The Dairy Mail Jan 2026

Vol 33 • No 01 • JANUARY 2026

R46,50 incl VAT • ISSN: 1561-4301

VOORKOMING begin

by SIGBAARHEID:

Naspeurbaarheid en

biosekuriteit in 2026

FMD STRATEGY

prioritises dairy herds

IN THIS ISSUE: NASPEURBAARHEID EN BIOSEKURITEIT IN 2026 | VOORKOMING EN GOEIE

BEPLANNING IS BETER AS GENESING | PLANTAIN IN DAIRY SYSTEMS |

BPI 291

TYPE 112

MAM 119

FERT 105

HWI 211

SI 290

INTRODUCING

187JE05751 BROOKBORA BERT-ET

ROULETTE X VANAHLEM X ACTION JH1C JHPF JNS-TF A2A2

JERSEY NASIS: 30JJW03 BETA CASEIN: A2A2

DAM: ASPIRE VANAHLEM CHARO EX 92

MGD: TOPSHELF ACTION CHARO EX90 STP6

MGGD: TOPSHELF B CHARO EX91 (BERETTA)

MGGGD: BLAXLAND JUDE CHARO EX90

291 BPI

BERT (187JE05751)

INDEXES

12-25 AUS GENETIC EVAL 0 dtrs. 0 herds

12-25 PHYSICAL TRAIT EVALUATION

BPI 291 374

HWI 211 360

SI 290 761

PRODUCTION

MILK BV 376 566

FAT BV 320

FATP BV -0.33 -0.19

PROT BV 12 23

PROTP BV -0.01 0.09

HEALTH AND FERTILITY TRAITS

SURV BV 102 110

MAS BV 97 102

FERT BV 105

LIKE BV 105 106

BPI/REL.

SI

ASI

MILK

FAT %

FAT

PROTEIN %

PROTEIN

MILKING SPEED

TEMPERAMENT

LIKABILTY

FEED SAVED

HEAT TOLERANCE

SURVIVAL

CELL COUNT

MASTITIS

DTR. FERTILITY

CALVING EASE

GESTATION

291/70

290

81

376

-0.33

3

-0.01

12

103

105

105

-45

102

102

82

97

105

NA

4

OVERALL TYPE

MAMMARY

STATURE

CHEST WIDTH

BODY DEPTH

ANGULARITY

PIN SET

PIN WIDTH

REAR LEG SET

REAR LEG REAR VIEW

FOOT ANGLE

FORE ATTACHMENT

REAR ATTACHMENT HEIGHT

REAR ATTACHMENT WIDTH

CENTRE LIGAMENT

UDDER DEPTH

TEAT PLACE FORE

TEAT PLACE REAR

TEAT LENGTH

112

119

104

100

104

109

99 O

109

99 C

103

99

107

110

111

116

104 O

113 C

116 C

95

TEMP BV 105

MSPEED BV 103

25% 50% 75% 100%

Bottom 25% 25% - 50% 50% - 75% Top 25%

Genomic Eval.

12-25 AUS

ASPIRE ASKN CHARO Ex91 MAX

MATERNAL SISTER TO BERT

“

He’s a special one!

WATCH BERT VIDEO HERE

“

®

WORLD WIDE SIRES

S O U T H A F R I C A

B THE DAIRYMAIL • JANUARY 2026

HERE FOR YOU.

wwsires.com

SOOS ONS DIT SIEN • AS WE SEE IT

NAVIGATING

THE DAIRY

FRONTIER

IN 2026

As we enter 2026, the dairy industry

finds itself at a defining moment.

The past few years have tested our

resilience, but they have also proven our

ability to adapt. This January, technological

maturity and environmental necessity

are no longer parallel conversations, they

have converged.

2026 must be the year of precision

resilience: regenerative grazing to buffer

climate volatility, decentralised energy to

stabilise costs and data led herd decisions to

unlock efficiency.

Die boere wat floreer, is dié wat presies

kan bewys hoekom en hoe hul stelsels werk.

Biosekuriteit en naspeurbaarheid is nie meer

onderhandelbaar nie. ’n Geloofwaardige,

individuele diereID is die toegangsbewys

tot premiemarkte en verbruikersvertroue.

Dink daaraan as ’n paspoort: sonder dit bly

jy gegrond; met dit kan jou handelsmerk

instaan vir gesondheidsversekering, etiese

standaarde en deursigtige herkoms.

As processors experiment with precision

fermented proteins, traditional producers

have an opportunity to reaffirm bovine milk as

the nutrient dense gold standard – provided

they can substantiate animal welfare, food

safety and environmental footprint through

verifiable metrics.

Soos ons dit sien, is Januarie 2026 nie

bloot die begin van net nóg ’n jaar nie; dit

dui die aanvang aan van ’n gesofistikeerde

tydvak van suiwelbestuur waarin plaaslike

kundigheid en wêreldwye tendense saamvloei

om ’n volhoubare en winsgewende bedryf te

skep. Dit is die begin van ’n era waar bewyse

belangriker as beloftes is. Die jaar waarin

ons sáám vorentoe beweeg met dieselfde

vasberadenheid en vindingrykheid wat ons

sektor al dekades lank kenmerk.

JANUARY 2026 • THE DAIRYMAIL 1

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2 THE DAIRYMAIL • JANUARY 2026

FROM THE PUBLISHERS DESK

As we enter 2026, I’d like to wish every

farmer, producer and partner of

The Dairymail a healthy, prosperous

and truly blessed year ahead.

This year will bring its share of challenges.

Agriculture has never been simple, and the

road ahead will demand resilience, discipline

and clear thinking. Yet history reminds us that

farmers don’t shy away from pressure; they

adapt, they learn and they build forward.

Progress accelerates

when producers learn

from one another.

Strength is built

when an industry

stands together.

I believe that if we focus on what’s within

our control – taking each day as it comes,

making the best decisions we can today and

committing to steady improvement 2026 can

be a meaningful turning point.

The role of The Dairymail remains clear:

to share information that is practical, timely

and relevant. Best practice only has value

when it’s shared. Progress accelerates when

producers learn from one another. Strength

is built when an industry stands together.

If we stay committed to collaboration,

open knowledge‐sharing, and consistent

daily progress, this year can be a stepping

stone to something greater, not only for

individual businesses, but for the dairy

industry as a whole.

Thank you for your continued trust and

support. May 2026 be a year of wisdom,

health and steady growth for you and

your operation.

Jacques Basson

Publisher, The Dairymail

CONTACT US

BYE-BYE BUZZZZZ…


CONTENTS INHOUDSOPGAWE

8

37

1 Soos ons dit sien • As we see it

3 From the publisher’s desk

7 Meet the team | Suiwelkalender

BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

8 Voorkoming begin by sigbaarheid:

Naspeurbaarheid en biosekuriteit

in 2026

13 FMD strategy prioritises dairy herds

18 Voorkoming en goeie beplanning, is

beter as genesing

22 Dairy economic indicators

26 Dairy digits

28 Kortliks • Briefly

30 The Seasonal Logic of Ryegrass:

How Growth Patterns Shape

Pasture Outcomes

PRODUKSIE • PRODUCTION

32 Plantain in dairy systems:

Turning establishment challenges

into opportunity

37 Die 7 ‘B’s’ van Presisieboerdery: Waarom

data die nuwe goud in die veebedryf is

42 ’n Meer stabiele voermark in sig vir 2026?

RENTMEESTERSKAP • STEWARDSHIP

46 Electric motorbikes drive greener milk

collection in Kenya

BESTUUR • MANAGEMENT

49 Onafhanklike kontrakteurs vs werknemers

52 Arbeidskolom

Die hantering van dros en langdurige

afwesigheid in die werksplek


INHOUD • CONTENTS

55

Produced by

Editorial contributions

Email: content@maxmediagroup.co.za

Advertising & rates

Email: sales@maxmediagroup.co.za

Ilse Liveris • Tel: 072 708 4401

Charlene Bam • Tel: 061 500 7991

NAVORSING EN OPLEIDING •

RESEARCH AND TRAINING

55 Don’t get caught with your genes on

your knees

60 Research column

Beef-on-dairy: Opportunity or threat to

the beef industry?

63 National strategy to contain Foot and

Mouth Disease (FMD)

MOO-VING WHEELS

65 Watter trekkers werk regtig goed op

Suid-Afrikaanse suiwelplase?

Accounts & subscriptions

Email: charlene@maxmediagroup.co.za

Charlene Bam • Tel: 061 500 7991

On the cover / Op die voorblad

Soos die son deur die wolke breek op

die pragtige Dalfreuch Melkplaas in die

Oos-Kaap breek nuwe geleenthede aan.

Elke sonstraal bring ’n belofte van groei –

gryp elke geleentheid ten volle aan. Mag

2026 ’n jaar van lig en oorvloed wees in

ons suiwelgemeenskap!

Expressions of opinion, claims and statements of supposed

facts do not necessarily reflect the views of The Dairymail,

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

accurately, The Dairymail, 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

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referred to as MPO

South African Milk Processors’

Organisation, referred to as SAMPRO

Milk South Africa,

referred to as Milk SA


DelPro

Revolutionary

new look and user-friendly

Herd Management System

• Concise screen of herd summary of overall herd performance and

management. A 5 second glance and you will know if there is a

problem.

• We have revolutionized the system, and evolved the user interface

to provide a more user-friendly navigation and herd management

experience.

• Features include : 99 feed ration tables; integration with latest

DeLaval technology such as Body Condition Score camera and

many more cool stuff.


MEET THE TEAM

THAT CARES:

SWITCHBOARD: 012 843 5600

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

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

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC SERVICES

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ECONOMIST

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

MEMBER SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

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

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REGIONS

MPO WESTERN CAPE

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

MPO NORTH

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MPO KWAZULU-NATAL

Debbie Last kzn@mpo.co.za 060 945 1735

MPO EASTERN CAPE

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TRAINING AND TRANSFORMATION SERVICES

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

SOME EVENTS TO

LOOK FORWARD TO

26 – 28 FEBRUARY 2026

Bieliemieliefees

Reitz, Oos-Vrystaat

11 – 13 MARCH 2026

International Dairy Federation

Joint Symposium on Mastitis

& Milking Technology

Stockholm, Sweden

4 FEBRUARY 2026

Dairy-Tech 2026

Stoneleigh Park, UK

11 – 13 MARCH 2026

11 th Agritec Africa

Gallagher Convention

Centre, Johannesburg

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.

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.

30 – 31 MARCH 2026

MENA

Dairy Congress

Al-Ain, UAE

FOR EXPERT ADVICE

CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL

ADVISORS NEAR YOU


SKANDEER of

KLIK om te kyk

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te luister

VOORKOMING

begin by

SIGBAARHEID:

Naspeurbaarheid en

biosekuriteit in 2026

Waarom hierdie

gesprek nou saak maak


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Suid-Afrikaanse suiwelprodusente

beweeg ’n jaar binne waar biosekuriteit

en naspeurbaarheid nie meer

’n keuse is nie, maar ’n bedryfskritieke

vereiste vir voedselsekerheid, versekering

en marktoegang. In ’n onlangse gesprek

gesels Jacques Basson, Andy Henson,

Jan Myburgh en Alex van Rooyen oor die

kernwaarheid: voorkoming is goedkoper as

krisisbestuur en sigbaarheid is die hefboom.

Wanneer ons vroeg weet (sigbaarheid),

kan ons vinnig doen (reaksie), en só beperk

ons die koste, vir boerderye én die breër

waardeketting.

VAN PAPIER NA DATA:

wat naspeurbaarheid in

praktyk beteken

Die skuif weg van papierrekords na reëletyd

digitale naspeurbaarheid beteken dat elke

op en aflaai en kontakpunt binne sekondes

vasgelê, gedeel en geverifieer kan word.

Wanneer plaas, veiling, vervoerder, voerkraal

en abattoir onder dieselfde plekID/GLN en

ID-skanderingprosedure werk, antwoord die

stelsel outomaties: wie, wat, waar, wanneer.

Papier is geduldig; tegnologie gee spoed én

akkuraatheid:

» Vinniger epidemiologie: kontakgroepe in

ure, nie dae nie.

» Verifieerbare dokumentasie: logspore

dien as bewys vir inspeksies en eise.

» Beter verhandelbaarheid: kopers en

verwerkers vra deursigtigheid vóór hulle

vertroue uitbrei.

BIOSEKURITEIT:

vier gewoontes wat

wins beskerm

Die paneel beklemtoon dat bestuur gedrag

is: klein, konsekwente handelinge lewer die

groot impak:

1. Toegangbeheer by hekke en melkkamer

(besoekersregister, skoen/wielhigiëne).

2. Sonebestuur (kalf/vars vs. kwarantyn/

herstel) en ’n skoon vloei van

mense/toerusting.

3. Bewegingslogboeke – digitaal;

skandeer elke beweging.

4. Vroeë rapportering van simptome en

onmiddellike isolasie.

Kies gedrag bo dokumente: ’n eenvoudige

hekprotokol het reeds ’n byna-uitbraak

verhoed, bloot omdat elke besoek en

voertuigbeweging digitaal aangeteken is.


RAND EN SENT:

die ekonomie van voorkoming

Goedkoop bestuur is duurkoop; los

dissipline, en jy koop ontwrigting. Die koste

van siekte is méér as behandelingsrekeninge.

Dit sluit in:

» verlore melk en melkgehalteafslag,

» logistieke ontwrigting (verskuiwings,

afleweringsvensters),

» personeelspanning en oortyd,

» vertrouenskoste by verwerkers en markte.

’n Basiese stel praktyke – ID skandering,

toegangsbeheer, roetineontsmetting

en streng beweginglogs verlaag die

waarskynlikheid én verkort die duur van

ontwrigting.

Voorkoming spaar tyd en

geld: ’n klein daaglikse

koste aan dissipline spaar

jou duisende wanneer die

onvoorsiene klop.

TEGNOLOGIE, minus

die “buzzwords”

Die waarde lê nie in groot, duur “stelsels” nie,

maar in klein skakels wat praat:

» PlekID/GLN vir elke produksieeenheid.

» ’n Bewegingsapp:

skandeer → verifieer → log binne minute.

» Datadeling met toestemming: die

bedryf behou eienaarskap; owerhede kry

doeltreffende insig vir siektebeheer.

“Data bly by die bedryf; ons deel die sein

wat saak maak. Dít bou vertroue en versnel

uitsluitsels.”

Drie plaasvlakaksies vir Q1 2026

1. Merk jou plekke met GLN en

standaardiseer skandering vir elke

dierbeweging.

2. Hersien hek en melkkamerprotokol

(plakkaat, voetbaddens, wielwas,

besoekersreëls).

3. Boosterkalender: bespreek dit saam

met jou veearts; hou koueketting

en logrekords.

Doen dit vandag: begin by die hek en by jou

foon – GLN, skandeer, log.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

BKS: die harde werklikheid

agter die beginsels

Die paneel is reguit: die huidige

bekenklouseer (BKS) situasie is ernstig en op

plekke reaktief. Uitdagings sluit in vertraagde

laboratoriumtoetse, bewegings by veilings en

ontoereikende afdwinging. Die ekonomiese

impak is verreikend, veral vir voerkrale en

melkplase waar kwaliteit/markvereistes

onverbiddelik is.

» Oorsake/uitdagings: vuil voertuie,

onvoldoende skoonmaak, komplekse

bewegingspatrone (veral by veilings), en ’n

ontoereikende begrip oor die erns van BKS.

» ‘Bemarkingsiekte’dimensie: BKS raak

internasionale marktoegang, selfs al raak

dit nie mensegesondheid direk nie.

» Enting: ’n praktiese deel van beheer; die

onderskeid tussen ent en infeksiepositief

bly ’n markkommunikasieuitdaging;

‘enting vir slagting’ in voerkrale is ’n

realistiese skokbreker.

TEN SLOTTE:

kultuur eet protokol vir ontbyt

Die paneel is dit eens: Maak biosekuriteit en

naspeurbaarheid deel van jou kultuur, nie

net ’n aftiklysie nie. Dan word dit die gewone

manier van werk en die sterkste entstof teen

ontwrigting. Die pad vorentoe vra dissipline,

data en deursigtigheid; sigbaarheid bly

die beginpunt.

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te kyk

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te luister


ALGEHELE

MELKHIGIËNE

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skoonmaak - middels, ontsmettingsmiddels

en spesialis oplossings vir:

• Massatenks • Melkmasjiene

• Vervaardigingsaanlegte

011 708 0209

info@bransonchemicals.co.za

www.bransonchemicals.co.za


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

FMD STRATEGY

PRIORITISES

DAIRY HERDS

Government outlines a decade long, science‐based

plan to contain Foot and mouth disease and

protect milk production

By The Dairymail Editorial Team

The Department of Agriculture has

unveiled an ambitious, science driven

national strategy to contain Foot and

mouth disease (FMD), placing dairy herds

firmly among the highest priority livestock

categories for protection as South Africa

works towards restoring its international

animal health status.

Speaking in Pretoria earlier this month,

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen

acknowledged the severe toll ongoing

FMD outbreaks have taken on the country’s

livestock producers, describing the loss of

FMD free status in 2019 as a turning point

for the sector.

“Since losing our foot and mouth disease

free status in 2019, our farmers have faced

unprecedented challenges,” Steenhuisen

said. “We see your struggles. We understand

the financial and emotional toll that the

outbreaks have had on your families and

livelihoods.”


Ten year roadmap to

restore confidence

The strategy, which will be implemented over

the next ten years, aims to stabilise outbreaks

in the short term while laying the groundwork

for eventual recognition of national freedom

from FMD through vaccination by the World

Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Steenhuisen was blunt about the

complexity of the task ahead.

“I must be frank with the nation: achieving

FMD free status is a monumental task that will

not happen overnight,” he said.

The phased approach will begin with

containment and consolidation, followed

by a longer term transition towards possible

vaccine withdrawal and final international

recognition.

Targeted vaccination places

dairies at the forefront

For the dairy industry, the most significant

aspect of the strategy is the explicit

prioritisation of dairy cows for 100%

vaccination coverage in high risk areas.

According to the department, mass

vaccination campaigns will initially focus on

districts identified through scientific risk

mapping, with a goal of reaching at least 80%

coverage in communal cattle populations

and up to 100% coverage in feed lots and

dairy herds.

“Vaccination is not a silver bullet,”

Steenhuisen cautioned. “It is merely one of

the tools that can and should be used to

combat FMD.”

Government aims to reduce outbreak

incidence by over 70% within 12 months

in high risk provinces, while safeguarding

currently FMD free provinces through buffer

vaccination and strict movement controls.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Strong technical leadership

across the value chain

To translate policy into practice, the

Ministerial Advisory Task Team on Animal

Disease Prevention and Control, chaired

by Dr Emily Mogajane, Chief Director:

Biosecurity Coordination, has been tasked

with driving implementation.

Dr Mogajane’s team brings together

veterinary experts from government, research

institutions and industry, including specialists

with direct dairy sector involvement.

Among the private sector

representatives are:

» Dr Jacque Marais, representing the

dairy industry

» Dr Anthony Davis, representing

milk processors

» Dr Mark Chimes, Chairperson of

the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis

Steering Committee

» Prof. Dietmar Holm (University of Pretoria),

specialising in bovine herd health

The task team reports directly to Value

Chain Round Tables, ensuring alignment

between producers, processors and export

stakeholders.

Vaccine supply secured through

multiple sources

A key concern for dairy producers has been

vaccine availability. Government confirmed

that a multi supplier approach is being used

to secure sufficient volumes.

High potency trivalent vaccines (SAT 1, 2

and 3) will be used, sourced from global and

regional partners, including Biogénesis Bagó

in Argentina and the Botswana Vaccine

Institute (BVI).

One million doses are ready for shipment

from Argentina once regulatory approvals

are finalised, with a further five million

doses expected by March 2026. In parallel,

BVI has confirmed capacity to supply one

million doses per month, once production

constraints ease.

Local production scaled up

To improve long term resilience, local

production is being ramped up through the

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP).

Initial production will deliver 20 000 doses

per week, scaling up to an eventual capacity

of 960 000 doses, with an accelerated

contribution of an additional 12 000 doses

expected by mid February.

International quality assurance will be

maintained through antigenic matching at

the Pirbright Institute in the UK, ensuring

vaccines remain effective against South

Africa’s circulating field strains.


Enhanced surveillance

and movement control

The strategy places strong emphasis on

digital traceability, with the rollout of the

Livestock Identification and Traceability

System (LITS) in collaboration with RMIS

and the CSIR.

Through RMIS’s Operational Centre,

authorities are now using a real time digital

heatmap to track confirmed and suspected

outbreaks within a 10 km radius – a system

already proving valuable in improving

response times.

“With the integration of advanced

technology, we are no longer fighting this

disease in the dark,” Steenhuisen said.

A call for partnership

The Minister concluded with a direct appeal

to producers and veterinarians.

“The success of this strategy relies on the

cooperation of every citizen,” Steenhuisen

said. “We need our farmers to work hand in

hand with state and private veterinarians,

report clinical signs immediately and strictly

adhere to movement controls.”

For the dairy industry, the message is

clear: while recovery will take time, dairy

herds are central to the national containment

strategy and industry cooperation will be

critical to restoring market confidence at

home and abroad.

Provincial focus: dairies under

heightened protection

KwaZulu‐Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North

West have been identified as the hardest hit

provinces, with immediate mass vaccination

planned across affected districts.

In these regions, 100% vaccination of dairy

cows and feed lot cattle will be repeated

within three months, alongside strengthened

movement controls and market surveillance.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

FAST FACTS | National FMD Containment Plan

As announced on 14 January 2026 by Minister John Steenhuisen,

Minister of Agriculture

Objective: Contain Foot and mouth disease (FMD) and restore

South Africa’s international animal health status

Strategy length: 10-year, phased national programme

End goal: Recognition of FMD freedom through vaccination by the

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

Vaccination focus: Risk based, targeted using scientific heat maps

Coverage targets:

» 100% of dairy cows and feed lots

» 90% of commercial herds

» 80% of communal cattle

Outbreak reduction target:

» >70% reduction in high risk provinces

within 12 months

High risk provinces:

» KwaZulu‐Natal, Gauteng, Free

State, North West

Governance:

» Ministerial Advisory Task Team on Animal

Disease Prevention and Control chaired by

Dr Emily Mogajane

Vaccines used:

High potency trivalent vaccines (SAT 1,

SAT 2, SAT 3)

Vaccine supply sources:

» Biogénesis Bagó (Argentina)

» Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI)

» Dollvet (Turkey)

» Local production via ARC and OBP

Quality control: All vaccines matched

to South African field strains at the

Pirbright Institute (UK)

Industry role:

» Immediate reporting of symptoms

» Compliance with movement controls

» Cooperation with state and private

veterinarians

Traceability & surveillance:

» Livestock Identification and Traceability

System (LITS)

» Real time digital outbreak

heatmap via RMIS

» Expanded laboratory capacity at ARC and

Onderstepoort


VOORKOMING en

GOEIE BEPLANNING,

is beter as genesing

Deur The Dairymail redaksie

Sedert Suid Afrika se BKS-vrye

status in 2019 opgeskort is, leef die

suiwelwaardeketting met die koste van

Bek-en-Klouseer (BKS). Die tol op produsente,

verwerkers en werkers was en is groot:

herhaalde uitbrake, bewegingsbeperkings en

verlore marktoegang het die veerkragtigheid

van ’n sektor wat ons voedselsekuriteit

dra, uitgekalwe.

Dít is hoekom die Departement

van Landbou se nuwe tienjaar,

wetenskapgedrewe bek-enklouseerbeheerstrategie

van kardinale

belang is. Vir eens is die plan nie dubbelsinnig

oor die sentrale rol van suiwel nie: 100%

inentingsdekking vir melkkoeie in

hoërisikogebiede, gesteun deur digitale

naspeurbaarheid, opgegradeerde

diagnostiek en strenger bewegingbeheer.

Volgens Minister Steenhuizen is dit ’n

langtermynverbintenis tot die gesondheid

van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie en

voedselvoorraad sekuriteit. “Enting is nie ’n

towerstaffie nie, dit is een van die instrumente

wat gebruik móét word om BKS te bekamp.”


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

’n Plan wat uiteindelik

SUIWEL EERSTE PLAAS

Minister John Steenhuisen het ’n

gefaseerde plan uiteengesit om uitbrake

te stabiliseer, risiko stap vir stap te verklein,

en uiteindelik WOA-herkenning na te

streef vir BKS-vrystatus met inenting.

Die strategie prioritiseer massainenting

volgens epidemiologiese kolkaarte

(heatmaps), met teikens van ≥80% dekking

in gemeenskapsbeeste, ongeveer 90% in

kommersiële kuddes en 100% in voerkraalén

suiwelkuddes met herhaling binne drie

maande in kritiese provinsies. Die geteikende

uitkoms is ’n >70% vermindering in uitbrake

binne 12 maande in hoërisikogebiede.

Uit ’n bedryfoogpunt strook hierdie

prioriteite met wat die MPO en

waardekettingvennote reeds vra: betroubare

entstofvoorsiening, duidelike spelreëls,

geloofwaardige naspeurbaarheid en

laboratoriumkapasiteit wat monsters vinnig in

besluite kan omskep.

VOORSIENING, GEHALTE

EN SPOED: drie pilare van

inentingsgeloofwaardigheid

Die plan steun op veelvuldige entstofbronne:

hoëpotensie trivalente SAT (1, 2, 3) entstowwe

van wêreldverskaffers soos Biogénesis

Bagó (Argentinië), streeksvoorsiening

van die Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI),

noodgevalinvoer van Dollvet (Turkye),

en ’n plaaslike skaalvergroting via die

Landbounavorsingsraad en Onderstepoort.

Volgens die Departement is een miljoen

dosisse gereed vir versending uit Argentinië

sodra permitte uitgereik is, met tot vyf

miljoen teen Maart 2026; BVI het kapasiteit

herbevestig en reeds onlangse alewerings

na SA gedoen; en LNR/OBP vergroot

plaaslike produksie.

Die wetenskap is duidelik:

entstofeffektiwiteit berus op potensie,

antigeniese passing en korrekte skedulering,

en moet deel vorm van breër biosekuriteit en

bewegingbeheer.

“Die suiwelsektor kan nie nasionale

voedselsekuriteit beskerm sonder duidelike,

konsekwente leiding oor diergesondheid

en betroubare toegang tot entstowwe nie,”

het MPO uitvoerende hoof Fanie Ferreira

in Desember aangevoer, met ’n beroep om

goedkeurings en lewerings te versnel.


MEER AS NET NAALDE:

die ruggraat van toesig en

naspeurbaarheid

Die stelsel wat deur die Departement beskryf

word, versterk die LNR Onderstepoort

laboratorium netwerk, en rol die Livestock

Identification and Traceability System (LITS)

uit met die RMIS se operasionele platform,

insluitend digitale uitbraakkaarte en ’n

produsentvriendelike bewegingstoepassing

(Movement app) vir die aanmelding van

dierebeweging. Sáám verbeter hierdie

hulpmiddels biosekuriteit, versnel reaksietyd

en onderbou marktoegang.

Dit is die rigting wat wêreldstandaardstellers

verwag; die WOAH en FAO beklemtoon vroeë

opsporing, toesig, bewegingbeheer, inenting

en naspeurbaarheid binne die Progressive

Control Pathway (PCP) om geloofwaardigheid

in handel te herstel.

“Veenaspeurbaarheid is onontbeerlik

as ons die ekonomiese potensiaal van die

lewendehawebedryf wil ontsluit,” het Theo

Boshoff van Agbiz onlangs uitgelig.

Vir suiwel is naspeurbaarheid ook die pad

om markte vir melk- en suiwelprodukte weer

oop te maak en te beskerm, selfs terwyl

rooivleisprotokolle herstel.

Waar die KNELPUNTE

steeds knaag

Ons verwelkom die multiverskaffer

entstofstrategie, dit weerspieël harde lesse

van 2024 en 2025 toe entstoftekorte boere en

veeartse in ’n brandblustoestand gelaat het

en die bedryf en produsente duur betaal het,

in alle opsigte.

Die plan se plaaslike produksiespoor

móét daarom van belofte na prestasie

beweeg. Die LNR het tussentydse

spesifikasies gepubliseer en tydlyne

vir plaaslike vervaardigingskapasiteit

gekommunikeer, maar die land het ook ’n

funksionerende Onderstepoort nodig en

onlangse ondersoeke beklemtoon hoeveel

herstel nog voorlê.

Provinsiale prioriteite en

SUIWEL SE ROL

Die Departement het KwaZulu‐Natal,

Gauteng, Vrystaat en Noordwes as provinsies

wat die swaarste getref is geëdentifiseer,

met onmiddellike massainenting (100% van

suiwelkuddes) en herhaalveldtogte binne

drie maande. Bufferinenting sal tans BKS‐vrye

sones beskerm; halfjaarlikse veldtogte

sal fokus op wild ook, waar buffels die

risiko bemoeilik.

Produsente se verantwoordelikhede

bly duidelik: rapporteer kliniese tekens

onmiddellik, hou by bewegingbeheer, en

gebruik die naspeurbaarheidhulpmiddels.

Dit weerspieël wêreldriglyne van WOAH/FAO

en is die vinnigste roete terug na normale

logistiek, stabiele pryse en herstelde vertroue.

In die woorde van Minister Steenhuisen:

“Die sukses van hierdie strategie berus

op die samewerking van elke burger. Ons

het ons boere nodig om hand aan hand

met veeartse te werk, kliniese tekens

onmiddellik te rapporteer en streng by

bewegingbeheer te hou.”


PRAKTIESE STAPPE vir

suiwelprodusente

» Dring aan op deursigtigheid oor

entstoflewerings, vervaardingsnommergehalte,

antigeniese passing en

effekitiwiteit.

» Borg aanvaarding van LITS/RMIS

hulpmiddels regdeur suiwelstreke – as

dit nie aangeteken word nie, het dit

nie gebeur nie.

» Versterk veeartsenykundige riglyne

oor protokolle: skedulering, aanvullers

en biosekuriteit in melkstal, kalf en

versebestuur, belyn met nasionale riglyne

en wêreldstandaardpraktyke.

» Registreer en verifieer ligging (GLN)

en teken dierebeweging aan op die

RMIS‐platform of Movement app; dis nou

deel van die daaglikse protokol.

» Skakel met jou staat/privaat veearts

om in die eerste rondte inentingskedule

ingesluit te word; hou hanteringsrekords,

en bespreek reeds die aanvuller (booster).

» Verskerp biosekuriteit op die plaas:

beperk besoekers, ontsmet wiele en

skoeisel, hou siek diere eenkant en isoleer

nuwelinge totdat hulle skoon verklaar is.

» Rapporteer vermoedelike letsels of

skielike melkverlies onmiddellik via

jou provinsiale veeartskanale; vroeë

rapportering versterk en verbeter

die digitale kolkaart (heatmap) en

hulpbrontoedeling.

SLOTSOM

BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Voorkoming en goeie beplanning is beter

en goedkoper as genesing. Suid Afrika

se suiwelprodusente dra sedert 2019 ’n

buitensporige deel van die BKS-las. Hierdie

plan, as dit vinnig, gedissiplineerd en

deursigtig uitgevoer word, kan die trajek

verander. Soos die Minister dit gestel het:

“Deur ons nasionale kudde te beskerm,

beskerm ons ons toekoms.” Ons stem saam en

is gereed om ons deel te doen.


DAIRY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

MONITORING

DAIRY RETAIL PRICES

by Jade Smith, MPO economist

MPO Economic Desk:

Guided by science, rooted in knowledge

The MPO has prepared the following figures to illustrate how average

retail prices for fresh milk, long-life milk, and Cheddar cheese

varied across brands in 2025.

(Source: BMI as supplied by Agri Inspec).


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

In 2025, dairy prices in South Africa varied widely by brand. Fresh milk and Cheddar were

volatile, while long-life milk followed more predictable trends, and retailers’ own brands

remained the most affordable. The extent of price fluctuation may also reflect differing

pricing strategies as brands sought to gain or protect market share.

2L fresh full cream milk prices for 2025

R39,00

Price for 2L fresh full cream milk

R38,00

R37,00

R36,00

R35,00

R34,00

R33,00

R32,00

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

Clover R35,99 R36,67 R36,19 R35,05 R35,17 R36,24 R36,50 R36,44 R36,33 R35,57 R35,93 R36,07

Douglasdale R35,37 R34,99 R35,99 R35,32 R36,32 R36,74 R37,10 R34,87 R35,66 R36,43 R36,99 R35,21

Darling R33,49 R32,79 R33,99 R35,70 R33,12 R34,42 R35,85 R33,66 R35,13 R34,66 R33,56 R33,28

Dewfresh R36,32 R35,24 R34,99 R36,74 R36,99 R36,99 R36,99 R36,99 R37,99 R37,66 R34,99 R35,24

DOB R35,38 R35,09 R33,87 R34,73 R34,68 R34,93 R34,71 R35,89 R35,11 R35,33 R34,99 R34,05

Ј There was no consistent pricing trend across brands. Price movements varied significantly

from month to month, making it challenging to predict which brand would be the most

affordable in any given month.

Ј Despite this volatility, Darling and retailers’ department own brands (DOBs) such as Spar,

Pick n Pay, and Checkers remained the most affordable options on average over the year,

with prices consistently below R35,00.

Ј Dewfresh was the most expensive brand, recording an upward price movement of R1,75

between March and April. Prices then stabilised at R36,99 for four months before peaking

at R37,99 in September.

Ј Clover ranked as the second most expensive brand, with an average price of R36,01;

however, it exhibited the least price volatility, showing smaller month-to-month

fluctuations than the other brands.


1L UHT milk prices for 2025

R23,00

R22,00

Price for 1L UHT milk

R21,00

R20,00

R19,00

R18,00

R17,00

R16,00



Parmalat R21,88 R21,88 R21,16 R21,39 R21,44 R21,50 R21,61 R21,63 R21,77 R21,88 R21,28 R21,74

Crystal Valley R18,17 R18,33 R18,15 R17,83 R17,77 R17,78 R17,55 R17,73 R17,84 R17,99 R18,06 R17,70

Dewfresh R19,29 R19,19 R18,99 R19,17 R18,99 R19,17 R19,10 R18,99 R19,59 R18,99 R18,99 R18,89

First Choice R20,05 R20,00 R19,59 R20,34 R21,26 R20,49 R20,56 R21,07 R21,31 R21,12 R21,03 R21,31

Ј In contrast to fresh milk, long-life milk prices followed a clearer and more consistent

trend, making it easier to anticipate which brand would be the most affordable in the

following month.

Ј Overall, Parmalat remained the most expensive brand, with prices consistently exceeding

R21,00 throughout the year.

Ј First Choice was priced below Parmalat and Clover during the first three months of the

year, before peaking in April and remaining above its earlier price levels thereafter, making

it the second most expensive brand overall.

Ј Crystal Valley was by far the most affordable brand, with an average price of R17,91,

followed by Dewfresh at R19,11, resulting in a price difference of R1,20 between the two

cheapest brands.


BEDRYF • INDUSTRY

Cheddar cheese per kilogram prices for 2025

R180,00

R170,00

Price per kilogram

R160,00

R150,00

R140,00

R130,00

R120,00

R110,00



Parmalat R163,83 R162,94 R165,53 R164,02 R168,80 R162,49 R162,54 R164,85 R161,66 R164,77 R156,20 R165,85

Elite Cheddar R149,99 R159,99 R156,66 R159,99 R159,99 R159,99 R159,99 R162,49 R139,99 R154,99 R154,99 R154,99

Lancewood R167,41 R165,81 R162,66 R155,37 R152,11 R159,68 R157,99 R159,99 R150,60 R144,32 R141,34 R153,49

Ј No consistent price trends were observed across brands; however, July–August and

November–December were the only periods during the year when prices across most

brands converged at similar levels.

Ј On average, Parmalat was the most expensive brand at R163,62/kg, while Clover was the

most affordable at R150,31/kg, resulting in a price difference of R13,31/kg.

Ј The widest price differential was recorded in May, when the gap between Clover and

Parmalat reached R31,31/kg.

Ј Elite Cheddar and Lancewood recorded very similar average prices over the year, at

R156,17/kg and R155,90/kg respectively.

For more information on retail prices, contact JADE SMITH,

economist at the MPO at jade@mpo.co.za


DAIRY

DIGITS

JANUARY 2026

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 Dec 25 1 321 −0,17%

Unprocessed milk purchased (’000 tonnes) estimate Jan–Dec 25 1 3 481 +0,67%

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

Dairy imports (’000 tonnes) Jan–Oct 25 2 26,3 −9,9%

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

Dairy exports (’000 tonnes) Jan–Oct 25 2 55,9 +28,4%

Dairy exports inclusive of sales to other SACU countries (’000 tonnes) 5 Jan–Oct 25 2 170 +10%

Producer price index of unprocessed milk (base Dec 23 = 100) 3 Nov 25 3 98 +2,7%

Producer price index of dairy products (base Dec 23 = 100) 3 Nov 25 3 104,9 +2,1%

Farm requisite price index (base 2015 = 100) 4 Jan 25 4 143,1 −2,9%

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–Dec 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


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

360

340

Source:

Milk SA statistics.

Note: Each year's

figures are assessed,

reviewed and

finalised by 31 March

of the ensuing year.

320

'000 t

300

280

260

240

220


2025*

2025

2022

2023

2024

* Last two months

preliminary: sample survey

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

200

150

Source:

MPO calculation

from SARS data

supplied by

SAMPRO.

1 000 t milk equivalent

100

50

0

-50

-100


2025

2021

2022

2023

2024

-150

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

cheese and eggs, Jan 2014–Nov 2025

Index (2012 = 100)

230

210

190

170

150

130

110

90

Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Jan-22 Jan-23 Jan-24 Jan-25

Source:

Stats SA PPI and

CPI information,

statssa.gov.za.

Unprocessed

milk PPI

Milk, other dairy

products & eggs,

Dairy CPI products PPI

(full cream fresh milk,

full cream UHT milk,

Cheddar cheese, yoghurt

and ice cream)

Unprocessed

Dairy products

PPI (full cream

milk fresh PPI milk, full

cream UHT milk,

Milk, cheddar cheese cheese,

and yoghurt eggs CPI & ice

cream

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.


KORTLIKS | BRIEFLY

LOXTON SKOU 2025

vier sport, tradisie en

Karoogasvryheid

Die Loxton Skou, wat in Desember

2025 plaasgevind het, het weer eens

bewys hoekom dit ’n hoogtepunt

op die Karookalender is. Met ’n sterk fokus

op landbou, sport, jeugbetrokkenheid en

gemeenskapsgees, het die skou besoekers

van heinde en verre gelok.

Sport was ’n groot trekpleister. Die Loxton

10’s Rugby is deur die Loxton Legends

gewen, terwyl Die Stoetooitjies met die

louere weggestap het in die Loxton 10’s

Netbal. Die gewilde Loxton July het vir groot

opwinding gesorg, met Beate van Wyk wat

die wedren gewen het op Imortelle.

Individuele prestasies is ook erken.

Benjohan Snijman is aangewys as Sportman

van die Skou, terwyl Ansoretha Hugo die

titel van Sportvrou van die Skou ontvang

het. Die skoonheids- en jeugkompetisies

het besondere belangstelling geniet, met

Jana Erasmus wat as Mej Loxton Skou

2025 gekroon is.


Buite die sportarena het die skou

ook beïndruk met ’n verskeidenheid

boeresportaktiwiteite, waaronder

sterkmankompetisies, perd en

motorfietsboeresport, tentpegging en

skoudans, terwyl die merinoskou weer

die hoë standaard van plaaslike teling

bevestig het.

Die geleentheid is gekenmerk deur

tipiese Karoo gasvryheid, wat die

geleentheid sy besondere karakter gee.

Met sy kombinasie van landbou,

sport en kultuur bly die Loxton Skou

’n toonbeeld van plattelandse trots,

gemeenskapsamehorigheid en ’n

diepgewortelde liefde vir tradisie – ’n

ware fees waar oud en jonk saam vier.

Bron: Loxton Skou FB-blad

Foto’s: Minmarie de Klerk

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


The Seasonal Logic

of Ryegrass:

How Growth Patterns

Shape Pasture Outcomes

Ryegrass is a fundamental component

of pasture-based production systems,

be it milk or meat production, and

the substantial forage quality of ryegrass

gives it popularity across systems. Within

the ryegrass group, a distinction is made

between perennial and annual varieties.

Perennial ryegrasses form the foundation

of permanent pastures and have the

longest lifespan of all ryegrass types.

Annual ryegrasses, on the other hand, are

short-lived but highly valuable pastures

and can be further divided into Italian and

Westerwolds ryegrasses.

Regardless of lifespan, ryegrass remains

one of the best pasture crops, offering both

quality and quantity for animal production.

Its high yield potential and rapid regrowth

after grazing contribute significantly to

its popularity.

THE WESTERWOLD VERSUS

THE ITALIAN

As the name suggests, annual ryegrasses

are a short-lived ryegrass type and in the

case of westerwold varieties, they span

the extent of one growing season. Italian

ryegrasses, on the other hand, have

the potential to act as an intermediate

between a westerwold and a perennial,

with the ability to act as either an annual

or a biennial ryegrass – and in some

circumstances, as a short-lived perennial.

Because Italian ryegrasses require

extended periods of low temperatures

– known as vernalization, to trigger

seeding, the longevity of the plant can

be manipulated by planting dates. Spring

plantings of Italians enables a biennial

lifecycle, where the plant will only go to

seed after the following winter, where as

an autumn planting of Italian ryegrass, will

senesce in late spring.

Westerwolds ryegrasses are true

annuals. Their reproductive phase is

determined by photoperiodism, with

seed formation occurring as day length

decreases and temperatures drop after the

summer solstice.

THE RIGHT PIECE FOR THE

RIGHT PUZZLE

Although westerwold ryegrasses are limited

in the flexibility in planting time, restricted

to autumn planting, they can be used

as a strategic tool to provide flexibility

in fodder flow planning. Westerwolds

have the shortest growing season of all

the ryegrasses – approximately five to six

months, they are the fastest varieties out

of the block, with a shorter interval to first

grazing and subsequent grazings. This

‘quick-fix’ quality of westerwolds makes

it ideal bridges on the shoulders of the

season, particularly going into and coming

out of winter.

As a general rule of thumb, establishment

time, winter production and, life-span of

Available countrywide www.barenbrug.co.za

Tel: 021 979 1303 | info@barenbrug.co.za

PROMOSIE-ARTIKEL • ADVERTORIAL

ryegrass interplay with one another, such

that the quicker the establishment time,

the shorter the lifespan of the pasture, but

generally, the higher the winter production

(depicted in Figure 1).

THE ‘PLOIDY’ CHOICE

The number of chromosomal sets in

ryegrass cultivars can have an influence

on economic attributes of pastures.

While diploid cultivars possess two

sets of chromosomes, tetraploids have

four sets, giving them distinguishable

characteristics. The westerwold cultivars

Ribeye (diploid) and Maximus (tetraploid)

are prime examples. Tetraploid ryegrasses

are recommended to plant at a slightly

higher seeding rate, due to larger seeds,

and produce noticeably broader leaves,

housing higher energy contents and

greater ratios of soluble carbohydrates.

Diploids, although narrower leaves, are

generally more densely tillered with an

open growth habit compared to the upright

growth of tetraploids.

The seasonal and physiological dynamics

of ryegrasses are well researched, however,

field observations highlight the role that

management decisions can play in the

stability of ryegrass-based production

systems. Management parameters such

as ryegrass residuals, grazing intervals

(i.e. round-lengths) and soil health and

fertility have been shown to strengthen

the persistency and performance of both

annual and perennial ryegrass types,

especially during periods of climatic

stress. The interaction between ryegrass

growth stages and environmental triggers

such as soil temperatures, moisture and

daylength contributes significantly to

production outcomes, and recognising

these relationships allows producers to

more accurately align grazing cycles and

plant recuperative ability to ultimately

support reliable, year-round fodder flow.

As the production environment becomes

increasingly variable, the adoption of such

adaptive management will play a pivotal

role in both maintaining and improving

pasture performance.

A VALUABLE TOOL FOR

SUSTAINABLE FORAGE

PRODUCTION

In the pursuit of maximized pasture

production, the transitions between

seasons and the challenges of achieving

sustained fodder flow, westerwold ryegrass

are instruments to maintain both pasture

production and uncompromised forage

quality even in the chokepoints and dips of

winter production.

– Jamie Gerber: 076 279 8134

Winter production

Longevity

Establishment time

Figure 1. The interplay of establishment time, winter production and pasture longevity of

ryegrass varieties.

For more information visit www.barenbrug.co.za

Tel: 021 979 1303 | info@barenbrug.co.za

Plantain in

dairy systems:

Turning establishment

challenges into opportunity

By Cherise Basson (DLF Seeds)

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is steadily

gaining attention in dairy systems globally,

and South African farmers are beginning

to recognise its potential as a high-quality,

summer-resilient forage. A growing body

of research provides strong support for

plantain’s inclusion in dairy pastures.

Successful inclusion of plantain has shown

remarkable results in terms of pasture

quality and animal performance especially

in summer when productivity and quality

of ryegrass is declining. The challenge,

however, lies in the establishment phase.



Although it has been used in

New Zealand and Australia for many

years, plantain remains underutilised

locally, not due to performance, but due to

farmers often facing establishment failures.

This is linked to herbicide residues and

early weed pressure. Plantain demands a

level of weed control and herbicide residue

management that is stricter than conventional

pasture species. Once plantain is sown,

selective broadleaf control becomes limited

as the same range of broadleaf herbicides

available for ryegrass or cereals cannot be

used. This means that paddocks must be

fully cleared of weeds before sowing, and the

preparation strategy depends largely on the

dominant weed spectrum.

If the paddock is free of broadleaf weeds,

grasses and residual herbicides, farmers can

sow a complete instant mix in autumn. This

may include plantain alongside perennial

ryegrass or tall fescue, supported by red

clover. Perennial ryegrass offers strong winter

and spring production, while tall fescue

provides persistence and heat tolerance.

Where grass weeds dominate, a good

practice would be to eliminate as much of

the weeds after the winter crop and establish

plantain and red clover in spring. This

paddock can be grazed through spring and

summer, while removing any emerging grass

weeds. Once this cycle is complete, perennial

ryegrass or tall fescue can be introduced in

the following autumn to form the long-term

pasture base.

Broadleaf weed pressure requires an

even more deliberate approach. Registration

and recommended herbicides are limited.

Paddocks with a known broadleaf weed

history benefit from a staged clean-up using

Italian ryegrass. The process begins with a full

spray-out before autumn planting, followed by

a season of Italian ryegrass and opportunistic

weed management. In preparation for the

next planting season, the paddock is sprayed

for both grasses and broadleaves, and Italian

ryegrass is planted a second time. This cycle

can be repeated depending on the weed

load. Once clean-up is complete, plantain

and red clover can be incorporated with a

complete instant mix in autumn or in spring

with the grass weed approach. Perennial

ryegrass may then be sown into the stand the

following autumn.


AgriTonic

PLANTAIN

The next step

in high

performing

pastures!

BACKED BY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

IMPROVED

FODDER FLOW

Boosts early-spring

and late-autumn

production.

Maintains pasture

quality when ryegrass

quality.

BOOST ANIMAL

PERFORMANCE

Highly palatable, high

quality feed.

Drives higher intake

and higher animal

production.

PROVEN

RESULTS

Increased milk

production with

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research.

Partner with us for the best

performance. Contact your

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The benefits of a well-established plantain

sward are well documented locally. Outeniqua

Research Farm trials show that mixtures

containing plantain reduce neutral detergent

fibre, improve metabolisable energy, and

increase dry matter intake during summer

and autumn (Van der Colf et al., 2024).

Plantain maintains high crude protein content

through regrowth, ranging from 16,9% to 22,6%

over a six-week period, while water-soluble

carbohydrates peaks around week 5, offering

a flexible grazing window of 28-35 days

(Lombard & Ammann, 2024). A trial by Cronje

et al. (2024) allocating additional plantain

(cv. Agritonic), to cows before morning

milking, demonstrated higher pasture intake

and milk production. International studies

have also showed reduced urinary nitrogen

concentrations and lower nitrate leaching

potential when Agritonic (cultivar specific)

was grazed (Judson et al., 2018 ; Minnée et al.,

2020 ; Peterson et al., 2021 ; Navarrete et al.,

2022 ; Nguyen et al., 2023 ; Vi et al., 2023).

Considering the inclusion of plantain in

your grazing platform can reap many benefits,

such as improving pasture intake, increasing

milk production, increasing sward persistence,

and reducing environmental impacts. The

pathway to these benefits is clear: invest in

a clean, well-prepared seedbed, manage

weeds diligently, and respect the grazing

window. Done correctly, plantain turns what

was once a challenging species into a highly

reliable and productive component of modern

dairy pastures.

References:

Cronje, A. M., Meeske, R. & Steyn, L. 2024.

Increasing pasture intake by allocating additional

plantain pasture to cows before morning milking.

Outeniqua Information Day 2024, Western Cape

Department of Agriculture.

Judson, H.G., Fraser, P.M., Peterson, M.E. & Edwards,

G.R. 2018. Specific genotypes of plantain (Plantago

lanceolate) vary in their impact on sheep urine

volume and nitrification in the urine patch. J. New

Zealand Grasslands. 80, 125-128.

Lombard, D. & Ammann, S. (2024). Changes

in forage quality of plantain during regrowth.

Outeniqua Information Day 2024, Western Cape

Department of Agriculture.

Minnee, E., Leach, C.M. & Dalley, D.E. 2020.

Substituting pasture-based diet with plantain

(Plantago lanceolata) reduces nitrogen excreted in

urine from dairy cows in late lactation. Livestock Sci.

239, 1871-1413,

Navarette, S., Rodriguez, M., Horne, D., Hanly, J.,

Hedley, M. & Kemp, P. 2022. Nitrogen excretion by

dairy cows grazing plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

based pastures during the lactating season.

Animals. 12, 469.

Nguyen, T. T., Navarrete, S., Horne, D., Donaghy,

D., Bryant, R. & Kemp, P. 2023. Dairy cows grazing

plantain-based pastures have increased urine

patches and reduced urine N concentrations that

potentially decreases N leaching from a pastoral

system. Animals. 13, 528.

Peterson, M., Fraser, P.M., Curtin, D., Van Klink, J.W. &

Joyce, N.I. 2022. Soil nitrification inhibition by urine

of sheep consuming plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 265-276.

Van der Colf, J., Ammann, S. B., Lombard, D. & Zulu,

L. B. 2024. Unravelling the forage quality of pasture

mixtures under grazing. Outeniqua Information Day

2024, Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Vi, Chi, Kemp, P. D., Saggar, S., Navarrete, S. &

Horne, D. J. 2023. Effective proportion of plantain

(Plantago lanceolata) in mixed pastures for

botanical stability and mitigating nitrous oxide

emissions from cow urine patches. Agronomy.

13(6), 1447.


Planting Plantain

No weeds

Weeds

Complete instant mix

Grass Weeds

Broadleaf Weeds

Full sprayout – Grass &

broadleaves


broadleaves

Plant Plantain & red clover


Opportunistic

weed

management

Opportunistic

weed

management

Perennial ryegrass/ Tall

fescue can be introduced

as long-term pasture base


broadleaves

Plant Italian Ryegrass

Spring


broadleaves

Summer

Autumn

Instant mix – Plantain,

Red clover, Perennial

ryegrass / Tall Fescue


Sow in Perennial

Ryegrass / Tall Fescue



SKANDEER of

KLIK om te kyk

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te luister

DIE

VAN

PRESISIEBOERDERY:

Waarom data die nuwe

goud in die veebedryf is

Deur The Dairymail Redaksie

In ’n onlangse episode van Herkouers gesels

Jacques Basson met drie kundiges – Andy Hensen

(Senior Lektor, Universiteit van Pretoria), Jan Myburg

(Fakulteit Veeartsenykunde, Onderstepoort), en

Alex van Rooyen (boer en tegniese adviseur ID‐scan) –

oor die transformerende rol van biometriese identifikasie

en naspeurbaarheid in die Suid‐Afrikaanse beesbedryf.


Die bespreking het veral gefokus op

die “7 B’s van Presisieboerdery”; ’n

praktykraamwerk wat boere help om

weg te beweeg van intuïsie en aannames, na

tasbare, datagedrewe besluitneming.

Die 7 B’s:

’n Raamwerk

vir moderne

plaasbestuur

Sewe kerngebiede waar akkurate

identifikasie en databestuur

die grondslag vorm vir

volhoubare wins:

1. Bestuur – Die kundiges is dit eens dat

bestuur slegs effektief kan wees as dit op

data gegrond is. Soos Alex van Rooyen dit

stel: “Dit gaan oor data. Data is wat vandag

se lewe bestuur. As jy nie data het nie gaan

jy nie presteer nie, of kan verkoop nie, of

kan bemark nie.”

2. Beheer – Volle beheer oor waar elke dier is,

is noodsaaklik, veral in gemeenskaplike of

hoërisikogebiede.

3. Bemarking – Moderne bemarking

vereis ’n bewysbare rekord van ’n dier se

geskiedenis en gehalte.

4. Behandel – Mediese geskiedenis moet

akkuraat vasgelê word; verbruikers wil weet

wat ’n dier ontvang het of waarvoor dit

behandel is.

5. Beskerm – Permanente identifikasie is

krities vir antidiefstal en rekordbeheer.

6. Banke/Bate – Verifieerbare identifikasie

maak beeste bruikbare bates vir

finansiering en versekering.

7. Bewyding – Effektiewe weidingsbestuur

verg deurlopende monitering van

beweging en benutting.

Uiteindelik bly ‘Bewys’ die hart van die

raamwerk. Jan Myburg waarsku: “As jy nie

weet wie is wie nie, gaan jy nie kan bestuur

nie, en as jy nie kan bestuur nie gaan jy nie ’n

goeie produk kan bemark nie. Die kern is, as

jy nie weet wie’s wie nie, dan gaan jy afval. Dis

lukraak. Dit is los drade.”



Biometriese identiteit: Van los

merke na lewenslange rekords

Almal was dit eens dat tradisionele

identifikasie; oor-, tatoeëer- en brandmerke

eenvoudig nie meer genoeg is nie. Dit kan

vervals, verloor of doelbewus verwyder

word. Biometriese tegnologie, soos iris- en

neusskanderings, daarteenoor bied ’n

lewenslange, onvervalsbare ID vir elke dier.

Andy Hensen som dit op: “Dit gaan uit en uit

hier nie net oor misdaad, maar om produksieinformasie

te kry en goeie ekonomiese

besluite te neem.”

’n R1,48 miljoen les vir

Suid-Afrikaanse suiwelboere

Een van die mees betekenisvolle voorbeelde

in die episode kom uit die Oos-Kaap, waar

gesigsekseem (sporidesminvergiftiging) ’n

kudde se melkproduksie radikaal verlaag

het. Omdat boere nie akkurate data

gehad het nie, is die erns van die situasie

aanvanklik onderskat.

Volgens Myburg het koeie gemiddeld drie

liter melk per dag minder geproduseer. Oor

ses maande en ’n kudde van 800 koeie het

hierdie ongesiene verlies tot R1,48 miljoen

opgehoop. Hy sê: “Die boer het gemiddeld

omtrent 3 liter per koei per dag verloor, dit

kom ons uit op 1,48 miljoen rand vir die ses

maande – die waarde van ’n ordentlike Land

Cruiser, kontant.”

Van ‘gevoel’ na prestasie

Die kundiges wys daarop dat die Suid-

Afrikaanse vleis- en suiwelbedryf steeds

agter graanproduksie bly in terme van

presisietegnologie. “Vrugbaarheid is jou

grootste ekonomiese faktor in beesboerdery.

Jy kan jouself nie uit die moeilikheid uit spaar

nie,” beklemtoon Alex van Rooyen.

Presisiedata help boere om onproduktiewe

diere vinnig te identifiseer, hul

doeltreffendheid te verhoog en uiteindelik hul

winsgrense te beskerm.


Verbruikersvertroue:

’n Nuwe markvereiste

Terwyl naspeurbaarheid vroeër hoofsaaklik

oor misdaadvoorkoming gegaan

het, is dit vandag ’n kritiese deel van

verbruikersvertroue.

Veral jong verbruikers vra:

» Was die dier goed behandel?

» Is die produk veilig en hormoonvry?

Dit is in hierdie konteks waar

primêre produsente met betroubare

identifikasiestelsels ’n voorsprong kry. Hoe

meer bewysbare inligting, hoe laer die risiko

vir kopers – en hoe hoër die waarde van die

dier in die waardeketting.

Boerdery is ’n besigheid,

nie net ’n beroep nie

Die gesprek sluit af met ’n duidelike boodskap:

moderne boerdery vereis moderne bestuur.

“Dit gaan nie net oor ’n boereleefstyl hê nie,

maar dat dit ’n besigheid word, en dat daar ’n

verantwoordelikheid op ’n grondeienaar is om

nie net te bestaan nie, maar om tot die groter

industrie by te dra.”

Die 7 B’s van presisieboerdery is meer

as net ’n raamwerk – dit is ’n padkaart na

volhoubare wins, beter besluitneming en ’n

sterker Suid-Afrikaanse veesektor.

Kyk na die volledige gesprek van die

Herkouers-podcast op YouTube vir meer

insigte en praktiese wenke.

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te kyk

SKANDEER of

KLIK om te luister


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even in the rain.

Speak to your broker about Hollard agriculture insurance.

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a Licensed Non-Life Insurer and an authorised Financial Services Provider.

’N MEER STABIELE

VOERMARK IN SIG

VIR 2026?

Risiko, rantsoen en realiteit:

Wat Januarie 2026 se SAFEX seine

vir suiwelprodusente beteken

The Dairymail Redaksie

Voerkoste bly een van die grootste en

mees wisselvallige insetuitgawes binne

die Suid-Afrikaanse suiwelbedryf.

Geelmielies en sojabone vorm die grondslag

van die meeste suiwelrantsoene en

prysbewegings in hierdie kommoditeite het

’n direkte invloed op melkproduksiekoste en

winsgewendheid. Die jongste SAFEX prys

data bied belangrike riglyne vir produsente

wat hul strategieë vir 2026 beplan.

Die Januarie 2026 verslag wat deur die

Kantoor van SAMPRO saamgestel is, gee nie

net ’n oorsig van historiese en toekomstige

SAFEX pryse vir geelmielies en sojabone

nie, maar plaas dit ook binne die konteks van

onlangse oesprestasie en plantvoornemens.



Geelmielies: Groter aanbod

bring korttermynverligting

Historiese SAFEX pryse vir geelmielies

tussen Januarie 2021 en Desember 2025

toon beduidende wisselvalligheid. Hierdie

beweging is beïnvloed deur wisselende

weerstoestande, internasionale graanmarkte

en stygende insetkoste. In 2024 en 2025 het

pryse egter begin stabiliseer namate plaaslike

produksie herstel het.

Volgens die Oesskattingkomitee

(OKK) is die finale geelmielieoes vir die

2024/2025 seisoen op 8,06 miljoen ton

vasgestel – ’n toename van 18,6% teenoor die

vorige seisoen. Opvallend is dat hierdie finale

syfer 23,7% hoër is as die eerste skatting wat

vroeër in die seisoen gemaak is, wat dui op

beter as verwagte opbrengste.

Plantvoornemens vir die 2025/2026 seisoen

versterk hierdie positiewe aanvoerprentjie:

die area wat met geelmielies aangeplant

word, word na verwagting met 5,4% verhoog

tot ongeveer 1,05 miljoen hektaar. Dit dui

op volgehoue produsentvertroue en die

verwagting van voldoende plaaslike voorraad.

Hierdie faktore word weerspieël in die

SAFEX termynpryse soos in Januarie 2026

aangeteken, wat relatief stabiele tot effens

laer geelmieliepryse tussen Januarie en

Julie 2026 aandui. Vir suiwelprodusente

beteken dit potensiële verligting in

energiekoste, veral waar voerpryse vooraf

vasgemaak of fisiese voorsiening betyds

verseker kan word.

Sojabone: Groeiende

produksie demp prysdruk

Sojabone bly ’n kernbron van proteïen in

suiwelrantsoene, en die prys daarvan het die

afgelope paar jaar sterk beweging getoon.

Die historiese SAFEX data illustreer hoe

pryse tydens laer aanbod aansienlik gestyg

het, maar begin afplat het namate produksie

uitgebrei het.

Die 2024/2025 sojaboonoes is finaal op

2,77 miljoen ton beraam – bykans 50% hoër

as die vorige seisoen. Hierdie groei kom ná

’n volgehoue uitbreiding in aanplantings oor

verskeie jare. Vir die 2025/2026 seisoen toon

plantvoornemens ’n verdere 2,5% toename in

area, tot ongeveer 1,18 miljoen hektaar.

SAFEX termynpryse vir sojabone, soos in

Januarie 2026 beskikbaar, dui op ’n matige

afwaartse prysneiging van Januarie tot

Mei 2026. Hoewel pryse steeds hoër bly as

historiese vlakke van voor 2020, behoort beter

plaaslike beskikbaarheid die ergste prysdruk

op proteïenkoste te versag.



Implikasies vir

suiwelboerderybeplanning

Wanneer die vooruitsigte vir geelmielies en

sojabone saam oorweeg word, dui dit daarop

dat voerinsetpryse in die eerste helfte van

2026 moontlik meer stabiel kan wees as in

onlangse jare. Vir suiwelprodusente het dit

verskeie praktiese implikasies:

» Begrotingssekerheid: Minder

pryswisselvalligheid maak dit makliker om

voerbegrotings realisties vas te stel.

» Vasteprysgeleenthede: Die termynmark

bied moontlikhede om ’n deel van

toekomstige voerinsette teen bekende

pryse vas te lê.

» Margebestuur: Enige verligting in

voerpryse skep ruimte om druk op

melkmarges te verlig, veral ná die

hoëkostesiklusse van die afgelope

paar seisoene.

» Voortgesette waaksaamheid: Ondanks

die positiewe vooruitsig bly weer,

logistiek en internasionale markte

belangrike risiko’s wat pryse later in die

jaar kan beïnvloed.

’n Versigtig-optimistiese

afskop vir 2026

Die SAFEX prysvooruitsigte vir Januarie 2026

skep ’n meer optimistiese uitgangspunt

vir suiwelprodusente as wat die bedryf

die afgelope paar jaar beleef het. Hoër

plaaslike produksie van graan en oliesade,

gekombineer met stabiele termynpryse, bied

’n mate van verligting aan die voerkant van die

kostestruktuur.

Hoewel goeie risikobestuur en deurlopende

markmonitering noodsaaklik bly, dui die

huidige data daarop dat voer in 2026 eerder

’n stabiliserende faktor, as ’n winsknelpunt kan

wees vir Suid Afrikaanse suiwelboerderye.

Bron: SAMPRO Verslag Januarie 2026


Electric

motorbikes drive

GREENER MILK

COLLECTION

in Kenya

Githunguri Dairy Cooperative Society

in Kenya is demonstrating how

innovation in last-mile logistics

can support sustainability, farmer

incomes and milk quality – all

while reducing the dairy sector’s

environmental footprint.


RENTMEESTERSKAP • STEWARDSHIP

In a pioneering move, Githunguri Dairy has

introduced electric motorbikes into its milk

collection and distribution operations. The

initiative focuses on last-mile milk collection

from smallholder dairy farmers and the

efficient transfer of milk between collection

centres and chilling facilities.

Logistics remains one of the most cost

intensive and environmentally sensitive

components of dairy production in East

Africa. Rising fuel prices, high vehicle

maintenance costs and inconsistent rural

road infrastructure continue to put pressure

on cooperatives operating on tight margins.

Transitioning to electric motorbikes offers a

practical and scalable alternative.

Lower emissions, lower costs

Electric motorbikes eliminate fuel

consumption and significantly reduce carbon

emissions associated with milk collection

routes. In addition, electric drive trains have

fewer moving parts than internal combustion

engines, translating into lower servicing

requirements, reduced downtime and longer

operational life.

For dairy cooperatives, these savings are

not incremental – they directly influence

financial sustainability and farmer returns.

Reduced logistics costs enable cooperatives

to maintain competitive farm-gate milk prices,

an essential factor in smallholder retention

and productivity.

Protecting milk quality

at source

Milk quality is particularly vulnerable during

the final stages of transport from farm to

collection point. Delays caused by fuel

shortages, vehicle breakdowns or poor road

access increase the risk of spoilage, leading

to downgraded milk or outright losses

for farmers.

The deployment of electric motorbikes is

expected to increase collection frequency

and reliability, especially in remote or densely

populated smallholder areas where larger

vehicles struggle to operate efficiently. Faster

delivery times help preserve milk quality,

reduce post harvest losses and strengthen

trust between farmers and organised

collection systems.


Inclusion of smallholder farmers

Improved access to reliable transport plays

a critical role in integrating small-scale

producers into formal dairy markets. By

extending efficient collection routes into

more remote areas, Githunguri Dairy’s

electric motorbike initiative supports greater

smallholder inclusion, stabilises incomes and

enhances overall supply chain resilience.

Alignment with climate goals

The initiative also aligns with Kenya’s

broader climate and sustainability ambitions.

Agriculture remains both a contributor to,

and a victim of, climate change, and the

dairy sector is under increasing pressure

to demonstrate measurable reductions

in emissions.

Low emissions transport solutions such

as electric motorbikes offer a practical

pathway for cooperatives to reduce their

environmental impact without compromising

operational efficiency or farmer service levels.

Financing sustainability

and growth

The shift to greener logistics is further

supported by recent investment aimed

at strengthening the cooperative’s

financial capacity. The Kenya Development

Corporation (KDC) has injected US$3,86

million (KES500 million) into Githunguri Dairy

Cooperative Society, reinforcing financial

inclusion and expanding access to credit

within the dairy value chain.

The investment forms part of a broader

government strategy to empower micro, small

and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly

those requiring long-term financing for capital

intensive projects such as infrastructure,

equipment and sustainability focused

innovations.

Access to affordable credit remains a

major constraint for cooperatives and small

agribusinesses across Africa. By partnering

with Githunguri Dairy, KDC aims to close

this financing gap and establish a replicable

model that links sustainability investments

with improved productivity, job creation and

rural economic development.

A model for African

dairy systems

Githunguri Dairy’s adoption of electric

motorbikes, backed by targeted development

finance, illustrates how sustainability and

profitability can be aligned in practical, farmer

centred ways. As African dairy industries

contend with climate risks, rising input costs

and evolving sustainability expectations,

such initiatives offer valuable lessons for

cooperatives across the continent.

Source: Dairy Business Middle East & Africa



ONAFHANKLIKE

KONTRAKTEURS

VS WERKNEMERS

Deur Christoff Pretorius

Is my

“onafhanklike

kontrakteur” dalk

eintlik ’n werknemer?

Hierdie vraag hou groot

risiko vir die werkgewer in en

moet vroegtydig ondersoek word

om te verseker dat die onderskeie

verhoudinge korrek gekontrakteer word.


Artikel 213 van die Wet op

Arbeidsverhoudinge, 1995 (WAV)

bepaal dat ’n werknemer enige

iemand anders is as ’n onafhanklike

kontrakteur, wat vir ’n ander persoon werk of

vir die Staat werk en wat vergoeding ontvang,

of geregtig is daarop om dit te ontvang,

en enige ander persoon wat help om die

besigheid van ’n werkgewer voort te sit of

uit te voer.

Artikel 83A van die Wet op Basiese

Diensvoorwaardes, 1997 (WBDV) verklaar

in die omskrywing van “werknemer” dat ’n

persoon wat vir ’n ander persoon werk of

dienste lewer ’n werknemer is, totdat die

teendeel bewys kan word.

In terme van beide die WAV en WBDV

stel dit dat ’n persoon as ’n werknemer

beskou word, ongeag die vorm van die

kontrak, indien een of meer van die volgende

faktore teenwoordig is, en totdat die

teendeel bewys word:

1. die wyse waarop die persoon werk is

onderworpe aan die beheer of leiding

van ’n ander persoon;

2. die persoon se werksure is onderworpe

aan die beheer of leiding van ’n

ander persoon;

3. in die geval van ’n persoon wat vir ’n

organisasie werk, vorm die persoon deel

van daardie organisasie;

4. die persoon het die afgelope drie

maande vir ’n gemiddeld van minstens

40 uur per maand gewerk;

5. die persoon is ekonomies afhanklik

van die ander persoon vir wie daardie

persoon werk of lewer;

6. die persoon word voorsien

van gereedskap vir handel- of

werkgereedskap deur die ander persoon;

7. of die persoon werk of lewer dienste

slegs aan een persoon.



Die wet sal ’n persoon wat “ja” kan antwoord

op een van die bogenoemde punte kan ag as

’n werknemer tot en met dit bewys kan word

dat die persoon nie ’n werknemer is nie.

’n Onafhanklike kontrakteur geniet nie

beskerming van arbeidsreg nie, aangesien ’n

onafhanklike kontrakteur nie ’n werknemer

is nie en daar ook nie ’n werkgewerwerknemer

verhouding is nie. Die kontrak vir

’n onafhanklike kontrakteur sal ’n kontrak wees

wat vir ’n spesifieke dienste gesluit word en

gewoonlik sal daardie spesifieke dienste of

projekte nie verband hou met die bedryf van

die besigheid nie. ’n Onafhanklike kontrakteur

kan ’n natuurlike persoon, besigheid of

korporasie wees wat goedere of dienste aan ’n

ander entiteit verskaf onder bepalings wat in

’n kontrak vir vergoeding gespesifiseer word.

VOORBEELD:

Indien die maatskappy ’n voertuighandelaar

kontak om ’n werktuigkundige te stuur om

die trekkers op die plaas te kom diens, word

die werktuigkundige as ’n onafhanklike

kontrakteur gebruik. Hy sal die trekker

diens/herstel volgens die ooreengekome

tariewe en tydlyne, maar sal nie onderhewig

wees aan die werkgewer se dag tot dag

bestuur soos ’n gewone werknemer nie.

Hulle is ook vry om hul dienste vir ander

ondernemings aan te bied. So persoon sal

dus geld as ’n onafhanklike kontrakteur en

sal die verhouding tussen die maatskappy

en kontrakteur nie onder arbeidswetgewing

gereguleer word nie.

Indien daar ’n dispuut ontstaan oor

’n persoon se status as werknemer of

onafhanklike kontrakteur, sal die feite van die

saak, asook die bedoeling tussen die betrokke

partye oorweeg word om te besluit in watter

kategorie die persoon sou val. Dit is dus baie

belangrik om ’n duidelike onderskeid te tref

by die opstel van ’n kontrak vir die spesifieke

doel om te verseker dat die voorneme duidelik

vasgelê word.

Die beste besluit wat geneem kan word

by die aanstelling van ’n werknemer of ’n

onafhanklike kontrakteur, is om te verseker

dat daar ’n ingeligte besluit geneem

word wat gebaseer is op advies van ’n

arbeidsregkenner.


ARBEIDS-

KOLOM

deur Ferdi Hartzenberg

Die hantering

van DROS en

LANGDURIGE

AFWESIGHEID

in die werksplek

Dros (desertion) en afwesigheid sonder

verlof (abscondment) is ernstige vorme van

wangedrag wat kontinuïteit, veiligheid en

vertroue in die werkplek bedreig. Werkgewers

moet dit op ’n sistematiese, regverdige en

wetlik korrekte wyse hanteer om die risiko van

onbillike ontslageise te vermy.

Die onderskeid tussen dros

en langdurige afwesigheid

Albei verwys na die onreëlmatige afwesigheid

van ’n werknemer, maar die bedoeling is die

sleutelverskil:

» Dros (desertion): Dit impliseer dat die

werknemer die diensverhouding beëindig

het deur ’n langdurige, ongemagtigde

afwesigheid met die bedoeling om

nie terug te keer nie. Dit word dikwels

oorweeg nadat die werknemer versuim het

om instruksies, soos bv. om terug te keer

werk toe, na te kom.

» Afwesigheid sonder verlof

(abscondment): Dit is ’n meer algemene

term vir ’n werknemer wat skielik en sonder

kommunikasie van pligte afwesig is. Die

bedoeling om die werkplek permanent te

verlaat is nie altyd duidelik nie, maar die

afwesigheid is ongeoorloof.

In praktyk word albei as ernstige wangedrag

hanteer, maar die bewys van die bedoeling

om te verlaat is deurslaggewend.



Die vier stappe vir ’n

regverdige dissiplinêre proses

Dit is noodsaaklik om nie die werknemer se

diens outomaties te beëindig bloot op grond

van afwesigheid nie. ’n Behoorlike dissiplinêre

ondersoek moet altyd plaasvind.

Stap 1:

Onmiddellike ondersoek

en kontakpogings

Sodra ’n werknemer vir ’n onredelike

tydperk (gewoonlik drie tot vyf dae)

afwesig is sonder kommunikasie:

» Kontak die werker: Probeer kontak

via alle bekende middele (telefoon,

e-pos, geregistreerde pos). Hou

deeglik rekord van alle pogings.

» Stuur ’n ultimatum: Stuur ’n skrywe

wat die werker van ongemagtigde

afwesigheid in kennis stel en

instruksies gee om binne ’n

spesifieke tydperk (bv. 24 uur) by die

werk aan te meld of ’n geldige rede vir

afwesigheid te verskaf. Waarsku dat

dissiplinêre stappe, insluitend ontslag,

geneem sal word indien daar nie

reageer word nie.

Stap 3:

Die dissiplinêre verhoor

Die werknemer moet steeds die

geleentheid kry om hul saak te stel, selfs

al is hulle afwesig.

» Kennisgewing van verhoor: ’n

Formele kennisgewing moet uitgereik

word wat die datum, tyd en plek van

die verhoor aandui.

» Die aanklag: Die aanklag moet

wees: Afwesigheid sonder verlof/

ongeoorloofde afwesigheid (met die

alternatiewe aanklag van versuim om

’n redelike opdrag na te kom).

» Verhoor in afwesigheid: As die

werknemer nie opdaag nie, gaan die

werkgewer voort met die verhoor in

hul afwesigheid, mits bewys gelewer

kan word dat die kennisgewing

behoorlik afgelewer is.

Die werkgewer moet getuienis voorlê

wat bewys dat die werker afwesig was,

dat alle redelike pogings aangewend

is om kontak te maak, en dat die werker

versuim het om die kennisgewing van

die verhoor na te kom.

Stap 2:

Bevestiging van afwesigheid

As die werknemer nie op die

kennisgewing en instruksies reageer nie,

kan die werkgewer redelikerwys aanvaar

dat die werknemer hul pligte verlaat

het, en die dissiplinêre verhoor kan in

werking gestel word.


Stap 4:

Die uitspraak en

diensbeëindiging

Die geskikste sanksie vir bewese dros

of langdurige afwesigheid is dikwels

ontslag, aangesien dit ’n fundamentele

skending van die dienskontrak is.

Faktore soos die diensrekord en die

ernstigheid van die afwesigheid moet

egter oorweeg word.

» Finale kennisgewing van ontslag:

Stuur ’n finale skrywe wat die

uitspraak, die ontslag, en die datum

van beëindiging bevestig. Die

werknemer moet ook in kennis gestel

word van hul reg om die beslissing na

die CCMA te verwys.

Ten slotte

Die sleutel tot die hantering van

ongemagtigde afwesigheid is deeglike

dokumentasie. Elke oproep, e-pos, brief

en verhoornotule moet deeglik aangeteken

word om die beginsels van substantiewe en

prosedurele billikheid te handhaaf.

Vir meer inligting rakende hoe dros en

langdurige afwesigheid in die werksplek

te hanteer, kontak gerus vir Ferdi

Hartzenberg by HARTCORP HUMAN

CAPITAL SOLUTIONS op 0827714655 of

ferdi@hartcorp.co.za.


NAVORSING EN OPLEIDING • RESEARCH AND TRAINING

Don’t get caught

with your genes

on your knees

By Jason Reding – SA Stud Book

Genomic testing involves the analysis

of an animal’s genetic makeup (DNA),

mostly extracted from tail hair follicles

(roots) or ear tissue samples (and, if available,

from AI bulls’ semen straws), allowing for

a more reliable evaluation of their future

performance in the herd. Informed decisions

on heifer retention within a beef or dairy

farm enterprise can be made as early as the

day a calf is born. Dairy genomics has made

tremendous advances in recent years due to

the ability to capture an animal’s unique DNA

sequence. Over 50 000 DNA markers, called

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), are

analysed on a genomic chip (genotyped),

which is sometimes referred to as an ‘All-in-

One’ DNA test, as it represents a very good

sample of the total genome of the animal.


The use of genomic information in dairy

cattle has become a cornerstone of stud

and commercial breeding in both the local

and international community. A wide range

of genetic analyses are available from the

All-in-One DNA test, revealing the underlying

genetic forces driving the phenotypic

performance of your animals.

Genomic testing is currently the most

accurate commercially available tool for

parentage verification and DNA traceability.

When genotyping all your herd sires, you

capture 50% of the genetic variation in

your heifer crop. Pedigree errors are known

to occur in 8 – 15% of animal populations

around the world, and genomics allows for

parentage progeny discovery, rectifying the

misidentification of either the sire or the dam.

This straightforward analysis assists

in establishing pedigrees for herds with

inadequate records and/or those unable

to construct pedigrees on farm. Increased

reliability of breeding values from genomic

testing is equivalent to milk recording data

from four lactations. The early identification

of heifers with an expected poor return on

rearing costs better informs decision making

on which heifers to retain as replacements,

which heifers to sell, or on which cows to use

sexed or beef semen.

A very reliable early prediction at the cost

of a genomic test, versus the possibility of

having to spend the cost of raising a heifer

not capable of producing profitably, makes

genomic testing a sound proposition. The

trick is simply the following: the genomic

result must be comparable with local genetic

values, therefore the genetic evaluation must

be conducted on South African cows, and not

compared against foreign cow populations in

other countries.

Single genes with a significant

impact on milk production

and quality

An important advantage of genomic testing is

that genomic data obtained from dairy cattle

incorporates information about specific genes

with a significant effect on milk fat and protein

concentrations. This enables producers to

enhance milk quality in future generations

through marker assisted selection.



DGAT1

The DGAT1 mutation is associated with

increased butterfat production, as well as

higher butterfat and protein percentages;

however, it also leads to reduced milk and

protein volume. This mutation appears

more frequently in dairy populations where

breeding objectives focus on producing milk

with a higher solids content. Notably, South

African Jersey-type cattle show a greater

frequency of the DGAT1 mutation compared

to South African Holstein-Friesland-types.

These frequencies are illustrated in Figure 1.

SA Jersey-types

56,6% 37,3% 6,2%

Normal

(0)

Carrier

(1)

SA Holstein-Friesland-types

Normal

(0)

Carrier

(1)

Homozygotic

(2)

19,9% 50,5% 29,6%

Homozygotic

(2)

Figure 1: The frequency of the DGAT1

mutation in the SA Jersey-types (top) and

SA Holstein-Friesland-types (bottom)

populations.

However, evidence indicates that the

DGAT1 mutation is also found in Holstein-

Friesland cattle. Producers aiming to raise

the percentage of solids in their herd should

consider using a bull that is homozygous (2)

for the DGAT1 mutation, as he will consistently

transmit this trait to his offspring.

A2 Milk

A2 milk has been receiving a great deal of

attention due to its association with improved

digestibility in humans, in comparison to the

A1 variant, which is a mutation present in the

beta-casein gene. Beta-casein constitutes

approximately 30% of the total protein in milk.

The A1 and A2 variants are additive in nature,

meaning an animal that is heterozygous

(A1A2) produces equal amounts of A1 and

A2 milk. Milk producers have been actively

selecting to increase the frequency of the A2

variant by using sires that are homozygous

(A2A2). There are varying frequencies

between Jersey-types and Holstein-

Friesland-types. Figure 2 indicates a higher

frequency in Jersey-types, although trends

over the years show an increase in the A2

mutation in both breed types.

SA Jersey-types

4,2% 30,8% 65,0%

Homozyg A1

(A1A1)

A2 Carrier

(A1A2)

SA Holstein-Friesland-types

Homozyg A1

(A1A1)

A2 Carrier

(A1A2)

Homozyg A2

(A2A2)

11,0% 44,1% 44,9%

Homozyg A2

(A2A2)

Figure 2: The frequency of the A2 mutation

in the SA Jersey-types (top) and SA Holstein-

Friesland-types (bottom) populations.


Infertility haplotypes

As research continues to advance, genomics

can assist in revealing the true underlying

genetic mechanisms that influence

adaptability and fertility traits. Infertility

haplotypes – genes which cause embryo or

foetal reabsorption – is a widely recognised

problem in the dairy cattle industry, with

recent studies revealing similar haplotypes

in Limousin and Simmental beef cattle

populations.

These infertility haplotypes behave

recessively, meaning they can remain hidden

within the herd. Genetic complications linked

to embryo or foetal re absorption occur when

two carrier animals (heterozygotes) are mated

together, resulting in a 25% chance that the

embryo is affected and aborts (resorbs) within

65 days after conception. Various infertility

haplotypes for the Ayrshire (AH1 and AH2),

Holstein (HH1, HH3, HH4, HH5 and HH6)

and Jersey (JH1) populations are available

on the genomic test to assist in identifying

carriers. Frequency trends over the years have

shown that producers have placed emphasis

on using haplotype free bulls, resulting in

a decline in the frequency of undesirable

infertility haplotypes. Figure 3 showcases

the declining trend of JH1 in the Jersey

population. Holstein-Friesland-types show a

similar downward trend; however, producers

must take care not to breed animals carrying

alternative infertility haplotypes, as carriers

of more than one haplotype have been

observed in the South African population.

Figure 3: The distribution of the frequency within each year of birth for Jersey Haplotype 1

in the South African Jersey-type population.



Detrimental recessive mutations

The frequency of detrimental mutations can

be monitored genomically, as animals may

be mistakenly identified as weak or poor

quality calves when, in fact, they carry a

genetic disorder. Genetic disorders such as

Arachnomelia, Bovine Spinal Dysmyelination

(BSD), Bulldog Dwarfism, Crooked Tail,

Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM), Mule

Foot (Syndactyly), Spinal Muscular Atrophy

(SMA), Ehlers Danlos syndrome (connective

tissue disorder) and Weaver syndrome

cause phenotypic deformities that are

easily identified.

Well-known recessive mutations such

as Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency

(BLAD), Deficiency of Uridine Monophosphate

Synthase (DUMPS) and Idiopathic Male Sub

Fertility (IDMS) have been almost completely

eradicated from dairy populations and can

be attributed to the due diligence of breed

societies and semen companies in monitoring

these disorders.

By ensuring that your sire bulls are free

from these detrimental mutations, you can

minimise the risk of genetic disorders and

secure a healthier future for your herd.

Conclusion

A common misconception that is frequently

stated is that ‘genomics is the future’, when

in fact genomics offers present day benefits

such as parentage verification and the

monitoring of single genes that play a role in

marker assisted selection.

This All-in-One DNA test is also used to

improve prediction accuracy in breeding

value selection indices, allowing producers

to select the best replacement heifers

while accelerating genetic gain within their

herd across fewer generations. Genomics

is therefore a present day reality for South

African dairy producers.


RESEARCH

COLUMN

by Heinz H. Meissner

BEEF-ON-DAIRY:

OPPORTUNITY OR

THREAT TO THE

BEEF INDUSTRY?

Not all calves are needed as replacements in dairy herds; almost

all male calves and any excess females can be classified as ’nonreplacement’

(or ‘surplus’ or ‘excess’) calves. Globally, these calves

are managed through one of three pathways: early-life killing,

rearing for veal, or rearing for beef. Both early-life killing and the

broader management of non-replacement dairy calves have

drawn public scrutiny and media attention, challenging the social

sustainability of the dairy industry.



One approach to addressing this

issue is the use of beef sires in

dairy herds. The application of beef

genetics in dairy cattle to produce dairy beef

crossbred calves has been facilitated by

the availability of sexed semen. This allows

producers to generate replacement purebred

female dairy calves from selected cows,

while implementing beef-on-dairy breeding

strategies for the remaining cows to produce

non-replacement calves with higher value in

the beef market. This approach provides an

additional source of income for dairy farmers

and improves the feasibility of rearing nonreplacement

calves for beef. However, while

this strategy may offer clear benefits to the

dairy sector, questions remain regarding its

impact on the beef industry. The study cited

therefore aimed to investigate the attitudes of

Canadian beef producers toward dairy beef

production, with particular reference to how

beef-on-dairy breeding strategies in dairy

herds may affect the beef sector.

A semi structured interview study

was conducted with 20 beef farmers in

Western Canada to explore their awareness,

attitudes and recommendations regarding

the management of beef-on-dairy calves.

Participants (11 males and 9 females) were

recruited using snowball sampling and

interviewed using a semi structured interview

guide. The audio recorded interviews were

transcribed verbatim and analysed using

inductive thematic analysis, resulting in

three main themes: (1) the dairy and beef

relationship, (2) attitudes toward beef-ondairy

animals, and (3) a shared future.

Within the first theme, participants

discussed the relationship between the

dairy and beef industries, highlighting key

differences in Canadian market structures

(dairy as a supply managed sector versus

beef as an open market), farming practices

(beef production being more extensive and

dairy production more intensive), and public

perceptions of the two systems. The second

theme reflected mixed attitudes toward dairy

beef production. Participants compared beefon-dairy

calves with purebred dairy calves,

discussed management practices used to rear

them, and considered the potential impacts

of dairy beef production on the beef industry.

In the third theme, participants reflected

on the future of dairy beef production and

deliberated on which role players should be

involved in shaping the future of this practice.


Participants’ attitudes toward dairy beef

production were mixed and influenced by

the interconnection between the dairy and

beef industries, as well as the distinct social,

market, and cultural contexts of the two

sectors. While participants acknowledged the

potential benefits of beef-on-dairy breeding,

particularly improvements in carcass

characteristics of calves originating from

dairy farms, they also expressed concerns

regarding market competition and potential

threats to traditional beef production systems.

The inclusion of beef producers’ perspectives

in discussions around the future of dairy

beef production was considered essential

to ensuring that this development delivers

benefits to both industries.

Conclusion

The concerns expressed by the study group

in Western Canada are unlikely to pose a

significant challenge within the South African

dairy and beef sectors, as the dairy industry is

relatively small compared to the beef industry.

Consequently, beef-on-dairy breeding should

be viewed as a viable and practical alternative

for increasing revenue within the dairy sector.

Reference:

Vandresen, B., Weary, D.M. & von

Keyserlingk, M.A.G., 2025. It’s not black

and white: Perspectives of Western

Canadian beef farmers on dairybeef

production. PLoS One, 20(9): e0330697.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330697



MEDIA RELEASE

Minister of Agriculture

John Steenhuisen outlines

national strategy to contain

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

The Minister of Agriculture,

John Steenhuisen, announced a

phased 10 year national strategy to

contain Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD),

protect South Africa’s national livestock

herd, and restore the country’s international

animal health standing.

Key messages

» Government recognises the financial

and emotional toll FMD has placed

on farmers since loss of FMD free

status in 2019.

» Achieving FMD free status will not

happen overnight; the plan prioritises

stabilisation and consolidation, moving

towards freedom through vaccination in

alignment with WOAH recognition.

» Vaccination is essential but not a silver

bullet – it complements movement

control, surveillance, and traceability.

Core pillars of the strategy

1. Targeted vaccination in high

risk zones (science based heat

mapping):

» ≥80% coverage in communal cattle; ~90%

in commercial herds;

» 100% in feed lots and dairy cows;

» Objective: >70% reduction in outbreaks

within 12 months in high risk provinces.

2. Reliable vaccine supply:

» Trivalent SAT 1/2/3 vaccines; procurement

from international partners, continued

sourcing from BVI, and local scale up via

ARC and OBP.

» Pirbright Institute to perform antigenic

matching against current field strains.


3. Enhanced surveillance &

movement control:

» Strengthened ARC OVR

laboratory network;

» Implementation of digital livestock

identification and traceability (LITS) with

industry platforms;

» Real time heatmaps to track verified/

suspected cases within a 10 km radius.

4. Provincial focus:

» Immediate mass vaccination in

KwaZulu‐Natal, Gauteng, Free State,

North West (repeat in three months);

» Biannual campaigns in high risk border

hotspots (e.g., Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge);

» Buffer vaccination to protect FMD

free provinces.

CALL TO ACTION

» Farmers are urged to work with state

and private veterinarians, report clinical

signs immediately, adhere to movement

controls, and participate in vaccination

as scheduled.

» Detailed operational plans will be shared

with MECs, provincial vets, Cabinet and

industry leaders as rollout proceeds.

“By protecting our national herd, we are

protecting our future. We ask for your

partnership and support as we implement

this science based plan,” said Minister

Steenhuisen.

Issued by: The Ministry of Agriculture on

14 January 2026. Full media statement

available at: http://www.nda.gov.za

5. Governance & transparency:

» The Ministerial Advisory Task Team on

Animal Disease Prevention and Control,

chaired by Dr Emily Mogajane, brings

together leading experts from government,

research and industry;

» Reports directly to Value Chain Round

Tables for cross sector alignment.


MOO-VING WHEELS

WATTER TREKKERS

werk regtig goed

op Suid-Afrikaanse

suiwelplase?

Die afgelope twee jaar was

nie maklik vir Suid-Afrikaanse

suiwelboere nie. 2024 en 2025 het

heelwat druk gebring, maar dinge

begin weer stabiliseer. Volgens

amptelike vooruitskattings word daar

in 2025 ’n toename van sowat 2% in

melkproduksie verwag, hoofsaaklik

omdat voerkoste effens verlig het

en marktoestande verbeter het.

Terselfdertyd gaan konsolidasie in

die bedryf voort – daar is minder,

maar groter plase, wat meer intensief

boer en baie sterker op meganisasie

staatmaak as voorheen. Dit beteken

die keuse van die regte trekker én ’n

betroubare handelaar is nie meer ’n

luukse nie, maar ’n noodsaaklikheid.


Dit was ook duidelik sigbaar by NAMPO

2025, waar vervaardigers sterk

gefokus het op krag, betroubaarheid

en gebruiksgemak. Die klem was veral op

trekkers wat maklik inpas by Totale Gemengde

Rantsoen (TMR) stelsels, kuilvoermaak en

meer presiese bemesting – alles deel van

die alledaagse werklikheid op moderne

suiwelplase.

As jy soggens vroeg voer meng, heeldag

bale laai, in die middag weiding sny en saans

weer mis skraap, dan het jy nie tyd vir tegniese

en fynere spesifikasies nie. ’n Suiwelplaas

se trekker moet elke dag aanskakel,

min breek, min diesel gebruik en maklik

reggemaak kan word.

Op Suid-Afrikaanse suiwelplase sien ’n

mens oor en oor dieselfde name, nie omdat

hulle mooi lyk nie, maar omdat hulle die

werk doen: Massey Ferguson, John Deere

en New Holland. Case IH, Claas en Kubota

speel belangrike rolle in spesifieke take.

Wat soek suiwelboere vandag

regtig in ’n trekker?

Praat met enige suiwelboer en jy hoor sommer

gou waaroor dit gaan:

» Hy moet elke dag kan werk, nie net

tydens seisoen nie

» Hy moet goed wees vir laaierwerk

» Hy moet min diesel gebruik

» As iets breek, moet parte naby wees

» Die bestuurder moet lekker sit ná 10 ure

agter die stuur

Dis hoekom trekkers wat op papier baie

indrukwekkend lyk, maar wanneer jy swak

diens het, vinnig van die werf af verdwyn.

Die gewildste trekkers op

suiwelplase – en hoekom

Massey Ferguson – die werf

se werkesel

Massey Ferguson is vir baie boere

die ‘getroue’gunstelingtrekker’ op die

suiwelplaas. Jy sien hulle oral waar laai, voer

en algemene plaaswerk gedoen word.

Hoekom boere van hulle hou:

» Maklik om te ry en te bestuur

» Goeie dieselverbruik

» Sterk onderstel vir laaierwerk

» Goeie herverkoopwaarde

» Baie handelaars landswyd


MOO-VING WHEELS

John Deere – vir groter werk

en groter plase

Op groter suiwelplase, veral waar TMR voer

gemeng word en groot voerwaens getrek

moet word, sien mens baie John Deere.

Hoekom boere hulle kies:

» Baie gemaklik vir lang ure

» Sterk trekkers wat swaar werk vat

» Goeie diensnetwerk (veral ná AFGRI se

uitbreidings in 2025)

» Werk goed saam met moderne

tegnologie (vir boere wat dit gebruik)

John Deere is nie altyd die goedkoopste

nie, maar boere sê gereeld: “Hy hou

net aan loop.”

New Holland – goeie alles-ineen

op weidingsplase

Op weidingsgebaseerde suiwelplase is

New Holland baie gewild, veral vir sny,

hark en bale.

Hoekom:

» Lekker bestuur

» Betroubaar vir hooi en kuilvoerwerk

» Goeie waarde vir geld

» Maklik om aan te leer vir werkers

As jou plaas baie fokus op weiding

en ruvoer maak, pas New Holland

uitstekend in.

Case IH – waar swaar werk

gedoen word

Case IH sien mens minder by die

melkkraal, maar meer by die kuilvoerput

en voerwaens.

Waar hulle uitblink:

» Groot voerwaens

» Swak terrein

» Swaar sleepwerk

» Gemengde gewas en suiwelplase

Dis nie noodwendig jou eerste

laaiertrekker nie, maar vir groot werk is hy

moeilik om te klop.

Claas – vir boere wat ernstig

is oor kuilvoer

Waar kuilvoer ’n kernrol speel, sien mens

Claas se naam gereeld.

Sterk punte:

» Uitstekend vir kuilvoermaak

» Hoë kwaliteit werk

» Betroubare toerusting vir voerstelsels

Claas is nie op elke plaas nie, maar waar

hulle is, werk hulle hard.

Kubota – klein, handig

en altyd reg

Kubota groei vinnig op suiwelplase, veral vir:

» Miskraap

» Kalfhokke

» Smal gange

» Werfwerk

Dis dalk nie jou hooftrekker nie, maar baie

boere sê: “Sonder ons klein Kubota is die

plaas verlore.”


Weiding of TMR – dit

bepaal jou trekkerkeuse

Weidingsplase

» Meer sny, hark en bale

» Baie algemene werk

» Minder swaar sleep

Tipies Massey Ferguson

of New Holland

TMR plase

» Groot voerwaens

» Baie laaierwerk

» Swak voerputomstandighede

Tipies John Deere, Case IH

of Claas

Vyf praktiese wenke

voordat jy koop

1. Koop diens, nie net ’n trekker nie

2. Laaiertoepassings is belangrik – dit is

waar trekkers breek

3. Bestuurders raak moeg

– gemak maak saak

4. Dieselprys is nie jou vriend nie

– verbruik tel

5. Praat met ander suiwelboere, nie net

verkoopsmense nie.



The Dairy Mail Jan 2026

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