Practical guidelines to prevent stock theft
Laurence Palmer, a security consultant, lists some practical advice that farmers can follow to prevent stock theft.
Fix soil health for regenerative agriculture to succeed
Regenerative farming relies on restoring soil to its optimum health so it can sustain food crops without the use of synthetic inputs. But does that mean fertilisers have no place in a regenerative system? Lindi Botha reports.
Blind teats and other udder defects in goat ewes
Before purchasing livestock for breeding, it's crucial to identify and understand troublesome or disqualifying traits, such as blind teats and other udder defects. This knowledge will also help you determine which female offspring to retain for future breeding purposes.
Are there solutions to antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance in livestock, fuelled by overuse, is a critical issue. Enhancing gut health with microbial diversity and MRFs offers a promising alternative to combat this growing threat. Alretha Naudé, Free State regional sales manager for Alltech, discusses how farmers can mitigate the use of antibiotics in cattle.
Estate planning for farmers: secure your legacy
PJ Veldhuizen, managing director of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc, emphasises the critical role of legal expertise in unravelling the ins and outs of estate planning.
Choose the right dog breed for security, versatility and compatibility
Jarred Hodgson gives farmers advice on choosing the dog breed best suited to them, their families and operations. Although only four specific breeds are highlighted here, other breeds can also be considered.
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.
Mastering hemp cultivation: best practices for growers
Farmers can position themselves for success in the booming hemp market by remaining informed, implementing innovative techniques, and tapping into the expertise of specialists, writes Thomas Walker.
Why getting your dog trained is important in South Africa
Having a well-trained dog in South Africa is becoming more and more important for a variety of reasons. Jarred Hodgson explores some of these reasons here.
The Gagelas’ unique livestock operation
In 2009, the Gagela family expanded their livestock initiative from the communal areas of the Eastern Cape to include a commercial farm near Dordrecht. Mike Burgess reports on the family’s unique agricultural journey, driven by the late George Gagela.
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.
