Animals

The University of Fort Hare's Nguni Cattle Project, launched in 2003, is successfully managing the resurgence of the Nguni cattle breed in its traditional home of the former Ciskei and Transkei. Mike Burgess reports on how this acclaimed development initiative has brought the Nguni back to its traditional roots to uplift poor rural communities.
Issue date:23 March 2007

Lameness is probably the most common cause of concern amongst horse owners. There are many and varied reasons for a horse pulling up lame.
Issue Date 16 March 2007

Unless you are a beneficiary in a top pigeon fancier's will, the only way you will lay your hands on a prime stock pigeon is to buy it at the dispersal auction.
Issue Date 16 March 2007

For seven years Vaughn Bursey and John Tinley (above) of Smiling Valley Aquaculture have pursued and persevered their passion for aquaculture by farming marron freshwater crayfish. Mike Burgess visits them to find that this year - thanks to the knowledge gleaned from years of trial and error - they expect to produce up to 80 000 juveniles and 1 500kg edible marron from their 1,2ha of ponds

The skin is the largest organ of body. It is very important to keep your horse's coat as clean as possible. Protect your horse's eyes from fly-borne infections with a natural fly repellent or fly fringe. There are many disorders that affect the skin

The 11th Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race had contestants on the edges of their seats on 3 February. The winners are in high spirits, and the fanciers who didn't score are back at the drawing board. The common consensus worldwide is that the winning birds are those which possess the “correct” gene package for the circumstances of the race - and then hit peak form on the day.
Issue Date: 9 March 2007

Two South African hunting organisations react to an article (Farmer's Weekly, 8 December 2006) which pleaded for a comprehensive rule book aimed at reining in the 'Rambos' who upset farmers and other hunters. Roelof Bezuidenhout provides their viewpoints.
Issue Date: 9 March 2007

The concept has already been years in the making, and finally Lesotho has begun implementing a countrywide livestock-marking programme to combat stock theft. South Africa is providing expertise and will benefit from the programme as well. Lloyd Phillips pays the mountain kingdom a visit.

Kevin Winter is a self-taught health researcher and pigeon analyst. He has tested the health of more than 44 000 pigeons in his own laboratory in Sunderland in the UK over the last five years. Issue Date: 23 February 2007

In the fourth article of our habitat planning series, habitat designer Ben Breedlove explains to Roelof Bezuidenhout how to cater for stressed-out but affluent visitors from the city. Issue date: 23 February 2007

Issue date: 23 February 2007

In the third part of our habitat planning series, biologist and habitat designer Ben Breedlove exlains how to create optimal animal-human meeting points. Issue Date: 16 February 2007

Retired after many years at the University of the Free State's animal science department, Prof Gert Erasmus talks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about five myths in breeding and explains why there's no such thing as the “ideal” animal. Issue Date: 16 February 2007

By mid-February, SA will have five indigenous goat breeds. The Indigenous Veld Goat will soon be officially registered as a breed and a breeders' society established. Issue Date:9 February 2007

Freeze branding is not a new concept to South African agriculture, yet it is only in recent years that it has gained in popularity among dairy farmers to facilitate easier herd management. Lloyd Phillips discovers how freeze branding works, and how it helps farmers.

The long-awaited results of a study into the economics of strategic protein supplementation of late pregnant and lactating sheep and Angora goats have been released by agricultural researcher Jan Hoon of Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute at Middelburg in the Eastern Cape.

The draft policy on national game farming recently came under review. Roelof ­Bezuidenhout speaks to ­Eastern Cape rancher Arthur ­Rudman who attended the review workshop and who fully supports the agriculture department's involvement in the game industry.

Despite farming in marginal areas suited for cattle breeds that can ­withstand harsh conditions, some North West farmers still believe bigger is better. They farm with large-framed animals that force them to dig deeper into their pockets to maintain them. Jones Moraka of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture looks at the merits of the Western Sanga indigenous cattle as a viable alternative.