01 May 2020

Although it is undisputed that instituting the lockdown as a precautionary mechanism against the spread of COVID-19 was paramount, the cattle industry in Ghanzi is at the receiving end.

Cattle driven industries such as feedlots cannot buy cattle from farmers during the lockdown period, particularly that only permits for direct slaughter are issued.

Manager of Grandin Sturts, a feedlot company near D’kar, Mr Hendrick Jerling told BOPA in an interview that currently only permits for direct slaughter are issued, as such they can no longer buy cattle from farmers.

“Fortunately we had stock before the lockdown,” he stated.

Nonetheless, Mr Jerling said the demand for cattle from their suppliers has declined, saying that they used to supply Kang abattoir with 40 cattle per week, but now they only supply them with 40 cattle every three weeks.

“We are loading this week and our next load is on the 10^th of May,” he explained.

Subsequently, he said their trucks were under-utilised.

On the other hand, he said they were discouraged from selling to Botswana Meat Commission because of its low prices and late payments.

Mr Jerling is advocating for free beef market that would end BMC monopoly, saying that government should open borders and allow export of live cattle for the beef market to flourish.

For her part, administration officer at Ken Trek feedlot, Ms Dalene Henning stated that like the rest of other businesses, they are affected, but stated that public health and saving lives was crucial during this period.

Ms Henning said it was time to focus and understand procedures towards elimination of COVID-19 pandemic.

She said they were running with skeletal staff as a way of complying with COVID-19 regulations and they did not allow unnecessary visitors during this period.

Ms Henning stated that even during this trying time they put their trust in God, “He will still look after us and we hope we will be back in business very soon and the Lord will provide double to those who had suffered.”

She stated that in three weeks, some of their cattle will be ready for the market.

Ms Henning held that export of live cattle for slaughter before the lock down has significantly boosted their businesses. Ends