Buy cattle from a reputable breeder
There are many sources of good cattle, both registered (stud) and commercial. It is best to purchase from a successful and reputable breeder who sells only sound cattle as breeding stock; this person will be happy to give you advice.
How to develop and manage a small beef cattle herd
Raising cattle properly requires money, land and skill. Do you have enough of each to enter this business? Equally importantly, do you have a genuine interest in cattle?
Animal health: Rabies
It is time once more for our annual warning about this deadly disease. Rabies can strike any warm-blooded animal and it is rightfully a feared zoonosis.
Understanding fodder flow
It’s crucial for livestock health and economic efficiency to bring herd size in line with the fodder production of the farm, so that sufficient quality dry matter is provided on an uninterrupted basis.
Habitual abortions in goats
Habitual abortions can cause devastating financial losses, and culling will be required to bring it under control.
Rift Valley Fever in sheep and goats
Rift Valley Fever causes abortions and death of lambs, and can be fatal to humans. Vaccination is crucial.
Dealing with enzootic abortion
This infectious condition is one of the most common causes of abortion and death in sheep and goats.
How to be a good stockman
Whether you’re farming in the semi-desert or on pasture, you will benefit from having a practised eye, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
How stress affects livestock health
Livestock can suffer stress even during normal handling, increasing their susceptibility to a number of serious diseases.
Know your cattle: The Bonsmara breed
The Bonsmara is an outstanding beef breed, developed in South Africa.
Tips for producing low cost livestock feed
Here’s how to prevent calamity on your farm during times of grazing scarcity. And you don’t need mechanisation, says Shane Brody.
Basic infrastructure for small-scale pig farming
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.
Follow these guidelines when dosing lambs
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.
Do’s and don’ts of FAMACHA scoring
To implement this system properly, you will need to obtain practical hands-on instruction in its use.
Checking a bull’s scrotal circumference
The scrotum plays an important role in the fertility of a bull and its daughters – and should be examined closely when selecting bulls.
Profitable small-scale sheep farming
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.
Know your sheep breeds: Van Rooy
This is a locally developed medium-to large-framed sheep, with both rams and ewes polled.
Treatment and control of salmonella
Salmonella is a notifiable disease, often resistant to antimicrobials. Control should focus on eliminating, as far as possible, the sources of infection.
Beware the spectre of salmonella
One of the difficulties in fighting the spread of infection is that cattle might appear healthy even while they are spreading disease.
Dealing with bovine TB
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.
