Cattle

Running a successful shisa nyama in the busy township of Mamelodi near Pretoria, Jerry Boshoga realised that buying meat was eroding his profit. Last year, he established a feedlot to supply his business. Peter Mashala visited him.

Angora rabbits need a patient approach before their wool can be harvested. But the end-product is sought after by discerning consumers worldwide.

Johannes Uys of Cohanma Jerseys in the Overberg bred McIvor, the 2013 Taurus Jersey Bull of the Year. Denene Erasmus looks at the man and the herd behind this bull.

According to Alfred Maabelo, keeping a large herd of cattle on communal land is not always a good idea. It’s far better, he argues, to choose the breed carefully, keep a small herd and ensure tight management at all times. He spoke to Peter Mashala about his approach.

Badly managed bulls are costing the national beef herd dearly, with disease and financial consequences that cattlemen will feel for years to come. Susan Botes investigates the re-emergence of STDs.

Introduction and summary of diseases and other conditions during August 2013.

Karel-Günther Jordaan began his working career in big business. But this chartered management accountant chose to farm Merinos and Bovelders in the Karoo instead, and is doing so well he is Toyota Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year for 2013. Heather Dugmore reports.

Desmond Siteti farms in a communal area of the former Ciskei as well as on a 500ha commercial farm with Boer- and Savannah-type goats and a small, but impressive herd of Bonsmara-type cattle. Incredibly, as Mike Burgess reports, he manages his farm while working as a shift foreman on a Gauteng mine – an arrangement that has proved critical in the development of his livestock initiative.

Implementing an integrated fly control programme can prevent overwintering fly populations from exploding in spring and help to improve udder health and reduce somatic cell counts. Robyn Joubert reports.

The science of genomics allows livestock breeders to predict the genetic merit of an animal. Dr Japie van der Westhuizen of SA Stud Book explains the basic principles to Annelie Coleman.

For many years, Frekkie Sentsho had very little option but to accept the deadly effects of poison leaf on his cattle and goats. He explains to Peter Mashala how he managed to reduce the problem by 80%.

Identifying and preventing botulism and tetanus.