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How many ‘away’ games
still to come?
o
ur older producers always used to refer to the eight-
ies when they spoke about challenging agricultural
eras. They would tell the younger guys that what they
are experiencing is nothing compared to what they had
to go through in those years. But now even they are
starting to think differently…they are changing their
tune completely.
The grain industry is extremely challenging these days. It is a strug-
gle, year after year, and it seems as if everybody and everything
is against you. How will we get through this? Things are even worse
than the producers remember from the eighties – and I really do not
think you can fault the memory of those guys!
During the recent holidays I read up again about what the clever
people say happens when you only play ‘away’ games (on the op-
ponents’ fields). Nobody cheers you on, everything is strange and it
seems as if everybody and everything are against you. Almost eve-
rything around you is unfamiliar and the language used next to the
field is also not really constructive.
I am convinced that in agriculture we are only playing ‘away’
games at this stage: The climate is not favourable, the policy envi-
ronment is not friendly and the politics remain negative – in spite of
our best efforts. Our bank balances and emotional tanks do not have
the capacity to deal with everything that comes our way. Everything
is just extremely challenging.
When I am faced by challenging scenarios like these, I usually do
a few things: I read my Bible more often to see what people did in
times like these. People like Daniel, Jeremiah and Shadrach, Me-
shach and Abednego. I also pray more. I consult my mentors and
the people who have survived more than one of these challenging
times.
Another thing I do is to make sure that I do not make decisions
without checking all the facts carefully. Emotions sometimes lead
you astray when times are hard. Then I make sure that my relation-
ships with the people closest to me (especially those who support
me emotionally) improve. I also focus carefully on the needs and
emotions of other people around me. I am not the only one strug-
gling; everyone needs encouragement in such times.
The grain markets have reacted to the climate and so far prices for
the season are looking a bit better. However, there are few fields
that promise to yield a satisfactory crop (especially in the west). It
remains a big risk to try and estimate crops at this time of the year.
Some fields still have to be planted, but estimates are already being
made! Favourable prices do not mean anything if there is no crop.
The one thing the scientists have predicted accurately is that there
will be a definite split in the climate between the east and the west.
If we had any doubts in this regard, this season is a reminder once
again. No grain producer can approach the future in the same way
we currently approach the present. What the road ahead holds we
do not know, but together we will have to determine the alternatives
we can consider: How we should adapt our businesses to what we
know at present and how we should position ourselves for the future.
Grain SA’s core focus remains to ensure that grain producers con-
tinue to be sustainable. That is why we should join you in doing eve-
rything possible to find solutions to achieve this – even if we play all
our games ‘away’. In fact, it is the teams who win their ‘away’ games
too who win the cup on their home turf in the final. Good luck!
5
February 2019