With foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) continuing to impact farms across South Africa, the agricultural community is finding new ways to respond.

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One such effort took place on the golf course in Randpark Golf Club, where Farmer’s Weekly, together with FarmTalk and other partners, hosted a charity golf day to raise funds and awareness for the ongoing challenge.

Although the day was filled with smiles and friendly competition, everyone understood why they were there. FMD is a dangerous disease affecting livestock like cattle, sheep, and pigs. It spreads quickly, causing significant losses for farmers, including the closure of export markets and income losses.

As teams moved from one hole to the next, people talked about their experiences and shared ideas on how to better control the disease. Some discussed ways to improve farm safety, while others spoke about the importance of quick action when outbreaks occur.

The money raised from the relief fund golf day will go towards helping farmers impacted by the disease. It will go to the Agri Relief Foundation, a non-profit organisation for South African farmers.

Also read: Golf day raises funds and awareness

Nicole Swart, of the NPO, explained that, as a non-profit, they raise funds for farmers in need, and are now focusing on the foot-and-mouth-disease. “Farmer’s Weekly is going to take all of the funds they raised today for the farmers direct to the foundation, and make sure that it gets sent out to the correct farmers that need the money urgently. With FMD, the cattle farmers are struggling.

“They can’t sell, and now the pigs also have a disease, so farmers have to take away the babies, so they don’t get the sickness from the mothers or the bigger ones. So, it makes the process of selling the meat and everything so much longer. It means the farmers need to buy more food for the cattle or the pigs to keep them sustainable.”

By the end of the day, it was clear that the event was not just about golf; it was about working together to protect farms and animals. Everyone was feeling hopeful, knowing that even small efforts, like a day on the golf course, can make a big difference.

Derrick Coetzee, from New Holland, a company that sells machinery to farmers, said that for them, if the farmer gets pinched, especially with the animal issues they have now, they are also affected. “Where we can make a difference to support them, we are definitely there, from a New Holland standpoint, and try to support the guys. There’s a couple of teams. I would have liked to see more guys come and support the event, but with the auctions, we can be able to make a bigger difference.”

The day ended with a gala dinner and an online auction by the Meekart.

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