New SA agricultural project for Argentina's INTA

Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) announced plans to launch a South African agricultural project in a fortnight. INTA would be working in four experimental areas on Argentina's Southern Hemisphere competitor's home turf, aiming to share knowledge and explore new business opportunities. Read more >>

Farmers assist tornado struck community

Farmers in the Klip River, Heidelberg and Nigel areas did not escape the storm earlier this month. However, the damage caused in black residential areas, especially in Duduza, was more severe and widespread. Many residents traumatised by the tornado have lost their homes and possessions in the disaster. Read more >>

Dutch minister visits Cape Town shipyards

The Dutch Minister for Agriculture and Foreign Trade, Henk Bleker, visited Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT), as part of a three-day mission to Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa. DSCT builds offshore patrol vessels, dredgers, tugs, naval craft and platform supply vessels, especially for clients on the African continent. Read more >>

Western Cape Dept of Agriculture is SA's best

Based on its annual reporting, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture is the best department in South Africa, according to the South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA). Having competed against other provincial and national departments and scoring an impressive 96.55% for its annual report, the WCDA received the overall winner award, as well as the award for the best provincial department. Read more >>

Preserved wood vineyard poles, the best - Denise Conradie

Wood has been used in South Africa since the early 1900's and generally, both nationally and internationally, wood vineyard poles still dominate in the wine industry. Alternatives to treated timber for this application have not made significant inroads. This was the message from Denise Conradie, technical and compliance manager at Arch Wood Protection. Read more >>

No privatised meat safety inspections in country abattoirs

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has rejected a call from the industry to privatise meat safety inspections in the country's abattoirs, saying this function of the state could not be compromised. Read more >>

Fabian joins The Foschini Group

Leading retailer group TFG (The Foschini Group) has bought niche luxury menswear brand Fabiani, effective from 1 October 2011. Established in 1978 by Arie Fabian and renowned for the exceptional cut of its suits, highest quality fabric and powerful design details, it expanded its offer to include casual clothing, shoes and fashion accessories and is considered one of the leaders in the luxury menswear market. Fabian will join the group as the brand director. Read more >>

Mixed bag competing for SA Car of the Year

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] A mixed bag of 10 French, Italian, German and Korean vehicles have made it through to the finals for the 2012 South African Car of the Year competition. The finalists were determined in a vote by the full members and a jury made up of 30 selected members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ). Read more >>

Marketing lessons from Steve Jobs

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] Look closely at the marketing strategies used by Steve Jobs and other visionaries and the first thing that comes to mind is the realisation that marketing is not a democratic process and that those who are really successful at it are, yes, visionaries. Read more >>

Bok tragedy!

[Corné Krige] I am only 36 years old, but one of the many valuable lessons I have learned is that life isn't fair. Sometimes you get things when you don't deserve them and other times when you absolutely deserve it then you don't get it. This was the case on Sunday morning when the Springboks played Australia in Wellington, New Zealand. Read more >>