OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
FSA congress to explore ‘Visionary Future for Agriculture’
Free State Agriculture CEO Henk Vermeulen says they are hoping to expose delegates to various experts and give them practical, take home tools to improve decision making going forward during this year’s congress in Bloemfontein on 10 and 11 August.
Drought, property rights remain disquieting issues
Wepener Agriculture Chairperson Johan Opperman says times have been tough, but farmers left the meeting -organised to provide farmers with information on political and economic issues - feeling motivated:
Oz expert to share post-drought fertilising tips
Fertiliser Association of Southern Africa, Fertasa, CEO Adam Mostert says Australian scientist Dr George Rayment will speak about strategies to follow after a drought during the organisation’s symposium on July 27:
Feature: More children involved in civil cases
Civil cases involving children, who are caught in a divorce battle or orphaned are on the rise in South Africa. Legal Aid SA's Patrick Hundermark, says 12% of their workload involve these civil cases. To deal with civil matters involving children, Legal Aid South Africa published a booklet with guidelines…
Wimbledon strawberries picked fresh every day
Agricultural economist Kobus Laubscher says events such as Wimbledon have a huge spinoff for several sectors, not least of these being the agriculture sector. He says some 28-tons of fresh strawberries are consumed during the 14-day event:
Checks and balances had to be done
Agri SA Executive Director Omri van Zyl says the organisation has to comply with certain best practices when dealing with a donation subject to conditions:
Important to look each other in the eyes
Agri SA Executive Director Omri van Zyl says in his experience, philanthrophic donations are not usually handled in this manner:
Questions raised about those with questions
Gabm’s Mark Paulsmeier has described questions around whether or not the offer is genuine as ridiculous and questioned how anyone could have any doubts:
GABM donation now being considered elsewhere
TAU SA President Louis Meintjies discussions are still underway with Gabm and further information will be available at a later stage.
Permits could be purchased to offset pollution
CSIR Chief Scientist Professor Paul Oberholtser says the study also forms part of an effort by the CSIR to formulate a tradeable permit system to help manage pollution:
Algae cleaning cost not usually taken into account
CSIR Chief Scientist Professor Paul Oberholtser says farmers have to clean the algae to prevent irrigation system blockages and that this cost is often not taken into account.
RPO congress to focus on all aspects of the industry
RPO CEO Gerhard Schutte says congress this year is being presented under the theme “The future of the red meat industry”. He says one of the discussion points will be research by the University of the Free State on the true impact of the drought on the sector:
Feature: Modern day student politics and activism in discussion
Something that affects people directly and indirectly, whether they like it or not, is politics. The topic of politics, student politics to be more precise, has become the topic of discussion on the academic landscape. A book which discusses the direct or indirect impact of student politics on society at…
Teachers trained to teach all elements of agriculture
Mpho Makhanya of the Agricultural Research Council says the training for teachers was initiated after content gaps were identified in the new Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements, or Caps, syllabus. Makhanya says a broad range of practical and theoretical areas will be covered:
GABM confirms cancellation of drought aid donation
Founder of the Global Association of Billionaires and Millionaires (GABM), Mark Paulsmeier, says the decision was taken to utilise the funds for other GABM projects after South Africa’s Government did not give written consent to certain suspensive conditions contained in a letter sent on June 27.
Thaba ‘Nchu feedlot was necessary for community
Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Oupa Khoabane says there was a definite need for a feedlot to be launched in Thaba ‘Nchu area:
Govt has plans to grow Free State’s role in wool market
Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Oupa Khoabane says the launch of a multi-million Rand sheep shearing facility ties in with plans to grow the wool market in the province in future.
Boere benodig goeie inligting vir besluitneming
Die voorsitter van die Wepener-landbouvereniging, Johan Opperman, sê boere maak staat op eerstehandse inligting van kundiges om goeie besluite te neem oor of hulle kan voortgaan met produksie op hul plase en sodoende ‘n bydrae tot verhoogde voedselsekerheid in die land kan lewer.
Feature on Rights of the Arrested and Detained
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Free State held a roundtable discussion on the rights of arrested, detained and accused persons at Grootvlei Prison in Bloemfontein. The SAHRC hosted a roundtable discussion after the United Nations’ (UN) Human Rights Committee expressed concern about excessive use of force…
Compartments in pork production should enable quick resumption of exports
SA Pork Producer's organisation (Sappo) veterinary liaison Dr Peter Evans says the way in which the pork industry in South Africa is compartmentalised, coupled with strict biosecurity controls, means that damage to commercial producers should be limited.