HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

Protecting your dairy herd from foot-and-mouth Sarah Harrison – Technical Advisor: Dairy Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is every livestock farmer’s worst nightmare; fast-spreading, disruptive, and expensive. For South African dairy producers, staying one step ahead of this highly contagious disease is not just good farming, it is essential to protect your animals, your milk supply, and your market access. Smart biosecurity practices can go a long way toward keeping your herd safe. In this article, we break down practical, science-based biosecurity steps to help dairy farms across South Africa prevent FMD, stay compliant with national regulations, and keep operations running smoothly, even when risks are high. South Africa operates under a zoned FMD control system: • FMD endemic zones (mostly in Limpopo and near Kruger National Park) • Protection zones • FMD free zones (which support exports and higher-value trade) Figure 1: Foot and Mouth Disease Controlled Areas of South Africa