In the September 2026 edition of Stockfarm, we unpack the challenges that South Africa’s pork industry is facing, meet Veronica Rorich, winner of the 2026 Veeplaas Climate-smart Ambassador competition, and learn about her regenerative farming practices. Discover how to navigate grazing in the killer months. We also take a closer look at the importance of integrated tick control.
Pork industry challenges
South Africa’s pork industry is navigating a challenging period, characterised by rising production costs and complex market dynamics. Although the sector continues to grow, pressure on producers’ profit margins is increasing due to escalating feed, energy and fuel prices. These economic realities, combined with low domestic per capita pork consumption, stiff competition from lower-priced imports and outbreaks of highly contagious diseases, have created a demanding operating environment. In the September 2026 issue of Stockfarm, Timon Dedekind and Edward Mokoena of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State unpack these changing dynamics.
New Veeplaas Climate-smart Ambassador shows us how
Do you farm simply to make as much money as possible, or because of a deep love for nature? For Veronica Rorich, winner of the 2026 Veeplaas Climate-smart Ambassador competition, the answer is undoubtedly the latter. After a successful career as a psychologist in Cape Town, she chose to return to her family farm because she believes she has a responsibility to care for the land. Stockfarm’s Koos du Pisanie visited her at N’Rougas Farm to experience first-hand what her innovative regenerative farming practices entail, and the results she has achieved.
Navigate grazing quality and ticks in the killer months
In the South African livestock sector, the term ‘killer months’ refers to the most challenging transitional phase in the annual lick programme cycle. This period generally extends from late winter to early spring, when veld quality and availability are at their lowest, making a comprehensive, well-structured lick programme essential to maintaining animal performance. Dr Josef van Wyngaard, acting national technical manager at Voermol, discusses the role of energy and protein, supplementation during calving and a three-phase lick programme with Stockfarm’s Christal-Lize Muller.
The blue tick threat
Blue ticks are among the major parasitic challenges South African cattle producers have to contend with. In addition to the direct damage these ticks cause, they also carry serious diseases that can result in major economic losses. For producers, this means that effective tick control is not only about managing the parasite itself but also about preventing diseases that can seriously affect herd performance. Dr Tom Strydom, an independent veterinary consultant with a special interest in ticks, tells us why an integrated approach is more important than ever.
The September 2026 issue of Stockfarm is available from selected retailers or at https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Plaas-Media/Stockfarm/Business/. The magazine is also available as an interactive flipbook at https://digimags.agriorbit.com/books/Stockfarm-September-2026/. To subscribe, phone Rochelle George on 064 890 6941 or SMS ‘Subscribe’ and your phone number to 064 890 6941.
