OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
GABM confirms cancellation of drought aid donation
Founder of the Global Association of Billionaires and Millionaires (GABM), Mark Paulsmeier, says the decision was taken to utilise the funds for other GABM projects after South Africa’s Government did not give written consent to certain suspensive conditions contained in a letter sent on June 27.
Thaba ‘Nchu feedlot was necessary for community
Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Oupa Khoabane says there was a definite need for a feedlot to be launched in Thaba ‘Nchu area:
Govt has plans to grow Free State’s role in wool market
Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Oupa Khoabane says the launch of a multi-million Rand sheep shearing facility ties in with plans to grow the wool market in the province in future.
Boere benodig goeie inligting vir besluitneming
Die voorsitter van die Wepener-landbouvereniging, Johan Opperman, sê boere maak staat op eerstehandse inligting van kundiges om goeie besluite te neem oor of hulle kan voortgaan met produksie op hul plase en sodoende ‘n bydrae tot verhoogde voedselsekerheid in die land kan lewer.
Feature on Rights of the Arrested and Detained
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Free State held a roundtable discussion on the rights of arrested, detained and accused persons at Grootvlei Prison in Bloemfontein. The SAHRC hosted a roundtable discussion after the United Nations’ (UN) Human Rights Committee expressed concern about excessive use of force…
Compartments in pork production should enable quick resumption of exports
SA Pork Producer's organisation (Sappo) veterinary liaison Dr Peter Evans says the way in which the pork industry in South Africa is compartmentalised, coupled with strict biosecurity controls, means that damage to commercial producers should be limited.
ASF is not a zoonotic disease
SA Pork Producers organisation, Sappo, veterinary liaison Dr Peter Evans says swine fever is not a zoonotic disease, meaning it cannot be transferred to humans.
Department confirms new swine fever cases in FS
Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Oupa Khoabane says test samples conducted by veterinarians have come out positive in areas like Kagisanong, Mangaung, Nelisview and Botshabelo. He says one of the ways they are trying to contain the spread is a ban on the sale of pigs at auctions until further…
Agri land ownership demographic starts to shift
Agri SA legal and land advisor Annelize Crosby says land transfer stats over the last year are significant because they relate to land for sale that was purchased by people of colour and not land transferred via government land reform programmes:
Brexit could cause UK farmer numbers to dwindle
Agricultural economist Dr Kobus Laubscher says British agriculture is heavily dependent on subsidies, many of which were previously supported by the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP:
Feature: State of Free State schools under the loop
The Public Service Commission recently released a report after inspections at schools in the Free State to investigate the availability of handbooks and learning and teaching material and to assess the learning environment at schools in the province. Cathy Dlodlo spoke to Free State Public Service Commissioner Henk Boshoff about…
Birds of a feather flock to Bultfontein for Championships
Saspo National Poultry Championships show organiser Danie Nieuwenhuizen says the event will boast some of the best and most magnificent chicken, water bird and turkey breeds to be found in South Africa.
Stricter livestock import measures meant to protect SA’s status
Red Meat Producer’s Organisation Vice-chairperson Dr Pieter Prinsloo says reports that South Africa has closed its borders to livestock from neighbouring countries are not true. He says new regulations require that permits certifying animals are disease free will have to be provided.
Senwes still swimming amid volatile agricultural cycle
Senwes Group Chief Executive Francois Strydom says although they have experienced one of the most volatile agricultural cycles in the company’s history, they are starting the new year on a good cash standing.
Regulations hoped to close up quarantine loopholes
Red Meat Producer’s Organisation Vice-chairperson Dr Pieter Prinsloo says it is also hoped that new, stricter import regulations will address issues around improper quarantine practices:
Feature: Unclaimed benefits of ex-miners
The Department of Mineral Resources plans to develop a system where miners and ex-miners will be able to claim their benefits. Media reports have stated that billions of rands in unclaimed UIF, Provident Fund benefits, health and labour compensation are being held by the Financial Services Board dating back to…
Fire break preparation cut-off date fast approaching
Deputy Director of forest and veld fire oversight for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Free State, Malcolm Proctor, says the cut-off date for the making of firebreaks in Free State is the end of July.
TAU SA worried over steady increase in farm murders
TAU SA Assistant General Manager Chris van Zyl says the number of farm murders per year have been increasingly steadily, and that the frequency and the violence are very worrying:
Cold fronts increase risk of damaging veld fires
Deputy Director of forest and veld fire oversight for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Free State, Malcolm Proctor, says the majority of damage from fires happens just prior to cold fronts, largely due to increased wind.
FEATURE: Durban July - who is your money on?
The 119th running of the iconic horse race, the Durban July takes place at Greyville in Durban tomorrow. OFM’s sport editor, Morgan Piek, takes a look at the July, online betting and which horses to place your bets on.