RMIS NEWS

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.

RMIS Announces its Project Portfolio

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is pleased to introduce its Project Portfolio. These Projects are a strategic collection of initiatives crafted to meet industry demands, with a focus on addressing pivotal challenges, seizing emerging opportunities, and fostering innovation throughout the entire value chain, signifying a joint effort towards industry advancement.

A Strategic Vision for Progress

The heart of these projects lies in the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, a visionary roadmap that outlines the steps required to elevate the industry’s performance and competitiveness. Recognising the necessity of actionable interventions to translate strategic objectives into tangible outcomes, RMIS has embarked on an ambitious journey to enact meaningful change at every level of the red meat sector.

Diverse and Impactful Initiatives

Spanning a wide spectrum of focus areas, RMIS’s project portfolio encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing traceability, promoting sustainable farming practices, improving disease management, ensuring meat safety, fostering market access, combating livestock theft, facilitating communication, and driving research and development. The budgeted income for the 2023/2024 period amounts to R44 million and it is made up of the projects set out below. 

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1. Recordkeeping Systems Communication and Data Sharing (Traceability):

This project focuses on identifying, capturing, and efficiently sharing relevant traceability and production data in a standardised language, with the objective of championing industry traceability and data sharing to enhance production and trade. 

· Funding: 19% (R7,000,000)

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2. Small Scale Farmer Development (LDS Project First Project):

This initiative aims to enhance the commercialisation of small-scale farmers through practical implementation and mentorship. RMIS has been designated as the implementing body for the Land Development Support (LDS) programme on behalf of DALLRD, overseeing a five-year initiative involving 35 farmers and an annual budget of R220 million. The objective is to promote sustainable production practices and facilitate small-scale farmer development through a turn-key offering.

· Funding: Project is Self-Funded

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3. Mobile Cattle Processing Units for Small-scale farmers (Inclusive Growth):

The project aims to develop, equip, and manage Mobile Cattle Processing Units to facilitate comprehensive animal processing for the LDS project and to cater to small-scale farmers. By enhancing accessibility to processing facilities, the initiative seeks to improve animal health and economic value. 

· Funding: 8% (R3 000 000)

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4. Small-scale farmer Training (Inclusive Growth):

This initiative focuses on providing comprehensive training to small-scale farmers, covering various aspects such as production systems, reproduction, health, grazing, management, finances, and marketing. Additionally, educational content will be developed for secondary school students in collaboration with the Department of Education. The primary objective is to enhance small-scale farmer production and profitability while promoting livestock education at the secondary school level.

· Funding: 14% (R5,400,000)

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5. Industry Animal Disease Recording System and Vet Support Services:

Identifying, capturing, analysing, and sharing veterinarian data on national disease occurrence to provide proactive treatment approaches, thereby enabling a national view of animal diseases to address issues promptly. 

· Funding: 10% (R3,700,000)

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6. Feedlot Market in FMD Red Zone (Inclusive Growth):

Creating a feedlot market in the red zone to limit cattle movement out of the area for marketing, thus mitigating the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) while creating economic value. 

· Funding: 5% (R2,000,000)

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7. Industry Meat Safety Recording System and Vet Support Services:

Identifying, capturing, analysing, and sharing national meat safety data to address concerns, ensure compliance, and promptly recall/address safety issues. 

· Funding: 10% (R4,000,000)

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8. SA Red Meat Certification (Market Access, Export):

Providing a value chain certification for meat sold to consumers to ensure biosecurity, animal welfare, and meat safety through a value chain audit process, thereby enhancing market access and export opportunities. 

· Funding: 12% (R4,700,000)

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9. Stock Theft:

Providing training to combat livestock theft and facilitate meetings to address theft cases and issues, with the aim of decreasing animal theft and enhancing prosecution of offenders. 

· Funding: 5% (R2,000,000)

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10. Production Development through Communication:

Developing content to be communicated to primary producers to increase production, competitiveness, and sustainability, thus enhancing primary production. 

· Funding: 9% (R3,400,000)

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11. Consumer Communication and Education through Beef and Lamb SA:

Promoting red meat consumption among consumers by providing scientific and industry feedback and highlighting the importance of red meat in a balanced diet and its preparation.

· Funding: 2% (R700,000)

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12. Research & Development:

Amongst other Research and Developing projects focussing on and implementing a beef grading system to enhance quality consistency, adherence to consumer preferences, and unlock premiums locally and internationally. 

· Funding: 8% (R3,300,000)

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Collaborative Partnerships

Central to the success of these initiatives are the collaborative partnerships forged by RMIS with government agencies, educational institutions, industry associations, and private sector stakeholders. RMIS seeks to maximise the impact of its projects and effect meaningful change across the entire red meat ecosystem.

Measuring Success: Metrics of Impact

To gauge the effectiveness and impact of its interventions, RMIS has outlined a set of performance metrics, including the number of export markets opened, the volume of commercially slaughtered animals, and the success stories arising from flagship projects such as the Land Development Support (LDS) initiative. These metrics will serve as vital indicators of progress towards the overarching goals of the Red Meat Industry Strategy.