As a possible solution to relieve the pressure on livestock farmers to obtain quality genetics from South Africa, a US delegation this week punted the idea to secure high-quality breeding stock from alternative sources. Given the current status quo where movement of live animals from South Africa to Namibia is severely restricted because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia in partnership with the Namibian Stud Breeders Association this week hosted a multiday roadshow with representatives of the USLGE and USDA-FAS.

The visit connected U.S. industry experts to Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform officials, as well as local breeders and agricultural stakeholders to discuss expanded trade and technical cooperation and how it will assist local breeders to obtain quality genetic material. The U.S. delegation led by USDA-FAS Agricultural Minister-Counselor Oliver Flake met livestock board and local stud breeders to gain insight into the depth and quality of local industry. The visit concluded with an industry discussion in Windhoek, where Namibian breeders and U.S. representatives identified practical opportunities for importing and exporting breeding animals and reproductive material.

The delegation’s visit to Namibia is part of a broader regional tour with stops in Zambia and Zimbabwe to deepen agricultural trade partnerships and promote scientific cooperation across the region.

Source: Mandisa Rasmeni, Namibian Economist, Agriculture, August 7, 2026

A delegation from the United States is visiting Namibia this week to explore opportunities for cooperation in livestock genetics. The delegation includes officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service based in Pretoria and from U.S. Livestock Genetics Export. The visit is being hosted by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia in partnership with the Namibia Stud Breeders Association.

During the 3-day visit, the delegation will tour selected stud breeding farms around Windhoek to learn about Namibia’s livestock breeding industry and its genetic resources. The visit will end with a business-to-business networking session in Windhoek, where the delegation will meet Namibian stud breeders to discuss possible cooperation in the import and export of livestock genetic material.

Source: Justicia Shipena, The Namibian, August 5, 2026