Fall armyworm outbreaks in Mpumalanga and KZN
Serious damage to grain fields due to fall armyworm (FAW) infestations has to date been reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and northern KwaZulu-Natal in the 2019/2020 production season, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.
US agri commodity prices to remain under pressure in 2020
After US farmers faced a challenging year in 2019, there was cautious optimism that the prices of maize, soya bean and wheat could receive a boost from the new trade agreement signed by China and the US last week.
Low CPI reflects sluggish economy – economist
Consumer price inflation increased slightly from November to December 2019, but still remained at its lowest level in nearly a decade, and was expected to remain low throughout 2020.
SA potato industry to have greater access to Mondial variety
South Africa’s potato production industry is set to gain from a settlement agreement approved recently by the Competition Tribunal (CompTrib).
Concern as Moody’s downgrades Land Bank credit rating
The agriculture sector has reacted with concern to Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) downgrading the Land and Agricultural Development Bank (Land Bank) to sub-investment grade.
Wind and unseasonal rain cause consternation in Western Cape
A Stellenbosch wine estate is faced with thousands of rands’ worth of damages after a strong southeaster wind nearly ruined an entire vineyard block over the weekend.
FAO declares 2020 International Year of Plant Health
The cultivation of healthy plants depends on healthy soils, according to Dr Hendrik Smith, a conservation agriculture (CA) facilitator at Grain SA and the Maize Trust.
NWK invests in the future of South Africa’s young people
Agriculture business NWK recently handed over laptops worth about R244 000 to the top-performing Grade 12 learners for 2019 at 20 schools in the Ditsobotla district in North West.
Cannabis production could outpace demand – new report
A new report on cannabis production and trade is forecasting an increase in medical cannabis production this year, but warns that the existing small markets could leave growers with unsold stocks.
‘SA consumers becoming better educated about rooibos health benefits’
South Africa’s consumers, as well as the rooibos value chain, are now far more knowledgeable about the health benefits of this uniquely South African plant and the variety of products that can be manufactured from it than five years ago.
New agriculture development agency to be launched in February
The much-anticipated Agriculture Development Agency (AGDA) will be officially launched on 18 February at the Africa Agri Tech Conference and Expo (AAT) to be held in Pretoria.
Farmers must be vigilant for presence of fall armyworm moths
Farmers have been urged to remain alert to the presence of fall armyworm (FAW) during the 2019/2020 crop production season, and to regularly scout their crops for larvae and eggs in their lands.
Farmers urged to scout for gerbils to prevent crop damage
Widespread outbreaks of gerbil infestations have been reported in the summer grain production regions, with damage being reported in the Free State, North West and KwaZulu- Natal. This was according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.
Court case to lift ban on auctions to be heard on Tuesday
A court application filed by two auction companies, a co-operative, a commercial farmer and a group of 50 emerging farmers to lift the national ban on auctions will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 14 January.
How virtual reality goggles can improve cows’ well-being
Russian milk producers have developed a new and unexpected solution to dairy output challenges.
Macadamia and avocado theft costs industry millions
The popularity and profitability of avocados and macadamias have resulted in a double-edged sword, with theft of the produce becoming increasingly rampant.
Oriental fruit fly eradicated in Northern Cape municipalities
Joint monitoring and control efforts by both public and private sector role players have resulted in the successful eradication of the highly invasive and destructive oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) from two Northern Cape district municipalities.
The importance of veld management after drought
Veld damaged by drought needs to be assiduously managed after the arrival of rain in order to conserve grazing potential and to avoid serious damage to plant species.
Polish authorities on high alert as bird flu spreads
Multiple cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus have now been confirmed in turkey populations in eastern Poland, according to local authorities.
Severe drought in Namibia continues unabated
Despite reports of good rainfall in the north-eastern parts of Namibia, the drought in that country is still continuing.
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