Getting to grips with foot-and-mouth disease
There are numerous outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease still active in South Africa. This article takes a look at signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as the vaccine that...
Four key strategies to future-proof your farm
Volatile operating environments and consumer scrutiny are putting increased pressure on farming businesses. To navigate these challenges and stay the course, farmers must focus on four areas: succession planning, data...
Brucellosis: managing livestock health and protecting farmers
Brucellosis poses threats to animal and human health and has severe economic implications. Dr Didi Claassen, general manager of Afrivet Technical and Training Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about...
How to win the battle to control poultry mites
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...
Bicarbonates: the silent crop killer
Irrigation water high in bicarbonates can wreak havoc on crops, causing soil compaction, blocking plants’ nutrient uptake and eventually killing them. Identifying and treating bicarbonates isn’t easy, but there are...
Best practices for grain farmers
Maize and wheat are the two most important staple foods in South Africa. With stable consumer demand of these grains and the continuous development of production techniques, Lindi Botha reports...
The effective monitoring of body temperature in cattle
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...
How irrigation can help small-scale farmers
Irrigation has resulted in significant crop yield improvement across the globe. In some regions, irrigation is essential for successful crop production; however, it remains out of reach for many small-scale...
Financial management of a farm: the basics of budgeting
Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.
Livestock production strategies for formal vs informal market
Feedlots do not purposefully discriminate against certain breeders, but the animals may not always produce the carcasses that their market segment want.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop...
The importance of risk management in agriculture
Rinus de Bruin, agronomist at NWK, warns that crop production on marginal soils is no longer an option. The challenges posed by ever higher input costs mean that farmers simply...
Getting to grips with carbon credit schemes
Considering carbon credit schemes to enhance sustainability and create additional revenue? Dr Justin du Toit, production scientist at the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, spoke to Roelof...
Developing a good knowledge of feed and supplements
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...
How and when to dip, deworm and vaccinate your cattle
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...
Biological crop protection: it’s tricky but possible
Integrated pest management is a complex process that takes each farm’s uniqueness into consideration. With growing support from all spheres, biological solutions are gaining traction.
Here’s how to curb the spread of zoonotic diseases
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.
How to assess and treat animals after a veld fire
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.
Taking the guesswork out of crop production
Balancing a short- and a long-term payoff in crop farming requires careful consideration of inputs. Johann Pistorius, who farms maize and soya bean in the Nigel area, spoke to Lindi...
Plant poisoning in livestock
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.
