Table of contents for 1 March 2019 in Farmer's Weekly

The South African sugar industry is facing a crisis, and the South African Cane Growers’ Association warns that this R14 billion/year industry is in danger of “imminent collapse, putting 350 000 jobs at risk” (see pg 22). It warns that urgent interventions, including increasing the dollar-based reference price on imported sugar from US$680/t (about R9 570/t) to US$856/t (R12 050/t), is needed to remedy the situation. In recent years, the profitability of primary producers and the global competitiveness of South Africa’s sugar production has been eroded by a number of issues. The most notable challenges have been substantial increases in farmworker wages and electricity costs, drought, the implementation of the sugar tax, slow adoption of mechanisation, ineffective implementation and management of price protection measures to provide a buffer against cheap…

It is broadly acknowledged that institutions such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), whose formation was inspired by nationalism and regional politics, have had trouble reinventing themselves as organisations that can genuinely drive commerce and economic development. SADC has faced a crisis of relevance since 1994, when South Africa held its first democratic elections and the organisation’s role as a regional front against apartheid became redundant. The struggle to re-establish a new sense of purpose can be seen in various attempts to broaden SADC’s mandate in areas of cooperation, especially trade, investment and industrialisation. However, many regional protocols and commitments have not been implemented or honoured by member states, because nationalism, by its nature, places a greater emphasis on sovereignty. For example, the contradiction of regional governance and national…

Farmers in the Free State are urged to make use of a newly launched stock theft helpline that aims to combat the scourge and put thieves behind bars. The helpline is a joint initiative of the provincial Red Meat Producers’ Organisation and Free State Agriculture (FSA), with funding also provided by the National Wool Growers’ Association in the province. Johan Stadler, chairperson of the provincial stock theft prevention forum, said reporting was often made difficult due to communication barriers between farmers and the South African Police Service. It was hoped the helpline could address this by allowing farmers to speak to a person who understood all the legal processes related to stock theft and could then assist in compiling a statement that met the necessary criteria. Mientjie Kok, a data…

The global food service industry is expected to continue growing this year, with food delivery services emerging as one of the biggest trends at present. This was according to the recent Rabobank report, ‘To Go: Foodservice 2019 Global Outlook’. Paula Savanti, a senior analyst for consumer foods at Rabobank, said that while growth was anticipated, “some tempering is expected due to economic uncertainties across most [areas]”. The report focused on the US, Europe, China, India and Southeast Asia. In the US, food service increased just over 4% in 2018, and Rabobank predicted a similar growth trend for 2019. One of the trends highlighted in the report was the high level of eating out amongst US consumers. While more money than ever was being spent on eating out in that country,…

The success of land reform projects supported by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has increased from 62% between 2009 and 2013 to 72% between 2014 and 2019. This was according to an independent evaluation performed by Kayamandi Development Services. The study, which evaluated 105 projects according to 39 indicators including environmental, socioeconomic and economic aspects, classified 16% of the farms as highly successful, 56% as succeeding, 24% as challenged, and 4% as failures. During the previous evaluation, the company had identified 14% of the farms as failures and 11% as highly successful. Farms that were run as businesses were generally more successful than those with a lower degree of financial and tax compliance, and lower ratings for relationships between beneficiaries. Projects in which farmers had a vested interest in…

Cellars in the Olifants River region are expecting the wine harvest to be up to 30% lower than last year’s, which was already 35% lower than the region’s long-term annual average of 200 000t. Hendrik Vos, a partner at the audit firm Claassen Stone, said the situation was a catastrophe: “Farmers’ water allocations were cut by up to 85% of their annual quotas in 2018 because of the drought, resulting in the majority not having enough water for post-harvest fertilisation. Severe losses were also suffered because of a heatwave in 2016 and a break in the [water] canal the year before.” The region’s estimated income from wine grapes should have increased from R360 million in 2017 to R420 million in 2018 (adjusted for inflation), but declined to R280 million due…

South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased from 27,5% in the third quarter of 2018 to 27,1% at the end of the year, or a drop of 0,4%, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey of Statistics South Africa. Employment in agriculture increased 0,9% over this period, but at 849 000, this was the same as in the fourth quarter of 2017. Terence Corrigan, a policy fellow at the South African Institute of Race Relations, said employment in the sector could probably be boosted in a better economical environment and with more favourable labour legislation. “Drought, lack of support from government and political uncertainty is having a negative impact on investment on farms, which may be having a negative impact on agricultural employment.” He added that the sector had often wrongly been…

Figures released in a new report by the World Organisation for Animal Health show positive global progress in the regulation and monitoring of antimicrobial agents used in livestock. The report presented the overall findings of the third data collection initiative, providing a global and regional analysis of the use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics and antifungals, in livestock from 2015 to 2017. According to the report, antimicrobial agents were not used as growth promoters in 110 of 155 countries surveyed in 2017, which saw a decline from 60 countries since the last round of data collection. Critical progress had also been made in the implementation of regulations for the use of antimicrobial agents. “However, key antimicrobials, classified by the World Health Organisation as ‘highest priority’, including Colistin, continue to…

In 1994, UK investors in South Africa were concerned about their holdings. The future was uncertain and they had a great deal to lose. The resultant bilateral investment treaty (BIT) was the first of its kind in South Africa. Nations enter into such treaties to guarantee property rights in the investments made by the investors of Country A in Country B and vice versa. Various other nations also entered into BITs with South Africa. Then, starting in about 2006, our government began unilaterally stepping away from BITs. Currently, the treaties still in force will be effective until their ‘sunset clause’ runs out. Many have already been revoked. But what has this to do with tax? Expropriation is a form of tax. The threat of loss in South Africa is very…

South Africa is a major importer of vegetable oils and oilcake. As a result, local producer prices of sunflower seed and soya bean will continue to feel the effects of global developments in the oilseed sector. Factors affecting the exchange rate will also have a significant impact on local producer prices. EXCHANGE RATE The value of global trade in agricultural commodities is significantly affected by the exchange rate of the trading country’s currencies (See table). The values of currencies are determined not only by the particular country’s current account, balance of trade and change in debt levels, but also by policy certainty and business confidence. The weakening rand could thus have a significant impact on South African producers, who compete with imported products on the local and export markets. A…

Hydroponic production of vegetables is intensive, requiring a smaller area than traditional open-land production. However, you should aim to buy a piece of land bigger than your immediate needs. In addition to the greenhouses, set aside an area for service and storage buildings as well as access roads. It’s also a good idea to allocate some space for stockpiling supplies such as sawdust. In the future, you might need holding dams for effluent water to reduce the nutrient content before releasing it into streams, not to mention more greenhouses!…

The all-important topic of customer care remains at the top of the list of prerequisites for any responsible business. What constitutes ‘customer care’ might vary according to circumstances, but the underlying principle is always the same: the customer is king! Spending some time at the George Fresh Produce Market (GFPM) recently gave me fresh insight into customer care. This might be one of the smallest markets in the country, but that does not detract from the attention and service its agents give their customers. LATE CLOSING From the time the doors open early in the morning until they close at 4pm, customers drift in and out of the market. The frenzied, early-morning rush typical of most other markets is not seen here. Perhaps this is due to the relaxed way…

To make malva pudding with Amarula syrup, you need: FOR THE MALVA PUDDING: 150g flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda 200g brown sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature ½ teaspoon salt 60ml apricot jam 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 tablespoon white vinegar 250ml milk FOR THE AMARULA SYRUP: 57g butter 250ml sugar 125ml boiling water 250ml Amarula cream liqueur A pinch of salt 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C. Grease an oven dish and set this aside until needed. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. 2 In the bowl of your stand mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the sugar, eggs and salt on medium speed until the batter is thick and pourable. You can also do…

If you start every morning with a bout of coughing caused by phlegm, whether produced by an allergy or a postnasal drip, you’ll be relieved to know there’s a safe, effective medication available. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a medication (not an antibiotic) used in hospitals to treat paracetamol overdose, and to loosen and dissolve excessive, thick mucus in patients with serious lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NAC is sold in pharmacies as ACC 200, and is often prescribed by doctors to loosen mucus that results from flu or a lung infection. For paracetamol overdose, NAC works by increasing the level of glutathione, the body’s own potent antioxidant that helps reduce certain dangerous free radicals. It has antibacterial properties and breaks down the biofilms of various…

ALMOST by Mervyn Prior (Prior, R300) Now 91, Prior still hasn’t quite packed away his favourite accessory: his climbing boots. He discovered climbing while a student in the 1940s and soon became part of a daredevil band that tackled tricky climbs in South Africa and around the world. His memoir is full of fun, right to the last episode, when he and his feisty (although often exasperated) wife, Jean, get lost in their own backyard. SEX, LIES & STELLENBOSCH by Eva Mazza (MF Books, R230) ‘IN THE END, WE’LL ALL BECOME STORIES’ – MARGARET ATWOOD (1939- ) At her husband’s 60th birthday party, Jen discovers him in the act with their wine farm’s sales representative. The pressures and pleasures of family life in the…

Fuelio (fuel.io) is an easy-to-use Android app that allows the user to track fuel consumption, fill-ups, distance covered and other motoring expenses. It also boasts a handy cost calculator. The app began as a hobby for developer Adrian Kajda, who started designing it in August 2011 and released a paid version a year later. In 2015, Sygic, the company behind one of the world’s most popular GPS navigation apps, purchased Fuelio and made it even more appealing to prospective users by offering the ‘pro’ features for free. The company employed Kajda, who remains involved with improving the app. NO ADVERTISEMENTS One of the attractions of Fuelio is that it remains free of advertisements. It’s difficult nowadays to find a good app that’s advertisement-free; most of the better apps have a…

Agriculture has always featured in the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), but in the 2019 address, President Cyril Ramaphosa made agriculture out to be the ‘golden goose’ of the South African economy. He acknowledged the sector for being well developed, resilient and diversified. However, most importantly, agriculture was singled out as a sector on which leading companies needed to focus investment. It is therefore expected that investment in the industry will be substantially expanded over the next five years, which will create a large number of new jobs. Furthermore, according to Ramaphosa, government believes that developing the agriculture sector is key to enhancing the country’s food security and attracting investment. GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS POLICY UNCERTAINTY TO BOOST BUSINESS CONFIDENCE This is something the industry, especially organised agricultural organisations,…

Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed concern about the widespread ‘green drought’ currently being experienced in the province. Speaking at a recent media briefing in Durban, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said that despite much of the province looking lush and green, the largely below-average rainfall received this summer so far had resulted in worryingly low surface and groundwater levels. “There’s already a warning of another crisis brewing as persistent dry conditions and hot weather are threatening crops and livestock across the province. The threat to household food security, especially in rural areas, is real,” she said. Sandy La Marque, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu), agreed, and added that a recent drought assessment conducted by the association among both commercial and communal…

Banana freckle fungal disease has been eradicated in Australia following a five-year battle. More than 300 growers in the Northern Territory were affected when the disease was detected on Cavendish bananas in the region in 2015. This was also the main variety produced in neighbouring Queensland, which accounted for 94% of banana production in Australia. The A$1,2 billion (about R11,5 billion) industry there was spared when the disease was eradicated in the north. If the disease from Southeast Asia had spread to Queensland, strict controls would have meant that no fruit would have been able to leave the state to be sold to supermarkets across Australia. According to David Littleproud, minister of agriculture in Australia, Queensland growers were “staring down the barrel” of up to A$24 million (R231 million) a…

While there had been a number of notable achievements internationally in the commercial production of bioplastics from renewable plant materials, this was not yet the case in South Africa. According to Plastics SA, only a small volume and range of bioplastics were being manufactured locally, and generally at significantly greater expense than petroleum-based plastics. Anton Hanekom, executive director at Plastics SA, said that many consumers erroneously assumed that the term ‘plant-based bioplastic’ meant products were biodegradable and therefore environmentally friendly. “Clear distinction needs to be made between biodegradable and compostable [plastics] and bioplastics. Bioplastics are bio-derived and not necessarily more environmentally friendly than petrochemical plastics, which are made from petroleum waste. Biodegradable plastics need very specialised composting and aerobic digesters to deal with [them] and to ensure that [they] actually…

Northern Cape vegetable producer Wildeklawer has joined hands with other role players to provide humanitarian assistance to some of the worst drought-affected towns in the province. Janine Möller, the operating officer of Agri Northern Cape and liaison for the project, said Wildeklawer had set aside a portion of the produce grown by the company to help communities in drought-hit towns. Thousands of kilograms of beetroot, carrots and onions were being distributed among farmworkers who were not earning an income, at old age homes, and to others in need in these communities. The distribution was being coordinated by local farmer associations, while other role players, such as Kelrn Vervoer, Nito Energy, Voermol, Obaro, KLK, and the N12 Garage Strydenburg, were sponsoring inputs ranging from transport and diesel to feed. Nicol Jansen,…

When a cow (or any other animal, for that matter) is so thin that it can no longer stand up, it’s a sad sign that the animal’s entire biological system is in a state of shutdown. An animal in this condition will seldom recover. Due to the complexity of its digestive system, a ruminant requires a certain amount of roughage in the form of grass or leaves every day to maintain body condition. PLANTS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR HERD OR FLOCK While vitamin and mineral supplements can be given to livestock in times of shortage, you should never over-medicate. Put another way, there is no ‘miracle muti’ to replace feed. However, the following naturally occurring plants can greatly assist you with feeding during severe droughts: • Prickly pears Remove the long…

Among eucalyptus and pine trees in the Zuurvlakte farm cemetery is the simple gravestone of field cornet Japie Olivier, whose lingering death 118 years ago captures both the horrors of war and how the fortunes of battle can change in seconds. Although Olivier, then 21, was the only Boer casualty on 14 July 1901, when Boer guerrilla forces clashed with the Irish Connaught Rangers on Zuurvlakte, seven rangers were also killed in the conflict. These and allegedly three more killed in subsequent battles were buried alongside Olivier. CONTACT ON ZUURVLAKTE WHEN OLIVIER WAS HIT, THE BOERS FOCUSED ON SAVING HIM Olivier joined the commando of Willem Fouché near Middelburg in the Karoo in early 1901, and became well-liked in the outfit. The 250- to 300-strong Fouché outfit was one of…

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 5 TO 7 MARCH Advanced Grass Identification, ALUT Training Farm, Modimolle. Email courses@alut.co.za . 6 TO 7 MARCH Undercover Farming Expo, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria. Visit undercoverfarmingexpo.co.za . 28 TO 29 MARCH Profitable Pig Production, Rustenburg. Visit bommereaipela.co.za , or email info@bommereaipela.co.za . 24 APRIL Soil Preparation Workshop, Kuruman. Visit bommereaipela.co.za . 21 TO 23 MAY Southern African Manufacturing Expo, Nasrec, Johannesburg. Visit localmanufacturingexpo.co.za . 27 MAY Efficient Boer Goat Production, Ganyesa. Visit bommereaipela.co.za , or email info@bommereaipela.co.za . 6 TO 7 JUNE Hortgro Technical Symposium, The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West. Email Thea van Zyl at thea@hortgro.co.za…

Brexit could hold opportunities for South African fruit exporters, according to Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape. Pienaar, who recently returned from Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany, briefed the media about the latest trends at the fair and how these could affect South Africa’s fruit industry. “At the moment, Brexit is a massively hot topic in [the UK] and nobody knows what’s going to happen,” he said. According to Pienaar, retailers such as Sainsbury’s were stockpiling two to three weeks’ worth of additional stock in a trend that was filtering through the entire UK economy, from fruit production to manufacturing. “How this will play out is going to be very interesting and could even be beneficial to South Africa, as it could lead to additional orders for our products.” Pienaar…

SARDINIA Dairy farmers and shepherds on the Italian island of Sardinia have been pouring milk onto the road to protest falling milk prices. The shepherds contend that big cheesemakers have colluded to pay low prices for sheep and goats’ milk. The price of sheep milk had dropped more than 25% following a fall in the price of Pecorino Romano cheese, which absorbed about half the island’s sheep milk production. INDIA In its interim budget, the Indian government pledged 6 000 rupees (about R1 200) a year in assistance for every farmer with holdings of less than 2ha, and announced several other support measures as well. Despite its shrinking contribution to India’s GDP, agriculture still employed more than 40% of the total workforce. In 2016, the average monthly income of a…

The withdrawal of the use of the fungicide imazalil on fruit exported to the EU has come as a shock to the industry, and losses are expected to run into millions of rands. The EU had indicated that the maximum residue level of the fungicide would be lowered to 0,01mg/kg over the next two years, which meant it would not only be excluded for use on fruit destined for the EU, but packers would have to have two separate lines if packing for multiple markets. This was because the equipment used for packing retained residue from treated fruit, which could be transferred to untreated fruit. Speaking at the Citrus Research International’s (CRI) post-harvest technical forum in Mbombela, Dr Wilma du Plooy, research and programme coordinator at CRI, said the international…

While many farmers carried out their disease management programmes correctly, others still needed to improve. This was according to Dr Faffa Malan, managing director of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA). Malan said that many disease and parasite outbreaks in 2018 could have been prevented, and that it was not enough to have a blanket game plan of preventative measures. He added that farmers needed to work with a team of experts such as vets, animal nutritionists and agronomists to make informed disease management decisions based on climatic and veld conditions, the state of health and productive stages of animals, and the disease risks in their regions. On many farms, biosecurity could also be improved. In the latest RuVASA disease report, the sexually transmitted disease, trichomonosis, for example,…

Organised agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal has largely welcomed the turnaround strategy of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced by KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture MEC Themba Mthembu in Cedara recently. Mthembu said that one of the challenges the department had faced was having four MECs and “at least” 10 heads of department since 2009, resulting in “constant changes in policies and strategic programmes, with minimal implementation”. A second challenge was extensive corruption involving a number of senior officials and trade union leaders, which was hampering service delivery. Mthembu added that, as part of his efforts to remedy these failures, he had approached various private sector organisations for assistance in developing and implementing an agricultural master plan for the province and a turnaround strategy for the department. “Working together will create a…

The cost of production drives the trade of pork products between different countries, and it is therefore important for local farmers to fully understand the value of good genetics as a production tool to achieve their full profit potential. This was according to Gianluca Avino, the commercial director of Genus International in Italy. The company forms part of PIC International, a leader in the genetic improvement of pig breeding stock and technical support to the global pork supply chain. Avino was speaking at the recent PIC South Africa roadshow, held at Emperors Palace near Johannesburg. The theme was ‘Driving excellence beyond 30 pigs per sow per year’, and Avino told Farmer’s Weekly that this figure had been the local industry’s target for the past couple of years, as producers elsewhere…

In 2006, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) published a damning report about livestock’s impact on the environment. The report alleged that livestock was responsible for 18% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, compared with the total transport industry’s 14%. The FAO’s calculations contained serious errors, which the organisation acknowledged in 2010. However, globally, industries found a ready scapegoat to divert attention away from their own GHG emissions. In January, a report prepared by a Norwegian think-tank, EAT, was published to coincide with the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. In highly unscientific and emotive language, the report stated that the world would have to change to a largely plant-based diet, and worldwide consumption of red meat and sugar would each have to be cut by more than 50%. People…

South Africa’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right, as entrenched in the Bill of Rights, to safety and security of his/her person, as well as the right to fair labour practices. These rights apply to employers and employees alike, and while there is a perception that only employees fall victim to harassment and intimidation in the workplace, employers are also regularly targeted. Workplace harassment and intimidation are increasing. As an employer, you should be aware of this problem and understand the impact it has on your employees, your reputation and operation’s productivity. HARASSMENT Harassment refers to conduct (directly or indirectly) with the intent to harass, annoy or irritate another person, but with no intent to cause physical harm. Examples include: • Following, watching, pursuing or accosting the victim, or loitering…

The Highveld Horse Care Unit (HHCU), situated in Meyerton, Gauteng, covers 16ha and is home to about 40 horses and donkeys. These come from a variety of backgrounds, with some sent to the unit for treatment, others waiting to be rehomed, and still others that were confiscated because of neglect and abuse. The HHCU was established in 1991 and is committed to ensuring the welfare of all equines across South Africa. Over the past year, it has inspected and treated around 5 000 horses and donkeys, visited 8 000 equines and stabled 500 equines, and its staff have collectively travelled about 200 000km. In rural South Africa, equines are still used for transport and carting firewood, coal, household waste and water. Many of these animals suffer from lameness, poor hoof…

Some automotive workshops, and especially engine tuning establishments, are equipped with a chassis dynamometer. This calculates the power output delivered by the engine where the tyre meets the road. A CHASSIS DYNAMOMETER IS BEST FOR SAME-DAY TESTS A chassis dynamometer consists of a pair of heavy rollers set just proud of the workshop floor so that a vehicle can drive onto them. The rollers are coupled to a device (often electric) that applies a varying resistance to the drive wheels. The vehicle is secured in position, the controls are activated, and a driver applies full throttle in second or third gear for 40 seconds or so. Sensors measure the torque delivered and transmit the data to a computer, which produces a set of torque and power curves. The readings are…

This fragrant curry called out for a wine with similar levels of aromatics, and those made from the queen of German grape varieties, Riesling, will do perfectly. True Riesling was for a long time labelled either Rhine Riesling or Weisser Riesling due to the confusion caused by the misidentification of a lesser variety, Crouchen Blanc, which is labelled Paarl or Cape Riesling. True Riesling produces wines of great complexity that are nearly always unwooded. Oak Valley Estate in Elgin makes one of the drier versions. Their Stone & Steel Riesling has only 4,1g of sugar, and is perfumed with litchis, pears and limes; it worked beautifully with the dish, which has plenty of warm spices but no real bite. Nitida in Durbanville produces a slightly sweeter Riesling that has a…

More than most authors, Jonathan Leeming is celebrating the second, updated edition of his book SCORPIONS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (Struik Nature, R230). That’s because its publication in 2003 changed his life from IT desk-jockey to bushveld researcher and sought-after environmental speaker. The new edition includes 12 new species, as well as new images and distribution maps. It also covers scorpions’ behaviour and life cycle, and gives advice on how to live alongside venomous creatures. 1. Hotspot: South Africa is a great place to work on scorpions because it’s a world hotspot, with about 10% of the world’s scorpion species found only here. 2. Family influence: My parents were outdoor people and passed that on to me. I was sailing, fishing and rock climbing from an early age. 3. Spider club:…

Pieter-Dirk Uys’s latest memoir, THE ECHO OF A NOISE (Tafelberg, R280) reads rather as if he is reminiscing with you over a bottle of wine. Some of it repeats his stage monologue of the same name, which he describes as the ‘spine’ of this collection. A natural storyteller, he ranges easily between his childhood as angelic chorister, career highlights, and his current incarnation as doyen of Darling. The chatty tone eases you through some stark private moments, too: an often difficult relationship with his father, grief and incomprehension at his mother’s suicide and the process of coming out. This mingles with his later disbelief at some of his family’s pro-apartheid tendencies.…