Balancing welfare and viability in cage-free egg farming
The trend towards cage-free eggs presents an opportunity for farmers to tap into a valuable niche market. But with higher production costs and limited scope for market growth, the business...
VEA sets new standard in Boer goat breeding
VEA Stud Breeders made headlines in the past two years for paying the highest prices at various auctions for top Boer goats. William Smit, general manager of VEA Agri and...
Pigeon Palace’s achievements in 2025
The race concept of the AfrikaPro Premier One Loft series is to crown ‘genius-level fanciership and strategy’ in breeding world-class racing pigeon genetics.
World-class mohair producer adds value with clean clip practices
Michau Nortjé, an Angora farmer who was this year named among the top two in the world, says successes came following small shifts in how he was managing the quality...
Dormers: when quality meat really does count
The Kinko Dormers stud near Swellendam in the Western Cape is proving that precision breeding, backed by performance data, can deliver measurable financial advantages. Johan Swart, the owner of the...
Lessons learnt on the journey to build a Nguni stud from scratch
When Cecilia Prinsloo-Van der Linde started exploring the idea of cattle farming, she was advised to farm animals that are suited to the land, so she decided on Nguni. Annelie...
A Boer goat stud on the rise
Joubert Horn, owner of the Joubert Horn Boer Goat Stud, has high hopes for the future of the breed in South Africa and abroad.
The latest tech in pig farming
Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming pig production across the world, rendering production more efficient, less labour intensive and friendlier to animals while improving traceability and food safety. Glenneis...
Van Rooy: a highly economical sheep farming option
The Van Rooy sheep breed, developed by South Africans for South African producers, is a treasure trove of genetics and has proven itself time and time again as a decidedly...
Boran cattle drive productivity on Free State farm
Quentin de Bruyn, who farms cattle in the eastern Free State, has spent over 15 years refining his beef production system around the Boran. He spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel...
A practical guide to managing pigs through the phases
Dr Dorothea Mostert, veterinarian at CSVet, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for managing pigs from weaning to finisher phases, highlighting nutrition, environment, and welfare as key drivers...
The Dorper: a home-grown meat sheep
The Dorper breed is valued for its adaptability, fertility, and meat quality. Eastern Cape farmer Shane Scorgie spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about why this South African success story is...
The 2025 AfrikaPro ends with a thrilling finale
This annual AfrikaPro Premier One Loft Series, owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa, wrapped up its fourth season with Race 10, the grand finale, held on 10 October at his Phala...
Starting a poultry business on a budget
Breaking into the poultry industry doesn’t have to mean millions in start-up costs. While large-scale commercial operations remain out of reach for most beginners, small-scale farmers are showing that it’s...
Why our locally bred goats are gaining global popularity
There are over 650 registered members with the South African Boer Goat Breeders’ Association focusing on three distinct breeds: the Boer goat, the Savanna and the Kalahari Red. Association secretary...
How the SA Saddlebred has built a global reputation
How would you describe a Saddlebred horse in terms of the breed standard? The American Saddlebred is known for its refined beauty, proud presence, and...
Meet South Africa’s only herd of iconic Murray Grey cattle
Johannes and Marijke Botha’s herd of the Australian Murray Grey cattle is the only one of its kind in South Africa.
Desert cattle operation reaps rewards of regenerative agriculture
Kalahari farmer Willie Storm has used regenerative agriculture practices to improve his cattle stocking capacity from the area norm of around 21ha per large stock unit (LSU) to 5ha/LSU.
Hampshire Down: mutton sheep fast gaining in popularity
Hennie Jonker, an award-winning Hampshire Down stud breeder from Kroonstad, describes this sheep breed as a topmost mutton producer that provides sterling terminal sires for commercial and crossbred flocks. Annelie...
Afrikaner – a hardy breed making its mark in feedlots
The Afrikaner cattle breed is prized for its indigenous hardiness, natural resistance, high fertility and ease of calving. Sabrina Dean found out more about the breed from Julian Balt, who...
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