This is according to Agri Northern Cape General Manager Henning Myburgh. He says the province has been hard hit over the last three years, with especially livestock farmers already heavily indebted due to feed costs.

Myburgh says they are still very dependent feed donations as pastures and rangelands need time to recover following recent rains. There are also parts of the huge province that have not had any rain yet.

He says farmers producing feed, including things like lucerne, are among the few producers who can make good money at the moment. However, many are instead reaching out to fellow farmers in need:

“Farmers who are producing feed can really get very good prices for the feed. Yet in spite of the financial aspect, there are still feed producers who are making feed available to fellow farmers at very reasonable prices, or in some cases even as donations.

“For me, this is a wonderful side of the drought, the way that farming community has come together to help other farmers.”

He also lauded agri businesses and coops for their support.

Myburgh says another positive is that out of the box emergency thinking may even unlock new plans for the future, such as feeding potatoes to livestock:

“We were able to move 450 tons of potatoes from the Western Cape to the Northern Cape for animal feed. Initially we were a bit sceptical but at the end of the day it worked fantastically.

“It is not just hungry animals that will eat this. It seems to me that in places like America it is a fairly common practice and we were surprised at how well the animals adapted.”

Myburgh says follow-up rain is desperately needed within the next few weeks. He is also urging anyone who can assist with feed to make contact with Agri Northern Cape.


Sabrina Dean/OFM News