From a DJ to a successful farmer in the Eastern Cape
Lubabalo Ngcwembe (43), from Zwelitsha near Qonce, shares his remarkable journey into farming, overcoming challenges to build Ikhasilethu, a thriving livestock and vegetable enterprise.
The oldest SA Beef Shorthorn herd excels in the coldest place
The Beef Shorthorn is probably as close to a perfect beef cattle breed as you can get, Barry Stretton, owner of the Brotherlea stud in Molteno, told Annelie Coleman.
Study sheds light on global risk of heat stress to cattle
Research shows climate change may have a negative impact on cattle farming in some regions, says Jorisna Bonthuys. Farmers must do more to secure their herd’s welfare and their own...
Zimbabwe’s Tuli cattle make financial sense and are easy to farm
The Tuli is an iconic beef breed of Zimbabwe that will make any breeder proud, according to Kerry Stewart, Tuli stud breeder and chairperson of the Zimbabwe Tuli Breeders’ Society....
Following the herd to help reduce emissions
Identifying and including a low-methane trait in livestock breeding programmes could be the answer to the methane problem faced by animal farmers globally. But how conclusive is the research and...
Boost profit by using available genetic resources
Dr Japie van der Westhuizen, general manager of SA Stud Book, describes how to make use of animal genetic resources to select for sustainable profit in beef cattle from a...
The ARC’s farm assessment toolkit
The Agricultural Research Council’s Farm Assessment Toolkit has been developed to allow for the evaluation of a farm in a scientific manner, using the natural resource base of the farm...
Why this Durbanville dairy keeps on winning awards
Fair Cape Dairies won the ARC National Master Dairyman of the Year Award for the fourth time in 2022. Johannes Loubser spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the drivers of the...
The pioneering history of Barkly East’s Avoca cattle and sheep studs
The Orpen family has been farming near Barkly East in the Eastern Cape since 1866. Gavin Isted looks at the history of the farm and the current production methods used...
Ireland’s dairy farmers wrestle with harsh environmental policies
A peek over the farm gate into an Irish dairy farm reveals that although the grass is certainly greener, farmers are facing unprecedented challenges that are placing their survival at...
Using sexed semen to get more value from cattle
Breeding using sexed semen can help your bottom line by creating cattle the market demands, says Dr Ken Odde, professor and department head emeritus of the Department of Animal Sciences...
How an Irish family is changing the narrative around dairy farming
Public opinion on farming practices has taken a negative slant the world over as social media perpetuate stereotypes of farmers who only seek profit, to the detriment of the environment....
Dexters survive for decades in national park
The relocation of a feral herd of 16 Dexters that lived in the Addo Elephant National Park’s Wilderness area has caught the attention of scientists after the South African Dexter...
Feeding guidelines for various stages of production
Tara Felix, an extension beef specialist, and Nathan Briggs, a former beef extension educator, both from Pennsylvania State University in the US, provide guidelines as hypothetical scenarios that show dietary...
Hugenoot: SA’s beef cattle genetic treasure
The award-winning Koperkop Hugenoot stud has proved the breed’s economic value in the exacting farming conditions south of the Soutpansberg. Owners Henk and Gerda van Rensburg told Annelie Coleman how...
Uphill road from small to commercial farming
Driven by passion and a dream to develop his business to its full potential, livestock farmer Petros Sibanyoniis persevering despite trials and tribulations. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the...
Sourveld and rocks no obstacles to this Simbra producer
Rocco Botha runs a commercial herd of Simbra cattle on North West’s Klipveld, an aptly named area noted for its rocks and sourveld. Annelie Coleman spoke to him about his...
Analysis: water intake of young Afrikaner and Nguni bulls
A study by Georgette Pyoos, junior researcher, and Prof Michiel Scholtz, specialist researcher in animal breeding and genetics, both at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production Institute, counters the popular...
Perseverance: the key to stud-farming success
Bonsmara stud manager Sizo Tshabalala believes there is a lesson to be learnt from every challenge. He spoke to Lindi Botha about how his passion for farming and determination to...
Boran cattle: perfect fit for diversified farmer
As a diversified farmer whose primary focus is grain, Leon van Tonder doesn’t have much time to worry about his cattle. He spoke to Lindi Botha about why introducing Boran cattle...
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