How Farmers Can Adapt and Thrive Amid Climate Change Challenges in Southern Africa
Climate change continues to reshape the agricultural landscape of Southern Africa, presenting significant challenges but also opening pathways for innovation and resilience among livestock farmers. At the 2025 Beef Cattle School held during the Thabazimbi Show in South Africa, experts highlighted the urgent need to adapt farming practices to sustain productivity under increasingly erratic weather patterns.
Cedric Mojapelo, Director of Animal Science at the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, opened the sessions by urging collaboration among researchers, farmers, and industry stakeholders to create more resilient, sustainable, and ethical food systems. He emphasised the necessity of leveraging government resources and innovative research to bolster the livestock sector’s capacity to withstand climate impacts.
Prof. Michiel Scholtz of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) detailed the predicted climatic shifts for Southern Africa, including temperature increases of 1.5 to 3°C and variable precipitation changes, with some areas experiencing prolonged droughts and others wetter conditions. These environmental changes threaten livestock through reduced forage quality, increased pest and disease prevalence, and heat stress effects that diminish growth rates and reproductive performance.
Heat stress emerges as a critical factor undermining cattle productivity. With threshold temperatures as low as 27°C under high humidity, cattle experience decreased feed intake, lowered fertility in both bulls and cows, and impaired meat quality. Notably, bull fertility is highly sensitive to heat stress, with semen quality affected for up to eight weeks following a heat event, contributing to reproductive inefficiencies.
Research at the Vaalharts station showed that heatwaves reduce average daily gains by up to 17% in some breeds and adversely affect meat tenderness and colour, vital quality parameters in the beef market. Additionally, lower rainfall impacts water availability and pasture growth, further stressing livestock and limiting optimal development.
To combat these challenges, innovative approaches such as precision feeding studies have been initiated, including ARC’s ongoing research into cattle feeding behaviour under heat stress. Understanding breed-specific responses, such as varied water consumption patterns observed between Nguni and Afrikaner breeds, aids in tailoring effective adaptation strategies.
Farmers are encouraged to adopt multifaceted tactics including improved water management, shade provision, crossbreeding, and vigilant monitoring of animal health to maintain herd productivity. Enhancing cooperative networks and knowledge-sharing platforms is also critical in scaling best practices and promoting climate-smart livestock farming.
Zimbabwean farmers face similar climatic stressors, making these insights directly relevant. Aligning with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasises climate-resilient agriculture and inclusivity for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, proactive measures are vital to secure food systems and rural livelihoods.
FFA explainer box
“Heat stress” refers to the physiological strain animals experience due to high temperatures and humidity, resulting in reduced feed intake, fertility, and growth. “Oocyte” is an immature egg cell in female animals whose development is sensitive to environmental stress, affecting reproduction.
Southern Africa’s livestock sector stands at a crossroads. By embracing adaptive innovation, collaborative research, and sustainable practices, farmers can mitigate climate risks, safeguard animal health, and continue contributing significantly to food security and economic growth in the region.
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