July 23, 2025

Agriculture is facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, and carbon has emerged as a hot topic in the conversation. But what does it really mean for farmers, and is it worth investing time and resources into these markets? Agronomist Andrew Beckerling tackled this complex question head-on in a recent session about decoding carbon, helping attendees cut through the hype and understand the real implications of carbon in agriculture Carbon is About Soil, Not Just Markets Andrew began by grounding the conversation in what matters most: soil health. Too often, discussions about carbon focus solely on financial incentives, ignoring the biological and ecological benefits that come with improving soil carbon. He reminded attendees that carbon is not just a market commodity—it is a vital part of healthy soils – it’s about biology. Increasing carbon levels in your soil offers several tangible benefits for any farm: However, Andrew cautioned that healthy soils don’t happen by accident. “You can’t just change; you need to manage the change once you’ve made it,” he explained. Soil improvement requires consistent management practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and targeted organic amendments. Without ongoing care, the gains in carbon and soil health can be quickly lost. The Reality of Carbon Markets Once the biological importance of carbon was established, Andrew turned to the emerging carbon economy—a topic that is often shrouded in uncertainty and hype. His assessment was frank and practical, highlighting both the opportunities and limitations for farmers: Decoding Carbon Key Takeaways for Farmers The overarching message for those considering carbon trading was clear: approach with knowledge and caution. Carbon may represent a long-term opportunity for improving soil health and generating income, but it is not a quick win. Farmers should: Andrew’s session underscored that decoding carbon is first and foremost a tool for building resilient, productive soils. While carbon markets may offer financial incentives, the real value lies in improving the biological health of your land. Farmers who focus on this foundation are best positioned to benefit both ecologically and economically. In the end, carbon is more than just a market trend—it is a practical pathway to healthier, more productive soils. For farmers, the decision to invest in carbon strategies should be informed by science, guided by expert advice, and aligned with long-term farm goals. By understanding your baseline, managing soil health consistently, and carefully evaluating market opportunities, carbon can become a meaningful part of a resilient and profitable farming operation. Get in touch At Pinion SA, we partner with clients to deliver a comprehensive suite of services, including tax, business and agri-consulting, advisory, wealth management, and compliance solutions to meet all your business support needs. Our core values of Accountability, Excellence, and Innovation drive everything we do, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service and expertise. Visit our website and see more about what we offer or contact info@pinionza.com for more information.

Water risk is one of the most pressing challenges facing South African agriculture today. With climate change, infrastructure limitations, and policy uncertainty all playing a role, understanding and managing this risk is essential for long-term resilience. With nearly two decades of experience in hydrology, climate change, and environmental water strategy, Dr. James Cullis delivered a compelling session on one of the most urgent issues facing South African agriculture: water risk. As Technical Director at Zutari and a recognised expert in water resource management across Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, Dr. Cullis provided attendees with a clear view of both the scale and complexity of the challenge ahead. Understanding the Multidimensional Nature of Water Risk Dr. Cullis emphasised that water risk is far more complex than simple drought or rainfall decline. It is a multidimensional challenge shaped by a combination of factors: A key insight shared was that while climate change is accelerating water-related risks, it is often poor infrastructure and delayed policy implementation that create the greatest vulnerabilities. In other words, the compounding nature of these risks makes proactive planning essential. Key Considerations for Farmers and Policy Makers Dr. Cullis outlined several strategic considerations to strengthen resilience in South African agriculture: A Systems Approach to Water Risk According to Dr. Cullis, managing water risk successfully requires a systems-level perspective. This involves balancing engineering solutions, clear and timely policy, and efficient on-farm water management practices. By integrating these elements, South African agriculture can better navigate the intertwined physical, institutional, and reputational challenges it faces. Practical strategies exist that can help farmers and agricultural businesses manage water risk more effectively. These include investing in precision irrigation technologies, implementing rainwater capture systems, and rehabilitating or upgrading existing infrastructure to minimise water losses. Collaboration across the sector is also critical—farmers, municipalities, and policymakers must work together to create integrated plans that anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. Lessons from countries such as Australia and New Zealand show that proactive water policies and strategic infrastructure investments can significantly reduce vulnerability. Adapting these approaches to South Africa’s unique conditions can strengthen resilience, ensuring that agricultural production remains sustainable even in the face of climate variability and growing water pressures. The session served as a crucial reminder that water risk is not a distant threat—it is a present reality requiring immediate, coordinated action. For farmers, policymakers, and businesses alike, proactive water management isn’t just an operational priority; it is a strategic necessity for long-term resilience. Get in touch At Pinion SA, we partner with clients to deliver a comprehensive suite of services, including tax, business and agri-consulting, advisory, wealth management, and compliance solutions to meet all your business support needs. Our core values of Accountability, Excellence, and Innovation drive everything we do, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service and expertise. Visit our website and see more about what we offer or contact info@pinionza.com for more information.

A highlight of The Pinion Agri Conference 2025 was a keynote session by Chantell Ilbury, a globally respected strategic thinker and scenario planner. With decades of experience guiding organisations and governments through uncertainty, Chantell brought a timely and powerful message: in a changing world, we must rethink the “rules” that shape our future-fit agri business decisions from a global and local perspective. Global Scenarios – Where the World Might Be Headed Chantell presented four possible global trajectories based on two axes: Global Recession vs Global Growth and One World vs Divided World. These were mapped to clear scenario titles: The key insight here was that the most likely global future, “UV”, is one of uneven, two-speed growth, within a divided world. Farmers and agri businesses must prepare for global fragmentation characterised by diverse markets, complex risks and shifting alliances. Chantell also shared a framework of strategic “global flags” which are early signals of change every agri business leader should be monitoring. These included: The bottom line is that these “flags” are not predictions, they are early warnings. The more we spot and prepare for them, the more resilient our businesses become. Chantell brought the conversation home to agriculture, identifying direct implications and trends that must shape our thinking going forward from a global perspective such as increasing fuel prices, pressure on food security, heightened environmental concerns, expanding markets and rising input costs. The South African Scenario – Navigating Uncertainty at Home Chantell then brought the focus closer to home with a compelling look at South Africa’s national crossroads. She presented four possible local scenarios built on the tension between economic conditions (positive vs negative) and social cohesion (high vs low): The key insight is that South Africa currently appears stuck in a Cautionary Tale, with signs of erosion in both governance and unity. Moving toward a “People’s Economy” will likely require passing through either “Mind the Gap” or “Solidarity Fund”, both of which carry real challenges, particularly for business. National Flags to Watch Chantell urged us to track early warning signals that will shape the country’s future. Key among them: Rules of the Game: What We Can Count On (and What We Can’t) To close, Chantell left the audience with a powerful distinction between certainties (the rules of the game we can rely on) and uncertainties (the ones that still hang in the balance): Certainties in South African Agriculture These are foundational forces shaping the future of farming: Key Uncertainties These are critically important but difficult to predict: In a world defined by uncertainty and change, Chantell reminded us that the strongest businesses aren’t those with perfect predictions, but those with the clearest thinking. To build a future-fit agri business, leaders must recognise the rules they can rely on, stay alert to the flags that signal change and remain agile enough to adapt when new realities present themselves. It’s not about avoiding uncertainty, it’s about being prepared for it. Get in touch At Pinion SA, we partner with clients to deliver a comprehensive suite of services, including tax, business and agri-consulting, advisory, wealth management, and compliance solutions to meet all your business support needs. Our core values of Accountability, Excellence, and Innovation drive everything we do, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service and expertise. Visit our website and see more about what we offer or contact info@pinionza.com for more information.

Tom’s session, titled “Performance Connections,” explored how teams unlock their potential. An incredibly insightful talk that resonated deeply with our audience of farmers and agri-business leaders.