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Wool price ups confidence

The 19th wool sale saw the merino wool indicator ease 0,2% to close at R6,23/kg clean. That puts the BKB market indicator 26% higher than a year ago, with the rand trading at similar levels against the dollar, according to Ken Craig of BKB. “Prices are tr

Pork explores township market

The pork industry enjoyed a good year in 2007 and imports were needed to satisfy local demand. D espite the growth the African Pork Producers’ Oganisation (Sappo) plans to launch a R5 million pork promotion drive to target new markets, while retaining its

WORLD NEWS- 15 February 2008

No end to world grain shortage
NZ to limit size of dairy farms
EU milk quotas resist change
Issue Date: 15 February 2008

Sappi’s profit up 46% but the remains a challenge

Sappi Group reported a first-quarter sales increase of 8,7% compared to 2007. Sales amounted to US$1,377 billion (R14,667 billion), while operating profit, excluding special items, peaked at 92 million – a 46% increase over the year before.
Issue Date:

National water quality under the spotlight

Contamination of the country’s water resources is escalating fast and all fingers point to poor governance. current electricity shortage could soon be exacerbated by an equally alarming water crisis, as more evidence of pollution and poor management comes

‘We are not killing the grain industry’

Transnet Freight Rail’s scheduled rate increase in April of between 16,5% and 22% would reduce farmers’ margins and likely impact on food prices, especially grain-based foods. The rate increase is attributed to high costs and low profitability caused by e

Kenya conflict not an opportunity for SA tea and roses

Kenya’s tea and flower industries are in disarray following the political unrest after the 27 December 2007 Kenyan elections. However, opportunities for South Africa to meet the demand left by the ailing East African exporter are slim.
Issue Date: 15

Indigenous veld goats on the up

Interest in Indigenous Veld Goats is growing despite the Indigenous Veld Goat Society waiting now for two years for the breed to be registered with the Registrar of Animal Improvement.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008

Dramatic drop in maize price predicted

Safex is predicting a dramatic drop in white and yellow maize prices by July, based on the good rains and the large areas planted to maize. Coupled with the SA Reserve Bank governor, Tito Mboweni, opting not to increase interest rates for now, consumers h

SA record of R800 000 for a pigeon

Mark Kitchenbrand paid R800 000, a SA record, for a racing pigeon at the post Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon race (SCMDPR) auction.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008

Fresh setback for Tafelkop farmers

Smallholders at the Hereford Irrigation Scheme outside Groblersdal in Limpopo, who invaded vacant state farms over a decade ago, were dealt another blow last week in their efforts to become commercial farmers. O fficials informed them the much anticipated

Dairy input costs under the spotlight

The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) and the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) will launch an investigation into input costs and the effect thereof on the profitability of milk producers.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008

Lemon with a twist

The Eureka Seedless lemon is a world first and a real coup for ARC scientists. Robyn Joubert talks to Peter Turner of Citrogold, the cultivar management company commercialising the Eureka Seedless.
Issue date: 08 February 2008

Manitou thrives on hard work

The Manitou Maniscopic MLT 627 T is highly manoeuvrable and can lift 2,7t to a height of 6m. Operators at the Winterton facility received training from Manitou instructors. This should extend the service life of the unit and will help to improve productiv

Soil health for sugar

New sugar cane varieties increase yield, but the long-term impact on the soil is untested. Richard Cole started leaving crop residue on the soil nine years ago and so far yield is higher and he’s avoiding eldana infestations. Robyn Joubert reports.
Iss

Farmers do government’s job

Agricultural spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance Gerrit van Rensburg talks about the problems associated with the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (Esta) and possible solutions to its application shortfalls.
Issue date: 08 February 2008

MPO gathers troops in Eskom battle

Rolling blackouts are costing the dairy industry R100 million per month. Now the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) is seeking legal council in preparing a case against Eskom for losses incurred. Though there are only 3 400 dairy farmers in SA, MPO managi

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