Sunflower and Soybean Forum
Meeting held on 21 May 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 and a special welcome to Ms N Mudzunga from DALRRD who attended her first meeting of the forum.
Attendance
Present
Mr R Küsel Chairperson Mr A Bennett SACTA Dr E Briedenhann PRF/OAC Mr T Clark RCL Foods Ms AS de Beer ARC-GCI Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Department Agriculture, Mpumalanga Mr G Keun CEO PRF/OPDT/OAC Mr J Kotzé SACOTA Mr CJ Louw Grain SA Ms W Louw SAGL Mr P Lovelace CEOCO/SAOPA Ms N Mudzunga DALRRD Ms M Scheepers DALRRD Mr J Teessen Grain SA Dr A van der Vyver SACOTA Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR Ms M du Preez PRF Ms A Schoeman PRF Via MS Teams
Ms L Breytenbach AFMA Mr C Cloete Rolfes Agri Mr GP de Beer Researcher Prof S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Mr I Lamprecht Department Agriculture, Mpumalanga Mr K Leeuw ARC-API Dr S Ma'ali ARC-GCI Mr S Mahlangu SACTA Ms L Mellett NAMC Mr V Mpumza JSE Mr L Phaleng AFMA Mr T Prinsloo ARC-GCI Mr GL Roos Producer: Mpumalanga Ms S Rudolph RCL Foods Mr L Schoonraad Corteva Mr B Schultz SAGIS Dr D Strydom Grain SA Ms F Sundani Nedbank Mr A Theron PRF Mr N van Burick Landbouweekblad Mr C van Coller Farmer Ms H Viljoen Grain SA Apologies
Ms S Behane DBE Mr J Botma OAC Mr M Cloete NWU/ARC/SASRN Mr S de Jager COFCO Mr W de Wet RCL Foods Prof F Meyer PRF Dr L Rothmann UFS Personalia
None reported.
Confirmation of the agenda
The Agenda was confirmed with the following additions:
- Item 12.1.6.1 – "Wilde Lusern/Jaagsiektebossie" (Crotalaria)
- Item 12.1.8 – "Green" Soybeans
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum held on 30 January 2024 and referral to the webpage
The minutes of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum meeting held on 30 January 2024 were considered and accepted as a true reflection of the meeting.
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the Sunflower and Soybean Forum held on 30 January 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 30 January 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.
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.
Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports
(Resolution 7.2.1.1 The Sunflower and Soybean Forum of 30/01/2024)
Mr Keun mentioned that a quote was still awaited from SAGIS for weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports.
Resolved:
- That feedback regarding the cost to accommodate the request for weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports, was awaited from SAGIS.
Chairman
Mr Keun
SSF
SAGIS
- That feedback regarding the cost to accommodate the request for weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports, was awaited from SAGIS.
South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee (SASDEC)
The latest Supply and Demand Estimates Committee report included in Annexure C was noted.
No new information was reported.
Crop Estimates
A presentation was delivered on the Crop Estimates Committee's view on the preliminary areas planted for soybeans and sunflowers for 2024. An overview was provided of the areas planted with sunflower and soybeans during the period 2010-2024.
Value chain aspects
Processing
Mr Louw referred to the information supplied by the Crop Estimates Committee and requested clarity regarding the Sunflower and Soybean volumes to be crushed. Mr Lovelace responded and referred to the lower demand for Soybean and Sunflower oilcake, the importation by the Western Cape and the current prices.
Mr Louw also enquired regarding the high sunflower seed price with the emphasis on the current price of oil as well as the cheaper imported oil. Mr Lovelace responded and said that the smaller sunflower crops were a concern. He also referred to available oil stocks in Europe and importation from Ukraine to European countries that eventually find its way to South Africa.
Mr Clark also mentioned that a lot of sunflower oil gets imported.
Trading
Dr Van der Vyver gave a presentation regarding soybean exports and trading routes.
Dr Van der Vyver mentioned that the Egyptian market have been unlocked/opened and could accommodate 4-5 million tonnes of soybeans and 8-10 million tonnes of maize.
Dr Van der Vyver also mentioned that DALRRD arranged a trade mission to Indonesia.
Storage
No new information was reported.
Dispute Resolution Process
(Resolution 8.3.1.1 of The Sunflower and Soybean Forum of 30/01/2024)
Ms Louw mentioned that the report of an appropriate sampling apparatus for dispute resolution purposes were submitted by SAGL to AgbizGrain.
Ms Louw also mentioned that the storage industry was busy testing the sampling apparatus.
JSE/SAFEX Feedback
(Resolution 8.4.1 of The Sunflower and Soybean Forum of 30/01/2024)
Mr Mpumza mentioned that the JSE had not started with their assessments and therefor no new information could be reported on the Soybean differentials. He said that provisional location differentials for Sunflower Seeds and that the demands for 2025 had not been finalised.
Mr Mpumza also mentioned that the JSE done a presentation at a PRF meeting regarding the differentials for Soya and provisional location differentials for Sunflower Seeds.
Dr Briedenhann enquired from Mr Mpumza if there was any information regarding the listing of the soybean meal contract. Mr Mpumza responded and said that once all the documentation were signed off the contract could be finalised.
SACTA
Mr A Bennett gave feedback on the following matters pertaining to SACTA:
- Industry Liaison
- Continuation of Soybean levy
- 1 March 2024-28 February 2025 — R92/ton excluding VAT
- Concerns noted regarding the high levy for next year
- New levy application process underway
- 2024 SACTA Annual Information Session — 30 July 2024
- Continuation of Soybean levy
- Levy Collections
- Levy Distribution
- Transformation Platform
- Have initiated development of a web-based platform to track developing farmer performance, and aid in transformation reporting;
- Service provider participation and buy-in.
- SACTA Impact
- Industry Liaison
Consumers of Oil Seeds
No new information was reported.
Passport System
No new information was reported.
Dr Van der Vyver mentioned that discussions were held in respect of maize and wheat but that no agreement could be reached on how to proceed with the Passport System.
Dr Van der Vyver mentioned that AgbizGrain mentioned that if there was an entity that would like to take responsibility for the Passport System they could communicate directly with the AgbizGrain members.
The Chairman suggested that the Sunflower and Soybean Forum step off the matter until such time that more information became available.
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
No new information was reported.
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
Dr Briedenhann highlighted the following aspect that was still being attended to by the Soybean Value Chain:
- AFMA tariff application
Mr Keun mentioned that CropLife and Fertasa were requested to do presentations on chemicals and fertiliser respectively at meetings scheduled for 2024.
Sunflower value chain
Dr Briedenhann highlighted the following aspect that was still being attended to by the Sunflower Value Chain:
- High Oil sunflower seed
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.
Soybean rust
The Chairman suggested that the Sunflower and Soybean Forum step off the matter.
Sclerotinia
It was noted that Dr Rothmann will present a detailed report at the next meeting.
Rhizobium
The contents of the document included in Annexure E, were noted.
Mr Louw mentioned that no new feedback have been received from Dr Hassen.
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)
Prof Lamprecht mentioned that the ARC have completed the first year of the second phase of the project which focuses on the management of SDS in South Africa. The first phase reported the incidence of the different SDS-causing Fusarium spp. on soybean in the different production areas, and a molecular probe was also developed to detect the five SDS-causing Fusarium spp. The ARC were very successful with seed treatment against SDS with a compound that Syngenta intends to register in future. The ARC evaluated 27 soybean cultivars from five companies for resistance against SDS, but none of the cultivars showed resistance against the disease. The ARC will contact companies to obtain additional cultivars to test this year. The most successful integrated management strategy will be the combination of cultivar resistance/tolerance and seed treatment.
The ARC have also submitted the report for the DALRRD project on the SDS survey required for exports of soybean to China. SDS-causing Fusarium spp. were reported on plants at eight of the 12 farms included in the survey, but F. virguliforme was not present on plants at any of the farms.
Weeds and Weed Resistance
Dr Strydom mentioned that GrainSA will be hosting a "Weeds and Weed Resistance" workshop with researchers and chemical companies and will supply Mr Keun with the dates.
"Wilde Lusern/Jaagsiektebossie" (Crotalaria)
Mr Louw raised a concern about "Wilde Lusern" that was reported by the farmers.
Mr Keun mentioned that he would supply information to Mr Louw.
Research Projects: 2024/2025 Financial Year
Mr Keun mentioned that the consideration of the projects were finalised and funding approved by OPDT. The list of projects was available on the OPDT/OAC website.
"Green" Soybeans
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that it first needed to be established what percentage of the crop was "green" soybeans and the following relevant information were identified regarding the appearance of "green" soybeans:
- Very regional;
- Time specific;
- Stress on plants;
- Different soil types and not the cultivar specific; and
- Water-stressed plants.
During the discussion, the following important information was shared:
- An article regarding "Green" Soybeans to be published in the June edition of the Oilseeds Focus;
- The fact that the quality of the full-fat soya of "Green" Soybeans was not acceptable;
- The concerns raised in respect of the impact of "Green" Soybeans on the nutrient content of oilcake;
- Noted the preliminary results of analysis done by the SAGL; and
- The fact that it seemed as if the worst affected areas being the Free State and Northwest.
Mr Lovelace mentioned that the "blended" soybeans will reach the crushers in October/November. He expressed his concern and referred to the maximum of 10% of "Green"/defective soybeans would be allowed for crushing purposes.
The Chairman referred to the "purple" soybeans that were discovered in the Piet Retief area. Mr Louw would share the information with Mr Keun. Prof Lamprecht commented on the "purple" soybeans and said that it was a fungus causing the roots to rot.
Sunflower
National cultivar trials
Dr S Ma'ali gave a brief overview by way of a presentation of the National Sunflower Cultivar Trials.
Alternaria
The Chairman suggested that the Sunflower and Soybean Forum step off the matter.
Sclerotinia
It was noted that Dr Rothmann will do a presentation at the next meeting.
Weeds and Weed Resistance
Mr Keun mentioned that once the dates have been received from Dr Strydom regarding a "Weeds and Weed Resistance" workshop to be hosted by GrainSA it will be circulated to the forum members.
Research Projects: 2024/2025 Financial Year
The matter was discussed under discussion point 12.1.7.
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 June 2024 edition of the Oilseeds Focus had been finalised.
Grow for Gold National Yield Competition | Grain SA
Mr Louw mentioned that the awards evening of the "Grow for Gold" National Yield Competition was scheduled for 26 September 2024.
Additional matters
LEAF Services
Mr Keun mentioned that correspondence would be circulated from the OAC offices on behalf of LEAF Services to the forum members.
Mr Keun also mentioned that a meeting that was scheduled for 28 May 2024 had been re-scheduled for 13 June 2024.
Dates of meetings for 2024
- 2 October 2024
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.