Table of contents for 3 August 2018 in Farmer's Weekly

As I write this, almost a full week has passed since the 12th Agribusiness Africa Conference, hosted by Farmer’s Weekly in Johannesburg (see pages 24 to 29), and I am still busy processing the vast amount of ideas and information that were shared by the speakers and other participants at the event. One of the recurring themes that surfaced during the many conversations was, perhaps predictably, the difficulty associated with entering the farming or agribusiness sector as a newcomer. As some of the members of the audience pointed out, the agriculture industry keeps on encouraging young people to pursue a career in agriculture, but far too often, young people who choose this path end up at a dead end. The problem is not that there are no opportunities in agriculture,…

Dr George Hughes, who wrote the By Invitation, ‘Sustainable use of wildlife: a poorly understood concept’ (FW, 13 July), raised some concerns about the manner in which he was inadvertently depicted in the article, and hopes to set the record straight. The article was about the role hunting plays in the conservation of wildlife. First, Hughes says that he is not a hunter, and that the article was not meant to solely address the positive role of hunting or other parts of the extractive use of wildlife. These were only mentioned as part of the general success of South Africa’s wildlife industry. Hughes also says that he has no financial connections with the extractive industry. Second, during editing, two statements made by Hughes were deleted. These were: “South Africa had…

The recent developments in the South African agriculture sector paint a mixed picture of good and bad news. Let me start with the good news: major summer crop supplies such as maize and soya bean are in good shape, thanks to good summer rainfall. MAIZE AND SOYA BEAN ARE IN GOOD SHAPE, THANKS TO GOOD SUMMER RAINFALL To illustrate this, South Africa’s maize supplies are expected to reach 16,7 million tons, well above the local demand of 10,8 million tons. The maize supply figure combines opening stocks and expected production. In addition, soya bean supplies for 2018/2019 are estimated at 1,87 million tons, up 33% on the previous year. These figures include the expected record production of 1,6 million tons opening stock, as well as the small volume of imports.…

According to scientists at the Samara Polytech in Russia, edible packaging film made from apples could be the answer to the problem of disposing of polyethylene wrap, which takes up to 500 years to decompose. The project to develop the film was initially aimed at modifying the menus for astronauts in space, according to head of food technology at Samara Polytech, Nadezhda Makarova. “We tried to create packaging [in which] to store food, heat it, and then eat it along with the food,” Makarova says. Previous versions of this type of packaging were only partially edible as it was made from both natural raw materials and artificial additives. However, the new version of the packaging was made from fruit or vegetable puree. Makarova said the production technology involved mixing fruit…

South Africa’s sugar cane growers are well on track to harvest an estimated 19,2 million tons during the 2018/2019 season, the largest since the 2013/2014 season. However, this achievement has been diminished by farmers receiving recoverable value (RV) payments of around R3 600/t, which is below cost of production, for much of the current season, which began in March and is expected to end in December. Dr Muhammad Kadwa, industrial affairs manager at the South African Cane Growers’ Association, said that while the overall quality of sugar cane harvested so far this season from dryland and irrigated lands in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga had been above average and acceptable, this situation came with its own serious challenges. “The large crop, which exceeds local demand, together with imports of sugar, has led…

The Western Cape MEC of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, recently questioned the ANC’s commitment to land reform given that only a very small proportion of the national budget had been set aside for this purpose. “Here in the Western Cape, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform only have enough funding to buy three farms in the 2018/2019 year,” he said. According to Winde, another problem was that beneficiaries could only lease land from government under the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS), turning them into permanent tenants rather than landowners. Coupled with this, many beneficiaries had not yet received leases, making it almost impossible to secure loans. “Of the 60 PLAS beneficiaries listed on the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s database, more than half do not have 30-year leases.…

There is an abundance of technological monitoring sensors available that can be integrated with each other to unlock information and opportunities for farmers. This was according to Pieter Geldenhuys, innovation expert and futurist, who was speaking about the impact of technology on agriculture over the next five to 10 years at the recent Agribusiness Africa Conference in Johannesburg. Keeping up to date with these technological advancements would assist farmers in their day-to-day farming activities, he said. Smart farming, based on the Internet of Things (IoT), assisted farmers in monitoring their crops with the help of sensors that measured aspects such as humidity, temperature and soil moisture, and also automated irrigation systems. This enabled farmers to check the conditions on their farms from anywhere, he explained. “A pilot project [undertaken] on…

Fresh produce suppliers can choose from a variety of marketing channels, which each offer different challenges and rewards, when selling their produce. This was according to Lindie Stroebel, general manager of the Produce Marketing Association of Southern Africa. Speaking during the session entitled, ‘Who owns the value in the agricultural value chain’, at the recent Agribusiness Africa Conference in Johannesburg, Stroebel said that fresh produce growers needed to be market-orientated to remain profitable. To get the most out of the different marketing channels available to suppliers, they thus had to understand how these markets functioned. She highlighted five possible marketing channels: the export market, local and regional retail, commission markets (fresh produce markets), cross-border trade, and informal markets. Referring specifically to export markets, Stroebel suggested that, while it was likely…

A stable policy environment that allows trade to flow freely is necessary for African countries that want to attract foreign investors, according to Dr Doaa Abdel-Motaal, trade specialist and former deputy chief of staff at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Speaking at the recent Farmer’s Weekly Agribusiness Africa Conference, held in Johannesburg, Abdel-Motaal said adherence to rules and treaties from especially the WTO meant that countries’ domestic trade also benefitted, as these countries had to “clean up their own houses first” before they could trade globally. “To fix problems in agriculture, we need more than just to fix agricultural policy. One tends to lose sight of the fact that international trade in agricultural products is impacted by rules that deal with services, transport, intellectual property, trade facilitation and customs procedures.…

According to Black’s Law Dictionary (10th edition, 2014), ‘common law’ is “the body of law derived from judicial decisions, rather than from statutes or constitutions”. It is ‘case law’ based on precedent, as opposed to the ‘statutory laws’ enacted by a legislature. The latter tend to take away from common law rights. For example, in South Africa, the state long ago expropriated the land’s mineral rights. A farmer who discovers gold on his or her farm would benefit little from the discovery. Now, ownership of the land itself is being threatened. Yet, unless explicitly removed by statute, common law rights remain in force, starting with the fact that title at the registry of deeds is solid proof of ownership, valid against all comers. DIFFICULT TO DISLODGE If government wants to…

The South African blueberry industry is still relatively small when compared with other industries in the local and international fruit sector. Despite its size, it has attracted substantial interest and experienced significant growth over the past few years. RAPID EXPANSION TRIGGERED BY STRONG DEMAND The area under blueberry production has tripled in four years, growing from less than 500ha in 2013/2014 to more than 1 640ha in 2017/2018 (see Graph 1). The industry expects this figure to increase to 2 500ha by the end of 2019. The additional plantings are expected to lead to steady increases in production growth in the years to come. It is important, however, to read the planting data with caution as a blueberry tree census was taken only in 2016/2017. BLUEBERRIES ACCOUNT FOR 73% OF…

A heifer usually gets put to the bull at either 15 or 27 months to calve at two or three years respectively. As a rule, she should be mated when she weighs at least 60% of her mature weight. The age at which she reaches this target weight will depend on her level of nutrition (the amount and type of feed available), her breed, the age at which she cuts her teeth, and the time of year she was born. By definition, a heifer becomes a cow at the birth of her first calf; she is then, more precisely, called a first-calf cow. When put to the bull for the second time, first-calf cows often have a lower conception rate than cows that have had two or more calves. The…

Some years ago, I compiled a list of desirable traits that market agents would like to see in a farmer entrusting produce to them for selling. I then produced a similar list of what farmers require from their agents. I’ve used both lists extensively in training market agents and doing presentations for farmers. Having been a fruit and vegetable farmer who supplied markets, I can confirm the importance of both lists. THE BASICS OF THE RELATIONSHIP Because these requirements go to the very core of the farmer-salesperson relationship, I would like to repeat selected items from each list over the next few weeks for the benefit of those who have not seen them. I’ll start with the ‘Producer List’ and discuss the first item: ‘Be honest about your produce.’ This…

To make a platter of roast vegetables for four standard carnivores, you will need: 2 large potatoes 2 onions 4 cloves of garlic 1 medium butternut 4 courgettes 3 sweet peppers 4 jalapeño peppers 150g to 250g of button mushrooms 2 leeks 150g of broccoli 100g of cauliflower Extra virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Sprigs of fresh rosemary As every braai mechanic knows, cooking meat is quick, easy and 99 times out of 100 a total culinary success. Vegetables, on the other hand, lack the gravitas and complexity of high-end protein, and in order to deliver their significant nutritional payload, often require serious effort to rev up their flavour and appearance. Cooks who take the easy way out and boil their vegetables to oblivion produce food…

I seek an independent gentleman in his 70s or 80s who lives in Cape Town. He must be kind, sincere and honest, and know how to treat a lady who is looking for friendship. I am 70 years young and have blonde, shoulder-length hair. I am a social drinker and love cooking, gardening, braais, pets, music and singing. I’d love to meet a man who has a sense of humour. Please reply with a contact number. Blonde Green Eyes, 7435 I am a tall, white, 62-year-old widowed lady. I seek a tall (6ft+), white male aged 60 to 70 who is also looking for companionship. He must be a Christian and a non-smoker and must like dogs. I enjoy the simple things in life such as walking, reading, and watching…

Bestselling British writer Kate Furnivall lives in the Devon countryside, but often combines her love of travel, research and family connections in her wide-ranging historical dramas. In her forties she discovered that she is part-Russian, as her grandmother was a refugee of the Revolution. This gave rise to novels with settings in Russia and then China, Malaya, Egypt, Italy and India. Her latest, THE BETRAYAL (Simon & Schuster, R170), part political thriller, part human drama, is set in Paris in the edgy period leading up to the Second World War. Twins Romaine and Florence share a memory of a murder in their childhood that shapes their adult lives, leading to a dizzying twist of betrayals in the face of the turmoil of encroaching Nazism. 1. Twins: I’m a twin myself…

Drones can help farmers reduce their reliance on chemicals to control crop pests by up to 30%. This is according to Jean Kuiper, who farms on Rosenhof Farm near Elgin in the Western Cape. Rosenhof produces organic raspberries, vegetables apples and pears. He says that insecticides kill natural predators, which feed on pests, while fungicides and insecticides stress plants. Healthier plants are more resistant to pests and diseases. “We need to improve soil health to improve human health. And the less chemicals we use, the less toxic we make it,” he says. Rosenhof makes use of data-analytics company Aerobotics (aerobotics.io), which uses aerial imagery and advanced algorithms to analyse tree health and help detect pests and diseases early on through its cloud-based web app, Aeroview. The app is available for…

PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa 15 TO 16 AUGUST THE PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION’S FRESH CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN AFRICA CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW BRINGS TOGETHER ALL THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLY CHAIN: GROWERS, BUYERS, RETAILERS, SUPERMARKETS AND MARKET AGENTS. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 20 TO 21 SEPTEMBER AGRI 5 Commodities Workshop and Expo, East London Showgrounds. For more information, email info@atoneworks.co.za . 25 TO 27 SEPTEMBER 56th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), Somerset West. For more information, visit centeqevents . wixsite.com/aeasa2018 . COURSES & TRAINING 1 TO 2 AUGUST Pigs: Nutrition, George. Phone Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985, or visit rltsafrica.com . 6 TO 11 AUGUST Poultry: Breeding and Nutrition, George.…

There seems to be a more intricate debate going on at the moment with regard to farm murders and invasions. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Agri SA, farm murders in South Africa have decreased to their lowest level in 20 years. On the other hand, AfriForum has said that there has been a significant increase in farm attacks this year. At the launch of his book, Kill the Boer, Ernst Roets, deputy CEO of AfriForum, said that according to the organisation’s own statistics, there had been 34 farm murders and more than 210 farm attacks since the beginning of the year. This was a 34% increase compared with the corresponding six months of last year. In May, Agri SA released figures of farm murders and attacks…

FairPlay has called for a public enquiry into how a zero-tariff rating on sugar imported to South Africa was allowed to be effective for an entire month in mid-2017. Sugar importers reportedly took advantage of this zero-tariff rating to import and stockpile thousands of tons of low-cost sugar that, according to FairPlay, displaced similar volumes of locally produced sugar onto the generally nonprofitable world sugar market. “This is more than an administrative error. It was a brief period but, together with months when tariffs were incorrectly kept low, it assisted in a huge surge in sugar imports in 2017,” said FairPlay founder Francois Baird. A statement issued by FairPlay said that in April 2017 the 20-day average of the international sugar price had triggered a tariff of R1 117/t on…

An automated high-tech camera system that identifies invading wild dogs and instantly notifies the sheep farmer of their presence is nearing trials in Australia. Wild dogs have become a scourge in many areas of Australia where sheep are farmed, such as central Queensland, and has resulted in farming all but ceasing in these areas. Some producers are even erecting long, expensive dog-proof fences around their properties to prevent attacks. The prototype Wild Dog Alert Node system consists of a camera with advanced computer software, capable of satellite communication. Ian Evans, vertebrate pest programme manager of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a nonprofit organisation, said the system would also provide wild dog control groups with an opportunity to monitor wild dog activity and guide the development and review of strategic regional wild…

A number of proposed amendments to the international Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Pesticide Policy could pose significant challenges to South Africa’s commercial forestry industry. According to Forestry South Africa’s (FSA) website, approximately 80% of commercial forestry plantations are currently FSC-certified. The FSC sets standards for responsible forest management, and FSC-certified forestry operations are able to achieve preferential global market access. Vincent Mnisi, spokesperson for FSC Africa, told Farmer’s Weekly that the FSC policy aimed to minimise the use of chemical pesticides in FSCcertified forests and plantations. This, in turn, would minimise any negative environmental or social impact, while promoting economically viable forest management. Mnisi said that the FSC had already held two international public consultation processes with regard to the proposed amendments to the pesticide policy, and a working group…

Severe examples of the negative effects of land reform in Peru emerged at the recent International Food and Agribusiness Management Association’s (IFAMA) conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These included the destruction of the agriculture sector and widespread rural poverty that followed the land reform programme implemented in Peru in 1968. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, who attended the conference, relayed the discussion in South Africa around land expropriation without compensation to Dr Raul Injoque, director of agricultural business administration at the Peru University of Applied Sciences. In his response, Injoque said Peru had learnt many hard lessons from land reform. In a letter to Purchase after the conference, he said it took 30 years for the land tenure reform instituted in 1968 to [alleviate] poverty; “it took free market…

Despite some cyclical challenges that could impact commodity prices, the investment case for agriculture remains strong. According to Chris Potgieter, head of private client securities at Old Mutual Wealth, demand for food products would continue to increase globally due to population growth and the higher calorie intake of a growing middle class. Strong demand coupled with supply constraints that were likely to occur due to the limited availability of resources such as land and water meant that, on macro level, the investment outlook for agriculture was optimistic, Potgieter said. Speaking at the 12th Agribusiness Africa Conference hosted by Farmer’s Weekly in Johannesburg recently, Potgieter said that in the past 57 years, more than four billion people had been added to the planet, and today between 800 million and one billion…

The 12th Agribusiness Africa Conference and Farmer’s Weekly would like to thank our sponsors:…

Branding discourages stock theft and makes it easier for the police to trace the rightful owners when stolen animals are recovered. But to make branding work effectively, you need to follow certain guidelines. The most important of these are: buy well-made branding irons; immobilise your animals securely during branding; make sure the branding fire is at the right temperature; and make sure that the person doing the branding is properly trained for the job. Failing to do these things can result in unnecessary suffering for the animal, cause muscle damage, and leave you with a messy, unreadable brand. THE BRANDING IRONS Branding irons can be bought from a farmers’ co-op store. They can be one of two types: each brand letter/number can be on a single iron, or all the…

THEIR CLIENTS STOOD TO LOSE A BIG SUBTROPICAL FRUIT SUPPLIER Tomahawk Farm in Mpumalanga is one of the largest subtropical fruit producers in South Africa. When the local Matsamo community instituted a land claim against the farm in 2010, there was concern that local and export markets would lose a major supplier, and the region would lose the economic activity generated by the farm. Instead, through integrated planning and relationship-building, the old and new owners joined hands to transfer skills, uplift the community and grow a thriving business. The Matsamo community’s land claim included 10 000ha in the Kaalrug area near Malalane, one of the largest areas of subtropical crop production in the country. About 1 500 households formed part of the land claim, putting the amount of people benefitting…

Roasted vegetables can be a thing of beauty. The wonder of this recipe is the sweetness that comes from the vegetables. The addition of the olive oil and garlic makes each vegetable shine. There are superb flavours here, from earthy and vibrant to sweet, with a hint of a spicy bite, which had the final say in the pairing here. A fruity dry wine with good acidity and medium body is ideal for this vegetable dish, which can be found in a good bottle of pink bubbles. Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) is the term used for bottle-fermented bubbly in South Africa, which uses the French Champagne method in which the wine’s bubbles are formed in the bottle. Simonsig produced the first bottle of true Cape Sparkle, called Kaapse Vonkel, and…

With South Africa’s high levels of crime, economic pressures and political instability, many of us live under significant stress. While no medicine can cure life’s problems, we can fortify our bodies and minds to become more resilient. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral. Researchers have found that magnesium induces calmness, quells anxiety and keeps our brains healthy. Magnesium binds to and stimulates GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain. GABA, the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, puts the brakes on frenetic brain activity. When GABA levels are low, our brains get stuck in the ‘on’ position, making it impossible to relax. If you often feel overwhelmed, disorganised and worried, it is likely that you have a low GABA level. This is associated with stress-related disorders such as anxiety disorder and…

‘FICTION IS ART AND ART IS THE TRIUMPH OVER CHAOS’ – JOHN CHEEVER (1912-1982) TELL ME YOUR STORY by Ruda Landman (Tafelberg, R290) Landman is recognised as one of South Africa’s greatest interviewers. So it’s a treat to be served up a collection of interviews with achievers such as actor John Kani, Mam’ Khanyi and Angel Jones, all of whom open up on how their feelings about the country has changed, what they are contributing, and how it affects those they love. TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY: TRAPPIST MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA by Nicki von der Heyde (Campaign Trails, R100) After runaway bestsellers with her books on South Africa’s battlefields and sieges, Von der Heyde has turned to a calmer aspect: Trappist mission stations in KwaZulu-Natal.…

The following letter was written by Mantsadi Sepheka, director of Schools Outreach for the Humane Education Trust, an NGO that advocates for animal rights and deals with the issue of human integrity, in response to the animal abuse that occurred during the recent protest action in Hermanus. This particular incident involved a man, allegedly from Zwelihle, swinging a cat tied to a rope in the air before flinging it into a fire, as reported by various news outlets including News24 and Kieno Kammies’s Cape Talk show. Condemning an act of cruelty is just words. But taking actual steps to prevent cruelty from happening takes real and serious action. While various leaders have condemned this act, not one actively supports the teaching of humane education to our young learners as part…

NWK recently accepted a R296,4 million offer from Country Bird Holdings (CBH) to purchase its broiler and animal feed business, Opti Agri. As part of the agreement, NWK would not be allowed to be involved in the production of animal feed in a 500km radius of the Opti Agri mill in Lichtenburg, North West, for a three-year period. NWK would, however, still be allowed to sell and distribute its Opti-branded products, but not in neighbouring countries. It was envisaged that the sale transaction would not lead to any job losses, a statement by the company said. According to Theo Rabe, CEO of NWK, CBH had also agreed to, as far as possible, meet all existing contracts. The supply agreement with RCL Foods Limited (Rainbow) would, however, be terminated and both…

Although long-term international weather models suggested that there was an increasing chance of another El Niño weather event occurring, this would not necessarily translate into a drought for farmers in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa. El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Johan van den Berg, manager of specialised crop insurance at Santam Agriculture, said there was a more than 60% probability of El Niño conditions during spring and summer, but added that numerous other factors also came into play. “[Although] I am not expecting a drought, it could result in a dry period in the summer rainfall region.” A positive factor was the good soil moisture reserves from the previous season, while there was also a possibility of spring rainfall during…

UNITED KINGDOM According to dairy co-operative Arla Foods UK, the region’s largest dairy company, Brexit could leave UK consumers with less choice and higher prices, turning staples such as butter, cheese and infant formula into occasional luxuries. The co-operative has warned that if the findings of a London School of Economics report proved true, non-tariff barriers to trade and restricted access to labour after Brexit would hurt British consumers. Up to 98% of UK dairy imports are of EU origin. AUSTRALIA Australian farmers can now forecast grain yields at the touch of a button, thanks to a new smartphone app developed by the national science agency in Australia. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) innovation, known as Graincast, allows growers to estimate yields ranging from a single paddock…

Weathering the storm of global trade turmoil Several new challenges to the multilateral trading system have emerged in recent times, led by the advent of greater protectionist policies by developed countries, especially the US. This was according to Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, speaking at the recent Farmer’s Weekly Agribusiness Africa Conference in Johannesburg. The major power players in the world such as the US, the EU, China and India held very divergent positions with regard to trade than those held by developing nations in Africa and elsewhere, Purchase said in his address entitled ‘The World Trade Organization (WTO): A relevant functioning body?’ “In parallel [to this], though, many WTO members continue to liberalise their trade unilaterally or through preferential trade agreements between pairs or groups of countries.” According…

Chicken dumping took centre-stage during a panel discussion on fair trade at the recent Farmer’s Weekly Agribusiness Africa Conference in Johannesburg. Francois Baird, founder of non-profit trade movement FairPlay, accused the EU of chicken dumping and costing the local poultry industry thousands of jobs as a result of unfair trade practices (UTPs). He added that similar UTPs had resulted in the loss of about 120 000 jobs in Cameroon, as well as the complete destruction of the poultry sector in Ghana. Baird said that these UTPs were a “big problem” for most of Africa, and that the continent, including South Africa, had to toughen its negotiation position if it were to benefit from trade agreements with large trade blocs such as the EU. Dessy Choumelova, counsellor for agriculture, food safety…

World food prices peaked in 2007/2008, and decreased sharply in 2008 due to the global recession. Post-recession recovery resulted in a second peak after 2008. Since then, global food prices have decreased slowly but steadily. In 2017, food production reached record levels for most food product categories. At the same time, growth in demand slowed down. Previously, the increase in per capita income in China was a major driver of global demand growth. But as that country’s economy slowed down, this demand decreased. Demand growth in other areas was not robust enough to counter the decrease in China. Current high global stock levels, combined with weak demand and vigorous production growth, make a quick recovery of global prices unlikely in the next decade. Food demand growth depends on growth in…

Time is of the essence. Sectoral Determination 13 regulates labour relations in the agriculture sector and sets clear requirements for conditions of employment, including hours worked and salary paid. Employees in the sector may not work more than 45 ordinary hours a week. If they work five days or fewer a week, they should not work more than nine hours a day. Where employees work more than five days a week, they are not allowed to work more than eight hours a day. Working hours exclude lunch and tea breaks. The 45-hour week can be reduced in an employment contract. For example, if employees work only five days a week and eight hours a day, their ordinary hours of work would be 40 hours. Ordinary hours of work can be…

Part of the lease and joint venture agreements between the Matsamo community and Tomahawk is a focus on skills transfer. Tomahawk provides training and mentorship opportunities for members of the community who recently graduated through the Matsamo bursary programme. Community members also have first preference for any jobs available on the farm. Both parties stress, however, that this principle applies only to vacant positions, and no one will lose his or her job as a result of the transfer of ownership or the integration of community members into the farming operation. Moses Thumbathi says that they are training their children to run the farms through a trust that funds university students who show potential to study the requisite skills. “This doesn’t just include agriculture, but finance, law, technical skills and…

If you have an extensive beef production system, you need ‘no-nonsense’ cows that can calve without assistance. When a cow has to be assisted, both the cow and the calf should be marked for culling. An enlarged udder, relaxed ligaments around the tail root, and swelling (oedema) of the vulva are all signs that a cow is nearing calving time (parturition). SEVERE, PAINFUL SWELLING Some high milk-producing cows may suffer severe and uncomfortable udder swelling. In extreme cases, milk the cow before she calves to relieve some of the discomfort. Don’t forget to keep some colostrum to feed the calf after birth; this is important to ensure that the calf receives the cow’s antibodies to protect it from disease. Some heifers and young cows develop swelling in the area between…

GET IT RIGHT AND YOUR ENTERPRISE WILL BECOME FAR MORE PROFITABLE I am often asked for nutrition or pest control programmes for various crops. If only farming were so simple! Following a set spray or fertiliser ‘recipe’ may well work, but it can cut into your profits. Many pests come and go in cycles and many can be controlled with specific products. It is obviously in the interest of crop chemical representatives to sell you as much pesticide as possible. This translates into ‘protecting you from damage’ by ensuring that your ‘programme’ contains products to combat every potential pest for that crop, even if it is not present that year. You can end up wasting a great deal of money on such products. Moreover, in applying them, you’ll tie up…

The Mazda Motor Corporation was founded in 1920 not as a motor manufacturer but as a maker of cork products! It was called Toyo Cork Kogyo (Far-Eastern Cork Manufacturing). The bottom soon fell out of this market, however, and the company’s president, Jujiro Matsuda, switched production to machine tools, dropping ‘Cork’ from the name. In 1931, the company ventured into motorised transport, introducing a tricycle truck. The name chosen for it was Mazda-go, after Ahura Mazda, the Persian god of light, and Matsuda, pronounced much like ‘Mazda’ in Japanese. (Interestingly, it took the company itself 53 years to finally change its name to ‘Mazda’!) CARS AND TRUCKS Toyo Kogyo launched its first prototype car in 1940, but World War II interrupted development. After the war, the company began building commercial…

Dear Jonno, I recently acquired a small property in the countryside, and am looking to build a rondavel as cost-effectively as possible. The building needs to have two or, ideally, three bedrooms. I’m willing to build the house in phases as I am able to afford it. The structure should be between 8m and 10m in diameter. Kind regards, Xolani Dear Xolani, Thank you for the chat to clarify exactly what you need. A home of this size would generally cost in the region of R490 000 (about R7 000/m), without an attic. As you said, you would only want to erect the superstructure for now, and add all the finishes, fixtures and fittings as finances permit. The superstructure of a home generally amounts to 40% of the completed cost,…

“Of Lieutenant Bailie’s detachment it is difficult to know what to think. Neither in my own experience nor in my reading have I ever known of a detachment so destroyed as to leave no trace behind it.’’ So wrote Cape Colony governor Sir Benjamin D’Urban to his chief of staff, Colonel Harry Smith, two weeks after the mysterious disappearance of Lieutenant Charles Theodore Bailie and his detachment in late June 1835. MISSING IN ACTION The last-known movements of Bailie and his 28 men were when they set out on 25 June with 30 men under the command of Lieutenant William Biddulph to patrol a notorious section of the Amathole Mountains in the Eastern Cape. The men were all of the Khoi Battalion (the First Provisional Battalion), and Bailie was in…

Johannesburg’s Silke Kaiser has the kind of job that movies hinge on: she works with and interprets lie-detection testing. A professional polygraphist, she is committed to doing her utmost to reveal the truth. Most cases are crime-related, revealing the how and why of cash-in-transit heists, farm attacks, rapes and hijackings. But she also takes the lid off the deception and addictions driven by distress. In GOTCHA (Copper Birch, R329), Kaiser outlines the revelations that have astounded her during investigations. The book’s dramatic narrative style makes it a must-read for lovers of police procedure and true-life crime. THREE COPIES OF THE BETRAYAL to give away! TO ENTER: SMS the word BETRAYAL, your name, physical address and ID number to 48404. Each SMS costs R1,50. Free SMSes do not apply. Competition opens…