This a few days after warning of veld fire conditions in several places in the Northern Cape and Free State provinces. The Citizen reports the weather service of the Free State warn a few ‘high-based’ afternoon thunderstorms are also expected in the southern Free State, and such high-based storms are known to result in strong surface wind and gusty conditions during the change of season as the lower part of the atmosphere is still much drier. In the Northern Cape large uncontrollable veld fires were observed in the past week when north-westerly winds reached 50km/h over the central interior. Moreover, a few ‘high-based’ afternoon thundershowers are also expected in the Northern Cape. The same weather conditions are expected in the North West province, with the weather province warning drivers to be careful on the roads.

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We’ve entered spring and will soon be entering the summer season. With these warmer conditions, farmers have to be on the lookout for some pests and diseases that might cause illnesses in livestock animals. According to Dr Berry Mutowembwa, a Veterinarian at the Agricultural Research Council, one of these diseases that farmers should be on the lookout, for now, is pink eye which is caused by domestic flies. He says if humans are not careful when handling an animal with pink eye, they too might get infected. Flies tend to thrive in hot conditions and, amongst other things, transmit pink eye to animals. Mutowembwa explains that pink eye is an eye infection that happens when a normal domestic fly deposit its bacteria into the eye of the animal. In more severe cases, pink eye can cause permanent blindness in one or both eyes of the animal. He adds the most important prevention measure is to separate affected animals from those that are not infected. This, as there will be movement of flies between the animals. It is also important that farmers control flies amongst animals. One of the methods that can be used is to dispose of manure on a regular basis. Mutowembwa says that manure is usually a breeding ground for flies to lay their eggs in, which will result in the appearance of more flies.

OFM News/The Citizen