Senwes Scenario December 2017 - March 2018 | Page 30

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G RAI N M AR K E T P R O S P E C T S
November 2017
> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
ries about exports in the case of
sunflower, which will hopefully
stabilise the price.
The expected sunflower plant-
ings are approximately 5% higher
than the past season and the
expected soybean plantings are
25% higher than the past season.
There are rumours that South
African can consume 1,8 million
tons of sunflower. The question is,
however, if the available crushing
capacity will be able to process
such a quantity. The quality of
the oilcake in terms of sustain-
ability seems to be problematic,
which results in delays in the oil
extraction process. It could result
in lower quantities of sunflower
being crushed, which could result
in higher carry-over stock levels.
Sunflower and soybeans could
remain at the calculated export
parity level for quite some time.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The past season was characterised
by excessively high maize and oil-
seed yields, which resulted in sig-
nificantly higher carry-over stock
levels. It resulted in commodity
prices hovering at the calculated
export parity level for quite some
time, which put the profitabil-
ity of these commodities under
pressure. The planting intentions
of the different commodities, as
announced on 26 October, gave
rise to fears that commodity pric-
es may remain at the calculated
export parity level for quite some
time. However, grain and oilseed
contracts could improve the sit-
uation to some extent. Stay in
contact with your grain marketing
advisor to use price opportunities
and to manage the low prices in
the best possible manner. We can-
not expect miracles at this stage,
but the process must be managed
in the best possible manner.
28
Pietsap van Rensburg
Mr John Deere!
MODEL TRACTORS ARE HIS PASSION
Absolute amazement overtakes
you the minute you see Pietsap
van Rensburg’s collection of
John Deere model tractors in
Schweizer-Reneke. Mr John
Deere is the only way of descri­
bing Pietsap.
There is everything from John
Deere tractors, ploughs, belts and
buckles and pedal tractors - you
name it and he has it.
WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN?
In short, Pietsap’s collection
started at the age of eight when
his father, Hennie, gave him a
Ford model tractor after having
given him a hiding. However, it
broke in no time. They worked
with Ford tractors on the farm
Doornbult, until they switched
over to John Deere in 1977. He
jokingly said: “A puppy’s eyes
open after seven days. My eyes
only opened after 17 years.” It
really started in 1989, with a John
Deere tour to the USA and every-
thing snowballed after that.
SAMTA
The model tractors are in many
respects not really important -
SAMTA (South African Model
Tractor Association) is really the
important aspect. He was the
chairman of SAMTA for years.
Which one is the most important
to him? “They are all important.
Tell me this - which one of your
children would you choose? You
simply can’t choose.”
He is known for his restoration
work on model tractors. He
laughs and concludes with: “You
fix a John Deere - the rest you
throw away.” Who does he look
up to? Definitely Groen Karel
Bezuidenhout from Elliot – “Now
there is a John Deere man with
passion.”
* Pietsap has regular tours - contact
him at 082 772 7200.
Read the comprehensive
article with photos at
http://senwes.co/pietsap
Pietsap van Rensburg shows off his thousands upon thousands of John Deere model
tractors.
DEC 2017-MAR 2018 • SENWES Scenario