Sunflower and Soybean Forum
Meeting held on 2 October 2024 at the offices of the Oilseeds Industry, 49 River Road, Woodmead and via MS Teams
Opening
Mr Gerhard Keun opened the meeting with prayer.
Welcome
The Chairperson, Mr Ralf Küsel, welcomed everybody present at the meeting.
Attendance
Present
Mr R Küsel Chairperson Mr L Bekker RCL Foods Mr A Bennett SACTA Mr J Botma OAC Dr E Briedenhann PRF/OAC Mr E Bruwer Kynoch Dr P Bruwer Langfontein Seeds Mr G Burger GrainSA Mr M Ellis SD Guthrie International SA Ms P Fourie AFMA Mr G Keun CEO PRF/OPDT/OAC Mr J Kotzé SACOTA Mr W Lemmer AgbizGrain Mr CJ Louw GrainSA Mr M Lubinga NAMC Mr P Lovelace CEOCO/SAOPA Mr J Mathebula GrainSA Prof F Meyer PRF Ms N Mudzunga DALRRD Mr J Myburgh Mr J Myburgh Ms T Ntshangase NAMC Mr L Phaleng AFMA Ms S Rudolph RCL Foods Mr B Schultz SAGIS Dr D Strydom GrainSA Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR Ms M du Preez PRF Ms A Schoeman PRF Via MS Teams
Mr D Boshoff Agserv Ms L Bronkhorst ARC Mr T Clark RCL Foods Mr C Cloete Rolfes Agri Ms AS de Beer ARC-GCI Mr GP de Beer Researcher Mr E de Jager Bayer Mr S de Jager COFCO Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Dept Agriculture, Mpumalanga Dr G Kgatle GrainSA Mr J Kotzé SACOTA Mr I Lamprecht Dept Agriculture, Mpumalanga Mr K Leeuw ARC-API Ms W Louw SAGL Dr S Ma’ali ARC-GCI Ms W MacPherson Andermatt Mr S Mahlangu SACTA Mr V Mapfumari DALRRD Ms L Mellett NAMC Ms M Mojapelo DALRRD Ms Y Moshidi JSE Mr V Mpumza JSE Ms N Mudzunga DALRRD Mr L Oberholzer Bayer Mr W Oosthuizen GrainSA Mr T Prinsloo ARC-GCI Mr C Rasoesoe DTIC Mr GL Roos Producer: Mpumalanga Mr A Rossouw Agricol Ms N Rousseau Bayer Mr F Stella GDM Seeds Ms F Sundani Nedbank Mr N van Burick Landbouweekblad Mr C van Coller Farmer Apologies
Ms A Botha GNF Ms R Beukes DALRRD Prof S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Ms M Scheepers DALRRD Mr A Theron PRF Personalia
None reported.
Confirmation of the agenda
The Agenda was accepted with the following addition:
- Item 14.1 – Presentation by Dr Pieter Bruwer "Establishing effective communication between the Agricultural Researcher and the Farmer".
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum held on 21 May 2024 and referral to the website
The minutes of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum meeting held on 21 May 2024 were considered and accepted as a true reflection of the meeting.
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum held on 21 May 2024 be accepted as a true and fair reflection of that meeting, and that the minutes be referred to the Oilseeds Industry's website for publication.
Ms Du Preez
Steering Committee
OAC
- That the minutes of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum held on 21 May 2024 be accepted as a true and fair reflection of that meeting, and that the minutes be referred to the Oilseeds Industry's website for publication.
Market aspects
Current Oil Seed Prices: Local and International
Dr Briedenhann gave a brief overview by way of a presentation on the status of the local and international soybean and sunflower markets, with aspects such as production, prices, supply and demand, amongst others, being covered.
The Chairman, Mr R Küsel excused himself from the meeting due to urgent family responsibilities and Mr J Botma, Vice-Chairman stood in for Mr R Küsel as Chairman.
SAGIS
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and the latest Monthly Bulletin included in Annexure B were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
Mr Schultz gave a brief overview of SAGIS information by way of a presentation.
Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports
(Resolution 7.2.1.1 The Sunflower and Soybean Forum of 21/05/2024)
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that a quote was received from SAGIS to collate the requested information.
Mr Keun mentioned that the official correspondence will be circulated to the parties involved to inform them of the resolutions taken in this regard.
After a discussion of the matter GrainSA was requested to submit a formal motivation for consideration.
Resolved:
- That GrainSA submit a formal motivation regarding the importance of the requested information.
Chairman
Mr Keun
SSF
SAGIS
- That GrainSA submit a formal motivation regarding the importance of the requested information.
South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee (SASDEC)
The latest Supply and Demand Estimates Committee report included in Annexure C was noted.
Ms Ntshangase gave a brief overview by way of a presentation on the South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee and relevant information.
Crop Estimates
The latest Crop Estimates report included in Annexure D was noted.
Mr Lovelace referred to the information provided by the Crop Estimates Committee as well as the SAGIS information (deliveries). He expressed his disappointment with the lower Sunflower estimates. He said by comparing the two sets of information he hope that the information of the Crop Estimates Committee in respect of Sunflower and Soybeans was still correct.
Value chain aspects
Processing
Mr Lovelace mentioned that due to no load shedding the crushing industry was on track, but that the demand for Soybean and Sunflower oilcake was still low.
Trading
Mr J Kotze gave a presentation regarding soybean exports and trading routes.
Mr Kotze mentioned that DALRRD arranged a trade mission to Indonesia between 18-22 November 2024.
Storage
No new information was reported.
Dispute Resolution Process
Mr W Lemmer mentioned that the report of an appropriate sampling apparatus for dispute resolution purposes was done by SAGL. The storage industry was busy testing the sampling apparatus and feedback was awaited from the different stake holders.
JSE/SAFEX Feedback
Ms Y Moshidi mentioned that communication was sent out to the industry regarding changes that were made to the soybean contract to increase the delivering tonnage from 50 (fifty) to 100 (one hundred).
Ms Moshidi also mentioned that the multiple differential reference model was supposed to be published during August 2024 but was delayed and would now be published on 4 October 2024.
SACTA
Mr A Bennett gave feedback on the following matters pertaining to SACTA:
- Continuation of Soybean levy
- Levy Collections
- Levy Distribution
- Transformation Platform
Consumers of Oil Seeds
No new information was reported.
Passport System
Mr W Lemmer mentioned that AgbizGrain cannot support a generic passport system.
Mr Keun mentioned that it was suggested at the previous Sunflower and Soybean Forum meeting to step off the matter until such time that more information became available.
LEAF Services
Mr W Lemmer mentioned that the industry submitted comments on the Business Plan received from LEAF Services and that feedback was awaited. He also referred to other actions to be taken including a letter to the Minister of Agriculture.
Mr Keun mentioned that correspondence received from LEAF Services would be circulated to the forum members.
Production: Soybeans and Sunflower
Producer Matters
KwaZulu-Natal
General
No new information was reported.
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
General
No new information was reported.
North West and Limpopo Province
General
Mr Botma mentioned that after a dry season the farmers will plant more soybeans in the new season.
Mr G de Beer mentioned that Hoopstad had exceptionally good yields during the previous season.
Free State
General
No new information was reported.
Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts
General
No new information was reported.
Soybean value chain
Prof Meyer highlighted the following aspects that were still being attended to by the Soybean Value Chain:
- AFMA tariff application
- Transport differential
Prof Meyer also mentioned that CropLife and Fertasa were requested to do presentations on chemicals and fertiliser respectively at meetings scheduled for 2024/2025.
Sunflower value chain
Dr Briedenhann highlighted the following aspects that were still being attended to by the Sunflower Value Chain:
- Sclerotinia;
- High Oil sunflower seed; and
- Planting dates
Research
Soybeans
National cultivar trials
Ms A de Beer gave a presentation and provided a brief overview of the National Soybean cultivar trials of the current season.
Sclerotinia
Dr G Kgatle gave feedback on the projects that the SASRN are busy with in conjunction with Dr N Creux, Dr L Rothmann, Dr S Ma’ali and Ms A de Beer.
Rhizobium
The contents of the document included in Annexure E, were noted. Mr Louw indicated that he would supply the administration with an updated list.
Mr Keun mentioned that feedback was still awaited from Dr Hassen regarding the Rhizobium project funded by the NRF.
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)
No new information was reported.
Weeds and Weed Resistance
Dr Strydom mentioned that GrainSA hosted a "Weeds and Weed Resistance" workshop with researchers and chemical companies.
"Wilde Lusern/Jaagsiektebossie" (Crotalaria)
Mr Keun mentioned that the available information regarding "Wilde Lusern / Jaagsiektebossie" (Crotalaria) was shared with Mr Louw.
Mr Louw requested that a practical article be written in respect of Crotalaria.
Research Projects: 2024/2025 Financial Year
Mr Keun mentioned that the project proposals for the 2025/2026 financial year were under consideration and that the outcome would be available by the end of November 2024 or beginning of December 2024.
"Green" Soybeans
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that SAGL were requested to do a literature study on "Green" Soybeans.
Sunflower
National cultivar trials
Dr S Ma'ali gave a brief overview by way of a presentation of the National Sunflower Cultivar Trials.
Sclerotinia
The matter was discussed under discussion point 12.1.4.
Weeds and Weed Resistance
The matter was discussed under discussion point 12.1.5.
Research Projects: 2024/2025 Financial Year
The matter was discussed under discussion point 12.1.6.
Technology transfer
Articles
The contents of the articles, included in Annexure F, were noted.
Information Days 2024
The Chairperson requested that any dates of "Information Days" be forwarded to the Administration for circulation to the SSF members.
Videos
The Chairperson requested that educational videos be forwarded to Ms Du Preez for uploading on the website.
Oilseeds Focus
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that the editorial committee was busy with the December 2024 edition of the Oilseeds Focus.
Grow for Gold National Yield Competition | Grain SA
Mr Louw gave feedback on the "Grow for Gold" National Yield Competition of 2024.
Additional matters
Presentation by Dr Pieter Bruwer
Dr Pieter Bruwer did a presentation on "Establishing effective communication between the Agricultural Researcher and the Farmer".
During his presentation Dr Bruwer gave background information in respect of the study and hypothesis and also referred to the lifecycle of knowledge transfer, technology transfer, Pseudo-science, key findings of the study, the crucial concept of knowledge management and future advisory and extension services.
Dates of meetings for 2025
Meeting dates for 2025 will be communicated to members.
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.