RMIS NEWS

In November, Beef & Lamb SA, the consumer education function of RMIS, hosted two events that aimed to enrich consumer knowledge about red meat, specifically targeting students andinfluencers.

Feedlot Challenge & Consumer Science Cookoff

On 1 November, Beef & Lamb SA joined the University of Pretoria at the annual final-year sheep Feedlot Challenge, which concluded with an exciting Lamb Cookoff. The Lamb Cookoff,in partnership with the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, gave Animal Science and Culinary Arts students a hands-on experience with lamb cuts.

The event began with a carcass-cutting demonstration by an expert butcher from MondanetteIrene Butchery, who explained the value of each lamb cut and shared techniques for optimisingthe use of an entire carcass. Following this demonstration, students used a range of cuts to prepare an impressive harvest table featuring dishes like a Lamb Rack crown and bao buns with pulled lamb shoulder.

Marina Fourie, Beef & Lamb SA’s project manager, highlighted the significance of the event in enhancing students’ understanding of the butchery process and value chain. The winners of the Feedlot Challenge will be announced at the Animal Science department’s final event later in the month. The Feedlot Challenge also received support from Molatek, Kyron Animal Health, Datamars Livestock Scaling Equipment, and the Cavalier Group.

Food Styling and Photography Influencer Workshop

Building on the success of a previous workshop in Cape Town, Beef & Lamb SA hosted its second Food Styling and Photography Workshop for influencers on 2 November at the University of Pretoria. The workshop aimed to assist social media food content creators in honing their skills for presenting red meat in the most appealing way.

Professionals, including food stylist Caro Alberts, photographer Michelle Parkin, and recipe developer Professor Gerrie du Rand, led sessions on optimal lighting, styling, and photography techniques to capture red meat at its most enticing. Additionally, Marina Fourie shared insights on effective content creation, collaborating with brands, and fostering authenticity to enhance social media engagement.

The workshop welcomed 30 influencers, including popular figures like Nelisiwe Mahlangu, Ritshidze Sibadali, and The Lazy Chef. Their subsequent social media posts helped extend the event’s reach, bringing Beef & Lamb SA’s message to an even wider audience with visually compelling red meat content.

By equipping students with butchery and culinary skills and empowering influencers with tools to better style and photograph red meat, Beef & Lamb SA is building a well-informed community that appreciates red meat’s value. These efforts support the spread of accurate information and encourage a positive perception of red meat. Beef & Lamb SA is committed to advancing similar educational initiatives to reach a broader audience with practical, trustworthy insights.

The RMIS Traceability Task Team, formed at the 3 October 2024 meeting, comprises key representatives from industry organisations including the RPO, NALFA-SA, National Department of Agriculture, Cape Wools & NWGA, RMIS, Gendac, and GS1. This week, the team held a follow-up meeting to finalise critical elements of the proposed traceability platform. Progress has been made on essential components that will shape a framework for livestock identification, recordkeeping, and data management.  

Key Components Include:

1. Naming of the Industry Traceability System

The traceability system has been named Red Meat and Livestock Identification and Traceability – South Africa.

2. Determining a Specific and Unique Animal Identification Number Protocol

The task team decided that RMIS will issue tag numbers from a centralised platform to recordkeeping systems and tag manufacturers. A centralised number bank enhances credibility and recognition of tag numbers in the comprehensive traceability platformand prevents number duplication. A unique 15-digit number, compliant with international standards, will be used to accommodate all tag technologies (visual, QR-code, low-frequency, and high-frequency).  

GS1 introduced its GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) system, explaining its 13-14 digit structure used globally for secure and consistent tracking. The GS1 system, with its flexibility and trade compliance, was selected to align with international traceability standards. The team is also considering the adoption of SGTIN (Serialised Global Trade Item Number) for item-level traceability, as it offers a robust solution for tracking individual animals within production units.

Phase 1 of the traceability platform which was launched on 1 November 2024,involves the identification and numbering of production units throughout the value chain. The number system used for these production units is the GLN (Global Location Number), also provided by GS1, ensuring the integration, compliance, and use of production unit numbers and tag numbers for traceability.

3. Setting Minimum Requirements for Traceability and Data Management Systems

To maintain the integrity of traceability within the industry, a set of minimum requirements and standards were proposed for recordkeeping systems. This will serve as a benchmark for recordkeeping systems that wish to transition into full traceability providers. As part of this initiative, existing recordkeeping systems will have the opportunity to review and provide input on these standards, fostering an inclusive approach to the development process.

4. Specifications and Requirements for Livestock Identification Tags

The team identified international standards for identification tags, including ICAR and PASS 44 & PASS 66 compliance, to ensure that tamper-proof, single-use tags are used. Both tag types and their standards are internationally recognised, which should allow more options for role-players participating on the platform.

A phased implementation plan has been outlined, including a timeline for transitioning from existing numbering systems to the new GS1 standard. Anticipated adjustments and costs for recordkeeping systems to comply with these requirements are also being evaluated to ensure a feasible and effective rollout.

With the RMIS Production Unit Number Application now launched and the decisions made by the Task Team, consultations will commence with various recordkeeping systems and value chain participants for their input and alignment, to ensure participation in reaching comprehensive traceability of livestock and red meat. 

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is pleased to announce the launch of Phase 1 of a groundbreaking traceability platform, designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in South Africa’s red meat industry. This initiative represents a major step forward in ensuring that every link in the supply chain — from farms to retailers — is accurately tracked and managed.

Phase 1: Identifying Key Locations

The project begins with the identification and numbering of Production Units across every location in the red meat value chain. This includes communal land, commercial farms, auction houses, feedlots, and abattoirs. These Production Unit Numbers will form the foundation of the RMIS Traceability Platform, which aims to:
–       Address disease management and enable recalls
–       Combat stock theft
–       Enhance trade through the sharing of traceability and production data
–       Increase market access to commercial value chains and export markets

A Production Unit Number, also known as a Global Location Number (GLN), is the standard used to ensure and enhance value chain, retail and international recognition. ­­RMIS and GS1 South Africa are committed to providing a transparent and trustworthy international standard. The Production Unit Number will be used to verify the location of a seller to a buyer. In future, Production Unit Numbers will also be used to request digitised transport documents (such as Articles 6, 8, and health declarations). Additionally, the integration of various recordkeeping systems with the RMIS Traceability Platform will rely on the Production Unit Number as a location reference for sharing traceability data.

RMIS partnered with a systems development company, Gendac Software Engineering, ­­­with 26 years of experience to create a dedicated web application that enables value chain participants to identify production units and request GLN numbers from GS1 South Africa. This web application will support accurate location identification, verification, and visualization on a national map. Each site will be       geo-fenced, improving the efficiency of livestock tracking and management.

Following Phases: Capturing and Sharing Traceability Data

After the successful identification of locations, subsequent phases will focus on capturing and sharing essential traceability data through various recordkeeping systems integrated with the RMIS Traceability Platform. This approach promotes decentralized data management while ensuring the standardized sharing of information to maintain data integrity and traceability from production to the end-consumer.

RMIS is currently in the analysis phase of developing a platform to facilitate the standardized sharing of traceability and production data. This platform will meet international standards and effectively support the industry’s traceability needs in collaboration with GS1 South Africa, Gendac Software Engineering, and the RMIS Traceability Task Teams.

Collaborative Effort and Future Outlook
The success of this initiative depends on the collaboration of all 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 enthusiasm surrounding the project reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable and efficient red meat value chain.

According to RMIS CEO, Dewald Olivier: “Traceability could be the most impactful initiative the livestock industry has seen since South Africa became a net exporter of red meat. This initiative as the foundation should, linked with grading and the other initiatives, enable the red meat value chain to achieve its 2030 strategy.”

Dr. Phillip Oosthuizen, RMIS COO, stated: “The success of traceability will depend on an efficient, transparent, and trustworthy platform, a phased implementation approach, and the collaboration of each participant in the value chain.”

The introduction of this traceability platform is expected to significantly enhance the industry’s visibility, competitiveness, and resilience in both local and global markets. 

In September 2024, RMIS’s consumer education function, Beef and Lamb SA, embraced Heritage Month by launching an engaging social media campaign that celebrated South Africa’s diverse culinary traditions. Recognising the importance of red meat in South African heritage, Beef and Lamb SA organised a unique campaign that used social media influencers to showcase different beef cuts and inspire creative recipes.

The Tag-Train Concept

At the centre of the campaign was an innovative initiative called the Tag-Train. The idea behind this was to encourage a chain of influencers to build on each other’s beef-based dishes. It began with one influencer preparing a recipe using a specific beef cut, then challenging another influencer to create their own dish, resulting in a continuous wave of creativity. This campaign aimed not only to celebrate the versatility of beef but also to highlight its deep connection to South African heritage.

Instagram was the primary platform for the campaign, offering a space for food enthusiasts to follow along and engage with the influencers’ content. As each influencer shared their dishes, the ripple effect of engagement and collaboration grew, with followers eagerly waiting to see the next dish in the Tag-Train.

Influencers Bringing Beef to the Forefront

Four prominent food creators led the campaign, each bringing their distinct flair and culinary style to the table:

1. Jamie Thurston, an award-winning food entrepreneur, kicked off the campaign with a show-stopping beef Picanha, cooked against the stunning backdrop of Leeuwkop. His passion for local ingredients and bold flavours set a high standard for the Tag-Train.

2. Sassy Bakes, a Halaal-certified caterer from Cape Town, followed with a beautifully crafted beef fillet. Known for her visually appealing dishes, she impressed her audience, generating over 11,000 views and 100 saves for her recipe.

3. Shannon (The Mini Mommy Chef) brought a practical, family-friendly twist with her beef and tomato bredie. Shannon’s focus on quick and flavourful meals resonated well with her audience of busy mothers.

4. Zandi (Hush in My Kitchen) wrapped up the campaign with an innovative ribeye dish, served with Chakalaka puree and parmesan pap. Her love for South African flavours shone through in this fusion dish, leaving her followers inspired.

Positive Consumer Engagement

While the Tag-Train was entertaining, it had a strong educational element at its core. Beef and Lamb SA aimed to demonstrate that red meat is accessible to all, regardless of cooking skill or budget. Influencers, each representing different communities, showcased the versatility of beef in various cultural and everyday contexts, bringing the message home in an authentic and relatable way.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with consumers not only enjoying the content but also actively participating by sharing their own recipes and cooking experiences. Many commented on how the campaign inspired them to experiment with different cuts of beef, highlighting the effectiveness of the initiative in driving consumer engagement.

With the success of this year’s Heritage Month campaign, Beef and Lamb SA plans to make the Tag-Train an annual tradition. This year’s Tag-Train not only celebrated South African culture but also provided a platform to showcase the versatility and cultural importance of locally produced beef. The campaign laid a solid foundation for future efforts to inspire consumers to explore the richness of South African red meat in their kitchens.

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has invested in an interactive tool to improve disease management in South Africa’s livestock industry. This decision comes in response to one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: biosecurity. The tool, part of a disease reporting system developed by Dr Danie Odendaal in 2011 following a Rift Valley Fever outbreak, has already proved instrumental in tracking and managing disease trends through collaboration with the Ruminant Livestock Association of South Africa (RuVASA).

Using this tool, livestock farmers can access real-time disease data, allowing them to react quickly to outbreaks. It also helps veterinarians develop health plans tailored to specific areas. The tool is free and available on the RMIS website, where users can also find their nearestparticipating veterinarian for further support.

Streamlining Disease Reporting and Data Collection

The tool collects data from participating veterinary practices across the country, and RMIS encourages more vets to join and report their findings. It’s designed to simplify the reporting process, saving veterinarians time while still collecting valuable information. Vets can rate each disease based on their observations, considering both the species affected and the severity of the situation. For instance, one case of rabies might be seen as a crisis, while multiple blue tick cases may not raise concern.

All data comes from registered veterinary professionals, ensuring its accuracy. These reports give a clearer picture of disease trends across different regions and help veterinarians offer better advice to farmers.

Biosecurity Benefits

With biosecurity becoming a growing issue, private vets are playing a bigger role in managing livestock diseases. The tool helps track diseases at farm, practice, and national levels. By identifying disease patterns and risks, veterinarians can develop more effective prevention strategies. 

The system also helps vets understand how factors like weather, farm management, and specific pathogens affect disease outbreaks. By consistently tracking diseases over time, vets can spot trends and make informed decisions about control measures.

Monthly Data for Quick Action

Each month, vets update the system with new disease data. RMIS compiles this information and displays it on a national map, available to farmers and industry stakeholders. This helps everyone stay informed about the spread of diseases and take action when necessary.

The monthly reports cover several key areas:

1. Diseases Not Present – Highlighting diseases that haven’t appeared, so any new case can be flagged early.

2. Preventable Diseases – Focusing on diseases that can be avoided through measures like vaccination.

3. High-Incidence Diseases – Identifying diseases that are widespread and need immediate attention.

4. Disease Awareness – Covering ongoing diseases that can be controlled with existing methods.

5. Complex Control Diseases – Diseases requiring detailed strategies, including testing and quarantine.

6. Emerging Disease Trends – New diseases or those spreading to new areas.

7. Priority Diseases – High-impact diseases needing further research for effective control.

This tool is set to change how veterinarians manage herd health by using the latest data to address key diseases. It also highlights emerging threats, like Asiatic redwater, a disease spreading beyond its normal range due to livestock movement. 

In future, RMIS plans to expand the tool to cover data from auctions and abattoirs, giving a broader view of disease spread. Plans also include encouraging more veterinarians to report diseases more frequently through a mobile application designed for ease of use. Increasing reporting frequency will improve data quality, bringing the tool closer to real-time disease surveillance.

As the tool evolves, RMIS aims to introduce real-time reporting, where new disease reports are immediately visible on the platform. Future enhancements may also include deeper surveillance of priority diseases through laboratory testing, improving understanding of disease trends on a local and national level.

In the first phase of enhancing livestock traceability, RMIS is implementing Global Location Numbers (GLNs) to pinpoint every significant location within the red meat supply chain. GLNs are unique identifiers based on the GS1 standard, and they play a crucial role in streamlining and organising the red meat industry.

What Are Global Location Numbers?

GLNs are specific codes assigned to physical locations within the supply chain, including farms, auction houses, feedlots, and abattoirs. These codes ensure that each location is uniquely identified and easily accessible within the global and local systems. By incorporating GLNs, RMIS aims to create a comprehensive and clear map of South Africa’s red meat industry.

Benefits of GLNs in Traceability

The integration of GLNs into the traceability system provides several key benefits:

Enhanced Tracking: With each location marked with a GLN, stakeholders from farmers to processors can efficiently track and manage animal movement throughout the supply chain.

Improved Coordination: GLNs facilitate better alignment with local retail sectors and international standards, ensuring smooth communication and accurate referencing across the entire value chain.

Operational Efficiency: Geofencing each production unit with GLNs helps in optimising supply chain management, making it easier to address issues such as disease outbreaks, stock theft, and compliance with ISO standards.

Achieving a Clear Supply Chain Map

RMIS envisions a fully mapped agricultural landscape where each location is geo-fenced and assigned a GLN. This detailed mapping not only supports traceability but also underpins critical functions such as disease reporting, implementation of standard operating procedures, and biosecurity measures.

Development of the GLN Application

To facilitate this process, RMIS has appointed a systems development company with 26 years of experience and a team of 80 developers. A dedicated group of four developers is working closely with GS1 to create an RMIS industry application specifically for issuing, managing, and viewing GLNs. This application will focus on accuracy, adherence to GS1 and ISO standards, user-friendliness, scalability, and integration with various systems.

Objectives of the GLN Application

The RMIS industry application will achieve several key objectives:

1. Identify Locations: Owners will register their locations, such as farms and auction houses.
2. Verify Locations: RMIS will facilitate third-party verification, involving multiple stakeholders.
3. Issue GLNs: Verified locations will receive a GLN in collaboration with GS1.
4. Visualise GLNs: The GLNs will be displayed on a national map, providing a clear view of all registered locations.

Significant Considerations

• Amendments: The application will allow for updates to GLNs due to changes in ownership or other factors.
• Livestock Traceability: GLNs will form the basis for livestock traceability and will be integrated with other systems through an API.
• Disease Outbreaks: The application will log disease outbreaks, update geo-fenced areas, and share relevant information with stakeholders.

Development Phases

The development of the GLN application will proceed through the following 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.

A Foundation for Future Developments

Phase 1 lays the groundwork for future phases of the traceability project. By establishing a robust system of GLNs, RMIS is setting up a solid foundation for enhanced data sharing, disease control, and overall supply chain optimisation. This structured approach will ultimately help the red meat industry improve its efficiency and competitiveness on both a national and global scale.

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.