As Salaamu Alaykum
Dear Investor
We trust you are well.
We received some queries regarding the recent reports of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country and what effect this may have on the Al Mabroor Cattle Project. Our assessment is as follows:
There have been reports of FMD cases in Limpopo and Northern KZN in recent weeks. These do not affect Al Mabroor as we have very strict buyers’ protocols, including not buying any animals from high-risk areas.
We did hear of some suspected FMD cases just north of Potchefstroom around the 18th of March 2022. These cases were confirmed by a government report dated 25th of March 2022. It was reported that the subject farm was placed under quarantine.
From the 18th of March all farmers and buyers related to Al Mabroor were informed of the FMD cases. Al Mabroor’s normal strategy is to buy directly from well-known farmers and to keep calves bought for 30 - 45 days on our backgrounding farms before moving them to the feedlot. We buy most of our animals from the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and Namibia.
We also have full traceability via the Gigalot system of where and when our calves were bought.
Since the news broke on the 18th of March 2022, Al Mabroor have introduced stricter than normal protocols with the help of our consulting veterinarian, Dr Rick Mapham. These protocols include, but are not limited to:
Not buying at any auctions or from cattle speculators
Sellers are requested to certify that calves being sold have been on their property for 60 days and that they do not share boundaries with speculators or informal cattle areas without a reasonable buffer. Animals introduced within the last 60 days should be declared and sources disclosed.
Thorough cleaning of vehicles before loading cattle to the receiving areas. Location, time and date stamped cell phone pictures are used.
Clothing and equipment used should be refreshed between batches or days.
Agricultural liming of handling facilities and receiving pens.
Offloading in a site that can be “all in all out” daily and cleaned in the interim.
To move received cattle into separate bio secure zones for at least 45 days, i.e., more than 3 incubation periods, before deciding to introduce them to Morgan Beef feedlot.
Currently the state veterinarian team and the private sector are working together to stop the spread of FMD.
We wish to assure all our stakeholders that Al Mabroor Agri, Morgan Beef and our associated farmers are doing our part to keep our cattle stock safe and FMD free.
We trust that you will find the above in order.