From unutilised land to successful piggery
The Doornspruit Community Trust has put land donated to it by the Catholic Church to good use by opening a piggery. The operation has begun doing well, and today supplies...
Machine-shearing skill can pave way to success
Developing machine-shearing skills in the South African wool industry could arm shearers with the expertise to pursue potentially lucrative careers in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
Holistic farming could boost profits
The H-word might cause sceptics to cringe, but changing grazing and other practices is working wonders on this KwaZulu-Natal beef farm.
Kamab simbras: performance off the veld
Fertility and optimum meat production are the two pillars of Diethelm and Katja Metzger’s Kamab Simbra Stud. The second-largest Simbra stud herd in Southern Africa, it produces about 370 weaners...
Breeding with the best
Arthur de Villiers of Arcadia Bonsmara near Vrede is the 2013 recipient of the ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year Award.
Auction turnover breaks the billion-rand barrier
Game auctions showed a rising trend showed last year says Dr Flippie Cloete of the Unit for Environmental Science and Management at North-West University.
Hocks: Painful horse injury
Similar to the human ankle, the hock joint is easily sprained, warns Dr Mac.
SAMDPR update
With the final of the South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race coming up soon, Thomas Smit previews this hotly contested competition.
I know that’s my cow, but how can I prove it?
Chris Nel discusses traditional methods of identifying livestock. These methods may work well for day-to-day flock and herd management, but their limitations are apparent when subjected to the demands of...
Salt water aquaculture
Salinity – at the coast or inland – is rarely a barrier to successful tilapia farming.
Absolutely extensive Ngunis
Ted and Liz Reilly played a big role in putting the Swazi Nguni ecotype back on the map. Their cattle are run with game animals and receive no special treatment.
Livestock Disease Trends – December 2013
Weather conditions: Good rains fell in the eastern part of the country, but extremely dry conditions persist in the western and central regions. Very wet conditions occurred in some areas...
Keep your horses fit
A stretching programme will cut down on your horse’s chances of being injured, says Kim Dyson.
A rewarding experience at the Kruger National Park
Visiting the Kruger National Park in December is a highly rewarding experience, says Annelie Coleman.
Why identify animals?
In the first of a series of articles, we look at the principles of animal and animal product traceability. Compiled by Chris Nel.
Have you tested your horse for CEM yet?
Without two negative tests, a stallion is not permitted by law to cover a mare, cautions Dr Mac.
Understanding pigeons CFVs
Understanding the theory of ‘comfortable flying velocity’ will help you do better in long-distance races, says Thomas Smit.
Commercial success for small-scale cattleman
Starting with just 10 Bonsmaras, ARC National Emerging Beef Farmer for 2013 Moses Zengetwa today has a herd of 120 highly productive Bonsmara-type cows and heifers. Mike Burgess visited him...
Horses – how to treat sore eyes
Any condition involving the eye is potentially serious and requires a vet, says Kim Dyson.
