I find it incredible how quickly a year can go by these days – that’s what makes this time of year so special to me…. the time when the Overberg is at its most beautiful, with the yellow and green fields surrounding us lying as far as the eye can see. This is when I always stop and think about everything that is happening around me and how lucky I am to be able to live in this place and time.

For those who haven’t seen it yet, I can recommend putting it on your bucket list.

GOSA and GOSA Cape have also experienced a very blessed year so far. We had an incredibly pleasant time in Mossel Bay, where we could once again look each other in the eye during the symposium instead of communicating over a computer. GOSA Cape also presented a physical workshop in Worcester in July, which was well attended.

It also reflects the general feeling we get wherever we go. Any opportunity to get together is embraced with great enthusiasm. People are hungry for company, and we see it at all gatherings.

The winter harvest is just around the corner and we are looking forward to a more normal harvest than the previous few years. In the Overberg the grain looks promising and the potential looks good. There are parts as you go further east to Mossel Bay where there are places that are suffering, but to the west and south the harvests are full of promise.

In our region, we call September the judge, because it’s all about how the weather will play out in this month. The Southern Cape still lacks rain in most of the regions, but it should not get too hot too soon.

In the Swartland, where it started to rain later, things are a little more difficult. The grain was damaged in certain areas. They did receive good rain in the last few weeks which at least brought relief to some of the crops. The expectation is that they will not produce an average harvest this year. September is a very important month for this area.

Good luck to everyone on the brink of harvest time. We believe and keep the faith that this will be a blessed one for everyone.

I regularly see new applications for GOSA membership, which is also proof that we still add value to the industry. It is one of our pursuits to to add value.

Greetings from a picture-perfect Caledon

George du Plessis
CHAIRPERSON GOSA CAPE

Mobile: 082 924 8755
Email: gduplessis@overbergagri.co.za