Tuesday, July 21, 2026
SUBSCRIBE
22 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Food For Mzansi
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi
No Result
View All Result
in Farmer's Inside Track

Podcast: A farmer’s guide to protecting chickens against bird flu

As bird flu continues to cripple the agricultural sector, vigilance among poultry farmers has never been more important in containing this highly contagious disease. An expert shares some much-needed words of advice

by Octavia Avesca Spandiel
13th October 2023
Podcast: A farmer's guide to keeping bird flu at bay

Dr Mokgadi Seemola, poultry key account manager at Zoetis, and #SoilSista Mapula Kgosi. Photo: Food For Mzansi

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

Protecting your chickens from bird flu (avian influenza) is crucial to ensure their health and prevent the spread of the virus. Bird flu can be highly contagious and pose a significant risk to both poultry and humans.  

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Dr Mokgadi Seemola, poultry key account manager at Zoetis, shares some crucial steps you can take to better protect your chickens.

Seemola starts off by breaking down some of the common symptoms and how farmers can go about quickly identifying these signs and symptoms. She also says there are two main strains of avian influenza: low and high pathogenic avian influenza.

“Low pathogenic avian influenza kind of speaks for itself. The birds have symptoms that could vary from no symptoms at all to severe symptoms depending on the other viruses or other conditions that the birds are challenged with,” she explains.

Seemola unpacks steps farmers must take in the event of an outbreak including biosecurity measures and best practices for maintaining hygiene.

Catching up with a #SoilSista

This week’s episode also features #SoilSista Mapula Kgosi who started a new business capitalising on her interest in trees after her ice-cube business failed. She now supplies biomass fire starters and briquettes to various retail outlets as she builds on her thriving empire.

In this episode, Seemola also discusses:

  • The importance of knowing your chicken breed;
  • How to safely dispose of birds; and
  • Vaccination protocols.

Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track. 

Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).

Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device. 

Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

ALSO READ: Soil degradation: Conservation agriculture holds the key

Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts.  

Octavia Avesca Spandiel

Raised by a close-knitted family who loves her deeply, Octavia believes in the philosophy of ‘I am because you are'. This former news and content editor for radio is now living her best life in the agricultural sector as a commercial journalist at Food For Mzansi. Her soft spot for poetry and passion for life, writing and traveling inspires her to write compelling stories. Apart from being an excellent writer, Octavia has an educational background in youth work and loves working with people. 

Tags: Avian InfluenzaBird FluCommercialising farmerCorteva Women Agripreneur ProgrammeHelp me understandTeach me
The Forest of Renewal at Rustlers Valley celebrates the intertwined legacies of Frik Grobbelaar, Anton Chaka and Riky Rick, inviting South Africans to restore the land while cultivating hope, belonging and community. Illustration: ChatGPT
Food for Thought

Rustlers Valley offers a blueprint for South Africa’s renewal

by Ivor Price
18th July 2026

As the Rustlers Valley Memorial Forest is launched in the eastern Free State this weekend, Ivor Price reflects on why...

Read moreDetails
Grain SA appoints Mabuza to lead farmer development

Rising stars: 2026 PGP finalists redefining SA grain farming

18th July 2026
Rooibos heads to space in groundbreaking Mzansi experiment

Rooibos heads to space in groundbreaking Mzansi experiment

18th July 2026

Seriti Institute CEO wins prestigious Best Woman 2026 CSI award

17th July 2026
Farmers and brewers call for budget that builds, not breaks

Minister details Land Bank’s success in boosting black farmers

17th July 2026

Dune spinach: A climate-hardy green transforming coastal farming

Mother’s legacy, neighbour’s grace: Venessa Simelane’s farm story

Seriti Institute CEO wins prestigious Best Woman 2026 CSI award

Minister details Land Bank’s success in boosting black farmers

Climate change: SA’s food processors are feeling the heat

Join Food For Mzansi's WhatsApp channel for the latest updates!

JOIN NOW!
Next Post
WC govt pumps R2 million into citrus pest control initiative

WC govt pumps R2 million into citrus pest control initiative

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

Smart vineyard irrigation starts below the ground

Treat food processing as essential national infrastructure – Khoury

Farmers urged to embrace uncertainty and build resilience

SA poultry industry calls for urgent bird flu vaccine rollout

Mother’s legacy, neighbour’s grace: Venessa Simelane’s farm story

Deadline looms: Register water use by 23 July or risk penalties

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Chat Options

I'm Lerato, your AI assistant!
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2024 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.