The Dairy Mail June 2025

Vol 32 • No 6 • JUNE 2025

R46,50 incl VAT • ISSN: 1561-4301

The A-TEAM

on a dairy farm

PARTNER to SUCCEED

Make full use of your

technology partnership

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SOOS ONS DIT SIEN • AS WE SEE IT

STRENGTH IN PARTNERSHIPS:

THE BACKBONE OF

DAIRY SUCCESS

by Anri Wolmarans,

MPO regional manager, Eastern Cape

It takes a cohesive and

committed network of

partners working together

to ensure that the industry

remains productive,

sustainable, and resilient.

The dairy industry is built on more than

just hard work and dedication – it

thrives on collaboration. No single

farmer, service provider, or association can

succeed in isolation. It takes a cohesive

and committed network of partners working

together to ensure that the industry remains

productive, sustainable, and resilient.

At the heart of every successful dairy

operation lies a web of vital relationships:

the farmer who tends to the herd day in

and day out; the input supplier who ensures

that quality feed, seed, and animal health

products are readily available; the veterinarian

who provides expert care and preventative

guidance; the hoof trimmer who helps

maintain herd mobility and well-being;

and the support of organised agriculture

and professional bodies such as the Milk

Producers’ Organisation (MPO).

JUNE 2025 • THE DAIRY MAIL 1

It is a celebration of the people and organisations who commit

themselves not just to their own success, but to the well-being

of the entire dairy value chain.

Equally important are the herd

management systems and analysers that help

farmers make informed, data-driven decisions

– tools often developed and supported

through close collaboration with input

suppliers and technical experts.

An excellent example of this spirit of

cooperation was seen during the recent

outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the

Eastern Cape. Faced with a serious threat

to livestock health, regional trade, and farm

income, the entire industry rallied together.

The state veterinarian, along with senior

officials, played a central role in coordinating

containment and response strategies.

Organised agriculture provided support and

communication throughout the crisis. Input

suppliers stepped up by offering resources,

products, and technical assistance where

needed. Farmers showed outstanding

responsibility, adhering to movement

restrictions and supporting one another on

the ground. Milk buyers went out of their way

to help affected producers, offering flexibility

and logistical support – demonstrating just

how vital these commercial partnerships are

in times of uncertainty.

In today’s environment, where producers

face increasing pressure from economic

volatility, climate challenges, and evolving

consumer demands, partnerships are

more than helpful – they are essential.

Collaborative decision-making and shared

expertise provide a stronger foundation for

problem-solving and innovation. Whether

it is improving milk quality, enhancing herd

health, or navigating complex regulations, no

challenge is too great when tackled together.

Associations like the MPO are particularly

important in this equation. They offer

advocacy, information, training, and a

platform for uniting industry voices. They

also help ensure that policies, research, and

development efforts reflect the needs of

producers on the ground, while strengthening

the reputation and future of dairy farming in

South Africa and beyond.

This edition of The Dairy Mail highlights the

value of these relationships and the strength

that emerges when the industry works as

one. It is a celebration of the people and

organisations who commit themselves not just

to their own success, but to the well-being of

the entire dairy value chain.

Let us continue to foster these partnerships,

strengthen our shared knowledge, and

champion the collaborative spirit that defines

the dairy community – because together, we

are stronger, smarter, and better prepared

for the future.

Anri Wolmarans

2 THE DAIRY MAIL • JUNE 2025



REDAKTEURSBRIEF • EDITOR’S NOTE

ESSENTIAL

PARTNERSHIPS

by Hanlie du Plessis, editor of The Dairy Mail

Imagine a relationship that marries a

dairy farmer and his team’s hands-on

experience and local knowledge with the

industry insights and expert guidance of a

dairy consultant. This partnership thrives on

mutual respect and an understanding that

each party, farmer, manager or worker and

consultant, brings indispensable qualities to

the table. It’s no longer just about the now but

about the future of farming – and it’s driven by

powerful and effective communication.

This alliance becomes the linchpin for

unlocking a dairy farm’s full potential. It

creates a collaborative environment where

challenges are not just identified but

effectively managed, and the pursuit of

improved performance and sustainability

becomes a shared quest. Dairy farming is

not a one-man-show its success can be

measured by the passion and commitment of

the essential partners involved.

The Dairy Mail attended the very first

TMR Conference hosted by the MPO earlier

this month. Minister John Steenhuisen was

a keynote speaker at the event, and he also

underlined the importance of partnerships.

He urged the livestock industry to see the

Department of Agriculture as a partner with

which collective action can be taken to

build the resilient, world-class dairy sector

South Africa deserves. Read the article on

page 11 and more on the highlights of the

TMR Conference on page 21.

With essential partnerships in mind, this

edition brings tribute to the teamwork behind

successful dairy farming. For more on these

partnerships read ‘The A-team on a dairy farm’

page 35, ‘The partnership between a dairy

farmer and his animal nutritionist’ page 40

and ‘Make full use of your technology

partnership’ on page 50.

Dairy farming is becoming increasingly

intricate and competitive, it’s evident that

investing time and resources into our

essential partnerships can lead to substantial

rewards – heightened productivity, increased

profitability, and enduring sustainability

of the farm.

Keep warm and enjoy the read.

Hanlie du Plessis

PS. Remember to capture the essence of dairy farming wherever you farm.

Mail your photographs to hanliedup61@gmail.com.


CONTENTS INHOUDSOPGAWE

11

44

1 Soos ons dit sien • As we see it

5 Redakteursbrief • Editor’s note

9 Meet the team | Suiwelkalender

BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

11 Walking the road together

15 The dairy industry of Israel

21 Highlights of the 2025 TMR Conference

23 “Boer vir die Toekoms” boeredag –

MPO en OVK werk saam

24 Dairy economic indicators

30 Dairy digits

32 Kortliks • Briefly

PRODUKSIE • PRODUCTION

35 The A-team on a dairy farm

40 The partnership between a dairy farmer

and his animal nutritionist

44 Most of the dairy-beef issues sorted

50 Make full use of your

technology partnership

51 Effective dry cow management

RENTMEESTERSKAP • STEWARDSHIP

56 Partner with nature for waste water

management

58 Classification of South African soils

62 Biosecurity – a new star is born

BESTUUR • MANAGEMENT

67 Wat is in jou winterlekke?

70 Soönose: Deel 3 – Slenkdalkoorsentstowwe

VOORBLAD / COVER

Op die plaas, Boskloof in die Tsitsikamma

wei hierdie pragtige jerseys op ons voorblad.

Juan Smit, die bestuurder vir die Lactimar-groep

op die plaas, vertel dat dit vir hom ‘n groot voorreg

is om vir die Landmans te melk. Dian Landman glo

daarin om die nuutste tegnologie in te span en

Jaun getuig dat die AfiCollars wat die dames dra,

vir hom ‘n belangrike vennoot is wat sorg dat hy

nooit ‘n siek koei of hitte-aanwysing mis nie.


INHOUD • CONTENTS

77

Executive editor

Editor

Copy editors

Lead designer

Fanie Ferreira

Hanlie du Plessis

Magdaleen du Toit

Sue Cato

Priscilla Botha

Editorial contributions

Hanlie du Plessis • Tel: 083 293 8007

Email: hanliedup61@gmail.com

Advertising & rates

Ilse Liveris • Tel: 072 708 4401

Email: Ilseliv@outlook.com

Charlene Bam • Tel: 061 500 7991

Email: charlene@maxmediagroup.co.za

72 Arbeidskolom

Beëindiging van diensverhoudinge

74 Financial column

Essential partnerships, marriage, and

mothers-in-law

NAVORSING EN OPLEIDING •

RESEARCH AND TRAINING

77 The science of exhalomics

MOO-VING WHEELS

79 Farming and tyres

Accounts & subscriptions

Charlene Bam • Tel: 061 500 7991

Email: charlene@maxmediagroup.co.za

Printers

Western Printers, Centurion • +27 (0)12 941 9126

Contributors

Jade Smith

jade@mpo.co.za

Bertus van Heerden

bertus@mpo.co.za

Riaan van der Walt

riaan.vanderwalt@meadowcape.co.za

Sarah Maher

smaher@alltech.com

Martiens du Plessis

martiens@nwk.co.za

Prof Cornie van Huyssteen

vanhuyssteencw@ufs.ac.za

Xander Levendal

ansofiet.tiedt@gmail.com

Andries Wiese

andriesw@hollard.co.za

Expressions of opinion, claims, and statements of supposed facts

do not necessarily reflect the views of The Dairy Mail, editor,

or publisher. While every effort is made to report accurately,

The Dairy Mail, the publisher, or the editor do not accept

any liability regarding any statement, advertisement, fact, or

recommendation made in this magazine.

ISSN: 1561-4301

An initiative of the MPO,

published monthly | PO Box 1284,

Pretoria 0001, South Africa

www.dairymail.co.za

Milk Producers’ Organisation,

referred to as MPO

South African Milk Processors’

Organisation, referred to as SAMPRO

Milk South Africa,

referred to as Milk SA



MEET THE TEAM

THAT CARES:

SWITCHBOARD: 012 843 5600

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Fanie Ferreira fanie@mpo.co.za 083 453 9339

COMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Carina Pieterse carina@mpo.co.za 079 458 5497

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC SERVICES

Bertus van Heerden bertus@mpo.co.za 083 300 3667

ECONOMIST

Jade Smith jade@mpo.co.za 076 712 7395

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Wessel Steyn wessel@mpo.co.za 082 896 8116

MEMBER SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Yolanda Strydom yolanda.s@mpo.co.za 072 371 1893

Anneke Kubannek anneke@mpo.co.za 071 875 1488

REGIONS

MPO WESTERN CAPE

Lize Marié du Toit lizem@mpo.co.za 076 774 1284

MPO NORTH

Mnandi Kruger north@mpo.co.za 073 116 8544

MPO KWAZULU-NATAL

Bianca Johnston kzn@mpo.co.za 060 945 1735

MPO EASTERN CAPE

Anri Wolmarans ec@mpo.co.za 064 934 3951

TRAINING AND TRANSFORMATION SERVICES

Ronald Rapholo ronald@mpo.co.za 082 734 4433

SOME EVENTS TO

LOOK FORWARD TO

23–24 July 2025

Potatoes SA

Innovation Symposium

CSIR Convention

Centre, Pretoria

23–24 July 2025

International Fresh

Produce Association’s

Southern Africa

Conference

Capital Menlyn Maine

Hotel, Pretoria

31 July – 1 August

SAPPO PIGx² 2025

Maslow Hotel,

Menlyn, Pretoria

10–13 SEPTEMBER 2025

NAMPO CAPE

Bredasdorp Park,

Bredasdorp

Weens herhaaldelike kragonderbrekings ondervind

ons probleme met ons skakelbord. Vir die toekoms

word aanbeveel dat u ons span direk op hulle

selfoonnommers kontak. Ons wil graag met u gesels.

16–1818 OCTOBER 2025

NAMPO ALFA

NAMPO Park,

Bothaville

Due to repeated power outages, we are experiencing

problems with our switchboard. In future, we recommend

that you contact our team directly on their mobile numbers.

We would like to talk to you.

Dairy Mail - IntelliBond Banner Ads (June 2025)print.pdf 1 2025/05/08 08:55

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K



BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

SCAN or

CLICK

to listen

Walking the road

TOGETHER

By Hanlie du Plessis

Let us walk that road

together — with urgency,

with clarity, and with

shared purpose.

With these words, Minister John

Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture,

closed his keynote address at

the recent TMR Conference hosted by the

Milk Producers’ Organisation, where the future

of South Africa’s dairy and red meat industries

took centre stage. Against a backdrop of

disease threats, climate challenges, and

shifting global markets, the Minister laid out a

bold roadmap — and extended a call to action

for collaboration across the entire livestock

value chain.

Addressing industry leaders, producers,

and policymakers, Steenhuisen was frank

about the headwinds facing the sector.

From recurring outbreaks of foot-and-mouth

disease (FMD) to severe drought and water

scarcity, South African livestock producers are

being tested like never before.

Yet the Minister was equally adamant that

the sector holds enormous opportunity.

South Africa’s beef and dairy products, he

argued, are world-class — but constrained

by challenges of scale, sustainability, and

market access.

“The challenge is not quality,” he told

delegates, “it is scale, sustainability,

and access.”


Five pillars for a resilient future

The Minister shared his vision, which rests

on five strategic pillars that, together, could

secure food security and build globally

competitive exports:

1. Biosecurity and disease resilience

Foot-and-mouth disease remains a major

risk, threatening market confidence and

international trade. Steenhuisen announced

plans for a nationally coordinated

vaccination programme, upgraded

veterinary infrastructure, and a fully

digitised traceability framework.

“Traceability is non-negotiable,” he

insisted, pointing out that smallholder and

communal farmers must also be supported

to comply with international standards.

3. Regulatory efficiency and

trade enablement

Slow export certification processes

and fragmented market negotiations

have hampered South Africa’s ability to

compete globally. Steenhuisen promised

to reform these systems, strengthen export

committees, and align veterinary diplomacy

with broader trade objectives — with a

strong focus on securing new markets for

some processed dairy products such as

milk powder and other products.

2. Structural transformation

and inclusion

Steenhuisen highlighted that food security

is not just about production, but about

participation. Many small-scale dairy and

livestock farmers remain excluded from

formal markets due to poor infrastructure,

distance from processing facilities, or

lack of finance.

He pledged expanded farmer support,

and investments in rural feedlots,

milk collection centres, and pasture

improvements – ensuring that emerging

farmers are included in future export

growth not as charity, but as sound

business strategy.

4. Climate adaptation and

environmental stewardship

Recurring drought, water scarcity, and

heat stress are disrupting livestock

and dairy production. Steenhuisen

outlined investments in drought-resilient

fodder species, rotational grazing,

rangeland restoration, and climate

information systems.

He also urged a fair international

approach to carbon standards, warning

that sustainability measures must not leave

emerging producers behind.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

5. Public-private partnerships and

coordination

The Minister was clear: working in silos will

not get the job done. Stronger collaboration

with processors, buyers, and industry

associations is vital to build a reliable and

inclusive livestock sector. Steenhuisen

reaffirmed the government’s commitment

to strengthening master plans, digitising

veterinary services, and driving consistent

farmer training and disease control.

A shared road ahead

He closed on a note of unity and urgency,

reminding delegates that while the road to

resilient food security and export growth is

long, it is absolutely achievable — provided

stakeholders move together with a shared

sense of purpose.

For the dairy sector, his address held a

powerful reminder: that our high-quality

milk and dairy products are already trusted

around the world, but the long-term success

will depend on strengthening biosecurity,

adapting to climate change, and ensuring all

farmers have a path to market participation.

“The destination is clear,” he concluded. “A

South Africa where every farmer, large or

small, has a pathway to the market, and where

our red meat and dairy products are trusted

and traded across the world.”

For The Dairy Mail readers, the message

could not be more relevant: the time to

strengthen partnerships, invest in climatesmart

production, and unlock new markets

is now. The industry has the tools — but

it will take collective action to build the

resilient, world-class dairy sector South

Africa deserves.


AVAILABLE THROUGH WORLD WIDE SIRES SOUTH AFRICA.

FERTILITY

MATTERS

PAIR THE PRECISION OF COW

MANAGER’S FERTILITY MODULE

WITH WORLD WIDE SIRES’ HIGH

SIRE CONCEPTION RATE SEMEN.

HOLSTEIN

NAME CODE NM$ SCR

PBJ 7HO16520 $694 2.7

EAST 14HO15831 $669 2.2

GEORGE MILLER 7HO15807 $582 2.0

DEWDROP 14HO16272 $871 1.8

MARLON 7HO17273 $785 1.6

ZAPPA 7HO15754 $668 0.9

JERSEY

NAME CODE JPI ® SCR

KAMAKAZI 7JE01980 122 1.6

JX KASKADE {5} 7JE02196 135 1.0

JX CHATHAM {4} 7JE01789 171 0.7

JX THRASHER {6} 7JE01758 175 0.7

OVERALLS 7JE02022 137 0.7

SIRE CONCEPTION RATE (SCR)

IS NOT A GENETIC TRAIT. SCR MEASURES THE SEMEN FERTILITY OF A BULL.

AN SCR OF 1.0 = 1% INCREASE IN CONCEPTION RATE WHEN COMPARED TO AVERAGE.

MANY FACTORS EFFECT A COW BECOMING

PREGNANT AND SOME FACTORS ARE HARDER TO

CONTROL THAN OTHERS, BUT SEMEN SELECTION

CONSIDERING SCR IS AN EASIER CHOICE.

WORLD WIDE SIRES

S O U T H A F R I C A


For more information contact your local WWS sales representative or

Gerrit Eberson +27 82 456 6510 gerrite@iafrica.com | TK Khuzwayo +27 60 324 9027 tk@wwsires.co.za

HERE FOR YOU.

®

wwsires.com

JPI is a trademark of the AJCA.

04/25 CDCB, HA and AJCA data.

Evaluations are powered by CDCB

unless otherwise noted. Type, Prod.

and SCR Rel%: 14HO16272 81,

82, 83; 14HO15831 82, 90, 96;

7HO15807 88, 94, 94; 7HO17273

79, 80, 61; 7HO16520 80, 82, 96;

7HO15754 86, 92, 96; 7JE01980

90, 97, 93; 7JE02196 81, 79, 48;

7JE01789 96, 99, 82; 7JE01758

99, 99, 88; 7JE02022 87, 94, 95.

BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

SCAN or

CLICK

to listen

THE DAIRY

INDUSTRY

ISRAEL

OF

“The Israeli dairy industry is small but

sophisticated, and highly efficient both

environmentally and economically. The

experience gained in Israel is being learned

these days by dairy farmers from countries

with the same climatic limitations.”

~ Dr Israel Flamenbaum

Israel is characterised by a subtropical

climate and summers without any rain.

The country’s national herd consists of

about 120 000 cows that produce close

to 1,5 billion litres per year. The annual milk

yield per cow is the highest in the world and

stood at more than 12 000 litres in 2021. The

founding fathers of the Israeli dairy industry

began nearly a hundred years ago to breed

cows adapted to local conditions by using a

nationally developed breeding system. They

also understood that, due to the climate,

the cows had to be completely confined,

without grazing. As a result, they learned to

develop feeding methods that compensated

for the lack of high-quality roughage by

incorporating agro-industrial and human food

industry by-products.

Farmers produce about 1,5 billion litres

of cow's milk, and around 30 million litres

of sheep's and goat’s milk per year. All the

milk is processed by local dairy plants. Most

of it is delivered to the four largest dairies

in the country, while the remainder goes to

approximately 100 small- and medium-sized

dairies. The milk is then processed into more

than 1 000 different products and brands.


Milk supply and quota

Milk production in Israel is carried out under

a quota system, where the annual volume

is divided into monthly quotas. Economic

incentives have been set to encourage dairy

farmers to level up production throughout the

months, so that milk supply to the industry

is more uniform throughout the year. The

base price for the milk paid to the producer

is agreed upon between the government,

farmers, and the dairy industry. The price

reflects the average cost of production plus

an agreed return for the farmer’s labour and

invested capital.

Milk quality

Cost-efficient production of milk is the first

indispensable step towards the survival of

dairy operators, farmers, and processors

alike – but the real challenge goes far beyond

this and concerns the market as a whole,

including eventual particularities of consumer

demand and taste. Since the milk produced

on the farm constitutes the exclusive raw

material for the entire dairy industry, the

accent is on quality. Recently, the board of

directors of the Israel Dairy Board decided

and ratified the new standards for milk quality,

for the time being at the dairy plant gate.

All milk is checked for antibiotics,

disinfectants, etc. before being accepted

at the processing plant. Milk not passing

a ‘Delvo-X-Press’ test is not accepted,

and incurs a penalty of 50% on the entire

delivery value for first offenders, and a 150%

penalty for multiple offenders. Somatic cell

count is checked at every collection, and a

count above 400 000 for three consecutive

months disqualifies the milk upon arrival

at the processing plant. Consistently strict

observance of good milking procedures and

hygienic cleaning operations contributes to

better milk quality, and ensures full payment

for the milk produced and shipped to the

dairy plant. The production of high-quality

milk might well be the key to survival for the

diligent dairy farmer and, indeed, the entire

dairy industry.

A kibbutz is a community in Israel

centred around agriculture.

History

There are two farming systems in Israel,

consisting of 164 kibbutz farms built around

the communities, and another 573 larger

private farms called moshav farms. The first

industrial dairy in Israel, Tnuva, was founded

in 1926 by a cooperative of farmers. Since

then, Tnuva has been the largest and the

leading dairy processor in Israel. The second

largest dairy processor, Tara, was founded

in 1942 by a cooperative of dairy farmers as

well. Then follows the third and fourth largest

dairies which started as a small, family owned,

dairy farms: Strauss, founded in 1938, and

Gad, founded in 1980.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Sustainability

Over the years, and with genetic progress in

milk production, the milk producers in Israel

had to develop and implement advanced

methods to cope with heat load through

intensive cooling of the cows. This makes it

possible to achieve high milk yields, even

within the climatic and environmental

limitations that exist in the country.

The Israeli dairy industry is one of the

leaders in the world regarding sustainable

milk production, thanks to the following:

1. The lack of water and the need for irrigation

to grow fodder led Israeli farmers to purify

large volumes of municipal waste water

(Israel is a world leader in this matter), as

well as to develop water-saving irrigation

methods such as drip irrigation (a method

developed in Israel).

2. The scarcity and high cost of high-quality

roughage in Israel led milk producers to

replace part of this ingredient with leftovers

and by-products from the agricultural and

food industries, thus earning twice: on the

one hand, saving and replacing the use

of part of the conventional feed, and on

the other hand, saving on transportation

costs of waste materials for landfilling in the

desert areas of southern Israel.

3. The high cost of manpower in Israel

led to the development of advanced

technologies for management and control

that enable savings in the investment of

working time per litre of milk produced.

Israel is a world leader in the development

of computerised milking systems that

include the early detection of management

and health problems and their treatment

in real time – one more way to enable the

achievement of high milk yields per cow.

4. Using intensive measures to cool cows

in the summer, developed over the past

40 years in Israel, allows for a significant

reduction in the drop in milk production

during this season, as is the case in

most hot countries, and recently also in

Europe and the northern United States.

The benefits from the implementation

of these measures are seen in different

aspects, such as:

• From an environmental point of view,

the higher the milk yield, the more the

industry can satisfy the country’s milk

needs with fewer cows and hence the

methane greenhouse gas emissions to

the atmosphere per litre of milk are lower.

• In terms of the health of the cows,

preventing cows from being in heat

stress strengthen their immune system

and reduce morbidity, especially in the

critical period around calving, as well

as reduce the number of cows suffering

from mastitis. Beyond the economic

advantage that this has, you can

expect savings in the use of medicines,

for the positive aspect that this has

from an economic and environmental

point of view.

• From an economic point of view, as

the yield of cows is higher and fewer

cows are required for its production,

the feed required for maintaining these

cows is reduced. As a result, the feed

requirement per litre of milk produced is

lower, and production costs decrease.



BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Consumers

Israel is a relatively young country, and its

people come from all over the world, bringing

with them a wide range of tastes, flavours,

and cultural influences that are reflected in

the food that they eat – especially in dairy

products. It is almost impossible to find a

dairy product from anywhere in the world that

is not produced in Israel. The most popular

dairy products are soft white cheeses, used

as spreads, typically with a low fat content.

Ethnic, historical, and religious reasons

have influenced Israeli eating habits, and

the consumption of dairy products in Israel

is lower than in Western countries. Dairy

is usually consumed twice a day – during

breakfast and supper.

A small but efficient dairy

industry

In conclusion, the Israeli dairy industry is

small, but sophisticated and very efficient –

both environmentally and economically. The

knowledge and experience gained during milk

production in Israel are now being studied

by dairy farmers around the world, especially

those from developing countries who are

trying to establish dairy farms in difficult

conditions similar to those in Israel. Making

use of the knowledge accumulated from the

120 000 cows in Israel across the 270 million

dairy cows that exist globally, and increasing

the milk yield of each ‘world cow’ by only

10% beyond its current level, would allow

global milk production with about 30 million

fewer cows – with all the environmental and

economic benefits that this entails.

Gvina levana, a soft white cheese, is the most popular dairy product consumed in Israel.


ALGEHELE

MELKHIGIËNE

Ons verskaf skoonmaak-in-plek stelsels, deeglike

skoonmaak - middels, ontsmettingsmiddels

en spesialis oplossings vir:

• Massatenks • Melkmasjiene

• Vervaardigingsaanlegte

011 708 0209

info@bransonchemicals.co.za

www.bransonchemicals.co.za


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

HIGHLIGHTS of the

2025 TMR Conference

The first-ever TMR Conference, hosted by the Milk Producers’

Organisation (MPO), was a celebration of innovation, connection, and the

drivers of the dairy and red meat industry. The event took place 8–10 June

at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre near OR Tambo airport.

From left to right – Luke Gibbs, MPO National chairperson, Minister John Steenhuisen, Fanie Ferreira,

MPO chief executive officer, and Lize Marié du Toit, regional manager MPO Western Cape.

Hosted by the MPO, the conference

kicked off with a warm sociable meet

and greet function on the Sunday

evening, despite freezing weather in Gauteng.

On Monday morning, delegates were

welcomed by Fanie Ferreira, chief executive

officer of the MPO, who then read a passage

of scripture and offered a prayer to set the

tone for what turned out to be a meaningful

and impactful conference.

The first official speaker of the day,

Dr Shaun Morris, opened the floor with an

unfiltered and thought-provoking talk on

foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) – a virus

that continues to have a huge impact on

the dairy and red meat industries. Minister

John Steenhuisen followed, pledging his

support and sharing his vision on the way

forward. The Minister took the time to answer

questions from the floor and stayed to listen

to the panel discussion that followed.

The second day of the TMR conference

focused on the nutritional and performance

aspects of livestock. Dr Sion Richards

presented on “Precision nutrition for the

next 2 kg of milk in high-performance dairy

herds: Putting science into practice”. Dr

Javier Martin-Tereso gave a brilliant talk on

calf and lamb nutrition – diving into how the

right nutritional strategies can set animals

up for a lifetime of health. Both of these

presentations will be featured in future

articles in The Dairy Mail.

The two day-programme was filled to the

brim with excellent presentations delivered

by renowned speakers. Delegates could leave

the conference knowing that information they

received was powerful and applicable, the

networking opportunities were valuable, the

cutting-edge solutions they were introduced

to could be game changers back on the farm,

and that they will most definitely attend the

next TMR Conference in 2027.



BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

“BOER VIR DIE TOEKOMS”

BOEREDAG

– MPO en OVK werk saam

Dit is een van die dae weer tyd vir OVK ’n se immer gewilde “Boer vir

die Toekoms” boeredag. Die boeredag is ook die afskopgeleentheid

vir die jaarlikse boerenaweek en sal op 1 Augustus 2025 by die

Hoër Landbouskool Marlow naby Nxuba (Cradock) plaasvind.

Vanjaar lyk die boeredag egter ’n bietjie

anders. NWK en die Melkprodusenteorganisasie

(MPO) het hande gevat. In

plaas daarvan dat die MPO sy jaarlikse Nxubaprodusentedag

op dieselfde dag aanbied

en boere ’n keuse sou moes maak om óf die

een óf die ander by te woon, word die twee

geleenthede een – waarin hope inligting,

insigte en inspirasie gedeel gaan word.

Alle melkboere is welkom en word hartlik

uitgenooi om hierdie insiggewende dag by

te woon – dit is die ideale geleentheid om

te kom luister na wat kenners te sê het oor

die toekoms van landbou in Suid-Afrika, en

sommer terselftertyd mekaar te leer ken en

die netwerkgeleentheid te benut.

Met die tema “Hoe bly ek as boer relevant

vir die toekoms?” word die fokus geplaas

op een van die belangrikste vraagstukke

wat boere vandag in die gesig staar. As jy

jouself afvra: “Hoe pas ek aan by die vinnig

veranderende landbou-omgewing waar

tegnologiese vooruitgang, veranderende

markte en klimaatsuitdagings aan die orde van

die dag is?” is hierdie dag vir jou.

Die program skop af met Grant Driver, die

baie bekende en energieke motiveringspreker,

wat die toon sal aangee vir ’n dag van

refleksie, uitdagings en inspirasie. Die res van

die dag is propvol insiggewende en dinamiese

paneelbesprekings waaraan kundiges vanuit

verskeie sektore van die landboubedryf sal

deelneem. Dan Kriek, algemene bestuurder

van die NWKV en ’n gerespekteerde leier

in die landbougemeenskap, tree op as

programleier. Van die ander paneellede

sluit Jacques le Roux (OVK), Daan Landman

(MPO), Brent McNamara (Agri Oos-Kaap),

Dwayne Kaschula (Jongboer van die

Jaar 2024), en Wandile Sihlobo (Agbiz) in.

Die “Boer vir die Toekoms” Boeredag bied

’n waardevolle platform waar rolspelers in

die landbousektor kan saamkom om kennis

te deel, ervarings uit te ruil en te besin oor

die pad vorentoe – veral met betrekking tot

volhoubare, innoverende boerderypraktyke

wat toekomsgerig is.

Kaartjies is beskikbaar op Quicket. Moet dit

nie misloop nie – kom dink saam, leer saam en

bou saam aan ’n toekomsvisie vir landbou!

Die MPO Oos-Kaap bedank hul 2025

borge vir hul volgehoue ondersteuning

en samewerking van die afgelope

paar jaar. Hierdie staatmakers sluit

Nova Veevoere, Waikato, Nedbank, Absa,

Humansdorp Koöperasie, OVK, GWK,

Ecowise, Cargill, Gamtoos Besproeiingsraad,

Sinani Energy en NLT in.


DAIRY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

MONITORING

DAIRY RETAIL PRICES

by Jade Smith, MPO economist

The MPO prepared the following tables to illustrate the changes

in average retail prices of fresh milk, long-life milk, and Cheddar

cheese over the first five months from 2023 to 2025.

(Source: BMI as supplied by Agri Inspec)


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

During the first five months of 2025, the department’s own brand (DOB) was the

only brand among Clover and Douglasdale to record an average price below

R35,00 for a 2 L fresh milk.

Table 1 Clover 2 L fresh full-cream milk prices

Clover January February March April May

2023 R37,23 R34,91 R35,85 R34,80 R35,92

2024 R36,57 R36,35 R38,26 R36,69 R38,17

2025 R35,99 R36,67 R36,19 R35,05 R35,17

Ј In May 2024, a 2 L Clover fresh milk cost R2,25 more than in May 2023. In contrast, the

price shifted downwards by R3,00 in May 2025 compared to the previous year.

Ј In 2025, the most significant price adjustment was a downwards movement of R1,14

between March and April. This was followed by a modest rebound of R0,12 in May.

Ј On average, during the first five months of 2025, the price of a 2 L Clover fresh milk

was roughly in line with 2023 levels. This is in contrast to a 3,7% decline over the same

period in 2024.

Table 2 Douglasdale 2 L fresh full-cream milk prices

Douglasdale January February March April May

2023 R31,82 R32,90 R34,08 R33,59 R34,74

2024 R35,29 R36,09 R35,69 R34,70 R34,79

2025 R35,37 R34,99 R35,99 R35,32 R36,32

Ј In both April and May 2025, Douglasdale was the highest-priced brand compared to

Clover and DOB.

Ј In May 2025, the price was 4,5% higher compared to the same month in both

2023 and 2024.

Ј During the first five months of 2023, the largest price deviation was R2,92, compared to

R1,39 and R1,33 over the same period in 2024 and 2025, respectively.


Table 3 Department’s own brand 2 L fresh full-cream milk prices

DOB January February March April May

2023 R32,09 R33,74 R34,49 R34,37 R35,53

2024 R35,06 R35,26 R34,86 R36,67 R37,34

2025 R35,38 R35,09 R33,87 R34,73 R34,68

Ј During the first five months of 2025, the average price shifted downwards by R1,09

compared to the same period in 2024.

Ј In May 2025, DOB was the cheapest option at R34,68, compared to Clover at R35,17

and Douglasdale at R36,32.

Ј In May 2025, the price of a 2 L DOB decreased by 2% and 7% compared to the same

period in 2023 and 2024.

In the first five months of 2023 and 2024, Crystal Valley was the only brand

among Clover and Parmalat to record a price variation below 60 cents for a

1 L long-life milk. However, in 2025, this trend shifted, with both Clover and

Parmalat also recording price variations below 60 cents.

Table 4 Clover 1 L long-life milk prices


2023 R18,83 R19,05 R19,25 R19,58 R20,81

2024 R20,38 R20,37 R21,07 R19,57 R21,15

2025 R20,86 R20,66 R20,48 R20,40 R20,52

Ј During the first five months of 2025, Clover 1 L long-life milk experienced the smallest

price variation of 46 cents compared to Parmalat (49 cents) and Crystal Valley

(56 cents), over the same period.

Ј In May 2025, the price of a 1 L Clover decreased by 1,4% and 3% compared to the same

period in 2023 and 2024.

Ј In April of both 2023 and 2024, the Clover brand sold 1 L long-life milk for less than

R20,00. Aside from this, only the period from January to March 2023 also saw prices

below R20,00 – all other months recorded prices above this level.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Table 5 Parmalat 1 L long-life milk prices

Parmalat January February March April May

2023 R18,89 R19,72 R19,82 R20,29 R20,18

2024 R21,16 R21,72 R22,23 R22,40 R22,44

2025 R21,88 R21,88 R21,16 R21,39 R21,44

Ј During the first five months of 2025, Parmalat was the most expensive brand to

purchase, with prices above R21,00.

Ј March 2023 was the last month in which Parmalat sold 1 L long-life milk for

under R20,00.

Ј In May 2025, the price of 1 L Parmalat long-life milk increased by 6% compared to

May 2023, followed by a 4,5% decrease relative to May 2024.

Table 6 Crystal Valley 1 L long-life milk prices

Crystal

Valley January February March April May

2023 R16,32 R16,35 R16,85 R16,58 R16,49

2024 R16,97 R17,11 R17,48 R17,40 R17,33

2025 R18,17 R18,33 R18,15 R17,83 R17,77

Ј Crystal Valley is the only brand to consistently record prices below R20,00, making it

the most affordable option.

Ј Although prices remained under R20,00, the first three months of 2025 saw the highest

levels, averaging around R18,00.

Ј In March 2025, the price reached R18,15 – 8% and 4% higher than the same period in

2023 and 2024, respectively – before declining to R17,83 in April 2025.


For the first five months of 2025, Clover Cheddar cheese per kilogram was the

most affordable brand to purchase, compared to Lancewood, Parmalat, and

Elite Cheddar cheese.

Table 7 Lancewood Cheddar cheese price/kg

Lancewood January February March April May

2023 R137,95 R150,76 R151,99 R154,99 R150,98

2024 R154,99 R153,99 R152,32 R169,37 R168,88

2025 R167,41 R165,81 R162,66 R155,37 R152,11

Ј Since April 2024, the price per kilogram moved downwards from R169,37 to R152,11 in

May 2025 – a total variation of R17,26.

Ј In May 2025, the price of Lancewood Cheddar increased slightly by 0,7% compared to

the same month in 2023, in contrast to a 10% decrease over the same period in 2024.

Ј Between January and May 2025, the price decreased by 9%.

Table 8 Parmalat Cheddar cheese price/kg

Parmalat January February March April May

2023 R135,31 R143,08 R141,12 R148,05 R145,64

2024 R153,10 R154,98 R155,98 R154,68 R161,27

2025 R163,83 R162,94 R165,53 R164,02 R168,80

Ј In May 2025, the price of Parmalat Cheddar increased by 16% and 5% compared to the

same month in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Ј Parmalat remained the most expensive cheese brand relative to Lancewood, Clover

and Elite Cheddar.

Ј On average, the price per kilogram for Parmalat Cheddar during the first five months of

2025 was 16% and 6% higher compared to 2023 and 2024, respectively.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Table 9 Clover Cheddar cheese price/kg


2023 R125,57 R128,96 R121,14 R123,53 R130,05

2024 R136,99 R137,29 R142,14 R147,55 R141,32

2025 R146,29 R150,24 R143,49 R144,27 R137,49

Ј In May 2025, Clover Cheddar was priced at R137,49 – making it R14,62, R31,31, and

R22,50 cheaper than Lancewood, Parmalat, and Elite Cheddar, respectively.

Ј Over the first five months of 2025, Clover Cheddar experienced a price

variation of R12,75.

Ј Overall, it was the most affordable Cheddar brand compared to Lancewood, Parmalat,

and Elite during this period.

Table 10 Elite Cheddar cheese price/kg

Elite January February March April May

2023 R133,91 R131,42 R127,42 R125,77 R127,16

2024 R144,28 R149,16 R142,13 R151,65 R138,32

2025 R149,99 R159,99 R156,66 R159,99 R159,99

Ј During the first five months of 2023 and 2024, no clear price trend emerged, with

significant fluctuations observed. However, from February to May 2025, prices began

to stabilise.

Ј In May 2025, Elite Cheddar recorded the largest year-on-year increase of 26%

compared to May 2023, and 17% compared to May 2024.

Ј Notably, in 2023, Elite Cheddar and Clover were the only two brands with a price

per kilogram below R130,00.

For more information on retail prices, contact

JADE SMITH, economist at the MPO at jade@mpo.co.za


DAIRY

DIGITS

JUNE 2025

Dairy digits is a Milk SA feature. It is also

available on the Milk SA website: milksa.co.za.

Table 1 Key market indicators

Item Period Value

% change

(same period

previous year)

Unprocessed milk purchased (’000 tonnes) 2023 1 3 339 −0,3%

Unprocessed milk purchased (’000 tonnes) 2024 1 3 458 +3,56%

Unprocessed milk purchased (’000 tonnes) estimate Apr 25 1 246 −1,88%

Unprocessed milk purchased (’000 tonnes) estimate Jan–Apr 25 1 1 060 +0,75%

Dairy imports (’000 tonnes) 2024 2 33,9 −30,1%

Dairy imports (’000 tonnes) Jan–Apr 25 2 8,5 −33,6%

Dairy exports (’000 tonnes) 2024 2 53,5 −4,63%

Dairy exports (’000 tonnes) Jan–Apr 25 2 19,5 +12,1%

Dairy exports inclusive of sales to other SACU countries (’000 tonnes) 5 Jan–Apr 25 2 64,7 +9,7%

Producer price index of unprocessed milk (base Dec 23 = 100) 3 Apr 25 3 100,5 −5,81%

Producer price index of dairy products (base Dec 23 = 100) 3 Apr 25 3 104,4 +0,2%

Farm requisite price index (base 2015 = 100) 4 Oct 24 4 142,9 −2,66%

Source:

1

Milk SA returns

2

SARS statistics supplied by SAMPRO

3

Stats SA PPI index

4

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural

Development (DALRRD) price index of farm requisites

5

SARS statistics supplied by Agri Inspec

Figure 1 International dairy product prices (free on board), Jan 2014–May 2025

170 000

150 000

130 000

Source:

USDA price surveys,

exchange rate South

African Reserve Bank

middle rates, last

month – average of

daily closing values.

Rand per t

110 000

90 000

70 000

50 000

30 000

10 000

Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Jan-22 Jan-23 Jan-24 Jan-25

Butter

SMP

Cheddar

FMP

Acronyms and abbreviations: Milk South Africa (Milk SA) • Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) • South African Milk Processors’

Organisation (SAMPRO) • Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) • South African Revenue Service (SARS) • United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA) • producer price index (PPI) • consumer price index (CPI) • Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural

Development (DALRRD) • full-cream milk powder (FMP) • skimmed milk powder (SMP) • ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed


DAIRY DIGITS

Figure 2 Monthly unprocessed milk purchase trends, Jan 2021–Apr 2025

360

340

320

Source:

Milk SA statistics.

Note: Each year's

figures are assessed,

reviewed, and

finalised by 31 March

of the ensuing year.

'000 t

300

280

260

240

2025*

2025

2022

2023

2024

220

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

* Last two months

preliminary: sample survey

Figure 3 Monthly cumulative net imports, milk equivalent, Jan 2021–Apr 2025

200

150

Source:

MPO calculation

from SARS data

supplied by

SAMPRO.

1 000 t milk equivalent

100

50

0

-50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2025

2021

2022

2023

2024

-100

Figure 4 PPI indices of unprocessed milk and dairy products, and the CPI of milk,

cheese, and eggs, Jan 2014–Apr 2025

230

Source:

Stats SA PPI and

CPI information,

statssa.gov.za.

210

Index (2012 = 100)

190

170

150

130

110

90

Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Jan-22 Jan-23 Jan-24 Jan-25

Dairy products PPI

(full cream fresh milk,

full cream UHT milk,

cheddar cheese,

yoghurt & ice cream)

Unprocessed

milk PPI

Milk, cheese,

and eggs CPI

This publication is compiled from sources that are deemed reliable. However, Milk SA and the contributors to

the publication accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. The information is, furthermore, intended

to provide market signals only and Milk SA indemnifies itself against any actions based on this information.


GROOT VERLIES VIR

DIE SUIWELBEDRYF

Rus in vrede

dr Carel Muller

KORTLIKS | BRIEFLY

Een van Suid-Afrika se bekendste

en mees geliefde suiwelkundiges,

dr Carel Muller, is op 25 Mei oorlede.

Dr Carel Muller (74), landwyd bekend

in diereproduksiekringe, is onlangs met

longkanker gediagnoseer.

Hy was 47 jaar in die landbou betrokke,

waarvan 36 jaar by die Elsenburglandboukollege

voordat hy in 2016 afgetree

het. Ná sy aftrede was hy steeds nou betrokke

by die landboubedryf; hy het baie vryskutwerk

vir veral suiwelprodusente gedoen en was

buitengewone dosent vir nagraadse opleiding

in diereproduksie.

Carel is in 1951 op Upington gebore as een

van ses kinders, insluitend sy tweelingsuster,

en het grootgeword in die Noord-Kaap, waar

hy aan die Hoërskool Douglas gematrikuleer

het. In 1972 het hy ’n landbou-diploma

aan die Pretoriase Technikon behaal. Dit is

opgevolg met ’n BSc Agric-graad aan die

Universiteit van Pretoria (UP) in 1978, gevolg

deur ’n honneursgraad in 1980 aan die

Universiteit Stellenbosch. Dis ook hier waar

hy ’n meestersgraad (1991) en doktorsgraad in

2005 behaal het. Van 1991 tot met sy aftrede

was hy as dierewetenskap- en suiwelnavorser

aan Elsenburg buite Stellenbosch verbonde.

Dr Muller het oor ’n wye veld sy stempel

afgedruk. Vanaf 2009 het hy in die raad

vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Vereniging vir

Diereproduksie (SASAS) gedien, en was ook

redaksioneel betrokke by die SA Joernaal vir

Dierewetenskap (SAJAS).

Dr Schalk Cloete, afgetrede senior

navorser in dierewetenskap en -genetika

en kollega by Elsenburg, sê Muller was

veral bekend vir sy deeglike navorsing in

diereproduksie en die suiwelbedryf. Ná sy

aftrede was hy aktief betrokke op verskillende

sosialemediaplatforms, waar hy inligting

en raad op dié spesialiteitsgebied aan

produsente gelewer het.

Dr Cloete sê dit is opvallend dat Muller

gesorg het dat inligting en tegnologie prakties

oorgedra word. Hy was ook veral bekend

vir sy studies om die nadele van hittestres

by melkdiere – veral Holstein-beeste – uit

te wys en praktiese oplossings te bied. Sy

meestersgraadtesis het gehandel oor onder

meer hittestres, terwyl hy talle wetenskaplike

publikasies oor ’n wye reeks aspekte rondom

diereproduksie die lig laat sien het. Dr Muller

het ook oor die jare talle artikels in The Dairy

Mail gepubliseer.

Dr Muller was ’n kranige atleet en het in

2023 sy 30ste Twee Oseane-ultramarathon

voltooi. Hy het ook twee Comradesmarathons

voltooi. Einde 2024 was hy tweede

tydens ’n padwedloop oor 20 km in die

ouderdomsklas bo 70.

Daarbenewens het hy ’n diepe liefde vir

die natuur gekoester en gereeld op stapen

fietstoere saam met vriende gegaan,

waaronder die Naukluft-staptog van 120 km

in die Namib-Naukluftpark in Namibië, asook

dikwels in die Karoo. Hy was ook lief om

kanoroeitogte aan te pak, en het in sy jong

dae feitlik die hele Oranjerivier saam met

vriende geroei.

Muller word oorleef deur sy vrou, Ronel, en

hulle drie dogters, Martina (39), Keren (37) en

Andrea (36). Sy eerste kleinkind, Zelda, is op

22 April vanjaar gebore.


WORLD MILK DAY

celebrations in the

Eastern Cape

BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

World Milk Day is more than just a

celebration – it’s a movement that

highlights milk as a vital, accessible

food source that nourishes billions. Milk

provides essential nutrients that support

bone health, growth, and immune function,

making it crucial for both children and

adults. Observed annually on 1 June, World

Milk Day unites countries, organisations,

and communities to recognise and amplify

the dairy sector’s impact on sustainable

agriculture, economic development, and

global health.

Eastern Cape learners had the opportunity

to purchase a fun “cow” sticker for R10,

allowing them to wear casual clothes to

school on World Milk Day.

For each sticker sold, the participating

school received a R2 donation, and the

remaining proceeds went towards dairy

product hampers, which were donated

to a beneficiary organisation (a local

underprivileged school or charity), nominated

by the school.

Woodlands Dairy has partnered with the

Milk Producer’s Organisation in the Eastern

Cape on this initiative. They provided dairy

products for the hampers at cost price and

contributed an additional 50% in product

volume, enabling the celebrations and impact

to reach even further.

Read all about the MPO’s activities in each issue of The Dairy Mail.


WE CARE ABOUT

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contributes to roughage and concentrate intake which

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Housing

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Colostrum

Hygiene

Good colostrum management results in more growth, better

health and higher milk yield in lactation (Faber et al., 2005).

Below the critical steps to take:

1. Milk the cow as soon as possible after birth of the calf.

2. Make sure the colostrum is obtained hygienic to keep

pathogenic cell count as low as possible.

3. Check colostrum quality with a refractometer (BRIX

meter).

4. Determine the number of liters the calf needs at

minimum with the help of the colostrum protocol.

5. Use a colostrum supplement if the quality is not

6. Supply 200 g IgG within 4 hours after birth + at least

15% of body weight within 24 hours.

7. Supply also colostrum on day 2.

8. Feed the colostrum at a temperature of 40˚C.

9. Save colostrum of good quality in freezer.

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Info and ordering

T: 021 932 2019 | www.lionelsvet.co.za

Kalvolac Cair | Reg.no: V29370 (Act 36/1947) | Registration holder: Lionel’s Veterinary Supplies (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 901, Sanlamhof, 7532



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THE

ON A DAIRY FARM

In South Africa, most dairy farms are family owned and operated,

and it’s the farmers themselves who are responsible to oversee that

the daily chores get done. But when it comes to ensuring ultimate

productivity, good stewardship, and the overall health and wellbeing

of the herd, it’s truly a team effort. From ensuring the cows’

feed provides the right nutritional value, to trimming their hooves,

to treating sick animals, cow care demands expertise and teamwork.


The farmers

From milking to feeding to checking on

each cow, the dairy farmer is the leader of

the team. Spending hours with the herd

each day, farmers ensure the cows stay

healthy and productive through close,

consistent care. Modern dairy farming

requires considerable expertise, and with

best practices and technologies constantly

evolving, it is imperative for every farmer

to stay well informed and continuously

improve their knowledge of the latest

trends, research, and technologies.

Herdspeople and farmworkers

Second in command on a dairy farm is the

herdsman or herdswoman. This person works

most closely with the cows – every day, all day.

On smaller farms, farmers often take on this

role themselves. On larger farms, additional

herdspeople and farmworkers assist with

milking, cleaning, feeding, and other chores.

But the crucial role of a herdsperson is,

as the name suggests, to tend to the herd

– ranging from traditional observation and

treatment to advanced high-tech monitoring.

With technology, they can now track somatic

cell count, milk temperature, step counts via

pedometers, and a wide range of health data.

However, their most important responsibilities

are to ensure the health and well-being of

every cow on the farm and to know when to

call for outside help.



The veterinarians

Veterinarians play a vital role on dairy farms.

Besides treating sick or injured animals, they

provide routine services such as checkups,

evaluations, vaccinations, herd health

assessments, and pregnancy ultrasounds.

Those who visit dairy farms are specialists

in cows and livestock. They have deep

knowledge of the most common conditions

affecting dairy cows and work closely

with farmers – who know their cows best

– to develop biosecurity and vaccination

programmes tailored to each farm’s needs.

If a cow becomes ill, the dairy farmer and

veterinarian collaborate to determine the best

course of action, which may include antibiotic

treatment or surgery.

The nutrition experts

Other key members of the A-team are

nutrition experts, who help formulate cows’

diets based on their specific needs at

different stages of life and lactation. This

can include identifying vitamin and mineral

supplements to complement the crops

grown on the farm. Modern cow nutrition is

a scientific, research-based practice and a

specialised area of expertise. What cows eat

directly impacts their health, the environment,

and the quality of milk they produce. Nutrition

experts, veterinarians, and farmers work

closely together to ensure the best approach

for each herd.


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Farm advisers and other

specialists

As in any profession, many highly specialised

experts are available to support farmers.

Whether to fill knowledge gaps or help

improve production practices, dairy farmers

know they can turn to these experts when

needed. It’s time to meet a few more!

Agrologists

Professional agrologists offer their services

in various ways. Some are hired to provide

specialised advice to farmers or to stay

current with the latest science. Others work

for companies that offer services to farmers.

These experts usually hold a degree in

agrology or a related field and keep up-todate

with the latest research across areas

such as soil, crops, and animal care.

Hoof trimmers

You may think of hoof trimming as a ‘cow

pedicure’, but it’s a serious business and

highly specialised. While many farmers handle

hoof trimming themselves, skilled professional

are often brought in for their expertise.

Hoof care plays a key role in preventing and

treating mobility and foot health issues.

Building on generations of knowledge,

today’s farmers are highly educated,

well-trained, and more tech-savvy than

ever before.

At the end of the day – and for dairy

farmers, it’s a long one – dairy farming is

a team effort that relies on a wide range

of expertise. No matter who is on the

team, the health of the cows is always

the top priority. Whether it’s the farmer,

veterinarian, or another team member,

positive human-animal interactions are

essential on the farm.


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The partnership between a

DAIRY FARMER and

his ANIMAL NUTRITIONIST

by Riaan van der Walt, Ruminant Technical manager, Meadow Feeds

In the modern dairy industry, where

efficiency, sustainability, and animal welfare

are paramount, the partnership between

dairy farmers and animal nutritionists has

become increasingly vital. Dairy farming has

evolved beyond merely milking cows; it is a

complex, science-driven enterprise, where

nutrition plays a crucial role in productivity,

profitability, and herd health. By working

closely with animal nutritionists, dairy farmers

are better equipped to meet the nutritional

requirements of their herds, reduce feed

costs, and address environmental and health

challenges, thereby securing the long-term

sustainability of their operations.



1. Optimising productivity

through tailored nutrition

One of the primary benefits of the partnership

between animal nutritionists and dairy farmers

is the ability to develop precise, sciencebased

feeding programmes tailored to

specific breeds, stage of lactation, and local

feed resources. Nutritionists evaluate the

nutritional value of available feed ingredients,

balance rations for energy, protein, fibre

and minerals, and ensure cows receive

the nutrients they need to maximise milk

production. Well-balanced diets not only

boost milk yields but also improve milk quality,

including fat and protein content, which

directly affects the profitability of the farm.

2. Improving animal health

and welfare

Poor nutrition can lead to metabolic disorders,

low fertility, mastitis, and other health issues

in dairy cows. Animal nutritionists play a

critical role in preventing such problems

by designing diets that support immune

function, digestive health, and reproductive

performance. For instance, managing the

calcium and phosphorus balance in transition

cows (those near calving) can reduce the risk

of milk fever and ketosis. Healthier cows mean

reduced veterinary costs, fewer antibiotic

interventions, and better overall animal

welfare, which is increasingly important in

consumer perception.

3. Enhancing feed efficiency

and reducing costs

Feed is often the single largest operating cost

on a dairy farm, sometimes accounting for

more than 60% of total expenses. Nutritionists

assist farmers to optimise feed efficiency –

producing more milk per unit of feed – by

analysing feed ingredients, monitoring dry

matter intake, and adjusting rations based

on performance data. This partnership helps

reduce waste, prevent the oversupply of

costly supplements, and make better use of

on-farm resources like silage and pastures.

During challenging economic periods,

such partnerships can mean the difference

between profit and loss.


4. Knowledge transfer and

capacity building

Beyond ration formulation, the relationship

between farmers and nutritionists serves as

a two-way knowledge exchange. Nutritionists

often provide ongoing advice on novel

feed technologies, software solutions for

herd monitoring, and best practice for

forage management. In return, farmers offer

practical insights into herd behaviour, feed

availability, and environmental conditions that

affect feeding outcomes. This collaboration

promotes innovation, continuous

improvement, and a deeper understanding of

the science behind successful dairy farming.

Conclusion

The partnership between dairy farmers

and animal nutritionists is a fundamental

component of sustainable and productive

dairy farming. It combines practical farm

knowledge with scientific expertise to

create feeding programmes that maximise

milk production, promote animal health,

control costs, and meet environmental goals

to achieve long-term sustainability. In an

era where the dairy sector must do more

with fewer resources and tighter margins,

this collaboration is essential rather than

optional. Cultivating strong, mutually

beneficial relationships with specialised,

trusted partners is an important strategic

action to guarantee long-term success

and resilience.



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Most of the

DAIRY-BEEF

ISSUES

As more dairy-beef cross-bred cattle enter the

marketing chain, researchers have closely examined

how these animals – and the products they yield –

compare to their pure-bred dairy and beef counterparts.



Their findings, based on retrospective data analysis

and original research, reveal key differences in

performance and carcass traits, including:

Feedlot growth: Close-out data show

that dairy-beef cross-bred cattle have

significantly better average daily gain

and feed-to-gain ratios than Holsteins,

and perform comparably to conventional

beef breeds. Their finishing times are

approximately 20% faster than Holsteins,

supporting positive sustainability by

producing the same amount of beef

in less time and with reduced feed

requirements.

Quality grade: Research shows that the

percentage of dairy-beef cross-breeds

grading Choice or higher is comparable

to – or even better than – conventional

beef cattle. These animals seem to

inherit the superior marbling traits of

their Holstein lineage, while reaching

finishing weight more quickly.

Carcass yield: Dairy-beef crossbreeds

typically have a lower dressing

percentage than pure-bred beef cattle,

partly due to their leaner build and

lighter carcasses relative to live weight.

On average, their fat thickness at the

12th rib falls between that of full-blood

beef and dairy animals. Overall, they

offer a higher red meat yield than dairy

carcasses, and the best cross-breeds

compare favourably – or even exceed

– the performance of conventional

beef cattle.

Eating quality: A recent study found

that pure-bred Holsteins ranked highest

for tenderness, followed by cross-breeds

and then conventional beef. Crossbreeds

led in flavour, receiving the

highest rating for ‘fat-like’ and ‘buttery’

taste. Overall, they were rated second in

eating quality – just behind Holsteins.


Meat colour: A common drawback

of traditional dairy-beef is its darker

colour, lacking the bright ‘cherryred’

appearance consumers prefer in

conventional beef. The difference is

so noticeable that many retailers avoid

displaying dairy and conventional beef

side by side. Research shows that crossbreeding

eliminates this issue, while

also improving colour stability by an

additional 12 to 24 hours.

Muscle shape: The smaller, narrower,

and more angular loins of finished

Holsteins have traditionally been a

drawback for dairy-beef. Researchers

found that cross-bred longissimus (loin)

muscles are larger and rounder than

those of Holsteins, and consumers were

unable to distinguish them from the loins

of conventional beef cattle.

Consistency: Dairy animals provide a

steady, year-round supply of offspring,

contributing to greater market stability.

Modern dairy cattle are also highly

consistent genetically, offering strong

potential for uniform, high-quality

offspring when matched with the

right sires.

Traceability: Dairy farms maintain more

comprehensive record-keeping than

most conventional beef operations.

Detailed information on birthdates,

performance, and sire identification

is highly valuable for branded beef

programmes and international markets.

While dairy-beef crossbreds have addressed

many concerns associated with traditional

dairy-beef, one significant challenge remains:

liver abscesses. Although liver abscesses

have minimal impact on animal performance,

they complicate the harvest process because

infected livers must be carefully removed and

disposed of individually. In some cases, delays

at the packing plant can be more costly than

the affected products themselves.

These abscesses can also reduce overall

carcass yield and total profitability. When

severe liver abscesses spread to surrounding

tissue, they may attach to saleable muscle,

rendering it unfit for human consumption.

A major example is the diaphragm muscle –

sold as skirt steak – condemning it results in a

significant loss.

Scientists agree that controlling liver

abscesses is essential. For the dairy-beef

issue, this remains the last major challenge

in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive

transformation of the red meat industry.



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Significant

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K

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Increasing dietary levels of chloride and

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leads to a lowering of the ration DCAD

value.

INCREASED URINARY CALCIUM EXCRETION

THROUGH THE KIDNEYS

Reduction in urine pH leads to increased calcium

excretion through kidneys (hypercalciuria). Urinary

calcium excretion contributes to calcium flux by

removing calcium from the available calcium pool.

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Increased amounts of calcium are

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A negative DCAD ration has been shown to help stabilize calcium levels in early post-partum dairy cows.

COMPOSITION:

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FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Cattle: Feed a minimum of 21 days prior to calving at a rate between 0,55 to 0,70 kg per head daily

depending on the desired level of negative DCAD of the diet.

Feed continuously up to calving.

Use only in mixed feeds for ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats).

Contact details:

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Cell: 060 982 3440

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Make

full use

of your

TECHNOLOGY

PARTNERSHIP

The use of collars, tags, or rumen

boluses to capture information for herd

management and health monitoring

is becoming increasingly common. The data

collected can assist with routine tasks such

as heat detection, detecting sick animals,

identifying non-cycling cows, and timing

insemination.

These tools are often described as ‘Fitbits

for cows’, and multiple service providers sell

or distribute them. There is considerable

variation in the level of support and training

offered, as well as how well the monitoring

equipment integrates with other farm

technology like herd management software,

draft gates, and milk metering equipment.

Doing your homework prior to investing in

technology is non-negotiable.

The ideal set-up would integrate with all

the other farm technology, be supported

by a team of experts who can train and

support farmers, and be robust, reliable, and

cost effective. In seasonal calving herds,

identifying non-cycling cows before or

soon after mating start date is an invaluable

use of monitoring equipment to improve

submission rates and increase six-week in-calf

rates. In year-round calving herds, the same

technology can help identify cows that should

be on the herd health visit list.

Unfortunately, health alerts are often

switched off or ignored by farmers who

struggle to interpret them. This is a real

shame, as it means missing out on the

potential health benefits these tools offer

simply because no one has taken the time to

help explain what a health alert might mean.

Generally, a health alert is triggered if a

cow shows reduced activity and reduced

rumination, though some systems can also

measure temperature, lying and eating time,

and rumen pH to help to determine if a cow

might be unwell. For farms that have invested

in wearable herd monitoring equipment but

struggle to capture its full benefits due to

limited instruction or lack of experience in

conducting thorough clinical examinations

of cows showing a health alert, your local

veterinarian can help.



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EFFECTIVE

DRY COW

MANAGEMENT

by Mark Moloney and Sarah Maher

When farmers head into winter with depleted silage stocks, it means

that feeding dry cows silage only is not possible, in most cases.

Bought-in silage, maize silage, straw, and meal could be alternative

options to get through the winter. Running low on silage and

needing to implement alternative feeding strategies forces a mindset

shift when it comes to dry cow management and diet formulation.

When cows are supplemented

throughout the year, they typically

dry-off in a better condition than

normal. This would mean that these cows

would only require a maintenance diet for

their dry period, as they would not be “playing

catch-up” to still be building up their reserves.

The dry period is fundamental in laying

the foundations for the cow to milk to her

potential over the lactation.

To ensure the dry period is successful,

we look at four essential pillars:

1. Body condition score

2. Management

3. Nutrition

4. Minerals


Side view

Body condition score

The body condition score (BCS) of cows at

the different stages of the lactation cycle

needs to be monitored and is the most

important of the four pillars.

The scale of 1–5 is used:

1 being skin and bone and 5 being over-fat.

The three most critical stages to monitor

BCS are at drying off (BCS 3), calving

(BCS 3–3,25), and breeding (minimum of

BCS 2,75). If 90% of the herd is within this

range at each stage, there should be few

issues at calving and high conception rates

at breeding.

While the three most critical stages are

outlined above, body condition should be

monitored throughout the lactation and any

significant issues identified between 200

and 250 days in milk should be dealt with

from that stage (late lactation) and not in

the dry period.

There are different issues associated

with high and low BCS at calving. High

BCS can have a negative effect on nonesterified

fatty acid (NEFA) levels, betahydroxybutyrate

(BHB) concentration, and

blood calcium levels.

Non-esterified fatty acid levels are a good

measure of negative energy balance after

calving, which can lead to metabolic disorders

such as ketosis. Studies have shown that

the ideal condition post-calving (BCS 3,25)

produced less NEFA compared to fatter

cows (BCS 4), indicating that they lose less

weight after calving. Further research shows

that these cows will have a longer interval

from calving to first service and depressed

peak milk yield.

On the opposite side, cows in low BCS (less

than 2,5) are less likely to go back in calf, milk

yield is reduced, and they are more inclined

toward lameness.

Tailhead

Hooks

Pins

Thurl

Rear view

Sacral ligament

Short ribs

Tailhead ligament



Management

At farm level, management can be an issue

when implementing a correct dry cow system.

Seasonal calving and compact calving are

ideal, but not without flaws. In a spring calving

system, the blueprint is to have 90% of the

herd calving in six weeks. The herd goes

completely dry around Christmas week and all

cows are supposed to get around 60 days dry.

This does not happen in most cases, with the

average six-week calving at 68%. If the herd is

all dried off together, then there will be some

cows getting up to 100 days dry. These are the

cows that will become over-conditioned and

have issues when calving.

Best practice should always be followed

where possible, and always bear in mind that

changes made in the dry period can have

a knock-on effect throughout the lactation.

Group changes can have a negative impact

on dry matter intake. Dry cows should be

moved to the calving box no closer than 14

days pre-calving (where possible, as this

would require a large amount of space, due to

the compact calving system). If movement is

required immediately, then pre-calving as late

as possible (water bag, feet showing) is the

correct procedure.

Dry cows need one cubicle/cow and one

feed space and 90% stocking rate three

weeks pre-calving. A feed space would

be considered at around 60 cm per cow,

so 100 dry cows would need around 61 m

of feed space. This often seems to be an

oversight on farms when deciding how many

cows they can house.

Clean water should always be available for

dry cows. A rough guideline of 5 cm of trough

length should be available. Cleaning troughs

is essential, as faecal matter will build up. This

should be done weekly.

If cows are at grass then, preferably, they

are housed for a month pre-calving and are

stocked at 25 cows/ha and given a dry cow

diet including minerals. There should be very

little grass on this paddock and dry cows

should not be used to clean up after milkers.

Management of dry cow feed is important.

Pit face and forage used should be monitored

carefully for moulds. Moulds can cause many

issues in dry cows that might not come to the

surface until post-calving, such as abortions

or metritis. Mouldy silage should not be

fed, and if there is a suspicion of mould, a

mycotoxin binder should be used.

Where there are no feed troughs, feed

should be pushed in four to five times per day.

Weekly cleaning of feed troughs is required,

as feed will build up and become mouldy,

which will depress intakes. If feeding a total

mixed ration (TMR) to dry cows, feed troughs

do not guarantee intake; there can often be

sorting which is not observed. If feeding for

two days, heating can occur.


Nutrition

Feeding the dry cow is fundamental to her

health and nutrition in her next lactation

cycle. There is ongoing research and many

different ways of implementing a dry cow

diet, all of which should have the same

outcome; the cow calves down by herself

with no metabolic issues, reaches her peak

yield, maintains this, and goes back in calf as

quickly as possible.

An example of a dry cow feeding system is

a controlled energy high-fibre (CEHF) diet.

This simple system provides a single TMR

throughout the dry cow period. The use

of a CEHF diet is beneficial for peripartum

health, dry matter intake (DMI), and overall

productivity.

To put this into practice, the BCS of

the herd is determined, along with the

maintenance energy requirement based

on silage analysis, which in this case is

100 megajoules (MJ) or 8,6 feed units for

lactation. Dry matter intake should be set and

monitored at around 11 kg of dry matter and

kept under 12 kg for large Holstein herds with

adequate protein levels.

This year, there has been a large silage

harvest, and while the temptation is to feed

silage only, doing so can have a detrimental

impact on BCS and DMI. Intake will not

be controlled, as a dry cow can consume

13–15 kg of dry matter from silage alone. The

silage quality is generally good this year, so

feeding silage with 70% dry matter digestibility

for 60 days could provide more than 130 MJ

of energy per day. This excess energy intake

can result in a high BCS at calving and may

lead to further complications.

To control intake and dilute the quality

of silage while maintaining proper rumen

function, straw can be used as filler. The

amount of straw fed can vary between

2,5–5 kg, depending on forage quality.

Straw also helps dilute potassium levels,

which tend to be high in some South African

forage. This straw should be chopped to

lengths of 4–5 cm, and care should be

taken during processing. Over-processing

will encourage higher intake, while underprocessing

may lead to ration rejection,

sorting, and suboptimal intake.

It is also recommended to include a small

amount of protein, such as soybean meal or

a form of slow-release urea. This supports

healthy rumen function and helps ensure

dung consistency is not excessively stiff.

Studies have shown that increasing dietary

protein content can improve the quality of

colostrum. Additionally, including some form

of concentrate is beneficial to allow rumen

bacteria to quickly adapt to higher nutrient

demands post-calving.

Survey results from 277 farms and

24 470 cows demonstrated that correctly

implementing this diet led to a 60% reduction

in metabolic disorders, including milk fever,

retained placenta, and displaced abomasum

(Colman et al., 2011).



Minerals

Minerals are often overlooked in a dry cow

diet, both in terms of quality and quantity. It

is important to note that the mineral content

of forage can vary significantly. A mineral

analysis is the only accurate way to determine

the mineral status of your forage, allowing

you to make an informed choice about the

appropriate mineral supplement. Mineral

labels can be difficult to interpret, and farmers

may not be fully aware of which minerals are

actually being supplied. To ensure the cow is

receiving what she needs, ask your supplier

about the daily mineral supply as well as the

form in which the minerals are provided.

On many farms throughout the country,

producers use minerals containing

inorganic salts of trace minerals, such as

sodium selenite and copper sulphate.

However, this form of trace mineral is not

what the animal has evolved to utilise. The

soil contains inorganic minerals, which

plants (e.g. grass) absorb and convert into

organic mineral forms. The animal then

consumes the plant containing minerals in

this organic form. Inorganic minerals cannot

be stored by the animal and therefore do

not allow mineral reserves to be built up for

times of stress, such as calving or disease.

Feeding trace minerals in their organic form

leads to higher absorption, storage, and

utilisation by the animal. This helps build

the cow’s immune system, offering greater

protection from metabolic diseases during

stressful periods, and improves overall cow

performance, supporting udder health and

reproductive function.


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Partner with nature for

WASTE WATER

MANAGEMENT

By Mzamo Mnikathi and Jon McCosh of the Institute of Natural Resources

South Africa’s dairy farming industry is a vital component

of the agriculture sector, contributing significantly to the

country’s economy. With approximately 360 000 cows

being milked daily, South Africa stands out as one of

Africa’s leading milk producers.

However, the industry also consumes

substantial volumes of water and

generates large amounts of waste

water, primarily in the form of slurry waste from

milking parlour operations. Dairy waste water

can pose a significant environmental threat if

not properly managed.

In South Africa, settling ponds are the

common method for managing dairy farm

waste water. These ponds allow solids to settle

at the bottom, while the remaining water

is used for irrigating grass pastures grazed

by dairy cows. However, this method often

falls short of meeting national waste water

standards, raising environmental concerns.



Some farmers also use engineered

wetlands, which focus on removing pollutants,

but this approach requires large areas of land

that could otherwise be used for grazing.

The effectiveness of a wetland depends on

its type, condition, and placement within

the watershed.

There are various other methods available,

including mechanical, physiochemical, and

biological approaches. Biological treatment

methods are particularly cost-effective

for removing organic material from dairy

waste water due to its easily biodegradable

organic content. Anaerobic processes,

which require less energy and produce less

sludge, are considered more efficient than

other methods.

However, no single treatment method

consistently produces waste water that

meets the minimum discharge standards,

making it necessary to combine multiple

approaches to achieve optimal results. Over

time, a combination of aerobic and anaerobic

treatments has been used, offering benefits

such as low energy consumption, minimal

sludge production, and reduced chemical

requirements.

This technique utilises algae to clean

waste water, leveraging the algae’s natural

ability to absorb nutrients and pollutants

from the water. Laboratory experiments have

shown that certain strains of microalgae

can effectively clean dairy farm waste

water, removing more than 90% of harmful

pollutants. This success underscores the

potential of algae as a sustainable solution for

dairy waste water treatment. Field trials are

now being launched to test phycoremediation

at selected dairy processing facilities, with the

aim of refining the treatment process.

Phycoremediation presents a promising

treatment alternative for both dairy farm waste

water and dairy processing waste water. By

using algae to treat waste water, dairy farms

can continue producing milk and other dairy

products without negatively impacting the

environment.

This innovative approach not only helps

protect the environment but also supports the

sustainability of dairy farms by ensuring that

natural resources are not further depleted

or wasted, allowing future generations

to benefit.

Recently, there has been a paradigm shift in

the dairy industry, with growing recognition of

waste water as a valuable resource rather than

merely waste. Dairy farm waste water contains

nutrients that can be transformed into

economically valuable bioproducts, such as

biofuel and biofertiliser, with minimal changes

to existing systems.

Given the diminishing freshwater reserves

and rising costs of nitrogen-phosphoruspotassium

(NPK) fertilisers, research into

optimal treatment methods for nutrientrich

dairy waste water is crucial for both

environmental sustainability and economic

viability. Scientists from the Institute of

Natural Resources in Pietermaritzburg

and the Durban University of Technology,

KwaZulu-Natal, have collaborated to explore

an innovative low-cost solution called

phycoremediation.


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CLASSIFICATION

of South African

SOILS

The primary objective of soil classification is to systematically

group soils that share comparable physical, chemical, and

morphological characteristics so they respond similarly under

specified conditions. Classification enhances communication

by consolidating chemical, physical and morphological

properties into the soil’s nomenclature.

The two best-known soil classification

systems are the World Reference

Base (WRB) and the United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Soil Taxonomy. These systems classify

soils worldwide. Because they do not

accommodate the full spectrum of South

African soils, Soil Classification: A Taxonomic

System for South Africa, is currently used

exclusively in South Africa. This classification

uses five topsoil horizons and 25 subsoil

horizons to distinguish master horizons in

a soil profile. Once identified, the master

horizons are classified into diagnostic

horizons. The sequence of diagnostic

horizons defines the soil form, after which the

soil family is determined.



Topsoil horizons

There are five diagnostic topsoil horizons:

• The organic A horizon is enriched with

organic material and is therefore noticeably

darker than the underlying horizon.

• The humic A horizon has undergone

humification and eluviation (loss of clay

and sesquioxides).

• Vertic A horizons (typical turf clay) form by

inversion due to a large quantity of 2:1 clay.

• Melanic A horizons are defined by their

dark colour and strong structure.

• The orthic A horizon is not one of the other

four; it is the most common topsoil horizon

in South Africa and is typically used for

grain production.

Topsoil horizons thickness ranges from 15

cm in the drier regions to 40 cm in the wetter

areas, though thinner and thicker examples

are common. Beneath these, 25 diagnostic

subsoil horizons occur, classified as B, C, E, G,

or R master horizons.

Soil forms

When a soil profile is analysed from top

to bottom, characteristic horizons are

determined. The sequence of horizons is

determined by soil-forming factors and

processes. Most South African soils can be

accommodated within the 74 soil forms of the

South African classification system.

Soil groups

Differing soil forms often have a common

formation process and are therefore

grouped into larger soil groups – such as

lime-rich, podzolic, plinthic, young, and

rocky soils. These groups convey shared

characteristics that, with experience, can be

interpreted to evaluate land use effectively.

Soil group 1: Organic soils

• Organic material accumulates when

water saturation, low temperature,

extreme acidity, and other factors inhibit

microbial degradation; under these

conditions, adapted plants contribute

large quantities of organic matter.

• Organic soils are hydromorphic,

occurring in the lowest landscape

positions – primarily in the cooler, wetter

highlying eastern regions of South Africa.

They contain high organic matter but are

often poorly decomposed and humified,

resulting in elevated C:N ratios.

• Because these soils occur in the wettest

landscape positions, they are unsuitable

for commercial grain production and

their cultivation is legally prohibited.


Soil group 2: Humic soils

• The dominant process is the

accumulation of organic matter in old,

cool, high-rainfall landscapes. Essential

conditions include good drainage,

the buildup of iron and aluminium

oxides, and low pH levels that inhibit

microbial activity.

• The formation conditions of humic

soils yield highly weathered profiles

with low cation exchange capacity and

base status; their high organic content

produces low bulk density and reduced

compaction risk.

• Humic soils are generally highly

productive for crops, but leaching and

acidity require substantial lime or gypsum

application. Stable aggregates reduce

erosion susceptibility, and mineralisation

of organic matter supplies ample

nitrogen for plant growth while gradually

depleting soil reserves.

Soil group 3: Vertic soils

• These soils exhibit pronounced swelling

when wet and shrinkage when dry. Cyclic

cracking causes topsoil to slough into

fissures and be reincorporated during

wetting, resulting in self-inversion and

the development of a thick A horizon.

• They contain over 50% clay dominated

by smectitic 2:1 minerals, causing

wide cracks upon drying and extreme

stickiness when wet. Dry fissures allow

rapid water entry, but swelling soon seals

pores, drastically reducing hydraulic

conductivity and final infiltration rate.

• Vertic soils are nutrient-rich and

potentially highly productive, but their

hydraulic properties hinder rainfed

agriculture. Under irrigation, high

yields are possible if water retention

is managed. Their sticky-when-wet,

hard-when-dry consistency complicates

mechanical tillage. Soil movement poses

significant risks to foundations and must

be accounted for in design.

Soil group 4: Melanic soils

• Melanic topsoils have a well-developed

structure from high clay content

combined with abundant organic

material, exhibit dark colours even when

dry, maintain high base status (minimal

leaching), and are often found in

low-lying areas.

• The well-developed structure and high

base status favour plant production,

giving these soils high productivity

potential depending on landscape

position and underlying horizons. They

are less sticky, exhibit minimal swelling,

and combine good infiltration with strong

water retention, making them reasonably

suitable for tillage.



Soil classification simplifies decisions about

appropriate land use and serves as the

foundation for soil mapping, which identifies

and geographically represents soil bodies

with similar properties.

This is a condensed version of an article

authored by Martiens du Plessis

(martiens@nwk.co.za) and

Prof. Cornie van Huyssteen

(vanhuyssteencw@ufs.ac.za).

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Biosecurity –

A NEW

STAR IS

BORN

Foot-and-mouth

disease (FMD) is

costing South African

livestock farmers

billions of rands – not

only through animal

and production losses,

but also due to the

closing of our export

markets for animals

and animal products.

As a controlled and notifiable disease,

FMD requires intervention by the

relevant state departments. In

affected areas, the traditional method of

preventing its spread includes halting the

movement of animals and animal products,

slaughtering infected animals and contact

animals, disposing of carcasses, disinfecting

vehicles and personnel leaving the infected

area, and, where applicable, implementing

ring vaccination to create a buffer zone.

Controlling the importation of animals

and animal products, along with proper

decontamination and disposal of waste, are

also key features of an effective programme to

prevent the spread of the disease.



However, despite the best efforts of the

authorities through policy enforcement and

sound veterinary governance to control the

spread, South Africa will never again be FMDfree.

To keep the virus under control, every

farmer in the country must make on-farm

biosecurity and the protection of their own

herd a top priority.

On-farm biosecurity measures vary

between different animal industries, but

they all follow, to some extent, the same

principles of segregation, cleaning, and

disinfection. Numerous studies have

confirmed that the FMD virus can survive

in water, soil, and on surfaces for up to one

month, depending on weather conditions.

Under certain circumstances, the virus can

become airborne, and wind can spread it,

making it imperative to disinfect the water, air,

and contact surfaces with a powerful, highly

effective, broad-spectrum multipurpose

disinfectant when targeting the FMD virus.

Hypochlorite is the most commonly used

chlorine disinfectant, available in both solid

and liquid forms. Rigorous tests carried out

by the World Health Organization (WHO)

have revealed that many traditional surface

disinfectants contain toxins classified as

health hazards and pollutants.

In a report released in May 2020,

the WHO warned, “Spraying or

fogging of certain chemicals, such as

formaldehyde, chlorine-based agents,

or quaternary ammonium compounds, is

not recommended due to adverse health

effects on workers in facilities where

these methods have been utilised.”

Globally, the agricultural sector places

a high premium on sustainability and the

use of environmentally friendly products. In

response to the WHO’s renewed focus on the

impact of traditional surface disinfectants on

workers and the environment, manufacturers

have started producing biodegradable

disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide

(H2O2) solution.

These hydrogen peroxide-based surface

disinfectants are considered eco-friendly and

safe for people, animals, and the environment.

Peroxsil, distributed by Ladismith Powder, is

a powerful and effective hydrogen peroxidebased,

broad-spectrum disinfectant. It is

stable, safe, and effective against a wide range

of microorganisms, acting as a fungicide,

antibiotic, virucide, and nematicide.



When correctly applied to water, as

fumigation in the air, or on any surface,

Peroxsil disinfects through an oxidisation

process and safely provides excellent results.

The solution is chlorine- and alcohol-free, and

has no corrosive effects on most construction

materials. In fact, it simply degrades into

harmless water and oxygen – making it one of

the safest modes of disinfection available.

Current legislation obligates livestock

farmers to only use products that have been

verified for their efficacy in the containment

of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Rigorous

tests conducted in April of this year by the

Agricultural Research Council concluded that

Peroxsil is indeed a powerful and efficient

broad-spectrum disinfectant that, in doses

safe for humans and animals, is able to kill

the FMD virus.

It is entirely up to the livestock farmer

to elect to use products that are classified

as safe and eco-friendly as part of their

commitment to sound environment,

social, and governance business ethics.

Furthermore, with regards to proper usage,

it is the farmer’s responsibility to use

the product in accordance with its label

instructions. Respective regulatory bodies

make it mandatory for all label use directions

and safety precautions to be followed

to the letter.

The advantages associated with the

use of Peroxsil are countless. In the

next edition of The Dairy Mail, we will

dig deeper and discuss tests done on a

Western Cape dairy farm where tangible

benefits, linked to the use of Peroxsil,

were recorded.


Discover the reliable choice for farmers:

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consistently stable yields and exceptional

agronomic balance, our yellow maize thrives

across diverse production conditions. Choose

from conventional hybrids or those with

insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant traits

to boost your farm’s success. Contact our

expert team today and see why Boesman

Fourie says: “Pannar Seed has always been

a cornerstone for us. I was raised with

Pannar, and they have remained

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FARM MANAGER: Boesman Fourie (left)

with Charlie de Beer, Pannar Representative

FARMING ENTITY: Maningi Barak

AREA: Hartswater

CROP:

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PANNAR REPRESENTATIVE:

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082 856 5430

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Together we farm

for your future



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WAT IS IN JOU

WINTERLEKKE?

deur Hanlie du Plessis

As ’n mens die lekbehoeftes van jou vee verstaan, kan dit

jou winsmarges aansienlik verbeter. Maar hierdie behoeftes

verander namate die seisoene verander, en uit die aard

van die saak is daar ’n verskil tussen die behoeftes in die

winterreënval- en dié van die somerreënvalstreke. Dit kom

daarop neer dat daar in sekere seisoene, en in verskillende

dele van ons land, verskillende voedingstoftekorte ontstaan.

Lekke word ingedeel in vier basiese

kategorieë, naamlik mineraal-,

proteïen-, energie- en produksielekke.

Mineraallekke bevat gewoonlik net minerale,

terwyl proteïenlekke hoofsaaklik proteïen

bevat met ’n klein hoeveelheid energie

en minerale.

Die energielekke verskaf hoofsaaklik

energie, maar ook ’n klein hoeveelhede

proteïen en minerale. Produksielekke is gelaai

met energie, proteïen en minerale.

Die produksiestadium van jou diere, die

weiding wat beskikbaar is, of dit groen of

droë weiding is, wat die gehalte daarvan

is en hoeveel daarvan beskikbaar is, is

alles bepalende faktore wanneer ’n besluit

geneem moet word oor die tipe lek wat

uitgesit moet word.


Mineraallekke

Mineraallekke bevat gewoonlik die

makrominerale, naamlik kalsium (12 %), fosfor

(6%) sowel as magnesium, swawel en kalium;

en spoorelemente: mangaan, koper, sink,

kobalt, jodium, yster en seleen. Hierdie lekke

word fosfaatlekke genoem.

Wanneer weiding in die aktiewe groeifase

is, is daar gewoonlik ’n tekort aan fosfaat

en ander spoorelemente, en dit is dan

wanneer fosfaatlekke die beste resultate gee.

Fosfaatlekke moet met proteïen en energie

aangevul word wanneer laegehalte-ruvoer

gebruik word, en moet dus nie as enigste

aanvulling op droë weiding gebruik word nie.

Die voeding van diere wat in ’n groeifase

verkeer en op groen weiding wei, moet ten

minste ’n fosfaatlek insluit. Fosfaataanvulling

speel nie net ’n belangrike rol in die

gesondheid van ’n dier nie, maar hou enorme

ekonomiese voordele vir die boer in. Daar

word dikwels opgemerk dat fosfaataanvulling

te duur is, maar dit sal jou duurder te staan

kom indien jy nie fosfaat as byvoeding

vir jou beeste gee nie. Die voordele soos

verhoogde kalfpersentasie (reproduksie),

speenmassa, melkproduksie, besetting en

groei is hoofsaaklik die gevolg van verhoogde

weidingsinname, wat deur fosfaataanvulling

gestimuleer word.

Proteïenlekke

Proteïenlekke bevat gewoonlik ongeveer 25%

proteïen, minder as 45% totale verteerbare

voedingstowwe (TVV) – energie 6,6 MJ ME/

kg, minder as 10% ruvesel, 1,8% tot 2,4%

kalsium, 1,2% fosfor (die kalsium/fosforverhouding

moet 1,5 tot 2:1 wees), magnesium,

swawel, kalium, spoorelemente, Vitamien A en

’n maksimum van 10% ureum.

Wanneer diere op stoppelland, droë

raaigras, strooi en droë veld wei waar droë,

laag verteerbare voeding volop is, moet

daar aangevul word met proteïenlekke. Dit is

nodig om te onderskei tussen proteïenlekke

wat hoofsaaklik ureum (meer as 80% van

die proteïen afkomstig van ureum) bevat, en

proteïenlekke wat meer natuurlike proteïen en

dus deurvloeiproteïen (minder as 60% van die

proteïen afkomstig van ureum) bevat.

Diere wat onderhou moet word, baat by die

proteïenlekke wat hoofsaaklik ureum bevat

wanneer die weiding of ruvoer minder as

1% stikstof of ongeveer 6% proteïen bevat.

Proteïenlekke wat minder ureum en meer

natuurlike proteïene bevat, is beter vir jong,

groeiende diere en wolskape op droë weiding.

Wanneer daar ’n proteïentekort by diere

ontstaan, wei hulle aansienlik minder, al is

daar genoegsame droë ruvoer beskikbaar.

Die diere se mis is min, swart van kleur en

baie droog en hard. ’n Lek wat hoofsaaklik

uit ureum bestaan, het nie veel waarde vir

diere wat op stoppellande met baie pitte of

groen opslag wei nie. Die ammoniak-stikstofkonsentrasie

in die rumen van hierdie diere

sal voldoende voeding vir die rumenmikrobes

wees. Dit sal dan beter wees om van ’n

proteïenlek gebruik te maak wat minder

ureum en meer deurvloeiproteïen bevat en

sodoende die tekort aan mikrobiese proteïen

aan te vul.



Energielekke

Energielekke bevat gewoonlik 15–16%

proteïen, meer as 45% TVV – 8 MJ ME/kg

energie, minder as 10% ruvesel, 0,9–1,2%

kalsium, 0,6% fosfor (kalsium/fosforverhouding

van 1:5 tot 2:1), magnesium,

swawel, kalium en spoorelemente.

Sommige energielekke bevat ook ’n

ionofoor wat die minder doeltreffende

rumenmikrobes inhibeer, vertering verbeter

en sorg vir meer energievrystelling uit die

voer. Die voordelige rumenmikrobes wat dan

oorbly, is meer doeltreffend en produseer

meer propioonsuur en minder asynsuur,

wat beter voeromsetting beteken. Ionofore

veroorsaak ook dat minder plantproteïen

afgebreek word en meer natuurlike proteïene

deurvloei na die laer spysverteringskanaal.

Dit is raadsaam om energielekke te

gebruik waar diere op proteïenryke groen

weidings wei, soos byvoorbeeld lusern,

medics en raaigras, maar ook waar daar ’n

lae droëmateriaalinname is as gevolg van ’n

tekort aan weiding. Groen weiding is laag in

energie en hoog in oplosbare en afbreekbare

proteïen, en die rumenmikrobes benodig

energie om die ammoniak-stikstof om te

skakel na proteïen. Energielekke wat saam met

groen weiding gevoer word, moet verkieslik

geen nie-proteïen-stikstof (NPN) bevat nie.

Produksielekke

Produksielekke bevat gewoonlik ongeveer

20% proteïen, meer as 54% TVV – 8 MJ ME/

kg energie, minder as 10% ruvesel, 0,9–1,2%

kalsium en 0,6% fosfor (kalsium-tot-fosforverhouding

moet 1.5 tot 2.1 wees), magnesium,

kalium, swawel en spoorelemente.

Die lekke is uitstekend vir diere met hoë

voedingsbehoeftes as gevolg van hul

produksiestatus. Hier praat ons van groeiende

jong diere en laatdragtige en lakterende diere

wat op droë weiding wei. Daar moet genoeg

deurvloeiproteïen in die lekke wees om in dié

diere se hoër proteïenbehoeftes te voorsien.

Produksielekke is duur omdat die inname

daarvan ongeveer drie maal soveel as dié van

onderhoudslekke is. Daarom moet die tydperk

van gebruik so kort as moontlik wees, sonder

om doeltreffendheid in te boet. Die verlies aan

inkomste as gevolg van ’n koei wat oorslaan is

vir seker baie meer as dié van ’n produksielek

wat strategies gebruik word.

Dit is belangrik om te onthou dat ’n oormaat

ureum giftig is, en wanneer lekke met hoë

ureumvlakke aan diere gevoer word, moet ’n

mens onthou dat die rumenmikrobes eers

moet aanpas by die ureum. Diere wat vir

die eerste keer ureumaanvullings ontvang,

is meer sensitief as diere wat ureum op ’n

deurlopende grondslag kry.

Diere wat nie gewoond is aan

ureumbevattende lekke nie moet vir ongeveer

sewe dae slegs ’n soutlek ontvang om te

verseker dat hulle nie ’n southonger ontwikkel

wanneer die ureumbevattende lek gevoer

word nie. Sorg dat jou lekke nie in die reën

staan nie. Ureum los maklik op in die water wat

in die bakke opdam, en indien die diere dan

die water drink, kan hulle maklik ’n oormaat

ureum inkry en vergiftig word.


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SOÖNOSE

Slenkdalkoorsentstowwe

Slenkdalkoors is ’n ernstige virussiekte

wat voorkom by hoefdiere en ook ’n

ernstige gesondheidsgevaar vir mense

inhou. Die enigste doeltreffende manier

om Slenkdalkoors te beheer, is volhoubare

immunisering, veral gedurende nat periodes,

aangesien muskiete die oordraers van

die siekte is.

Wanneer daar uitbrekings op plase

voorkom waar diere nie ingeënt is nie,

moet muskietbeheer as ’n noodmaatreël

toegepas word. Die piretroïede (deltametrienbevattende

middels) is die beste aktiewe

middels om te gebruik, en die behandeling

moet volgehou word totdat die diere na

immunisering sterk immuniteit ontwikkel het.

Lewende entstof

Die Smithburn-entstof wat deur

Onderstepoort Biologiese Produkte (OBP)

ontwikkel is, is uit muskiete geïsoleer en

geattenueer (makgemaak). Die entstof

veroorsaak ’n lae persentasie van aborsies en

abnormaliteite by dragtige ooie wat ingeënt

word wanneer hulle tussen 30 en 60 dae

dragtig is. Dit is die tydperk wanneer die

senustelsel van die fetus ontwikkel. Lammers

kan ’n waterhofie en wangeskape ledemate

hê, terwyl stilgeboortes en aborsies ook kan

voorkom. Geeneen van hierdie tekens is egter

gesien waar hierdie entstof op groot skaal vir

dragtige beeste gebruik is nie.



Die entstof is al byna ’n dekade in gebruik

en geen gevalle van reversie (terugkeer) van

die virus ná virulensie is gevind nie. Hierdie

entstof is goedkoop en lei tot goeie immuniteit

drie tot vier weke ná inenting. ’n Enkele

inenting lei tot lewenslange immuniteit.

Aanwysings:

1. Diere van alle ouderdomme kan

ingeënt word, maar lammers, kalwers en

boklammers van moeders wat immuun teen

Slenkdalkoors is, moet eers ná ses maande

ingeënt word aangesien teenliggame wat

deur biesmelk ingeneem word, die werking

van die entstof kan verhinder.

2. Dit is raadsaam om diere wat nie

dragtig is nie, vóór die reënseisoen in

te ent. Immuniteit kan nie vir alle diere

gewaarborg word nie.

3. Hou in gedagte dat inenting gedurende ’n

Slenkdalkoorsuitbreking kan veroorsaak dat

die siekte met spuitnaalde oorgedra kan

word, gebruik dus’n gesteriliseerde naald

vir elke dier.

4. Die dosis is 1 ml vir alle diere en word

onderhuids toegedien.

Geïnaktiveerde (dooie) entstof

Hierdie entstof is ontwikkel om vir dragtige

diere gebruik te word. Die entstof is moeiliker

om te vervaardig en verwek nie so ’n goeie

immuniteit soos die lewende entstof nie.

Aanwysings:

1. Diere van alle ouderdomme kan ingeënt

word, en soos met die lewende entstof,

moet lammers, kalwers en boklammers van

moeders wat immuun teen Slenkdalkoors is,

eers ná ses maande ingeënt word.

2. Dit is raadsaam om diere voor die

reënseisoen in te ent.

3. Daar moet jaarlikse inentings gedoen word

met die geïnaktiveerde entstof.

4. Immuniteit ontwikkel ongeveer twee

weke ná inenting, dit bereik ’n piek na

drie maande en is vir ongeveer ’n jaar

effektief. Immuniteit kan nie vir alle diere

gewaarborg word nie.

5. Die dosis is 2 ml onderhuids vir beeste en 1

ml onderhuids vir skape en bokke.

Vir die toekoms is dit die heel beste om alle

diere een keer met die lewende entstof in

te ent vir lewenslange immuniteit, en om

dan daarna jaarliks alle nuwe aankomelinge

en aangekoopte diere ook met die lewende

entstof in te ent.


ARBEIDSKOLOM

deur XANDER LEVENDAL

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BEËINDIGING van

diensverhoudinge

Die diensverhouding kan op

verskeie maniere beëindig word,

waarvan die vereistes verskil.

Suid-Afrika se arbeidsomgewing word

streng gereguleer en dit is noodsaaklik

dat werkgewers arbeidsverhoudinge

bestuur in ooreenstemming met toepaslike

arbeidswetgewing. Enige afwyking stel

die werkgewer se onderneming onnodig

bloot aan risiko.

Beëindiging van die

diensverhouding

Wanneer ’n diensverhouding beëindig

word, is dit uiters belangrik om die regte

prosedures te volg, tesame met die nodige

ondersteunende dokumentasie. Dit is

veral van toepassing indien die saak na die

Kommissie vir Versoening, Bemiddeling

en Arbitrasie (KVBA) verwys word, waar

werkgewers wat versuim om die korrekte

prosedures met die nodige bewyse te volg,

finansiële skade kan lei van tot 12 maande se

salaris van die betrokke werknemer.

’n Diensverhouding kan om verskeie

redes tot ’n einde kom:

• Die werknemer bedank vrywillig.

• Die werkgewer ontslaan die

werknemer ná ’n dissiplinêre proses.

• Die werkgewer ontslaan

die werknemer ná ’n

onbevoegdheidproses

(byvoorbeeld swak werksprestasie of

mediese ongeskiktheid).

• Die werknemer word afgelê ná ’n

personeelverminderingproses.

• Die werknemer bereik die

ooreengekome aftree-ouderdom en

diens eindig in terme van ’n geldige

kontrak of werksplekbeleid.

• ’n Vastetermyn-dienskontrak verval

op die vasgestelde einddatum.

• Die werknemer sterf.



Werkgewers moet daarop let dat ’n

werknemer hom- of haarself nie kan ontslaan

nie. Indien ’n werknemer diens verlaat

sonder enige kennisgewing of verduideliking

(ook bekend as afwesigheid sonder

toestemming of “dros”), is dit ’n dissiplinêre

oortreding. In sulke gevalle moet die

werkgewer die dissiplinêre proses volg om

seker te maak dat so ’n ontslag substantief

en prosedureel billik is. ’n Werknemer kan

slegs deur bedanking die diensverhouding

wettig beëindig van sy kant af.

Bedanking

Bedanking is ’n eensydige handeling van

die werknemer om die diensverhouding te

beëindig. Die werkgewer hoef dit nie formeel

te aanvaar om geldig te wees nie, maar

die werknemer moet steeds die toepaslike

kennisgewingstydperk nakom.

Artikel 37(4)(a) van die Wet op Basiese

Diensvoorwaardes (75 van 1997) stipuleer

dat ’n bedanking skriftelik moet plaasvind

tensy ’n werknemer ongeletterd is. Sakereg

dui aan dat ’n mondelinge bedanking onder

sekere omstandighede geldig kan wees

mits die werkgewer duidelik kan bewys dat

die werknemer se optrede ondubbelsinnig

is en duidelik die bedoeling toon om diens

te beëindig.

Voorbeelde van sulke gedrag sluit in:

• Die werknemer bedank mondelings en

verlaat die perseel;

• Die werknemer handig die werkgewer se

toerusting terug of die werknemer ontruim

sy tafel en vertrek;

• Die werknemer aanvaar onmiddellik daarna

werk by ’n ander werkgewer.

In praktyk kan dit egter probleme veroorsaak

indien ’n werknemer mondelings bedank

omdat dit dikwels moeilik is om te bewys dat ’n

werknemer bedank het. In sulke gevalle is dit

belangrik dat die werkgewer die werknemer

se gedrag skriftelik dokumenteer en die

werknemer formeel inlig dat die bedanking

aanvaar word as vrywillig.

Kan ’n werknemer ’n

bedanking terugtrek?

’n Werknemer het nie ’n reg op die terugtrek

van ’n bedanking nie, maar kan wel met die

werkgewer ooreenkom op toestemming vir

so terugtrekking. Die werkgewer het dan

twee opsies:

1. Weier die versoek: Die werknemer se

aanvanklike bedanking bly van krag en die

kennisgewingstydperk moet voltooi word.

2. Aanvaar die versoek: Die diensverhouding

gaan voort sonder enige onderbreking.

Geen nuwe kontrak is nodig nie, maar enige

veranderinge aan die diensvoorwaardes

moet onderling ooreengekom word – dit

mag nie eensydig gewysig word nie.

Hoe om bedankings te hanteer

Werknemers bedank om verskeie redes,

en werkgewers word aangeraai om met

die werknemer te konsulteer en enige

onderliggende kwessies te bespreek. Indien

die bedanking verdag of impulsief lyk

(byvoorbeeld in die hitte van die oomblik

ingedien), is dit raadsaam om behoorlik

met die werknemer te konsulteer en ’n

afkoelperiode toe te laat om moontlike

eise van konstruktiewe ontslag of onbillike

arbeidspraktyke te vermy.


FINANCIAL

COLUMN

by ANDRIES WIESE

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ESSENTIAL

PARTNERSHIPS,

marriage, and

mothers-in-law

South African agricultural debt stands at

R220 billion, and it is growing at a rate

of 9% per annum! In a very twisted way,

this sounds a bit like my marriage of more

than thirty years to my better half. Our debt

levels are nowhere near R220 billion, despite

her best efforts to edge us towards it, but at

least the kids are doing fine, and we have a

roof over our heads. Over the years, we have

had many sleepless nights figuring out what

was happening with the finances, the kids,

our jobs, and many more issues. My motherin-law

always commented on this, saying that

insomnia never bothered her because she

knew how to sleep and thus never struggled

to fall asleep. A lot of things are much easier if

you know how to do them.

Back to agricultural debt: the question then

is, how do bankers and financiers, all those

farmers who are so indebted, and insurers

who carry the physical risks underlying that

debt, close an eye at all? I reckon it’s because

they know what to do and what they are doing

– much like mother-in-law did.

This debt isn’t all terrible, as a lot of

it speaks to progress, new equipment,

expansion, and so forth. It is thus structured

and well-planned debt – at least some of it,

in any event.

We are all partners in this situation, and at

its heart, partnerships are what make any sort

of meaningful progress possible.



A caveat at this point is that some

partnerships can be disastrous. The key is

finding and being part of a partnership that

makes it possible for you to grow, innovate,

and tackle challenges that you wouldn’t

have been able to handle single-handedly.

This requires a few things, such as trust and

shared values. It also demands that both

parties commit to long-term success.

Successful businesses use insurance as

a tool to safeguard and mitigate against

any loss. At the very least, insurance should

allow you to do your thing and go about your

business without worrying that, if something

untoward happens, you’ll be left in the lurch.

This applies just as much to an individual

as it does to a partnership. Your insurer and

insurance should be a very real part of your

partnership and your entire business journey.

There are key areas where insurance acts

as a safety net for what you are busy with.

We know that ‘insurance’ is the partner

that takes care of things such as financial

protection, peace of mind, economic stability,

and managing your responsibilities. It can be

valuable to look at what these areas entail so

that you can also hold your insurance partner

responsible for what needs to be achieved.

• Financial protection: Protecting you

against unforeseen events with tools such

as medical and health cover, insurance

for assets and property, and income

replacement instruments. The list is long,

but these are some basics.

• Peace of mind: Knowing you are protected

from losses creates the space to focus

on what needs to be done without

worrying about the financial implications

of something going wrong. It also gives

you greater confidence to take calculated

risks, knowing you are covered for potential

losses, and brings additional support

systems to the table – including legal

assistance and logistical help.

• Economic stability: Insurance allows

businesses and individuals to recover

from losses much more quickly, as

policies typically can provide coverage

for interruption of operations, potential

lawsuits, and property damage. This

enables the business owner to continue

running the business without having

to drop everything just to manage

the situation.

• Managing responsibilities: Working

closely with your insurer can reduce

your exposure in very practical ways.

Your health insurer may require you

to undergo a medical check-up you

might have otherwise skipped, allowing

potential health issues to be identified

and addressed quickly. Your asset insurer

might ask you to relocate gas bottles to a

safer part of the premises, reducing the

risk of a gas explosion. Risk improvement

suggestions from your insurance

company can also put you in a position to

negotiate better terms and save money in

the process!


A truly successful partnership – both

personal and business – has a few

standout qualities that make it work:

• A shared vision and goals that allow

collective action.

• Mutual trust, which alleviates uncertainty.

• Complementary strengths, since you

cannot do everything well on your own.

• Commitment to the relationship and

long-term success.

Having the right partners – and, if managed

well, a strong partnership with your banker,

insurer, and suppliers – can bring risk

mitigation, innovation, cost savings, and

optimal use of financial, intellectual, and

material resources.

Naturally, there are a few risks in

partnerships that need to be understood

too. These can be managed by regularly

assessing progress and achievements, and by

developing flexibility to adapt when needed.

It doesn’t matter what you’re farming

with or which business you’re in – we are

stronger together, and a partnership is

simply a structured form of ‘being together’.

Partnerships are essential, and the best ones

are monuments to what can be achieved.

Think Christo Wiese and Whitey Basson,

Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger,

Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Think you and your

life partner!

It does have some similarities with being

married – not the least of which is the

occasional irritation or upset. Much like

a marriage, working through the issues

and calming the waters is often the most

rewarding part. Sometimes, you also have

to tune out well-meaning (or not so wellmeaning)

advice and comments from others,

including your mother-in-law. Your journey

is unique, and your partnerships and plans

must be tailored to your specific needs.

The key to any essential partnership is clear

communication, honesty, and putting things

in writing!


NAVORSING EN OPLEIDING • RESEARCH AND TRAINING

SCAN or

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The SCIENCE of

EXHALOMICS

By Maureen Hanson

There’s an innovative new way to potentially monitor

the digestive activity, environmental impact, and health

of dairy cows – and it is as simple as breathing.

Dairy nutrition researcher Dr Mutian Niu,

assistant professor of animal nutrition at

ETH Zurich, Switzerland, explained the

science of ‘exhalomics’ on a recent edition

of the Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt. Dr Niu said

exhalomics is the study of metabolites and

compounds found in exhaled breath.


Exhalomics have already been studied

in humans and mice. One example of an

application is the early detection of lung

cancer in humans. In ruminant species, Dr

Niu said the technology is especially exciting

because the rumen releases gases that are

exhaled in the breath, providing a proxy for

rumen fermentation activity by measuring

rumen volatile fatty acids.

That opens up a world of investigative

possibilities for ruminant nutrition research

and solves a critical challenge for Dr Niu

and his colleagues. When he studied in the

United States at Penn State University and the

University of California-Davis, he had ready

access to rumen-cannulated cows from which

rumen fluid samples could be collected. In all

of Switzerland, there are only six, and four of

them are in his research facility at Zurich.

Studying exhaled breath provides a noninvasive

alternative to access a window into

rumen fermentation activity. So far, Dr Niu’s

team has been using exhalomics to measure

methane emissions based on different diets.

They use a GreenFeed sampling device to

collect the exhalation samples, and have

concurrently evaluated other compounds in

those samples.

They initially assessed whether exhalomics

could accurately measure volatile fatty acids

(VFA) when compared to more traditional

rumen sampling methods. They found a

reasonable correlation between the two when

assessing fluctuating acetate, propionate,

and butyrate levels relative to feed intake. The

correlation between results was also strong

when they measured the VFAs in a 16% drymatter

starch ration versus a 6% starch ration.

Monitoring changes in rumen dynamics

can be predictive of digestive efficiency and

balance. For example, Dr Niu noted that it can

predict changes in rumen pH and provide

an early warning for the development of

subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA).

“By directly looking at the metabolic profile

via exhalomics, I hope we can eventually get

a real-time, more frequent and non-invasive

aspect to reflect rumen fermentation,”

Dr Niu stated.

And the potential for exhalomics in dairy

cattle spans beyond the rumen. Researchers

are also working to pinpoint biomarkers in

exhaled breath to promote early detection of

respiratory disease, ketosis, mastitis, metritis,

and displaced abomasum in real time.


MOO-VING WHEELS

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FARMING

and

TYRES

During the 2025 Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day in Bothaville,

Bridgestone Southern Africa drew attention to a vital but

often overlooked input cost in farming operations: tyres. As

farmers face mounting input costs, the company is calling

for greater recognition of the role premium-quality tyres

play in sustaining agricultural productivity and stability.

Recent estimates indicate that farmers

collectively maintain an inventory of

tyres valued at more than R1,2 billion

annually across their agricultural vehicles,

including tractors, harvesters, bakkies,

motorcycles, and other equipment. This figure

reflects the tyres used across an estimated

two to five vehicles per farm, underlining the

significant role tyres play in farm operations.

The R1,2 billion figure is based on an

internal estimate using a conservative

calculation of approximately 30 000

commercial farms in South Africa. This figure

considers a median of three vehicles per farm,

which is typical for commercial operations,

and multiplies this by a median tyre price

across the agricultural range (including

motorcycles, bakkies, and tractors).


Premium tyres are more

than just components;

they’re a critical enabler

of uptime, safety, and

cost-efficiency on farms.

Statistics South Africa reported over

40 000 farms in 2017, making this estimate

a conservative reflection of tyre-related

investments within the agricultural sector.

Farmers realise that there are long-term

advantages to investing in technology, from

advanced machinery and drone monitoring

to weather apps and soil testing. Yet tyres,

critical to efficient operations, can sometimes

be overlooked.

Premium tyres, designed with advanced

materials and technology, are built to last

longer, reducing the frequency and cost of

replacements over time.

Bridgestone’s advanced agricultural tyres

offer benefits such as:

» reduced soil compaction;

» better traction; and

» lower fuel consumption, which can directly

impact a farm’s bottom line.

“In an environment where input prices

are rising faster than returns from crops and

livestock, it’s essential that every rand counts,”

says Jacques Rikhotso, vice president of

Bridgestone Africa Middle East. “Premium

tyres are more than just components; they’re

a critical enabler of uptime, safety, and costefficiency

on farms.”

Bridgestone proudly showcased its range

of locally manufactured tyres at NAMPO,

including specialised truck and trailer tyres,

motorcycle and utility tyres, and the all-new

Dueler A/T002 – the latest in all-terrain

technology, built for rural conditions. The

company also demonstrated its innovative

Very High Flexion (VF) tyres, featuring

advanced tread designs, engineered to

handle heavy loads and variable terrain.



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READY TO SEE WHAT’S NEW

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021 979 1303

www.barenbrug.co.za

The Dairy Mail June 2025

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