2016 SAMDPR final results
Thanks to their innate quality and sound training, the pigeons were more than up to the challenge of the final.
All about the tail bandage
It’s important to know how to bandage your horse’s tail properly to avoid complications.
Dexter cattle: Ideal for meat and dairy
The Dexter cattle breed is hardy and well-adapted to South Africa's harsh farming conditions.
Is farmed fish bad for you?
Sweeping claims about toxins contained in farmed fish, which are supposedly dangerous to human health, are unsubstantiated and false.
Rabies can be a danger to your horse
Rabies is a cruel and incurable disease, but horses can be inoculated against it at little cost.
The first Malawi Brangus stud makes its mark
Brangus cattle are making an indelible impression on the Malawian beef industry. The breed is well-adapted to farming conditions in Malawi, says Peter Tselingas, Brangus breeder and owner of the...
Saving the geometric tortoise
The geometric tortoise is thought to be one of the most endangered species of tortoise on earth. It occurs only in the Western Cape, where over 90% of its habitat...
Eastern Cape farmer earns big with blesbok variants
In 2009, Petri Snyman introduced game breeding to his Somerset East livestock operation in an attempt at vertical development. Mike Burgess visited him recently to see how the game component,...
Horses in Africa
North Africans have been riding horses since antiquity and equines remain a valued cultural resource, says Dr Mac.
Bonsmaras: Offering great returns on investment
Holomo Lebona believes that Bonsmaras' adaptability makes them exceptional investments.
Red tape strangles SA aquaculture
Local aquaculture is hampered by misguided policies, over-regulation and government interference – all of which serve to stifle what could otherwise be a highly productive and lucrative industry.
Grooming your horse
A gleaming, healthy horse is a handsome sight, and likely to be a contented animal. But getting it to this condition takes ‘spit and polish’, and trust between human and...
Sheep on pasture in Clanwilliam
Rooibos tea is currently selling at record levels of about R46/kg, but prices were below R5/kg only six years ago. To reduce his exposure to the volatility of the market,...
About equine leptospirosis
Although a vaccine for horses has been developed, we first need to know just how prevalent this bacterial disease is in South Africa, says Dr Mac.
SAMDPR Hot Spot winners
Thomas Smit begins his coverage of this legendary event with the fanciers who each won $16 000 (about R250 000) to spend on a brand-new car of his or her...
Why synthetic mattresses make a real difference
Dairy farmers have used sand and straw as bedding in dairy cow housing sheds for some time, but recently there has been a change to alternatives such as recycled manure...
Oxygen and stocking rates
Any viable tilapia grow-out system is dependent on adequate oxygen levels. As stocking rates and fish size increase, so too does demand for oxygen, and it is important to ensure...
How to care for your horse’s hocks
Poor conformation places stress and pressure on the hock, causing tissue to break down over time. This leads to severe injury, says Kim Dyson.
Farming hardy Nguni cattle in the Swartland
Michael Duckitt says that farming Nguni cattle in the Swartland has decreased his farming risks.
Keeping chickens in the stables
Keeping chickens in and around a stable has its pros and cons, but with a little care and planning, fowls can help to keep pest numbers down, says Dr Mac.
