‘Is my horse bay or brown in colour?’
Knowing the difference is important to breeders, as the genetics are not the same, although the colours may appear similar, says Dr Mac.
Chicken housing – get the basics right!
At a recent poultry production course hosted by the Agricultural Research Council and presented by Paulus Sape and July Mahlangu. Gerhard Uys learnt about some of the basic principles of...
Theft ruining the hopes of aquaculture in Africa
Small-scale aquaculture will never succeed if producers are forced to finance heavy-security fencing for their ponds.
Breeding Bonsmaras for versatility and profit
With Bonsmaras having been bred for decades in South Africa for local conditions, the standards for this beef breed are firmly established. One Free State farming family is building on...
How stride length influences your horse’s jump
Jumping to win means you have to feel each stride as you ride and know when to shorten or lengthen it, says Dr Mac.
The indigenous Kolbroek pig – a South African success story
South Africa’s indigenous Kolbroek breed is ideal for contributing to food security in rural areas, according to Wessel Pistorius, a Kolbroek breeder near Magaliesburg. The modern animal, bred from a...
Controlling worms in horses
Experience over the past two years has demonstrated the value of monitoring egg counts in manure. This is key to planning an effective worm control programme, says Dr Mac.
Know your Tilapia strains
Nile tilapia has become the species of choice for global commercial aquaculture after years of selective breeding.
Herefords in Namibia: 100 years of genetic improvement
Since the first Herefords arrived in Namibia in 1918, the breed has steadily adapted to the harsh realities of beef production in the country. A century later they have emerged...
Eastern Cape’s world-class student Angora stud
The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI) Student Angora Stud is accustomed to accolades; it produced, for example, the South African Champion Ram at the 2009 International Mohair Summit in Graaff-Reinet....
Opening a gate from horseback
It’s convenient to be able to open farm gates without dismounting. Here’s how to teach your horse the trick. Be prepared, though, to invest a bit of time and patience,...
Sustainability in pasture-based dairy farming
One of the questions modern farmers face is whether they can farm in an environmentally sustainable, yet profitable, way. Craig Galloway provided the answer in his PhD thesis on the...
