Locheim Herefords: bred for balance
Philip de Waal, owner of the Locheim studs in the Swartland and on the West Coast, has won regional, national and international awards for his top-performing Hereford cattle. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his breeding strategy.
Three-way crossbreeding for optimal production
Crossbreeding two beef breeds is a popular practice among South Africa’s commercial beef producers. A KwaZulu-Natal family that has been in the beef farming business for several decades believes it is reaping the benefits from its less common three-way crossbreeding system.
Achieving shorter ICP
Fertility and a short intercalving period (ICP) are more heritable than experts suggest, says cattle farmer Peter Schultz. He explains to Gerhard Uys that cattle well-adapted to their environment and selected on ICP values can beat the norm.
Technology – a resource to drive profit in beef operations
Breeding and associated genetic technologies can make a difference to the bottom line in beef cattle herds, says Japie van der Westhuizen of SA Stud Book.
One family, four livestock enterprises
When Cornelius van Niekerk passed away, he left his sons, Jan and Bertie, a commercial beef cattle herd. He also left his daughters-in-law, Marizelle and Annie, a cattle stud each.
Dexter cattle: Ideal for meat and dairy
The Dexter cattle breed is hardy and well-adapted to South Africa's harsh farming conditions.
Bonsmaras: Offering great returns on investment
Holomo Lebona believes that Bonsmaras' adaptability makes them exceptional investments.
Farming hardy Nguni cattle in the Swartland
Michael Duckitt says that farming Nguni cattle in the Swartland has decreased his farming risks.
The Vaalharts beef cattle crossbreeding project
Crossbreeding beef cattle is gaining ground, as SA farmers increasingly value high productivity and low production costs. Prof Michiel Scholtz, head of the Vaalharts Crossbreeding Programme, tells Wilma den Hartigh about the programme’s contribution to the utilisation of crossbreeds.
Only use the best genetics – Hennie Viljoen
Top stud breeder Hennie Viljoen says farmers must use top genetics to increase productivity and profitability.
Beef cows: meeting their nutritional needs
Beef farmers should take care to match the nutritional needs of a cow to her production cycle to ensure optimal fertility rates, expecially when forage quality is low. Dr Dietmar Holm, associate professor at the Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, explains.
Horseshoe Tuli cattle thrive on Eastern Cape veld
Dave Cawthorn runs stud and commercial Tuli cattle on semi-sweet veld near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess recently visited the Horseshoe Farm to investigate the impact of this hardy and fertile indigenous beef breed on the Cawthorn farming operation.
