RMIS NEWS

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) convened a workshop on Thursday, 3 October 2024, bringing together key stakeholders from the red meat and broader agricultural sectors, along with government representatives, to discuss the phased implementation of a livestock traceability system. This meeting marks a key moment in the process towards a unified and comprehensive approach to livestock traceability in South Africa.
The meeting focused amongst other discussion points on RMIS’s proposed phased approach to livestock traceability, aiming to establish a system for tracking livestock movements and ensuring the integrity of data across the sector. A task team has been formed to focus on four critical areas that need resolution over the next 14 days:

1. The naming of the industry traceability system.
2. Determination of a specific and unique animal identification number protocol.
3. Setting minimum requirements for both the traceability and data management systems.
4. Specifications and requirements for livestock identification tags.

The task team is composed of key representatives from various organisations in the industry, including the RPO, SA Red Meat, NALFA-SA, National Department of Agriculture, Cape Wools & NWGA, RMIS, Gendac and GS1.
These representatives will collaboratively work on the four pressing issues to ensure the traceability system is effective, practical, and aligned with international standards.
The outcomes of this initiative are expected to drive significant progress in the process of establishing the livestock traceability system. Further details will be communicated once the task team has completed its deliberations.

The South African red meat industry has long recognised the critical importance of a livestock traceability system that would not only address challenges like disease outbreaks, but also unlock significant economic benefits.

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is well-positioned to lead the analysis, development, and management of this system, given its comprehensive value chain approach and industry mandate. 

For the development and implementation of a comprehensive and trusted livestock traceability system, it must be inclusive of all role-players within the already well-functioning value chain, while also aligning with industry, government, and international requirements. To ensure this, RMIS has implemented a strategic phased approach in developing the traceability system.

The strategic phased approach adopted by RMIS offers several advantages:

• Efficiency: By breaking down the implementation process into manageable phases, RMIS can focus on delivering key components while ensuring that the overall system is built on a solid foundation.

• Risk Mitigation: A phased approach allows for the identification and mitigation of potential challenges at each stage, reducing the risk of project failure.

• Adaptability: As the industry evolves and new technologies emerge, a phased approach enables RMIS to adapt and incorporate necessary changes.

Phase 1: Identifying Key Locations

The project commenced with the implementation of Global Location Numbers (GLNs) to uniquely identify and map key locations within the supply chain. This includes farms, auction houses, feedlots, and abattoirs. RMIS has engaged a systems development company with 26 years of expertise and 80 developers to create a dedicated application for issuing and managing GLNs in collaboration with GS1. The application will facilitate accurate location identification, verification, and visualisation on a national map. This effort ensures each site is geo-fenced, enhancing the efficiency of livestock tracking and management.

Read more about the collaboration with GS1 here: https://rmis.co.za/news/a-step-towards-livestock-traceability-rmis-collaborates-with-gs1/

Development Phases

The development of the GLN application phases:

• Analysis: Completed 5 July 2024.

• Design: Finalised 22 July 2024.

• Development: Scheduled from mid to late October 2024.

• Commercialisation: Set for 1 November 2024.

Phase 2: Capturing and Sharing Animal Data

Following the successful identification of locations, Phase 2 focuses on capturing and sharing essential animal data through various recordkeeping systems. The minimum traceability data, known as GGID, includes GLN, GPS coordinates, ID numbers, and date/time stamps. The approach emphasises decentralised data management while ensuring standardised sharing to maintain data integrity and support traceability from production to end-consumer.

Phase 3: Standardising Data Sharing

Currently, RMIS is in the analysis phase of developing a platform to facilitate the standardised sharing of traceability data. This platform will integrate data from various recordkeeping systems to provide a clear, unified view of livestock movement throughout the supply chain. The collaboration with GS1 and Gendacensures that the platform meets international standards and effectively supports the industry’s traceability needs.

The success of this initiative hinges on collaboration among all industry stakeholders, including small-scale and commercial farmers, auction houses, feedlots, abattoirs, service providers, and government bodies. Over the past six months, RMIS has worked closely with these groups, and the optimism surrounding the project reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable and efficient red meat value chain. 

Through a strategic phased approach, RMIS is working to ensure that this system is both effective and sustainable. By addressing key challenges and unlocking economic opportunities, traceability will play a vital role in enhancing the reputation and competitiveness of South African red meat products on the global market.

Many Small-scale and communal farmers face significant challenges in livestock management and market access, often due to limited resources and infrastructure. The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has taken a step to change this dynamic by introducing Mobile Processing Units (MPUs), a groundbreaking solution designed to bring essential livestock services directly to the farmer.

What is the RMIS Mobile Processing Unit?

The Mobile Processing Unit is a fully equipped mobile facility that delivers essentiallivestock management services right where farmers need them. Each unit is designed to provide efficient, humane livestock handling and processing services, including tagging, branding, dehorning, and vaccinations.

The MPU is outfitted with:

• Body crush and neck clamp for safe animal handling

• Electronic scale to ensure precise weight measurement

• High-frequency tag scanner to support traceability and animal identification

• A range of animal handling tools for efficient, humane treatment

MPUs are operated by trained production specialists, ensuring that all procedures follow proper specifications and biosecurity standards. This allows farmers to manage their livestock more effectively, improving both health and productivity while adhering to the highest standards of animal welfare.

How the MPU Benefits Farmers

The introduction of Mobile Processing Units provide a variety of critical benefits to small-scale and communal farmers. These units help bridge the gap between farmers and much-needed livestock services, offering tangible advantages such as:

• Improved Livestock Health: Vaccinations, tagging, and other services delivered on-site mean better animal care, leading to healthier herds.

• Enhanced Productivity: With proper livestock management, farmers can increase their production, enabling more consistent supply to markets.

• Increased Market Access: By improving livestock traceability and overall health, farmers can enter formal markets, both locally and internationally.

• Cost and Time Efficiency: Bringing services directly to farmers reduces the need for long, costly trips to far-off processing centres.

Successful Pilot Program: A Model for Growth

In 2024, RMIS implemented a successful pilot project to test the MPU in real-world conditions. The pilot was carried out at various communal farms and diptanks, processing over 2,000 cattle. This initiative allowed RMIS to refine logistics and inventory management while gathering valuable insights into how the units would operate on a larger scale.

Beyond just testing equipment, the pilot also provided an opportunity to engage with local farmers, helping to build trust and gauge interest. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with farmers expressing strong support for the project.

The pilot’s success has laid a strong foundation for the national rollout of MPUs, providing RMIS with the operational blueprint needed to make this initiative a long-term success.

National Rollout: Bringing MPUs to All Provinces

In 2025, RMIS plans to expand the MPU programme to every province in South Africa, deploying nine units across the country. Each MPU will target centralised locations, such as communal diptanks, while supporting existing projects like the Land Development Support Programme.

The projected impact of the national rollout includes:

Projected outcomes of the national rollout:

• 9 MPUs processing an average of 150 animals per day

• 27,000 animals processed per month

• 297,000 animals processed annually

• 1,485,000 animals processed over five years

This initiative has the potential to revolutionise livestock management in South Africa, directly benefiting farmers and significantly contributing to the country’s agricultural sector.

Community Integration and Local Expertise

One of the standout features of the MPU initiative is its focus on integrating local expertise. RMIS plans to hire production specialists from the provinces where the MPUs will operate. These specialists will already have strong ties to the communities they serve, helping to foster trust and collaboration between the MPU teams and local farmers.

This approach not only ensures cost-efficiency by reducing operational overheads but also strengthens community involvement, creating a sense of shared responsibility and ownership over the initiative.

Moreover, the MPU programme is supported by a dedicated management team and technical advisors to resolve any challenges quickly. An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system will manage operations, including bookings, inventory, and reporting, ensuring efficient service delivery across the board.

Supporting the Future of Farming with Training and Education

Beyond livestock processing, RMIS is investing in farmer education to ensure the sustainability of the MPU initiative. The RMIS training division, in partnership with AgriSeta, will provide non-credit bearing courses to communal farmers and selected diptanks. These courses are designed to equip farmers with essential skills in livestock processing, enhancing their ability to manage livestock health and production independently.

By empowering farmers with practical knowledge and tools, RMIS aims to foster a more informed and capable agricultural community. This approach not only maximises the benefits of the MPU but also ensures that farmers are better prepared to sustain and grow their operations over time.

Traceability: A Key to Market Access

Traceability is a vital part of the MPU strategy. As MPUs process livestock, the animals will be tagged and registered using a geo-fenced traceability system. Each communal area will be assigned a Global Location Number (GLN), creating a digital map of livestock movements.

This traceability system will allow RMIS to track the origins of livestock, improving biosecurity and making it easier for farmers to access formal markets. As the system expands, it will provide funders and stakeholders with comprehensive reports on livestock processing, market access, and community impact.

A Collaborative Effort for Agricultural Growth

The RMIS Mobile Processing Units are more than just a tool for livestock processing – they represent a collaborative effort to support small-scale farmers and drive sustainable growth across South Africa’s agricultural sector. By bringing essential services directly to farming communities, RMIS is helping farmers increase their productivity, access new markets, and become more resilient in the face of industry challenges.

Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future

RMIS is committed to the success of the MPU project, having invested over R9 million to ensure its long-term sustainability. This funding provides a strong foundation for the initiative and offers potential partners the opportunity to extend their reach and impact. By joining forces with RMIS, companies can help amplify this effort, contributing to the growth of South Africa’s agricultural sector and the empowerment of small-scale farmers.

Contact us today to find out how your company can get involved and make a lasting impact on South African agriculture.

The Stock Theft Prevention Pilot Project began with three well-attended workshops. These events, facilitated by RMIS Livestock Technical Advisors, Ernest Makua and KhomotsoMashiloane, are held in collaboration with the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), National Stock Theft Prevention Forum (NSTPF), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD).

• 24 July 2024, hosted at the Ephrain Mogale Local Municipality Hall, Marble Hall with 163 participants and facilitated by Ernest Makua.

• 07 August 2024 hosted at the Sephaku Community Hall, Groblersdal with 132 participants and facilitated by Khomotso Mashiloane.

• 15 August 2024 hosted at the Morwangoato Tribal Office, Ga-Marishane Village with 167 participants and facilitated by Ernest Makua.

Workshop participants were keen to share their experiences and actively engaged in discussions, revealing the following issues:

1. The noticeable communication gap between farmers and law enforcement, often leading to delays in responding to theft incidents.

2. The need for better training and resources for both farmers and police to strengthen prevention and response efforts. 

3. Building trust and involving the community in stock theft prevention.

4. The lack of proper livestock identification, particularly the tattooing and brand marking of cattle among communal and emerging farmers. (RMIS has initiated a cattle identification campaign in Marble Hall and Groblersdal, tagging over 1,400 cattle with unique RMIS numbers and bar codes, with many of the cattle also being branded. This has significantly improved traceability in these regions, with plans to expand the campaign to other areas soon.)

5. Participants also suggested involving the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in future discussions to clarify the legal process in livestock theft cases. 

6. The need for better reporting mechanisms and more effective tracking and follow-up on reported thefts, emphasising the need for greater transparency and efficiency.

If the pilot project proves successful, RMIS intends to roll out the programme nationwide across all provinces in 2025. 

In 2024, RMIS Inclusive Growth introduced a pilot programme designed to support communal and small-scale farmers in Limpopo with animal production practices and knowledge sharing at four dip tanks. A key intervention of this programme is the identification of animals through ear tagging and branding, an essential but often overlooked practice for preventing stock theft. 

This new pilot project, made possible by AgriSeta discretionary funds, emerged when the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum (NSTPF) identified a critical need for an awareness programme focused on preventative measures against stock theft. Stock theft, often occurring in remote pastures far from homes, is one of the most challenging crimes to prosecute.

The pilot project aims to build awareness about the impact of stock theft on the red meat industry, highlight the importance of preventative measures such as livestock marking as mandated by the Animal Identification Act of 1998, and to create a platform for collaboration against stock theft.

This is a collaborative effort between RMIS and RPO, which oversees the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum under SAPS National instruction 28 of 1995, updated to SAPS national instruction 3 of 2020. The NSTPF includes representatives from SAPS, NPA, DALRRD, SANDF, Correctional Services, APAC, all role players in the red meat value chain, the primary red meat sector, and NSPCA.

The pilot events are scheduled as follows:

• 24 July 2024 – Ephraim Mogale Municipal Hall, Marble Hall.

• 7 August 2024 – Sephaku Village, next to Zwanani Primary School (36km from Groblersdal)

• 15 August 2024

• 19 September

Each event will follow a comprehensive agenda designed to educate and engage farmers:

• Discussion by RPO and Provincial STPF Representative: Impact of stock theft and the importance of community collaboration in prevention.

• Presentation by RMIS: Stock theft mitigation strategies, including livestock identification and marking, and the importance of recordkeeping.

• Explanation by DALRRD: The Animal Identification Act and its regulations.

• Overview by SAPS: Current trends and law enforcement procedures related to stock theft.

• Q&A Session: Addressing farmers’ concerns and focusing on collaborative approaches to combat and prevent stock theft.

Plans for Expansion

If the pilot project proves successful, RMIS plans to expand the programme across all provinces starting in 2025.

RMIS Inclusive Growth is the training and enterprise development function of the RMIS, aiming to empower and uplift communal and smallholder farmers in South Africa. As one of the four strategic focus areas of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, Inclusive Growth is a critical mandate for RMIS to execute across the primary red meat value chain.

Inclusive Growth aims to ensure that the benefits of growth and development are shared equitably among all stakeholders, including farmers, workers, consumers, and the broader community, thereby supporting the successful implementation of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030.

The Importance of Inclusive Growth

Inclusive Growth is crucial for the successful implementation of the Red Mead Industry Strategy 2030 because approximately 40-50% of the national herd is managed by communal and smallholder farmers. This sector also has the potential to drive rural development, employment, and wealth creation for over one million households involved in livestock production, especially in the country’s most impoverished regions. With most commercial farmers already operating at optimal levels, focusing on communal and smallholder farmers is essential for the growth of the red meat industry. To this end, RMIS is mandated to allocate 20% of statutory funding to initiatives that promote Inclusive Growth.

Key Initiatives for Inclusive Growth

1. Land Development Support Programme (LDS)

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the LDS programme supports black farmers at the entry level of commercial viability. RMIS acts as the commodity implementation partner, advising livestock farms and facilitating the project’s execution. The LDS programme provides financial assistance for infrastructure development, production, and capacity building. It aims to help farmers expand their operations and transition into fully-fledged commercial farmers. Each year, approximately 35 farmers across South Africareceive support through this programme.

Additionally, RMIS’s MeatMENTOR initiative offers a 12-month mentorship programme covering technical and business skills. Monthly visits address topics such as animal husbandry, supplementary feeding, breeding, record-keeping, budgeting, and risk management. Beneficiaries also gain access to industry experts and customised production guidelines.

2. Mobile Cattle Processing Units

The RMIS is currently piloting a project with a mobile processing unit aiming to assistcommunal farmers with tagging, branding, dipping and vaccinating. 

The mobile unit is equipped with a neck clamp, body crush, scale, tag scanner, and other animal handling tools ensuring processing can continue even when cattle handling facilities are inadequate. Each processed animal receives a visual tag with a QR code linked to a unique SGTIN number, facilitating traceability and market access. The unit has already processed over 1,800 cattle, recording vital information to aid community management practices. RMIS aims to expand this initiative to each province in the near future.

3. Training Programmes

RMIS Inclusive Growth is an accredited AgriSeta training provider with qualified trainers and industry experts are passionate about fostering inclusive growth in the red meat industry.

Our training programmes cater to diverse audiences, including livestock farm employees, communal farmers, small- and medium-scale farmers, and commercial farmers.

RMIS Inclusive Growth provides both credit and non-credit training options, embracing formal and informal learning approaches. 

Training is delivered on-farm or within group settings organised by provincial or community structures and industry role player transformation initiatives. Our training formats include:

• Accredited courses

• Short courses

• Study groups

• Farmers Days

• Information Days

• On-farm mentoring and training

• RMIS open line telephonic advice to farmers

• Monthly free online webinars covering topics such as livestock diseases, seasonal nutrition, stock theft challenges, and value chain requirements.

Key areas of focus include disease management, biosecurity, record-keeping, and traceability. Training programmes emphasise early disease identification, proper health programmes, modern cattle management techniques, and formal market requirements. By respecting cultural practices while introducing modern techniques, RMIS Inclusive Growth aims to gain community acceptance and improve livestock management.

Long-term Impact on the Red Meat Value Chain

The primary objective of RMIS Inclusive Growth is to integrate 250,000 additional weaner calves into the formal value chain from emerging producers over the next ten years. This goal entails increasing overall beef production, improving weaning rates, and optimising herd composition among small-scale farmers. The expected long-term effects include enhanced productivity, better market access, and significant contributions to the red meat value chain’s sustainability and growth.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans

RMIS values the importance of collaborating with stakeholders who share the goal of enhancing livestock farming in the emerging sector. We aim to work with as many partners as possible to benefit the red meat industry.

Our Inclusive Growth initiative uniquely positions us to manage projects that uplift small-scale farmers. Stakeholders with extensive project plans can engage with RMIS, aligning their initiatives with our 2030 strategic vision. Our experience in similar projects means we have the structures, resources, and processes in place to support these efforts effectively.

A key component of our future vision is the deployment of at least 18 Mobile Processing Units (MPUs), with two units per province. These MPUs are essential for providing physical services such as vaccinations, branding, and dipping. Stakeholders can contribute by funding these interventions or sponsoring the units themselves. As a not-for-profit company, RMIS aims to establish each MPU sustainably, recognising that statutory funding alone is insufficient for their maintenance.

By forming strong partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, the private sector, community leaders, international organisations, and extension services, RMISInclusive Growth can enhance its ability to deliver impactful and sustainable services to small scale cattle farmers. This collaborative approach not only improves livestock health and productivity but also contributes to the overall development and resilience of farming communities across the country.