North West Business 2018 edition

OVERVIEW
Various agri-processing plants are
under consideration for the city of
Mahikeng: a feedlot and a meat
processing plant, including an
abattoir and packaging facilities.
In Taung the plan is to establish
animal feed manufacturing plant.
NWK also deals in grain, runs several retail outlets and has a half-share
(with Senwes) in CertiSure Brokers. The company deals in short-term
insurance, crop insurance, financial planning, medical funds and funeral
policies. The company has 37 silos with a capacity of 2.5-million tons.
There are several milling operations in North West Province. Masilo
Mills is located in Hanneman (where Papa Super Maize is ground) and
Tau Roller Mills is in Wolmeransstad.
Companies
One of South Africa’s biggest agricultural
companies is Senwes.
The company specialises in the
storage and handling of grains
and oilseeds. Its extensive silo
infrastructure extends across the
interior. Its headquarters are in
Klerksdorp.
Suidwes is based south of
Klerksdorp in Leeudoringstad.
More than 90% of the shares in
the company are held by farmers.
Grain handling is the main
business and there are divisions
for retail (17 outlets and one
animal-feed depot), mechanisation,
finance and research
and agricultural economics
(Terratek).
Brits is the location of the
headquarters of the MGK Group,
formerly Magaliesberg Graan
Kooperasie. The company runs
five divisions and a plant that
makes full fat soy, a component
in animal feed.
NWK is another company
with manufacturing capacity.
The Lichtenburg-based enterprise
makes liquid fertiliser (up
to 10 tons per month), animal
feed (Opti Feeds), processes
sunflower seeds (Epko), and runs
three grain mills. Another subsidiary,
Opti Chicks, has a capacity of
600 000 chicks per week.
Variety
North West’s distinct climatic regions are home to three very different
types of agriculture. The dry western region is home to large
beef-cattle herds, and this is where the growing game-ranching and
hunting industry has its base. The eastern and north-eastern parts of
the province receive relatively good rainfall and are suitable for the
cultivation of crops.
The North West has approximately 1.6-million beef cattle, representing
12% of South Africa’s herd. Major breeds include Simmental,
Brahman, Bonsmara and Simbra, a cross between the Brahman and
Simmental breeds. Kalahari Red and Boerbok goats are found in large
numbers in the dry west. The number of goats for the province is
estimated at 701 587, which is 12% of South Africa’s total. There are
estimated to be 318 843 pigs, which is 20% of South Africa’s total drove.
Nearly two-million hectares is planted with summer cereals, with
about 50 000 hectares given over to winter cereals. The North West
produces about 20% of South Africa’s maize and about 15% of its wheat.
The central and southern sections of the province are dominated by
maize and wheat farming. When it comes to sunflower seed, North
West is responsible for 33% of South Africa’s stock, and 23% of the
nation’s groundnuts. The North West supplies 5.4% of South Africa’s
potatoes, but parts of the Kalahari are ideally suited to the cultivation
of seed potatoes.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za
Grain SA: www.grainsa.co.za
National Department of Agriculture and Forestry:
www.daff.gov.za
North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation,
Environment and Rural Development:
www.nwpg.gov.za/agriculture
Potatoes SA: www.potatoes.co.za
SA Grain Information Service: www.sagis.org.za
37 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2018