Animals

Zolani Tyali and his son Mandange recently won the 2017 Unistel SA Stud Book Elite Developing Farmer award. Mike Burgess visited them on their farm in the Eastern Cape to gain a better understanding of the ups and downs experienced in their stud and commercial Nguni operations.

As a small but significant addition to an intensive operation, Thorntree Farm’s free-range eggs are quietly making a name in this niche market. Ryan Stegmann spoke to Chris Nel.

Lack of the dark skin pigment, melanin, on some parts of a horse’s body can lead to sunburn or skin cancer. Horses should have access to shade at all times of the day, advises Dr Mac.

The World Aquaculture Society held its first-ever conference in Africa, in Cape Town from 27 June to 30 June, along with the biannual conference of the Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa.

Adél van der Merwe’s Plusline Dorper Stud was a 2016 Stud Book Elite Awards finalist. Mike Burgess visited her on Pinegrove, in the Eastern Cape, to find out how she achieved this.

Whether you manage a riding stable, stud, or herd of trail horses, a wash bay is very useful, says Dr Mac.

Ingo Rix’s Black Nossob Santa Gertrudis stud near Witvlei in Namibia, is the only stud in Southern Africa with a Breedplan 5-Star Completeness of Performance accreditation. He told Annelie Coleman how this hardy, adaptable breed has proven itself to be the ultimate breed for extensive farming conditions.

Legislative control of the aquaculture industry in South Africa is so restrictive that it impedes any development.

It’s not unusual for Gauteng pigeon fanciers to experience a fast-paced start in the first six races of the season. With the races being from south to north, the prevailing south-westerly winds all but blow the birds home. This year has been no different.

Bovine respiratory disease is caused by several pathogenic organisms. It can lead to substantial economic loss in feedlots.

Glenneis Kriel spoke to poultry industry experts about the challenges facing small-scale producers and ways in which these can be overcome.

With the welfare of farm animals under close scrutiny in Europe, farmers there are increasingly utilising technologies and systems that balance animals’ well-being with profitability. Lloyd Phillips recently toured a modern sow unit near Magdeburg in Germany to witness this approach first-hand.

Mike Burgess recently visited Warren Rieger, Wildlife Ranching SA’s (WRSA) 2016 Eastern Cape Best Newcomer, on Benghoil Private Reserve near Cathcart to see how he has managed to establish an award-winning game enterprise in just over 10 years.

The Southey family of Middelburg in the Eastern Cape has a long legacy of Merino sheep farming. Generations of dedication paid off last year when Julian Southey was named the 2016 Voermol Sheep Farmer of the Year.

Simmentaler stud breeder, René Krafft from Dordabis in Namibia, maintains stringent selection criteria for fertility and productivity. Wayne Southwood visited him on his farm, Ibenstein.

Cool, high-altitude regions with soil unsuitable for crop production can be turned into lucrative fish farms.

In Namibia, hunting is a vital part of conservation and contributes to the economic sustainability of mixed farming operations, private game farms, and more importantly, communal conservancies. Gerhard Uys spoke to Tanja Dahl, CEO of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association.

Unfortunately, bony changes of the lower hock joint are irreversible, but it is possible to manage the problem, says Kim Dyson.

The Ugandan Ankole breed could offer many advantages for the local market. SA deputy president and Ankole stud breeder, Cyril Ramaphosa, farm manager and animal scientist Kobus Rall, and embryologist Morné de la Rey spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Mark Smith produces 270 000 free-range eggs a month on Maralou Farm near East London. Unable to compete on price with eggs produced in battery cage operations, he focuses on offering customers the best quality eggs and service. Mike Burgess reports.