News

Widespread outbreaks of charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in maize have been reported in the Free State, in Wesselsbron, Hoopstad, Viljoenskroon and Bultfontein, according to Pannar’s agronomist in the region, AK Geldenhuys.

A national survey to determine whether South Africa is still free of all major pig diseases that can derail international trade is currently underway and should be completed by next month.

Farmers’ union, TAU SA’s accusation that government’s planned expropriation of a macadamia farm in Limpopo is tantamount to a land grab has been rejected with contempt by the province’s Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).

Electioneering for next year has started in earnest and politicians are using every means at their disposal.

High energy prices and the call for ‘greener’ power sources makes renewable energy increasingly attractive. Robyn Joubert reports.

The internet can be useful for farmers, and others, who are keen to ‘study further’, says Greg Miles.

The Western Cape agriculture department has announced the lifting of movement restrictions on horses that were put in place due to earlier reports of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in the province.

The North West province has gone an entire season without rain, but financial support remains out of reach, as Premier Thandi Modise is yet to declare it a drought disaster area.

At least 326 wildfires were recorded countrywide during June, the first month of the possibly six-month long fire season.

Astral has denied responsibility for mistreated chickens found at a cull outlet near Johannesburg.

Existing financing models aimed at rural youth development in agriculture, were ineffective and not serving the needs of the youth.

A Groot Marico farmer has been fined R30 000 for neglecting to feed a herd of 600 cattle.

South African farmers and former Zimbabwean farmers dispossessed by land grabs in that country won an important victory after the Constitutional Court upheld an earlier judgement that Zimbabwean-owned property in SA be seized to pay a punitive costs order.

The state, it seems, has now helped certain connected families become instant dairy farmers. And this while smallholders cannot get title deeds.

A search for micro-tracking devices for livestock led to a lesson about ‘viral marketing’

African and international leaders, as well as key stakeholders in the food security sector, met at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa recently to discuss hunger on the continent.

USA farmers have planted a record amount of soya beans and the largest maize crop since 1936, despite a wet, cold spring which slowed field operations.

If shareholders give their thumbs up at a meeting on 2 August, Rainbow Chicken Ltd will change its name to RCL Foods Limited and begin trading on the JSE under the new name on 2 September. Rainbow said the name would better reflect its’ strategy to become a food business of significant scale in SA and sub-Saharan Africa.

Senwesbel - the holding company of the agricultural services group Senwes - has appointed Dries Kruger as its new chairperson.

Farmers are under pressure to increase food production. Joining forces may be the only answer.