Animals

Effective pig farming requires a delicate balance of care, precision, and innovation to ensure the well-being and performance of weaners and growers. Dr Alex Westerink, an expert in swine health and production at CS Vet, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about strategies for improving pig welfare, feed efficiency, disease prevention, and leveraging technology to boost productivity.

The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.

Crocodile farming is a profitable niche industry in South Africa that is focused on supplying premium skins to the global luxury goods market. However, as the effects of climate change intensify, maintaining ideal conditions for these reptiles becomes more difficult. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to two farmers about how they’re tackling these challenges while supporting conservation and economic growth in the country.

JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.

A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.

Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that’s better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.

Healthy soil plays an important role in cattle health and production. Dr Jan Myburgh from the Department of Paraclinical Sciences in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science spoke to Annelie Coleman about the numerous benefits of healthy soil in improving farm profitability.

Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.

Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.

Nutrient circularity in cattle farming can help improve soil health and reduce farming costs. Ernest Makua, livestock technical adviser at Red Meat Industry Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in the industry.

Hurwitz Farming has become synonymous with Boran cattle in South Africa. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Simeon Hurwitz spoke to Janine Ryan about the increasing popularity of this breed.

This report focuses on the production and trade of aquaculture and farmed fish over the next decade, and projects where the industry is likely to end up in 2032.

The Brahman has played a pivotal role in the development of Namibia’s beef cattle industry. During the Namibia Brahman Breeders Society’s 70th anniversary, seasoned Brahman breeder Ryno van der Merwe spoke to Annelie Coleman about the breed’s influence on the country’s beef production.

Proper nutrition is vital for the health and productivity of pigs and poultry. Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka and JD Mostert spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about exploring essential nutrients, common feeding mistakes, and best practices for feed safety to optimise livestock growth and reproductive health.

From the bustling streets of Pretoria, Gauteng, to the serene pastures of eNtokozweni in Mpumalanga, Colin Morodi’s journey from government bureaucrat to dedicated cattle breeder is a story of determination and the pursuit of a lifelong dream.

Pieter Jordaan runs Angora goats and Merinos on 16 000ha near Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape. The 2024 Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year finalist spoke to Mike Burgess about how his stud, Legacy Angora, has added value to his farming enterprise by consistently producing a quality product for the market.

Stud breeder Lianne Herbst has high praise for her Simbra cattle, a versatile breed known for its good fertility, adaptability to market demands, and performance in feedlots.

Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.

Aquaculture specialist Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, designs and builds fish farms and aquaponics systems across sub-Saharan Africa and trains farmers to manage them optimally. He shares his expertise on the practice of size sorting in fish farming.

In this article, we discuss some of the most common viral pig diseases in South Africa, and what farmers should do to prevent and/or treat these diseases to ensure a happy and healthy herd.