Animals

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.

Dallas Phillips has been managing Sussex cattle on the same farm for the past 40 years. He says that simple management practices and keeping the herd pure form the foundation of the exceptional results achieved. Gerhard Uys visited him on Skietlaagte near Viljoenskroon in the Free State.

Breaks are often misdiagnosed and sometimes even heal on their own, says Dr Mac.

You hear the shot of the rifle and feel the recoil, but the animal runs. What should you do now? To learn about tracking, Gerhard Uys spoke to Willem van der Merwe, a professional hunter at Chacma Safaris, and a tracker from HPG security group, who wanted to remain anonymous.

Novice pig farmers should start with highly marketable and popular breeds such as the Landrace or Large White, says Shane Brody.

In South Africa, it’s easy to become depressed, but the progress made in other African countries shows that, with the right attitude, fish farming can flourish.

Golden Prince, currently the most expensive pigeon in the world, is owned by two South African fanciers.

Taking tilapia cold tolerance ranges into account shows how just a few degrees can make for a worry-free season.

With its cryptic colouring, quiet habits and powerful senses, the grey rhebok is a worthy adversary. Renowned hunter, Peter Flack, describes why he believes it is Southern Africa’s top game trophy.

Injuries to the posterior section of the spine are often caused by unbalanced stress on the pelvis. However, the prognosis is usually good if the horse is given time to recover, says Kim Dyson.

From the start of his enterprise, Pierre van Niekerk has sourced Limousin genetics from France to build his Jacre Limousin Stud near Bedford in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited Klipfontein to see why French sires still define this herd renowned for producing award-winning carcasses.

Careful management and marketing are both crucial in Boer goat production. Pip Nieuwoudt of Nama Stud, the oldest Boer goat stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Jeandré du Preez about his management strategy and how he tapped into the Middle Eastern market.