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5
November 2016
Grain farming is not for sissies!
c
an a wet season in the northern part of the country be
just as catastrophic as a dry year? Can our summer grain
producers, who have to purchase inputs at ridiculous ex-
change rates, make a profit at export parity prices?
For a long time it has been a fact that one cannot repay
the debt of one drought year in the subsequent year. The solution,
unfortunately, does not lie in working harder. Working smarter also
has its limitations.
Last year this time the drought was an enormous reality. Com-
plaints about load shedding were lodged and antagonism against
the agricultural sector was widely experienced. Currently it is be-
lieved that the drought will be over with the change of the season.
There is less sympathy and more hope that the ‘drought problem’
will be something of the past when the first raindrops start to
fall. Alas, in agricultural terms we know that it does not rain grass
or maize. Lots of hard work still lie ahead and important produc-
tion decisions will have to be made before planting commences.
The optimum planting period for the eastern regions has already
started without any rain and the market price for maize is seesawing.
Some days I think – and I believe certain producers as well – of the
Maize Board with nostalgia. All the energy was focussed on the
maize price. As soon as it was determined and approved, producers
could focus all their attention on the production process. It sounds
quite simple when one thinks about it this way.
My eyes just now caught the headlines in the newspapers: Students
denying themselves (and others) an education; politicians endeav-
ouring to destroy one another to the detriment of our country and
the economy. I wonder where the Minister would pitch the maize
price had there been such a crowd of violent protesters outside his
office?
One of the greater sins of apartheid was to deny people a proper
education – which was wrong. What justifies it today? Wrong
remains wrong, or what? With two kids at university I was wonder-
ing whether some of the class fees would be returned to me at
the end of the year?
The grain industry is now experiencing numerous challenges. Im-
portant decisions will have to be made. Daily more and more un-
certainties are added to the ‘decision making brew’ and when
this concoction is stirred I am certain very few people would
really want some of it. Our plans are perhaps getting fewer, but
it definitely doesn’t mean that we don’t have any plans anymore.
Summer grains are also confronted with a number of challenges
this year. The world’s grain stores are full to overflowing and the
daily news reports excellent crops in the exporting countries. Sum-
mer grain prices are going to experience extreme pressure. We
will most likely not be able to utilise all the available hectares for
grain production. This way we can ensure that the yields of the good
hectares compensate for the lower prices.
Grain farming in South Africa is not for sissies! The strength of
the whole grain value chain is definitely tested in the proverbial
furnace. The flavours emanating from this furnace will be an indica-
tion of the fabric we are made of.
The truth is that our salvation only appears when we are in the
furnace and not while we are standing outside bickering with
government. Daniel and his friends’ faith is probably a lesson for
today: Though our Lord might not deliver us from the furnace, we
shall still serve Him.
The battle is at its fiercest the moment just before deliverance.
Hang in there, the outcome is near!
DS KOOS KIRSTEN
WOORD
Uit die
d
ie wêreld waarin ons leef, is maar erg deurmekaar. Dit
is nie net die weer nie, maar die politiek en in ‘n sekere
sin, die kerk ook. ‘n Mens voel soms raadop en selfs ‘n
bietjie verward. Dit voel soms asof alles ‘n mens gaan
oorweldig en dan bekruip ‘n gevoel van neerslagtig-
heid jou. Wanneer dit gebeur, moet ‘n mens twee
dinge onthou: Die eerste is die almag van God en die tweede is die
hulpeloosheid van die mens.
Die profeet Jeremia het ‘n sekretaris gehad wat alles neergeskryf
het wat die Here aan Jeremia openbaar het. Sy naam was Barug. In
daardie tyd het dit bitter sleg gegaan met Israel. Hulle sondes het
hul ingehaal en die Here het aan Jeremia openbaar dat die volk in
ballingskap weggevoer gaan word. Dan oorval ‘n totale wanhoop
vir Barug. Hy kerm dat die Here nog kommer by sy smart voeg en
dat hy geen sielerus meer het nie.
Die Here sê aan hom dat Hy self breek wat Hy gebou het en self
uitruk wat Hy geplant het en dat dit vir die hele aarde geld. Die Here
is self in beheer van alles en almal op die hele aarde. Alles verloop
volgens sy plan. Nou kom die Here na Barug toe en verseker hom dat
Hy sy siel sal red en dat hy wat Barug is, dit nie self moet probeer
doen nie, want hy kan nie.
Hiermee leer die Here ons dat alles in Sy beheer is. Van die begin af
verloop alles volgens God se raadsplan. Hy het die geskiedenis van
die wêreld só opgestel dat die Here Jesus kon kom om ons te red.
Daarmee het Hy bewys dat Hy nie een van Sy kinders verlore sal
laat gaan nie. Hy is steeds in beheer van die geskiedenis en stuur
alles in die rigting van die wederkoms van ons Here Jesus Christus.
Midde-in al die chaos en wanorde in hierdie lewe het ons dan die
versekering dat die Here in beheer van alles en almal is. Ons hoef
nie en moet ook nie probeer om onsself te red nie, want ons kan nie.
Ons moet net doen wat die Here aan ons opdra om te doen – en dit
is om in Christus te bly glo en ons rus en vrede by Hom te soek.
Baie geluk aan
Jackson Nzuza van
Schagen wat vir die
Oktober-uitgawe van
SA Graan/Grain
die
gratis Bybel gewen het.