Food Security Starts with Vaccination: Why Healthy Cattle Matter for South Africa

21 October 2026: South Africa annually recognises October as Food Security Month, drawing attention to the importance of reliable food supply and access.

Key takeaway: vaccinating beef cattle protects herd health, lowers production costs, supports responsible antibiotic use and helps South Africa work towards wider beef export access, all of which strengthen the country’s food security.

According to Jaco Liebenberg, Technical Manager of Feedlot & Farms at Beefmaster Group, food security starts with the protection of livestock such as cattle from disease, with vaccination among the most practical ways to safeguard the production of nutritious animal protein.

“Protecting beef cattle from disease is not only a duty of care, but essential to ensuring that South Africa can meet its affordable and quality protein requirements as well as compete internationally. We believe vaccination is key to unlocking the country’s beef production potential and strengthening its contribution to food security, both locally and globally,” says Liebenberg.

Why is Vaccination Important for Food Security?

Research indicates that protecting cattle from disease will become increasingly important as global demand for animal protein grows. With the world’s population projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, alongside rising disposable incomes in countries such as China and India, livestock producers will face growing pressure to increase production of animal-based protein.

“To meet this demand, farmers will need to improve feed conversion efficiency, productivity and genetic resistance to disease, while limiting exposure to pathogens through stronger biosecurity measures and vaccination,” says Liebenberg.

He adds that vaccination also makes commercial sense for farmers. “By preventing disease and improving herd productivity, vaccination can reduce production costs and improve profitability. It also plays an important role in protecting South Africa’s access to international beef markets, giving farmers an added incentive to invest in preventative animal healthcare.”

Does Vaccination Affect South Africa’s Beef Export Market Access?

Liebenberg says it is a common misconception that vaccination is an impediment to international market access. Vaccination plays an important role in controlling economic cattle diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and vaccinated cattle pose no risk in terms of product safety.

“It is possible to distinguish through lab results which animals were positive, and which were positive with vaccination,” says Liebenberg. “As a country we need to be able to show proof that we are making strides to tackle the scourge of FMD, and the only way to do that is through vaccination.”

This is why South Africa is actively pursuing an ‘FMD-free with vaccination’ roadmap, requiring new government-to-government negotiations and updated health protocols with international trading partners to unlock more market access.

Liebenberg says many markets, in fact, want to see vaccination in place before they import meat products.

“As government works with international trading partners to secure veterinary health certification and expand export opportunities, vaccination will remain a critical tool in controlling disease, strengthening confidence in South Africa’s animal health systems and supporting long-term market access.”

According to the Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), to expand global trade, authorities must be able to scientifically prove herd immunity. “With time we will be able to prove that we managed the disease through vaccination”, he says.

Vaccination also contributes to food safety by preventing certain infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

How Does Vaccination Improve Cattle Profitability?

Liebenberg says that vaccination can deliver a strong return on investment by improving cattle health, growth rates, and feed conversion efficiency, while reducing the costs of disease management.

“Preventing disease means fewer treatments, lower veterinary and labour costs, and less disruption to production. It also helps farmers use resources more efficiently, while reducing reliance on antibiotics and supporting responsible antimicrobial use,” says Liebenberg.

These benefits extend beyond individual farms. Healthier, more productive herds strengthen the reliability of beef supply, while effective disease control can help producers and processors expand operations, diversify export markets and contribute to economic growth.

How Should Farmers Develop a Cattle Vaccination Programme?

Vaccination requirements vary between regions and farms, depending on environmental conditions, production systems and management practices. Cattle may be exposed to disease through communal grazing, contact with neighbouring herds, auction yards or the introduction of breeding animals purchased from other farms.

“Vaccinating breeding females against reproductive diseases and calves against respiratory diseases is generally recommended. However, every farm faces different risks, so vaccination programmes should be developed in consultation with a veterinarian who can identify the most appropriate vaccines for each herd,” advises Liebenberg.

He adds that vaccination should form part of an integrated disease prevention strategy that combines strong biosecurity measures, improved genetic resistance and sound herd management practices to protect productivity and support long-term food security.

“Vaccination stands out as a practical, scalable and science-backed solution, not only for good cattle production, but also to safeguard the beef industry, which is a vital contributor to food security,” concludes Liebenberg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cattle vaccination important for food security?

Vaccination prevents disease in beef herds, which protects South Africa’s supply of affordable, quality animal protein. As global demand for protein grows, healthier herds help the country produce beef more reliably for local and export markets.

Does vaccinating cattle against foot-and-mouth disease stop South Africa exporting beef?

No. Vaccination is a key tool for controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and South Africa is pursuing an ‘FMD-free with vaccination’ roadmap with its trading partners. According to Liebenberg, many markets want to see vaccination in place before they import meat products.

Is beef from vaccinated cattle safe to eat?

Yes. Liebenberg says vaccinated cattle pose no risk in terms of product safety, and vaccination also helps prevent certain diseases that can pass from animals to humans.

Which vaccines do beef cattle need?

Vaccinating breeding females against reproductive diseases and calves against respiratory diseases is generally recommended. Because every farm faces different risks, a veterinarian should help design the vaccination programme for each herd.

How does vaccination make cattle farming more profitable?

Preventing disease means fewer treatments, lower veterinary and labour costs and less disruption to production. Vaccination also improves growth rates and feed conversion efficiency, and reduces reliance on antibiotics.