Minutes
Minutes of the Canola working group meeting
held on 22 August 2024 at Agrohub, Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch
Opening
Prof Swanepoel opened the meeting with prayer.
Welcome
The Chairperson welcomed all present.
Attendance
Present
Mr AP Theron Chairperson Mr K Blanckenberg Grain SA Dr E Briedenhann OAC Mr L Coetzee Agrimark Dr I Crous Omnia Mr S De Wet Lima Grain SA Mr G Els Advanta Mr Z Folscher US Mr J Jacobs Agricol Mr G Keun PRF Mr F le Roux GSA Mr P Lombard DAWC Ms S Lureman Overberg Agri Mr F Meiring Lima Grain SA Prof F Meyer BFAP Mr C Müller Agricol Ms L Nowers DAWC Ms R Riet US Mr R Schoeman Pioneer Mr Z Spammer SOILL Mr G Steyn SSK Prof J Strauss DAWC Prof PA Swanepoel PRF Dr G Van Coller DAWC Apologies
Mr P Blom AECI Mr A Britz Kimleigh Dr T Brand DAWC Mr J Bruwer Bayer Mr A Erasmus Inteligro Prof S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Mr C Louw GSA Mr A Le Roux DAWC Mr D Moore SOILL Dr D Mostert US Mr J Pyper SOILL Mr B Schultz SAGIS Mr J Smith YARA Dr D Strydom GSA Ms HM Schreuder US Ms A Swanepoel DAWC Ms C Viljoen US Personalia
Mr Keun was asked to send a letter of congratulations to Dr Johan Labuschagne of the University of Stellenbosch for his promotion to associate professor.
Approval of the agenda
The agenda was approved without any additions or amendments.
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a Canola Working Group meeting held on 13 June 2024
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the meeting of the Canola Working Group, held on 13 June 2024, be approved.
General overview and crop estimates
SAGIS information
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and the latest Monthly Bulletin, Annexure B, were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
Prof Meyer gave feedback regarding the BFAP Baseline which was held on 14 August 2024 and referred to the BFAP Baseline video available on "YouTube": He said that the baseline focussed on macro-economics globally, macro-economics in the South African context, agriculture in the broader sense, markets, slow economic growth, world commodity prices, strong growth in India, world dollar exchange rate, exports, logistics, trade sustainability of rotation crops and value chains amongst others.
Crop estimates
Cognisance was taken of the Crop Estimate Committee information included in the Agenda as Annexure C.
The Chairperson said the new Crop Estimate Committee information would be available on 29 August 2024.
Mr Spammer reported that the estimates for the upcoming season were approximately 144 000 hectares, including the 3 600 hectares for the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Winter rainfall region
Swartland
Feedback was provided about production in the Swartland. The members referred to the following:
- Dry spell during the season;
- Wet conditions;
- Very volatile plantings;
- Water logging in some areas;
- Canola started flowering;
- Challenges experienced with no biomass in plants;
- Phosphate deficiency in plants, but not in the soil;
- The canola looked good in areas where top dressing was applied before the rain;
- Short plants with 4-5 leaves;
- Boron played a big role; and
- Expected yield average of ± 1 tonne/ha.
Southern Cape
Feedback was provided about production in the Southern Cape. The members referred to the following:
- The Caledon area was very wet;
- Waterlogged areas;
- Late flowering;
- More rain needed in the Albertinia area; and
- Canola looked very good from Rietpoel to Mossel Bay.
Summer rainfall region
Eastern Cape
Prof Swanepoel reported late plantings. In Alice and East London, the Canola looked good with a high potential.
The first Canola trials were planted at Elliot and Ugie, but did not look good due to drought conditions. Producers were hopeful for good summer rain.
Other
Mr Spammer referred to a proposed visit to Hopetown on 18 September 2024.
Mr Els mentioned that producers in the Northern Cape contacted him, expressing their interest in planting canola instead of wheat.
Mr Lombard mentioned he had two training sessions scheduled for Lydenburg and Douglas.
Mr Le Roux suggested early planting of longer growing winter cultivars in the Northern Cape to achieve good yields.
Reference was made to Perdigon approaching farmers offering contracts to purchase their produce.
Weather forecast
Cognisance was taken of the documentation included in the Agenda as Annexure D.
Research
National cultivar trials 2024
Mr Lombard reported that good cultivars were entered in the trials and the cultivars in the Elite trials appeared promising with an increasing trend in terms of yield. He mentioned challenges with a Clearfield fast-growing cultivar, lodging in some areas. He said tests will be conducted to check for nematodes and root diseases.
Research projects: 2024/2025 and 2025/2026
No information was reported on the research projects for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Mr Keun mentioned that PRF had finalised the consideration of research projects for the 2025/2026 financial year and that OAC/OPDT was still considering research projects for the same year.
The Chairperson mentioned that funding of research projects was expensive and proposed a possible meeting with seed companies to discuss their involvement in assisting with funding for research projects specifically for cultivar trials. The aim was to create a model for funding the cultivar trials as well as the Elite trials.
Sclerotinia
Ms Nowers reported on the Sclerotinia trials and mentioned that:
- Limited Sclerotinia was detected;
- Sclerotinia may still occur at Riversdale;
- Infections were reported at Witsand;
- Other localities were looking good; and
- Preventative spraying was done.
Dr Van Coller provided feedback on the deposition conducted regarding 30% flowering studies at Tygerhoek using different spray positions, volumes, correct nozzles and drop sizes. Methods used included safe soil application, as well as air-application using aeroplanes. He mentioned problems to be addressed in terms of adjustment of chemical labels. In addition, co-operation with Procrop was mentioned.
Damage: Clethodim
The Chairperson mentioned that it was an on-going matter and continued awareness was important. He referred to challenges experienced with chemical products versus generic products, specifically regarding the effectiveness.
Reference was made to possible trials to be planted by two chemical companies in the Darling and Moorreesburg areas.
Blackleg
Dr Van Coller provided feedback and mentioned that the cycle was extremely late, resulting in symptoms only showing on leaves now in the Southern Cape. He said there were more infections taking effect earlier in the Swartland. In addition, he referred to research by Ms Heibrè Schreuder. Her research contained new information about Blackleg in the Western Cape and South Africa. She would submit her PhD research in due course and he requested approval for her to present information at a Canola Working Group meeting.
The Chairperson referred to the "Green Deal" and mentioned that it would form part of the Canola Value Chain discussions.
Resolution:
- That the "Green Deal" form part of the Canola Value Chain discussions.
Mr Keun
Canola Working Group
- That the "Green Deal" form part of the Canola Value Chain discussions.
Fertilisation
(Resolutions 8.5.1 and 8.6.1 of the minutes of the Canola Working Group meeting held on 14/02/24)
The presentation by Mr Smith on the fertiliser industry, its vision and future plans would be held in abeyance until the next Canola Working Group meeting.
Ms Robin Riet, an MSc student at the University of Stellenbosch, gave a presentation regarding; "The effect of Canola cultivar, planting density and herbicide use on weeds".
Ms van Riet said that according to her studies plant density can lower weed biomass:
- Higher planting densities without herbicide use, are not enough to reduce weed occurrence; and
- The effects of herbicide are more pronounced in TT and the cultivar could aid in an herbicide rotation plant to avoid herbicide resistance.
The Chairperson thanked Ms Riet for her presentation.
Resolution:
- That the presentation by Mr Smith on the fertiliser industry, its vision and future plans be held in abeyance until the next Canola Working Group meeting.
Mr Keun
Canola Working Group
Technology transfer
Canolafokus
The meeting noted the articles published in the CanolaFocus, included in the agenda as Annexure E.
The Chairperson requested Mr Lombard to publish an article on farm safe seed vs. new seed in the CanolaFocus.
Resolution:
- That Mr Lombard be requested to publish an article on farm safe seed vs. new seed in the CanolaFocus.
Mr Lombard
Canola Working Group
- That Mr Lombard be requested to publish an article on farm safe seed vs. new seed in the CanolaFocus.
Information days 2024
The meeting noted that the following information days were scheduled for 2024:
Advanta 27 August 2024 SKOG 29 August 2024 Hopefield Information Day 20 September 2024 Videos
No new information was reported.
Oilseeds Focus
The new edition of the Oilseeds Focus would be available in September 2024.
Articles about Canola
The meeting noted the contents of the Canola related articles, included as Annexure F, in the agenda.
Other
The canola market
Mr Spammer referred to Prof Meyer’s earlier reporting on the BFAP Baseline 2024. He mentioned that Canola prices were under pressure due to the exchange rate. Prices started at R8 700, with a minimum of R8 200.
Dr Briedenhann referred to the world oilseeds complex that was under pressure due to large harvests. Canola was not under so much pressure, but the price reduction followed because of the lost 3,4 million tonnes harvest in Europe due to wet conditions and a strong exchange rate. These factors influenced the local price.
Canola producers
Price and back payments
Mr Spammer said the producers could look forward to a back payment soon.
Income and Cost Budgets
No new information was reported.
SKOG
The Chairperson mentioned that the SKOG Day would be held on 29 August 2024.
Alternative Crops
Lupins
Mr Lombard mentioned that the trials at Langgewens looked good. He said that he did not plant any other alternative crops.
Chemicals and Resistance
No new information was reported. Dr Van Coller mentioned that resistance formed part of the work done by Ms Heibrè Schreuder.
Seed
Seed availability
The Chairman provided feedback and referred to previous discussions with role players about the seed industry. The PRF was requested to create a Canola Value Chain to facilitate value chain discussions with specific representatives and role players in the Canola Industry to jointly address, problems in respect of:
- Availability of seed;
- Timeous receipt of seed;
- Correct varieties;
- Contamination levels;
- GMO; and
- NBT.
The Chairman said that Mr Keun was communicating with the role players involved to convene a Canola Value Chain meeting and that the date would be circulated as soon as it had been confirmed.
Pioneer
Mr Rikus Schoeman provided feedback about the new production season and referred to Pioneer’s special plans to ensure timeous availability of the seed. The sell-out strategy had been terminated at Pioneer and it was decided to maintain a buffer stock to be kept in cool rooms. At the right time, before making the seed available, germination tests would be done. For improved management of stock, a transfer stock of good quality was required at all times and seed had to be tested according to standards that were accepted globally. Capacity was limited in the Australian market, resulting in a seed shortage. Pioneer was ready with cultivars of choice and volume.Advanta
Mr Gert Els provided feedback and mentioned that it was of critical importance to have seed available at the right time. Some possibilities would affect production. This year Advanta handled production of three varieties in the Northern Cape. Extra stock was available and buffer seed had to be stored correctly. Tests must comply with the correct standards.Agricol
Mr Jaco Jacobs provided feedback and said the flying in of seed was the preferred option. Agricol had extra stock that arrived on time. For the past two to three years production had been underway in the north of the country as part of the Sunflower programme.The Chairman said that seed companies should help to have the correct cultivars available at the right time.
Seed germination
No new information was reported.
SACTA
No new information was reported.
Speakers considered for future Canola Meetings
The following speakers should be invited to give a presentation at future Canola Working Group meetings:
- Mr J Smith – Fertilisation;
- Dr D Mostert – Triazine tolerance;
- Ms C Viljoen – Weed control; and
- Ms H Schreuder – PhD Results and new information on Blackleg.
Resolution:
That the following speakers be invited to give a presentation at future Canola Working Group meetings:
- Mr J Smith – Fertilisation;
- Dr D Mostert – Triazine tolerance;
- Ms C Viljoen – Weed control; and
- Ms H Schreuder – PhD Results and new information on Blackleg.
Mr Keun
Canola Working Group
Dates for future meetings
The dates for the next meetings would be circulated.
Adjournment
There being no further matters for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.