With the cost-price squeeze in agriculture being worse than ever, farmers need to watch every rand in order to make a reasonable profit. So, while one could probably insure anything for its true value by paying a high enough premium, doing so might not be wise. What, in your opinion, should a farmer be insuring?
It’s 100% correct to note that anything can be insured if you’re prepared to part with enough money. But as a farmer you need to take a step back and decide whether an insurance quote is a fair reflection of the risk and whether it makes sense for you and your farm.
No two farming businesses are alike. Mechanisation, seed, management, and input costs are just some of the things that vary greatly from one farm to another. As a result, there isn’t simply one insurance recipe that works for everybody.
To begin with, as a farmer you should know your business like the back of your hand. The better you can describe your farm and its underlying risk to an insurance broker, the better he or she will be able to advise you on how to incorporate a sensible risk strategy into your business plan.
Remember, too, that insurance should be integral to your business, and not merely an add-on.
So where do you start if you want to insure your farm?
The first step is to understand your own risk. A young, healthy person with no medical history of illness can get away with less health insurance coverage than a sickly, middle-aged person who needs to support a family.
Equally, you need to understand your farming risk. As a rule of thumb, you should insure anything that threatens the survival of your business.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 28 October من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 28 October من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
Dream Lodge: a digital detox destination
Dinner by candlelight and without digital distractions on an off-grid farm makes this North West lodge the ideal getaway for reconnecting with friends and family, writes Riaan Hattingh.
Optimising nutrient availability for cattle
Nutrient circularity in cattle farming can help improve soil health and reduce farming costs. Ernest Makua, livestock technical adviser at Red Meat Industry Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in the industry.
Canola: a growing force in South Africa's agricultural landscape
Zander Spammer, an agricultural resource manager at Southern Oil, spoke to Zunel van Eeden about the growth of the canola industry in South Africa and the main uses for this versatile crop.
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.