Enzootic abortion disease a growing problem

Smallstock farmers throughout the country are advised to have their herds tested for the dangerous enzootic abortion disease, as it can cause pregnant women to suffer abortions.

Tuli stud comes out tops

Russell and Edward Clark from Dordrect’s HBH Tuli stud came out tops in SA Stud Book’s Logix Beef animal recording competition for the Eastern Cape.

R320 000 raised for VKB/FSA Safety Desk

Free State Agriculture praised the participants and the VKB Group for the 2016 VKB Drive for Safety Golf Day on 16 April, which raised R320 000 towards the organisation’s Safety...

Hunters, game farmers contribute billions to economy – WRSA

The wildlife and hunting industry contributes billions of rands to the economy, said Adri Kitshoff-Botha, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) CEO, speaking at an Absa Agribusiness breakfast at the opening...

Prestigious award for farmer from Alexandria

The Mangold Trophy for the most well conserved farm in the Bathurst region has been awarded to Tshilidze Matshidzula, a young dairy farmer in charge of the Little Barnet Trust...

Wheat tariff increase should not affect bread price

The price of bread should have decreased since December 2015 due to lower international wheat prices, according to Grain SA.

SA agricultural machinery sales decline

The decline in numbers of new tractors and combine harvesters sold in South Africa since the beginning of 2016 is continuing.

ABF offers to buy out the rest of Illovo Sugar

Associated British Foods (ABF), which already owns 51% of Illovo Sugar, has offered to buy the remaining 49% of all the issued shares in the sugar company.

SA fruit industry strengthens export ties with Indonesia

Export ties between South Africa and Asia were strengthened this week when the Indonesian Quarantine Agency granted ‘Country of Recognition’ status for South Africa’s food safety control system, thereby increasing...

FSA condemns police involvement in farm attacks

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has condemned the possible involvement of “police officials” in farm attacks after the recent attack on the farm of Adrie Conradie in Bothaville district.

Noupoort Wind Farm scheduled for July connection

The 35 big turbines of Noupoort Wind Farm (NWF) in the Northern Cape are on track to begin producing renewable energy for the South African power grid in July 2016.

Scorching temperatures in Eastern Cape

Berg winds caused sharp rises in temperatures in the Eastern Cape on Monday (11 April), with Coega, outside Port Elizabeth, the hottest at almost 40°C.

SA poorly equipped to manage looming food, water shortages

South Africa is ill-equipped to deal with the existing food and water shortage crisis facing the country, according to Prof Louis Kotzé, environmental law expert at the Faculty of Law,...

Grain production regions desperate for rain

Grain producers are still concerned about the absence of significant rainfall, said Wandile Sihlobo, economist at Grain SA.

Investment in agriculture must increase

The agriculture sector globally has suffered a chronic shortage of investment, said Mark Holderness, executive secretary of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research.

Global demand for wool keeps prices high

Prospects for increased wool production and rising wool prices are positive, with the product in great demand worldwide, says HB van der Walt, newly-elected chairperson of the National Woolgrowers’ Association...

Fresh produce quality generally good despite drought

The Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) has reported that it has not received complaints from market agents regarding poorer quality fresh produce resulting from the current drought.

Climate change in the spotlight

The third Global Conference on Agricultural Research (GCARD3), hosted by South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC), is currently underway in Johannesburg.

Milk prices to increase by May due to drought

South African consumers will be paying more for milk from May, due to the drought and milk supply shortages.

ARC small grain production guidelines now available

The 2016 Agricultural Research Council guidelines for the production of small grains in the summer and winter grain production regions of SA were recently made available to the industry.

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