EVER AGAINST AN ANC LEADER The recent wave of protest and strike action in South Africa, which turned violent in some instances, does little to foster an attractive investment environment. The scenes of violence were especially bad in North West, with larger towns such as Klerksdorp and parts of Potchefstroom affected. At the Tsepong hospital, one person died when protesters prevented doctors from giving care. COMMUNITIES TAKING ACTION A major reason for the unrest in North West is the protest action being taken against Premier Supra Mahumapelo. His opponents say the protests are about his alleged corrupt behaviour as well as his government’s poor service delivery record. His defenders, however, who fear they do not stand a chance of being elected to public…

A recent court judgment that allowed Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Director General Mike Mlengana to return to work following a nine-month suspension, also found that the disciplinary action initiated against Mlengana by DAFF Minister Senzeni Zokwana had been unlawful. On 23 April, Judge Natvarlal Ranchod ruled that in terms of the Public Services Act, Zokwana had no authority to suspend the head of his department. This was only a viable action if the president had delegated authority. “The suspension of the applicant is therefore ultra vires and must be set aside.” The second challenge to Mlengana’s suspension that the period in which disciplinary steps would have had to be instituted had lapsed, was also supported. Ranchod stated it was “common cause” that the disciplinary had not been…

The location differential for maize delivered through the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to Randfontein has increased 5,26% on average for the 2018/2019 marketing year. The standard storage rate for the 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 marketing season would increase 5,1%, based on the producer price index rate as published at the end of February 2018. Thus, the standard storage rate applied to outstanding storage in completion of a futures contract would be R0,76/t/day. Compared with last year, the rand-per-kilometre rate for shorter distances had increased, while long-haul distances had experienced a slight drop in price. “The 0km to 150km range has seen substantial increases [of 13,88% on average], as this is the distance range where, in the past season, we saw silo locations experiencing a high number of…

The European Commission’s proposal to ban three key neonicotinoids from use on all outdoor crops was recently endorsed by EU member states, following research by the European Food Safety Authority that showed that most uses of these three neonicotinoid pesticides presented a risk to wild bees and honeybees. The use of the active substances in these pesticides, namely imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, would be allowed only in greenhouses where bees were not exposed to them. The ban would be phased in over the next eight months to give farmers and businesses time to adjust. EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said the commission had proposed the ban months ago based on scientific advice. “Bee health remains of paramount importance as it concerns biodiversity, food production and the environment.…

‘DEMAND FOR PROCESSED AND COLD MEATS FELL SHARPLY’ Increased pork supply is likely to offer relief to South African consumers, who are expected to benefit from lower pork prices. According to FNB senior agricultural economist Paul Makube, South Africa’s pork industry took a heavy blow due to the health and safety concerns from the listeriosis outbreak that sent prices tumbling. “Even though demand for processed and cold meats fell sharply due to the health and safety concerns from the listeriosis outbreak, pork farmers now had to redirect the pigs to the fresh meat market, thereby creating a supply glut and putting further pressure on low prices,” he said. Since the beginning of the year, the average price of pork had declined by between 30% and 40%, Absa agricultural economist, Karabo…

According to certain South African commodity organisations, despite receiving help from various government institutions to transform agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is often not on board. The missing link in making transformation work was, more often than not, trust between the various parties involved. This was the shared sentiment of many members of Agri SA-affiliated commodity organisations at the recent release of Agri SA’s transformation report in Pretoria. Speaking at the event, Dr Madime Mokoena, director of B-BBEE charters compliance at DAFF, said he did not trust the figures Agri SA published, which quantified the impact of transformation projects implemented by the affiliated commodity organisations. Mokoena also said it was not clear to him whether certain criteria of the AgriBEE codes of practice had been met.…

Despite widespread reports that the dogs responsible for the recent death of a 22-month-old child in Bethlehem in the Free State were Boerboels, the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society (SABBS) has said that this is untrue, following an investigation by state veterinarian Dr Christo du Plessis, who confirmed that the dogs involved were not purebred Boerboels. Koos van der Westhuizen, chairperson of the society, said any attack by a large dog was often attributed to the breed, which was inaccurate. He added that the society wanted to express its condolences to the relatives of the child. “It was a very sad and unnecessary incident that could have been avoided,” he said. He explained that the SABBS was committed to investigating every incident that claimed a Boerboel was responsible for the…

TO GAIN CREDITS, FARMERS CAN GROW PLANTS THAT USE LARGE QUANTITIES OF CARBON DIOXIDE A carbon tax is levied on the emission of hydrocarbon fuels. Typically, the fuel is burnt to produce energy. When burnt, the end-product is carbon dioxide (CO2). Types of hydrocarbon fuel include coal, petrol, diesel and natural gas. Revenue officials are of the view that a heavy tax will discourage the use of such fuel. But cars, aeroplanes, ships, trains, trucks, tractors and many other implements burn hydrocarbon fuel. Electricity also comes to us via this kind of fuel since the turbines that produce electric power are most often coal- or diesel-powered. At this stage, attempts to reduce the use of hydrocarbon fuel have proved futile. Everyone relies on it, from the farmer to the office…

The seed and agrichemical markets are becoming pretty concentrated. The Agricultural Division of DowDuPont developed out of a merger finalised in September between the Dow Chemical Company and EI DuPont de Nemours & Company, better known as DuPont. In the meantime, merger negotiations between Bayer and Monsanto are making headlines. What’s responsible for this trend? I think it’s a sign of the times. The global agricultural market situation has been tough for the past few years, forcing companies to become more efficient. I can’t speak for other companies, but our merger was driven by the rising cost of discovering and developing new products, the need for improved efficiencies, and the opportunity to come together and create more choices and products through our global pipeline. Merging the two companies allowed us…

Deciding on the ideal tractor for an orchard or pecan nut operation is no easy task. What is required is a specialised machine with the perfect balance between performance and the agility to move quickly and easily on steep inclines or hillsides. At the forefront of speciality equipment innovations for more than 60 years, New Holland Agriculture offers a complete line of tractor solutions, including the T4LP-series orchard tractor, which can provide the power, manoeuvrability and reliability needed for all cultivation and spraying tasks. Its stability and speed also allows it to travel easily and safely on the road. Recently, with the launch of its new T4LP series in South Africa, the company has strengthened its leadership in this speciality segment. GROUNDBREAKING COMPACT TRACTORS New Holland’s updated T4LP tractors are…

Agro-ecology increases agricultural productivity in an environmentally and socially sustainable way by using proven agricultural practices such as mulching, intercropping, zero-tillage, appropriate grazing practices, and wise water management. It improves a farmer’s ability to withstand climate change, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increases carbon storage on farmland. Some experts say that in searching for more ecologically sound farming practices, scientists have disregarded a key factor in self-sufficient and sustaining agriculture: a deeper understanding of the nature of agro-ecosystems and how they function. Agro-ecology seeks to overcome this limitation. Core principles of agro-ecology include the following: • Recycling nutrients and energy on the farm, rather than introducing external inputs; • Integrating cropping and livestock production; • Diversifying species and genetic resources; • Considering interactions and productivity across the agricultural system,…

Some people in the agriculture sector are ‘anti-market’ and become disdainful when referring to commission markets. They no doubt have their reasons and are entitled to their opinions. These critics need very little encouragement to find fault with commission markets and question whether they are still relevant. The problem, though, is that some salespeople within markets give these critics all the ammunition they need by being rude and arrogant. I’ve seen it for myself, and many others can bear witness to it. I say ‘some’ salespeople because they are in the minority, but they are the ones that customers and suppliers remember. They can easily undo the good work achieved by their colleagues. The point, though, is that even if we disagree with the critics’ anti-market sentiment, their opinions should…

Bacon, tomato and green pepper say Cabernet Franc to me, a grape that has not received the same and much-deserved public appeal that the other Cabernet grape has. It shows blackberry and cassis fruit with a savoury note, along with a green character ranging from mint to herbal or even green pepper, which will reflect the flavours in this recipe. Cabernet Franc makes amazing single-varietal wines but is most often used in blends. Some of these blends have a high percentage of the grape, making them perfect for this meal too. Morgenhof Wine Estate produces a pure Cabernet Franc as well as the delicious Merlot Cabernet Franc blend. Woolworths has a selection of two pure versions, including the Raats Granite Blocks from Mr Franc himself, Bruwer Raats, who gets the…

A ‘lazy’ colon results in constipation, and can occur regardless of how much fibre you eat, how vigorously you exercise, or how much water you drink. Being ‘regular’ is important for good health. We normally need at least one comfortable bowel movement a day to get rid of toxins. Long-term toxin build-up in the colon can contribute to colon cancer, while ‘straining’ can cause haemorrhoids. In Health in the Home with Herbs, Margie Frayne recommends taking a small crystal of bitter aloe (about the size of a match-head) daily for constipation. Increase the dose until you find the amount that works for you. While aloe does not usually cause painful cramps the way many over-the-counter laxatives do, they should be taken properly: one crystal after a meal (preferably a proper…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. Chris Potgieter is head of Old Mutual Wealth Private Client Securities. For more information, email him at Chris.Potgieter@omwealth.co.za. “The UN’s 2018 Economic and Social Council partnership forum recently issued a global call to action for private businesses and investors to invest in sustainable business models aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking at the UN’s headquarters in New York, UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, emphasised the need for joint, innovative solutions to help end world poverty and creatively address the growing demand for food. She also stressed the need for sustainable consumption on a global scale. Today, more than 200 million people are unemployed worldwide and nearly a billion live in…

Despite government recalling some of Tiger Brands’ food products following the discovery of the LST6 strain of Listeria monocytogenes at its Enterprise meat facility in Polokwane, 50 more people had been infected with the disease. This was according to DA Shadow Minister for Health, Patricia Kopane. Tiger Brands recently confirmed the presence of the LST6 strain at its Polokwane factory. Government had also recalled some products manufactured by Rainbow Chicken, after traces of L. monocytogenes were discovered at its Free State factory. However, the Department of Health (DoH) had reportedly stopped testing imported chicken products for listeria at various ports, a decision with which Kopane disagreed. “Although these two facilities have been identified as sources of the current outbreak of listeria, it still remains unclear how these factories were contaminated…

The use of speciality fertilisers could contribute to improved yields, even on marginal soil and on smaller portions of land. This was according to Dr Hugo Opperman, head chemist at Microbial Biological Fertilizers International, who was speaking at the recent Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa’s conference held in Gauteng. Opperman said only 12% of the surface area of South Africa had the potential for efficient crop production. Moreover, most of these crop production areas were marginal, with only 3% being classified as high-potential arable land. To ensure long-term sustainability, producers therefore had to become more efficient and consider all the factors influencing plant growth, such as soil biology, soil structure and nutrition. “At some point, conventional fertilisers won’t be sufficient to keep up with production needs,” Opperman said. According to…

Even low concentrations of antibiotics administered to livestock could cause the development of high antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden said they had found that bacteria exposed to low doses of antibiotics over time developed resistance to antibiotic levels that were more than 1 000 times greater than the initial level. They had also found that the mutations in the bacterial DNA that caused resistance were of a different type than if the animals had been exposed to higher doses. Prof Dan Andersson, who headed the study, said that during the experiment, the bacteria eventually acquired several mutations. Each yielded low resistance, but together they brought about very high resistance. “In addition, the mutations took place mainly in genes that have not previously been regarded as…

Primary producers should not underestimate how changes in consumer behaviour affect them. This was according to Renée Marais, managing director at Rabobank in the UK, who was speaking at a recent Agri SA conference on transformation and trade about trends impacting food and agriculture in the EU and US. The foods that consumers in the EU and US chose to eat would ultimately impact primary producers worldwide, she said. One group of consumers in particular was having a large impact on food trends: so-called millennials, which included people between the ages of 18 and 34, were seen to be health-conscious and experimental eaters, and were having a substantial impact on food production and retail trends in the EU and US. “They make up 180 million people in the EU and…

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the City of Cape Town recently recommitted themselves to protect agricultural production in the Philippi Horticultural Area after a study, commissioned by the department, reaffirmed the socio-economic importance of the area. A proposed socio-economic plan for the area, which seeks to preserve its agricultural significance, was developed based on the study’s findings, and was currently undergoing stakeholder engagement. The area, according to a media report, had been under threat since 1988, when a sequence of planning decisions led to a reduction in its core footprint. Policy uncertainty over land use was further eroded by inadequate policing of zoning scheme regulations, precedent-setting land development applications in the southern quadrants of the area, and amendments to the city’s Spatial Development Framework and Urban Edge Guidelines…

CERTAIN BREEDS CAN DEPOSIT FAT UNEVENLY OR POORLY, AND THIS WILL REDUCE THE VALUE OF THEIR CARCASSES In the past I’ve written about the importance of making sure your livestock are fat before marketing, as thin livestock will realise far lower prices. I’ve also discussed the need to implement grazing plans so that you always have enough grass to sustain and fatten your animals rather than having to buy expensive feed that reduces your profit. If livestock have access to plenty of good-quality grass, they will fatten far more rapidly than if there is a shortage of grass and it’s of poor quality. Moreover, there is a steadily growing market for healthy, grass-fed red meat. USE YOUR EYES AND HANDS TO ASSESS THE ANIMAL To ascertain if your livestock are…

Scientists estimate that no fewer than six out of 10 infectious diseases in humans are zoonoses. The majority of zoonoses come from livestock, including cattle, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep and camels, as well as pets. More than 200 zoonoses are recognised worldwide. THREAT OF RABIES This horrifying viral disease is deadly for both animals and humans; it kills more than 55 000 people across the world annually. Dogs are the source of up to 99% of human rabies deaths. Forty percent of people bitten by suspected rabid animals are children under 15 years of age. Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-bite vaccination, which is estimated to prevent thousands of rabies deaths a year. Rabies is present on all continents except Antarctica, but more than 95%…

North West and Northern Cape Brahman Champions Non-haltered Brahman Champions North West Simmentaler Champions North West Angus Champions Contacts: Willie Jacobs: 083 631 6373 | Sakkie Haasbrook: 083 268 6662 | Gawie Coetzee: 072 262 7036 Hennie Enslin: 082 323 2093 | Riaan Theron: 082 922 5709 (Jannie Buitendag: manager) | Jan Lamprecht: 082 818 2318 Contacts: Erich Schullenburg: 083 388 0518 | Jamie Berger: 084 416 3703 or Marius Nel: 083 983 7280 Martiens de Jager: 083 454 1994 | Stephans Botha: 082 464 1185 | Gert, RC and André Malherbe: 082 807 9216 or 084 851 8262…

When cattle are dipped in an acaricide, the ticks clinging to them drop off or are killed. However, ticks can develop a resistance to a specific active ingredient, especially when you have been using it for a long time. The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee describes pesticide resistance as “a heritable change in the sensitivity of a pest population” reflected in the “repeated failure of a product to achieve the expected level of control when used according to the label recommendation for that pest species”. In other words, pests such as ticks build up resistance through natural selection: the most resistant specimens survive and pass on their genetic traits to their offspring. Pesticide resistance is increasing around the world. According to one source, more than 500 pest species have evolved a…

When I was an apprentice, we sometimes played the fool with a mechanic when he was on the point of driving out of the shop. Three or four of us would lift the left or right rear wheel almost off the ground. If the car had a normal differential it would be unable to move. The slightly raised wheel would spin and the other wheel would get practically no torque. A normal (open) differential divides the available torque evenly between the wheels, but this torque depends on the traction at the wheel with the least traction. You cannot apply a force with your hand unless it makes contact with something; equally, you cannot transmit a torque through a shaft unless there is some resistance at the other end. Try it…

QUEEN OF THE FREE STATE by Jennifer Friedman (Tafelberg, R265) Friedman looks back over her childhood in the Free State goldfields town of Hennenman. Her father was a local rarity (a pharmacist) and her family was also unusual in that they were Jewish. In short, vignette-style chapters, Friedman depicts her rebellion against her family and her desire to fit in with her classmates. She is mortified at being banned from wearing a Voortrekker dress for dance evenings as she is not pure Afrikaner. But she is so exultant at making the gymnastics team for the Republic celebrations that she risks her life ignoring meningitis symptoms. Some passages are idyllic; others expose the peer prejudice that can rule adults as well as children in a small town. The combination…

This year’s annual Beefmaster tour, which was held in Limpopo, commenced on 7 March. It included approximately 50 Beefmaster breeders from across the country. The first stop was a visit to the Beef on Grass Stud, owned by Schabort Meyer and TO Uys. Meyer and Uys have clearly chosen their animals with care; they select mostly for breeding values and phenotypes. The next stop was at the first of Hendrik and Ronel Meyer’s two farms, where they run their Rhenostervallei Beefmaster Stud. This stud has become known as the ‘mother of breeding values’, based on the attention its breeders pay to the genetic testing of the bulls. The tour group had the opportunity to examine the stud’s Phase D bulls. The Meyers also carefully consider the parentage of any new…

On the weekend of 14 April, Farmers United South Africa (FUSA) was established. This is an organisation comprising young, aspiring black South African farmers who are fed up with the status quo, and are now demanding inclusive growth. After months of deliberation on social media platforms and visits to one another’s farming operations, these farmers managed to finally establish FUSA as a hybrid model, which is a combination of the public, private and social elements that affect their farming enterprises. Various sectors in South Africa have long been discussing the so-called ‘emerging’ farmers, who have received little support over the years. As such, FUSA has taken that all-important leap to commercialise its members. By doing this, FUSA is engaging with government and the private sector as businesses, and insists that…

LARGE GRAIN STOCKS AND PROSPECTS OF A GOOD HARVEST UNDERPIN THE MARKET South Africans are in for a fairly good year, from a food cost perspective. The deceleration in food inflation that was observed last year could again prevail this year as large grain stocks and the expected good harvest in the current production season continue to underpin the market. In 2017, food inflation decelerated to 7%, from 10,5% in 2016, thanks to robust agricultural output. Indeed, the slowdown has continued into 2018 with food price inflation reaching a multi-year low of 3,5% year-on-year (y/y) in March. MEAT INFLATION The deceleration this year could, however, be broader compared with 2017, when most food product price inflation slowed, with the exception of meat. Meat price inflation was quite sticky, averaging 12,8%,…

Despite favourable grain prices, there has not been a marked increase in demand for feed as various intensive livestock production industries dealt with individual challenges. This is according to Marco Torsius, chairperson and managing director of feed manufacturer, Farmix, which is part of the TopLay Group, in Bloemfontein in the Free State. Torsius said low grain prices normally resulted in good prices and returns for those involved in poultry, pork or feedlot beef production. However, poultry production was still recovering from setbacks due to avian influenza, while pork producers faced their lowest prices in years. “This is the first time in our history that pork meat is entering the market at a cheaper price than chicken meat,” he said. He added that cattle supply numbers to feedlots remained low as…

Pressure was mounting for North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo to leave office, following reports that he used emerging farmer funding to give former president Jacob Zuma cattle. According to the allegations, the R1,5 million gift, consisting of 24 cows and one bull bought from Bonsmara breeder Lucas Msiza, was delivered to Zuma’s Nkandla homestead in October 2016. The deal was reportedly managed by AgriDelight Training and Consulting, whose three-year contract with the North West Department of Agriculture ended in October 2017. AgriDelight chairperson Derrick Montshwe told Farmer’s Weekly that the company would not have been wilfully involved in such a transaction. “It might have happened, but I’m not certain, as we trade in animals, like people buy groceries at Shoprite,” he said. Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, spokesperson of the South African…

According to an EU-based market analyst, the region’s fertiliser industry has shown stagnant growth over the past decade. Barbara Novak, a market analyst and fertiliser specialist at Italy-based Agribusiness Consulting, said the EU’s total nitrogen consumption had remained at 10 to 11 million tons per year over the past decade, with phosphorus use decreasing over the same period. “There’s a contrast between the EU and Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, there’s large-scale agricultural development taking place alongside fast population growth. Europe has limited space and has an ageing population,” said Novak, who was speaking at the recent Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa’s annual congress in Gauteng. Supply of product to the industry was also creating challenges. The EU imported phosphate rock as a fertiliser ingredient, but as regions within the points…

UNITED STATES Farmers for Free Trade, a US farm group, said in a report that President Donald Trump’s trade war with China was going to cost US farmers US$500 million (about R6,22 trillion) a year in additional tariffs. China had imposed a tariff of 15% on 230 products imported from the US, and a tariff of 25% on US pork exports at a value of US$1,1 billion (R13,7 billion) on 2 April. This was in retaliation to the 25% and 10% tariff imposed on steel and aluminium respectively imported by the US from China. The group also said that the tariffs were a tax on US farmers, and added that China’s tariffs on US wine, almonds, walnuts, pork, cherries and many other commodities were just the opening shots in an…

The Vredesberg Empowerment Farm can be found outside Kareedouw, between Suurveld and Tsitsikamma. The business was started by Karen van der Merwe in 2017, and makes cheese from goat’s milk. The enterprise took part in the South African Annual Cheese Festival in Stellenbosch for the first time this year. Vredesberg CEO Monica Banda said 49% of the business’ shares were held by Van der Merwe, 11% by Banda and the other 40% by staff members. According to Banda, their vision was to have a profitable business and preferred brand that produced top-quality products, while empowering and equipping people. Van der Merwe said the Vredesberg enterprise created hope by offering all its stakeholders the chance at a better future. “We empower our employees to become owners of the business, thereby implementing…

THE STRONGER RAND SHOULD LOWER THE PRICES OF IMPORTED FARM REQUISITES In its April 2018 World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the global economy grew 3,8% in 2017, the fastest growth since 2011. Favourable financial conditions supported this growth, and even higher growth of 3,9% is expected in 2018 and 2019. Growth in developing and emerging markets is expected to improve, as is growth in commodity-exporting countries as global prices firm and demand from the developed world increases. The IMF emphasises that while upside and downside risks are evenly balanced for 2018 and 2019, downside risk will increase after 2019 as countries could move to less accommodating fiscal policies. There is already a trend towards more protectionist trade and waning support for global integration, while geopolitical…

The current consumer price for meat remains high (see Graph 1). This is due to a number of reasons, including a limited weaner market and farmers rebuilding their herds. GROSS PRODUCTION VALUE The gross production value of total animal products produced in South Africa increased 10% year-on-year to R126,6 billion from 2016 to 2017. However, the gross production value of cattle and calves slaughtered over the same period amounted to R33,3 billion. This represents a 26% share of the gross value of total animal products, including meat, fibre, eggs and milk. Despite the impact of the drought, the gross production value of cattle and calves slaughtered increased 9% year-on-year. DROUGHT REDUCES HERD SIZE Namibia has faced drought and limited rainfall over the past two to three years. The dry conditions…

BASF has always offered innovative, technologically advanced agricultural solutions. Recent major innovations include Intelex, the revolutionary pre-emergent herbicide on various row crops; Ceriax, an innovative fungicide on wheat and barley; and Sercadis, a best-in-class fungicide on pome fruit. BASF Crop Protection adopts an inclusive approach and works with farmers, agricultural professionals and pest management experts to obtain market insight and feedback. This enables the company to sustain an active research and development pipeline, an innovative portfolio of products and services, and teams of experts in the laboratory and field to support customers. In 2017, BASF’s Crop Protection division invested €507 million (about R7,6 billion) in research and development. The future BASF pipeline includes the following: • Fungicides such as a new Xemium formulation for maize, and Revysol for row crops…

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution that conducts research in partnership with other professionals, develops human capital, and fosters innovation to support and develop the agriculture sector. Our strategic objective is to improve research competiveness in South Africa and be a leading knowledge hub to all agricultural stakeholders. As a public entity, the ARC confirms its commitment to the principles of transparency, integrity and accountability as advocated in the King III report on corporate governance. South Africa’s agricultural success relies on effective research and innovation by scientists, and interactive exchanges with farmers, including large commercial farmers and resource-poor communities. Food and nutrition security, an essential element of a developing society, is highly dependent on increased agricultural production. Agricultural research provides farmers with knowledge and supports sustainable…

Contacts: Dick du Plessis: 082 465 8456 | Wilken Heyns: 072 634 8106 | GB Nel: 082 789 7715 | Lottie Lotriet: 084 549 3411…

For long-term sustainability, a farmer has to provide carrots of consistently high quality so that customers can buy their produce with confidence. This may entail two-tier marketing: a ‘standard’ product and a premium product. Appropriately labelled, the latter will satisfy the requirements of discerning customers and command a higher price. With mechanisation these days, bunched carrots are scarcer on the market. This creates an opportunity for small-scale growers without expensive machinery to satisfy customers who prefer carrots presented in this way. These customers rightly believe that the fresh green tops on the carrot bunches are a good indication of freshness and health. All you need is a simple implement: two drop arms to which a grader blade has been attached at the correct angle. You can use this to reach…

To make this meal for four diners, you will need: 8 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on 8 slices of streaky bacon 60g of plain flour 1 teaspoon of dried origanum 1 teaspoon of dried, ground, smoked paprika 1 onion 1 green pepper 4 sticks of celery 3 cloves of garlic 3 tablespoons of coarsely chopped almonds 2 cans of tomatoes 3 tablespoons of raisins Half a chilli or a couple of dashes of red Tabasco Salt and freshly ground black pepper on demand Before you begin, rev up the oven to 160°C and have it standing by for later in the proceedings. 1 Melt the butter in a heavy-based frying pan. Select a large, unused, zip-seal plastic bag and into it pour the flour, one teaspoon of freshly ground…

Shopify (shopify.com) allows you to set up an online store. You can customise your ‘storefront’, accept credit card payments, respond to customer queries and track online orders. The beauty of Shopify is its simplicity; you can choose from many templates and building the store is very easy, making Shopify one of the leaders in the e-commerce space. If your business already has a domain name, this can be integrated with your Shopify store, or you can choose a sub-domain, such as mystore.myshopify.com. ALL ONLINE FOR A FEE You don’t need to install any programs; Shopify is an online platform. You will, however, need a credit card to pay for the online service. There is a monthly fee and various packages to choose from. As more than 500 million people access…