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...
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...
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...
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.
The first Malawi Brangus stud makes its mark
Brangus cattle are making an indelible impression on the Malawian beef industry. The breed is well-adapted to farming conditions in Malawi, says Peter Tselingas, Brangus breeder and owner of the...
Bonsmaras: Offering great returns on investment
Holomo Lebona believes that Bonsmaras' adaptability makes them exceptional investments.
Why synthetic mattresses make a real difference
Dairy farmers have used sand and straw as bedding in dairy cow housing sheds for some time, but recently there has been a change to alternatives such as recycled manure...
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...
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.
Only use the best genetics – Hennie Viljoen
Top stud breeder Hennie Viljoen says farmers must use top genetics to increase productivity and profitability.
How to get the best from ryegrass pasture
New Zealand may be thousands of kilometres away from South Africa, but the dairy industries of both countries share similar challenges. Will Henson, agronomist from Agriseeds New Zealand, visited KZN...
5 Cattle diseases that can kill your business
Veterinarian Dr Jan du Preez discusses the top five diseases that South African farmers should guard against to ensure that their cattle and their bottom-line are not negatively affected.
Grazing management in harmony with nature
Be gentle with nature. Work with what you have on your farm and not with what you would have liked to have. This is the grazing management philosophy of commercial...
Senepol cattle: Ideal for Africa’s extensive conditions
The Senepol holds the key to sustainable and profitable beef production in South Africa, says Wilhelm Oosthuyzen, owner of Senepol SA’s 2015 Stud Herd of the Year. Annelie Coleman visited...
Inside Namibia’s stud-breeding industry
The Namibian stud livestock breeding industry currently consists of 79 000 head of registered livestock. Annelie Coleman spoke to Jacque Els, CEO of the Namibian Stud Breeders’ Association in Windhoek, about...
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...
Kalundu Dairy Farm: Zambia’s biggest dairy
There is enormous demand for locally produced fresh milk and processed milk products in Zambia. Kalundu Dairy Farm contributes substantially to supplying this requirement.
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