Table of contents for 23 plus 30 December 2016 in Farmer's Weekly

The wool market traded 5,5% lower at the final sale of the year, and the Merino indicator decreased 847 points to close at R146,93 (clean). In the Australian market, the Eastern Market Indicator fell 2,6%. A large quantity of wool was on offer, leaving more wool than usual unsold, according to Cape Wools. The knock-on effect of the appreciating rand during the period under review was apparent and buyers commented that a more even distribution of wool receipts throughout the year would benefit producer returns. The competition between buyers was good, particularly for longer and better quality wool. Surprisingly, the finer end of the market traded lower, while coarser wool appreciated in value. THE FIRST 2017 SALE IS EXPECTED TO BE SMALLER Price movements across all classes were as follows:…

In January, President Jacob Zuma identified skewed land ownership patterns as being at the core of inequality, unemployment and poverty in the country (22 January, pg 15). “The speed of land reform and levels of support for emerging farmers must be radically accelerated,” Zuma said at the ANC’s 104th anniversary celebrations held in Rustenburg. “When we slept, we had land and when we woke up we had nothing. We were worse than slaves. [Even so] the government has to buy it back as if it was sold,” Zuma said. GOVERNMENT SEES LAND REFORM AS THE PRIMARY ANTIDOTE TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION AGRI SECTOR REACTION Reacting to these statements, Dr Theo de Jager, chairperson of the transformation committee at Agri Limpopo, said that land “usually becomes a ‘Joker’ when a ruling party…

On 23 June, the UK became the first country to withdraw from the European Union (EU). The decision sent shock waves around the world, and sparked concern about South Africa’s agricultural trade with that country. However, Agbiz agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, said he did not foresee any immediate changes for South Africa’s exports to the UK (8 July, pg 15). “We’ll still be sending our agricultural products to the UK as before,” he said. Over the next two years, the UK will have to negotiate the terms of its departure, as well as new trade agreements with countries in the EU, and other trading partners such as South Africa. Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association, said in a newsletter that the vote to leave the EU could be…

In early 2016, black Boerboel dogs were suspended from the breed standard. According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the dogs were not recognised as a breed in South Africa, and advertising them as Boerboels was illegal (26 February, pg 20). DAFF said it was still awaiting a scientific report on the black Boerboel from the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society (SABBS) to see if it could be legally regarded as part of the breed. Braam Riekert, who breeds both black and brown Boerboels, said that the black Boerboel had been accepted as part of the breed standard a long time ago, and that only a small number of breeders were opposed to the black Boerboel. “They complained to the registrar that the animals were being advertised…

The efforts of the farming community in the Verkykerskop area paid off when mining company, Sungu Sungu Gas, withdrew its application for oil and gas exploration (18 November, pg 23). The exploration area to which the application applied stretched from Verkykerskop in the Free State to Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, a total area of 8 000ha. Chemical engineer and local farmer, Cecile Wykes, told Farmer’s Weekly (26 August, pg 21) that the draft scoping report (DSR) provided by Environmental Impact Management Services (EIMS), did not meet standard requirements. The local community rejected the DSR as it did not comply with certain legislation, excluded vital studies and used theoretical information that had not been validated in practice, Wykes said. Adele Slater, a former attorney and dairy farmer from Ladysmith, told Farmer’s Weekly…

At the beginning of 2016, avocado prices increased almost 100% (5 February, pg 15). According to ZZ2’s marketing manager, Clive Garret, the reason for this was the weaker rand, and as avocados were out of season at the time, they had to be imported. Avocado growers in Politsi, George’s Valley, Mooketsi and Tzaneen suffered serious losses after a hailstorm caused damage worth millions of rand to avocado orchards (19 February, pg 15) Kosie Eloff, chairperson of the South African Avocado Growers’ Association, said that in some orchards, between 80% and 100% of fruit had been scarred. “Several trees were severely damaged and will no longer be in production this year. They’ll not recover soon and will flower only in 2018,” Eloff said. According to Willem van Jaarsveld, CEO of Agri…

In April, a delegation from North West visited China to negotiate possible trade and investment ventures (6 May, pg 18). During the meeting, the breeding of donkeys for the export of hides to China was discussed. A Chinese pharmaceutical company had shown interest in the hides, which would be boiled and reduced to gelatine for use in the manufacture of traditional medicine, according to Prof Thabo Thekiso of the North West Department of Economy and Enterprise Development. However, the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) and the Skin, Hide & Leather Council of South Africa said that they were unaware of any plans to export donkey hides to China. Instead, illegal trade in donkey hides was widespread, resulting in cruel practices. The Bloemfontein SPCA, for example, had to euthanise…

FOREIGN INVESTMENT IS DEPENDENT ON PERCEPTIONS ABOUT SA At the end of November, Moody’s declared South Africa’s credit rating stable at two levels above non-investment or ‘junk’ status. This was after Fitch changed its outlook for SA government debt to ‘negative’, but left its grading at one level above junk status. Along with Standard and Poor’s, these credit rating agencies play an important role in global capital markets. Global investors use credit ratings as indicators of risk when deciding where to invest. If the agencies downgrade a country’s rating to junk status, many of the institutional investors, such as large global pension funds, are not allowed to invest in the country. The agencies study a country’s economic performance in detail before deciding on a rating. The focus is on government’s…

Over the past three years, rain has been particularly scarce in KwaZulu-Natal’s northern Zululand area. Farmers of the Hlabisa Big 5 Local Municipality became used to the increasingly frequent sight of dead vegetation, dead and dying livestock and wildlife, dried-up dams and river courses, and ever-lengthening water supply interruptions. During the drought, members of the 25-strong Hluhluwe Pineapple and Farmers’ Association (HPFA) regularly cut and baled grass from their farms to sell (at heavily subsidised prices) to local small-scale, communal livestock farmers as emergency feed. During this period, the HPFA members also helped repair government-installed boreholes, storage dams and livestock water reservoirs – all vital for water supply to people and animals in nearby traditional authority areas. However, according to HPFA chairperson, PJ Hassard, the worst was yet to come.…

How did the past year’s trading and production environment affect your business? Climatic conditions played a big role in our business performance this year. Fortunately, we weren’t affected by hail, but heatwaves in January resulted in avocado trees bearing smaller fruit that could not be exported. Such fruit was then used to manufacture value-added products such as guacamole and avocado oil. We also focused on expanding our avocado tree nursery and positioning ourselves as a premium supplier of avocado trees. The nursery is part of our diversification strategy. Due to expansion in the avocado industry, we have tree orders dating as far into the future as 2021. Currently, we don’t retain even 10% of our nursery trees for our own production. What are the opportunities for the avocado industry? In…

What were the greatest challenges for you as a beef cattle producer in 2016? The biggest challenges for me as an emerging beef farmer were the drought and lack of access to finance. The drought significantly increased farming costs. For example, I had to provide the animals with water from boreholes, and the costs of electricity and diesel pushed up input costs drastically. Fodder costs also went up sharply because I had to feed my cattle. The problem was made worse by the fact that financial institutions were reluctant to grant loans to farmers as they considered farming businesses high risk. What were your highlights for 2016? Although 2016 was a difficult year, the ARC and the KwaZulu-Natal agriculture department recognised the work I did on my farm. The greatest…

SANDBERG COVERS 4 500HA, WITH 2 000HA SET ASIDE AS A CONSERVATION AREA Sandberg farm lies in the heart of the Sandveld, between Elands Bay and Graafwater. In the Laubscher family since 1869, the farm is currently owned by brothers Pieter and Jan Laubscher. Each has three children, and all are involved in various farming operations. Pieter’s son, Johann, is in charge of potato production and marketing. Johann’s grandfather farmed subsistence vegetables and sheep in the 1970s, but with the arrival of electricity on the farm in 1979, boreholes and irrigation became a reality. As a result, the potato operation quickly expanded. “In the 1990s, mechanisation with planters and self-propelled harvesters made farming potatoes on a bigger scale even easier,” Johann explains. Today, Sandberg has eight farm managers, 45 permanent…

Occupational health and safety (OHS) play a crucial role in the workplace. So much so, that the Occupational Health and Safety Act lays down a host of precise legal requirements for employers and employees. The big question is: what do fresh produce markets actively do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people, infrastructure and products? From what I can see, very little! The management of some markets do make an effort, but the majority seem to be blissfully ignorant of their responsibilities. They will learn these pretty smartly if something goes wrong! Human nature being what it is, people tend to respond only when there’s a crisis, and then it’s usually too late. Imagine a fire raging through one of the larger markets. Because of the design of the…

WALKING THE HIMALAYAS By Levison Wood (Hodder & Stoughton, R270) Levison Wood’s expeditions tend to give a whole new meaning to the overused metaphor of life as a ‘journey’. When walking the Nile, a journalist accompanying the team died of heatstroke, and Wood’s Himalayan adventure was nearly spiked before it started by a near-fatal car accident. Recovering from this delayed his trip, which was fortunate, as it turned out; he missed the Nepal earthquake. On his arrival there, he was guided by the man who had rescued him from riots a decade and a half earlier. Wood is smitten by Kipling and adventure travel, and this account of the trials and travails of his journey from Kashmir to Nepal and Bhutan is about as energetic as armchair travel gets. Well…

“In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the ability of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to feed its growing population. The region remains the most impoverished in the world, and it is estimated that food production will have to increase 360% by 2050 to meet the population’s needs. Agricultural output in SSA is primarily derived from smallholder farmers, who account for more than 80% of all farmers in the region. The greatest challenge facing most of these farmers is a lack of technical farming skills, capital and adequate mechanisation. In addition, they farm on small parcels of land that are often degraded and have no access to irrigation. It is for these reasons that most smallholder farmers in the region cannot produce optimally. South Africa, with its well-developed commercial farming…

4 NOVEMBER 1988 The veld savers 28 YEARS AGO A farmer from Upington in what is today the Northern Cape, Pieter Slabbert, introduced hardy Blackhead Persian sheep to his farming operation in the 1990s as he had concluded that this breed was more profitable than the Dorpers traditionally farmed in the area. This article appeared in our issue of the above date. “Legend has it that the Blackhead Persian in South Africa originated from a ram and six ewes rescued from a ship wrecked off Cape Agulhas in about 1870 while on a voyage from the Middle East to Europe. “The hardiness of the Blackhead Persian was soon recognised by farmers in the more arid parts and the sheep’s tails became much sought after for cooking and making soap. “The…

The 2016 mohair season ended with an offering of 86 886kg, much of which was not of the same quality as the previous sale. This, with a stronger rand, which made trading difficult for exporters, had a negative effect on prices, according to Deon Saayman of Mohair South Africa. The average market indicator was down 1,8% to close on R185/kg, with an overall sales clearance of 84%. A number of lots were passed by brokers for intake into the pool scheme, which contributed to the lower sales clearance. The highest price of R335/kg was paid for a bale of good-style 25-micron mohair. The average market indicator for the 2016 winter season closed lower than the 2015 season at R186,69/kg, but the average indicator for the whole year was much higher…

News of the arrest of an Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), public prosecutor has generated concern at the KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu). According to the KZN SAPS, Mduduzi Funeka was arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe to quash a case against someone charged with stock theft. An undercover operation conducted by members of the Serious Corruption Investigations Unit caught Funeka while accepting the cash inside the premises of the Ixopo Magistrate’s Court, said the SAPS statement. ‘KZN STOCK OWNERS SUFFER ENORMOUS LOSSES EVERY YEAR’ An October 2016 KZN SAPS statement had warned of an expected increase in stock theft across KZN as the festive season drew nearer. Livestock owners were urged to mark their animals with registered brands and work with the relevant authorities to minimise the theft of livestock. In response…

In mid-February, Parliament’s Public Works Portfolio Committee adopted the Land Expropriation Bill, and a fiery debate on the bill followed in the National Assembly. The bill is intended to replace the current willing-buyer, willing-seller approach and attempts to speed up the process of land reform (2 February, pg 16). Only the ANC voted in favour of the bill, while the DA and UDM opposed it, the IFP abstained and the EFF was absent. The DA’s Anchen Dreyer said that the bill could potentially restrict the courts when disputes were referred for litigation. In addition, she argued that the definition of ‘property’ in Section 25 of the Constitution was too vague. This also applied to the definition of ‘expropriation’ in the bill, which should rather have been defined as in Section…

In 2016, two highly significant appointments were made in the agricultural sector. The first was Mike Mlengana, who was appointed director-general of the department of agriculture (28 October, pg 21). Before taking up the position, Mlengana served as president of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA). Mlengana was seemingly the ideal candidate for the position, as his farming background meant that he possessed first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by farmers. The second was the appointment of Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati, who succeeded Mlengana when she was elected president of AFASA. Mahlati is the first-ever female president of the association, and is also the principal consultant and co-owner of the African Financial Group. She is renowned for stimulating industrialisation in new industries (11 November, pg 20). Amongst her many…

In 2016, scientists, beekeepers, pesticide companies and conservation organisations hotly debated the reasons for the steady decline in South Africa’s bee populations. In July, Farmer’s Weekly reported that there may not be enough bees to support the pollination needs of the local agricultural sector in the future (15 July, pg 15). Many industries that required pollinators were expanding without considering the pollination needs of others, said Danie Vorster, chairperson of the Western Cape Bee Industry Association after the annual South African Bee Industry Organisation’s (SABIO) Beecon Conference. Meanwhile, SA beekeepers found their reputations in jeopardy after SABIO received consumer complaints that diluted honey was being sold as natural raw honey (29 July, pg 16). SABIO chairperson Mike Miles condemned such practices, saying the complaints had originated from KwaZulu-Natal. Spokesperson for…

In May, Farmer’s Weekly reported that the aggressive oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), which causes severe damage to fruit, had spread to all provinces except the Free State, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape (27 May, pg 15). The pest was first recorded in Limpopo in 2010. “The insects seem to have come over the border from neighbouring countries along with trucks,” said Dr Pia Addison, scientific researcher at the Conservation Ecology and Entomology Department of Stellenbosch University. Previously, it had been thought that provinces with non-tropical climates were relatively safe from infestation, Addison said. However, new research had revealed that the flies were highly adaptable and could thrive on deciduous fruit.…

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries gazetted its new brining regulations on 24 April. According to these, the brining contents of individually quick-frozen (IQF) chicken pieces and whole carcasses could not exceed 15% and 10% respectively (13 May, pg 18). Kevin Lovell, CEO of the SA Poultry Association, said the regulations would make IQF chicken pieces unaffordable for the poor, shrink the local poultry industry and lead to job losses. POULTRY IMPORTS South Africa has thus far imported lower volumes of poultry from the US than anticipated under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA allows the US to export an annual quota of 65 000t of bone-in poultry portions to South Africa without paying anti-dumping duties under a rebate provision. Between January 2016 and September 2016, South Africa…

SARS CANNOT BE PREFERRED AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER A recent case at the Supreme Court of Appeal clarified key aspects of the Insolvency Act. The facts were as follows: A South African company in liquidation re-imported heavy machinery. Upon arrival in South Africa, the machinery was placed under embargo by Customs and Excise and was not to be released until the relevant VAT and Customs duties had been paid. The liquidators of the company sought to obtain the goods from the warehouse, but were rebuffed. This led to a successful application to the High Court. The appeal was launched against this order. SARS maintained it could not be treated as an ordinary creditor in terms of the Insolvency Act. It held that a statutory embargo was permissible under Sections…

Each group of students is required to compile a report after their stay on the farms. Here is an excerpt from one of these: • TUESDAY Some students were busy with the earthworm tank/ pan and the other group took care of weed-control in the chilli lands. One student was a shepherd for the day. A student called Hottie was taught how to drive and operate a tractor, while some of the other men ploughed the lands and planted maize. Before we started working with the sheep, Walter gave us a quick lesson on why we were injecting the sheep with the Multimin and Virbac supplement. The injection had to be given subcutaneously (under the skin), and rams were first weighed before the injection was administered. We weighed all of them…

A study conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization found that in sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture was the most important source of employment for women by a wide margin. Yet many women employed on farms, either permanently or as seasonal labourers, face a multiple burden. They are often their families’ sole breadwinners, raise their children largely on their own, and worry about their safety while working as fruit pickers or in packhouses. Stéfan and Anné Pretorius, owners of Katlego Sitrus near Marble Hall in Limpopo, did not want the women working on their farms, as well as on other farms in the area, to suffer these difficulties, and established Lesedi Day Care (LDC) in 2012. As a registered non-profit organisation, it provides care to beween 36 and 52 farmworkers’ children…

How did you experience the trading and production environment this past year? I have a feedlot and buy weaners from a grower, which I then grow out and send for slaughter. With high input costs, especially for feed, as a result of the drought, business was tough. At one stage, maize sold for R4 200/t. But I’m always an optimist. I think South Africa will be a net exporter of maize come July 2017, which means that we’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The exchange rate benefited those who export goods, but negatively impacted small-scale producers. It was during the drought that I realised that scale makes a difference. However, regardless of scale, everybody was affected. What challenges does 2017 hold for pork producers in South Africa?…

Do you think the working and living conditions for farmworkers have improved during the past 10 years? A lot has been done during the past decade and many workers’ living and working standards have improved, but more can still be done. It’s important for farmers to ensure that they meet their farmworkers’ basic needs, such as running water. In some cases, it’s evident that the attitude of workers who don’t have the basics in their homes differ from the attitude of workers whose basic needs have been met. Having a well-equipped house creates a sense of pride amongst workers that spills over into the workplace. What challenges can farmworkers expect in 2017? The drought will remain a big challenge, as it has become important to save resources. Workers will have…

WEAK GOATS COST MONEY, AND THEIR GENETICS CAN BE PASSED ON – CULL THESE ANIMALS The profitability of a goat enterprise depends largely on the animals’ health and productivity. It is crucial, therefore, that a goat farmer has the skills to identify an animal in poor health, diagnose the illness and treat it, or obtain assistance from other knowledgeable goat farmers, state animal health officials or private vets. The key is to act swiftly. “While the advice that follows can be helpful, the diagnoses and treatment policies are not carved in stone. They need to be tested and adapted where necessary because of the varying goat production conditions across the country,” cautions Dr Alan Rowe, chief state veterinarian for the Harry Gwala District Municipality. Prevention is always better than cure,…

Barley is highly sensitive to competition from weeds, especially in the initial stages. Early control measures will therefore enhance yield potential. The guidelines for weed control in wheat apply to barley. It is essential to identify weeds correctly, as different chemicals are used to control broadleaf and grass weeds. The only herbicides that are suitable for the control of the latter in barley are Hoelon, Ravenger and Grasp. Follow the recommendations on the label. If the dosage is too high, it can harm the barley plant; if it is too low, it will be ineffective. INSECT PESTS, AND HOW TO CONTROL THEM Barley is a natural host plant for the Russian wheat aphid and several other aphids. If early infestation occurs, apply an insecticide with the herbicide. In the case…

Wesselsbron disease is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. It affects mainly sheep and goats, causing abortions in gestating animals and the death of young lambs and kids. Humans can contract the disease when handling infected carcasses. This disease often occurs together with Rift Valley fever (RVF). The first known outbreak was in 1955 on a sheep farm near Wesselsbron in the Free State after an increase in lamb deaths and ewe abortions. As the flock had been vaccinated two weeks before for RVF, the vaccine was assumed to be the culprit. The Wesselsbron virus was isolated only after the examination of a dead lamb’s liver and brain. The only sign is a mild temperature. Ewes and does produce dead offspring without being sick themselves. At this stage, no…

DUE TO ITS LARGE, VERY SMOOTH SURFACE AREA, THE FJ CUTTER BAR CUTS STUBBLE EVENLY AS LOW AS 40MM In 1940, New Holland introduced the first self-tying automatic pick-up baler, a major breakthrough in hay harvesting. Over the years, the company has responded to farmers’ needs by developing a comprehensive range of equipment for cutting, tedding, raking, baling and stacking hay. New Holland recently expanded this product line with the acquisition of Kongskilde’s hay and grass equipment and soil engaging implements. “The agreement will provide growth opportunities and create a strong platform to develop the Kongskilde business and its brands, and we’ll also gradually integrate its products into the New Holland portfolio,” says Carlo Lambro, brand president of New Holland Agriculture. For now, to ensure continuity in customer support, operations…

BUY A DOG FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER A guard dog notifies its owner about potential trouble by incessant barking and aggressive-looking behaviour. It is not necessarily an ‘attack’ dog, however, and may not actually go for an intruder to protect a family member under threat. Nonetheless, a guard dog is a potentially vicious animal that, untrained, could injure innocent people. Attack characteristics are often inherent, and these animals require proper training. The following breeds are suited to local conditions and favoured by experts as home security dogs. • Alsatian Rated as one of the best breeds for family and home protection, the Alsation is relatively easy to train and highly intelligent. It responds to a command without delay, seldom backs down from a threat, and deals with an intruder relatively easily…

‘FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON’ Christmas on the farm is a wonderful occasion. It’s a time for the family to be reunited. But it’s also a busy time – harvesting potatoes perhaps, sending off fattened oxen to the abattoir, and having to double up everywhere because the staff are on holiday. Most importantly, it’s the time of year for giving and not only receiving. Remember, God gave His only Son to you and me. In Matthew 1:23, we read: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.” This translates as “God is with us”. Let us have a Christian spirit on our farms this year. Let us go the extra mile and…

One lucky Farmer’s Weekly reader will be set up for the year ahead with a hamper of three recipe books from NB Publishers: • THE BAKING BOOK (Human & Rousseau, R275) from our sister magazine Your Family is a treasure chest of tried-and-tested recipes. • TASTY WASTENOTS by Sally-Ann Creed and Jason Whitehead (Human & Rousseau, R320) features delights such as lamb shanks braised in Irish coffee with ginger pumpkin mash, and a battery of kitchen basics made from avocado pips and prawn shells to replace hard-to-get store-cupboard basics. • COOKING FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by Nicky Stubbs (Human & Rousseau, R385) is infused with memories of growing up on her grandparents’ farm outside Kokstad and her parents’ dairy farm. A restaurateur-turned-publisher, Stubbs has created a recipe book of charm and panache. COOKBOOK…

Launched in 2009, iSpot (ispotnature.org; twitter handle: @ispotnature) is a science platform aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature. The website is based on the same crowd-sourcing principle as Wikipedia – information is supplied (and checked) by the public. Signing up as a member is free (local users can choose the Southern Africa Community). Once a member, you can upload an ‘observation’ (photograph), ‘project’ (a question you would like answered, or an issue you wish to discuss), or browse the online forum. You can explore the website using either the gallery, a list or a map. “I love nature and spending time in nature, and it’s great to observe and take photos. What I like about iSpot is that the site is very diverse, covering plants, amphibians, insects, birds…

Five SA companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of refined edible oils, margarine and baking fats are being investigated by the Competition Commission (CompCom) for allegedly participating in anti-competitive practices. On 8 December, CompCom raided the companies and conducted search-and-seize operations at premises in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The five companies named by CompCom were Wilmar Continental Edible Oils and Fats (Wilmar), DH Brothers Industries trading as Willowton Oil and Cake Mills (Willowton), FR Waring Holdings, Africa Sun Oil Refineries, and Epic Foods (Epic). CompCom said it had “reasonable grounds to suspect” the companies of having “engaged in cartel conduct, which includes price-fixing in the market for the manufacture and distribution of refined edible oils, including baking fats and margarine”. According to CompCom spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema, the alleged conduct was…

The lack of vehicles and the poor state of those in use played a key role in livestock producers’ losses to stock theft, according to Willie Clack, chairperson of the SA Stock Theft Prevention Forum. He ascribed the situation to poor resource management and involved bureaucratic processes, among other issues. At one Bothaville Neighbourhood Watch meeting, it was reported that only four of the 12 vehicles allocated to the local police station were in working order. This was seen all over the country, said Clack. Only three vehicles at Heilbron SAPS’ 12-member Stock Theft Unit were operational, for example. In Middelburg, the 15 Stock Theft Unit members had access to only two vehicles. “This is a serious problem,” said Clack. “We lose about R2,4 billion worth of livestock to stock…

According to a drought assessment survey conducted by Free State Agriculture (FSA) and released in early February, nearly one million tons of animal feed were needed to ensure that livestock survived the drought in the province (5 February, pg 23). A total of 600 FSA members participated in the survey, which concluded that 66% of participants required production financing this year to remain financially viable. More than 11 000 people, including farmworkers and their extended families, were financially dependent on these 600 farmers. • High temperatures Temperatures rose countrywide to record-high levels this year, with the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape reaching a record high of 46,5°C, with a heat discomfort index of 121 (12 February, pg 14). • Misleading appearance The 2015/2016 drought was the worst experienced in South…

Although the drought had a negative effect on the size and yield of macadamia nuts produced in 2016, the industry still expected production to double by 2020. Hot weather and hail in some production regions had resulted in a smaller macadamia crop in 2016, said Walter Giuricich, chairperson of the South African Macadamia Growers’ Association (6 May, pg 18). “The nuts that have come through our factory thus far are much smaller then usual since they have not received the correct amount of water,” he told Farmer’s Weekly. Derek Donkin, CEO of the SA Subtropical Growers’ Association, said macadamia plantings could double by 2020 (20 May, pg 18). Farmer’s Weekly reported in August that the macadamia industry in South Africa had expanded by more than 1 000ha/year since 2013. According…

In April, it was reported that 15 South African horticultural products, including pome fruit, stone fruit, citrus and table grapes, would be exported to Indonesia (29 April, pg 18). The decision by Indonesia’s Agency for Agricultural Quarantine to grant South Africa’s Food Safety Regulatory System ‘country of recognition’ status would substantially advance the country’s exports to Asia, said Anton Rabe, executive director of Hortgro. Other trade highlights included: • A new economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the European Union that is set to benefit SA agricultural researchers (1 July, pg 16). The new agreement will offer more advantages than the existing Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement (TDCA). It extends the deadline for duty to be paid on citrus to November and makes provision…

SUSTAINABLE FARMING The sustainability of any enterprise depends on long-term profitability. There are many factors that contribute to this, including the optimal use of available natural resources. Converting to conservation farming techniques As farmers in South Africa face increasingly unpredictable and volatile climatic conditions, many are exploring alternative farming methods in a bid to increase resilience. One farming system that has been gaining in popularity in South Africa for some time is conservation farming, which includes methods such as minimum- and no-till. In the 11 November issue, we featured Swartland wheat farmer, Abri Richter, who, as a result of the recent drought, realised that he had to adapt his farming techniques to ensure his operation’s long-term sustainability. In 2002, Abri began his transition to conservation farming, switching from tillage to…

This year will be remembered by the South African agricultural sector as one of the toughest yet in recorded history, mainly because of a devastating drought that ravaged crops and saw the national livestock herd shrink by more than one-third. It will take many years for farmers to recover fully from the impact of the drought, but encouraged by widespread rains towards the end of 2016, some of the country’s top-performing farmers are proving their resilience by focusing on the opportunities that 2017 will bring.…

1. Wound spray containing insecticide against flies and maggots 2. Hoof trimmer/shears 3. Antiseptic soap 4. Soft rope for restraining goats being treated 5. Elastrator (elastic castration pliers) and latex rubber elastrator rings 6. Ear tags and ear tag applicator 7. Burdizo (bloodless castration device) 8. Box of disposable latex gloves 9. Scale to weigh animals 10. Spray dip machine (knapsack sprayer) for dip product application, or sheep/ goat dip-tank if more than 50 goats are being dipped 11. Dip or pour-on product to eliminate external parasites 12. Oxytetracycline injectable antibiotic 13. Injection syringes and needles 14. Goat deworming medication 15. Dosing gun for treating more than 40 goats at a time 16. Eye powder to treat infected or irritated eyes, or open wounds on the body 17. Antiseptic iodine…

Beer is made through a process called brewing. During brewing, a starch source is converted into a sugary liquid called ‘wort’. The wort is then converted into beer in a fermentation process that is brought about by yeast. Malting barley is almost always the starch used to brew beer. In the first phase, the wort is prepared by mixing the barley, a process called ‘mashing’. This takes one to two hours, during which the starch is converted to sugar. Once the sweet wort has been drained off the grains, the barley is washed in a process known as ‘sparging’. This enables the brewer to recover as much of the fermentable liquid from the grains as possible.…

GETTING IT RIGHT WILL SAVE MONEY AND BOOST YIELD There is more to a spray mixture than chemical product and water. You also need an adjuvant – a substance added to the water to enable the sprayed product to work optimally in the prevailing conditions. BUFFER The first step is to check the pH of the water. This will vary according to the mineral content and affect the potency of the active ingredient, as well as the duration of its efficacy. Most products are more effective at a lower pH. Check the label for the optimal water pH. Then correct the pH of the water you will be using by applying the buffer. This lowers the pH. Some buffers change the colour of the water so that you can tell…

Turbochargers work much harder than most engine components. The majority rotate at over 200 000r/min at maximum boost. They have to be cared for properly. START SLOWLY, AND USE THE RIGHT GEAR The following remarks apply to all internal combustion engines, but are especially relevant to highly-stressed turbocharged or supercharged engines. Start each journey by setting off slowly (don’t let it idle for long) and finish each journey by letting the engine idle for a minute or two so that the turbo can cool down while rotating. Change down to accelerate rather than using a large throttle opening in a high gear (lugging). CAUSES OF DAMAGE • Inadequate lubrication Change the oil and filter at the recommended mileages – a turbocharger needs a constant flow of high-quality clean oil. Dirty oil…

Western saddles are classified by their use (roping, reining, cutting, barrels, western pleasure), the width of the saddle tree (the wooden base to which the leather parts of the saddle are attached) and the length of the ‘skirt’ behind the seat. Saddle sizing, however, differs from one manufacturer to the other. South African companies make general-purpose western saddles suitable for trail riding and farm work; competition saddles for reining, roping, western pleasure and barrels have to be imported. This is expensive and impractical, so saddles are usually bought second-hand. As the price ranges from R10 000 to R30 000, it is essential to try the saddle on your horse before you buy it. A poorly fitting western saddle can injure a horse’s back and withers, and affect the rider’s performance.…

Gall is the liquid secreted into your duodenum to help with the absorption of fats in food. Gallstones are a sign that your gall bladder is not getting the nutrients it needs. Specifically, gallstones form when gall is over-saturated with cholesterol. This does not mean you should avoid meat; you simply need to eat a more balanced, healthy diet with enough fibre. Try including carrots, apples, lemons, grapes, celery garlic, onions and especially beetroot juice. As a bonus, a healthier gallbladder means that your liver is probably also in better shape. To avoid gallstones, include the following specific nutrients that help to prevent gall from becoming over-saturated with cholesterol: • Antioxidants Take vitamins C (2g/day, split between meals) and E (500IU/day). • Lecithin A sub-type of fat found in soya beans that…

Dear Jonno I live in Lesotho and plan to build a guesthouse in the nearby Drakensberg. Could you please help me with the design, which should be in keeping with the traditional style of the area – stone walls and a thatched roof. I would like to start with a five-sleeper unit, a dining hall, conference facility and a bar area, which must be divided into three: a private bar, public bar and fast food and snack kiosk. A modern kraal that can hold 15 horses must be located not too far away from the other buildings. The overall design must appeal to both local and overseas tourists, while the cost must be kept fairly low. Kind regards Lekanyane Dear Lekanyane You certainly got me thinking: traditional Lesotho styling, yet…