Livestock Feature February 2026

February 2026

Livestock Under Pressure: Biosecurity, Breed Strategy & Profitability South Africa’s livestock sector is navigating one of its most challenging periods in recent years. As Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and avian influenza outbreaks disrupt production and trade, farmers are calling for stronger coordination, clearer vaccination protocols and faster regulatory responses. With vaccine imports, local production efforts and biosecurity compliance under the spotlight, disease management has become