By Charl van Rooyen
Double fences, quarantine measures and disinfection are just some of the measures that South Africa’s latest Beef Farmer of the Year is applying to prevent foot-and-mouth disease from getting a foothold on his farm. He farms only 40km from the closed area in KwaZulu-Natal.
Rustin Shawe, Voermol’s Beef Farmer of the Year for 2024, has undertaken an in-depth campaign to implement biosecurity at the highest level to ensure devastating animal diseases are effectively combated.
At Utrecht in KwaZulu-Natal, Rustin farms with a Droughtmaster stud, a commercial Grassfields cattle herd, plants silage and grain maize, uses planted pasture to supplement the natural field and makes hay bales on wetlands for the winter.
Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely dangerous disease that affects all cattle farmers, he recently said at a farmers’ day. Some of his measures to curb this disease include electric fences at some farm borders and a double fence, with a space of 2m in between to ensure cattle not belonging there cannot enter or leave, on a part of the farm.
All animals to be auctioned are quarantined for at least 28 days to make sure they do not have any illnesses.
He also envisions a chemical spraying system that will disinfect all vehicles upon their arrival and departure. At his farmers’ day, the tyres of all vehicles were disinfected. Visitors also had to step into a foot bath to disinfect their shoes at the hall where the event was presented.
“Foot-and-mouth disease is a big problem. There is no control over it and we do not know where it will end. So, all livestock farmers must be prepared to keep their flocks healthy themselves, especially before they market the animals. Make sure your staff is part of the biosecurity plan and that they know they need to disinfect their shoes and wash their clothes before they come to work.”
In addition to his good animal-health management programme, Rustin also places great emphasis on fertility. Only female animals that become pregnant during the first 60 days of the mating period are retained, because they are the most fertile. The rest are sold.
“Marketing is paramount. If you market your animals yourself, you must do it properly; otherwise, you will get the short end of the stick. Use trustworthy marketers and bring the right buyers to your farm.
“Take good pictures of your stud animals. Create a good impression on the farm so visitors know they will get good animals. Phone various feedlots, ask for tenders and market your animals according to your own conditions, not theirs. But don’t play games with them and play them off against each other. Be honest, because it’s about the long term and not about making money fast.”
More to read:
The farming lessons Voermol’s 2024 Beef Farmer of the Year learnt
Biosecurity measures: You cannot be careful enough
Biosecurity vital in a successful strategy for agricultural growth and export
