Cattle

Protein and energy deficiencies have been reported from many areas of the country. If early spring and summer rains do not fall, many areas will face food shortages. Start planning now for obtaining alternative feed if necessary.

Sandton-based accountant brothers, Simeon and Jarren Hurwitz, who also own a farming business near Davel, have established South Africa’s largest Boran stud. They also own their commercial beef business’s entire value chain.

Johan and JM Steyn from Bothaville’s Vansia Red Angus stud, which commemorates its 40th anniversary this year, is on a mission to provide hardy, veld-adapted genetics. This strategy aims to ensure profitable and sustainable beef production in South Africa for years to come.

Winter is setting in and in many areas the nutritional value of grazing is poor. Animals are losing condition and immune levels are dropping.

Milk production on Sarahsrivier Boerdery near Ashton in the Western Cape has undergone many changes since its cheese factory was established in 1994. To achieve organic certification, it moved away from a conventional pasture system and opted for Jersey cows.

The Southern African Simmentaler/Simbra Breeders’ Society was registered on 28 February 1964. To celebrate last year’s 50th anniversary, the society has published a comprehensive commemorative history of the breed in both South Africa and Namibia.

There is more to feeding in winter than simply keeping cattle alive until summer. Mistakes in winter cattle feeding may take more than one season to rectify, and costs a farmer time, money and production. Gerhard Uys assesses how two farmers tackle the challenge differently.

The bacterial disease, brucellosis, costs the local livestock industry millions of rands every year. In the first of a new animal health series, Dr JH du Preez and Dr Faffa Malan, discuss this impact.

The winter months lie ahead and additional nutritional supplementation should be given to animals in time.

Choosing the correct stocking rate is the most important grazing management decision in sustainable livestock and wildlife production, says Dr Mias van der Westhuizen of the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at Glen.

Jannie Breytenbach’s Goedvoor Nguni Stud near Marble Hall is best known for setting a South African record price for an Nguni cow and calf sold for R86 000 in 2007. Mike Burgess visited Jannie on his 403ha Goedvoor farm recently to find out why his Ngunis remain so sought-after.

Heifers, first-calvers, maiden ewes and first-lambers need to be managed properly to reduce risk in terms of productivity versus production costs. Dr Francois van de Vyver, livestock nutritionist with Voermol Feeds, offers advice on this situation.