Caxton Magazines

A land reform farm in KwaZulu-Natal had everything going for it: prime land, capital, market access and top-notch mentorship. Today the estate is thriving - despite the best efforts of land affairs officials to throw a spanner in the works. Stephan Hofstätter reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Research indicates that at least one aspect of temperament in ostriches can be modified by selection. This could help farmers breed ostriches that adapt better to the intensive farming systems found on most commercial ostrich farms. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Kwanalu recognises sterling efforts by DFA officials
Limpopo farmers prove hard to beat

This year's Agri Mega Week distinguished itself as the largest agricultural forum in the Western Cape, with something for everyone. Exhibitions filled over 52 000m² this year, with almost 20 000m² under canvas. The event was attended by over 15 000 people. Glenneis Erasmus was there.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

The annual report of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, which marked the 10th anniversary of its formation, contained some interesting information in the commodity reports. Joe Spencer provides a summary.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Some days farmers living close to the irrigation canal from the Lindleyspoort Dam in the Swartruggens district have to keep the doors and windows of their farmhouses shut in an effort to keep out the stench emanating from the canal. One of these farmers, Hannes Esterhuizen, said this is because of sewage from a works right next to the dam wall is spilling into the canal.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

A recent ruling of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upholding the demolition order on illegal cottages built along the Wild Coast has been welcomed by campaigners for the protection of this environmentally sensitive and scenic area. Judge JFP Brand of the SCA ruled against 16 illegal cottage owners who appealed a December 2005 ruling by the Mthatha High Court that they be evicted from their dwellings and the buildings demolished.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) wants to check the quality of South Africa's biodiesel. However, this task will be futile without the participation of biodiesel producers. SABS has therefore called on both commercial and private producers to participate in the initiative. Samples will be analysed at no cost to the suppliers, who will receive a confidential report enabling them to make informed decisions on product conformity and carry out the required adjustments.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

South Africa will not turn into a second Zimbabwe if current legal precedent has anything to do with it. This was the assurance given by the Land Claims Court after Puntlyf emerged victorious from a long court battle. what has been described as a victory for all farmers, the court recently ruled that farms cannot be subject to expropriation when farmers evict unwelcome squatters.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

A GCO Corporation, a US manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment worldwide, has bought the privately owned Industria Agricola Fortaleza Limitada (SFIL), a leading Brazilian provider of farm implements.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Rostselmash, Russia's largest producer of agricultural combine harvesters, has acquired its first foreign asset, the Canadian tractor-maker Buhler Industries. Rostselmash will pay CA$143,3 million in the next five years for about 80% of the common stock in the company.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Aggressive competition among buyers at the most recent wool auction continued to fuel the positive mood in the local wool industry, according to Ken Craig of BKB. “This is perhaps the single most important intangible factor we have with which to measure the perception of wool buyers as a group.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

US president George w Bush has announced his country will no longer dump agricultural surpluses produced by highly subsided American farmers in Africa. Instead, money for food aid would be used to buy and distribute produce grown
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

An elderly Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, farmer has decided to throw in the towel and sell his farm, following growing intimidation by members of a neighbouring tribal community.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

At this early stage, South Africa's grain producers intend to plant about 9,3% more summer crops than last year. On 27 September the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) revealed the producers' area planted and second forecasts for this year's winter crops, as well as planting intentions for the coming summer planting season.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

UN helps Lesotho with food security
1,5 million Africans affected by floods

Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Struggling poultry projects in Limpopo have been given a shot in the arm. The provincial agriculture department has spent R18 million to revitalise eight poultry projects in the Greater Tzaneen municipality.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Livestock farmers in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, have reacted with outrage at the release of members of a stock theft syndicate operating in the region without them ever going to court. Their release followed a state prosecutor's decision that there was insufficient evidence to convict the criminals, despite the thieves being caught red-handed.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Wool broker BKB - nowadays made up of Ltd, BKBLouwid, Van Wyk Lewendehawe and GrainCo - released the best financial results in its history, due to the highest-ever wool prices in US$ terms, and good performance by the livestock and auctioneering divisions. Its other divisions, some in very competitive markets, also fared better than both the previous year and the budget, according to a statement released by in Port Elizabeth.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Santam has strengthened its position in the agricultural insurance market by merging its operations with those of Agri Risk Specialists. The single unit will focus on asset and crop insurance.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007