Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum
Meeting held on 5 October 2022 at the offices of the Oilseeds Industry and via 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 Dr E Briedenhann PRF/OAC Mr GP de Beer PRF Contractor Dr J Dreyer PRF Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Dept Agriculture, Mpumalanga Mr G Keun CEO PRF/OPDT/OAC Mr CJ Louw Grain SA Mr P Lovelace CEOCO/SAOPA Mr S Mahlangu SACTA Dr T Mpanza ARC Mr B Schultz SAGIS Dr D Strydom Grain SA Mr A Theron PRF Dr A van der Vyver SACOTA Ms M du Preez PRF Via MS Teams
Mr A Bennett SACTA Ms R Beukes DALRRD Mr S Brereton Stiles BASF Mr T Clark RCL Foods Mr C Cloete Rolfes Agri Ms AS de Beer ARC-GCI Mr S de Jager COFCO Ms P Fourie Grain SA Dr M Human Grain SA Mr P Janse van Rensburg Pioneer Dr C Joubert NAMC Mr G Kgatle Grain SA Mr J Kotze SACOTA Dr S Lamprecht ARC-PPRI Mr S Links Grain SA Ms W Louw SAGL Dr S Ma'ali ARC-GCI Ms W MacPherson Andermatt Mr V Mapfumari DALRRD Mr V Mpumza JSE Mr S Nel Bayer Mr L Phaleng AFMA Mr T Phasoana ARC Mr T Prinsloo ARC Mr C Rasoesoe DTIC Ms M Scheepers DALRRD Mr L Schoonraad Corteva Me P Sebothoma ARC Mr N van Burick Landbouweekblad Ms S van der Merwe Corteva Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR Mr W van Pletsen Agricol Mr R van Pletsen Agricol Mr C Vercueil Grain SA Mr N Wegner PPECB Apologies
Ms D Fourie NWU Mr W Lemmer AgbizGrain Dr L Rothmann UFS Ms A Schoeman PRF Personalia
None reported.
Confirmation of the agenda
The Agenda was confirmed with the following addition:
- Item 16.5 – Trading – Exports
Approval of minutes
Minutes of a meeting of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 24 May 2022 and referral to website
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 24 May 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
The Chairman mentioned that Dr S Lamprecht was invited to do a presentation on the project "The role of seedling diseases in poor establishment of sunflower in South Africa".
Dr Lamprecht joined the meeting and did a presentation and gave feedback on questions raised from the presentation on the project "The role of seedling diseases in poor establishment of sunflower in South Africa".
The Chairman mentioned that the information will be available on the OPDT/OAC website.
- That the minutes of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 24 May 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 the latest Monthly Bulletin included in 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 Supply and Demand Estimates Committee report included in Annexure C was noted.
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 2010-2022.
Producer matters: Sunflower and Soybeans
KwaZulu-Natal
General
No feedback.
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
General
Mr C Louw mentioned that feedback was received from farmers in Mpumalanga that planting soybeans get preference above maize.
North West and Limpopo Province
General
Mr J du Plessis mentioned that it was a disastrous season for sunflower in the Northwest Province.
Mr J du Plessis also mentioned that the price ratio between soya and maize and the high cost of nitrogen the planting of soybeans were preferred above that of maize.
Free State
General
Dr D Strydom mentioned that farmers in the Free State areas are planting more soybeans due to moisture levels and are shifting to plant more soybeans than maize and sunflower.
Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts
General
No feedback.
Soybean value chain
Dr E Briedenhann reported that the following outstanding issues are being addressed:
- Logistics of transport of soybean meal to the Western Cape; and
- Harvesting of high moisture soybeans.
Sunflower value chain
Mr J du Plessis mentioned that it hasn't been a good season for sunflower in terms of yield, protein and oil content.
Mr C Louw mentioned that the figures received are not showing good sunflower crops for the current season and that the farmers need to be guided on when to plant sunflower at the optimal planting time and that the farmers need to concentrate on oil content and oil quality.
Research
Soybeans
National cultivar trials
Ms A de Beer did a presentation and gave a brief overview of the National Soybean cultivar trials.
Mr G de Beer mentioned that planting dates in the Schweizer-Reneke trials are very important. He advised that planting must be done earlier based on results of calculations of the previous season (days/kg).
Soybean rust
Dr J Dreyer mentioned that less soybean rust has been reported.
Sclerotinia
Dr M Human mentioned that Grain SA are hosting a Sclerotinia day on the 13th of October 2022 and that it will be a hybrid event.
Rhizobium
(Resolutions 14.1.4.1 and 14.1.4.2 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 24/05/2022)
Mr J du Plessis mentioned that very good feedback have been received regarding the Rhizobia Symposium that was held on the 7th of September 2022 and congratulated the team on the great work done.
Ms M du Preez mentioned that the presentations of the Rhizobia Symposium are available on the OPDT/OAC website and that the videos will be added later once edited.
Mr G Keun mentioned that an updated Rhizobia list are available and can be requested from the Administration.
Resolution:
- That it be noted that an updated Rhizobia list are available and can be requested from the Administration.
SSSFF
- That it be noted that an updated Rhizobia list are available and can be requested from the Administration.
Sudden Death Syndrome
Dr S Lamprecht gave some feedback on the Sudden Death Syndrome project and requested the Industry to supply cultivar seed for testing purposes when they are approached.
Sunflower
National cultivar trials
Dr S Ma'ali gave a brief overview of the National Sunflower Cultivar Trials and thanked the OPDT and ARC for funding the 3 projects which are:
- Sunflower Cultivar Evaluation;
- Effect of fertilization and Sclerotinia on sunflower yield and quality; and
- Investigate the effect of different planting dates on Sunflower seed yield and quality at Free State and North West.
Alternaria
No feedback.
Sclerotinia
No feedback.
Technology transfer
Articles
The contents of the document, included in Annexure F, were noted.
Sunflower highlights
The contents of the document, included in Annexure G, were noted.
LEAF Services
(Resolution 15.2.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 24/05/2022)
The Chairman requested that the item be removed from the agenda.
Information Days 2022
- Grain SA's Sclerotinia Day, 13 October 2022,
- Dr J Dreyer and Mr G de Beer will be doing a presentation on Soybean and Soybean production at the Wheat Day held in Koedoeskop on the 13th of October 2022.
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 December 2022 edition of the Oilseeds Focus is being finalised.
Yield Competition: Grain SA
Mr Louw gave feedback on the "Grow for gold competition" and the function that took place during September 2022.
Other matters
Chemicals and inoculants
Mr J du Plessis referred to the increase in prices of chemicals and inoculants.
Fertilisers
Mr J du Plessis mentioned that the prices of fertilisers have increased again.
Seed/cultivars
Seed certification
No feedback.
Processing
Mr P Lovelace mentioned that load shedding have a big impact on processors.
Trading
Exports
Mr C Louw gave feedback regarding the Chinese market that has been opened. Dr A van der Vyver also referred to the matter with emphasis on the role of SACOTA.
Mr C Louw mentioned that to qualify for the protocol signed with China on exports there are surveillance to be done and enquired about combining such a project with the current project funded by the OPDT on "Sudden death syndrome of soybean in South Africa: Etiology, detection and management" of Dr S Lamprecht. He also mentioned that it will be an annual project and that funding will be required and it needs to be determined who will be funding this project. The Chairman suggested that it be referred to the OAC for consideration.
Resolution:
- That cognisance be taken to qualify for the protocol signed with China on exports there are surveillance to be done and Mr C Louw enquired about combining such a project with the current project funded by the OPDT on "Sudden death syndrome of soybean in South Africa: Etiology, detection and management" of Dr S Lamprecht. He also mentioned that it will be an annual project and that funding will be required and it needs to be determined who will be funding this project.
Mr Keun
SSSFF
OAC
- That cognisance be taken to qualify for the protocol signed with China on exports there are surveillance to be done and Mr C Louw enquired about combining such a project with the current project funded by the OPDT on "Sudden death syndrome of soybean in South Africa: Etiology, detection and management" of Dr S Lamprecht. He also mentioned that it will be an annual project and that funding will be required and it needs to be determined who will be funding this project.
Consumers and soybean food
No new information was reported.
Dispute Resolution Process
(Resolution 16.8.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 24/05/2022)
Dr D Strydom mentioned that the draft document on the "Dispute Resolution Process" are available and has been approved by the Trade Working Group. He also mentioned that a "Sampling procedure" document were requested that will go hand in hand with the Dispute Resolution Process document and that it was still awaited from Agbiz.
Resolution:
- That it be noted that a draft document on the "Sampling procedure" was awaited from Agbiz.
Dr Strydom
SSSFF
- That it be noted that a draft document on the "Sampling procedure" was awaited from Agbiz.
Transport Differential: Feedback
Mr V Mpumza mentioned that the Technical Advisory Committee has agreed to support the trialling of the concept and that the JSE have started engaging with crushers and storage operators in this regard to sensitise them on the information that will form part of the methodology in terms of calculating it.
Mr V Mpumza gave feedback on the recognition of foreign origins for delivery in the completion of a futures contract with the JSE. He also mentioned that a Market Notice went out on the 4th of October 2022 where the JSE recognised several country's that will be acceptable for sunflower seed and soybeans for deliveries in completion of a JSE futures contract on both the sunflower and soybeans contracts.
Mr V Mpumza also mentioned that market participants approached the JSE regarding soybean quality to implement a similar grading system as the Wheat contract. The JSE referred it to the SSSFF and once a decision have been made it will be referred to the Regulators.
Dr D Strydom enquired from Mr V Mpumza what the requests were from the market participants and it was agreed that Mr V Mpumza will forward the details of the concerned parties to Dr D Strydom to enable him to engage with them.
JSE/SAFEX Feedback
The matter was discussed under item 16.8.
SACTA: Feedback
Mr A Bennett mentioned that SACTA held a successful Annual Information Session on the 2nd of August 2022 and that the video clips will be available on the website once finalised.
Mr A Bennett gave feedback on the following:
- Soybean levies have been distributed to the principal seed companies and technology providers;
- Collection rate was 99.5%;
- R78 million were distributed to the seed companies and technology providers;
- Official approval/promulgation are still awaited for the new soybean levies for periods March 2023 to February 2024 and March 2024 to February 2025 and are set at R66 and R92 per ton respectively;
- The June 2022 listing of new varieties from DALRRD included 24 new soybean varieties from 7 companies and might not all be commercialised;
- Import or commodity approval for the trait HB4 from Argentina have been approved in South Africa.
Additional matters
Request from Grain SA: Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports
(Resolution 17.1.1 of The Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum of 24/05/2022)
Mr B Schultz gave feedback regarding the application and challenges experienced.
Mr C Louw mentioned that the weekly delivery information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports have been put on hold by Grain SA until the Wheat application has been approved which was now approved subject to conditions.
Mr C Louw suggested that a meeting be held with the Competition Commission regarding the matter.
Resolution:
- That it be noted that a meeting be held with the Competition Commission with regards to collecting information on "Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports".
Dr Strydom
Mr Louw
Mr Keun
SSSFF
- That it be noted that a meeting be held with the Competition Commission with regards to collecting information on "Weekly information on sunflower and soybean oilcake imports and exports".
Election of office bearers
Election of Chairperson
Mr Keun said the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson were elected in alternate years and were elected for a term of two years. He said the Vice Chairperson had been elected the previous year. He called for nominations for the position of Chairperson, and added that the person elected would represent the Soybean Forum on the Oilseeds Advisory Committee for a term of two years. He said that the term of office would commence on 1 March 2023 and would end in February 2025.
Messrs Jozeph du Plessis and Ralph Küsel were nominated for the position. Mr Du Plessis mentioned that he is not available for another term and Mr Ralph Küsel was elected as Chairperson of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum and as representative of the Soybean Forum on the Oilseeds Advisory Committee.
Resolution:
- That Mr Ralph Küsel was duly elected as Chairperson of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soyfood Forum and as representative of the Soybean Forum on the Oilseeds Advisory Committee for the term 1 March 2023 to end February 2025.
Mr Küsel
Mr Keun
SSSFF
OAC
- That Mr Ralph Küsel was duly elected as Chairperson of the Sunflower, Soybean and Soyfood Forum and as representative of the Soybean Forum on the Oilseeds Advisory Committee for the term 1 March 2023 to end February 2025.
Dates of meetings for 2023
Meeting dates for 2023 will be communicated to members.
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.