How to Livestock

The size of your pig housing infrastructure will depend on the number of pigs you have. Ideally, it should be strong, simple and adaptable, and it need not be expensive, says Shane Brody.

Every sheep farmer strives to get his or her sheep onto the market sooner and earn more money. Jannie Fourie of the National Wool Growers’ Association gives useful guidelines to help with this.

To implement this system properly, you will need to obtain practical hands-on instruction in its use.

The scrotum plays an important role in the fertility of a bull and its daughters – and should be examined closely when selecting bulls.

It is perfectly possible to farm sheep profitably on a small piece of land, says Jannie Fourie, National Wool Growers’ Association production advisor. To do this, never exceed the carrying capacity of your land, manage your operation carefully, and keep a record of everything.

This is a locally developed medium-to large-framed sheep, with both rams and ewes polled.

Salmonella is a notifiable disease, often resistant to antimicrobials. Control should focus on eliminating, as far as possible, the sources of infection.

One of the difficulties in fighting the spread of infection is that cattle might appear healthy even while they are spreading disease.

Bovine tuberculosis is a controlled animal disease in South Africa because of the long-term negative effect of the disease on people and the economy.

One of the oldest purebred breeds in existence is the trusty Braunvieh.

Many emerging farmers lack the resources to produce crops needed to feed their livestock when grazing becomes scarce. But with a little innovation, they can overcome this challenge, suggests Shane Brody.

As the fifth-largest agricultural industry in South Africa, milk production provides a regular income for thousands of small and large producers. If you wish to enter the sector, make sure you get to know and understand the dairy market first.