* Frans Mokoena was announced as the winner during a gala event hosted in Johannesburg on Friday night. He told OFM News he is extremely happy.

His mentor and translator Johan Kriel says Mokoena is a shining example to other emerging farmers who want to grow to become fully-fledged commercial farmers.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Grain Producer of the Year, which went to Mpumalanga farmer Jozua du Plessis. He says he is thrilled at the recognition. Commenting on his recipe for success, Du Plessis says precision farming has made a huge difference in the family farming operation:

* Red flags being raised by organised agriculture in the Free State over illegal hunting with dogs were again brought to attention following an incident in Heilbron at the weekend.

Chairperson of the Free State Agricultural Law and Order Committee, Tommie Esterhuyse, says the rural safety plan was activated on the farm north of Heilbron where about 20 to 30 hunting dogs were set loose. An ostrich and rabbits were killed. He says seven suspects were apprehended by farmers and handed over to the police.

FSA highlighted the issue in its newsletter earlier this month. It states that information from previous offenders has revealed that the dog hunting season kicked off on August 1st. 

Information at hand suggests that illegal trophy hunts, with as many as 300 dogs and 100 vehicles, are being planned for the second half of the year. Many of the dog owners allegedly hail from Gauteng. Prize monies are allegedly being offered and spectators also bet on the dogs.

A letter sent to top police structures has highlighted concerns. FSA has also requested that divisions such as visible policing, operational response services and public order policing should have necessary contingency plans in place to address the problem.

* Northern Cape agriculture officials celebrated World Food Day on Sunday with a handover of agricultural implements.

According to Wikipedia, World Food Day is on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945.

The national celebration took place in Eshowe on Friday. Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Norman Shushu was meanwhile on hand for the provincial celebration in Polokwane on Sunday, where he handed over implements such as wheat planters, Lucerne cutters and rippers, among other things.

Shushu also addressed the community on progress made in support of global efforts forming part of the Millennium development goals to combat hunger, malnutrition and poverty reduction.

I am Sabrina Dean with your agriculture news