RMIS Approves Nine New Research Projects to Strengthen South Africa’s Red Meat Industry

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has announced the approval and funding of nine new research projects, designed to address critical challenges across the red meat value chain. Developed under RMIS’s Field to Future framework, these projects focus on practical, industry-identified problems affecting farmers, feedlots, abattoirs, and other stakeholders. The initiative aligns with the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, ensuring interventions are relevant, impactful, and measurable.

Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS, emphasised the importance of industry-driven research: “Every project is based on a practical challenge identified by the people who live and work within the red meat sector. This ensures our projects are relevant and positioned to deliver measurable results for the industry we serve.”

Key 2025 Research Projects

1. Evidence-Based Risk Reduction for FMD Virus Persistence at Slaughter
   This project, led by Prof Armanda Bastos at the University of Pretoria with support from Zoetis, investigates the persistence of SAT-type foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus in cattle. The aim is to detect and eliminate virus persistence in high-risk tissues to guide regulatory revisions, reduce unnecessary slaughter restrictions, and support trade. Expected outcomes include identifying virus persistence sites, developing serological tests to distinguish carriers, and assessing vaccination impacts.
2. Estimating the Economic Impact of FMD on the Red Meat Sector
   The University of the Free State, led by Dr WA Lombard, will quantify the direct and indirect economic impact of FMD outbreaks on producers, suppliers, processors, and the wider economy. The study will provide evidence for biosecurity investment, strengthen disease preparedness, and inform compensation mechanisms.
3. Policing Livestock Theft in Rural South Africa
   Researchers from the University of South Africa, led by Willie Clack, will evaluate the effectiveness of livestock theft prevention strategies, including the role of the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum. The study aims to improve rural safety, enhance recovery rates, and provide actionable insights for law enforcement and industry stakeholders.
4. Understanding Farming Approaches and Land Access Systems to Strengthen Transformation Support
   Optimal Agricultural Business Systems (OABS), led by Dr Hamman Oosthuizen, will conduct a desktop study on emerging livestock farmers’ production practices across communal and freehold land systems. The project will provide a baseline for transformation initiatives, identify governance impacts, and recommend scalable support models for inclusive growth.
5. Mapping the South African Red Meat Value Chain for Strategic Growth
   Also led by OABS, this project aims to create a comprehensive map of the red meat value chain. It will identify bottlenecks, risks, and opportunities, enhancing planning, market access, and transformation strategies. The research supports integration of 250 000 additional weaner calves into the commercial chain.
6. Farm-Level Vaccination Planning and National Strategy
   VNet, led by Dr Danie Odendaal, will assess current vaccination practices, barriers to adoption, and herd health planning across the red meat sector. The project will develop tools and templates for structured disease prevention and deliver a phased National Vaccination Strategy to improve biosecurity, productivity, and market access.
7. Vet Connect: Digital Veterinary Support Platform
   Gendac, led by David Malan, will design a mobile-accessible veterinary decision-support platform. It will provide timely disease diagnosis, triage advice, and escalation pathways, particularly for small-scale and communal farmers. The platform strengthens animal health outcomes, traceability, and sector resilience.
8. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Roadmap
   AgriFusion, led by Frans van Wyk, will develop a comprehensive ESG roadmap tailored to South Africa’s red meat sector. The project will integrate sustainability standards, define key metrics, and enhance transparency to meet market and regulatory expectations while strengthening operational sustainability and inclusivity.
9. Integrated Market Development Framework for Quality-Based Beef Marketing
   This project will develop a consumer-focused grading and marketing framework to improve transparency, competitiveness, and inclusivity. By aligning grading with market and export requirements, it will support smallholder inclusion, enhance product quality communication, and promote evidence-based decision-making across the value chain.

Impact and Strategic Alignment
The approved research projects address biosecurity, market development, transformation, rural safety, animal health, and sustainability. Collectively, they support the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, ensuring South Africa’s red meat sector is resilient, competitive, and inclusive. By focusing on industry-informed challenges, RMIS aims to deliver practical solutions, enhance productivity, and strengthen long-term value chain growth.

These initiatives position the red meat industry to meet evolving market demands, reduce economic losses, and create opportunities for emerging and communal farmers while safeguarding food security and international trade competitiveness.