Table of contents for 19 October 2018 in Farmer's Weekly

Dan Kriek, the president of Agri SA, which is the largest representative body for commercial farmers in South Africa, has had to weather some harsh criticism this year from within his own organisation, as well as from outside. Kriek is simultaneously too progressive and not progressive enough, according to his detractors. Certain groupings in the farming and Afrikaner communities have called Kriek a volksverraaier (a traitor to his people) for, as these critics say, negotiating with government about the terms under which “their land can be given away”, and for not collaborating closely with AfriForum on the issue of farm murders. However, Kriek and Agri SA have also been criticised for not doing enough to further transformation in agriculture. In his presidential address at the recent annual congress of Agri…

The recent Jobs Summit, convened by the National Economic Development Labour Council (Nedlac), included representatives from business, labour, government and community constituencies. They all signed off on initiatives and agreements that are expected to create 275 000 jobs/year, aimed at bringing unemployment down to 6% by 2030. Some analysts view this sector as a non-starter when it comes to job creation. They typically raise the issue of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the basic development theory view that the role of agriculture diminishes when people move to manufacturing and services sectors as nations develop. While this has some validity, many emerging markets and developed countries still have many people working in their agricultural sectors, despite numbers significantly declining as a share of overall employment. In South Africa, about 843 000…

A new recruitment website, Agrijob, which focuses exclusively on the agricultural and food sectors in South Africa, has been launched by Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of AgriSciences. The first of its kind, this online platform features jobs, bursaries and internships in the agricultural, agribusiness and agri-food industries in Southern Africa. According to Prof Danie Brink, dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences and initiator of the website, the idea was to create a portal to help students engage with the industry from an early stage of their studies. In this way they could become familiar with vocational jobs and apply for bursaries and internships, he said. A big challenge for prospective jobseekers was that employers often required prior work experience. “But to get work experience, you need an ‘experience of work’. That…

Global grain stocks are expected to drop for a second consecutive season to the lowest levels in the past four years, according to the International Grains Council (IGC). The IGC’s forecast released at the end of September indicated that international grain stocks could decrease with 64 million tons to about 544 million tons. At the same time, global grain consumption was expected to reach a new high, on the back of projected increases in food and feed consumption, as well as industrial usage. It was expected that consumption would increase 29 million tons year-on-year to a new record of over two billion tons, according to the IGC. Production, on the other hand, was forecast to decline for a second consecutive year, following difficult growing conditions in the major wheat production…

UNITED STATES A vaccine against deadly foal pneumonia is within reach after decades of research, in a breakthrough that could save the lives of thousands of young animals every year. Equine researcher at Texas A&M University in the US, Noah Cohen, said the research had led to the first effective vaccine protecting foals against Rhodococcus equi, considered to be the most common form of pneumonia in foals older than a few weeks. The fatality rate in infected foals ranges from 20% to 40%, and there are currently no licensed vaccines to protect against the disease. AUSTRALIA An international research team has designed a more productive maize cultivar able to cope with climate change by targeting the enzyme that captures CO2 from the atmosphere. Robert Sharwood, chief researcher of the Centre…

The record-high fuel prices and forecasts of dry conditions in South Africa’s summer rainfall regions this season will have a direct impact on consumer food prices. According to Koos van der Ryst, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, higher fuel prices would result in increased production costs at farm level, as well as higher transport costs, which would inevitably be passed on to consumers in the form of higher meat prices. The likelihood of an El Niño weather system occurring, which would lead to reduced rainfall, would also lead to higher consumer food prices, as it would have a negative impact on both cattle and grain producers. “If cattle producers don’t receive rain [on their farms] to enable them to grow pastures, they have to incur additional costs by…

South Africa’s milk exports increased 17% month-on-month in August, with further growth expected as the rand weakens, according to Dr Koos Coetzee, economist at the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO). Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, he said most exports were destined for African markets, with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland receiving the bulk of these. “These exports are not [undertaken] by processors, but by retailers that [already] have a footprint in African countries.” As retail markets were becoming more formalised in African countries, it was becoming easier to export, with products simply delivered to a retailer, which then transported these products to a branch in another country. Traditionally, receiving payment from importers in African countries had been difficult, but as banks such as FNB or Standard Chartered Bank had branches in many…

The biomass from alien invasive species in South Africa is a potential gold mine that could be harnessed for energy generation, agricultural mulch, and furniture. Instituting such projects would tackle several problems, including bush encroachment, water scarcity, job creation and soil degradation. Speaking at the Biomass Trade & BioEnergy Africa conference in Johannesburg, David Gardner, an independent consultant for the Department of Environmental Affairs, said millions of tons of biomass from alien vegetation that were placing a strain on the environment had great economic potential if harvested. “Currently, not enough money is being spent on tackling bush encroachment. This [vegetation] is sucking up groundwater and resulting in water scarcity. “We need to spend at least R12 million a year to keep bush encroachment at bay, but government can’t do it…

Do you have ‘motivated’ employees or are they simply ‘moving’? Can you tell the difference? Frederick Herzberg, the renowned US psychologist and one of the world’s most influential names in business management, tells a story about his dog to clarify the distinction. He had a Schnauzer. When it was a pup, he gently nudged it in the rear with his foot to move it out of the way. Later, when the dog was better trained, he held a biscuit in front of it, and once again it moved, this time forward, towards the biscuit. Who was ‘motivated’? Was it the dog, which didn’t like the sensation of getting kicked and moved away from Herzberg’s foot, then later moved towards the biscuit? No, says Herzberg. In both instances the dog moved,…

HOW HAS RCL FOODS APPROACHED LAND REFORM? Malelane is one of South Africa’s largest sugar cane-producing areas, and the number of land claims instituted in this area in the late 1990s had the potential to cripple the sugar industry. This would have resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs in the area. But RCL Foods saw land restitution as an opportunity to build better communities and create an exemplary model in which land claimants and private companies could work side by side to maintain a sustainable industry and enrich the lives of all involved. HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT STRUCTURING THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAND CLAIMANTS? When the land claims were granted, we sat with the land claim commissioner at the time and created a model to facilitate future production…

In last week’s article, we discussed how the crop should be handled and stored after harvesting. The next step is to remove badly diseased, damaged or otherwise unmarketable produce and grade the remainder to meet the requirements of the market. Produce can be sorted according to size, colour, shape, degree of injury and general appearance, and each grade packed separately to present a uniform appearance. The degree of sorting required will vary according to the type of vegetable and the specific market preference. GUIDELINES • Avoid packing mixed grades into the same container; you are likely to obtain a below-average price, as the poorer quality vegetables tend to determine the price of the container as a whole. Your grading as displayed on the ticket may be checked on the market…

The Krone Big X 1180 is the flagship of the company’s forager fleet. Equipped with a 24-litre 850kW Liebherr V12 engine, it is the most powerful forage harvester currently available. The extra power produces greater throughput and drives larger, 305mm-diameter conditioning rollers, which in turn increase the size and speed of the friction surface area. The special rollers rotate at different speeds and the differential can vary from 30% to 50%, while teeth slanted at an angle provide a unique shearing effect. The OptiMax 305 roller conditioner ensures exceptional crop intake and treatment, even when the chopping length is longer than usual. Servicing and cleaning have been improved. The new roller conditioner rests in massive, easy-to-service bearings, extending service life, and the temperature of the bearings is displayed on the…

To make a beef, bacon and onion pot roast for four fine diners, you will need: 1kg beef chuck 250g bacon 6 medium onions 14 cloves of garlic 1 heaped teaspoon of whole black peppercorns 2 heaped teaspoons of whole allspice 45g butter 750ml dry white wine 250ml water Quarter teaspoon of crushed, dried chillies 2 heaped tablespoons of chopped Italian parsley 1 bay leaf Coarse salt on demand 1 First, ask your artisanal blockman to cut the bacon into 5mm slices and the chuck into four 250g steaks. Back home, finish the bacon preparation by cutting these thick slices into strips 25mm long and 5mm wide. 2 Crush, peel and mince all 14 cloves of garlic. Peel and thinly slice the onions. 3 Heat the oven to 180°C. While…

Pinterest (pinterest.com) is a social media platform that allows users to create a customised online collection highlighting their interests. Photographs posted on the app are known as ‘pins’, and posting a picture is therefore called ‘pinning’. Collections with a common theme are known as ‘boards’. I remember my grandmother collecting patterns and ideas from magazines and putting them all together to browse through. Pinterest is very similar, with the exception that it also allows you to view other users’ digital boards. REMARKABLE IDEAS I do a bit of metalwork using horse shoes and therefore enjoy perusing through similar boards. I am constantly amazed at the brilliant ideas posted; they are usually good-quality photographs and can get the creative juices flowing. I once looked for ideas on building a ‘rocket stove’,…

“Some of the problems associated with the failure of South Africa’s land reform projects are linked to limited market access for emerging black farmers. These problems will not go away unless they are systematically reviewed and replaced with workable strategies. Primarily, the problems stem from information asymmetries in business agreements and agricultural markets. A lack of transparency in contracts reported within joint ventures, a lack of information on possible products to cultivate, and a lack of data on buyers lead to high transactional costs that ultimately affect smallholders. In the search for workable solutions that will help develop a more inclusive agricultural sector, a recent study of Kenyan smallholders in Kilifi County provides a compelling example for South Africa. The Kenyan agricultural sector, which accounts for almost 75% of the…

That there are not enough young people in science and agriculture is a widespread belief. However, there are young graduates interested in these fields, and I include myself in this, who remain unemployed. Universities and colleges are full of science and agriculture students, who, after finishing their qualifications, spend years trying to get into the workforce, only to land an internship for a year or two. After this, they are on the market again, job searching. Moreover, these students are heavily indebted with student loans. Thus, if government wants to attract more young people to science and agriculture, it should ensure that the already qualified graduates can gain employment. I have seen a number of these graduates switching to education because they cannot find jobs in their chosen professions. Give…

It may be true that every journey begins with a single step, but when it comes to land in South Africa, we have a long way to go. Therefore, government will have to clearly explain the narrative around land reform if we are to position the country as an attractive environment for foreign and local investment. Policy uncertainty around land reform has driven down confidence in the sector from 58 index points in the first quarter of this year to 54 in the second quarter, according to the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index. Unfortunately, a further downward movement could weigh down agricultural investment and dampen productivity, which could compromise the country’s food security. The agricultural sector is thus in dire need of more confidence and support from government, business and the…

Conservation NGO, the Landmark Foundation, recently launched the Fair Game brand, aimed at providing South African consumers with the choice of buying and eating red meat products sourced from farming operations that implement ethical practices and also avoid killing livestock predators. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, the director of the foundation, Dr Bool Smuts, said five farms in the Beaufort West district in the Western Cape were working together to produce meat according to Fair Game standards. Smuts explained that all fences on and between these farms had been taken down, encompassing an area of 24 000ha. Smuts said there was great concern about the impact of commercial livestock farming on wildlife and the environment. “We do not try to control carnivores. We actively encourage all wildlife and veld rehabilitation. We…

Unemployment could reach 28,3% by next year, compared with the current level of 26,6%, according to Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) president, Sipho Pityana, speaking at the recent Jobs Summit convened by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) in Midrand. An agreement to boost local procurement would, however, increase demand for local products, a statement issued by BUSA said. “The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) [will] engage 500 corporates in the next year to enhance local procurement. There is [also] a commitment by the agricultural sector to procure inputs locally where possible,” the statement said. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Jahni de Villiers, head of labour and development at Agri SA, who had been involved in talks with Nedlac to prepare for the Jobs Summit, said nothing “revolutionary”…

It is expected that the dairy industry in Canada will suffer losses of more than C$2 billion (about R23 billion) as a result of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement. The new agreement allows for greater access to Canada’s dairy market. “Granting additional market access of 3,59% [up from 3,25%] to our domestic dairy market, eliminating competitive dairy classes, and the extraordinary measures to limit our ability to export dairy products will have a dramatic impact not only for dairy farmers but for the whole sector,” president and CEO of the Dairy Processors’ Association of Canada, Mathieu Frigon, said. According to a statement by the association, the agreement will result in production in that country’s dairy industry being reduced, and would allow lower-quality dairy products…

South Africa’s forestry value chain recently embarked on a campaign to promote the positive contribution that plantation forestry was making to the environment. Historically, the industry had elicited criticism for contributing to a reduction in natural biodiversity and its significant use of freshwater resources. Following Arbour Week, which was commemorated last month, Forestry South Africa (FSA) released a statement saying commercial tree plantations remained essential for the numerous products derived from wood that were used in people’s everyday lives. These included roof trusses, benches, paper, packaging, tissue paper, and the cellulose used in food and medicine. South Africa’s forestry plantations not only protected the country’s few natural forests from deforestation, but about 25% of these natural forests were being conserved on land owned by plantation forestry businesses, the statement said.…

Wool prices softened at the first sale of October, mostly due to mediocre market demand for long and fine Merino wool, but the market was buoyed by a slightly stronger rand. Prices decreased across the board, with fine and coarse wool suffering the greatest losses, according to Cape Wools. Heinrich Victor, OVK’s operational manager for fibre, described the 2,3% decline as “more of a stabilising tendency and, taking the exchange rate into consideration, more normal than unusual”. The current holiday season in China, by far the world’s biggest market for wool, could also be a reason for the decline, he said. However, there were still signs of demand for good-quality long, fine wool. Wool of 22,5 microns suffered the highest declines and traded up to 4% weaker. The highest OVK…

The Department of Environmental Affairs recently revealed a plan to declare trout a Category 2 alien and invasive species under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. This proposal means that any action that involves live trout has to be controlled, restricted and authorised by government. Justification for the claim is that trout are invasive. But what exactly does ‘invasive’ mean? An invasive species is any species whose establishment and spread outside of its natural distribution range threatens ecosystems, habitats or other species, or has demonstrable potential to further threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species, or may result in economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. INTRODUCTION TO SOUTH AFRICA Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are found in cool, clear rivers of the American Northwest. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) are…

Tembi Xamesi is grateful to have been awarded the farm Riversdale near Tylden in the Eastern Cape as well as R3 million from the state’s Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RECAP) in 2012. But, on the other hand, he estimates that he has personally invested an additional R5 million in a farm that does not belong to him. To make matters worse, Xamesi is obliged to pay the state a rental of more than R130 000 a year because Riversdale was acquired for R7 million via the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) land reform programme. Despite these financial constraints, Xamesi has made significant progress and currently farms 160 Dohne Merino ewes, 80 commercial Bonsmara cows, 30 crossbred beef cows, and 130 crossbred female goats. The livestock is supported by 4ha of…

Swiss chard is threatened by a number of diseases. The most widespread of these is Cercospora leaf spot, which is also a major problem in beet. The disease is caused by the Cercospora beticola fungus, which can survive in the soil for two years. The symptoms are tan spots 2mm to 3mm in diameter on the leaves. Cercospora leaf spot strikes rapidly, usually affecting large areas when the temperature is between 24°C and 30°C and humidity is high. Knowing this can save you money and effort on control measures; instead of carrying out a weekly spray programme to prevent the disease, wait for these conditions to prevail and then take preventive measures. EVEN A LIGHT INFESTATION OF LEAF SPOT WILL RENDER THE CROP UNMARKETABLE KEEP MOISTURE AT BAY Start by…

While sitting at home the other day and listening to the sounds of the distant motorway, I realised that I can, in theory, estimate the speed that an engine makes from the noise that it produces. This is because there is a link between sound frequency (measured in vibrations per second – hertz or Hz) and revolutions per minute: one Hz equals 60rpm. I did some homework and discovered that the 23 lowest notes on a piano vibrate from 27,5Hz to 98Hz. I multiplied each value by 60 and this gave me an engine speed range of 1 650rpm to 5 880rpm. This means that any exhaust sound that is nearly the same as one of these 23 keys corresponds to the equivalent engine speed. This method works best when…

Waiting three and half hours for a meal to cook while smelling the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen allows one to ponder the pairing options without rush or worry, and to prepare a generous line-up. The midnight pairing started, as always, with the wine included in the dish itself. I used a light and fruity white blend, but this didn’t have the body to compete with the richness in the dish, and neither did the fruity rosé. A soft, light red blend worked well. However, the undeniable star of the show was a Pinot Noir. It’s the red variety of the Burgundy region in France and considered the holy grail of grapes by many consumers and winemakers. The Vriesenhof Pinot Noir, made by Springbok legend Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee, delivers…

Many informed people over 50 are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s disease at some stage, as there does not seem to be much hope of a cure yet. However, evidence seems to be growing that what we eat affects the health of our brain as much as our body. Researchers at Chicago’s Rush University in the US have developed the MIND (Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, which may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by more than 50%. They claim that even those who followed it only “moderately well” reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s by about a third. THE BASICS OF THE ‘MIND’ DIET The diet divides food into 10 “‘brain-healthy’ groups” and five “unhealthy” groups. It recommends that we eat the following food and quantities: • Antioxidant-rich, leafy vegetables…

Born in October 1876 in Swellendam, James (Jimmy) Hugh Sinclair was a prodigious striker of the ball, an excellent fielder and, on occasion, a fearsome quick bowler. In short, he was the ideal all-rounder. When his family moved to the Reef, Sinclair completed his schooling at Marist Brothers in Johannesburg and joined Wanderers Cricket at the age of just 15. His enthusiasm and skill impressed the selectors, and he was chosen to play for Transvaal in the 1892-93 Currie Cup a few weeks after turning 16. He opened the batting, and his attacking style had purists shaking their heads and muttering about recklessness. Opening batsmen, after all, are expected to be patient, play elegant strokes and take the shine off the ball, leaving the middle order to score most of…

It has been nearly six months since Jackie Penny’s demise. Every time I pass her grave I’m reminded of that fateful day. My only consolation is my happy memories of our walks around the farm, her swims in the dam retrieving sticks, and our cuddle time in my bed on freezing winter nights. But recalling happy memories instead of getting up and making some more is harming my waistline and my psyche. I’m becoming a couch potato and a TV addict, and find every attempt at exercise unappealing. Not good! It’s time to do something about it. But do I want to go through another snakebite trauma? Should I get another Jackie friend? I convinced myself that Penny wouldn’t be offended if I came home with a rescue dog at…

AFMA Symposium 30 OCTOBER THE THEME FOR THE 2018 SYMPOSIUM OF THE ANIMAL FEED MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CSIR CONVENTION CENTRE IN PRETORIA, IS ‘LOCAL IS LEKKER’. PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO ACHIEVERS AT THE FUNCTION. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 15 TO 17 OCTOBER Second International Conference for Food Safety and Security, Pretoria. For more information, visit fsas2018.co.za . 8 TO 10 NOVEMBER Agriculture & Forestry Expo, White River, Mpumalanga. For more information, visit agfo.co.za . 22 NOVEMBER International Conference on Agriculture, Food and Aqua 2018, Cape Town. Email Lily Smith at agriculture2018conference@gmail.com . 26 TO 28 NOVEMBER African Agri Investment and Trade Indaba, Cape Town. For more information, visit agri-indaba.com . COURSES…

28 YEARS AGO A farmer who came to South Africa from England established his own fencing company in Pietermaritzburg to produce a system that could be used by a single operator. “A Cornish farmer, who emigrated to South Africa two years ago, soon realised there was a need for a farm electric-fencing system that is quick and simple to erect. “Roger Dunn, of Westview Farm, Nottingham Road – who describes himself as a farmer first and then a businessman – says the need spurred him on to start manufacturing fencing equipment. “When farming in Cornwall, he had come across the Rappa fencing system, which is very easy to erect. Designed by a well-known Hampshire farmer, Harry Ridley, it is possible for one man to erect up to four lines at…

Global land rights group, Landesa, recently launched the Resource Platform for Responsible Investments in Property and Land initiative in Geneva, Switzerland, with support from the UK’s Department for International Development’s LEGEND Programme. It consists of three interactive guidebooks to help businesses, governments and communities navigate investments in land. In a statement, Landesa CEO, Chris Jochnick, said land investments were unique, complex and often messy, and did not respond well to a one-size-fits-all approach. RESEARCH WAS DONE IN GHANA AND TANZANIA Each guidebook provides step-by-step instructions for implementing international standards that recognise and protect land rights. The guidelines were based on field research undertaken in Ghana and Tanzania; case studies of ongoing investments; Landesa’s experience of working with governments, communities and companies; and guidelines developed by global partners, including the Interlaken…

An experimental antivenom has been developed against the world’s most feared venomous snake, sub-Saharan Africa’s black mamba. Associate professor at the Technical University of Denmark, Andreas Hougaard Laustsen, said the findings could lead to a paradigm shift in snakebite treatment, with more than 100 000 people globally dying from snakebites every year. “We used a biotechnological method to find and then propagate human antibodies in the laboratory to enable use in the treatment of experimental black mamba envenoming. The method we employed can be used to discover human antibodies in the laboratory by simulating the human immune system, so we can avoid injecting patients with snake venom to raise antibodies through immunisation.” The antibodies were discovered using a library of human antibody genes extracted from white blood cells in donor…

The results of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Grain Crops Institute trials on five Bt maize hybrids conducted during the 2017/2018 planting season have been released. According to Dr Kingstone Mashingaidze, a researcher at the Grain Crops Institute, the hybrids were recommended for commercial production as they provided high yields and protection from insect pests. The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Bt maize hybrids include W6206B, W6207B, W6208B, W6209B and W62010B. The trials took place on 2ha lands on farms in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and on 1ha plots in North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and Free State. The WEMA project is a public-private partnership led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, which aims to enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa through developing and deploying water-efficient and drought-tolerant…

The global animal protein market is set to grow 35% in the next two decades. This was according to Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior global animal protein analyst at Rabobank International. Mulder shared Rabobank’s outlook on the global meat industry for the next 20 years at the 8th World Nutrition Forum, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. He said the fastest growth in demand would be for poultry, for which consumption was expected to grow 2% a year, or 50% by 2037. Although population growth was the main contributor to the increase in demand for animal protein, economic growth was also a factor, Mulder said. “Essentially people buy plant-based protein because they can’t afford animal protein, but as markets mature they shift from plant- to animal-based proteins. They also change…

Favourable weather conditions across most parts of the Western Cape have improved the outlook for South Africa’s stone fruit harvest. “Although it is still very early to make any predictions, the overall prospects for this year’s stone fruit crop are that it will be slightly bigger compared with the previous year,” said Jacques du Preez, Hortgro’s general manager for trade and markets. He attributed the increase to improved weather conditions during the winter season and new plantings coming into production. “There is, however, still great uncertainty about the [impact] of the three-year drought and how it will affect this year’s fruit set and fruit size. We’re in uncharted waters as we have not experienced conditions like these before.” Du Preez also expressed his concern about the ongoing drought in the…

The National Agricultural Marketing Council has approved an increase in the statutory levy paid by macadamia nut farmers from 23c/ kg to 50c/ kg. This will come into effect on 15 November. Earlier this year, the industry voted in favour of the increase to bolster the industry and fund research initiatives. The increase will see the Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association’s (SAMAC) income rise from R12 million to R30 million in the next 12 months. The increase is seen as crucial to the success of the non-profit company established by SAMAC earlier this year, after the association broke away from the industry body for subtropical fruit, Subtrop. Ian Williams, chairperson of SAMAC, said: “Delivering value for the levies that are being paid is paramount. This includes ensuring that growers have access to…

One of the great advantages to night vision (NV) equipment is that predators come in faster to the call, and closer! In addition, NV makes identification far easier. Remember, though, that NV makes it seem as if objects are far more distant than they really are. A novice night-vision hunter might think an incoming animal is about 120m away, when, in fact, the distance is closer to 80m. But you tend to get used to this pretty fast and make the necessary allowances to your estimates. Another potential problem occurs when an animal stares straight at you. If it has large eyes like a cat, it will be hard to make out as the image is so bright it looks as if the animal is on fire due to the…

A cornerstone of any land reform programme should be eventual private ownership, says Tembi Xamesi. He also does not support the concept of expropriation of land without compensation. “I don’t think it’s worth taking the land without payment, because people will vandalise it,” he says. “They’ll build makoekoes [shacks] and all that stuff. There’ll be no opportunity. There’s nothing they’re going to gain [agriculturally].’’ He adds that once land is expropriated without compensation, its value, which underpins the sector, is compromised. “If you want to own the land, then buy it so that you can also sell it. How will you be able to sell your land if you didn’t buy it?’’…

• Reduced management inputs for irrigation scheduling, with less leaching of water and fertiliser on low water-holding capacity soils; • Centralised automation and fertigation, with less dependency on sophisticated automation; • Simplified accommodation of soil and cultivar variation through the use of small block design and pump variable speed drive technology; • Reduced capital cost and mainline infrastructure; • Energy tariff restrictions: using one shift, the idea is to have one or a maximum of two start times per day, depending on soil conditions and energy tariff restrictions with the complete area being irrigated at the same time.…

The Solanaceae family includes a number of food plants such as tomatoes and potatoes, as well as garden flowers such as petunias. It also includes several toxic species, such as deadly nightshade (Solanum genus). MOW THE PLANTS AS SOON AS THEY EMERGE, THEN RAKE THEM UP AND BURN THEM Deadly nightshade plants are spiky and have purple, yellow or red berries, depending on the species. The flowers are purple, white or pale yellow and have large stamens. All species are regarded as noxious weeds. Solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid with a bitter taste, is found in the leaves, stems and fruit. The young flowering plants and green berries are highly toxic; they are easily consumed as they grow rapidly in grass after the first summer rains (from October onwards). Deadly nightshade…

I often feature the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market (JFPM) in this column. This is understandable considering its dominant position in South Africa’s fresh produce sector. To illustrate the size of JFPM’s facilities and operation, I quote from a presentation made by Charles Park, JFPM’s senior manager: commercial operations, at the recent Institute of Market Agents of South Africa conference in East London. According to Park: • The top five products sold at JPFM are: potatoes (22%), tomatoes (12%), onions (11%), bananas (7%) and apples (6%). • More than 6 000 producers supply the market. • A total of 18 market agencies operate in the three sales halls. Of these, nine are BEE agencies. • The trading area covers 75 000m², the equivalent of about eight rugby fields. The entire facility…

In 1855, six years before the start of the American Civil War, US Cavalry officer Captain George McClellan travelled to Europe as part of a commission to investigate military tactics and equipment, including saddles. The commission’s visit coincided with the Crimean War. McClellan then went back and designed a saddle for the US Cavalry. There is some argument about whether the final saddle design was based on saddles used in Hungary and Prussia, or existing saddles used in Mexico, which had a Spanish tree. Both could be true: the Spanish Riding School was initiated in Austria, and the saddles shown in contemporary paintings have a definite Spanish influence, with a high pommel and cantle and sidebars similar to those of the McClellan. A SIMPLE, WOODEN DESIGN The original McClellan saddle…

Dear Jonno, After our conversation regarding the design for my new factory, I hereby follow up on my requirements. My partners and I have acquired 2ha of land for the factory, which will be used to process and bottle flavoured beetroot. The building must consist of a boardroom, six offices, a general storeroom, an equipment storeroom, a coldroom, a processing plant, a wash bay, a packaging area, a tractor garage and car parking. We’d appreciate it if you could assist us, as our budget has to be stretched for the structure. Please let us know what your fees are. Kind regards, Wilson Dear Wilson, Thank you for the list of facilities for your proposed factory. To start with, I’ve given you a layout of these facilities, which I’ve located in…

RAMAPHOSA’S TURN by Ralph Mathekga (Tafelberg, R285) Mathekga admits that President Cyril Ramaphosa faces “an almost impossible task” in trying to manage healing within the ANC and the nation. He discusses the immediate challenges and compromises that Ramaphosa faced on becoming president – including announcing “his Cabinet from hell” – and those that will shape the longer-term success of his term and the party’s results at next year’s elections. Ramaphosa probably has the least room to manoeuvre of any of South Africa’s democratic presidents, but he does have years of business diplomacy to add to his political skills. Mathekga’s account ably considers how Ramaphosa is squeezed on all sides and where he might chip out room to make his mark and save the day for his party and…