In praise of potatoes
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato (IYP 2008). Issue date: 08 February 2008
KWV sells distribution company in Germany
KWV recently announced the sale of its German subsidiary Eggers and Franke to GmbH, which already distributes KWV’s successful Golden Kaan range. The sale of the company forms part of...
Latest crop estimate figures show planting increase
The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has released its preliminary figures on area planted for summer crops and its production forecast for winter crops. Some 2,79 million hectares of commercial maize...
Callais farm expropriated, but questions remain
Callais 226KT in the Hoedspruit district, the second farm in South Africa to be expropriated for land restitution, was officially acquired by the state on 24 January 2008, and handed...
Woes are here to stay, says Agri SA
Agri SA and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) met with Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga in late January and the conclusion was that power shortages are here to stay – the...
Eskom’s practical tips for farmers
Eskom has been running an electricity conservation programme called Demand Side Management (DSM) since 2003, which encourages consumers to use less electricity especially during peak times (6:30am to 10am and...
Eskom-free industry possible
Eskom’s immediate answer to the country’s electricity shortage is to encourage consumers to reduce their electricity consumption. Agriculture is mandated to reduce its electricity consumption by 5%. Two of the...
State-vet shortage problems
The alarmingly small number of state veterinarians currently employed by the Department of Agriculture has had a definite impact on the country’s livestock industries say industry roleplayers. Department of Agriculture...
Milk price scandal deepens
The Competition Commission has announced that it has enough evidence implicating supermarkets in milk price domination. The Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) asked the Commission, which is already investigating dairy processing...
60 years on, most stock theft still in former Transkei
Tsolo and Qumbu, towns in the former Transkei, have the highest and third-highest incidents of stock theft in the country, according to the latest statistics released by the Stock Theft...
Good rainfall set to continue
SA’s cooler and above-average rainfall conditions have been attributed to a La Niña season. Whether it will be repeated next year is still too early to tell, but indications are...
Limpopo hasn’t been this wet in decades!
Widespread showers in Limpopo have seen most of the province’s rivers flooding, with dire consequences for many farmers. “It’s a bitter-sweet situation for agriculture in the province,” says Willie Lewies...
