Animals

February, March and April are the peak months for insect- and tick-transmitted diseases. The unavailability of the blue tongue vaccine resulted in serious losses to smallstock farmers and everything should be done so that this never happens again.

With its long residual effect, moxidectin dewormer is a useful treatment for encysted small strongyles and all stages of brown stomach worm in horses. But it can be toxic if the wrong dose is administered, warns Dr Mac.

For Moorreesburg Merino stud breeder Johann Kotze, careful selection based on performance testing, BLUP values and strict visual selection of wool and conformation traits are all essential for a successful breeding programme.

Fat is a superb source of energy without the harmful side-effects of other energy sources, says Kim Dyson. And the ideal form to feed it to your horse is bergafat – lecithinated palm fat.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a tilapia species. Here, in a nutshell, are the main advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Felicity Vonmoos is meeting consumers’ demands for humane egg production.

Germinated grain produced in a closed system is a highly nutritious fodder, but factors such as the high cost of production and the high moisture content may make it uneconomical, says Prof Tertius Brand.

It is designed to protect, but can cause injury if applied incorrectly, says Dr Mac.

A burgeoning warthog population indirectly benefited smallstock predators on James Faber’s farm in the Northern Cape. The problem was so severe that he converted his farming operation from sheep and goats to a Brangus and Nguni stud. Annelie Coleman investigates the background and outcome.

OAD milking is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand, but can it work in SA?

Bites from the hyalomma tick can cause pain and lameness, says Dr Mac.

In his controversial new book, legendary Southern Africa cattleman Johann Zietsman urges other cattle farmers to buck the status quo, innovate and increase their production by more than 50%. Heather Dugmore summarises his views.

Commercially farmed tilapia are all male, due to minute quantities of a hormone they are given early on in their lives, but they are perfectly safe to eat!

This unsightly skin infection is not dangerous, but it should always be attended to. If ignored, it can give rise to a secondary infection that will complicate treatment. Kim Dyson explains.

Father and son team, Paradise and Temba Mahlangu, believe in sound education, hard work, service to the community and a balance between the drive to succeed and a sense of contentment. The Mahlangu men spoke to Nan Smith about farming Bonsmaras in Mpumalanga.

Monthly report on livestock disease trends in South Africa.

With R1 million in combined prize money expected, this is one race you can’t afford to miss, says Thomas Smit.

A crippling lameness, this condition can strike suddenly, and may prove deadly, warns Dr Mac.

With the advent of industrial agriculture, Southern Africa’s indigenous goat breeds faced extinction. However, some farmers such as Hilton Sanders of RH Ranching Mbuzi Stud, are dedicated to ensuring that these ecotypes remain relevant, and they are doing so profitably.

What characteristics are sought for improvement in a strain development programme? How far beyond simple growth improvement must one go?