Animals

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.

A regular cleaning regime is the best way to keep your tack clear of mildew. Dr Mac discusses an effective step-by-step routine.

The Garingboom Guest Farm near Springfontein in the southern Free State has had 15 000 guests pass through it in the past 14 years, many of whom came to catch a glimpse of two new bird species discovered as late as the 1990s. Mike Burgess visited the farm.

While a fast-paced urban lifestyle is behind the need for commercial high-producing poultry breeds, a market exists in rural areas for a no-fuss, dual-purpose chicken. Husband-and-wife team Jaap and Shirley Schoeman believe they've bred the answer to this demand.

With many pigeon disease-causing organisms becoming increasingly resistant to standard treatments, Dr Ockert Botha recommends maintaining a high immunity with natural products. It's better to prevent than treat diseases like crop canker.

Renowned South African veterinarian Dr Ockert Botha discusses the yeast infection candidiasis, in a follow up on his advice in last week's issue on pigeon parasites and malaria.

If you’ve ever owned a horse that can open a locked stable door you’ll know how quickly they pick up a new trick! Horses love to learn tricks and there’s no better way to improve communication between the two of you.

Renowned South African veterinarian Dr Ockert Botha gives advice on prevention and treatment of pigeon diseases.

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.