Producing livestock feed without mechanisation
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.
Dairy farming: a beginners guide
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.
Animal identification: when to brand livestock
Marking livestock can deter thieves. It is also a legal requirement. Gerhard Uys provides a brief overview of the process.
Vaccinate your livestock!
Most of the cases of infectious diseases reported to the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa every month can be prevented if livestock are vaccinated properly.
Understanding Estimated Breeding Values
Estimated breeding values provide the most reliable information on how an animal might breed, says Amari Bornman, animal scientist at Simmentaler SA.
Turning veld assessment upside down
It’s not only the growth on top that counts, says Prof Hennie Snyman of the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Pasture Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Slaughtering cattle with brucellosis
Animals that test positive should be slaughtered to prevent the spread of disease and to eradicate it.
Permanent pastures
Exploring the benefits and value of establishing dryland and irrigated permanent pastures.
Determining and battling acaricide resistance
While finding active ticks on your cattle after dipping may indicate a pest species with pesticide tolerance, this is not always the case.
10 tips on how to safely move livestock
Steytlerville livestock farmer and Farmer’s Weekly contributor Roelof Bezuidenhout says, “The better you handle your animals, the more money they’ll earn for you.”
Bringing your veld back to life after drought
Use your drought experience to evaluate your veld management and make necessary improvements to meet the next drought, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
What will happen after the rain?
Before the grazing ecosystem can function properly once again, the adverse and debilitating effects of the drought on veld vigour have to be overcome, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Silage basics
Utilising silage pays for feedlotters and dairy farmers, but the process has to be managed well, says Gerhard Uys.
Efficient feeding during drought
Precision feeding can take the sting out of a drought, according to Dr Chris Landman, a feed specialist and consultant. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Dehorning beef cattle – how you can benefit
This practice has many advantages – reducing injuries is just one of them.
Backgrounding cattle
‘Backgrounding’ is grazing an animal on pasture or in a veld camp and feeding it a supplement in preparation for more intensive feeding in a feedlot.
Using draft animals to plough the fields
Animal draft power still has an important role to play in agricultural development, says Bruce Joubert.
