Innholdsfortegnelse for 18 April 2025 i Farmer's Weekly

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently published the ‘Third Report on The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture’. In the report, the FAO says that plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are at the heart of long-term sustainable agricultural production, but that the diversity of these resources are under threat. PGRFA includes cultivated crop varieties, obsolete cultivars, crop wild relatives and wild food plants, amongst others. The diversity of PGRFA is under threat, according to the FAO, because of various factors, including monoculture, urbanisation, extreme weather events (climate change), habitat destruction (this is particularly in reference to wild relatives and food crops), and over-exploitation. The report is an interesting read, and looks into ways in which farmers and…

The South African agribusiness sector is experiencing a much-needed recovery after a tough 2023/24 season marked by a mid-summer drought that caused widespread crop losses. The latest data from the Crop Estimates Committee suggests a promising turnaround, with 2024/25 summer grains and oilseeds production expected to reach 18 million tons. This represents a 16% increase from the previous season, largely driven by improved weather conditions and better yields across key crops like maize, soya beans, sunflower, sorghum and groundnuts. STRONG MAIZE PERFORMANCE One of the most notable aspects of this recovery is the strong performance of maize, a staple in South Africa’s agricultural output. The latest estimates suggest that maize production will reach 14,6 million tons, a significant improvement from the previous season. White maize, in particular, has seen a…

Despite global uncertainty, the rand was relatively stable and mostly stronger than at the start of the year. Dawie Maree, head of agriculture information and marketing at FNB, told Farmer’s Weekly that the rand was benefitting from more positive sentiment towards South Africa, following the formation of the Government of National Unity and a better economic outlook. This was reflected in improved business confidence. According to the Agbiz/IDC Confidence Index, agricultural business confidence increased by 11 points to 70 in the first quarter of 2025, its highest since 2021. And while Maree acknowledged that interest rates remained unchanged in March, leaving the country with a repo rate of 7,5%, he argued that this would be good for investments. “Cutting interest rates would have widened the gap between South African interest…

The South African Predator Association is heading back to court to open up the trade in lion bones. In a 235-page application, the association requested that government review the trade in lion bones set in the CITES export quota for 2025. This followed a 2019 decision by the South African High Court against the allocation of quotas for lion bone and body part exports. Hannes Wessels, president of the association, told Farmer’s Weekly the intention was to obtain a quota for the bones obtained as a by-product from lions that were legally hunted in the country. “The trade in lion bones in South Africa was closed down by government. This has led to a sharp increase in large-scale smuggling and poaching because of the huge demand for the bones locally…

Venture capital requires a recalibration if it is to fund the advancement of global food production. Speaking at the Africa Agri Tech 2025 conference held in Pretoria, Gauteng, in March, Mark Brooks, venture partner at LongLeaf Studios and entrepreneur in residence at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in the US, said the ideal funding model for agriculture did not yet exist. “Venture capital was created to fund Silicon Valley-type companies who have a quick turnaround and clear growth projection. Traditional capital does not work for agriculture either, since investors require long projections that are stable. “Agriculture offers none of that. Time frames for returns on investment are longer, and the outcome is unpredictable since there are too many uncontrollable variables. We therefore need a funding overhaul if we are going…

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will withdraw the controversial regulations banning food products containing cannabis and hemp, following a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision comes after significant backlash from industry stakeholders and a call for more public participation in the regulatory process. According to News24, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa supported further stakeholder consultations to ensure that any future regulations balance consumer safety with industry growth. “Ramaphosa has affirmed his support for more stakeholder consultation and public participation on the formulation of new regulations that will limit health risks and the negative impact of foodstuffs containing cannabis and hemp, particularly on minors,” Magwenya said. News24 further mentioned the now-withdrawn regulations, which were gazetted under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1972, prohibited the sale, importation…

Biosecurity concerns have become a central focus, particularly in the poultry industry, both locally and internationally. As South Africa charts a recovery journey from the 2023 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the effects of the supply shock continue to be felt many months later. While the industry has made strides in restoring production volumes, the efforts to mitigate risks, including mass bird cullings, and the loss of breeding stock have come at a considerable cost to producers and the broader industry. In the event of an avian influenza outbreak, culling is usually the primary strategy adopted worldwide, as it is seen as an effective way to control outbreaks and protect the poultry industry from long-term risks associated with the disease. One of the major consequences of mass culling of…

In my previous article (see FW, 21 March), I focused on the essentials of broiler production. Here, I offer advice on common challenges encountered by broiler farmers and mistakes to avoid. These are not insurmountable problems and most are in respect of the need to introduce good management practices rather than the need to spend heaps of money. • Environmental mistakes include inadequate ventilation, which can lead to issues such as ammonia build-up, heat stress and disease outbreaks. Failing to maintain optimal temperatures (around 22°C to 24°C) can impact bird health and growth rates that are important to maintain profitability. Inadequate lighting can lead to stress, reduced growth rates and increased mortality. • Nutrition and feeding mistakes are common because of attempts to save money. Poor feed quality invariably leads…

MAKES FIVE 6 eggs, at room temperature 310ml (1¼ cups) self-raising flour 2,5ml (½ tsp) salt, plus extra 250ml (1 cup) lukewarm buttermilk 45ml (3 Tbsp) sunflower oil 375ml (1½ cups) Cheddar, grated 2 spring onions, thinly sliced 125ml (½ cup) leftover boerewors, chopped • Fill a small saucepan three-quarters of the way with water and bring it to a simmer over a medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, gently lower five of the eggs into the water, and cook them for four minutes. Remove the eggs from the water and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water until cold. • Carefully peel the eggs (they should be very soft and quite tricky to peel), then leave them in the freezer while you make the muffin batter.…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. To read the original, visit bit.ly/4c4xpDx. Tracy-Lynn Field is a professor of environmental and sustainability law at the University of the Witwatersrand. Email her at tracy-lynn.field@wits.ac.za. "In many cities and towns across South Africa, water shortages and supply disruptions have become more frequent. The most recent figures show that "3% of urban and 65% of rural water users face regular water cut-offs. Nearly half of urban residents now boil or treat their water before drinking it. South Africa’s water law says everyone has the right to access sufficient water. But 12% of rural people have no access to improved water sources. FINDINGS OF REPORTS The most…

The Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET), in collaboration with the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) and the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority, recently conducted machine shearing training for farmworkers in the Eastern Cape. The training, funded by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), took place on empowerment farms near Somerset East. Beauty Mokgwamme, manager at the MET, told Farmer’s Weekly the training was in line with the broader vision of empowering farmworkers in the mohair industry. “This initiative focuses on skills development, increased productivity, and social upliftment. By equipping farmworkers with machine-shearing skills, we are enabling them to improve their livelihoods, while contributing to the growth of the mohair industry,” she said. She added that the introduction of machine shearing was expected to significantly impact productivity and sustainability in mohair farming.…

A potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) monitoring project in the Sandveld, Western Cape, has proven so successful that it will now be piloted in the far north of Limpopo, before being rolled out to other provinces. Stefan Steenekamp, technical marketing specialist for potatoes at InteliGro, told Farmer’s Weekly that the project was launched in 2016, in collaboration with Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) and weather-solutions company METOS SA, after InteliGro introduced a network of potato tuber moth-trap devices in the Sandveld. In these devices, a species-specific pheromone is used to attract and catch male potato tuber moths, and provides producers with early warnings of population increases. Last year, monitoring was further improved by adding weather data to the project. Steenekamp said that combining historical data with weather and scouting data…

Local government is one of the weakest links in South Africa’s economy, increasing the cost of doing business. This was according to JP Landman, an analyst on political-economic trends, who spoke at the Africa Agri Tech 2025 conference held in Pretoria, Gauteng in March. Landman said local governments’ ability to deliver basic services like water, electricity, and proper roads had a direct impact on farmers’ ability. “Our local governments are collapsing. Climate change will force agriculture eastwards in coming years as the west becomes increasingly dry. Yet it is the eastern part of the country where local governments are especially troubled, creating problems for farmers,” he explained. Landman pointed to China as a source of solutions, since primary economic growth there was driven by municipalities. “China measures the success of…

Tractor sales increased for the second consecutive month in February. According to the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) statistics, sales increased by about 21% to 638 units, compared with February 2024, and by 23% to 1 093 units on a year-to-date basis compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Combine harvester sales increased by 6%, or a mere one unit, to 19 compared with February a year ago, but declined by 7,7%, or two units, to 24 units on a year-to-date basis compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, pointed out in a press statement that tractor sales also increased by 28% in January on a year-to-date basis. Combine harvester sales, however, declined by 38% to five units. “The increase in sales reflects…

Wage negotiations dragged on and rumours of a strike were in the air. The negotiating team – three selected managers – had been at it for weeks and were doing their best to cut a fair deal for the company. I received regular briefings, but felt there were a few issues on which we should concede. The managers disagreed. I conceded, and negotiations dragged on. A long-awaited family holiday was approaching. As the days passed, tensions mounted and I grew more impatient with our team. They continued holding out on what I considered to be minor issues. Meanwhile, the kids were packing up the camping gear and fishing tackle, and still, no settlement in sight. Frustrated, I decided to personally intervene in the next negotiation session. I joined the meeting…

“The Senepol has been a revelation; it ticks all the boxes for our area, as it is farmed extensively on the veld and receives no extra feed,” says Chris Sheard, who registered his Blackpool Senepol stud in 2012. Today, Sheard runs 300 registered Senepol cows on 2 500ha, including the historic family farm, Blackpool, and two adjoining properties. He says the breed has outclassed several other breeds he has farmed in years gone by. “I wish I came across the [Senepol] breed much earlier,” he adds. “The discovery, I think, came a little late in my life.” PRODUCING TOP SENEPOL GENETICS The Blackpool Senepol herd was launched from 63 carefully selected females – 58 of which had heifer calves at foot – and two bulls sourced from several studs across…

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the US highlights the impact of extreme heat on US dairy farms, showing that heat stress reduces milk yield by about 1% every year. This may seem insignificant, but it translates to losses of over 630 million litres (adjusted for energy content) over five years for herds included in the study. This equates to US$245 million (around R4,5 billion) in lost revenue, based on typical milk pricing. Similar to people, cows experience heat stress, which can result in illness, restlessness and appetite loss, all of which lower milk supply. The study looked at milk production records from more than 56 million cows on 18 000 dairy farms in the Midwest of the US between 2012 and 2016. The researchers…

Dear Prof McCrindle, One of my tabby farm cats (who becomes a ‘house cat’ in the rainy season) seems to have a problem with the third eyelid in one of her eyes. It’s about halfway across the eye, but the rest of the eye is not red and the other eye is fine. She keeps licking her one paw and rubbing it across the eye. She is up to date with all her vaccines. What could have caused this and what sort of treatment is needed? We are 25km from town and the roads are very muddy after the rain, so getting her to a vet is difficult. Kind regards, Farm-cat Owner, Gauteng Dear Farm-cat Owner, It’s possible that she might have a piece of cat hair, a seed or…

This article showed how maize streak virus-resistant maize could reduce crop losses. After several years of research into maize streak, a medium-season yellow dent hybrid that is resistant to this disease has been entered for registration. “This follows government trials of resistant cultivars during the 1989/90 season,” says Mike Barrow, a researcher with the Pioneer Seed Company in KwaZulu-Natal. He points out that several maizestreak virus (MSV)-resistant inbreds and populations have recently been released to the private sector by the Department of Agriculture in South Africa. However, so far no MSV-resistant hybrids have been registered for sale by any seed company in Southern Africa. The development of maize germplasm that is resistant to MSV has been the goal of several breeding programmes in Africa for a long time. The disease…

While South Africa produces sufficient food to feed the nation, the number of food-insecure households in the country is growing. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released a report, titled ‘Food Security in South Africa in 2019, 2022 and 2023: Evidence from the General Household Survey’, towards the end of February that highlighted the scale of the problem. In 2023, the percentage of households that faced moderate to severe food insecurity increased from 16,2% in 2022 to 19,7%, amounting to roughly 3,7 million households. The percentage of those who endured severe food insecurity increased from 7,5% to 8% over this time, representing 1,5 million people. Household participation in agriculture did not help the situation, as the percentage of households who face moderate to severe food insecurity and are involved in agriculture…

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed serious concern about allegations that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are involved in criminal activity, especially stock theft, in the province. Following a meeting between stakeholders from the Free State, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on 20 March in Bloemfontein, Dr Jane Buys, FSA security risk analyst, said there were growing concerns about the police’s possible participation in stock theft. “We’ve received various [reports] of police involvement in this type of crime over the past three years and have brought it to the attention of the SAPS top management numerous times. We urgently call on the police to attend to this as a matter of urgency,” Buys added. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, she said the SAPS…

In March, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over poultry feed, medicinal supplies and disinfectants worth over R800 000 in total to poultry farmers from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. According to Kontsiwe, the initiative formed part of a pilot project aimed at empowering emerging poultry farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial-scale production. “The recipients, drawn from surrounding areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, are members of the Uitenhage Despatch Greenbushes Rocklands [UDGRO] Secondary Co-operative. This initiative is part of a drive to foster economic growth and improve food security in the province,” she explained. Addressing the farmers, Kontsiwe said the Department of Agriculture was committed to supporting designated groups, particularly women, youth, people living with disabilities and military veterans. “The department is intentional about supporting designated…

The Department of Agriculture (DOA) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Marketing Council, recently hosted a virtual Trade Awareness Workshop, focused on beekeeping and honey. The webinar aimed to raise awareness of the beekeeping value chain and provide essential information for prospective and current beekeepers and honey exporters. Paul Setlala, acting director for Food, Import and Export Standards at the DOA, opened the session by highlighting the importance of beekeeping in agriculture and economic development. “We are gathered here in the midst of the G20 consultative discussions, reflecting on key issues to advance socio-economic development in South Africa and other G20 states. Beekeeping must also find its place within these reflections, given its significance to agriculture and economic progress,” he said. Setlala spoke about the ecological and economic value of…

Technology should be better leveraged to perform tasks that are labour intensive, so that staff capacity can be freed up for strategic decision-making. This was the message brought by speakers at the Africa Agri Tech 2025 conference held in Pretoria, Gauteng, in March. The agriculture sector was encouraged to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to take full advantage of the efficiencies and insights this technology could offer. While fear regarding machines replacing people prevailed in industries globally, Mushambi Mutuma, author of Tech Adjacent, said technology was a growth enabler. “What does it enable? At every touch point it must augment and amplify, not replace. AI must be applied to help us do things faster and better, and hopefully cheaper. It should be taking care of the mundane, labour-intensive jobs,” he…

The legalisation of cannabis has sparked a financial revolution. Once an underground market, it has been transformed into a multibilliondollar industry. More and more regions across the world have begun to embrace medicinal and recreational cannabis, with economic implications that are vast and multifaceted. It does, however, raise an important question: who is profiting from the industry? Driven by a wave of legalisation in various countries, the cannabis industry has seen incredible growth in recent years. The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $21 billion (about R380 billion) in 2023, and an estimated annual growth rate of 25,7% is expected from 2024 to 2030. A robust economic ecosystem has been created by this rapid expansion, generating revenue and creating employment and investment opportunities. However, distribution of these financial…

Klein Jan Cookbook by Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen (Penguin, R550) This cookbook is an irresistible combination of traditional South African recipes, often with a twist, moving memoir and fascinating depiction of setting up Klein Jan, the chef’s concept restaurant at Tswalu, the Oppenheimerowned Kalahari game reserve near Kuruman. Van der Westhuizen was the first South African chef to win a Michelin star, but here focuses on being in the ‘heart of the country’. He opens his own heart as well, with memories of learning to cook, baking his first loaf of bread in his ouma’s koolstoof (coal range cooker), and learning mampoer brewing from his father. Delectable small bites include guineafowl pie with truffle and a creative biltong lamington. Braaibroodjie macarons are a very new take on favourite old flavour…