After seven difficult weeks since the first case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was announced at Karan Beef, the group was allowed to resume slaughtering cattle this past week. This follows the entire production chain coming to a standstill for almost two months.
By Vida Booysen, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
This is good news for farmers who supply weaners to South Africa’s largest feedlot company, but it will probably take a few more months before the company is fully back in the market.
“There is no indication yet when we will be able to purchase animals for the three feedlots that are still under quarantine,” explains Dr Dirk Verwoerd, chief veterinarian of Karan Beef’s feedlots.
Also read: FMD at Karan Beef: Five things farmers need to know
Protocols are followed
Because FMD is a notifiable disease, any producer or company where it occurs is fully dependent on the state for approval of any steps taken until the farm or feedlot can be declared FMD-free. In practice, it is therefore very difficult to make long-term plans during this period.
The case of foot-and-mouth disease confirmed at Karan’s Heidelberg feedlot on 2 June resulted in an immediate preventive quarantine in accordance with state protocols. Karan was given the green light to resume slaughter on Monday, 21 July. The process of slaughtering after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is strictly regulated and follows a predetermined schedule, says Verwoerd. “After vaccination, there is a 14-day observation period and if no signs of active infection are found, permission is granted to resume slaughter at an approved abattoir.”
After day 14, for the next four weeks, all carcasses are deboned and the bones plus the fifth quarter must be processed in the by-products plant or discarded, causing further financial loss to the company. “After day 42, sides and the fifth quarter may be marketed, but the head and feet are still discarded,” he explained the process.
Major financial setback
Of course, this outbreak as a whole meant a major financial setback for Karan. “The entire production chain of the Karan Beef group came to a standstill for about two months, so we did not earn any income. All cattle still had to be fed and all overhead costs of course also continued. The loss amounts to hundreds of millions of rands,” according to Verwoerd.
He emphasised that no staff have been laid off and all salaries have been paid in full, as well as all current expenses.
From the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) side, there is great joy at the news that Karan Beef has reached a point where it can start slaughtering again, said Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the RPO. “We must realise there will not be a sudden surge in the weaner calf price just because Karan has started slaughtering, because the group must first slaughter all the animals that are already in its feedlots. But at least plans can now be made and timelines can be envisaged by Karan and by the red meat value chain that does business with the company.”
