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Dear RPO Newsletter Subscriber: The RPO electronic newsletter is available in both Afrikaans and English. We therefore REQUEST that you indicate your language preference in order to ensure that you receive the newsletter in either Afrikaans or English only. If you do want to receive both languages, please ignore this message. If you perhaps receive more than one bulletin, please confirm email address. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated. Click here for language preference
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Livestock theft declines over the festive season
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 The National Stock Theft Prevention Forum for the past number of years consequently confirmed that there is a rise in livestock theft over the festive and summer crop planting seasons.
Many factors contributed to this rise such as the payment of bonuses and the amount of money available to purchase meat and meat products, the cultural habits of the South African population such as marriages and cultural rituals. In short, a lucrative market is established for criminals to sell stolen livestock to innocent people.
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Farmers must vaccinate against RVF
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) reminds owners of cattle, sheep and goats to vaccinate their animals against Rift Valley Fever (RVF).
The recent good rainfall in certain areas of the country will result in an increase in the numbers of mosquitoes that transmit this disease. RVF is a serious viral disease that is spread through mosquitoes that causes abortions and death in young cattle, sheep and goats. People coming into contact with the blood and other body fluids of infected animals can also develop RVF.
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What private practitioners need to know about livestock diseases
The prevention, management and control of controlled- and notifiable diseases are the combined responsibility of state veterinarians, private veterinarians and farmers. Isolation and quarantine are used to prevent the introduction and spread of contagious diseases.
Protecting livestock from diseases, facilitating market access for livestock and their products and protecting people from food-borne and other zoonotic diseases are all primary functions of Government Veterinary Services. Do private veterinarians have a direct role to play in this and if so, what are their functions and responsibilities? What are the responsibilities of farmers in this regard?
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Beef market trends
Strong demand will be the main factor in the global beef market in 2020, while beef production is expected to experience slow growth, according to ABSA AgriTrends.
Locally, the closure of all auctions in South Africa amid the latest FMD outbreak continues to cause uncertainty and puts producers under strain. Local beef prices are expected to follow a downward trend after the December period based on seasonal trends.
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Hide market trends
The current average local hide price is R1.42/skin, this is 2.9% higher than last week's price of R1.38/skin, according to ABSA AgriTrends.
Outlook
The current price is 2.9% higher than prices a month ago and the current hide price is 64.1% lower than prices a year ago. The local market remains under pressure. Global slaughter continues at a good rate, with global hide stocks also rising. Locally week on week prices were supported by the re-opening of the automotive plants and lower slaughter numbers.
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Perspective
Pasture fattening as alternative to feedlot fattening strategy
Pasture finishing of beef steers can be an alternative to selling to the feedlot if beef farmers have the land and water. Pasture finishing is independent of maize price fluctuations that feedlots have to deal with, further exacerbated by the arguments that maize should be used for human consumption, and the sometimes activist demand for “grass fed” beef because of the ‘industrial’ and animal welfare accusations to feedlot management.
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February 2020
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Ban on auctions must be lifted
“It is of critical importance that the situation in the red meat industry normalise as soon as possible in order for auctions, shows, etc to continue in at least eight of the nine provinces”, says Koos van der Ryst, Chairman of the national RPO.
This follows after a countrywide ban on livestock auctions was last year imposed after the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Limpopo.
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Export of live animals to be assessed
The Livestock Welfare Co-ordinating Committee (LWCC) will re-asses the issue of the export of live animals at sea and make specific recommendations, it was resolved during its last meeting.
The LWCC does not support the export of live animals for the sole purpose of slaughter because of all the inherent and unavoidable risks and support the NSPCA’s efforts in this regard completely.
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Comprehensive RVF study undertaken
The Understanding Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Republic of South Africa, a five-year project coordinated by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and EcoHealth Alliance, was the most comprehensive investigation of RVF ever conducted to date.
Bringing together a diverse group of experts from governmental, non-governmental, academic, and private organisations, both domestic and international, the project examined how environmental factors (weather, climate, soil, vegetation) impact the mosquitoes that maintain and transmit RVF virus (RFVF) to wildlife, livestock, and humans.
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Sheep meat market trends
Looking forward, the reduced sheep flock and strong demand from China is likely to keep lamb prices supported in 2020, according to ABSA AgriTrends.
Locally, lamb and mutton prices remain subdued due to the availability of cheaper protein alternatives. Local mutton/lamb prices are expected to decline which is normal in January following a high-demand and consuming festive season.
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