Get to know your livestock’s nutritional requirements
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.
Strategies for limiting livestock losses to predators
PJ Mommsen, a freelance risk mitigation strategist, speaks about the importance of managing risk as it relates to predators.
Veld fires: experts advise on treating livestock to mitigate loss
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.
A step-by-step guide to the process of artificial insemination
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.
Livestock adaptability: what it is, and why it matters to a buyer
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.
Why it makes sense to farm meat goats
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.
When to wean beef calves
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.
How to provide enough water for your herd
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.
Want higher prices for your calves? Dehorn them!
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.
Flies are not just irritating; they can be dangerous
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.
Buying in livestock: do your research to prevent problems
When purchasing livestock to start a new farming enterprise or increase the size of your existing herd, you need to make sure the arrivals will thrive. So do your homework well, says Shane Brody.
How to spot the African and Asian blue ticks
Prof Maxime Madder, Prof Ivan Horak and Dr Hein Stoltsz look at the African and Asian blue ticks, as well as the Karoo paralysis tick, and explain how farmers can spot the differences between these dangerous parasites.
