‘Exceptional’ Boer goat ram sells for record R375 000
A Boer goat ram from the Lukas Burger Boer Goat Stud near Griekwastad has been sold for a record price of R375 000 during the stud’s 22nd production sale, which took place at GWK auction pens in Kimberly on Wednesday, 16 September.
Attack on horses at the Fairview racecourse condemned
An incident at Fairview Racecourse in Port Elizabeth, in which a race horse has reportedly been slaughtered by protestors, is a “sad, sad situation”.
Flower industry struggling to recover from COVID-19 fallout
The production and marketing of South Africa’s cut flowers are struggling to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19-related national and international lockdowns.
Over half of SA’s wastewater treatment works are failing
It is hoped that a recent High Court judgement will ensure that municipal wastewater treatment works cease polluting nearby freshwater and land resources.
China bans German pork imports in response to disease threat
Chinese and South Korean authorities have announced that pork imports from Germany will be banned after the first case of African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed there in the second week of September.
Macadamia prices hold firm amid smaller crop
The global 2020 macadamia crop suffered a blow as yields dropped 3% amid unfavourable weather conditions. Although sales have, for the most part, held firm over the past few months, this reduction in supply could serve to benefit farmers in terms of prices paid for the nuts.
Grain research project to unlock SA plant breeding capacity
The Grain Research Programme has been established to directly engage with grain stakeholders in an attempt to initiate research that will support the sector by identifying future challenges and exploring solutions, including extension and disease/pest diagnostic services.
Bumper blueberry harvest hits a snag with high export costs
South Africa is expecting a bumper blueberry harvest this season, but difficulties with air freighting are posing a challenge for exporters.
GDP figures worst in SA’s history – economist
South Africa's economy took a not unexpected nosedive during the second quarter of 2020, a period that contained the lion’s share of the country’s five-week long hard lockdown which brought a halt to most economic activity.
Rooibos prices fall sharply this season
The price of rooibos has fallen from an all-time record of R67/kg in 2018, to the lowest in years this season, due to supply and demand being out of sync.
World’s most expensive sheep sold for over R8 million
"We knew it was going to be something really special. He was just an outstanding animal, backed up by all the best genetics. There were about seven or eight people who really, really wanted him and that's what led to the price.
Largest crop in a decade will cause drop in SA wheat imports
The 2020/2021 production forecast for winter grains is looking promising, with bumper crops expected after difficult production conditions during the previous season.
More ‘extreme’ weather expected for SA before summer
Livestock farmers have been warned to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their animals, as the windy and cold weather conditions currently being experienced across most parts of country are expected to persist for the rest of the week.
Seaweed farming set to grow exponentially
The global agriculture sector has been undergoing a radical transformation in recent years, and researchers around the world are increasingly looking at alternative farming opportunities, such as seaweed farming and other mariculture operations.
Easing of lockdown reignites fears over ‘chicken dumping’
Any gains intended by South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan to reinvigorate the country’s long-ailing broiler value chain will be severely compromised should large-scale dumping of imported chicken meat onto the local market resume.
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.
