Farmer's Weekly 27 August 2021

Damning words dominate the latest report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report, titled ‘Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’, addresses the most up-to- date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change. Some of the findings in the report are that it can be unequivocally proven that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, resulting in “widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere”. The report also says that “the scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole and the present state of many aspects of the climate system are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years”, and that it is inevitable that global surface temperature would continue to increase until at least the…

“As South Africa battles the third wave of COVID-19 infections and recovers from the destruction and looting that took place in parts of the country in July, it’s easy to forget another looming catastrophe: a water crisis with potentially devastating consequences. In the Eastern Cape, dam levels are perilously low after a multi-year drought, with dams servicing Nelson Mandela Bay at record lows. The province’s main water supplier is the Koega Dam, which is currently at less than 4% of capacity, and of that only 1,5% is usable water. The second-largest dam in the province is the Impofu Dam, which is at 16,64% capacity. Severe water restrictions have been imposed in the province to delay a potential Day Zero from occurring. While the Eastern Cape’s water shortages are primarily the result of…

23 to 25 August (online) Some of the topics discussed this year will include new technologies and innovations in the industry, as well as consumer trends and preferences, amongst others. Visit IBOsummit2021.com.pe to register. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 18 TO 19 OCTOBER Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association Symposium (online). Visit afmasymposium.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 6 TO 7 SEPTEMBER Cow/Calf Production, Port Elizabeth. Phone Peter Milton on 083 630 8868, or email petermilton5252@gmail.com. 8 TO 9 SEPTEMBER Ewe/Lamb Production, Port Elizabeth. Phone Peter Milton on 083 630 8868, or email petermilton5252@gmail.com. 27 SEPTEMBER TO 1 OCTOBER Veld Management Course, Modimolle. Email Frits van Oudtshoorn at courses@alut.co.za, or phone him on 071 866 1331. 5 OCTOBER TO 11 NOVEMBER Trail Guide Course (online). Email Terry Gouws at enquiries@ecotraining.co.za, or phone her on 013 752 2532. 9 TO 10 OCTOBER Beginners’ Floral Course, Randburg. Visit jillmanson.co.za, or email info@jillmanson.co.za. 11 TO…

39 YEARS AGO A leading Lowveld tobacco producer found that, in order to achieve optimum yields, the control of weeds and grass is essential. Weeds and grass, as in all crops, are profit destroyers. With tobacco, which is particularly sensitive to grass and weed competition, it can mean a loss in yield of 700kg/ha to 800kg/ ha, says Lowveld tobacco grower FJ Riekert. Weed and grass control, along with early control of suckers in maturing tobacco, are two vital factors that influence successful tobacco production. Riekert, at his farm Kiaatdraai near Hazyview, Mpumalanga, obtains a yield of 1 750kg/ha, but he expects to push this up to about 2 000kg/ha. His return on such a yield would be about R6 000 [around R119 000]. “However, I estimate that my expenses on producing a hectare of…

Farewell to a South African wine industry giant Francis ‘Duimpie’ Bayly (81), one of South Africa’s most distinguished wine personalities, passed away on 11 August 2021. He started off his career as a lab assistant and rose to become an icon of the South African wine industry. Bayly, who had been educated at Stellenbosch University, the University of California (Davis), and Harvard, and was a member of oenology and viticultural societies in the US and Australia, played a key role in raising the reputation of the local wine industry in global markets. He was involved in promoting conservation and in championing South African brandy and the country’s indigenous Pinotage grape. Bayly was also instrumental in creating one of the country’s most important wine libraries in the Tabernacle cellar at Distell. He served as president of the…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA EARLY PREDICTIONS ALL POSITIVE FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S 2021 WHEAT HARVEST Production conditions for wheat are currently very good and, should they continue, an excellent 2021/22 South African wheat crop can be expected. Read the full story at bit.ly/2VNmn2E, or scan here: Posted: 11 August 2021. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA A Facebook post titled ‘Decline in stock theft prevents R100 million in losses’ left some of our followers shocked at the stats provided. Here are their comments: Posted: 8 August 2021. READERS’ COMMENTS Mompati Taupedi: “These stats are not accurate. North West is experiencing high cases of stock theft. Both cattle and goats are stolen almost weekly. The decline is maybe due to the fact that some farmers are tired of reporting [stock theft] to police.” HZ Langa: “Where? Here in North West, the…