Animals

Fertility and a short intercalving period (ICP) are more heritable than experts suggest, says cattle farmer Peter Schultz. He explains to Gerhard Uys that cattle well-adapted to their environment and selected on ICP values can beat the norm.

Transmitted by mosquitoes, the West Nile virus can prove fatal to unvaccinated horses.

For four generations, the Jordaan family has been dedicated to advancing the Boer goat breed.

Preventing predation by leopards is complicated because they are a protected species. Moreover, they might not be the true culprit, warns Dr Mac.

Breeding and associated genetic technologies can make a difference to the bottom line in beef cattle herds, says Japie van der Westhuizen of SA Stud Book.

The efficacy of any recirculating system must be based on solid evidence and statistics over a full season.

South Africa’s quest for global competitiveness has widened the gap between established poultry producers and new entrants. It is imperative to come up with new transformation models. Dr Charlotte Nkuna, head of transformation at the SA Poultry Association, spoke to Jacques Claassen about possible scenarios.

Just how serious are those small warts often seen on the muzzles of young horses? Dr Mac sets your mind at rest.

Leg wraps will protect your horse, especially while travelling, but if not applied properly they can do damage. Learn how to do them properly.

When Cornelius van Niekerk passed away, he left his sons, Jan and Bertie, a commercial beef cattle herd. He also left his daughters-in-law, Marizelle and Annie, a cattle stud each.

Thanks to their innate quality and sound training, the pigeons were more than up to the challenge of the final.

It’s important to know how to bandage your horse’s tail properly to avoid complications.

The Dexter cattle breed is hardy and well-adapted to South Africa's harsh farming conditions.

Sweeping claims about toxins contained in farmed fish, which are supposedly dangerous to human health, are unsubstantiated and false.

Rabies is a cruel and incurable disease, but horses can be inoculated against it at little cost.

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 Pananyama Brangus stud in that country.

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 has been lost due to agricultural conversion of land. Jay Ferreira reports on efforts to save the species from extinction.

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, spearheaded by blesbok colour variants, has transformed the earning potential of Kroonkop Farms in the Eastern Cape.

North Africans have been riding horses since antiquity and equines remain a valued cultural resource, says Dr Mac.

Holomo Lebona believes that Bonsmaras' adaptability makes them exceptional investments.