By Vida Booysen
Working closely with the veterinary authorities, Karan Beef follows structured protocols to combat the outbreak with urgency and responsibility, says Dirk Verwoerd, chief veterinarian of Karan Beef, in this company’s latest statement.
“Although the animals are not seriously ill, the control measures are substantial and have an impact on the entire industry.”
Here are five points of interest for farmers that emerged in this statement:
1. Impact on weaning season and feedlot capacity
The outbreak occurs during the peak weaning season. Because of the limited feedlot capacity, farmers may be forced to keep calves longer than usual.
Karan Beef is the country’s largest feedlot company, and its giant Heidelberg feedlot has been quarantined.
Karan Beef is estimated to slaughter some 2 000 animals a day, but due to the current outbreak and the quarantine measures, this figure is expected to be cut in half.
2. Scope of the outbreak
Around 120 000 cattle are kept in the Heidelberg feedlot, of which only about 2% are currently infected.
The company produces an estimated 101 million kilograms of beef from this site each year. No mass slaughtering is planned at this time, but once vaccinations are completed, a controlled results process will be instituted.
“Despite this setback, Karan Beef’s national network of feedlot facilities allows for continued, albeit reduced, operations. Unaffected stations will be used to support feeding capacity wherever possible,” the statement said.
3. Biosecurity measures and transfer
Despite strict biosecurity measures, FMD can still be transmitted by subclinical carriers that show no visible symptoms.
According to Verwoerd, this again highlights the importance of vigilance on all farms, even where no symptoms are visible. Investigations are currently underway to find the source of the outbreak.
4. Suspension of export
Karan Beef has suspended all exports, which could impact the broader beef market and possibly cause price fluctuations. This is very likely to affect the national beef market.
Earlier, Prof. Johan Willemse, agricultural economist and columnist for African Farming’s sister publication Landbouweekblad, said one of the biggest economic consequences is the impact the outbreak will have on exports.
If export markets no longer accept South African beef due to the outbreak, a surplus of export meat will end up in the local market.
“This export loss results in a chain reaction that will be felt throughout the industry.”
5. Timeframe for control measures
Once the vaccine is available, a 14-day vaccination program will begin, followed by a two-week observation period. Only then will a controlled results process start under veterinary supervision.
Farmers must therefore plan for at least a month of disruption in the feedlot supply chain.
