In many respects, agriculture in general, and farming in particular, are peculiar sectors of the economy. Farmers have to solve diverse challenges, as well as manage and mitigate countless threats, many of which present existential risk.
In Part 1 of this series of articles, I shall discuss farming as a pioneering venture, then consider some of the less obvious risks facing sheep farmers in particular. Many of the risks faced daily by farmers threaten the very existence of farms as going concerns, together with the livelihoods of entire farming communities. This permanent state of pioneering, of being at the frontier of food production, is what makes the business of farming uniquely high-risk.
Farming is a frontline business in the sense that it alone has to mitigate and manage the most serious risks encountered through the total value chain of the production of food products and many other products used in commerce and industry.
SECURITY RISKS
Consider the significant difference in the nature, scope and scale of security risks faced by, for example, a retail butchery compared with those of the farmer producing the meat, and the lengths and costs to which the farmer must go to mitigate security risks.
Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.
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Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.
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Ancient Chinese horses: how are they related to modern breeds?
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A comparison between Phase C and Phase D growth tests
Melville Ferreira and Freek Botes, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council's Animal Production Insititute in Armoedsvlakte, explain why performance testing is important for herd progress.
Changing the potential of your soil
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A smart farm springs up and empowers locals
An experimental 'smart farm' is taking root at the doorstep of Gauteng's only Big Five game reserve and could become a blueprint for other socially and environmentally conscious farms in the future, writes Tanya Faber.
Proactive care helps to improve longevity of cows
Glenneis Kriel reports on the recent South African Cow Longevity Conference, where it was said that food security was the major concern at the moment.
Fresh market sales remain stable despite inflation
Cost fluctuations are a concern, but the potato market stands firm, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Ear implants can backtrack diseased cattle
However hard it hits the cattle owner to learn that there is unsuspected disease in their herd, it is to their advantage to know of it as soon as possible to prevent its further spread, as well as taking measures to eradicate the trouble where possible.
SA's electricity crisis: a dim legacy
South Africa's electricity crisis is the result of a series of failures over the past 30 years, says Mark Swilling, distinguished professor of Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University.