Animals

Trientjie and Gerhard Knoetze's Katryn Merino Landsheep Stud has been named the 2011 SA Studbook Sheep Stud of the Year after only being founded in 2005.

Following in the footsteps of her dam, AVM 96 0039 has taken this year's title of Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Nguni Cow.

It's not necessary to own a fancy sand arena to school a working cow horse the cowboy way

There is no weak link in champion racer and renowned breeder Boet Troskie's racing pigeon stock. He recently sold all his superstar pigeons at three auctions. Thomas Smit reports on the first auction.

Defying the common misconception that Brahmans are wild, temperamental and a problem to farm with, Johan Prinsloo selects only calm animals to maintain a desirable temperament in his PRI Brahman Stud.

These are formed by an accumulation of minerals around foreign objects in a horse's gut, and if left to grow too large, can be highly dangerous.

Role players in the sport cannot agree on this question, resulting in a looming court case that may spell the end of pigeon racing in South Africa.

The best commercial cow at the Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Cow Awards was bred by veterinary scientist Dr RD Bigalke.

Merino SA president Julian Southey talks to Heather Dugmore about the need to be adaptable and to change farming practices to meet the current economic challenges and benefit from the knowledge available today.

Fascioliasis or liver fluke is common in sheep and cattle, but can also infect horses.

An increasing number of well-heeled fanciers will stop at nothing to push their pigeons to the limit - even, it is alleged, using tough races to kill off weaker birds. This has led to a court case and the creation of a task team to investigate cruelty to pigeons.

Ansoria Geldenhuys has won her second Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Gelbvieh Cow award with ANS 00 0016. Chris Nel reports.

Free State dairyman Riaan Reynders ascribes his success to a directed programme of cost-effective animal health, udder health monitoring and a consistent hygienic milking routine. This approach has significantly improved milk production and is keeping it at a sustainably high level. Annelie Coleman visited his farm Vaalhoek near Bethlehem.

Dressage to music is the next logical step after ordinary dressage. With their excellent sense of rhythm, horses take to it easily.

Janneman Kitching enjoyed a swift rise to fame in pigeon racing and his methods have much to teach beginners and struggling fanciers, notes Thomas Smit

The mother of the 2007 Vleissentraal-ARC Special Performance Test Class bull, NJB 01 0148 now has an Elite Cow title of her own. Chris Nel reports.

Against all odds, Barries Snijman has tamed the tough Karoo to develop a flock of veld-adapted Angoras that produce quality mohair. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

Snakes are coming out of hibernation and now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge of how to treat a horse that's been bitten.

The Benoni Racing Pigeon Market was a big success, attended by pigeon fanciers from around the country

The WO Beefmaster Stud in Vrede took the award for the Farmer’s Weekly-ARC Best Elite Cow, writes Chris Nel.