South Africa

The investigation into the procurement processes at the department of Fisheries’ fleet division has indefinitely been put on hold.

The Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz has called for applications for its annual bursary of R25 000.

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.

Farmers were concerned about a possible planting delay this season should the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) strike continue.

Cattle farmers in rural North West are losing up to 15% liveweight on their weaners from being transported on unmaintained roads.

Levy tariffs for the red meat industry are set to increase on 5 November.

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.

A 14% increase in the price of maize is on the cards if mining in Mpumalanga continues to take agricultural land out of production.

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.

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 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).

According to police statistics for the period April 2011 to March 2012, crime levels in KwaZulu-Natal have declined.

High unemployment and empty promises from government have created a volatile population prone to violent protests.

A small co-operative, based near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape, has been granted R2 million to develop a bamboo plantation.

A forensic investigation commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) confirmed corruption worth billions of rand in the vessel management contract awarded to Smit Amandla Marine (Sam).

South African apple exports into Africa are growing at a faster rate than anticipated – and although exports to the UK are declining, SA will not readily relinquish this important market.

South Africa’s established and emerging red meat producers have applauded a recently tabled bill that, if approved, will make it compulsory for newly qualified vets and para-veterinary professionals to engage in community service for 12 months.

With over 1,1 million tons more maize expected from South Africa’s 2011/2012 crop than for the preceding season, local prices have been put under pressure.

The recent increase in Joburg Market’s turnover in the 2011/2012 financial year means farmers who utilise the market to sell their produce received at total of R3,6 billion.

With summer ahead, the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has warned of the high risk of excessive algal blooms and water hyacinth in a number of eutrophic and hyper-eutrophic dams.