Table of contents for 30-Oct 2015 in Farmer's Weekly

There was a palpable buzz during the course of last year’s Agri SA congress, something that I felt was missing at this year’s event. This was strange because I felt that Johannes Möller and his team put some very good plans on the table, with their socioeconomic action plan and land redistribution financing model. As usual, agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana gave a positive speech about cooperation and open doors, and even the chief land claims commissioner’s ‘discussion’ wasn’t too demoralising, once we were able to process her comparison of apartheid to Auschwitz. The department of land reform’s item had the potential to be the congress’s proverbial wet blanket, but it wasn’t too discouraging. Yes, deputy minister Mcebisi Skwatsha did make it sound as if the 50:50 proposal was going to…

In Farmer’s Weekly of 23 October in ‘Weekly Quotes’ on page 12 , the quote, “There have been no reports of poached rhino in the western shores since we dehorned these rhino” was attributed to Dr Jo Shaw but should have been attributed to iSimangaliso CEO, Andrew Zaloumis. In the article “Dehorning iSimangaliso’s rhinos is deterring poachers” on page 20 , Dr Jo Shaw was referred to as “he” instead of “she”. • Farmer’s Weekly has a high regard for factual accuracy and welcomes reader input.…

In a country where the roads are disintegrating, conducting research into roadkill may seem like a waste of time. However, when one discovers that the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Wildlife and Roads Project recorded 1 121 animal deaths along a 10km stretch of road in a Limpopo conservation area in just 120 days, such research makes sense. According to the EWT, about R82,5 million insurance claims are paid each year for collisions with wildlife. Yes, sometimes people are killed, but little is known of the cost to biodiversity. Roads cut wildlife habitats into smaller chunks. For some wildlife, roads act as a barrier to movement and may cause animal populations to fragment into smaller, less functional groups. This can have a negative impact on the health and viability of the…

It is devastatingly dry in the summer rainfall region of South Africa and rain is urgently needed, particularly in eastern grain production areas such as Mpumalanga, according to Santam Agriculture’s weather expert Johan van den Berg. He said that isolated showers had been reported but these were not enough for planting to commence. The optimum planting period expires in mid-November. “Most farmers in the region have completed the preparations for planting and need in excess of 20mm to 30mm to commence with planting and for the soil moisture levels to increase sufficiently,” he said. It was also dry in the western production region of the Free State and North West, with the exception of a few isolated spots in Lichtenburg and adjacent areas. Soil moisture levels were virtually depleted, according…

The Republic of Seychelles, a collection of islands off the east coast of Africa, has 30km2 of agricultural land. This makes up 6,5% of the total land area, of which 2,2% is arable. The country imports about 90% of its food as well as many other basic commodities. Freight and insurance costs are high because of the risk of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Piracy has also affected the country’s successful fishing sector. The agricultural sector employs 8% of the labour force, accounts for 0,9% of total exports and contributes 5% to the country’s GDP. Commercial farming and household gardens are the main farming systems. Coconuts, vegetables and bananas are the main crops in terms of volume. Nuts and prepared fruit are the main export crops based on value. The…

South Africa is in a crisis and the damaging drought has had a big impact on the agricultural sector. This was according to Omri van Zyl, CEO of Agri SA, during his address at the Agri SA congress in Pretoria recently. He said there were serious challenges in the country, where the inflation rate was at 6% and the economy grew by 1, 4% last year. “We actually have a crisis in this country. We’ve got to put our differences aside, unify and make this work. The future needs us,” Van Zyl said. “We need new approaches and clarity on communication with the government and the world. We need intelligence so that farmers are informed and [are able to] make smart decisions,” he added. Agri SA said that growth in…

While Africa represents good opportunities for growth and risk diversification, producers have to ensure that they employ sound and ethical business principles. This was the main message at the FarmBiz Power debate on ‘Agribusiness in Africa’ recently held at the Agri-Expo Livestock show at Sandringham, Stellenbosch. Dirk Hanekom, CEO of Agri All Africa, said that there were great opportunties for farmers in Africa, as about half the countries on the continent had only 50 or fewer commercial farmers, while his company had about 3 500 farmers on its database who wanted to farm in Africa. “Agri All Africa, however, won’t relocate these farmers if they don’t have the right motive or a sound business strategy,” said Hanekom. “Farming in [the rest of] Africa isn’t easy. In our experience only one…

Cases of animal abuse and neglect on government-funded farms were isolated incidents and not the norm, according to livestock farming industry organisations. This follows recent news reports that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) had to intervene on a government-funded KwaZulu-Natal pig farm where animals were allegedly being neglected. According to reports, NSPCA representatives had repeatedly found that pigs at Vuleso Piggeries had insufficient food and water, had been crammed into pens, and that dead piglets had not been disposed of. The piggery claimed it did not have sufficient funds to maintain the operation to humane standards, according to reports. The case was one of a number of similar cases where livestock on government-funded development farms had been treated inhumanely, the NSPCA said. It said…

Commercial and smallholder poultry enterprises are growing, increasing the demand for poultry feed. Soya bean and fishmeal have traditionally been the main protein sources in poultry feed, but are failing to meet increasing demand due to both sector and population growth. Rising prices suggest that these protein sources will become less accessible, making the use of alternative protein sources feasible where they are locally and easily available most of the year, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation. In addition, considering the ban of meatmeal and bonemeal in poultry feeds, a bigger market for alternative protein feed sources could open up. “Research shows that there are many plant resources that can partially replace soya beans in poultry diets. There is also a vast base of alternative animal protein sources that…

Working under a bad boss can be a trying experience. But if it happens to you, don’t despair. It can teach you how not to do things one day when you’re a manager. Here are my top 10 examples of the worst ‘bad boss’ behaviour: • The hustler Bends with the wind, sees everything from his or her own selfish point of view and has no sense of when a conflict of interest exists. No amount of charm or business skill will compensate for this person’s lack of integrity. • The talker-not-walker Preaches good habits but follows none of them. Insists on staff getting to work on time, for example, but is always late. No one takes such a person seriously. • The credit thief Claims all the credit for success, never acknowledging…

How will technology help to increase a farmer’s margins? What’s different today? Smart application of new technologies can help farmers increase margins in several ways. Technology has always been a part of agriculture and used widely to reduce costs. Electronic control of machine systems allows for larger machines that cover more ground in a day, saving fuel and time and improving the return on the farmer’s capital investment. What’s different today is the growing trend of technology that helps improve revenue at the same time. For example, the information technology available in our products today allows farmers to predict the impact of various fertiliser and chemical treatments more precisely, which can save on inputs and improve yield across the land. Why is this important? Farmers, like other business owners, have…

BREEDPLAN BULL CHAMPIONS DEXTER CHAMPIONS GAUTENG GREY BRAHMAN CHAMPIONS GAUTENG RED BRAHMAN CHAMPIONS CONTACTS Andries Marx and Fanie van der Merwe 082 859 5896 Gert Nienaber 082 808 6390 John and Tracey Devonport 083 454 3095 Poerie van Rooyen 082 448 7969 Hendrick Strydom 073 289 5111 Johan Daffue 082 338 5319 Llewellyn and Corrie Labuschagne 082 579 5479 Anton Loggenberg 082 824 3517 Gawie Coetzee 072 262 7036 Frans de Bruyn 084 097 3038 Ida Lesch 082 652 4413 Andries Marx and Fanie van der Merwe 082 859 5896…

These are grouped according to the following eco-types: • Nguni type (Mbuzi) A small-framed goat with pointed ears. Both bucks and does have horns. Various colour varieties occur. • Northern Cape speckled goat A large-framed goat, well-muscled with a speckled coat and ears that hang. Both rams and ewes have horns. • Eastern Cape lob-ear goat A large-framed, well-muscled goat with lob ears. Both rams and ewes have horns. All three eco-types enjoy commercial status among commercial and pastoral breeders. They have the ability to live on almost every type of plant material and survive under extremely unfavorable conditions.…

Last week, I wrote about the 70th birthday celebrations of the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (Imasa) and predicted that it would be ‘an affair to remember’. This it was; attendance records for the AGM and industry sessions were broken, while the gala dinner was spectacular. At its AGM, Imasa traditionally makes use of the opportunity to recognise an industry role player for the work it has done to improve the industry. This year’s winner of the Shiny Red Apple Award went to the marketing division of the department of agriculture for the tireless work it has put into Project Rebirth for the upliftment of markets. Through an industry-representative national steering committee headed by Mogala Mamabolo, the marketing division has been driving the project for the past two…

Clicker training is an animal training method that combines the sharp click of a small mechanical noisemaker – a clicker – with the positive reinforcement of a tasty food treat. The click identifies the desirable behaviour or act being reinforced and the animal soon learns the association. When training new behaviour, the clicker enables the animal to quickly and precisely identify the behaviour that yields the treat. Although it is popular with dog and cat trainers, it can be used with other domestic or even wild animals. The basic principle is to be consistent and accurate in timing the click and subsequent reward that will follow. The name ‘clicker training’ is used because the primary tool was at one stage a small mechanical noisemaker called a clicker. As is the…

Improved diagnostic capability has shown that equine herpes is a more important cause of abortion in small studs than previously thought. There are five strains of the disease; the most important are 1 and 4. Both can cause abortions, although Strain 1 is the main culprit. The disease is transmitted by the slimy nasal mucus of infected horses or the birth fluids after abortion. It can also be carried by infected tack or feeding buckets, or by people working with an infected horse. An outbreak usually starts after the introduction of a carrier mare to a stud. If a mare aborts, you should presume the cause is equine herpes. The virus has become fairly widespread, as many small breeders now take their horses to shows, where they come into contact…

Good day Jonno We are planning to build a family home in Mazabuka in Zambia. The area is flat and temperatures soar. The site is therefore positioned between two hills that provide early morning and late afternoon shade. Although it is rocky on the proposed building site, the property slopes down to a level garden area. I feel the suggested dimensions are too generous and space is wasted. We want to isolate the living and sleeping areas, with three or four bedrooms in an isolated wing, or alternatively upstairs. A double-storey house would enhance the view over the farmlands. A closed patio off the front of the house will be utilised for outdoor living and entertainment. The proposed deck and pool area should include a fire pit and an outdoor…

The Dewalt range from Stanley Black & Decker features the first ‘connected’ battery system for cordless power tools. The XR Tool Connect app uses Bluetooth technology to connect the XR battery system to any smartphone or tablet. “The XR Tool Connect system allows construction professionals to quickly check if they have all their tools accounted for, and also verify which, if any, of their batteries need to be charged overnight. “It also allows you to shut tools down if they leave the designated work area,” explains Mayan Desai of Stanley Black & Decker. The app can be downloaded from the Android and Itunes stores. DIAGNOSING A BATTERY’S CONDITION Customised alerts can be created to monitor battery performance and health. Forgotten or misplaced items can also be quickly identified without time-consuming…

“Africa’s economy is growing at an unprecedented speed. One of the core challenges as African countries continue to grow and develop is energy – and in particular, meeting rising demand for power in an economically sustainable way. To meet expected economic growth, changing lifestyles and the demand for reliable energy access, Africa’s overall energy output will have to double by 2030. Electricity generation alone may have to triple. Africa is richly endowed with renewable energy sources, and the time is right for sound planning to ensure the right energy mix. Decisions made today will shape the continent’s energy use for decades to come. RENEWABLE ENERGY USE GROWS The world is increasingly embracing modern renewable energy technologies. For many years, these have been supported because of environmental and energy security concerns…

The article “Young farmer taps into niche rabbit farming market” in the 9 October edition of Farmer’s Weekly refers. I think that Dimakatso Sekhoto of Growth Shoot is a bit optimistic about the viability of rabbit farming in South Africa. The number of kits a doe is likely to rear on average is exaggerated. I have bred New Zealand (white, red and black) rabbits for meat on a small-scale. The reality, in my opinion, is the following: • A doe matures for breeding at about five to six months and raises four kits per mating on average. • If you mate the doe every five weeks, she will continue to produce at the average production rate for no more than two to three years – if you are lucky. Maturing…

The world entered a new era in trade with the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact some weeks ago. The pact, between Canada, the US, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, is expected to set new standards for world trade that would affect about 40% of world economic activity. However, the impact of the trade agreement on South Africa is still unknown. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said the agreement still had to be ratified by each country’s congress of parliament, which was likely to happen early next year. “Once ratified, the agreement will serve as a big economic injection to these economies by totally or partially removing trade barriers. [This] will result in a freer flow of goods and services between the…

The drought in Namibia has resulted in a marked decrease in the number of livestock brought to auction as well as the deteriorating condition of the animals that made it there. This was according to Piet Coetzee, Namibian auctioneer and smallstock stud breeder. Coetzee said that the number and condition of beef cattle weaners on auction had declined sharply. “The average weaner weight went down from 260kg to an average weight of between 170kg and 220kg in the past few weeks. This shows the effect of the lack of grazing on livestock,” he said. Coetzee, who farmed in the Rehoboth and Hochfeld areas, sold all his cattle to mitigate the consequences of drought. He also cut his sheep and goat flocks by about 40%. Keeping the animals alive through feeding…

The number of people in need of food aid in Ethiopia has nearly doubled to 7,5 million since August, due to the devastating impact of El Niño weather on crop production. Rainfall in the northern pastoral areas of the country was 50% to 80% lower than the long-term average between March to May. Rainfall started late and was interrupted by long dry spells between July and September. In some lowland areas, no rain occurred until late August, according to a report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network. Satellite-derived imaging found vegetation health to be similar to 2009 and 2011, when severe drought saw households moving their livestock over vast areas in search of forage and water. The condition of livestock had deteriorated, resulting in low prices.…

High levels of crime, corruption and maladministration painted South Africa in a bad light for prospective international investors, according to Johannes Möller, Agri SA president. He was delivering his president’s report at the organisation’s recent congress, held at the St George’s Hotel in Pretoria. According to the latest crime statistics released recently by suspended national police commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, murder was up by 4,6%, attempted murder up by 3,2% and aggravated robbery up by 8,5%. Total sexual offences had decreased by 5,4%, and common assault decreased by 2,8%. Such socials ills “do not count in [our] favour when overseas investors look at South Africa”, Möller said. He cited the country’s poor economic growth, which saw GDP grow by a paltry 1,4% last year. This meant that eight million South…

Agri SA believes that it has a funding mechanism which would fast-track government’s slow land redistribution efforts. According to Agri SA president Johannes Möller, joint ventures had proved to be successful in not only accelerating the redistribution of land but transferring skills. These ventures were, however, largely funded through private capital, something not all farmers could afford. The high cost of financing for commercial farmers and beneficiaries plus financial institutions’ aversion to the high risk associated with land reform projects were preventing this form of land redistribution from becoming more widely adopted. Agri SA proposed that the state deploy credit enhancement techniques to alleviate this. State guarantees for loans would allow for lower interest rates and entice commercial banks to relax traditional underwriting criteria, allowing for more empowerment partners to…

The agricultural industry should ready itself for more strikes as the gap between rich and poor became bigger. Unions and political parties, such as the Economic Freedom Fighters, were becoming increasingly aggressive about the huge divide between the rich and the poor, Kobus Pienaar, technical manager of Woolworths’ Farming for the Future Division, told delegates at the Vegetables Under Protection Conference held near Simondium in the Western Cape. In the past, much attention had been focused on the mines, but now such organisations were focused on farm workers. “Farmers might have to ready themselves for wage hikes of up to 50%, as these groups are not looking for a minimum, but a living wage,” Pienaar said. He referred to the affordability of food, stating that 50 years ago food had…

A year after Parliament passed legislation providing for it, the battle over removing zero-rating for certain prescribed agricultural inputs including animal feed and fertiliser is still ongoing. Tshililo Ramabulana, CEO of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), led the battle to the National Treasury and SARS to rethink this removal during the national assembly for agriculture, forestry and fisheries portfolio committee earlier this month. The agricultural sector had opposed the scrapping of the VAT concession of a zero-rating on goods and services bought by farmers for production purposes, arguing that it would raise production costs by R14 billion per year. That figure was calculated on the estimated farming production spend of R100 billion. Ramabulana said that for key input costs, farmers did not pay VAT at the moment. Instead, they…

An extensive plan for a management and information centre for predation was unanimously accepted at the last meeting of the Predation Management Forum (PMF) steering committee. According to this plan, an academic institution with established expertise in wildlife will be appointed to manage the centre and report to the PMF steering committee. At the meeting, it was highlighted that the bulk of damage caused to farmers’ assets involved the caracal and black-backed jackal. Neither species was regulated by the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act or the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations. The lawful use of specific methods of slaughter is regulated by provincial conservation legislation, but the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no jurisdiction over provincial legislation. The DEA has therefore endeavoured to make use of an inter-governmental…

Nematodes are microscopic worms associated with infestation of plant roots, but some act as pathogens that attack insect pests. The genetic code of major nematode species has now been deciphered, enabling us to understand how they kill insects and how we can use them as improved bio-insecticides. The first worm to have its DNA sequenced was a microscopic nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. This was achieved by South African-born Sydney Brenner. Knowledge of insect-attacking parasitic abilities has since led to their use as biocontrol agents in organic crops. A research team at the University of California (UC) in the US analysed DNA codes in five species of a roundworm nematode of the genus Steinernema, a common organic pesticide applied commercially and in gardens. The objective was to learn more about parasite biology…

The Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has held bi-annual aquaculture conferences in various forms since 1984. Early conferences were largely sponsored by universities such as Rhodes and Stellenbosch, and attracted a wealth of research and student contributions in the then technology-driven sector. At the same time, aquaculture was promoted by the various departments of environmental affairs. The mid-1980s saw a dramatic shift in policy by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to a focus on the conservation of only indigenous organisms. Aquaculture promotion, and indeed all breeding and stocking of non-indigenous fishes, was halted abruptly. DEAT hatcheries were either closed or partially privatised. DEAT withdrew from promoting aquaculture but retained the legislative controls over it. Some non-indigenous species such as trout, that formed the backbone of a…

Alternative energy has always been a passion for Chris Coetzee, project manager of CLC Solar Wind Energy. Twelve years ago, while working as an electrical superintendent at BMW South Africa, he started experimenting with different forms of renewable energy as a hobby. While he was initially fascinated with wind and solar energy at the start of this journey, hydro-energy later became his favourite. “I prefer hydro to solar and wind energy, because it can supply you with energy around the clock if you have some elevation and a small supply of water. The water can even be recycled through the system, by pumping it up to a reservoir when electricity tariffs are low and then using energy generated from the water during peak tariff time,” he says. A NEW IDEA…

Heinrich Bruwer has cattle in his blood. At 29 years old, he was recently appointed as a senior interbreed judge by the SA Interbreed Judges’ Association – the youngest ever in the country. Despite his youth, he is a walking encyclopaedia on cattle: when he is not working with them, he is researching genetic bloodlines, consulting and advising other breeders. Heinrich was born on his family’s farm and got his first real taste for cattle farming when he began participating in youth shows at the age of 15. Here he met his most valuable mentor, the legendary international interbreed cattle judge Martin Syfferdt, whom he credits for teaching him the valuable basics of judging, classifying and identifying faults by looking for functional efficiency. While still at school, he began attending…

The Agricultural Research Council Grain Crops Institute (ARC-GCI) has released its sunflower and soya bean cultivar recommendations for the 2015/2016 growing season. SUNFLOWER TRIALS In the 2014/2015 growing season, field trials were conducted on 21 cultivars, of which seven are new. The cultivars were evaluated by the ARC-GCI, several seed companies, and the Oil and Protein Seed Development Trust. The new cultivars are: • NK ADAGIO CL • NK ADAGIO C • NK TUTTI • PAN 7031 C • PAN 7117 CL • SY 3970 CL • SY 4065 • Yield probability According to Dr André Nel, senior researcher at the ARC-GCI, yield is the result of numerous factors and producers should therefore adopt an holistic approach when selecting cultivars for the upcoming season. He advises farmers to spread risk by…

It is now known that all of the maize types arose from a single domestication in southern Mexico approximately 9 000 years ago. From about 2500 BC, the crop spread through the Americas. From the late 1400s, European explorers started transporting maize back to the Old World across the Atlantic. The crop quickly became popular in other countries as it could grow in a wide range of climates. In developed countries, maize is consumed mainly as second-cycle produce in the form of meat, eggs and dairy products. In developing countries, maize is eaten directly and serves as a staple diet for 200 million people. In a processed form, it is also used as fuel (ethanol) and starch. Starch in turn is used in household items as diverse as beer, ice…

The show was hosted by the Natal Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club (NVT&MC), and tractors, implements and engines were brought from far and near to compete in this biennial event. 1 Lanz Bulldog Beautifully restored by Kobus Groenewald of the Western Cape, this 1952 Bulldog was the winner in the Tractor Diesel (TD) Class for rubber-tyre tractors built between 1949 and 1960. The Bulldog was manufactured by Heinrich Lanz AG in Mannheim, Germany, from 1921 until 1960, with more than 220 000 being produced. It had a horizontal single cylinder, two-stroke, hot-bulb engine, with the later 10,3-litre models producing 41kW. The hot-bulb engines were easy to maintain and could use a wide variety of low-grade fuels, and even waste oil. 2 Ferguson TED This 1955 model owned by Hannes Smit…

Fear paralyses us and prevents us from thinking clearly. What’s more, most of the things we fear never actually happen. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul says clearly: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We need to be so careful that we’re not affected by all the negativity surrounding us: negative talk, negative TV and radio programmes, and negative newspaper and magazine articles. All these can make us so fearful that we can’t operate in a business-like manner. The old joke tells of the farmer who sees the sun come up in the morning. “Here comes the drought,” he says. By midday, however, clouds appear. “Here comes the flood,” he says. He is continually negative and…

PAPWA  by Maxine Case (Kwela, R195) Though Sewsunker ‘Papwa’ Sewgolum is still a sporting and struggle icon in his home town of Durban, his achievements are not as widely known or understood as they should be. Case helps put this right in a vividly written biography of “golf’s lost legend”, as she calls him. Sewgolum won his first tournament in 1946 but trumpeted his talent to the sporting world in 1959 by winning the Dutch Open. He repeated the feat in 1960 and 1964. He won the Natal Open in 1963, but had to receive his prize outside, as he was not allowed into the clubhouse as an Indian. He won again in 1964, this time beating Gary Player. But then the Nationalist government intervened, taking his passport away to…

I’m writing these words in the middle of a heat wave that is baking the veld, and fervently hope that by the time you read them, some rain would have fallen. Yet, if the forecasters are right, the rain may be some way off, thanks to El Niño. This phenomenon is linked to dry conditions in South Africa, and threatens to lead to parched lands with no edible grazing. On our farm, the levels of dams are dropping by the day as temperatures soar. In our 13 years here, we’ve never experienced drought. “Could this be the year?” I asked neighbour Jan. “We had a good season last year,” he said. “So our sheds still have lucerne, but it’s going down fast. The prospect of selling off our cattle at…

7 SEPTEMBER 1960 Land Bank’s early pains 55 YEARS AGO The Land Bank, entrusted to make loans to farmers and co-ops against proper security, has been much in the news in recent years – and commentators have been far from complimentary. But a glimpse at the archive shows that throughout its century of existence the bank has never had a smooth passage. Below is a short report on some of its problems with private enterprises during 1960. This was when strong criticism was levelled at the bank for threatening the interests of the financial services provided to the farming community by private institutions. The report appeared in our issue of the above date. “The Land Bank intends making a survey of the fruit districts of the Western Cape, and trust…

Veterinarians alone will not be able to surmount all livestock challenges and therefore needed the help of veterinary paraprofessionals to eradicate animal diseases. This is according to Dr Botlhe Modisane, president of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Modisane, who is also the chief director for animal health and production at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, was speaking to Farmer’s Weekly at the OIE regional conference on the role of veterinary paraprofessionals in Africa, which was held at St George’s Hotel in Irene, Pretoria, recently. Veterinary paraprofessionals played important roles in extension services, disease reporting, protection of animal welfare and research institutions, according to Benson Ameda, chairperson of the Association of Veterinary Technicians in Africa. However, they faced a lack of inadequate legal recognition, inappropriate categorisation, lack…

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Weekly State of Reservoirs report released recently, said the average reservoir level of dams was 11% lower than this time last year. Overall, reservoirs were at acceptable levels – Eastern Cape at 79,2%, Free State 69,7%, Gauteng 85%, KZN 59,9%, Limpopo 73,4%, Mpumalanga 72,7%, Northern Cape 75,3%, North West 56,6% and Western Cape 71,8%. South Africa’s total capacity of 32,1 billion cubic metres was currently at 21,9 billion cubic metres, which was 10,2 billion cubic metres under capacity. Except for Pongolapoort Dam ( 53,9%), and the Vaal Dam (57,8%, down from 59,2% last year), other major dams were at acceptable levels – 98% for the Sterkfontein Dam, 61,3% for the Gariep Dam and 93,8% for the Vanderkloof Dam.…

Japanese company Spread, which grows about 7,7 million head of lettuce a year, is due to open the world’s first fully robotic lettuce farm in 2017, according to Popular Science. The company hoped to have the entire process run by robots, from seeding to harvesting. The hydroponic farm would be completely automated and would eliminate external variables farmers ordinarily took into account. Artificial lighting via renewable energy will ensure that the crops are not exposed to weather conditions. Soil resources would not be depleted and no spray pesticides would be used, as pests would not come into contact with produce. The company planned to begin construction in 2016 and anticipated that the model would cut labour costs by 50% and reduce the cost of lettuce by increasing production through automation.…

Agri SA has sent a proposal of cooperation to the chief land claims commissioner Numfundo Gobodo. In it, the organisation has asked the commissioner to explain the status of post-settlement support and land restitution in each province. This was according to Ernest Pringle, chairperson of Agri SA’s rural development policy committee, briefing the congress on the organisation’s involvement in land reform and rural development. “The restitution process is going to dominate land reform in the foreseeable future and is therefore the most important process of the moment,” Pringle said. Agri SA had also asked for alternative intervention models when land restitution was interfering with important socioeconomic activities. Pringle expanded on progress made in the interdepartmental task team (ITT) working on the issues of district committees, the regulation of landholdings, the…

Animals have become increasingly vulnerable to contagious and infectious diseases due to the intensification of production. Dr Faffa Malan, manager of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA), told delegates at the Beef Cattle Information session during the 2015 Agri-Expo Livestock Show in Stellenbosch, that the latest example of this was sable, which were dying in intensive production systems because of threadworm infestations. “The sable are being kept in camps where sheep were kept and they then contract threadworms. Unlike sheep, the sable have no immunity against the worm, resulting in huge losses of these animals,” said Malan. Prevention started with a sound biosecurity programme that should aim to reduce the risk of animals, people and objects entering the farm. Proper fencing was the first line of defence. “One…

The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has revised its forecast for canola production down from 112 000t to 105 400t. Only 78 050ha was planted in the winter rainfall area this year, compared with 95 000ha last year, which yielded a harvest of 121 000t. Toit Wessels, Western Cape farmer development coordinator at Grain SA, said it was too early to comment about the harvest, as the first canola was only now starting to come in. Canola in the Ruens area looked promising so far, but in the Swartland the crop was in poor shape due to dry conditions. This was also true of wheat, he said. He added that farmers had planted less canola this year because prices had been slightly under pressure last year.…

The Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra) recently created a land reform advisory desk to facilitate successful land reform. Land reform could be seen as a business risk, according to Wouter Kriel, who would be managing the desk. He was speaking at the Undercover Farming Conference held recently in the Western Cape. “Up to now, most people have thought that it was government’s responsibility to manage this risk, but government won’t be able to reach its land reform targets without the help of the private sector,” Kriel said. “Successful land reform is therefore also the responsibility of the private sector.” The private sector had been keen to help, but progress had been hampered by uncertainties regarding responsibilities and available support, according to him. The goal of…

The cost of energy (water, electricity, diesel, gas, coal and so forth) is increasing. This presents the opportunity for all sorts of hucksters to sell ‘green technology’ in the form of solar panels, LED lighting, solar geysers, to name but a few, to unsuspecting customers. In most cases, the promised savings do not materialise. That’s mainly because all of these ‘solutions’ have one thing in common: the basics are neglected. In this and future columns, I shall attempt to guide readers on the right route towards energy efficiency. With the energy climate the way it is, I often get asked how much it will cost to go ‘off the grid’. The question is easy enough to answer: first get the basics right. The steps towards energy efficiency on a farm…

Meat MEAT PRICES MIXED International: New Zealand steers and cows traded lower at NZ$570/head and NZ$370/head respectively. US beef traded as follows: topside traded higher at US$228,01/cwt, rump lower at US$330,69/cwt, strip loin slightly higher at US$545,62/cwt, chuck slightly higher at US$259,33/cwt, brisket slightly higher at US$217,11/cwt, and the carcass price increased 2,61% to US$301,20/cwt. Domestic: The various meat classes traded as follows: Class A prices increased 0,17% to R35,06/kg, Class B traded higher at R32/kg and Class C rose to R29,90/kg. The Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMMA) has reported a decrease in slaughtering numbers. Weaner prices increased to R20,29/kg. Hide prices were slightly lower at R12,27/kg, as a result of the strengthening in the exchange rate. Hide prices are determined by the average RMMA rate and that of independent…

2001: Heinrich owns his own stud at age 15. 2004: He is a member of the SA Youth Show team that competes in the Youth Show in Springfield in the US. Wins in the showmanship class. 2004: Wins National Beef Youth Showman. 2005: First Santa Gertrudis bull in the Phase C Performance Test Class. 2006: His cow wins Breed Champion Santa Gertrudis female at the Vryburg Show. 2006: GBS 08-12 achieves the highest Phase C growth index ever tested and highest for Brahman ADG 156, at 2,2kg per day. 2009: HBS 04-68 is the Gold Cup Winner at the Vryburg Show. 2012: GBS 07-07 wins National Champion Brahman cow at the Vryburg Show. GBS 10-09 wins National Intermediate, Reserve Grand Champion Brahman bull and Breedplan bull at the Vryburg Show.…

Many types of organisms affect the quality and health of our soil. Most farmers are unaware of their different functions and importance. They know that a high soil organism content is a good thing, but don’t realise this is only half the story. The number of organisms and their interaction with one another is also very important, as is achieving and maintaining a balance. Simply put, regardless of the organism count in the soil, there are ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’. The idea is to tilt the balance in your favour through better understanding the life in your soil. So far, we’ve discussed fungi and bacteria, but these are not the only important organisms found in soil. Another group is actinomycetes, which are somewhere between bacteria and fungi. They are…

Some months ago, Volkswagen beat Toyota in the race to become the world’s largest car company.VW was still celebrating when the news broke that it had programmed some of its diesels to run clean only while on the test bench, raising many serious questions. HOW WERE THEY CAUGHT OUT? Two men with the apt surnames of Mock and German, working for the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), became aware of discrepancies between official and unofficial pollution results in some VW diesel models. Peter Mock in Germany then asked John German, a colleague in the US, to test some VWs over there. The American standards were tougher than the European standards, and Mock intended to prove that cars from his home country were clean. German in the US gathered a…

To make cauliflower mash with chicken livers and chorizo sausage for four, you will need: For the mashed cauliflower: • 1 head of cauliflower• 2 cloves garlic• 50g grated hard cheese• 30g mascapone (wonderful but truly optional)• 20ml extra virgin olive• 2g coarse salt• Generous dash of freshly ground black pepper For the chorizo sausage and chicken livers: • 250g chorizo sausage• 500g chicken livers• 120ml dry red wine• 1 can tomatoes• 1 large onion• 4 cloves garlic• Fresh basil• Fresh parsley• 3 spring onions A mate of mine in the professional cooking business tells me that the best recipes in the world contain no more than three ingredients. This list would make him shake his wise old head in sorrow and amazement. We, however, shall ignore him. We begin with the cauliflower mash. No big deals here, just a close encounter with the unfamiliar. Break…

Assuming that you are not allergic to them, peanuts (and additive-free peanut butter) make excellent snacks when combined with fruit, raw salad vegetables or wholegrain maize or rice cakes. They fill you up just enough to resist cake or chocolates. Peanuts are rich in biotin (good for hair), copper, manganese, niacin, molybdenum, folate, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and protein. The fat in peanuts is monounsaturated, similar to that found in olive oil. In addition, peanuts contain small amounts of resveratrol, the highly-acclaimed antioxidant found in red grapes that protects against cardiovascular disease. Good-quality unshelled raw peanuts are best. You can slow-roast them in the oven (70°C) to increase their antioxidant levels and improve taste. With a food processor you can make your own peanut butter with minimum salt added. Eat…

The average price for the 1 726 Merino rams sold at 27 auctions in the July to September Merino sales season was R7 986. This is marginally higher than the corresponding period last year. A total of 4 232 rams achieved an average price of R6 941 at the 67 auctions held this year, at a total turnover of R29,37 million.…