Minutes
Canola work group meeting
held on 11 February 2022 at Perdeberg Cellar, Vryguns Farm, Windmeul, Paarl
Opening
A moment of silence was observed.
Welcome
The Chairperson welcomed all present. A special word of welcome to all the representatives of the Seed Companies that had to provide feedback about the availability of seed. He mentioned the meeting would adjourn at 12:00 for lunch and that the PRF Canola Producer of the Year prize giving function for Swartland would start after lunch.
Attendance
Present
Mr AP Theron Chairperson Mr R Badenhorst Overberg Agri Mr K Blanckenberg Grain SA Mr P Blom SSK Mr J Botes Agricol Dr E Briedenhann OAC Mr A Britz Kimleigh Mr J Bruwer Bayer Mr J Cloete Overberg Agri Mr J Coetsee Landbouweekblad Mr C Cumming PRF Mr A Erasmus Inteligro Mr Z Folscher US Mr J Kellerman Barenbrug SA Mr G Keun PRF Ms G Kriel Farmers Weekly Mr H Lochner Plaas Media Dr S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Mr D Lesch Farmer Mr P Lombard DAWC Dr G Mostert US Mr B Muirhead Lima Grain Mr C Müller Agricol Ms L Nowers DAWC Mr J Pyper SOILL Ms HM Schreuder US Ms L Smorenburg DAWC Mr Z Spammer SOILL Dr J Strauss DAWC Ms A Swanepoel DAWC Dr PA Swanepoel US Mr R Schoeman Pioneer Dr G van Coller DAWC Mr N van der Merwe Agricol Mr E van Heerden Farmer Mr G van Schalkwyk Lima Grain Ms C Viljoen US Mr G Visser Diemersdal Mr H Walters Waltersgrp Apologies
Mr G Els Lima Grain Ms A Genis Landbouweekblad Prof R Gous PRF Mr W Jonker Klein Karoo Seed Mr T Wessels Grain SA Personal matters
The Chairman expressed sympathy with all those that lost family members, friends and loved ones due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Pieter Pieterse retired at the University of Stellenbosch and Ms Charnè Viljoen was appointed as his successor. She was welcomed at the meeting.
Confirmation of the agenda
The agenda was accepted, without any additions or amendments.
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a Canola Working Group meeting held on 31 August 2021
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the meeting of the Canola Working Group, held on 31 August 2021, be approved.
General overview and crop estimates
SAGIS information
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and of the latest Monthly Bulletin, Annexure B, were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
The Chairperson mentioned that Mr Nico Hawkins retired from SAGIS. Dr Briedenhann, SAGIS Chairman, reported that Mr Bernard Schultz had been appointed as Mr Hawkins' successor at SAGIS.
Crop estimates
Cognisance was taken of the Crop Estimate Committee's information included in the Agenda as Annexure C.
The Chairperson recognised the Crop Estimates Committee, stating it made a difference in the industry. The Chairperson referred to Mr Spammer of SOILL and his feedback in respect of the 197 000 tonnes canola produced.
The Chairperson mentioned that during the feedback of the seed companies attention must be given to the following matters:
- Expectations for the new season;
- Retention of seed;
- Market expectations; and
- New cultivars.
Winter rainfall region
Swartland
The Chairperson gave feedback and mentioned the following:
- During the past season there was not much difference between the climate conditions in Swartland and the Southern Cape;
- Good rainfall and wet condition were experienced;
- There was more interest in planting canola; and
- Good yields were obtained.
Southern Cape
The matter was discussed during the previous discussion point, 7.3.1.
Summer rainfall region
Eastern Cape
The Chairman reported that not many canola hectares had been planted in the Eastern Cape and hoped that this could be expanded in future.
Other
The Chairperson mentioned that in the summer rainfall region crop yields during trials/plantings were very poor, with little or no rain after planting. Mr Willie Jonker will plant his trials in the summer rainfall region again this year.
Price information
The matter was held in abeyance.
Weather forecast
The matter was held in abeyance.
Research
National cultivar trials 2021
The Chairperson reported that the results of the cultivar trials were published in the Canolafokus.
Mr Lombard provided feedback and referred to the planning for the new season. There were movements within the cultivar market with secure seed availability from Pioneer, Agricol and K2.
He provided feedback relating to the 2021 results and mentioned that it had been a good year.
In the Southern Cape long growing cultivars were planted. These did very well and a good yield was obtained. Sclerotinia damage was reported.
The Swartland experienced good rainfall and yields. Blackleg damage was reported.
Good data had been collected and the road ahead seemed very positive.
Research projects: 2021/2022 and 2022/2023
Dr Pieter Swanepoel provided feedback about projects that had been finalised recently, as well as projects that were current at the University of Stellenbosch:
- "Developing nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for wheat (Triticum aestivum) and canola (Brassica napus) under conservation agriculture practices in the Western Cape", Izane Crous
The meeting noted that Izane Crous obtained her PhD. Information about her studies had been provided in the form of articles.
- "Optimal plant density for canola using precision seed placement and singulation technology"
Feedback would be provided as soon as more information had been obtained.
Dr Swanepoel referred to projects that were conducted in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture. There were various projects about climate change, lime, lime and gypsum, rotation systems and insects. In addition, a new project about canola cultivar trials in the Eastern Cape was due to start this year by GrainSA. This was planned for expansion to conservation farming and trials relating to canola cultivar evaluations, with summer cultivar evaluations for summer grain, maize and sorghum, as well as sunflowers and soya beans. The plan was to evaluate these within a conservation farming system.
The Chairman emphasised the importance of research and that recognition was due to the OAC for funding provided to many of the projects. He mentioned the problems with snails and that there was no actual research relating to this.
Mr Keun mentioned that the problem had been referred to the Technology Committee and that the matter would be discussed at the Technology Committee Meeting to be held.
- "Developing nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for wheat (Triticum aestivum) and canola (Brassica napus) under conservation agriculture practices in the Western Cape", Izane Crous
Sclerotinia
Ms Lizette Nowers gave feedback in respect of Sclerotinia and touched on the following matters:
- Geographical Incidence (Commercial Canola Fields and Canola Trials in 2021) – Pre- and post-harvest;
- Seed Densities; and
- Cultivars.
Damage: Clethodim
The matter was held in abeyance.
Blackleg
Dr Van Coller gave feedback regarding the two Blackleg projects financed by the OAC namely:
- "Integrated management of blackleg of canola in the Western Cape by means of cultivar resistance and chemical control"; Dr GJ van Coller; and
- "Determining the race structure and genetic diversity of Leptosphaeria species causing blackleg disease of canola in the Western Cape", Dr D Mostert.
Dr Van Coller also referred to the research to be conducted by Zander Folscher, relating to seed, specifically retained seed. This will be conducted by means of questionnaires to be completed by producers and will be conducted with the assistance of SOILL.
He requested assistance from the seed industry to import seeds for the trials.
Ms Schreuder presented a presentation about the project: "Determining the race structure and genetic diversity of Leptosphaeria species causing blackleg disease of canola in the Western Cape" and referred to:
- Blackleg cultivar resistance trials;
- Calculating the Disease Severity Index (DSI);
(Langgewens / Riversdale / Tygerhoek) - Population study.
Technology transfer
Canolafokus
The matter was held in abeyance.
Information days 2021
The matter was held in abeyance.
Videos
None.
Oilseeds Focus
The matter was held in abeyance.
Other
The canola market
The matter was held in abeyance.
Canola producers
Price and back payments
The matter was held in abeyance.
PRF Canola Producer of the Year
The matter was held in abeyance.
Income and Cost Budgets
The matter was held in abeyance.
SKOG: Future Planning
The matter was held in abeyance.
TIA: Canola report
The matter was held in abeyance.
Alternative Crops
The matter was held in abeyance.
Chemicals and Resistance
The matter was held in abeyance.
Seed
Seed availability
Seed companies' discussion about the availability of canola seed:
Mr Jan Botes – Agricol, mentioned the following:
Canola seed production takes place in Australia, New Zealand, North America and South America. The availability of sufficient canola stock was impacted by the extreme heat conditions that occurred in parts of South America. Planting additional quantities on other continents to address the shortages was hampered, partially by the shortage of sufficient breeder seed for the additional plantings. In addition there were no available canola transfer seed this year. The quality standards of seed suppliers are strict and the process of evaluation takes several weeks during and after the processing period. There were shortages at the conventional suppliers, but Agricol had the alternative, Quartz available while stocks lasted. Quartz had been the top conventional canola cultivar for three consecutive years in the Southern Cape. In the Swartland, Quartz was runner up, while Diamond performed as top cultivar in the conventional group. The actual challenge was with the TT's and there seems to be shortages. With all the shipping loads, international shortages of shipping containers and harbour congestions, Agricol decided to fly in cultivars, to allow cultivars to be ready at the end of March/beginning of April, on time and ready for the producers. The first part of the Quartz delivery was already in South Africa and would be distributed. The remainder of the Quartz and Diamond is expected by mid-March. The Alpha TT was being processed and was expected by the end of March/beginning of April.
Mr Jaco Kellerman – Barenbrug SA, mentioned the following:
It was mentioned during the meeting, but Barenbrug realised at the end of last year that availability of canola seed would pose a problem and the information was shared with distributors and direct customers. The Barenbrug supplier also announced that two cultivars would no longer be available commercially. Confirmation was given that the situation was being managed to ensure sufficient availability of seed in 2023. The risk was distributed more by production planting in Chile too, not only in Australia.
Mr Rikus Schoeman – Kaapland Pioneer mentioned the following:
Pioneer's worldwide production network makes it possible to allocate any quantity contractually from South Africa, irrespective of the country of production. This means that we get what we request, with 100% assurance of that, although the only requirement is that nature allows this allocation. It is that simple. In terms of 2022, we obtained 99,5% of the product we requested.
Pioneer can also distribute risk by producing seed in different countries. The drought in Canada did have an adverse effect on the Pioneer shorter growers (only 30% of 43Y92 requested is available due to the drought), but we are often in a position to obtain replacement cultivars in case of natural disasters/droughts. For 2022 we could obtain additional longer growing season cultivars to secure our basic total. It means that an additional quantity of 45Y93 was earmarked to secure our target quantity.
Although we endeavour to maintain a buffer quantity, it will remain a challenge in a dynamic market. Transfer stock could be very useful, but it could pose a risk in terms of being written off. At the moment, for example, there is stock of 45Y91 available at some of the suppliers. Even though germination percentages are dropping, the seed is available at special prices and with absolute transparency for producers in terms of seed quality. Other cultivars are all ordered by producers (and are therefore sold out).
Timing: VTA for the seed was, at the time of the report, 1 March, 15 March and 17 March for the first three loads. The last long growers are being bagged, but Pioneer will adjust logistics for timely delivery in RSA. Flight costs might have been excessive at the time of the report, but these were included in the scenario planning if the timeline required this.
Mr Gys van Schalkwyk – K2 mentioned the following:
K2 is part of the Lima Grain / Zaad Group. He referred to available cultivars and mentioned that available seed for certain cultivars had been sold out. It was a challenge to obtain additional seed from Australia.
Mr Van Schalkwyk mentioned that seven (7) new cultivars would be tested during the new season. The K2 point of view was to bring good new cultivars with high yield potential to the South African Market.
Seed germination
The matter was held in abeyance.
Seed germination
The matter was held in abeyance.
Additional matters
Speakers Considered for Future Canola Meetings
The matter was held in abeyance.
Meeting dates
The meeting noted that the next Canola Working Group meeting was scheduled for 9 June 2022.
Adjournment
There being no further matters for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.