Table of contents for 27 January 2017 in Farmer's Weekly

Humanity has always survived by adapting, but it seems to me that the next decade or two will require it to change more and faster than ever before. It is especially those economic sectors that rely on natural resources, such as the farming and energy sectors, that will have to undergo fundamental changes to stop the over consumption of resources that take centuries, if not millennia, to replenish. The availability and sustainable use of natural resources is just one of the drivers that will shape future food systems. Globalised markets, new advances in technology, population growth and changing consumer habits and preferences will all have an impact on how and where food is produced and traded. Two agricultural industries in South Africa that require urgent change are the wheat and…

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 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 email neill@foundationsforfarming.org. 25 JANUARY Veld Management, Pietermaritzburg. Email info@alut.co.za. 25 JANUARY Profitable Boer Goat Farming, Potchefstroom. Phone Johan Steyn on 072 594 4626 or visit www.boergoats.co.za. 26 JANUARY Grass Assessment, Pietermaritzburg. Email info@alut.co.za. 30 JANUARY TO 1 FEBRUARY Registration of Artificial Insemination in Sheep and Goats, George. Phone Di…

WE CAN EXPECT POPULIST POLICIES STATEMENTS AND USE OF THE RACE CARD Rest assured, the succession debate within the ANC will dominate the news in 2017 and, unfortunately, also the economy. The more messy and unruly, the more dirty tricks, including Cabinet reshuffles and favouritism from the people’s candidate (Ramaphosa) and the Zuma candidate (Dlamini-Zuma), the more unstable the economy. It’s the time of politics and policies of survival. This means three things: populist policies and public statements; the overuse of the race card by the Zuma ANC and the EFF; and a rush to be seen to do something. On the economic front, this is not good news and usually results in policy and investment uncertainty. When it comes to every South African farmer’s dream – finalising land reform…

The agricultural industry in Japan now offers visitors the chance to work in the industry’s value chain. To highlight the job opportunities available to agri-tourists, a two-day tour of the Ibaraki Prefecture was recently conducted. The tour took in the manufacture of washi, the traditional paper hand-made by farmers in the winter months using crop stover. The tour also included potato, green tea and persimmon harvesting and the ancient Japanese tradition of making chestnut jam. (The Japanese chestnut – kuri – was in cultivation before rice.) Ibaraki Prefecture is situated in the north-eastern section of the Kantō region. The northern part of the prefecture is mountainous, but most of the region is a flat plain with many lakes. Ibaraki is home to Tsukuba University, a major research centre, and the…

The thought that unscrupulous officials in the Free State provincial government were enriching themselves at the cost of farmers still struggling to feed livestock following the four-year drought was “sickening”. This was according to the DA’s Roy Jankielsohn, leader of the opposition in the Free State. He cited a case in the Rosendal district where animal feed earmarked for drought aid had been put up for sale or to be exchanged for cattle by the so-called beneficiary. The DA had consequently set a trap for the recipient in which he confirmed that he wanted to exchange the feed for cattle. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Jankielsohn said. “Indications are that such irregularities are happening on a large scale.” The DA believed Free State government officials were involved,…

The MeerKAT and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio satellite project, intended to cover more than 100 000ha of farmland in the Carnavon region of the Northern Cape, is expected to expand even further. This was according to Sybrand Venter, vice-president of the Kareeberg Farmers’ Association. In a public meeting with SKA representatives, community members were informed that more antennas would be built on farms under servitude contracts in a series of ‘arms’ extending up to 220km from the core area near Carnavon, Venter said. These required a 5km radius of radio silence and an additional 6km buffer zone. ‘THEY HAVE A BULLYING ATTITUDE. IT’S THEM INTERFERING WITH US’ “We want to know how the area will look in 10 years’ time, but when we ask that question at public meetings…

The demise of financial management in local government was one of the main reasons for Eskom’s decision to implement power cuts across a number of Free State, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape muncipalities. This was according to David Ross, DA spokesperson on the Standing Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA). Power cuts were recently implemented in 17 municipalities. Payments had been made in the meantime by the Nala, Tokologo, Nketoana and Mantsopa municipalities in the Free State, as well as the Walter Sisulu municipality in the Eastern Cape, before the power cuts commenced. Eskom announced in a statement that it would continue with interrupted power supply until the municipalities were able to make cash payments as negotiated with each municipality. The defaulting municipalities owed Eskom R10,2 billion. “Financial mismanagement, administrative…

A dog breeder, identifying himself on Facebook as Brian van Niekerk, has been using photographs of Boerboels belonging to registered breeders and advertising the champion dogs as his own. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly via Facebook, former Boerboel breeder, Elize Scholtz, said that Van Niekerk had used a photograph of her champion dog, Mighty Mot, known in international Boerboel circles, and claimed that it was his. “He breeds and sells dogs. If they’re unhealthy or don’t turn out well, then my dog gets a bad reputation. I’ve tried to contact him but the cell phone number he placed with his ads is switched off,” Scholtz said. This was the first time she had seen a South African attempting such a scam, but she had come across a number of Nigerians who…

MARGINAL LAND CAN BE USED FOR POND AQUACULTURE Tilapia have been reared experimentally in recirculating systems around South Africa for the past three years. By now it is clear that there is a real need to produce this commodity more cheaply and simply. Recurring costs such as feed and electricity, and the complexity of intensive systems, indicate that simpler systems are required to produce bulk quantities of smaller-sized fish for informal markets. Pond aquaculture may be the answer. WATER: THE CRUCIAL FACTOR It is often thought that lack of water is a limiting factor in the warmer provinces. Both Limpopo and Mpumalanga have numerous large dams. Mpumalanga has 14 state dams in the Lowveld, while Limpopo has some 100 large dams, about 40 of which have a capacity of more…

EACH WASP CAN DESTROY ALMOST 100 LARVAE BY SUCKING THEM DRY Integrated pest management (IPM) is a balancing act. If you get a whitefly infestation, the pest has come from a nearby habitat, and if this is an unsprayed environment, the whitefly’s predators are there as well. The predator-prey relationship always produces a natural see-saw effect. The predators increase in number until they virtually eliminate the whitefly. Then the predator population plummets as these insects no longer have a source to breed. With hardly any predation, the pest gets an opportunity to build up its numbers again until controlled once more by the predator. In many cases, however, we can get an equilibrium without these extremes: the pest population is kept small in balance with the predator. This is an…

THE REWARD OF FAITH IS TO SEE WHAT YOU BELIEVED No hope without faith January is almost over, and as we venture deeper into 2017 we need to look forward with hope. As the theologian Peter Anderson says, “Hope is faith in the future tense.” Without faith, there is no hope for the future; by contrast, putting our faith in Jesus Christ will give us ample hope. If we look with carnal eyes at the future, we get depressed and find ourselves in a hopeless situation, paralysed by fear. We must trust God to make a way for us where there seems to be no path. How many times have we as farmers thought, “Now, Lord, I’m down and out” because of a drought, a flood, our financial situation or…

First, some theory. General Tso never used sugar in his recipe. “If they want sweetness, let them eat buffalo wings,” he would yell at his senior officers (well, something like that). Start with the sauce. Mix the Maizena with the water, avoiding lumps. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well and set aside. Next, debone the thighs, keeping the meat in large pieces. Discard the skin (or don’t), then slice the meat into uniform 5mm slices. Combine only the yolks of the two eggs with both soy sauces, and pour over the chicken in a bowl, stirring to cover the meat. Add the Maizena/water mixture, plus a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir, and set aside. Deseed the chilli to reduce the heat if required, then chop into 5mm…

Good day Jonno We are a leading alternative building technology (ABT) company that enables people to construct houses using soil and cement, through an interlocking block system and no mortar. We are looking for an architect who could design a number of environmentally friendly housing options of 40m², 60m² and 80m², with the option of additions but staying true to the African earthy look and feel. Please review our website and inform me if this is something that you would be interested in doing. Best regards Dionne Dear Dionne Thank you for inviting me to get involved in this important modern-day requirement. Environmentally friendly homes have long been on my mind and I welcome the opportunity to add my contribution. The following is a building concept that is not entirely…

“Agricultural entrepreneurs, livestock and poultry farmers, as well as the entire value chain, prove their worth not in optimal conditions, but when times get tough. Given the debate in society about forms of modern animal husbandry, the globally networked nature of the sector, and other challenges, the conditions are very much against us. At the same time, structural growth will remain on the agenda worldwide because demand for animal products is increasing dynamically. What is important now is to tap the potential in the markets and on one’s own farm by investing in efficiency and acting wisely. Put another way, everything revolves around how to adapt innovative methods to one’s own circumstances and in line with animal needs. The international character of EuroTier as a leading exhibition of modern animal…

SOUTH AFRICA COULD BE THE KEY SUPPLIER OF MAIZE TO THE REGION IN THE COMING MONTHS The 2016/2017 summer crop production season started on a slightly positive note for South Africa’s agricultural sector, with promising indications that the country could retain its status as a net exporter of maize. In the second week of 2017, the US Department of Agriculture reiterated its forecast for South Africa’s 2016/2017 maize production, leaving its estimate unchanged at 13 million tons – a 65% year-on-year increase. So far, the lowest market estimate is 11,7 million tons. If South Africa manages to achieve a crop within this range, the country will regain its status as a net exporter of maize (as domestic maize consumption is around 10,5 million tons a year). Unfortunately, the prospects of…

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has requested that Nomvula Mokonyane, minister for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), release its reports of investigations into water quality, loss and compliance. The reports, previously made public, are now confidential. Julius Kleynhans, OUTA’s portfolio manager for water and environment affairs, told Farmer’s Weekly that “the failure to release these results may have a political dimension as releasing them will lead to some municipalities being named and shamed”. “Not releasing the reports means that the public cannot compare the performance of individual municipalities and it’s impossible for civil society to hold government accountable for service delivery failings. It’s symptomatic of the generally decreasing levels of transparency in the South African state,” he said. According to an OUTA press release, the association had…

Since the beginning of the fire season in December, 1 000 Western Cape firefighters have battled 96 fires, according to Working on Fire spokesperson Lauren Howard. At the time of going to print, the devastating fires in Somerset West had largely been contained, but there were still five fires across the province that required Working on Fire’s assistance, Howard said. The fires caused damage to the environment, farms and residential property, with some 26 000ha affected. Fire damage in the Helderberg basin alone amounted to an estimated R60 million, she said. According to James-Brent Styan, spokesperson for local government and Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, it is too early to determine the full extent of damages caused by the fires as the cost is still being calculated.…

While many farmers across the country yearn for rain, the blistering heat has been a godsend for table grape farmers from the Orange River region, especially during harvesting. However, abnormal weather conditions and rains in early January interrupted harvesting, particularly in the late production region. According to Piet du Plessis, chairperson of the Orange River Producers’ Association, rain pelted down across the Orange River region, with as much as 30mm to 50mm falling within a short time. “We experienced prolonged overcast and humid weather conditions that caused the grapes to stay wetter for longer,” said Du Plessis. “These conditions not only delayed fruit packing, but caused berries to burst, creating the perfect circumstances for fungal infection to develop.” According to Du Plessis, the late production area, spanning Kanoneiland, Upington and…

The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture recently issued a quarantine notice after three horses died in Kuruman in the John Taolo District Municipality. This came after the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Veterinary Services collected samples from the dead animals. “The possibility of a suspected case of African horse sickness (AHS) is very high, but hopefully the test results will soon confirm whether it is indeed the case. The samples have been sent to Onderstepoort Laboratory in Pretoria,” said Kuruman state vet, Dr Lea Shuda. Movement restrictions would now apply within a 30km radius of Kuruman until further notice, and no horses or donkeys were permitted to be moved in or out of the area. According to Shuda, there were few commercial horse farming operations…

Despite the average national dam level having reached 60% capacity, South Africans are still advised to use water sparingly. This is according to the director-general of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Trevor Balzer. At a recent media tour of the Vaal Dam, Balzer said that the DWS would consider lifting water restrictions once dam levels were at over 70% capacity. “Even though we’ve had heavy rains recently, they’re not enough to make the [dams] peak,” he said. The DWS monitors 211 dams countrywide. Low dam levels had led to the DWS commencing a replenishing exercise at the Sterkfontein dam, which meant releasing water into the Vaal Dam. The Sterkfontein Dam is used as a reserve, while the Vaal Dam is one of 14 that supply water to Gauteng.…

Mecki Schneider has served on the Livestock Producers’ Organisation of Namibia’s board for 18 years, and as chairperson for the past four years. He has also served as a board member of the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU), and on the board of the Namibian Brahman Breeders’ Association for more than 15 years, and is presently its chairperson. He chairs the Southern African and International Brahman Breed Improvement Forums. The Schneiders have received many awards and accolades over the years, including the NAU Master Farmer of the Year in 2000. In 2012, Mecki received the AgriStar, the highest NAU award. In 2007, they received the Southern African Pick n Pay / Landbouweekblad Stud Breeder of the Year Award for all Southern African cattle breeds, and, in 2016, they received the Livestock…

The early part of the year is probably a good time to remind farmers about their responsibilities when dealing with a market agent. These responsibilities are always worth reiterating because the market agent is just that – an agent who represents the farmer on the market and sells on his behalf. As such, the agent bears a considerable responsibility. It’s a two-way street, however. There is more to working with an agent than simply sending this person your fruit or vegetables. LACK OF TIMEOUS COMMUNICATION I sometimes hear farmers complaining about their market agents. In many cases, however, when I drill down a little deeper, I find that inadequate communication is at the root of the farmer’s disgruntlement. It’s immaterial whose fault this is; the point is, the farmer and…

IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTERS, YOU SHOULD ADHERE STRICTLY TO OIL CHANGE PERIODS Engine valves require a small, but optimal, clearance between the valve stem and the cam follower. If the clearance is too large, the valve operation will be noisy and the valves will not open far enough or for long enough to allow the maximum transfer of mixture or exhaust gas. If the clearance is too small, expansion of the valve due to temperature increase may cause the valve to stay slightly open, leading to a loss of compression. This will also reduce the time that the valve spends on its seat where its heat can be conducted away, causing the valves to get so hot that parts of the edges melt away. ADJUSTING THE CLEARANCE…

Speed up your metabolism Our metabolism converts the kilojoules we eat into energy. As we age, our metabolism slows down and our body hangs onto those extra kilojoules, often causing us to gain weight. If this is happening to you, it could be because you’re eating too little of the right foods. The body is a self-regulating machine; if there is insufficient fuel to keep its systems running, it powers down its metabolism to conserve energy. Eat enough high-quality protein and healthy fats and your metabolism will get the fuel it needs to function optimally. HORMONE LEVELS Hormone levels in both men and women decrease with age. After menopause, women experience a dip in oestrogen levels, a sluggish metabolism and weight gain, usually around the middle. Lean muscle mass also…

TOOLS OF TITANS by Tim Ferriss (Vermilion, R300) Ferriss’s previous books – The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Chef – have made him renowned for ferreting out effective shortcuts. This time he has sought out the tips and tricks of more than 100 mostly US ‘world-class performers’, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Robbins, Kevin Costner and Jamie Foxx. Compiled under three headings – ‘Healthy’, ‘Wealthy’ and ‘Wise’ – this adds up to a volume of over 600 pages as Ferriss presses his interviewees for advice on a range of everyday problems as diverse as hacking threats and productivity. WHAT COLOUR IS THE SUN? by Brian Clegg (Icon, R180) Instead of the usual quickfire questions and answers found in similar books, Clegg poses a question…

Several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in seven out of the 10 European countries that export poultry to South Africa. This could have a negative impact on poultry meat imports, as well as poultry breeder supply levels, according to Kevin Lovell, CEO of the SA Poultry Association. Lovell said that the outbreaks, first reported in November last year, had not yet had a direct impact on the local industry, but this was likely to change as birds from the last healthy cycles were worked out of the system. He added that the possible impact on breeding stock was particularly concerning. “South Africa is highly dependent on overseas companies for its layer and broiler breeding stock. Most of the breeding companies are diversified in terms of production…

The South African Renewable Energy Council (SAREC) has accused national power utility, Eskom, of being disingenuous about the cost of renewable energy it has bought from SAREC members. This follows Eskom’s recent statement that for the period January to December 2016, the utility’s purchase of renewable energy had led to the loss of R9 billion. According to Eskom, the Council for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR) had calculated this figure through the “[development of] a methodology quantifying the net economic benefit of renewables, namely solar photovoltaic (SPV) and wind. “This is achieved by calculating the benefits of reduced unserved energy (load shedding), as well as cost savings to Eskom (avoided coal and diesel burn). These benefits are then offset against the total tariff paid to the renewable IPPs [independent power…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has questioned the accuracy of police statistics showing that farm murders have declined from 60 to 49 over the past two financial years. More than 70 farm murders had occurred during the past year alone, according to TAU SA records, said DA MP and spokesperson for agriculture Annette Steyn. “Information seems to get lost in the police’s recording system. Perhaps record is only kept of people who die on farms, whereas people who are attacked on farms and later die in hospitals are not added,” Steyn said. ‘WE NEED STATISTICS THAT REFLECT THE TRUE SITUATION TO GET ADEQUATE SUPPORT TO COMBAT THESE CRIMES’ The statistics made it seem as if farm attacks had declined, whereas there had in fact been an increase over the past six…

Local purchases of raw milk in September 2016 were higher than the previous eight years’ sales, and the purchases for October 2016 were projected to be even higher. The total quantity of raw milk sold in 2015 was also the highest since 2008, with 3,7 billion kilograms sold compared with 2,6 billion kilograms in 2008, according to a report by the South African Milk Processors’ Organisation (SAMPRO). SAMPRO CEO, Alwyn Kraamwinkel, told Farmer’s Weekly the rainfall was currently better than in the 2015/2016 season. If it persisted, it would mean lower prices for concentrated feed and hay, and improve the quality and quantity of grazing and silage. From October to November 2016, the producer price index for raw milk decreased by 0,4% and the producer price index of dairy products…

There was an urgent need for the government to take a stance against the increasing illegal trade in lion body parts, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, SA hunter/conservationist. He ascribed the sharp increase in cases where captive-bred lions were killed in enclosures to the growing demand for body parts in China. This followed the latest case where three lions were reportedly killed at a lodge near Tzaneen. The animals’ heads and paws were removed. Verdoorn said that the Chinese demand for lion body parts had increased dramatically because the Asian tiger had been poached nearly to extinction. Tiger body parts were used in traditional Chinese medicine and as an aphrodisiac. Lion body parts were now used as the alternative. “The alarming part of the problem is that there are breeders…

Bio-ethanol is produced mainly from sugars, while bio-diesel comes from plant oils. There is a shift, however, from these biofuels to biogas production, which involves enzymatic digestion to produce biomethane. ‘Green energy’ fuel production does not use fossil feedstock such as oil deposits or coal, but plant materials or waste products. The technology can produce renewable biomethane from a wide range of feedstock types by applying tailor-made enzymes. These include cellulosic fibres from plant by-products such as timber and crop waste, and protein-rich food waste, among others. Their benefits include faster anaerobic fermentation of feedstock, reduced viscosity, and the capacity to break down protein-rich materials, contributing to lower costs. One new enzyme increases biomethane yield by 13%. Also, digestion by enzymes protects life and reduces impact on the environment. Methane…

I CAN STILL SEE HER LOOK OF PITY AS MY SPLUTTERED ANSWERS REVEALED MY LACK OF FINANCIAL LITERACY Mine was a secure, loving home, but one where the word ‘money’ was seldom heard. For some perverse reason, it was frowned upon to openly raise financial issues. My mother was a nurse, midwife, radiographer and matron at the local hospital; my father was the principal of an agricultural college. They were both highly competent in their chosen careers, but when I look back, the level of financial literacy in my home was at the low end of the scale. “What’s inflation?” asked the high school guidance councillor when I said I wanted to become a farmer. “What do you know about insurance? Have you ever sold anything for profit?” I can…

Afrikaner Champions Breedplan Bulls Contacts: University of Namibia, Nuedam Campus: +264 81 201 2306 (Vevangaije Kandjii - manager) | Cobus van der Merwe: +264 81 272 3540 | Diethelm & Katja, Nicki and Nikki Metzger: +264 62 682 115 or +264 62 503 732 | Egbert Hoff: +264 81 128 5558 National Van Rooy Champions Veldmaster Champions Contacts: Alby Alberts: +264 81 128 3436 | Wallace Theron: +264 81 144 3355 | Piet Coetzee: +264 81 124 2242 MJ Garbers: +264 81 301 7327 | Xico Coetzee: +264 81 148 0480…

‘FARMERS WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY FEED WITH THE CONSISTENCY THAT LIVESTOCK REQUIRE’ Visitors to the recent International Exposition of Machinery for Agriculture (EIMA) in Bologna, Italy, were able to inspect New Holland’s new-generation narrow tractors, a new series of crawler tractors, and improved sensor technology for the FR Forage Cruiser. NARROW TRACTORS The new T4 NFV series of narrow tractors is powered by a 3,4-litre four-cylinder FPT engine delivering 56kW to 80kW with a maximum torque of 444Nm from the top-of-the-range T4.110. The Blue Cab 4 has a patented double-filtration system; the operator can operate on Level 2 protection and switch to Level 4 when needed, such as when spraying. This extends filter life and reduces maintenance costs. These tractors have a large rear-hitch lift capacity and are…

A TOP-RATE COMPETITION HORSE CAN COST BETWEEN R150 000 AND R500 000 Horses are agricultural commodities like any other, and their price is related to supply and demand. In the aftermath of South Africa’s severe drought, many horses are currently available at slaughter price (R3 000 or less). Some of these are well-trained riding horses and top stud animals that owners can no longer afford to keep. Those who know the market well are making a living by identifying such horses and selling them on. In doing so, they prevent many good-natured children’s ponies, talented endurance Arabians and well-schooled jumpers from becoming lion food. Horse breeders fall under the Animal Improvement Act and Stud Book, but have no obligations other than to register their horses correctly. Thoroughbred breeders regulate themselves…

Recently, I had the chance to learn more about a specific application of the so-called Internet of Things (everyday devices and objects connected wirelessly, abbreviated to IoT). It broadened my understanding of this exciting, if somewhat nebulous, concept. Founded by a team of computer scientists and agronomists, Israeli company Prospera uses IoT to optimise crop growth. Farmers today have access to weather reports and satellite images, but often more accurate local data is needed. Prospera seeks to provide this with inexpensive sensors that measure temperature and humidity, and cameras that measure light/radiation. These devices can communicate over WiFi or 3G mobile data technology and can often run on solar power. But Prospera does not view itself simply as a sensor company. Instead, in keeping with the IoT ethos, it helps…