Photo: FW Archive
Sheep and mutton exports, he added, could be pushed up between 1% and 6%. Speaking at the recent RPO Northern Cape congress held in Kimberley, Scholtz said exports could play a pivotal role in the stabilisation of the market.
The organisation was already in the process of increasing exports from the Northern Cape. However, to realise this goal, red meat producers needed the support and co-operation of livestock agents, feedlots and abattoirs.
“As primary producers, we need to allow such role players to act as partners in order to ensure sustainability. [Nonetheless], we remain committed to the local market and must find ways to maintain and increase our market share,” Scholtz said.
Animal health was also high on the agenda, he added, and the main objective of the organisation’s Animal Health Forum was to promote continual liaison with veterinarians.
It also sought to ensure the availability of animal medications and vaccines, focused on the implementation of biosecurity measures on farms, and was working on South Africa’s livestock identification and traceability system (LITS-SA).
LITS-SA would help to combat animal theft and the illegal importation of livestock. And, with stock theft a serious problem in the country, Scholtz called on members to ensure the proper marking of their animals, either by means of brands or tattoos.
As far as predation management was concerned, Scholtz said producers had to take responsibility for the management of predators on their own land.
“Effective predation management also calls for ongoing communication between us and institutions such as state-owned national parks, provincial parks and other landowners,” Scholtz said.
“We also need to empower predation management service providers through training and skills development.”
