Tongaat Hulett clawing its way out of financial peril
Tongaat Hulett Limited has made some positive progress in its efforts to dig itself out of the precarious financial position that the company found itself in recent years.
Avian flu outbreak exacerbates coronavirus woes in China
Chinese authorities have reported an outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian flu on a farm near Shaoyang in the southern province of Hunan.
‘Below-normal rainfall could negatively affect summer crops’
The below-normal rainfall expected across South Africa between February and April this year could have a negative impact on the growth of summer crops as well as dam levels, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Volatile tomato prices ascribed to ‘extreme weather’
The tomato price increased more than 80% week-on-week in the week ending 24 January, and was up more than 57% year-on-year, according to the Absa Fresh Produce Market Trends report.
Rift Valley fever, African armyworm alert for farmers
Livestock producers have been advised to take all possible steps to prevent Rift Valley fever outbreaks in the areas were high rainfall was recorded late last year and early this year.
5 200 weaner calf net R54 million in video sale
What is being described as possibly the largest ever weaner calf sale in the country, has highlighted how a digital sales platform can be used to trade large numbers of cattle quickly and easily.
Low disease and frost resistance for EU crops due to hot weather
Near-record high temperatures in areas of western and central Europe early in the season have resulted in an increased risk of pests and diseases in the region’s already delayed grains crops.
Call for permanent ban on wildlife trade in China
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has welcomed the recent decision by Chinese authorities to temporarily ban the trade in wild animals to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Zimbabwe boosts livestock production with pig imports from SA
Zimbabwe is finalising arrangements to import 230 Large White Landrace and Duroc pigs from South Africa as breeding stock, as part of a US$45 million (about R630 million) EU-funded project to improve the country’s livestock value chain.
‘ANC must urgently clarify latest land expropriation proposal’
Land reform experts are calling on the ANC to urgently clarify its recent surprise announcement that it intends to push for expropriation without compensation (EWC) decisions to vest with the South African President and Cabinet instead of the courts.
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.
