Cotton production set to double
Cotton production is expected to double this year, amid higher prices due to a weaker rand.
Red meat producers are cautiously optimistic
Large-scale red meat exports from Namibia and Botswana have scaled down, which is likely to push weaner prices up.
SA grain value chain positive about 2014
Current decreases in global prices for both maize and soya bean are being offset by the weakening of the rand and increased production volumes locally, promising the grain value chain...
A year of extraordinary weather
It has been a year of unusual weather in many parts of South Africa. The SA Weather Service in June predicted unusual temperatures and rainfall across SA for the winter.
Agriculture in 2013: Stock farmers losing millions to theft
On 22 February, Farmer’s Weekly reported that a farmers’ union in the Eastern Cape requested a government subsidy, as they could not afford to pay for a branding certificate to...
Agriculture in 2013: Meat scandal leads to improved labelling
It started in Europe. At the end of February, European retailer Ikea withdrew meatballs in 14 European countries after Czech Republic tests found traces of horse meat in a batch...
Agriculture in 2013: Drought devastates large summer rainfall regions
The previous summer’s drought in the eastern parts of Limpopo was said to be one of the worst since 1983.
Record maize harvest for US
The US Grains Council reported a record maize harvest of 355.3 million metric tons for the 2013/2014 season.
Agriculture in 2013: Poultry – an industry in distress
At the beginning of the year, the SA Poultry Association (Sapa) was disappointed with the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) decision not to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on cheap...
Agriculture in 2013: The threat of strikes ever present
After the violent strikes in the Western Cape late last year, it was reported on 18 January that most permanent farm workers in that province had returned to work on...
Agriculture in 2013: Huge wage increase rocks agriculture
Minimum wages, drought, fires, disease, import tariffs and a meat labelling scandal.These were all issues on the agricultural agenda this year. Farmer’s Weekly news editor, Niel Saayman, compiled this overview...
Taking on ivory poachng
At the Elephant Summit held in Botswana in early December urgent measures were adopted to halt illegal ivory trade. But some conservationists are asking if these will be enough.
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