Janine Ryan
I am the editor of agricultural magazine Farmer’s Weekly, South Africa's oldest magazine. Farmer's Weekly focuses on providing role players in the agriculture sector with news and information to help them grow their enterprises.
Curtains for SADC Tribuna
Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders apparently decided not to renew the terms of judges presiding over the SADC Tribunal, at the recent SADC summit in Windhoek, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Government should learn from Hani assassination
In the tense aftermath of Eugene Terreblanche's Terre’Blanche’s murder, lessons can be learned from the ANC leadership’s handling of Chris Hani’s assassination on the same day of the year, 17 years ago, said the Institute for Security Services’ Dr Johan Burger.
Conservationists divided on idea of poisoned horns
An article alleging that a Thai man has died after consuming a “purposely contaminated Rhino horn thought to be from a private game farm somewhere in southern Africa” has set the conservation community abuzz.
New Land Bank training programme for black crop insurance brokers
The Land Bank Insurance Company (LBIC), a division of agricultural financial services provider Land Bank, has created a programme to train black crop insurance brokers.
Fresh produce marketing: ‘SA must up its game’
South Africa’s fruit and vegetable industry must rethink its local and international marketing strategies. This is according to Lindie Stroebel, general manager of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) for Southern Africa. She shared her ideas on how to rejuvenate the sector with Wilma den Hartigh.
Allow workers to vote for who they want – Agri SA
With the much-anticipated local government elections taking place tomorrow, national farmers’ union Agri SA is asking agricultural employers to help their employees get to the voting stations.
Biofuel options for the Free State
More than 1 million hectares are still available for grain production in the Free State, which could be used to manufacture renewable energy such as biodiesel or bioethanol.
Maize farmers should plant half, trade half
The maize industry is at a crossroads and farmers need to act collectively to stave off financial ruin, said Jozeph Du Plessis, chairperson of the Schweizer-Reneke District Agricultural Union at a recent Solidarity seminar.
No relief from high maize stocks
With more than 80% of the country’s maize crop already harvested, the Crop Estimates Committee’s seventh production forecast for 2009/10’s summer crops indicates a maize yield of 13,09 million tons.
New cultivars drive development
Breeding new cultivars remains one of the main drivers of development in the table-grape industry.
Short-term milk prospects not good
The annual conference of the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) was characterised by cautious to pessimistic utterances from the industry.
Strike looms at Agri Research Council
The trade union Solidarity extended conciliation to 2 September, and if the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has not accepted or rejected their demands by then, employees will join the nationwide strike, said Solidarity organiser Schalk de Bruin.
‘Reform failure isn’t commercial agriculture’s fault’
Land reform is necessary in South Africa, but the fact that it’s bogged down isn’t commercial agriculture’s fault, said Agri Northern Cape president Wessel van der Merwe at the organisation’s congress in Kimberley recently.
‘Economy 100% dependant on agriculture’ – Agri SA
Agriculture is a primary economic driver and South Africa’s economy is 100% dependant on it, said Agri SA president Johannes Möller at the Agri Northern Cape congress.
Southern Africa experiences a surge in food insecurity
Recent rains across parts of Southern African have had little impact on the negative effects of the drought.
Are horses being stolen for racing?
A boerperd and two appaloosas were stolen on 27 June from the Pletts family and two other owners in Howick.
New research funding tests Rooibos health claims
The SA Rooibos Council invested over R2 million in research in 2010 in an ongoing programme to find out more about the properties, applications and cultivation of South Africa’s unique herbal brew.
Milk statistics only tell half the story
The South African Milk Processors’ Oraganisation (SAMPRO) said the raw milk price index rose 59% in the past 41 months (January 2007 to May 2010) while dairy product prices rose only 36%.
SA to remain nett exporter of oilseeds
The relative profitability of world oilseed production is set to increase, mainly driven by improvements in yields and technology, and a solid price supported by consistent growth in demand.
BFAP building African market outlook
Changing conditions in world markets affect prices in Africa, but attempts to project future prices often fail to consider factors such as market structures, policy environment, weather-related supply shocks and regional trade flows.
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