Animals

Christiaan Labuschagne established the Hakuna Matata Stud in Hoopstad, Free State, in 2024 and currently farms Boer and Savanna goats. In a short space of time, the stud has achieved numerous accolades due to Labuschagne’s investment in top genetics.

Christiaan Labuschagne, owner of the Hakuna Matata Stud, says South Africa’s Boer goats are in high demand because stud owners have strict selection criteria and the South African Boer Goat Breeders’ Association’s enforces high standards.

With a less than one second lead against the second pigeon, a fine Blue Bar racing pigeon, ring ID ZA RADR 136-24, entered by the syndicate of Oliver Radford & Lionel Visser, secured the win in the tough final event of the South Africa Invitational Pigeon Race (SAIPR) Summer Series held on 8 February 2025.

A five-star rating system being implemented by Erica Stud is taking the SA Boerperd into the future. George Nefdt, owner of the stud in KwaZulu-Natal, tells Sabrina Dean why he believes the breed to be the perfect companion or competition horse.

Global demand for goat meat is increasing, with health, cultural, and religious practices driving the surge. Trade data company the Observatory of Economic Complexity reported that, over the past five years, the trade in goat meat has grown at an annual rate of 1,76%. In 2023, the main importers of goat meat were the United Arab Emirates (30,3%), the US (17,4%), and South Korea (9,9%).

At the 2024 Champion of the World Competition, the top Simbra cow and third-placed bull came from the Joshlin Simbra stud, located near Komga in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess spoke to the co-owner, Linley Jones, about how this stud of just 80 cows managed to win such a prestigious award.

The world reflected through the eye of a horse is at the centre of the ethos of a boutique racehorse stud set in the Breede Valley in the Western Cape. Sabrina Dean spoke to John Köster to find out how Klawervlei Stud has added value to the Thoroughbred studbook over the years.

Looking for a breed to maximise returns on animals and land? Garren Coetzee, who runs a Chianina stud near Uniondale in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about why this breed is the answer.

Emerging sheep farmers can boost their production and profitability by focusing on quality over quantity. Willem Goosen, production adviser at the National Wool Growers’ Association, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about strategies for breeding productive animals and managing them effectively.

AgriCulture Mpumalanga’s Young Farmer of the Year 2025, Hendy-Hein Mathews, does not mince his words when it comes to the challenges the youth face in the agriculture sector. But he is certain that farmers will overcome and continue to provide food for the nation.

In 2024, Blackpool Senepol sold a bull for a new South African record price of R165 000. Owner Chris Sheard spoke to Mike Burgess about how he built a stud capable of producing one of the best Senepol bulls the country has ever seen.

Kobedi Pilane, CEO of African Poultry Producers and a commercial poultry farmer in Brakfontein, near Parys in North West, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the first steps that small-scale farmers must take if they hope to scale up to commercial production.

According to RC Malherbe, the SA Suffolk sheep breed has all the characteristics needed for profitable sheep farming.

The Boran is renowned for its ability to maintain body condition despite extreme weather and difficult circumstances.

Whether they’re a general nuisance or disease carriers, it’s essential that flies are controlled throughout their life cycle.

According to Guy Rensburg, the Beefmaster is a good investment due to its ability to thrive under harsh conditions.

The Ile de France is a dual-purpose breed that improves the carcass quality of its crossbred progeny.

With its outstanding feed conversion rates and high dressing percentages, the Chianina is the ideal breed for feedlots and beef production.

The Boerboel is a truly South African breed around which there are many misconceptions.

Since its arrival in South Africa in 2001, the Senepol has become a strong contender in the country’s beef cattle arena. Tiekie Muller, owner of the Nooitgedacht Senepol stud, spoke to Annelie Coleman about how the growing number of Senepol stud breeders underpins the value of the breed under exacting African conditions.