Why nutrition is crucial for dairy cow fertility
While genetic improvement can go a long way towards improving dairy profitability, cows and calves will not reach their full potential if they suffer from nutritional deficiencies.
Maximise dairy profits with beef semen
Improved breeding technologies and practices have resulted in many dairies ending up with more replacement heifers than they need. To add value to surplus animals, farmers can use beef semen...
Small-scale and subsistence farmers: ‘The backbone of India’s mega dairy industry’
In a move that is being called production by the masses rather than mass production, India has successfully mobilised 100 million subsistence and small-scale dairy farmers to make that country...
How a Simmentaler stud thrives on mountainous veld
The dual-purpose Simmentaler is known for its adaptability and good temperament. Tjokkie Nel, who runs a stud near Barkly East, spoke to Gavin Isted about the success he has had...
Hardy, dual-purpose Dexters make sound business sense
Twenty years ago, Gauteng livestock producer Kobus van der Linde bought a handful of Dexter cattle as a hobby for his children. Today, Van der Linde’s 100-head Lundi Dexter stud...
Read this before buying a bull for your beef herd!
Sechaba Majola, a researcher in the Animal Unit at the University of the Free State, gives advice to small-scale beef cattle farmers on how to buy a quality bull and...
Drakensberger cattle: ‘An all-rounder like no other’
Drakensberger cattle pulled the Voortrekkers’ wagons on their epic journeys to South Africa’s inland regions in the 19th century. Susan Marais visited Petrus Taljaard of Talman Drakensbergers in Mpumalanga to...
SA’s top beef producers shine at ARC awards
The Agricultural Research Council recently presented its 44th instalment of the annual National Beef Performers Awards, which recognises outstanding achievements across seven categories of beef cattle performance and production. Farmer’s...
Mastitis: prevention is better than cure
Mastitis can be devastating to a dairy’s profitability. Dr Chantelle Erwee, technical manager of ruminants at Zoetis, describes strategies that a farmer can implement to prevent cows from developing the...
Beef production: achieving a top herd through careful veld management
Father-and-son team Robert and Sanele Khumalo constantly strive to maximise carcass weight in their commercial beef production enterprise. But with heavy recent rains and ever more unpredictable weather patterns, this...
The Beefmaster: adaptable and hardy
Cows of this tough, dual-purpose breed from Texas are renowned for their strong maternal traits, their fertility and their easy calving. What’s more, the Beefmaster’s famous ‘Six Essentials’ guide simplifies...
High-priced Drakensbergers
Drakensberger bulls have fetched spectacular prices on auction over the past few years. In this article, we list some of the highest prices registered.
How Angus cattle add value to a fruit farm
The production of Angus cattle enables Western Cape farmer Gielie Geldenhuys to make use of land unsuitable for fruit or onion production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his diversification...
Bonsmaras that set bank-breaking records
Due to their popularity, Bonsmaras have fetched high prices at auctions for many years. In this article, we list some of the highest prices achieved at sales.
Fertility and meat quality: the traits driving the growing demand for Brafords
What do you get when you cross a Brahman with a Hereford? You get the Braford: a fertile animal with amazing mothering abilities that has a long life expectancy and...
South Devon cows and heifers: the central pillar of stud efficiency
The Roets family of the Eastern Cape’s Barkly East district has been associated with South Devon cattle for approximately 90 years. Yet it was only in 2017 that PD Roets...
How to optimise beef cattle production
Optimisation of the environment is the single most important requirement for sustainable beef production, according to animal scientist Hennie Snyman. For that to happen, the implementation of precision farming principles...
‘FMD restrictions are late, but necessary’
Role players in the South African beef industry believe that, although they have come at a rather late stage in the game, the government-enforced restrictions on the movement of cattle...
The cattle most at risk from lion attacks
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Pretoria attempt to explain why some types of cattle may be more likely to serve as prey for lions.
Raise weaning weights through good nutrition and fertility
Top-quality heifers and well-balanced nutrition form two of the most important cornerstones of effective red meat production, writes Henco Leicester, technical manager at Telwiedre, an animal feed manufacturer, in Heilbron....
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
