Cattle

The Beef Shorthorn has a long and successful history in South Africa. Stud owners Hendrik, Henco and Johann Strydom spoke to Annelie Coleman about this adaptable animal that shines at crossbreeding.

The Beefmaster, which was developed in the US, is a popular beef breed in South Africa due to its adaptability, short intercalving period, and other key traits. Gerrie Jansen van Rensburg, president of the Beefmaster Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa (Beefmaster SA), told Susan Marais more about this hardy all-rounder.

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.

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 on some of their cows. Glenneis Kriel explains what this process entails, and how it should be approached and implemented.

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 the world’s largest milk producer. Lindi Botha visited India to see how this remarkable feat has been achieved.

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 on this seemingly harsh terrain.

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 is a profitable operation, and his sole business. Annelie Coleman visited him to find out why he concentrated on this remarkable breed.

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 improve herd genetics.

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 find out more about his love for this breed, and how he deals with cattle diseases and the area’s harsh winters.

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 Weekly is the proud sponsor of the National Best Elite Cow category, the winners of which are presented below.

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 condition.

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 requires careful and ongoing management of grazing and herd health.

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 breeding.

Drakensberger bulls have fetched spectacular prices on auction over the past few years. In this article, we list some of the highest prices registered.

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 enterprise.

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.

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 produces a carcass that can be compared with South Africa’s best. Susan Marais travelled to Bethal in Mpumalanga to learn more about this exceptional breed from Gert van der Merwe and Johan de Jager, owners of the Bonheur Brafords stud.

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 registered a stud. Mike Burgess visited him to find out more about his commitment to the selective breeding of South Devons in this cold, mountainous area.

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 is of the essence, he says.

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 in the country are imperative to the sector’s survival.