SA Graan Januarie 2018

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Januarie 2018
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AKTUEEL
USDA crop estimates and forecasts
For spring-planted crops, most notably
corn, soybeans and cotton, May, June, and
July projections of USA crop production
in the WASDE report are based on trend
yields and NASS estimates of intended and
planted acreage. The assumptions used are
spelled out in the footnotes of each table.
For both USA and foreign estimates, nor-
mal weather is assumed for the balance of
the growing season. These early-season
projections, for both the USA and the world,
while necessarily highly tentative, provide
a preliminary look at crop supplies and
market conditions.
Lockup conditions
To assure the highly market-sensitive in-
formation is released simultaneously to
all end-users, and not prematurely to any
one, the WASDE report is prepared under
tight security in a specially designed area
of USDA’s South Building.
The morning of release, doors in the ‘lock-
up’ area are secured, window shades are
sealed, and telephone and internet com-
munications are blocked. Once analysts
present their credentials to a guard, they
enter the secured area to finalise the WAS-
DE report.
Communications with the outside world
are suspended until the report is released
at 12:00 noon Eastern Time.
Summary
The value of USDA statistics to data us-
ers depends on the ease, speed, and cost
of access. As a result, the USDA’s Eco-
nomic Information System strives for three
goals (Figure 2 on page 27 summarises the
USDA’s economic information system):
Objectivity
Production numbers are discussed se-
parate from trade numbers. Foreign pro-
duction is discussed separate from USA
production. The Secretary of Agriculture
officially releases numbers but has no input
in the numbers.
Reliability
Best available data and analysis are used;
however, agriculture is strongly driven by
weather and is changeable. USDA acknowl-
edges this and will update numbers next
month with new data.
Timeliness
Data and information are crucial for the
commercial market’s decision-makers. In-
ternet, agricultural radio, news wires, fax
list and paper copies are used to broadcast
information. Release dates and time of re-
lease are carefully choreographed. That is
the essence of the lockup process.
The latest reports and other helpful infor-
mation on NASS crop and livestock esti-
mates can be found at .
usda.gov/.
WAOB information on supply and demand
estimates and agricultural weather is locat-
ed at
ity/index.htm.
The latest attaché reports can be viewed at
Fotokompetisie
Vang “raar, maar waar”-
oomblikke vas
‘nNuwe jaar beteken ‘n nuwe tema
vir ywerige amateurfotograwe
wat maandeliks deelneem aan die
Graan SA/Sasol fotokompetisie.
Vir 2018 is daar besluit op die tema simbi-
ose.
In Grieks verwys “syn” na saamwees en
“bios” na lewe. Simbiose beteken letterlik
“saamlewe” en verwys na enige direkte en
intieme saamleefverhouding tussen twee
organismes van verskillende spesies – in
die natuur, tussen mens en dier óf mense
onderling. Al sal wetenskaplikes daaroor
debatteer, is die verhouding tussen mens en
dier ook ‘n voorbeeld van simbiose – ‘n pro-
dusent wat die gewasse hanteer of ‘n plaas-
werker wat ‘n bees melk of ‘n skaap skeer.
Daar is drie vorms van simbiose in die
natuur:
Mutualisme – waar albei diere (of plant
en dier) deur die verhouding bevoor-
deel word. ‘n Voorbeeld is ‘n krokodil-
voël wat bloedsuiers van die tandvleis
van die Nylkrokodil afpik en bye wat
blomme besoek om nektar te kry.
Kommensalisme – waar slegs een be-
voordeel word, terwyl die ander party
nie geraak word nie: Soos voëls wat
hul neste in bome maak sonder om die
bome te bevoordeel of te benadeel.
Parasitisme – waar een party voordeel
trek tot nadeel van die ander. Voor-
beelde is bosluise op beeste, vlooie op
mense en honde, asook plantluise op
plante.
Dink dus kreatief en verras die beoorde-
laars. Die webtuiste, .
org, wys hoe kreatiewe denke fotografie
opwindend kan maak. Fotograaf Andrius
Burba het ‘n projek begin waar hy diere van
onder af afneem. Gaan kyk gerus daarna en
laat jou kreatiewe sappe vloei.
Bronne
SA GRAAN/GRAIN REDAKSIE
Die wenfoto in die November-uitgawe van
‘n teer oomblik tussen jong Mischa Batt
en hanslammers, het vir Chrismari van der
Westhuizen van Loeriesfontein die eerste
prys van R1 500 in die sak gebring.