Tongaat Hulett clawing its way out of financial peril

Tongaat Hulett Limited has made some positive progress in its efforts to dig itself out of the precarious financial position that the company found itself in recent years.

‘Below-normal rainfall could negatively affect summer crops’

The below-normal rainfall expected across South Africa between February and April this year could have a negative impact on the growth of summer crops as well as dam levels, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

Volatile tomato prices ascribed to ‘extreme weather’

The tomato price increased more than 80% week-on-week in the week ending 24 January, and was up more than 57% year-on-year, according to the Absa Fresh Produce Market Trends report.

Rift Valley fever, African armyworm alert for farmers

Livestock producers have been advised to take all possible steps to prevent Rift Valley fever outbreaks in the areas were high rainfall was recorded late last year and early this year.

5 200 weaner calf net R54 million in video sale

What is being described as possibly the largest ever weaner calf sale in the country, has highlighted how a digital sales platform can be used to trade large numbers of cattle quickly and easily.

‘ANC must urgently clarify latest land expropriation proposal’

Land reform experts are calling on the ANC to urgently clarify its recent surprise announcement that it intends to push for expropriation without compensation (EWC) decisions to vest with the South African President and Cabinet instead of the courts.

Fall armyworm outbreaks in Mpumalanga and KZN

Serious damage to grain fields due to fall armyworm (FAW) infestations has to date been reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and northern KwaZulu-Natal in the 2019/2020 production season, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.

Low CPI reflects sluggish economy – economist

Consumer price inflation increased slightly from November to December 2019, but still remained at its lowest level in nearly a decade, and was expected to remain low throughout 2020.

SA potato industry to have greater access to Mondial variety

South Africa’s potato production industry is set to gain from a settlement agreement approved recently by the Competition Tribunal (CompTrib).

Concern as Moody’s downgrades Land Bank credit rating

The agriculture sector has reacted with concern to Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) downgrading the Land and Agricultural Development Bank (Land Bank) to sub-investment grade.

Wind and unseasonal rain cause consternation in Western Cape

A Stellenbosch wine estate is faced with thousands of rands’ worth of damages after a strong southeaster wind nearly ruined an entire vineyard block over the weekend.

NWK invests in the future of South Africa’s young people

Agriculture business NWK recently handed over laptops worth about R244 000 to the top-performing Grade 12 learners for 2019 at 20 schools in the Ditsobotla district in North West.

‘SA consumers becoming better educated about rooibos health benefits’

South Africa’s consumers, as well as the rooibos value chain, are now far more knowledgeable about the health benefits of this uniquely South African plant and the variety of products that can be manufactured from it than five years ago.

New agriculture development agency to be launched in February

The much-anticipated Agriculture Development Agency (AGDA) will be officially launched on 18 February at the Africa Agri Tech Conference and Expo (AAT) to be held in Pretoria.

Farmers must be vigilant for presence of fall armyworm moths

Farmers have been urged to remain alert to the presence of fall armyworm (FAW) during the 2019/2020 crop production season, and to regularly scout their crops for larvae and eggs in their lands.

Farmers urged to scout for gerbils to prevent crop damage

Widespread outbreaks of gerbil infestations have been reported in the summer grain production regions, with damage being reported in the Free State, North West and KwaZulu- Natal. This was according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.

Court case to lift ban on auctions to be heard on Tuesday

A court application filed by two auction companies, a co-operative, a commercial farmer and a group of 50 emerging farmers to lift the national ban on auctions will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 14 January.

Macadamia and avocado theft costs industry millions

The popularity and profitability of avocados and macadamias have resulted in a double-edged sword, with theft of the produce becoming increasingly rampant.

Oriental fruit fly eradicated in Northern Cape municipalities

Joint monitoring and control efforts by both public and private sector role players have resulted in the successful eradication of the highly invasive and destructive oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) from two Northern Cape district municipalities.

The importance of veld management after drought

Veld damaged by drought needs to be assiduously managed after the arrival of rain in order to conserve grazing potential and to avoid serious damage to plant species.

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