40 000 bikers protest against farm murders and rural crime
Nearly 40 000 motorcycle riders converged on the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday, 29 August, to protest against farm attacks and racism in South Africa.
Women in agriculture still face ‘outdated’ perceptions
Women who work in the agriculture sector are still battling the perception that farming is a ‘man’s job.’
COVID-19 pushes SA citrus exports to the US to new highs
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in positive market demand for citrus, causing an upsurge in prices, according to Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa.
‘Chickens come home to roost’ for Land Bank
Farmers who will require financing from the Land Bank in the near future will encounter difficulties in accessing such funding due to the bank’s current liquidity challenges.
World’s largest agri robot being tested in the US
Researchers from Rothamsted Research, headquartered in the UK, are currently testing the latest in artificial intelligence for farming, the world’s largest agricultural robot called the Field Scanalyzer.
High court gives go-ahead for exporting of 56 000 live sheep
The South African Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) has welcomed today’s (25 August) judgment by the Grahamstown High Court to permit the exporting of up to 56 000 live sheep in a single shipment by sea from the East London Harbour.
True data on informal farming sector vital – BFAP report
There are large gaps in the available agricultural production data, particularly when it comes to the contribution of smallholder farmers to the informal agricultural economy in South Africa.
COVID-19 farmer support vouchers extended to 30 September
The period for which vouchers issued as part of the COVID-19 Disaster Agricultural Support Fund are valid has been extended to 30 September.
Table grape industry looks towards Asia for market growth
Despite efforts made by the South African table grape industry to attain a more diversified export market portfolio there has, since 2013, only been a 5% change in the market composition of table grape exports.
Hard times ahead for farmers, despite short-term gains – BFAP
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, South Africa’s agriculture sector has emerged as the shining light of the economy, growing 27,8% in the first quarter of 2020.
Government failures are holding agriculture back – Karaan
Despite a host of challenges that ranged from government ineptitude to South Africa’s poor economic outlook and global threats such as climate change, the country’s farming sector was expected to perform well this year.
Quarantine lifted on nine FMD-affected properties in Limpopo
Quarantine restrictions have been lifted on nine of the 19 properties affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Limpopo since November 2019. This was according to a statement issued today by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department).
Farmer to pay back R750 000 in electricity tampering case
Agri SA has strongly condemned unlawful tampering and interference with all Eskom infrastructure on farms, according to Nicol Jansen, chairperson of the organisation’s centre of excellence for economics and trade.
Stats SA adjusts ‘food poverty line’ to R585 per month
Any person living in South Africa needs to have at least R585 per month to afford enough food to meet the minimum required daily energy intake needed to survive.
New protest action planned to draw attention to rural crime
Members of the Northern Cape agriculture sector and the wider community took part in a second protest this week in Hartswater, coordinated by Agri Northern Cape following the murder of three people on a farm in the district in July 2020.
Ostrich farmers in distress due to drought and COVID-19
Ostrich producers in the Klein Karoo are expecting a challenging production year due to the prolonged drought in the region, as well as the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agri machinery sales up, but bakkie sales subdued in July
Tractor and combine harvester sales increased in July compared with the same period last year. However, new vehicle sales remained subdued.
Mycotoxins in water may have caused Botswana elephant deaths
No definitive answers have yet been found for the mass die-off of elephants in Botswana since May this year. Early research results have suggested, however, that the deaths could be attributed to a naturally occurring toxin.
Above normal rainfall forecast bodes well for winter grain
If the forecast for late-winter rain across the south-western and southern parts of South Africa holds true, winter grain producers in the Western Cape may achieve their best yields since 2016.
Record production puts pressure on global grain prices
US grain and oilseed prices traded slightly lower during trade in the first week of August as global forecasts predicted a record global grain crop.
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