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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

Namibian livestock producers face mounting pressure to secure high-quality breeding stock, as ongoing regional livestock disease outbreaks continue to disrupt the country’s traditional supply. For stud breeders and commercial producers alike, the disruption has underscored the urgency of diversifying access to superior breeding animals and reproductive material to strengthen the resilience of Namibia’s livestock sector.

In response, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), in partnership with the Namibian Stud Breeders Association (NSBA), this week hosted a multiday roadshow with representatives of USLGE and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS). The visit brought U.S. industry representatives together with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform officials, Namibian breeders and agricultural stakeholders to discuss how expanded trade and technical cooperation could help address the country’s breeding stock needs.

Over the course of the visit, the delegation, led by USDA-FAS Agricultural Minister-Counselor Oliver Flake, met with LLPBN and NSBA leadership to better understand the structure and priorities of Namibia’s stud breeding industry. The group toured leading breeding operations around Windhoek and visited UNAM’s Neudamm Agricultural College to see firsthand how Namibian breeders manage herd quality and disease resilience. The roadshow 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.

LLPBN has identified the United States as a key alternative source of quality breeding stock for Namibian producers navigating current regional disease pressures.

Looking ahead, both sides expressed interest in building on this visit through continued technical exchange — including joint training, shared best practices in herd health and breed improvement, and closer coordination between Namibian and U.S. animal husbandry experts. Rather than a one-time engagement, the visit is the start of a long-term partnership that strengthens Namibia’s ability to safeguard and grow its livestock industry on its own terms.

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

Source: U.S. Embassy Windhoek, News, 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

Côte d'Ivoire's Le Sommet de l’Élevage d’Abidjan (SELAB) Abidjan Livestock Show 2026 is a prime opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses and USDA-FAS cooperators to engage with one of West Africa's most significant agricultural trade platforms on November 20–22, 2026. With the United States designated as the Country of Honor, the event offers exhibitors high-visibility presence before an expected 30,000 visitors, 150+ exhibitors, and representatives from 16 countries. Organized in partnership with the Ivorian Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH), SELAB serves as the definitive business-to-business and policy forum for Francophone West Africa's animal production sector, covering livestock genetics, animal feed and nutrition, and veterinary health. U.S. exporters, particularly those in tropical cattle genetics and climate-adapted animal feed formulations, will find a receptive market actively seeking U.S. expertise to modernize its livestock value chain.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report IV2026-0008, July 8, 2026

This Exporter Guide Annual provides a market overview and practical tips for U.S. companies exporting to Morocco. The top prospects for U.S. agricultural exports to Morocco include feed grains (corn, DDGS, soybeans and soybean meal), tree nuts, pulses, live animals, genetics, planning seeds, animal fats and some consumer-oriented products (dairy products, rice, beef, poultry meat,). Under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a large number of tariffs for consumer-oriented products were phased out.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report MO2026-0007, June 30, 2026

Argentine livestock farming showed its best version and is making a strong commitment to genetics. The 83rd Angus Autumn Indoor Exhibition was notable for its exhibition of over 1,000 breeding animals and the awarding of prizes to the best specimens, solidifying the breed's excellent genetics at a key gathering for the national livestock industry. With over 7,000 visitors, the show served as a showcase of excellence where the efforts of breeders and the science applied to genetic improvement combined to project the future of Argentine beef toward the world's most demanding markets.

A delegation of 11 ranchers from the United States, hailing from states with a long-standing ranching tradition such as Montana, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri, actively participated in the activities in Palermo. They were led by Weston Merrill from the Montana Department of Agriculture and Erin Dorsey from the Red Angus Association.

Source: Ferias y Congresos, Noticias, Exposiciones Rurales, June 21, 2026

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