By Maile Matsimela
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environmental Affairs has confirmed an outbreak of African armyworms (Spodoptera exempta) in the Free State Province.
African armyworms cover large areas of grass, pasture or very small maize and sorghum in dense swarms of worms.
“Thirty-one cases have been reported over the last two days in the Letsemeng Local Municipality (Jacobsdal, Luckhoff, Koffiefontein, Petrusburg, Perdeberg, Emmaus). The infestation appears to be spreading towards Boshof (Tokologo Local Municipality). The root cause of the outbreak is still unknown,” the department said in a statement.
The department urged livestock owners to remove animals from the affected pastures as soon as army worms are detected and urgently inform the State Veterinarian or the local Animal Health Technician.
Farmer information sessions were held today for farmers in Petrusburg and Jacobsdal, says Moliehi Moeng, director of strategic communications at the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs.
The Department will provide support in terms of pesticide and blowers so that farmers can spray the affected areas.
Veterinary Services are advising farmers to read the packet insert that comes with the pesticides, as it will guide the farmers on how long animals must be kept away from the camp that was treated.
Jack Armour, operations manager of Free State Agriculture (FSA), asked farmers to send photos of the worst infestations and a location indication via WhatsApp to 071 672 027 along with the name of the landowner and nearest town. This is for FSA to monitor the spread and mobilise disaster relief.
FSA met with disaster management authorities this morning to help coordinate the distribution of poison.
Also read: Latest news and advice on armyworm outbreak in the Free State
