Animals

While the incidence of twins in beef cattle is very low, there is the possibility that it could improve the rate of their reproduction, says the Agricultural Research Council.

Intensive sheep farming has given eastern Free State farmer Gareth Angus the opportunity to increase his lambs’ survival rate, boost profits and ensure traceability from birth to farm gate, while also decreasing predation and elemental risk. Susan Marais visited Angus’s farm during the 2021 LRF Stockman School.

The aim of any well-managed commercial cattle farm is to produce high-quality beef for the market at a profitable level. Magda du Toit provides emerging and aspiring beef cattle farmers with a guideline of the elements they need to consider when embarking on such a venture.

Since 1975, a rural development project in KwaZulu-Natal has been helping communal farmers improve their production of indigenous goats. Today, these farmers are focused on herd health and adopting technology to gain market access and establish small businesses that support their industry.

When grazing, horses accidently disturb this highly venomous snake, and are often bitten on the face, says Dr Mac.

Although ultra-high-density grazing is still quite controversial in some circles, many farmers have had good results when using it as a means to restore veld and increase carrying capacity.

The Northern Cape’s Williston district is sheep country through and through, but six years of drought have made extensive sheep farming here desperately difficult. Wouter Kriel spoke to producer Hannes Esterhuyse about how he has adapted his operation to run optimally despite the drought.

If you have a small body frame, are athletic and enjoy riding, this may the career for you, says Dr Mac.

When Einstein Sibanda came to South Africa 15 years ago, it was with the intention of working in a restaurant. Today, however, he has a flourishing farming business in the Western Cape that supplies restaurants and delicatessens with free-range eggs, broilers and pork. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his journey. 

Using sexed semen in an artificial insemination programme carries a 90% assurance that the surrogate animal will deliver offspring of the desired sex. Annelie Coleman spoke to Damara farmer Stan Burger and embryo-flushing expert Dr Fanie Steyn about the technical process and how to prepare the surrogate ewes.

The health of your horse’s heart can be affected by pathogens, worm load or toxins, says Dr Mac.

Poultry production has significant challenges, with high input costs and narrow margins being near the top of the list. However, Dale Shepherd, owner of Plaston Chicken Farms in Mpumalanga, has found that meticulous management and keeping a close eye on finances can bring business success.

Juhillin van Wyk grew up on a Northern Cape farm, and today runs a flock of Dorper sheep on communal land near Williston. He spoke to Wouter Kriel about what he has learnt thus far, as well as the importance of buying in rams with the traits to boost flock fertility.

Johan Kemp, Chris van Niekerk and Riaan Venter started the Elandsberg Droughtmaster stud seven years ago. Impressed by the breed’s ability to excel under their extensive farming conditions in a mountainous region in northern KwaZulu-Natal, they are now also in the process of converting their commercial beef cattle herd into a pure Droughtmaster herd.

Extensive veld tests by the Bosveld Santa Gertrudis Study Group have made a valuable contribution to establishing the breed’s reputation amongst other beef cattle in South Africa.

Jonathan Carlson started working on his dream of becoming a farmer straight after he finished school: he made and sold neck clamps for cattle to raise the funds he would need to turn his aspirations into reality. Today, he runs a small yet successful Boer goat and cattle operation.

Leading one horse while riding another is a useful skill that can be hard to learn, says Dr Mac.

All beef cattle producers want their young bulls to develop into productive sires, but for this to happen, they need to manage these animals carefully. Annelie Coleman spoke to livestock nutrition specialist Dr Francois van de Vyver about how to achieve this.

Carol and Charlie Gould started breeding Droughtmasters three years ago and have only been farming full time for one year, but they have ambitious plans and say that even though they are new to farming, the Droughtmaster has made their job easy!

To stay ahead of their competitors in the breeding game, livestock farmers have to continually improve the genetics of their animals. Nollie and Pieter Stofberg, owners of Platdrif Sussex Stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they make use of embryo flushing to achieve this goal.