In South Africa Livestock farmers urged to sell herds facing drought "Livestock must continually be kept in line with the veld’s carrying capacity," it said.

South African cattle, sheep and goat farmers were urged by the government on Tuesday to cut the size of their herds as drought conditions scorch grazing land.

The forced sale of cattle will hit farmers big and small but will have its most severe impact on subsistence herders who graze their livestock mostly on communal lands and cannot afford to provide the animals with feed supplements.

This will push down prices for live cattle and other livestock but if farmers also resort to reducing numbers by slaughtering animals it could cap rising meat prices in Africa's most advanced economy.