Animals

Stock theft, harsh veld conditions, and the demands of running a diversified farming business are constant tests for South African livestock producers. Paul and Daleen Roos of Moneymaker Meatmasters stud spoke to Henning Naudé about why they made the switch and how disciplined culling and a clear commercial breeding philosophy have helped build a young stud in just five years.

Many of the factors that limit pig growth and feed efficiency begin in the gut long before visible disease appears. Understanding how gut health affects nutrient utilisation can help producers unlock better performance and avoid costly hidden losses.

As the demand continues to grow across Africa and South Africa for impeccable Brahman cattle genetics, the Brahman is playing an increasing role in the Bos-Blanco Stud’s overall breeding strategy.

The Loriza Brahmans are specifically bred for fertility, growth, milk and equally importantly, a calm disposition. Louis Meyer, owner of the stud, told Annelie Coleman that it is a pleasure to work with animals with an even temperament, and it also adds markedly to effective management and, obviously, increased production.

As South Africa’s pig industry prepares for the transition away from gestation crates, producers will need to rethink far more than floor space. Research shows that the success of group housing depends on how housing design, feeding systems, ventilation, stocking density and day-to-day management work together to support both welfare and productivity.

Nu Vino Meatmasters breeds sheep that perform where it matters most. By selecting for resilience, fertility, and functionality, the Fourie family is steadily building a flock designed to thrive under some of South Africa's harshest conditions.

Brazil has placed emphasis on efficient management of pastureland in order to improve livestock health. This is complemented by the adoption of improved production systems.

The late Charles Freeme built a thriving Meatmaster enterprise through disciplined breeding, commercial thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. This profile was written shortly before the passing of respected Meatmaster breeder Charles Freeme on 17 July 2026. It is published as a tribute to his contribution to South African sheep breeding.

A new digital platform developed by software and technology company Buffalo Analytics, in partnership with vaccine importer Dunevax Biotech, aims to simplify the regulatory process for South Africa’s private-sector foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination programme, providing government with real-time vaccination data.

In a high-risk foot-and-mouth disease climate, the Vlakte Bonsmara Study Group prioritises biosecurity and traceability. Their disciplined, multi-stage screening ensures buyers receive resilient, fertile genetics backed by rigorous veterinary compliance and certainty.

The breeding objectives for the Meatmaster sheep breed were simple and straightforward from the onset, according to one of the pioneers of Meatmaster breeding in South Africa, Clynton Collett from Venterstad. He told Annelie Coleman that the Meatmaster selection criteria were based totally on profitable traits.

Fiso Hadebe is an upcoming auctioneer. He represented South Africa and Africa at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship held in Calgary, Canada, last July, where he placed between 22nd and 25th out of 40 international participants.

Ostrich chick production can be a valuable source of income, but success depends largely on how it is done. Dr Adriaan Olivier shared key considerations with Glenneis Kriel that could make or break such a venture.

Of the various Sanga-descended breeds we now have in South Africa, the Tuli is an established, reliable breed known for its proven beef genetics, and is now found in stud and commercial cattle operations nationwide. Christo Rothmann spoke to Henning Naudé about the four key factors for running an award-winning Tuli stud under challenging conditions.

Dorper breeder Johannes Human is using the tough, arid conditions presented by his Northern Cape farm to create sheep that can thrive in similar terrain but also adapt to any other type of environment. Sabrina Dean found out more about his practices.

Running 250 cattle on 90ha of land, producing farm-to-fork grass-fed beef without any feed supplementation, is a remarkable feat, especially when the land is rented and requires building soil health from scratch. Lindi Botha visited Balgowan Beef Company in KwaZulu-Natal to learn how it’s done.

By day, Sibonele Gumede navigates the precise world of radiography; by dawn and dusk, he is a dedicated cattleman tending to his emerging stud in Haakdoornboom. What began as a desperate search for a replacement bull transformed into a deep-seated passion for the Limousin breed, renowned globally for its exceptional muscling and feed efficiency.

At Narrow Creek Stud, success in the Thoroughbred industry is driven by specialisation and disciplined management. Owner John Everett rejects traditional diversification, focusing entirely on a high-turnover commercial model that brings elite athletes to market by age two.

The Great Karoo of the 19th century saw the trekking of massive herds of springbok across the region’s arid plains in what was then one of the natural world’s great mammalian migrations. Mike Burgess writes about how these trekbokke defined a region and its people and why they had disappeared by 1900.

In south-western Buenos Aires, the Lafontaine family produces Angus cattle with low birth weights but which show extraordinary growth and reach exceptional weaning weights.