Drought declared a national disaster
Government this week formally declared the drought as a “national state of disaster”.
Expropriation motion could dent high agri confidence
Confidence within South Africa’s agribusiness sector for the first quarter of 2018 (Q1 2018) was at its highest since the third quarter of 2016.
Concern over lack of training for future farmers
The agricultural industry had a role to play in revitalising the South African economy, said agricultural economist Prof Mohammad Karaan at the recent Grain SA congress held in Bothaville.
SA needs stricter safety policies for imported food products
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has expressed concern about South Africa continuing to accept untested mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDM) imports from Brazil, following reports of corruption and food...
Agriculture takes the lead in GDP growth
South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) increased at a better than expected rate in 2017, with the agricultural sector playing a leading role in this regard.
Strong opposition to expropriation at Grain SA congress
Emotions ran high on day one of Grain SA’s annual congress at Nampo Park, Bothaville, Wednesday, as members reacted to a motion dealing with expropriation without compensation (EWC).
Astral anticipates markedly improved half-year results
Various factors are expected to result in Astral Foods (Astral) posting what the JSE-listed company described as a “marked improvement” in its financial results for the six months ending 31...
Source of listeriosis outbreak identified
The Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, announced on Sunday that the recent listeriosis outbreak which had resulted in 176 deaths across South Africa since January 2017, had been traced to...
Rabies spike in KwaZulu-Natal
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN DARD), there was a recent increase in rabies in the province.
Western Cape agriculture set to lose billions
The Western Cape’s agricultural sector is set to lose an estimated R5,9 billion in the 2017/2018 season due to prevailing drought conditions across the province.
FAW: farmers urged to stay vigilant, but not panic
An advisory about the possible detection of fall armyworm (FAW) on sunflowers in Mpumalanga was a precautionary measure and should not be a cause for panic, according to Grain SA.
Land expropriation process gets go ahead
A revised motion brought by the EFF to launch a process to change the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation was passed in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
SA’s groundwater needs to be carefully protected
South Africa’s groundwater needs to be jealously guarded; it is a scarce and extremely valuable resource. Proper management is therefore vital to ensure sustainable farming for generations to come, according...
Fine wool market softer
Wool traded slightly lower at this week’s sale in Port Elizabeth and the Merino indicator closed at R183,84 (clean), with the rand:dollar exchange rate only playing a minor role in...
Soccer tournament for Limpopo farmworkers
A provincial soccer tournament for farmworkers, called Game of Stars, that started off in Limpopo could be extended countrywide.
Recognition for top Free State beef breeders
Top-performing beef cattle stud breeders from the Free State and parts of the Northern Cape were recognised for their achievements during an awards ceremony held in Bloemfontein recently.
How the agri sector can secure its water usage rights
Farmers should be proactive about establishing their water allocations, says James Brand, senior associate at ENSafrica. Jeandré du Preez spoke to him about the legalities of water usage.
Wine industry disappointed about ‘sin tax’ increase
Members of the South African wine and brandy industry have expressed disappointment about the announcement made by Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, in his first budget address that there will...
Budget 2018: no mention of land expropriation
Despite the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address that the ANC would urgently pursue policy reforms that would pave the way for the expropriation...
‘A tough, but hopeful #budget2018’ – Gigaba
The 2018 national budget, tabled by Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, in Parliament today proposes several interventions that will ensure improved fiscal health and economic growth for the country in...
























