Animals

There are a number of tools that can contribute to successful sustainable agriculture, provided farmers use them strategically. Danie Slabbert, one such South African farmer, explains how he is using ultra-high-density grazing to help ensure that he and future users of the land all benefit.

David Rakgase of Rakgase Farms in Limpopo makes use of crossbreeding to improve carcass weight. He explained to Siyanda Sishuba how animal nutrition is managed on the farm in order for the cattle to maintain good condition throughout the year.

High environmental temperature is the most common stressor of chickens in South Africa.

Sorghum makes excellent fodder for livestock and can cope with dry conditions better than most other grain crops.

The success of a livestock breeding concern depends on choosing a breed that makes economic sense and optimises return on investment. For a part-time farmer, an additional requirement is that the breed is hardy enough to thrive without pampering. Part-time stud breeder Dirco Swart of Frankfort told Annelie Coleman that the Beefmaster ticked all these boxes.

Electro-acupuncture is now being used as a therapeutic aid to assist in facial nerve regeneration. Dr Mac takes a closer look at the technique.

While wool accounts for only about 30% of his income, Free State farmer Le Roux Fourie views it as a crucial element in his cropping and livestock operation. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the value of this commodity, especially in light of its consistently high price.

Western Cape farmer Angus McIntosh is showing that pigs can earn their keep through the eco-services they contribute, as well as the bacon they provide. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his outdoor pigs, whose movement is carefully controlled to make the most of their foraging habits.

You need to plan your horse’s diet during the dry months to prevent digestion issues, says Dr Mac.

What started off as a hobby for Theuns Bruwer and Pierre Veldhoen seven years ago has turned into the registration of an Angus stud with successful and highly respected breeding stock. Jeandré van der Walt visited their stud, Windmeul Angus, outside Paarl in the Western Cape.

The proven economics of the Kalahari Red breed motivated Cobus Meyer to branch out into goat production on the family farm near Leeudoringstad. He told Annelie Coleman that establishing his Greenstone Kalahari Red Goat stud had been the best business decision he had ever made.

Llewellyn Angus, an animal scientist, Simbra/Simmentaler breeder, and SA Interbreed Judges Association examiner, says that grazing and fertility management are both crucial to profitable beef cattle farming. Here he shares the basic principles of managing fertility in a beef herd.

Zachariah Matli’s journey to running a viable beef cattle operation has had its frustrations, but he is on his way to becoming a commercial producer. Sustaining him has been his own tenacity, and steady support from commercial farmers and government.

Transmitted mainly by red-legged ticks, this disease is endemic in horses, donkeys, moles and zebra, says Dr Mac.

The Blaine family near Kei Road in the Eastern Cape began breeding Merinos in the 1880s, and by the 1940s had established the Ross Dohne stud. This became a foundation stud in the Dohne Research Station’s breeding project near Stutterheim. Tom Blaine spoke to Mike Burgess about their determination to adhere to the ‘original true intention’ of the Dohne Merino.

Stress in cattle can cause these animals and their handlers numerous problems, and ultimately lose money for the cattle farming business. Dr Johan Cloete, a ruminant technical veterinarian with MSD Animal Health, says it is essential for handlers to understand cattle behaviour in order to achieve reduced stress.

African horse sickness is endemic to Southern Africa, and the disease is often fatal. As it is caused by a virus, there is no treatment, and horse owners have to rely on vaccination to prevent the disease. However, many horse owners are vaccinating with an unregistered vaccine, which is presenting major problems. Dr Camilla Weyer spoke to Janine Ryan.

The Arwin Farms Bonsmara Stud, founded in 1982 in the Dordrecht district of the Eastern Cape, is run entirely off the veld. Mike Burgess visited Johan and Michael-John Greyling to find out more about their grass-based beef genetics, and the lessons they learnt along the way.

Producing world-class stud cattle is a challenging endeavour, but judging by the stacked-up ribbons at the RiHugo farming enterprise, Rian Maree has found the winning recipe. He spoke to Lindi Botha about practising rigorous selection on his Brahman herd.

New ostrich farmer Kabelo Lekalakala says the industry in North West can be returned to its former glory through the participation of young aspiring farmers.