Gauteng Smallholder Gauteng Smallholder November 2011 | Page 10

NEWS

From page 7 began working with the Obaro Feedlot Project to enhance the quality of his
Hans Mathabe ( Obaro ), winner Steven Mkhwanazi and Tanki Mokoena ( Obaro ) during the handover of the stud bull . herd . The stud bull Obaro offered as grand prize is sponsored by the Landbank and the Nu Alcade Bonsmara Group . According to Malcolm Moodie , a senior animal expert at Obaro , the stud bull boasts ideal genetic ancestry
and “ is any farmer ' s genetic dream , for both commercial and emerging farmers .” According to Johan Berg , manager of Obaro Agricultural Advisory Services , “ the animals that we assessed during this Obaro Brits Carcass Competition , were by far the best that we have ever seen from our emerging farmers . The farmers ' cattle were of such quality that they could have been placed next to any commercial farmer ' s cattle and stood a good chance of winning .” To help emerging farmers enhance the quality of their herd is an important aspect of the Obaro Brits Carcass Competition and the Obaro Feedlot Project .

CLIMATE

From page 7
which we have not hitherto grown in Gauteng , the warmer winters will also mean less effect in killing off plant and animal diseases and pests through cold , while also putting pressure on water resources through increased evaporation and watering needs , and also increased power consumption for refrigeration and airconditioning , among other effects . Interestingly , while there is consensus on an increase of some magnitude in temperature , there is no consensus on whether this will result in more , or less , rainfall . In fact , there are two quite divergent viewpoints in this regard . One aspect on which there is consensus , however , and which directly affects the disaster risk management capabilities of the province , is that weather events are likely to become more frequent and more violent . Thus , say the researchers , our children and grandchildren can expect an increase in the number of violent storms , hail , tornadoes , fires and heatwaves . And in fact one can say these events are already becoming part of our climate if one considers the downpours last year that caused flash flooding and deaths on the East Rand , and the more recent violent weather in Krugersdorp and Durban last month , not to mention the devastating fires along the southern Cape mountain region . Another aspect on which there is now no longer any
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