Power cuts hit dairy industry

Eskom's power cuts are costing dairy farmers a fortune with many having to buy up to three generators - at R80,000 each - to ensure they can continue milking, industry sources said on Thursday.

Mike Black, president of the KwaZulu-Natal Milk Producers' Organisation (MPO), said the power cuts were "becoming very costly".

He said most farmers had standby generators, but many would have to upgrade to cater for the power cuts.

Dairy farmers need electricity for irrigation, feeding, milking and cooling the milk.

Depending on the layout of a dairy farm, a farmer could find himself having to purchase as many as three generators, which Black said cost an average of R80,000 each.

"The importance of maintaining the cold chain is critical," he said.

Farmers were particularly frustrated at the irregularity of the power cuts.

"You never know when the power cuts are going to happen. Dairy farms are by nature creature of routine."

Black said the average dairy farmer would spend between R10,000 and R30,000 a month on electricity.

Costs will filter through to consumers

Farmers were unhappy at the cost of installing extra generating capacity on their farms and at the lack of communication from Eskom.

MPO national managing director Etienne Terre'Blanche said: "We are being inundated with farmers calling us. (The power cuts are) causing the farmers incredible frustration and upheaval."

He said a power cut during the milking process could mean a cow was "not fully milked out. This promotes mastitis (inflammation of the udder) and other infections."

Milk from a cow suffering from mastitis or other infections cannot be used and must be destroyed.

"There is no real plan on the table. All they are saying is that they are hoping people will save electricity."

Mike Murphy, a farmer in KwaZulu-Natal's Mooiriver area, asked, "Doesn't the state have an obligation to ensure that there is electricity since they are the only source (of electricity)?"

He said the frequent power cuts were having an impact on his operations and demoralising staff.

On one occasion, his farm was without power for 24 hours. Most power cuts were in the region of three hours.

Black and Terre'Blanche said the cost of the new generators would eventually filter through to the consumer.

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