HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

mud and dung as possible should be removed before entering. • In high-risk areas (lambing pens, feedlots, etc.), all people entering the farm should go through a footbath and have their hands disinfected. Movement on the farm should always be to the most sensitive animals first and to the most mature animals last. • Protective clothing always helps when working with animals, as some diseases can be carried over to humans as well (zoonotic diseases) – you have to know what they are. • Quarantine camps or pens must always be used to house foreign or new animals that come onto the farm, to isolate any disease that might come with them, like foot-and-mouth, brandsiek (scab), etc., until they are cleared or treated. Internal biosecurity • Internal biosecurity implies the containment and prevention of diseases within/on the farm. • Heat stress is a major threat in confined (and open) spaces, which reduces feed intake, induces malnutrition, and compromises immunity. Identify areas of concern and provide shade where needed, at for instance, feedlots, lambing pens, etc. • Stress conditions can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which compromises the entire immune system and allows pathogens to enter directly into the bloodstream. Reduce stress and unnecessary handling of animals (weaning, heat stress, transport, etc.) • Here a proper vaccination programme is essential to ensure that maximum resilience against any disease is obtained by the best possible immunity for all animals. A few important factors: 1. Seek veterinarian advice on specific treatments for your farm and do all of them all the time. Not all diseases pose threats every year – some only come around every few years, which makes immunity against them even worse – do not skip them! 2. Emphasise the correct timing of vaccination, for example: 3. To pass immunity through colostrum, vaccinations need to be administered in time for the mother to produce antibodies and pass them through colostrum – this takes time – six weeks at least. Pair with proper nutrition. 4. Do not vaccinate young lambs and calves too soon before they have an active immune system, as this cannot produce antibodies and it is wasted and create a false sense of security. 5. Make sure you vaccinate according to the prescription. For example, bluetongue, where an A, B, and C strain should be given seven days apart – do not mix them. 6. Make sure about dead and live vaccines and which can be given to which animals. 7. Most vaccines need a booster at some stage to be effective. Ensure that this happens. 8. Stick to the cold chain where relevant, do not leave cold chain vaccines in the sun when you start working, work in shaded areas. 9. Do not reuse needles unless they have been sterilised after each use. 10. Make sure you know which risks may arise when you have sudden feeding regime changes, like weaning, taking weaned animals to the feedlot, transporting animals, etc. Here we are thinking about Pasteurella and Clostridium. Are your animals ready and vaccinated before these changes happen? 11. Regular deworming or use of the FAMACHA system where resistance is experienced, and parasite control is essential to maintain a good immunity system. This may sound like a lot, but it’s what cattle and sheep farmers manage every day. At De Heus, we’re here to support and improve wherever we can, beyond nutrition, to help harness the natural power of your animals. For more detail, reach out to our technical advisors – https://www. deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com www.agribonus.co.za Herfs/Autumn 2026 BONUS 103