OPDT   OIL & PROTEIN SEEDS DEVELOPMENT TRUST
OAC   OILSEEDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OPDT
OIL & PROTEIN SEEDS DEVELOPMENT TRUST

OAC
OILSEEDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE


Work Group Minutes

Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum
Meeting held on 24 May 2022 by means of a virtual platform (MS Teams)

  1. Opening

    Mr Andries Theron opened the meeting with prayer.

  2. Welcome

    The Chairperson, Mr Jozeph du Plessis, welcomed everybody present at the meeting.

  3. Attendance

    Present

    Mr J du Plessis Chairperson
    Mr A Bennett SACTA
    Mr JD Boshoff AFMA/SACOTA
    Dr E Briedenhann PRF/OAC
    Ms L Bronkhorst ARC-GCI
    Mr C Cloete Rolfes Agri
    Mr H Davies Eden Social Development Foundation
    Ms AS de Beer ARC-GCI
    Mr GP de Beer PRF Contractor
    Mr S de Jager COFCO
    Mr G Heyns SACTA
    Mr M Jacobsz SACOTA
    Mr P Janse van Rensburg Pioneer
    Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Dept Agriculture, Mpumalanga
    Mr G Jordaan Andermatt
    Dr C Joubert NAMC
    Mr G Keun CEO PRF/OPDT/OAC
    Mr W Lemmer Agbiz Grain
    Mr CJ Louw Grain SA
    Ms W Louw SAGL
    Mr P Lovelace CEOCO/SAOPA
    Dr S Ma'ali ARC-GCI
    Mr S Mahlangu SACTA
    Mr V Mapfumari DALRRD
    Ms A Matutu JSE
    Ms L Mellet NAMC
    Prof F Meyer BFAP
    Ms H Ottermann BFAP
    Mr C Rasoesoe DTIC
    Mr GL Roos Producer: Mpumalanga
    Producer: Mpumalanga UFS
    Ms M Scheepers DALRRD
    Mr L Schoonraad Corteva
    Mr B Schultz SAGIS
    Ms F Sundani NAMC
    Mr A Theron PRF
    Mr N van Burick Landbouweekblad
    Ms S van der Merwe Corteva
    Dr A van der Vyver SACOTA
    Mr D van der Westhuizen BFAP
    Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR
    Ms M du Preez PRF
    Ms A Schoeman PRF

    Apologies

    Mr JP Botma Producer: Free State
    Dr J Dreyer PRF
    Ms P Fourie Grain SA
    Mr R Küsel Producer: KwaZulu-Natal
    Mr B Krog Andermatt
    Mr S Leipoldt Andermatt
    Dr D Strydom Grain SA
  4. Personalia

    None reported.

  5. Confirmation of the agenda

    The Agenda was confirmed with no additions.

  6. Approval of minutes

    1. Minutes of a meeting of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 1 February 2022 and referral to website

      Resolution:

      1. That the minutes of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 1 February 2022 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

  7. Current oil seed prices: local and international

    Dr E Briedenhann gave a brief overview and did a presentation on 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.

  8. 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.

  9. South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee (SASDEC)

    The latest report of the Supply and Demand Estimates Committee included in Annexure C was noted.

    Dr C Joubert from the NAMC did a short presentation on the latest supply and demand estimates as of April 2022.

  10. Crop estimates

    1. 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 with sunflower and soybeans over the period from 1992-2022.

  11. Producer matters: Sunflower and Soybeans

    1. KwaZulu-Natal

      1. General

        Mr H Davies mentioned that in the Bergville and Winterton areas problems were experienced with harvesting due to high rainfall. Where farmers are busy harvesting, yields of 4 tons/ha were obtained. He also mentioned that the small-scale farmers are harvesting at 3,9 tons/ha.

        Mr Davies also mentioned that harvesting is also taking place at Dannhauser.

    2. Mpumalanga and Gauteng

      1. General

        Mr P Janse van Rensburg mentioned that Sclerotinia was experienced in the Wonderfontein area and that the timing of harvesting of soybeans were critical.

    3. North West and Limpopo Province

      1. General

        Mr J du Plessis mentioned a lot of challenges had been experienced:

        • the price ratio between soya and maize;
        • increase in fertilizer prices;
        • huge amounts of rainfall were received which created waterlogged areas and soya recovered better in the waterlogged conditions and gave better yields than maize; and
        • sunflower does not like waterlogged areas and therefore pollination could not take place properly.
    4. Free State

      1. General

        No feedback.

    5. Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts

      1. General

        No feedback.

  12. Soybean value chain

    Dr Briedenhann mentioned that moisture trials were planted in Vryheid, Afrikaskop in the Free State and Dundee. He also mentioned that the Dundee project has been completed but harvesting could not take place at Vryheid and Afrikaskop due to the wet field conditions.

    Dr Briedenhann mentioned that the topic of the "Export of soybean" will be included in the next agenda.

  13. Sunflower value chain

    Dr Briedenhann mentioned that the High Oleic Sunflower Seed project is a big driver in the Sunflower Value Chain.

  14. Research

    1. Soybeans

      1. National cultivar trials

        Ms A de Beer did a presentation and gave a brief overview of the National Soybean cultivar trials.

      2. Soybean rust

        No feedback.

      3. Sclerotinia

        Mr J du Plessis mentioned that the December plantings were affected by Sclerotinia.

        Mr J du Plessis also mentioned that the seed of sunflowers is falling out in the Sannieshof / Lichtenburg areas due to Sclerotinia.

        Dr L Rothmann did a presentation on Sclerotinia and requested that Ms A de Beer and Dr S Ma'ali supply her with samples to be tested.

      4. Rhizobium

        (Resolution 14.1.4.1 The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 01/02/2022)

        Mr C Louw referred to the list of registered inoculants included in the Agenda as Annexure E and mentioned that a new variant has been used that will be included in the list.

        Mr Keun mentioned that a Rhizobium symposium will be hosted by the OAC on the 7th of September 2022 at the CSIR.

        Resolutions:

        1. That it be noted that the Rhizobia list will be updated regularly.

          SSSFF

        2. That cognisance is taken of the Rhizobium symposium taking place on the 7th of Sep­tember 2022 at the CSIR.

          SSSFF / OAC

      5. Sudden Death Syndrome

        No feedback.

    2. Sunflower

      1. National cultivar trials

        Dr S Ma'ali gave a brief overview of the Sunflower National cultivar trials. Dr Ma'ali mentioned that harvesting is taking place and that more information will be provided at the October 2022 meeting.

      2. Alternaria

        No feedback.

      3. Alternaria

        No feedback.

  15. Technology transfer

    1. Sunflower Highlights

      The contents of the document, included in Annexure G, were noted.

    2. LEAF Services

      (Resolution 15.3.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 01/02/2022)

      The contents of the document, included in Annexure G, were noted.

      Mr Keun mentioned that the document received from DALRRD has been circulated to forum members.

      Resolution:

      1. That cognisance is taken of correspondence received from DALRRD has been circulated to forum members.

        SSSFF

    3. Information Days 2022

      No feedback.

    4. Videos

      The Chairperson requested that educational videos be forwarded to Ms Du Preez for uploading on the website.

    5. Oilseeds Focus

      Dr Briedenhann reported that the June 2022 edition of the Oilseeds Focus was completed.

    6. Yield Competition: Grain SA

      The Chairman mentioned that the Yield Competition will again take place this year and entries for the competition are open.

      Mr P Lovelace mentioned that CEOCO is sponsoring a new prize in the competition which is for Oil Content/Oil Yield per/ha which was confirmed with Grain SA.

  16. Other matters

    1. Chemicals and inoculants

      No feedback.

    2. Fertilisers

      Mr J du Plessis mentioned that the availability and price are a concern in respect of fertilisers and that phosphate needs to be imported.

    3. Seed/cultivars

      1. Seed certification

        (Item 17.2 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 01/02/2022)

        Mr K van Huyssteen did a presentation and gave a brief overview of seed certification by SANSOR.

    4. Processing

      No feedback.

    5. Trading

      No feedback.

    6. Consumers and soybean food

      Mr Keun mentioned that the OAC and OPDT funded various projects on soyfood and that BFAP was requested to summarize the results of the various reports and information received into a document on Soya Products for Human Consumption to give a clear indication of soyfood in South Africa which will assist the OAC to identify certain focus areas and use the document to promote soyfood to the consumers in South Africa.

      Mr Keun also mentioned that the Administration was promoting soyfood for human consumption on Social Media.

      Mr Keun expressed his gratitude to Grain SA to allow a company to promote soyfood for human consumption at NAMPO which was held during 16-20 May 2022.

      Mr Keun mentioned that the document will be presented at the SSSF once it is available.

    7. Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds

      (Resolution 16.7.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 01/02/2022)

      Mr Keun mentioned that the matter can be regarded as finalised.

      Resolution:

      1. That the matter is regarded as finalised regarding Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds.

        Mr Keun
        SSSFF

    8. Dispute Resolution Process

      (Resolution 16.8.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 01/02/2022)

      Mr Keun mentioned that as soon as the document is finalised it will be circulated to all the relevant role-players in the industry.

      Resolution:

      1. That once the document on the "Dispute Resolution Process" is finalised it will be circulated to all the relevant role-players in the industry.

        SSSFF

    9. Transport Differential: Feedback

      Ms A Matutu mentioned that the Transport differentials have been aligned and Randfontein is being used as a central point. Ms Matutu also mentioned that the payload has been adjusted from 32 to 33 tons.

      Mr P Lovelace mentioned that the sunflower transport differentials are inadequate and it is a difficult situation.

      The Chairman suggested that a meeting be arranged between the JSE and affected parties regarding the Transport differentials.

      Ms A Matutu mentioned that a Technical Advisory Committee has been formed and the members appointed are there in their personal capacity based on experience and not representing a specific company. Ms Matutu also mentioned that a workshop took place beginning of May 2022.

      Ms A Matutu mentioned that the concept of Dr Johan Strauss for an alternative to the current Transport differential was addressed at the Technical Advisory Committee and that feedback will be given to the committee members regarding details on the calculation and updated numbers to reflect this year's potential differential and calculation on the formula on further analysis. Ms Matutu mentioned if the Technical Advisory Committee agrees to the concept a trial period will be done for two years before it goes live.

    10. JSE/SAFEX Feedback

      The matter was discussed under item 16.9.

    11. SACTA: Feedback

      Mr Heyns gave feedback by way of a presentation and referred to the following aspects/matters:

      • Levy collection rate;
      • Levy distribution;
      • Levy continuation;
      • Benefits for Producers;
      • Transformation; and
      • Skills and Training.

      Dr L Rothmann enquired about Sclerotinia training for producers through the Sclerotinia network.

      Mr Heyns mentioned that a similar request had been received in the past which could not be supported because it was not transformation focused and needs to be discussed with the NAMC.

      The Chairperson thanked Mr Heyns for his contributions over the past years and wished him well for the future.

  17. Additional matters

    1. Request from Grain SA: Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports

      (Resolution 7.1.4.3.1 of the Oilseeds Advisory Committee minutes of 21/04/2022)

      Mr C Louw mentioned the weekly delivery information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports will be a statutory measure once approved.

      The Chairman mentioned that the SSSFF is in support of this application.

      Resolution:

      1. That it be noted that the SSSFF is in support of the "Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports" request by Grain SA.

        SSSFF

  18. Dates of next meetings

    • 5 October 2022
  19. Adjournment

    There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 13h19.