Farmer's Weekly 1 July 2022

In recent weeks, Farmer’s Weekly has reported on labour issues on farms. In this issue, for example, we look at the UK government’s plan to move away from manual labour and towards using robots and other agricultural machinery to replace farmworkers (see page 19). In our previous issue, we reported on how farmers are struggling to hire farmworkers, despite the extremely high unemployment rate in South Africa (see FW, 24 June). The move away from manual labour may seem inevitable as technology becomes more advanced and more affordable. Many governments around the world are also urging farmers to move forward with technology, as specialised equipment and machinery help them produce food more sustainably by limiting human interaction with animals, for instance, or planting, harvesting and spraying crops much more efficiently. However,…

“South Africa’s farmers have had to contend with extreme weather conditions and increased electricity, fuel and labour costs. The Russia-Ukraine war has also put further significant pressure on production inputs, export markets and commodity prices. Russia is a noteworthy market for South Africa’s citrus exports as well as apples and pears, and is the world’s leading exporter of fertiliser materials in value terms. This has resulted in a [further] spike in the cost of fertiliser, which is critical to crop performance and, ultimately, yield. What’s more, over the past five years, South Africa has imported around 30% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia. And while we still have other trade partners, we need to boost local production as much as possible to help offset rising food prices. Against the backdrop of…

25 to 28 July, Cullinan Farm Training Centre The Drive a Tractor course consists of theoretical and practical training on how to drive a tractor, and is ideal for farmers or farmworkers who operate tractors. The course covers a range of topics, including the legal requirements for and hazards when operating a tractor; starting and shutting down a tractor; operating procedures of a tractor; and the maintenance of a tractor. Phone AgriSkills Transfer on 012 460 9585, or email admin@agriskills.net. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 21 TO 22 JULY Precision Farming and Technology, Protea Hotel, Sea Point, Cape Town. Visit mathematraining.co.za/upcoming-events-bookings. 21 TO 24 JULY Cannabis Expo, Globe at Suncoast, Durban. Visit thecannabisexpo.co.za, or email info@thecannabisexpo.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 19 JULY Wilderness Trails Skills, Makuleke Concession. Email Lizaan Viljoen at enquiries@ecotraining.co.za, or phone 013 752 2532. 20 JULY Calf Rearing, Gauteng. Email Rothman Livestock…

The fruit industry is vitally important to South Africa as a foreign currency earner and a large provider of employment. According to a report in the South African Journal of Plant and Soil, over the past 25 years there have been many positive developments in the postharvest handling of fruit in the country. This is mainly because of the adoption of a number of new technologies developed in response to changes in the industry. The grape industry uses rapid cooling and packaging to protect grapes from desiccation and decay. Several packaging methods are used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. INNOVATIVE DESIGN With the goal of reducing the postharvest cooling period and eliminating the condensation that causes product spoilage, Mpact Versapak, a division of Mpact Group, recently redesigned its 100% post-consumer rPET (recycled…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA AGRIBUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX STILL POSITIVE Rising input costs, biosecurity concerns, interest rate hikes, intensified geopolitical risks and ongoing weakness in municipal service delivery are taking their toll on agribusinesses, according to the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index. However, despite a drop in the index, business confidence remained on a sure footing above the 50-point mark. Read the full article at bit.ly/3xQ2yI6, or scan here: Posted: 14 June 2022. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA We posted a link to an article titled ‘Cheap poultry imports damage local industry, and some of our followers told us what they thought about the situation. Posted: 9 June 2022. READERS’ COMMENTS Al Owen: “There is no good reason to import chickens.” Phaladi Makwala: “Why do you import when you can source from [South Africa] and empower local agriculture?” The Barn - Ashburton Tourism:…

This article revealed that on a farm on the Mpumalanga Highveld, more than one million oak trees were growing. Green fodder was produced from the leaves and twigs, and rations from the acorns, while felled trees provided valuable timber. When the British Royal Family visited South Africa in 1947, a special railway siding was built on the [Mpumalanga] Highveld, where they could rest for a few days. The site chosen adjoined the farm Kralingen, about 8km from Ermelo, owned by CD Ahlers. There was a good reason for this. Kralingen is both restful and beautiful because of the oak plantations scattered over the entire farm. More than one million oaks are growing on this 200ha farm, which has annual rainfall of 914mm. The farm was bought in 1946 from Dr AA Jurriaanse,…