Tractor sales slump in December no cause for concern
Despite being 31,6% lower than the previous December’s tractor sales, the December 2012 figure did not prevent total sales for last year being more than 500 units greater than total...
Missed deadline – relief from horn trade now only possible in 2016
The legalisation of the rhino horn trade has been dealt a double blow by the South African and Kenyan governments. Those calling for the...
Free State and North West crops urgently need rain
Sporadic showers have been reported in the Free State and North West between 18 and 20 January 2013 and no significant rain damage or floods occurred.
Drought persists in North West
The situation in the two North West district municipalities, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, has not changed as the municipalities were still experiencing a severe drought.
Emerging farmers hardest hit by wage strikes
Black fruit farmers in the Western Cape say that if the ongoing unrest is not resolved soon, many of them will be ruined. Denene Erasmus reports.
AngloGold Ashanti taken to task for toxins
AngloGold Ashanti admitted to repeated toxic spillages near Stilfontein, and criminal charges have been laid against it. Robyn Joubert reports.
Mapungubwe interpretive centre temporarily closed due to heavy rains
The Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre (MIC) situated within the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site has been temporarily closed due to the heavy rains in the area.
SA warned of heavy rains this weekend
South African farmers and their employees should take heed of warnings of highly likely widespread heavy rains for the weekend of 18 to 20...
Cosatu’s retail boycott threats empty
Cosatu has warned that it would ensure a retail boycott against farmers unwilling to pay their workers R150/day.
State Vet cautions against social media rumours on AHS
Buffalo City’s state veterinarian, Dr Stuart Varrie, appealed to horse owners in the Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay areas of the Eastern Cape not to report cases of African horse...
Limpopo emerging farmers hit hard
Livestock farmers in the drought-stricken eastern part of Limpopo have been urged to reduce their stock numbers to avoid losing more animals.
Record year for wine harvest and production expected
In 2012, South Africa exported a record 415 million litres of wine, beating the 2008 record of 411 million litres, said Wines of South Africa CEO, Su Birch.
Call for an improved agri-investment climate
South Africa’s Agricultural Business Chamber (AgBiz) urged government to implement the recommendations of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation’s 2012 ‘State of Food and Agriculture’ report.
R150/day minimum wage ‘unrealistic’ – BFAP
An analysis of farm worker wages has revealed that farmers can afford a slight increase in minimum wages, but that increasing the current prescribed minimum wage from R69/day to R150/day,...
Agri Unity Forum warns strikes could lead to job losses
On-going labour unrest in the Western Cape, as some workers continue to demand that the minimum wage be increased from R69 to R150/day, will have far-reaching consequences for the agriculture...
Another suitor for Bredasdorp basin
Impact Africa has obtained rights from the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) to explore for oil and gas on a 14 378 km2 expanse offshore of West Bredasdorp, located...
Comment invited on proposed oil and gas exploration
Interested parties have been invited to comment on proposed oil and gas exploration activities in the West Bredasdorp Area.
Wages should be linked to commodity – Kwanalu
Kwanalu president Brian Aitken said the agricultural union had initiated an economic study to determine what wages the various commodities could afford to pay.
High prices on the way
South Africans can expect higher vegetable prices in 2013, said Kobus van Heerden, Sakata Seeds’ national marketing manager.
A colder and wetter late summer expected
While below-average rainfall and temperatures are expected over South Africa until the end of January, weather forecasters are predicting wetter, cooler conditions for the later part of summer.
