Livestock is globally the mainstay of the agricultural community, providing 50% of the value of agricultural output globally and one third of the value in developing countries.
In monetary terms, the livestock industry contributes 48% to the gross value of the agriculture sector, which was recorded at R317 billion by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in 2021.
Livestock farming is South Africa’s largest agricultural sector, accounting for over 40% of the agricultural output’s total value and occupying roughly 80% of available agricultural land.
In rural areas, animal farming is often the primary income generator, and to several South Africans livestock is also a form of social capital.
The importance of this sector of agriculture as a driver in the socio-economy will take centre stage at this year’s Livestock Farmers’ Day, to be held in the Barolong Hall, Thaba Nchu, on 2 November.
Through this event, African Farming, a proud print, digital and television brand extension of the agricultural magazine Landbouweekblad, will highlight the sector’s role and illustrate that livestock farming runs in the blood of many South Africans.
Fully-fledged farmers in the industry will share their knowledge and empower emerging farmers who seek ways to expand their endeavours and benefit from the livestock industry.
Discussions revolving around the following are expected to be the highligts:
- growing red meat exports could double the commercial price of red meat;
- 40% of livestock is managed by black communal farmers; and
- commercialising these herds represents one of the biggest opportunities in the South African economy.
Identifying the potential of an event such as this, African Farming has held Livestock Farmers’ Days in Polokwane in Limpopo, as well as in Vryburg, North West, and in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.
More than 500 emerging farmers attended these events to gain valuable knowledge on how to improve in order to become sustainable in the industry.
The event in Thaba Nchu is an opportunity for those in the Free State to gain much-needed knowledge from experts on how emerging farmers can improve to be main drivers in livestock operations, from breeding to selling at auction, as well as potentially having a significant impact on a farmer’s value chain.
The magazine African Farming, as a valued partner in agriculture, encourages emerging farmers in the province to attend and participate in this important initiative.
Topics to be discussed include animal health; auctions; livestock handling, selection and feeding; as well as finance.
Speakers billed to present talks at the event are:
- Andries Strauss of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in the Free State, who will discuss “Building competitiveness for small-scale wool growers by developing the value chain”;
- Dr Faffa Malan, veterinarian, looking at “Biosecurity and the prevention of diseases”;
- a representative of Standard Bank, outlining “Essentials of agribusiness banking”;
- Patrick Sekwatlakwatla, head of transformation at the Sernick Group, with guidelines on “How to improve your herd”;
- Boipelo Mocwiri of the DRDAR in the Free State, who will shed light on “The background and importance of commodity or study groups”; and
- Willem Kleyn, trade marketing manager at Elanco Animal Health, who will talk about “Animal health and husbandry practices”.
Programme of the day:Prospective attendees should note that the event starts at 08:00 for 09:00. Tickets for attendance plus lunch cost R100, and are available on quicket.co.za or computicket.com. Tickets can also be bought at Shoprite, Checkers, or Usave.
For information contact Apollo Bomvana, assistant commercial manager of Landbouweekblad, at apollo.bomvana@media24.com or 067-217-0190.
