Continuing South African drought strains farmers, consumers

An intensifying drought that is bringing South Africa's Eastern and Southern Cape farmers to their knees is certain to cause an increase in the price of meat.

Karoo farmers, who say they have not had good rains for almost a year, have been battling a crippling drought, with most of the interior being classified by the South African Weather Service as having had below-average rainfall since August last year. Farmers say it is the worst drought they have experienced in more than 40 years - since the crippling drought of 1966. Their rainfall over the past year has been a mere quarter of the annual average of 380mm of rain for the region.

Worse news for consumers is the drought's effects on meat prices. According to Professor Johan Willemse, chairperson of agricultural economics at the University of the Free State, mutton, lamb and beef prices will continue to spiral for months after good rains have fallen.

"When conditions get better, farmers will hold on to their livestock to increase their herds," he said, adding that the "production cycle" for cattle is five years, and three years for sheep. "During the drought the animals are under extreme stress and that carries through for another year thereafter, with low birth rates."

Farmers are facing stock losses due to the drought. "I have lost more than 20 sheep," said Stewart Minnaar, who farms 50km north of Graaff-Reinet.

Another Graaff-Reinet farmer, Norman Kroon, said conditions are the worst he has seen since he started farming in the 1960s. "We're having to give our animals protein supplements to allow them to metabolise the dry veld. If we don't, they'll die," he said.

Jeremy Rose-Innes, who also farms in the area, said farmers have had to resort to feeding their sheep maize meal to keep them alive. But the cost of feed is also spiralling because of the drought, making it harder for farmers to afford it, he said.

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