Innholdsfortegnelse for 26 April 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

World Vision reported in 2023 that more than one billion people in Africa struggle to afford a healthy diet. The organisation added that around 30% of children on the continent suffered from stunted growth as a result of malnutrition. Moreover, 20% of the total population of Africa was considered undernourished, and this had increased on the back of COVID-19 lockdowns. World Vision further reported that progress since 2000 had been reversed, and that hunger, starvation and malnutrition had severely worsened between 2019 and 2022. As these figures show, Africa is a food-insecure continent, and this is unlikely to change in the short term. There are many reasons for this, but it would seem that the blame largely sits with African governments that are unable to address their problems with economic…

The political climate in a country has a huge impact on the business confidence. An increase in political uncertainty adds to the decline in business confidence due to its impact on predictability. In an ideal business situation, predictability provides the comfort of planning. Without this, innovation and agility become important partners in business. The 2024 election in South Africa is crucial, like most national elections, but four specific factors are creatinge more uncertainty regarding the outcome. Firstly, individual candidates may in 2024 participate in the proportional election without belonging to a political party due to a decision by the Constitutional Court. Secondly, support for the ruling ANC has dipped below 50% since local elections in 2021 and this trend has continued in several opinion surveys since. Thirdly, current party support…

Nedbank has joined forces with African Greeneurs, contributing R6,5 million through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme to facilitate the participation of 20 young South Africans in the Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN) agripreneur development programme. Launched in September 2023, EARN is designed to nurture young talent in the agriculture sector by giving them a comprehensive curriculum. This curriculum aims to arm these young agripreneurs with the essential technical and business skills needed to establish their own profitable, sustainable and growth-oriented commercial agribusinesses. The programme kicks off with a three-month activation phase, which includes a thorough assessment and selection of candidates, followed by intensive on-site skills development. This stage offers practical business experience and insights into the technical aspects of agribusiness, investment readiness training and the formulation of an initial…

The Eastern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (EC RPO) has expressed concern about what it says are factually incorrect and false claims being made in the media regarding the live export of livestock since the Al Messilah bulk carrier docked in East London earlier this month. EC RPO chairperson Frik van Rooyen told Farmer’s Weekly the Al Messilah had loaded 51 488 small-stock (sheep and goats) and was at the time of going to print loading 1 500 head of cattle. “Reports that the animals were treated inhumanely and [that there was] a large-scale outbreak of disease among the loaded animals are factually untrue. Certified to international standards for transporting 65 000 small-stock, the Al Messilah ensures that all animals aboard have full freedom of movement and access to feed,…

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) held an emergency virtual meeting at the beginning of April with regards to avian influenza cases now being reported in cattle (see page 68). According to a statement, the USDA’s internal research team conducted tests on milk, nasal swabs and blood from cows in reported affected dairies and found the H5N1 strain of bird flu present in the milk samples. This suggested that the virus could be infecting cows’ udders in particular, as the virus had not been found within the cow’s body. The USDA said that contaminated milking equipment, dairy workers, or a combination of the two could be part of the reason for the spread of bird flu to cows. “The virus might be transmitted from cow to cow in milk droplets…

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has joined hands with interdenominational churches in the province to launch the One Church One Garden programme. Religious and traditional leaders gathered at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Maphumulo on the KZN North Coast to witness the first church garden under the programme take shape. According to agriculture minister Super Zuma, the One Church One Garden initiative followed the One Home One Garden programme active in most areas of KZN. The One Church One Garden scheme was designed to encourage churches to develop a culture of producing food for themselves and disadvantaged church members, he explained. According to the MEC, a needs assessment exercise would be conducted to determine the unique needs of each church, and they would then be provided…

Dr Theo de Jager, chairperson of the Southern African Agri Initiative, has welcomed the fact that the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga has been found guilty and fined R200 million following contravention of environmental legislation. These actions by the municipality’s leadership had led to substantial pollution, he said. “I hope this guilty verdict will send a message to other municipalities suffering rampant pollution, as well as the mining industry, to clean up their act. “This situation directly affects the agriculture industry and cannot be allowed to continue,” De Jager told Farmer’s Weekly. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the meanwhile welcomed the R200 million fine that was imposed by the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on the Govan Mbeki Municipality. The NPA said in a statement that the municipality had been found…

This season is characterised by lower precipitation levels and heatwaves that also impact soil moisture not only in South Africa but also in other Southern African countries such as Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This resulted in heightened concern regarding white maize yields. Considering that white maize serves as a staple food for Southern Africa, it has also raised significant apprehension regarding food security due to forecasted regional white maize production cuts. For South Africa, white maize production has also come under increased scrutiny because white maize is mainly produced in the western parts of the country, which experienced drier and hotter weather throughout the production season. The Crop Estimates Committee, in its Summer Crops Area Planted Estimate and Second Production Forecast Report, showed that while production cuts were expected across…

MAKES 12 3/4 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup cocoa 1/2 cup butter, softened (do not melt completely; rather leave outside for a while before in a cool, dry spot.) 2 eggs, whole 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup nuts chopped of your choice or use toasted mixed nuts 200g chopped baking chocolate • Preheat the oven to 185°C. • Grease a square 8cm × 8cm pan. • Sift flour with sugar, salt and cocoa into a mixing bowl, and set aside. • Add butter, eggs and vanilla. • Use spoon and beat 100 strokes per minute for 3 minutes by hand or 2 minutes on medium speed, with a mixer with a paddle attachment. • Stir in nuts and chopped chocolate until mixed…

Researchers from more than 15 countries have joined forces working on more than 2 500 farms investigating strategies to “diversify” agriculture. The research team from University of Colorado Boulder published their findings in the Science journal at the beginning of April. They researched rotating crops, conserving soil nutrients and deploying other strategies which could yield major benefits for the environment and people. According to co-author of the research paper, Zia Mehrabi, the need for the study arose as farms across much of the world are growing just one type of crop or focusing on one livestock breed. This method is called monoculture agriculture and carries a wide range of risks. The term agricultural diversification includes a wide range of strategies for growing more than just a single crop on a…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I read a news story about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurring among dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas in the US. What does that mean for farmers in South Africa? Kind regards, Anonymous Dear Anonymous, On 25 March this year, unpasteurised milk samples from sick dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas tested positive for HPAI (see avma.org/news/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-found-texas-kansas-dairy-cattle). It caused severe disease in older cows, including weakness and diarrhoea, with a drop in milk production. The milk was declared safe for human consumption as pasteurisation killed the virus. This report mentioned that dead birds found on the farms were identified as migratory geese. These are known to carry avian influenza and transmit it between continents during annual migration. A statement by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article was initially published by The Conversation. Read the original at bit.ly/3J7WNun. “The Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the main water supply to South Africa’s economic hub, greater Johannesburg in Gauteng, and to the country’s breadbasket in the Free State, is scheduled to be cut off for six months. The project is a large-scale supply scheme in which water is diverted from the highlands of Lesotho to South Africa’s Free State and the greater Johannesburg area. The project is designed to transfer over 1,7 billion cubic metres of water annually from Lesotho to South Africa, providing a vital water supply to Gauteng’s cities and industries. To visualise this amount, imagine about 508 000 Olympic-sized…

ARCHIVE This wheat farmer had spent years trying different production methods to achieve consistent yields. Free State wheat farmer Cliff Haddad says: “One of the major problems associated with wheat production is stabilising yields and income. I am trying to move away from hitting the jackpot one year and having a poor crop the next.” He grows 1 800ha of wheat on his main farm, Newlands, and four other properties, all in the Bloemfontein district. To achieve his aim of better-than-average crops, whatever the type of season, he has tried different production methods over a period of five years. The trials consisted of no-tillage using chemical weed control; stubble-mulching using a chisel-plough to a depth of only 10mm; and his current method. The latter method has proved superior and the…

With agriculture as a vital sector contributing significantly to the South African economy and livelihoods, the recent announcement of a 12,74% electricity price increase by Eskom has raised concerns in the industry. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa approved the tariff increase, which came into effect on 1 April for direct Eskom customers, to address the financial challenges faced by the power provider, Eskom said in a statement. The adjustment was deemed necessary to stabilise Eskom’s operations, which have been plagued by high costs and significant debt, according to the entity. However, with electricity being a fundamental resource for agricultural operations, this substantial hike in prices has sparked concerns about its potential implications for farmers across the country. One immediate concern is the significant increase in production costs, which…

UNITED KINGDOM An organisation called the Innovation Farmers Hop Trial recently introduced a trial project to UK beer makers and hops growers. According to the organisation, the new varieties of organic hops are experimental and would hopefully be resilient to climate change, which could assist with beer production in the country. The trial has introduced two new hops varieties that can be grown in warmer temperatures. AUSTRALIA Dairy Australia recently released a statement about the impact the increasing price of cheese has had on consumers. In the report, it said that over the past 24 months, the average price of a block of cheese had risen by 23%, which has led to decrease in sales. The organisation said this had resulted in consumers opting to purchase artisanal cheeses. “The change…

After slipping to a historic low last year, macadamia prices are recovering just as the 2024 harvest is about to commence in South Africa. While there is optimism about the road ahead, industry experts are cautioning that now more than ever, the sweet spot for macadamia nut prices needs to be established to keep the sector as a whole sustainable over the long term. South Africa-based Global Macadamias, a leading processor and exporter, saw its sales team traverse the globe over the last few months, stopping in all the major macadamia nut markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the US. Roelof van Rooyen, director of Global Macadamias, said: “The feedback we received was consistent, [and] demand has increased, leading to higher prices.” Indications across the market are that…

Anthony Rau of Khiza Farm in Knysna’s Rheenendal says cut-flower farming is a high-intensity production and turnover earned per hectare is high. “Currently macadamia nut and sunflower farming can deliver similar values. Sunflowers are the biggest crop at Khiza, which I farm with my fiancé, Herman Bosman, and is 3ha in size, with 1,5ha under production.” Rau tells Farmer’s Weekly that Khiza is both a bunch maker (buying stems from other growers too) and a cut-flower farm. It found early success at Sedgefield’s Wild Oats Market, where they are well-known for their sunflower bouquets. PLANTING “From planting seeds to harvesting sunflowers takes between 60 and 90 days. We buy seed from specialists and as seeds are loved by birds, we plant them in tunnels to germinate. It takes about four…

Sorghum is South Africa’s seventh most important field crop behind maize, wheat, sunflower, soya bean, barley and canola, compared to its third-place ranking almost 30 years ago. In light of declining production and decreasing stocks, South Africa’s sorghum imports are predicted to increase throughout the following two marketing years. South Africa’s sorghum output has decreased over the past 20 years as producers have shifted to planting maize and oilseeds instead of sorghum because of the greater yields and profits. South Africa’s sorghum production pattern of decline will persist until technological advancements lead to improvements in sorghum productivity. Throughout six provinces, the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, smallholder and commercial farms in South Africa produce sorghum. Up to 99% of the sorghum-cultivated area in South Africa is…

The ability of a filter to remove solid particles from water has little to no effect in the case of certain physical, chemical and biological factors occurring in the available water. In these cases, prefiltration and/or pre-treatment will be necessary to ensure the suitability of the water for irrigation use. This includes conditions such as: PHYSICAL • High sand load greater than 2 ppm • Very high sand load greater than 20 ppm • High total suspended solid load (TSS) greater than 150 ppm BIOLOGICAL • Algae bloom threat CHEMICAL • High iron content greater than 0.3 ppm in underground water or greater than 0.8 ppm in surface water • High manganese content greater than 0.3 ppm in underground water or greater than 0.3 ppm in surface water…

DURBAN-STYLE POPCORN Spicy pineapple – tangy fresh pineapple chunks doused in curry powder – is most definitely one of Durban’s most unique snacks, usually sold by street vendors along the beachfront. Be inspired by this unique blend of spices and prepare a pre-mix of chilli powder, sugar, salt and a dash of vinegar and generously coat freshly popped popcorn. Make enough; it won’t last long! SCOTCH EGGS (SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE) Portable and tasty as a cold snack, scotch eggs are filling comfort food at its best. Essentially, they are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried for a delicious snack on the go. For a South African twist, substitute the pork mince for boerewors by simply removing the wors meat from the casting. Prepare a…

Prisoners of Jan Smuts: Italian Prisoners of War in South Africa in WWII by Karen Horn (Jonathan Ball, R330) Don’t allow yourself to be put off by the cumbersome title because this is a good book. South Africa’s contribution to the Allied cause in the north African deserts and Abyssinia is well known – less so that it resulted in upwards of 100 000 Italian prisoners of war (POWs) being imprisoned. The two main POW camps were at Zonderwater near Cullinan and Pietermaritzburg, with 16 more POW work camps scattered across the country. Drawing on primary manuscript sources, Horn narrates this saga through five case studies. The POWs were certainly exploited, set to hard labouring tasks such as making roads and passes and working on farms. They even ran their…

We are starting another critical period for South Africa’s field crops, this time for winter crops. Farmers in the Western Cape will likely begin to prepare the soil for the 2024/25 winter crop production season by the end of April into May. Other major winter crop-producing provinces, such as the Free State, Limpopo and the Northern Cape, will likely start around the end of May. The production of winter crops outside the Western Cape has sizable irrigation support. These regions should benefit from the relatively higher dam levels from the early summer rainfall. In major winter grains such as wheat, nearly half of the production in South Africa is produced under irrigation. The irrigation share in overall wheat production is essential in an environment where drier weather conditions and heatwaves…

The legal team of V-Tech, a company providing pharmaceutical services to veterinarians, is looking for a way to resolve a dispute over the legality of yohimbine used for veterinary purposes, after a shipment of the drug was destroyed at OR Tambo International Airport at the end of December. Yohimbine is an essential substance used for preparing an antidote for some of the sedatives and immobilisers used to capture and relocate wildlife. According to V-Tech CEO, Dr Johan Oosthuyse, Port Health detained the shipment while V-Tech was in talks with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) regarding the validity of the detention. Port Health, nevertheless, destroyed the shipment, claiming the drug to be a banned substance. Oosthuyse said SAHPRA appeared to be of the opinion that a total ban…

At 25 200t, the Guava Producers’ Association expects the guava harvest, which runs from April to December in the Western Cape, to be 5% lower than last season’s 26 641t, making it the smallest harvest in the past three years. Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Guava Producers’ Association, pointed out that last year’s harvest surprised everyone, with a large volume of lateripening guavas making it the biggest in the past six years. Quality, however, was not up to standard, and the late guavas were primarily used as juice. He said that fruit appeared much more uniform this year and should not ripen as sporadically as last year. Quality also seemed better, with more fruit being suited for the fresh market. The volume of fruit expected to go to the fresh…

Land reform has resulted in the transfer of a significant share of South African agricultural land to previously disadvantaged people. The area of land already in the hands of formerly disadvantaged people is shown in the table below. It seems clear that government has very nearly achieved the goal of 30% of agricultural land originally envisaged. The additional four million hectares can easily be found in government’s possession. It is difficult to understand why the ruling party now pushed a new expropriation bill through Parliament when the land reform targets have largely been reached. LAND REFORM WITHOUT AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT In 1994, a plan called Land Reform for Agricultural Development was established to manage land restitution and the development of transferred land. Since then, the name of the programme has been…

Karien Bezuidenhout, general manager of Cape Flora SA, says the top five export markets for fynbos are: EU (67%), Far East (18%), Middle East (6%), US (4%), UK, Canada, South America (all less than 1%). “Locally we estimate that about 4,6 million stems of protea, 1,7 million stems of pincushions and four million stems of greens were sold in 2022. But as this is the first time we’ve gathered data for the local market, this is a rough estimate. Woolworths was the first retailer to test fynbos cut flowers on the local market many years ago, but these days all of the well-known retailers support the indigenous flower industry. The Multiflora market in Johannesburg also trades indigenous flora, but it consists of only 5,6% of their total sales. Fynbos cut…