‘Global pig industry to remain unpredictable in 2019’
Pig producers globally experienced a difficult year in 2018, and 2019 is expected to be just as unpredictable, according to Gianluca Avino, commercial director of Genus International in Italy.
Farming machinery sales stall in January
Widespread drought conditions across South Africa’s summer grain production regions have been cited as the primary cause of the significant drop in tractor and combine harvester sales in January.
Better biosecurity needed to fight African horse sickness
Horse owners have been cautioned to implement strict biosecurity measures in an effort to contain the current outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) in South Africa.
State of the Nation address elicits optimism from agri leaders
“Strategically located land will be released to address human settlement needs in urban and peri-urban areas,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening.
Free State declared a drought disaster area
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has welcomed the news that the province has been declared a drought disaster area.
‘Farmers must work together to remain profitable’
Farmers can no longer rely on the expected increase in demand for food globally to ensure future profitability. Producer prices would remain flat for some time, and to stay in business farmers would have to increase their profitability margins.
Rural human settlements could threaten farmland – report
Expansion of human settlement in rural areas could threaten agricultural potential, according to a recent report released by Wandile Sihlobo, head of economic and agribusiness intelligence at Agbiz.
Land reform tops agri industry’s expectations for SONA 2019
Organised agricultural bodies are expecting President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the various aspects of land reform in his 2019 State of the Nation Address...
New international consortium makes R4,8 billion bid for Clover
A newly formed company, Milco SA, has announced that it would make an offer to acquire the entire issued share capital of Clover Industries...
Farm residents better trained to defend themselves – Afriforum
The decline in farm murders during 2018 could largely be attributed to residents on farms being better trained to defend themselves.
US expert to evaluate grain location differential system
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) location differential system was the main topic of discussion at Grain SA’s three annual meetings held in South Africa’s winter rainfall regions.
Crop estimate for maize ‘better than expected’
South Africa’s summer grain farmers have planted 180 000ha less maize than originally intended for the current production season, according to the Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) preliminary area estimate for summer grain crops.
Officials investigated for land fraud
A number of officials in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) are still being investigated for fraud and corruption relating to farm allocations for a project that ended in 2010, according to the DRDLR.
‘Drought keeps taking a toll on SA farmers’
It is expected that communal farmers will be hardest hit by ongoing drought conditions across the country and subsequent lack of grazing, according to Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO).
New association for smallholder tobacco farmers
The Black Tobacco Farmers’ Association (BTFA), launched in Pretoria on Thursday, aims to protect and prioritise the interests of black tobacco farmers to ensure their continued development and sustainability in the industry.
2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale achieves good results
The highest price achieved at the annual Cape Premier Yearling Sale held in Cape Town yesterday was R4 million for an unnamed filly, one of the last progeny of one of South Africa’s top Thoroughbred sires, the late Captain Al.
Stock thieves slaughter 30 sheep on Mpumalanga farm
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the intruders that butchered 30 sheep on the farm Goedgedacht near Standerton in Mpumalanga over the weekend.
Researchers urged to get out into the field
More than 250 delegates are attending the annual Combined Congress of soil, crop production, weed and horticultural sciences, underway at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein until Friday.
Praise for teamwork in containing foot-and-mouth outbreak
The rapid response by both government and the private sector to the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the Vhembe district in Limpopo has been praised by role players in the livestock value chain.
‘Parts of the Free state must be declared a disaster area’
The Free State consists of many economic sectors, but agriculture is the most important in terms of food security for everybody, including politicians and government officials.
