By Invitation

By Invitation

Adapt now to ensure a watertight future

South Africa is expected to lose its self-sufficiency in food within a decade. Environmental advisor and author Dr Anthony Turton recently laid out his expectations.
South Africa’s beef industry: what does the future hold?

South Africa’s beef industry: what does the future hold?

The SA beef sector must improve production efficiencies to remain viable, according to former FNB agricultural advisor Jan de Jong. Speaking at a Brangus Information Day in KwaZulu-Natal, he pointed out that beef prices have remained unchanged since 2007. Compiled by Lloyd Phillips.

Sugar industry ready to produce renewable energy

South Africa’s sugar industry has finally been given the go-ahead to submit formal proposals on their plans to produce renewable energy on a large scale. The SA Sugar Association’s Dr Marilyn Govender tells us what might be in store.

Has SA exceeded its limits?

Without first determining a country’s carrying capacity, it’s no use in speaking enthusiastically about ‘growth’ and a ‘sustainable future’, says Ritchie Morris.

Increase the efficiency of livestock production

Increased emphasis will be placed on the reduction of methane gas emissions from livestock in the future, according to Prof Michiel Scholtz, ARC Specialist Researcher: Applied Animal Breeding. He says that livestock production both contributes to the problem and suffers from the effects.

Identify long-term economic forecasts

Basing a business strategy on long-term economic forecasts is about as safe as using tea leaves and crystal balls, says Theo Vorster, CEO of Galileo Capital.

South Africa needs decisive and enabling agricultural policy

According to Andrew Makenete, CEO of Manama Hole Holdings and Calico Capital, South African agriculture is currently operating in a policy vacuum. Speaking at a Friends of UKZN Agric lunch at KwaZulu-Natal’s Royal Show recently, he expanded on the problem and offered some potential solutions.

It’s time to remedy injustices to South Africa’s ‘first nations’

Their forefathers were the first to step on South African soil, and their modern-day descendants are finally being compensated for the land they were dispossessed of, says Raymond Trollip, leader of KwaZulu-Natal’s diverse Khoi and San descendants.

The voice of reason will prevail

Speaking recently at a KZN Agricultural Union Special Information Day, Grain SA chairperson Louw Steytler said that the voice of reason would prevail when it came to the country’s land reform and labour legislation.

The fight for food trade

The number of anti-dumping investigations has risen over the past year amid fierce competition for the food trade. But Alexander Amrein, senior investigator for the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac), says this is not a sign of a global move towards protectionism.

South Africa – there are some good news

While the mainstream media invariably focuses on the negative aspects of life in South Africa, longer-term trends indicate a silver lining for our beloved country, according to Steuart Pennington, creator of alternative media organisation South Africa: The Good News.

The Albrecht System: uneconomical & outdated?

Local soil scientists are refuting the relevance of this 70-year-old system when advances in soil science point to its lack of scientific value and many shortcomings in field conditions.

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