Opinion

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.

Most farmers want to avoid having to retrench workers as a result of dramatically increased labour wages and costs associated with conditions of employment. Attorney Rob McCarthy, a specialist in labour and land law, gives some cost-saving options and advice.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, MD of Ecowize, a health and sanitation company that services the food and beverage sector, believes South Africa needs a dedicated food control agency to ensure that regulations for imported food are adequately monitored.

Eskom is currently seeking further potentially crippling electricity price increases. Trade union Solidarity argues that new power provider entrants should be allowed to deal directly with consumers and have the opportunity to offer more competitive pricing.

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.

Ron Thomson, conservationist, hunter, former game warden and author, takes aim at the Kruger’s no-cull elephant management strategy. The plan, he argues, is not only inhumane, but a sure way to destroy the park’s biodiversity.

Violent strikes. Hostility towards private enterprise. Corruption and ineptitude. Our country seems to be on a slippery slope. Yet the SAIRR’s Frans Cronje is bullish about South Africa.

A report compiled by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, under the leadership of Dr Ferdi Meyer, argues that recent labour unrest in the farming sector is not about minimum wages, but unemployment and rural poverty in South Africa.

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.

Drawing on his own experience, as well as the work of agri writer Simon Fiske, top rose farmer Ludwig Taschner offers an interesting take on why land reform projects fail.

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.

2012 has brought many challenges to the farming community and many of the problems will continue into 2013. Some agricultural union presidents share their messages of hope for farmers.

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.

The National Development Plan (Vision 2030) presents a way forward for agriculture, recognising the importance of commercial and smallholder farming and advocating a pragmatic, engaged approach, explains John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz.

Atholl Trollip, DA spokesperson for rural development, believes that President Jacob Zuma might be using the Masibambisane initiative to garner support for his upcoming party leadership battle.

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

Management consultant, experienced farmer and regular Farmer’s Weekly columnist Peter Hughes stresses the importance of building good relationships with one’s employees and paying fair wages.

The negative consequences of the widespread, and sometimes indiscriminate, use of antibiotics in livestock production are of growing concern as it could lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr Hans-Joachim Götz, president of the Federal Association of Practising Veterinarians (BPT) spoke at EuroTier in Hanover, Germany on the wise use of antibiotics.

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.

There is a great need for change in a society where the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider. Luke Metelerkamp looks at possible reasons behind the recent destructive, angry outburst in De Doorns in the Western Cape.