This is according to Hannes Lombard, manager of the North-West University’s farm in Mahikeng. He explains that FMD reduces herd fertility, leading to less efficient herd structures and lower livestock productivity, which in turn affects food security. With that, FMD control and management programmes are expensive, and once in place, they are often difficult to discontinue due to the risks of new FMD infections. In the event of an outbreak, Lombard's advice is to cooperate with local veterinarians, extension officers, and animal health technicians, as FMD is a disease of national importance.

The South African Canegrowers Association has indicated there are substantial areas where fields were destroyed, which requires a total replant due to flood damage in KwaZulu-Natal. There was also extensive damage to on-farm infrastructure, which, combined with field damage, brought the total financial losses in the province's sugarcane industry to an estimated R222 million. OFM News' Elsabé Richard reports that a survey of the full damage is still underway, which means that the mentioned figure could be adjusted in the coming days.

Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, says the preliminary assessment of the macadamia plantations suggests that the damage is not as severe as in sugarcane farming. The replanting process will be costly, especially when fertilizer prices are generally higher due to the Russia-Ukraine war and pre-existing output constraints in the major fertilizer producing countries, such as China and Canada.

AND

Fourteen agricultural championships will be presented at Bloem Show from Wednesday 27 April to 7 May. Bloem Show, which is taking place again after two years due to the hard lockdowns as a result of Covid-19, promises a jam-packed programme for the whole family. The programme kicks off with the SA National Saddle Horse Championship in the Concept Main Arena at the Bloemfontein Showgrounds at 08:30. Meanwhile, national Covid-19 regulations require that events where there are more than 2000 visitors, can only give access on the condition of proof of vaccination OR a negative Covid-19 test that is not older than 72 hours. OFM News previously reported that Bloem Show has taken hands with the Arrie Nel Pharmacy Group, who will offer the rapid Covid-19 tests at a special rate for Bloem Show visitors. Contact Bloem Show's offices for more information.

OFM News