No relief from high maize stocks

With more than 80% of the country’s maize crop already harvested, the Crop Estimates Committee’s seventh production forecast for 2009/10’s summer crops indicates a maize yield of 13,09 million tons.

New cultivars drive development

Breeding new cultivars remains one of the main drivers of development in the table-grape industry.

Short-term milk prospects not good

The annual conference of the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) was characterised by cautious to pessimistic utterances from the industry.

Strike looms at Agri Research Council

The trade union Solidarity extended conciliation to 2 September, and if the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has not accepted or rejected their demands by then, employees will join the nationwide strike, said Solidarity organiser Schalk de Bruin.

‘Reform failure isn’t commercial agriculture’s fault’

Land reform is necessary in South Africa, but the fact that it’s bogged down isn’t commercial agriculture’s fault, said Agri Northern Cape president Wessel van der Merwe at the organisation’s congress in Kimberley recently.

‘Economy 100% dependant on agriculture’ – Agri SA

Agriculture is a primary economic driver and South Africa’s economy is 100% dependant on it, said Agri SA president Johannes Möller at the Agri Northern Cape congress.

Southern Africa experiences a surge in food insecurity

Recent rains across parts of Southern African have had little impact on the negative effects of the drought.

Are horses being stolen for racing?

A boerperd and two appaloosas were stolen on 27 June from the Pletts family and two other owners in Howick.

New research funding tests Rooibos health claims

The SA Rooibos Council invested over R2 million in research in 2010 in an ongoing programme to find out more about the properties, applications and cultivation of South Africa’s unique herbal brew.

Milk statistics only tell half the story

The South African Milk Processors’ Oraganisation (SAMPRO) said the raw milk price index rose 59% in the past 41 months (January 2007 to May 2010) while dairy product prices rose only 36%.

SA to remain nett exporter of oilseeds

The relative profitability of world oilseed production is set to increase, mainly driven by improvements in yields and technology, and a solid price supported by consistent growth in demand.

BFAP building African market outlook

Changing conditions in world markets affect prices in Africa, but attempts to project future prices often fail to consider factors such as market structures, policy environment, weather-related supply shocks and regional trade flows.

Miners abuse graves

Farmers were accused of failing to allow access to graves on private property at the recent national summit on vulnerable workers, but mining also has a case to answer in this regard.

Grave Matters

Dr Troy Phili of the Burial Grounds and Graves Unit at the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the importance of rural graves to a broad spectrum of South Africans.

Bad news catches up with mohair

The first sale of the mohair winter selling season mirrored all the negative events of the past two months, said Matthew Fox, Cape Mohair and Wool’s mohair manager.

SA’s food price slightly lower

Average prices in the major food categories showed further declines on a year-on-year basis in urban areas.

Eastern Cape’s top performing communal shearing shed

The Uppertele communal shearing shed came out tops in the National Wool Growers Association’s competition for the best shearing shed among the Eastern Cape’s five communal wool production regions.

Raw deal for SA wool

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that it will no longer issue clearing certificates for Rift Valley fever (RVF) for the exportation of raw wool and mohair to China, the largest importer of South African wool.

Fracking frightens farmers

Karoo landowners are concerned about the possible environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, the technique used by the Australian company Bundu Gas and Oil to prospect for shale gas.

Demand for fine wool looks good

The market after the second auction of the 2010 wool season was in the sellers’ favour, said Basie Claasen of BKB.

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