Table of contents for 15 December 2023 in Farmer's Weekly

Isuzu Motors South Africa is proud to announce the handover of three new Isuzu D-Max bakkies to humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, renewing its commitment to amplify efforts to bring critical disaster relief to affected areas, often in hard-to-reach and remote locations across South Africa. The handover is a continuation of a partnership started in 2019 where a total of three Isuzu D-Max bakkies and three Isuzu trucks. The partnership has since seen these vehicles help Gift of the Givers with much-needed logistical support in carrying out its humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts across the country, often navigating difficult terrain to reach those communities facing adversity. The Isuzu D-Max bakkies are built for solid performance, fuel efficiency and reliability which will continue to allow the Gift of…

A recent report by AfriForum has shown that out of the 1402 farm attacks and farm murder incidents recorded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the past four years - from 2019 to 2022 - there have been only 66 cases where convictions were secured. According to the 'Rural injustice: The low prosecution rates for farm attacks and murders' report, more than 95% of all recorded farm murders remain unsolved. The report also reveals that while AfriForum's database recorded 182 incidents of farm attacks in which at least one person was murdered (217 murder victims) for the 2019 to 2022 calendar years, the SAPS recorded 153 of these incidents for the same period. This information, together with other figures regarding the arrest and prosecution of suspects involved in…

Despite authorities saying there is no need to panic-buy eggs, and that there will be sufficient stock of eggs and poultry meat for South Africans throughout the festive season, a hike in prices going into the new year could be a reality. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has urged consumers not to resort to panic-buying eggs as efforts to restore stock are ongoing and there has been a steady inflow of eggs onto the market. In a statement, the department said they have opened import permits for eggs and poultry products from a few countries and that the practice predates the recent Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak. “Import of table eggs, fertilised eggs, pasteurised eggs, egg powder and liquid eggs has been ongoing for many…

An agritech company in Egypt has introduced a soilless solution to the water shortage that has affected farmers across the country. The company, Plug 'n Grow, said it was offering a wide range of hydroponics solutions to growers. According to the agriculture ministry in Egypt, water scarcity is among the issues plaguing the country's farmlands. Another concern is the shrinking of arable land, which is forcing many smaller farms to shut down. The UN said in a statement that Egypt was expected to be categorised as waterscarce by 2025 due to climate change and a recently built dam in Ethiopia that had drastically dropped the fresh water supply from the Nile. The river is the main source of fresh water to Egypt. Urbanisation is another reason for the reduction of…

The rise of discounters and retail price wars has resulted in a situation where consumers benefit from lower prices at the expense of producers, said David 'Dr Food' Hughes, an emeritus professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College London, at the 10th International Table Grape Symposium, held in Somerset West in the Western Cape. Hughes said the retail wars were driven by the impact of rising costs on consumer spending and the polarisation of household income, which had accelerated over the past five years throughout the world. In the US, for instance, it is estimated that households at the bottom 20% of income spend roughly 37% of their salaries on food, in comparison with only 7% for the top 20%. According to Statistics South Africa, the situation is worse in…

Any large-scale undertaking of food production is bound to have an impact on the environment, and while it can't be avoided for the sake of food security, how and where the food production takes place, and how the farmer manages the land, need to be carefully considered. Whether you have just bought a piece of land or want to develop your farm further, you will need to conduct an environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to receive legal authorisation to continue with your plans. The EIA will determine if the farming activities will have a detrimental effect on the environment, to what extent, and if you can go ahead with your farming plans at all. The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), No. 107 of 1998, stipulates which activities are deemed harmful, and…

South Africa is the largest wheat producer in Sub-Saharan Africa after Ethiopia. Due to an increase in wheat demand to feed the growing populace, production needs to intensify. However, intensified agriculture through monoculture farming is the main threat to diverse ecosystems, creating ideal habitats for economically important pests to establish, reproduce and cause damage. Approximately 75% of South Africa's wheat is produced under dryland conditions and the remaining 25% under irrigation. Winter wheat produced on dryland in the Western Cape accounts for about 50% of the country's total production. In the winter rainfall area, wheat is planted between mid-April and mid-June and in the summer rainfall area (eastern Free State) between mid-May and the end of July. Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) is the most serious wheat pest in South…

A decision not to waste a single carrot from any of Greenway Farms' fields resulted in the popular fresh Rugani carrot juice. Harvested at sunrise and juiced and bottled by sunset, the juice is made from fresh carrots to ensure maximum nutritional benefit. Not being made from concentrate, the juice is preservative-free and high in beta carotene, with no sugar or water added. Carrots are a powerful source of essential nutrients that may assist in promoting vision and reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Vincent Sequeira and Vito Rugani from Greenway Farms in Tarlton in Gauteng are even packaging and exporting their unique, healthy product. After much research and a visit to an expert in Italy, the process of extracting Rugani carrot juice was refined. Greenway Farms' tractors…

SERVES 6 For the ragu: 1 onion 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 stalk celery 1 carrot 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme 1 teaspoon freshly chopped mint 5 Tbsp olive oil 4 bay leaves 2kg Wagyu beef roast Salt and ground pepper 1/2 cup red wine 1 can chopped and peeled tomatoes 1 cup tomato passata 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1 cup beef stock 1/4 red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp honey 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cumin 1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger 1/2 tsp cloves 1 tsp coriander powder 250g exotic mushrooms of choice Parchment paper For the béchamel sauce: 1 tsp peppercorns 2 bay leaves 8 cups milk 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup flour 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese Salt, to taste For the lasagne:…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. Contact farmersweekly@caxton.co.za . Subject line: Roelof Bezuidenhout, By Invitation. “Biodiversity conservation, protected areas and wildlife tourism are three fundamentals in an intricate, multifaceted and interlinked system. Of concern, however, is that current rates of biodiversity loss are unsustainable. Wildlife conservation outcomes are strongly influenced by adjacent communities. Although win-win situations do occur, relatively few community-based conservation initiatives have been wholly successful. In 73 studies spanning 12 countries in Africa, social outcomes were assessed as positive in only 34% of cases. There is a strong correlation between benefits, positive attitudes and community support for protected areas. By comparison, restricted access to natural resources and benefits is seen to have a negative impact on livelihood strategies and…

Heatwaves and load-shedding will have a negative effect on the upcoming mango season in South Africa. Volumes are predicted to remain unchanged from last year, at around 84 000t. Temperatures reached over 40°C in most of the production areas in Limpopc and Mpumalanga during November, accompanied by hot, dry winds. South African Mango Growers' Association board member Jaco Fivaz said that while a few producers had reported higher yields, most were down from the previous year. “On top of the heat, producers struggled to irrigate their orchards because of the ongoing load-shedding. Irrigation scheduling is erratic, with many farmers not being able to get the required amount of water to the trees. Packhouses are also under pressure as many have not been able to switch to solar power,“ he said.…

Pig fanning is often a popular choice for new farmers, and its appeal often stems from a combination of practical, economic and lifestyle factors. Some of the appeal has its roots in reality, but farmers must remember that all farming operations require careful research. Despite this, it is important to consider what some of the appeal is. For example, pigs have relatively short gestation periods and reach market weight faster compared to other livestock species, such as cattle. This means more frequent income for farmers. Pigs are also known for their efficient feed conversion, meaning they can convert feed into body mass quite effectively. As most farmers know, feed efficiency usually translates to lower costs per unit. (Of course, there are other variables to consider than simply feed efficiency.) AFFORDABLE…

The Hitching Post LIFESTYLE I am a professional lady aged 39, and would like to meet a mature Christian gentleman who loves God. PRE GRACEFUL I am a brown-skinned young woman from Windhoek, Namibia. I love farming and travelling. I am looking for a man I can settle down with, preferably white, coloured, or a Capetonian. He must be willing to have children and lead a happy family life. I speak Afrikaans and an indigenous language. REAL LOVE I am a hands-on person still in the workplace. I reside in a coastal town in the Eastern Cape. Are there any genuine men out there aged between 65 and 70 looking for companionship with a genuine and caring lady? My interests are music, art, cooking, catering and home life. TAKE A…

ACROSS 1. Exposure to the action of air (8) 5. Enclosed plantations of fruit or nut trees (8) 10. Areas of comparatively great elevation (7) 12. Work done for a customer, especially in maintenance of equipment (7) 13. Stretch of land (5) 14. Delicate (7) 15. Having more trees and shrubs (7) 16. _latte is a soft Italian blue-veined cheese (5) 19. Decayed (6) 22. One to whom a lease is granted (6) 24. Consequence (7) 25. Material made up of tiny rounded grains of rock, especially quartz (4) 26. Desert-dry (4) 28. Legally expelled from a building (7) 30. Fruit of the Malus domestica tree (6) 33. Extremely bad smell (6) 36. Large English draught horse breed (5) 39. Give up (a project or course of action) (7) 40.…

RamApocalypse Now by Zapiro (facana, R220) “For a cartoonist, South Africa is the gift that keeps on giving,“ says Zapiro. FFe keeps giving as good as he gets - and now rounds it up in his 28th annual. Anyone with a full collection has quite an eye-opening view on nearly three decades of the good, the bad and the ugly of South African politics. In this year's, relook the hilarious South African edition of sign language and the Joburg mayor falling foul of a vast pothole, with special extras for load-shedding stages, sport and politicians. Zapiro's world-weary heart could still make a touching tribute to singer Sixto Rodriguez and celebrate Banyana Banyana's upset of Italy at the FIFA Women's World Cup. The rest of the world doesn't go unscathed either,…

With design icons such as Eileen Grey's adjustable E-1027 side table and Noguchi's coffee table with its interlocking wooden legs and cloud-shaped glass top, rooms at the Colosseum Hotel in Century City have a special interior-design focus. Many of the designs at Century City in Cape Town riff on mixing architectural styles such as the neoclassical Vodacom building and Canal Walk in its grand Cape Venetian-style. FUN AND COMFY INTERIOR The Colosseum, in easy walking proximity to Canal Walk, plays with architecture and interior design styles too. The result is a fun and comfortable interior scheme. The fourth-floor executive suites have balconies with Table Mountain views. Suite 420, where Farmer's Weekly escaped a particularly wet Cape Town weekend, has a large sitting area and kitchenette as you enter while the…

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 22 TO 24 MARCH 2024 Cannabis Expo, CTICC, Cape Town. Visit the thecannabisexpo.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 13 FEBRUARY 2024 Animal Production Course. Visit agricolleges.com/national-certificate-in-animal-production/. SHOWS 9 DECEMBER A Lipizzaner Christmas, Mistico Equestrian Centre. Visit lipizzaners.co.za. 13 DECEMBER George Lipizzaner Extravaganza - Classical Sundowner Performance, Deja Vu, George. Visit lipizzaners.co.za. 15 AND 16 DECEMBER Port Elizabeth Lipizzaner Extravaganza Classical Sundowner Performance, Port Elizabeth Riding club. Visit lipizzaners.co.za. IMPORTANT DATES 2024 7 TO 9 FEBRUARY Fruit Logistica 2024, Berlin, Germany. Visit fruitlogistica.com/en/. 25 APRIL TO 4 MAY Bloem Show, Bloemfontein. Visit bloemskou.co.za. 14 TO 17 MAY Nampo Harvest Day, Nampo Park, Bothaville. Visit grainsa.co.za. 25 TO 27 JUNE Africa Agri Tech, CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria. Visit africa-agri.co.za. 19 TO 20 SEPTEMBER The 11th International Conference on Agriculture, Bangkok,…

'Since the egg production cycle is not too long, we expect the situation to normalise early next year' - Minister Thoko Didiza of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on the impact of bird flu on egg production in the country (pg 17). 'Grapes tick all the global consumer mega-trends on health and well-being. Tell people why they should eat grapes apart from the fact that they are a tasty snack […]' - David Dr Food' Hughes, an emeritus professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College London, on why the dever marketing of grapes is essential to increase the fruit's market share, in particular while consumers are under pressure (pg 20). 'On top of the heat, producers struggled to irrigate their orchards because of the ongoing load-shedding'…

The extension of the severely threatened renosterveld habitat in the Western Cape has been welcomed widely. This followed the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust's (ORCT) recent acquisition of 500ha in the Overberg district. Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, ORCT director, said this would provide a lifeline for species that would otherwise be at risk of vanishing forever. “Renosterveld, which literally translated means 'rhino veld', is part of the Cape Floral kingdom - the smallest and richest of the six plant kingdoms in the world. It's known as the shy sister of the more well-known fynbos habitat but is arguably the richest of all Mediterranean shrublands.“ According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), renosterveld was mostly seen as shrubland but included other structural forms, including tussock grasslands, grazing lawns and bulb lands.…

The Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVasa) has encouraged livestock farmers to study their latest disease report, released at the end of November, and to use the information to update their management programmes with the help of their veterinarians, in terms of vaccinations, breeding, biosecurity and nutrition. Dr Faffa Malan, manager of RuVasa, said October had been a challenging month: veld fires destroyed grazing in various parts of the country, and many animals caught in fires died or had to be put down. In many of the affected areas, grass regrowth had been lacking due to drought conditions, which has led to an increase in reports of losses due to protein and energy deficiencies. Downer animal reports also increased because of the poor quality of food available to cattle.…

For years, people have been talking about Africa's potential to improve global food security. Various role-players discussed making this a reality at the Africa Agri Investment Indaba, recently held in Cape Town. The high risk involved in primary, and especially smallholder production, was identified as one of the biggest barriers to financing, and in effect the development of Africa's agricultural potential at the gathering. The situation was worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to enormous fiscal spending globally and subsequent high inflation that governments were trying to curb with interest rate hikes, Chris Hart, executive chairperson of the Impact Investment Group South Africa, said during his welcoming address. The situation has increased agricultural production costs and made it more difficult for farmers to repay loans,…

There are many unknowns about how societies will manage the climate transition. And the associated energy transition from fossil fuel-based energy to renewable energy. The climate transition will require significant levels of investment - estimated at US$1 trillion (R18,5 trillion) a year in developing markets, excluding China. This raises important questions about the mix of public and private sector investments; whether to subsidise private sector investment; how to regulate private ownership; and how to make affordable energy available to all citizens. The speed of technological change and the uncertainty about future policies makes it hard to answer these questions. But countries that have put their toe in the water offer clues. South Africa is one of them. It developed a process for renewable energy procurement 12 years ago. The Renewable…

To get a better understanding of the optimal irrigation that is required, we need to take a look at the carrot root system. Most vegetable crops have a relatively shallow root system compared with carrots. When I tell farmers that carrot roots can even exceed a depth of 2m, they are very sceptical. However, we can't expect to harvest carrots of 2m in length, but it is the fine roots that source water and nutrients which have the potential to reach this depth. When I was actively farming, I decided to see for myself how deep the carrot roots reached. I dug a profile hole in the middle of a land of carrots that were not too far off maturity. I did find that the roots had reached 2m. I…

Hillbilly Homes LIFESTYLE Dear Jonno, I have land in Mpumalanga, and have kept an article of yours from an October 2015 edition of Farmer's Weekly. I am getting older, now nearing my 80s, and want to build a home to leave as my legacy for my family to remember me by. I am sending you the sketch I have kept bu t have made some changes that I want on my legacy home. While I still can climb stairs, I will use the attic room so I can enjoy the view. My son and daughter will share the rooms below. As shown, I have added a TV room and bedroom with bathroom. Kind regards, Enjay Dear Enjoy, What a wonderful description of a home to leave as a memory. A…

AUCTIONS TO PLACE AN UPCOMING AUCTION EVENT in the Classifieds Auctions section, contact Rene Moonsamy on 010 971 3771 or at renea@caxton.co.za. TO LIST AUCTION RESULTS in this section, email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za. Market Report Wool surges at 14th sale of the season The 14th sale of the wool season saw 10 790 bales on offer. Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)-certified wool comprised just below 50% of the Merino wool on offer. Sixty-three percent of the wool on offer tested 20 microns or finer, according to Cape Wools SA. The South African market took its lead from the good demand experienced in Australia, further supported by a weakening rand on the second day of the sale. All micron categories ended the day in positive territory, with the good competition resulting…