Higher food prices look set to ease in second quarter
Higher grain prices and a decline in cattle slaughtering activity over the past few months have started to transmit into the prices of products consumers pay when doing their grocery…
The agricultural sector has blossomed without much support from government
BY WANDILE SIHLOBO, JOHANN KIRSTEN AND SIFISO NTOMBELA From the reconstruction and development programme of president Nelson Mandela to the accelerated and shared growth initiative of president Thabo Mbeki, the…
Ban on wine sales: Stop the absurdity
Much more than the frustration in the market place of wine lovers struggling to get their hands on a bottle wine or than guests visiting the Boland being disappointed because…
Virtual Wine Harvest Commemoration 2021: Industry transforms with four awards
On Tuesday 2 February 2021, the South African Wine Industry commemorates the first vintage on South African soil 362 years ago on the same day in 1659, as recorded by…
Farmers reminded to vaccinate animals against Rift Valley Fever
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has reminded owners of cattle, sheep and goats to vaccinate their animals against Rift Valley Fever (RVF). The department warned that…
Steady interest rates outcome still positive for agriculture in tough times
As widely expected, the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) kept the repo rate steady at a record low of 3.5% in its first meeting of 2021. Although the inflation outlook…
SA pome fruit growers expect a good 2021 crop
The pome fruit harvest is underway with positive expectations for 2021. Last year saw a much better winter with enough rain in the majority of the production areas. Cooler weather…
Wine export report shows market stability despite alcohol bans
According to the latest report by Wines of South Africa, the 2020 export volumes echo that of a challenging 2019, despite a five-week-long ban on exports and huge challenges at…
APPOINTMENT OF WILLIE JACOBS AS CEO OF POTATOES SA
Willie Jacobs took over the leadership of Potatoes SA (PSA) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after Dr André Jooste, who as part of his career planning, left the organisation after…
Mutant roots reveal how we can grow crops in damaged soils
For years, conventional wisdom has held that roots don’t grow as deep in hard soil because it’s just too difficult for them to physically push through it. But our new…