South African News
Agriculture Sector Divided Over New Labelling Rules for Meat Alternatives
New government regulations on the labelling and sale of meat analogue products have triggered mixed reactions among South Africa’s agricultural stakeholders. Set to take effect on 18 July 2026, the rules mandate a minimum 9% protein content in products labelled as ‘meat alternatives’ and ban references to animal species, such as ‘chicken-style’ or ‘b*con’. While the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation has welcomed the clarity these rules provide to consumers, the Southern African Agri Initiative has condemned them as overreaching and misleading. The regulations aim to standardise labelling while avoiding confusion about product origins and composition.
Read full story: Farmer's Weekly
Date Published: August 4, 2025
Consumer Demands for Pig Welfare Place Pressure on Pork Industry
Animal welfare is becoming a decisive factor in consumer purchasing decisions, placing growing pressure on the pork industry to adapt. At the PigX2 congress in Pretoria, veterinarians warned that public concern over pig welfare, while sometimes inconsistent, is driving demand for more ethical farming practices. Consumers increasingly reject suffering in the food chain, yet are often unwilling to pay extra for welfare improvements. This creates a challenge for producers to meet expectations without raising costs. Experts stressed the need for collaboration, staff empowerment, and strategic consumer education to sustain pork’s place on the dinner table.
Read full story: Farmer's Weekly
Date Published: August 2, 2025
African News
Morocco’s Dam Levels Drop Amid Intense Heatwave, Raising Water Stress Concerns
Morocco’s dam reserves have dropped to just over 35% of capacity as a severe summer heatwave strains the country’s water systems. Official figures show 5.93 billion cubic metres of water stored across nine main river basins—an improvement on last year’s levels but still critically low in several regions. Four southern basins, including Oum Er-Rbia and Souss-Massa, are below one-third capacity, while northern basins fare better due to infrastructure improvements. With summer temperatures accelerating water loss, authorities are calling for urgent conservation efforts and more efficient irrigation to ease the growing threat of water shortages.
Read full story: Hespress
Date Published: August 4, 2025
Global News
John Deere Unveils Fully Autonomous Tractor in the Midsouth
John Deere has debuted its fully autonomous 8R tractor in the Midsouth, showcasing a major leap forward in agricultural technology. The driverless tractor—equipped with AI-powered cameras, GPS mapping, and mobile connectivity—can perform tillage tasks independently, guided by the John Deere Operations Center. Safety is prioritised through 16 roof-mounted cameras providing 360-degree views, obstacle detection, and real-time alerts. While current functions are limited to tillage, future updates aim to support planting through to harvest. The technology is available for models dating back to 2020, with pre-orders expected in autumn 2025.
Read full story: Farm Progress
Date Published: August 4, 2025
Environment Agency Urges Farmers to Prepare for Potential Winter Slurry Crisis
The Environment Agency (EA) is warning UK farmers to act now to prevent a slurry crisis this winter, highlighting risks linked to extreme weather and insufficient storage. Through its new Winter Ready campaign, the EA is advising farmers to ensure at least six months' slurry storage, cover storage facilities to reduce rainwater dilution, and carry out essential summer maintenance. With wetter winters and drier summers becoming more frequent, the agency stresses the importance of aligning slurry use with crop and soil needs. Capital grants are available to support infrastructure improvements such as roofing, drainage, and store covers.
Read full story: Scottish Farmer
Date Published: August 4, 2025
Shipping Delays Prompt Cancellation of 9,000 Tons of Government Rice Contracts in Japan
Japanese businesses have cancelled or reduced applications totalling around 9,000 tons of government-distributed rice due to significant shipping delays. As of 1 August, 20 companies—including major retailers, rice shops, and school meal providers—had either withdrawn entirely or cut their order quantities under the 2021 crop’s discretionary contract system. Trial Company alone reduced its application by 6,000 tons. Some firms cited missed delivery deadlines as the reason for cancellations. Despite a lack of updated figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, industry insiders believe actual cancellations may be higher than reported.
Read full story: Japan Agricultural News
Date Published: August 3, 2025
Mānuka Honey Industry Hit Hard as Major Producers Collapse
New Zealand’s Mānuka honey sector is in crisis, with King Honey and Settlers Honey the latest major producers to fold amid ongoing industry struggles. King Honey, acquired in 2021 for $36 million by Me Today, has gone into liquidation, resulting in over 70 job losses and 18,000 hives being shut down. Settlers Honey, a key employer in Whanganui, also entered receivership in July. Falling honey prices, excess supply, and waning investor confidence have plagued the sector post-boom. Hive numbers have halved since 2019, while prices remain below break-even despite higher export volumes.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly New Zealand
Date Published: August 4, 2025
