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ARC’s top emerging beef farmer beats the odds
Tembeka Mbeshu, the 2016 Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year for the Eastern Cape, runs a herd of about 30 predominantly Bonsmara-type cows in the Elliot district. Mike Burgess visited her to learn how her beef enterprise has helped provide her children with an education.
A rare crossbreeding project
Simmentaler stud breeder Dr Emile Kotzé is crossing the Pustertaler with the Nguni and Simmentaler to produce a veld-adapted, dual-purpose breed that can thrive in the feedlot. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about his efforts to attain his breeding goals.
Optimising conservation farming with technology
Andrew Jonker runs a wheat and livestock operation near Riversdale in the Western Cape. He explained to Glenneis Kriel how he combined conservation farming principles with the latest precision farming technology to ensure a sustainable business.
Twee Plus Brangus pushes the breed to new heights
In 2015, Flippie Kotze and his son, Walter, sold a Brangus bull for a SA record price of R500 000 at the National Brangus Sale in the Free State. Mike Burgess visited the Kotze family farm, Swartfontein, in the Aliwal North district of the Eastern Cape, to find out more about the Twee Plus Brangus stud’s recipe for success.
New SA record for Royal Show carcass auction
The prestigious Royal Show Carcass Auction (RSCA) now holds the South African price records for beef, pork and lamb carcasses. This follows the recent annual auction held at the 2016 Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
The legacy of the Jordaan Boer goats
For four generations, the Jordaan family has been dedicated to advancing the Boer goat breed.
The Mooketsis’ fast rise to commercial success
Farmers Kabelo and Matshidiso Mooketsi had no previous agricultural knowledge before they began working on a communal farm in 2008. Despite a lack of experience and a difficult introduction to the sector, they persisted and now run an award-winning mixed livestock operation in North West. Wayne Southwood visited them on their farm.
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.
SA can compete in the global livestock genetics market
South Africa is a top producer of livestock genetics and has the technological edge needed to supply high-quality semen to local and international markets. Dr Fanie Steyn, MD of Ramsem, which has partnered with Taurus-Evolution to set up a new bull station in Bloemfontein, talks to Annelie Coleman.
Buying a bull at an auction
Chief technician at the Agricultural Research Council’s Beef Cattle Improvement Scheme, Frans Jordaan, discusses the genetic-based guidelines for ensuring the best purchase at an auction.
Boer goat stud reaps the rewards of data recording
Boer goat stud breeder Johan Boshoff uses production data as a valuable tool to breed a new generation of goats to take his herd, the breed, and the industry forward. He explains to Gerhard Uys why this is important and how he goes about it.
Driving empowerment with Angora goats
The Mohair Empowerment Trust has launched a project aimed at establishing commercial mohair producers within a five-year period. Mike Burgess travelled with the trust’s Bongani Ndhlovu to one of four projects in the Eastern Cape’s Karoo region to find out more about its unique approach to the sustainable development of emerging farmers.