AGRICULTURAL NEWS - Van Wyk said the total herd reduction was difficult to quantify, but that the number of farmers who had lost their entire herds was dramatically escalating.
“I know of many producers who were left with no choice but to send all the sheep they [managed] to keep alive to feedlots,” he said.
Van Wyk said that farming conditions between Carnavon and Vosburg were dire, as a result of insufficient rain and high temperatures over the past four years.
Conditions in the Brandvlei, Loeriesfontein, Pofadder and Granaatkolk regions were equally dismal.
“The farmers are desperate and the future is bleak. Many of them are on the brink of reaching breaking point. My heart bleeds for them and their families,” Van Wyk said.
He said the situation was worsened by the fact that there was ample animal feed available in the northern parts of the country, but as Agri Northern Cape’s budget for transportation was depleted, the feed could not be transported to those in need.
