In my view

Time flies by faster and faster. I think this year it is even more applicable than any other year in the period I have been involved in the grain industry. Nobody wears masks anymore and COVID-19 doesn’t even make the news anymore.

The effects of an earlier rain season, producers who were able to plant earlier than in the past few years and enough heat units over some parts of the summer cereal area are now clearly coming to light. With a few exceptions, the reality at present is that grain yields are average while quality and moisture are currently not ideal for harvesting the summer grain and oilseeds.

Furthermore, the latter not only contributes to the fact that the collection of the 2022 summer crop started later, but it will also end much later. The good news along with the bad news is that winter cereal areas where the seed is already in the soil currently have sufficient moisture.

Producers in some irrigation areas are still struggling to get the maize off and the wheat plant window is expiring. Prices are generally higher than last year and the export programme is already in full swing. Although Transnet (TFR) has several challenges, the first train trucks made it all the way to port.

I think agriculture is a contributor to political and economic stability in any area. It provides for two basic needs namely food and jobs. At present, consumers are under tremendous pressure in terms of fuel and food prices. Interest rates have risen and we are facing further increases. However, always remember the following: We are all proud South Africans and we WILL come out stronger on the other side!

To everyone involved in and supporting the collection, grading and weighing, inspection, handling, storage, financing, processing, logistics and administrative process of the current crop – and also those who are already working on the next crop: All the best and know where your Help and Power comes from.

Johan van Rensburg
VICE-PRESIDENT

Cell: 087 358 8882
Email: johan.vanrensburg@vkb.co.za

After much anticipation and challenges, we are now at the beginning of the summer crop harvest that is being delivered over most parts of our country. This harvest came with a full arsenal of challenges and Mother Nature threw everything she had at agriculture.

The season kicked off with well-distributed nationwide rains early in the season that gave producers the opportunity to do early plantings. A large number of hectares had already been planted by the end of October 2021.

During November 2021 the country received good rains which reflected positively in emergence reports, with an overall positive crop expectation. During December 2021, the rainfall over most parts of the country averaged 100 mm to 200 mm and in some cases the average rose as high as 200 mm to 500 mm. These conditions were already starting to put a lot of pressure as herbicide had to be applied during the time, which could not happen in many places due to the wet conditions that did not allow producers to access their fields.

However, the pattern of the exceptionally high rainfall figures diffused considerably during February and March this year, which was accompanied by sunny days that greatly improved plant growth. By April 2022, the rainfall was not conducive for the conditions. Soybean presses are now in anticipation of the new season soybeans to be harvested and the challenges are again great for producers due to the exceptionally wet conditions on the fields.

According to the crop estimate figure published on 10 February 2022, all indications are that despite all the challenges, we can still expect a very good average crop and in some areas even a slightly above average crop. This is very positive for the grain industry and we believe that harvesting should start at full speed within the next few weeks.

I would like to wish every colleague in the industry all the best for the exciting time ahead.

Stefan van Staden
Board member: GOSA

Cell phone: 083 301 0262
Email: stefan.vanstaden@afgri.co.za

We are at the start of December 2021. Exciting! In the recent past, we have also seen the “birth” of a new Covid strain called Omicron. One can only hope that we’ve learned from experience; that this December will be more “normal” and that we will be able to enjoy our freedoms – and get some rest.

All of us held our breath when the state president held his “house meeting” again and many of us saw how we were going to have to stay home again in December. Fortunately, it seems that this season we will not only have to sit and stare at the sea, but can also frolic in it.

As you know, GOSA has not been able to host congresses for the last two years, but has held virtual workshops – which have been very well received and attended. The planning of our 37th symposium is well underway, so feel free to make a note of 17 and 18 March 2022 (when it will take place in Mossel Bay). Judging by our president’s latest speech, we should see each other in March.

The grain industry was committed throughout this year in handling a huge harvest, facilitating new business and initiatives in very challenging times. GOSA salutes the industry for this and is very proud to say that most of these role players are members of the organisation. This is also the time of year to look back and be thankful – thankful for being safe in a pandemic, thankful for provision, thankful for opportunities to grow in business and in relationships.

I want to end by wishing all of you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, filled with happiness, success and health. Thank you to all our members, sponsors and mere friends of GOSA for your loyal support. We will see each other in Mossel Bay.

Regards

Hein Rehr
GOSA President

Mobile: 082 451 1569
Email: hein@natfum.co.za

One can hardly believe that 2021 is almost done, which goes to show that when our GOSA members are challenged by a pandemic and its consequences, they rise to the occasion and tackle the bull by the horns. This must be the reason why time seems to fly by so quickly.

At this point in time, it seems as if we are slowly starting to get the upper hand over COVID-19. In my opinion the risk of new variants is still present, but there now seems to be a definite switch in the mindset of many people. Although we might not be able to eradicate COVID-19, society will have to learn to adapt to it in the same way that we are living with other serious diseases.

In these challenging times, we as GOSA members have the responsibility to serve our industry and nation in a responsible way. Producers have already accepted the challenge. Wheat farmers made a great effort and the Crop Estimates Committee is expecting a national wheat crop of almost 2,1 million tons – of which the Western Cape is expected to make a record contribution of 1,134 million tons. Harvesting of this crop will commence soon and from what I’ve heard our GOSA members in the grain handling industry are well prepared to receive this year’s crop.

Although the intentions to plant figures have not yet been announced, initial estimates indicate that our summer grain producers are planning to plant record hectares this season (there is a significant chance for some marginal hectares to be brought back into production as well). Maize production will be popular due to high prices, but high fertiliser prices will probably incentivize farmers to move record hectares to soybeans. Sunflower production has become less popular due to sclerotinia infections, but the current extraordinary high prices can cause hectares under sunflower to increase as well.

The weather forecast for 2022 looks promising. A well-developed La Nina weather system is in place and similar rainfall to last year is expected. Current forecasts indicate that this system will remain in place until the autumn of 2022. This is very good news to summer grain producers.

Given the above hectarage and weather forecast it seems fair to expect a bumper crop and our GOSA members will once again have to rise to the occasion regarding handling and processing. Storage, processing and exports is going to take its toll, but I’m sure that our members will be well prepared to rise to the challenge!

Be steadfast and keep your eyes focused on Him who gives us power and courage.

Best regards

Dries Dannhauser
BOARD MEMBER

Cell: 087 358 8184
Email: dries.dannhauser@vkb.co.za

Greetings to all the GOSA members from a cold and wet Overberg. We are already in the middle of 2021. Winter has definitely arrived around here – as well as in the rest of the country.

We have been blessed with good rains at the right time – the dams are overflowing and in the Rûens the canola is in full bloom. However, the year has its own challenges with some places receiving more than 300 mm in one day in the middle of the planting season. Producers could not get into the fields to finish planting. Many fields – especially in the Riviersonderend region – suffered badly from soil erosion due to flooding and had to be repaired before planting could continue. This caused many of our producers to plant well into June.

Especially in the Southern Cape the grain crops are looking particularly good with record harvests likely at this stage. Plantings in the Heidelberg/Riversdale area look very promising. The Swartland received some good rainfall and a fine harvest is expected.

When it comes to grain handling, we have a big challenge ahead of us in the Overberg and Southern Cape. Malting barley in particular is a concern. Because AB InBev’s out loading has been severely hampered since the start of last year’s lockdown, there are still more than 200 000 tons of malting barley in our silos that need to be outloaded by the end of September.

Covid-19 also has a regular impact on rail transport in particular, where placement of locomotives is sometimes delayed by up to a week. Expansion and new additions are a big challenge, while the availability and high price of steel are raising concerns – and the product takes for ever to be delivered. Even the price and availability of silo bags and bunkers have increased considerably over the past eight months.

Then there is the human impact of Covid-19 – especially on our personnel. People were already tired, worried and negative about the future and then the recent riots also hit us. It is during times like these that South Africans show what they are made of. In circumstances such as these, we need to focus on doing the right things at the right time.

Here GOSA has a part to play, especially to help where the need is great, by providing channels through which good communication can flow between parties in order to ensure that the value chain remains preserved and functional. Good luck to each of you with your respective challenges. May 2021 still be an exceptional year for everyone.

Greetings from a chilling Cape!

George du Plessis
President: GOSA Cape

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

Time is racing past at an ever-increasing pace. I think this year this is even more applicable than in any other year I have been involved in grain.

The consequences of a rainy season that came earlier, producers who could plant earlier than in the past few years, and sufficient available heat units over large parts of the summer-grain area are now coming to a head.

With a few exceptions, the reality is that the quality and moisture are at present ideal for the summer grains and oilseeds harvest to not only commence earlier, but even to end earlier.

Other good news for the industry is that the new crops in the winter cereal areas will be in the soil soon. In general, prices are higher than last year and the export programme has already commenced.

I think that agriculture contributes to political and economic stability in any area. It meets two needs, namely food and money. I truly hope that the government will respect this fact in an election year and not abuse it.

To everyone involved and providing support with the gathering, grading and weighing, inspection, handling, storage, financing, processing and logistical and administrative processes of the current harvest – and also those who are already working on the next harvest – I wish you all the best. Know where your help and strength come from.

Johan van Rensburg
VICE PRESIDENT

Cell phone: 082 874 0188
Email: johan.vanrensburg@vkb.co.za

As we started the New Year in 2021 the situation looked very serious particularly in KwaZulu-Natal with COVID-19 fatalities increasing daily. For many of us the deadly impact of Covid-19 and its new mutations regrettably is now only fully being appreciated.

There are a lot of unknowns as far as COVID-19 is concerned and no one can say with any certainty where this pandemic will lead or what the ultimate outcome will be even after a full rollout of the vaccines. It is this uncertainty and climate of fear of the unknown that all of us must now come to terms with and this certainly has not made doing business in South Africa any easier.

On the economic front when COVID-19 struck in early 2020 the International Rating Agencies had all downgraded South Africa to ‘junk status’. This also came on the back of power outages, rising unemployment, political uncertainty within the ruling party, the revelation and/or confirmation of widespread corruption particularly in the SOE’s and resulting from state capture. The COVID-19 lockdown inevitably worsened an already weakened economic outlook for South Africa.

Capacity, productivity and congestion at our main ports will remain a constraint during the import/export season at hand. The sustained and sometimes lethal attacks on trucks between Durban and Johannesburg and ongoing rail inefficiencies in the grain industry continue to erode confidence in the logistics sector. With a bumper maize and wheat crop in the pipeline, our logistics network will be under huge pressure over the next 6 to 8 months.

Commercial maize: The revised area estimate for maize is 2 750 900 ha, which is 5,37% or 140 100 ha more than the 2 610 800 ha planted for the previous season, and 0,92% or 25 600 ha less than the preliminary area estimate of 2 776 500 ha released in January 2021 as per the Crop Estimates Committee.

Wheat: The expected production of wheat remained at 2,109 mill. tons, whilst the expected yield is 4,14 t/ha. This is the largest expected wheat crop since the 2,130 mill. tons of the 2008 season as per the Crop Estimates Committee.

Social and political tensions have inevitably heightened during 2020 and will probably remain high during 2021. While grain crop outputs have been exceptionally good and are anticipated to continue into the 2021 season, households’ food security conditions have worsened due to widespread job losses. Statistics indicate a year-on-year decrease in employment and the new proposed minimum wages for domestic and farmworkers will continue to have a significant financial impact.

In closing, it has been a very challenging time both domestically and internationally. Huge changes are happening all over the world, namely a wealth imbalance, climate change, food security, and the way in which we conduct business and interact with one another – not the least of which is remote learning, communication and work. None of us can predict where this will all end up but people will inevitably learn how to adapt to changing conditions.

For those involved in the food and allied industries we are proud to have contributed to the maintenance and improvement of the agricultural base in South Africa and remain committed to ensuring the success of our mission going forward no matter what challenges we may encounter and overcome.

We can only hope and pray for strong and committed leadership in South Africa and a steady hand at the helm to guide us together through these unchartered waters.

Lukas Swarts
BOARD MEMBER

Mobile: 082 444 3227
Email: lukas@ensignship.com

What a year 2020 has been! It was filled with challenges, hiccups and lockdowns! But, like the resilient industry we are, we managed the difficulties and here we are at the beginning of 2021. Whatever problems await us in the future, we’ll work out solutions as we go along – provided we do what we always do: supporting each other like family should.

GOSA is proud that, despite the circumstances, the grain industry successfully handled the second biggest maize crop ever during the previous season. It was also the biggest wheat crop in 18 years! Barley and canola followed suit by surpassing all previous records. We salute our farming community and the members of GOSA for proving, once again, that perseverance and faith will sustain us in even the most difficult of times. The ravages of COVID-19 were not enough to dampen our spirit.

The export of grain proceeded despite the pandemic and 636 000 tonnes of white maize were exported to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Taiwan and Vietnam received 1,2 million tonnes of our yellow maize. The GOSA family’s contribution to these achievements was indispensable, and we are proud to play our part in alleviating hunger on a world-wide scale.

It is a fallacy to imagine that our lives will become happier and richer as we acquire more and more money and possessions. It simply isn’t true. We are involved in agriculture because we strive to meet the needs of others. Our prosperity is not defined by what we own, but by what we provide to households big and small. It is the knowledge that we play a pivotal role in society that keeps us motivated to do what we do best. GOSA remains committed to this philosophy.

COVID-19 continues to be a challenge in 2021. With new variants contributing to the current atmosphere of uncertainty, our planned simposium in March may be in jeopardy. We await further developments and government statements which will have an influence on our decisions regarding our next get-together. We all know how difficult it is to plan ahead in these times.

Alternatives to the customary congress must be considered. The GOSA management meets towards the end of January to discuss various scenarios. We have already started planning to host virtual workshops with various topics applicable to our industry.

Please visit our webpage to stay abreast with the latest news as well as our planned virtual workshops. We sincerely hope to gather as one big family as soon as Covid allows us to do so.

In closing, I don’t just want to thank everybody for their loyalty and support, like we usually did in the past. This year I want to add the wish that you will all be safe, healthy and observe the protocols to contain the spread of the pandemic. May 2021 add to your happiness and joy as we continue to strive to be providers to the nations.

Hein Rehr
GOSA President

Mobile: 082 451 1569
Email: hein@natfum.co.za

Good day to all from a very hot Johannesburg. Can you believe that the year 2020 is rushing towards an end? We have seen a year full of trials and tribulations.

We are also amidst the amazing harvest being taken off the fields in the Western Cape and summer crops being planted at the moment up north. At this stage we have received some wide spread rainfall to get all the farmers excited and hopeful to conclude a successful planting season. The eastern regions have had a good month of planting thus far with the end of their planting window coming closer. The North West and central Free State have had a few fast and furious storms to get their planting season only going now.

GOSA wishes to congratulate the industry on staying steadfast throughout this year, handling a huge harvest, facilitating new business and initiatives in very challenging times. This is also the time of year to look back and be thankful – thankful for being safe in a pandemic, thankful for provision, thankful for opportunities to grow in business and in relationships.

It is our special wish to you, our members, associated industries and role-players to come together in unity for our cause to enhance knowledge, know-how and opportunities inside the GOSA platform. With this unity in mind we can face 2021 and whatever it may bring. At GOSA the door is open for discussion, growth and interaction to create the needed relationships.

With relationships come joyful times, hard work and also sad times. It is especially sad when GOSA have to say goodbye to members who left such deep footprints in the industry. A special word of gratitude goes out to the late Mike Thompson and late Chris Pretorius. Thank you for so many years of being GOSA ambassadors with endless knowledge in field, application and time forged relationships. We will miss you.

As we go into this festive season, may we take account of 2020 and live the change in 2021. GOSA wishes all a Blessed Christmas full of love and time with the family. Please be safe and mindful of the pandemic and the frustrations it brings. This too shall pass; like all the others did.

Looking at 2021, we are marching on in planning another great GOSA Annual Symposium in Mossel Bay. Please take note of published symposium related updates.

GOSA regards

Ferdinand Meyer
Board member

Mobile: 083 293 0336
Email: ferdi@roninsolutions.co.za