Southern Cape

The Southern Cape's agricultural production conditions turned favourable for producers to start planting, following the weekend's rain. The rainfall varied between 8mm in the Heidelberg-area and 18mm in the Swellendam-area. Producers have already planted pastures and some have begun planting Canola. In general, conditions appear better compared to last year. The Albertinia-area is still too dry to start planting and is awaiting rain.

Rûens

For the first time in a long time, Rûens had good moisture conditions with the advent of planting time, after the good rains that fell over the area in March. About 10mm of rain has been recorded on average over the weekend for the area. Producers are using soil moisture for the establishment of pastures and some have already planted Kanola.

Swartland

The Swartland's rainfall varies over the region between 1.5 mm in the Eendekuil-area to about 6mm in the southern Swartland. Indications to date point to better soil moisture compared to last year, allowing producers to better control weeds before planting commences. Producers have started planting pastures, and will start with cash crops after the Easter weekend.

An annual beacon in the grain industry is the Grain SA Congress held in March. In the April issue of SA Graan/Grain we give in-depth feedback on what was discussed at this year's Congress, with the theme "A critical reflection for a new footprint". Also read in our main story on page 8 how Sclerotinia can be avoided through cultivation practices. In the monthly Grain market review, Luan van der Walt and Ruan Schutte (both from Grain SA) look at the barley and oats markets and on page 68 practical guidelines for wintering of livestock are given.

The Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day takes place from 14 to 17 May at Bothaville. Read in the special supplement, which is published with the April issue of SA Graan/Grain, for everything you wanted to know about this great event on the agricultural calendar: Know where, who and what is at NAMPO. We also speak to Danie Minnaar (chairman of the Harvest Day Committee) and Toit Wessels (assistant manager: NAMPO and Marketing) about what is new and what exactly visitors can look forward to. Also remember: Members' free Harvest Day tickets are only available digitally this year - read more about this on page 24. Don't miss the "Platform for your Agri Future"!

One of the most problematic weeds in the world has already been identified at various locations in the Northern Cape irrigation area. Several actions are underway to control and destroy the weeds. Producers in the Northern Cape are requested to be on the lookout for this weed. For more information on identifying the weeds as well as the "destruction plan", please refer to the links below:

Integrated control and herbicide management of Palmer Amaranth in SA

Plan for eradication of the Palmer Amaranth in SA