Rhino poaching numbers down in Kruger, but spiking elsewhere
There has been a notable decline in rhino poaching incidents in South Africa’s national parks, but poachers might be shifting their focus to private owners.
FSA announces Young Farmer of the Year finalists 2017
Free State Agriculture (FSA) Young Farmer of the Year finalists are Willie Stols from Vierfontein, Johan van Huyssteen from Virginia, and Herman Archer from Trompsburg.
Steep increase in sin tax will challenge wine industry
Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, recently announced an 8,8% increase in excise duties on wine and sparkling wine, and an 8,5% increase on spirits.
2017 budget’s implications for agri sector
Radical economic transformation was the main focus of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s 2017 Budget Speech.
Medicinal cannabis soon to be legalised
Government is in the process of drafting regulations for the production of medicinal marijuana in South Africa.
Growing the European market for avocados
Local and overseas demand for South African avocados has grown substantially over the past five years, according to Subtrop CEO, Derek Donkin.
Senwes lists on additional stock exchange ZAR X
ZAR X, South Africa’s first additional stock exchange in almost 60 years, recently launched its operations with the listing of Senwes and its holding company, Senwesbel.
Dineo more blessing than curse for eastern SA farmers
Based on reports from various agricultural organisations along the eastern borders of South Africa, the much-hyped Cyclone Dineo, which battered parts of Mozambique with strong winds and rain, caused very few problems locally.
New JSE silo contract with a Guaranteed Grade (GG)
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Approved Storage Operator supports the issuing of JSE Guaranteed Grade (GG) wheat certificates.
Lumpy skin disease, three-day stiff sickness outbreaks in SA
Outbreaks of lumpy skin disease and three-day stiff sickness have been widely reported across South Africa’s summer rainfall region, following good rains in that area.
Veld fires remain a real danger to long-term sustainability
Large-scale veld fires in 2017 would be devastating to agriculture. Therefore, ongoing communication and cooperation between all role players in veld fire prevention is essential.
No fall armyworm impact on sugar industry, despite concerns
Despite reports by news agency Bloomberg that fall armyworm (FAW) may soon affect the sugar cane industry, experts believe that this may not be the case.
SAFE farms top last year’s figures
The harvest figures of the South African Fruit Exporters (SAFE) are up 21% compared to the same time last year…
Farmers must do their homework before expanding into Africa
There are ample opportunities for local producers to expand into Africa, according to Dirk Hanekom, CEO of Agri All Africa, speaking at a recent TAU SA briefing on diversification options.
Heavy downpours still expected despite downgrade for Dineo
Tropical cyclone Dineo, which is expected to hit South Africa later today, has weakened significantly and has been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Guidelines for controlling fall armyworm
SA’s grain producers have been cautioned not to use pyrethroids to fight fall armyworm (FAW) as the species was resistant to it.
Nkwinti calls for restitution without compensation
Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, has called for a pre-colonial audit of land ownership as well as constitutional amendments to allow for land restitution without compensation.
South Africans urged to declare all offshore assets
South Africans have until the end of August this year to declare any offshore assets. According to Wayne Sorour, head of Old Mutual International South Africa, there was a global move towards the Common Reporting Standards.
Market for SA plums strong despite smaller fruit
In the initial stages of the Western Cape’s 2016/17 plum harvesting and marketing season, concerns existed that an abundance of small-sized fruit, due to diminished groundwater levels, would undermine prices and profitability.
GM maize could be less susceptible to fall armyworm
It was likely that some genetically modified (GM) maize was less susceptible to fall armyworms.
