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Agriculture News

Extreme weather is shaking up Africa's corn trade

By: Bloomberg Updated 24 minutes ago At least three African nations will need to import more corn this year after extreme weather from cyclones to drought devastated crops, sparking some unusual trade flows. Corn is a staple grain across much of sub-Saharan Africa, where it’s milled and cooked with water to form a porridge or stiff... →

DTI forges ahead with product standardisation task

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 Following Mining Charter III’s call to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop a “Standardised Coding and Product Identification System in the Mining Supply Chain” whereby products can be identified using a unique name and code, the department has established a multistakeholder... →

INDUSTRY GROWTH The DTI looks forward to exchanging lessons and experiences to unpack challenges and identify solutions for growth across the manufacturing sector

Agribusiness confidence remains subdued

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th June 2019 The Agbiz/Industrial Development Corporation Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) weakened to 44 in the second quarter. This followed a marginal improvement to 46 in the first quarter. →

Mondi simplification still expected to be completed this year

By: Simone Liedtke 7th June 2019 LSE- and JSE-listed packaging and paper group Mondi on Friday confirmed that “good progress” was being made in simplifying the company’s corporate structure. This included the processes to obtain the necessary regulatory consents, Mondi said in a statement. →

Winetech Pitching Den entry deadline extended to June 28

By: Creamer Media Reporter 5th June 2019 Winetech and the South African Innovation Summit have extended the deadline for the Winetech Pitching Den entries to June 28. This is to enable more entrepreneurs to compete and showcase their agritech innovations to the South African wine industry. →

Tongaat’s shares fall as it announces plans to restate 2018 financial statements

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 31st May 2019 JSE-listed Tongaat Hulett's share price on the JSE fell by nearly 10% on Friday afternoon after it announced that it would have to restate its financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, as a strategic and financial review had revealed “past practices which are of... →

Global innovation challenge launched to tackle irrigation water loss

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2019 As part of its commitment to reducing its environment footprint, global sugar producer AB Sugar has opened a call for ideas to tackle irrigation water loss through the Innovate Irrigation Challenge, an initiative launched in partnership with WaterAid and the Centre for Industrial Sustainability... →

Lekwa municipality water supply problems hit Astral Foods poultry processing plant

By: African News Agency 28th May 2019 Integrated poultry producer Astral Foods said on Tuesday the water supply constraints stemming from the deterioration of infrastructure in the Lekwa municipality which supplies its processing plant in Standerton were having significant cost implications for the company. In its recently reported... →

Land Bank economist warns of increasing risk of African swine fever

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 24th May 2019 South African meat producers are likely to continue facing challenges this year, says Land Bank agricultural economist Karabo Takadi. One of the biggest likely challenges is that the risk profile for the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was increasing, posing a potential risk to stakeholders... →

Habasit presents range of timing belts for drive technology

24th May 2019 Last month, conveyor and processing belts manufacturer Habasit presented its complete timing belt portfolio at leading trade fair for integrated automation, motion and drives Hannover Messe Fair. The range of applications for timing belts in drive technology and intralogistics is significant. The... →

HIGH-PERFORMANCE BELTS These Flex belts are ideal for transporting heavy loads and are therefore suitable for use in high-performance conveyor systems

BMG extends supply of gearboxes and variators

24th May 2019 Engineering consumables and components distributor Bearing Man Group (BMG), as exclusive distributors for gears and drives manufacturer Varvel Group in sub-Saharan Africa for more than 40 years, has extended the supply of Varvel gearboxes and variators for small- and medium-power applications.... →

TRACKING THE SUN BMG’s Varvel worm gearboxes are installed on solar panels to ensure that they are in an ideal position to track the sun

Vert supplies Leroy-Somer motors in Southern Africa

24th May 2019 Electric power generation solutions provider Vert Energy is the sole supplier of electric motors manufacturer Leroy-Somer in Southern Africa. Vert Energy supplies the entire Leroy-Somer (LS) range, including standard and adapted ac and dc motors, geared and brake motors, variable speed drives... →

SAFETY IN EXTREME CONDITIONS The range is ideal for pump, ventilation, agitator and mixed applications in refineries, pipelines, petrochemicals and food industries

New VSD software offers energy savings

By: Cameron Mackay 24th May 2019 Electrical and energy solutions provider Zest WEG Group is deploying a new plug-and-play variable speed drive (VSD) software solution that achieves automatic energy savings when used with any standard electric motor. The solution was developed by WEG Group software engineers in Brazil. →

LIGHTEN THE LOAD While there are a variety of different sized motors that will have different efficiencies, energy savings increase exponentially as the load decreases

Tongaat Hulett, lenders to consider standstill agreement

By: Reuters 16th May 2019 Tongaat Hulett said on Thursday it was looking to negotiate a standstill agreement with its lenders, which had already agreed to waive some of their rights related to their loans to the troubled sugar producer. The news supported Tongaat shares, which have been under pressure since it issued a... →

Court action suspended, parties agree on more transparency in chicken industry

By: African News Agency 15th May 2019 The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) have agreed to lift the veil of secrecy on "confidential" documents on which the protectionist application on chicken imports is based. In a statement in Wednesday AMIE, which had launched the... →

Rise in unemployment rate a call for government to revisit policies

By: African News Agency 15th May 2019 The rise in unemployment levels in South Africa, especially in agriculture, is a major concern and deserves the immediate attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa in his new tenure, Agri SA said on Wednesday. South Africa's unemployment rate has risen to its highest level since the third quarter of... →

South African student named among winning wood scientists in global competition

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th May 2019 The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) on Tuesday announced the three global winners of its 2018/19 Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award. University of Pretoria (UP) Masters student Martin Wierzbicki was selected as a winner along with Elina Pääkkönen, from... →

Davies approves revised guidelines for aquaculture programme

By: African News Agency 14th May 2019 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies has approved the revised guidelines of South Africa's Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP), with implementation effective from April 1, his department said on Tuesday. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms including fish,... →

Davies approves Bojanala SEZ recommendation

By: Simone Liedtke 13th May 2019 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies on Monday notified the public and interested parties of his intention to designate the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. The public and interested parties will have 30 days from the date of the publication of the notice in the Government Gazette to support... →

Working group meeting to address impact of neonicotinoids in Africa

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 10th May 2019 The potential risk of neonicotinoids in Africa will be assessed at a working group meeting hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 13 to 15. The working group meeting follows on a workshop held in... →

Grain recovery offsets Kaap Agri’s drought-related challenges

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th May 2019 JSE-listed agricultural retailer Kaap Agri reported a solid set of results for the six months ended March 31, on the back of revenue growth in its Wesgraan grain handling and storage division. Wesgraan’s revenue grew by 26.6% year-on-year on the back of improved wheat harvests in the Western... →

Mahindra South Africa unveils comprehensive farming equipment range

By: Irma Venter 10th May 2019 Mahindra has opened its fourth business in South Africa. The India-based conglomerate will now add farming equipment to its product line-up in the domestic market, along with vehicles, generators and construction equipment. →

Mahindra has entered the farming equipment business in South Africa

Polymer bushings used in unsuitable environments

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2019 Polymer bushing manufacturer Vesconite Bearings says its polymer bushings are suited to the South African agriculture sector because of their ability to remain efficient even in less than optimal conditions. Vesconite Bearings’ polymer bushings are manufactured from vesconite – a specialised... →

MANUFACTURING MARVEL Parts manufactured for planters and harvesters from vesconite polymers

Larger stands, more technology on display at Nampo

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2019 Agriculture supply manufacturer John Deere has increased its number of stands from three – in previous years – to five this year, totalling an unrivalled display area of 3 000 m2 at the 2019 Grain SA Nampo Harvest Day, which will be held from May 14 to 17 near Bothaville, in the Free State. John... →

TRACTOR TRACKER Satellites in farming are now a reality

New products launched at Nampo Harvest Day

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2019 Bearings and accessories distributor Bearings International (BI) will launch its Agri HUB bearings and the blue and white Agri Grease sachets at the Grain SA Nampo Harvest Day that will be held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville, in the Free State. The Agri HUB bearings have been designed... →

NUTS TO MISS IT Exhibitors use alluring offers and prizes to attract traffic to their stands

Hydraulics company using expo to highlight products

10th May 2019 Hydraulic component distributor Hydraulic and Automation Warehouse (HAW), a Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group Company, will showcase eight of its niche product lines at this year’s Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day. HAW’s focus will be on hose assembly solutions manufacturer Uniflex’s Grease Crimpers –... →

FLEX THOSE MUSCLES The Uniflex grease crimper will take center stage at the HAW stand this year

New products for the agriculture industry being launched

10th May 2019 Engineering components supplier Bearing Man Group (BMG) will be exhibiting at Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day this year being held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville in the Free State. The BMG stand will showcase the company’s range of agricultural components, which has been carefully selected for... →

BOER MAAK N PLAN The Boer Slim/Smart Farming initiative offers a range of products developed with and for local farmers

Biggest Nampo yet boasts 775 stands

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2019 The southern hemisphere’s largest agriculture expo, the Grain SA Nampo Harvest Day, will feature a record-breaking 775 stands, and organiser Grain SA says that all of the stands have now been sold out. The event caters to the South African and Southern Africa farming community and will be held... →

HIGH EXPECTATIONS An aerial view of the continent’s largest agriculture show being held in May

Welding machines and services on show

10th May 2019 Gas supplier Afrox will be showcasing its integrated range of services and solutions for the agricultural sector at the Grain SA Nampo Harvest Day, which will be held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville, in the Free State. This includes Afrox’s latest cutting, heating and welding equipment and... →

SPARKING INTEREST Afrox hopes to generate an interest at its stand by offering daily prizes for best welder

Supportive policy and infrastructure needed to improve agricultural harvest

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th May 2019 Variable climatic conditions, macroeconomic fluctuations, trade wars and land reform policy uncertainty will remain some of the biggest factors impacting on the South African agriculture sector for the foreseeable future, according to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s (BFAP’s)... →

Sappi says dissolving wood pulp prospects remain strong despite near-term pressures

By: Terence Creamer 9th May 2019 Diversified forests products group Sappi is warning of lower full-year earnings, owing to ongoing market weakness for graphic paper, as well as near-term pricing and volume pressures for its expanding dissolving wood pulp business. The company reported a decline second-quarter profit to... →

SA agriculture sector coping with challenges – FNB economist

By: African News Agency 6th May 2019 South Africa's agricultural sector remains resilient, but needs to learn how to cope with challenges such as drought and policy uncertainty, First National Bank senior agricultural economist Paul Makube said on Monday. The industry has faced severe headwinds over the past few years, including... →

Africa gains traction as trade destination

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 3rd May 2019 Africa, as a trade and export destination, is looking increasingly attractive from a South African perspective, and represents an opportunity for growth for many South African companies, says research and consulting specialist Africa House MD Liz Whitehouse. Africa offers South African companies... →

Photo by Creamer Media
MAKING PROGRESS Several industries and factors are driving growth in sub-Saharan Africa, including agricultural development and power

BMG World accredited as Eaton’s exclusive warranty centre in Africa

3rd May 2019 The well-established partnership between engineering consumables and components distributor Bearing Man Group (BMG) and power management solutions provider Eaton Hydraulics has been enhanced with the accreditation of BMG’s Johannesburg head office facility - BMG World - as the exclusive Eaton... →

NICKY MULLER The warranty centre’s local team is headed up by Muller and has benefited from a recent skills upliftment programme

New packages can be installed with existing infrastructure

By: Cameron Mackay 3rd May 2019 Pneumatic vibrator and impactor supplier Vipro is providing complete new packages for pneumatic products, which can be installed with existing infrastructure. “These new packages can be installed independently of existing infrastructure in plants and assembly lines. This is done to ensure proper... →

AIR QUALITY ADJUSTMENTS To mitigate air-quality challenges, Vipro supplies water traps, air lubricators and regulators, and compressors

Sugar industry advised to diversify product offering, enter niche product markets

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th April 2019 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies and the South African Cane Growers Association have agreed that increases in sugar imports in South Africa have an unavoidable impact on the competitiveness of the local sugar industry and that certain measures were necessary to restore its... →

Rapid IoT response required to evolving customer needs

By: Schalk Burger 26th April 2019 Rapid research and development cycles and the ability to design solutions quickly to meet customer uses are crucial to provide commercially viable Internet of Things (IoT) services and solutions in the fast-evolving IoT ecosystem, says information and communications technology consulting and... →

CRAIG FREER The benefit of an agile IoT team is that the company serves as a strategic adviser to clients

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