Stone fruit production set to increase, despite drought
The South African stone fruit industry is forecasting improved volumes for the 2019/2020 season compared with last year.
Crippling livestock losses due to Namibian drought – reports
Extreme drought conditions have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 60 000 head of livestock in Namibia so far this year. This is according to Namibian media reports citing Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Alpheus !Naruseb.
World Food Day focuses on healthy diets for a #zerohunger world
This year’s World Food Day, to be celebrated on 16 October, marks the 74th anniversary of the founding of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
Below-normal summer rain predicted as dam levels decrease
Although water supply scenarios for much of the country are currently deemed comfortable, forecasts of a chance of below-normal rainfall for early summer do not bode well for parts of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo where rivers are reportedly drying up.
World Egg Day: celebrating the many benefits of the egg
Today – 11 October - marks World Egg Day, a global salute to the health benefits and versatility of the egg. The theme of the campaign is ‘Eat your egg today and every day’.
‘Crime and drought must not let farmers lose hope’ – Didiza
Safety and security on farms continues to be one of the main challenges that the South African farming sector has to grapple with, especially crimes such as stock theft and attacks on farmers and farmworkers.
Global food price index up 3,3% year to year
September’s global Food Price Index remained unchanged from August at nearly 170 points, but was 3,3% higher than the corresponding period in 2018.
Northern Cape welcomes R30 million in drought aid
Agri Northern Cape welcomed the announcement by Deputy President David Mabuza that R30 million would be made available for the procurement and distribution of animal feed to the drought-stricken province, said Nicol Jansen, Agri Northern Cape president.
Didiza refuses local triple-stacked GM maize seed release
Reactions have been mixed to news that South Africa’s minister of agriculture Thoko Didiza has upheld previous refusals to allow the general release of Bayer’s triple-stacked genetically modified (GM) maize seed technology for production in the country.
Most farm attacks in Free State farms occur over weekends
Most farm murders and attacks in the Free State over the past six months have occurred on or near weekends, according to Dr Jane Buys, a security risk analyst at Free State Agriculture (FSA).
Farmer protest brings traffic to a standstill in The Hague
Farmers in the Netherlands caused an unprecedented traffic jam as they converged on The Hague in their tractors last week to protest against Dutch Liberal Party MP Tjeert de Groot calling for livestock production in the country to be halved.
Thabethe did not want investigators to meet Estina alone
Former HOD of the Free State department of agriculture Peter Thabethe was questioned by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Friday about why he was not willing to give permission for National Treasury investigators to meet with Estina role players.
Below-average rainfall spells tough season ahead for Western Cape
Large parts of the Western Cape are still not out of trouble after the 2019 rainy season, and will have to face yet another tough year. This was according to Jannie Strydom, the CEO of Agri Western Cape.
Seed potato farmers warned about devastating potato disease
Seed potato growers attending the recent biannual Potatoes South Africa Seed Potato Growers’ Forum in Cape Town were warned about the potentially devastating effect that resistant black dot disease could have on the quality and quantity of their crops.
Environmental literacy key to securing a sustainable future
Creating environmental awareness will require partnerships with various stakeholders, including agriculture role players.
‘Welfare a government priority for live sheep exports’
Eastern Cape and national state veterinary authorities and department of agriculture officials will not allow the planned export of approximately 61 000 live sheep to Kuwait via ship until they are satisfied all welfare requirements are met before and during the voyage.
‘Biltong must secure geographical indication’ – economist
Biltong is of strategic importance to the South African economy. This was according to Joseph Kau, an agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council.
Pet owners urged to vaccinate against rabies
All efforts to control the deadly viral disease of rabies are based on vaccination, hence the theme of this year’s annual World Rabies Day: ‘Rabies: vaccinate to eliminate”. This is according to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC).
Dry weather puts pressure on EU’s sugar beet harvest
As the sugar beet harvest gets underway in the EU this week, producers have expressed concern that the combination of dry weather, low prices, and restrictions on pesticide-use will negatively affect production volumes.
‘High-end’ properties not the target of expropriation – Mahlati
About 60% of South Africans do not have tenure of their land, and according to Dr Vuyo Mahlati, president of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA), radical correction steps need to include expropriation without compensation.
