Susan Marais
Winter rainfall farmers welcome cold, wet weather
Western Cape farmers have welcomed the South African Weather Service’s (SAWS) warning that a series of cold fronts are expected to affect large parts of South Africa during the following five days.
Water-logged lands force grain, oilseed farmers to harvest by hand
Persistently wet lands have forced many farmers in South Africa’s summer rainfall region to make use of additional casual labourers to harvest grain and oilseed crops.
Gladys Towbola shares tips for small-scale poultry producers
Gladys ‘Nana’ Towbola of Peezel Farms not only farms broilers and layers, but is passionate about uplifting other small-scale growers through regular workshops. She spoke to Susan Marais about what it takes to start and run a small poultry farm.
Karoo’s biodiversity threatened by climate change
Plant numbers in the Succulent Karoo Biome are declining at an alarming rate due to the combined impact of climate change and the illegal removal of these rare and endangered plants from their natural habitat.
Seizing the opportunity in SA’s seed market
Despite South Africa’s economy and infrastructure being under severe stress, global agtech company Syngenta is investing in the country’s seed market. Gaël Hili, Syngenta’s regional director for Europe, Africa and Middle East Seeds, spoke to Susan Marais about the potential that South African agriculture holds.
‘Agri-tech worker shortage could dampen growth’
With thousands of skilled South Africans emigrating and xenophobia discouraging immigration, Theo Boshoff, CEO of Agbiz, has warned that South Africa’s agriculture sector could become stagnant in the absence of enough skilled agri-tech workers.
Global, local food price hikes losing momentum
The current steep increases in food prices would not continue indefinitely, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz.
Importance of vigilance stressed after Kestell farm murders
The murder of seven people on Lismor Farm in the Kestell district on Friday, 15 July has reaffirmed the importance of vigilance and having an up-to-date rural safety plan in place to empower farmers against farm attacks. This was according to Uys van der Westhuizen, chairperson of Agri SA’s rural safety committee.
Khoi and San communities to earn over R12 million from rooibos
South Africa’s Khoi and San communities are finally being recognised for their intellectual contributions to rooibos cultivation. However, according to Collin Louw, secretary general of the South African San Council, it was concerning to see the amount of infighting among the communities’ members over the funds they were due to be paid for the role they played in the sector.
The benefits of conservation agriculture
Erosion and climate change have created a food insecurity time bomb for Africa. Palesa Motaung, a soil scientist working for Asset Research, and Themakholo Mathebula, a field officer with the Mahlatini Development Foundation, explained at a recent research symposium how conservation agriculture is helping smallholder farmers face these daunting challenges.
Unscheduled power outages result in high chicken mortalities
In addition to Eskom’s schedule of rolling blackouts across South Africa, which reached Stage 6 in early July, farmers in Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga have also been hit by severe and unscheduled power outages referred to as ‘load reduction’.
Record fall in consumer confidence likely to curtail spending
In recent months, food and fuel prices have increased rapidly, while people are not receiving adequate delivery of basic services.
‘Eskom’s carbon footprint could hamper agri exports in future’
Eskom’s extensive carbon footprint could mean that South Africa’s agricultural commodities will not be welcomed on international markets in future, due to the global move away from fossil fuel usage.
Non-payment of locust officers under the spotlight
Senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Agri SA were planning to meet soon to discuss the non-payment of critical service providers in the midst of the worst locust outbreak of the past 25 years.
Using DNA sampling to deter stock thieves
South Africa’s livestock farmers need every bit of help they can get to counter stock theft, which has reached unprecedented heights. One weapon in the fight is genetic profiling. Susan Marais explores how this technology, which establishes livestock lineage, can help protect a farmer’s assets and bring thieves to book.
Farmers warned to keep animals warm as cold weather hits
Despite the cold weather being welcomed by Western Cape grain and fruit farmers, livestock producers have been urged to keep their animals warm as the temperature continues to drop.
‘Politicising stock theft doesn’t help SA’s farmers’
Farmers speaking to politicians about stock theft, rather than reporting it to the South African Police Service (SAPS), is not helping the fight against rural crime. This was according to Willie Clack, chairperson of the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum, who was responding to calls for stronger action against stock thieves.
World Bank’s stagnation prediction bad news for SA’s farmers
The World Bank has lowered its expectation of global economic growth for a third time since October, which bodes ill for South African farmers, according to Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist at Absa AgriBusiness.
‘Cheap poultry imports damage local industry’
There is growing concern among South African poultry producers about ‘cheap’ chicken pieces being imported into South Africa. This was according to Izaak Breitenbach, head of the South African Poultry Association’s Broiler Organisation.
Bonsmara bull sells for record-breaking R2,1 million
The bull BBM 16 96 set a new South African record for a Bonsmara when he was sold for R2,1 million at the recent Poggenpoel Molopo Bonsmara Production Sale.
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