Animals

Currently, relying on Eskom electricity for either business or pleasure, is a dangerous path to tread. Fish-rearing systems are no exception.

The much-maligned and hunted Barbary sheep may have a niche commercial value when farmed sustainably in a well-managed confined production environment. Shane Brody investigates.

The Southern African Simmentaler/Simbra Breeders’ Society was registered on 28 February 1964. To celebrate last year’s 50th anniversary, the society has published a comprehensive commemorative history of the breed in both South Africa and Namibia.

Is temperament mainly genetic or due to the environment? Before answering this question, we should be clear about what is meant by ‘temperament’, says Dr Mac.

There is more to feeding in winter than simply keeping cattle alive until summer. Mistakes in winter cattle feeding may take more than one season to rectify, and costs a farmer time, money and production. Gerhard Uys assesses how two farmers tackle the challenge differently.

The multiple award-winning father-and-sons team at Beneke Lofts discusses their partnership and champion racing pigeon lines with Thomas Smit.

Bringing in competition horses from overseas can be expensive and requires expert help, cautions Dr Mac.

Drought is a fact of life – and death – in South Africa, and the current drought is certainly no exception. Overberg sheep farmer, Thys Delport, gives practical advice on how a sheep farmer can continue farming his/her sheep in drought, and remain lucrative.

In South Africa, open ponds for aquaculture are impractical due to our cool winters. And with the country’s electricity crisis, one can ill afford to adopt an indoor system that does not yield good results.

Rhodococcus equi infections can be fatal, especially in Arabian foals, says Dr Mac.

The bacterial disease, brucellosis, costs the local livestock industry millions of rands every year. In the first of a new animal health series, Dr JH du Preez and Dr Faffa Malan, discuss this impact.

Percherons have become extremely popular in South Africa, not least because these gentle giants are easy to handle and still have some use on the farm, says Dr Mac.