No cloven-hoofed animal exhibitions at NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 due to foot-and-mouth disease risk

06 Feb 2026

Bothaville – Grain SA and the NAMPO management confirm that no cloven-hoofed animals will be permitted at the 2026 NAMPO Harvest Day, which will take place from 12-15 May 2026 at NAMPO Park. This decision follows the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa, including cases that have moved geographically closer to the country’s central production regions.

Cloven-hoofed animals include cattle, sheep, goats and pigs – species known to carry and transmit the FMD virus.

The decision was taken unanimously during a meeting between NAMPO, Grain SA and the various breeders’ societies, following a thorough risk assessment and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

“Foot-and-mouth disease has now, quite literally, come close to home. As protectors of biosecurity, we cannot risk creating a platform where threats cannot be effectively controlled,” said Danie Minnaar, Chairperson of the NAMPO Harvest Day Committee.

Why this decision was taken

The recent decision to cancel the Bloem Show, together with strong recommendations from the Free State Department of Agriculture that the risk associated with animal gatherings is currently too high, underscored the seriousness of the situation. Expert input confirmed that existing protocols can only limit risk at a large-scale event such as NAMPO - not eliminate it.

“NAMPO takes biosecurity extremely seriously. This early decision allows breeders’ societies to adjust their planning in good time and helps prevent far greater risks later,” said Dirk Strydom, Managing Director of NAMPO.

What does this mean for breeders and visitors?

• No cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) will be allowed at NAMPO 2026.
• Non-risk animals, such as horses, dogs and poultry, will be permitted, subject to strict biosecurity measures.
• All animals and vehicles involved in animal-related activities will be sprayed and disinfected.
• Practical biosecurity measures for visitors are currently being assessed and further refined.
• Biosecurity awareness initiatives will be integrated throughout NAMPO Harvest Day.

A new and unique visitor experience

Importantly, breeders’ societies will continue to staff their exhibition stands and are encouraged to be innovative and creative in how they showcase the genetic advantages, performance data and production value of their breeds - even without the physical presence of animals. Visitors can therefore look forward to a new experience, where breed benefits and performance will be presented through creative approaches, technology and smart marketing.

NAMPO as an educational platform

Although animals will not be physically present, NAMPO 2026 will deliberately use this situation as an educational opportunity to raise awareness among producers, stakeholders and the broader public about:

• the importance of biosecurity,
• how diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease spread, and
• the practical steps producers can take to protect their own operations.

Ongoing consultation

Grain SA and NAMPO will continue consulting with all relevant parties in the lead-up to the expo and will communicate any further developments timeously.

“Responsible decision-making sometimes means making difficult choices early. This decision was taken in the best interests of the industry, producers, and South Africa’s animal health,” Minnaar concluded.

 

ENDS

Issued by:  Grain SA Communications

Further enquiries:
Dirk Strydom, MD, NAMPO (Pty) Ltd
dirks@grainsa.co.za