Twinning in cattle: Mixed-sex and same-sex
In this second part of our series on twinning in cattle, Chris Nel examines various gender combinations for farmers, and the advantages and disadvantages of these in a commercial and...
Dealing with horse allergies
The weather is beautiful at this time of the year. However, this is also when horses suffer most from allergies, leading to asthma, eczema and other problems, says Kim Dyson.
SAPIR final results
A comprehensive training programme ensured that the pigeons were fit for the demands of the final race, says Thomas Smit.
Selling your fish: which customers are best for you?
Before embarking on a tilapia farming business, carefully consider who your buyers will be – your success will depend on it!
Beware of impaction colic
Drought-stricken pasture can produce drier intestinal contents that are more likely to get stuck. The result may be impaction colic, a potentially fatal condition, warns Dr Mac.
Twinning in cattle: benefits vs cost
There are benefits to twinning in cattle, but research has also proved that it has certain pitfalls and practicalities that require careful consideration. In this three-part article, Chris Nel revisits...
Santa Gertrudis: top-quality beef with minimal inputs
The modern Santa Gertrudis is a compact, well-adapted animal that excels on the veld and in the feedlot, says stud breeder Desmond Robertson. Annelie Coleman reports.
Help! My horse is choking
Choke in horses is caused by an obstruction of the oesophagus, not the windpipe, and urgent veterinary attention is imperative, says Dr Mac.
Development zones: dead in the water?
The aquaculture development zones proposed by government are not the way to develop the sector.
Paint, pinto or piebald?
The old English terms for a white horse with black patches and a white horse with chestnut or bay patches are, respectively, ‘piebald’ and ‘skewbald’.
Top young farmer transforms failed land reform project
Dairy farmer, Tshilidzi ‘Chilli’ Matshidzula, the Eastern Cape’s Agri SA Toyota Young Farmer of the Year, manages and partly owns a dairy operation near Alexandria in the Eastern Cape. Mike...
Grow these plants to help get rid of summer bugs
As always, the warmer weather has brought a crop of pests. Kim Dyson provides a useful list of plants that act as natural insect repellents.
Beef cattle fertility – top Nguni stud raises the bar
Mike Burgess visited Christo Nowers at the state-run Dohne Agricultural Development Institute near Stutterheim to better understand how the herd has achieved an average calving percentage of 83,8% since 2000,...
Aquaculture 101: the advantages of greenhouse tunnels
Want cost-effective heating for your aquaculture system? Nothing beats greenhouse tunnels.
Dairy cows: healthy animals, healthy profits
The health of dairy cows is directly related to their conception rates and milk production.
Environmental benefits of Afrikaner cow productivity
Improved cow productivity reduces greenhouse gas production, according to specialist Agricultural Research Council researcher Prof Michiel Scholtz, who gave a presentation on the topic at the 1st International Conference on...
Basic requirements for the sleeping area
The enclosed sleeping area for pigs should take up about a third of total pen size.
Watch out for eye infections
Eye infections and injuries should always be regarded as emergencies and treated accordingly. These problems can swiftly worsen and even cause blindness, warns Dr Mac.
Dormer sheep: for the greatest return on your investment
Danie Thomas, a young Dormer stud farmer in Kroonstad, achieved the highest prices ever in South Africa for in-lamb and open ewes at the Kairos production sale this year. His...
How far have we come with aquaculture in SA?
This is the 100th aquaculture column to appear in Farmer’s Weekly, and to mark this milestone, I’d like to explore how far the industry has come since my first article...
