2023

Soybean production is a good alternative January 2023 DR JAN DREYER, AGRONOMIST,  PROTEIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION   Soybean production has only come to the fore in the last decade. Production increased from slightly over 500 000 ton per year in 2012 to more or less 2 million tons in 2022. It has the potential to spread

A WORD FROM… Derek Mathews January 2023 Farmers, I trust that you all had a blessed planting season and that the crop is growing to its full potential. One thing that I have learned in my career, farming for almost 40 years, is that every year has its own challenges. It’s never the same

A celebration of gratitude for top grain farmers January 2023 VALERIE CILLIERS, EDITOR, SA GRAAN/GRAIN   The 2022 Grain SA Grain Producer of the Year awards event was held on 21 October in Boksburg. It was a glamorous event, where well-deserved recognition was given to role-players who are directly and indirectly involved in ensuring that

Plan ahead for the planting season January 2023 PIETMAN BOTHA,  INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   January is the most important month for farmers. Although it is not planting time yet, farmers must start planning ahead. They have to make decisions like what to plant and what to buy for the next production year.  Like most

Farmers get a boost with new finance scheme January 2023 The minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, launched a 3,2 billion blended finance scheme (BFS) with land bank to assist farmers. The programme will be implemented over a ten-year period.  A press release issued on 24 October 2022 by the Department

Asbestos: Be safe January 2023 Health and safety Part 7 No employee should be exposed to asbestos products in the workplace and must wear protective clothing when working with asbestos.  Employees should adhere to all asbestos regulations and notify the Department of Labour when asbestos work is being done. Keep a complete up-to-date inventory of

SA soybean market is healthy January 2023 CHRISTIAAN VERCUIEL, JUNIOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, GRAIN SA   Soybeans found a foothold in South Africa around the early 1900s, when the need arose for a rotation crop for maize. However, the reason for soybean cultivation changed drastically in 1908, when British companies shifted their focus to colonies for

Get ready to plant January 2023 During October the Farmer Development team met with farmers to plan and prepare for the new season. It is important to be organised and to have a clear plan of action.  Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager at the Mbombela office, visited some of his study groups to talk about