Cattle

These days, it’s rare to hear stories of a family establishing, from scratch, a commercial farm in virgin African bushveld. But this is what one family has done in just...

What you feed a dairy cow is important, but don’t lose sight of how you feed.

A city couple bought a run-down chicken farm in the Dargle, with the intention of changing it into a wedding venue. But the chickens turned out to be profitable on...

Alwyn Marx, who farms with his father near Burgersdorp, started a small Tuli herd a decade ago. Impressed with the Tuli’s performance, they have expanded the operation to 300 stud...

The wool of the Charmac Merino, which is bred in the Karoo by the McNaughton family, was recently developed into an exclusive fashion fabric in Australia to meet the demand...

After completing agricultural studies and gaining work experience, Ananias and Mphai Rapholo returned home to Limpopo to start a family business, the Mohloma Agricultural Co-operative, with their father. The brothers...

High genetic merit in a dairy herd cannot overcome inadequate management.

Pieter Schulenburg of Leeuwfontein Braford Stud has established an acclaimed stud herd through a tough selection regime. His animals thrive under the harsh conditions of the semi-arid bushveld, says Peter...

These plants grow almost anywhere, and can be deadly if your animals eat too many of them, warns Paul Donovan.

According to Johnny Morrison, chairperson of the SA Indigenous Veld Goat Club, a millenia-long migration through Africa has honed the breed into a superbly functional animal. Annelie Coleman reports.

Scoring body condition (BCS) in dairy cows is an economically important management tool to check the body reserves and energy status of cattle.

Brahman stud breeder James Prinsloo runs a thriving cattle enterprise on the Mpumalanga highveld where winter temperatures can fall to -12°C. Known for their resilience to heat and drought, the...

South Africa’s beekeeping industry may still have room for newcomers, but this unusual type of agricultural production is far more challenging than it may appear. Lloyd Phillips reports.

This easy-care, dual purpose breed thrives in the harshest conditions, offers high net profits and is a pleasure to farm. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

Malekaleke Maila farms with Pedi sheep on communal land in Limpopo. Unable to run his flock near his village, he is forced to spend each week away from home. Yet,...

Udder health problems, especially mastitis, can significantly limit profitable dairy farming, says vet Dr Vincent Turner. Robyn Joubert reports.

Oom Jacob Coetzee of Hartbeesfontein has watched agriculture develop over the course of the last century. Born in Cradock on 17 July 1912 he moved to the farm Mahemsvlei in...

Justin Stirk of Goodwoods Bonsmaras in the Eastern Cape is one of a group of Bonsmara breeders who present the annual Frontier Bonsmara sale in Grahamstown. Heather Dugmore talks to...

East Cape Nguni Club chairperson Wimpie Mostert calves over 200 registered Nguni stud females in an environment that has truly tested the value of the breed’s adaptability and hardiness. Mike...

The convenience of Eskom-supplied electricity is almost unknown to Bushmanland’s commercial livestock farmers. But thanks to the sun, wind and careful management, these farmers have all the power they need....