Caxton Magazines
Selecting cattle for breeding
When choosing cattle for breeding, look out for positive traits that will be passed on to the offspring. And avoid negative traits.
The biosynthesis of milk
If we want our dairy cows to produce more and better milk, we need to understand how they synthesise milk in the first place.
Pushing forward against all odds
Johannes Tshoke has risen above stock theft, the problems of farming on communal land, a lack of money and other challenges to get his own farm. He is now set on becoming a commercial farmer in the hope of leaving a legacy for his children. Peter Mashala visited him.
Catching foot-and-mouth disease early will mean fewer cattle culled
A new study indicates that if FMD-affected cattle are promptly identified and removed from the herd, there may be no need for pre-emptive culling in the immediate area of an infected farm.
Beating wild lucerne in groundnuts
A new herbicide is proving more than a match for weeds in groundnuts.
Be aware of VAT
With the right advice, you can put yourself in a position to claim back most of the VAT your business pays. But if you slip up, it will cost you.
Blight can make a bean crop worthless
Last week I mentioned that halo blight thrives in cooler conditions and spreads very rapidly in wet ones.
Management: Managing your time
Time waits for no one. Time is also money, so it's a resource you must use wisely, says Susan Pletts.
Profiting from free-range ducks in KZN
Brian Stewart, owner of The Duck Lady, shares his tips and secrets for profitable duck farming.
Where have all the kudus gone?
Within two seasons, and without warning, the Eastern Cape's free-ranging kudu numbers have shifted from 'too many' to 'too few'. Roelof Bezuidenhout speculates on what could've gone wrong.
Economies of scale
This is an important concept and one of the major challenges faced by emerging farmers.
How our Constitution ensures land for all
Julius Malema's talk of changing the Constitution to allow for land grabs is merely a case of "opening one's mouth to change feet". A brief perusal of our Constitution shows that it protects landowners' property rights and also requires equitable distribution of property ownership.
Management: Managing people
To run a successful farming operation, a manager needs to know how to work well with staff, says Susan Pletts.
Border Collies: Worth their weight in gold
For 50 years sheepdogs have proven themselves indispensable workers on many livestock farms. But for KwaZulu-Natal farming sisters Ragni Pretorius and Ingrid Fricke, Border Collies are absolutely critical in managing their Dohne Merino flock.
Know your cattle: Brahman
The Brahman breed is well known for its hardiness, adaptability and calving ease.
Where looks matter
The showing of racing pigeons is like an avian beauty pageant - a celebration of external qualities based on textbook prescription, writes.
Management: Effective leadership
Successful managers get things done and know how to motivate their workers to do the same, writes Susan Pletts.
Livestock diseases: Tuberculosis
We look at how to identify tuberculosis in cattle.
Classic Durban chicken breyani
Out of all the extraordinary and enticing Indian-accented foods available, breyani is one of the all-time greats. Breyani, no matter how you spell it, is not a single dish but an entire menu all on its own. For beginner cooks struggling to break away from braais, this recipe is the way to go.
Your seven most important financial needs
A farming enterprise needs to be managed like any other business, and it’s important that farmers make sure all their financial needs are covered, writes Kobus Engelbrecht, marketing manager of Sanlam’s Cobalt Solutions.
