Drought devastates Namibia in first quarter of 2019
The devastating effect of the drought in Namibia is clearly illustrated in the Namibia Agricultural Union’s (NAU) first quarter review for 2019.
32 cows for world’s first floating farm
Thirty-two cows recently boarded the world’s first floating farm in the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Concern about South Africa’s rising unemployment rate
South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to the highest level since the third quarter of 2017, according to Statistics South Africa.
‘Traditional land ownership must be sorted out’
Confusion about the powers and functions of South Africa’s traditional leaders and government ownership of communal land came to the fore at a recent panel discussion between agricultural role players.
EU olive industry under threat from killer pathogen
The deadly Xylella pathogen poses a "very serious threat" to the EU's olive industry, with countries in southern Europe most at risk.
Combine agri and land departments, says Purchase
To improve service delivery and overall performance by the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Land Reform, President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider merging these two departments, says Dr John Purchase, the CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz).
Traceability system on track, says SA Feedlot Association
Implementing a functional national identification and traceability system for the livestock sector would take about 10 years and cost approximately R200 million, according to Dewald Olivier, executive officer of the South African Feedlot Association.
SA cannot afford ‘ostrich politics’ with land reform
Although land and land reform played a lesser role than expected in the recent election, these matters needed to be resolved urgently, according to Theo Venter, a political analyst from North-West University.
US$2 billion in damages awarded in Roundup cancer trial
A jury in the San Francisco Superior Court in the US has awarded more than $2 billion (about R28 billion) to a couple who claimed that the Bayer AG glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide gave them cancer.
‘Many factors impact vegetable price fluctuations’
The Fresh Produce Market Trends report released in the first week of May by Absa senior agricultural economist, Wessel Lemmer, indicated that potato volumes increased 102% from the previous week, with onion volumes also up more than 60%.
‘Voter apathy does not bode well for SA’s democracy’
The most worrying trend in this general election was the poor voter turnout, which was just over 65%, said political risk analyst and associate professor at the Wits Business School, Mzukusi Qobo.
51% decline in operating profit for Astral Foods
The higher costs of raw ingredients for chicken feed combined with depressed consumer spending during the period 1 October 2018 to 31 March 2019, were key factors in the 51% decline in operating profit for Astral Foods Limited (Astral), compared with the preceding period.
China to increase soya bean output amid trade tensions
It is expected that soya bean output in China will increase 7,9% to 17,27 million tons for the 2019/2020 production year, according to the country’s agriculture ministry.
Suspects in ‘significant’ stock theft case seek bail
Five suspects were expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court for a second time on Friday after being charged with stock theft involving 334 head of cattle estimated at a value of R3,1 million. The suspects were seeking bail.
Empowering farmers in India through digital education
Nearly 50 000 smallholder farmers in rural India have benefitted from a technology-led educational programme to boost their productivity and income since it was launched in 2018.
More African swine fever outbreaks reported
Two more outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) were recently confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
Worst harvest outlook for North Korea in a decade
Severe food shortages are currently being experienced in North Korea, following a year of unexpected dry spells, heatwaves and flooding, which have resulted in the worst grain harvest in more than a decade.
Agricultural machinery sales continue to lose traction
Uncertainty surrounding the prospects for the summer harvests and winter plantings of commodity crops, the outcome of the general election, and the exchange rate of the rand, all placed a damper on agricultural machinery sales for April.
Nkwinti in hot water over Public Protector’s findings
Gugile Nkwinti, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, reportedly unduly used his influence to secure a R97,6 million farm in Limpopo for a friend and his business partner during his tenure as Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).
Exclusive Farmer’s Weekly merchandise at Nampo Harvest Day
Farmer’s Weekly will be at Nampo again this year with exclusive offers and merchandise only available at the show.
