Latest articles
5 Cattle diseases that can kill your business
Veterinarian Dr Jan du Preez discusses the top five diseases that South African farmers should guard against to ensure that their cattle and their bottom-line are not negatively affected.
Cape Town fanciers 1st and 2nd
Albert Lingenfelder and André Mills have again made their mark, this time in the inaugural Western Cape Classic, says Thomas Smit.
How to get rid of rats in your stables
Get yourself a pair of real barn cats. They are far more effective than traps, says Dr Mac.
A better way to do aquaponics
The traditional aquaponics single-unit system disadvantages the fish, the plants or both. Now might be the right time to rethink the design.
Grazing management in harmony with nature
Be gentle with nature. Work with what you have on your farm and not with what you would have liked to have. This is the grazing management philosophy of commercial farmers Helmut and Iris Stehn from Dordabis in Namibia.
Pelvic problems in horses
The word lameness can strike fear into any horse owner, but when it emanates from the pelvic region, the prognosis can be good, says Kim Dyson.
Senepol cattle: Ideal for Africa’s extensive conditions
The Senepol holds the key to sustainable and profitable beef production in South Africa, says Wilhelm Oosthuyzen, owner of Senepol SA’s 2015 Stud Herd of the Year. Annelie Coleman visited his Joxepa Senepol Stud near Bothaville, Free State, to find out more about this remarkable breed.
Inside Namibia’s stud-breeding industry
The Namibian stud livestock breeding industry currently consists of 79 000 head of registered livestock. Annelie Coleman spoke to Jacque Els, CEO of the Namibian Stud Breeders’ Association in Windhoek, about the distinguishing features of the industry in his country.
Aquaculture and conservation
Government’s draconian treatment of the aquaculture industry is hypocritical – what is it actually doing to conserve our endemic tilapia species?
When your horse needs an X-ray
Radiographs are needed for diagnosis or pre-purchase examinations of horses, says Dr Mac.
Beef cows: meeting their nutritional needs
Beef farmers should take care to match the nutritional needs of a cow to her production cycle to ensure optimal fertility rates, expecially when forage quality is low. Dr Dietmar Holm, associate professor at the Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, explains.
How to treat contracted tendons
Contracted tendons can be acquired or congenital. In either case they require attention, and possibly intervention by a vet, says Kim Dyson.
Kalundu Dairy Farm: Zambia’s biggest dairy
There is enormous demand for locally produced fresh milk and processed milk products in Zambia. Kalundu Dairy Farm contributes substantially to supplying this requirement.
The Arabian Native Costume
This showing class proves the Arabian is not necessarily jittery, just a high-spirited breed,
says Dr Mac.
Birdy and her remarkable mates
We’ve written a good deal about the world’s best One-Day Loft racer, but very little has been said about its breeding mates, notes Thomas Smit.
Are you handling your livestock correctly?
Studies indicate that gentler livestock handling practices will result in less stress for the animals and fewer stress-related diseases, says Leon Kruger of the smallstock unit at the Agricultural Research Council.
Environmental discrimination in Aquaculture
The refusal by authorities to issue permits in parts of SA for the red Mozambique tilapia based purely on its skin colour is like a bizarre form of environmental segregation. It is unscientific and unfair.
Plants that are dangerous to your horse
Beware of these plants and flowers –they might be toxic to your horse.
Horseshoe Tuli cattle thrive on Eastern Cape veld
Dave Cawthorn runs stud and commercial Tuli cattle on semi-sweet veld near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess recently visited the Horseshoe Farm to investigate the impact of this hardy and fertile indigenous beef breed on the Cawthorn farming operation.
Dealing with herpes in horses
Quick implementation of vaccination and biosecurity can stop an outbreak, says Dr Mac.
