Sixty new bursaries for veterinary science students in SA
In an attempt to address the critical shortage of veterinarians and para-veterinarians in South Africa’s rural areas, 60 new bursaries will be made available to rural learners who would like to pursue careers in these fields.
Below-average rainfall expected for most of SA
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has indicated in its latest seasonal climate watch that below-average rainfall is expected over most parts of the country, except for the central and eastern coastal areas, in May, June and July.
20% of SA farmers expected to exit industry in the next decade
The findings of a new study, which found that 20% of South African farmers will exit the industry within the next decade, is in line with the global norm, according to Jaco Minnaar, president of Agri SA.
Talks between Sundays River Valley workers and farmers deadlocked
The farmworker strike in the Sundays River Valley region is continuing after the parties involved failed to reach an agreement during a meeting in Gqeberha on Thursday (5 May).
Fruit Logistica attendance positive for fruit industry
The recent Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022 exhibition in Germany hosted 40 000 buyers and trade visitors from about 130 countries, as well as 2 000 exhibitors from 87 countries.
Poor crop yields expected for Zimbabwe in 2022
Late rainfall, below average incomes, and increasing input costs do not bode well for the 2022 harvesting season in Zimbabwe. This was according to a report by the international Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET).
Global edible oil markets in turmoil after shock Indonesia ban
The global edible oil market has reacted with shock to Indonesia’s unexpected ban on palm oil exports in the week of 25 April.
Cotton volumes expected to be 13% lower in 2022
While global demand for local cotton is increasing, declining volumes remains a problem in South Africa.
SA heading for third consecutive record diesel price increase
Farmers should prepare to pay a record-breaking R22/l for wholesale diesel from the first week of May, Corné Louw, senior economist at Grain SA has warned.
Concern about livestock vet shortage in South Africa
The shortage of veterinary services in South Africa’s rural areas needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, according to Dr Tlotlo Kgasi, president of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
Sasria reclassifies farming equipment, lowers tariffs
Grain SA has welcomed an announcement by the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) that it has reviewed the classification of agricultural vehicles from an insurance cover perspective.
Lives, property threatened in Sundays River Valley protest
Famers in the Sundays River Valley region of the Eastern Cape are fearing for their lives and those of their farmworkers after a violent protest broke out in the area about a week ago.
Inquiry into fresh produce sector’s competitiveness
The Competition Commission (CompCom) will be conducting an inquiry into South Africa’s fresh produce industry to investigate concerns about issues that may prevent, lessen or distort competition on that market.
‘Invest in the planet’s health with regenerative agriculture’
Using regenerative agriculture principles in their farming operations is the biggest investment South African farmers can make in the health of the planet.
California mega-producer pins hope on legalisation of marijuana
Although a bill was passed by the US House of Representatives on 1 April to end that country’s federal ban on the recreational use of marijuana, it is not expected that the bill will be passed by the Senate.
Brown locust infestation cause havoc in southern Namibia
Millions of hectares of grazing have so far been decimated by devastating infestations of brown locust (Locustana pardalina) in southern Namibia.
Volatile weather puts pressure on Botswana’s grain harvest
Botswana’s Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security has warned that farmers in that country are expecting a reduced grain harvest this year, following dry spells and heatwaves that destroyed dryland crops between January and March.
Authorities still counting the cost of flood damage in KZN
The extensive flood damage to infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal following the recent torrential rain is a severe blow for the province’s agricultural industry.
‘A mammoth task to inoculate 14 million cattle across South Africa’
It was clear that the attendees at the foot-and-mouth disease information day held recently in Bothaville realised the crisis that had resulted from the widespread outbreaks of the disease, said Dr John Purchase, former CEO of Agbiz and facilitator of the event.
Hunting game help farmers in Laos to fight rat plague
One of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries, Laos, has been battling a growing rat problem for more than a decade, with these rodents destroying rice crops, the country’s main cash crop and staple food.
