Farmer's Weekly 11 November 2022

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.

R 24

in this issue

In This Issue

Elephants in the room that aren't being addressed

On 26 October, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tabled the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in the Cape Town City Hall. There have been mixed reactions to the statement, and while this minibudget suggests that South Africa's finances are in a better position than was estimated in February, Godongwana's MTBPS yet again highlights the most pressing challenges facing economic growth in the country. And, once more, there are very few solutions forthcoming, if the MTBPS is anything to go by. Let's start with the good news. The budget deficit, which indicates by how much expenses exceed revenue, is expected to narrow to 3,2% of GDP in 2025/26 from 4,9% in 2022/23. A primary budget surplus of 0,7% of GDP in 2023/24 is predicted should tax revenue collection continue on its projected course.…

2 min

ON THE COVER

Mismanagement of dams a key contributor to Nigerian floods

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This is an edited excerpt of an article titled 'Nigeria floods: government's mismanagement of dams is a major cause', originally published by The Conversation. To read the original article, visit bit.ly/3D5NOqa. Early in October, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency warned of catastrophic flooding in states located along the courses of the Niger and Benue rivers. It noted that three of Nigeria's reservoirs were expected to overflow. The agency said the release of excess water from a dam in neighbouring Cameroon had contributed to the flooding. The operational management of dams and reservoirs depends on the purpose for which the dam was built. If a dam was built for water supply, irrigation or hydroelectric power, the aim would…

5 min

REGULARS

Calf rearing

9 December, Gauteng The Calf Rearing course combines practical know-how with prescribed solutions to better empower cattle farmers to deal with various scenarios. It is often overlooked that better preparation of the cow before calving can drastically improve the survival chances of her calf. Some of the modules covered include the preparation of cows before calving; assisting the cow during calving; taking care of the newborn calf and cow; the first intake of colostrum; bedding and ventilation; and immunisation and dosing, amongst others. Email Rothman Livestock and Training Services at office@RLTSafrica.com. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Agribusiness Conference 2022, Protea Hotel, Sandton. Email Buhle Ndokweni at buhle@mathema.co.za, or phone 011 862 4001. 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Sustainable Innovative Producers and Emerging Farmers Conference, Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, and online. Email karabo@mathema.co.za. 18 TO 20 NOVEMBER The Cannabis…

2 min

REGULARS

JWO Research Grant to fund study of communities, conservation and cattle

Since its inception in 2019, the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant has grown steadily into one of Africa's most sought-after science prizes. This year, an unprecedented 332 applications were received from 29 African countries, showcasing high-calibre, game-changing research on the continent. A WINNING PROPOSAL This year's recipient of the research grant is Dr Elizabeth le Roux, a research fellow at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and an assistant professor at Aarhus University in Denmark. Le Roux's winning research programme, titled 'Cattle corridors: aligning ecological processes and local livelihoods', will explore whether the movement of cattle and pastoral communities in Africa can help to reconnect and integrate fragmented conservation areas. Her work will be conducted over three years and is informed by the conviction that "the earth needs ecologically intact ecosystems and we…

3 min

REGULARS

FROM FACEBOOK

Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA ©FarmersWeeklySA When we posted a link to an article titled, 'Agri industry welcomes new R1,95 billion blended financing scheme', some of our followers let us know what they thought about the matter. Posted: 26 October 2022. READERS' COMMENTS Vincent Botha: "It would be interesting to know how much of this money will actually reach the farmers, and how much of [it] will go to 'consultants', administration costs, travel and accommodation, and my personal favourite, 'unforeseen expenses'." Hans Armbruster: "What happened to the last lot? Billions went missing." Charles Jones: "Here we go again … there is no end to this blatant corruption, and no real emerging farmers will get anything … only emerging comrades." Want your photo to be featured as our 'Photo of the Week'? Tag @FarmersWeeklySA on Twitter or Instagram to…

1 min

REGULARS

AGRI NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

COST OF LIVING CRISIS COULD TRIGGER 'WINTER CRIME EPIDEMIC' ON UK FARMS UK farmers have been warned that the cost-of-living crisis could trigger further increases in thefts from farms and rural properties this winter. - farminguk.com MASSACHUSETTS FARM TURNING POOP INTO POWER TAKING ADEQUATE STEPS ON FARM FIRES At Jordan Dairy Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts, US, the cows are doing two things: producing milk and poop. That may seem like a stinky problem, but it's how the farm is being powered. - cbsnews.com FOOD WASTE: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ITEMS EUROPEAN CITIZENS DUMP IN THEIR BINS? The likes of discarded bread, vegetables, fruit, and meat have led to 127kg of food wasted per person across the EU every year. - irishexaminer.com…

1 min