The importance of sex reversal
Techniques to produce all-male fingerlings are now an established part of tilapia culture and the use of mixed-sex groups is a backward step doomed to failure in any undertaking.
Beware of blood!
Blood coming out of any part of your horse can be terrifying, but if its nose is bleeding, one of the causes could be guttural pouch disease, warns Kim Dyson.
Taking the cream – Cappuccino men & their cows
Well-known farming company ZZ2 has taken the Pinzgauer breed to new heights. Part of its ethos is to support and educate new and emerging breeders. Chris Nel reports.
Wool profits for communal farmers
In Lunyaweni near Ugie in the former Transkei, a group of 42 determined communal farmers is generating significant income from its 5 000-plus flock of Merino-type sheep. Mike Burgess reports.
Blazing or grazing – the great fire debate
The grasslands of the African savannah depend on defoliation processes like fire and grazing to maintain plant vigour, increase cover and reduce rainfall-runoff. Prof Winston Trollope talks to Heather Dugmore...
Sheared heels
A cause of sudden lameness in equine athletes, sheared heals is a painful condition that may require the services of a specialist veterinary farrier, says Dr Mac.
Livestock Disease Trends (as informally reported by vets in South Africa) November 2012
A record number of vetinarary practices (50) reported this month, as well as three veterinary laboratories.
Tilapia farming for smallholders
With tilapia culture new to South Africa, many entrepreneurs want to start small with a pilot project before investing substantial capital. This makes sense and is entirely possible.
Boxing clever
A horsebox is a moving black hole and persuading your best friend to enter it requires patience, says Kim Dyson.
Tree lucerne: marvellous, but not miraculous!
The pioneer of tree lucerne in South Africa, Gavin Armstrong, warns that as the interest in this high-yield fodder crop grows, many suppliers are overcharging farmers for inferior plant material....
Economy and ecology of Karoo agriculture
Sheep farming has long been the mainstay of the agricultural economy in the Karoo, but agricultural economists Dr Thula Dlamini and Prof Gavin Fraser say that springbok ranching offers a...
Amazing Appaloosa patterns
These horses are very popular in South Africa, but consistently breeding a particular pattern of spots is complicated, says Dr Mac.
Swallowing the ‘365 pill’
The pigeon racing off-season might be a time for rest, but that doesn’t mean you must neglect your birds, cautions Thomas Smit.
Namibian Simmentalers survive & thrive
Stephan Voigts, owner of the historic Voigtland Simmentaler herd in Namibia bases his breeding objectives on the commercial cattleman’s requirements. The commercial sector determines the value of any cattle breed,...
Leave breeding to the experts
There are important issues to consider before taking on the breeding of tilapia.
Putting goat milk cheese on the map, one award at a time
A health setback for Alastair Catto, and Marianne Joos’s longing for goat milk cheese produced in Switzerland, brought this duo together in a partnership that would see them raking up...
Equine elegance
It requires great skill – and strength – for a rider to appear to do nothing while their horse moves at one with them, says Kim Dyson.
Livestock Disease Trends (as informally reported by vets in SA) October 2012
The number of practices reporting are increasing – hopefully Limpopo will get on board in future. Thank you to all who participated.
From herdboy to commercial cattle farmer
It has taken Zandisile Maswana a lifetime to become an independent commercial beef producer. Mike Burgess spoke to him on his farm Kingscote near the former Ciskei town of Hamburg...
Can a horse live just on grazing?
Horses can live on grass alone, but it depends on the horse and the type of grazing, says Dr Mac.
