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The first February edition of Farmer’s Weekly, with cover date 5 February, looks at how people’s cancelled holiday plans over December and early January boosted consumer spending on food. Erasmus says as a result of this, the ripple effect of high food prices have been persisting since the last quarter of 2020 both globally and nationally. She says this is especially the case for products such as red meat and certain vegetables and fruits. This, as people continue to favour cooking at home rather than going to restaurants.

Another story which is covered in this edition is the road situation, specifically in the Free State. Erasmus says that this problem is also relevant to farmers in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal as these provinces have also received good rainfall in recent weeks. She says farmers are welcoming the rain but it causes further deterioration to roads in rural areas. She adds that these damaged roads hamper farmers’ ability to transport goods.

Readers can also expect an update on the dairy industry and the economic situation that these farmers face. Erasmus says dairy farmers are calling for local support in terms of consumption and calling for South Africans to choose local products over imported dairy products.

Furthermore, maize farmers are warned to keep an eye out for fall armyworms, also as a result of the good summer weather that large parts of the country have enjoyed. Erasmus says the rain coupled with warm weather creates ideal conditions for certain insects and other pests to emerge.

Lastly, this edition takes a look at how farmers are now starting to feel the benefits of being able to earn carbon credits as well as how agriculture businesses are starting with the processes to list carbon as a commodity for farmers.  

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