Posted on January 30, 2025
A recent Farmer’s Day organised by the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Veterinary Science and Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) resulted in the successful identifying, aging and vaccination of 176 cattle.
The event, which took place in Mathibestad in the Bojanala District of the North West province towards the end of 2024, formed part of a programme that aims to empower communal and emerging farmers.
RMIS’s Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) provided tagging, aging and vaccination services. The MPU, which has a body crush, neck clamp, tag scanner and electronic scale, among other features, represents a breakthrough in livestock management. Designed to provide farmers with essential on-site livestock services, the MPU is a fully equipped mobile facility that supports tagging, branding, dehorning and vaccinating livestock, all while adhering to the required standards for biosecurity and animal welfare.
UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science provided the vaccines and medication needed. Each animal was vaccinated against lumpy skin disease and received Supavax, a combination vaccine against anthrax and botulism, along with ivermectin for parasite control.
The event was deemed a resounding success because the number of cattle seen and treated (176) was above the target of 150.
Dr Andy Hentzen, line manager in the Production Animal Clinic (PAC) of the faculty’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH), which is a patron of the Farmer’s Day event, commended the collaboration between the faculty and RMIS. “It was a pleasure to work with a very efficient and helpful RMIS team,” he said.
The university team consisted of faculty members Dr Aishwarya Nair and Sindisiwe Mashinini, and students Rachelle Warren, Ndumiso Sikhakhane, Kreshalia Ephraim, Nikyle Singh, Bokang Kekana, Marli Swart, Hannah Jhavary and Rachel Welsh.
RMIS was represented by livestock technical advisors Khomotso Mashiloane and Mlungisi Ntombela. Community leader William Matjebe worked with local herders to reach the target of 150 cattle. Matjebe said his agriculture learnership students were of great help in herding the cattle.
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