Hanlie du Plessis
Hanlie du Plessis, a freelance journalist and content strategist, has over twenty years of experience in agricultural media. Her passion is bringing editorial projects from concept to final print, digital, or broadcast format. This stems from her strong sectoral roots, which centre around farmers, their stories, and their animals.
High court sets final deadline for FMD vaccination scheme
The Pretoria High Court has given the Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen a new deadline to publish its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination scheme, as tensions rise between parts of the livestock industry and government over access to vaccines and delays in disease control.
Vet bodies slam ‘unworkable and unlawful’ draft FMD vaccination plan
South Africa’s proposed national vaccination scheme for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is facing strong opposition from veterinary organisations, which warn that the plan, in its current form, could fail to contain the disease and expose government to legal risk.
Questions raised over timing of FMD booster vaccinations and vaccine handling
A group of farmers in the Vergenoeg area, between Balmoral in Mpumalanga and Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng, have raised concerns following the re-administration of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccinations to their cattle just four weeks after an initial immunisation by state veterinary services.
Performance testing made Bonsmara SA’s most trusted beef breed
Decades of compulsory performance testing has shaped the Bonsmara into a reliable, data-driven beef breed. By prioritising measurable function over appearance, Bonsmara breeders have built a transparent genetic system that delivers proven performance, adaptability, and commercial relevance.
Dispute grows over FMD framework process and court order compliance
Pressure is mounting on the Department of Agriculture (DoA) over its handling of the proposed Section 10 framework for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as legal challenges and concerns about the public consultation process converge.
FMD response: government’s assurances vs farmers’ reality
While Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen highlights growing vaccine supply and a coordinated national response, farmers say rollout delays, missed deadlines, and patchy delivery are undermining trust at a critical point in South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis.
Nampo 2026 shifts focus from survival to profitability under pressure
With farmers facing rising costs, climate risks, and policy uncertainty, Nampo 2026 is positioning itself as a platform for practical solutions rather than simply innovation for its own sake.
Post-vaccination monitoring to drive next phase of FMD control
South Africa’s emergency vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is entering a decisive new phase, with improved vaccine supply, early field data, and a structured monitoring programme on the horizon.
Exports stall as red tape chokes meat trade
The disruption of South Africa’s red meat exports stems from the recent implementation of stricter regulatory requirements under Veterinary Procedural Notice 59, a framework designed to safeguard international market access by strengthening traceability, biosecurity, and disease risk management.
New FMD research supports changes to slaughter rules
Pressure is mounting on authorities to revise South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) slaughter regulations, after research from the University of Pretoria (UP) found that current rules are not aligned with scientific evidence and are contributing to losses in the livestock industry.
Livestock industry welcomes vaccination scheme, but gaps raise concern
Livestock farmers across South Africa could soon be allowed to vaccinate their own animals against foot-and-mouth disease under a newly proposed government scheme aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.
Botswana expands FMD control zones as outbreak intensifies
Botswana has confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the north-eastern part of the country, triggering a swift escalation in containment measures as authorities race to prevent further spread.
Tomatoes anchor trade, but logistics and prices remain under pressure
Tomatoes remain one of the most widely produced and consumed vegetables globally, underpinning both international food trade and local food security.
Goss’s wilt spreads in SA, industry calls for vigilance not panic
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a significant expansion in the distribution of Goss’s wilt across South Africa, with a 2025 national survey showing that the bacterial maize disease is now present in eight provinces.
PIC seeks exit as Daybreak Foods struggles to recover from collapse
The Public Investment Corporation is moving to sell a majority stake in poultry producer Daybreak Foods, as the company continues to grapple with the fallout from financial, governance, and animal welfare crises in 2025.
From fire investigation to Wagyu excellence
When forensic fire investigator Zelda Greyling arrived at a farm to assess a blaze, she didn’t expect to meet a cow that would change her life. That meeting led her to purchase Mitzi, an elite Akaushi female, and launch Bizon Wagyu in Hammanskraal, Gauteng. She spoke to Hanlie du Plessis.
Treasury unveils fuel levy cut to cushion price shock
Government has announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy in a bid to blunt steep April fuel price increases driven by global energy volatility, while signalling further support measures for households and key sectors.
FMD fault lines deepen over ‘private gatekeeper’ dispute
Differences over how to manage foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are testing the alignment between South Africa’s livestock industry and veterinary leadership.
RPO appeals for ‘voice of reason’ amid FMD vaccination dispute
Legal tensions over South Africa’s proposed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination scheme are intensifying, with the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) urging stakeholders to prioritise facts over fiction and work together to safeguard the livestock industry.
OBP launches Respiclos vaccine
Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has launched Respiclos, a combination vaccine designed to address two of the most costly and persistent disease challenges in South African cattle: bovine respiratory disease and clostridial infections.
