In January this year, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced government’s new containment strategy to curb the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across South Africa. Outbreaks have now been confirmed in most provinces. In response, strict quarantine measures were imposed on affected and neighbouring farms. In many areas, livestock sales have been suspended and the movement of animals from impacted areas prohibited, placing enormous financial strain on producers.

The success of the ten-year recovery roadmap announced by Steenhuisen will depend on the cooperation and compliance of all stakeholders.

Part of the solution

EasyWean® NoseRings® enable producers to wean calves without separating them from their mothers. This offers a practical solution to the challenge of movement restrictions imposed during disease outbreaks, where animal separation may not be possible. Calves will continue to grow alongside their mothers, and cows will be able to recover their condition for the next calving.

Herd and grazing management also become more efficient. Producers can reduce the number of herds and maximise grazing rest and regrowth, which is critical at this time of the year, especially when livestock numbers cannot be reduced due to sale restrictions.

The EasyWean® NoseRing® is a flexible device that helps producers adapt to management challenges – whether movement restrictions or implementing early weaning in difficult seasons. Calves stay in the herd and continue to grow without putting additional pressure on cows.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear from producers who have relied on EasyWean® NoseRings® for years to wean their calves.

Gerhard Swanepoel Sr, Hurley Droughtmasters, Vryburg district

“We are a family-run cattle farming business operating a highly intensive stud breeding farm in South Africa and an extensive cattle farm in Botswana where we breed weaners. We use NoseRings® in both systems to wean our calves.

“We wean oxen and heifer calves alongside their mothers using NoseRings®. This method results in a low-stress weaning process, reduced weight loss in calves, and a quicker return to production for the cows.

“Given the scale of our Botswana operation, we’ve bought noserings from many different suppliers. Over time, though, we’ve concluded that the original orange NoseRing® is the only truly reusable option.”

Daniel Thomas, Kairos Regenerative Farming

“At Kairos Regenerative Farming, everything we do begins with one simple goal: raising healthy animals on grass with as little stress as possible. When it came to weaning, we knew the conventional high-stress approach didn’t align with our regenerative system, or our values.

“We started using EasyWean® NoseRing® to create a calmer transition for cow and calf. Instead of abrupt separation, calves remain with their mothers while naturally learning to wean. The difference was immediate. Calves stayed settled, continued grazing, and didn’t show the stress behaviours we had come to expect during weaning.

“Because they are calmer, calves experience less weight loss during weaning. We’ve also seen far fewer sick calves, reducing the need for medication and lowering input costs – a win for both the animals and the farm. The benefits extend to the cows as well. They recover faster after weaning, regain condition sooner, and are better prepared for the next calving season. In a grass-based system like ours, that recovery time makes a real difference in long-term productivity.

“We don’t sell our calves to feedlots but keep them on grass. That makes stress management, steady growth, and animal welfare non-negotiable. EasyWean® fits seamlessly into our operation, allowing us to wean efficiently and in alignment with our regenerative principles.

“For us, EasyWean® is more than just a product. It’s a practical tool that helps us farm with care and respect for the animals that sustain our business.”

Special offer

EasyWean® is offering a special discount on the original orange EasyWean® NoseRings® to assist producers in mitigating the FMD challenge by making herd and grazing management a little easier. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2026. Ask for NoseRings®, distributed by Swavet, at your local co-op or veterinary supply store. It is only a NoseRing® if it says so.

For more information, contact Judy Vercueil at 082 459 9451 or judy@wholeconcepts.co.za, Gerhard Swanepoel Sr at 082 579 1082, Daniel Thomas at 082 687 3656, or visit www.nosering.co.za