Table of contents for 20 January 2017 in Farmer's Weekly

During the first week of January, the University of Oxford in the UK hosted the annual Oxford Farming Conference. Reading through some of the presentations given at the event, I was reminded of how globalised the challenges and opportunities in farming have become. As in South Africa, farmers in the UK and Europe are faced with challenges that modern farming methods pose to the traditional family farming structure. The industrialisation of agriculture and the integration of smaller farming units into fewer, larger units, which offer scale benefits, are making it more challenging for those families that have relied on farming for their livelihoods for many generations to carry on with business as usual. But according to farmers who attended the conference, these macroeconomic realities are not necessarily the biggest risk…

CHALLENGES INCLUDE POOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNAL LAND TENURE Last year was a challenging one for the agricultural sector. Fortunately, the El Niño-induced drought appears to have passed and the production outlook for 2017 is promising. During the December holidays, I took an ‘agricultural tour’ of the Eastern Cape, driving from Aliwal North, past the Magwa tea plantation on the outskirts of Lusikisiki to the sugarcane fields in Bizana in the Alfred Nzo district. The vegetation I saw painted a mixed picture. The northern areas remained dry; the central and southern regions of the province were reasonably green, almost back to ‘normal’. The Eastern Cape is not known for its agricultural ‘vibrancy’. In fact, it is often cited as one of the provinces with large underutilised tracts of land under communal…

 Government would “use expropriation laws with greater speed” over the coming year to address historic injustices, according to President Jacob Zuma. ‘THE BUDGET FOR LAND REFORM HAS BEEN DECLINING ANNUALLY, IN SPITE OF CALLS FROM GOVERNMENT FOR ACCELERATED LAND REFORM’ Speaking at the ANC’s 105th anniversary celebrations in Soweto, Zuma said that expropriation would nonetheless take place “within the confines of the Constitution”. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said that farmers and agribusinesses should not let such talk upset them unnecessarily. It was important to distinguish between “political rhetoric” and the “reality” of what was possible with expropriation. The new Expropriation Bill has not even been assented to by the president, but has been sent back to Parliament as the National Chamber of Provinces (NCoP) had not followed the…

The International Trade Administration Commission’s (ITAC) newly imposed tariff of 13,9% on chicken imported from the EU was “too little, too late”, according to the South African commercial poultry sector. Kevin Lovell, CEO of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), told Farmer’s Weekly that the standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff of 37%, which applied to all other countries for bone-in portions, was more acceptable. “As far as we can determine, [ITAC used] an unsuitable comparison point in the data series [to determine that the tariff must be 13,9%]. It took us a long time to convince ITAC that we had a problem, and that urgent action was needed. ITAC now agrees, yet [implemented] a solution that will not work,” he said. Lovell added that tariffs do not protect producers.…

Clanwilliam, referred to by some locals as the ‘Rooibos Capital of the World’, will host South Africa’s first Rooibos Day on 16 January. According to Insight Survey’s SA Tea Industry Landscape Report 2016, the proportion of black tea consumers decreased between 2011 and 2015, from 58,6% to 51,5%, while the percentage of rooibos consumers grew from 29,4% to 30,9%. The report added that half of South Africa’s rooibos production is exported and the drink is growing in popularity abroad. “We live in an age where people are more focused on health and rooibos tea is not only delicious, but [has] a variety of health benefits,” said Marietjie Smit, co-owner of Rooibos Tea House and co-founder of the Rooibos Route. National Rooibos Day will provide rooibos tea producers and other rooibos…

AgResults’ competition for the development of a brucellosis vaccine, which offers the winner a US$R30 million (R410 million) prize, is now open for applications. The competition is funded by AgResults, a collaboration between the Australian, Canadian, UK and US governments, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. AgResults has invited entrants to submit their proposals for the development of a safe, effective vaccine against Brucella melitensis for use in small ruminants. The vaccine will benefit small-scale farmers in developing countries. Entrants may include animal health, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic and research institutions. The pilot, which could last up to ten years, will be managed by the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed). Monica Barrett, AgResults’ secretariat representative, said that the competition was divided…

Fruit trees and orchards often suffer from pathogen infestation, necessitating the use of pesticides. New genetics now help to identify and delete genes that code for susceptibility to specific pathogens. DNA in living organisms carries the genetic codes for specific traits and this code is transcribed into RNA; almost a mirror image of the DNA code. Messenger RNA moves the code to micro-organelles inside cells where storage and synthesis of biochemical products take place. An older technique tried to disable or knock out the gene(s) for susceptibility with ionising irradiation. Several decades ago, this science moved to inserting useful resistance genes into plant cells where they became incorporated into the DNA code of the host, by using a non-pathogenic Agrobacterium as a vector to carry a minute DNA ring (plasmid)…

THE REASON FOR THE APPLICATION MUST BE VALID AND WELL MOTIVATED Although the ‘Annandale Farms judgement’, involving Shell and SARS, was delivered in 2000, it remains valid, especially as many farmers currently believe they are being ‘unreasonably’ targeted by SARS. In the Annandale Farms case, Shell acted as a lessor of agricultural land. The Cape Town Provincial Administration then bought the land to build low-cost housing. After an interval, SARS issued an assessment, raising VAT upon the income received by Shell. In response, Shell contended that the expropriation of land did not involve the supply of goods and services by it and that, therefore, Section 7(1)(a) of the VAT Act was not applicable. Invariably, taxpayers who disagree with SARS lodge objections and then appeals if the objections fail. In this…

NUT-IN-SHELL EXPORTS FOR 2016 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY The coming year will be filled with promise for 23-year-old Nasreen Malik of Tzaneen, who was awarded the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association’s (Subtrop) Lindsey Milne bursary. The talented BSc Agriculture student graduated with honours in 2016, and has been accepted to complete her master’s degree in horticulture at the University of Stellenbosch in 2017. The bursary, worth R25 000/year until the completion of the degree, also covers the cost of accommodation and food. Nasreen was born on a farm just outside Tzaneen and has always had a keen interest in farming. She currently lives on an avocado farm near Tzaneen with her family, and it is this very farm she hopes to help manage and develop one day. “I finished school in 2011…

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How time flies! By the time readers receive this issue of Farmer’s Weekly, January will be almost over and 2017 will be well on its way. The festive season is a receding memory, which won’t be a bad thing for many. It’s just a pity the same thing cannot be said for all of those additional credit card costs! In keeping with my own tradition, I’ve compiled my wish list and predictions for the fresh produce markets this year. • Up and down, down and up After a serious study of my trusty crystal ball, I can once again confidently predict that the prices of fruit and vegetables on the markets will increase… and come down again. I’m sure there are readers who marvel at the uncanny accuracy with which I…

Fleas are not only a host for dangerous tapeworms. An infestation of this pest can lead to ‘flea allergy’, where bites turn into nasty sores through a dog’s incessant scratching. These sores may then allow other bacteria to enter the animal’s body, or attract flies, which lay eggs in the sores, leading to maggot infestation. As explained previously, follow-up procedures are important when trying to destroy a flea population. That is, you need to kill the eggs as well as the fleas by keeping kennels and bedding free of sand and dust, which seems to attract them. Using a spray bottle, treat as wide an area around the kennel as possible. If you own cats, keep them free of fleas as well, because they may act as a host to…

To make Tom Yum soup for four diners, you will need: 10 limes 5 stalks of lemongrass 30mm whole galangal rhizome 15 sprigs of dhania (coriander) 8 Thai or makrut lime leaves 8 pele-pele or bird’s eye chillies 6 cloves of garlic 250g oyster mushrooms 600g raw, peeled prawns 1 onion 10 rosa tomatoes 15g brown sugar (palm or cane) 100ml to 140ml Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce 500ml chicken stock 1,5l water To begin, assemble your ingredients. Ginger is a close relative of galangal, and can be used as a substitute. Makrut lime leaves can be bought from the fresh herb department of bigger supermarkets, as can fresh lemongrass, and fish sauce is widely available from Asian supermarkets. First, bring the water and chicken stock to the boil. Preparation…

As we age, the dentate gyrus, an area in the hippocampus portion of our brains that is strongly associated with memory, begins to lose a bit of its edge. New things can be harder to learn and it can take longer to recall information, such as where we parked our car. But studies have revealed a surprising, ‘sweet’ solution in the form of low-sugar, dark chocolate (not Canderel). Chocolate is naturally rich in plant-based nutrients called flavones, which have been shown to boost blood flow to the brain and improve the connections in the dentate gyrus. After eight weeks, seniors who received a higher daily dose of cocoa flavones (520mg to 995mg) performed far better on cognitive function and verbal fluency tests than those who received the least flavones (48mg).…

 “Climate change is coming fast and will affect us all.” This is according to Dr Toi Tsilo, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), who spoke at the recent launch of the ARC’s Annual Report 2015/2016. RESEARCH SHOULD BUILD CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS Tsilo said climate change was currently the most important research topic that agricultural scientists should focus on. “Climate change is one of the drivers behind much of the research being conducted by the ARC. Studies on water use efficiency, new pests and diseases, as well as new pest and disease patterns, are all to some extent related to the impact of climate change on agriculture,” he said. The aim of the research must be to build capacity in South Africa to respond adequately…

The most recent fuel price adjustments have seen the price of petrol increase by 47,2c/l and the price of diesel with a 0,005% sulphur content rise by 34,9c/l. Nicky Heyns, workshop manager at table grape exporter Kartsen Western Cape, said that to keep their business’ energy input costs as low as possible and to hedge against future price increases, they bought diesel in bulk. “As a result, our average price for fuel over the season has been similar to diesel prices from five years ago,” Heyns said. In a recent press release, independent agricultural economist, Fanie Brink, said the reason for the fuel price increases could be attributed largely to the much higher international petroleum product prices after members of the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and 11 countries…

The widespread rain that has occurred thus far in January 2017 over South Africa’s summer grains production region is critical for ensuring a good harvest for the 2016/2017 production season. This is according to Johan van den Berg, Santam Agri’s weather expert. Van den Berg said that the rain had come at exactly the right time, with maize, for instance, entering the seeding period. “This is the peak moisture requirement stage for maize. Rainfall during January to March is of the essence for optimum maize production,” he said. He added that indications were that more rain could be expected over the next three months, as a result of the weak La Niña weather phenomenon. This meant that pastures would also have time to recuperate before winter. The growing season for…

Irrigation farming makes up about 60% of all water usage in South Africa, while rural and urban municipalities (including household use) account for about 30% of water use, and mining 5%, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation. South Africa’s average annual rainfall is only 492mm, which is about 50% lower than the global average. The recent drought came as a severe warning that South Africa is a water-stressed country. As the volume of available water on earth remains largely constant and cannot be increased or decreased substantially, it is clear that water demand will escalate, due to urbanisation and industrial development. In the long-term, such growth and development will have an adverse impact on the available water for crop production. GREATER WATER EFFICIENCY Hydroponic production systems require only…

When viewed under a microscope, thrips have tiny bladders on their feet, hence their Afrikaans name, blaaspootjies. “Thrips use these bladders to cling to smooth surfaces,” according to entomologist, Dr Elleunorah Allsopp of the Agricultural Research Council’s Infruitec-Nietvoorbij in Stellenbosch. Allsopp, who recently received her doctorate in entomology from Stellenbosch University at the age of 57, conducted research into how thrips can be eradicated from fruit orchards using more natural methods, such as essential plant oils, according to a release by the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University. LONG-TERM RESEARCH Allsopp first encountered western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), on which she based the research for her doctorate, when she studied the occurrence of these insects on table grapes in the Hex River Valley in 1999. She was then involved in…

GREATER LABOUR INVESTMENT COULD INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY Prof Mohammad Karaan Dean of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University What do you see as the biggest factors affecting labour in 2017? The peaceful implementation of the new minimum wage will be the most important aspect affecting labour this year. Focussing blindly on the affordability of the proposed minimum wage – which will be 10% lower in the agricultural industry than in other industries – would be fruitless. The industry needs to shift from ‘offering low paying jobs to the masses’, to offering ‘fair remuneration’ and ‘a living wage’ – the sooner, the better. Greater investment in workers should produce greater labour efficiency. You have often warned that South Africa may be heading for an Arab Spring phenomenon as a result of the huge division…

POLLUTED IRRIGATION WATER CAN CONTAMINATE FRESH PRODUCE Many of South African rivers from which water is drawn for agricultural irrigation purposes are carrying extraordinarily high pathogenic loads. Produce irrigated using this water are often minimally processed fresh fruit and vegetables or products that are eaten raw. The risks of using this water to produce edible crops have been weighed against the backlog of providing sanitation services and food insecurity by various local research organisations, including the South African Water Research Commission (WRC). The WRC, in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), published a report titled, ‘Scoping study on different on-farm treatment options to reduce the high microbial contaminant loads of irrigation water to reduce the related food safety risk’. According to the report, in addition to…

THE TRACTOR IS WELL-SUITED TO TASKS THAT REQUIRE HIGH POWER At the International Exposition of Machinery for Agriculture (EIMA) in Bologna, Italy, in November last year, a panel of judges from some of Europe’s leading agricultural journals named Case IH’s Optum 300 CVX their Tractor of the Year for 2017. In doing so, they acknowledged the growing need for a tractor with a high power-to-weight ratio in a compact, highly manoeuvrable format. “Following the Machine of the Year 2016 award won by the Optum, this Tractor of the Year title shows the recognition by Europe’s agricultural press that the design and features of the Optum represent a significant advancement in tractor technology,” said Case IH’s Dan Stuart at the EIMA awards ceremony. The Optum is positioned between the Magnum, built…

FEED SMALLER AMOUNTS OF HAY AT REGULAR INTERVALS A balanced broodmare ration is crucial in maintaining the health of both mare and foal. At the same time, broodmares should not be stressed while pregnant as this could result in foetal loss or foaling difficulties. This means avoiding the transport of heavily pregnant mares and certain medications such as dewormers. Horses are herd animals and are less stressed in the company of other horses, even if across a fence. Kicking, biting and bullying do not usually occur if mares are kept in a broodmare band. On the other hand, it is not advisable to introduce a heavily pregnant mare into an unfamiliar herd. Recent research has shown that incorrect feeding management can also be stressful for broodmares. Horses are trickle feeders…

Dear Jonno We follow your designs with great interest every week. We recently bought a smallholding on the southwest coast near Clanwilliam, where we want to build a family home. The interior layout of the house will have to be highly functional as both my wife and I work from home. The area is frequently battered by cold winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean, and we therefore want an enclosed area that we can utilise throughout the year. The living areas and bedrooms should thus be placed around an enclosed inner courtyard. We also want as many large windows and sliding doors as possible, and the styling should be contemporary, but complement the natural environment. We need three en suite bedrooms, with a large living area that includes a lounge,…

FUCKING APOSTROPHES by Simon Griffin (Icon, R150) Bad grammar, including misplaced apostrophes, is not what you want for your business signage or website. Award-winning copywriter Griffin is especially exasperated by the incorrect use of apostrophes – as in signs offering Orange’s for sale – making his pocket guide of just 60 pages a very humorous read. THE INSPECTOR OF THE DEAD by David Morrell (Hodder, R200) Thomas De Quincy, a (real-life) social outcast notorious for his Confessions of an Opium Eater and Murder as a Fine Art, and his feisty daughter, Emily, make an unusual pair of Victorian detectives to whom the British establishment must listen to stop a clever, vengeful serial killer who is laying waste to aristocratic households and threatening the queen. The result…

CONFERENCES & EXPOS 23 JANUARY 6th AGCO Africa Summit 2017, Berlin, Germany. Visit www.agco-africa-summit.com. 26 TO 27 JANUARY Agritech Expo Tanzania 2017, Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Arusha, Tanzania. Visit www.agritechexpotanzania.com. COURSES & TRAINING 16 TO 18 JANUARY Artificial Insemination (General), George. Phone Di Rothman on 082 772 1208, or visit www.rltsafrica.com. 19 JANUARY Pregnancy Awareness (Cattle), George. Phone Di Rothman on 082 772 1208, or visit www.rltsafrica.com. 20 JANUARY Calf Rearing, George. Phone Di Rothman on 082 772 1208, or visit www.rltsafrica.com. 23 TO 26 JANUARY Registration of Artificial Insemination in Cattle, George. Phone Di Rothman on 082 772 1208, or visit www.rltsafrica.com. 24 JANUARY Grass Identification, Pietermaritzburg. Email info@alut.co.za. 24 TO 26 JANUARY Three-day Basic Conservation Agriculture, Beula Park, Meadowdale. Phone Neill Jackson on 082 407 6774, or…

SOCIAL MEDIA IS FAST BECOMING THE PREFERRED MEANS OF DISSEMINATING INFORMATION Following discussions with a variety of farmers and stakeholders from all corners of South Africa, I’ve made some interesting observations about the profile and needs of our new generation of farmers. Consider the following: • In a family business, sons or daughters entering the operation often fail to make themselves heard – things are generally done the way Dad has done them and the younger generation frequently battle to break through this attitude. • The new generation of farmers’ children prefers to work in the city – indeed, many of my peers are abroad building their careers within the international economy. This is not unique to South Africa and the cumulative impact on rural communities around the world is…

Well over a thousand workers at RCL Foods’ Rainbow chicken division face a bleak start to 2017. Although RCL had indicated in September last year that it would be restructuring its commodity chicken business in response to challenging market conditions, it only recently clarified that this would include retrenching 1 350 of its Rainbow employees in KwaZulu-Natal. RCL’s chief legal officer, Stephen Heath, told Farmer’s Weekly that the decision to retrench the employees had followed an evaluation of “all operational performance indicators in our primary processing operations – from product mix to other efficiency factors such as the age and condition of the [poultry processing] plant”. “Based on this evaluation, we believed that the least disruptive option was to scale down the KZN operation by closing one of the two…

Illuminum Greenhouses, a business established by two Kenyan farmers to develop affordable and efficient greenhouse technology that can be used by smallholder farmers, was one of 11 African social technology ventures recognised by UK-based technology funding company Nominet Trust’s, Nominet Trust 100 (NT100). According to Nominet Trust, agriculture provides employment for more than 80% of Kenya’s population. However, the country’s 6,5 million smallholder farmers face a number of environmental challenges such as flooding and drought, which create food shortages. “Brian Bett and Taita Ng’etich learnt this the hard way when a flood destroyed their tomato farm,” Nominet Trust said in a statement. They then set out to build themselves a solar-powered greenhouse equipped with irrigation technology and sensors to monitor temperature, humidity and soil moisture. The greenhouses come with automated…

A wildfire in Somerset West caused damage of more than R53 million earlier this month. The conflagration destroyed eight structures and ravaged farmland on some of the Western Cape’s most prestigious wine estates, Vergelegen, Lourensford and Morgenster, said fire and rescue spokesperson, Theo Layne. Vergelegen CEO, Don Tooth, said that while the estate had lost a few vineyards, he did not expect any damage to its harvest due to smoke taint. He added that a large section of Renosterveld vegetation had been destroyed in the inferno. Neighbouring wine farm, Morgenster, also suffered some damage and lost a small portion of its olive groves. At the time of going to press, the fire at Christo Wiese’s wine farm, Lourensford Estate, had been contained, but there were still flareups because of a…

 The European Parliament recently approved a resolution calling for stricter control measures for citrus imports from outside the European Union (EU). ‘WE HAVE SHOWN REMARKABLE IMPROVEMENT IN RISK MITIGATION OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS’ According to a statement, members of the European Parliament (MEP) wanted more stringent rules and checks to help prevent citrus black spot fungus and false codling moth in particular from entering the EU. The resolution proposed actions based on the opinions of the European Food Safety Authority and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization, Spain MEP Clara Garcia said. To prevent citrus black spot from entering the EU, the resolution proposes that exporting countries – including South Africa – must be able to prove that at least 600 fruit per 30t was free of this…

 A study conducted by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the sustainability of small-scale cattle farmers in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality in Limpopo has found that since engaging in cattle farming, many community members’ lives have been socially and economically transformed. ‘COMMUNAL FARMERS DO NOT FOLLOW CARRYING CAPACITY NORMS’ Tlou Manaka, natural resources manager at the DEA, said that while community members’ quality of life had greatly improved, the sustainability of cattle production in the area remained a challenge. Manaka said that cattle farming in the area was not currently sustainable because of major problems such as stock theft, market failure and the shortage or lack of inputs, a result of supply constraints. “During the study, farmers indicated that they [faced] challenges in accessing inputs that are, at times,…

A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO CAPITAL INVESTMENT MAY BE THE BEST STRATEGY Britain’s decision to exit the EU and the election of Donald Trump as US president have created uncertainty in global markets. In its October 2016 World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted subdued global economic growth for 2017. The IMF fears this might result in some countries implementing more restrictive trade and immigration policies. Trump’s election increased the risk of this happening. The IMF predicted global growth of 3,1% in 2016, to improve slightly to 3,4% in 2017. Advanced economies – the US, EU, Japan, the UK and Canada – are expected to grow 1,8%. Developing economies will probably grow 4,6% in 2017. The important Chinese economy will slow down slightly to 6,2%, from 6,6% in 2016.…

Roleen says that she was intially very involved in the production component of the business, but now employs an outstanding production manager. “Nicole looks after production and everyone knows what is required. She gives me the production schedules, but it’s all in her hands,” Roleen says. Nicole explains the production process When olives arrive, they go through the sorting machine to be graded according to size. They are then moved to the receiving room, where any damaged olives are removed and sent for pressing. The remaining olives are rinsed and placed into large curing tanks containing 10% brine water, and cured for eight to 12 months. During this time, the olives are regularly checked and brine replenished if necessary. Olives are then moved to the production room where they are…

‘WE SELECT RAMS AND EWES ACCORDING TO STRINGENT SELECTION CRITERIA’ In September 2016, four Welpic Dormer rams collectively sold for almost R150 000, achieving an average price of R37 250 at the National Dormer Sale in Bloemfontein. “I have faith in my stud,” says JP Potgieter, owner of the Welpic Dormer stud, which consists of about 150 breeding ewes. “I’ll never sell an animal in which I have any doubt.’’ In fact, JP believes that the most important characteristic of any stud breeder is integrity. “My intention with getting involved in the stud game was never just to make money,” he explains. “I want to breed sheep that will have an impact in another flock.” Considering his achievements, JP may already be realising this goal at a national level. REINVENTING…

The Water Research Commission recently conducted a study to identify possible on-farm treatment options to help reduce the high levels of microbial contamination in irrigation water. According to the results of the study, treatment options that should be further investigated are chlorine, peracetic acid (PAA) and ultraviolet (UV) treatment, and combinations of chlorine and PAA with UV, based on the following conclusions: Chlorine as an irrigation water disinfectant: • Very effective against total coliforms (TC) and faecal coliforms (FC), less so against the heterotrophic group aerobic colony count (ACC). Research has also shown efficacy against cryptosporidium and Giardia; • Disinfection efficiency is not overly affected by poor water quality; • Concerns do exist that microorganisms will continue to build up resistance against chlorine; • Concentrations required could result in residual…

A STUCK PCV VALVE AFFECTS PERFORMANCE AND ENGINE LIFE Ventilation relies on an easy-to-service valve. The built-in ventilation valve system in a modern engine gets rid of the substances that manage to get past the piston rings and end up in the crankcase, where they contaminate the oil, reducing lubricity and forming sludge. These so-called blow-by products consist of carbon particles and unburnt fuel that are usually referred to as hydrocarbons (HC). Similar products are also present in the exhaust pipe, where a catalytic converter renders them harmless. The amount of HC emission is determined by the degree of wear between the piston rings and the bore. Years ago, engines were fitted with a tube that ran from a side cover or a tappet cover down to the car’s underside.…

 There’s an old saying that goes: “Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.” SPEND TIME WITH MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE GOOD HABITS AND FAITH IN GOD In these desperate times, one way we can ensure we fill our minds with positive thoughts is by being extra-careful about the company we keep. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” We need to get alongside men and women who truly believe that there is a future for this country and its people. God is an optimist. John 10:10 tells us very clearly: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that…

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a state where ‘things’ – objects, machinery, security cameras, coffee machines, vehicles and so forth – have the ability to ‘communicate’ or network and produce valuable new information. The IoT will continue to grow, especially as more and more devices are created with Wi-Fi capabilities. It will also help us to farm more smartly through, for example, making better use of water and, most importantly, increasing yield. According to broadband telecommunications company Verizon, the use of IoT has the potential to boost food production by 70% by 2050. “We all know that the IoT represents game-changing transformation in the industrial application of technology,” says technology columnist, Andrew Brust, who has worked as a developer in the software industry for 25 years. “But while we…

We received a wonderful New Year’s present – 57mm of pouring rain! Such a deluge we haven’t seen in months. Some days later, yet another 26mm fell! Dare we hope that our drought has been broken? Weather forecasts predict even more rain in the immediate future. The parched veld soaked it up and grazing is already showing signs of revival. Last year’s maize land is wet enough to till but it’s too late to plant maize again, so I will grow barley. A lot of rainwater has collected in neighbour Jan’s big dam, a dust bowl until now, but more substantial downpours will be needed to fill it again. There was widespread carnage on the roads once more, with minibus taxis being the main offenders. It is high time traffic…