Latest articles
BASF completes purchase of Bayer’s divested businesses
Multinational chemical company BASF has concluded its €7,6 billion (R123 billion) all-cash acquisition of various businesses and assets of global life sciences and agriculture company Bayer.
Expropriation farm list ‘fake’ – department of land reform
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has confirmed that the list containing the names of 195 farms allegedly earmarked for expropriation without compensation is fake.
Bankrupt bush encroachment on the increase
South Africa’s grasslands are threatened by the encroachment of bankrupt bush (Seriphium plumosum), according to Dan’sile Cindi, deputy director: Ecological Infrastructure at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
El Niño forecast may mean better maize prices
Weather forecasts indicate that there was a more than 50% chance of another El Niño event occurring in the coming season, which could result in drought conditions, according to a recent Absa Agricultural Outlook report.
Chinese digital trading takes off
The Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show 2018 will include a special focus on identifying growth opportunities in China.
Competition winners urged to support communities
As the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ 2018 Female Entrepreneur Awards competition draws to a close later this month, last year’s national winner has urged candidates to share their success with their communities.
SA’s small milk producers under pressure from imports
Smaller milk producers in South Africa may be in for a tough time as prices and demand fluctuate, due to the South African market coming under increasing pressure from cheaper imports, among many other factors.
Maize harvest progressing slowly due to late plantings
Maize harvesting in the western part of South Africa’s summer grain production region was progressing slowly, according to Grain SA economist Petru Fourie.
Second veterinary school needed – Agri Eastern Cape
During the recent annual Agri Eastern Cape congress in Jeffrey’s Bay, the organisation reached a resolution to support the establishment of a school of veterinary science in the province.
Confusion around Ramaphosa’s land expropriation announcement
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Tuesday that the ANC would move to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to “explicitly” allow for expropriation of land without compensation, has caused confusion in many quarters.
Good marketing knowledge key to fresh produce profits
Fresh produce suppliers can choose from a variety of marketing channels, which each offer different challenges and rewards, when selling their produce.
SA paves the way for US shell egg imports
South Africa has officially opened its market to imports of US shell eggs, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
NCT Forestry celebrates its 2018 tree farmers of the year
A woman tree farmer from KwaZulu-Natal’s Greytown area was recently announced as NCT Forestry’s 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year in the competition’s small-scale grower category.
Growing veggies on a small plot of land
Albertina Nontwazana Stungu, a domestic worker in Port Elizabeth, is testament to the fact that a farming operation does not necessarily require vast tracts of land.
Parliament to rule on amnesty for expired firearm licences
Minister of Police Bheki Cele’s request to Parliament for a six-month amnesty period for firearm owners whose licences have expired, has been referred to the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Police where it will be discussed on 16 August.
200 more SA elephants destined for Mozambique
A further 200 elephants from South Africa have been donated to Mozambique, this time by the De Beers Group. This follows the donation of 53 elephants by two KwaZulu-Natal conservation areas that were recently translocated to the Zinave National Park in that country.
Northern Cape wind farms come to the rescue of sheep farmers
More than 100 drought-stricken Northern Cape sheep farmers, who have been struggling to keep their livestock fed and supplied with water, have been thrown a lifeline by two local wind energy farms.
A new beginning for crisis-hit Coligny
Agribusiness NWK is funding a project launched by the South Africa Day Project in order to contribute to the regeneration of the Coligny town and community in North West province.
Claws out for lion bones quota increase
The decision to increase South Africa’s annual lion bone export quota to 1 500 skeletons has been taken to task by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
Attracting investors to Africa
For Africa to attract investment to the agricultural sector, it needs a stable policy environment that allows trade to flow, according to Dr Doaa Abdel-Motaal, trade specialist and former deputy chief of staff of the World Trade Organisation.
