The past few years have seen enormous pressure on the grain industry and South African agriculture as a whole. 2019 in particular, was tough as hardened soil. For developing and commercial producers alike, growth starts on soil level, which called for solutions to counter the physical impact of a changing production environment.

Profitability of the sector came under severe strain and farmers had to take a hard look at their farming operations, where changes are needed, where it can improve and where they had to adapt. With the fast changing conditions in South Africa, requiring farmers to do and think differently, it was their adaptability and innovation that got them through these difficult times.

With the annual Congress on 4-5 March 2020, Grain SA members, grain producers, government officials, role-players, academics, partners and stakeholders gathered on NAMPO Park to celebrate the 2020 theme, Farmers Contribute. This theme aimed amongst others, to emphasise the valuable contributions farmers make on so many levels. Farmers contribute to feeding your children, growing your economy, sustaining your planet and providing to your community.

In his closing address, outgoing Grain SA Chairperson, Jaco Minnaar said: “We are a farmer’s organization, we listen to our members and we act on their needs. Through talks, influencing, collaboration, partnerships and sharing we determine our own future. We take leadership in Agriculture very seriously and show the way to others. We cannot change the past, but we believe strongly that we can help build the future.”

And after a dynamic 4-year term, Grain South Africa greets a leader whose soft, inclusive approach and tremendous vision will be revered for many years to come.

View the Chairperson's Report audio-visual presented at Congress below

Also presented at Congress, Grain SA's marketing and engagement activities throughout the year is highlighted below.

Grain SA would like to congratulate the Chairperson, Vice-chairpersons and newly elected Executives with their appointments. We wish you well in your tenure and look forward to your contribution in organised agriculture. Our newly elected members are:

Corteva Africa Middle East continued to enable smallholder farmer development in South Africa through its collaboration with Grain SA to develop farmers in our Farmer Development programme. Starting way back in 2013, this newly signed 3-year agreement will focus on helping these farmers to either develop into commercial farmers, or to obtain a commercial yield on the land they work. Reconfirming their commitment to farmer development, Corteva AME called for collaboration throughout the sector to enrich farmers.

Chairman of the Grain SA Marketing Working Group, Mr Ralf Küsel, provided feedback to members on the outcome of the levy income for the 2019/2020 season during the past Congress. Although the production season was challenging due to late plantings, the levy collections exceeded initial expectations.

The Grain SA Congress decided to continue with the differentiated levies on different crops. The levies in Table 1 indicate the new levy amount per commodity as from 1 March 2020.

Table 1: The 2020 Grain SA commodity levy

The draft proposals from SARS for the operation of a new proposed diesel rebate system has been discussed in detail at the Production Input Working group, from which comments will be drawn up. Grain SA non-members of the working group are also encouraged to comment before the deadline of Monday, 16 March 2020.

Some of the most important changes to the current system include:

• New system will be similar to e-filing;
• All producers will have to re-register for the diesel rebate and create a profile;
• Diesel rebate claims would be done electronically, on a monthly basis;
• It is expected that producers will qualify for 100% of qualifying activities;
• Dedicated farm equipment would not need an usage logbook, only a storage logbook at main tank.

Draft Proposal documentation:

• Documentation listed on SARS website
• Draft rule in terms of section 75A Diesel Refunds
• Registration and Licensing 
• Diesel Refund User
• Diesel Declaration
• Draft Schedule 6 Note 6 Diesel Refunds

Comments can be directed to SARS or submitted to Grain SA by the deadline.

If you missed the Grain SA Congress last week, be sure to have a look at the photo gallery on our website. Follow the link below:

Landbouweekblad's regenerative agricultural conferences this year promise to offer world-class speakers, farmers panels and a hopeful approach to farming. Themed "Let Nature Make you Money", this conference promises to highlight conservation agriculture as a cost effective weapon against rising input costs and climate change, by allowing natural processes to function optimally again.

Chris Burgess, editor of the agricultural magazine, says three conferences, starting next week will be held in Reitz in the Free State, Ottosdal in the North West and Somerset West in the Western Cape, respectively. He says these informative conferences focus on soil fertility and the use of cover crops. It focuses on the application of conservation tillage, with a livestock component also present.

The conference in Reitz at the VKB festival ground is on 16-17 March, followed by the Ottosdal conference at the local show grounds on 18-19 March. The Somerset West Conference is on 24 March at the Lord Charles Hotel. landbouweekblad  - with the cooperation of Grain SA, the Ottosdal no-till club, Elim Fertiliser and Agricol are proud organisers of these conferences.

Tickets are available online at Quicket. Cost is R1 000 per person. Interested parties can also call Landbouweekblad or click on the links below to book your ticket now!