KwaZulu-Natal dairy farmers’ success challenges
KZN can become SA’s leading dairy supplier, but industry challenges must first be addressed.
Challenges impeding poultry sector growth
Inadequate and slow service delivery, tight regulations, increased imports and high feed costs are contributing to an increasingly sluggish poultry industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Despite this, opportunities do exist.
Livestock Disease Trends – March 2015
February, March and April are the peak months for insect- and tick-transmitted diseases. The unavailability of the blue tongue vaccine resulted in serious losses to smallstock farmers and everything should be done so that this never happens again.
Rigorous selection is the key to success
For Moorreesburg Merino stud breeder Johann Kotze, careful selection based on performance testing, BLUP values and strict visual selection of wool and conformation traits are all essential for a successful breeding programme.
The value of instant green feed as livestock fodder
Germinated grain produced in a closed system is a highly nutritious fodder, but factors such as the high cost of production and the high moisture content may make it uneconomical, says Prof Tertius Brand.
Successful switch to beef stud breeding
A burgeoning warthog population indirectly benefited smallstock predators on James Faber’s farm in the Northern Cape. The problem was so severe that he converted his farming operation from sheep and goats to a Brangus and Nguni stud. Annelie Coleman investigates the background and outcome.
Can once-a-day milking work in South Africa?
OAD milking is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand, but can it work in SA?
Man, cattle & veld
In his controversial new book, legendary Southern Africa cattleman Johann Zietsman urges other cattle farmers to buck the status quo, innovate and increase their production by more than 50%. Heather Dugmore summarises his views.
Sensible syndication success for the Mahlangus
Father and son team, Paradise and Temba Mahlangu, believe in sound education, hard work, service to the community and a balance between the drive to succeed and a sense of contentment. The Mahlangu men spoke to Nan Smith about farming Bonsmaras in Mpumalanga.
Livestock Disease Trends – February 2015
Monthly report on livestock disease trends in South Africa.
Limousin stud: starting well and getting better
At 23, Limousin breeder Rehan van Niekerk has already made a name for himself. This young Bothaville farmer established the Eran Limousin herd while still at school and has since built it into an award-winning stud.
Survey: Dairy producers get the basics right
A benchmarking exercise involving SA dairy producers showed few similarities between top producers. In fact, getting the basics right was the only common factor. Dairy consultants Chris Fourie and Justin Moolman spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the findings of the exercise.
