Shane Brody
Shane Brody, a livestock farmer with over 30 years of experience and columnist of Farmer's Weekly's 'Communal Farming', will be a speaker at our upcoming webinar 'the importance of skills development in primary agriculture'.
Recognising the value of manure and organic waste
Bearing in mind the inhibiting cost of commercial synthetic fertilisers to communal farmers, Shane Brody highlights the significant benefits of using animal by-products.
Vital livestock injection and sterility knowledge
To keep your livestock healthy and disease-free, it’s essential to adhere to sterile procedures and proper techniques when administering injections.
Crop rotation is key in vegetable and crop production
The continual practice of ‘monoculture’ planting by farmers is becoming increasingly detrimental to the quality of produce in the longer term, so cyclical rotation is a better option, writes Shane Brody.
Grow your own cabbage seedlings
Farmers living in communal farming regions may feel that they are unable to grow cabbages because they don’t have access to places selling seedlings. Shane Brody has a solution for them.
Conserve water and reduce costs with DIY irrigation
Instead of farmers incurring huge costs to install drain fields, French drains, or septic tanks in areas without municipal infrastructure, they can create their own multipurpose irrigation systems, says Shane Brody.
Growing onions as a market gardener or small-scale producer
When choosing which vegetables to plant, factors like demand, shelf life, and pest resistance should be considered. Shane Brody says onions are a good option in this regard, and explains how to grow them.
Small-scale broiler production essentials and possible profits
Competing with ‘the big guys’ as a small-scale broiler farmer is possible if you keep the importance of fiscal discipline, cash flow, infrastructure, and biosecurity – among other factors – in mind, writes Shane Brody.
Livestock production strategies for formal vs informal market
Feedlots do not purposefully discriminate against certain breeders, but the animals may not always produce the carcasses that their market segment want.
Developing a good knowledge of feed and supplements
Many of the larger manufacturers of livestock feed and supplements offer helpful advice booklets, which can sometimes be found at farmer supply stores and co-operatives. Take advantage of them, says Shane Brody.
Plant poisoning in livestock
The symptoms of plant poisoning in livestock in South Africa can vary depending on the specific plant and type of toxin involved, writes Shane Brody.
The importance of knowing how to grade slaughter livestock
Whether you’re a big or small producer, knowing how to grade your livestock is essential for the profitability of your business, writes Shane Brody.
Understand livestock pricing structures to avoid financial losses
Many communal farmers are not aware of prevailing market dynamics and livestock pricing structures, and this can cost them dearly when selling their animals, says Shane Brody.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Understanding the age of common livestock species
Looking at teeth in common livestock species such as sheep, goats and cattle in order to judge their age can be quite tricky for the novice farmer, says Shane Brody.
Advice on caring for newborn lambs and goat kids
It may be a relatively simple task to successfully get rams to mate and for females to give birth, but the first couple of weeks of the life of a lamb or kid is a crucial period in livestock farming, writes Shane Brody.
Beware of a growing foot rot threat
Foot rot in livestock is presently manifesting in many regions of South Africa that are experiencing ongoing heavy rains or humid weather conditions.
The dangers of using livestock medicines incorrectly
As farmers we need to make ourselves conversant with the proper use of medications and other aids such as dips that counteract ectoparasites and doses that control internal parasites.
Genetic and other factors to consider when breeding pigs
This guide unlocks the secrets to successful pig farming. Learn how to feed your pigs for optimal growth, avoid costly mistakes, and choose the right genetics to build a thriving farm.
How to install a proper fence structure
Fencing in many communal areas has become dilapidated or dysfunctional due to poor erection and maintenance. Shane Brody explains how a sturdy fence should be constructed.
Basic vaccination and health protocols for pigs
Unlike farming or production programs where livestock species such as sheep, cattle, and goats are farmed extensively on wide-open spaces comprised of pastures or grazing rangelands, pigs are usually produced in intensive environments such as purpose-built piggeries, sties, or even enclosed sheds.
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