Since joining Lactimar farm in the Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape in 2016, Dian Landman has managed to greatly improve the profitability and sustainability of this family-owned dairy business. This, despite the region receiving below-average rainfall for the first six years after his arrival and precipitation becoming more irregular. “The moderate climate of the Tsitsikamma […]
In the past year, there has been quite a significant increase in interest among producers in joining the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, particularly from commercial and up-and-coming farmers, says Louis Steyl, CEO of the society. However, even though the interest and financial power are there, the lack of understanding of basic herd […]
Unless assisted by a mentor and driven by a special interest in racing pigeons, beginners find the cost and other challenges of conventional pigeon racing near impossible to overcome. The South African National Pigeon Organisation (SANPO) has roughly 4 200 active pigeon fanciers on record, with an estimated majority over the age of 50. Sadly, […]
Facial recognition technology is set to become a game changer in the ongoing fight against livestock theft in South Africa. This technology is no longer limited to humans, but is also capable of identifying individual heads of cattle via their muzzle patterns with more than 99% accuracy. READ Practical guidelines to prevent stock theft This […]
The sad truth is that the average national beef cattle weaning rate in South Africa fluctuates between 50% and 55%. This is dangerously low, and a financial impediment to farmers. In order to meet the expected increase in the demand for beef in the foreseeable future and to remain in business, the beef cattle production […]
When wild lions sneak up on a herd of cattle to grab an easy meal, the dice seem to be loaded more heavily against certain herd members. This is according to a study conducted by scientists at the University of Pretoria (UP). The study was based on 168 cattle deaths linked to lions in the […]
Around two weeks ago, government announced the temporary suspension of the movement of cattle as a means to curb the rampant spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa. Industry role players say this action was necessary, but that it may be a case of too little, too late. “The industry has been wanting the […]
The term ‘small-scale poultry farmer’ covers micro-, small- and medium-sized broiler and egg production units. The South African Poultry Association classifies a small-scale broiler unit as one that delivers fewer than 4 000 birds per cycle. In contrast, small-scale egg production, according to South African agriculturalist Dr Gavin MacGregor, can start with nine point-of-lay pullets. […]
Beef cattle production is often regarded as a lesser part of diversification on a crop production farm, with the animals beingkept on marginal soils, grazing and grain stover. However, given the current economic realities and challenges, it can no longer be considered a low-input and low-income concern. “The cattle component, while it has the potential […]
“Our family’s long association with the South Devon breed has now been registeredin a system of science and measurement,” says PD Roets, the fourth generation of his family to farm these cattle in the Eastern Cape highlands, but the first to register a stud. This took place five years ago. “I love the South Devon […]
