The Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) has officially locked in the details for its highly anticipated AFMA Forum 2026. Serving as the 12th iteration of this premier animal feed conference, the event is set to take place at Sun City from 8 to 10 September 2026. Operating under the central theme, “The Feed Factor – The Chain that Feeds a Nation,” the forum shifts the strategic spotlight to the foundational role that feed manufacturing occupies in safeguarding national food security.
As livestock producers and grain farmers navigate a complex financial climate marked by biosecurity concerns and market volatility, this event provides an essential destination for technical updates, scientific compliance, and high-level industrial networking.
Core Themes and Focus Areas
Decisions made within the animal feed sector carry direct consequences for the broader agricultural value chain—influencing everything from animal protein supply and trade competitiveness to food affordability, food safety, and overall system resilience. The 2026 programme has been curated to address these pressure points across several critical pillars:
- Innovation, Digital & Technology Transformation: Showcasing how next-generation automated systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven manufacturing can streamline feed mill efficiency.
- AMR & Biosecurity: Reviewing the science, compliance frameworks, and management strategies required to foster industry action and stewardship against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- Sustainability in Feed Manufacturing: Providing practical roadmaps for lowering environmental footprints while maintaining commercial viability.
- Market Dynamics & Outlooks: Delivering vital insights into global grain and oilseed market volatility alongside localized livestock production outlooks across various species.
Programme Overview & Key Highlights
The three-day forum delivers a balanced mix of technical presentations, panel discussions, and structured networking environments:
- Day 1 (Tuesday, 8 September): Registration and the exhibition areas open at midday. The conference officially commences at 14:00 with an opening address by AFMA Executive Director Liesl Breytenbach, focusing on the current realities driving the supply chain. The afternoon concludes with the AFMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and an evening welcome function.
- Day 2 (Wednesday, 9 September): Sessions deep-dive into biosecurity and market dynamics. Highlights include an AMR panel discussion featuring representation from SAHPRA, SAVA, SAAHA, and the Department of Agriculture (DoA), followed by expert reviews on global animal protein market signals and nutrition efficiency.
- Day 3 (Thursday, 10 September): The focus turns entirely to forward-looking innovations. Key international speakers—including Dejan Miladinovic (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) and Oliver Brägger (Bühler Group)—will unpack AI and digital solutions in feed manufacturing. The forum will close with strategic sessions led by Constance Cullman (International Feed Industry Federation) and renowned strategist Dr. Abdullah Verachia, followed by the official AFMA Awards and a closing function.
Registration & Attendance Information
To ensure wide access across agribusiness stakeholders, organizers have established standard three-day packages alongside single-day delegate passes. Standard registration remains open through July, with late registration tiers applying from 1 August to 31 August 2026. Day delegate packages allow targeted single-day access to the conference sessions and exhibition halls without evening social event access. Interested parties can review specific pricing structures and secure placement directly through the official portal at www.afmaforum.co.za.
Upcoming Agricultural Events & Festivals: August – November 2026