In a move aimed at transforming livestock management for small-scale and communal farmers across South Africa, the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has launched mobile processing units (MPUs). These units are designed to deliver essential livestock services directly to farmers, including tagging, branding, dehorning, and vaccinations.
As part of its inclusive growth pillar, chief operations officer Phillip Oosthuizen revealed that RMIS developed the MPU concept to uplift small-scale and communal farmers.
Oosthuizen said each mobile unit is equipped with cutting-edge technology and operated by trained specialists, ensuring humane and efficient livestock processing.
Boosting the red meat industry
“With over R9 million in funding committed to the project, RMIS is set to roll out nine MPUs across all provinces in 2025,” he shared.
According to Oosthuizen, the projected outcomes for 2025 include processing an average of 150 animals per day. This would result in 27 000 animals being processed each month, amounting to 297 000 animals annually and a total of 1 485 000 animals over five years.
“The initiative aligns with the red meat industry strategy of adding 250 000 weaners to the formal market by 2030, significantly boosting the local and export livestock industry,” he said.
Oosthuizen explained that a successful pilot phase conducted in 2024 processed over 2 000 cattle across various upcoming farms and communal dip tanks. He shared that this pilot provided crucial insights into operational efficiency and helped refine the logistics and technical elements of the MPUs.
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RMIS inclusive growth and enterprise manager Cornelia Oberholzer said that the unit supports inclusive growth by improving livestock health and traceability for rural and communal farmers who lack processing facilities and data collection capabilities.
Working together for animal health
The pilot project was conducted mainly in Limpopo (Marble Hall and Groblersdal), with additional support for farmers in Mpumalanga and North West through the department of agriculture and rural development’s land development support programme.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Farmers began to realise that keeping their animals healthy is more affordable when paying for medication per dose, rather than purchasing more than needed, which is particularly beneficial in communal areas where there are smaller cattle numbers per farmer.
“We do not aim to go on this journey alone, collaboration with various stakeholders in the industry is a key aspect of this initiative,” she said.
Farmers will need to cover the cost of medications, while RMIS supports the operational expenses. To access the unit, farmers must have at least 150 animals for processing in a single day.
“This approach is inclusive, allowing communal farmers to group together within a village or at a dip tank, or for individual farmers who have the requisite number of animals,” she said.
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