‘Wage dispute’ taken over by politics
As the violence on Western Cape farms abated, political parties engaged in public mud-slinging, with each blaming the other. Denene Erasmus reports.
Fewer dairy farmers produce more milk
Increased volumes of raw milk production in South Africa were not the result of growth in dairy farm units but were due to the competitive nature of the dairy industry, said SA Milk Processors’ Organisation (Sampro) chairperson Melt Loubser.
Sweet success for Tongaat Hulett
Renewable energy, in the form of biofuel production and electricity generation is of increasing importance to sugar processor Tongaat Hulett.
Farmer’s Weekly scoops top award
Farmer’s Weekly recently received the Magazine Publishers’ Association of South Africa’s PICA Award in the Special Interest (Male & Female Interest) category.
Interest rate kept unchanged
The South African Reserve Bank kept the repo rate unchanged at 5% at its last monetary policy meeting of the year. Inflation concerns countered weak economic growth.
Drought escalating in North West and Northern Cape
The drought in the north and north-western parts of the Northern Cape has escalated to such an extent that Agri Northern Cape has lodged an application for government disaster relief for the affected farmers.
‘E-tolling highly likely to be introduced throughout South Africa’ – OUTA
If the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral)gains court approval to implement e-tolling in Gauteng, it was highly likely the system would be introduced in the rest of the country.
R1 in every R2 spent on food, housing
The portion of income spent on food by the average household has declined since 2005/2006, although the rand-value spent on food has increased, according to the 2010/2011 Income and Expenditure Survey (IES), released by Stats SA recently.
More than just low wages behind De Doorns strike
Western Cape farm workers are among the better paid of their counterparts country wide, so low wages alone can’t be blamed for the violent protests at De Doorns. Denene Erasmus reports.
How Western Cape grain buyers saved the day
Up to 90% of barley plantings in the Western Cape were affected by late rains, but buyers have stepped up to avert financial catastrophe. Denene Erasmus spoke to the different parties involved.
Rising poultry farmer named New Harvest of the Year
Gilbert Phalafala started farming six years ago and was recently named the winner of the 2012 Toyota South Africa New Harvest competition for emerging farmers.
Eastern Cape stock farmer is the Young Farmer of the Year
Richard Ablort-Morgan was named the 2012 Agri SA/Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year.
