African Farming spoke to Bodibe Livestock Forum chairperson Goitseone Molusi during the lumpy skin disease vaccination programme in Bodibe Village in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality on Thursday, 26 February.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The communal farmers gathered to vaccinate approximately 2 000 cattle from seven surrounding villages. This was done to prevent the disease and create economic value in order to secure better market prices and trust at auctions.
When they took their cattle to auctions, many communal farmers found out that they are being punished for not following vaccination programmes.
Vleissentraal, which has partnered with the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) North West Province and Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), was present to observe the vaccinations. An agreement was also reached that the communal farmers will use Vleissentraal auction pens at the auctions.
Challenges for Livestock Farmers
During the vaccination programme, the chairperson highlighted other serious challenges facing communal livestock farmers in the area, with stock theft being the biggest problem affecting their operations.
“The thieves are stealing a large amount of stock and taking them to auctions in Gauteng and [elsewhere] around the country. So, we have a very serious challenge [when it comes to] stock theft,” Molusi said.
Also read: FMD | New research could reduce losses for cattle farmers
He explained that farmers struggle with proper livestock identification, which makes theft easier. “Most of the communal farmers have a challenge when it comes to branding their livestock, which [contributes significantly to] stock theft,” he said.
Ernest Makua from RMIS took the opportunity to inform the farmers about the importance of traceability and free inclusive training available at RMIS. Beyond awareness creation, RMIS also supplied farmers with record-keeping books to improve documentation and overall farm management.
Vaccination Problems
Besides theft, farmers also battle with vaccination programmes. Molusi said elderly farmers cannot afford to buy vaccines on their own.
“They cannot go and buy a vaccine that can take up to 25 doses. It’s a waste of money,” he explained, referring to individual farmers trying to vaccinate small herds. The Bodibe Livestock Forum has, however, found a solution by organising farmers together. “We organise them so that we can count their stock. Everyone is paying according to the doses used on their herds,” Molusi said.
Also read: Shared facilities hamper FMD control for communal livestock farmers
Forum Solutions
The Bodibe Livestock Forum has registered as a nonprofit organisation (NPO) to better help farmers. The forum runs training programmes to teach farmers better farming methods. “We organise farmers’ workshops and training to empower them,” Molusi explained. “We also work together with the Department of Agriculture.”
Poor Animal Quality
Molusi also mentioned that farmers struggle with poor-quality animals that don’t fetch good prices at auctions. “We [have pleaded] with the government to help improve our genetics by introducing other better breeds, so that we can get better prices at auctions,” he said about their plans.
Molusi believes farmers must work together to solve their problems. “So, we need to work together as farmers,” he said.
Also read: Livestock farmers urged to vaccinate against Rift Valley fever
