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25  September  2020


During the lockdown, the MPO’s office will be closed, but all staff members are operating remotely and will be conducting their roles as normal from home offices.
MPO executive head Dr Chris van Dijk is a member of the COVID-19 Task Team.
 
The MPO will keep dairy farmers informed about the latest
developments through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook.

 
The MPO Bulletin is proudly sponsored by Westside
THE AVERAGE MILK PRICE FOR FARMERS SHOULD BE AT LEAST R5,56
Unprocessed milk production for August 2020 is estimated at 288 million litres, 1,5% less than in August 2019. Cumulative unprocessed milk production for 2020 (inclusive of August) was 2 057 million litres, indicating a negative growth of –0,6% for the first eight months of 2020, if compared to the same period of 2019 (source: Milk SA last two months preliminary). February 2020 was a leap month and, if the month is adjusted to 28 days, the negative growth percentage for the first eight months increases to –1,1%.
 
Looking further back, the growth in 2019 for the first eight months was 0,5% and for the first eight months of 2018, it was 6,6%. The 2018 base was very high, which puts the subsequent lower growth rates into perspective.
 
The MPO has consistently commented that the reduction in farmer prices has been too steep and lengthy. The MPO has cautioned that a reduction of this magnitude would harm the industry in the short and medium term, wipe out farmer reserves, force farmers to accumulate debt to survive, and force farmers to leave the industry. To rectify the situation the average,the average price paid to farmers should be at least  R5,56. Milk farmers are currently in a good position to negotiate price and contract terms.
 
To read the MPO Pointer 13/ 22 September 2020, click
HERE.

Om die MPO Aanwyser 13/ 22 September 2020 te lees, kliek HIER.

AS THE SARB STEADIES, LOW RATES CONTINUE TO SPUR CONFIDENCE IN AGRICULTURE

After having cut the repo rate by 300 basis points so far this year, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kept the rate unchanged at a record low of 3,5% in September 2020. The SARB considered risks to both growth and inflation as balanced and showed no intention of making further cuts for the remainder of 2020.

While the decision does not have an immediate impact on agriculture, the lower interest rates for 2020 have benefited the sector, which has overall debt of over R170 billion and rising. This has boosted confidence in the sector with the Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) rebounding, and edged slightly above the 50-point mark in the  third quarter of 2020 to 51 points from 39 in the second quarter. The capital investments confidence sub-index improved by six points from the second quarter to 44 in the third quarter as the huge 2020 agriculture output and better prices boosted farming profits. This is evident in the progress in agricultural machinery sales for January to August 2020. Combine harvester sales increased by 18% relative to the same period in 2019 although tractor sales slowed slightly. Press release. Click
HERE to read more.

Bertus van Heerden, hoofekonoom van die MPO, het onlangs in ’n onderhoud op Grootplaas gesels oor die jongste melkpryse. Kliek HIER om na die onderhoud te luister.
Doc Faffa says, “Spring and summer are here. Now is the time to get your vaccination programme up to date! Parasites also like the warmer weather. Consult your veterinarian.” To read the latest Disease Report published by RuVasa, click HERE.
Woodlands Dairy has launched its Umthombo Enterprise Development Initiative, a platform to create economic and social growth opportunities for women in the township economy. Press release. To read more, click HERE.
Following the increased number of attacks and murders taking place on farming and rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, handed over a Safety and Security Memorandum to the SAPS in an exclusive webinar for its members. Press release. To read more, click HERE.
The MPO National’s virtual Annual General Meeting, Congress and Awards Presentation will take place on 4 November. You are urged to book a place now by contacting Julie McLachlan (julie@mpo.co.za). To view the programme, click HERE.
“Dairy, the centrepiece of a kid’s food table.” This year the Consumer Education Project of Milk SA (CEP) is celebrating World School Milk Day by sharing information with mothers and teachers about the importance of dairy in the diet of growing children. A media release was developed by the CEP and distributed to national and local newspapers and online magazines. Click HERE to read more.
Die opwindende Agri-Expo inligtingsdae wat jaarliks tydens Agri-Expo Livestock buite Stellenbosch aangebied word, het ‘n nuwe baadjie aangetrek en staan nou bekend as SIYABONGA-dae. Wat dit nog meer besonders maak, is dat dié geleenthede nou in verskillende streke plaasvind en regstreeks uitgesaai word sodat boere van oraloor kan deelneem. Media vrystelling. Om meer te lees, kliek HIER.
Germany ASF outbreak: SA bans pork imports. To read the latest Absa Agribusiness Livestock and Hide Report, click HERE.
First Choice, one of South Africa’s leading milk and dairy product brands, has partnered with Cape Town City Football Club (CTCFC) with their high-protein recovery drink, scientifically formulated to give elite and amateur athletes rapid muscle recovery following intense workouts or competition. Press release. To read more, click HERE.
Die nuutste navorsingsinligting vir die suiwelbedryf en melkprodusente word deur die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou as ’n webinaar tydens die jaarlikse Outeniqua Inligtingsdag op 30 September aangebied. Inligting oor die weidingstelselproef, kultivar-evaluasies, kragvoervoeding vir koeie wat op raaigras en plantaan wei en ’n studie oor essensiëleolie-aanvullings vir koeie sal aangebied word. Belangstellendes kan gerus hul e-pos-adresse na Janke van der Colf stuur by JankeVdC@elsenburg.com om die webinaarskakel te ontvang.
AgriCAREERConnect (ACC) Virtual 2020 will be taking place at the University of Pretoria on 8 October and at Stellenbosch University on 15 October this year. The target is undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of agriculture, food, and consumer sciences, as well as first-year BSc Biological Science students, BEng (Industrial), IT and BCom students.
VISIT
agrijob.co.za/agricareerconnect for more.
This week in the Government Gazette. Click HERE for a summary and links to the Notices published.
KZN dairy producers, please diarise the training taking place in KZN in September. Should you require any of the above training and you are outside the specified regions where the training is taking place, please contact us so that we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you. To view the training schedule, click HERE.
The Dairy Mail team would like to remind all our readers to access a FREE copy of the digital issue of their favourite dairy publication. Click HERE to read the free The Dairy Mail September issue online.
 
#TheDairyMail app has been officially launched and we invite you to download it to your device today! The app is not available in an app store; all you need to do is follow this link to download it directly to your device/s: https://dairymail-app.co.za/login
 
 Disclaimer: The MPO Bulletin is compiled from sources deemed reliable. However, the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors, or the effect of any decisions based on this publication.
 
Vrywaring: Alhoewel die MPO Bulletin saamgestel word uit bronne wat as betroubaar beskou word, neem die uitgewers geen verantwoordelikheid vir aksies of verliese wat weens die gebruik van hierdie inligting mag ontstaan nie.
The Dairy Mail
 
Contact us/Kontak ons
 

Dr Chris van Dijk
Chief executive/Uitvoerende hoof

Barbara Bieldt
Market development and compliance services manager/Bestuurder: markontwikkeling en voldoeningsdienste
 

Bertus van Heerden
Economist/Ekonoom
 

Philip Swart
Producer services manager/Bestuurder: produsentedienste
Copyright © 2020 Agriconnect, All rights reserved.


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