Table of contents for 14 July 2023 in Farmer's Weekly

Giving a platform to community farmers, the Shoprite and Checkers Market Day showcased more than 30 community food gardens from all over South Africa recently. The farmers from the food gardens were given an opportunity to sell their fresh and organically grown produce directly to the public at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets across the country. The initiative was launched in 2017 and serves as an opportunity for small-scale food gardens supported by the Shoprite Group to access valuable retail experience while generating some additional income, as well as gaining exposure to their respective communities. Dudu Radebe from the Dithaka Dikopane Co-operative in Walkerville, Gauteng, said: “We were delighted to sell our fresh vegetables directly to the public at the Checkers Southgate supermarket. The response from the community was fantastic.…

The Guava Producers’ Association of South Africa expects production in the Western Cape to reach approximately 25 300t this season, which is slightly lower than last season's 25 955t, but higher than the industry average of about 24 700t. The impact on production of the cold front that hit the Western Cape from mid-June is still uncertain, according to Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the association. Speaking at the association's annual general meeting held recently in Simondium, he said that the cold had caused roots and fruit to stop growing, and this could affect fruit size and quality. Based on feedback given by various farmers, the season had started later than usual in most regions, and more than three weeks late in Kraaifontein and Paarl. Although the season was not that…

WESTERN FREE STATE ANGUS CHAMPIONS AFRIKANER CHAMPIONS SHORTHORN CHAMPIONS BRAHMAN CHAMPIONS DEXTER CHAMPIONS CENTRAL INTERIOR BOER GOAT CHAMPIONS SA MUTTON MERINO CHAMPIONS SUFFOLK CHAMPIONS…

Continuous pests are those nearly always present in your lands, and need regular control. Sporadic pests are migratory, cyclical, or occasional pests that require control once in a while. Very often, sporadic pests are preyed on effectively by a particular insect. This causes cycles where the parasitoid wasp, or other insect, reduces the pest population to a level where the predator population also drops, as there are not enough pests to feed on. This enables pest numbers to increase again in a see-saw effect. PLUSIA LOOPER (THYSANOPLUSIA ORICHALCEA) This pest, an example of a semi-looper, is an example of a sporadic cabbage pest. I recall once finding a mature plusia looper feeding on a cabbage. On its back was a small black parasitoid with its ovipositor inserted; the parasitoid was…

ACROSS 1. A hot capsicum pepper (8) 5. Animated; lively (8) 10. Food items preserved in vinegar or brine (7) 12. A semi-liquid food made from fermented milk (7) 13. Sturdy breed of sheep originating on an island of the Netherlands (5) 14. Leaf vein (7) 15. Of a vehicle, not loaded (7) 16. Material with which jeans are made (5) 19. Spike on which to cook pieces of meat (6) 22. Decay of timber and plants caused by fungi (3,3) 24. Destruction of environmental aspects necessary to life (7) 25. West Indian tree also called wild mango (4) 26. Horse-riding gear (4) 28. General atmospheric condition of an area (7) 30. Beat maize to separate out husks and straw (6) 33. Wandered (6) 36. DNA constituents that determine individuality…

LIFESTYLE Travel There is something special and reassuringly old-fashioned about the Arniston Spa Hotel. And, by old-fashioned, I'm referring to the level of care and detail, such as a handwritten card each night with the weather forecast and tides. And when you leave and breezily tell the receptionist that you're off to the famous cave, she warns you that the tide will be too high to do so. The care is also visible in the cuisine, which is a highlight of the stay. Many items are halaal and gluten-free, and lowcarbohydrate options are offered as well as dishes for vegans and vegetarians. As many of the staff come from Kassiesbaai, a nearby fishing village with a Grade 1 listing because of its historical importance, there is also a warm familiarity…

Auction Sales TO PLACE AN UPCOMING AUCTION EVENT in the Classifieds Auctions section, contact René Moonsamy on 010 971 3771 or at renea@caxton.co.za, or Natasha Kock on 010 971 3770 or at natashakock@caxton.co.za. TO LIST AUCTION RESULTS in this section, email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za. National Braford Sale HIGHEST: (BULL) R170 000 Davel – The National Braford Sale was held at The Bull Ring on 14 June. The highest price of the day was paid for the bull GM 19 100, which was sold by Bonheur Brafords in Bethal to Nico Pieterse of Nicjac Pieterse Farm in Bethal for R170 000. Bulls achieved an average price of R74 047,62. In-calf heifers achieved an average price of R25 842,11, while 3-in-l cows were sold for an average of R30 000. Cows…

ARCHIVE WEEKLY NEWS WRAP 52 YEARS AGO 1911 5 November 1971 2023 This article described how farmers could optimise utilisation of their lands. The four main factors in the production process are land, labour, capital and management. Land is both the most important and, in the long run, the most limited. The area of South Africa is 122,48 million hectares. Only 8,4% of South Africa was cultivated in 1960. In the years to come, towns and cities will expand, more recreational areas will be developed, and the growing population will demand more food. In other words, our land's importance as a production factor will increase as it becomes more limited. The knowledge of soil is, therefore, of the utmost importance. CATEGORIES OF LAND To ensure optimal utilisation of the soil, a…

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a report in June that shows the world food import bill is forecast to reach a new record this year, but grow at a slower pace than last year. According to the FAO, this prediction was driven by higher quotations for fruit, vegetables, sugar and dairy products, as well as dampened demand, particularly in the most economically vulnerable countries. The global food bill was expected to rise to US$1,98 trillion (about R36,6 trillion) in 2023, up 1,5% from 2022. It rose 11% in 2022 and 18% in 2021. Food imports by advanced economies were likely to expand, but the import bill for the group of Least Developed Countries was predicted to decline 1,5%. The import bill for net food-importing…

Regenerative agriculture is not just a ‘buzzword’ for Bayer, but a means of creating a more sustainable food system with the capacity to feed the world's growing population, while using less water and land, and with a smaller environmental impact. This was according to Rodrigo Santos, president of Bayer's CropScience division, who spoke at the recent Bayer CropScience Innovation Summit streamed from New York, US. Jeremy Williams, Bayer's head of commercial ecosystems and digital farming solutions of the CropScience division, said that Bayer wanted to define, reshape and increase the area under regenerative agriculture to over 162 million hectares. He said this would contribute to the company's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its crop protection solutions and the greenhouse gas emissions of the cropping systems it served by…

FAST FACTS A well-defined hunting instinct is an important determination of a dog's ability to herd stock efficiently. At the start of a dog's training, the farmer may be taken aback by the dog's apparent aggressiveness towards the stock. Stock learn very quickly that a calm dog can be calmly obeyed. The image of a sheepdog herding a flock of sheep is synonymous with small-stock farming across the world. Herding dogs have been an essential part of livestock production since the late 1500s, according to historical records. Sheep and cattle dogs are generally controlled using different whistles to indicate which action the farmer wants the dog to perform. While sheep and cattle dogs rely on instinct to herd animals, training is still required. Andy Nickless has been training sheepdogs since…

Each year, there are reports of farmers who suffer losses because of the incorrect use of agrochemicals. This can be due to using the wrong products, such as when a herbicide is mistaken for a pesticide, or the incorrect use of the right product, according to Rosa Kruger, founder of the Vineyard Workers’ Development Trust. Kruger says using the wrong product can wipe out an entire orchard or vineyard. Incorrect use of a product can cause financial losses by failing to protect crops against pests and diseases, or having a negative impact on plant growth, yield and product quality. Using incorrect dosages, or the overuse of products with the same active ingredients or from the same chemical group, can also result in pests, diseases or weeds developing resistance to specific…

Now that Renault has revamped its arsenal of technology for hybrid powertrains and electronic equipment, it could no longer deprive its customers of a vehicle born and bred for driving pleasure, or deprive the brand of a new flagship. The All-new Renault Rafale is both. Designed by Gilles Vidal, head of design at Renault, the Rafale ushers in a new era. It is visionary, daring, perfectly in tune with its time, and tailor-made for a period when everything is moving ever faster and only avant garde models will stay attractive throughout their life cycle. The All-new Renault Rafale also features up-to-the-minute connectivity and a 149kW E-Tech full hybrid powertrain that is as efficient as it is frugal and uses recycled materials. It was born to take driving pleasure to ever…

LIFESTYLE Hillbilly Homes Mike in Limpopo phoned me to say he had seen one of my Farmer's Weekly articles featuring a home that could be built in stages, and asked me to design something similar for him. The house he has in mind must be easy to build and affordable. He requires an open-plan living/kitchen area that can also serve initially as a sleeping area. Two en suite bedrooms will be added later as finances allow. Dear Mike, Thank you for your call and explanation. As you can see, the sketch shown meets your requirements. I suggest, however, that the central living area be built with raised outer walls and an attic area added. This could accommodate two bedrooms and a bathroom and toilet, and would come at very little…

LIFESTYLE The Hitching Post I am looking for an active guy in his late 60s or 70s with a sense of humour. He must be kind and an animal lover. Are you tired of not having a significant other to chat with, and spending winter nights on your own? Well, I am! I'm a widow and live in Cape Town, so hopefully will hear from somebody close. LONELY GIRL I am looking for a single white guy who is at least 55 years old and has lost a child, so that he can understand me. He must be a practising Christian, a nonsmoker and a non-drinker. SOLE SURVIVOR I am a 56-year-old Caucasian lady with brown eyes and short brown hair. I am petite, exercise regularly, a non-smoker, and not…

FARMER'S DIARY 18 to 22 September, Delmas The Hatching House Management course looks at aspects of preparing a hatchery unit for egg placement, daily monitoring of the incubation process (temperature, humidity and light), the handling of fertilised eggs, and vaccination and grading of day-old chicks. Apply online at learn.buhle.org.za/learn, or visit buhle.org.za. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 24 TO 26 JULY Agro-Processing Africa Hybrid Conference, CSIR Centre, Pretoria. Email Rozayne Malyo at rozayne@think-green.co.za. 26 TO 28 JULY Carbon Neutral Farming, Soil Conservation & New Technologies Conference, Holiday Inn Hotel, Sandton. Email Cindy Dlamini at cindy@mathema.co.za. 28 TO 30 JULY Cannabis Expo, The Globe Suncoast, Durban. Email info@TheCannabisExpo.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 10 JULY TO 15 SEPTEMBER Livestock Production, Delmas. Apply online at learn.buhle.org.za/learn, or visit buhle.org.za. 22 JULY Beehive Removal Course, Pretoria.…

The wool industry acknowledged its top achievers at the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) AGM held recently in Gqeberha. Wool Trust chairperson Herman van Schalkwyk received a Silver Ram for the years he served on NWGA's national and provincial structures, and for his five terms of office at the Wool Trust, totalling 15 years of service that will conclude in 2023. The Hollard catastrophe insurance risk cover was the brainchild of Van Schalkwyk, with NWGA members benefitting from a discounted rate. Misthoek Boerderye near Murraysburg in the Western Cape won the award for the best economically classed clip, sponsored by Hollard, with a performance percentage of 88,24%. Rooikop Boedery near Fraserburg, in the Northern Cape, took second place and CFB Greeff from Somerset East took third. Trompsburg in the Free…

The slaughtering and smuggling of captive-bred lions in South Africa to meet the demand for lion bones is an abomination, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa's operations and stewardship manager. He told Farmer's Weekly that the practice degraded the iconic African lion to a mere slaughter animal. The suppliers of illegally obtained lion bones and the smugglers needed to be brought to book and be met with the full might of the law, he said. This followed the recent arrest of a 43-year-old man at OR Tambo International Airport who had attempted to travel to Vietnam, via Qatar, from South Africa while in possession of the bones of five lion carcasses. According to animal welfare organisation Four Paws, the suspect had been arrested when the security guards at…

The Four Paws animal welfare organisation has welcomed a decision by sportswear brand Nike to commit to the certified Responsible Wool Standard, which excludes products made from wool from sheep that have been subject to mulesing, a practice carried out to prevent flystrike. Following the decision by Nike, Fiona Miles, the director of Four Paws South Africa, said more consumers were demanding higher animal welfare from brands, prompting a growing number of companies to take action and end the mulesing of sheep. According to Four Paws, the process involved cutting pieces of skin from two-to 10-week-old lambs without pain relief. This resulted in fear and stress, but above all intense pain that could last for days. The method was practised only in Australia, the world's largest supplier of Merino wool,…

absa The global grain and oilseed market experienced volatile movements in the first two weeks of June due to weather concerns in the US grain belt, an escalation in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and a steep increase in demand from China for these commodities. MAIZE Global maize prices were supported by dry conditions in the US in the first week of June, with analysts noting that 34% of the US maize belt had experienced dry conditions since 30 May. Forecasts suggest that US weather conditions will remain dry until the end of June. In terms of global geopolitics, Russia has agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative by two months, but delayed the registration of shipments moving from Ukraine's major port. This has created concern about global…

FEATURE KZN Floods FAST FACTS KwaZulu-Natal has suffered a series of calamities over the past three years, with rural communities suffering in particular from the floods of April 2022. The floods destroyed more than 4 000 homes and left 40 000 people homeless. A survey revealed that cane growers sustained extensive damage to cane fields and farm infrastructure. KwaZulu-Natal's farming community has been hit with a barrage of challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. These began with pandemic-related restrictions in 2020, were followed by the anarchy and destruction of the unrest and rioting in 2021, and were succeeded in turn by the April 2022 floods. The floods have been described as the most catastrophic natural disaster yet recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in terms of lives lost, homes and…

BACK TO BASICS VEGETABLES The turnip (Brassica rapa) is a root vegetable rich in vitamins A, C, B, B6, E and K. The leaves are sometimes eaten as ‘turnip greens’. The common type of turnip is mostly white-skinned, apart from the upper 1cm to 6cm, which protrudes above the ground and is purple or red or greenish where sunlight has fallen on it. This above-ground part develops from stem tissue, but is fused with the root. The interior flesh is entirely white. The root is roughly globular, 5cm to 20cm in diameter, and lacks side roots. Underneath, the taproot (the normal root below the swollen storage root) is thin and 10cm or more long; it is often trimmed off before the vegetable is sold. The leaves grow directly from the above-ground…

MAKES FOUR 500g waxy potatoes 1 eggplant 2 onions 2 cloves garlic 3 Tbsp sunflower oil or ghee 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 Tbsp masala curry 1 tin of tomato purée (70g) 400ml coconut milk 1 vegetable stock cube 1 tin of cooked chickpeas (400g) 15g fresh coriander 1 lime 1 apple 50g roasted peanuts • Peel the potatoes and chop them into 3cm pieces. Chop the eggplant into pieces of the same size. • Finely chop the onions and the garlic. • Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for about 3 minutes. Add the potato, eggplant and cumin and fry everything together for a further 3 minutes. Add the garlic and curry and cook for another minute. • Stir in the tomato purée and…

In 1949, the traveller, researcher and author, Laurence Green, noted in his book In the Land of the Afternoon that there was something about South Africa's weather and climate that fired controversial discussions and inspired scientists. He based his observation on articles, writings and other publications about the country's meteorology dating back to 1885. But even long before that, according to Green, many were already convinced that South Africa was drying up. The reasons for this included deforestation, particularly the destruction of trees such as the wild olive. This was said to have led to the disappearance of fountains. Overgrazing was also blamed for changes in vegetation and ensuing climate change. Green mentions the big drought of the late 1920s in the Prince Albert district in the Karoo, the worst…