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Managing losses and optimising production. This is what it’s all about for the RPO Mpumalanga, says Hennie Laas, general manager of this branch of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO). “Profit is the lifeblood of any farming business, and no farm can survive without it.” It is also the reason for RPO Mpumalanga’s drive to empower members to pursue high profit margins, rather than higher farmgate prices.
“Prices are determined by the free market and neither the producer nor the RPO has any influence on the prices paid for products. What we should strive for is making a positive difference to producers’ future by mitigating losses and streamlining production practices. The kilograms of meat produced per hectare is what ultimately makes a producer either good or average.”
More fertile, more profit
In this regard genetic progress is vital, and fertility is one of the best ways to improve a producer’s marginal profit levels. The higher the lamb or calf percentage, the higher the income (profit), says Laas. “As for commercial producers there isn’t much to improve seeing as many successful Highveld producers already achieve an impressive calf percentage of 90%.
However, there is still much to do to help small-scale and developing producers improve their livestock genetics – these producers’ breeding material is usually not of the same standard as that of commercial producers.
“This is where RPO Mpumalanga and its members can assist by making bulls available. We can also support these producers in making smart feed decisions to keep input costs low. At the same time, we need to look at them getting better market access so they can sell their animals,” says Laas. Mpumalanga already has a number of strategic auctions at which new entrants can compete for better prices.
Combatting stock theft
Of course, genetics, market access, and affordable feed mean nothing if your assets are stolen. That is why RPO Mpumalanga is involved in the provincial stock theft forum (meetings take place quarterly). “At each meeting we discuss ways of combatting livestock theft more effectively.
“Although the police actively participate in the forums, they face enormous challenges in carrying out their duties. The biggest issue is a lack of vehicles and equipment to act preventively or to investigate crime scenes. Another issue is that the number of police officers wanting to specialise in stock theft is shrinking. It is a complex field characterised by gruelling working hours.”
The way the legal system functions is also disheartening at times. “Getting suspects into court is a struggle at best. When the case does go to court, the suspect(s) is released on bail. And then the courts follow a process whereby cases are postponed several times, with complainants/witnesses having to return to court up to eleven times before a verdict is finally handed down. This creates a situation whereby producers don’t want to report stolen livestock anymore.”
According to Laas, these systemic flaws are unfortunately leading to heightened frustration and situations where communities are taking the law into their own hands. “The incident at Verena over the festive period is a good example. Producers caught would-be cattle thieves red-handed when the latter’s vehicles got stuck as they tried to get away. The vehicles were set alight and badly damaged. It is concerning that it takes such an incident to spur the police into action.”
Following the Verena incident, police found 26 lost cattle during a raid. On 2 January, the SABC reported that the raid was conducted under the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) provincial commissioner, major general Zeph Mkhwanazi, following “years of rampant cattle theft in the area”.
At the time, the police warned producers not to employ undocumented workers as cheap labour, as these labourers allegedly started stealing to make up for their poor wages. Since they are not registered with the Department of Home Affairs, they believe they can get away with stealing, Mkwanazi said.
Read more about more police officers arrested for stock theft.
Improving animal health
Animal health is another important issue and in this respect RPO Mpumalanga – on behalf of its members – is working closely with the province’s Veterinary Services. “We are fortunate to have an excellent directorate of veterinary services here in the province,” says Laas. “They are particularly good at monitoring the red area for foot-and-mouth disease and animal movement.”
However, RPO Mpumalanga is concerned about the way notifiable diseases are being handled (compulsory vaccinations are prescribed but often neglected). Brucellosis vaccinations are a major concern and allegedly only 17% of the national cattle herd is vaccinated against it. This is worrying considering that brucellosis also threatens human health. Vaccinating and dosing animals will support their health, leading to fewer animals being lost to diseases and a much-improved profit margin for producers.
Farming together for the future
“Our office is available to members 24 hours a day and is aimed at improving the profitability and sustainability of our members’ red meat production endeavours,” says Laas.
RPO Mpumalanga is prioritising the implementation of a traceability system so the origin of animals and animal products can be traced back to farm level. “Our producers are slow to register because of the cost involved, both in time and money, and the fact that there is no incentive. It also doesn’t guarantee better meat prices.”
Yet an unmarked or untraceable animal can end up costing the producer because it is difficult to prove ownership without it. Although it could be argued that the solution is straightforward – owners simply need to brand their livestock – this is not the case, says Laas. “Our branding register is outdated, with thousands of brands having fallen into disuse. We need convince the Registrar of Animal Identification that the register needs updating.”
RPO Mpumalanga also spends a lot of time managing predation, as this also impacts the losses producers are coping with.
Read more about handling and preparation of meat products.
Membership fees
Over the past decade, the province’s membership fee, which is a voluntary levy, has remained the same. It is still 0,15% of the producer’s selling price. “I don’t think it’s an unreasonable contribution, and amounts to a mere R1,50 for every R1 000 turnover a producer generates,” says Laas.
This money is used exclusively for the benefit of red meat producers in Mpumalanga. The dream is for the province’s producers to come together to establish a strong brand for Highveld grassland meat/beef/sheep.
The region has the ability to market animals directly from the veld as 100% natural meat. “If we can establish this brand, similar to that of Karoo Lamb, it could potentially make a significant contribution to improving our producers’ profit margins.” – Susan Marais, Stockfarm
Contact Hennie Laas on 082 401 0868 for more information.
