Farmer's Weekly 28 October 2022

Other than the load-shedding that has been imposed on South Africans which, at the time of writing, was still ongoing, Transnet workers began striking in early October, demanding higher wages. On 7 October, Transnet declared force majeure across all its harbours, BusinessTech reported. According to various media outlets, these strikes were costing the economy around R6 billion to R8 billion every day. Transnet operates South Africa's national ports and freight-rail, and the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa told BusinessTech that the strike threatened the country's imports and exports, and "put thousands of jobs on the line". The strike, led by the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) and the United National Transport Union (UNTU), is set to intensify should the employees' wage demands not be met. Around…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was first published by The Conversation. To read the original article, visit bit.ly/3EDDg3Z. “Hydrogen is used mainly to make chemicals such as fertiliser, and in oil refineries. Most hydrogen in the world today is made from natural gas or coal, using methods associated with large carbon dioxide emissions. Developed countries are therefore looking to 'green hydrogen' instead, which is produced using renewable electricity such as solar and wind power. GREEN HYDROGEN IS EXPENSIVE Global hydrogen demand reached 94 million tons in 2021, and contained energy equal to about 2,5% of global final energy consumption. Only about 0,1% of current global hydrogen production is green, but big expansions are planned. New applications for green hydrogen are also…

17 to 18 November, Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton, and online The Sustainable Innovative Producers and Emerging Farmers Conference offers a platform on which delegates can address the issues and challenges that are particular to young and emerging farmers. The conference will also explore the role that information and communications technologies play in driving agriculture, as well as the use of innovative applications to further contribute to the advancement and digitisat ion of agriculture. Email karabo@mathema.co.za. 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. 24 TO 25 NOVEMBER Drones and Unmanned Aviation Conference 2022, Emperors Palace. Email info@bussynet.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 26 OCTOBER Profitable Boer Goat Production, Potchefstroom. Phone Johan Steyn on 064 727 8321, or visit boergoats.co.za/training-days. 26 TO 28 OCTOBER Basic Goat Production, Groenkloof, Pretoria. Phone…

Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West, Western Cape, was named the winner of the Eco-Hospitality and Tourism category at the 2022 Eco-Logic Awards, held in late September at a sustainability-themed event at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. Online environmental information source Enviropaedia established the Eco-Logic Awards in 2011. The judges allocate award points based on seven Eco-Logic virtues, as well as the size and scale of their environmental impact. SEVEN VIRTUES The seven virtues are: vision and purpose; inclusivity and interconnection; reconnecting and building a regenerative relationship with nature; producing innovative products or services that are intellectually and emotionally intelligent; ubuntu; eco-ethical production and consumption; and sustainability. Through these virtues, we can begin to heal the planet and in the process heal ourselves," wrote David Parry-Davies, editor of Enviropaedia, in the awards…

Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA ©FarmersWeeklySA When we posted a link to an article titled, 'Can alternative food sources feed the world's growing population?', some of our followers shared their views on the matter. Posted: 12 October 2022. READERS' COMMENTS David Fincham: "No, only political will can feed the world. Commercial and small-scale farmers know what they must do and most do it well with insufficient support and resources. Fewer than one million food producers in South Africa must feed 56 million people three times a day. It's time to get real for the sake of the millions who are marginalised by the system." Rudi Le Grange: "The best way to feed the world is to let the world feed itself … we have to make growing food in our backyards/communities a norm." Charl Nel: "No way.…

NEW ZEALAND PLANS TO TAX EMISSIONS FROM LIVESTOCK BURPS AND DUNG New Zealand plans to tax agricultural emissions, including those from the burps, urine and dung of livestock, in a move that its government hopes will help the country meet its climate-change goals. - cnbc.com DEEPEST FIXED-BASE OFFSHORE WIND FARM TO BECOME EVEN BIGGER Permission to increase the potential installed capacity of the remaining 36 wind turbines at Seagreen, Scotland's largest and the world's deepest fixed-based offshore wind farm, from 360MW to as much as 500MW, has been granted. - energylivenews.com US SUPREME COURT WRESTLES WITH CASE ON PIGS, CRUELTY AND COMMERCE The US Supreme Court recently considered whether California could address cruelty to animals by requiring that pork sold in that state come from breeding pigs housed in spaces that allow them to move around freely. -…