Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum
Meeting held on 24 May 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 at the meeting.
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 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 1 February 2022 and referral to website
Resolution:
- 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
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 with sunflower and soybeans over the period from 1992-2022.
Producer matters: Sunflower and Soybeans
KwaZulu-Natal
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.
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
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.
North West and Limpopo Province
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.
Free State
General
No feedback.
Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts
General
No feedback.
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.
Sunflower value chain
Dr Briedenhann mentioned that the High Oleic Sunflower Seed project is a big driver in the Sunflower Value Chain.
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
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.
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:
- That it be noted that the Rhizobia list will be updated regularly.
SSSFF
- That cognisance is taken of the Rhizobium symposium taking place on the 7th of September 2022 at the CSIR.
SSSFF / OAC
- That it be noted that the Rhizobia list will be updated regularly.
Sudden Death Syndrome
No feedback.
Sunflower
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.
Alternaria
No feedback.
Alternaria
No feedback.
Technology transfer
Sunflower Highlights
The contents of the document, included in Annexure G, were noted.
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:
- That cognisance is taken of correspondence received from DALRRD has been circulated to forum members.
SSSFF
- That cognisance is taken of correspondence received from DALRRD has been circulated to forum members.
Information Days 2022
No feedback.
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 June 2022 edition of the Oilseeds Focus was completed.
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.
Other matters
Chemicals and inoculants
No feedback.
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.
Seed/cultivars
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.
Processing
No feedback.
Trading
No feedback.
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.
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:
- That the matter is regarded as finalised regarding Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds.
Mr Keun
SSSFF
- That the matter is regarded as finalised regarding Acquisition and Utilisation of Grains and Oilseeds.
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:
- 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
- That once the document on the "Dispute Resolution Process" is finalised it will be circulated to all the relevant role-players in the industry.
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.
JSE/SAFEX Feedback
The matter was discussed under item 16.9.
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.
Additional matters
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:
- 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
- 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.
Dates of next meetings
- 5 October 2022
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 13h19.