South African News
Farmers Urged to Vaccinate Livestock Against Bluetongue Ahead of Rainy Season
As South Africa’s rainy season nears, Bloemfontein state veterinarian Dr Hanri Bester-Cloete is calling on livestock farmers, particularly sheep owners, to vaccinate against bluetongue – a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe illness and financial losses. Farmers are advised to keep animals away from wet, low-lying areas and to consult veterinarians promptly for diagnosis and vaccination. Two vaccines are available: a live three-dose vaccine and Biologix, which can be used on pregnant ewes and lambs. Although bluetongue does not affect humans, timely vaccination is essential to prevent outbreaks.
Read full story: Farmer’s Weekly
Date Published: October 29, 2025
KZN Agriculture Head Vows to Support UN Goal to End Global Hunger by 2030
Zibusiso Dlamini, Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reaffirmed the province’s dedication to the United Nations’ goal of ending world hunger by 2030 during a UN Day commemoration. Speaking on behalf of MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, Dlamini emphasised that KZN’s agricultural initiatives are closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing hunger, sustainability, and rural upliftment. He called for collaboration across sectors to tackle challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and inequality, underscoring the importance of collective global action.
Read full story: African Farming
Date Published: October 30, 2025
African News
Church Farms Drive Food Security and Self-Sufficiency in Congo
United Methodists in the South Congo Conference are combating food insecurity through a network of church-run farms supported by the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Funded by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, these agropastoral projects combine crop production and livestock rearing to promote local self-sufficiency. Sites near Lubumbashi now produce maize, soybeans, poultry and pigs, supporting families with food and income. The initiative also trains farmers in sustainable practices such as conservation agriculture and agroecology. Beneficiaries report greater stability, improved diets, and renewed dignity, while the church strengthens its role as a force for community transformation.
Read full story: UM News
Date Published: October 29, 2025
Global News
Bovonic Secures Funding to Launch QuadSense Mastitis Device in UK and Ireland
New Zealand agri-tech company Bovonic has received investment from Cultivate Ventures to support the UK and Ireland launch of its QuadSense mastitis monitoring device. The funding round, led by Pacific Channel and joined by Enterprise Angels and NZVC, marks Bovonic’s expansion into international markets. QuadSense, already installed on over 150 New Zealand farms, provides real-time udder health data to detect mastitis early and improve dairy herd wellbeing. CEO Liam Kampshof, who recently relocated to the UK, said the investment validates Bovonic’s mission to deliver affordable, scalable, science-backed technology to global dairy farmers.
Read full story: IT Brief
Date Published: October 30, 2025
McDonald’s and Arla Deepen Partnership to Boost Nature-Led Dairy Sustainability
McDonald’s has expanded its long-standing partnership with Arla Foods to launch a nature-led sustainability initiative across 60 UK organic dairy farms. Through Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership and ReNature project, the collaboration will focus on improving soil health, biodiversity and wildlife habitats, while sharing data to establish measurable sustainability benchmarks. Arla supplies McDonald’s with organic milk for its UK restaurants and has invested nearly £1 million in regenerative farming projects. The strengthened partnership aligns with McDonald’s Plan for Change and the UK’s Dairy Roadmap, aiming to reduce emissions and promote nature-positive, resilient dairy farming.
Read full story: New Food Magazine
Date Published: October 30, 2025
Mexico Yet to Set Date for Resuming Cattle Exports to U.S. Amid Screwworm Outbreak
Mexico’s Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue said no date has been agreed with the United States to restart cattle exports, which have been suspended since May due to a screwworm parasite outbreak. Speaking after a video conference with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Berdegue noted progress but stressed that reopening the border depends on controlling the infestation. Mexico and the U.S. are testing mobile plants to boost sterile fly production, a key eradication tool, while a $21 million facility in Chiapas is planned for 2026. The export ban has tightened U.S. cattle supplies and driven prices to record highs.
Read full story: The Western Producer
Date Published: October 29, 2025
Indonesia Assures Cooking Oil Supply Will Remain Stable as B50 Biodiesel Plan Expands
Indonesia’s Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has dismissed concerns that the government’s upcoming B50 biodiesel programme will trigger a cooking oil shortage, despite both products relying on crude palm oil (CPO). The B50 mandate, set for rollout in 2026, will require about 5.3 million tonnes of CPO annually, slightly more than domestic cooking oil needs. To ensure sufficient supply, the government plans to boost plantation productivity, expand oil palm cultivation, and adjust exports through the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy. Experts, however, have cautioned that the shift could raise subsidy costs, reduce export income, and impact palm oil prices.
Read full story: Ukr Agro Consult
Date Published: October 30, 2025
