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At TMR 2025, Dr. Shaun Morris addressed over 300 delegates on South Africa’s response to foot-and-mouth disease, urging the industry to learn, adapt, and build stronger systems going forward.

📅 Issued: 13 June 2025📍 Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development 🚨 Important Regulatory Update for Livestock Farmers and Transporters In light of increasing risks around animal disease transmission, new national control measures have been gazetted under the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984). These regulations are aimed specifically at cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, in order to contain the spread of controlled diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). ✅ Key Highlights of the New Measures 📝 Required Movement Documents When moving cattle, sheep, or goats, the following documents are mandatory: A health declaration from the responsible person at the origin farm. A signed undertaking from the destination farm confirming 28-day isolation before integration into the main herd. No movement allowed if animals show symptoms or suspicion of disease. 🐑 Gatherings Like Auctions & Livestock Shows Special biosecurity rules apply due to the high risk of disease spread at animal gatherings. These include: Clear separation between arrival (“dirty”) and biosecure (“clean”) areas. Mandatory on-site biosecurity officer registered with the South African Veterinary Council. Veterinary inspection of animals before and at the gathering. All animal movements and identities must be traceable and recorded for at least 5 years. 🚚 Transport Requirements Vehicles must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using approved FMD-effective products. Mixing animals from different origins increases disease risk and is discouraged. Animal conveyances must be registered and tracked. 🧼 Approved Disinfectants for FMD Use only registered products containing: Sodium hydroxide 2% […]

Do your calves have these strange hairless circular spots? It is a ringworm.Are you saying you get worms found in the skin? No, not to worry because ringworm is a fungal infection of the hair and surface layers of the skin. So, is it of much importance? Ringworm causes economic losses by affecting growth rates, especially during the early stage of infection, and permanent hide damage.Ringworm is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly by fomites (such as equipment, fencing, and feed troughs). Many factors play a role in the risk of spreading ring worm such as younger calves being more susceptible, high-density areas/camps, poor nutrition, lowered immunity, hot humid climates, and access to direct sunlight.Ringworm is characterized by grey, white circular scabs (3-5cm). Ringworm lesions are generally found on the head and neck of animals but can be found all over the body. This is why the feeding and water trough play such a key role in the spread of disease as this is where the direct contact occurs. Ringworms get their distinct circular shape from the infection starting in the center and moving outwards. Scabs can fall off leaving a hairless area with a crusty edge.Ringworm can be and is treated by using topical medications. Although these medications cannot penetrate the scab, therefore the scab needs to be scraped or brushed off first. Lesions need to be treated at least twice three to five days apart. The following products can be used F10 spray or ointment, […]

Lumpy jaw is a disease of the jawbone caused by a bacterial infection called Actinomyces bovis. These bacteria form part of the normal flora in the mouth of ruminants. So then how does it cause disease? The bacteria enter the soft tissue of the mouth through open wounds. These wounds can be caused by foreign objects such as sticks, wire, thorns, or grass awns. Very coarse feed has also been known to cause injury to the soft tissue of the mouth.True to its common name, this bacterium produces permanent hard swellings on the bones of the jaw. The bottom jawbone, the mandible, is more commonly affected. The swellings are multiple pus-filled abscesses attached to the bone. The by-products produced by this bacterium start to break down the bone of the jaw – forming little pits in the bone. The body tries to compensate for this loss by laying down new bone. This is how these swellings become permanent. The bone affected by this bacterium has a very characteristic honeycomb appearance. These swellings cause facial distortion, loss of teeth, and difficulty breathing as they obstruct the airway.Animals do not die from the bacterium directly but rather the consequences of it. Animals affected by this bacterium are unable to eat or drink properly resulting in poor condition.Lumpy jaw is not a highly contagious disease, often only one to two are affected. Animals can be treated but unfortunately, any bony changes to the jaw cannot be reversed. The bacterium is killed by treating […]