Stockfarm - latest Issue

During an agricultural conference in Zambia some time ago, I was on a bus on my way to visit Zambeef, Zambia’s beef success story, located some distance from Lusaka. It was an extremely hot day and there was approximately 20 people from some ten countries on the bus. Everyone was either a farmer or agricultural journalist. We were treated to cold refreshments, of which two Canadian farmers already had more than their fair share.

Wool could solve microplastic problem in oceans

Wool put to test during 250km desert race

Brazilian beef exports continue to rise

Growing meat exports help Ireland to record year

New minimum wage takes effect

Indian breed scheme to boost meat quality

Lasers protect lambs in Scotland

Reject land expropriation without compensation

Feeding livestock from the ocean

Nampo comes to the Western Cape

South African farmers face many challenges impacting on sustainability and profitability, including those posed by market conditions, political disruptions and, probably the most important challenge, the varying climate conditions. These conditions do not only promote, but also increase the effect of the risk the individual farmer may face.

Hunters visiting South Africa to hunt lions, are making a major contribution towards income generated for the industry, as well as sustainable and viable conservation of the species. People who are, however, opposed to lion hunting, pose the same threat to the species as poachers do.

Although good prices were fetched on the wool market the past few seasons, farmers often do not realise how applying simple management practices can improve prices even more.

In July 2017, we saw the first successful aspiration of an oocyte on a sedated white rhino. This is one of the first goals achieved towards successfully producing rhinoceros offspring through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The Boerboel is probably one of the oldest dog breeds of which the origin can be traced back to the Dutch settlement in the Cape. At the same time, it is known as one of the new breeds because a breeders’ society, with set breed standards for Boerboels, was only established fairly recently.

The hardiness, ability to survive in extreme conditions and adaptability of Damara sheep have been established naturally over centuries. By carefully maintaining these traits and improving the meat quality of these unique animals, Piet Coetzee is achieving exceptional results in Namibia.

Agave, a plant with the botanical name Agave americana L and locally known as sisal (garingboom), orginated in Mexico.

Every modern farmer is aware that farming is no longer a simple life where hard work gets you good returns. The returns can still be good, the work is guaranteed to be hard, but simplicity has all but disappeared. We are living in an age of efficiencies where the tiniest improvements can mean the difference between profit and loss. We are living in an age of precision farming, not because we like complication, but because it pays.

Winter is around the corner, and it is time to ensure that your winter licks are ready for the dry months ahead.

Paying serious attention to the nutrition of ewes only at lambing is one of the biggest mistakes sheep farmers can make. Jurie Naudé, product manager at livestock feed company De Heus, says good nutrition requires a holistic approach. Poor nutrition cannot be corrected quickly before lambing.

We have all been in a situation where you have a delicious meal in front of you, but you are sitting at a table so crowded that it is impossible to enjoy your meal. Now, imagine a large herd of cattle that must ingest enough feed for optimal milk production in surroundings offering limited or insufficient feeding space.

With the intensification of predator breeding programmes, particularly lions in South Africa, an increase in nutritional and veterinary disorders has been noted. This is due, in part, to caged and enclosed animals not being able to roam and select their natural diets. There is little information that exists regarding the nutritional requirements of wild carnivores, resulting in nutritional deficiencies and imbalances being commonplace among confined predators.

The Mgundeni community near Utrecht in the remote areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been able to move from subsistence farming to commercial farming by protecting and maximising the potential of

One of the most common questions I am often asked is how to choose a silage inoculant, especially in a field where many outstanding companies are competing for a share of the market. Most products are imported, bringing the farmer into contact with the latest technology in the field of silage microbiology and fermentation management aids.

What is the price of genetics and how much can you pay for an animal in a breeding programme? This question usually gives rise to some intense discussions in animal breeding circles. The answer is determined mainly by what will be done with the progeny.

In countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the demand for wool has played a major role in the development of the Merino’s conformation.

Game farmers’ greatest income is generated by breeding animals that can produce superior progeny and can be included in the breeding herd. Trophy hunting also provides a better income than meat production or ecotourism. In the end, the success of a game farming enterprise is determined by the genetic ability of the breeding animals.

Many farmers, especially in the western parts of the country, have been experiencing a dry spring and summer. These conditions are not optimal for reconception in cattle as the condition of cows will decrease after calving, or because they did not undergo an improvement in body condition at the start of the breeding season.