Animals

Brangus cattle are making an indelible impression on the Malawian beef industry. The breed is well-adapted to farming conditions in Malawi, says Peter Tselingas, Brangus breeder and owner of the Pananyama Brangus stud in that country.

The geometric tortoise is thought to be one of the most endangered species of tortoise on earth. It occurs only in the Western Cape, where over 90% of its habitat has been lost due to agricultural conversion of land. Jay Ferreira reports on efforts to save the species from extinction.

In 2009, Petri Snyman introduced game breeding to his Somerset East livestock operation in an attempt at vertical development. Mike Burgess visited him recently to see how the game component, spearheaded by blesbok colour variants, has transformed the earning potential of Kroonkop Farms in the Eastern Cape.

North Africans have been riding horses since antiquity and equines remain a valued cultural resource, says Dr Mac.

Holomo Lebona believes that Bonsmaras' adaptability makes them exceptional investments.

Local aquaculture is hampered by misguided policies, over-regulation and government interference – all of which serve to stifle what could otherwise be a highly productive and lucrative industry.

A gleaming, healthy horse is a handsome sight, and likely to be a contented animal. But getting it to this condition takes ‘spit and polish’, and trust between human and horse.

Rooibos tea is currently selling at record levels of about R46/kg, but prices were below R5/kg only six years ago. To reduce his exposure to the volatility of the market, Willem Engelbrecht of Groenkol Boerdery, diversified into intensive sheep production. Glenneis Kriel spoke to him about how he adapted a model from the US.

Although a vaccine for horses has been developed, we first need to know just how prevalent this bacterial disease is in South Africa, says Dr Mac.

Thomas Smit begins his coverage of this legendary event with the fanciers who each won $16 000 (about R250 000) to spend on a brand-new car of his or her choice.

Dairy farmers have used sand and straw as bedding in dairy cow housing sheds for some time, but recently there has been a change to alternatives such as recycled manure solids. Marié du Toit was one of the first producers in South Africa to introduce synthetic mattresses.

Any viable tilapia grow-out system is dependent on adequate oxygen levels. As stocking rates and fish size increase, so too does demand for oxygen, and it is important to ensure adequate supply at all times.