By Invitation

There are seven billion people on earth today. It is estimated that by 2050, this will have increased to nine billion. Aidan Connolly of Alltech and Kate Phillips-Connolly of the Centre for Global Business Systems, Trinity College, discuss the role of agribusinesses in feeding this mega-population.

Addressing the Kwanalu congress last month, chairperson Brian Aitken urged farmers to share their skills with staff and developing farmers. This would help to create greater security and certainty in the commercial farming sector.

Game ranchers are unhappy with the idea of treating certain indigenous species as aliens, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Trout, carp and bass, introduced to SA more than 100 years ago, are now listed as invasive alien species. Fly fisherman Ian Cox talks about the impact of this on the freshwater fishing industry.

Demand for healthy protein has put game meat on the menu. It’s leaner than domestic livestock meat and has other health benefits, says Dr Maretha van der Merwe, consultant to WRSA.

At a recent symposium on the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops, Dr Pieter Mulder, deputy agricultural minister, asked that views on the technology be based on sound scientific facts and not emotion.

Rearing high-value game animals under intensive conditions has both pros and cons, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.