Animals

A few simple measures will help you save money without affecting your horse’s health, says Kim Dyson.

Karel-Günther Jordaan began his working career in big business. But this chartered management accountant chose to farm Merinos and Bovelders in the Karoo instead, and is doing so well he is Toyota Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year for 2013. Heather Dugmore reports.

Desmond Siteti farms in a communal area of the former Ciskei as well as on a 500ha commercial farm with Boer- and Savannah-type goats and a small, but impressive herd of Bonsmara-type cattle. Incredibly, as Mike Burgess reports, he manages his farm while working as a shift foreman on a Gauteng mine – an arrangement that has proved critical in the development of his livestock initiative.

This new apparatus for tying a horse is ideal for dealing with impatient or unsettled equines.

Thomas Smit discusses dealing with predators, breeding late youngsters and other aspects of pigeon racing.

Implementing an integrated fly control programme can prevent overwintering fly populations from exploding in spring and help to improve udder health and reduce somatic cell counts. Robyn Joubert reports.

Accurate reliable information on aquaculture is available. Just make sure you look carefully.

Seeing your horse hobbling around on three legs can be distressing, but your best friend can be helped, says Kim Dyson.

Hannes Eksteen and his son Lochner run the largest Pedi sheep flock in the Western Cape and find that this productive, problem-free breed gives excellent returns. Jay Ferreira reports.

The science of genomics allows livestock breeders to predict the genetic merit of an animal. Dr Japie van der Westhuizen of SA Stud Book explains the basic principles to Annelie Coleman.

The design of your loft is crucial if you want to enjoy any success in pigeon racing, says Thomas Smit.

These weeds are not only an irritant to horses, they can cause them injury, warns Dr Mac.

For many years, Frekkie Sentsho had very little option but to accept the deadly effects of poison leaf on his cattle and goats. He explains to Peter Mashala how he managed to reduce the problem by 80%.

Our much-beloved Mozambique tilapia requires water temperatures of 26°C or higher to grow rapidly. There are several ways to achieve this under culture conditions, but not all are practical.

The Bergplaas Merino stud in the highlands of the north Eastern Cape was established in 1936 by Frikkie Nel and is today managed by his grandson, Stefan. Mike Burgess visited the farm, Prospect, to better understand how Merinos have sustained and defined the Nel family for almost 80 years.

If your horse is coughing, it’s extremely important to identify the cause. Contact your vet to make a diagnosis. There are many different types of cough – but the most common are allergy and infection.

Identifying and preventing botulism and tetanus.

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.