Farm worker wage increase set for March

The department of labour has announced an increase to the minimum wages for farm workers as of 1 March.

Diesel down, petrol up

The pump price of 95 Octane and 93 Octane petrol increased by 6c/l on 3 February, with the wholesale price of diesel decreasing by 62c/l (0,05% sulphur) and 63c/l (0,005%...

Thirsty alien invaders targeted for eradication

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has said that South Africa’s drought-stricken freshwater resources are also being sapped by invasive alien plant species.

Rouxville farm attack victim stable

The surviving victim of the sixth farm attack to take place in the Free State in 2016, Cecelia Cilliers from Rouxville, was in a critical but stable condition in a...

Majority approve of expropriation bill

Parliament’s portfolio committee on public works recently held its first meeting of the year on the controversial Expropriation Bill, and while ANC MPs on the committee backed the revised bill,...

Another brucellosis outbreak in the Western Cape

A large outbreak of brucellosis among livestock on a dairy farm in the Hoekwil area of the Western Cape has been reported.

Maize planting and production down by more than 25%

Almost 25% less maize has been planted compared to last season, according to the preliminary production forecast for summer crops from the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).

Africa’s farmers need digital technology

The South African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) represented the agriculture sector at the 46th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, recently.

EU considers swill feeding for pigs to curb food waste

In a University of Cambridge report, scientists argue that swill feeding pigs could be a strategy to meet the demand for livestock products over the next half century.

Grass project brings hope to drought-stricken farmers

Although the Hope Grass Project (HGP) sprang to life just over two weeks ago, more than 1 000 fodder bales and untold quantities of grass cuttings have already been received...

Threat of uranium mining in the Karoo ‘worse than fracking’

The possible effects of uranium mining in the Karoo are even more terrifying than those of shale gas extraction by means of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), according to Graaff-Reinet hydro-geologist Dr...

‘No one is walking away from agriculture’ – Janovsky

It is still a good time to invest in agriculture, said Ernst Janovksy, head of Absa Agribusiness, at the recent Alzu Hay Day near Middelburg.

Get your CV up to date

Unemployed graduates need to get their CVs up to date – and not sit around and wait for their ‘uncle’ in government to provide them with jobs, said Prof Steven...

Learn about SA’s indigenous trees

Southern Africa has about 1 700 different native trees. Annelie Coleman investigated a few of the most common trees found in the Free State and North West and compiled notes...

Tough season ahead for apple, pear growers

The South African Apple & Pear Producers’ Organisation anticipates that this year’s pome fruit season is going to be a very challenging one for producers.

Drought tightens its grip

The effect of the drought on agriculture is intensifying on an almost daily basis. It’s already caused production to decline by more than 42%, according to an analysis done by...

Potato price highest on record

Industry association Potatoes South Africa (PSA) reports that potatoes reached a record price of R60 per 10kg on 19 January – the highest average weekly price on record for potatoes.

SA agricultural machinery industry ‘to fight for its future’

National tractor and combine harvester sales for the 2015 calendar year were respectively 12,2% and 36,6% down on sales of the 2014 calendar year.

White maize price at a 20-year high

The white maize price reached R5 020/t on 16 January 2015, the highest level achieved since trading in white maize started in 1996.

SA can’t afford to declare drought a national disaster – Steyn

To avoid an economic and humanitarian disaster government needs to take urgent action and declare a national disaster.

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