Blog

I stand corrected! Grain SA’s Baas Jannie has pointed out that he never implied that Agri SA is jealous of Grain SA.

Agh nee man! Why the remarks about Agri SA in the latest Grain SA newsletter? Baas Jannie, you might have had very good reasons for saying that Grain SA’s relationship with Agri SA is slipping, but how can you justify going public about it?

Do you think it’s at all possible to take emotion out of the agriculture equation?

Spring has arrived in more ways than one! After the recent Agri North West congress I feel as if commercial agriculture is moving into a spring time of its own, despite all the negatives farmers have to face on a daily basis. And that’s all because of the spirit of renewal I noticed among delegates, especially the younger ones.

I call upon our farming community, commercial or otherwise, not to spend any sleepless nights on the Malemas of our country.

I really hope heaven looks like the Kruger Park. I’ve been going to that magical place for nearly a zillion years and should by now be used to coming back to reality after a visit to God’s farm, as the little ones in my family call it. But, alas, I find it more difficult to leave every year.

I blame the past few difficult weeks in my life on Johan van der Nest and his passion for the Droughtmaster breed... Oops! I’m not allowed to say that. Sorry, I’ll start again...

Oh boy, the cat was really let loose among the pigeons at this year’s Nampo Harvest Day with political commentator Max du Preez claiming that the time has come for farmers to re-evaluate deputy minister of agriculture Dr Pieter Mulder’s ‘relevance’ in commercial agriculture.

For years, government has come under a steady stream of fire for allowing unprocessed, raw goods to leave South Africa’s shores, only to return as more pricey finished products.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – South Africa’s grain producers run a world class business! This is underscored by the very professional and, dare I say, elegant 2013 Grain SA congress.

Oh boy, how I love the South African sense of humour! Even in the worst of situations it pops up and makes us laugh at ourselves. And the current scandal regarding all kinds of unimaginable meats in South African meat products has produced a number of jokes.

Mr Organised Agriculture Chairman: complacency is a dangerous thing. Don’t underestimate the value of your support base. Do not lose contact with your membership on a local level.

The world really has become a village. I’ve been on a virtual trip through southern Africa the past few months that’s been mind-boggling.

I don’t have any new resolutions for 2013, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t dream about a South Africa filled with love, light and laughter.

Friersdale in the Northern Cape is a small hamlet on the banks of the Orange River, roughly between Keimoes and Kakamas.

How I wish I could have invited all of you to the real Vrystaat Christmas braai we’ve just had. Especially after the rains, it was a particularly festive occasion for all the members of the community.

Let me tell you what true helplessness is. It’s not merely an emotion or a feeling – it’s something palpable, something you can see and smell, and hear.

Cheap politicking is a terrible thing. Cheap politicking coupled with ineptitude is even worse.

The other day, one of my friends challenged me about the negative tone of my blog, saying my complaints have become so predictable.

How is it possible that a vast expanse of rock and sand, and very little else, can utterly captivate one’s heart, never to let it go again?