Stockfarm - latest Issue

Although we are halfway through 2017, to many of us it still feels as though the year has only just begun. Thinking back at this time last year, we were in a very different position – no maize crop to speak off, high feed prices, low weaner calf prices, scarce hay, dry veld and a gloomy atmosphere in general. This year certainly has presented its own challenges, but in most parts we are still much better off than in 2016. We have plenty to be thankful for! June represents the heart of winter, especially in the central parts of the country. The major portion of our livestock herd used for meat production, must produce on the central (and extremely cold) Highveld, and we quickly forget how significant the effect of cold is on adaptability in South Africa.

Beef imports increased since 2012

Get ready for first Mpumalanga Show

International seal on Karoo lamb

Vumelana keeps land reform conversation going

SA sheep farm organically certified

Longer Huntex 2017 well received

Modern feed mill planned in Namibia

NWGA concerned over wool classing

Minister Zokwana visits agricultural colleges

The farmer is the recipe book, and he must indicate how the cake should be baked as only he really knows what his farm requires. The credit manager is the person who tastes the cake and gives an opinion.

South Africa recently ended up on the sovereign credit rating ‘junk’ heap, according to credit rating agencies Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Fitch Ratings. This followed soon after the axing of finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, and a late-night reshuffling of parliament. Although it was not completely unexpected, the downgrade was still very bad news for the country, bearing in mind that the economy is struggling to show growth. And with economic growth for 2016 calculated at 0,3%, it is too close to a recession for comfort.

The National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa (NWGA) recently called on producers to increase their involvement in the shearing process and to take responsibility for the management thereof. This follows after the South African Wool and Mohair Buyers’ Association (Sawamba) said the quality of classification of the local clip is declining.

How do you decide which criteria an extensive medium fine wool Merino enterprise should adhere to? According to Hoogstede Merino, which has been farming Merino sheep for generations, factors such as continuous improvement and quality goals are prerequisites for success. The Van Heerden family farm, situated in one of the most important sheep breeding areas near Tarkastad, consists of mixed Karoo veld and sourveld in the mountains. The turning point in Hoogstede’s history came when Sakkie van Heerden’s father, also Sakkie, purchased an outstanding fine wool ram from the Austin fine wool stud in Grahamstown in the late eighties. Sakkie says: “The ram was named after our farm and showed exceptional conformation. Its progeny is characterised by large carcasses, strong heads and good conformation – rare qualities for a fine wool sheep. Not long after being included in the breeding programme, we started using its semen through laparoscopic insemination. It drastically lowered the micron of the herd.”

By increasing the number of outstanding beef cattle from the past and using them with the best available genetic material, a young cattle farmer intends to not only accelerate the genetic progress of his own herd, but to make a significant contribution towards the efficiency of the entire beef industry. Heinrich Bruwer, 2016 cattle farmer of the year, says he believes he will have accomplished something if he is able to, through his modern way of thinking, inspire especially young beef producers to realise that beef farming is much more than merely the traditional production of weaner calves. “A fresh approach towards value addition through modern technology and tools, is necessary if farmers wish to progress and boost their industry by making a greater contribution to the country’s food security,” he says. This is why he harvests ova from his best cows, which are fertilised in a laboratory with the best available semen. The embryos are placed in recipient cows to increase outstanding purebred animals as fast as possible.

Meat from the sheep farm Elandsfontein near Britstown in the Northern Cape Karoo, is the first to be officially certified and marketed according to international standards as being organically produced in South Africa. The farm, which has been in the Esterhuizen family for three generations, received its certification in February 2017 after trained inspectors audited the traceability, balance and organic integrity of the farm practices according to international standards. The abattoir used, as well as the Boer & Butcher butchery in Durbanville where Elandsfontein’s meat is sold, also formed part of the inspection and certification process. The product is marketed under the Smartt Karoo Organic logo.

Winter is approaching and parts of the country have not yet recovered from the previous drought. Other parts have received good rainfall, but the veld has not yet fully recovered. Farmers are concerned about sufficient feed for their animals until next spring, when there will hopefully be more good rains and the veld or pastures will start growing. If you have been maintaining a good fodder flow plan for the past few years, there will be enough feed for your animals. On farms where the importance of good fodder flow has been underestimated, however, drastic measures will be needed to supplement shortages.

Creep feed can probably best be described as the feeding of young, growing animals while they are still suckling. The three major advantages of creep feed are the development of the rumen, economic growth and the condition of the mothers.

The nutrients that game and livestock require to survive and produce, must be provided by the feed that they ingest. If the available feed is lacking in nutrition, it should be supplemented by licks to allow the animals to reach their full genetic potential. Great emphasis is placed on the selection of genetically superior animals to improve herds and promote the profitability of game enterprises. This genetic ability can be significantly impaired if essential nutrients are lacking. Research has shown that animals have the ability to select grazing of high nutritional value. Johan Mouton of RLC Foods writes that this characteristic is especially prevalent in winter, when animals exhibit the ability to select up to 9% protein from grazing, while analyses show that there is only 5% protein present in a sample of the grazing.

Producers in most regions will be able to build up a very good feed bank with silage this year. This is in stark contrast to the same time last year, when producers were handicapped by the drought. If producers were to start opening and using new silage bunkers, they should take note of the importance of face management of these bunkers. Face management relates to how well the open side of a bunker, i.e. the face, is managed to prevent losses. Like everything else on the farm, this process demands expert management inputs. There are various types of equipment available for silage removing, but it has to be used correctly.

A highly successful Stockfarm Intensive Sheep School was recently hosted by Stockfarm, Mamre Dormers and the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. It was clear from the discussion that any comparison between an intensive and extensive system is impossible – not as debates in the media would want it! Precision farming through a well-devised project plan was the central message. It does not make sense to compare the two systems, because they should not be regarded as opposition. Stockfarm’s support of the intensive system, which is embodied by the school, is presented in order to support producers who need to access the right technology. We do, however, also regularly publish articles to equip producers in extensive systems. Any choice between the two approaches is like deciding whether you want to buy a Corolla or Hilux. No comparison between the two divergent vehicles is however possible, and the buyer can only make his decision based on his own needs.

Crossbreeding is a handy tool that commercial beef producers can use to increase their profitability. Careful selection and good management, however, are prerequisites for getting the best advantages from crossbreeding. International research and local experience has shown that heterosis can stimulate reproduction and production, and curb input costs so the producer can, conservatively estimated, earn up to R1 000 extra per cow per year. Paul Bester, general manager of ZZ2 livestock, who runs Pinzgauer, Santa Gertrudis and PinZ2yl studs as well as a commercial cattle herd of 5 000 cows, says it is an outstanding tool for more profitable beef production.

People and lions cannot survive in isolation. Both depend on an efficient ecosystem. People are therefore searching for solutions to preserve all wildlife species in Africa within an ecosystem where they can survive sustainably and which man can trust for his survival. During the 2016 International Game Farming Symposium in Windhoek, Prof Pieter Potgieter, chairman of the South African Predator Association (Sapa), said the conservation contribution of lions bred on farms, is being questioned by several conservationists.

South Africa is MSD Animal Health’s 13th largest market and I expect it to enter the top ten within the next few years. To put it into perspective, our top 25 markets account for 70% of our turnover. South Africa is also a key research hub for MSD Animal Health. The MSD Malelane Research Unit is where the action takes place. We are fortunate to have renowned parasiticide expertise among the members of the South African research team. They are some of the top experts in the field.

Fluke infestation can cost producers dearly. This especially applies to the production ability of pregnant cows and young animals weaned in autumn, or if livestock are not in optimal condition in winter. Stockfarm spoke to three well-known veterinarians about the incidence, consequences and treatment of the parasite.

Epididymitis is a problem that can quietly creep up on a farmer’s ram herd. It quietly spreads from one ram to another and their fertility gradually diminishes, until you suddenly realise that the problem is greater than you budgeted for. Lamb numbers decline, and the number of rams that have to be replaced annually increases every year. Stockfarm asked two veterinarians, Dr Bertus Nel of Calvinia and Dr Roland Larson of Graaff-Reinet, more about the disease. Dr Nel says the epididymis consists of a series of winding tubes. The newly formed sperm slowly move through these tubes until they reach maturity, and the mature sperm are then stored in the epididymis until they are used during mating.

There are many differences within agriculture and it is almost impossible to treat all producers alike. Even when running the same production system, there are so many variables that it is still quite difficult to compare producers to one another. Take for example two neighbouring producers who farm extensively with Dorpers. Their profitability will differ considerably at the end of the year. These differences are due to varying management practices, nutrition, medication and the genetic potential of each producer’s herd. Despite all the factors that can influence producers, people still try to compare different producers who use the same production system, as well as those using different systems. The reason for such comparisons is often differences in profitability. One farmer would typically want to see why his neighbour can afford a more expensive bakkie or why another production system can be more profitable.

The size of investment in a modern piggery is substantial. Typically, this investment ranges from R70 000 to R80 000 per sow space. It is  imperative that one protects this investment and ensures a successful return on investment (ROI). Maintaining a healthy pig population is paramount to optimal production levels, and therefore a rigorous and committed implementation of biosecurity measures is non-negotiable. There are different levels of biosecurity – national, regional and farm level.