Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum
Meeting held on 1 February 2022 by means of a virtual platform (MS Teams)
Opening
Mr Andries Theron opened the meeting with prayer.
Welcome
The Chairperson, Mr Jozeph du Plessis, welcomed everybody present to the meeting.
Attendance
Present
Mr J du Plessis Chairperson Mr JP Botma Producer: Free State Ms N Bangani ARC-GCI Ms R Beukes DALRRD Mr JD Boshoff AFMA / SACOTA Dr E Briedenhann PRF / OAC Mr T Clark RCL Foods Ms AS de Beer ARC-GCI Mr GP de Beer PRF Contractor Mr S de Jager COFCO Mr N Hawkins SAGIS Mr G Heyns SACTA Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Department of Agriculture: Mpumalanga Dr C Joubert NAMC Mr G Keun CEO PRF / OPDT / OAC Mr R Küsel Producer: KwaZulu-Natal Mr W Lemmer AgbizGrain Ms W Louw SAGL Mr P Lovelace CEOCO / SAOPA Dr S Ma'ali ARC-GCI Mr S Mahlangu SACTA Mr V Mapfumari DALRRD Prof F Meyer BFAP Mr V Mpumza JSE Mr D Nkosi ARC Mr MA Prinsloo ARC-GCI Mr GL Roos Producer: Mpumalanga Dr L Rothmann UFS Ms M Scheepers DALRRD Mr L Schoonraad Corteva Mr B Schultz SAGIS Dr D Strydom Grain SA Mr A Theron PRF Mr N van Burick Landbouweekblad Mr C van Coller Grain SA Dr A van der Vyver SACOTA Mr L van der Walt Grain SA Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR Mr WF van Wyk PRF Contractor Mr N Wegner PPECB Ms M du Preez PRF Ms A Schoeman PRF Apologies
Mr H Davies Eden Social Development Foundation Dr J Dreyer PRF Dr S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Mr CJ Louw Grain SA Mr TJ Phasoana ARC-PHP Personalia
None reported.
Confirmation of the agenda
The Agenda was confirmed with no additions.
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 5 October 2021 and referral to website
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 5 October 2021 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, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 5 October 2021 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.
Current oil seed prices: local and international
Dr E Briedenhann gave a brief overview and did a presentation of the current state of the national and international soybean and sunflower markets, with aspects such as the current state of production, prices, demand and supply, amongst others, being covered.
SAGIS
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and of the latest Monthly Bulletin included as Annexure B were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
Mr Schultz did a short presentation in respect of the SAGIS information.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Hawkins for his contributions over the past years and wished him well for the future.
South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee (SASDEC)
The latest report of the Supply and Demand Estimates Committee included as Annexure C was noted.
Dr C Joubert from the NAMC did a short presentation on the latest supply and demand estimates as at December 2021.
Crop estimates
Latest crop estimates: Soybeans and Sunflower
A presentation was delivered on the Crop Estimates Committee's view on the preliminary areas planted for soybeans and sunflower for 2022. An overview was provided of the areas planted to sunflower and soybeans over the period from 1992-2022.
Producer matters: Sunflower and Soybeans
KwaZulu-Natal
General
Mr R Küsel mentioned that the season started off very dry but got very wet during mid-December. Soybeans in wet conditions recovered better than Maize. The potential yield will be below average.
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
General
Mr G Roos mentioned that it had been a very wet season without enough heat units. Harvesting was a big concern and Sclerotinia remains a problem.
North West and Limpopo Province
General
Mr J du Plessis mentioned that it had been a very wet season, and due to the dry spell in November less soybean hectares were planted.
Prof Meyer mentioned that Soybeans and Sunflowers were looking great in the Rustenburg area. The area did not get too much rain during the planting season.
Free State
General
Mr Botma mentioned more soybeans were planted. Due to the climatic conditions the yield will be below that of the previous season.
Mr Van Huyssteen mentioned that the wet season impacted on the yields.
Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts
General
It was noted that Sunflower and Maize plantings were delayed and only started beginning of January instead of December.
Soybean value chain
Dr Briedenhann reported that the following outstanding issues are being addressed:
- Receipt of high moisture soybeans.
- Transport.
Sunflower value chain
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that the planting of high oil cultivars and planting dates are being addressed.
The Chairman mentioned that the availability of seed of cultivars with a higher oil content was a problem and seed was only received in December and planting usually starts in November.
Research
Soybeans
National cultivar trials
Ms A de Beer did a presentation and gave a brief overview of the National Soybean cultivar trials.
Soybean rust
No feedback.
Sclerotinia
Dr L Rothmann gave feedback on Sclerotinia in the Balfour, Mpumalanga area as well as the Eastern Free State.
Dr Rothmann mentioned that the Sclerotinia Research Network would like to get involved when the ARC arranges their next Information / Farmer Days.
Rhizobium
(Resolution 14.1.4.1 The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The Chairperson referred to the list of registered inoculants included in the Agenda as Annexure E.
Resolution:
- That it be noted that the Rhizobia list will be updated regularly.
SSSFF
- That it be noted that the Rhizobia list will be updated regularly.
Sudden Death Syndrome
Mr Van Wyk mentioned that Dr Lamprecht will be visiting the Northern Region from the 12th of February 2022 to scout for SDS.
Mr Keun mentioned that funding for the continuation of the project was approved by the OAC/OPDT and that the project will proceed in the next season.
Sunflower
National cultivar trials
Dr S Ma'ali by way of a presentation provided information regarding the National Sunflower Cultivar Trials for the current season.
Dr S Ma'ali also gave feedback regarding the trials planted at Hennenman, Steynsrus and Potchefstroom in respect of the new project "Investigate the effect of different planting dates on Sunflower seed yield and oil content at Free State and North West".
Alternaria
(Resolution 14.2.2.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The Chairman mentioned that Alternaria will be discussed at the next SSSFF meeting.
Technology transfer
Articles
The contents of the articles, included as Annexure F, were noted.
Sunflower Highlights
The contents of the document, included as Annexure G, were noted.
LEAF Services
(Resolution 15.3.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The contents of the document, included as Annexure H, were noted.
Mr Boshoff gave feedback and mentioned that comments can be submitted until the 15th of February 2022 in respect of the draft SOP as circulated by DALRRD.
Mr Boshoff also mentioned that role-players in the industry will send correspondence to DALRRD requesting a meeting before the SOP could be signed off.
Resolution:
- That cognisance be taken of correspondence to be sent to DALRRD by role-players in the industry requesting a meeting before the SOP could be signed off.
SSSFF
- That cognisance be taken of correspondence to be sent to DALRRD by role-players in the industry requesting a meeting before the SOP could be signed off.
Information Days 2022
The following information days were scheduled during 2022:
- Southern Hemisphere Farmers Day, week of the 21st of February 2022
- Agronomy Info Services (AIS): "Insette Dag" at Delmas, 2 March 2022
- Agricol: Farmers Day in Lichtenburg (date to be confirmed)
- Pioneer: Farmers Day in Sannieshof, 3 March 2022
- Pannar: Farmers Day in Kroonstad, 8 and 9 March 2022
- Pannar: Farmers Day in Biesiesvlei, 16 March 2022
- Information Days at the UP Experimental Farm by invitation only
- GrainSA Congress, 2-3 March 2022
- NAMPO, Bothaville, 17-20 May 2022
Videos
The Chairperson requested that educational videos be forwarded to Ms Du Preez for uploading on the website.
Oilseeds Focus
Dr Briedenhann reported that the December 2021 edition of the Oilseeds Focus was well received, and the Editorial Committee was currently busy with the March 2022 edition of the Oilseeds Focus.
Yield Competition: Grain SA
No feedback.
Other matters
Chemicals and inoculants
No feedback.
Fertilisers
No feedback.
Seed/cultivars
No feedback.
Processing
No feedback.
Trading
No feedback.
Consumers and soybean food
No feedback.
Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds
(Resolution 16.7.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The Chairman requested that the matter be held in abeyance.
Resolution:
- That the matter be held in abeyance regarding Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds.
Mr Keun
SSSFF
- That the matter be held in abeyance regarding Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds.
Dispute Resolution Process
(Resolution 16.8.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The contents of the document, included as Annexure I, were noted.
Dr D Strydom mentioned that the document is still a working document.
- That cognisance be taken that the document on the "Dispute Resolution Process" is still a working document.
SSSFF
- That cognisance be taken that the document on the "Dispute Resolution Process" is still a working document.
Weekly producers' deliveries at SAGIS
(Resolution 16.9.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The contents of the document, included as Annexure J, were noted.
Mr Keun mentioned that in future information will be obtained by way of a statutory measure and that the committee will be kept informed on any progress.
Resolution:
- That cognisance be taken that the committee will be kept informed regarding the statutory measure for "Weekly producers' delivering at SAGIS".
Mr Keun
SSSFF
- That cognisance be taken that the committee will be kept informed regarding the statutory measure for "Weekly producers' delivering at SAGIS".
Transport Differential: Feedback
Mr V Mpumza mentioned that Mr Johan Strauss' concept for an alternative to the current Transport differential was presented to the committee members during the recent JSE Commodity Derivatives Advisory meeting, and it was resolved that a technical committee be formed to discuss and debate the proposal. The JSE is not removing location differentials on Soybean, but it is open to considering ideas or perceived improvements to the current status quo of commodity derivatives contract design.
Mr V Mpumza also mentioned that the JSE is working in collaboration with the transporters to improve the transport differential and that it will be implemented in the Oilseeds contract from the 1st of March 2022.
JSE/SAFEX Feedback
The matter was discussed under item 16.10.
SACTA: Feedback
Mr Heyns gave feedback by way of a presentation and referred to the following aspects/matters:
Levy collection rates
Season 2020/21 (tons) 2021/22 (tons) SAGIS delivery 1 209 371 1 848 838 SACTA levy collected 1 126 836 1 826 565 93% 98% Levy distribution
Pay-outs to the different seed companies according to their market share took place during October / November 2021. A total amount of R77,483 mil was available for distribution. Calculations for the next distribution will commence in March 2022.
Transformation
Financial Support- Farmers financial support for the 2020 planting season was for 1785 ha of soybeans and 692 ha for maize valued to R20,633 million.
- Farmers financial support for the 2021 planting season is estimated at 1610 ha of soybeans and 678 ha for maize to the value of ± R26,754 million.
Values of bursaries awarded increased with 5% for 2022:
Summary of bursaries awarded from 2019-2022:Degree Duration Amount per annum Bursary PhD 3 years R130 000 Bursary M.Sc 2 years R100 000 Bursary Honours 1 year R68 000 Funding 2019 2020 2021 2022 PhD 1 6 9 2 M.Sc 4 8 7 6 Honours 1 1 – – Internships – 2 5 6 Total funded 6 17 21 14 Applications for bursaries closed the end of September 2022.
Application for levy continuation
- Current levy approval end 28 February 2023.
- Levy for the new grain marketing season is R55,00 per ton excl VAT.
- Application for the continuation of the levy for soybeans will be submitted by end March early April.
- BFAP was contracted to do a study on the viability of the current levy system and structure. Final report expected by end of the week.
Mr S de Jager mentioned that the seed companies introduced better varieties on Soybeans which will be commercialised by the next planting season. He also mentioned that when planting Bt maize a "refuge" area was required. Mr De Jager enquired if this will also be required for Soybeans.
Mr Heyns mentioned that SACTA was aware of the new varieties that the seed companies are introducing and that a refuge of 20% will be required. Mr Heyns mentioned that training will be supplied to producers in this regard.
Consolidated Leguminous Seeds (Soybeans) Draft
(Resolution 17.1.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 05/10/2021)
The contents of the document, included as Annexure H, were noted.
Mr Keun mentioned that the document was circulated to all Forum members for comments and that the document was finalised.
Additional matters
Publications 2021/22 for the 2020/21 Production Season
The contents of the document, included as Annexure K, were noted.
Seed certification
Mr Van Huyssteen mentioned that SANSOR will do a presentation on seed certification at the next meeting.
Dates of next meetings
- 24 May 2022
- 5 October 2022
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 12h56.