According to a statement by Western Cape Agri, preliminary surveys indicated that about 1 500 cattle, sheep, pigs and horses in the Knysna area were in urgent need of fodder.
“Producers in the Southern Cape are in urgent need of fodder after the fire destroyed hundreds of hectares of pasture. No roughage has been available in the province for months.”
Many livestock also perished in the devastating fires that were fueled by gale force winds. Surveys were, however, still underway to determine the true extent of fire damage on farms.
The fires has dealt a double blow to Western Cape Agri, as it is already proving fodder to drought-stricken areas such as the Eden, West Coast and Central Karoo Districts.
Donations of feed for Knysna and the West Coast have been received from Klipheuwel, Hermon and Petrusburg in the Free State, while Western Cape farmers from the Tulbagh, Velddrif, De Rust, Montagu and Paarl also donated fodder.
Although gratitude has been expressed for these donations of feed, Agri Western urgently needs cash donations to cover the transport costs.
| Any company or individual wishing to contribute funds to the drought fund, can contact Western Cape Agri at 021 860 3804. |
