Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum
Meeting held on 9 October 2019 at the offices of the Oilseeds Industry
Opening
Mr Ralf Küsel opened the meeting with prayer.
Welcome
The Chairperson, Mr Jozeph du Plessis, welcomed all to the meeting.
Attendance
Present
Mr J du Plessis Chairperson Ms R Beukes DAFF Mr D Boshoff AFMA/SACOTA Mr J Botma Producer: Free State Dr E Briedenhann PRF/OAC Mr H Davies Eden Social Development Mr G de Beer Contractor Dr J Dreyer PRF Mr H Hamman FSO Mr G Heyns SACTA Mr M Jansen van Rensburg Mpumalanga DOA Mr PR Janse van Rensburg Pioneer Mr R Küsel Producer: KwaZulu-Natal Mr C Louw Grain SA Ms W Louw SAGL Mr P Lovelace CEOCO/SAOPA Dr S Ma'ali ARC-GC Mr R Pholo Producer: North West / Grain SA Ms M Purnell Agbiz Grain Mr L Schoonraad Corteva Dr D Strydom Grain SA Dr P Taljaard Bayer Mr A Theron PRF Mr WF van Wyk Contractor Ms M du Preez PRF Ms S Brits PRF Apologies
Dr A Balarane NAMC Mr H Conradie Producer: Mpumalanga Ms A de Beer ARC-GC Mr N Hawkins SAGIS Dr C Joubert NAMC Mr G Keun PRF/OPDT CEO Ms W MacPherson SABO/Madumbi Prof F Meyer PRF Mr J Rankin Producer: North West Mr G Roos Producer: Mpumalanga Ms L Rothmann UFS Mr R van Niekerk Agricol Mr W van Pletsen Agricol Mr A van Vuuren NWC Personalia
Wishes for a complete recovery were conveyed to Mr Arno van Vuuren.
Confirmation of the agenda
The agenda was accepted, with the addition of:
- Item 17.5 – Election of Vice-chairperson
Approval of minutes
Minutes of the combined meeting of the Soybean work group and the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 23 April 2019 and referral to website
Resolution:
- That the minutes of the combined meeting of the Soybean Work Group and the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 23 April 2019 be accepted as a true and fair reflection of that meeting, and that the minutes be referred to the PRF and Oilseeds Industry's websites for publication.
Ms du Preez
Steering Committee
OAC
- That the minutes of the combined meeting of the Soybean Work Group and the Sunflower, Soybean and Soybean Food Forum held on 23 April 2019 be accepted as a true and fair reflection of that meeting, and that the minutes be referred to the PRF and Oilseeds Industry's websites for publication.
Current soybean prices: local and international
A brief overview was given of the current state of the national and international soybean and sunflower industry, with aspects such as the current state of production, prices, demand and supply, amongst others, being covered.
Cognisance was taken that the derived soybean price on 2 October 2019 was R5 575 per ton.
SAGIS
The contents of the latest SAGIS Weekly Bulletin and of the latest Monthly Bulletin were noted. Cognisance was taken that this and other data were published on the SAGIS website.
South African Supply and Demand Estimates Committee (SASDEC)
Cognisance was taken of the latest South African Supply and Demand Estimates Reports.
Weather and climate forecast
Cognisance was taken that weather conditions have seemingly changed over the last few years, with for example the usual August winds having shifted to October, and the first rains coming in later than in previous years. Warm weather had been predicted for October, with rain expected from the last week of October. The expectation, however, was that the coming season's rainfall would be disappointing.
Crop estimates
Latest crop estimates: Soybeans and Sunflower
A presentation was delivered on the local production of soybeans and sunflower from 1988 to 2019. Information was also provided on the ratio of soybeans/maize planted, and of the area planted to soybean under irrigation.
Cognisance was taken of the area planted and eighth production forecast for summer crops in 2019, and of the revised area and second production forecast for winter crops in 2019.
The Crop Estimates Committee was thanked for the world-class information it provided.
Soybean value chain
Local soybean stocks/supply and demand
It was noted that the concerns about excessive soybean stocks, that had been raised in December 2018, had to a large extent been mitigated.
Quality of local soybeans and soybean oilcake
The issue with regard to the quality of local soybeans and soybean oilcake was amongst those raised during the December 2018 meeting of role-players in the two industries. The perception was that locally produced soybeans and soybean oilcake was not up to standard. It was however noted that much progress had been made in this regard. The question was raised as to whether or not further measures could be taken to sway the perceptions of the few remaining sceptics.
One of the big issues faced by the processing industry is that no minimum specifications have been made available for the raw materials provided. Material provided by producers had to be accepted, yet commitments had to be made to end-users with regard to protein, fibre, urease and so forth. There was no real consistency of quality in the raw material provided. This puts tremendous on the processors. The same applied to sunflower. This matter will be discussed at the Grain and Oilseeds Value Chain Indaba, which is to be held on 11 November 2019.
Cognisance was taken that Grain SA was also investigating the matter, specifically with regard to sunflower, and that the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) would include the issue of quality in a comprehensive value-chain study on oilseeds.
Noted:
- That feedback is awaited on the matter of minimum specifications on raw materials provided by producers to processors.
Chairperson
SSSFF
Feedback on industry study
Cognisance was taken that BFAP's proposal for a comprehensive in-depth study on the factors that influence the nutrient content of sunflower and soybeans was being awaited.
Noted:
- That BFAP's proposal on a comprehensive in-depth study on the factors that influence the nutrient content of sunflower and soybeans is being awaited.
Dr Briedenhann
RPC
OAC
SSSFF
- That BFAP's proposal on a comprehensive in-depth study on the factors that influence the nutrient content of sunflower and soybeans is being awaited.
Benchmarking against international standards and quality
The issue with regard to the comparison between international soybean and sunflower grading regulations with local regulations was discussed at some length during the previous meeting. Data had been gathered on grading in the US, Canada and Argentina.
It was noted that grading data for the Black Sea countries and countries in the European Union (EU) was still being sourced.
Resolution:
- That feedback is awaited after information on grading regulations in the area around the Black Sea, amongst which Russia and the Ukraine, as well as countries in the EU, had been sourced.
Mr van der Walt
SSSFF
- That feedback is awaited after information on grading regulations in the area around the Black Sea, amongst which Russia and the Ukraine, as well as countries in the EU, had been sourced.
- That feedback is awaited on the matter of minimum specifications on raw materials provided by producers to processors.
Pricing transparency – feedback
Cognisance was taken that the issue with regard to the listing of soybean oilcake contracts on SAFEX had been resolved.
Infrastructure
Cognisance was taken that the relevant authorities had been informed of the industry's concerns about infrastructure matters such as water and electricity supply and transport, that impacted on industry, agriculture and growth.
Imports and exports
It was noted that the legal opinion on the issues relating to the proposed statutory measures on imports and exports of soybeans and sunflower was still awaited.
Resolution:
- That feedback is awaited on the legal opinion that had been sought on the issues relating to the proposed statutory measures on imports and exports of soybeans and sunflower.
Chairperson
SSSFF
- That feedback is awaited on the legal opinion that had been sought on the issues relating to the proposed statutory measures on imports and exports of soybeans and sunflower.
Grain and oilseeds value chain indaba
Cognisance was taken that a grain and oilseeds value chain indaba will be held on 11 November 2019.
The resolution with regard to the five year plan for oilseeds in agriculture, that the Presidency had requested to be drawn up, was held in abeyance.
Resolution:
- That feedback is awaited on the five year plan for oilseeds.
Messrs Keun, Boshoff
SSSFF
- That feedback is awaited on the five year plan for oilseeds.
Producer matters
KwaZulu-Natal
General
Cognisance was taken producers in KwaZulu-Natal were hoping for good rains after a very dry winter.
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
General
It was reported that rainfall and hail damage had been the most important factors in the average yields obtained by producers during the past season.
North West and Limpopo Province
General
The past season had been very dry, with planting dates having been delayed. Average yields were disappointing.
Free State
General
Cognisance was taken that weather conditions in the Free State had impacted negatively on soybean yields achieved during the past season. It was expected that producers would prefer to plant maize and sunflower in the coming season.
Eastern and Northern Cape and South Western Districts
General
No report back.
Research
Soybeans
National cultivar trials 2018/2019
The results of the 2018/2019 soybean trials were still being awaited.
Details were provided of the national soybean cultivar trials planned for 2019/2020, with information provided on the cultivars to be planted, the localities where the trials would be planted, and the seed companies that would participate.
Soybean rust
There had been a very low incidence of soybean rust infection in the past season, due to the fact that most of the producers in the east sprayed preventatively.
Sclerotinia
"Phenotypic and genotypic screening of soybean to identify potential sources of resistance to the destructive pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum", Ms L Rothmann and Prof N McLaren, UFS
Cognisance was taken of the copy of Ms Rothmann's presentation titled "Phenotypic and genotypic screening of soybean to identify potential sources of resistance to the destructive pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum" that had been delivered during the previous meeting.
South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA)
Feedback was given on the positive progress achieved with the implementation of the statutory levy on the breeding and technology royalties on soybeans. The issue with regard to the DNA analysis of material delivered was complicated and costly, and the feasibility of these analyses will be assessed from January 2020 and finalised within approximately 18 months.
Weigh and Win Yield Competition (Maize and Soybeans)
It was noted that Grain SA would organise and manage the Weigh and Win Yield Competition in 2019/2020. The names of the winners of the 2018/2019 competition were announced.
Rhizobium
Cognisance was taken that Grain SA had discussed the concerns about the irregularities with regard to the registration of inoculants, especially the biologicals, with the Registrar. Following on the discussion, it was concluded that there had been miscommunication between the various companies, and that similar issues should not occur in future.
Sunflower
National cultivar trials 2018/2019
Feedback was given on the results of previous national sunflower cultivar trials. The 2018/2019 results will be published on the ARC-GC website.
Concern was expressed about the lack of sufficient information on the best sunflower agronomic practices. The matter will be discussed by Grain SA's Sunflower Work Group.
It was mentioned that the industry would pay a significant premium for sunflower with a high oil content.
Seed
Soybeans
Non-GM seed
No feedback.
Other
No feedback.
Sunflower
No feedback.
Technology transfer
Information Days 2019
Producers will be invited to visit Mr van Wyk's trials. Dates have yet to be confirmed.
Videos
No feedback.
Oilseeds Focus
Any suggested content for publication in the Oilseeds Focus will be appreciated.
Soybean Food Association
Cognisance was taken that a symposium on soybeans in human food was planned for September 2020.
Other matters
Articles
Cognisance was taken of the articles included in Annexure G.
Sunflower Highlights
Cognisance was taken of the various editions of the Sunflower Highlights, included in Annexure H.
LEAF Services
Cognisance was taken that there had been no further developments with regard to the revitalisation of LEAF Services. It was noted that the industry had to be mindful of the status of LEAF Services, as there was a lot of risk associated with their planned activities.
Speaker: Mr Wessel van Wyk on the Sclerotinia evasion trials
Mr van Wyk informed the meeting about the Sclerotinia evasion trials planted in Mpumalanga.
Election of Vice-chairperson
Mr Jan Botma was unanimously re-elected to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Forum.
Resolution:
- That Mr Jan Botma be re-elected to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Forum.
Mr Keun, Mr Botma,
SSSFF
- That Mr Jan Botma be re-elected to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Forum.
Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 30 January 2020.
Adjournment
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.