Game ranchers unite to influence policy
The wildlife ranching industry is aiming to reposition itself as an important contributor to South Africa’s GDP and policy decision making processes on issues that affect the sector.
No concerns over drop in national tractor sales
South Africa’s agricultural machinery manufacturers and marketers are not too concerned about the decreases in monthly tractors sales so far this year.
The biggest pumpkin of all
Big ones, pretty ones, fat ones and ugly ones. No pumpkins were discriminated against for the annual Goliat van Gat giant pumpkin growing competition. The only criterion for a prize was that it had to be big, very big.
Feather thieves terrorise ostriches
The ostrich industry is still recovering from the devastation caused by an outbreak of the H5N2 avian influenza in 2011, but a new threat is already rearing its head.
Need for agriculture subsidies recognised
Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Zoleka Capa said it was becoming increasingly evident that farmers needed government subsidies to offset escalating operating costs.
Western Cape on African horse sickness alert
The movement of horses into the Western Cape has been restricted with immediate effect after outbreaks of African horse sickness (AHS) in other parts of the country.
Summer crop estimates lower than initial projections
The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) released its second production forecast for summer grain crops for 2013 and all crops – except dry beans – have come in lower than initial projections.
Ladies of labour
In South Africa the most food garden projects in rural and poorer areas are run by women, like the food garden at Langalibalele Dube Primary School in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg that Farmer’s Weekly reported on in 2011.
Rural power price increases higher than urban increases
Rural municipalities will pay 12% more for power from Eskom as of 1 July, while rural customers who buy power directly from Eskom will pay 9,3% more and rates for urban municipalities will rise by 7,1%.
Thousands of flying exterminators released against tree pests
The South African commercial forestry sector is making strides towards controlling the costly depredations of the Blue Gum Chalcid (Leptocybe invasa) in eucalyptus plantations.
KZN rangers shoot and kill suspected rhino poacher
Field rangers manning the Cengeni Gate of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, shot dead a suspected rhino poacher.
KZN farmers spell out their needs to government
KwaZulu-Natal farmers of all races and production scales have presented a comprehensive list of their needs and concerns to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA).
