No end to listeria outbreak
South Africa is still in the midst of a listeria outbreak, with no sign of cases decreasing. As of 15 February, there had been 167 confirmed deaths and over 800 cases of infection.
Charles Back still positive after brutal farm attack
Messages of support have been flooding in for 2017 Agricultural Writers SA National Farmer of the Year, Charles Back, owner of Fairview near Paarl, following a brutal attack by three assailants in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 14 February.
Agriculture jobs decline 8% from 2016
Despite a slight uptick in the number of agriculture jobs created in the fourth quarter of 2017, the sector recorded the second-highest number of jobs lost on a year-to-year basis.
January tractor sales up but combine harvester sales down
January 2018 tractor sales of 527 units were 10,3% up on the January 2017 figure of 478 units. However, last month’s combine harvester sales of eight units were half the number of those sold in January last year.
Better veld management a boon for livestock farmers
Degradation of natural resources, particularly grazing, seriously threatened the livelihoods of South African livestock producers on smallholdings and under communal grazing conditions.
New smartphone apps to help farmers
Three new smartphone apps were introduced at a recent Agbiz apps workshop, that could benefit both commercial and smallholder farmers.
Another two ARC execs resign
Two more executives have resigned from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The ARC confirmed this in response to a follow-up query by Farmer’s Weekly.
Free State Agriculture promises to listen to farmers’ needs
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is determined to give a voice to the province’s farmers, according to Francois Wilken, president of the organisation.
‘Sin tax’ for sugar will cause job losses – SASA
The health promotion levy (HPL) on the sugar content of sweetened beverages will be announced by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba in his budget speech for the 2018/2019 financial year.
KZN urban farming project aims to combat crime
Stakeholders in an urban agricultural development in KwaZulu-Natal’s Pinetown area are hoping to reduce local crime by converting an overgrown green belt into productive farmland.
#SONA2018 predictions from agri leaders
As preparations begin for the much-anticipated State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 8, 2018, we asked leaders in agri for their predictions.
Slight relief for Kouga Dam following good rainfall
Good rainfall less than two weeks ago in the catchment area of the Kouga Dam near Patensie in the Eastern Cape, has resulted in an increase in the dam’s water level, but was not nearly enough to turn the dam’s dire water supply challenges around.
Reduced summer grain planting ‘not a surprise’
In its latest estimate for 2017/2018, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has reduced the area planted to commercial maize in South Africa.
Competition Tribunal approves inter-company ammonia sales
Four South African chemicals companies have received approval from the country’s Competition Tribunal (CompTrib) to continue with their arrangement to trade ammonia between each other.
Uncertain weather prospects for SA’s summer rainfall region
The current El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is in a weak La Niña phase, which is expected to continue until early autumn, according to Weather SA’s long-term weather forecaster, Cobus Olivier.
Ramaphosa: ‘South Africa is open for investment’
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa used the 2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to assure foreign governments and international private sector investors that South Africa was open for business.
DRDLR advertises for new DG
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has confirmed that it has started advertising for a new director-general (DG).
Private land reform initiatives are paying off
The Free Market Foundation (FMF) is assisting township dwellers in South Africa to have the title deeds for the properties on which they live, transferred to them.
Day Zero fast approaching for Cape Town residents
Cape Town residents have fewer than 80 days until taps are expected to run dry. Due to a further drop in dam levels, Day Zero for the city has been moved forward to 12 April 2018.
No threat from Brexit for SA’s milk producers
There was no indication that Brexit would have any impact on the South African dairy industry. This was the reaction from George Kuyler, SA’s Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) chairperson, following an article in the UK’s Farmers Weekly magazine.
