The dos and don’ts of drought feeding

South African farmers are no strangers to droughts, but livestock producers often fail to plan ahead for them, leading to high costs from animal loss and feeding. Prof HO de...

The ins and outs of irrigation: a basic guide for crop farmers

Climate change intensifies and water resources dwindle, innovative irrigation techniques and sustainable water management become increasingly vital. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to industry experts about the importance of irrigation for crop...

Everything you need to know about fungicides

Fungicides are indispensable tools in disease management, offering protection against fungal pathogens and ensuring the health and productivity of crops and plants. In this guide, Zunel van Eeden aims to...

Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock

It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.

Plan fodder flow for optimal cattle production

In order for beef farmers to remain profitable in terms of cow calf operations, it is critical to manage costs on farm level, says Henco Leicester of Cargill Animal Nutrition.

Solutions to common cannabis cultivation challenges

Cultivators can improve output, quality and profitability while supporting the sustainability and prosperity of the cannabis industry by implementing best practices in pest management, environmental control, nutrition management, genetic selection,...

Dispelling five myths you thought were true about dogs

Contrary to some ingrained beliefs about dogs, Jarred Hodgson provides information that will help make you a better owner and trainer, and help you understand these domesticated animals’ behaviour.

Practical guidelines to prevent stock theft

Laurence Palmer, a security consultant, lists some practical advice that farmers can follow to prevent stock theft.

Fix soil health for regenerative agriculture to succeed

Regenerative farming relies on restoring soil to its optimum health so it can sustain food crops without the use of synthetic inputs. But does that mean fertilisers have no place...

Blind teats and other udder defects in goat ewes

Before purchasing livestock for breeding, it's crucial to identify and understand troublesome or disqualifying traits, such as blind teats and other udder defects. This knowledge will also help you determine...

Are there solutions to antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance in livestock, fuelled by overuse, is a critical issue. Enhancing gut health with microbial diversity and MRFs offers a promising alternative to combat this growing threat. Alretha Naudé,...

Estate planning for farmers: secure your legacy

PJ Veldhuizen, managing director of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc, emphasises the critical role of legal expertise in unravelling the ins and outs of estate planning.

Choose the right dog breed for security, versatility and compatibility

Jarred Hodgson gives farmers advice on choosing the dog breed best suited to them, their families and operations. Although only four specific breeds are highlighted here, other breeds can also...

Understanding the age of common livestock species

Looking at teeth in common livestock species such as sheep, goats and cattle in order to judge their age can be quite tricky for the novice farmer, says Shane Brody.

Advice on caring for newborn lambs and goat kids

It may be a relatively simple task to successfully get rams to mate and for females to give birth, but the first couple of weeks of the life of a...

Mastering hemp cultivation: best practices for growers

Farmers can position themselves for success in the booming hemp market by remaining informed, implementing innovative techniques, and tapping into the expertise of specialists, writes Thomas Walker.

Why getting your dog trained is important in South Africa

Having a well-trained dog in South Africa is becoming more and more important for a variety of reasons. Jarred Hodgson explores some of these reasons here.

The Gagelas’ unique livestock operation

In 2009, the Gagela family expanded their livestock initiative from the communal areas of the Eastern Cape to include a commercial farm near Dordrecht. Mike Burgess reports on the family’s...

Beware of a growing foot rot threat

Foot rot in livestock is presently manifesting in many regions of South Africa that are experiencing ongoing heavy rains or humid weather conditions.

The dangers of using livestock medicines incorrectly

As farmers we need to make ourselves conversant with the proper use of medications and other aids such as dips that counteract ectoparasites and doses that control internal parasites.

Farming Basics