No one size fits all for emerging farmers
Better strategies and effective production models are needed to sustainably bring new entrants into agriculture.
El Nino might be lighter than expected
Summer grain crop planting well underway, but grain producers in the central and western areas are still waiting for widespread rains.
More Sappi workers face retrenchments
More employees of local pulp and paper giant, Sappi Southern Africa, face losing their jobs over the next few months.
Extension officers in NW under investigation
The North West department of agriculture has started an internal investigation following allegations that extension officers are demanding that farmers pay for services.
DAFF beneficiary stats ‘thumbsucked’ – Afasa
About 119 000 farmers have benefited from its farmer support programmes, according to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
Joemat-Pettersson and delegates go head to head
Agriculture minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s presence at the Agri SA congress in Johannesburg caused a stir as many delegates took the opportunity to air their frustrations with the department.
Corruption hampers land reform – ANC
The ANC is adamant that the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle must be replaced, but not by land grabs.
Farmers urged to know their diesel rebate requirements
Farmers have been advised to brush up on their knowledge regarding keeping records of their on-farm diesel use.
‘Talk to us or lose out’ – ANC to farmers
Farmers have been told to engage with the ANC on making a contribution to policies affecting them.
DAFF stops an investigation on fleet management
The investigation into the procurement processes at the department of Fisheries’ fleet division has indefinitely been put on hold.
Agbiz Centenary Bursary 2013
The Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz has called for applications for its annual bursary of R25 000.
Turning a pest into protein
Rising feed costs have made chicken farmers look to unusual sources of protein – and you can’t get more unusual than maggots. Robyn Joubert reports.
Truck driver strike could delay planting season
Farmers were concerned about a possible planting delay this season should the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) strike continue.
Dodgy roads eroding farmers’ profit
Cattle farmers in rural North West are losing up to 15% liveweight on their weaners from being transported on unmaintained roads.
Red meat levies to increase
Levy tariffs for the red meat industry are set to increase on 5 November.
Uncertain future for farmers on hired land
Farmers hiring land from government are allegedly too scared to make any improvements in case the land is taken back and given to people with political connections.
Mining set to send maize price soaring
A 14% increase in the price of maize is on the cards if mining in Mpumalanga continues to take agricultural land out of production.
Joemat-Pettersson berated for underperformance
The Auditor-General (AG) has given the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) an unqualified audit report, but has noted wasteful and irregular spending to the tune of R18,3 million.
EC gets new piggery training facility
Amadlelo Agri (Pty) Ltd, in partnership with the University of Fort Hare and Number Two Piggeries, is currently establishing a piggery training facility near Alice, Eastern Cape.
Farmers not uniquely targeted by criminals
Farmers are not more vulnerable to attacks on their farms than people living in the city, according to research by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR).
