SA lost 250 rhinos to poaching in first half of 2021
Fighting rhino poaching in South Africa is as much about combatting organised crime as are efforts to dismantle the syndicates behind drug trafficking, arms smuggling, cash-in-transit heists, robberies of gold, and human trafficking.
Avian influenza setback for poultry master plan
More than 2,7 million chickens have been culled so far in South Africa due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which is affecting commercial layer and, to a lesser extent, broiler breeder and commercial broiler flocks.
Heritage Day 2021: Why you’ll need a big budget to braai
To celebrate Heritage Day, also known as National Braai Day, on Friday, 24 September, the order in which budget-conscious consumers should choose meat for the braai is pork, chicken or beef, and only then mutton or lamb.
Extreme weather keeps Haiti’s farmers on a knife’s edge
A comprehensive national plan needs to be implemented in Haiti to address climate change, stem deforestation, and restore degraded land and watersheds in an effort to help the country’s vulnerable farmers, according to local environmentalists.
World champion Boer goat ram sold for R500 000
The world champion boer goat ram, ‘Maserati’, bred by the Lukas Burger Boer Goat stud near Griekwastad, was recently sold for a record price of R500 000 to Salmon van Huyssteen Boer Goats near Pretoria and the Joubert Horn Boer Goat Stud near Vryburg.
Millions of litres of fuel being stolen from Transnet pipelines
The theft of fuel from the Transnet pipeline network is an enormous problem in South Africa, according to Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA’s executive director.
Farmers warned to be on the lookout for brown locust outbreaks
There are fears that this season could see some of the worst infestations of brown locusts (Locustana pardalina) in South Africa on record.
Market access and infrastructure troubles impede agri growth
The agriculture sector is expected to expand 7,6% year-on-year in 2021, but in the long term growth is expected to decline.
Concern over looming global coffee shortage next year
Coffee prices reached new highs in August on the back of concerns about future supplies and increasing freight costs.
Forced cullings cost livestock producers millions
While farmers are forced by state veterinarians to slaughter chickens, pigs and cattle to prevent the spread of some diseases, government is compensating only a few of those producers.
New high-altitude national park for Eastern Cape
Work is under way to establish a high-altitude national park in the Eastern Cape mountains close to the Lesotho border.
SA’s agribusiness confidence wanes in the third quarter
South African agribusiness leaders remain optimistic about trading conditions, albeit slightly less so than they were earlier this year.
Didiza announces partial lifting of FMD controls in KZN
The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) has welcomed the reduction in the size of the disease management area (DMA) for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal.
Wheat buyers in Asia face potential shortages
Wheat farmers in Alberta, Canada are among those hard-hit by extreme heat, which has put pressure on global wheat supplies.
Robust tractor sales continue in August
Tractor and combine harvester sales in August are a clear indication that farmers remain optimistic about the production conditions for the season ahead.
Strong performance for agriculture in latest GDP figures
South Africa’s economy expanded 1,2% quarter-on-quarter, with the transport, storage and communications industries making the largest contribution at 6,9%, followed by agriculture at 6,2%, according to the latest data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
One million hectares of grazing destroyed by wildfires
More than one million hectares of grazing have so far been lost to wildfires in the North West, Free State and Northern Cape this year.
Beer association calls for sin tax relief
The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) is actively trying to obtain relief for the excise duty burden placed on craft brewers.
Bird flu: uncertainty about government payouts
While 2,7 million chickens have already been culled since an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in South Africa in April, it remains unclear whether government will compensate farmers for all losses.
Wineries count the cost of wildfires in southern France
Winemakers in south-eastern France are taking stock of the damage to their vineyards following a week-long wildfire in late August, which caused widespread damage across the region.
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