Animals

In the Overberg, Potberg Dohnes proves why the versatile Dohne Merino excels. Renowned for mothering ability, high lambing rates, and fine wool, this tough breed delivers maximum profitability during difficult seasons.

As livestock producers contend with rising input costs, climate uncertainty, and increasing disease pressure, adaptability is becoming one of the most sought-after traits in beef production, says Limpopo veterinarian and Nguni breeder Dr Pierre Bester.

An Eastern Cape stud farmer told Farmer’s Weekly at Nampo Cape 2026 that he believes the changing climate in the Western Cape could make the Senepol an attractive option for red meat producers contending with harsh, dry summers and rising feed costs.

Despite South Africa’s long coastline and strong fishing tradition, aquaculture remains underdeveloped, with its greatest successes concentrated in Western Cape marine production.

Lochner Eksteen spoke to Clayton Swart on why he believes the Nguni breed's diversity, adaptability and efficiency continue to set it apart.

The Santa Gertrudis story at Tregenna began in 1974, when Justin Fyvie’s grandfather imported cattle from Texas in the US. Five Star Santa Gertrudis now continues that breeding legacy with an emphasis on fertility, functionality and moderate cow size.

Johnny Forbes, owner of the Vredesig Dormer stud in the Renosterveld of the Darling district in the Western Cape, breeds superior quality, strong, fertile, structurally correct, highly productive sheep that perform optimally under all possible farming systems in South Africa.

A demanding medical career led Dr Oswald Jannasch to seek cattle that could thrive with minimal intervention. The owner of the Matla Nguni Stud, and established cattle breeding farm near Polokwane in Limpopo, believes the indigenous breed is ideally suited to extensive beef production.

When foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affected cattle at ZZ2 farms, its Nguni animals appeared to fare better than several other breeds. Clayton Swart hears how the experience reinforced ZZ2's confidence in the breed's genetics and sparked a research collaboration aimed at understanding why.

A dirty tail, pale eyelid or swollen jaw may be the first warning that parasites are already eating into a flock’s health and profitability. By the time sheep lose condition or start dying, the problem may have become far more difficult and expensive to control.

Dr Ntobeko Mchunu, a researcher in the Agronomy Division at the Agricultural Research Council, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how aquaponics is helping farmers produce more food while using significantly less water.

As water resources dwindle on his family farm near Mooketsi in Limpopo, Dr Doug Reed has shifted away from crops and towards adaptable, low-input Nguni cattle. Clayton Swart visited the Modjadji Nguni Stud to learn why fertility, longevity, and adaptability underpin Reed’s breeding philosophy.

The Dormer sheep breed has a proud South African heritage, but more importantly, it remains deeply relevant in today’s modern agricultural landscape.

Conservation and economic development in the SA wildlife industry do not have to be opposing forces, according to Kgomotso Maphai, director of marketing at Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA). He was speaking during the North West Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Women’s Month High Tea in Rustenburg. Here is an adaptation of his speech.

More young women are entering South Africa’s stud and livestock sector, which remains largely male. Charlize Meintjes, who manages the Ankole, Boran, and game enterprises at Sterkfontein Farms in Gauteng and North West, spoke to Henning Naudé about finding her way into farming through an unexpected route and earning credibility in a competitive stud environment.

The dry period plays a major role in determining a cow’s health, fertility, and productivity after calving. Detecting and addressing problems at this stage can reduce post-calving disease and involuntary culling, limit milk losses, and improve reproductive performance.

The Dormer is widely used as a crossbreeding sire over Merino ewes, valued for the growth and vigour it adds to the lamb crop. On Thomas van Kerken's farm near Makhanda, however, fertility comes first. His Dormers run on extensive veld, where animals are expected to maintain condition and reproduce with limited inputs. He spoke to Henning Naudé about his approach.

Running cattle in thornveld under severe heartwater pressure and summer temperatures that can climb into the 40s requires animals that can look after themselves. Henning Naudé spoke to Priscilla Dent about her breeding philosophy, herd management, and the rebuilding of Double Bar Brahmans.

An independent Wageningen Bioveterinary Research study confirms Biogénesis Bagó’s BIOAFTOGEN® SAT1 vaccine provides up to 100% protection against the expanding SAT1 foot-and-mouth disease strain, offering vital defence for global livestock.

The award-winning Harrobi Brahman Stud has left a noticeable impact on beef cattle production in Namibia since 1954. The stud was founded on some of the first white Brahmans to be imported from the US in that year, Annelie Coleman reports.