Lloyd Phillips
Lloyd Phillips joined Farmer’s Weekly in January 2003 and is now a Senior Journalist with the publication. He spent most of his childhood on a Zululand sugarcane farm where he learned to speak fluent Zulu.
After matriculating in 1993, Lloyd dreamed of working as a nature conservationist. Life’s vagaries, however, had different plans for him and Lloyd ended up sampling various jobs in South African agriculture before becoming a proud member of the Farmer’s Weekly team.
70% of commercial farmers experienced crime in 2017
Seven out of 10 South African commercial farmers experienced crime in one form or another last year. The total direct cost of these crimes for the year amounted to more than R7,7 billion.
Latest stats show slight decrease in rhino poaching
There has been a decline in the number of rhinos being poached in South Africa, with 508 falling victim to poachers in the year ending 31 August 2018, compared with 691 killed during the preceding period, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
Making the most of calcium as a soil and plant nutrient
Despite being a vitally important element for optimal crop production, calcium is often largely undervalued by farmers and agronomists. Plant health expert Heather Raymond explains why this outlook needs to be changed, and gives tips on how to enhance calcium in soils and plants.
Omnia to pay R30 million fine for collusion
Following an almost 15 year legal battle between Omnia Fertilizer and South Africa’s Competition Commission (CompCom), the fertiliser company has agreed to pay a R30 million “administrative penalty” for engaging in anti-competitive practices.
Hemp production could soon be legal
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has formally requested the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to consider the necessary legislative amendments to allow for the commercialisation of hemp in South Africa.
‘Diesel now second highest input cost’ – Grain SA
The Automobile Association of South Africa is forecasting record increase in fuel prices for October, including a possible R1,38/litre increase in the wholesale diesel price.
New strategy needed to tackle stock theft scourge
All stakeholders in South Africa’s livestock production value chain must urgently put their heads together to re-strategise the country’s approach to tackling rampant stock theft.
Agri SA requests urgent meeting on rural crime
Agri SA has requested an “urgent meeting” with the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, following the release of national crime statistics on Tuesday.
Imports of Kenyan avocados unlikely to negatively impact SA
The recent lifting of an 11-year ban on imports of avocados from Kenya is not expected to negatively impact South Africa’s avocado industry.
SABIO relieved at Zambia honey import ban
South Africa’s recent ban on imports of non-irradiated honey from Zambia has been described as a “good thing” by the chairperson of the SA Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO), Mike Miles.
Zambia: independent maize miller a lifeline for smallholders
Zambia’s rural economy is dependent on thousands of resource-poor smallholder farmers. Mukumbuta Mukumbuta, a local entrepreneur, spoke to Lloyd Phillips about how his maize milling venture provides a market for them.
BASF completes purchase of Bayer’s divested businesses
Multinational chemical company BASF has concluded its €7,6 billion (R123 billion) all-cash acquisition of various businesses and assets of global life sciences and agriculture company Bayer.
Make more money with your livestock
It is pointless running any business if there is no commitment to achieving profits in a sustainable manner. Dr Michael Bradfield, CEO of both AgriBSA and Wagyu South Africa, highlighted the main profit drivers for livestock farmers to Lloyd Phillips.
Claws out for lion bones quota increase
The decision to increase South Africa’s annual lion bone export quota to 1 500 skeletons has been taken to task by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
“DAFF must play bigger role in disease prevention’
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) needs to make a substantially greater effort to prevent the possible introduction of the TR4 strain of Panama disease (TR4) into South Africa’s commercial banana plantations.
Strong tractor sales figures for June
Analysts of South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales expressed surprise about the 18,8% year-on-year increase in tractor sales for June.
Govt to hold ‘landmark’ census of SA commercial agriculture
Plans for the first stage of the most comprehensive census ever conducted of South African agriculture were announced in Gauteng on Monday.
Innovative, sustainable aquaponics production in Berlin
With arable land under increasing pressure, there is a strong push to use urban space in new ways to help meet the demand for food and fibre. Lloyd Phillips visited one such initiative in Germany’s capital, and came away impressed with its innovation, flexibility and success.
Initiative to end dog-to-human rabies by 2030
A collaboration of international partners is aiming to eradicate dog-mediated rabies in humans by 2030.
May 2018 tractor sales well above expectations
The 501 tractors sold nationwide during May 2018 were well above Agbiz’s forecast of 444 units. Agbiz reported that, in hindsight, the above-anticipated tractor sales were unsurprising given that May was a busy month with winter crops planting underway across much of South Africa.
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