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Nampo 2021, decision on date change and format expected soon

A decision on whether the 2021 Nampo Harvest Day will go ahead in a physical format will be taken at a meeting to be held on Thursday, 4 February.

Go-ahead given for ivermectin use against COVID-19

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has announced that it will allow the controlled use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 in humans.

Clarification wanted on relaxation of UK citrus export rules

The UK government has announced that imports of citrus fruit to that country will be deregulated post-Brexit, which means that the original EU phytosanitary restrictions will likely no longer be in place.

Tilapia farming: Untapped SA market holds opportunity for growth

David Fincham has more than 30 years’ experience in aquaculture and is one of South Africa’s foremost tilapia specialists. Through his business in Muldersdrift near Johannesburg, he has supplied 450 fish farming production units to farmers in Africa.

Tropical Storm Eloise could bring welcome rain to parts of SA

The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has issued a warned about Tropical Storm Eloise, which was currently moving over the northern parts of Madagascar and was expected to enter the Mozambique Channel by 21 January.

Small-scale success with olives in Gauteng

Olive farming in South Africa tends to be concentrated in a few regions in the Western Cape and Northern Cape where conditions are ideal for this fruit. But in the early 2000s, Gauteng-based Hettie du Toit and her late husband, Frans, frustrated with the ongoing theft of their vegetables, decided to give olives a go on their plot.

Citrus export levy to bring in additional R134 million

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza recently gazetted the new statutory citrus export levy for 2021, which has been welcomed by the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA).

Mango season starts early with big volumes, depressed prices

The mango harvest is in full swing, and an increase in volume on the market has led to pressure on prices.

The importance of maintaining reproductive health in a herd

Fourth-generation farmer Gerhard Grobler says he has been able to achieve better results from his beef cattle herd after introducing crossbreeding. But, he adds, South Africa’s beef producers need to start managing animal health more proactively.

Optimism as SA’s late table grape crop is rushed to markets

Roughly 95% of South Africa’s table grape crop is exported, and as a result, the current delay experienced in harvesting has resulted in a rush to get the fruit to the markets in time for the Festive Season.

Growing evidence of chemical resistance in cutworm

Widespread damage to crops due to cutworm infestations has been reported in several provinces, and there are early indications that the pest has built up resistance to chemical treatments.

Weak rand results in big fertiliser price increase

Crop farmers, who are the biggest users of fertiliser, will be the most severely affected by the recent uptick in global prices, as South Africa imports around 80% of its fertiliser needs.

More than 1 800 livestock dead after Free State wildfires

Losses of livestock and infrastructure are expected to run into millions of rand following the devastating wildfires that raged across large parts of the Free State during the past week.

Bail hearing for accused in Horner murder case postponed

According to DA MP Annette Steyn, protest action that took place in Senekal in the Free State, where two men accused of the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner appeared for their bail hearing in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 16 October, had been mostly peaceful.