Caxton Magazines
Train to Mozambique starts rolling
After a recent agricultural meeting in Xai-Xai, Mozambique, Agri SA will set up a branch there, dubbed Agri SAMos. Six South Africans living in Mozambique were elected to the committee, which will serve as Agri SA's "eyes and ears" in the country.
Worsening condition of SA roads to cost billions
South Africa's roads, especially in the countryside, are in an extremely bad condition, with a study by the South African Road Federation indicating that potholes cost motorists R50 billion in vehicle repairs and injuries every year.
Barloworld confident of grabbing market-share with economy tractors
Well-known industrial machinery marketer Barloworld is confident its introduction of two low-cost tractor ranges in an already hotly contested South African market segment will bear fruit for the company.
Increase in November tractor sales ‘encouraging’
Given the late onset of summer rains and the expectation that 10% less maize will be planted this year, the 4,8% increase in November 2010 tractor sales compared to November 2009, was "quite encouraging," said the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) in a statement
Mthethwa’s 9-month firearm licence processing target questioned
It would be a miracle if the SAPolice Service (SAPS) processed the 800 000 outstanding firearm licence renewals by October 2011, said the Gun Owners of SA (GOSA) association.
One layout – many options
Dirk and Edith applied for a 10-unit development on a portion of their farm in the upper Van Reenen's Pass area of KZN.
Stroganoff gone sour (cream)
At many supermarket meat displays you will encounter pre-sliced beef destined for stirfries or lesser versions of beef stroganoff.
Western Cape wheat harvest completed
With 99% of the crop delivered, Swartland wheat producers reported an average crop of good quality. Frequent rain during the critical harvesting operations caused much frustration, but no damages.
New plan for animal recording proposed
SA Stud Book tabled a new plan in parliament that proposes to integrate and improve animal recording and genetic evaluation in South Africa.
SA’s subtropical fruit production does country proud
South Africa Is now firmly established as a player in international avocado, mango, and litchi markets, it emerged at the Subtropical Fruits Growers Association (SFGA's) annual marketing symposium, held in Tzaneen.
Drought, strong rand sour Illovo Sugar’s financials
Africa's biggest sugar company, Illovo Sugar, has reported disappointing earnings for its financial year ending 30 September 2010.
Fine wool up, medium down
The South African wool market tracked the cheaper Australian market at the latest sale, but good quality fine wool types (16 microns to 17,5 microns) performed well, closing 2% up. Prices for 18 microns to 19 microns were steady, but 20 microns to 24 microns showed the largest drop by 2% to 3%. Prices of combing lox and seed contaminated wool also came under pressure, according to BKB's Basie Claassen.
Drought mapping gets thumbs down
Meetings at Adelaide and Steytlerville indicate that farmers in the Eastern Cape are unhappy with the way satellite images are used to interpret drought conditions and earmark farms for emergency drought relief.
Many farmers pay less than minimum wage
More than a third of black and white commercial farmers in South Africa pay their workers less than the minimum wage, according to new labour minister Mildred Oliphant.
Maize surplus remains unchanged
South Africa's maize SURPLUS remains at 4 million tons, according to Grain SA chairperson Neels Ferreira. The November crop estimate by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) put the size of the commercial maize crop for the 2009/10 season 228 000t, or 1,8%, higher than the final crop production figure of 12,815 million tons.
Hold on to your Clover shares
Clover is South Africa's largest milk processor, processing 650 million litres of milk a year. But with the company due to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), producers will have to resist the temptation to cash in their shares during times of financial strain if they want to maintain a controlling stake in Clover.
MPs support Onderstepoort’s appeal for government funding
Onderstepoort Biological Products(OBP) desperately needs state funding to upgrade its infrastructure and equipment that was acquired back in 1968.
SA rural safety plan accepted in principle
GOVERMENT'S NATIONAL RURAL safety plan has been accepted in principle by the authorities, but there are two issues that need to be finalised, said Agri SA safety and security chairperson Andre Botha.
Don’t eat the seed!
Commercial farmer Johannes Fourie and his farmworkers, from Groblershoop in the Northern Cape, have proven that successful BEE farming is possible in South Africa. The Sanddraai Arbeidsgenot BEE farming project came into being in 2002 and has gone from strength to strength, producing grapes, pecan nuts and lucerne. Willem Block, one of the directors, says it’s all due to prayer, cooperation, communication and strict financial discipline.
Consumer class action against bread cartel to go ahead, despite setback
The parties seeking to take action against Tiger Brands, Pioneer Foods and Premier Foods for bread price fixing have vowed to go ahead with the suit, despite the Cape High Court's recent dismissal of their application to formally certify the claim as a "consumer class action".
