Demand for wool still outstrips supply

The continuing producer confidence in the future of quality wool was likely to further stimulate investment in wool sheep farming during 2015, according to Louis de Beer, CEO of Cape...

KZN’s FMD control fence well under way – DAFF

Construction of the 108km fence line separating northern Zululand’s foot-and mouth disease (FMD) control zone from the FMD-free parts of South Africa was reportedly under way and on track, according...

Mohair price ends year 11% higher

The final mohair sale of the year saw 101 512kg sold in a stable market, at an average price of R188,34/kg.

Climate change: a clear and present danger

The impact climate change will have on the planet cannot be precisely described, but according to a NASA report the damage will be significant, expensive and will increase over time.

De Jager new PAFO president

Dr Theo de Jager, a South African farmer, was elected president of the Pan African Farmers’ Organisation (Pafo) in Cotenou, Benin at Pafo’s annual general meeting earlier this month.

Tractor girl reaches the South Pole

A decade-long dream to drive a tractor to the South Pole came true for Dutch actress and adventurer Manon ‘Tractor Girl’ Ossevoort on Tuesday, 9 December.

New Land Bank CEO appointed

Cabinet on Wednesday approved the appointments of Tshokolo Petrus Nchocho as the new CEO of the Land Bank and Mabotha Arthur Moloto as chairperson of the bank’s board.

Agri SA says ‘no’ to blanket minimum wage

The potential implementation of a national minimum wage “drastically exceeding those currently prevailing in certain sectors, like agriculture” would have a number of profound negative impacts. This was the view...

Decrease in maize supply above pipeline expected

Grain SA's latest supply and demand projections for maize indicate an 11,8% reduction in the surplus above the pipeline by the end of April 2015.

Spirit of conservationist Ian Player lives on

Dr Ian Player, (89) well-known and respected conservationist, died at his home in the Karkloof (KZN) last week after a short illness.

Celebrating soil

In 2002 the UN named 5 December as World Soil Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of soil in food production.

Bird flu fears in Europe could boost SA ostrich meat exports

The recent occurrence of the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Europe’s poultry flocks could open the door for increased exports of locally produced, heat-treated ostrich meat.

Farmers asked to set up ‘vulture restaurants’

A food shortage among vultures has led to a call for help to farmers to set up “vulture restaurants”.

Fuel price decrease in time for Christmas

Farmers, truckers, motorists and other fuel users have been given an early Christmas gift this year.

Birding Big Day set to record 845 bird species

This year bird watching enthusiasts from all over the country will attempt to record the 845 bird species found in South Africa in a day.

Small-scale fishermen fed up with DAFF

The department of agriculture is accused of mismanagement and ineptitude by members of the small-scale fisheries sector.

Chocolate lovers could be facing a global shortage of cocoa

Challenges in the world’s major cocoa production areas are resulting in a growing shortage of this sought-after commodity.

Agreement between Grain SA and Argentina

Grain SA and Argentina’s public institutes and private concerns recently signed an agreement pertaining to mutual co-operation as strategic partners in grain crop research.

Farmer’s Weekly’s journalist is cream of the crop

An article written about an ostrich farming project in the Eastern Cape won Farmer’s Weekly journalist Denene Erasmus the Agricultural Writer’s SA Journalist of the Year award at the organisation’s...

CPI for October remains unchanged

South Africa’s consumer inflation for October remained unchanged at 5,9% year-on-year, the same rate year-on-year as that for September.

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