SASTA Webinar A SASTA webinar was held on 26 March 2026. The webinar featured two presentations from the agricultural section of SASTA Congress 2025. Both papers were winners of the Kynoch Award, based on content of the papers, as well as the quality of the presentations at the Congress. Characterising Climate Change SASRI’s Cropping Systems…
Visit to Ilembe Foundry SASTA members were treated to an insightful visit to Ilembe Foundry in March. By our own admission, many of us were unsure what to expect, and we were thoroughly fascinated by the processes we observed. For those unable to attend, a foundry is a factory where metal is melted and poured…
Dear ISSCT Members, We are pleased to present you with the February 2026 issue of the ISSCT Bulletin which you may access here. As you will notice the Bulletin is in the form of a flipbook which is a modern and engaging approach, allowing readers to navigate the publication page by page in an interactive…
Cooling Farm and Fountainhill Estate, KZN Midlands SASTA members were treated to insights into two fascinating operations in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on 25 February 2026. Kiwis and avocados were on the menu for the day, and both farms kept our members spellbound as we learned about some of the intricacies of producing these crops. We…
As ISSCT marks its centennial year of advancing global sugar cane science and technology, the October 2025 Bulletin celebrates a remarkable journey of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This issue reflects on the success of the XXXII ISSCT Centennial Congress held in Cali, Colombia, featuring a message from the new Chair, inspiring participant impressions, award recognitions,…
UCL Avocado Packaging Plant In August 2025, SASTA members visited Union Co-Op Limited (UCL)’s advanced Avocado Packaging Plant. The tour offered valuable insight into the company’s highly efficient and sustainable operations. Led by Clinton Vermeulen, General Manager: Operations (Manufacturing), members explored the facility’s innovative processes and technology. The avocado packhouse is a recent addition to…
SASRI Celebrates a Century of Impact! The South African Sugar Research Institute (SASRI) marked a major milestone — 100 years of groundbreaking research and innovation — with a prestigious centenary celebration at Mount Edgecombe on Tuesday, 15 July. Held under the theme “A Century of Achievement, a Future of Possibilities,” the event reflected on SASRI’s basis of…
Sustainability in action at… Donovale Farming Company The recent SASTA Field Day in the Midlands showcased the impressive sustainability journey of Donovale Farming Company. Attendees had the opportunity to meet owners Chris and Ant Edmonds, with Ant presenting the farm’s innovative and ecoconscious approach to agriculture. Spanning 985 hectares in KwaZulu-Natal, Donovale grows sugarcane, navel…
ISSCT Bulletin June 2025 Dear ISSCT Members We are pleased to present you with the June 2025 issue of the ISSCT Bulletin Download here The Bulletin contains an update on the ISSCT XXXII Centennial Congress including both administrative as well as technical aspects. Detailed information may be found on the Congress website at https://www.issctcennial.com/…
