Latest News

16/02/2015
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Watch the grain price!

Milk producers must watch grain prices carefully as conditions can change rapidly. Safex yellow maize July 2015 contracts currently (12 February) traded at R2 410, up
16/02/2015
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Agriculture and climate change

Mr Zahn Meyer, head of agricultural commodities at Nedbank Capital, spoke to Ms Lise Roberts about the challenges posed to agriculture by climate change. To listen
16/02/2015
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Improve productivity with skills development training

Milk producers are urged to use the MPO’s Institute for Dairy Technology’s (IDT) AgriSeta-accredited skills development training courses for farm workers. These courses are presented on
16/02/2015
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Drought affecting dairy farmers in certain regions

Over the past three months moderately to extremely dry conditions have prevailed in the northeastern parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the central parts of the Free
16/02/2015
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The elusive sub-clinical mastitis

A cow’s immune system is vulnerable after calving, which creates the perfect opportunity for bacteria to pounce. While clinical mastitis can be easily detected, the elusive
16/02/2015
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Carolina route meeting well attended

MPO Mpumalanga’s route meeting held in Carolina on Wednesday, 11 February 2015 was well attended and characterised by a positive attitude and lively interaction according to
16/02/2015
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Outlook for summer grain crops

Ms Petru Fourie, economist at Agri SA, gave an outlook for summer grain crops in an interview with Ms Lise Roberts on RSG. To listen to
16/02/2015
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Investment advice for farmers

Independent technical analyst Mr Frans de Klerk gave investment advice to farmers in an interview with Ms Lise Roberts. To listen to the interview, click HERE
16/02/2015
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Nanoscale surface prevents bacteria spread

Just as the invention of non-stick pans was a boon for chefs, a new type of nanoscale antibacterial surface holds promise for applications in the food
09/02/2015
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Coega Dairy increases producer price

Eastern Cape dairy processor Coega Dairy has announced an increase in the producer price of 45 cents per litre from 1 March 2015. MPO CEO Mr
09/02/2015
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International prices rise by 9,4%

Dairy product prices increased by 9,4% at the Fonterra gobal dairy trade sale on 3 February. This increase followed on moderate increases at the previous three
09/02/2015
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Imports and exports higher in 2014

Imports during 2014 are 26% more than during 2013. Some 49 800 tonnes of dairy products were imported compared to 39 490 tonnes in 2013. Imports
09/02/2015
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Minimum wages for farm workers up by 7,7%

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has announced a 7,7% increase in the minimum wage of farmworkers with effect from 1 March 2015. The new sectoral determination level
09/02/2015
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The healthy food revolution

The milk industry should be prepared to join a new movement as more consumers are investing in healthy foods. According to a new study released by
09/02/2015
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First woman appointed as Milk SA director

Ms Porchia Adams, marketing manager at Agri Expo is the first woman to be appointed as Milk SA director. She was nominated by the MPO board
09/02/2015
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Invitation to MPO Mpumalanga route meetings

MPO Mpumalanga chair Mr Douglas Dickson invites all milk producers in the province to attend one of the route meetings on 11 and 12 February 2015.
09/02/2015
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Eurolactis launches donkey milk in cartons

Swiss-based company Eurolactis has officially launched carton packaged donkey milk, which it claims to be the world first. The full-cream donkey milk is produced by the
09/02/2015
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US dairy herds: Go big or go home

The latest statistics of the USDA semi-annual cattle report indicate that milk producers in the US are ready to get bigger and better. The report released
03/02/2015
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Interest rate remains the same

At its January meeting, the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee left the repo rate unchanged at 5,75%. The prime overdraft rate will thus remain at 9,25%.
03/02/2015
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Impact of lower oil prices on input prices

Ms Lise Roberts spoke to Grain SA economist Mr Cornè Louw about the effect of lower oil prices on agricultural input prices. To listen to this