Cattle

Puleng Ndlovu left a career in aviation to start farming with Brangus cattle on a land reform farm. He strongly feels that emerging farmers should align themselves with successful commercial farmers. Peter Mashala spoke to him.

Wool production cannot be achieved without flock security. Farmer BP Greyling has successfully targeted crime and predators in Wakkerstroom to keep his farming running smoothly.

Flexibility is key to breeding cows and managing livestock guardian dogs on his mountain sourveld farm, David Stern tells Heather Dugmore.

Barry King of Bottelgat Brangus is the father of Farmer’s Weekly cover girl Meggan King. In 2010 he and his son Llwelleyn won the Brangus Breeder of the Year award and in 2011 the herd achieved the best Brangus intercalving period in South Africa with an average of 378 days. Heather Dugmore visited their farm.

Finding niche milk markets has allowed this small-scale dairyman to operate a thriving business at a time when many small producers are being forced out of business. Robyn Joubert reports.

Keith Clubb, drawn by low land prices and the favourable climate, moved to Zambia in 1997.

To increase production and profit in a commercial beef enterprise, it’s essential to stick to tried-and tested management procedures.

Soaring land prices in Limpopo’s Thabazimbi district forced Callie Lee to expand his irrigated pastures. Thanks to careful management, he achieves optimal land use and good weaning weights.

Agri Northern Cape Young Farmer of the Year finalist Johann Bekker says a reliable water supply is crucial for successful commercial sheep farming in the western Kalahari. Annelie Coleman visited his farms in the Mier district to see how he gets it right.

South Africans consume a mere 145ml of milk per person per day – so there’s room for expansion. But how? In fact, farmers have several options.

Backed up by 40 years’ experience in sustainable cattle production, Johann Zietsman consults with South African cattlemen on how to double, treble or quadruple their cattle numbers on the same land while improving the quality of the veld.

For the second year running, the Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Charolais Cow is from the same Botswana herd.

Following in the footsteps of her dam, AVM 96 0039 has taken this year's title of Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Nguni Cow.

Defying the common misconception that Brahmans are wild, temperamental and a problem to farm with, Johan Prinsloo selects only calm animals to maintain a desirable temperament in his PRI Brahman Stud.

The best commercial cow at the Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Cow Awards was bred by veterinary scientist Dr RD Bigalke.

Ansoria Geldenhuys has won her second Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Gelbvieh Cow award with ANS 00 0016. Chris Nel reports.

Free State dairyman Riaan Reynders ascribes his success to a directed programme of cost-effective animal health, udder health monitoring and a consistent hygienic milking routine. This approach has significantly improved milk production and is keeping it at a sustainably high level. Annelie Coleman visited his farm Vaalhoek near Bethlehem.

The mother of the 2007 Vleissentraal-ARC Special Performance Test Class bull, NJB 01 0148 now has an Elite Cow title of her own. Chris Nel reports.

The WO Beefmaster Stud in Vrede took the award for the Farmer’s Weekly-ARC Best Elite Cow, writes Chris Nel.

Although beef farming abounds with technical information on how to maximise production and financial returns, successful beef farmer Neil Haines believes the benefit of using nature as an ally is often underestimated.