Minutes
Minutes of the Canola work group meeting
held on 14 February 2024 at Agrohub, Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch
Opening
The Chairperson opened the meeting with prayer.
Welcome
The Chairperson welcomed all present.
Attendance
Present
Mr AP Theron Chairperson Mr K Blanckenberg Grain SA Mr P Blom AECI Dr E Briedenhann OAC Mr J Bruwer Bayer Mr D Coetzee Lima Grain Mr S de Wet Lima Grain Mr Z Folscher US Mr J Jacobs Agricol Mr P Lombard DAWC Dr D Mostert US Mr G Keun PRF Mr A le Roux DAWC Mr C Müller Agricol Mr D Moore SOILL Ms L Nowers DAWC Mr J Pyper SOILL Mr R Schoeman Pioneer Ms HM Schreuder US Mr J Smith Yara Prof PA Swanepoel PRF Dr G Van Coller DAWC Ms M van Deventer US Mr N van der Merwe Barenbrug SA Ms M van Rooyen-Saayman US Ms C Viljoen US Mr D Viljoen Advanta Seeds Apologies
Mr R Badenhorst Overberg Agri Ms R Beukes DAFF Prof T Brandt US Mr C Louw GSA Ms S Lureman Overberg Agri Prof F Meyer BFAP Mr C Nel Overberg Agri Mr B Schultz SAGIS Ms L Smorenburg DAWC Dr J Strauss DAWC Dr D Strydom GSA Ms A Swanepoel DAWC Prof S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Personalia
No personal matters were reported.
Confirmation of the agenda
The agenda was accepted, subject to the addition of the following discussion point:
- 7.4.1.1 – DSI/TIA
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a Canola Working Group meeting held on 25 August 2023
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the meeting of the Canola Working Group, held on 25 August 2023, be approved subject to a minor amendment.
General overview and crop estimates
SAGIS information
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and the latest Monthly Bulletin, Annexure B, were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
Crop estimates
Cognisance was taken of the Crop Estimate Committee's information included in the Agenda as Annexure C.
The meeting noted that 131 000 hectares Canola had been planted and that 127 000 hectares were harvested. SOILL would finalise the official hectare values at the end of February.
The Chairman mentioned that there had been a reduction in planting canola during the previous season due to the availability of seed. Many producers planted retained seed. There would be more company seed available for the new season. Canola and wheat were the main crops in the rotation system, with a reduction in barley. The increase in spraying prices remained a significant challenge.
Winter rainfall region
Swartland
Mr Blanckenberg provided feedback and mentioned that plantings per hectare could remain the same as for the previous season. He said that it was difficult to provide an estimate. The possibility of more available seed could augur well for an increase in canola hectares.
Southern Cape
The Chairman mentioned that plantings per hectare could remain the same as for the previous season because of the rotation systems. Producers were very negative about barley because of diseases and risks. There was a possibility that canola hectares could increase if barley hectares were reduced. Good conditions due to high moisture levels in soil were mentioned, but the input costs for summer spraying were becoming very expensive.
Summer rainfall region
Eastern Cape
DSI / TIA: Canola Trials
Prof Swanepoel reported that it had been the third year of cultivar trials in the Eastern Cape, with the same cultivars planted at two localities by the University of Stellenbosch and the Fort Hare University. He referred to trials at additional localities by the Department of Agriculture: Eastern Cape, showing good potential.
Prof Swanepoel referred to challenges posed by the very moist conditions, making it difficult to enter at the optimal times at the trials and the postponement until end of May. The trials do not utilise supplementary irrigation. He mentioned that no samples were taken of diseases, but that Sclerotinia had been noticed, particularly on sunflowers.
Other
The Chairman referred to canola plantings at Bothaville and Humansdorp, as well as the enquiry from the Springbokvlakte. These enquiries were referred to the seed companies. It was mentioned that a group of Douglas producers would visit the Western Cape.
Prof Swanepoel referred to canola that had been planted last year at Prieska.
The Chairman said it was of critical importance to convey the correct advice relating to canola growing and suitable cultivars.
Price information
Mr Peyer reported that the prices remained the same as the last prices for the previous year, namely R8 200-R8 300 with a small incremental upward curve. In terms of back payments there could be a settlement payment later in the year.
Dr Briedenhann provided feedback about long-term trends and mentioned that the production of canola for the last year had been significantly higher with a slightly lower adjustment in the estimate for the forthcoming season. The canola consumption increased in Canada, specifically for bio-diesel and the stock-to-use ratio should be reduced, providing a possible support of prices. He referred to soya oilcake, soya seed and sunflower seed prices that had been reduced by R1 000 per tonne over the past months.
Weather forecast
(Resolution 7.6.1 of the minutes of the Canola Working Group held on 23/08/22)
The meeting noted that the matter would be held in abeyance until a suitable person could be identified to assist and provide future reports at the Canola Working Group meetings.
Resolution:
- That the matter be held in abeyance until a suitable person could be identified to assist and provide future reports at the Canola Working Group meetings.
Mr Keun
Canola Working Group
- That the matter be held in abeyance until a suitable person could be identified to assist and provide future reports at the Canola Working Group meetings.
Research
National cultivar trials 2023
Mr Lombard reported that the 25% retained seed planted resulted in a 12% reduced yield. He mentioned that the market was, at the time of the meeting, in a good position relating to the variety of available cultivars and that there was good competition involving good cultivars. The rotation and exchange of cultivars should be emphasised.
Research projects: 2024/2025
The Chairman mentioned receipt of good feedback in terms of research.
The meeting noted the presentation of Ms Heibrè Schreuder at the International Rape Seed Congress held in Australia last year.
Sclerotinia
Ms Nowers provided a graphic presentation about Sclerotinia. She mentioned effective spraying. The infection count north of the Swartland was 18,7% of the 11 farms, with one farm that had been most infected after spraying. Trials were conducted at Riversdale, Tygerhoek and Napier. The cultivar trial was duplicated right alongside each other. The Sclerotinia research trial had not been sprayed. She referred to the healthiest and most diseased cultivars at Riversdale, Tygerhoek and Napier. At Napier the general infection was lower. The average infection without spraying was 4% at Napier, 7% at Riversdale and 8% at Tygerhoek.
During Ms Van Deventer's presentation, she provided an update on her research project and shared the results. In 2023, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was present at all the sample sites and infected petals at all the sites.
- Highest average % petal infestation per plant: 20% flowering stage for 10/19 sites;
- Riversdale seed trial site had the highest average % petal infestation: Klipdale Quarries had the lowest.
- Only a few field sites displayed pre-harvest disease symptoms;
- Tygerhoek cultivar trial had the highest pre-harvest disease incidence with 4%;
- Comparing 40% flowering state petal infestation and the average % petal infestation overall to disease incidence, no pattern can be observed; and
- Preliminary results emphasise the importance of both environmental conditions and pathogen inoculum for successful infection.
Damage: Clethodim
The Chairman mentioned that there were few reports of Clethodim damage during wet seasons. He said it's an on-going matter and continued awareness was important.
Blackleg
Dr Mostert gave a presentation regarding Canola pathology and mentioned the two diseases of Canola namely:
- Blackleg
- Pathogen population genetics and dynamics;
- Evaluation of local cultivar resistance;
- Evaluation of fungicides for management; and
- Inoculum sources (Seed and alternative host crops planted in the conservation agriculture systems).
- Sclerotinia stem rot
- Development of disease risk model;
- Evaluation of correct timing and application of fungicides for management; and
- Sclerotinia disease monitoring.
Feedback was provided about their achievements during 2023:
- A peer review was published in a Plant Pathology journal;
- Poster presentation at the International Conference of Plant Pathology in France;
- Attendance of the IRC and visit to the Horsham research station in Australia; and
- Poster and oral presentations at the SASPP held in January 2024.
Ms Heibrè Schreuder gave feedback on the following progress towards objectives:
- Cultivar performance field trials 2021, 2022, and 2023;
- Fungicide field trials for 2022 and 2023; and
- Pathogen population of over 4 000 isolates from 2021-2023.
Mr Zander Folscher gave the following feedback regarding his studies on the investigating pathways of infection of Leptosphaeria spp. causing blackleg in canola in the Western Cape:
- Retained seeds;
- Farmer Survey;
- Retained seed infections; and
- Retained seed vs. new seed trial.
- Alternative hosts;
- Alternative host infections;
- Spore traps: qPCR optimisation underway.
- Dr Gert van Coller presented the following presentation regarding the fungicide deposition on canola:
- The influence of spray volume, timing, and method of application on deposition parameters of fungicides on canola in the Western Cape.
Treatments:
- 5-leaf application to control blackleg;
- 30% flowering application to control Sclerotinia stem rot; and
- Trial conducted successfully at Tygerhoek, results to be presented in annual reporting.
- The influence of spray volume, timing, and method of application on deposition parameters of fungicides on canola in the Western Cape.
Mr Lombard was requested to publish an article in the Canola Focus regarding the optimal time and recommended products for spraying against blackleg at the start of the new season.
Mr Blanckenberg mentioned challenges in the Swartland in terms of obtaining correct products for the correct problem in cases where agents selling chemical substances do not have sufficient knowledge of the products to market them. It remained very important for producers to obtain trustworthy information.
Mr Smith referred to die European "Green Deal" and asked whether the process had been ended or not. The Chairman requested Mr Keun to obtain information about the "Green Deal", to follow up and keep the Working Group informed.
Resolutions:
- That an article be published in the CanolaFokus about the optimal time and recommended products for spraying against blackleg at the start of the new season.
Mr Lombard
Canola Working Group - That Mr Keun be requested to obtain information about the "Green Deal", to follow up and keep the Working Group informed.
Mr Keun
Canola Working Group
- Blackleg
Fertilisation
(Resolution 8.6.1 of the minutes of the Canola Working Group held on 25/08/23)
The Chairman mentioned much insecurity and many questions about fertilisation and fertilisers. He requested Mr Smith to present a presentation about the fertilisation vision and the road ahead at the next Canola Working Group meeting.
The yield potential was mentioned with fertilisation goals to be adjusted to achieve a 3 tonnes/ha production.
Technology transfer
Canolafokus
The meeting noted the articles published in the CanolaFokus, included in the agenda as Annexure D.
Information days 2024
The meeting noted that the following information days were scheduled for 2024:
Roodebloem Pre-sowing Day 29 February 2024 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture 22-25 July 2024 Riversdale Information Day 22 August 2024 SKOG 23 August 2024 Hopefield Information Day 30 August 2024 Videos
No new information was reported.
Oilseeds Focus
The Chairperson reported that the Oilseeds Focus was available on the PRF web page. The new edition of the Oilseeds Focus would be available in March 2024.
Articles about Canola
The meeting noted the contents of the Canola related articles included as Annexure E, in the agenda.
Other
The canola market
The matter was discussed under a previous discussion point.
Canola producers
Price and back payments
No new information was reported.
Income and Cost Budgets
Mr Keun mentioned that BFAP had already started with the surveys for the new year.
SKOG
The Chairman requested circulation of the dates for the SKOG Information Day.
Alternative Crops
Lupins
The Chairman referred to a new lupin cultivar, Coyote, included in the trials showing good results. He said there were challenges with rust and spraying was necessary. Later in the year two new cultivars would be available on an experimental basis. The Chairman emphasised that lupins should not be planted instead of canola, but only be planted in areas where canola did not fare well. He also mentioned that other alternative crops should be considered.
Chemicals and Resistance
The matter was discussed under a previous discussion point.
Seed
Seed availability
The Chairman said that, based on his visit to Australia, the South African seed industry in terms of cultivars was not trailing behind the rest of the world. Australia had a bigger GMO driving power. The GMO contamination tolerance in South Africa was 0% compared to the contamination variation level of 0,9% in Australia and a 1% norm globally. The Chairman mentioned that, with the support of GrainSA, a letter had been sent to the Registrar for the adjustment of the contamination tolerance level in South Africa. Official feedback was being awaited.
Pioneer
Mr Schoeman provided the following feedback:- Seed availability was better than the previous year;
- Logistic chains may pose a problem;
- All long growers were flown in;
- Short growers were brought in either by flight or per ship;
- Risk would always pose a problem; and
- Search for other production countries, including South Africa.
Agricol
Mr Botes provided the following feedback:- Seed availability in terms of volumes were better than the previous year;
- 1st Clearfield was being brought in;
- 5 x TT cultivars were more than 2 x TT cultivars last year;
- Very competitive prices;
- First batch to arrive end of February;
- Second batch was also en route;
- Third batch to be flown in for availability in the country during 1st week of March;
- If there was any risk, seed to be flown in to arrive on time; and
- Seed availability would be sufficient.
Advanta
Mr Viljoen provided the following feedback:- Visit to Australia was important to understand value chain;
- Estimates were very important;
- Contracts were signed;
- Contracts based on three-year estimates;
- GMO not achievable at 0% in South Africa;
- In Australia 0,9% and in other countries 1% were considered non-GMO;
- Seed already en route from Australia, 80% of batch;
- Remainder of seed to arrive per flight or ship;
- Sufficient seed available; and
- Prices were lower.
Seed germination
No new information was reported.
SACTA
No new information was reported.
Speakers considered for future Canola Meetings
(Resolutions 7.7.1 and 7.7.2 of the minutes of the Canola Working Group held on van 25/08/23)
The Chairman mentioned approaching the fertiliser industry.
Dates for future meetings
The next meeting was scheduled for 13 June 2024.
Adjournment
There being no further matters for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.