Caxton Magazines
Eastern Cape farmer wins Zegna wool competition
The winner of the 2010 Ermenegildo Zegna fine-wool competition is Stuart Dewing of the farm Highlands in the Eastern Cape's Cathcart district. His winning fleece measured 15,1 microns.
Mohair back on track
The mohair market made a turnabout on the 5th sale, with the indicator gaining 10% to close on R77,61 - and 94,5% of the small, mixed offering was cleared. Mohair SA's general manager, Deon Saayman, said, "Good after-sales will improve this figure."
Wool takes slight drop
BKB's merino wool indicator dropped 1,6% to end at R60,59/kg (clean) at the 10th sale of the season. This is still 5% higher than the comparative sale a year ago, with the rand appreciating by 10% against the US dollar over the same period.
Prison sentence for those caught with illegal poison
Experts on poisons, together with community policing forums across the country, have applauded the prison sentence recently handed out to Johannes Mashego in Heidelberg, Gauteng, for the illegal possession of the highly toxic pesticide, aldicarb.
Squatters invade pineapple farm
East London pineapple farmer Corder Tilney is running low on patience with more than 50 squatters illegally occupying his land. Tilney produces pineapples on about 1 000ha on Shelford Farm near the small coastal town of Kidd's Beach south of East London.
Mulder not being sidelined – minister
At the tabling of the agriculture department's annual report in October, agriculture portfolio committee chairperson Lulu Johnson demanded to know why deputy minister Pieter Mulder's portrait and remarks had been omitted from the report, thereby fuelling rumours that Mulder was being sidelined within the department.
Drought relief trickles down to service providers
About R9 million of the R20 million of drought relief funds held by the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD) for the 2009/10 financial year has been made available to service providers who supply farmers with fodder, said Agri Eastern Cape (Agri EC) vice-president Waymend Kritzinger.
Sugar baron’s massive land claim withdrawn
South Africa's largest private sugar farmer, Charl Senekal, has been informed by acting Chief Land Claims Commissioner Sibusiso Gamede that two massive claims on his land are in the process of being degazetted.
Ugu market gets agent
The Ugu fresh produce market on the KZN south coast, which was officially launched in October 2008, is on the cusp of signing on an Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) registered market agent to operate on the sales floor. It is hoped the signing will be a turning point in the market.
Issue date: 12 November 2010
Issue date: 12 November 2010
To the High Court for alleged Karg farm killers
The trial of two of the suspected murderers of Lorraine Karg and the Karg family's domestic worker, Hilda Linyane, and their gardener, Shayi Mhlongo, is set to run in the Pietermaritzburg High court from 16 May to 27 May 2011.
New record cotton price
On 11 October 2010 the Cotlook A Index, which is an indicator of world cotton prices, broke the previous record established in 1995. And on 27 October 2010, it reached the highest ever level of US147c/lb (about R22,41/kg).
Gordhan throws another R2 billion at land reform
In his medium-term budget policy statement, finance minister Pravin Gordhan indicated that he had awarded the cash-strapped Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) a R2 billion appropriation.
Agriculture’s ‘new’ role in national growth requires more coordination
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said his budget policy framework was informed by the requirements of the new growth path (unveiled on 26 October), which identified the agriculture and agro-processing sector as one of six key sectors with potential to scale back the country's unemployment problem.
Pioneer coughs up almost a billion
Pioneer Foods finally reached a settlement agreement with the Competition Commission, bringing to a close an investigation that stretches back to 2006. But it didn't come cheap.
Keeping rhino horns is crazy, says expert
The recent theft of seven rhino horns from a Bela Bela game farm has highlighted the procedural tensions that exist between rhino owners and government.
Retailers say no to contaminated fresh produce
Despite increasing concerns that fresh produce grown with contaminated water could find its way onto shop shelves, leading retail chains have said their stringent international standard hygiene controls wouldn't allow this to happen.
Commercial agriculture welcomes appointment of new land reform director general
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mdu Shabane as director general for the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Lack of leadership at department of agriculture, say MPs
Members of the parliamentary oversight committee for agriculture are worried about a lack of internal leadership and monitoring in the agriculture department.
Safeguarding soil fertility to cabbage maturity
Nitrogen is mobile and VITAL for a good cabbage crop. Get it right to produce consistent, high yields. Most crop failures are a direct result of nitrogen loss in soil.
Let the seller beware!
The new Consumer Protection Act has shifted the onus from the buyer to the seller in the world of commerce. Farmers should read the Act to protect themselves, and see how they will be protected by it in turn.
