Table of contents for 24-Jul 2015 in Farmer's Weekly

Last month, Germany closed down yet another nuclear power station. This was done without affecting the country’s energy-generating capacity as the plant had already been replaced by alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. In the meantime, South Africa is determined to choose the nuclear option. In September last year, news broke of the signing of an agreement between South Africa’s department of energy and Russia’s state-run nuclear energy company, Rosatom. A few days ago, the department announced that the procurement process would kick off this month. Germany is not the only country cutting down on its reliance on ‘traditional’ power sources. Denmark, one of the first countries to invest in wind power, is determined to be independent of fossil fuels by 2050. It’s already on its way to…

There is more funny business going on in the name of conservation than meets the eye of a disconnected public. For example, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has – again – expressed concern about the proliferation of captive facilities holding a range of carnivores for the sole purpose of tourism and financial gain. The EWT wants the public to look more objectively at the management of such animals, and has asked the tourism sector to recognise its role in unwittingly supporting facilities that cannot account for the conservation claims it makes. On the face of it, such dubious actions have little to do with farming. However, livestock farmers have for a long time complained about a trend in which rare status is bestowed upon species that are, in fact, not…

Eastern Cape emerging farmers could benefit from a possible deal between the provincial government and Boxer Superstores, part of the Pick n Pay Group. Mlibo Qoboshiyane, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, was set to attend a meeting with officials from the company in Durban to discuss the possibilities of the group sourcing its vegetables from smallholder farmers in the towns they operate in. This deal could see the provincial government and the company “develop farmers by giving them support to produce quality produce”. “The meeting will discuss ways of cooperation to ensure that farmers have the capacity to supply Boxer Superstores across the province by meeting its quality standards and quantity targets,” said Mvusi Sicwetsha, spokesperson for the MEC. “This has the potential to create jobs for the…

Vulnerable workers such as farm and domestic workers could now appeal to Virgil Seafield for better wages and working conditions. The Department of Labour (DoL) recently appointed him as deputy director-general for labour policy and industrial relations. Seafield replaced Les Kettledas, who retired last year. Seafield (53) would oversee the labour market policy, international relations and employment standards, among others, Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant’s spokesperson, Mokgadi Pela, told Farmer’s Weekly. The sectoral determination, which set the minimum wage for industries and stipulated conditions of employment, fell under employment standards. Seafield was previously the department’s chief director for statutory and advocacy services. He was also responsible for strategy formulation in the establishment of “plans of action on minimum wages and conditions of employment” for industries, and managing and implementing the child…

Two BSc (Agriculture) students are beneficiaries of the SA Subtropical Growers’ Association’s (Subtrop) Lindsey Milne bursary scheme. The bursary is awarded to students studying towards a BSc in agriculture, majoring in horticultural science or related fields, according to Subtrop. One beneficiary, Siseko Dunjwa, was studying towards a BSc majoring in crop and horticultural science at the University of Fort Hare. The other, Raesetse Baloyi, was majoring in agricultural economics (BSc) at the University of KZN. The bursary aimed to help students struggling financially to complete their studies and at ensuring the “sustainability of the industry by facilitating a continual flow of young agricultural graduates into the sector”, Subtrop said in a statement. “A number of previous recipients of the bursary have already been successfully employed in the subtropical fruit industry,”…

The European Union’s (EU) latest short-term market outlook report suggests that grain exports could reach the 60% threshold. According to the report, 329 million tons of grains – 14% above average – were exported last year. And this year’s grain harvest is forecast to be higher than average (+6%) for the third year in a row. Pork production was also expected to increase further this year, driven by low feed prices and a slightly larger breeding sows herd. Poultry production, meanwhile, continued its steady development, with beef production also likely to rise this year boosted by cow herd developments and export opportunities. The report also said that relatively good prices and favourable forage conditions supported growth in the sheep farming sector.…

The African Farmer’s Association (Afasa) has welcomed moves by an agricultural entity to invest R100 million in avocado production at two Eastern Cape tea estates. The deal was concluded during a recent meeting in East London and was attended by agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana, Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, and Mike Teke, owner of investment company, Masimong Agri. The company planned to invest R100 million in avocado production at the Magwa and Majola tea estates, beginning with the former. “Our plan is to plant 200ha of avocado, with an expected investment of R80 million to R100 million, which means an investment of about R400 000/ha to R500 000/ha, including infrastructure, equipment [and] orchard development through to bearing maturity stage,” said Teke, who also serves as…

The importance of food security in South Africa and the fundamental role fresh produce markets play in ensuring food security in urban areas in particular were highlighted at the recent launch of RSA Market Agents’ (RSA) expanded market floor space at the Cape Town Market. The revamp of RSA’s market space included increasing its floor space from 2 145m² to 16 621m² of space that could store more than 470 pallets in the cold rooms. The expansion, which followed RSA’s recent acquisition of three existing market agencies at the Cape Town Market, created jobs for 100 additional staff members. Jaco Oosthuizen, RSA Group managing director, said at the launch that the acquisitions and expansion was in line with RSA’s vision to retain its leadership position in the fresh produce sector.…

Two outbreaks of the fatal avian influenza virus have been reported in the Graaff-Reinet area and several ostriches have already died from the disease. According to Roaul Strydom, state veterinarian for the district, the outbreaks occurred in the Camdeboo and Ikwezi areas. “The outbreak in the Camdeboo initially involved clinical signs and a number of mortalities, but the farm has now been under quarantine for the past two weeks and everything is under control, with no further losses being experienced. “The farm in the Ikwezi district was only serologically positive [antibodies against avian influenza detected in the blood serum], with no clinical signs or mortalities being present,” said Strydom. He stressed that maintaining good movement control and biosecurity measures was important to prevent outbreaks. “Both of the farms in question…

If you want to crack the pecan industry, bear in mind that pecan trees start producing at between five years and seven years, and reach full production at 10 to 12 years, according to the South African Pecan Producers’ Association (Sappa). “Pecan trees can produce economically for more than 100 years,” said Heiko Meier, national chairperson of Sappa. “South Africa has one of the best pecan climates in the world. Pecan trees need a hot summer with a short, cold winter for maximum production. You also need deep, well-drained soil and sufficient high-quality irrigation water.” The official figure for last year’s yield stood at 9 800t, according to Meier. South Africa exported more than 80% of formal production, while between 2 000t and 2 500t were consumed locally, according to…

What are Indwe Trust NPC’s main objectives? Indwe Trust NPC [nonprofit company] aims to transform communities by converting available resources such as water, cattle, grasslands and labour into assets to improve their livelihoods. Could you elaborate on the trust’s ilima philosophy’? It means to farm or to plant in isiXhosa. We want everybody in a community to come together and work for the benefit of all. For example, people should share their seeds during the planting season, while others could bring their ploughs and oxen to plough the land, and the rest could contribute their labour. At harvest time, everybody who contributed can then share in the harvest. We’ll get further if we share what we have rather than continuing to compete with each other. What are the main constraints…

“If you can farm cattle and sheep, you can farm game,” says Riaan Crous, who, with two of his brothers, has transformed their cattle operation into a highly profitable game enterprise over a 13-year period. The brothers ventured into farming in 1995 when their father, Viljee Crous, retired and left the family farm near Kroonstad in the Free State to his four sons: Riaan, Kobus, David and Maans. At that time, the diversified enterprise consisted of a crop division producing maize, potatoes, grain sorghum and sunflower, and a commercial beef division. Maans already had his own land and elected to continue independently. The other three brothers opted to keep the business intact and operate in partnership with one another. Riaan, Kobus and David initially farmed Bonsmara cattle, running stud and…

FREE STATE HEREFORD CHAMPIONS FREE STATE PINZGAUER CHAMPIONS CONTACTS Gerhard and Verna Botha 045 931 2291 Dr Carl Scholtz 083 305 0668 Igmar Bester 082 839 5106 Bertie van Zyl (Pty) Ltd 015 395 8377…

Spraying machines need special attention because of the toxic agents used for spraying. By following a set pattern, you can ensure that you do not expose yourself unnecessarily to the poisons and your sprayer is kept in the best working order. Important steps to take before switching on the machine: • Ensure that the driving shaft is connected correctly and the pipes do not lie on the shaft where they could become chafed. • A safety screen around the driving shaft is essential. It should be fastened down and must not turn with the driving shaft. • The tank, filling sieve and suction filter must be clean. • Make sure the spraying machine is level before filling it. • Fill half of the tank through the filling sieve with water.…

In the 6 June issue of FreshPlaza.com, I came across an article entitled ‘The rise of Africa’s super vegetables’. “Indigenous vegetables are in vogue,” it said. “As people throughout East Africa have recognised the vegetables’ benefits, demand for the crops has boomed.” Between 2011 and 2013, for example, farmers in Kenya increased the area planted to such greens by 25%. It seems ‘indigenous’ vegetables such as amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta), morogo or mfino (Amaranthus cruentus) and yam (Dioscorea spp) are full of goodness, making them potent weapons against dietary deficiencies. They also have built-in qualities such as drought and pest tolerance. STUDIES With malnutrition rampant in many parts of Africa, I cannot help but wonder why these veggies have not been used by those in need before now. Or is the…

Versatile, a division of Buhler Industries and now part of the Russian combine harvester manufacturing company Rostselmash, is the only Canadian tractor manufacturer. Its Winnipeg factory covers almost 6,5ha with complete manufacturing and assembly capabilities and full R&D facilities. Versatile also has a rural 17ha test site with a paved 400m circuit and bump-track. Versatile tractors are distributed in South Africa by Pacific Storm, which will be bringing in the Delta Track model as well. The 570 (above) is powered by a Cummins QSX15 engine rated at 427kW. Versatile has been using Cummins engines for more than 40 years. The engine and CAT gearbox of the 570 feature the latest technological innovations but the rest of the tractor is possibly not as sophisticated as some of its competitors, which makes…

Young racing pigeons have already been received for placement in the 20th South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race (SAMDPR), due to be held at Linbro Park, Sandton, in February 2014. The quarantine station was opened on 25 May 2015 and closed on 30 June. Quarantine was due to be lifted 30 days after the last shipment was received. Pigeons not requiring quarantine will be accepted until 31 August. Since its inception in 1996, the SAMDPR has shone the spotlight on South Africa every year by presenting a big money pigeon race that attracts participants from around the world. The entry fee is US$1100 (about R13 700) per entered pigeon. Should the pigeon intended for the race be lost during loft orientation and training, one of the two reserve pigeons will…

To make this winter soup for six shivering diners, you will need: • 1,5l water• 1l freshly madechicken stock• 50g freshly groundParmesan cheese For chicken stock: • 4 chicken backs• 1 onion• 1 carrot• 1 celery stick• 1 bay leaf• 200g butternut• 200g cabbage• 2 leeks• 2 carrots• 3 sticks celery• 1 onion• 5 cloves garlic• 50g macaroni• Sprigs of thyme and parsley tiedin a bunch with cotton thread• 1 can white beans Begin with the chicken stock. Feel free to substitute with the industrial stock cube or stock powder of your choice. Alternatively prepare the fresh stock in 1,25l of water. Coarsely chop the backs (releases marrow into the mix), the onion, the carrot and the celery stick. Bay leaves are traditional seasoning that add the taste of dust or sand, depending on the quality of the bay leaf. See the bay leaf as optional. Bring this…

We all need a well-functioning immune system to fight off diseases. For that reason, we take immune-boosting antioxidants such as the vitamins A and C to keep the white blood cells that deal with invading germs in good shape. But our system may still be out of balance. This could result in auto-immune diseases, which are generally treated with strong drugs such as cortisone. There is another, safer approach, however – immuno-modulation. Here, the activity of certain cells in the immune system is enhanced and the activity of other cells inhibited. It has been years since researchers began to understand that the antioxidant nutrients in a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are crucial for better immunity. But it is only more recently that they discovered that certain fats found…

In an era when batsmen were judged by their elegance and footwork at the crease, Alan Melville was amongst the best. A gentleman to his fingertips, he was deeply admired by young cricketers who strove to emulate his relaxed, upright stance and perfect balance. To his schoolmates at Michaelhouse in the Natal Midlands and fellow students at Oxford in England, he was the personification of grace and charm. It was no different on the pitch. Melville was always immaculately turned out, with his long sleeves buttoned at the wrists. His captaincy of South Africa’s cricket squad after the war was one of caution rather than rash risks. It mirrored the strategy of the other two great cricketing nations of the time, Australia and England: take a win where you can,…

A proposal to explore for methane gas in KwaZulu-Natal’s Dannhauser area, by means of fracking, has caused alarm in the local farming and conservation communities. There were fears that the granting of exploration rights in the Dannhauser area to the Gauteng-based Sungu Sungu Group, an upstream oil and gas company, could see scarce freshwater resources in the Thukela River catchment become polluted. KZN’s Midlands Conservancies Forum (MCF) said that Sungu Sungu had already initiated its environmental impact assessment process with basic scoping to determine the feasibility of exploiting the Dannhauser area’s methane reserves. “The area [consists of] over 7 700ha in the Thukela catchment. If Sungu Sungu does the invasive work, then the work will focus on two of the farms, Ruston and Sewango, and this is where the drilling…

Agribusiness OVK has announced a net profit before tax of R168,3 million. This is an increase of 17,6% over the figure for 2014, according to an OVK statement. Manie Botha, OVK board chairperson, ascribed the profit increase in his 2015 chairperson’s report to an extended geographic footprint as well as a variety of business units that provided stability for the business as a whole. “Despite the Free State section of the business having experienced one of the worst droughts in 20 years, we remain confident that the 2015/2016 financial year will be an even better one for OVK, due to the geographic distribution of the business,” Botha said. OVK rewarded its clients with R16,4 million through its loyalty scheme this year. The turnover showed a 17,4% increase, from R2,84 billion…

South Africa’s potato producers are on their way to producing the country’s largest-ever crop, estimated at about 2,35 million tons. This compares with 2,24 million tons last year. Pieter van Zyl, manager of statistical information at Potatoes South Africa (PSA), said producers had so far planted 54 000ha, which was 3 000ha more than last year and equivalent to what the industry had planted 15 to 20 years ago. Due to improved cultivars, however, the industry was producing 500 000t more potatoes on the same area than in those years. Total hectares planted for the year were expected to be about 57 000ha. Favourable climatic conditions were also boosting production, with producers from almost all regions achieving high yields. The drought had caused damage to between 3 000ha and 4…

Spending as little as 0,3% of the world’s global domestic product a year, over the next 15 years, could result in a total eradication of undernourishment by 2030, according to a recent UN report. This 0,3% equates to US$267 billion, which would mean that each person living in extreme poverty would be ‘allocated’ about US$160/year (about R2 000). By contrast, ‘business as usual’ would result in the number of people suffering from hunger merely declining from 800 million to 650 million people by 2030, said José Graziano da Silva, director-general of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation. The report proposes that some of the money be spent on social protection to ensure that people reach a U$1,25/day (R15) income, while the rest be spent on rural and agricultural development.…

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has approved millions of rands of funding for land acquisition as well as social and agricultural infrastructure upgrades, according to a recent statement. A total of 31 projects to the value of R146 million were approved for farm recapitalisation and 7 800ha acquired across all provinces under the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS). This development was expected to benefit 5 108 applicants. A further R58 million was spent on 13 land acquisitions. It was estimated that 2 193 permanent jobs would be created out of the farm recapitalisation funding with a further 639 temporary jobs expected. “Recapitalisation is in essence the recapitalisation of a farming operation that failed, and one has to ask why it failed before recapitalising,” said Johannes Möller,…

This year, the area planted to canola is expected to decline by almost 20% from that of 2014. The total area planted was estimated at 77 000ha, which is 17 000ha less than last year. Martin Heydron, a farmer from Bredasdorp and chairperson of the Canola Specialist Work Group, ascribed this to difficult planting conditions at the start of the season. “A lot of seed ordered for planting was not planted because of the late rains in the Swartland and Southern Cape,” he said. Farmers, however, indicated in April that they would plant only 88 000ha, which was already 10% lower than the previous year. Franco le Roux, agriculturist for the canola processing company SOILL, saw this as the market correcting itself. “The industry produced a lot of canola in…

Deductions made from workers’ salaries were found to be “unlawful and invalid”, in a recent breakthrough decision by Western Cape High Court Judge, Siraj Desai. Atwell Nazo, president of the Food and Allied Workers’ Union, said that many farm workers were ashamed when they fell into the debt trap. This judgement had, however, proved the unfairness of some of the salary deductions and would most probably result in more people seeking help to overcome this problem, according to him. The court case constituted a class action led by the Legal Aid Clinic at Stellenbosch University against a group of credit providers and Flemix & Associates, the law firm that facilitated salary deductions for these clients. The Legal Aid Clinic represented 15 workers, most of whom were employed as farm workers,…

Soya beans are being planted in a variety of environments. Discovery of the gene that determines seed coat hardness opens the way for use in harsh climates. It also determines the gene’s association with increased calcium content. Cultivated soya beans generally have softer, permeable seed coats that enable rapid moisture absorption 15 minutes after planting, resulting in enhanced germination and emergence. By contrast, wild soya bean species have extremely hard seed coats, and the seed may take weeks or even months to germinate. This makes commercial use unattractive and complicates cross-breeding wild soya with cultivated varieties in domesticating wild species. But such hard seeds can remain viable for many years in storage, which may be useful in severe climates. The softer seed coat is postulated to have arisen from ancient…

The images of unrelenting poverty that flicker across our TV screens are set to get worse as robots and other technology spur mass global unemployment, Johann Rupert told the ‘Business of Luxury’ summit in Monaco recently. How is society going to cope with such endemic unemployment “which drives envy and hatred?” he asked the audience, comprised of those who sit at the very tip of the world’s wealth pyramid. He added that it was a question that kept him awake at night. I wonder what the wealthiest of the wealthy thought about Rupert’s speech. Did he touch a nerve and set them seeking solutions? Or did they simply amble away towards their private jets and yachts, without giving his ominous words another thought? BACK HOME For most of us back…

• If spray accidentally touches your skin, immediately wash the area with soap and water. • Never eat or drink while working with sprays. • Never take off your overalls while you are spraying. Put them on before you mix the spraying agents, and keep them on until you have cleaned and put away the spraying machine. • Wash your overalls after you have finished spraying. Do not take them home. • Never put or store any toxic agent in a soft drink bottle. This could proof fatal. • Never eat fruit that has been sprayed. It can make you very ill or even lead to death. If you have been ‘poisoned’, the first signs will be a headache, tiredness and nausea. You will perspire heavily, have diarrhoea and your eyes will water. If you cannot…

In winter, grazing on the Highveld is unpalatable and low in digestible nutrients. The hind gut of horses, donkeys and zebra can digest this poor quality roughage better than ruminants such as cows and sheep can, but a point is eventually reached when supplementation with hay is essential, especially in drought years. This point is usually reached in July, August and early September, when hay made from Eragrostis tef or lucerne is in short supply and very expensive. In cooler regions, oats can be planted in May and harvested in spring, so it becomes a possible substitute for these more popular types of hay. Horses love the taste of oat hay, but is it safe for them? GOOD QUALITY FEED, BUT MORE NEEDED The first and second cutting of oat…

Dear Jonno We are currently planning our farming ventures in the Karoo. To secure income for the capitalisation of these activities, we entered into an agreement with a foreign investor/developer for a wind-farm facility. For the next six to eight years, accommodation will be required for about 30 engineers. We therefore want to set up a guesthouse facility. The facility, to be built on a fairly flat area close to the farm dam, must have 14 en suite bedrooms. There should be an open-plan area for communal dining, a lounge with its own guest toilet and bathroom, and a separate kitchen with pantry. Each bedroom must include: • A separate bedroom; • A bathroom with bath, shower and basin; • Open-plan area for a kitchenette, table area for private dining/work…

The practice of using nose prints to identify livestock has been around for years. In 1922, Dr W Petersen, a dairy expert at the University of Minnesota, researched the subject and noted the following: • The ‘design’ on the nose (that is, the area from the upper lip to the top of the nostril) is a result of subcutaneous glands which cause distinct elevations or ridges. • Each pattern of ridges and grooves is unique to that individual animal. • As the animal gets older, the nose becomes larger – but the pattern of ridges and grooves remains the same. Peterson also confirmed that ‘legible’ nose prints can be used as a means of positive identification. Creating an ink nose print was simple enough to be used on a large…

12 AUGUST 1958 A salute to five great men 57 YEARS AGO In 1958, South African agriculture lost five outstanding men who had played a significant role in the progress of the industry. They were Manie Wium who retired from the board of the Land Bank, Jimmy Adams of the Tobacco Control Board, Hennie Theron of KWV, and Dr Bernard Smit, a prominent entomologist. CJJ van Rensburg, whose passion was soil conservation, also passed away. Here are excerpts from an article that appeared in our issue of the above date. “The loss of these men from fields in which they have been familiar figures for years and where they have reaped rich harvests for the benefit of their fellowmen cannot but create a feeling of sadness at their going, coupled…

If it continues, the current slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, China, could put pressure on South African grain prices in the longterm, and lead to a significantly decreased world demand for grain imports. Despite China’s GDP expanding only 1,7% in the second quarter of 2015, it is expected that the total economic growth for the year will be 7%, the lowest in 25 years. “It is key to highlight that China is the leading importer of soya beans in the global market, with average [annual] imports of about 60 million tons,” said Wandile Sihlobo, Grain SA economist. “China is equally important to South Africa in terms of maize following the trade agreement signed last year. Anything that might negatively affect China’s maize demand and consumption surely is a negative…

Prominent milk producers expressed concern following the latest fluctuation in producer prices. Clover, for example, announced a drop of 60c/l in the price it paid its producers. Several other milk processors also announced a price decrease from 1 July, while some warned that the prices they paid might drop. The latest fluctuation was ascribed to dairy imports that had increased substantially following a period at the beginning of the year when the rand was relatively strong against the euro. For milk producers, however, this reason was unconvincing. Demand for dairy products remained strong despite a preliminary industry figure indicating that milk production was 10% higher than a year ago, according to Nelius van Greunen, a producer from George. Dairy farmer, De Kock Cloete, from Riviersonderend said indications were that South…

Cotton yield for both dryland and irrigated crops has reached a 10-year high, according to Percy Macaskill, Cotton SA mentorship manager. The use of GMO seeds such as Bollgard, which protects against bollworms, had increased yield by 21%, Macaskill said. In addition, emerging farmers were using fertilisers more effectively. “Prices have also firmed because China is not producing as much as usual,” he said. Spray and ploughing costs on dry and irrigated land were the same as for cotton. “Total input costs are about R4 400/ha on dryland, yielding an average 800kg/ha, with about R4 000/ha gross profit,” he said. Input costs on irrigated land were about R15 000/ha, with a yield of 5t/ha seeded cotton resulting in R15 000/ha gross profit, according to him. Macaskill said the growing interest…

A Limpopo farmer who for years had been at loggerheads with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) is feeling decidedly optimistic about his future. This follows a recent one-on-one meeting with the department’s deputy minister, Mcebisi Skwatsha. Whiskey Kgabo said that he had confidence in Skwatsha and his promises to address the farmer’s plight. One of Kgabo’s primary concerns had been to receive fair payment from the DRDLR for the last of three farms that he had bought with a Land Bank loan in the 1990s. The farm was recently transferred in a successful land claim. Kgabo previously told Farmer’s Weekly that he and the department had long been at odds over the true value of the farm, situated in the Trichardtsdal area of Limpopo. “During our…

Brucellosis has been identified on the farm Boeteka, near Beaufort West, and government and farmers are still waiting to see whether it is the dreaded Brucellosis melitensis strain or not. Appie Viviers notified the state vet in February that he suspected there was something wrong with his herd after one of his workers fell ill with brucellosis. At the time of writing, blood tests had confirmed that 800 of his goats and three of his 400 cattle contained antibodies to brucellosis, according to an Agri Wes-Cape press release. Further tests are required to see if the animals are suffering from Brucellosis melitensis, a highly invasive and virulent strain of the disease. “We’ve culled 125 goats that contained antibodies so far, but are unwilling to cull any more animals if Brucellosis…

The SAPS told Farmer’s Weekly recently that stock theft was on the decline in East Griqualand in the Eastern Cape. This was despite a group of East Griqualand farmers alleging that four farmers in the Kokstad, Cedarville and Swartberg areas had collectively lost in excess of R500 000 worth of livestock, mostly sheep, to stock thieves since the beginning of 2015. “All the farmers in the entire area are affected by stock theft,” said a statement sent to Farmer’s Weekly by the East Griqualand livestock farmers, who asked that their names be withheld “to avoid conflict” with the police and stock thieves. The farmers said that, as a result of stock theft, in the past 12 months the area had lost two major, long-standing sheep producers with flocks that had…

The real impact of El Niño in the coming summer rainfall season would become evident only in August and September, according to SA Weather Service scientist Cobus Olivier. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was currently at a moderate El Niño condition, according to the seasonal climate watch report for July to November. The impact of ENSO on the sub-continent's climate was more noticeable during the austral summer season, according to the report. In a recent interview with Farmer’s Weekly, Olivier said ENSO referred to the variations in climatic conditions such as sea surface temperatures and surface air pressure across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The Indian Ocean Dipole, which influenced rainfall activity in the region, particularly during spring, “remains in a neutral phase towards the spring season”, the report said.…

SA macadamia producers had to increase their efforts to adhere to quality standards. Alan Sutton, chairperson of the Valley Macadamias Group, warned that farmers who failed to adhere to stringent quality-control checks risked losing market share, as the industry would no longer accept poor quality nuts. “The market is demanding higher quality. Product-satisfaction guarantees offered to Chinese consumers by retailers leave very little margin for error, so processors are being more stringently policed,” Sutton said in a statement. “Farmers will have to get a handle on the high unsound kernel level, because if the crop does not meet the quality requirement, it just won’t be taken in.” The acceptable standard for macadamia nuts in unsound kernel recovery was below 3%, but the past season saw this figure increase to more…

The department of agriculture recently released its Grazing and Burning Guidelines for Managing Grasslands for Biosecurity and Livestock Production. The document, which draws on the knowledge and expertise of grassland ecologists, farmers, academics and biodiversity and grazing specialists, represents current best understanding of how to achieve the mutually-beneficial management objectives of: • Economically viable and sustainable livestock production based on improved or at least stable veld and soil conditions; • Conservation of grassland biodiversity and ecosystems, including their component plant and animal species. South Africa’s grasslands stretch from the eastern seaboard into a very large part of the interior, and contain many areas considered as high priorities for biodiversity at an international, national and regional scale. Grasslands also provide crucial ecological infrastructure and significant economic benefits to a range of…

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep and goats) as well as some wild game species (impala, giraffe and buffalo). It is characterised by many animals becoming infected, and in a susceptible population, the morbidity rate (ratio of sick to healthy animals) can be 100%. The mortality rate is normally low, but at times young animals can die. In Southern Africa, the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is the reservoir of FMD and serves as a source of infection. Domesticated pigs are the main hosts and the most effective distributors of the virus. Cattle are most susceptible to FMD. The clinical symptoms in sheep and goats are usually not as severe as those in cattle. In highly productive food mammals (pigs, for example)…

Is there a market for tilapia in South Africa? Yes, there assuredly is. Tilapia is an internationally traded, high-quality commodity. It is by no means a ‘trash fish’, as is maasbanker, for example. Tilapia compares favourably with hake in the quality of its flesh and lends itself to preparation in many ways. The traditional rural market is for small, whole, wild-coloured fish of 100g to 300g. The urban end of the market is for red tilapia of 450g to 600g. The smaller fish are usually sold whole, but larger red fish are gutted, gilled and sometimes scaled. Prices paid to the farmer range from R22/kg to R55/kg. Markets range from fish wholesalers and traders to butcheries and delicatessens. I usually recommend that small-scale producers steer away from supermarkets as they…

The Minsk Tractor Works, founded in 1946, today employs more than 22 000 people building Belarus tractors, making it one of the world’s largest tractor manufacturers. Belarus tractors are imported to South Africa by Variquip. On show at Nampo was the latest model, the 1822.3 with a new six-cylinder 7,12-litre turbocharged and intercooled engine rated at 132kW (below). The synchro gearbox provides 24 forward and 12 reverse ratios and has an independent two-speed PTO. Rear lift capacity is 6 500kg at the lift point.…

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word jealousy as “envy of someone else’s possessions, achievements, or advantages.” Jealousy makes us suspicious or resentful. It also makes us fiercely protective over our rights and possessions. If we read the Biblical story of King Saul and the young boy David, we see very clearly how jealousy can poison a person’s life. We are told that Saul was a handsome man, standing head and shoulders above any other man in Israel. Through the prophet Samuel, God appointed him to be the first king of Israel. King Saul seemed blessed indeed. Then a young shepherd by the name of David came along and upset everything. It all started off well, but David grew to become more popular than Saul and Saul grew jealous of him.…

THE FIRST 30 DAYS  by Ariane de Bonvoisin (Jonathan Ball, R200) Promising to make “any change easier”, De Bonvoisin offers ‘change guarantees’, ‘exercises for your change muscle’ and identifies your ‘change demons’. Questionnaires prompt you to feed the personal issues you need to work through into De Bonvoisin’s template. COOKING WITH GAS  by Jean Nel (RWF, R175) Plenty of South Africans are thankful to have a gas stove in these days of electricity outages, but the transformation, Nel urges, goes way beyond cooking your veggies on a burner. Here he preaches the gospel of gas for your braai, admitting that dyed-in-the-wood braai folk will have to get their heads round this. He also discusses just how gas can be used for everything from smoking salmon to kudu with chocolate-chilli sauce…