See PODCAST below

She highlights news stories in the magazine's June 5 and 12 issue with a story focusing on the wildlife game industry which has been equally affected by the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, as the wine and tobacco industries. This is because many game farms in the country's main business are very much based on tourism and hunting. This was, however, not allowed during level 5 and even some part of level 4 of the lockdown and going forward to level three next week tourism is still off the cards with no cross border travelling allowed. 

She says this is a great concern because it is now biltong hunting season and game farmers are really struggling. The effect of this can be seen in game prices achieved at game auctions. Erasmus says there is a slow demand and interest by buyers is poor, because hunting is still banned. Those buyers willing to buy game at low prices are mostly taking the risk of stocking up in the hope that hunting will be allowed soon. Speaking to an auction house the article focuses on the price of some game compared to prices last year that were achieved at auctions. At this stage there is very little confidence in the game industry. 

Going forward Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) has, however, stated its commitment in continuing to put pressure on government to urgently publish directives to clarify which activities will be allowed on game farms. There is hope that it will include a way forward in terms of game capturing, translocation and culling of trophy and access game numbers.  

In the magazine's feature section there is an article on farming with herbs. This farming business is in the Free State and they farm with lavender and rosemary that are distilled on the farm in order to produces herbal oils.  

There is also an article about ownership of fire arms in the country which has become a contentious issue.

OFM News