Brucellosis biosecurity
This highly contagious zoonotic disease of cattle continues to be of great concern, says Dr Sewellyn Davey, State Veterinarian, Western Cape.
Buying agricultural land – know your market
Buying a farm in South Africa calls for careful consideration and in-depth investigation. The purchase of high-potential agricultural land is a costly affair which should be approached with sound knowledge of the market.
Anti-venom basics
Using anti-venom has its disadvantages, but in the right hands, and at the right time, it is life-saving.
Know your crop pests: cotton stainer
Cotton stainers resemble assassin bugs and may be up to 2cm in length, with males being smaller than females.
Buying a farm? Consider value, price & location
Director at TG Kruger Real Estate, Rumpff Krüger, advises us what to consider when buying a farm.
The basics of heritability – Part 3
Genetic markers, selection and cross-breeding play a role in improving profitability in pigs, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle of the University of Pretoria.
Europe’s influence on South African cattle
A wide variety of cattle breeds are seen in South Africa today, says Theo Oosthuizen.
The basics of heritability: disease and parasite resistance
Selecting for disease and parasite resistance in cattle can help improve production, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle of the University of Pretoria.
Dealing with sorghum pests
The pests on sorghum are many and varied, from aphids, beetles and locusts to flies, grasshoppers and spider mites. Bio-control works well against many of these, notes Paul Donovan.
Water important in weaning pigs
Water is an important nutrient in weaning piglets. Piglets have to drink 800ml per day as it improves digestibility, reduces diarrhoea and lowers down the pH in the gut.
Understanding the basics of heritability – Part 1
This week we focus on sheep and goat farming, where genetic markers are now being used to select for production.
Farmer behaviour, what type of farmer are you?
Knowing what type of farmer you are, which has nothing to do with what you produce – could mean the difference between success and failure.
Get to know your vet
Establishing a good relationship with your vet will pay off in the long run and in an emergency, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle.
Know your crop pests: The mole cricket
Many pests are easily spotted or leave evidence of their presence, enabling us to identify and deal with them. Pests such as the mole cricket, however, are more difficult to track down.
Why are eggs different colours?
Depending on the breed of chicken, most eggs are uniform in colour, ranging from white, pink and green, through to dark brown and blue.
Know your soil – Part 1
This year has been designated the International Year of Soils by the United Nations, so it’s a fitting time to learn more about the properties of soil and how to get the most out of your greatest farming asset.
Farming insects
The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation suggests that if we could farm insects on a commercial scale, food insecurity in many developing nations would be a thing of the past.
