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This competition, in collaboration with Grain SA, John Deere, Syngenta, First National Bank and Santam, offer producers the opportunity to test new and innovative production practices and processes, to improve productivity and to maximise yields.The DuPont® PIONEER® Weigh & Win National Yield Competition, currently in its 3rd consecutive year, has maize, soya and sunflower producers from all over South Africa, raging.
Participating grain farmers will compete in different regional categories to harvest the various maize, soya and sunflower accolades. The information collected by DuPont Pioneer during this competition is another way in which the company collaborates with producers to promote research initiatives and to improve farm’ yields per hectare by planting the correct products.
For further information, rules and regional layouts, download the competition information sheet here or visit www.weegenwen.co.za.
BVG in partnership with Landbou.com, Landbouweekblad, JSE, BKBGrainCo, BVG and Grain SA are launched the 2018 Fantasy Hedging Competition and there is only one week left to register before the 23 February 2018 closing date. In addition to the prizes up for grabs, Grain SA will be sponsoring an additional R10 000 to the Grain SA member who comes first. Endeavouring to offer users the best possible experience, BVG has made improvements to the trading software to ensure a more realistic trading experience and new functionality has been built where participants can enter their orders which will be executed once the price gets to their trigger price. The finalists will be announced during NAMPO Harvest Day, with the winner's announcement taking place later in the year at a prestigious gala event.
South African producers are advised to adhere to the rules and regulations in place for the control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) as this will aid the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to limit the pest’s spread and damage. These regulations were published on 26 May 2017 in the Government Gazette and available on our website. It is of utmost importance that producers notify authorities of any occurrence or suspected occurrence of fall armyworm in their fields. Authorities should also be given uninterrupted access to the production area to carry out their mandated tasks and with producer’s assistance, where needed. Failure to uphold these regulations will be breaking the law which may lead to prosecution or a fine imposed by the authorities.
Following the last Fall Armyworm Steering Committee (FAWSC) of 1 February, with representatives from national and provincial government and industry, the following detections were sent to the national laboratory for confirmation:
Gauteng:
FAW confirmed in Bronkhorstspruit, Cullinan, Veereneging and Melapong).
Mpumalanga:
Present in the Witbank area and has been previously reported in other parts of the Nkangala district.
Limpopo:
Confirmed in the districts of Mopani, Vhembe and Waterberg.
North West:
Unconfirmed cases around Groot Barn and Koster.
KwaZulu-Natal:
High infestations in Greytown and other parts of KZN)
Eastern Cape:
Confirmed FAW presence.
Free State, Northern and Western Cape:
No new reports.
National surveillance programme traps have been placed and serviced in Gauteng and placed but still require servicing, in Mpumalanga. Traps are currently being set up in the Eastern Cape, with plans in place to set up traps in the Northern Cape as well as KwaZulu-Natal.
Furthermore, a trial has been planned to study the efficacy of the different lures as national surveillance traps generally catch a lot of false armyworm moths. In addition, a field protein kit for positive identification of fall armyworm is nearly ready. FAW infestation in certain parts of the country isn’t high (due to dry weather) but there’s a wide distribution. Potential for the pest to quickly grow and spread is high if the weather conditions improve. The recent La Nina condition (wet and cool) might change the situation, becoming favourable for the pest. Additionally, pest fact sheets have been translated into XiTsonga, SePedi, IsiZulu, SiSwati, and IsiNdebele and are available on the DAFF website.
To report occurrence or suspected occurrence of the pest contact 012 319 6384 or e-mail JanHendrikV@daff.gov.za.
Read the USAID Press Release Global experts release guide on Fall Armyworm management, a critical global security threat in Africa
Download a copy of the USAID FAW Guide - Fall Armyworm in Africa: A GUIDE FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT here
Producers are once again urged to make use of the Sclerotinia hotline and to distribute to fellow farmers as far wide as possible so as to give a clear picture of the status of the pathogen in the country. When sending information to the WhatsApp hotline, please tag your exact location using your device’s GPS location and not just the nearby town. Reports of Sclerotinia have been sent to the hotline from areas around Bothaville (FS), Bonnievale (WC) and Coligny (NW) where it was found in sunflower, soybean and canola.
This ever-popular annual highlight on the conservation agriculture calendar, which takes place from 13-14 March 2018 at the Ottosdal Showground, will this year focus on Diversity's key role in the regeneration, resilience and profitability of conservation agriculture.
For further details download the entry form and program here
Landbouweekblad, VKB and Dekalb SA - together with the Riemland Study Group and Grain SA - brings together world-renowned speakers, experts and the best farmers who’ve paid the school fees, for the first South African conference focused on revival agriculture.
The conference will be held on the VKB-showgrounds in Reitz on 19 and 20 March 2018. Contact Dalene Ricketts (dricketts@landbou.com) for bookings or click here to download the programme.
According to the latest information from the Central Energy Fund, diesel prices may decrease with 28 cents per litre on 7 March, while the petrol price may decrease by 19 cents per litre. Both lower crude oil prices and a stronger rand contribute to these expected decreases.
International versus local fertiliser price trends:
Since the majority of SA's fertiliser needs has to be imported, international price trends can be used to predict domestic price movements.
Internationally, prices have been used in certain ports while domestically average prices of various fertiliser companies are used. The intent is to capture comparative year-on-year trends rather than on the physical price.
Table 1 indicate global price trends in dollar terms, while Table 2 shows the same prices in rand value. In international markets, prices of ammonia, DAP and potassium chloride have increased in dollar terms over the year-period. The rand has increased by 10.2% over the same period, which should be favourable for imported fertiliser. Table 2 indicate a decrease in international urea and potassium chloride fertiliser prices in rand value of 15.7% and 1.2%, respectively. However, Ammonia and DAP still record year-on-year increases.
|
Table 1: International fertiliser prices in dollar value |
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|
|
January 2017 |
January 2018 |
% change |
|
Fertiliser |
Dollar/ton |
Dollar/ton |
% |
|
Ammonia (Middle-East) |
233 |
336 |
+44.2% |
|
Urea (46) (Eastern Europe) |
242 |
227 |
-6.2% |
|
DAP (US Golf) |
326 |
395 |
+21.2% |
|
KCL (CIS) |
217 |
239 |
+10.0% |
|
Rand/Dollar exchange |
13.56 |
12.18 |
-10.2% |
|
Table 2: International fertiliser prices in rand value |
|||
|
|
January 2017 |
January 2018 |
% change |
|
Fertiliser |
Rand/ton |
Rand/ton |
% |
|
Ammonia (Middle-East) |
3 159 |
4 092 |
+29.5% |
|
Urea (46) (Eastern Europe) |
3 282 |
2 765 |
-15.7% |
|
DAP (US Golf) |
4 421 |
4 811 |
+8.8% |
|
KCL (CIS) |
2 943 |
2 908 |
-1.2% |
Table 3 indicate how local fertiliser price trends moved over a year-period. The table indicate that local nitrogen prices is following the international urea price downwards. However, potassium chloride has risen locally, while it has declined internationally.
|
Table 3: Domestic fertiliser prices |
|||
|
|
February 2017 |
February 2018 |
% change |
|
Fertiliser |
Rand/ton |
Rand/ton |
% |
|
KAN (28) |
5 425 |
5 201 |
-4.1% |
|
Urea (46) |
6 169 |
5 757 |
-6.7% |
|
MAP |
8 477 |
8 920 |
+5.2% |
|
KCL |
6 285 |
6 561 |
+4.4% |
Essentially 100% of the active ingredients needed to manufacture agricultural chemicals are imported. International trends and the exchange rate will therefore play a decisive role in domestic pricing.
Tables 1 to 4 indicate trends in international agricultural chemicals (active ingredients) prices in a Chinese port. Tables 2 and 4 indicate international prices in rand value. The rand has strengthened by 10% from January 2017 to January 2018.
As far as herbicides are concerned, except for Trifluralin, all active ingredients show year-on-year increased in rand value.
Table 1: Herbicide prices: International in dollar value
|
International herbicide prices - Year-on-year change ($/t) |
|||
|
|
Jan 17 |
Jan 18 |
% change |
|
Glyphosate (95%) |
4 206 |
4 886 |
+16.2% |
|
Acetochlor (92%) |
2 588 |
3 983 |
+53.9% |
|
Atrazine (97%) |
2 657 |
3 686 |
+38.7% |
|
Metolachlor (97%) |
3 373 |
4 415 |
+30.9% |
|
Trifluralin (95%) |
4 516 |
4 585 |
+1.5% |
|
R/$ |
13.56 |
12.18 |
-10.2% |
Table 2: Herbicide prices: International in rand value
|
International herbicide prices - Year-on-year change (R/t) |
|||
|
|
Jan 17 |
Jan 18 |
% change |
|
Glyphosate (95%) |
57 196 |
59 516 |
+4.1% |
|
Acetochlor (92%) |
35 194 |
48 508 |
+37.8% |
|
Atrazine (97%) |
36 137 |
44 892 |
+24.2% |
|
Metolachlor (97%) |
45 878 |
53 775 |
+17.2% |
|
Trifluralin (95%) |
61 423 |
55 847 |
-9.1% |
When reviewing insecticide prices, the most actives indicate sharp rising trend in dollar as well as in rand values. According to Chinese market reports, the state implements very strict pollution legislation, with many plants closing as a result. This has greatly reduced the supply of insecticides and pushed prices upwards. Sharp rises are expected in the domestic market in March 2018.
It is important to take note that many of the multi-national companies' products are not imported from China, and therefore would not show similar increases. According to multi-national companies, prices should increase between 5% and 12%.
Table 3: Insecticide prices: International in dollar value
|
International insecticide prices - Year-on-year changes ($/t) |
|||
|
|
Jan 17 |
Jan 18 |
% change |
|
Imidacloprid (95%) |
17 621 |
32 162 |
+82.5% |
|
Lambda-cyhalothrin (95%) |
20 996 |
36 890 |
+75.7% |
|
Carbofuran (99%) |
9 333 |
13 193 |
+41.4% |
|
Deltamethrin (98%) |
56 491 |
105 097 |
+86.0% |
|
Acetamiprid (95%) |
18 840 |
32 595 |
+73.0% |
|
Chlorpyrifos (95%) |
4 348 |
7 154 |
+64.5% |
|
Cypermethrin (94%) |
9 655 |
18 002 |
+86.5% |
|
R/$ |
13.56 |
12.18 |
-10.2% |
Table 4: Insecticide prices: International in rand value
|
International insecticide prices - Year-on-year changes (R/t) |
|||
|
|
Jan 17 |
Jan 18 |
% change |
|
Imidacloprid (95%) |
239 648 |
391 734 |
+63.5% |
|
Lambda-cyhalothrin (95%) |
285 548 |
449 319 |
+57.4% |
|
Carbofuran (99%) |
126 922 |
160 693 |
+26.6% |
|
Deltamethrin (98%) |
768 279 |
1 280 085 |
+66.6% |
|
Acetamiprid (95%) |
255 471 |
397 001 |
+55.4% |
|
Chlorpyrifos (95%) |
58 965 |
87 132 |
+47.8% |
|
Cypermethrin (94%) |
130 916 |
219 261 |
+67.5% |
