Animals

There's no mysticism involved. To build a beautiful friendship with your horse, you just need to know how to speak its language, writes Kim Dyson.

Frans van den Berg is the 2010 recipient of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa’s (GSSA) Peter Edwards Award for Best Conservation Farmer in South Africa. A Controlled Fodder Flow Pasture Management strategy implemented in 2002 has enabled him to increase the carrying capacity on his land by 45%. Annelie Coleman spoke to him and Riaan Dames, the rangeland scientist who developed the strategy,during a GSSA tour to Frans’s farm Op die aarde near Reivilo in the North West.

Spanish hunters expect comfortable accommodation, Germans want value for money – Roelof Bezuidenhout breaks down a recent survey into what foreign tourists want from safaris, and how operators can cater for them.

Here’s how you can teach your horse to get used to strange objects and loud noises, provided you treat your horse sympathetically.

Forget everything you know about stocking rates, says Holistic Management pioneer Allan Savory. The way forward is running more animals on your land. The recent winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge tells Heather Dugmore how increasing livestock numbers on your farm can increase your bank balance, rehabilitate the veld and help save the planet.

The performances of Kitchenbrand family are unequalled in the history of South African pigeon racing.

Lavender has healing properties and is an effective fly-repellent, writes Kim Dyson.

With a high percentage of pigeon losses in race and training events, and irregular returning times after races, Thomas Smit discusses the possible reasons why pigeons battle to find their way home.

Is your horse avoiding the bit or ducking to one side? It might be having teeth problems, writes Dr Mac.

Many frustrated fanciers get rid of their under-performing pigeons. But is culling the best option? There are certain factors to consider before deciding to cull a weak pigeon, writes Thomas Smit.

Horse lovers can chat for hours about their horses and their wonderful personalities – but what are their animals’ actual strengths and weaknesses? How do they get along with other horses?

In a One-Day Pigeon Loft, many difficulties can put the enterprise and the pigeons in jeopardy. Thomas Smit looks at the weaknesses of this system.

Choosing the right kind of pig for your level of management is very important.

The southern Western Cape is experiencing the worst drought in more than a century and running a profitable dairy has become next to impossible. But with clever management and stringent production methods, Brian Hume and his family are confident their dairy farm in Riversdale will survive. Denene Erasmus visited him on his farm.

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, can affect any joint, but it’s most common in the knee, hock, fetlock and coffin joints.

Two wildlife ranching experts call for more support from the authorities but warn that over-regulation could kill the industry.

Thomas Smit defines the One-Day loft - and describes the benefits of this form of pigeon racing.

Nguni cattle can complement a timber business nicely – and are likely to captivate their owners with their beauty and no-nonsense traits. Brett Peatie and Brian Magor of Midlands Imperial Investments spoke to Robyn Joubert about Ngunis.

A whopping combined cash prize pay-out of R3 375 000 will be up for grabs in Dinokeng Lofts’ Ultimate Pigeon Race. Thomas Smit provides all the details.

Whether producing feedlot or veld beef, the Afrikaner is an excellent choice. A hardy, easy-calving breed with high disease-resistance, it excels under a wide range of conditions. Commercial cattle farmer Susan Scheepers from Stoffberg, Mpumalanga, has struck a balance between meat production and fertility, making her Samaroux herd of Afrikaners profitable.