Welpic Dormers: breeding for exceptional genetics
At the 2016 National Dormer Sale in Bloemfontein, a Welpic Dormer ram achieved the second-best price of R51 000. Mike Burgess visited JP Potgieter (26) to see how and why...
Basic goat health management: all you need to know
For producers to benefit from the growing national and international demand for live goats and goat products, it is essential to have healthy flocks. Dr Alan Rowe, chief state veterinarian...
Why climate change is a threat to livestock production
South Africa’s farmers have little choice: they must adapt in order to limit the effects of climate change on livestock production and animal health, according to experts.
Dormer sheep: for the greatest return on your investment
Danie Thomas, a young Dormer stud farmer in Kroonstad, achieved the highest prices ever in South Africa for in-lamb and open ewes at the Kairos production sale this year. His...
How Dohne Merino & medics can boost wheat income
Market volatility and climatic risks have resulted in an increasing number of grain producers in the Swartland incorporating livestock into their farming systems. Glenneis Kriel talks to Stephen and Peter...
Sound management key to laparoscopy success
Elnora Crous explains to Glenneis Kriel how laparoscopic insemination has helped to accelerate genetic progress in the Dohne Merino stud on their family farm, Jongensklip, near Caledon.
Animal health crisis in the Northern Cape
Sexually transmitted animal diseases and a lack of vaccines are the foremost challenges facing Northern Cape livestock producers. Annelie Coleman asked Dr Koos Louw, chairperson of the provincial Red Meat...
Better milk, better cheese from veld-reared goats
Award-winning goat’s cheese and milk producer, Christo Venter, believes A-grade goat’s milk is needed to produce cheese of distinction. He told Gerhard Uys how veld-reared milk goats can supply the...
Merino stud excels in bitter Eastern Cape cold
Tink Strydom’s Hartebeesfontein Stud produces Merinos that excel on grassveld and have good medium to strong wool. He spoke to Gavin Isted.
Using tannins to control parasites in smallstock
Dr Erika van Zyl discusses alternative manners in which to deal with parasites in smallstock.
A simpler intensive sheep farming programme
Farmers are often deterred by the challenges of an intensive sheep farming enterprise. Wayne Southwood visited Dr Karin and Manie Wessels who run the Mamre Dorper Stud near Vrede, to...
The legacy of the Jordaan Boer goats
For four generations, the Jordaan family has been dedicated to advancing the Boer goat breed.
Sheep on pasture in Clanwilliam
Rooibos tea is currently selling at record levels of about R46/kg, but prices were below R5/kg only six years ago. To reduce his exposure to the volatility of the market,...
Boer goat stud reaps the rewards of data recording
Boer goat stud breeder Johan Boshoff uses production data as a valuable tool to breed a new generation of goats to take his herd, the breed, and the industry forward....
Allow nature to select your best performing animals – Clayton Collette
SA Stud Book’s top smallstock breeder for 2015, Clynton Collett from Venterstad, plans to increase the performance of his Meatmaster stud through better selection based on reproductive performance.
Wauldby Dohne Merinos: on the veld for 68 years!
The legendary Wauldby Dohne Merino Stud from the Amabele area near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape was founded by Deemie Blaine in 1947. Mike Burgess visited Blaine’s grandson, Robbie, a...
Science, sharing and success
A passionate farmer committed to a scientific approach, Paul Collett won the Agri SA Toyota Young Farmer of the Year award for the Eastern Cape. Lourens Schoeman visited him on...
Producing an award-winning Ile de France carcass
When one of your sheep takes first place in a major carcass competition dominated by other breeds, you are on the right track. Regina Harmse produces Ile de France on...
Breeding to the breed standard pays off
The Dorper and the White Dorper are hardy mutton breeds that can produce under suboptimal veld conditions. Achieving a high lambing rate requires fertility and conformation to breed standards. Namaqualand...
Breeding well-balanced Meatmaster sheep
PW van Heerden’s Meatmaster stud began as a crossbreeding experiment, but is now a top stud.
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
