Animals

What do you look for? And should you apply the textbook requirements of the show to select pigeons for race lofts? These are questions I'm asked frequently by beginners, and it's not hard to see why.

Don't be fooled by the Dexter's size - this dual-purpose breed carries a higher proportion of its body weight as saleable meat than most beef breeds, and offers sterling weight gain and feed conversion. Annelie Coleman spoke to Piet van der Merwe, SA Dexter Breeders' Society president, and discovered demand for this breed far exceeds supply.

Thomas Smit explains how auctions differ, and offers some words of caution.

It’s been a long journey since Bryan Marshall’s first pigeon races in 1967, writes Thomas Smit.

In 2009 Lionel Whittal became the first registered Mbuzi goat breeder in South Africa. Mike Burgess recently visited him on his 400ha farm Sandilli, in the Bolo area of the Eastern Cape to see what impact these small, well-proportioned, disease-resistant indigenous goats are having on his farming enterprise.

With event pressure weighing heavy on many riders, Kim Dyson suggests some relaxation techniques.

The fierce debate around alien and invasive species regulations highlights the conflict between long-term sustainability, sought by conservation authorities, and short-term financial gain, important to game ranchers. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

You have to confront sentiment about your livestock head-on when faced with drought, says Trenly Spence, a Nguni stud breeder and holistic cattleman who has weathered 25 months of drought in the Karoo. Heather Dugmore reports.

The seeds of Datura species can cause fatal impaction colic, warns Dr Mac.

Competitive behaviour is human nature. Deep inside all riders, there is a desire to compete in shows. You polish yourself and your horse, you practise until you’re sure that you’re ready.

Pigeons are judged on the quality and consistency of their races, writes Thomas Smit.

Any horse person will tell you about the hours of laughter that you'll get out of sharing jump stories. Go to the Sappi horse trials and you will notice how difficult it is to find a spot next to the water jump.

Brian Angus is the owner of the first and largest herd of Japanese Wagyu cattle in South Africa. He desired to introduce South African gourmets to locally-produced Wagyu beef.

It is important to take into account the weather conditions in your area when breeding, writes Thomas Smit

It is important to know the basics when taking care of your horse, but in some cases you might do more harm than good. Kim Dyson explains when you can handle injuries and illness yourself, and when to call in professional help.

At the end of the pigeon racing season, we need to analyse and build for the future, writes Thomas Smit.

The appearance of healthy prize-winning pigeons is linked to hygiene, writes Thomas Smit.

Unfit horses with long coats are more prone to heat stress, writes Dr Mac.

Maintaining strict hygiene is of primary importance in keeping racers free of infection, writes Thomas Smit.

Your horse should lift all four feet willingly when asked, writes Dr Mac.