EU commits $7 million to agri development in Zimbabwe
The European Union (EU) has set aside $7 million (R96 million) for proposals for a project that would strengthen the agriculture value chain in Zimbabwe.
Bird flu kills over 500 wild birds in Johannesburg
An avian influenza outbreak that has been confirmed in Gauteng, has forced the Montecasino Bird Gardens to temporarily close its doors, while biosecurity measures have been taken to protect the bird population at the Johannesburg Zoo.
Disease identification app to boost food security in Africa
A team of researchers that has developed an app which will allow small-scale farmers in Africa to identify cassava diseases has won a US$100 000 (R1,4 million) grant to expand the tool for use on other root, tuber and banana crops.
Dairy farmers work together to prevent strike-led milk losses
The recent strike action by milk collection truck drivers of Dairy Farmers South Africa (DFSA) nearly resulted in potentially crippling losses for dairy farmers in KwaZulu-Natal’s ‘milk bowl’ of Creighton, Ixopo and Donnybrook.
Cattle painkiller found toxic to vultures
Conservationists are urging SA farmers not to feed the carcasses of cattle and other animals containing traces of the painkiller, carprofen to vultures…
Landmark ruling in land claims case
The recent Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that a R300 000 deduction from an Mpumalanga farm’s compensation value, because it was destined for land restitution, was not justifiable, bodes well for property owners in South Africa.
Absa awards SA’s top 10 olive oils
Ten extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) were recently awarded as the best in the country of the 2017 harvest at the Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards ceremony, held at Val de Vie Estate outside Paarl in the Western Cape.
Dumping, bird flu, cripples SA poultry and grain producers
Poultry dumping and avian flu losses have severely affected the country’s grain industry, as 70% of poultry production costs were feed costs, said Marthinus Stander, CEO of Country Bird Holdings (CBH).
Boost for East African wheat production
Recommendations aimed at boosting wheat production in East Africa have been approved by the principal secretaries for trade in Kenya and Tanzania, Dr Chris Kiptoo and Prof Adolf Mkenda.
SA’s oldest apple tree stripped for firewood
South Africa’s oldest apple tree has been stripped of all its branches, presumably to be used as firewood. It is, however, uncertain who was responsible for the damage.
Fonterra gives its CEO and farmers huge increases
New Zealand dairy giant, Fonterra, boosted its 2016/2017 cash payout to farmers by 52% to NZ$6,52 (R63,06) per kilogram of milk solids (kgMS).
Zimababwe hosts 6th Stockmanschool
The Zimbabwe Stockmanschool will run for the sixth time this year at Ant Farms, a cattle farm, outside Harare.
Millions of birds culled in Western Cape
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is devastating the Western Cape poultry industry with millions of birds being culled this week.
Botswana reports suspected foot-and-mouth outbreak
Botswana recently reported a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Ngamiland to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
‘National government has failed farmers in Western Cape’
The impact of drought in the Western Cape could have been mitigated through better infrastructural planning and development, according to Marinus van der Merwe, a member of Agri Wes Cape’s Natural Resource Policy Committee.
Help requested for ‘critically dry’ Eastern Cape
Members of the community in KwaZulu-Natal have reached out to communities in drought-stricken Eastern Cape, donating thousands of bales of fodder, including sugar cane residue.
New school proposed for commercial game producers
The annual Aldams Stockman School would be hosting a new game school in March next year, which would offer education on the commercial game industry.
Fuel prices likely to reach 3-year high
When SA’s fuel prices are increased on 4 October for the third consecutive month, they will likely reach their highest level in three years.
Project to grow India’s world-leading dairy industry
The Indian government approved a Rs108,8 billion (R22,4 billion) 12-year plan, from 2017/2018 to 2028/2029, to grow its dairy industry, already the largest in the world.
Grain producers urged to report red-billed quelea outbreaks
South African grain producers were called upon to report all red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) breeding and roosting places as a matter of urgency to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
