52 Articles

On 31 March, Farmer’s Weekly hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Botswana Investment Trade Centre on the opportunities for investment in agriculture in that country. The speakers looked at how the Botswanan government was incentivising businesses and companies to invest in the country through tax policies and other means. They also spoke about the shortfalls in Botswanan agriculture in terms of production; Botswana is a net importer of agricultural commodities. Some of the industries highlighted were beekeeping, beef cattle production, feed manufacturing, and citrus production. While there are many challenges to agricultural production in Botswana, some of which cannot be controlled, such as drought, and others that are within the reach of the government or other entrepreneurs to change (such as infrastructure and connectivity problems), the country seemingly remains one…

5 min.

Groundwater: key to Africa’s agri potential

“Groundwater, which accounts for approximately 99% of all liquid fresh water on earth and is distributed over the entire globe, albeit unequally, has the potential to provide societies with tremendous social, economic and environmental benefits, including climate change adaptation. It already provides half of the volume of water withdrawn for domestic use by the world’s population, and around 25% of all water withdrawn for irrigation, serving 38% of the world’s irrigated land. Yet despite its enormous importance, this natural resource is often poorly understood, and consequently undervalued, mismanaged and even abused. In the context of growing water scarcity in many parts of the world, the vast potential of groundwater and the need to manage it carefully can no longer be overlooked. Groundwater storage depletion occurs when discharge exceeds recharge. Although climate variability and…

2 min.

Arabian horses on display

Email admin@arabhorse.co.za, or info@arabhorse.co.za. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 12 TO 13 MAY Drone and Unmanned Aviation Conference, Emperors Palace, Kempton Park. Email info@bussynet.co.za. 25 TO 27 MAY Irrigation, Drainage and Water Management Summit, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cape Town. Email Charity Wockelmann at charity@irrigationfmi.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 20 APRIL Profitable Boer Goat Production, Potchefstroom. Phone Johan Steyn on 072 594 4626, or email him at info@boergoats.co.za. 25 TO 29 APRIL Pig Management and Production, George. Phone Rothman Livestock Services and Training on 078 546 7985, or email office@RLTSafrica.com. 4 TO 6 MAY Poultry Course, Groenkloof, Pretoria. Phone AgriSkills Transfer on 012 460 9585, or email admin@agriskills.net. 9 TO 13 MAY Introduction to Poultry Production, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria. Email Mpho Makhanya at makhanyam@arc.agric.za. 23 TO 25 MAY Tractor Operation and Maintenance, Delmas. Phone the Buhle Farmers’ Academy on 063 287 2732, or email applications@buhle.org.za. Visit buhle.org.za. 23 TO 27…

2 min.

SAPPO mourns the loss of Derick van der Walt

It is with great sadness that the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) announces the passing of Derick van der Walt, editor of the organisation’s newsletters and online magazine, Porcus Prime Cuts, on 24 March 2022. Van der Walt, a journalist by trade, was born in Virginia in the Free State on 14 July 1958, and grew up in Johannesburg. His family relocated to Pretoria at the start of his high school career, and he matriculated at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool. He obtained a BA (Hons) in Communication from Unisa and an MA (cum laude) in creative writing from the University of Pretoria. Van der Walt had been in the corporate communication field for many years and, having been involved in the agriculture industry since the days of agricultural marketing boards, he had extensive…

2 min.

Seeking expert advice from Dr Mac

Dear Dr Mac, I came across your excellent column titled ‘Why some horses are bleeders’ (see FW, 10 & 17 December 2021). Here, you share your thoughts on, and general feeding practices, for racehorses in hot and humid climatic conditions. However, would natural betaine be of any help in this situation? From a reference point of view, though, betaine is used in human nutrition for athletic performance. However, I did find some research on the use of betaine in horses, and thought to share some of my findings with you – see bit.ly/36xZFki. Nevertheless, I am seeking your expert opinion. Please let me know about your experience with using such a feed additive for your horses. Dr Devendra S. Verma, veterinarian – Bangalore, India Good day, Dr Verma This is an interesting question. Trimethylglycine is related to…

1 min.

Trending in Agriculture

3 min.

Improve soil for healthy fruit trees

In this article, an expert looked at ways to improve the soil’s ability to supply more water and nutrients to fruit trees. Since the absorption of water and nutrients by fruit trees is vital to their maintaining a productive and healthy life above ground, fruit growers must ensure they alleviate the factors in soil that impair such absorption. “The larger the root system, the larger is the store from which trees can absorb and utilise water and nutrients, ” says Jan Lambrechts, a senior soil-science lecturer at Stellenbosch University. ESTABLISH SIZE OF ROOT SYSTEM There are several soil factors that are important in determining the size of a root system. “Most of the limiting factors can be improved to ensure a larger and more effective root system, ” he says. How successful you are at…

4 min.

Is a food crisis looming for Africa?

There are clear signs that the world is heading towards a historic food price crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. The two countries are among the world’s largest agricultural producers and exporters. Russia and Ukraine collectively account for around 26% of global wheat exports (with Russia making up 18% and Ukraine 8%), 19% of global maize exports, and 80% of global sunflower oil exports. Ukraine is the largest exporter of edible seed oils (two-thirds of the world’s production), with by-products used as feed. FERTILISER DISRUPTION Fertiliser supplies have also become a major problem. Russia is the world’s largest exporter of this input, accounting for 14% (US$7 billion or about R101 billion) of exports. The country accounts for 8% of global nitrogen and phosphate rock production, while Belarus supplies more than 15% of the…

3 min.

A recovery plan for the Eastern Cape’s agricultural economy

In March, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane hosted a roundtable discussion, during which a variety of issues concerning the province’s economic recovery and reconstruction were discussed. Earlier in the year, in his State of the Province Address, he also emphasised the Eastern Cape’s efforts to reinforce growth and development, particularly economic recovery and infrastructure investment, to promote economic growth and job creation. I commend Mabuyane for holding the round-table discussion, as it demonstrated the provincial government’s willingness to work with other stakeholders to find solutions to the Eastern Cape’s economic ills. That said, the province is known as the poorest in the country, with high levels of unemployment and inequality, and few economic opportunities. ADDRESSING CHALLENGES The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation by pushing companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), out of business…

2 min.

Agri job creation lauded amid cost pressure

The growing importance of the agriculture sector as an employer in South Africa has been re-emphasised by Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) employment figures for the fourth quarter of 2021. This was according to Lebogang Sethusa, Agri SA’s labour and employment specialist, commenting on Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the final quarter of last year. The data showed that employment in the sector increased by 38 000 jobs quarter-on-quarter, from 829 000 jobs in the third quarter (Q3) to 868 000 in the fourth quarter (Q4). “While various provinces showed growth in employment numbers for agriculture, some 19 000 jobs were shed in the Western Cape, 600 000 in the Free State and 9 000 in Limpopo, ” he said in a statement. Gernie Botha, Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) operations manager,…

2 min.

Namibia agri union calls for debate on land reform

The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has highlighted the vital importance of thoughtful and thorough consultation and debate to ensure the successful implementation of land reform in that country. In his annual report for 2020, Piet Gouws, NAU president, said given the Namibian government’s urgent pursuit of the completion and implementation of the country’s land bill, widespread consultation would eliminate uncertainty about land ownership, reform and growth in the agriculture industry. He added that NAU members conditionally supported the government’s land reform goal of acquiring 10 million hectares of land for title deed owners and five million hectares for resettlement of farmers. “Our willingness is confirmed by more than 800 farms currently available for trading. We hope and believe that selected beneficiaries will deliver responsible, efficient and increased production, and contribute to the GDP,…

2 min.

SA black rhino to benefit from conservation bond

South Africa’s black rhino will be the first wildlife species to benefit from a new conservation bond issued by the World Bank. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creecy welcomed the opportunity for South Africa to be the recipient of an innovative and world-first financial instrument aimed at boosting conservation. “We are confident that this will assist in increasing the rhino [population’s] growth rate and stimulate the development of additional novel market-based mechanisms, ” Creecy said. She reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to wellmanaged conservation areas, and the expansion of these to contribute to inclusive rural economic growth in thriving biodiversity economic nodes. According to a World Bank statement, the Wildlife Conservation Bond, also known as the ‘Rhino Bond’, was a five-year US$150 million (about R2 billion) sustainable development bond. It was established to aid…

2 min.

Expanded wheat plantings hampered by high costs

There is no certainty about whether South Africa will plant more wheat in the coming season, despite the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global supplies. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said that in 2021/22, South Africa had produced 2,3 million tons of wheat, the largest harvest in 20 years. This had resulted in a slight reduction in imports from 1,52 million tons in the 2020/21 marketing year to 1,48 million tons this season. While it was still too early to confirm, he said he was optimistic that farmers in North West, the Free State and Northern Cape would plant moderately more wheat in the coming season thanks to improved soil moisture levels resulting from the excessive summer rainfall. He added that producers in the Western Cape might also be incentivised…

2 min.

Higher maize crop estimate bodes well for exports

The Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) latest report indicates that South Africa can expect a 2022/23 national maize harvest of above the 10-year average of 12,8 million tons. According to the March 2022 report, white and yellow maize harvests of about 7,56 million tons and 7,11 million tons respectively could be expected in the 2022/23 marketing year. “This is a 1% increase from the CEC’s February estimates of [a total of roughly] 14,53 million tons, and all indications are that South Africa will remain a net exporter of maize in the coming marketing year, which starts in May, ” Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said in a statement. According to independent agricultural economist Dr Kobus Laubscher, the fact that South Africa could continue to export maize in 2022/23 was good news for the…

2 min.

Quelea birds devastate Botswana sorghum harvest

Botswana’s ministry of agriculture and farmers in that country are struggling to control quelea birds (Quelea quelea) that continue to destroy sorghum crops. As a result, some producers are being left with little sorghum to sell, and are struggling to feed their families. Figures released by the ministry in late March revealed that local farmers had lost over 31 400t of sorghum worth P71 million (about R90 million) to quelea over the past two production seasons. According to the ministry’s data, the birds destroyed just over 19 660t of sorghum, valued at P41 million (R52 million) in 2020, and another 11 800t, worth P30 million (R38 million), in 2021. Molebatsi Molebatsi, Botswana’s assistant minister of agriculture, told Farmer’s Weekly that various initiatives were under way to eradicate the birds, including the use of…

1 min.

A long road to recovery ahead for China’s pig farmers

Some pig farmers in China are now being forced to use lower-quality grain for feed rather than more expensive soya meal, and are even selling off their assets in a bid to survive. This followed the recent record losses suffered by producers due to surging feed costs and weak pork demand. According to analysts, this situation could continue until next year as incomes shrink across China’s rural economy, with imports of soya bean and meat products likely to decline for a second consecutive year. African swine fever devastated China’s national pig herd three years ago, which resulted in pork output being slashed and prices soaring. This led to many farmers making substantial profits prior to the current downturn. But despite rapidly rebuilding their herds, producers found that demand for pork had fallen sharply due to…

1 min.

More biofuel for Indonesia, Malaysia

Despite higher prices for palm oil, producers in Indonesia and Malaysia will continue with the mandatory biodiesel programmes in those two countries in an attempt to reach green energy goals, senior officials announced. In a bid to reduce imports of diesel, Indonesia and Malaysia were using a biofuel blend that contained 30% palm oil, the highest mandatory mix in the world, Reuters reported. Indonesia’s coordinating minister for economic affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, told a recent industry conference that the country was working on plans to also use palm oil in diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. “Commitment to using palm oil as biofuel material will boost Indonesia to achieve energy security and a [renewable] energy mix target of 23% by 2025, ” Hartarto said. Renewables currently made up about 11% of Indonesia’s energy mix. Speaking…

1 min.

World in brief

UKRAINE With Ukrainian seaports remaining blocked due to that country’s conflict with Russia, the first supplies of maize have been transported to Poland by train, the APK-Inform agriculture consultancy reported. As Ukraine still had significant volumes of grain in stock, traders and agriculture officials confirmed that more supplies would be exported by rail via its western border. “Difficulties with logistics persist. Supply still prevails over demand, but prices have stopped falling, ” a recent APK-Inform report said. UNITED STATES There is a slow but steady improvement in the situation at US ports, with the Port of Los Angeles reporting record-high cargo volumes for February, according to a US Department of Agriculture report. The number of ships waiting to unload at the port and neighbouring Port of Long Beach was down to 44 from a high of…

2 min.

‘A good but challenging canning season for SA’

It has been a nerve-racking season for most canning producers. Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association (CFPA), said most farmers had received sufficient winter rainfall, but cool spring temperatures had resulted in apricots, peaches and pears being ready for harvest seven to 10 days later than usual. With apricots, the cool temperatures had resulted in low sugar content and poor fruit colouring, while intermittent rain in December had made it difficult to pick the fruit. When the harvest finally came in, processors had a difficult time accommodating the large volumes of fruit that arrived all at once. In this regard, Jordaan said he suspected the same would happen with the peach and pear harvests. He added that it seemed as though the earlier production estimate for processed apricots would be…

1 min.

Animal-handling facilities for North West farmers

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently handed over 11 livestock-handling facilities, valued at a total of about R5,9 million, to farming communities in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. The facilities include holding pens, crush pens and spray races to assist with cattle and small-stock management, and boreholes to supply the animals, as well as the broader community, with water. North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, said during the handover ceremony that infrastructure for rural animal handling was one of the key interventions in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. This was due to its role in creating an enabling environment for farming by improving animal health, and thereby helping to improve food security and job creation. “Animal healthcare is the backbone of livestock production, because…

2 min.

New Nigerian fertiliser plant could cut input prices

Although South Africa will not benefit directly from a newly opened fertiliser plant in Nigeria, local farmers could see a drop in fertiliser prices should this factory live up to expectations. This was according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz. “South Africa imports around 80% of its fertiliser [requirements], and the country is very exposed to any international price shocks, ” he told Farmer’s Weekly. “Any improvement in the global [fertiliser] supply will help the price [decrease].” Nigeria’s Dangote Group started production at the new US$2,5 billion (about R36,5 billion) urea and ammonia fertiliser plant in late March, Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote, said in an online report by CNN. The plant, which was commissioned by that country’s government, was situated on 500ha of land on the outskirts of Lagos, and had the…

2 min.

Russia-Ukraine conflict to hinder globalisation

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the worst Europe has faced since the Second World War, and it will have a lasting impact on globalisation. This was according to Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist at Absa AgriBusiness, who spoke during a recent virtual discussion marking the first month of the conflict. “The benefits of what we’ve seen of globalisation [since the late 1990s] could possibly lose momentum due to logistical and trade [challenges], ” she said. “Truthfully, this war is the third big blow to globalisation, ” Louw said. “First, we saw [former US president Donald] Trump’s war on Chinese trade, and then there was the COVID-19 pandemic.” She added that, in the short term, the conflict was resulting in a further disruption of global logistics. “Talks we’ve had with exporters and market stakeholders have indicated…

2 min.

‘Policy environment too strict for food security’

Concern is mounting over what has been referred to as draconian legislation proposed in the EU’s Green Deal. The deal calls for a 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030 and a large increase in organic cultivation. If the legislation is passed, 27% of South Africa’s exports will be affected, as production methods will need to align with the EU’s requirements. Speakers at the recent CropLife South Africa conference in Pretoria lamented the proposed legislation, as it would significantly curtail the ability of local farmers to fight pests. Giulia Di Tommaso, CEO of CropLife International, said greater innovation was needed to grow more food for the increasing global population, while still ensuring the sustainability of both farmers and the environment. “This innovation must be grounded in science. We need to have the courage to look…

2 min.

‘Pest control requires responsible management’

A call for more responsible management of pest control measures was made during the recent CropLife South Africa conference in Pretoria. Without greater stewardship, farmers could face having to produce crops with no way of protecting them against pests. Speaking at the conference, Nicholas Storer, global seeds regulatory advocacy leader at Corteva Agriscience, said that while biotechnology was a valuable addition to the integrated pest management (IPM) toolbox, it required the application of best practice to maintain the technology’s efficacy. “Since IPM is complex, it requires more management. The use of biotechnology increases the need for planning, as refuge areas need to be planted when using insect-resistant crops. Natural vegetation surrounding the fields also needs to be maintained, as it presents important habitats for beneficial insects, and [helps to] maintain biodiversity. ‘BIOTECH IS…

1 min.

South Africa’s best butcheries announced

The Cleaver Awards, now in its 17th year, is a Red Meat Industry Forum initiative held annually to recognise the country’s best butcheries. The criteria are quality, service, hygiene and value for money. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards were not presented in 2020, and this year’s awards ceremony, held recently in Johannesburg, included overall winners for both 2020 and 2021. “With [COVID-19-related] lockdowns, changes in demand and shifts in consumer behaviour, our butcheries have had to become increasingly agile, in some instances transforming their approaches and accommodating new ways of [doing] business. And even though many were hit hard [by] the pandemic, the Cleaver Awards confirms that our butcheries are still worth their beef, ” Dewald Olivier, executive officer of the South African Feedlot Association, said at the event. The national…

2 min.

2022 South African Dairy Championship winners

An 18-month mature Cheddar cheese made by Lactalis South Africa (Lactalis SA) has been crowned South Africa’s Dairy Product of the Year at the 2022 South African Dairy Championship. This is the third year in a row that a cheese made by Lactalis SA has received this accolade. With the 2022 award, it has also been the fifth time in six years that a product made by the company has won the top prize at the annual dairy event. The mature Cheddar was produced at Lactalis SA’s Bonnievale plant in the Breede River Valley in the Southern Cape. In a statement, the company said the savoury and fruity mature Cheddar was “creamy, with a slightly crumbly and crunchy texture”. The cheese had been matured for a minimum of 18 months. According to Agri-Expo, which…

2 min.

Cannabis farmers warned about hidden costs

Prospective cannabis farmers have been warned to do their homework on the true cost of starting such a business before embarking on the journey. This comes amid a slew of farmers having to close down their operations after their initial investments proved too little to see the projects through. Danie Nel, CEO of Afriplex, a manufacturer of cannabidiol products, said there was a prevailing perception that R4 million was sufficient to start cannabis farming. He told Farmer’s Weekly that the true cost was closer to R20 million. “Cannabis is a very sophisticated crop to grow and requires a sophisticated set-up. Then there are compliance and certification costs, the salary of the fulltime pharmacist who needs to be employed on-site, and a host of hidden costs. We’re therefore seeing one business after the other…

2 min.

‘Genome editing could revolutionise beef production’

The time has come for government to urgently invest in the development of the latest beef production technologies, such as genomic editing. This was according to James Faber, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, who said local producers would have to increase weaner production by an additional 250 000 weaners a year in the next decade to meet the demand for beef. Following a recent announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it had approved a shorthaired, genome-edited cattle breed, Faber told Farmer’s Weekly that genome editing could revolutionise local beef production, but at present this technology was extremely expensive. “South Africa is in the fortunate position in that it has a world-class private sector livestock research component that has already made considerable inroads in terms of research on…

2 min.

Public-private task team fights rhino poaching

A public-private partnership between the South African Anti-Money Laundering Integrated Task Force (SAMLIT), the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and Investec has resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of 78 rhino horns, ivory and other wildlife products. “It takes a network to catch a network, and we’ve learnt that by joining forces and communicating through legal frameworks, we can be much more effective than by operating in silos, ” said Gerald Byleveld, Investec’s head of financial crime compliance, and head of SAMLIT’s illegal wildlife trade working group. Referring to the collaboration between the South African chapter of United for Wildlife, SAMLIT members and the FIC, he said this had brought intense focus on rhino poaching amid “the slaughter of 24 rhinos in 48 hours late last year”. This partnership was able to support…

3 min.

Short-term vegetable price inflation to remain steady

Although the effects of the heavy rainfall experienced earlier in 2022, which resulted in lower quality and volumes of vegetables, might have abated, input cost pressures are likely to limit the degree to which prices will ease over the next few months. As a result, we expect vegetable price inflation to remain steady during the coming months. CABBAGES The price of cabbages at the end of March was marginally higher month-on-month (m/m), despite a 9% increase in volumes (see Graph 1), which suggests firm demand. However, prices were substantially lower year-on-year (y/y), due to lower volumes. The lower y/y price could also be ascribed to poorer-quality products as a result of excessively wet weather experienced in the northern parts of South Africa during the first weeks of 2022. During the third week of March,…

3 min.

Used properly, ‘idle time’ isn’t wasted time

When last did you take a long walk? Apple CEO Steve Jobs used to love walking; he believed his most creative ideas came while he was on a walk. He often held meetings while walking, and whenever he wanted to have a serious conversation he’d suggest a walk. Bill Gates tells of a time when there was tension between himself and Jobs, and during a meeting, in an attempt to resolve it, Jobs suggested they go for a walk. It threw Gates completely. “Taking a walk was not one of my management techniques, ” he says, but admits that while they were walking and talking, their tempers cooled, and they made progress in resolving their disagreement. Jony Ive, the brilliant and long-serving designer at Apple, was frequently seen walking with Jobs as they dreamt…

3 min.

A basic checklist to keep sheep healthy and productive

I have known lamb weaning rates in communal farming areas to be as low as 8% to 15%. This means that only eight to 15 lambs from every 100 breeding ewes survive into adulthood! If you wish to be profitable and grow your farming enterprise, you should have a lamb weaning rate of at least 85%. In fact, you should be striving to achieve in the region of 90%. If you consistently produce low reproduction figures, you won’t have enough female offspring to replace ewes that are too old. Female animals are usually sold as ‘old ewes’ at anything from seven to eight years (depending on nutritional and environmental issues), but some ewes may produce for slightly longer. Be sure to replace ewes before they begin to ‘slate’ or lose their teeth completely…

5 min.

What GPS trackers reveal about Cape Town’s baboon troop movements

Many animals form groups. Living in a group can protect individuals from predators, reducing risk; it also helps them to find more food, increasing rewards. However, the presence of cities can alter these patterns of risk and reward. When wildlife enters urban space, there’s the potential for the way that individuals behave in groups (their ‘collective behaviour’) to be drastically altered. Until recently, scientists have known little about the collective behaviour of wild animals, because it’s difficult to observe many individuals at once. Even less is known about wild animals’ collective behaviour in human-changed environments, because the physical structure of urban spaces makes observations even harder. In Cape Town in the Western Cape, wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) regularly visit urban spaces in search of high-energy human foods. This can result in…

6 min.

The rise of the Bonsmara in South Africa

Please give us a short background on the reasons behind the development of the Bonsmara breed. The Bonsmara was developed through a scientific crossbreeding programme that started in the 1930s. Prof Jan Bonsma wanted to produce an animal with good carcass qualities that would thrive under harsh climatic conditions. In the early 1900s, many Bos taurus breeds were brought to Southern Africa from Europe and the US, but these animals suffered subtropic degeneration due to the extreme heat and humidity in the northern part of South Africa. However, the animals indigenous to Africa at the time lacked good carcass quality. The reason behind developing the Bonsmara was therefore to establish cattle that were hardy and adaptable but also good at beef production. What role has the Bonsmara played in the development of the…

5 min.

Factors hampering SA’s sugar industry

South Africa’s agriculture sector in general continues to display positive growth when measured in terms of output, exports and the creation of employment. In 2020, the sector grew 13,4% year-on-year, and the forecasts for 2021 also suggest growth. Primary agricultural employment has remained relatively steady since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 868 000 people employed in the fourth quarter of 2021, and export activity reaching a record level of US$12,4 billion (about R180 billion) in 2021. Despite this positive overall picture, some industries within the sector, such as sugar, have experienced difficulties. THE STRUGGLE In terms of tariffs, the sugar industry is arguably one of the most protected in South Africa; it is also amongst the most heavily taxed, both domestically and globally. Taxes such as the Health Promotion Levy (‘sugar…

9 min.

Achieving good growth with superior genetics

Rian van Wyk, owner of Jagtdrift Brangus in the Panbult area of Mpumalanga, has built his business on well-adapted, early-maturing cows that consistently produce sought-after weaners. He attributes much of his success to choosing a breed with favourable characteristics that centre on fertility, maternal ability and satisfactory weight gain, whether on the veld or in a feedlot. Brangus cattle were introduced to Jagtdrift 24 years ago along with bulls of four other breeds. Over the years, however, the Brangus female animals outperformed the others in terms of fertility and maternal abilities, and today the herd is almost wholly Brangus. Van Wyk’s goal is for the entire herd to comprise purebred Brangus within the next two years. The Jagtdrift Brangus herd consists of 900 breeding cows and a stud component for breeding superior…

7 min.

Performance testing for the commercial farmer

The general perception within the beef production industry is that it is only stud breeders who can benefit from performance testing. This is simply not true! The commercial farmer can improve his or her own enterprise with regard to herd management and cow fertility, as well as the productivity and profitability of the herd. The National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme (NBRIS), managed by the Animal Production Institute of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), has all the necessary tools to assist farmers in becoming commercially productive and making the transition from emerging to commercial farmers. The question has been asked, “When can a farmer be considered a commercial farmer and no longer an emerging farmer?” The answer is, when such a farmer can produce and deliver a product, such as meat,…

2 min.

Bloem Show 2022

Cattle (11 CHAMPIONSHIPS; FOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS) VARIOUS ARENAS Vleissentraal SA / Stud Book Elite Bull Growth Test Class: 2 May (3pm) at the ID-scan cattle ring. Pre-screening at 10am. Beef Shorthorn Regional Championship: 3 May (8.30am) at the Dexter Ring Simbra Regional Championship: 3 May (9am) at the Hereford Ring Simmentaler Provincial Championship: 3 May (1pm) at the Hereford Ring Sussex National Championship: 4 May (9am) at the ID-scan cattle ring Charolais General Championship: 4 May (2pm) at the Angus Ring Breeders’ Choice Angus Heifer Championship: 4 May (6pm) at the Angus Ring Dexter Provincial Championship: 5 and 6 May (8.30am) at the Dexter Ring Angus National Championship: 5 and 6 May (9am) at the ID-scan cattle ring Limousin National Championship: 5 and 6 May (9am) at the ID-scan cattle ring Hereford National Championship: 5 and 6 May (9am) at the Hereford Ring Santa Gertrudis Provincial Championship: 5 and 6 May (9am) at the Santa Gertrudis…

8 min.

Waging war against Tuta absoluta in Pongola

The Pongola of today is far different to what it was in the 1980s. Back then, vegetable farms stretched to the horizon, supplying a wide variety of produce to the area’s markets. Gradually, however, producers began to replace their vegetable crops with sugar cane, as they found the latter far easier to manage. Today, while sugar cane remains the predominant crop in Pongola, it in turn is under threat of replacement by macadamias. Brothers Sakkie and André Terblanche have combined the old with the new: their farm, on the outskirts of town, has tomato and sugar cane fields, as well as recently planted macadamia orchards. For them, staying the course with vegetables made business sense, as Basaki Boerdery (Basaki) is one of only three tomato producers in the area, which ensures that…

5 min.

Dealing with barber’s pole worm in sheep and goats

In a series of trials among Dohne Merino on Wauldby Farm in the Eastern Cape’s Stutterheim district, Greta Snyman (Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute) and Alan Fisher (Queenstown Provincial Veterinary Laboratory) sought to establish protocols for selection for resistance against barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). This pest is a roundworm that grows up to 30mm long and sucks blood from the lining of the sheep’s stomach, causing anaemia. Symptoms include swelling under the jaw (bottle jaw), weight loss and reduced wool growth and tensile strength. In lactating ewes, milk production can decline. More severe infections can prove fatal. Female worms have red-and-white stripes, hence the common name. Data on faecal egg counts (FEC), Famacha score (FAM) and body condition score (BCS) were collected annually on all lambs born from 2011. Selection in the Wauldby flock…

3 min.

How to identify and control eelworm

Potatoes (and many other vegetables) are vulnerable to eelworm. The most common species of this pest found in South Africa are Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. hapla. These are what are commonly known as root knot nematodes, and are easily identified by round lumps on the small roots and larger raised lumps on the surface of the tubers. The latter will result in your potatoes being downgraded. Apart from this, eelworm reduces crop yield by restricting the uptake of water and nutrients. Another common species is the lesion eelworm (Pratylenchus penetrans). The symptoms of this species are dark to reddish brown sections on the roots and small round to irregular shapes on the tuber skin close to maturity. Its presence also renders the crop more vulnerable to verticillium wilt. The potato cyst eelworm…

3 min.

Alternative uses for your leaf blower

“The range of solutions offered by leaf blowers is both practical and extremely useful for both domestic and agricultural purposes, ” says Johan Kruger, national sales manager at Husqvarna South Africa. He adds that there are numerous jobs (both around the house and on a farm) that call for a powerful gust of air, and the convenience of a cordless leaf blower offers a solid solution. Here, Kruger provides a just few alternative uses for your leaf blower: 1. Fire control: probably the most important of all the alternative uses for a leaf blower is fire control. Fires are a very real threat to farms and smallholdings, particularly in the winter months when it is very dry. Therefore, making firebreaks is an annual necessity performed by farmers. However, in the event of it…

2 min.

Pear and gingerbread loaf with salted caramel sauce

MAKES ONE LARGE LOAF 3 pears250ml sugar500ml water1 cinnamon stick2 star aniseZest of one orange, removed with a potato peeler For the cake batter 125g butter180ml light-brown sugar 125ml golden syrup125ml molasses2 extra-large eggs180ml Greek-style yoghurt10ml fresh ginger, grated 500ml self-raising flour10ml ground ginger 5ml ground cinnamon5ml mixed spice3ml ground nutmeg For the salted caramel sauce 100g butter125ml treacle sugar160ml fresh cream60ml golden syrupPinch of sea salt flakes • Peel the pears, leaving the stalks intact. • Dissolve the sugar in the water, in a pot just big enough to hold the pears. Add the cinnamon, star anise and orange zest. Bring to a simmer and add the pears, making sure they are submerged. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the pears are just tender. Don’t let the pears get too soft, or they may…

3 min.

Winemakers, dancers, and murderers

The Secrets of Sainte Madeleine by Tilly Bagshawe (HarperCollins, R330) Here’s the perfect escape for the Easter holiday: a semi-aristocratic family saga set on a French wine estate, beginning in the 1920s. The story is centred on the Salignac family: the ‘poor-little-rich-boy’ father who almost runs his family vineyard into the Burgundy ground; the mother, who desperately seeks escape in the solace of religion; and the three children, whose lives are dominated by the vineyard and chateau, for good or ill. Inevitably, broedertwis ensues after measures are needed to rescue the vineyard and save face with the extended family and the local wine community. An absorbing section of the action takes place in the young Californian wine industry, until war wreaks further havoc. The Secrets of Sainte Madeleine is an undemanding yet rich read with…

2 min.

THE HITCHING POST

I’m an attractive, independent, 54-year-old widow, and I’m looking for a soulmate to share my life with. He must be honest, fit and hard-working, and must have Christian values. I am creative, I have a wicked sense of humour, and I love arts and crafts, as well as cooking. BRIDGET I’m looking for a man between 65 and 80 years old who is still young at heart. I love dancing, music, the outdoors, cats and dogs, travelling, and fun and joy. No smokers. Come on, let’s live! YOUR ANIMAL I’m an independent, Christian Asian widow of 70 who is seeking friendship. Age is just a number and beauty is only skin deep. I don’t drink or smoke, and have good values and morals. My interests include cooking, swimming and going for walks, and…

1 min.

‘Preconditioning’ calves to deal with stress

The effects of stress on animal health have long been documented. Research shows that the greater the level of stress an animal is under, the more likely it is to get sick. This is because high levels of stress raise catecholamine and suppressor T-cell levels, which undermines the immune system. STRESSED CALVES According to Karin Orsel, a veterinary epidemiologist at the University of Calgary in Canada, weaners are most likely to contract bovine respiratory disease (BRD) after being separated from their dams and transported to feedlots for fattening. Orsel and her team of researchers are investigating how these weaners’ stress levels can be reduced, thereby lowering the number of cases of BRD. This would go a long way to combating antimicrobial resistance, as it would mean a reduction in the use of antibiotics…

2 min.

Crossword 454

ACROSS 1. Slender-tailed meerkat (8) 5. Productive (8) 10. Beavers, squirrels, rats or mice (7) 12. Migratory bird (7) 13. Group of people of common descent (5) 14. Pair of golfers (7) 15. Rootstock (7) 16. Male honeybee (5) 19. Pushes gently (6) 22. Thick-bodied lizards with adhesive toes (6) 24. Stalk of a plant whose catkin-like leaf clusters are used to flavour beer (3,4) 25. Garden plant whose grey-green leaves are used as a culinary flavouring (4) 26. Confidential assistant (4) 28. Tanned, tawed or dressed animal skin (7) 30. Any grain used as food (6) 33. Diminish in size (6) 36. Fruit of the Pyrus communis tree (5) 39. Enliven (7) 40. Relating to milk (7) 41. US name for a piebald horse (5) 42. Beermakers (7) 43. More tired (7) 44. Cherish; consider sacred (8) 45. State of being unoccupied (8) DOWN 1. Close examination (8) 2. Species of sequoia with coloured wood of…

1 min.

A comfortable home built for entertaining your guests

Dear Jonno, Having scanned through a variety of home designs in your column in Farmer’s Weekly, I need your assistance with the design of a house I want to build in Colenso, KwaZulu-Natal. The site is 24m x 45m and fairly level. I would like a home with an openplan living area, three bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, and an outdoor entertainment area. As there are homes on either side of our property, this area should allow some privacy. The roof can be of IRB sheeting, with the walls of regular concrete blockwork. Room sizes should be average. Kind regards, Brian Floor plan: 182m2 + leisure area Dear Brian, Thank you for your request. The layout of the home is one of many, but incorporates much of what you are looking for. The leisure space includes a built-in…

4 min.

Comfort and relaxation in Worcester

Worcester positions itself as the ‘care capital’ of South Africa on account of the many institutions based there that cater to blind and/or deaf people. But it’s much more besides. One of the main drawcards nearby is the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, set against the Langeberg mountain range and the Keeromsberg peak (often snow-dusted in winter). The garden is famous for its vygies, profusion of spekboom, and dramatically flowering succulents amid a vast arid area. CENTRALLY SITUATED The Habit Guest House in Porter Street, Worcester, is around the corner from the imposing NG Church in a historic quarter of the town. The Habit is the ideal base from which to explore the Boland, and the Worcester Historic Walking Route is a good place to start, as it includes The Habit. There are…

6 min.

FARMS SOLD

Eastern Cape ALEXANDRIA • Olienhout (425ha) sold by Kerafield CC to Olienhout Boerdery for R5 million. BARKLY EAST • Rockfort (890ha) sold by Robert Isted to Gregg Sephton for R3 million. BATHURST • Farm 267 (33ha) sold by Louwrens Orsmond to Vincent Labuschagne for R750 000. GQEBERHA • Kuyga (3,2 ha) sold by Growthpoint Property to Bellingan Property for R85 million. JANSENVILLE • Stinkfontein (548ha) sold by VDB Property Trust to Graham Scheepers for R3 million. JOUBERTINA • Farm 318 (1,1ha) sold by Roevert Beleggings to 4pack CC for R300 000. Free State BLOEMFONTEIN • Goudpond (114ha) sold by Elizabeth Weyers to Tjawe Construction for R2 million. BOSHOF • Houtne (989ha) sold by Help My Voort Boerdery to Posthumus Partners for R9 million. BOTHAVILLE • Nooitgedacht (207ha) sold by Willem Stols to Tradisietrust for R2 million. CLOCOLAN • Clocolan Townlands (2ha) sold by Makoadi Eiendoms Trust to Zuikerkop Property Investments for…

7 min.

AUCTION SALES

TO PLACE AN UPCOMING AUCTION EVENTS in the Classifieds Auctions section, contact René Moonsamy on 010 971 3771 or at renea@caxton.co.za, or Natasha Kock on010 971 3770 or at natashakock@caxton.co.za. TO LIST AUCTION RESULTS in this section, email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za. Market Report Wool marginally down as rand strengthens against the US dollar The 26th wool sale of the season saw the market indicator dropping by 1,5% to close at R163,70/kg, according to Cape Wools SA. At the same time, the Responsible Wool Standard market indicator fell 3,9% to close at R185,45/kg. The rand was up 1,7% against the US dollar compared with the previous sale, which placed pressure on prices. The sale saw a total of 8 320 bales on offer, of which 94,3% were sold. The highest price at the OVK auction of…

2 min.

Ask Our Vet Vaccinating goats

Dear Prof McCrindle, I’m a goat farmer near Beitbridge, and my goats were mated during the first half of February. What medications and/ or vaccinations should I administer during gestation? Also, what must I vaccinate or dose kids against just after birth up until weaning? I want to avoid mortalities. The ewes will kid in July and our winter months are hot and dry. I farm in a communal area where there is no control of livestock movement. Kind regards, Langalanga Farming Dear Langalanga Farming, Firstly, the risk of notifiable or controlled diseases in your area is fairly high. Foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax and rabies are amongst these. Ask your veterinarian or animal health technician which controlled diseases are present, so that you can include these in your vaccination plans. The second factor is routine vaccination in gestating…

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Farmer's Weekly 15 & 22 April (Digital)

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