Umgeni Vlei gets Ramsar status

The effective conservation and management of SA’s scarce freshwater resources received a major boost recently when government designated KwaZulu-Natal’s 958ha Umgeni Vlei Nature Reserve as the country’s 21st Ramsar site.

Court victory for municipality in cut power case

A woman, who had her electricity cut by the Moqhaka Municipality in the Free State for withholding her rates and taxes, lost her Constitutional Court appeal.

Countering the abuse of cross-border grazing permits

Private and public stakeholders in the South African livestock industry are determined to put a stop to the abuse of livestock grazing permits issued to Lesotho citizens.

Ground-breaking judgement in environmental misuse case

York Timbers will appeal a R450 000 fine meted out by the Nelspruit Regional Court on 4 April. The company was fined for widening a forest road at its sawmill and plywood factory in Mpumalanga in 2007, without environmental authorisation.

Afgri expects huge decline in its poultry division

The listed agribusiness, Afgri, issued a shareholder trading statement on Wednesday that it was expecting a decrease of 25% to 40% in its headline earnings per share for the financial year ending 30 June 2013, compared to the previous year.

Are SA’s small dairy farmers becoming extinct?

South Africa’s dairy farmers are operating in an unequal market and more government support needed, says Saijil Singh, lead analyst at international credit insurer Coface.

Police catch 28 suspected stock thieves in seven days

An intensive seven day joint operation by KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Stock Theft Units resulted in the recovery of stolen livestock, collectively valued at an estimated R900 000.

Expo brings the farm message home

Throughout the past week the unbreakable bond between the consumer and agriculture was recognised by thousands of visitors to the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week at Simondium, Paarl.

Draft amendment bill to re-open land claims

Land claimants from rural areas are expected to “come out in numbers” when the window for lodging land claims is re-opened, said Advocate Bheki Mbili, head of restitution at the KZN Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), at a recent media breakfast in Durban.

Mines should take greater responsibility – Agri SA

At the Agri SA mining conference in Pretoria recently, delegates said that while mining had an important economic role to play, agriculture should be treated as equally significant. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Lower first quarter agribusiness confidence

Confidence in agribusiness dropped 15% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the last quarter of 2012 and in comparison to the same period last year.

Farmer’s Weekly soars to greater heights

The Farmer’s Weekly team has been raking in the awards over the last month.

Good news for WC ostrich industry

The Western Cape’s ostrich industry has reason to be relieved as a recent incident of avian influenza on an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn would not affect the industry.

Agri SA’s mineral rights ConCourt application fails

The Constitutional Court handed down a judgement today dismissing an appeal against an earlier decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal, in an application brought by Agri SA against the minister for minerals and energy in the North Gauteng High Court.

Kiepersol potholes threaten farmers’ livelihoods

Avocado farmers around Kiepersol in Mpumalanga are losing millions of rand due to the deteriorating condition of the E514 Kiepersol road.

Alleged stock thief tries to sell brother’s cattle

An alleged KwaZulu-Natal stock thief, who tried to sell seven of his brother’s cattle without permission, could land up behind bars.

Millions spent on dryland maize in Northern Cape

Government has invested around R10 million in dryland maize on 954ha in the arid Northern Cape. Planting started in January and is part of a...

Port fees open for discussion

Proposed port fees give with one hand,and take away with the other. Robyn Joubert reports.

Western Cape braces for AHS

The Western Cape faces a challenge as further outbreaks of African horse sickness threaten to spread. Lourens Schoeman and Denene Erasmus report.

A farm is much more than land – De Jager

“It’s a hundred years since the passing of the Native Land Act – it’s crunch time – and we’re a few points behind,” said Theo de Jager, vice president of AgriSA,

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