Animals

Every horse should be equipped with its own saddle, and this should be checked twice a year to ensure that it still fits well, says Kim Dyson.

Although still controversial, cloning geldings to make breeding stallions with the same DNA has become big business, says Dr Mac.

Dr Erika van Zyl discusses alternative manners in which to deal with parasites in smallstock.

Jo Spilsbury discusses how the use of chicken trailers has optimised egg production.

Not all fish species are suitable for aquaculture simply because they grow large in their natural habitat.

It is possible to pay less to feed your horse without compromising its health, says Kim Dyson.

Farmers are often deterred by the challenges of an intensive sheep farming enterprise. Wayne Southwood visited Dr Karin and Manie Wessels who run the Mamre Dorper Stud near Vrede, to see how it is done.

Buscopan is effective for treating colic. But take care: the main ingredient is on the list of banned substances for competitions, warns Dr Mac.

In 2015, Flippie Kotze and his son, Walter, sold a Brangus bull for a SA record price of R500 000 at the National Brangus Sale in the Free State. Mike Burgess visited the Kotze family farm, Swartfontein, in the Aliwal North district of the Eastern Cape, to find out more about the Twee Plus Brangus stud’s recipe for success.

Production claims must be based on proven, long-term commercial results – they cannot be extrapolated.

Many horses that fail to return to their original work after a back injury simply haven’t been given enough time to recover, says Kim Dyson.

Bothaville Stud breeder, Herbert Bruinette, has succeeded in breeding Afrikaner cattle with excellent breeding values and muscling through the introduction of Bonsmara genetics into his herd. He started in 2008 in consultation with animal scientist Danie Bosman. Annelie Coleman spoke to them to find out more about the project.

The amount of training a horse needs before a rider climbs on its back differs according to the discipline you choose, says Dr Mac.

Philip de Waal, owner of the Locheim studs in the Swartland and on the West Coast, has won regional, national and international awards for his top-performing Hereford cattle. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his breeding strategy.

The SA government does not provide adequate support or information to rural people who want to start a fish farm.

Unfortunately, the developmental disease osteochondritis dissecans is quite common and can cause your horse severe discomfort.

Crossbreeding two beef breeds is a popular practice among South Africa’s commercial beef producers. A KwaZulu-Natal family that has been in the beef farming business for several decades believes it is reaping the benefits from its less common three-way crossbreeding system.

Our dry climate means that young horses often are not used to crossing streams and even large puddles, but with a little patience you can show them how.

The theory of ‘eye-sign’ is a subject of much controversy in the pigeon racing fraternity.

There are four key aspects of filtration, all of which are non-negotiable and integral to running a successful system.