Roelof Bezuidenhout
Agrijournalist and researcher of long standing, focusing on research and thought-provoking rural insights, backed by a career as fourth generation livestock farmer in the unique Steytlerville succulent Karoo - southeastern Cape Province, RSA.
Assessing grazing capacity
The number of grazing camps on a farm should be weighed against the escalating cost of fencing material, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
When your child returns to the farm
Roelof Bezuidenhout, who farmed with his father for 20 years, explores what is needed for a healthy and productive parent-child partnership.
Watch out for epididymitis
This sexually transmitted disease could be the reason your lamb crop is smaller than expected. Roelof Bezuidenhout offers advice on prevention.
Managing wireworm
A vaccine against wireworm has become a vital tool in helping to control the disease and thereby reduce contamination of pasture by the eggs of the parasite.
Veld survey raises questions about rotational grazing
Dr Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, head of research at Conservation South Africa and an associate at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about research findings indicating that rotational grazing management has little effect on veld characteristics across the farm fence lines of South Africa.
SA hunting poised for growth
Arthur Rudman, veteran game rancher and member of the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa and Wildlife Ranching South Africa, speaks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the future of the hunting industry in this country and across the continent.
Why a farmer has to be realistic
A farm can only produce according to its potential and what’s invested in it, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Call for loans to distressed mohair growers
The Mohair Trust will consider making its stabilisation fund available to assist South Africa’s mohair farmers, who are currently reeling from the effects of adverse weather conditions, according to Davey Herold, chairperson of the trust.
Decrease in demand for mohair
The price difference between sustainable and non-sustainable mohair lots is widening, according to Pierre van der Vyver, CMW’s mohair manager.
Fine wool market softer
Wool traded slightly lower at this week’s sale in Port Elizabeth and the Merino indicator closed at R183,84 (clean), with the rand:dollar exchange rate only playing a minor role in the prices achieved, according to Cape Wools.
Problem animal control must be based on evidence
Managing human-wildlife conflict should be based on science rather than hearsay, as this failed attempt at controlling baboons with prisms in the Western Cape shows.
Getting more mileage out of old tyres
Old tyres have a multitude of uses on a farm, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
The challenges of being a farm manager
Being a farm manager is a demanding job. Roelof Bezuidenhout provides helpful tips on how to succeed.
Inspect the land before you buy
Choosing the wrong enterprise for your farm can ruin the land and quickly lead to poverty, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
The amazing cactus pear
Tough, nutritious and requiring little care, this remarkable plant is invaluable for farmers, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Persian sheep: Putting fat back onto Dorpers
Breeders are quietly optimistic that they can develop a modern animal for the profitable sheep-fat market, while Persians are increasingly being used to breed fat and fertility back into Dorpers, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
