Table of contents for 22 July 2016 in Farmer's Weekly

At some point, even the greatest tragedies become old news and a protracted crisis loses its punch. I fear that we have reached that point with the terrible drought that is affecting so many farmers in Southern Africa. There is nothing new to report and the devastation has been neatly summarised in widely reported facts and figures. But on a recent visit to a farm in northern KwaZulu-Natal, I was again reminded of the aching reality of the drought. Perennially green valleys have turned bleak from lack of rain and irrigation, and farmers in the region are realising only half the returns on their sugar cane crops. Game and cattle farmers are forced to choose the lesser of two evils: having their prized animals slaughtered to save them from the…

Zaid Mahomedy is the winner of the Chicken Production (Broilers) book in the Farmer’s Weekly online competition. He is a veterinary science student at the University of Pretoria and became interested in farming at a young age. “I tried to turn my home into a ‘little farm’ and had a few cats and chickens as pets,” he recalls. Zaid is interested in free-range chicken farming and has read a lot about the local broiler industry. He hopes to have a farm of his own one day.…

There was a growing demand for South Africa’s grapefruit in China, according to Jason Bosch, managing director at fruit trading company Origin Fruit Direct Asia. Bosch said that five years ago, the company had exported 50 000 cartons of grapefruit to China, the world’s 7th biggest importer of fruit, and this figure had now increased to 1,7 million cartons. “Promotional activities of South African grapefruit have resulted in more consumers becoming interested in grapefruit, particularly the younger generation,” Bosch said. He said grapefruit exports had also exceeded local consumption. “In South Africa, the market isn’t experiencing the same growth because we simply don’t have the demand for grapefruit.” John Edmonds, information manager at the Citrus Growers’ Association, said that although South Africa had access to the Chinese market, its non-tariff…

The Bloemhoek Dam in Kroonstad has been empty for two months and the town currently has no running water. Hanlie Schwimm, owner of the Nature View Guesthouse, which borders the dam, said the dam was empty because the muncipal pumps, which pump water from the river into the dam, were broken. “Two years ago, we had good rain in the area, but water could not be pumped into the dam,” she said. Schwimm said that tankers and water-harvesting tanks, commonly known as Jojo tanks, were providing the town with water. “When the Jojo tanks are empty, they are stolen or vandalised,” she said, adding that community members were assisting the elderly by delivering water to them, while people from across South Africa had attempted to assist the distressed community by…

A faulty Eskom power line and the power company’s lack of maintenance have cost an Eastern Cape farmer more than R100 000. Nicholas James, owner of Rivendell Hatchery near Grahamstown, told Farmer’s Weekly that a transformer on his farm had recently exploded as a result of sun damage to the outlet wires’ insulation. James, who farms ornamental fish and tilapia, said a recirculating aquaculture system depended on a reliable power supply, and it had thus been necessary for him to purchase a generator, which had cost R102 000. Diesel costs had already amounted to R5 000. In a separate, earlier incident, an Eskom power line on James’s farm had collapsed. James said that the line was 25 years old and supported by rotten wooden poles. “The line was surveyed in…

Over the past two years, the average price of an 80g slab of chocolate has increased by 39%. In May 2014, the average price for an 80g slab of chocolate was R9,52. As of May 2016, the average price was R13,27, according to a Stats SA report. Wandile Sihlobo, head of economic and agribusiness intelligence at Agbiz, said that the weakening rand was a major contributor to the rise in price. “Chocolate prices have been increasing over time, mainly because of the increases in cocoa prices. Additionally, the rand/ dollar exchange rate plays a huge role in [the importation] of some of the ingredients. South Africa doesn’t grow cocoa, so the exchange rate is important.” Sihlobo said the price increase was also due to higher demand. According to the Stats…

A silver lining might await motorists, according to Agbiz economist Wandile Sihlobo. This month, motorists were hit hard by yet another petrol price hike. The pump price of 95-octane and 93-octane petrol for July increased by 8c/l and 11c/l respectively, with the wholesale price of diesel increasing by 42c/l (0,05% sulphur) and 41c/l (0,005% sulphur). Paraffin users will feel the biggest pinch as the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin goes up by more than 43c/l. According to Sihlobo, the increase had been driven mainly by the increase in the crude oil price. He said that the higher fuel price would have a direct knock-on effect on food prices. “A large percentage of crops in South Africa are transported by road. A fuel increase in transport will be reflected in food…

The SPCA in Bloemfontein had to euthanise 70 donkeys on a 10ha plot after it was found that they were severely malnourished and living in poor conditions. Reinet Meyer, senior inspector of the Bloemfontein SPCA, said that the Horse Care Unit came across the donkeys and contacted the SPCA. A vet called to the scene determined that the donkeys would have to be euthanised. “All the donkeys were severely malnourished and thin, and they did not have access to any food or water,” said Meyer. “They also had the herpes virus, lung problems and growths on their feet, as a result of which some of the animals were unable to stand.” Many donkeys had started to abort and had mouth sores. The SPCA has contacted the owner of the donkeys,…

Botswana beef farmers are worried that the country is at risk of experiencing an uncontrollable spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as the country’s government has failed to fence in wildlife management areas to prevent movement of buffaloes into livestock management areas. “Wherever you find buffaloes, you’re likely to have an FMD outbreak. Due to free movement of buffaloes, livestock in the country is at high risk of being infected with FMD from the wild animals that are carriers of the virus,” said Mudongo Direng, a cattle farmer and chairperson of the Botswana National Beef Producers’ Union (BNBPU), in a recent interview with Farmer’s Weekly. “We’re calling on government to start erecting cordon fences around livestock management areas to separate livestock from buffaloes and prevent the spread of FMD into green…

It’s possible to grow and market your own line of fresh produce at a profit, but there are several barriers to breaking into the business of selling directly to hawkers, wholesalers or retailers. With time and research, you can make it happen, but why not consult a specialist in the field? By choosing an agent registered with the Agricultural Produce Agents’ Council (APAC), you can build a relationship that will help to expand your operation. This agent will assist and advise you on aspects such as: • Competition Who are your main competitors? How is your product different from, or better than, similar ones on the market? An agent will help you evaluate competitors and price brackets. • Packaging and labelling As the saying goes, we eat first with our eyes, which…

Why was it deemed necessary, at the time, to amalgamate all the grain commodity organisations under the Grain SA (GSA) umbrella? With the advent of a free market system after 1994, the sustainability of separate commodity organisations was questionable, and it was obvious that the duplication of efforts was simply not competitive or affordable. Nampo took the initiative to call all grain commodity organisations together to discuss cooperation, and, with the exception of dry beans, it was decided to amalgamate and gather resources that could service all grain commodities in the most cost-effective way. How did the agricultural value chain respond? Did GSA experience any resistance to the decision? The amalgamation meant that there were fundamental changes in the way grain producers did business, and the whole supply chain was…

WITH A KNAPSACK SPRAYER, YOU CAN SPRAY ONE PLANT PER SECOND The recent announcement that aphids and not leaf hoppers are the vector for the spread of the brassica stunting disorder virus (BSD) makes sense. You rarely see leaf hoppers in cabbage lands, whereas aphids are a major pest of brassicas, especially during the cooler months. Two species of aphid are likely to attack crops – the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) and the false cabbage aphid (Lipaphis pseudobrassicae). The former prefers the cooler months. It creates white patches where it feeds and causes the leaves to curl over the colony, thus protecting it. The aphids have a distinct light-grey wax body covering. L. pseudobrassicae is greener and spreads over all the leaves without causing the curling, but still stunting growth…

The story of the Volkswagen Beetle’s conception, production and success is the stuff of legend. Soon after coming to power in January 1933, Adolf Hitler asked the German motor industry to build a small car that would cost only 1 000 Reichsmarks (about £86). At the time, the cheapest small Ford cost about £125. All the major companies said it was impossible, so in May 1934 Hitler summoned Dr Ferdinand Porsche to Berlin and explained that he wanted an air-cooled car that could accommodate two adults and three children, had a consumption of 6l/100km (47mpg), and cost only 1 000 Reichsmarks. Porsche designed the Beetle with the layout as we know it, and the first prototypes were extensively tested on the new autobahns by German Wehrmacht drivers. The car was…

I HUMBLED MYSELF AND ASKED THEM TO RECONSIDER THEIR DECISION The famous 19th century English preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once told this story: A harsh landlord, accompanied by the bailiff, came to collect money from a man who farmed on his land. He hammered on the door, but the man inside would not let him enter, and piled up furniture against the door. Eventually the landlord and the bailiff left. Later, another man came. He knocked very gently, and the door opened immediately. “Come in,” said the man in the cottage. “I could not think of You leaving the mark of Your bloodstained hand on my door. Your love has won my heart.” The tale is allegorical, of course: what Moses’s stone tablets of the law could never do, Christ with…

John Deere has recently introduced AutoTrac Vision and AutoTrac RowSense Sprayer Guidance Systems to its precision agricultural portfolio. “AutoTrac RowSense is designed for canopy crops and AutoTrac Vision is designed specifically for post-emergence row crop spray applications,” explains Doug Felter, tactical marketing manager at John Deere. AutoTrac Vision uses front-mounted cameras to see early season maize, soya bean and cotton rows, which must be at least 10cm to 15cm high. It then guides the equipment and paddle sensors mounted on the front wheels. In this way, the guidance system helps keep the sprayer wheel exactly in the centre of the crop rows, reducing planter drift dramatically and yield-robbing crop damage. It allows the operator to spray the crop faster. For example, increasing sprayer speed from 22,5km/h to 29km/h can allow…

The most important thing a government can do is to sustain its economy, its agriculture and its food security. And yet it was recently revealed in The Times newspaper that we as a country are going in the opposite direction due to poor policies. This is as a result of a leadership structure that is not cognisant of, nor cares about, the consequences of its actions. No government can control certain aspects of a farmer’s livelihood such as meat price fluctuations, drought, livestock diseases, or even changing consumer tastes and preferences. But what governments everywhere do control is the legislation that is enacted to administer these processes. Right now, we face a very negative environment in South Africa, of which the Expropriation Bill is just the latest example. HISTORICAL CONTEXT…

Emerging farmers are showing a growing interest in oyster mushroom production, according to Susan Koch, senior researcher of fungal diseases at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). She was addressing visitors from Farmer’s Weekly at the ARC’s offices in Roodeplaat, Pretoria. Koch said the ARC had received more than 160 requests for training in oyster mushroom production. In 2015, learners from five provinces had been selected for training. “A participatory approach is currently being followed. The [course, presented at the ARC’s offices] takes five days. Theory and practical sessions are alternated. Learners are introduced to mushrooms in general, with a tasting session,” she said. Koch said that small- and large-scale oyster mushroom production farms and techniques were discussed, with emphasis on the use of quality spawn and general hygiene. Other aspects…

The production of exotic mushrooms in South Africa was extremely limited, despite rising demand for these products. Peter de Kock of African Gourmet Mushrooms in Stellenbosch said that the growing demand for exotic mushrooms was currently being met through imports from China. However, with the weakening rand, importing was becoming problematic. Shiitake mushrooms were generally the exotic mushroom of choice, but there was also a demand for oyster, king oyster, white shimejii, brown shimejii, and exotic mixes. “In [Europe’s and North America’s] mature exotic mushroom industries, the usage of exotic mushrooms is estimated at around 8% of button mushroom consumption. In South Africa, at current levels of button mushroom production, this would equate to 1 360t of exotic mushrooms per annum,” said De Kock. “Individuals do apply for funding to…

The demand for lactose-free dairy could become one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, but many manufacturers are not filling the gap in existing product ranges to cater for this trend. This was according to Jyrki Karlsson, purchasing director of Finnish food retailer, Kesko, quoted in a new Global Insights report. The report was based on input from more than 3 000 lactose-dairy users in Finland, China, and Colombia. The majority of respondents said that dairy producers should consider the lactose-free market as part of their expansion strategy. A significant number of lactose-free consumers in markets where these products were not yet widely available indicated that they would increase their consumption if more were readily available. The report stated that other markets could learn from Finland’s success in introducing lactose-free products.…

Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural output could increase by 2,6% annually until 2025, if agricultural productivity increased and new technologies were adopted at a faster rate. This was according to a joint report released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Dr Simphiwe Ngqangweni, senior manager at the National Agricultural Marketing Council’s economics research centre, was sceptical about whether this could be achieved in the predicted time frame, and said that 2,6% was an overestimation, given the time required for productivity-enhancing initiatives and technology adoption to generate results. “Previous studies about sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural productivity growth reveal relatively low year-on-year growth rates, ranging between 1,27% and 1,9%. Only six [countries] registered a growth rate slightly above 2%,” he said. Using…

An intriguing list of presentations and activities has been lined up for the 9th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium (IWRS) in Windhoek, Namibia, from 12 to 16 September. The theme of the symposium is ‘Wildlife – the key to prosperity in rural communities’. Organised by Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA), the IWRS will “serve to accentuate the potential of wildlife in Africa and the world, to not only lead to the conservation of the natural environment and to economic development, but also to contribute significantly to the welfare of indigenous and rural communities”, according to a statement released by the organisers. Speakers include Charly Seale, of the US Exotic Wildlife Association, who will be discussing conservation through commerce; Dr Michael Knight, chairperson of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species…

Around 40% of local livestock is in the hands of the poor, but the poor do not participate in formal agricultural marketing structures. “[This] is an opportunity the youth have to exploit,” said Daniel Motiang, manager of the Agricultural Resource Council’s Kaoanafatso ya Dikgomo project. Motiang was one of a number of speakers to address young farmers at the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) youth conference held in Pretoria recently. Also amongst the speakers was Pitso Sekhoto, chairperson of the Deciduous Fruit Development Chamber, who told the young delegates that in order to participate in formal agricultural marketing structures they needed to partner with major companies and not focus on the ‘communal mentality’ as was currently the norm. One way in which young farmers could grow the capacity…

Consumers in Botswana could start paying more for milk and milk by-products this winter, following the increase in the milk producer price in South Africa. Some 94% of milk consumed in Botswana is imported from dairy farms in South Africa, according to recent figures from Botswana’s Ministry of Agriculture. Botswana dairy farmer Johan Schutte, recently told Farmer’s Weekly that Botswana dairy processors were paying South African farmers more per litre for milk, following the drought season. He said that local dairy producers were also negotiating for producer prices to be increased by R1,33, from R6,91/l to R8,24/l. He expressed concern that at the current local producer prices, dairy farm profits are under pressure due to an increase in the cost of feed and poor pastures caused by drought. “The cost…

Two years ago, scientific models showed that we were using 1,5 times the Earth’s resources per year, which was unsustainable. That number has since grown to 1,6. “Nearly half the global population, about 4,5 billion people, won’t meet their nutritional needs by 2040 if we don’t use innovation in food production,” says André Westerveld, regional director of Elanco South Africa, part of Elanco Animal Health, which develops products to improve animal health and production. Elanco recently launched the Enough movement, which is committed to building a food-secure world by 2050. Milk is just one example of food production that is already under constraint. Today, per capita milk production cannot meet the basic nutritional needs of two 240ml glasses a day. Currently one cow produces on average 7,5l/day, but in some…

UK FARM SUBSIDIES MAY INCREASE, FURTHER DISTORTING MARKETS When UK Prime Minister David Cameron promised a referendum about continued membership of the EU, he clearly did not expect that a majority of British voters would vote to leave the union. But the people have spoken. Brexit will not happen overnight, though, as EU legislation provides for a two-year exit period. The EU developed out of the European Economic Community (EEC), founded in 1958 by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. These countries realised that they could not rebuild their infrastructure and feed themselves after the Second World War in isolation. The EEC removed trade restrictions, including tariffs. Over the years, other countries, including the UK, joined the group and the EEC became the EU. After the war,…

In 1990, Edmund Oettle bought a farm just outside Wellington in the Western Cape. Describing the land as an “unsustainable, ecological desert”, Edmund decided to move away from traditional farming methods in 1992, and adopted an organic farming approach. “I was looking for a farming method that I believed would be sustainable, and I wanted to leave the farm in a better state than when I arrived,” he says. At the time, organic farming was a little-known concept. “People said we’d go bankrupt,” Edmund explains. “But we didn’t. Now there isn’t a square inch of soil without something growing on it. [Since adopting organic farming methods], the change in the soil has been dramatic. It’s soft and alive and you can dig in it with your hands. We don’t need…

“For many years, the Afrikaner/Simmentaler cross was arguably one of the most popular crosses for commercial beef cattle production,” says Lynton Vermaak, advisor to Dr Hentie Jansen van Rensburg’s Demeter Afrisim Stud near Leeudoringstad. “This eventually resulted in the Afrisim breed as we know it today. It was a logical step for cattlemen to formalise Afrisim stud breeding,” he says. Hentie, a gynaecologist in Potchefstroom, was one of the first breeders to register an Afrisim stud in South Africa. It was initially registered as ‘a breed under evaluation’ in terms of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (No. 62 of 1998), and the Afrisim Breeders’ Society was established in 2009 under the auspices of the Afrikaner Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa. This year, the Demeter Stud was voted the Afrisim…

As noted last issue, the old control boards called the shots when it came to determining prices, because they also determined supply. After their demise, the free market ensured that ‘true’ prices could prevail. This placed quality at the head of the list of price-forming factors. Supply and demand also came into their own right, as did many other considerations. The impact on farmers was huge. Without the artificial protection of the control boards, each found themselves thrown into the proverbial deep end. It was sink or swim. The premium quality brands (farmers) soon established themselves as the leaders in the market place. Through quality products they remained price makers. Farmers who could not provide the same quality standards soon became price takers. This remains the status quo. A walk…

THEY REQUIRE OBEDIENCE AND OTHER TRAINING FROM AN EARLY AGE The Saluki is one of the oldest known dog breeds. Depictions of these dogs are found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2100BC. Early Muslim hunters described the Saluki as a gift from Allah and they were the only dogs allowed to sleep in their tents. Salukis were used with falcons. The falcon would spot prey from the sky – usually hares or gazelle – and dive toward the animals. This was the signal for the hunters to release the dogs. Salukis remain prized throughout the Middle East and are kept in large numbers by royal families in the region. Some years ago, a sheikh from the UAE who was visiting South African greyhound breeders told me that he owned…

To make this splendid lentil soup for six chilly diners, you’ll need: 2 cans lentils 2 cans tomatoes 2 litres chicken stock (but read the story first) 2 cloves of garlic 1 level teaspoon ground cumin (jeera) 1 level teaspoon ground coriander (dhania) 1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ a fresh chilli 2 tablespoons of butter 1 tablespoon canola or sunflower oil 1 brinjal 2 carrots 1 onion 75ml Old Brown sherry 1 green (or red or yellow) sweet pepper A few sprigs of fresh coriander/ dhania leaves 1 small container sour cream ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt We start with the chicken stock. You can use a high-quality industrially made stock cube or better, make your own. If making your own chicken stock, make twice as much as the…

If you hate (or fear) winter because of the cold, why not use herbal remedies to improve your circulation? You’ll experience physical well-being and a sense of warmth as your capillaries open up and blood flows to your extremities. At least two of these herbs are found in proprietary products for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that causes uncomfortable and painful symptoms such as heavy, tired and swollen legs, haemorrhoids and varicose veins. Butcher’s-broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) can improve the tone of these veins. The former is said to improve circulation in lower limbs; the latter reduces capillary fragility. It can also help relieve cold feet. HEART TONIC Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), the ‘heart tonic’, complements these two herbs by opening up arteries, specifically the coronary artery…

CONFERENCES & EXPOS 19 TO 20 JULY 4th Annual Africa Women in Agriculture and Agribusiness Summit, Midrand. Email Kelly Siasamba at kelly@amabhubesi.co.za. 21 JULY Intensive Growers' Association's (IGA) Annual Spring-Summer Symposium, Durban Botanic Gardens. Email iga@sai.co.za. 25 TO 27 JULY 1st Annual Agribusiness Forum, Gabarone, Botswana. Phone Kabo Kote on +26 77 334 4001, or email info@fresh-taste.com. 3 TO 4 AUGUST Free State Agriculture Congress, Bloemfontein. Visit www.vrystaatlandbou.co.za. 5 AUGUST African Stomach Trade Industry Conference, Mew Way, Cape Town. Visit www.smesouthafrica.co.za. 10 AUGUST Agbiz Grain Mini-Symposium, Pretoria. Email Lizbé Esterhuizen at lizbe@agbizgrain.co.za. 17 TO 18 AUGUST PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa Conference and Expo, CSIR, Pretoria. Visit www.pma.com/events/ fresh-connections-southern-africa. 21 TO 25 AUGUST 9th Citrus Research Symposium, Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg. Phone Liezl van der Linde on 013 759 8000,…

In spite of the adverse effects that the drought and hail have had on important citrus-producing areas, the industry is well-positioned to meet its export demands. John Edmonds, information manager at the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), said that a total of 111,2 million, 15kg cartons of citrus were expected to be packed and exported from citrus producers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland this year. This was, however, a decrease of 6% on the 2015 export crop. “Growers estimate the Valencia orange crop to be down by 12% from the record 52,7 million cartons in 2015, to 46,4 million cartons in 2016. Production in the Letsitele area was down 18%, Senwes was down 21% and Hoedspruit was down 36%. Together, citrus farmers in these areas produce almost 50% of all…

South Africa’s summer and winter rainfall regions can expect cold and wet conditons to persist throughout July, according to retired academic and weather expert, Prof Peet Pienaar. He said that both regions could expect significant rainfall during the last weeks of this month. Pienaar also anticipated that both regions would experience more snow and frost, and urged farmers shearing livestock in July to be particularly cautious. Irma and Eddie Bruwer, owners of the cattle farm Goedverwachting just outside Vereeniging, said that their barbed wire fence (pictured) and linear irrigation system had been covered in icicles during a recent bout of cold that saw the temperatures in some parts of Gauteng plummet below zero. According to Irma, the temperature had dropped to -2°C on the morning the photograph was taken. “We…

Uranium mining developers, Australian Tasman Pacific Minerals Ltd and the South African company, Lukisa JV, have withdrawn their joint application for mining rights on 570 000ha of central Karoo farmlands in the Western Cape. Dr Stefan Cramer, science advisor to the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI), told Farmer’s Weekly that the current mining rights application had been reduced to 12% of the original application. Because of the amendments to the application, a new environmental impact assessment (EIA) process had been started, said SAFCEI in a statement. “I have it on good authority from someone in the Western Cape government that the companies pre-empted an outright rejection, as the technical details in their application were lousy. Even the department of mineral resources, which is usually lax, would not be…

Livestock producers in central South Africa are concerned about the weakened state of grazing in the coming winter months, and it is expected that livestock numbers could be further reduced as the season progresses. James Faber, Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) chairperson, said that although the veld had recuperated somewhat after the late rains in the province in May and June, heavy frosts had diminished the nutritional value of the little grazing still available. Faber was particularly concerned about how producers would manage the second half of winter. He estimated that the breeding cattle herds in the province had already been cut by as much as 25%. “The majority of the calves have fortunately been weaned by now and producers will have to concentrate on maintaining the breeding…

The Aldam Stockman’s School has evolved to become the premier source of information and education for the beef industry. The theme for this year is ‘Vision for the red meat industry 2020 and beyond: meeting consumer expectations’. The conference will be held from 12 to 14 October at the Aldam Holiday Resort between Winburg and Ventersburg. According to Michael Bradfield, CEO of Breedplan, beef consumption is on the decline and countries such as Australia have tried to address this by implementing a grading system parallel to their classification system to ensure that the quality of the product is enhanced and consumer expectations are met. The US has similar strategies and there will thus be speakers from Australia, the US and the UK. They will be joined by South Africa’s leading…

Researchers have warned that Botswana’s subsistence farmers, who were lifted out of poverty through increased agricultural production, are falling back into poverty as a result of the drought. In an interview with Farmer’s Weekly, Dr Itumeleng Oageng from the University of Botswana’s economics department, said that due to increased income from agricultural activities and labour, the population of Botswana living below the poverty datum line had decreased from 30,6% in 2002 to 19,3% in 2010. This was now changing, she said. “These people depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. Their main source of income comes from selling surplus output. The drought situation means they barely produced enough for [their] own consumption. Seasonal labourers, especially harvesters, have less employment and income due to low agricultural production,” Oageng said. According to…

A recently discovered natural bacterium could solve the environmental problem caused by millions of tons of plastic waste. Globally, 311 million tons of plastic are produced annually, of which 90% comes from fossil fuels. Only 14% is collected for recycling; the rest ends up in landfills. Until recently, no organism could be found with the ability to degrade plastics. The most common plastic compound used in packaging is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a colourless polymer of two bonded monomer molecules, of which about 50 million tons are produced annually. Enzymatic or biological degradation is slow. A German research institute provided funds for investigating potential solutions to this problem. Researchers scoured the premises of a PET bottle recycling business and collected 250 environmental samples that revealed the presence of bacterial colonies. Tests…

THE TAX RATE IS 33,3% OF THE CAPITAL GAIN Income tax is levied upon the money or value of goods earned by a taxpayer who is a resident within the tax jurisdiction. Your capital assets, money in the bank, an inheritance, loan account, and dividends due to you from a local company are all examples of capital – and capital is tax-free. Capital gains tax (CGT) is levied under a fairly narrow set of circumstances, as we’ll see shortly. So, salaries and rentals are taxable. But dividends from local companies or close corporations and some dividends from offshore companies are tax-free. They must, however, be disclosed as part of your gross income, which is the total of all taxable amounts earned, plus dividends and the value of so-called fringe benefits.…

Meat BEEF PRICES UP International: New Zealand steers traded 0,40% higher at NZ$505/head, and cows traded the same at NZ$375/head. US prices were mostly higher: topside was 7,85% higher at US$213,78/cwt, rump was 4,21% higher at US$273,12/cwt, strip loin was 0,93% lower at US$552,30/cwt, chuck was 5,28% higher at US$205,48/cwt, and brisket was 0,29% lower at US$300,23/cwt. The carcass price was 1,31% higher at US$305,07/cwt. A combination of weak demand and high exchange rates added a bearish tone to the market. Domestic: Beef prices improved. Class A prices were 0,26% higher at R38,05/kg and Class C was 2,42% higher at R30/kg. The weaner price was 1,86% higher at R19,55/kg. The hide price was the same at R15,32/kg. An 11,76% increase in slaughterings is putting pressure on prices. Outlook: A shortage…

Contacts: Manie van Niekerk: 082 550 3890 | Jan van Biljon: 082 781 5210 | Izak and Pieter van Heerden: 083 627 4133 Nico Botha: 083 455 7599 | Loutjie Hanekom: 027 482 2173 | Willem Engelbrecht: 082 610 4488…

The Polaris Ranger 570 Crew and 900 are proving themselves at the 2 000ha Deelkraal Wildlife Reserve in the Waterberg in Limpopo, home to a large and diverse population of wildlife. The 33kW ProStar 570 and the 51kW 900 engines were designed to achieve a combination of high power density, fuel efficiency and easy maintenance. The new Polaris engine management system (EMS) helps the engine deliver optimal torque and power, plus smooth throttle operation at all speeds and in reverse. In combination with the ProStar engine and special clutch, the EMS also improves fuel economy. Another important feature is that the Polaris true all-wheel-drive (AWD) engages all four wheels automatically when the vehicle needs more traction and reverts to 2WD when this is not required. The new vehicles join a…

THE AGE OF A HORSE CAN BE DETERMINED BY EXAMINING ITS 12 FRONT TEETH Yes, it’s true. Your horse needs to see the dentist every six months. Signs of possible dental problems include: • Difficulty in eating; not finishing food, or eating slowly; quidding (where the horse drops partially chewed food while chewing); facial swelling. • Dull coat, weight loss and loss of condition; colic. • Turning the head to the side while chewing. • Excessive salivation while eating; blood in saliva. • Foul smell from mouth or nose. • Draining of abscess from the jaw. • Discharge from one nostril. • Undigested feed in manure. Some common problems under saddle can be tooth-related. These include: head tossing; difficulty in picking up the canter or in performing flying changes; tilting…

I recently had a meeting with a client, Majola, whose thatched roof house had burnt down. It had a bedroom, a living room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, and an attic bedroom upstairs. Majola wanted the house rebuilt on the existing floor plan, but requested that this time round it should be a single-storey home and have no thatched roof. This meant losing the attic bedroom, so he asked for it to be added wherever I saw fit. As the design had only 7m x 11m dimensions, I suggested that the internal living spaces be rearranged marginally to accommodate the additional bedroom. Majola also requested that the styling of the resurrected home feature a ‘touch of Tuscany’. Shown in the sketch is the internal, slightly revised, layout within…

HOW FAR WE SLAVES HAVE COME by Nelson Mandela & Fidel Castro (Kwela, R160) A new edition of speeches by Mandela and Castro when they first spoke together at a rally in Cuba, soon after their first meeting. Mandela speaks of the frustrations of a revolutionary leader and the hopeful determination the ANC would take into negotiations. Castro maintains inequality results from capitalism and US attitudes. The original preface by American journalist Mary-Alice Walters, a Socialist Workers Party member, together with the useful timeline offers helpful context. – Patricia McCracken HARM BY ANIMALS by JF Uys (Fontes Juris, R570) A meticulous guide of more than 400 pages to an area of law unclear even to most lawyers – the extent of an owner’s legal responsibility for…