Livestock

GEA takes AI dairy farming to the next level with New Belfast Software Lab.(Image credit: GEA)

GEA has opened a brand new software development lab in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking a bold step forward in its mission to reshape modern dairy farming through technology. Housed at The Innovation Centre, the lab will bring 20 new roles in software development and UX design to the region, all dedicated to advancing GEA's flagship AI livestock solution, CattleEye, alongside its wider digital farming portfolio.

CattleEye is no ordinary piece of kit. The system is built to detect and predict lameness in cattle at an early stage and gather vital data on body condition scores, giving farmers the kind of precise, timely insight that can genuinely change how they manage their herds. Already active on more than 140 farms spanning the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia, the technology is currently keeping watch over more than 200,000 cattle across 23 countries as part of GEA's DairyNet herd management platform.

GEA acquired CattleEye in 2024, and the Belfast expansion represents the next chapter in embedding that technology deeper into its farming ecosystem. "With our new software lab in Belfast, GEA is strengthening its role as a technology leader in digital dairy farming," says Andreas Seeringer, CEO of GEA Farm Technologies. "By improving animal health and well-being through AI-based solutions like CattleEye, dairy farms become more efficient, more sustainable, and ultimately more profitable. That is why we commit to accelerating development in this area, driving technology innovation in our digital herd management solutions."

Northern Ireland was a natural fit for the venture, given its deep rooted dairy farming heritage and a tech sector that is quietly making a name for itself. Terry Canning, CattleEye co-founder and Senior Director at GEA, describes what the lab means in practice: "The new software lab will be a significant milestone in integrating CattleEye fully into our state-of-the-art herd management systems and will extend our digital footprint in farming. In the future, farmers can expect features which help reduce additional investments in equipment and necessary animal treatments. It will also help customers to farm more efficiently and cut greenhouse gas emissions through automated data insights."

Regional development agency Invest NI, backed in part by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, is supporting the project financially. Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI, was clear about what it signals: "This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and capabilities in Northern Ireland. The benefits of investing in R&D are rich, and the CattleEye solution is a testament to how R&D can further develop innovative products which can drive competitiveness in the global agri-tech market."

Vaccine arrival strengthens South Africa’s fight against foot and mouth disease.

South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot and mouth disease with the arrival of one million high potency vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.

The shipment was received under the supervision of John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister marking a significant boost to the national vaccination drive already under way in affected regions.

The vaccines were supplied by Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and form part of a broader supply programme. Further consignments are expected in the coming weeks from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey. By the end of March, more than five million doses from these three international suppliers are set to arrive in the country.

At home, the Agricultural Research Council has committed to producing 20 000 vaccines per week, with plans to increase output to 200 000 per week in 2027. The expanded supply will allow authorities to move beyond targeted outbreak response and work towards wider suppression of the virus in high risk areas.

Steenhuisen said, “Vaccination has already begun in affected areas, but supply has limited the speed and coverage. With this arrival, we can now accelerate protection across priority provinces and stabilise the livestock sector.”

Outbreaks have been reported in every province, prompting quarantine measures, movement restrictions and ongoing surveillance. A risk based vaccination strategy will focus first on outbreak centres in KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng, Free State and North West, before extending to other high risk and border regions.

The initial one million doses will be shared across all provinces, with KwaZulu Natal and Free State receiving the largest allocations. However, the minister warned that vaccines alone will not end the crisis.

“Quarantine rules, movement permits and biosecurity measures exist to protect every farmer in the country. Those who deliberately move animals illegally, conceal infections, or ignore restrictions threaten the recovery of the entire sector. Where there is wilful non compliance, we will work with law enforcement authorities and the full might of the law will be applied,” Steenhuisen added.

He will visit Mooi River in KwaZulu Natal on 27 February to vaccinate dairy cattle alongside veterinarians and farmers. “The dairy industry has been among the hardest hit with significant production losses, disrupted markets and immense strain on farming families. That visit marks the practical beginning of recovery at farm level. Each vaccinated herd means stability returning to a business, wages returning to workers and milk returning to shelves.”

“We are moving step by step from crisis management to control,” Minister Steenhuisen concluded. “Vaccines are arriving, the system is scaling up, and compliance will be enforced. Working together, we will stabilise the sector and rebuild confidence in South Africa’s animal health system.”

Nigeria’s livestock plan set to drive growth

Nigeria’s livestock sector is gaining fresh attention as a new development framework promises to open up opportunities across the industry.

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Akajiugo Emeka Obegolu, has shared an optimistic outlook, stating that the initiative could create up to 350,000 jobs within its first two years.

According to Obegolu, the framework is designed to attract investment and support growth across the entire livestock value chain. Central to this effort is the planned Livestock Development Fund, which aims to make financing more accessible for farmers, processors, and other stakeholders. With better access to funding, businesses in the sector are expected to expand and improve their operations.

He also praised the current administration for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a timely and strategic move. This step, he explained, gives the sector the focused attention it needs to reach its full potential. Rather than taking direct control, the government is encouraged to create supportive policies and regulations that allow private investors to play a leading role.

The scale of opportunity within the livestock industry is significant. Obegolu noted that the sector could be worth around 33 trillion naira, covering areas such as meat production, dairy, leather, and poultry. With proper planning and investment, these segments can contribute strongly to economic growth.

He highlighted the importance of improving key areas such as feed systems, animal breeding, and veterinary services. Advancing techniques like artificial insemination and better genetics can help increase productivity and efficiency across farms.

Another major focus is the need to modernise how meat is processed and transported. Moving away from the traditional practice of transporting live animals over long distances, he suggested a system that relies on processed meat and cold chain logistics. This approach would reduce losses, maintain quality, and improve overall efficiency.

With growing collaboration between the government and private sector, the livestock industry is steadily moving towards a more structured and sustainable future. The proposed framework is expected to support job creation, improve food supply, and strengthen Nigeria’s wider economy.

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods remain limited. (Image source: FAO)

While fisheries and aquaculture make up a significant part of Africa's food economy, the market has been feeling the strain from steadily rising demand 

The rapid global expansion of the aquaculture industry at 235 million tonnes in 2024 has failed to reflect in the African regions, which recorded the lowest availability of aquatic animal foods per capita globally. This stands despite the region makes up a significant share of animal protein demand – about 19 percent on average.

“Across Africa, communities rely on aquatic animal foods for nutrition, and in some countries these foods provide as much as 54 per cent of animal protein,” said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, while speaking on the 2026 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture that has been launched recently by the organisation. “Their production also supports jobs, highlighting their critical role in the blue economy, especially for low-income and vulnerable populations.”

According to available data, production is unsurprisingly concentrated in countries with major freshwater systems such as river basins and lakes. Among the top five producers, Uganda leads with output of just over 0.5 million tonnes, followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Aquatic animal farming is highly concentrated, with the top five producing countries accounting for 90 per cent of the continent’s output. The leading producer is Egypt with 1.6 million tonnes in 2024 (66 per cent of the regional total), followed by Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia.

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods is still limited to 9.1 kg per person per year – less than half the global average of 21.1 kg per person per year in 2023. Africa, however, maintains a positive trade balance (US$2bn) and a net gain in protein (126 000 tonnes), as it exports high-value commodities and imports low-value, yet nutrient-rich, aquatic animal products that support food security and nutrition. 

Africa's fisheries and aquaculture industry is primarily led by small-scale operators. Small-scale fisheries form the backbone of both marine and inland production systems, driving local economies and food distribution, supporting household nutrition, subsistence activities and informal markets. Women play a particularly important role in post-harvest activities such as processing and marketing.

“When accounting for the full value chain, including informal and subsistence activities, the sector supports tens of millions of livelihoods across the African region, both directly and indirectly,” says Abebe Haile-Gabriel. “Strengthening fisheries and aquaculture will be essential to meet growing demand, improve food security and sustain livelihoods across Africa.”