South Africa

Livestock farmers in northern KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Zululand are desperate for rain.

Government appointments made according to political favour, rather than ability, is one of the biggest problems facing the agricultural industry.

Swayed by the evidence, geo-hydrologist Prof Gerrit van Tonder told Roelof Bezuidenhout why he no longer supports fracking.

The H5N2 avian influenza virus that has plagued the local ostrich industry since it was first detected on a farm near Oudtshoorn in April last year has reared its ugly head again

George Nicholas, who has been associated with Farmer’s Weekly since 1944, was recently treated to a farewell luncheon at AgriSA’s Centurion offices.

Organised agriculture has welcomed the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Veterinary Services’ plan to launch the sheep scab campaign.

Pope Benedict XVI recently held a private audience at the Vatican with José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

It has been a tough season for apple and pear farmers who have had to cope with heavy rains during the flowering season, which negatively affects fruit quality and the long term storability of fruit, as well as wind and hail damage to fruit later on in the season.

South Africa’s farmers’ unions are keen to meet the new National Police Commissioner, Mangwashi Phiyegi, to find out her plans on dealing with rural safety and security concerns.

The theme for Agri Mega Week 2012, which takes place in Bredasdorp from Thursday, 13 September, to Saturday, 15 September, is “One agriculture, one vision”.

Nearly 19,5 % of the 2012 sunflower harvest has been delivered so far, according to the latest statistics from the SA Grain Information Service (SAGIS).

Former ANC MP David Dlali was murdered on his farm near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape recently.