In its 'Summer Crops (2025): Intentions to Plant' report, released in October, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) states that South African maize farmers have indicated their plans to plant just over 2,64 million hectares to the crop in the 2024/25 production season. In the 2023/24 production season, a little more than 2,636 million hectares were planted to maize, with the harvest estimated at over 12,72 million tons.
The CEC also reports that commercial producers intend to plant 1,578 million hectares to white maize, about 1,5% or 22 850ha more than the previous season. In the case of yellow maize, the expected plantings are 1,062 million hectares, which is roughly 1,8% or 19 000ha less than the previous season.
As far as sunflower seed is concerned, the estimated area to be planted is 540 000ha, up 2,1%, or 11 000ha, from the 2023/24 marketing season.
The intended plantings of soya bean are expected to increase by 0,2%, or 2 700ha, compared with the previous season, from 1,15 million hectares to 1,153 million hectares. In contrast, expected plantings of groundnuts are set to decrease by 2,9%, or 1 200ha, from 41 200ha to 40 000ha.
Sorghum plantings are anticipated to rise significantly by 28,3%, or 11 900ha, compared with last season, bringing the total to 54 000ha.
Additionally, expected plantings of dry beans are estimated at 45 105ha, representing an increase of 14%, or 5 555ha, from the previous season.
"The fact that South African maize producers were able to produce sufficient grain [in the 2023/24 season] to meet domestic and export demand, despite the months of drought in Southern Africa triggered by the El Niño phenomenon, is testament to a world-class local production sector successfully driven by a free market system,” says Jaco Minnaar, president of Agri SA.
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Denne historien er fra November 22, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
