The Eastern Cape has arguably been struck the hardest by bitterly cold weather that engulfed the country. Across the country important roads have been closed to traffic due to severe snowfalls on major mountain ranges including the Camdeboo, Amatola, Winterberg, Stormberg, Witteberg and Cape Drakensberg mountains.
At the time of going to print farmers warned that it was premature to speculate over stock losses, specifically in light of another cold front being expected. Nevertheless, farmers in the Eastern and Western Cape are all relieved that moisture has finally arrived. Lizbe Potgieter, who farms in the Barkly East region, says that farmers have prepared in advance and are now keeping smallstock in every available shed or building and feeding their animals high-energy feed.
Anton Hattingh from the Lady Grey area says it’s only significant planning that has saved him from major losses, as his sheep are currently lambing in sheds. “Those who haven’t planned for this weather are definitely going to have losses, specifically if their sheep are lambing,” he said.
Bruce Joubert, lecturer at the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Fort Hare, who lives in Hogsback – and who has been keeping weather records in the area for the past 20 years – says this year’s snowfalls have been the most severe in the area since 1994. Further to the west in Cradock, Charl Greyling from the Department of Agriculture said he had not heard of any stock losses in the district despite snow-capped mountains and bitterly cold weather, but warned of possible losses if the present cold weather continues. – Mike Burgess
