Vaccinate animals against lumpy skin disease, farmers warned
Lumpy skin disease has been reported in all provinces since the start of the year, with communal farmers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal being most affected, according to Dr...
Increasing inflation sparks fear of recession
The ongoing increase in food prices has raised concern over South Africa’s growth outlook, as inflation adds to a basket of factors sending the country towards a recession.
‘Pesticide-reduction laws will increase resistance’
The global streamlining of chemicals allowed on food products will render many crop-protection chemicals illegal by 1 June 2024, heightening risk for farmers already battling pests.
Massive cockroach outbreak in South Africa
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s (CropLife SA) operations and stewardship manager, issued a serious warning against the use of chemical products registered for agricultural purposes in an effort to...
Wine grape harvest set to be smallest in 19 years
SA Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS) recently revised the wine grape harvest estimate downward for the fourth time, making it the smallest harvest in 19 years.
US orange harvest expected to reach 86-year low this season
The 2022/23 orange crop in the US is forecast to be the smallest since 1937, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Foundation demands the banning of pit bulls in South Africa
The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation recently handed a petition over to Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, demanding a ban on pit bulls as domestic pets in...
NWK spends millions on upgrading gravel roads
In the run-up to the 2022/23 summer grain harvesting season, agribusiness NWK recently commenced grading some 1 400km of gravel roads leading to its silos in North West.
Constitutional Court hands down a major breakthrough for water rights
The court judgment states that the temporary or permanent transfer of water-use entitlements is supported by the Water Act, contrary to the view held by the Department of Water and...
Another sugar mill enters business rescue
Gledhow sugar mill has become the second mill to be placed under business rescue, thereby increasing concerns over the future viability of the sugar cane production industry in South Africa.
African horse sickness cases reportedly rising amid vaccine shortage
African horse sickness (AHS) cases are increasing in Gauteng while vaccines have been unavailable since last year, according to reports. Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), which is responsible for manufacturing the...
‘Communal land reform lacks tenure security’
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the lack of tenure security provided for in a new bill on communal land.
Macadamia prices continue to fall amid oversupply
South Africa is set to deliver another bumper crop of macadamia nuts this year, surpassing last year’s total yield of 68 840t dry-nut-in-shell at 1,5% moisture, to reach nearly 78...
Western Cape takes lead in cannabis industry development
The Western Cape recently became the first province to formally launch a Cannabis Framework and Implementation Plan (CanPlan) for the agriculture sector.
‘Fair compensation needed to mitigate crop damage caused by wildlife’
Small-scale crop farmers in the Zambezi region of Namibia recently called on the Namibian government to compensate them for the actual value of crops destroyed by wildlife such as elephants...
Italy to clamp down on lab-grown meat
Farmer groups in Italy have welcomed a government-backed bill tabled in that country’s parliament that could ultimately result in the banning of laboratory-produced meat and other synthetic food.
Second grain crop estimate points to favourable season
The latest grain crop estimate released by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) shows an increase in yields for most grain crops in South Africa, alleviating fears that erratic weather would...
Severe drought in Namibia a cause for concern
A major part of Namibia is experiencing an acute drought, with the situation particularly serious south of the capital, Windhoek, with little or no rain received during the 2022/23 rainy...
CompCom launches general inquiry into fresh produce markets
The Competition Commission (CompCom) recently launched the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry to identify features that could impede, distort or restrict competition along the fresh produce value chain.
Shortage of snake antivenom in South Africa a “major disaster”
The shortage of snakebite antivenom in South Africa was a source of serious concern as this threatened the lives of animals and humans, according to Johan Marais, CEO of the...
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