Cattle

Agri North West’s 2013 Young Farmer of the Year, Heinrich Bruwer believes that it makes economic sense to increase individual animal productivity as this will be reflected in optimum income per hectare. Annelie Coleman reports.

Fairly common, especially among free-range layers, this can be a hard habit to break – so prevention is better than cure.

Genomic testing and the ability to transfer embryos gives dairy company Inovula an edge in the industry. Dr Kobus Hendriks, the company’s managing director is also a vet and the business has raked in more awards than its shelf space can handle; the most recent of which was the National Master Dairyman for 2012. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Former Cabinet minister Dr Penuell Maduna has been out of politics for some time and is now building a name for himself in cattle-breeding circles. Peter Mashala visited him.

Veld management has more to do with the season of rest than the system of grazing. Izak du Plessis discusses strategy and action for managing stock on veld during drought.

Second-generation Argentinian farmer Ricardo Mendizabal runs 4 100 cattle in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina and owns a cattle transport and cattle auction business. Anneli Groenewald spoke to him through interpreter Hendrik Jordaan during Farmer’s Weekly tour to Argentina.

In many parts of the country a shortage of roughage is going to be problematic in the months that lie ahead. Protein and energy supplements should be in place to prevent losses.

The Australian Droughtmaster will be a serious new player in the South African beef cattle arena, says Droughtmaster breeder Johan van der Nest. Annelie Coleman reports on the potential impact of this breed on the local beef scene.

Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.

Dairy farming is difficult, with high overheads and tight margins. Dairyman JK Basson believes that focusing on detail and personal supervision is key to survival in this demanding industry.

Stock theft is a major problem which costs the livestock industry millions of rand every year. Chief Samuel Ramugondo spoke to Peter Mashala about his personal battle with stock theft, which has left him with a son in jail.

As a result of late summer rains during the first half of April there was an increase in parasite numbers (wireworm, long-necked bankrupt worm and brown stomach worm).