Combine agri and land departments, says Purchase

To improve service delivery and overall performance by the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Land Reform, President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider merging these two departments, says Dr John Purchase, the CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz).

Traceability system on track, says SA Feedlot Association

Implementing a functional national identification and traceability system for the livestock sector would take about 10 years and cost approximately R200 million, according to Dewald Olivier, executive officer of the South African Feedlot Association.

SA cannot afford ‘ostrich politics’ with land reform

Although land and land reform played a lesser role than expected in the recent election, these matters needed to be resolved urgently, according to Theo Venter, a political analyst from North-West University.

‘Many factors impact vegetable price fluctuations’

The Fresh Produce Market Trends report released in the first week of May by Absa senior agricultural economist, Wessel Lemmer, indicated that potato volumes increased 102% from the previous week, with onion volumes also up more than 60%.

‘Voter apathy does not bode well for SA’s democracy’

The most worrying trend in this general election was the poor voter turnout, which was just over 65%, said political risk analyst and associate professor at the Wits Business School, Mzukusi Qobo.

51% decline in operating profit for Astral Foods

The higher costs of raw ingredients for chicken feed combined with depressed consumer spending during the period 1 October 2018 to 31 March 2019, were key factors in the 51% decline in operating profit for Astral Foods Limited (Astral), compared with the preceding period.

Suspects in ‘significant’ stock theft case seek bail

Five suspects were expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court for a second time on Friday after being charged with stock theft involving 334 head of cattle estimated at a value of R3,1 million. The suspects were seeking bail.

More African swine fever outbreaks reported

Two more outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) were recently confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

Agricultural machinery sales continue to lose traction

Uncertainty surrounding the prospects for the summer harvests and winter plantings of commodity crops, the outcome of the general election, and the exchange rate of the rand, all placed a damper on agricultural machinery sales for April.

Nkwinti in hot water over Public Protector’s findings

Gugile Nkwinti, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, reportedly unduly used his influence to secure a R97,6 million farm in Limpopo for a friend and his business partner during his tenure as Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).

Exclusive Farmer’s Weekly merchandise at Nampo Harvest Day

Farmer’s Weekly will be at Nampo again this year with exclusive offers and merchandise only available at the show.

Higher than normal temperatures expected for early winter

Indications are that higher than normal temperatures can be expected for most parts of South Africa from May to July this year, according to Cobus Olivier, long-term weather forecaster at Weather South Africa.

What to expect at Nampo Harvest Day 2019

Grain SA’s annual Nampo Harvest Day agricultural show, which will be held from 14 to 17 May at Nampo Park near Bothaville, takes place just a week after the South African general election.

Election 2019: Political parties on land and farming

In the run-up to this month’s general election, Farmer’s Weekly journalists around the country posed the same questions to the seven political parties that performed the best in the 2014 general election. In addition, three of the most interesting new parties that will be contesting the election on 8 May were also included. The questions were: “As stated in your party’s election manifesto, what is your commitment, firstly, to agricultural development, and secondly, to land reform?”