Over the past ten years, the number of milk producers in South Africa has declined by 65%, from 3551 in January 2009 to 1235 in January 2019, according to the BFAP Baseline Agricultural Outlook for the period 2019 to 2028.

Soaring input prices over the past 2 years have been a concern for many producers, and for dairy farmers the cost of fertiliser has been a huge challenge.

For years, climate scientists have called for a phase-out of fossil fuels to avoid catastrophic global warming. Now, according to a first-of-its-kind survey of more than 200 environmental and agricultural scientists, we must also drastically reduce meat and dairy production — and fast.

After months of uncertainty — delayed permits, scarce supply, conflicting guidance — the vaccines finally arrive. Your herd gets its first injections. The cows look well. Milk keeps flowing. The farm feels almost normal again.