Harvester sales spike ahead of bumper crops projections
The national March 2017 combine harvester sales of 23 units were 64,3% up on the 14 units sold year-on-year (y/y). This was a reflection of positive prospects for what was likely to be the second-biggest South African summer crops harvest since the 1980/81 season.
Farmers urged to stay calm and keep on farming
Agri Eastern Cape president Douglas Stern, has appealed to farmers to continue with what they know best, even under the current extremely trying times…
Beef imports only small part of total consumption
A recent Agbiz report has shown that South Africa imported 140 510t of beef between 2010 and 2016.
R200 million fire damage to Southern Cape farms
The agricultural sector has suffered losses amounting to almost R200 million, as a result of recent wildfires in the Hessequa and George districts.
Western Cape drought – no crisis for citrus farmers
Citrus growers in the Western Cape are optimistic about this year’s season, despite the devastating drought currently experienced by the province
Limited govt drought aid forces farmers to innovate
South Africa’s commercial farmers are on their own during times of drought and cannot rely on support from government.
Significant fall in Zeder earnings
Investment holding company, Zeder’s headline and attributable earnings per share decreased significantly due to a once-off management fee and internalisation charge of almost R1,5 billion added to the income statement.
Top honours for SA brandy in World Drinks Awards
Distell’s Oude Meester Demant brandy walked away with top honours at the recent World Drinks Awards in London, receiving the title of ‘World’s Best Brandy’.
Local trade in rhino horn now legal
Rhino horn can now be legally bought and sold in South Africa, following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of an appeal by the Department of Environmental Affairs to keep a moratorium on the domestic trade in rhino horn.
New Zealand experts share knowledge with SA dairy farmers
New Zealand experts in pasture-based dairy farming recently shared their knowledge with South African producers at a number of farmers’ days.
SA’s ‘junk status’ not all bad news for farmers
Farmers could have a stabilising effect on the South African economy despite Standard & Poor’s downgrading the country’s credit rating to junk status.
Boland wine farms under investigation by Vinmonopolet
Various wine farms in the Boland are being investigated by the Norwegian government-owned, alcoholic beverage retailer, Vinmonopolet.
Decline in fuel prices bring temporary relief
Diesel prices will decrease by about 10.50c/ℓ, while petrol prices will drop by about 24c/ℓ on 5 April, bringing the price of 95 octane petrol to R13,30/ℓ and the price of diesel to R11,50/ℓ in Gauteng.
Increased possibility for an El Niño in SA
Temperatures across the country were expected to remain above average towards mid-winter. The possibility of an El Niño event had also significantly increased.
Record price for wool
Merino wool producer, BP Greyling from Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga, achieved a record-high price at a recent wool auction held at the Wool and Mohair Exchange in Port Elizabeth.
RSA Group responds to CompCom collusion allegations
The RSA Group said CompCom’s allegations of collusion at fresh produce markets across South Africa were based on a misconception of how the markets operated.
High Court ruling legalises marijuana for private use
The Western Cape High Court recently declared it an infringement of personal rights to ban the use of marijuana in homes.
Cabinet reshuffle set to affect agriculture
The looming cabinet reshuffle is expected to have a damaging effect on agriculture, no matter the outcome.
Record maize harvest forecasted
South Africa is set to harvest the second biggest maize crop on record this season. The Crop Estimates Committee has revised its estimate for the 2017 maize crop upwards by 3% from 13,918 million tons to 14,3 million tons.
Nkwinti reassures landowners on compensation
“Land will not be taken arbitrarily. Nobody will just grab your land.” This was the reassurance given by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, towards foreign landowners at a media briefing in Parliament recently.
