FarmBiz - August 2020

In this issue

Soil health and food nutrient density
Hygiene practices in dairy facilities
Soil restoration; Bush encroachment; Agri imports and exports; From poultry litter to biogas

Industry Giants Comment On Special Adjustment Budget

Prof Johan Willemse, an independent agricultural economist, says the supplementary budget delivered by the minister of finance on 24 June was a real shocker. According to him, the government is spending an additional R145 billion on the COVID-19 issue. The real issue, however, is a record budget shortfall due to the economic meltdown, with wrong policy choices and corruption on the cards.

5 mins

Hanging Tough: Local Wine Cultivars Adapt To Climate Change

South Africa’s road to success in the cultivation of vines, and more specifically the wine industry, has been paved with many stones since the first bottle of wine was produced by Jan van Riebeeck on 2 February 1659.

4 mins

How Young Vineyards Can Survive Climate Change

By choosing the right cultivars and adapting their irrigation regimes in young vineyards, winegrowers may mitigate the expected effect of climate change in coming years. This is according to Dr Hanlé Theron, who recently obtained her doctorate in viticulture from Stellenbosch University.

3 mins

The Secret To Restoring Nutrient Density In Food

Over the past 60 years, scientists have noticed alarming changes in the nutrient values of the food we eat. A popular article, Mineral Depletion of Foods

5 mins

MIRAVIS® Duo controls early blight (Alternaria solani) on potatoes

Potato early blight is caused by the fungus, Alternaria solani L. First observed in South Africa in the early 1900s, the disease causes severe premature defoliation late in the season, which negatively impacts overall yield by reducing the plant’s photosynthetic capacity.

3 mins

Bush thickening and encroachment

Infectious bush thickening (BT) and bush encroachment (BE) are caused by the densification of alien and indigenous woody shrub and tree species, such as Senegalia mellifera (black thorn), Vachellia species (Senegalia and Vachellia were previously known as Acacia spp) and Prosopis (mesquite).

5 mins

Rethinking The Conversion Process Of Poultry Litter To Biogas

The poultry industry is generally comprised of broiler chicken production, egg production, day-old chick suppliers and other poultry. While micro-enterprise businesses are gaining prominence as a means to address the challenges of job creation, economic growth and equity, the industry has future challenges concerning poultry litter management.

5 mins

An Overview Of Canola Production In South Africa

In South Africa, canola is predominantly produced as a rainfed winter crop in the Western Cape – especially in the southern, Overberg, and Swartland regions.

3 mins

Getting to grips with hygiene practices in dairy processing facilities

Food safety and quality dairy products go hand in hand. During processing, milk products can be contaminated in many ways, which is why the South African dairy industry adheres to strict regulations to protect both the industry and dairy consumers.

4 mins

Milk And Microbes: A Match Made In Heaven

Fermented milk has been part of human history for a very long time and is a versatile product made in various regions around the world. By fermenting milk, the product is enhanced to be more beneficial than the original unfermented product. Any type of milk can be fermented, although the milk of cows and goats is the most popular. Some of the benefits of fermented milk include enhanced digestibility, as well as a higher nutritional value in the form of added probiotics, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It also preserves products for a longer time, whereas unfermented and unprocessed milk usually has a very short shelf life.

4 mins

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FarmBiz Magazine Description:

FarmBiz is a unique monthly publication serving the agribusiness industry. This one-of-a-kind publication addresses issues that are pertinent to better production, higher profitability, policy issues, trade and much more. Its readership spans the entire agribusiness sector – from top commercial farmers and the agribusinesses who serve them, to government institutions, opinion leaders and agribusiness consultants.