Today is the last chance for Grain SA members to complete this short questionnaire. This survey is to evaluate the crop status over the whole country and to provide feedback to producers. The survey only have 10 questions, and question not applicable to you, can be skipped.

Click here to complete the latest survey!

Grain SA will conduct a short survey amongst producers during the first week of every month to keep our members updated on the how the crops are looking. Links will be sent directly to your digital Grain SA membership card. If you have not yet downloaded your card, CLICK HERE

The presenters and organisers of six of South Africa’s biggest livestock events, have jointly committed themselves to a science-based biosecurity protocol for the hosting of their various events in 2020, as well as in future.

The statement follows a meeting at the offices of Plaas Media’s in Centurion, Gauteng, on 16 January 2020. The parties present at the meeting were Elmarie Prinsloo, CEO of Bloem Show, Terry Strachan, CEO of the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, Albert Loubser, co-organiser of Nampo ALFA in Bothaville, well-known veterinary consultant, Dr Faffa Malan, as well as Dr Danie Odendaal, director of Veterinarian Network. Johan Ehlers, CEO of Agri-Expo, the presenter of Agri-Expo Livestock, and Toit Wessels, general manager of NAMPO, participated in the meeting electronically.

The current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was the main driving force and topic of the meeting, and served as the starting point for finding solutions to present the above mentioned livestock events in 2020 and in future, against the background of and with consideration to biosecurity matters. The ultimate goal of the meeting was to establish a set of best practices at each of the various events, in order to serve the industry holistically and in the best interest of exhibitors.

Prevention is better than cure

The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2019 and the subsequent second outbreak early in 2020, once again emphasised the importance of biosecurity among all stakeholders in the livestock industry. The onus is on all agricultural role-players to prevent and properly manage these types of incidents – it is not just a function of government. Therefore, all six representatives of the relevant livestock events undertook to work with the various authorities to actively support biosecurity measures.

However, efforts are also being made to take the process a step further, and the envisioned outcome is the initiation and implementation of a biosecurity protocol specifically aimed at livestock events. Support will also be provided to smaller regional shows to help them to implement such a biosecurity protocol.

The six events involved in the meeting, and which will implement the protocol from the outset, will take place on the following dates in 2020: Bloem Show 24 April to 2 May, NAMPO Harvest Day 12 to 15 May, the Royal Show 22 to 31 May, NAMPO Cape 9 to 11 September, NAMPO ALFA 24 to 26 September and Agri-Expo Livestock 8 to 10 October.

Dr Danie Odendaal, director of Veterinarian Network, will be contracted by all six role-players to develop the protocol that will allow the six events and their organisers to act in a coordinated manner with regard to biosecurity. The events hope to serve as an example for other events and exhibitors, thereby further rolling out the protocol and setting a national standard for best biosecurity practices. For more information, phone Dr Danie Odendaal on 082 454 0532.

Joint press release issued by Bloem Show, the Royal Show, Nampo ALFA, Agri-Expo, Nampo Harvest Day and NAMPO Cape

The Grain SA regional meetings, which kicked off on 22 January has progressed well, with only a couple of meetings remaining in seven regions from 11-13 February. 

Despite the conditions and beautiful crops on the lands, it was still alarming that meetings in various regions in the North were not well attended. On a more positive note, however, it is also true that members still value the work of Grain SA. This is reflected in the levy contribution received to date, regardless of the difficult conditions in 2019.

The Cape regional meetings in Riversdale, Rietpoel and Moorreesburg were well attended with an encouraging message from both Grain SA chairman Jaco Minnaar and CEO Jannie de Villiers. Josh Hamman of AB Inbev, as the guest speaker, explained the full barley story and emphasized better communication between producers, agricultural businesses and the buyers. Furthermore, the winter cereal crops were discussed in broad terms with valuable producer participation. The new wheat grading set for the 2019 harvest was welcomed and producers were grateful for the extra income that could be generated.

Emerging producers remain positive

The Grain SA study members attended the regional meetings in Kokstad, Ermelo, Welkom and Lichtenburg with good participation ranging from subsistence to potential commercial and new era farmers. With overall positive inputs, farmers responded well to the information presented, but raised concerns regarding the challenge with regards to grain storage, especially in the Eastern Cape. Producers further discussed high input costs and required clarity regarding the functions of Act 36. Young producers showed particular interest in the Grain Academy and requests for clarification and explanation of the area differential were high on the agenda in the Free State and Mpumlanaga meetings. The farmers were keen to participate in input-monitoring projects to assist in reducing these costs where possible.

For the list of the last meetings to be held next week, click here.

The Reitz Agricultural Academy, officially started it's activities on 22 January 2020. The Academy is an industry-driven initiative to provide agricultural youth with the necessary exposure, to acquire skills and to equip them with the knowledge to promote agriculture in South Africa.

Grain SA, together with VKB, Sernick, John Deere, InteliGro, Southern Cross, Mortimer Toyota and Pannar Seed, are proud partners and supporters of this initiative which believes the future of agriculture lies in our youth. Providing a stimulating and world-class facility for children to attend practical classes coupled with some hands-on field work, the Reitz Agricultural Academy is paving way for a new agriculture mentality to be promoted through precision and revitalizing agriculture. 

Grain SA officially launched a National Yield Competition during September for 2020. The competition involved consultation with all seed companies to establish a standard protocol, to ensure that all participating seed companies and grain producers are assessed at the same level and on the same criteria.

To realise the successful presentation of a National Yield Competition, the support of agricultural partners is paramount and Grain SA is proud to announce that Pioneer, supported by Corteva, will be the main sponsor of the prestigious event. In addition, FNB, John Deere, Santam, and Agro have also come on board and we are extremely excited to partner with these agricultural stakeholders.

The structure of Grain SA's National Yield Competition is formulated to create synergy between individual seed companies' regional competitions with an overarching national competition. Each seed company will continue to present their regional yield competitions, from which winners can enter into the national competition hosted under the Grain SA flag.

Yield is an important component of a grain producer's profitability together with efficiency, and therefore it is important for producers to learn what can be done and under which circumstances. The importance of competitions like these cannot be underestimated as it offers producers the opportunity to learn more and learn from fellow producers. Furthermore, the competition provides a platform for grain producers to test new technologies, production practices and ideas with a view to maximising yields.

Similar competitions are already taking place locally and internationally, but Grain SA, with the partnerships of all seed companies, offers producers the opportunity to compare all cultivars, technically brushed over the same comb, within unique and individual production practices.

Grain producers will be able to compete in various categories including dry- and irrigation land. Producers will be further classed into both regions and national participation, and innovative production practices and smart farming plans will be encouraged to achieve the highest yields per hectare, regardless of the cultivar planted.

“Grain SA is committed to promoting the efficiency and sustainability of grain producers. In an environment with unpredictable production conditions and markets, innovative practices to deliver higher yields for producers can be invaluable. And what better opportunity for producers than to learn from their peers,” concluded Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA.

Book your seat for the 2020 Conservation Agriculture Conference in Reitz, which takes place from 16-17 March or in Ottosdal, which takes place from 18-19 March.

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.

landbouweekblad  - with the cooperation of Grain SA, the Ottosdal no-till club, Elim Fertiliser and Agricol - brings together world renowned speakers, local experts and successful South African farmers (who paid their school fees) for a South African conference on conservation agriculture, to bring hope to hundreds of farmers caught in a relentless cost squeeze.
 

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​​​​​​Click on each respective photo to book a space or download the latest programmes