News

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development does not have funds to compensate farmers for their losses as a result of the deadly avian influenza outbreak across South Africa, according to the department's chief director Dipepeneneng Serage, who was responding to questions posed by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development this week.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) continues to sweep through South Africa, with the latest wave annihilating colonies in Gauteng.

Whereas inflation is slowing in many countries, the depreciation of the rand, high fuel costs and load-shedding are keeping it high in South Africa.

In a historic moment, the Nguni bull, T16 232, was recently sold for a world-record price of R570 000 at the Sentrale Nguni Club’s 29th auction held on the farm Middelwater near Bloemfontein.

The Namibian Directorate of Veterinary Services recently issued a directive to that country’s pork importers, informing them about the change in import conditions for fresh frozen pork with regards to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (RPPS).

Farmers in the EU continue to struggle to secure financing, with small farming operations and young farmers being most affected by a lack of loans and financial investment.

The current cost of potatoes and onions have left South African consumers reeling, with a 7kg pocket of potatoes costing at least 100% more now than it did a year ago, while a 10kg bag of onions was 63% higher year-on-year (y/y).

North-West University’s School of Geo and Spatial Sciences recently hosted a seminar during which 16 groups of BSC Agriculture final-year students at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management presented their research projects.

The adoption of a framework calling for highly hazardous pesticides in the agriculture sector to be phased out has been lauded by South African Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy.

India’s leading tractor exporter in the 16HP to 125HP segments, International Tractors Limited (ITL), recently unveiled improvements and expansions in its existing models, along with two whole new categories, at its Global Partners Summit 200 in Gurugram, India.

Zimbabwe’s first citrus exports to China commenced after Zimbabwean citrus orchards and packing houses were given the green light for the exports in June this year.

The Australian government has announced that, in its fight to reduce the risk of lumpy skin disease (LSD) entering the country, it will continue to work closely with regional neighbours, national industries, and all state and territory governments.

World Food Day is celebrated under a cloud of water troubles as the increasing incidence of both droughts and floods impacts food security.

In his opening address at the Agri SA congress, re-elected President Jaco Minnaar emphasised the importance of improving and enhancing all factors impacting food security.

Today, as the world marks World Egg Day, eggs are perhaps more front of mind in South Africans than ever before. Unfortunately, this is due to the shortage of eggs, rather than an abundance spreading across breakfast tables.

Amid several calls to address the critical shortage of veterinarians in South Africa, veterinarians and veterinary nurses have finally been reinstated to the country's critical skills list.

Tractor and combine harvester sales are expected to slow over the medium term, but remain above the long-term average, according to agricultural role-players.

Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS) general manager Tracey Mutaviri recently painted a bleak picture of local sugar sales in a report to the members of the ZSS board.

Farmers in India experience great difficulty delivering the produce they harvest to markets in good condition. According to recent figures released by the Indian government, between 6% and 15% of all fruit, between 5% and 12% of vegetables, and between 4% and 6% of grains were lost in that country during 2022.

The latest forecast by the Crop Estimate Committee (CEC) continues to point in a positive direction for summer and winter crop outputs in South Africa, despite threats levelled by the El Niño weather phenomenon being experienced this year.