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Brangus cattle

Farmworker’s son becomes Brangus stud breeder

Nkosemntu Nika, who farms in the Winterberg near Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape, is the first black Eastern Cape farmer to become a Brangus stud breeder. Mike Burgess spoke to him about his journey from farmworker’s son to the sale of his first ZK Brangus stud bull for R50 000 at the 2018 East Cape Brangus Sale.

How to avoid a salmonella outbreak

In most developing countries, salmonella is a major cause of illness and death in children under the age of five, warns Zimbini Mdlulwa, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council.

Getting South Africa ‘unstuck’ on land

Feeling stuck in life is awful. It is demoralising, makes you unproductive, leaves you feeling gloomy about the future, and the longer you remain stuck the more difficult it becomes to escape.

Get to know the real state of your business

The fact that many of us still do not understand the basics of accounting is a harsh indictment of the quality of education we received at school.

Beef Cattle Information Day

Join us for the first Farmer’s Weekly Beef Cattle Information Day on 30 August. Top speakers from the South African livestock industry will present on topics ranging from disease management and animal nutrition, to the branding and marketing of beef in South Africa.
growing watermelon

Watermelon planting tips

Many watermelon growers plant as soon as possible in the season so they can market the crop early, when prices are high.
farm scene

A new old broom for agriculture

I was left with two overwhelming impressions after reading through Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza’s Budget Vote speech for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development that was delivered in Parliament recently.
simbra bull

Innovative event is a learning opportunity for breeders

Access to the latest information and the opportunuity to compare with peers are both crucial for the cattle breeder. This is what the Simmentaler/Simbra Hoogland Study Group aims to achieve for its members with its annual Young Bull Day.

Common livestock illnesses and how to treat them

Diseases can result in huge financial losses for a livestock farmer. Any potential problems should therefore be treated as soon as possible.

High-tech solutions to manage weed resistance to herbicides

According to agronomy expert Leonard Oberholzer, weeds’ resistance to herbicides is expected to be one of the greatest threats to food production in years to come.
cartoon

‘Green’ livestock production: the facts and the fictions

Global livestock production is increasingly under attack from certain societal groupings who claim that the sector is causing unnecessary environmental harm. Dr Jude Capper, of UK-based Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, explains how livestock farmers can change this perception.

Yield and quality determine profits, nothing else!

Costs under your control such as yield and product quality are what determine farming success. Don’t waste time on costs you cannot influence or control.

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