The escalating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa has reached crisis levels, placing severe pressure on farmers, agribusinesses, and the broader agricultural sector. While farmers await the arrival of vaccines, immediate and practical biosecurity measures are critical to protecting livestock and limiting further spread.
In response, the Land, Enterprise, and Agricultural Futures Initiative (LEAF) at the University of the Free State (UFS) invites members of the media to an expert-led webinar that will unpack the virus, outline practical on-farm biosecurity measures, and clarify what farmers should and should not do during this critical period.
Speakers
- Dr Marike Badenhorst – Veterinary scientist and farmer; owner of a veterinary clinic in Dewetsdorp, Free State
- Dr Jacques van Rooyen – Animal scientist and rangeland ecologist with a PhD in veterinary science
The discussion will be facilitated by Dr Lindie von Maltitz, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Manager of LEAF at the UFS.
Event details
Date: Tursday, 29 January 2026
Time: 19:00
Venue: https://ufsweb.co/leafinar
RSVP: André Damons at damonsad@ufs.ac.za or 076 493 2044
