How to Livestock

Preventing mite infestation is a constant struggle for poultry farmers, with the poultry red mite and scaly leg mite posing the greatest threats in South Africa. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on how farmers can identify, manage, and control these pests effectively.

Accurate monitoring of cattle’s body temperatures is crucial for ensuring optimal herd health and productivity. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to animal health experts for tips on precise temperature readings, early disease detection, and maintaining biosecurity in a herd.

Feedlots do not purposefully discriminate against certain breeders, but the animals may not always produce the carcasses that their market segment want.

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.

Livestock health management has evolved over the decades to include disease prevention and growing farm revenue. The most effective health management strategies are those that include dipping, deworming, and vaccinating animals. Prof Cheryl McCrindle takes a closer look at these practices.

Dr Nandipha Ndudane, president of the South African Veterinary Council, explains how you can help prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and vice versa.

Animals injured in a veld fire can be classed into three categories of severity, depending on the symptoms they display. Appropriate treatment should be given under the guidance of veterinarians.

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.

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.

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.

South African farmers are no strangers to droughts, but livestock producers often fail to plan ahead for them, leading to high costs from animal loss and feeding. Prof HO de Waal, affiliated professor in the University of the Free State’s Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about implementing effective drought feeding strategies for ruminants.

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.

In order for beef farmers to remain profitable in terms of cow calf operations, it is critical to manage costs on farm level, says Henco Leicester of Cargill Animal Nutrition.

Contrary to some ingrained beliefs about dogs, Jarred Hodgson provides information that will help make you a better owner and trainer, and help you understand these domesticated animals’ behaviour.

Laurence Palmer, a security consultant, lists some practical advice that farmers can follow to prevent stock theft.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.