How to Livestock

If you’re an aspiring cattle farmer wanting to gain access to the lucrative feedlot market, it’s best to start off with a proper beef breed and ensure that the cows are serviced by good-quality bulls, says Shane Brody.

While seedy mohair inevitably fetches less on the market, there are ways of increasing the price. Broker Pierre van der Vyver of The House of Fibre explained these to Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Lice infestation can be a serious problem for livestock owners, as it reduces the value of wool, mohair, and even meat. It is also highly distressing for animals. Dipping is the most effective control, says Shane Brody.

Arslan Hassan looks at how farmers can provide their farm dogs with the basic necessities, as well as some added extras that will help you raise and keep a happy and healthy canine.

In this article, we speak to auctioneers about the importance of auctions for the livestock and property markets. The experts also provide some bidding tips for those who are new to the game.

Frans Jordaan, Prof Michiel Scholtz and Dr Ben Greyling from Agricultural Research Council-Animal Production and Martin Ras from the Afric Afrikaners Stud compiled these useful recommendations to assist cattle breeders in making the most of the information contained in the catalogue when they attend auctions.

Safe lambs are only a stone’s throw away, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout, recommending a stone barrier to keep predators away from flocks.

While there are numerous illnesses that can affect livestock and animals such as chickens and pigs, in this article, Shane Brody concentrates on sheep, cattle and goats.

There is no quick or cheap way to remove seed from mohair, but good management helps, according to Pierre van der Vyver, general manager of The House of Fibre. He outlined his tips to Roelof Bezuidenhout.

There is good evidence that a tail docked at the third or fourth joint is better than a very short tail. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

If you understand the essential nutrients that your cattle need, and how to provide these, you will end up with a profitable livestock business, says Shane Brody. Here’s how to ensure that the animals get enough to thrive.

PJ Mommsen, a freelance risk mitigation strategist, speaks about the importance of managing risk as it relates to predators.

Dr Claudia Cardoso, lecturer in Ruminant Health and Production, and Dr Rhoda Leask, senior lecturer in Ruminant Health and Production, both of the Department of Production Animal Studies in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, offer some advice on treating livestock affected by veld fires.

There are many benefits to using artificial insemination of a commercial or stud herd or flock, but the process is complicated and requires knowledge and practice.

It’s always best to buy sheep, goats or cattle that come from a similar environment to that of your own farm. If they are used to very different conditions, they could struggle and may even die, says Shane Brody.

Goats in South Africa are strongly linked to cultural and religious practices, and this creates a good, sustainable market. Goat herds grow quickly, and these hardy creatures are well suited to smaller farms, says Shane Brody.

Calves should be weaned at the correct time so that they achieve optimal weight, and their dams can conceive again as soon as is practical.

Clean drinking water is an absolute essential for livestock, says Shane Brody. If animals don’t get enough to drink or the quality of the water is poor, their health will suffer, and the farmer’s profits will decrease as well.

In crushes and while being transported on trucks, cattle with sharp horns can inflict severe injuries to one another, reducing the price of such animals. Dehorning is the only effective solution, says Shane Brody.

If you’re a livestock farmer, you’ll know that ticks can introduce many dangerous diseases to domestic animals. But did you now that stable flies and houseflies can also be a serious threat? Shane Brody explains.