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As the bitter icy cold front sweeps through the country, and is expected to last until Sunday, 15 June 2025, the Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs Ms Elzabe Rockman is urging all farmers to take precautionary measures to protect their livestock.
Rockman urges farmers to be vigilant as adverse weather conditions persist, as warned by the South African Weather Services (SAWS), due to the cut-off low, moderate snow is expected over the South-Eastern part of the Northern Cape, and the Western and Eastern part of the Free State.
The intense cold front might lead to isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and crops. The department warns that passes and cross border roads including mountain peaks may be affected by snow.
MEC Elzabe Rockman is also urging farmers to be vigilant amid the cold weather condition as the province is also entering the annual veld fire season.
“We are seriously concerned about the potential dangers this weather conditions pose, particularly to farmers and the farming communities. I urge all the farmers to take the necessary steps to protect their lives, livestock and crops against adverse weather conditions. We also urge all communities to ensure that proper precautionary measures are taken to manage fire as a source of heating and cooking.
Avoid making fires in windy conditions, never leave fires unattended and ensure that fires are properly extinguished,” said MEC Rockman.
Rockman alluded to climate change challenges that result in snowfalls, floods, drought and veld fires; she said these pose a serious threat and risk in the agricultural sector to food security in the country and the province as well.
