South African News
R120 000 Top Price Highlights Demand for Proven Nguni Genetics
Strong prices at the Western Cape Nguni Club/Regainer Nguni auction in Darling reflected growing buyer preference for cattle with proven fertility and breeding performance. The top bull sold for R120 000, while Regainer bulls averaged R96 250. Females also achieved strong prices, with 3-in-1 animals averaging R43 200 and cow-and-calf units R35 142. The highest-priced cow-and-calf unit had strong fertility and longevity records, while the top bull had above-average genetic merit and a proven maternal line. Producers are increasingly valuing Nguni cattle for their fertility, extensive production ability and resilience amid economic and climatic pressures. A presentation also highlighted liver fluke as a hidden cause of reduced cattle productivity.
Read full story: Farmers Weekly
Date published: October 6, 2026
South African Pink Lady Apple Exports Surge in UK And Europe
Tru-Cape’s Pink Lady apple exports to European markets have grown strongly, with volumes to UK retailers increasing by more than 16% during the 2026 season. South Africa now supplies around 80% of Southern Hemisphere Pink Lady apples, supported by production across diverse growing regions and microclimates that promote good fruit colour. Although late-season storms and strong winds caused some bruising in Ceres and Villiersdorp, overall demand remained strong. Pink Lady and Cripps Pink together account for almost nine million MK6-equivalent cartons of South African apple exports, making the category the country’s second-largest after Gala. Tru-Cape expects demand in the UK and Europe to continue growing.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: October 3, 2026
African News
Southern Africa Needs a Poultry ‘Missing Middle’ To Drive Inclusive Growth
Southern Africa’s poultry sector needs more medium-scale enterprises to bridge the gap between struggling small producers and large integrated companies. This “missing middle” could create jobs, strengthen food security and give young people and women greater ownership of the poultry value chain. However, basic start-up grants are insufficient for businesses that need working capital, infrastructure, technical support and reliable market access to scale. The article calls for blended finance, shared facilities, digital systems, mentorship, professional business practices and off-take agreements. Opportunities extend beyond poultry production to feed, hatcheries, veterinary services, processing, cold storage, transport, packaging and marketing.
Read full story: Food For Mzansi
Date published: October 6, 2026
Global News
Canada Funds Research to Strengthen Pork Industry
Canada’s pork industry is receiving new research funding through Swine Innovation Porc’s Advancing Swine Research programme, supported by the Pork Promotion and Research Agency. The initiative aims to improve the sector’s resilience, sustainability and competitiveness by addressing priorities including animal disease, antimicrobial resistance, biosecurity, barn technology, food safety, pork quality, and energy and water efficiency. Funding is available for larger Discovery and Applied Research projects, worth up to C$150,000 over three years, and shorter Quick Win projects of up to C$50,000. Universities, colleges, research organisations and government institutions can apply, with Letters of Intent due by November 13, 2026.
Read full story: Farms.com
Date published: October 5, 2026
Thailand Floods Damage 263,000 Hectares of Farmland and Affect 145,000 Farmers
Prolonged flooding across Thailand has damaged more than 1.64 million rai (about 263,000 hectares) of farmland and affected 144,738 farmers across 42 provinces. Rice accounts for most of the damaged cropland, with 1.31 million rai affected, raising concerns for domestic supplies and Thailand’s role as a major rice exporter. Livestock losses have also been severe, with more than 3.9 million animals, mainly poultry, dead or missing, while aquaculture farms have suffered losses exceeding 170 million baht. The flooding began on 21 August and continued into October, with the government registering affected farmers for compensation as damage assessments continue.
Read full story: Global Agriculture
Date published: October 5, 2026
Chile Develops Premium Farmed Turbot Market with Export Ambitions
Chile’s Universidad de Los Lagos is working with local companies Alimex and Lago Sofía to develop a commercial market for farmed turbot, initially targeting domestic consumers before expanding into Brazil and the United States. The university currently produces about 500kg a month at its aquaculture centre in Puerto Montt and aims to increase output to around 10 tonnes a month in the short term. The project builds on decades of turbot research and could help diversify Chile’s aquaculture industry beyond salmon. Turbot is a high-value whitefish with established demand in European markets, particularly Spain and France.
Read full story: IntraFish
Date published: October 5, 2026
Water Hyacinth Threatens Boro Rice Farming and Biodiversity in Chalanbeel
Farmers in Bangladesh’s Chalanbeel wetland are struggling with prolonged flooding and dense water hyacinth, which are delaying land preparation for the Boro rice season. Fields can remain submerged for more than five months, leaving farmers little time to clear weeds and plant a second crop. Manual removal is costly and labour-intensive, prompting many farmers to use herbicides despite concerns about damage to fish, aquatic wildlife and migratory birds. Blocked drainage channels are worsening stagnant water and weed growth. Agriculture officials are testing a locally developed mechanical crushing machine that can clear about one bigha of water hyacinth per hour as a potential alternative to chemical control.
Read full story: The Daily Star
Date published: October 6, 2026
