Livestock stuck, costs stack up
As Namibia works to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), livestock farmers are facing a difficult wait. Animals earmarked for sale remain on farms, expected income is delayed and the costs of keeping livestock continue to mount. For producers operating on tight margins, a prolonged disruption could threaten the financial sustainability of their farming businesses.
Movement restrictions are disrupting livestock marketing, production schedules and cash flow, leaving farmers uncertain about when they will be able to sell or move their animals again.
While the measures are necessary to prevent the disease from spreading, farmers say the challenge is to manage the financial consequences while maintaining their herds and keeping their operations running.
The problem extends beyond the risk of infection. Livestock that cannot be moved or sold when expected continue to consume grazing, feed and water, while farmers must still meet labour costs, veterinary expenses and other financial commitments.
Gracell Goeieman, who runs a diversified farming business that includes biomass production, livestock and tourism, said the restrictions had disrupted the balance between farm expenses and expected income. “It creates a mismatch between when expenses occur and when income is expected,” she said.
Although biomass production provides an additional income stream, Goeieman said cattle sales remained an important part of the farm’s finances. Delays in marketing livestock leave money tied up in animals instead of available to cover operating costs. “A farmer can theoretically own valuable cattle but still experience financial stress because the animals cannot be converted into cash when required,” she said.
For producers who depend heavily on regular livestock sales, prolonged restrictions could create even greater pressure, particularly when financial reserves are limited.
Balancing act
The financial impact begins when animals ready for sale or slaughter have to remain on the farm longer than planned.
According to Goeieman, the additional costs accumulate over time and include feed, grazing, labour, veterinary care and biosecurity measures, as well as the opportunity cost of capital tied up in livestock. “A market-ready animal does not stop eating simply because the market is closed,” she said.
Keeping animals for longer can also increase stocking pressure, affect pasture utilisation and change the economics of production. For farmers working with tight margins, these additional costs can erode profitability even when their animals remain healthy.
Metarere Ngeenguno, a farmer from Aminuis, experienced the uncertainty first-hand after hearing about the outbreak on 23 September 2026 while attending the Grootfontein Show.
Ngeenguno had planned to sell some older animals to reduce the cost of maintaining them as the dry season approached and concerns about El Niño persisted. “We did have a few we were planning on selling so we can reduce the cost of feeding them by hand since we are approaching dry season and this whole El-Nino situation,” Ngeenguno said.
Although the additional costs had not yet become severe, Ngeenguno expected the situation to become more difficult if restrictions continued. “For the next two months it’s going to be difficult,” Ngeenguno said.
Ngeenguno is particularly concerned about communal and small-scale farmers, who may have limited cash reserves and depend heavily on livestock sales to support their households and farming operations. Prolonged restrictions could reduce farmers’ income while production costs continue, Ngeenguno said, adding that producers in remote areas may be especially vulnerable.
Marketing, production disrupted
The restrictions are also affecting the normal movement of livestock through auctions, breeding operations and slaughter facilities.
Vazirekumwe Vincent Pack said the closure of livestock auctions and restrictions on meat transportation had disrupted the usual process of selling animals and getting them to slaughter.
Pack had animals intended for slaughter that could not be moved as originally planned, forcing him to keep them on his property until movement was permitted. “The biggest impact has been the closure of livestock auctions and the restrictions on transporting meat,” Pack said.
Although he had not yet incurred substantial additional expenses, Pack said a prolonged outbreak remained a concern. “Farmers still have normal operating expenses and financial commitments, even when livestock sales are delayed,” he said.
Smaller producers and those who rely heavily on regular livestock sales could be more exposed to financial pressure because they may have less capacity to maintain animals for extended periods without the expected income.
For Goeieman, the disruption extends beyond the farm gate. Livestock production depends on a connected value chain of transporters, auctioneers, feedlots, abattoirs, processors and exporters. When animals cannot move normally, businesses throughout this chain may also experience reduced activity.
“FMD is not only an animal-health problem. It is an agricultural, economic, employment and national food-security issue,” Goeieman said.
Reduced activity can affect business operations and increase the average cost of production, while prolonged disruption could threaten jobs and investment across the livestock industry.
Practical challenges
While the farmers recognise the importance of movement restrictions, they say practical challenges remain, particularly for producers operating far from veterinary offices.
Ngeenguno said the restrictions were necessary, but movement-permit procedures and access to information needed to be practical for farmers in communal and remote areas such as Aminuis. “The biggest difficulties are movement restrictions, uncertainty about when animals can be moved, obtaining permits and the distance between farmers and veterinary offices,” Ngeenguno said.
He also raised concerns about veterinary services in Aminuis, calling for more regular field visits and better access to officials.
Ngeenguno urged the government to consider establishing regional offices dedicated to notifiable animal diseases, including FMD. He also suggested that unemployed agricultural graduates could help strengthen communication and operations.
Pack, however, described his experience with Veterinary Services as positive, saying officials had been helpful and efficient when he needed clarification or assistance.
The differing experiences highlight how challenges can vary according to farmers’ locations and circumstances. Nevertheless, Pack said consistent communication remained essential, particularly when restrictions changed.
Goeieman also called for stronger veterinary capacity and more field-level support. Farmers need clear, practical guidance on livestock movements, disinfection, surveillance and the reporting of suspected cases, she said.
Regular updates would help producers understand what is permitted, plan their operations and avoid uncertainty and misinformation.
Disease control vs livelihoods
Despite the financial pressure, all three farmers stressed the importance of complying with control measures to protect Namibia’s livestock industry.
Ngeenguno urged farmers to avoid unnecessary livestock movements and work with authorities to prevent further spread. “The short-term income is not worth risking the entire livestock industry.”
Pack also warned against taking illegal risks, noting that non-compliance could cause greater damage to farmers who follow the rules.
Goeieman said farmers must maintain biosecurity, monitor their animals and report suspected cases promptly. On diversified farms, this also means managing visitors, vehicles and other commercial activities carefully to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
However, the farmers said the response must also take account of the economic realities facing producers. They called for better communication, accessible veterinary services, practical biosecurity support and assistance for those affected by prolonged restrictions.
Goeieman argued that support should extend beyond farmers to include workers and businesses throughout the livestock value chain. Depending on the duration of the disruption, transporters, abattoirs, processors and other businesses could also face reduced activity and financial pressure.
For Ngeenguno, the priority is to ensure that the experiences of farmers in rural areas are considered when decisions are made. “My message is that farmers understand the importance of controlling FMD and protecting Namibia’s livestock industry. We are willing to cooperate, but farmers also need practical support,” Ngeenguno said.
Controlling FMD is essential, the farmers agree, but the long-term sustainability of livestock production will also depend on how effectively the financial and practical consequences of the restrictions are addressed.
