Animals

Agri North West’s 2013 Young Farmer of the Year, Heinrich Bruwer believes that it makes economic sense to increase individual animal productivity as this will be reflected in optimum income per hectare. Annelie Coleman reports.

Fairly common, especially among free-range layers, this can be a hard habit to break – so prevention is better than cure.

Pigeon racing can be a pleasurable and financially rewarding pastime, but you need to consider several factors before taking the plunge, says Thomas Smit.

In mid-winter, fodder is always short and we need to know if horses can safely eat what’s available and affordable. Dr Mac provides some answers.

Workers on fish farms in Asia use some ingenious tools. Most of the equipment is practically thought out, and designed simply and effectively.

The York family respect the people and the animals they work with and run their business on old-fashioned values. Barry York talks to Nan Smith about game farming and the golden wildebeest.

Genomic testing and the ability to transfer embryos gives dairy company Inovula an edge in the industry. Dr Kobus Hendriks, the company’s managing director is also a vet and the business has raked in more awards than its shelf space can handle; the most recent of which was the National Master Dairyman for 2012. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

It’s great when your horse’s coat shines, but then you come across a bump, and your heart sinks.

Former Cabinet minister Dr Penuell Maduna has been out of politics for some time and is now building a name for himself in cattle-breeding circles. Peter Mashala visited him.

When Ross Rayner started farming near Adelaide six years ago, he purchased several hardy Xhosa Lob-eared goats, an Indigenous Veld Goat ecotype. Producing quality kapaters off the veld has defined Ross’s pioneering farming venture. Mike Burgess reports.

Veld management has more to do with the season of rest than the system of grazing. Izak du Plessis discusses strategy and action for managing stock on veld during drought.

Not only is shooting racing pigeons against the law, it’s an act of spite that has nothing to do with ‘real hunting’, says Thomas Smit.

The technology used to produce African tilapias in Asia is simple but effective. What relevance does it have for fish farming in South Africa?

Wildlife managers need experience and ability to succeed in this exciting, growing business.

Equine chiropractic can help with the diagnosis and prevention of skeletal dysfunction, says Kim Dyson.

The Dormer, one of the most popular mutton sheep breeds in SA today, has an interesting history.

Well-known Merino stud breeder Eddie Prinsloo has diversified into Dormer sheep and is getting excellent results with this dual-purpose breed.

It is crucial to mate super breeders to super racers in order to preserve a gene pool, writes Thomas Smit.

Second-generation Argentinian farmer Ricardo Mendizabal runs 4 100 cattle in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina and owns a cattle transport and cattle auction business. Anneli Groenewald spoke to him through interpreter Hendrik Jordaan during Farmer’s Weekly tour to Argentina.

Catfish, silver barbel and other fish have farming potential, but there are obstacles.