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BUSH ENCROACHMENT
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RURAL TOURISM

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Contents

36 32

ON the COver artICLes OPINION aNd aNaLysIs

Features By INvItatION 12 Agribusiness Perspective: Great potential
28 Bush encroachment: A plan for 6 Rural safety: Perception vs reality to increase SA’s agri trade surplus

controlling sweet thorn LIvestOCk 13 Political Perspective: Implications of 2021
40 Northern Cape sheep farmer’s lessons national budget for farming
aGrI-PrOCessING
32 Jams and preserves: From two pots from the drought WeeKLy NeWs WraP

on a stove to a national supplier BaCk tO BasICs 17 ‘Import duties needed to fight
48 Boost productivity with heifers poultry dumping’
LIvestOCk 49 Protecting honeybush
36 Beef cattle basics: Choose the right breed 22 Quality and COVID-19 plague
veGetaBLe PrOduCtION table grape industry
for your farm 50 It’s time to plan for winter
23 ‘More laws won’t address alcohol
cover photo: Getty Images 51 ON the market FLOOr abuse problem’

CrOPs maChINery aNd ImPLemeNts 25 Saffron production ‘not a
44 Supercharge your silage! Tips for 52 A zero-emissions wine grape harvest get-rich-quick’ scheme

harvesting and storage for Italian vineyard reguLars

ruraL tOurIsm 53 hOrse taLk 8 Farmer’s Diary
56 A tranquil escape to a Tesselaarsdal 9 Archive
FamILy FarmING 10 Letters
protea farm 54 Succession planning: Get expert 66 Property
67 Auctions
64 BeeFmaster suPPLemeNt help and understand your options 68 Classifieds

COLumNs LIfestyLe

26 GLOBaL FarmING 58 Gadget Corner
59 Frugal Feasts
printing CTP Web Printers, cnr Electron Avenue and Industry Road, Isando, Johannesburg. 60 Crossword
published by the proprietors, Caxton Local Media, a division of CTP Ltd, 61 Hillbilly Homes
Caxton House, 368 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall 2196. PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123. 62 The Hitching Post
distributed by On the Dot. Phone the call centre number on 087 353 1291; call centre WhatsApp 62 Holistic Health
number: 087 353 1292; call centre email: [email protected]. 63 Books
63 Online Farmer
110 years on the land 83 3 Minutes with ... Nicol Jansen

12 march 2021 farmer’sweekly 3

From the Editor editorial team

Land reform: what editor Denene Erasmus ([email protected])
the budget tells us managing editor Janine Ryan ([email protected])
news editor Julinda Schroeder ([email protected])
A favourite phrase of the ANC government is art director Vian Roos
“accelerated land reform”. You would have heard designer Louis Kruger
it repeated a few times during February, when chief copy editor Paul Sulter
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State copy editors Fanie de Villiers & Jenna van der Walt
of the Nation Address, and Minister of Finance digital editor Sindira Chetty ([email protected])
Tito Mboweni the 2021 budget speech. Ramaphosa office assistant Prenusha Moodley
said the “favourable weather conditions in 2020
and the beginning of 2021 mean that agriculture sUBscriptions
is likely to grow in the near term”, and that
this would bring with it the opportunity to print Phone: 087 353 1291, WhatsApp: 087 353 1292
“accelerate land redistribution through a variety ([email protected])
of instruments such as land restitution and digital Visit farmersweekly.co.za,
expropriation of land”. The phrase also features select ‘Subscribe’ for Magzter subscriptions.
in the Estimates of National Expenditure, which
forms part of the national budget documents. editorial head office

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform address 368 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall 2196
and Rural Development’s budget says under PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123
the heading ’Accelerated land reform’ that the tel 087 087 8878
department plans to spend R2,9 billion over the email [email protected]
next three years to acquire 79 600ha of strategically weBsite farmersweekly.co.za
located land. It also says that over the next three social media @FarmersWeeklySA
years, 1 409 restitution claims are expected to be finalised with an allocation of R9,3 billion.
JoUrnalists
We also heard from the president that, to date, government has redistributed over
five million hectares of land, totalling around 5 500 farms, to more than 300 000 beneficiaries. northern region
This, Ramaphosa said, was in addition to the land restitution process, which has benefitted Pieter Dempsey 087 087 8787 ([email protected])
over two million land claimants and resulted in the transfer of around 2,7 million hectares. Siyanda Sishuba 087 087 7037 ([email protected])
Viewed in isolation, these figures look rather impressive with all the central region
millions and billions attached to them, but are they really? Annelie Coleman, Bothaville
082 862 9897 ([email protected])
Well, on the one hand, there has definitely been progress. However, on the other hand, if KwaZUlU-natal
we look at the time that has passed, and the impact that these programmes have had, and Lloyd Phillips, Mooi River
also at what still remains to be done, government’s achievements become less impressive. 084 505 9343 ([email protected])
For starters, the plan to spend R2,9 billion over the next three years to acquire 79 600ha of western cape
land means that only about 26 600ha will be ’acquired’ per year. This is a dramatic decrease Jeandré van der Walt, Cape Town
compared with the three-year period from 2017 to 2019 when an average of 111 000ha was 021 001 2432, 078 422 2441 ([email protected])
’acquired’ for redistribution through this programme. Last year, because of COVID-19,
the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights cut its target for the finalisation of land advertising & marKeting
claims for the year from 479 to 295. In 2020, the commission told parliament that at the
time there were still 7 743 claims outstanding of the approximately 80 000 that were filed sales & marKeting manager
from 1994 to 1998. But remember, a new land claims process was launched in 2014. This Reinhard Lotz 087 158 0278 ([email protected])
was supposed to run for five years, but was halted in 2016 when the Constitutional Court accoUnt execUtives
declared the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act of 2014 invalid. However, the Andy Nxumalo 087 087 7067 ([email protected])
commission gave its assurance that all new land claims lodged between 1 July 2014 and Bev Geldard 087 158 0299 ([email protected])
27 July 2016 (there were about 166 560 new claims received) are legitimate. This means that Erika Pienaar 021 530 8618 ([email protected])
there are potentially about 175 000 restitution claims still outstanding, and as Mboweni Velile Ncube 087 158 0298 ([email protected])
told us, over the next three years, government hopes to finalise 1 409 claims, which is less aUctions & classifieds
than 1% of outstanding claims. Does this sound like ’accelerated land reform’ to you? FW Natasha Kock 087 087 8899 ([email protected])
René Moonsamy 087 087 8900 ([email protected])
Layout artist: Chadré Wallas

Copyright © 2021 Farmer’s Weekly and Caxton Local Media.

all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the prior
written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed
by contributors, columnists and correspondents do
not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.
disclaimer. While due care is taken to ensure accuracy,
Farmer’s Weekly is not liable for any errors in product
listings or availability, pricing or any other information that
was checked and has changed since going to print.

Denene Erasmus
Editor

4 farmer’sweekly 12 March 2021

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Yoouurrprpidaession

BY INVITATION

Rural safety:
perception vs reality

Finding effective and lasting solutions to rural crime will require a collective response from individuals,
community organisations, government structures and the police, writes Uys van der Westhuijzen, chairperson
of the Agri SA Centre of Excellence for Rural Safety. He cautions, however, that no response can ever be truly
effective if it is not supported by an effective criminal justice system.

The views expressed in The perception exists that rural safety A typical example of how complex it can be is best
our weekly opinion piece and the National Rural Safety Strategy illustrated by means of a stock theft incident.
do not necessarily reflect are applicable only to farms, farmworkers and
those of Farmer’s Weekly. farm owners. This leads to another perception: A farmworker discovers a carcass or evidence
Email Uys van der that farmers and their workers, together of the crime. He or she then informs the farmer,
Westhuijzen at with the South African Police Service (SAPS), who informs the police. Either the police or
[email protected]. are solely responsible for security on farms. the farmer then inform the stock theft unit.
These ideas are far removed from reality. If the incident is a recent occurrence, the
To address crime successfully in rural areas, police tracker unit is informed and the farm
one needs to understand the complexity watch is activated. Private security companies
of the environment, to respond when it also need to be involved. The SAPS forensic
happens, and to prevent future incidents. team is then required to lift the spoor and
Everyone wants to live in a stable and possibly identify other forensic evidence.
secure environment, and in the agriculture
sector this leads to food security. Agri SA THERE NEED TO BE
believes that the only way this can be SEVERE CONSEQUENCES
achieved is to focus resources such as money, FOR ROLE PLAYERS WHO
social programmes and service delivery on FAIL TO CARRY OUT THEIR
addressing the community’s socio-economic RESPONSIBILITIES
needs and conditions where required.
This is currently not possible, however, due to The detectives are informed if the case leads
the perception, right or wrong, that due to failures to evidence that can be followed up by the
in the policing and justice systems, criminals detective branch. SAPS’ crime intelligence is
have a good chance of getting away with their then supposed to contact its resources in the
crimes. Apart from the sense of lawlessness that community and also inform its colleagues of
this creates, industries such as agriculture also places where the criminals might try to sell the
suffer huge economic losses when crime goes stock. The local prosecutor has to be informed,
unpunished. Research carried out by Agri SA either by crime intelligence, the detectives or
and the University of South Africa showed that farmers’ representatives from the area, on the
the direct cost of farm-related crime in 2017 was effect that stock theft is having on the economy
R2,28 billion, while the indirect cost amounted to at the local, provincial and national level in
R5,45 billion. This means that the total economic order to prepare the case for prosecuting.
impact of these crimes was R7,73 billion.
The local municipality is obliged to assist via
a hOLIstIC resPONse its law enforcement officials, who are required
Effectively addressing the issue of rural to enforce the by-law that no unregulated
crime, and farm-related crime in particular, slaughtering of animals takes place inside their
requires involvement from more than just the area of jurisdiction. Their physical presence
farming community and the SAPS. The entire and movement in the area to prevent these
community and all spheres of government, crimes or assist the local police in the follow-up
including municipalities, provincial government operation should also help convince criminals
structures and national departments – including that that area is not good for business.
agriculture, environmental affairs and social
development – have to work together. Other The local business community needs to inform
organisations that have to be included are its members not to buy stock or goods that they
religious organisations, private security suspect might have been stolen. The Red Meat
companies, farm watches and local businesses. Producers’ Organisation should ensure that
farmers are knowledgeable on how
6 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021
110 YEARS ON THE LAND

to brand their livestock are not executed as instructed.
so that they can be Trust needs to be built by means of frequent
properly identified in
case they are recovered communication to ensure the complete
from thieves. involvement and co-operation of all role
players identified in the National Rural
It is important that Safety Strategy. In addition, professional
schoolchildren be coordination is required to execute the strategy
educated on how by means of an integrated and joint approach,
important a sound controlled by a dedicated nodal structure
agricultural environment manned by competent and knowledgeable
is to the local economy people committed to serving the community
by providing jobs in order to reach obtainable objectives.
and food, and how
crime can have highly Finally, these efforts must be supported by
negative effects. an effective criminal justice system that can
serve as a deterrent against crime. Efforts
Churches and religious to address rural crime will come to
organisations have a naught if there are no consequences
responsibility to educate for committing crime. FW
their members, influence
behaviour, and identify 12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 7
vulnerable households
for intervention by the
Department of Social
Development, NGOs
and municipalities.

Telecommunications
providers also have a
part to play by keeping
their networks in
working order so that
people can communicate
reliably during incidences
of crime. Areas with
poor connectivity
need to be identified
and upgraded to
ensure a more secure
environment.

The holistic response
described above
requires smooth
coordination of activities and an integrated
and joint approach by all role players at the
national, provincial, district and local level.

collective responsibility
The revised National Rural Safety Strategy,
compiled from input received from Agri SA
and others, tries to address this situation. The
main challenge here is to break down resistance
and change people’s mentality. We need to
stop working in silos where individuals and
organisations focus only on protecting their
own interests. We have to take individual and
collective responsibility and ownership to ensure
that rural security becomes a reality for ourselves,
our neighbours and the broader community.

Importantly, after role players have
accepted their responsibilities, there should
be severe consequences when requirements

FARMER’S DIARY

PIXABAY Pig farming

CONFERENCES, 10 TO 12 MARCH,
WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS AGRISKILLS TRANSFER
CAMPUS, GROENKLOOF
30 TO 31 MARCH
This Pig Production course includes
Sustainable Innovative Producers basic information on the care and feeding
and Emerging Farmers Agribusiness of gestating sows, lactating sows, feeder
Conference, Capital Park, Sandton. pigs and finishing pigs. It also focuses on
Email Connie Mamabolo at biosecurity, breeding, farrowing and weaning,
[email protected]. health and nutrition, housing and ventilation,
record keeping and sanitation. After the
10 TO 12 MAY course, delegates should be able to care
for and feed their pigs in a way that
IPPS Annual Conference, Strand ensures a profitable operation.
Beach Resort, Port Edward. Email  Phone AgriSkills Transfer on 012 460 9585,
[email protected] or email [email protected].
or [email protected],
or phone 021 982 2872. 26 TO 30 APRIL 11 TO 14 APRIL

COURSES AND TRAINING Introduction to Basic Vegetable Production, 3rd ASM joint Mytox-South Conference,
Buhle Academy Campus, Delmas. Stellenbosch. Visit asmmytox.com.
11 TO 12 MARCH Email Lovert Magwala at [email protected].
Visit buhle.org.za. CANCELLED
Sheep and Goats Registered Artificial
Insemination, George. Phone 7 TO 9 MAY 24 MARCH
Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985.
Beekeeping Course, Honeywood Farm, Vryburg Show, Vryburg Showgrounds. Phone
12 TO 16 APRIL Heidelberg. Phone Honeywood Farm Liset Maasze on 074 576 8986, or email her
on 083 270 4035. at [email protected].
Tractor Operation and Maintenance,
Buhle Academy Campus, Delmas. ONLINE EVENTS AND COURSES 23 APRIL TO 1 MAY
Email Lovert Magwala at
[email protected]. Visit buhle.org.za. 23 TO 24 MARCH Bloem Show, Bloemfontein Showgrounds.
Visit bloemskou.co.za.
19 TO 23 APRIL United States Sips and Snacks in
Sub-Saharan Africa Virtual Trade Event. 28 MAY TO 6 JUNE
Academy Poultry Module, George. Email [email protected].
Phone Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985. Royal Show, Pietermaritzburg.
IMPORTANT DATES Visit royalshow.co.za.

25 TO 28 MARCH POSTPONED

The Cannabis Expo, GrandWest, 17 TO 20 AUGUST
Cape Town. Email The Cannabis Expo (ORIGINAL DATE: 11 TO 14 MAY)
at [email protected].
Nampo Harvest Day, Nampo Park, Bothaville.
26 TO 28 MARCH Visit grainsa.co.za.

Bathurst Agricultural Show,
Eastern Cape. Phone Eddie Wepener
on 046 625 0759, or email him at
[email protected].

7 TO 9 APRIL

Agbiz Congress, Sun City. Visit
agbiz.co.za/congress/about-the-congress.

Entries should be submitted at least one month in advance. Email Janine Ryan at [email protected] to place an entry. Please
note that, due to limited space, publication of an event cannot be guaranteed. All entries are published at the editor’s discretion.

8 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

38 YEARS AGO

1911 7 January 1983 2021

Evert Engelbrecht and his son, Cor, in a T4 wheat land. Engelbrecht says T4 was, in a way, an escape
He praises the cultivar‘s resistance to lodging. FW ARCHIVE for him as he has much low-potential soil.
He was amazed by the yield of the first crop.
Dryland
wheat treat “I sow in inferior soil, but not in sandy
Evert Engelbrecht of Bainsvlei soil as this results in a very poor stand,” he
showed that irrigation wheat It forms ears 100 days after sowing says. The loamy soil in which T4 is generally
could thrive under dryland (about two to three weeks sooner than sown has an average depth of 380mm.
conditions if managed correctly. most cultivars sown in the district),
so it can also be combined earlier. After the crop has been combined, the lands
Reaping 4t/ha of wheat on dryland are cultivated with offset ploughs. Then,
in the western Free State was unheard “Up to now it has been quite resistant after the first good rain, usually in January,
of until Evert Engelbrecht of Lionsvlei, to frost, although this remains one they are tilled with mould-board ploughs.
Bainsvlei sowed an irrigation cultivar of the big threats, mainly because of
that needed only a small booster of winter T4’s shorter growing period,” he says. The soil of each land is analysed and
rain. Engelbrecht has successfully grown When frost caused severe damage to fertilised accordingly, usually with Saaifos
T4 wheat for the past five years. other cultivars, T4 was less affected. containing zinc, for a yield of 2t/ ha.

In 1981, he reaped 3,3t/ha from fallow “One of its great assets is that by the time Fertiliser is applied with a spreader
lands and in 1982, he reaped 4,46t/ha the warm Free State winds start blowing, or placed with planters from which the
with 1,4t/ ha from low-potential lands. the plant has done its work and they don’t pressure wheels have been removed.
have such a great effect,” says Engelbrecht.
He attributes the excellent T4 is sown from 15 to 31 May, when there
harvests to rain that fell each July “It has also been my experience that is a good chance no more rain will fall.
of between 25mm and 100mm. T4 is not as susceptible to root rot.”
The winter rainfall in July is a great
He sows T4 especially on his low- As the T4 plant is short, with boost for T4 as the district’s average
and medium-potential lands. a strong upright stem, it is easier is 460mm to 500mm annually.
to combat lice in the lands.
The better lands are mostly Scheepers 69 At first he was most concerned about frost
and SST 102. In 1982, he had 500ha The T4 on the farm was also grazed by as the wheat reaches heading so quickly –
under T4, 250ha under Scheepers 69 livestock at an early stage with little effect. as early as the beginning of September.
and another 250ha under SST 102.
T4 must be sown more densely than other However, no serious frost damage
Engelbrecht says T4 has several cultivars, and Engelbrecht uses as much as has occurred in the past five years.
advantages and disadvantages. 25kg/ha because of its weak stooling ability,
possibly because it is intended for irrigation. He starts combining the T4 lands on
28 October. All wheat is delivered in
bulk to the nearly De Brug silos.

Engelbrecht tries to stay away
from monoculture, but cannot do
so in the low-potential lands.

The T4 harvests on some of them,
after six years of continuous cultivation,
is still a remarkable 1,5t/ha.

He applies rotational cropping on the
high-potential lands by planting groundnuts,
then maize, then leaves the land fallow
for 10 months before sowing wheat.

About 20% of the high-potential
lands lie fallow each year.

Engelbrecht’s success with T4 cultivation
has generated wide interest in the district and
now many farmers also plant the cultivar.

The largest area on one farm
under T4 is probably the 1 000ha
of Engelbrecht’s neighbour.

Engelbrecht says T4 has a
definite place on a farm.

“Even if I had a complete failure of
crops in 1982, I would still have done
better with T4 than with any other
cultivar,“ he concludes. FW

This article first appeared in the 7 January 1983
issue and has been edited to adhere to
the current style of Farmer’s Weekly.

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 9

Letters

The unaffordability of the minimum wage

It would appear the question highest possible salary. Such destruction of infrastructure. CreatING emPLOymeNt
is not whether farmers want an ambitious undertaking • Improve and extend factors
to pay the increase in the cannot be attained by simply that play a role in production. TAU SA believes that
minimum wage but whether announcing it during a State government is having
they can afford to do so. of the Nation Address. But it retreNChmeNts a destabilising effect
could improve if the following in this regard.
It is crucial to have a guidelines are adhered to: The increase in the minimum
cohesive understanding of wage for farmworkers, which When one considers the
the current economic climate ‘THE NATIONAL will increase 16,1% in 2021, evergrowing number of
in agriculture. Each farm MINIMUM WAGE will harm jobs in industries people reliant on social
has to operate as a profitable IS VERY SHORT- that require an extensive grants, the NMW is extremely
business entity within itself. workforce. Retrenchment short-sighted. It appears that
It must produce revenue so SIGHTED’ will become apparent in government is purposefully
that it can become, and stay, the wine and fresh produce providing grants, ensuring
an agricultural role player. • Create an environment industries, for example, the masses depend on it and,
in which entrepreneurs can and lead to an even greater in turn, vote for the ANC
Factors such as human manage a profitable business socio-economic crisis. come election time. It will
resources, natural resources without fear of loss personally have a crippling fiscal effect
and financial resources or professionally. Policies If South Africa had a small and is a waste of taxpayers’
have to contribute to the such as land expropriation margin of unemployment money. We have to allow
overall success of the without compensation, and a growing economy, factors within the market
business and its bottom line. damage to property and the NMW could be to self-regulate, even with
Should elements within other assets, a lack of rural supported by businesses regards to wages. The current
the operation be ineffective safety, and rampant stock and industry. However, the policy holds no advantage
or too costly, the owner is and produce theft influence country is far away from for the unemployed. They
confronted with the task of general investment in such an economic climate, should be encouraged to fill
adapting daily operations so agriculture and get in the and employers will have positions in the workforce,
that the business can, once way of any real return on to respond to the growing thereby expanding
again, serve and support any such investment. pressures and realities of economic activities. It will
overall profit margins. • Create policies that the struggling economy. It provide employees who
prohibit government from would be of far greater value are hard-working and
The South African economy overextending its role in the if the market regulated reliable the opportunity
was downgraded to junk operations of landowners. The the work discrepancy. to earn higher wages.
status well before the COVID- government should merely In effect, government
19 pandemic. Regulations be present when stabilisation discriminates against the The opportunity for role
and restrictions during is needed or assist in the population’s unemployed players to get involved and
the prolonged lockdown hedging of specific risks. masses by not allowing address this dilemma is still
period had dire economic • Create and maintain an them to earn wages that on the table. All members
implications for most able workforce within the the market regulates and of the value chain should be
industries. This resulted in sector. This will can afford. The question heard to find a comprehensive
unemployment jumping ensure that upcoming rightfully remains: who is the and dynamic solution.
to 42,6% according to the entrepreneurs have voice of the unemployed? Bennie van Zyl, general
expanded definition. skilled employees manager: TAU SA
that can genuinely
The debate around the contribute to JHB TRACTOR SPARES
national minimum wage operational
(NMW) is becoming more procedures. spEciALisTs iN rEpLAcEmENT pArTs fOr
complicated. In an ideal • Put an end to
economic climate, the fOrD / fiAT / NEWHOLLAND / mf
country would try to create
prosperity to such an extent Tel: (011) 677-2100 / 615-6421 • Fax:(011) 622-4311
that all South Africans
would be employed at the email: [email protected]
www.jhbtractorspares.co.za
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
Send your letters to: Farmer’s Weekly, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 32 Davies Road 50 YEARS
2123, SA, fax 011 889 0862, or email [email protected]. Malvern East,
The views and opinions expressed on the letters page do not Germiston 1401
necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly or Caxton. South Africa
Readers’ letters will be published and edited at
the sole discretion of Farmer’s Weekly. 50 years service to the farmers

10 farmer’sweekly 12 March 2021 ®

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Most PoPular on farMersweekly.co.za

ElEctricity pricE hikE: anothEr blow
for farmErs

Eskom recently announced an electricity tariff hike of nearly 16%
that will be implemented in April. This announcement, along with the
recent increase in the minimum wage of farmworkers as well as fuel
price increases will put many producers under increasing pressure.
Read the article at bit.ly/3qUOasb.
Posted: 18 February 2021.

froM facebook Photo of the week

@FarmersWeeklysa: Whenin Mzansi @Whenin_Mzansi
A post about the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and “Who ‘nose’ how to open this gate?”
Via Instagram. Posted: 21 February 2021.
Rural Development aiming to recruit an additional 10 000
ExtEnsion officErs left followers with mixed views.

Posted: 24 February 2021.

Pogisho Bohlale Motsumi: “Where does [Finance Minister
Tito Mboweni] think he’ll get those 10 000 experienced people?”

Pinkie Vuyokazi Rigala: “Extension officers who
are only there to execute their own business? I can
write a whole book about your so-called ‘extension
officers’ and their directors in the department.”

Xabiso nqalo: “Lets just hope this is not another empty promise.”

naomi huma: “The system is politicised these days; most
extension officers have lost the essence of their work. They are
[more concerned with] administrative duties [as opposed to] their
primary responsibilities. It’s all about reports and statistics, nothing
else. The interests of the farmers are buried and forgotten!”

agri news froM around the world

nEw rEsEarch rEvEals usda concludEs ‘mystEry hEmp production in illinois
british pig farming is sEEd’ invEstigation drops slightly in 2020
rEducing carbon footprint
The US Department of Agriculture has concluded its Industrial hemp production in Illinois in the
The carbon footprint of British pig farming months-long investigation into last year’s mystery US declined slightly in 2020, the second year
has reduced by almost 40% over the past seed” case, during which thousands of people across
the US received unsolicited seed packages in the mail. of legalised production in the state.
20 years, according to a new study. - news-gazette.com
- newfoodmagazine.com - capitalpress.com

12 march 2021 farmer’sweekly 11

OPINION AND ANALYSIS

ignrceraetapsoetesnat’siaal gtori
trade surplus

AGRIBUSINESS PERSPECTIVE by Wandile Sihlobo

South Africa’s agricultural exports conditions that enabled large harvests, Africa is on the right track with its
amounted to US$10,2 billion (about credit for exports also goes to unhindered agricultural development strategy.
R152 billion) in 2020, which was food value chain operations because of
There is still potential to expand
a 3% increase from the previous year. joint efforts by government, the private participation on the Asian market.
With India and China headlining the
This was underpinned primarily by sector and various research institutions. growth potential in Asia and the Far
East, this region is significant enough to
the high level of domestic agricultural Most notably, the government’s decision warrant more attention, especially given
that there is currently no preferential
output, supported by favourable to leave the agricultural and broader market access for South Africa’s
agriculture sector in this region.
weather conditions across most of the food sector fully operational from the However, South Africa has to compete
with countries such as Australia and
country’s main agricultural regions. onset of COVID-19-related lockdowns Chile, which have trade agreements that
afford them a competitive advantage
The relatively weaker rand also provided favourable business conditions. and could threaten South Africa’s
market share and future growth.
made South Africa’s products more Meanwhile, the continual interaction
South Africa should therefore
competitive on the global market. between private sector organisations and continue to engage with Asian
countries for greater market access
The top 10 export products by value logistics companies ensured a constant for agricultural products.

were citrus, grapes, wine, apples, pears, flow of products to the export markets. AFRICA AND EUROPE
CONTINUES TO
maize, nuts, sugar, wool and fruit juices. eveN LarGer maIZe harvest BE THE LARGEST
Over the same period, South Africa’s MARKETS FOR
SOUTH AFRICA’S
agricultural imports fell 8% year-on- South Africa’s agricultural exports could AGRICULTURAL
EXPORTS
year to US$5,9 billion (R88 billion) due increase further in 2021. The improved
We should also continue developing
to a decline in imports of poultry meat, conditions have led to an increase in our trade relationship with the Middle
East, especially Saudi Arabia.
sugar, spirits, sunflower oil, prepared the area planted to summer crops and
The African Continental Free
animal feed, beer made from malt, prospects of a larger maize harvest Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) activation at
the start 2021 provides an essential
fish and coffee. This was enough to than the 2019/2020 harvest, which foundation for realising export potential
within Africa. The AfCFTA offers an
overshadow the increase in the top will ensure more exports, particularly opportunity to expand agricultural
exports beyond the Southern African
three products typically imported, given the context of strong demand Development Community region,
where South Africa’s agricultural
namely rice, wheat and palm oil. and somewhat low stock levels. exports are currently concentrated.
Wandile Sihlobo is chief economist at
The decline in imports, which South African wine grape production is Agbiz. Email him at [email protected].

corresponded with the increase also set to be slightly larger than in 2020,

in exports, subsequently led to a contributing to a larger volume of wine

26% year-on-year increase in South for export. There is also general optimism

Africa’s agricultural trade surplus about the 2021 harvest in the horticulture

to US$4,3 billion (R64 billion). subsector and field crops such as sugar,

maIN eXPOrt markets which supports the view of a possible
increase in agriculture exports this year.

Africa and Europe continued to be It is clear from the contents of the

the largest markets for South Africa’s National Development Plan and various

agricultural exports, absorbing 38% and statements by policymakers over the

27% of total exports in 2020 in value past couple of years that government and

terms respectively. The top products private sector players have embraced

going to these markets were beverages, a vision of expanding labour-intensive

fruit, grains, sugar and vegetables. agricultural subsectors as part of a

Asia has also remained an important broader development strategy. This is to

market, accounting for a 25% export be an export-driven initiative, and the

share in 2020. Fruit, wool, grains, subsectors include mainly horticulture

sugar and meat were the leading and, to a certain extent, field crops.

products exported to that region. Fortunately, the most valuable

The Americas and the rest of the world agricultural exports have also been

had a 6% and 4% export share respectively. within these subsectors over the past

Aside from the favourable weather six years, which means that South

12 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

OPINION AND ANALYSIS

i2m02p1lincaattiioonnasl obfutdhgeet
for farming

POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE by Theo Venter

The beginning of every year has to promote transformation and We know that the impediments placed
its typical routine of political ensure sustainable growth. on the economy by Eskom have limited
events, almost predictable in our growth potential to about 1,5%.
An important point made by him was
At least two important announcements
their unfolding. They usually start with that agricultural growth on the one were made that affect agriculture. First,
the 2021/2022 budget will allow for a
the ANC’s statement on 8 January that hand and land reform on the other must R7 billion bailout of the Land Bank,
which will not only assist the bank to
sets out the political challenges and progress side by side. In this regard, it restructure itself, but also bring relief to
some of the agricultural industries and
ambitions of the ruling party for the year. was mentioned that government has financial institutions that were severely
affected by the bank’s fiscal crisis. This
This is followed by an NEC meeting redistributed over five million hectares will also allow the bank to play its crucial
role in land and rural reform again.
of the ANC to confirm the decisions of land, totalling around 5 500 farms,
Second, there was an announcement
and set the priorities of the party. The to more than 300 000 beneficiaries. pertaining to government setting aside
R9,3 billion over the next three years
process then moves into the structures The issue of the lack of safety in rural to finalise 1 409 restitution claims.
Apart from this amount, a further
of government with a wide-ranging areas received very little attention, R897 million will be made available by
the Department of Agriculture, Land
government lekgotla. The lekgotla as well as the ever-present issue of Reform and Rural Development for
so-called post-settlement support.
prioritises the issues that will dominate corruption in the land reform context.
It is well known that the current
the State of the Nation Address (SONA). We know that the possible amendment land reform process is setting up
emerging farmers to fail, and therefore
GOVERNMENT HAS of the Constitution to ease the process post-settlement assistance may just
ACKNOWLEDGED of expropriation without compensation, solve some of these problems.
AGRICULTURE’S as well as the finalisation of the
CONTRIBUTION, Expropriation Bill, still constitute a The first two months of 2021
BUT STILL major concern in the agriculture sector. seemed like a mixed blessing for the
DEMONSTRATES farming sector. “Rains are making
SOME BLIND SPOTS To facilitate land reform and grains”, the saying goes, but floods
expanded participation in agriculture, are destroying crops. Government
Ramaphosa also announced that a land has taken note of the contribution of
and agrarian reform agency would be agriculture, but still demonstrates a
established to fast-track land reform. blind spot to the issue of rural safety
and endemic corrupt practices in
The African Continental Free Trade land expropriation and reform.

It was clear that this year’s SONA Area, a strategic framework that Despite the aforementioned issues,
agriculture still provides a huge
was intended as a motivating speech came into operation on 1 January advantage and potential to people with
an appetite for risk. And for those who
for a country experiencing a great this year following the adoption of can combine it with a contribution to
rural and land reform as an integrated
many problems, and in that context, the Johannesburg Declaration by the paradigm, the potential is limitless.
Theo Venter is special adviser at the
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech was African Union, will also open new North-West University Business School.
Email him at [email protected].
upbeat about the role of agriculture. markets to agriculture in Africa.

The master plans for poultry and sugar,

as well as the role of these industries, the BudGet sPeeCh

received attention. In the case of the Expectations of the 2021 National

sugar industry, support for small-scale Budget were that it would be a difficult

farmers was mentioned specifically. balancing act due to the impact of

The SONA also acknowledged the COVID-19 on the country and the

incredible performance of agricultural economy. The budget was delivered

industries such as citrus, and the strong on 24 February by Finance Minister

performance of exports in wine, maize, Tito Mboweni in the now typical ‘new

nuts, deciduous fruit and sugar cane. normal’ of a hybrid parliamentary session.

Ramaphosa remained upbeat about Despite a contraction in the economy of

agriculture, especially with very good 7,2% in 2020 and South Africa’s sovereign

weather conditions being forecast. credit rating being downgraded to junk

According to him, this provided status, Mboweni expected economic

an opportunity for further public- growth of 3,3% in 2021, averaging out

private partnerships in agriculture to about 1,9% growth in 2022 and 2023.

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 13

Weekly neWs Wrap

ABOVE Weekly quotes ‘As soon As A cAse is
‘[…] we have confirmed, exports
saffron, which is the most expensive some of the best of wool products to
spice in the world, presents a profitable [liquor] sales chinA […] Are hAlted’
new option for south african farmers, legislation in
but industry stakeholders are warning the world, but – General manager of the National Wool
that it should not be seen as a get-rich- it’s not being Growers’ Association Leon de Beer,
quick scheme – see story on page 25. enforced’ stressing the dire impact of a Rift Valley fever
outbreak on the local wool industry (pg 18).
– CEO of the Liquor Brand Owners’
Association Kurt Moore, speaking out ‘[…] the health of workers will
about a call for stricter rules and enforcement need to be safeguarded […] ‘
of liquor sales by the premiers of Gauteng
and the Western Cape (pg 23). – Agricultural economist Dr Kobus Laubscher,
reiterating the key role of farmworkers in the
‘South Africa spends sector’s contribution to South Africa’s post-
R6,1 billion on poultry COVID-19 economic recovery (pg 20).
imports annually, which
creates 15 000 jobs ‘[…] south AfricAn
outside our borders’ softwood sAwtimber
logs Are currently
– South African Poultry Association [in] increAsing
general manager Izaak Breitenbach, demAnd, pArticulArly
explaining why the association has applied from chinA […]’
for anti-dumping duties to protect the local
industry against cheap imports (pg 17). – Assistant general manager of NCT Forestry
Co-operative Rob Thompson, expressing
14 farmer’sweekly 12 March 2021 optimism that the local forestry industry
could benefit from a proposed ban of
roundwood exports from Russia (pg 15).

110 years on the land

Putin proposes ban on Russia’s roundwood exports

Russian President Vladimir traded roundwood. [Putin’s perceptions were based only Putin’s proposed ban would
Putin has proposed a ban proposed] regulation […] on his position within NCT, have a limited impact locally.
on his country’s exports is intended to incentivise and that he was not speaking This was because South
of roundwood from the investments in [Russia’s] dry on behalf of South Africa’s Africa focused on adding
beginning of 2022, a move kilns to produce dried lumber wider forestry value chain. value to its roundwood before
that could possibly benefit for exports. Reducing log exporting these products.
South Africa’s roundwood and green lumber exports “[…] South African
primary value chain, albeit will likely stimulate further softwood sawtimber logs “[…] we export less than
to a limited extent, according value-added processing are currently [in] increasing 5% of our [non-value-added]
to industry experts. within Russia, and better demand, particularly from timber. We also do not
control of illegal logging China, [which] has a current perceive any significant
Although Farmer’s Weekly [there],” the statement said. heavy reliance on raw competition for the
was unable to obtain material sourced from Russia. processed, or sawn timber
confirmation of the proposed Rob Thompson, assistant to be exported from Russia
ban from the Russian general manager of South “Around 40 000t to 50 000t [if the ban is implemented]
government, a statement by African business NCT of containerised South as the current countries we
Wood Resources International Forestry Co-operative (NCT), African sawlogs [are], on export to do not include
said that Putin was pushing said that should Putin’s hearsay, being shipped the target markets Russia
for a stop to his country’s proposal be made law, South monthly out of Durban. This will focus on,” FSA said.
exports of softwood logs, Africa might experience is up significantly on a year
high-value hardwood increased demand for its ago, implying that the It added that Putin’s
logs, and possibly even roundwood and related Chinese might already be proposal offered Russia
green softwood lumber. products from countries that looking at alternative sourcing the opportunity to increase
currently sourced some, or options […],” Thompson said. the value of its wood
“Russia exported 15 million all, of their needs for these products before exporting
cubic metres of logs in products from Russia. Information provided it, and create jobs through
2020, which accounted for He stressed that his by industry organisation development of the relevant
almost 12% of globally Forestry South Africa (FSA) infrastructure. – Lloyd Phillips
said that “in all probability”

‘SA needs a more child-centred food system’

The National Policy on Food and and 27% by 2016, which is high by with cheap, ultra-processed foods.
Nutrition Security for South Africa, first international benchmarks,” she said. Another speaker at the event, Prof Scott
gazetted in 2014, needs to be established Drimie, director of the Southern Africa
as a matter of urgency. It should also Research had shown that the Food Lab and head of the nutrition
introduce efficient systems to improve driving factor behind both stunting division at Stellenbosch University’s
regulations in the food industry and obesity was income, according Department of Global Health, said
and create micro-policy engagement to the findings of the report. interventions by the state could
to ensure that people can produce include the judicious use of taxes
their own food at household level. 'SOUTH AFRICA'S (such as the sugar tax) to protect
FOOD SYSTEMS children from foods that are harmful
This was according to Lori Lake, ARE INCREASINGLY to their health, subsidies to make
communications and education DOMINATED BY healthy foods more affordable, the
specialist at the University of Cape COMMERCIAL procurement and provision of healthy
Town’s (UCT) Children’s Institute, who INTERESTS' food in public schools, and early
said that the nutritional status of South childhood development programmes.
Africa’s children was deteriorating. Also speaking at the event, Dr Tracey
Naledi, deputy dean for health services In a forward to the report,
She was speaking at the recent virtual in UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences, said Dr Lawrence Haddad, executive
launch of the South African Child that apart from high food prices, the director of the Global Alliance for
Gauge 2020, published annually by the country’s food system was increasingly Improved Nutrition, wrote that it was
institute to review the status of children dominated by commercial interests “incredible [that] in a country as well-
in South Africa and inform evidence- driven by profit rather than aiming to endowed as South Africa, stunting
based policy and programming. create food products that were good for rates are at 27% and that they have
the health of people and the planet. As a been at this level since 1999“. According
“In 20 years, we haven’t been able to result, local markets were being flooded to Haddad, Kenya’s stunting rate has
change the issue of stunting, a sign of halved since 1999 and was now lower
chronic undernutrition. According to than South Africa’s. – Siyanda Sishuba
available statistics, 25,5% of children
in South Africa were stunted in 1994 12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 15

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

Department to recruit 10 000 extension officers

The budget allocated to the Department 10 000 extension officers, FLICKR for the 2021/2022 fiscal
of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development (agriculture given that the allocation year. Over the next two
department), which was tabled as part
of the National Budget by Minister of of about R307 million years, this allocation
Finance Tito Mboweni in Parliament on
24 February, will require spending cuts per year over the next would increase
on several cost lines and programmes.
three years (down marginally by about
However, despite a below-inflation
increase in expected expenditure over from R311 million in 2,8% to R17,4 billion
the next three years, the agriculture
department has outlined some 2020/2021) showed an in 2023/2024.
ambitious targets in detailed spending
plans published in the Estimates of average reduction of With total government
National Expenditure document.
0,2% in spending over expenditure set to
According to the document, the
department was “working on plans to the period 2020/2021 amount to R2,02 trillion
reduce the ratio of extension officers to
farmers from 1:850 to 1:250”. This would to 2023/2024. in the next year, the
be achieved by “recruiting about 10 000
extension officers across the country as Spending cuts TITO MBOWENI direct allocation to the
part of its extension recovery services”. by the agriculture agriculture department

To this end, the document stated department would also represented less than 1%
that R923,5 million had been
allocated over the next three years affect allocations to the of government spending.
via the comprehensive agricultural
support programme grant. National Rural Youth Service Corps. Mboweni said in his budget speech

However, at face value, this allocation In addition, the agriculture department that government planned to finalise
might not be sufficient to cover
remuneration for an additional would have to cut back on compensation 1 409 restitution claims at a cost of

of employees, for which total expenditure R9,3 billion over the next three years.

was expected to decrease by about “The [agriculture department] has

R147 million over the next three years. also set aside R896,7 million for post-

This was in line with national budget settlement support. This will include

priorities which, according to the the recruitment of approximately 10 000

Budget Review, aimed to reduce main experienced extension officers,” he said.

budget non-interest expenditure Mboweni also announced an allocation

by R264,9 billion, or 4,6% of GDP, of R7 billion for the Land Bank over the

primarily through adjustments next three years to help “resolve the

to government’s wage bill. bank’s current default and re-establish

The agriculture department would [its] development and transformation

receive a direct allocation of R16,9 billion mandate”. – Denene Erasmus

Wine, tobacco industries bemoan increased sin tax

To alleviate the largest tax to negative social and health certainty and [a stable] would cost an extra R1,39,
shortfall on record, Finance outcomes. Consumers do financial dispensation. The while 25g of piped tobacco
Minister Tito Mboweni react to price increases, and higher-than-expected excise and a 23g cigar would
announced in his recent higher prices should lead to increase detracts from this cost an additional 47c
budget speech that there lower consumption of alcohol and could inflict a final blow and R7,71 respectively.
would be an 8% increase in products, with positive to many businesses that are
the excise duties on alcohol spin-offs,” Mboweni said. already on their knees, which The South African Tobacco
and tobacco products. would in turn contribute to Transformation Alliance
Rico Basson, managing the already large number of said in a statement that it
However, stakeholders director of industry body job losses and exacerbate the rejected the “ridiculous”
in the wine and tobacco Vinpro, described the increase socio-economic challenges cigarette excise increase.
industries have said this in excise duties on alcohol in these communities.”
would be to their and products as “a final blow to “[…] rather than realise the
government’s detriment. many wine businesses”. In a statement issued by downside of increasing excise
the South African Liquor charges, government has
Mboweni announced He said the raised excise Brand Owners Association, gone ahead with this increase,
that the excise duty on duty on the back of a 16% CEO Kurt Moore said the and in so doing, made illicit
a 750ml bottle of wine wage and 15% electricity industry would be forced tobacco products even more
would increase by 26c to price hike would have to to take drastic action to attractive to already stretched
R3,55/ bottle. The excise duty be absorbed at farm level. cut costs, as there was no consumers. Increased excise
on sparkling wine was raised contingency for a tax increase. [duties] mean less legal
by 86c to R11,63/bottle. “In light of the serious sales, and that means less
financial position our Mboweni also announced excise revenue – plain and
“It is clear that excessive industry finds itself in, that a packet of 20 cigarettes simple.” – Jeandré van der Walt
alcohol consumption can lead we need stability, policy
110 YEARS ON THE LAND
16 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021

‘Import duties needed to fight poultry dumping’

The South African Poultry Anti-dumping duties were “The truth is that poultry which currently stands
Association (SAPA) has not uncommon in other prices are generally higher in at about 43%, and help
applied for anti-dumping countries. In the EU, for countries that are dependent alleviate poverty, especially
duties to protect the South instance, countries were using on imports than in countries among our young people.”
African industry against them in combination with that are self-sufficient, and
cheaply imported frozen most-favoured-nation (MFN) we’ve already seen that the In countries where poultry
chicken portions from duties, quota systems and introduction of anti-dumping production was significant,
Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, floor pricing to protect their duties in March 2020 did the ratio of imports to local
Poland and Spain. industries. South Africa, in not affect local prices.” production was significantly
contrast, only charged anti- lower, at below 1% in the
Izaak Breitenbach, general dumping duties on poultry Despite this, South African US and Brazil and less
manager of SAPA, said that imports from four countries. poultry imports have than 7% in the EU.
anti-dumping duties were increased 400% over the
already in place for poultry Meanwhile, dumping was past 20 years, resulting in According to Breitenbach,
products from four other undermining the South imports accounting for about the application was supported
countries, but this was African economy and 30% of local consumption. by a large number of
not sufficient, as products causing material injury to organisations and entities,
were now merely exported the local poultry industry, South Africa is also the fifth- from grain producers and
via other countries. affecting commercial and and third-largest importer smallholder farmers to
smallholder farmers alike, of poultry from the US and contract growers and
“We need to stop all Breitenbach added. Brazil respectively, he said. equipment and feed suppliers.
forms of unfair trade,
which includes dumping, He said that dumping “South Africa spends The International
and the under-declaration margins of up to 201% R6,1 billion on poultry Trade Administration
and incorrect declaration had been found, with the imports annually, Commission of South
of products to circumvent prices (some as low as which creates 15 000 Africa will now investigate
tariffs, if we want the R6,86/ kg) not being passed jobs outside our borders. the complaint, before
South African poultry on to consumers, but merely Addressing poultry dumping making a recommendation
industry to realise its full creating additional profits would therefore help to to the Minister of Trade,
potential, ” he said. for the import value chain. significantly address our Industry and Competition.
unemployment problem, – Glenneis Kriel

Food prices expected to remain high in March

South Africa’s annual consumer According to Agbiz, food price inflation Agbiz, said the slightly elevated price
price index (CPI) rose marginally in South Africa was expected to average inflation for this food product was
from 3,1% in December to 3,2% in 5% year-on-year in 2021. FW ARCHIVE likely to prevail for most of the first
January, according to the latest data quarter as grain prices had continued
by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). “White and yellow maize prices are to surge since the start of the year.
presently 20% and 26% higher year- Addressing meat prices, Sihlobo
Food and non-alcoholic beverages, on-year respectively on upward said he expected prices to move
housing and utilities, and miscellaneous pressure from export demand sideways for the coming months.
goods and services were the main and currency effects,” she said.
contributors to the higher inflation rate. “Slaughtering [of cattle] could
In one of his recent weekly newsletters slightly improve in 2021, and the
According to Stats SA, food and Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at base effect on poultry meat, which
non-alcoholic beverages increased by increased in 2020 partly as a result
5,4% year-on-year, and contributed 0,9 of an import tariff hike, could also
of a percentage point to the total CPI bode well for food price inflation.”
annual rate of 3,2%. The main food price
increases included those of meat and fats Sihlobo said food price inflation
and oils, which were, on average, 7,2% would likely remain at slightly elevated
and 10,5% more expensive respectively levels for the first quarter of 2021.
than a year ago. Bread, maize meal and
other grain products were an average of “However, from the second quarter,
5,1% more expensive than a year ago. grain prices could soften and filter
through with a lag on the bread and
According to a statement by cereals product prices. Our baseline
Investec economist Kamilla Kaplan, view is for food price inflation to
the grain price inflation mirrored average around 5% year-on-year
the increases in maize prices. in 2021.” – Jeandré van der Walt

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 17

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

SA has second-most affordable food in Africa

On average, global food security across less affordable; food distribution Other findings concerning South
113 countries evaluated declined further networks being less efficient; and Africa and how the country compared
in 2020 after initially declining in 2019. national food safety nets that were with the 27 other sub-Saharan Africa
This was according to the recently often insufficient or wholly lacking. countries assessed were that, at 27% of
released 2020 Global Food Security Index the population, South Africa had the
(GFSI), compiled by The Economist Based on a total possible score of 100, highest prevalence of obesity; it had
Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored the five most food-secure countries the second-most affordable food after
by Corteva Agriscience (Corteva). in the 2020 GFSI were Finland (85,3), Botswana; its food availability ranked
Ireland (83,8), the Netherlands (79,9), ninth; it was placed first in terms of food
According to a statement by Corteva, Austria (79,4) and Czech Republic (78,6). quality and food safety; it ranked fifth for
the index, which has been published its natural resources and the resilience of
annually since 2012, measures the SOUTH AFRICA IS its food chains; and although it had the
underlying drivers of food security THE MOST FOOD- best water quality in sub-Saharan Africa,
in the 113 countries based on food SECURE OF THE 28  it ranked 40th globally on this aspect.
affordability, availability, quality SUB-SAHARAN
and safety; and on natural resources AFRICA COUNTRIES According to the report there were
and the resilience of food chains. ASSESSED IN THE also some positive developments in
GLOBAL INDEX sub-Saharan Africa. The 2020 index
Speaking at a virtual media briefing showed improved access to food
ahead of the 2020 GFSI’s release, The 2020 GFSI’s five least food- market data and mobile banking in
Pratima Singh, a senior consultant on secure countries were Sierra Leone 63 out of 113 countries, with Asia and
Public Policy and Thought Leadership (37), Malawi (36,7), Zambia (36,6), sub-Saharan Africa seeing the highest
with the EIU, said many risks to Sudan (36) and Yemen (35,7). improvements on this indicator.
food security, including the impact
of COVID-19, had further built up in Of the 28 countries in sub-Saharan “Governments in these regions can
2020 and required urgent attention Africa that were assessed, all were further deploy mobile technology to
through co-operation between ranked in the bottom half of the index. provide targeted support such as timely
governments and the private sector. With a ranking of 69, South Africa information, targeted agriculture advice
(57,8) was still the most food-secure and financial services to smallholder
Some of the findings of the 2020 of the countries in the region. farmers,” the report said. – Lloyd Phillips
GFSI highlighted by Singh included • Visit foodsecurityindex.eiu.
the ongoing negative impact of com to view the 2020 GFSI.
climate change; food becoming

‘Rainfall caused Rift Valley fever vaccine shortage’

Farmers across the country Cape, the Northern Cape, the customer buying behaviour, said it was very important
are being urged to vaccinate Western Cape, North West and this results in high for farmers to vaccinate their
their animals against Rift and KwaZulu-Natal. We demand, which eventually animals as a preventative
Valley fever (RVF) early every had minimal demand from compels OBP to produce measure against the virus.
year, after a shortage of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga.” more in a short period. This
vaccine was reported recently. happens when we experience He added that the impact
He added that there were abnormally high rainfall.” on the wool industry could
Jacob Modumo, business two variants of the RVF be significant if there
development officer at vaccine: the live vaccine and Modumo urged farmers was an RVF outbreak.
Onderstepoort Biological the inactive vaccine. The latter to vaccinate livestock
Products (OBP), which had been in particular short every year before the start “As soon as a case is
manufactures and distributes supply due to high demand. of the rainy season. confirmed, exports of wool
the vaccine, attributed the products to China from
shortage to the fact that “The lead time to produce He said that the annual within a 300km radius of the
a far lower demand had the RVF inactive vaccine demand for the live RVF area of the outbreak is halted.”
been forecast. The sudden is almost three months, vaccine was two million
increase in demand was due and if we run out of stock, to three million doses, and China was the largest
to the recent high rainfall. it takes time to restock.” about one million doses for market for South African
the inactive vaccine; these wool, with about 70%
“We’ve managed to He said that OBP was were generally produced of production exported
distribute the RVF vaccine currently producing more based on demand. to that country. If there
equitably to the relevant batches of the vaccine and on was an outbreak of RVF,
provinces that needed it, such average releasing about 2 700 Leon de Beer, general exports had to be halted
as the Free State, the Eastern units biweekly. “The weather manager of the National for 92 days, according to
plays a significant role in Wool Growers’ Association, regulations. – Pieter Dempsey
18 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021
110 YEARS ON THE LAND

Huawei turns to pig farming World in brief
as smartphone sales fall
UNITED STATES
Chinese telecoms giant In an effort to counter losses anticipated in smartphone sales
Huawei is turning to the this year, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei is focusing on the Texas, the third-largest citrus
development of technology development of technology for pig farming. FW ARCHIVE producer in the US, faces
for pig farmers to counter the crop losses amounting to at
tough sanctions introduced as using artificial intelligence we try to revitalise some least US$300 million (about
on its smartphones by former to track pigs and detect traditional industries R4,4 billion) due to the recent
US President Donald Trump. diseases. This included facial with [information unusual winter storm, Governor
recognition technology to and communications Greg Abbott said in a letter to the
Huawei’s smartphone identify individual pigs, as technology] to create more US Department of Agriculture.
sales plunged 42% in the last well as systems to monitor value for industries,”
quarter of 2020 as it struggled their weight, diet and exercise. a spokesperson for The storm also killed calves
with a limited supply of Huawei told BBC in the top cattle-producing state,
microchips due to the “Pig farming is yet News. – Staff reporter shut down meat plants, and
sanctions. Huawei was also another example of how threatened crops such as oats.
locked out of the development
of 5G technology in a number INDIA
of countries, including
the UK, amid fears about More than 100 000 farmers
national security, according and farmworkers gathered
to BBC News. Indications in the northern state of
were that Huawei would Punjab in India recently to
reduce the manufacturing protest new farming laws.
of smartphones by up
to 60% this year. Tens of thousands of farmers
have already been camping
In order to diversify its outside the country’s capital,
operations, Huawei has now New Delhi, for nearly three
begun creating technology months, demanding the repeal
that can be used in pig of the three reform laws they say
farming. With the world’s will harm them and benefit large
largest pig farming industry, corporations, Reuters reported.
China has started introducing
technology to help modernise KUINNIGTEDDOM
pig farms in recent years, such
UK pork producers say their
Glyphosate-resistant capeweed in Oz profits have been eroded by the
COVID-19 pandemic, as well as
Researchers from the The resistant biotype grain yields by 28% to an outbreak of deadly African
Australian Herbicide was reported by an 44% in wheat crops, he swine fever in Germany. In
Resistance Initiative (AHRI) agronomist in the Port told Farm Online. addition, they now also have to
have detected the world’s first of Albany zone, who deal with additional red tape
population of glyphosate- noticed capeweed that was “We recorded survival following Brexit, which has
resistant capeweed in not being controlled by rates four times higher battered exports and reduced
Western Australia. Capeweed applications of glyphosate. than susceptible control demand from key buyers such
(Arctotheca calendula), which populations, which were as German sausage makers.
originates from South Africa, According to AHRI research collected from six non-
where it is called Cape associate Yaseen Khalil, the agricultural sites across The farmers told Reuters
dandelion, is widespread weed was problematic as the Western Australia that pig prices, especially that
across Australia’s cropping it competed for water and grain belt,” Khalil said. of sows, were falling, while
and pasture zones. nutrient resources, and, feed costs were soaring.
being large and flat, could He recommended a
However, until now it had inhibit crop emergence. “double-knock strategy” The UK’s meat exports to the
been relatively easy to control, to control capeweed, using EU currently stood at just 50%
either with glyphosate or a Capeweed plants at a glyphosate followed by a of normal levels, while prices in
broadleaf spray, according density of seven plants/m2 paraquat-diquat mixture the heavily export-dependent
to farmonline.com.au. to 90 plants/m2 had been herbicide to eliminate sow market had slumped almost
demonstrated to reduce survivors. – Staff reporter two-thirds year-on-year, which
only just covered the cost of
sending sows to slaughter, the
farmers said. – Staff reporter

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 19

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

Greater COVID-19 vigilance needed on farms

Farmers have been cautioned to as their contribution will be key to the human capital risks more effectively.
proactively observe the health of their role the sector has to play,” he said. “Supporting improved productivity
staff to ensure that COVID-19 does not go Laubscher added that the pandemic and well-being has the greatest
undetected and decimate their workforce, had exposed decades of insufficient impact when no one is left behind.
according to a report issued by medical investment, mounting workforce COVID- 19 highlighted the importance
scheme administrator Agility Health. limitations and inadequate capacity. of employers being aware of the well-
being of everyone involved in their
Responding to the report, agricultural “If we fail to close the healthcare organisations and making provision to
economist Dr Kobus Laubscher, an gaps between the haves and have- ensure their wellness, as this is essential
independent consultant to Agility Agri nots in the country, we’ll further risk for collective, ongoing productivity and
which is a division of Agility Health, humanitarian and economic damage. improved odds of success,” he said.
said in an article published by the
company that farmworkers might choose “Pre-COVID-19 challenges have not Laubscher advised farmers to ensure
not to communicate signs of possible evaporated either. Employers in the there was proper communication about
COVID- 19 as they were afraid of losing wider agriculture sector need to take note the virus. “Suppliers, co-operatives,
their jobs. Farmers therefore had to take that many of the most pressing threats and distribution and agri-processing
the lead in ensuring the health status to their businesses stem from human businesses are all deeply reliant on
of their operations stayed intact. capital risks. Taking care of the health one another, and […] employers in
and well-being of staff is essential.” agriculture should arrange testing as
“The sector is essential to post-COVID-19 soon as a worker shows visible signs
economic recovery, but the health of Dr Jacques Snyman, medical director at of possible infection.” – Lindi Botha
workers will need to be safeguarded, Agility Health, added that an integrated
approach was needed to manage

SA avocado exports
set to rise by
one million cartons

South Africa’s avocado up to a month to reach its The first batch of avocados exported in South Africa‘s 2020/2021 season
export volume is expected destination as it spent three is expected to reach Europe by mid-March. FW ARCHIVE
to increase by an estimated weeks on a ship after picking.
one million 4kg-cartons. results in skin blemishes majority of our volume over
However, the increased Donkin said harvesting and should be avoided.” the next 10 weeks, before
volume will have a minimal for exports would continue Peru enters the market.”
impact on the market. until mid-September, Clive Garrett, marketing
and the latest estimates manager at ZZ2, said the Garret added that rain and
This was according to Derek indicated an increase of company had started favourable weather had assisted
Donkin, CEO of the South 6,5% on last season, or harvesting early green-skin ZZ2, resulting in good-quality
African Subtropical Growers’ one million 4kg-cartons, varieties for the local market and good-sized avocados,
Association (Subtrop), who to 16 million cartons. in January, and had harvested which meant that more fruit
said that 95% of avocados around 150t destined for would go towards export
exported from South Africa Peru exported almost the export market. rather than the local market.
were destined for Europe four times more avocados “Because of the exchange rate,
and the UK. However, than South Africa and He said its first exports the prices for export avocados
South Africa supplied only was the largest supplier were expected to reach are generally better than local
around 12% of the volumes to the European market, the market by mid-March. prices.” – Pieter Dempsey
arriving on this market providing around 50% “We’re aiming to push the
during the export season. of the total volume. 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

He added that avocado He said the weather
harvesting generally started could disrupt harvesting
off slowly at the beginning of as it was sometimes too
the season, but was expected wet to move vehicles in
to pick up pace after a few and out of orchards.
weeks. The first batch of
South African avocados was “One also has to wait
expected to reach Europe by until surface water on the
mid-March, and could take fruit has dried off before
harvesting. Picking avocados
20 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 while they’re wet often

‘Action needed to fast-track water-use licences’

Leaders of agricultural organisations have welcomed recent commitments made by government to speed up
the processing of water-use licence applications. But there is also scepticism and concern about how this will
be achieved, and whether it will address disparities in access to water. Lloyd Phillips reports.

In both his 2020 and 2021 State of
the Nation Address, President Cyril
Ramaphosa said that, as part of
efforts to strengthen South Africa’s
ailing economy, the Department of

Water and Sanitation (DWS) would be

implementing measures to dramatically

speed up its processing of water-use

licence applications for agriculture

and other sectors using bulk water.

The DWS recently issued a statement

explaining that it was already working

to reduce the current application

processing time frame for water-use

licences from 300 days to 90 days. This

included reconfiguring the electronic

application and authorisation system.

In the statement, DWS acting

chief director of Water-Use Licence

Administration, Roxanne Naidoo,

said the department was hosting

workshops countrywide to “capacitate

and educate” applicants about the A commitment by the Department of Water and Sanitation to reduce the time it takes to
revised application process. process water-use licence applications from 300 days to 90 days has garnered mixed views
from leaders of organised agriculture bodies. SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
“Starting from April 2021, all

applications that will be submitted

and accompanied by all the requisite concerned, the needs of other water have a detrimental impact on water

administrative and technical users, and the broader social, economic resources; and about no cleaning of

information will be finalised within and environmental context,” Rabie said. river beds and banks,” he said.

the 90 days turnaround time.” Secretary of TAU SA’s standing Keith Middleton, chairperson of the

uNLaWFuL Water use committee of environment management African Farmers’ Association of South
and water affairs, Drickus Botha, said Africa’s Water Committee, welcomed

Janse Rabie, head of Natural Resources the DWS’s promises with regard to the DWS’s commitment. However, he

at Agri SA, said that delays in the the processing of water-use licences wanted this to be an opportunity to

DWS’s processing of water-use licences within 90 days needed to be taken achieve widespread equitable allocation

had long posed problems for South “with a large pinch of salt”. of the country’s agricultural water

African farmers. These included some “The old problem of validation and between white and black farmers.

farmers resorting to unlawful water verification [of existing licences], which He said that, to date, water for only

use until their applications were is still very far from completion, also has 12 000ha of irrigated farmland had been

finalised, banks being unwilling to an influence on the application process.” formally allocated to black farmers.

finance farmers until their licences were Wilhelm Rocher, chairperson of the “There needs to be a comprehensive

processed, and farmers being unable Swartruggens District Agricultural verification and validation process

to access international and national Union (SDAU), an affiliate of TAU SA, where all existing [water-use licences]

retail chains until they could provide was sceptical about the DWS’s ability for agriculture are assessed. There are

a legally issued water-use licence. to significantly speed up its processing waterboere [water farmers] out there who

“Agri SA welcomes the proposal for of licence applications when the have water allocations far exceeding

water-use licence applications to be department was already failing to their actual production needs. They

finalised within as short a time period as protect the country’s water resources. lease part of their allocations out to

possible. However, this should not lead “How is it possible to pay money other farmers, and they control the

to ill-considered decisions by the [DWS] for water if the water is sewage? access [to the] use [of] these leases. After

on whether or not to grant [licences]. From 2009 [the SDAU is] on record [as the verification and validation process

[Licence] applications […] must be done complaining about] the discharging is completed, all existing [licences]

with the necessary care and with due of wastewater into water resources; should be cancelled, and then everyone

consideration to the water resources about the disposing of waste that may should have to reapply,” he said.

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 21

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

Quality and COVID-19 plague
table grape industry

An initially promising table grape and large parts of the world are The COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper
season has turned into a challenging still subject to strict lockdown on table grape demand in some of South
season, according to Jacques Beukes, regulations. With this, [consumers’] Africa‘s main export markets. FW ARCHIVE
a table grape farmer in the Hex River buying patterns have changed.”
Valley in the Western Cape. Beukes R10 and R15 cheaper per carton
was describing the current situation He added that the logistics channel than the previous year.”
faced by many table grape producers. was also under pressure due to
vessel shortages and delays. Higher input costs, especially the
He told Farmer’s Weekly that the quality increase in the minimum wage, would
of this year’s grapes was not up to the “This sometimes results in fruit being also have a major impact on producers.
usual standard, as many of the early- delayed before loading, and when
production areas had had heavy rainfall. it is shipped, it sometimes leads to “Labour makes up a large part of our
the simultaneous arrival of vessels production costs, sometimes as much
Beukes added that the Western Cape carrying grapes from across South as 35%,” he said. – Jeandré van der Walt
had also experienced abnormally Africa, which then floods the market.”
high humidity from December
until mid-January, which had also On top of that, the Chinese market,
negatively affected grape quality. an important one for South Africa, was
also particularly fastidious this season.
However, he foresaw that the quality This, Beukes said, stemmed from
of many of the late table grape varieties China’s claim that traces of COVID- 19
would be good, provided that the had been found on cherry packaging.
weather remained favourable.
“It immediately caused cherry
Another challenge faced by the sales to plummet and also put a
table grape industry was the impact damper on the imports of all fruit.”
of the COVID- 19 pandemic and the
effect it had on export markets. Beukes Beukes predicted that a challenging
said that grapes were not being year awaited producers, as grape
sold in the expected quantities on prices were dwindling while
markets this year. He attributed this input costs were rising.
to demand being under pressure.
“We’ve been exposed to exchange rate
“Due to COVID-19, many people fluctuations, and the exchange rate is
do not leave their homes as often, worse off this year than last year.
Grapes are [selling] for between

Police stock theft stats differ from industry figures

Dr Jane Buys, safety and figures for the Free State, 2020/2021 are added to 55 ostriches were stolen
risk analyst at Free State 36 towns had [reported] an the existing figures.” during this period.
Agriculture (FSA), has increase in livestock theft of
disputed some of the 10% or more [for] the third- Presenting the statistics, He said that KwaZulu-
stock theft figures in quarter figures of 2020/2021 Major-General Thulare Natal, the Eastern Cape
the South African Police compared with the same Sekhukhune said stock and the Free State were
Service’s recently released period in 2019/2020,” she said. theft in South Africa had the provinces where stock
national crime statistics decreased between October theft was most prevalent.
for the third quarter of the “What is worrying, however, and December 2020.
2020/2021 financial year. is that if the first to third Sekhukhune added that
quarters’ reported livestock “In the three months 19 people had died on
These figures indicated theft figures are added of reporting, stock theft farms and smallholdings
that livestock theft cases together, about 25 towns have decreased by 583 cases, in South Africa during the
reported in the Free State had already reported the same or 6,9%,” he said. period under review, which
decreased 5,6% compared number of or more livestock was 13 more than for the
with the same period last year. theft cases as were reported in A total of 7 854 incidents corresponding period last
the previous financial year. were recorded for the period year. The report showed
Buys said that, according to under review. According to that of all the provinces,
FSA’s data, livestock theft in “These towns will definitely Sekhukhune, about 33 697 the Free State had the most
the Free State was on the rise. show an increase in livestock sheep, 17 456 cattle, 16 015 farm attacks and murders
theft cases when the figures goats, 6 410 chickens, 586 in the last quarter of 2020.
“In terms of extensive for the last quarter of pigs, 311 donkeys, 274 horses, – Jeandré van der Walt
livestock theft reporting 143 game animals and

22 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

‘More laws won’t address alcohol abuse problem’

Both Gauteng Premier The liquor industry said that a lack of legislation was not to blame for alcohol take is that we have some
David Makhura and Western abuse, but rather the failure to enforce current legislation. FW ARCHIVE of the best [liquor] sales
Cape Premier Alan Winde legislation in the world, but
have called for stricter Cape was therefore pursuing The Liquor Amendment Bill it’s not being enforced.”
rules and enforcement of more targeted interventions was introduced in 2016, but
liquor sales beyond those by amending the Western its passage had been held up The Western Cape, for
introduced during the Cape Liquor Act. by government since then. example, was proposing
COVID-19 lockdown in an “per unit of alcohol” pricing
effort to curb alcohol abuse. Makhura stressed that Kurt Moore, CEO of which, according to Moore,
Gauteng was also not the South African Liquor would only drive up costs
Makhura, speaking at the looking at another ban on Brand Owners Association and the administrative
official handover of 55 high- liquor, but a review of the (SALBA), said his organisation burden on legal traders.
performance vehicles to regulations governing its would not oppose the Most illicit traders, however,
the South African Police sale, and the tightening amendment of legislation, would continue business as
Service, and Winde, during of these to curb crime. but felt that legislation was usual and not introduce it.
his budget speech, said that not the root cause of alcohol
liquor was one of the main This was not the first time abuse in South Africa. “The few illicit traders who
contributing factors to crime that government was do follow this new proposed
in their respective provinces. considering the use of “SALBA has been rule would probably enjoy
further legislation to part of discussions and increased margins, as most
Both provinces, like many address South Africa’s negotiations [around] the of them pocket their taxes
others in the country, also liquor-related problems. Liquor Amendment Bill. Our instead of paying them over.”
saw a drastic decline in the
number of people reporting Another suggestion
to emergency units over the mooted by government in
festive season, following the 2016 was to increase the
liquor sales ban in December. drinking age to 21 years.
Winde acknowledged that
a total ban on liquor sales, Moore said that the
as during the COVID-19 biggest reason for this
lockdown, was unsustainable, drive was the abuse of
as it led to significant job alcohol by the youth.
and income losses, which
ultimately fed crime in “We need a combined
communities. The Western response from government
and civil society to address
underage drinking,” he
added. – Glenneis Kriel

‘ASF prevention needs broader awareness’

A greater focus is needed on small- keep pigs in their backyards to provide “We therefore need far greater
scale and backyard pig farmers to a source of protein or a small income awareness of this disease.”
curb the spread of African swine fever from selling the meat. Without the
(ASF) and maintain food security. pigs, they have little means to provide She noted that since 2012, widespread
This was according to Dr Nadine sufficient food for their families.” outbreaks had occurred outside of the
Jordaan, a veterinarian at the controlled areas in nearly all provinces.
Gauteng Department of Agriculture She said the greater conversation “This is very worrying, as biosecurity
and Rural Development. around curbing ASF needed to include and farmer vigilance are the only way
these small-scale and backyard to control outbreaks. We don’t have
Speaking at Hollard’s National Animal farmers as well, if the disease was an effective vaccine [against] ASF.”
Health Forum workshop, Jordaan said to be prevented from spreading and
small-scale farmers did not have the decimating the industry in South Africa. Since ASF had a high mortality
financial means to invest in biosecurity. rate, it had a devastating effect on
“People are moving sick pigs. They the industry. Jordaan said that in
“These farmers don’t have access to either don’t know they are sick, or addition to the income lost from
vets either, as there are too few state they have fake health declarations and dying pigs, genetics were lost.
vets to get around to all the farmers. lie about the health of their herd.
“The cost of repopulating a herd and
“This not only puts the national herd “ASF isn’t spread only by pigs; rebuilding good genetics is so high that
at risk if there is an ASF outbreak, but it can be brought onto a farm by few operations go back into business
drastically impacts food security in vehicles or people who have come again. This means job losses, [with] far-
those communities. Many families into contact with infected pigs. reaching consequences.” – Lindi Botha

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 23

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

Namibian grain farmers asked to register plantings

All new and current white maize and The Namibian Agronomic Board has reminded all producers of white maize
pearl millet producers in Namibia and pearl millet in that country to register with the board in order to facilitate
are being reminded to register with the marketing process of these commodities. FW ARCHIVE
the Namibian Agronomic Board
(NAB) before the end of May. season, and the marketing time frame. the Kavango River, among others.
“In terms of the grain marketing rules, The dryland production areas
In terms of the country’s Agronomic registered millers and silos are allowed included the maize triangle in
Industry Act No. 20 of 1992, all to buy white maize and [pearl millet] northern Namibia, the Zambezi
producers of controlled agronomic and only from farmers registered with the region, and the eastern production
horticultural crops in Namibia were NAB. Unregistered farmers will not be area in the Summerdown region.
legally obliged to register with the NAB. allowed to sell their grain to registered
millers and silos,” Molonda said. Pearl millet, a dryland subsistence
“The NAB facilitates the marketing cereal crop, was the major staple food for
of white maize and [pearl millet], In Namibia, white maize was produced over 50% of the Namibian population.
and it is therefore vital that we exclusively for human consumption It was produced in the Zambezi region
keep a register of producers. and was planted under both dryland as well as Kavango East, Kavango
conditions and under irrigation. West, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana,
“This enables us to allocate Irrigated areas include the Hardap Oshikoto, and parts of the Otjozondjupa
specific producers to specific Irrigation Scheme and the area along region, the NAB said. – Annelie Coleman
millers,” Gilbert Molonda, NAB
general manager for agronomy and
horticulture, told Farmer’s Weekly.

The annual demand for white maize
in that country was about 115 000t and
the demand for pearl millet was about
5 000t. In 2019/2020, 61 000t of white
maize and 3 000t of pearl millet were
produced in Namibia. The shortfall of
white maize was imported from South
Africa, while the shortfall of pearl
millet was imported from India.

The Namibian agronomic industry
included about 2 500 white maize
producers and nearly 5 000 pearl millet
producers. Farmers were requested
to provide the NAB with proof of
identification, the estimated hectares
planted during the 2020/2021 planting
season, the quantity in tons or the
number of 50kg bags expected to be
harvested, the quantity expected to be
marketed during the 2021 marketing

Wool market strengthens at 22nd sale of the season

The wool market traded sustainable wool, and an the limited good-quality price of R199/ kg achieved
stronger during the 22nd overall sales clearance long-Merino fleeces on for a two-bale BKSH lot
sale of the season and of 92,6% was achieved, offer, with the short wool of 16,2 microns from the
closed 4,1% higher than the according to Cape Wools SA. categories trading softer. clip of PWB Uys of
previous sale at R165,76/kg. Wakkerstroom. This was
At the corresponding sale The major buyers at the also the highest overall
The smaller offering of in Australia, the market sale were Standard Wool SA price of the day. The buyer
7 510 bales consisted mainly also followed an upward (2 213 bales), Modiano SA was Standard Wool SA.
of non-Merino wool, with trend, increasing 3,1% on the (1 870), Lempriere SA (1 799)
the bulk of the offering previous sale, with all micron and Stucken & Co (515). OVK expected an
falling in the medium-length, categories ending higher. improvement on the market
fine- micron categories. According to OVK, its due to activities returning to
There was once again a very The South African sale largest increase of 6,9%, normal after the Chinese New
limited offering of certified also saw improved interest was in the 19,5-micron Year. – Roelof Bezuidenhout
and buyer demand for segment, with the highest
24 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

Saffron farming ‘not a get-rich-quick scheme’

Saffron production could potentially “An added bonus is that saffron underpinned by the fact that farmers find
offer the South African agriculture sector doesn’t need high inputs. A it exceedingly difficult to obtain funding
an exciting and profitable new option, minimum of fertiliser is needed, as and manage cash flow whilst remaining
but should not be seen by potential well as some fungicide,” he said. focused on long-term results,” he said.
growers as a get-rich-quick scheme.
Engelbrecht said that role players Corné Liebenberg, marketing
This was according to Bennie in the South African saffron industry, director at Laeveld Agrochem,
Engelbrecht, director and owner of including Saffricon partners Agri said saffron production was an
Saffricon (South African Saffron). All Africa and Laeveld Agrochem, ideal option for niche farming.
were in the process of forming a
In an interview with Farmer’s Weekly, saffron commodity organisation. The initial capital outlay was
Engelbrecht said that although saffron manageable, and relatively little
was the most expensive spice in the SAFFRON space was required. An area as
world and ideally suited to be produced PRODUCTION IS AN small as 250m² could accommodate
in South Africa’s climatic conditions, IDEAL OPTION FOR 15 000 corms (bulbs), he said.
prospective producers would be well NICHE FARMING, AS
advised to start small and allow their RELATIVELY LITTLE According to a statement issued by
businesses to develop gradually. SPACE IS REQUIRED Saffricon, Engelbrecht will operate
FOR PLANTING an outgrower system for prospective
“I’m concerned that social media farmers based on three-year contracts.
platforms are flooded with skewed This organisation would manage
information about growing saffron and regulate the budding saffron “We supply the farmers with our
and unrealistic assumptions industry as far as possible. saffron corms, which they then
about its profitability,” he said. plant and cultivate before harvesting
Dirk Hanekom, CEO of Agri All the saffron threads and selling the
To address any misconceptions that Africa, emphasised the necessity of annual crop back to us,” he said.
might have been created, Saffricon partnership models and co-operative
recently launched a starter pack to platforms that would optimise the Engelbrecht explained in the statement
enable prospective growers to test potential for both small outgrower that under favourable conditions the
whether or not the area they lived in farmers and commercial producers. corms multiplied underground, on
was suited to saffron production. average, about three times per year.
“The challenges facing saffron
According to Engelbrecht, saffron production are manifold, and they are “The corms are sold back to Saffricon
production did not call for large tracts of after year three, hence farmers’ take-up
land, and an area of about 5ha planted is guaranteed, and they have a double-
to the spice could be considered a income potential: from the annual saffron
large, commercial farming concern. harvest, as well as from the multiplied
corms,” he said. – Annelie Coleman

Free State heifer project brings hope for the future

Farmers from all corners “This means that all of the “We are extremely thankful organised agriculture
of South Africa have so cattle lost [can] be replaced.” for the good rain that the structures, cattle breeders’
far donated 323 beef cattle fire-ravaged areas received societies and individuals
heifers to the victims of According to Liebenberg, from the second quarter who took part in the project.
the devastating veld fires it was impossible to put the of last year and so far in
that destroyed 100 000ha gratitude of the fire-stricken 2021,” Liebenberg said. The Afrikaner Cattle
in Hertzogville and farmers into words. Breeders’ Society of
Boshof in October 2020. “This, coupled with the South Africa was one of
He said the donated donated heifers, generated the breeders’ societies
Chris Liebenberg, local heifers symbolised hope optimism that bodes well for that actively participated
overall co-ordinator of the for the future and were a the victims of the inferno.” in the project.
‘Sponsor a Heifer’ project, tangible manifestation of the
told Farmer’s Weekly that integrity of South Africans. Gys Olivier, chairperson of Dr Pieter de Kock, president
335 head of cattle had Agri Hertzogville, agreed, of the society, said the project
succumbed to the fires. The coordinating team saying that the support, underpinned the fact that
created a specific formula generosity and kindness South African farmers stood
“We’ve been promised for the distribution of the following the disaster together to alleviate the
additional cattle from donated heifers. For a bull that would go a long way to plight of their colleagues in
Ventersdorp and Hoopstad was lost, three heifers were alleviate its enormity. need, and was testimony
as well,” he said. “We expect apportioned, while a lost cow to the goodwill and the
the promised cattle within was replaced by two heifers. He expressed heartfelt solidarity between farmers.
the next [couple of] weeks. For every three weaners lost, appreciation to all the – Annelie Coleman
two heifers were donated. drought aid organisations,
12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 25

GLOBAL FARMING

amHfofiewncimtthsuefamlramtweesartgse

The increase of 16,1% in the farmworker minimum wage means that of workers on minimum
that farmers may have to decrease the number of labourers wages in other sectors.
on their farms. Farmers able to do so will also increasingly
turn to mechanisation, leading to job losses, particularly in Farmworkers are frequently the
labour-intensive subsectors, says Dr Koos Coetzee. victims of unscrupulous businesses
that sell them products they cannot
South Africa’s 40 000-plus It also differs in the sense that it is afford and then, when they struggle
commercial farmers employed restricted and regulated by a plethora to pay, add extra financial charges
808 000 workers in the third of rules and regulations. Various laws to the contracts. There are courses
available to educate workers in proper
quarter of 2020, down 8,2% on the same also make it very difficult for a farmer to household financial management, and
farmers who invest in these usually
quarter of 2019. Assuming a family reduce the number of workers. Even then, find that their employees are better
able to manage their finances.
size of four (a conservative estimate), workers and their families may have a
the eFFeCt OF hIGher WaGes
farmers provide homes and livelihoods right to specific housing on the farm. Eskom recently announced that
electricity tariffs would go up by
for more than 3,2 million people. All of this makes mechanisation almost 16% this year. Combined
with the increase in the farmworker
Wages and salaries amounted to an a highly attractive option. wage, this means that many farmers
will not be able to afford the extra
estimated R20,46 billion in 2019/2020, sOCIaL PersPeCtIve costs and will have to increase the
about 5,6% of total direct expenditure. productivity of their workers.

In intensive sectors such as the According to Statistics South Africa, the Labour productivity can be increased
by adding capital equipment. A rough
nut, fruit and wine industries, average South African needs R585/ month calculation shows that at the previous
minimum wage, a farmer could spend
labour is critically important and to meet the minimum energy level up to R250 000 on capital equipment
to replace one farmworker. After the
can account for as much as 30% for food. The poverty level for food increase, a farmer would be able to spend
nearly R300 000 to replace one worker.
of the total cost of production. and other expenses varies between
Larger commercial farmers who
South Africa’s farming sector has R840/month and R1 286/month. can afford to do so will continue to
mechanise and decrease the number
weathered one of the worst droughts THE OVER- of workers. Smaller commercial and
in history. While there still are some REGULATED LABOUR emerging farmers will not be able
drought-stricken areas, the rest of ENVIRONMENT to mechanise to the same extent. In
the country has had good rainfall. STOPS FARMERS many cases, they may stop labour-
FROM EMPLOYING intensive farming enterprises. The new
The COVID-19 pandemic had little UNSKILLED WORKERS minimum wage will have the opposite
effect on most agricultural industries. effect to the goal of growing jobs in
Consumer demand for agricultural agriculture. The over-regulated labour
products actually increased during environment prevents farmers from
the lockdown. Farmers need the employing young, unskilled workers.
Dr Koos Coetzee is an independent
current good crops and higher prices agricultural economist. Email him at
[email protected].
to enable them to manage the debt A four-member farmworker family Subject line: Global farming. FW

accrued during the drought. will thus need R2 340/month to pay

In agriculture, the terms of trade (the for food and at least R3 360/month to

ratio between the prices that farmers are cover minimum living costs. Given

paid for their products and the prices of the minimum wage of R867,60/ week

their inputs) are weakening. This cost- or R3 800/month, it is clear that even

price squeeze forces farmers to increase after the 16% increase, the minimum

farming efficiency to remain in business. wage barely covers living costs.

Farm labour differs from other farming However, farmworkers’ circumstances

requisites in that a farmer’s decision differ from those of workers in other

to employ more or fewer workers has sectors as they generally receive free

major social implications. Farmers, housing and free or subsidised electricity

more often than not, therefore tend and other benefits such as transport.

to employ more workers than they This means that their situation

actually need at any given time. is probably slightly better than

26 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

is now trading as

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as AECI Plant Health. We are still focused on what matters most to growers by
understanding their need and ambitions.
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FEATURE Sweet Thorn Control

A strategy for bush
encroachment control

When sweet thorn competes with grazing plants for light and water, it starts to suppress grass
production. It is therefore important to implement control measures to manage this encroachment.

Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent agricultural consultant, discusses some of the
factors that should inform a farmer’s bush encroachment management strategy.

FAST FACTS In a previous article on the encroachment of into the livestock production system, the
sweet thorn (Vachellia karroo) in the Eastern combined grass and shrub grazing capacity starts
The cost of bush Cape (see FW, 31 July 2020), it was stated that decreasing at bush densities above 1 320 TE/ha.
control is much the encroachment of sweet thorn and other
lower than the bush species is adversely affecting the production tree deNsIty aNd raINFaLL
value of land, potential of large tracts of rangelands in the In a later study, it was determined that the
so it makes Eastern Cape, reducing the profitability and ratio between tree density of sweet thorn
economic sense. sustainability of livestock production. The article and rainfall can be used as a threshold factor
When maximum concluded that if bush encroachment continued to determine when to reduce trees. At a
grass production unchecked, the damage might become irreversible. ratio of over 8,23 TE/ha/ mm annual rainfall,
is required for grass production is affected, and a reduction
grazers such as Sweet thorn competes with grazing plants of tree numbers should be considered to
cattle and sheep, for light and water, and starts to suppress maintain optimal grass production levels.
sweet thorn can grass production at a density above 300
be thinned more tree equivalents (TE) per hectare. Control of sweet thorn is most beneficial
aggressively. in terms of increased grass production in
If goats are kept, One TE is equal to a tree with a height of areas of the Eastern Cape with a mean
the farmer should 1,5m. The availability of grass for grazers such annual rainfall of less than 600mm, while
retain the smaller as cattle and sheep is therefore negatively it is less beneficial in the sub-humid areas
plants that affected at bush densities above 300 TE/ha. with a mean annual rainfall in excess of
are within the 600mm. However, sweet thorn can become
browsing range According to research conducted in the 1980s,
of the animals. when browsers such as goats are incorporated 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

28 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021

SUPPLIED

so dense and impenetrable in sub-humid scientific manner, however; it is certainly
areas that control becomes necessary to allow
grazing animals access to these thickets. not a case of obtaining a herbicide and

Research shows that there is a positive killing the bush at random. The process DR LOUIS DU PISANI
relationship between sweet thorn and grass’s requires the assistance of a knowledgeable
crude protein content, with the presence of
sweet thorn enhancing the grazing quality of consultant who can devise a range of
the grass sward. The total removal of sweet
thorn from the system is thus expected to have optimal control strategies and techniques for AbOVe:
a negative impact on animal production. a specific problem and with specific goals in mind. After implementing a bush
control programme, the
AFTER COMPLETING THE What tO CONsIder farmer will have to maintain
CONTROL PROGRAMME, The first step in the control process is to the veld by following the
USE OPTIMAL GRAZING decide whether thinning out of the sweet correct grazing strategies.
PRACTICES AND SPRAY thorn stand is desirable, to what extent the In some cases, restoration
NEW TREE SEEDLINGS trees should be thinned out, and which areas of the veld may require
of the farm should be given priority. further intervention such as
Three basic control methods are available: sowing seeds to re-establish
fire, mechanical control with rollers and Four factors need to be taken into account here: certain grass species.
earthmoving equipment, and chemical control
with herbicides, also known as aboricides. • The current density of the stand in TE/ha; OppOsite pAge:
• The livestock that are farmed on the Sweet thorn (Vachellia
Up until about 30 years ago, when land in property. Do you run cattle, sheep, goats or karroo) competes with
South Africa was still relatively cheap, the cost wildlife, or a combination of these (grazers grazing plants for light
of bush control was higher than the value of versus browsers)? This will determine to what and water, and begins
the land, so it was cheaper to buy more land. extent the thinning out should be done; its suppression of grass
Today, the cost of control is significantly lower • The ecological sensitivity of the production at density levels
than the value of land, so it makes economic area that requires control; above 300 tree equivalents
sense to carry out bush control. This, of course, • The age and size distribution per hectare. One tree
is in addition to the improved carrying capacity of the sweet thorn stand. equivalent is equal to a
and livestock production per hectare of veld. tree with a height of 1,5m.

Of the various control measures, the most cost- PHOTOS: DR LOUIS DU PISANI
effective is herbicide. This has to be tackled in a
For example, where maximum grass

production is required for grazers such as cattle

and sheep, you should thin the sweet thorn to

about 300 TE/ha, and retain some of the larger

trees for shade and to suppress subsequent

generations of sweet thorn seedlings. In contrast,

if you keep goats, retain the smaller plants

that are still within the browsing range of the

animals and thin them to about 1 320 TE/ha.

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 29

FEATURE Sweet Thorn Control

AbOVe: ChemICaL CONtrOL clumps of plants by means of foliar sprays,
Incorrect grazing The next step is to decide on a herbicide. This or cut stump and basal bark applications.
practices can exacerbate means considering the following: the active
bush encroachment and ingredient/s that will deliver the required Broadcast applications are the least selective,
the degradation of veld. results; the concentration and application rates; while cut stump and basal bark applications
After completing a bush the delivery form (granules, wettable powder can be administered very specifically, targeting
encroachment control or liquid); and the application method. specific bush species and individual plants.
programme, farmers
should follow optimal Two broad groups of herbicide are used to The application rates of soil formulations
grazing strategies; control bush encroachment in rangeland. The vary primarily according to soil clay content,
otherwise the trees, such first is applied on the soil surface, and then organic matter content, and soil acidity (pH).
as sweet thorn, will start absorbed by the roots after they have dissolved
to encroach again. in rainwater. The second is administered The third step in the control plan is to decide
directly onto the plant and absorbed either by on the best time for application. For example,
FW ARCHIVE the leaves and/or other above-ground parts when foliar applications are considered, the
(cut stumps or basal bark applications). plants being treated need to be in a positive water
balance and actively photosynthesising at the
FOR CATTLE AND time of spraying, otherwise the herbicide will
SHEEP, THIN THE not be absorbed into the plant via the stomata.
SWEET THORN BUT KEEP Or, when using a soil application that needs to
SOME LARGER TREES dissolve in rainwater, it should preferably be
FOR SHADE administered before the onset of the rainy season.

Soil-applied formulations come in the form Finally, the workers who conduct the
of granules, wettable powders and liquids. application of the herbicide should be well
Granules can be applied by hand, fixed-wing trained and work under the supervision of a
aircraft, helicopters and vehicle-mounted knowledgeable person. The instructions on the
spreaders. Wettable powders and liquids are product leaflet should be followed at all times.
mixed with water and applied either on the
soil surface adjacent to the stem of the plant ONGOING mONItOrING aNd maNaGemeNt
or directly onto the plants, with or without Bush encroachment is caused by a number of factors,
a surfactant (a substance that reduces the including poor grazing practices. It therefore makes
mixture’s surface tension and thus enables it to sense to follow optimal grazing strategies after
spread and wet the surface more effectively). completing the control programme; otherwise, the
The solution can either be broadcast over large trees will start to encroach again prematurely.
areas or administered selectively on individual
In encroached areas, especially where there are
30 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 thick stands of sweet thorn, relatively few seeds
of the preferred grass species will be found. In
this case, it is better to introduce seed. Take care,
however, if the trees are controlled with a long-
acting herbicide, as it may kill grass seedlings
if they are introduced too soon after spraying.

Due to climate change and global warming,
encroachment will inevitably recur. Monitor
the veld to control tree seedlings while
they are still young, as they are far more
vulnerable to control at this stage and require
relatively small low quantities of herbicide.
• Sources: Danckwerts, JE. 1981. ‘A technique
to assess the grazing capacity of sweetveld with
particular reference to the False Thornveld areas of the
Ciskei’. Natal University; De Ridder, CH. 2015. ‘The
effect of Acacia karroo tree density on grass species
composition, forage yield and quality in different
rainfall regimes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa’.
Nelson Mandela University; Stuart-Hill, GC. 1987.
‘Refinement of a model describing production, animal
production and profitability as a function of bush
density in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape’.
Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.
Dr Louis du Pisani is an independent
agricultural consultant, and was commissioned
by Corteva Agriscience to write this article.
Phone him on 082 773 9778. FW

110 YEARS ON THE LAND



FEATURE Agri-processing

A proven recipe for
a successful family
agri-processing business

FAST FACTS When Ina Lessing started her home-made
jams and preserves business 25 years ago,
Ina Lessing Jams she had no idea that she would one day
and Preserves was be supplying outlets across South Africa.
started 25 years Yvonne Fontyn reports.
ago to support the
farming business There is no fruit on this earth that is safe
with an additional from Ina Lessing. The energetic 65-year-
income stream. old has a passion for preserving and
The range has bottling, and will capture anything
grown to include in glass, from marulas and makataan (wild
jams, preserves, watermelon) to quinces, chillies and mangoes. Her
balsamic vinegar, interest in cooking has led her to own and manage
syrups, mustards, a large business that makes and distributes her
chutneys, pickles, distinctive Ina Lessing range of jams, preserves,
jellies, biscuits balsamic vinegar, syrups, mustards, chutneys,
and rusks. pickles, jellies, biscuits and rusks to dozens of
Much of the outlets in Limpopo, Gauteng, the Cape provinces,
produce comes KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Ina Lessing
from farmers Jams and Preserves is a testament to the power
around Modimolle of innovation and the bonds of family. The
in Limpopo, but business is run from Lusthof, the family farm
the business also on the outskirts of Modimolle in Limpopo that
uses fruit from as belongs to Lessing and her husband, Danie. Her
far afield as the daughters Nicolet and Jana Lessing and Ané van
Robertson Valley in der Walt, and her son Natan Lessing and daughter-
the Western Cape. in-law Neriché, are all involved in the operation.

32 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 The small premises at Lusthof are used to
their full extent, with baking taking place in one
section, fruit cooking in huge pots in another,
sorting in the courtyard, and bottling in a spacious
new warehouse that has just been completed.

On the day that Farmer’s Weekly visited the
farm, everyone was cooking and bottling fat
cling peaches, and in the kitchen, three staff
members were stirring the big pots. Lessing’s
granddaughter, Romien, on holiday from school,
joined in to help Belinda Zuzumbe at the gas stove.

Lessing says that all her children are “intensely
interested” in the business, and it is their
dedication that is part of the secret to its success.
“Danie is our main pillar of strength,” she adds.

a BuddING BusINess
It was 25 years ago that she first thought of the
idea of making fruit jams and preserves for sale.

“We started under an afdak [lean-to] with two
pots,” she recalls. “Then we moved to a small

110 YEARS ON THE LAND

room, and then we built a small building and a

storeroom when the orders became too big.”
At that stage, they supplied jams and preserves

to the nearby Tzaneen and Lowveld areas.

It was a time of drought, and Lessing Gweru
was working as a domestic science teacher

while Danie was farming ostriches.
“There were problems with the ostrich

operation, and Danie started helping

me source and transport the fruit for

the preserving business,” she says.

The produce that goes into the Ina Lessing Bulawayo
range comes from the farmers around Modimolle,

which is set in the beautiful Waterberg area.

But the Lessings have also travelled to the far

corners of South Africa to find the best fruit.

In their search for quinces, the couple decided
to visit the Western Cape, and so started an

annual seven-week pilgrimage to a farm in

the Robertson Valley, where they process AbOVe:
Jimmy Matlala is one of
laaprpgleesq,uaapnrtiictoietss,ogfoforsueibt efrrForramiencsti,shtpoelwuanmresa,.pWeaitchhes the staff members at the
business‘s Centurion depot,
and fwighsa, tthLeeyssainregscpaollislt“f’onrTvocenhrosotkairciek.like organisasie” (a where packaging and
In distribution takes place.

terrible amount of organising), the entire operation

is uprooted annually for their trek down south. leFt:
“We buy bus tickets for all the workers, and put Ina Lessing in her kitchen at
Lusthof farm in Modimolle.
them on the taxi to Pretoria so they can catch the
bus to Worcester. There we fetch them and take belOW:
them to the farm, which is near Robertson.” Natan Lessing is a
manager in the business
The Lessings stay in the farm guest house. “It’s Beitbridge and is in the process of
near the storeroom, where we work. While we are
away inStehroewCeape, the children carry on at Lusthof, Musina taking over production
because it’s mango, marula and makataan time.” management along with
his sister, Nicolet Lessing.
Despite the cost and upheaval, preparing and
bottling the proPdaulacpeyeat source works out more Alldays TshipisOe ppOsite pAge:
profitably and results in a better product. Sarina Setlhare, who has
worked at Ina Lessing
sPeed BumPs ON the Way tO suCCess Jams and Preserves for
Inevitably, there have been mishaps over the years. 15 yTehaorhso,yisanindocuharge
For example, they once bought a load of what they Vivo LevubPouHfOfTrOuSit: selection.
Louis Trichardt
YVONNE FONTYN

thought were makataan, the wild watermelons Dendron Morebeng Giyani
that make a delicious, crispy preserve when Polokwane Phalaborwa
bottled in syrup, but it turned out to be karkoer, a Duiwelskloof
type of wild melon totally unsuited to bottling. Tzaneen

Lessing also experimented wiLtehphdarlaalegon Haenertsburg
fruit. However, at R600 per crate, this wasn’t
a viable proposition. “That’s very expensive.
I also wasn’t that impressed with the end

product for making jam,” she says. Ofcalaco Mica
Sometimes, ventures that appear
Vaalwater Mokopane Lebowakgomo Trichardtsdal Hoedspruit
exciting at the outset are Zebediela
simply not worth pursuing, Penge

and part of being a successful Mookgophong

e businessperson is knowing in Thabazimbi Roedtan

good time which those are. Modimolle Ohrigstad

Another venture that Bela-Bela Pilgrim’s Rest Graskop
did not pan out involved a Hazyview
marula project for aNcolritehnamt in Marble Hall Skukuz
the hospitality industry. Rust de Winter Kiepersol
Groblersdal Lydenburg Sabie
Roossenekal

Sun City Temba 12 MARCH 20B2ro1ndafalrmer’sweeWklyhite33River
Dullstroom Komatip
Mbombela Malela

FEATURE Agri-processing

figs are an especially problematic fruit as they
are difficult to transport over long distances.
However, Danie has put his expertise to work
and designed specialised shelves for the
refrigerated truck. The shelves separate the figs
from each other so they do not spoil en route.

Most people would be daunted, if not
defeated, by the arrival of a huge truckload
of figs, but Lessing says this is what makes
her “tick”. She believes that enjoying work
is key to staying the course. The same goes
for her staff, who number approximately
20 at a time, depending on the season.
“Those who enjoy it, stay,” she says.

‘COVID-19 HAD A
MAJOR IMPACT ON
OUR PRODUCTION,
AS WE SUPPLY A LOT
OF PRODUCT TO
FARM STALLS AND
TOURISM BUSINESSES’

As it is hot and stuffy in the kitchen, and even in
the outdoor sorting area, not everyone is willing
to work under such conditions. But Lessing
says that her employees are motivated and love
the work. She points out Sarina Setlhare, who
has been working on and off for the company,
selecting and sorting the best fruit, for 15 years.

Lessing says that another aspect of her success is
that she is hands-on in the whole operation, from
the kitchen to the sorting area, bottling and packing.

During the hard lockdown, they had to find
ways to keep operating, and the business took a
serious dip, as did many others in South Africa.

“The workers stayed here on the premises, so
they could walk just a few paces to work. We
provided three meals a day,” says Lessing.

tOp: “Before the lockdown, in February last year, there haNdING Over
From left: Centurion staff was much interest in marulas for the international She is confident that as she and Danie near
market,” says Lessing. “We started making some retirement age, they can hand the operation
member Susan Matlou juice with the wild fruit, which grows in the area, over to the children. Natan’s wife, Neriché, is in
with Ané van der Walt, as well as preserves and chutney made with the charge of the farm bakery; Nicolet, an auditor,
manager of the Centurion marula peels. But the project never saw the light of is taking over production, along with Natan;
depot, and her son, DP. day due to the lockdown. COVID-19 had a major Jana, an accountant, handles all the finances;
impact on tourism, which had a big influence and Ané manages the Centurion depot.
AbOVe: on our operation, as we supply a lot of our
Belinda Zuzumbe (left) products to farm stalls and tourism businesses.” All the Lessing siblings have invaluable business
skills to bring to the enterprise, but they can also be
cooking fruit used in But it is clearly not in her nature to stay found doing the hands-on work, such as bottling.
the wide range of Ina knocked down for long. She is excited that they
Lessing jams, preserves are implementing a new method for sourcing “The children know the business and have
and other condiments. figs this year. From Lessing’s point of view, 100% integrity, trust and loyalty,” says Lessing.
“This is what makes it successful, and it
With her is Lessing‘s helps Danie and me to know we can one day
granddaughter, Romien. hand over with complete peace of mind.”
Phone Ané van der Walt on 072 236 2328, or Ina
34 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 Lessing on 072 804 6330. Visit inalessing.co.za. FW

110 YEARS ON THE LAND

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LIVESTOCK Cattle Breeds

KNOW YOUR
CATTLE TYPES

AbOVe: Bos indicus, B. taurus or Sanga cattle: which do you choose? Dr Michiel Scholtz and
Indigenous South African Prof Japie van der Westhuizen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about these breeds.
There are over 1 000 cattle breeds in the
cattle breeds have world today, with more than 30 beef and Shorthorn; European breeds such as
developed to be able breeds registered in South Africa. These Simmentaler, Charolais, Braunvieh, Limousin and
to withstand the harsh Pinzgauer; and Japanese breeds such as Wagyu.
environmental conditions
associated with Africa. can be divided into three subtypes, B. indicus is the collective name for humped
The Nguni, for example,
can maintain a high level or a mixture thereof: Bos taurus, B. indicus and cattle, such as the Brahman, which originated in
of blood urea when
the nitrogen content B. taurus africanus, also known as Sanga cattle. South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan.
of pasture drops. As a
result, it does not require B. taurus cattle, which do not have humps, According to Dr Michiel Scholtz, specialist
additional urea to maintain
its condition in winter. originated mainly in Eurasia, in areas with high researcher at the Animal Production Institute

PHOTO: GLENNEIS KRIEL rainfall and low temperatures. They include of the Agricultural Research Council, the Sanga

British breeds such as Angus, Hereford, Sussex appears to have emerged from East Africa

36 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

and meat quality of the different types SUPPLIED

of cattle, with Dr Jan Bonsma, who

developed the Bonsmara breed, doing

groundbreaking work in South Africa at

the Mara Research Station in the 1930s.

“By recording body temperatures and

respiratory rates, and taking performance

data such as weight gain and linear

body measurements into account,

Bonsma and his team helped us better

understand the impact of heat stress on

production, particularly when it comes to DR MICHIEL SCHOLTZ
breeds of British and European origin,”

says Prof Japie van der Westhuizen,

general manager of SA Studbook.

Most of the locally produced British SUPPLIED

and European breeds have since

adapted to South Africa’s environmental

conditions, thanks to strategic selection.

“Over time, farmers here have selected

for shorter hair, animals that can walk

farther and animals that are less affected

by heat stress. The problem of eye cancer

in Herefords, for instance, has been

addressed through strong selection

for eyelid pigmentation,” he says. PROF JAPIE VAN
Breeds with a Sanga or B. indicus DER WESTHUIZEN

heritage are nevertheless generally

considered more resilient than their

European and British cousins.

Van der Westhuizen explains that, FAST FACTS
according to literature, B. indicus breeds have
shorter digestive systems, allowing them to Bos indicus and
make better use of poorer-quality veld, such Sanga breeds are
as sourveld, by coping with the heat generated less vulnerable
to heat stress.

during digestion and the lower palatability. B. indicus and
They also have various mechanisms, such as Sanga are able to
short coats, loose skin and more efficient sweat use lower-quality
forage efficiently.

and crossed with B. indicus and B. taurus glands, that enable them to cope well with high B. taurus cattle
cattle as these migrated into Africa. air temperatures. In addition, they are generally are faster growers
more resistant to parasites, such as ticks. and produce
Indigenous South African cattle, such larger carcasses.
as the Afrikaner and Nguni are therefore While the genetic make-up of the South African
classified as B. taurus africanus.
Sanga breeds is closer to that of B. taurus, these
“These breeds do not have B. indicus
blood, because B. indicus breeds are highly animals exhibit many of the unique traits,
susceptible to tsetse fly [bites], resulting in their
elimination as they moved down south [from such as loose skin, a short coat and improved
their origins]. The Boran, which originated
in East Africa, does, however, have both metabolism, that are associated with the resilience
B. indicus and B. taurus blood,” says Scholtz.
and adaptability of the B. indicus breeds. Van der
In the search for more efficient cattle,
composite breeds, including the Bonsmara Westhuizen ascribes this to their being subjected
(Afrikaner x Hereford and Shorthorn), Brangus
(Brahman x Angus) and Beefmaster (Brahman to thousands of years of natural selection under
x Hereford and Milking Shorthorn).
the harsh conditions associated with Africa,
resILIeNCe aNd adaPtaBILIty
Over the years, much research has been conducted resulting in the survival of only the fittest.
to evaluate the adaptability, production efficiency
PrOduCtION
The drawback of Sanga and B. indicus, in terms of
market requirements, is that they are generally
smaller than B. taurus, which is one reason they
have faster metabolic rates and can therefore
thrive better under suboptimal conditions.

For the same reason, they also have slower
growth rates, reach sexual maturity at a later

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 37

LIVESTOCK Cattle Breeds

FrOM tOp: age, and produce smaller carcasses with lower So what does all this mean for a cattle farmer?
At the end of the day, a slaughter percentages than B. taurus breeds. Van der Westhuizen says it is much easier and
cheaper to farm an animal that is adapted to a
producer needs to run Besides this, B. indicus meat is generally farm’s specific production conditions than to
cattle that thrive in his leaner and tougher, and has a lower try to adapt the environment to the breed.
or her farm‘s particular intramuscular fat content than some of the
production environment. Sanga and B. taurus breeds. Van der Westhuizen Historically, pure B. taurus breeds developed
says that issues with meat quality can be under cooler conditions and where grass was
Thanks to strategic partially addressed through the selection generally more palatable, whereas B. indicus
selection, European cattle of animals with a calmer temperament. and Sanga breeds had to deal with conditions
that could be classified as subtropical, where
breeds have been bred Some argue that certain Sanga and B. indicus the nutritional sources could vary from
to adapt to South Africa‘s cattle are less vulnerable to predators as they low palatability, usually in regions with
environmental conditions. may be predisposed to a more aggressive nature. high rainfall and humidity, to areas prone
The problem of eye cancer However, this could also make them quite to regular droughts and sweeter veld.
in Herefords, for example, anxious, which is a problem in feedlots where
calm and ease of management are important. maNy tO ChOOse FrOm
has been addressed The wide range of breeds leaves farmers relatively
through selection for “Animals that are stressed and anxious spoilt for choice. Even so, it should be kept
eyelid pigmentation. before they’re slaughtered will yield tough in mind that there is a great deal of variance
meat,” says Van der Westhuizen. between animals of the same breed in terms of
adaptability, resilience, growth and productivity.
38 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021
If the market requires a heavier carcass, but
the environmental constraints at farm level are
taken into consideration, it may also make sense
to use the good properties of these breed types
in a well-designed crossbreeding programme.
To illustrate, small Nguni cows may be crossed
with a B. taurus bull to produce offspring that
grow faster and produce heavier carcasses.

Van der Westhuizen points out that farmers
may also address environmental constraints
through the strategic feeding of B. taurus cattle.

“New [plant] growth is highly palatable
for all cattle breeds. The palatability is
negatively affected only once the growth
is older and stalks becomes bulkier.”
Email Prof Japie van der Westhuizen at
[email protected], and Dr Michiel Scholtz
at [email protected]. FW

110 YEARS ON THE LAND

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LIVESTOCK Sheep

Northern Cape sheep
farmer’s lessons
from the drought

The devastating drought in the Northern Cape that lasted from 2018 to 2020 taught award-winning new sheep
farmer Etienne van Wyk many lessons about sustainable farming. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm,
Spes Bona, near Marydale.
Etienne van Wyk, a Grootfontein
FAST FACTS Agricultural College alumnus, lives on the farm time to recuperate fully, as it takes
Spes Bona farm with his wife Merchell between three and four growth seasons for
The multi-year and daughter Thaniell. He received drought-ravaged veld to regain its full potential.
drought in the
Northern Cape Spes Bona, which means ‘good hope’,

has taught farmer the 3 800ha farm, which is near Marydale in consists mainly of sandy and loam soils, and
Etienne van Wyk
valuable lessons the Northern Cape, in 2015 from the state on the grazing is dominated by bushman grass
about how to a long-term lease, with the option to buy after (Stipagrostis sabulicola), but also includes, among

mitigate the 30 years. He initially ran a successful business, others, African sheep bush (Pentzia incana) and
effects of drought but the extremely challenging drought put his wild rosemary (Eriocephalus paniculatus).
in future.
farming enterprise under severe pressure. While the average annual rainfall for
Livestock “These years taught me a valuable lesson, the region fluctuates between 150mm and
improvement 200mm, Van Wyk received only 50mm in
and a reduced which is to do all I can and to think outside the
stocking rate
form the basis of box for my business to remain sustainable. The 2018, 30mm in 2019 and 40mm in 2020. The
a sustainable and conclusion I reached was to start expanding official carrying capacity is 1ha/SSU.

profitable concern. vertically, since my business is now in a

Stud breeding growth phase following the good rain we’ve FINaNCIaL erOsION

is a crucial tool received so far this summer,” he explains. The drought has eroded all his savings and
for optimal value
adding on farm Van Wyk started off with a flock of 500 sheep, resulted in a bank overdraft, says Van Wyk.
level, which is why but since 2018 he has been forced to reduce the “During the first year of the drought, I

Van Wyk plans to flock to 300. His plan now is to increase this decided not to reduce the size of the flock, but
expand into stud over the next couple of breeding seasons to 400. to rather feed the animals, never expecting
breeding in future.
He decided on a lower stocking rate to allow the drought to last so long. I eventually had

right: 110 YEARS ON THE LAND
The grazing on
Spes Bona is dominated
by bushman grass, which
is highly resistant to
drought. The seeds retain
their viability for years,
even after exposure to
extreme temperatures.

PHOTOS: ANNELIE COLEMAN

40 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021

Terra Firma Tosca Mahi
Vorstershoop

Setlagole

Twee Rivieren

Stella

Rietfontein

Vryburg Migdol

Bokspits

Hotazel Amalia Schwe

Noenieput Kuruman Taung

no choice but to cut numbers. One of the lamb productioDnibiesngpractised. Crossbreeding ReiviloAbOVe leFt: Bloem
valuable lessons the drought taught me is that fat-tailed sheep with breeds such as the White Etienne vMHaenarrWctshwyekallt((efrrriognhtt)), Christiana
if it doesn’t rain sufficiently by March of any Dorper results in exSicsehellnent fat distribution. his wife
year, I have to start culling. But not only the and daughter Thaniell
poor performers and old animals; I now select on theiJrafnarKmemSppdeosrp
ruthlessly and keep only the best of the best.” vaLue addING Bona near Marydale.

Purebred White Dorper and Van Rooy rams are Van Wyk says the drought alsDoatnaiëulsgkhuitl Warrenton
used on crossbred ewes on Spes Bona. Van Wyk him the importance of adding value on all
says the two breeds’ hybridUpviniggtoounr makes them possible levelsPionsthmiassbfaurrgming concern. AbOVe: fraercmeivined20aW15indsorton
superbly suited to the Northern CLaopuiesv’saleextensive Van Wyk
farmAuignrgabcieosnditions. The WKheiimteoDesorper Delportsh3oo8p00ha
adds value throuKgahkaimtsasexcellent meat from the state on a long-
quality, top fertility and reproduction Groblershoop “This is of particular importance when term lease, wiBthartkhlyeWopetsiton Bosho
rates, rapid weight gain and farming a relatively small area. I couldn’t to buy after 30 years. De
outstanding carcass quality. belOW:Kimberley
continue in the same way I did before Van Wyk cut his Van Rooy Pet
The Van Rooy excels in tough tthaekdertohuegshtutGdarnibedkrwetaehsdetaridnefgorroeudCteeacm. iIpdtbecedollsttos x White Dorper flock
from 50Ri0tcahineimals to 300
virtually the same to rear a stud because oJfatchoebsddraolught
animal as it does a commerciDaoluglas

animal, but the return on between 2018 and 2020.

farming conditions because of Marydale Niekerkshoinopvestment for a stud animal Koffiefontein
the breed’s hardiness and good is considerably higher.” Kalkfo
mothering instincts. Van Rooy Climate change is a reality and

ewes are in high demand increasing temperatures a Hgoivpeetno,wn

in extensive regions where Prieskahe says. Producers will therefore Luckhoff Fauresmith
crossbreeding aimed at slaughter have to take heed of the impact of

Strydenburg

Petrusville Vanderkoof Dam

Philip

Vanwyksvlei

Vosburg Britstown Philipstown Gariep
De Aar Gariep
Colesberg

oeriesfontein Carnarvon

ville Hanover
Calvinia
Noupoort

Williston S

Victoria West Richmond
Hutchinson
Loxton Middelburg Rosmead

Fraserburg Three Sisters Murraysburg
Beaufort West
Graaff-Reinet Crad

Sutherland 12 MARCH 2021 farAmdeer’sndwoerepkly 41

Aberdeen

LIVESTOCK Sheep

belOW: ever-increasing maximum temperatures in As a young boy, he acquired his farming skills
Etienne Van Wyk uses sheep production areas in the future. It makes and passion for the industry alongside
purebred White Dorper and economic sense to farm an indigenous breed Wiese, whom he shadowed from when
Van Rooy rams on crossbred that will maintain high reproduction and he was about four years old.
ewes, but plans to convert growth rates despite the expected challenges
the entire flock to a Van posed by climate change. For Van Wyk, the Van Wyk completed matric at Oakdale
Rooy stud. He believes Van Rooy is such a breed. It is extremely hardy, Agricultural School in Riversdale in the Western
that stud breeding will, in well adapted to South African conditions, Cape and obtained a diploma at Grootfontein
future, add much value to and resistant to disease and external Agricultural College. He then worked on
his farming operation and parasites, mainly because of its thick skin. Kasteel as a foreman before being appointed
help improve the business’s manager of the 17 100ha Wiese farm, Bulberg,
financial sustainability. The breed was developed particularly for in the Vosburg district. He was in charge here
slaughter lamb production by Senator Johannes for about seven years. Now he is taking on the
belOW right: van Rooy from Bethulie in the Free State. In 1906, challenge of starting his own stud business.
According to Van Wyk, he started experimenting with the development of
genetic value and integrity a new breed that could maintain top performance “I never stopped asking questions and Dries
are the main building blocks even during the regular droughts South Africa is patiently answered. Today, I look back on those
of his Spes Bona flock. subjected to. He crossbred Blinkhaar Afrikaner years with deep appreciation for the Wieses’
rams with Rambouillet ewes. Later on, polled investment in my life. Dries and his son, Pieter,
He says that investing Wensleydale genetics were introduced to gave my farming career a jump-start. Their
in flock improvement is achieve good conformation, with as little fat advice and mentorship played a big part in
localisation on the body as possible and only my decision to pursue stud breeding.”
essential to the long- a reasonable fat accumulation on the rump.
term survival of any ‘I CANNOT CONTINUE
livestock enterprise. “I’ve found that the Van Rooys manage to grow IN THE SAME WAY I DID
and maintain reproduction levels even under the BEFORE THE DROUGHT’
most difficult conditions with the minimum of
grazing. Because of its fat tail and fat reserves, the Gavin Penderis, a previous owner of
breed retains good condition,” says Van Wyk. Spes Bona, also plays an important role
in Van Wyk’s business as a mentor.
QuaLIty, NOt QuaNtIty
He plans to have a fully converted stud breeding One of the most important lessons Van Wyk
concern within the next two years. Although has learnt so far is to be financially responsible.
he will, as a matter of course, have to buy in
some new genetics, his main aim is to breed “Flock improvement is essential to the
up carefully selected animals from his own long-term survival of any livestock enterprise.
flock from now on. Van Wyk believes it is not It’s simply stupid, for instance, to buy the
wise to blindly chase animal numbers, often latest model bakkie while your livestock
to the detriment of genetic value and integrity, quality is second-grade. The value of a top-
at all costs. This is underscored by his decision performing flock has been proven over and
to limit the Spes Bona flock to 400 animals. over during the drought. Were it not for
the investment I made in the quality of my
Branching out into stud breeding is not alien breeding animals, I would have had to reduce
to Van Wyk, as he grew up on the Kasteel farm numbers [even] more drastically,” he says.
of well-known Van Rooy and White Dorper Email Etienne van Wyk at [email protected],
breeder Dries Wiese in the Loxton district. or phone him on 083 998 2522. FW

42 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND



CROPS Maize Silage

Getting a
silage maize

crop into
the bunker
chop-chop

In terms of its cost-benefit ratio, silage maize is arguably
the best-value stored green feed for milk production systems

in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. However, to maximise
the nutritional quality and quantity of this crop, it is
important to harvest and handle it at the correct time

and in the correct way. Lloyd Phillips reports.

The clean and neatly parked fleet of
John Deere forage harvesters, tractors,
and large haulage trailers on East End
Farm make for an impressive sight.
Around mid-March, the collective roar of the “Nowadays, our clients are having to wait longer
for the warmer soil temperatures and consistent
FAST FACTS powerful, green-and-yellow diesel machines rainfall they need to start planting, and even
reverberates across this farm in the Mooi River these factors vary across the KZN Midlands.”

Many KwaZulu- area of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands as Johnston explains that local dairy farmers
Natal Midlands they all head out to start their demanding task want their silage maize crops harvested when
dairy farmers aim of bringing in local dairy farmers’ silage maize the plants are at optimal maturity, moisture
to grow, harvest crops. Not until as much as 2 000ha of silage content and nutritional value, and then quickly
and ensile their maize crops, equating to approximately 130 000t and properly ensiled in on-farm bunkers.
yellow maize crops of wet maize silage, have been harvested and This allows the silage an optimal period to
as soon as possible safely ensiled in bunkers will the drivers of the ferment under anaerobic conditions before
before planting winter, when the farmers start feeding it to
feed crops. their animals. As soon as their silage maize
crops are harvested, farmers immediately use
The ideal time to fleet be able to enjoy a well-deserved rest. the opportunity to plant green feed crops, such
harvest a yellow Overseeing this hive of activity are Craig as oats and stooling rye, in the same lands as
maize crop for added grazing for the cows during winter.
silage is when Johnston and his wife Kim, owners of Johnston
the plants are Contracting, which provides silage harvesting ready tO harvest
at 30% to 35% and haymaking services to a number of Johnston himself plants a total of 370ha to yellow
moisture content. maize on East End Farm and on other farms
he leases. Some of this is harvested as silage,
To aid the optimal dairy and other livestock farmers in the while the balance is harvested as grain. Both
fermentation of KZN Midlands. At the time of writing, the are sold directly to local livestock farmers and
ensiled maize, the Johnstons were preparing preliminary schedules other buyers. Johnston’s choice of yellow maize
forage harvester for the farms where they will harvest silage. hybrids is guided by seed agent Kevin Gotte.
sprays silage The schedules become more accurate and fixed
inoculant onto the closer the time gets to the tight harvesting Gotte explains that most Midlands dairy
the chopped window of late February to mid-May. farmers plant short-season yellow maize
crop before it is hybrids that are ready for harvesting 120 to
transferred into “As recently as five or so years ago, the local 130 days from planting, if all goes well.
the tractor-trailer effects of climate change were not as big a
combination.

problem as they are now,” says Johnston. “At

that time, weather patterns were still fairly

predictable, and our silage maize-growing clients

would all plant their crops from late October to

early November with the aim of having these

crops ready by mid-March for harvesting.

44 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

Vivo Louis Trichardt Thohoyandou
Levubu

Giyani

Dendron Morebeng

Lephalale Polokwane Duiwelskloof Phalaborwa
Thabazimbi Tzaneen Mica

Haenertsburg
Ofcalaco

Vaalwater Mokopane Lebowakgomo Hoedspruit
Zebediela
Penge

Mookgophong Roedtan
Modimolle
Ohrigstad

Bela-Bela Pilgrim’s Rest Graskop
Lydenburg Sabie Hazyview
Marble Hall Skukuza
Rust de Winter Kiepersol
Groblersdal

Temba Brondal White River
Dullstroom Komatipoort

Mbombela Malelane

Brits Ga-Rankuwa Cullinan Machadodorp Waterval Boven
Hartbeesfontein Pretoria Belfast Barberton
Bronkhorstspruit Middelburg

esburg Centurion Witbank Maputo
1
arnTudagrfelotronstndeSoionrpwReatonJdobhuarngnesbMuAridglbrKaenreGtdmBoeonprmktsoibsnStupoPrnrgainrkgsDelmas eManzana

Ogies Vandyksdrif Carolina

Hendrina

Kriel Breyton Mbabane
Manzini
illeVaSnedbeorkbeijnlpgam“rkTahxeiVimreMruseetemyrneairgtyteoinignegyldHisaenitdNodeiglgbBqerealuorlfgawoluirthyywbSLreieitcdahunsnidndtrEhaavaaantrdecelaarntiBvaeecthlhyailevDeavel Lothair
shSoarsot lgburrogwing season, follGorweyelidngbstyad[a period] to get Ermelo

Amsterdam

Sheepmoor

ys tOhSreaoinrmjegverileldeeanirfyeefdarcmroeprssVpeillelaidenrsitnstiolatgheemsoaiilSz,t”eanhdeerstaoyn s. Kosi Bay
Vredefort into oVldaalpDaasmtures rich in free potassium,
Amersfoort Mkhondo

n iNgwavuma

Koppietsh“aTnhkHissetislobarvcoaentstlaeldout onFfrgamnaknofodnrteuyrCoionnren.peloiatassium Volksrust Wakkerstroom Paulpietersburg Lake Sibaya
fertiliser for the maize crops. Once thVreedseilage Jozini
Pongola

Edemnvailileze crops are harTvweesetliendg and the following Louwsburg Mkuze
oonstad PetgfraurrsemSetneeyrfnseeudsucarollpysphlaanvtetbheeefnieuldsebda,ctkhetodpaMairesymtuerl e.”
Utrecht Nongoma
Hluhluwe
GoLtitnedlaedy ds thatRgeiltyzphosate-toWlearrdaennt silaVgeerkmykeariszkeop Newcastle Vryheid 2
an Steynshruysbrids are popular among dairy farmers, as
Kingsley

sburg they make weed control relatively easy. Farmers Dannhauser

SceonlaeMnkLaaarlMqduyaabsrredarnuanrmdssoskitdFmhetiarneooola“FAosyeearuFtnmnTuatinsirgictp’cshBcirdtlheyceekaGteetlmesowsiulaepttKbimnsbothurlnnreaiufhuaalgdtcheetarrtrartnnsegabhsegisCareseianetdlozmvg.ilalylnamDlgocyte“errraetdhaeoeoeeTogtlcmprrnmolektroheedsosBslnhouaoJeiwpoarsmsoepcmzheytlteehhalKsRierairomtinapnreaoenaifkibatTvtfsdzdougnaostietwheocenhweitilgdiaacdmoszghlnnebilcthoahtenosetagrhatmaamfuiw-c,oekrnTttgnkreospsueeaneecneimrsrPitkno.gzanh”ihabatbgaenueawyrssttldt.oohiMssevawnogeodBeodktrinletyhhanjrs,hHgo”ieaanvttWaaibClhifrorlsalrfiafenaniersttgtthmohceectmreidettoyhorduNan.lloPdtetiaMnkgohRoaoLimsiRdLeiLaGgCvRtitdeiwfoeoEloatelyrtnaslsuntsehtsdomccnikeRnodoBsieritoeuvaherWwrelgMtnreeoheiaeadwmlencdspHaneDhenobnoeAlucrvwrkenuriegdieskocuPPserkiedisoneenNtrhmtheoTdfiacseneeKdenoelhorwrwxfreehdmrTroartiGbtolwnoyesinDHae.uahhwsyrstsriwyArnaaeae.gkuenaiiilntyotdetoAszhfsragitfootkpkbrorlfsvavonctlaeowiuwoselceacautrare,mrnuchsgiThlbhntlntelototseheoieitin,gnbwoSstdnhdluegsettt’pgsaelstshhattdytgantahooshtekaagrtorewoumireseeyttrrnfewGhirrtrmeois‘ntatBsfmnniSei,hin-aStatghlamtgetguhclcecaohijihltieoaeelocgrnwsopakikefteloidbfi.refterlneMledtanpu.looaurtwhZsilrOdcveslLhrnncniaetuneluatieimaBdoheevhnnkMnlvpstel’lfwoede.egt.esdpaotsi’tras,chahrtizhnnyiegBteenaMichtub1ntNmltPJshy2MraaoheOeH:aeea:ttaiaOsHauderleTtgFnlitNTsavbosdlhroaaORoFSlteawaseoragneSTinsMr,cwOn:debtesthdmiiLNiRhtismrnndalaLgsaueiatgrCvlgOiehtloagdairieyOrYhezonynaersrpNDementrmydnBThVftemePsadhK-RaatoairSHasekoAayrwiryasetIzesewLmiCbuaLlzenmiLaaLlTerntayeewIsusZeIPirikssNdirodcS.-ulpieeGsislifn-nalareruMSieggodn-tfeameLtyhru.ecia
KwaMashu uMhlanga
Himeville Camperdown
UnderbergDonnybrookBulweRrichmonMdpumalanPgianetown 12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 45
feteng Durban

Patlong

CROPS Maize Silage 5

4

36 7

moisture content is 30% to 35%. This is the optimal 17mm and 19mm, which enables the longer
time for harvesting the standing crop as silage. fibres in the chopped silage to better retain
their moisture content. He can also adjust
A higher plant moisture content results in the machine’s kernel processor, which cracks
fluids leaking out from the bunker where the each kernel open, to a width of between
harvested and chopped crop has been ensiled. 2,5mm and 3mm; this helps prevent the
Valuable nutrients are lost in this way. wetter, softer kernels from being mashed,
instead of split, by the kernel processor.
“Harvesting excessively moist silage
maize also reduces the power and fuel dry sILaGe
consumption efficiency of my silage harvesters If excessively dry silage maize is harvested
and [other equipment used in the process]. without the settings on the harvesters being
Moreover, the higher load weights damage adjusted, the chopped material will be difficult
trailers and tractors,” says Johnston. to compact properly in the silage bunker.
This allows air into the bunker, causing
If having to harvest excessively moist silage the maize to rot rather than ferment.
is unavoidable for the Johnston Contracting
team, perhaps because a farmer cannot afford to “For excessively dry silage maize, I reduce
leave the crop standing on the land any longer, the chop length to between 8mm and 10mm,
Johnston can change settings in his forage and close the kernel processor down to
harvesters to reduce liquid leakage from the 1,5mm,” says Johnston. “The finer chop length
plant material in the silage bunkers. One setting
increases the harvester’s chop length to between 110 YEARS ON THE LAND

46 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021

improves compaction of the plant material in “Improved fermentation leads to decreased dry 3: Although whole maize
the bunker, and the narrowed kernel processor matter losses from, and improved retention of, plants are fed to dairy
cracks the hard and dry kernels effectively.” plant protein in the silage,” explains Odell. cattle, it is the maize
“The lactic acid bacteria ferment the plant sugars kernels that pack the
According to Johnston, the ideal chop length to lactic acid and, to some extent, acetic acid energy punch high-
for a silage maize crop with 30% to 35% and other volatile fatty acids. Acetic acid helps performing dairy cows
moisture content is 14mm, and the optimal contain the proliferation of yeasts and moulds require in their nutrition.
kernel processor setting is 2mm to 2,5mm. at silage surfaces exposed to air at feed-out.” 4: Johnston Contracting‘s
fleet of 15 John Deere
BeNeFICIaL BaCterIa Johnston says other factors affecting the tractors are used for
Silage inoculant must be applied to the chopped speed of silage harvesting include rough, hauling freshly harvested
material before it leaves the forage harvester. steep or wet lands. On average, his forage silage maize from field
harvesters travel at 6km/h to 8km/h while to bunker, and then for
Debbie Odell, co-owner of animal nutrition working in-field. In addition to travelling compacting the harvest
products retailer and consultancy Bovasol in slower if the standing crop’s moisture content into the bunker for
Mooi River, says most silage inoculants are is high, the machines require a slower optimal fermentation.
concentrated forms of lactic acid bacteria. forward speed to handle high-yielding 5: Craig Johnston
silage maize crops effectively. The average appreciates the easy
Added to chopped silage maize that is correctly yield of wet (fresh) maize silage in the KZN access to the main
ensiled, these bacteria facilitate the rapid drop in Midlands ranges from 35t/ha to 65t/ha. components of his John
pH needed for effective fermentation of the silage, Deere forage harvesters,
while preventing the proliferation of other bacteria Johnston says that the further away the as this allows for rapid
species that would otherwise spoil the silage. silage maize land is from the bunker, the more repair when necessary.
tractor-trailer combinations are needed to 6: It is crucial that freshly
ensure that a forage harvester does not stand harvested silage maize is
idle until an empty tractor-trailer arrives. properly compacted in the
storage bunkers before
‘FOR A SILAGE MAIZE being covered, so that
CROP WITH 30% TO the anaerobic conditions
35% MOISTURE CONTENT, needed for proper
THE IDEAL CHOP fermentation are created.
LENGTH IS 14MM, AND
THE OPTIMAL KERNEL JOHNSTON CONTRACTING
PROCESSOR SETTING
IS 2MM TO 2,5MM’ 7: Johnston adjusts the
spacing between the rollers
Unlike combine harvesters, which have of his forage harvesters‘
onboard storage, forage harvesters draw kernel processors to
in, chop, crack, inoculate and disgorge prevent overly moist
silage maize crops in a single process. kernels from being
mashed and to ensure
Johnston adds that getting silage that overly dry kernels
maize harvested, delivered to a bunker, are cracked properly.
compacted into the bunker and properly
covered as fast as possible is essential
to ensuring good-quality silage.

Keeping their equipment in peak operational
condition is therefore a major focus of their
management strategy. Any breakdown of a forage
harvester halts the entire harvesting process.

“Our operation depends on keeping
moving for it to stay profitable,” he says.
“This is especially necessary given that the
purchase prices of new forage harvesters
and tractors increased by an average of 27%
year-on-year between 2019 and 2020. And
they’re likely to increase again this year.”
Email Craig Johnston at eastendfarm@bundunet. com,
Kevin Gotte at [email protected], or
Debbie Odell at [email protected]. FW

12 MARCH 2021 farmer’sweekly 47

BACK TO BASICS

CATTLE

Boost productivity with heifers

The replacement heifer is the foundation of a productive cow herd. Its selection and development can greatly
affect the profitability of the farm through its genetics, future performance and longevity.

will conceive within a couple of
cycles and 95% within three cycles.

A bull-to-female animal ratio of 1:15 is
recommended, and the breeding bulls
should have passed a bull breeding
and soundness examination.

Make sure that heifers are at 65% of
expected mature weight at breeding.
Use a short breeding season of 45 to 65
days. Breed heifers four to six weeks
before the cows’ breeding season. Use
proven ease-of-calving bulls on heifers.

Weight, condition and growth rate are important factors to consider when selecting heifers NutrItION
to join the cow herd. FW ARCHIVE Nutritional management is important

Good heifer management should Manage heifers and first- calf cows so that heifers reach desired critical
aim for early puberty, a higher separately. In selecting the best time mating weight and have a body condition
weaning rate, low mortality and of year to breed heifers, synchronise score of three or higher at calving.

Maintain adequate body condition and

early identification of female animals lactation with the rainy season to growth during the first lactation. An

for turn-off. The goal is to ensure that improve the chance of heifers rearing effective approach is to manage nutrition

only efficient first-calf cows enter the calves successfully and of reconceiving to keep heifers well above maintenance

main cow herd at three years of age. during the first or second lactation. so that their skeletons keep growing.

Heifers have greater nutritional A heifer that calves in synchrony with the Heifers must have access to adequate

demands than cows because they rainy season is much easier and cheaper pasture, water and supplements to keep

are attempting to reproduce and to manage than one calving out of season. them in the best possible condition.

grow simultaneously. Usually only Generally, once female animals When heifers and first-calf cows

well-managed heifers will conceive begin to cycle, a joining period lose condition prior to calving, their

during their initial lactation. spanning three cycles or nine reproductive systems tend to shut down,

When selecting heifers, focus weeks is required to achieve a 95% which significantly reduces their chances

on traits that are economically conception rate. Approximately 90% of reconceiving during lactation.

important. A heifer has no proven HEIFER SELECTION PROCESS
track record in traits such as First selection: At weaning
reproduction, ease of calving and The traits that need consideration at this stage are wean direct breeding value,
maternal ability, therefore use all wean maternal breeding value, reproduction traits, hereditary defects, functional
available information relating to problems, frame size, hormonal imbalances, and temperament.
its dam and, where applicable, its Second selection: Before breeding
sire, siblings and other relatives to The traits that should be evaluated at this stage are pre-wean and post-wean growth, and
make an informed selection. 12-month and/or 18-month indices.

maNaGe seParateLy Third selection: When pregnancy diagnosis is made
Where available, use breeding values At this stage, all heifers that are not in calf should be culled. If more in-calf female animals
(rather than indices) in selection, remain than are needed for replacement and/or building the herd, consider also culling
along with other important traits, the heifers that conceive late in the breeding season.
especially functional efficiency. Fourth selection: After calving
Cull all first-calf cows that had difficulty calving. This assumes, of course,
Essentially, weight, condition and that there were no other environmental factors, such as overfeeding shortly
growth rate are more important before calving or using a bull that produces large calves at
than age, as these will determine birth; these could result in a high birthweight.
the health of both cow and calf. Final selection: During the weaning season
Cull all first-calf cows whose calves have a low (under 90) weaning index. Also cull
Ensure that heifers are suited to first-calf cows with a low (under 90) cow efficiency index.
the production environment, as first-
calvers have high nutritional needs.

48 farmer’sweekly 12 MARCH 2021 110 YEARS ON THE LAND