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 in the Eastern Cape.
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.
Summer grain crops lower in latest crop forecast
The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has set the expected size of the commercial maize crop at 7, 065 million tons, which is 2,63% or 190 475t less than the previous forecast of 7,256 million tons.
SANParks capture Sylvester the lion
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has tracked down the escaped lion, Sylvester, which escaped from the Karoo National Park last week.
Cost of basic food basket up 10%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February, released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), indicated headline CPI and food and non-alcoholic beverage price indices of 7% and 8,6 %, respectively, compared with the 6,2 % and 6,9 % in January.
IGA holds bi-annual growers’ symposium
The Intensive Growers’ Association, a forum for primarily KwaZulu-Natal’s producers of intensively farmed fresh produce, recently hosted its Autumn-Winter 2016 Bi-Annual Growers’ Symposium.
Better rainfall forecast for winter
As winter approaches, weather forecast models are showing a gradual weakening of the El Niño system that has caused severe drought conditions across much of southern Africa, according to Cobus Olivier of the SA Weather Service.
Theft, vandalism cost citrus farmers millions
Citrus farmers in the Sundays River Valley are losing millions every season because of theft of fruit and vandalising of orchards, said Hannes de Waal, CEO of the Sundays River Citrus Co-operative (SRCC).
Euthanasia not the only option for Sylvester the lion – SANParks
Social media platforms exploded with public outcry after SANParks announced its intention to euthanise the lion nicknamed Sylvester after the animal once again escaped from the Karoo National Park.
South African launches international cattle resource
SA cattle expert Theo Oosthuizen has launched an online cattle information resource for farmers and other interested parties.
Expect petrol price hike of at least 41c/litre – IRR
The South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has warned motorists to expect a fuel price hike of 41c/litre if the rand and oil prices remain at current levels.
Tardy implementation of livestock import regulations put SA at risk
The National Animal Health Forum (NAHF) says its members are growing impatient with government’s slow pace in implementing amended regulations for the importation of livestock from neighbouring countries.
Land invasion near Northam
A farmer from Northam in the North West is embroiled in a land invasion incident.
SA summer crops remain under severe drought stress
SA’s summer crops remain under severe drought strain and widespread, penetrating rains are urgently needed to prevent the demise of crops still on the lands, according to a Grain SA statement.
More Winter rain expected in Swartland than last season
This year’s winter rainy season in the Swartland should be better than that of 2015, according to SA meteorologist Giel Hugo.
KZN agri-parks development on the go
The development of 10 agri-parks in KwaZulu-Natal is officially on the go following the recent induction of District Agri-Parks Management Committees (DAMC) for each of the parks.
