The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell from the 50-point mark in the first quarter of the year to 39 in the second quarter. A level below the neutral 50-point mark implies that agribusinesses are downbeat about prevailing business conditions in South Africa.
The 10 sub-indices that make up the index all showed a significant decline in the second quarter of the year, with most reaching their lowest levels since 2009. This followed despite the fact that South Africa’s agriculture and food sector has, for the most part, been operational during the lockdown period to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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The dog for the stockman and how to choose him
Sheep dogs have been invaluable to stock farmers for many decades and even centuries. However, the dog must be able to work. This article explored the characteristics that a farmer should consider when choosing a sheep dog.
Steady, solid progress with free-range pigs
Start small and grow with the results. This is the principle followed by young pig farmer Jason Buys of Ocean View piggery in the Western Cape. Jeandré van der Walt visited him to learn more about his free-range pig operation and how he plans to grow his farming business.
Brucellosis
This disease can cause devastating production losses. For this reason, it is a controlled disease, which means that it must be reported to government veterinary services. It is also a zoonosis.
Feed Right For Your Type
For sustainable grassland management, farmers need to know whether they are farming on sweet- or sourveld, and should adapt their livestock management practices accordingly. Glenneis Kriel reports.
Starting An Essential Oils Enterprise From Scratch
After attending a farmers’ day in 2018, Oniccah and Naledi Nkoe decided to start farming herbal plants to produce essential oils. They have since expanded plantings and launched their own essential oils business. They spoke to Salome Modiselle and Sandile Mahlangu, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council.
Illegal Sand Mining Threatens Sugar Farmers
The sugar cane farms of 175 small-scale growers are hanging in the balance as illegal sand mining in the Middle-Komati River reaches catastrophic levels.
Agriculture Alone Cannot Address The Youth Unemployment Crisis
Africa remains the youngest continent in the world, with almost 60% of its population under the age of 25.
Bidders Beware: Uptick In ‘Illegal' Auctions
With the introduction of the COVID-19-related lockdown came the unprecedented migration of auctions to online platforms as a means of selling everything from cars to office furniture.
Unsustainable Farming A Threat To Water Supply
South Africa’s estuarine and wetland ecosystems provide important ecological functions such as the purification of water. Yet 99% and 88% of these ecosystems respectively are threatened. Prof Francois Durand of the Department of Zoology at the University of Johannesburg writes that farmers, who are the main water users in the country, have a crucial role to play when it comes to reversing this degradation.
Soil sampling basics
A soil sample should represent a homogeneous area where there are no visible soil differences.
In Hot Pursuit
Chris Urmson’s company, Aurora, has merged with Uber’s self-driving unit to take on Waymo
MATT SHEAHAN
WAS AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ‘BOT’ THE SECRET TO EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND’S AMERICA’S CUP SUCCESS?
Resurgence in round the world races
A clutch of ‘budget friendly’ new round the world races for sailor-owners has tapped into renewed enthusiasm for adventure and endurance sailing. All three new events are set to take off in 2023.
GRAVE CONCERNS FOR BURT'S LADIES
Fears Sally & Loni will square off at memorial service
CRUISING IN THE FAST LANE
NOT ONLY THE FIRST FOIL-ASSISTED SUPERYACHT, BUT THE FIRST CRUISING YACHT WITH A FOIL, THE 142FT CANOVA IS A GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT IN SO MANY WAYS, SAYS TOBY HODGES
Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns
Their Ha’s Dac Biet pop-up preceded the pandemic.
Boost Profits While Saving Money
Budgeting and Inventory Management Tips for Business Owners
BUILT TO LAST
Long known for its heavy industry, Pittsburgh has reinvented itself as a thriving tech hub
Baby No. 2!
FACING HURDLES GETTING PREGNANT A SECOND TIME, KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN OPENS UP ABOUT THE PROCESS.
DEAD END TRACK
On February 5th, was the first time I went to the Sanremo train station and got on the train to Ventimiglia, the last stop before the border.