Less than 5% of the grain lands have been planted so far and the condition of livestock is deteriorating rapidly.
Soil moisture levels are depleted, according to Johan van den Berg, Santam Agriculture’s weather expert. There is no grazing in most parts of the Free State and the North West as well.
Gallery: Drought conditions in KZN
University of the Free State agricultural economist Prof Johan Willemse says emergency slaughtering of livestock is on the increase because producers can’t keep any excess livestock on their farms.
Annelie Coleman, a Farmer’s Weekly reporter based in Bothaville, compiled this picture collage during a road trip to Kroonstad.
