Cattle

Anglers and food connoisseurs worldwide agree that trout makes exciting fishing and excellent eating. But what goes into farming these iconic fish? Lloyd Phillips visits Simon Bunn of Peak Trout in the Drakensberg to find out.

Being a part-time farmer on land surrounded by residential estates hasn’t stopped Piet van der Merwe from producing champion Dexters. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to him about breeding a uniform Dexter with a calm temperament.

At a carcass competition, a livestock producer can test his production methods and standards through the expert eyes of the judges. Producers and consumers also benefit from top quality meat. Lloyd Phillips reports.

In the summer rainfall area numerous reports were received of wireworm infestations. This internal parasite sucks blood and symptoms in sheep and goats are anaemia (pale mucous membranes) and bottle jaw. As it may be resistant to some of the anthelmintic groups farmers should consult their vet on how to control the parasite.

Nguni stud breeder, Dr Paul Meulenbeld, explains how to improve the breed’s milk production.

Improved heifer rearing at Byron and Ronelda Orpwood’s dairy farm in Creighton has given their enterprise a vital boost. They talk to Robyn Joubert about heifer management and the value of good teamwork.

The Osterloh Grey Brahman Stud is making a name for itself beyond the borders of the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited Eugene Osterloh on the family farm, Mimosa Park, near Komga to find out how he manages his stud.

In 2003, Nomthunzi Nduzulwana swapped nursing for agriculture. Her perseverance has guided her through many challenges to a new future on High Heaven farm near East London. Mike Burgess spoke to her.

Due to severe drought conditions in certain parts of the country now is the time to get rid of all unproductive and old animals.

Large-framed breeds are generally the norm on cattle farms in northern Namibia, but the dual purpose Dexter is making its mark in the area. From his farm between Kamanjab and Khorixas, Danie Jansen van Vuuren spoke to Annelie Coleman about the growth of this breed in Namibia.

The timing of breeding is an important technique to optimise reproductive performance, and impacts directly on the profit margin of beef cattle production. Leslie Bergh, senior researcher, Beef Cattle Recording and Improvement at the ARC, explains why.

Dung is an important indicator of the nutritional status of a cow. So it’s useful to know what different ‘types’ mean.