A more profitable way of running livestock
Breeding is not always the best way to make money in livestock farming. You might profit more by buying young animals and rounding them off.
What you need to know about better cow management
Rest and nutrition are both key to ensuring conception, good health and maximum profit.
Cattle branding: how to get it right every time
If branding is carried out poorly, it can lead to infection, muscle damage, and brands that are difficult to read. Shane Brody explains how to ensure safe, effective branding.
Vaccinate your animals: it’ll pay you in the long run
Administering a vaccine to your animals will cost you money. But not vaccinating them will cost you much more.
Growing out and fattening cattle in a feedlot
Most cattle sold through abattoirs are feedlotted. This article looks at the basics of feedlotting and how an operator can increase profit margins.
Learn about beef BLUP basics
Producers use breeding values to determine the long-term value of certain animals to their herds.
Some bacterial and parasitical pig diseases to look out for
An overview of eperythrozoonosis, Clostridium perfringens Type C, ascariosis and Glasser’s disease.
How recording ewes reproduction boosts fertility
Recording the reproduction of your ewe flocks during each breeding season will help you identify potential fertility problems.
Dealing with abortions in sheep and goats
Enzootic abortion, brucellosis and other conditions can seriously reduce the lambing rate. It’s crucial to act swiftly to bring these diseases under control.
Dealing with liver fluke in cattle
Fasciolosis, also known as liver fluke, occurs throughout South Africa, can cause many problems in cattle.
Signs of a healthy dairy cow
To be profitable, a dairy herd must be in good shape. It’s therefore crucial to be able to recognise a healthy dairy cow, and know when things are not right.
Feeding cattle: learn the basics
When rounding off cattle for slaughter, you can either grow and mix feed on the farm or buy ready-mixed feed. If you have only a few animals, buying a mixed...
Why can’t that cow stand up?
A number of diseases and conditions can result in cattle and other ruminants being unable to stand up.
Using ‘cow power’ to make your dairy farm self-sufficient
Manure can be used to produce biogas, electricity and fertiliser. In the process, you will recycle nutrients and increase profits while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Understanding the basics of livestock farming
Many novice farmers make the mistake of not starting off with the best possible animals in terms of genetics and environmental suitability, says Shane Brody.
Seasoned farmer’s tips on keeping livestock in shape
Herd health should focus on prevention rather than cure. Chris Nel spoke to Piet Wolmarans about his practical, down-to-earth animal health management programme based on solid scientific principles and four...
Never compromise on shearing shed hygiene
Jan Louis Venter, production advisor for the National Wool Growers’ Association, discusses how farmers can prevent wool and mohair clip contamination.
Dealing with downer cows
With good preparation, this phenomenon can be prevented in communal areas, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle.
Better heifers, bigger profits
Heifers form the future of any beef cattle breeding concern, and should therefore be selected with care, says animal scientist, Danie Bosman. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about how to...
Beef cattle conformation basics
When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character.
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