Animals

Marcel Stapelberg, co-owner of the Cornish Beefmasters stud, spoke to Mike Burgess to give him a better understanding of why and how the family established their stud in less than a decade.

Internal parasites are the bane of most farmers’ existence as they are hard to detect, control, prevent or manage. Thankfully, there are some strategies that may help. Janine Ryan reports.

No fish has made as big of an impact on the global aquaculture industry as the tilapia has. Aquaculture specialist Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, writes about this highly sought-after fish, which he has come to describe as the ‘aquatic chicken’.

In August Troy Gayler, the owner of Paradise Boran Stud in southern Queensland, Australia, bought a pregnant heifer, Haylee (BH 21-404) for an African record price of R1,8 million at the Hurwitz Farming 10th Production Auction. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his interest in Boran cattle.

In this article, part two in a three-part series on pigeon racing in South Africa, Thomas Smit discusses the AfrikaPro, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s One Loft Race, and the winner of last year’s competition.

Dian Landman, winner of the Eastern Cape Toyota Young Farmer of the Year award and runner-up in the Milk Producers’ Organisation’s Nedbank Stewardship Awards in 2023, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he balances growth and sustainability on his dairy farm.

Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.

In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport’s decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive cash prizes, can revive it.

Facial recognition technology is poised to revolutionise livestock management. Annelie Coleman spoke to experts about this Australian-developed technology and its potential to reshape livestock production in South Africa.

Epigenetics is an emerging area of research in livestock nutrition, genetics and breeding. Prof Michiel Scholtz, specialist researcher in applied animal breeding at the Agricultural Research Council, spoke to Annelie Coleman about its potential role in animal production.

Innovative Meatmaster breeder René Rossouw runs her 350-strong Jumike Meatmasters stud on only 65ha on the family farm, Alice, in Wesselsbron in the Free State. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about how she manages to effectively run her flock on such a small piece of land.

Suzanne Smit, owner of The Country Chic, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her journey into commercial broiler and layer production in the Swartland.

The Dexter cattle breed is proving its mettle as a regenerative farming tool in the Western Cape’s intensive farming systems.

Recent research reveals emerging anthelminthic resistance in equines and intenstinal parasite mutation, says Dr Mac.

The use of regenerative farming practices has enabled Barry Meijer to restore the ‘lifeless dust’ on his farm and turn it into productive pastures for his cattle. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the transformation.

The World Organisation for Animal Health’s 2024 general session addressed global animal health challenges, including foot-and-mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and African swine fever.

Since 2010, aquaponics has evolved into a refined farming method where fish and plants thrive in a closed system. This article explores the technology, commercial viability, and environmental benefits.

Reproduction is vital for beef production, boosting income, genetic improvement, and reducing overheads. Hennie du Toit, animal and pasture scientist at Agropedo Armenta, writes about the importance of reproduction in beef cattle profitability.

Amidst the range of delicacies to be enjoyed in Spain, Iberian ham is both a culinary delight and a farming marvel. Lindi Botha visited Spain to find out what it takes to produce the most expensive ham in the world.

Melville Ferreira and Freek Botes, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production Institute in Armoedsvlakte, explain why performance testing is important for herd progress.