Ntaba Nyoni Cattle proudly presents their 2 in 1 production auction at Phala Phala Wildlife in Bela-Bela on 4 March 2023. Ntaba Nyoni production auction The auction will include cattle...
The Sernick Group is optimistic about the future of agriculture in South Africa. That is why they strive to breed cattle that are hardy and adaptable. Their recent production auction ...
Your farm will immediately benefit from our experience, energy, and enthusiasm thanks to the close collaboration approach that we take. This strategy was built on our worldwide research,...
Phosphate is traditionally the only summer supplement in South Africa, but it often happens that phosphate alone during the summer and late summer is not always sufficient for optimal pr...
Salmonella is an enterobacterium, which means it can primarily infect the gastrointestinal tract, although in some cases it can distribute from the intestines to other organs. Each bacte...
The Free State Ewe Club is a study group focused on making sheep management more profitable. The group holds annual trials to test various management methods. For more information, co...
The term “stress” is commonly used to describe the detrimental effects of a variety of situations on the health and performance of broilers. It is also defined as a set of responses ...
Dormers are an excellent breed of sheep that demonstrates its worth in both intensive and extensive farming systems. This auction features high-quality breeding stock that has been caref...
Bonsmara and Bovelder breeders can be excited about the Blouberg Aanteelveiling annual production auction. This auction boasts top breeding stock that was strictly selected to bring the ...
Majobe Merino's has an intensive breeding policy. The goal is to produce top-performing ewes that deliver multiple lambs year after year. This year, on their 29th production auction, ...
The Sernick Group as it is known today was born from a young Nick Serfontein’s dream to become a farmer. He was advised by his parents to choose another career, which he did, but his d...
521 Meatmasters: 121 excellent registered rams, 200 registered ewes. 200 commercial ewes. Why this is the one sale no Meatmaster breeder should miss. Proud winner of the best small...
Greg Talbot from Tal-Tec, a specialist in the design and manufacturer of livestock management and control solutions, talks about the features of his company’s feeder solutions. “W...
Southern African native sheep breeds thrive in extreme environments. They are lean and muscular, with thick rump and tail fat. In times of scarce grazing, body fat is stored here for use...
New and enhanced genetics is like a fresh breeze for every farmer and we salute the scientists who went through painstakingly precise, experimental processes to ensure that farmers can f...
In a previous chapter, we had a brief look at the need for suitable forage for bees and the value of placing your hives near such a source. In this chapter, we look at what bees feed ...
A broiler health strategy starts with the broiler breeder, includes broiler management, and is fine-tuned by the judicious use of vaccines. Vaccination is an integral part of any chicken...
Infectious Bronchitis virus (IBV) variant 2 has been detected in Zambia by PCR and genetic sequencing. Although the number of cases is on the rise and the number of flocks sampled is inc...
The Department of Agriculture’s provincial veterinary laboratory (PVL) at Helderfontein in Stellenbosch will be undergoing major renovations during the next 12 months, during which the...
Algar Livestock Handling Equipment's top-quality products are at the forefront of the market. With products that constantly deliver innovative solutions, Algar is a proud supplier of ani...
When a chicken farm sells all the eggs their 1 600 chickens lay per day within 24 hours, it is proof that they are doing something right. Reyno Colyn and Belinda Hattingh farm with chick...
A beekeeper faces many challenges, but persistence is usually met with success. The biggest challenges are finding a suitable terrain for his apiary and sufficient and diverse forage,...
Chickens are relatively easy animals to maintain once they are adults, but mortality rates can be high while the baby chicks are still growing. It, therefore, becomes cardinal that me...
Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) is a term used in animal nutrition to refer collectively to components such as urea, biuret, and ammonia, which are not proteins but can be converted into prot...
A record is not broken every day, and certainly not by a female animal! S tud animals from twelve studs and one guest seller from all over South Africa attracted attention to the Premium...
This was the second production auction held by Premium Genetics. Their Brahman auctioneer, Rohan Beukes, stated that they had improved since the previous auction. "We made the most of t...
As fertility accounts for 60% of a herd’s performance, we seek to promote fertility and reproduction. We have regularly won the BreedPlan Cow Group as the largest and most fertile he...
Raising sheep can be beneficial in many ways. Sheep can eat vegetation that is not fit for human consumption. Sheep populations tend to grow rapidly, and their gestation period is much s...
Willem and Lucile van den Berg would like to thank every buyer for their support during the auction. Mario Kruger from Vleissentraal thanked and congratulated Sterkfontein for the excell...
Sterkfontein Meatmasters' top animals were brought all the way from Wepner to Gauteng to present at the Sterkfontein Meatmaster production auction. The auction took place on Saturday, 22...
Be sure to mark the date in your calendar to attend the Sernick stock auction! The auction will be held on 3 February 2023. Keep an eye on their social media or visit their website fo...
The Hoëveld (High veld) Bonsmara club and its club members hosted their annual production auction that presented cattle with top genetics for purchase. The auction was held on 28 Oob...
High-quality pelts are sourced from unique strains of rabbits, such as the Rex species. Only a small number of skins are collected from slaughterhouses; the rest are discarded. The on...
When discussing textiles, the term “angora” by itself always and exclusively refers to the hair of Angora rabbits. The hair of Angora rabbits is one of five keratinic textile fibr...
Among domestic livestock, rabbits are one of the most productive. On the same quantity of feed and water a cow will produce 500 grammes of meat while rabbits can produce three kilogramme...
The doe makes a nest with various materials and abdominal fur before kindling. The doe’s nest is usually at the end of her kindling burrow. A quiet area should be set aside for the doe...
In a single year, a doe can have up to 12 litters of kits. The average litter size is six kits, which means that if a doe is constantly in the presence of a buck, she could be able to pr...
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to rabbit nutrition. In order to keep the rabbits healthy and prevent them from gaining too much weight, they must be fed the right...
Alot of thought and planning should be done before starting to construct and equip anything for rabbit care. When this is done right, it should ultimately reduce the amount of labour req...
The vital first step in rabbit breeding is choosing the right breed. Accor-ding to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are around 38 breeds and 89 variants of domestic rabb...
Rabbit farming can be an alternative farming opportunity for a beginner farmer or someone with limited resources. According to Mike Daka, a rabbit farmer and interim President of the Rab...
Aquaculture is becoming very popular amongst Zambians because it provides people with employment and a cheaper source of protein. The government, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Li...
John and Tracey Devonport run the successful Devlan Limousin cattle stud, which is situated on Water’s Edge on the Vaal. Background John was brought up in Johannesburg and went to Wi...
Biosecurity is a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risks of infectious disease transmission to and among livestock. Biosecurity is important because the set of preventi...
Soutpansberg Bonsmara's 15th production auction saw attendees and buyers flock from near and far. The auction was held near Vivo in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Animals that ...
Tito Vorster is the CEO of the Delft Group and SIMBRA SA Breed President. They have a diversified agriculture footprint in Mpumalanga. Delft Group is a family-owned business managed by h...
Summer Sale 2022 saw sellers of dormer sheep and Santa cattle come together to present an auction with top genetic material. Dormerific Dormers, Santarific Santas and Sombrero Santas ...
Vlakte Bonsmara group celebrated a successful action that broke many goals the group set for themselves. Buyers from across the country showed up to purchase top genetics for their catt...
Pig farmers often focus on reproductive traits. These traits are important, but also keep in mind how your herd is making use of feed because 80% of a farm’s costs is feed. Feed con...
Members of the Oostelike Ile de France club know why they choose this superior meat breed over and over. They choose it for its exceptional growth, fertility, and how easily it cross-bre...
Dorper sheep In South Africa, the Persian sheep, the Dorset sheep, and the Van Rooy sheep were used to create the Dorper breed. This process produced a robust, quick-growing meat breed ...
No business can survive without proper record-keeping. The system need not be complicated, but as a poultry farmer you must note down important information, such as the feed consumptio...
In the previous articles, we discussed beekeeping in general and the value of bees as pollinators. In this article, we have a peek inside an active beehive to see who lives there and wha...
Yara Animal Nutrition is a leading phosphate supplier in South Africa and the biggest supplier of food-grade urea in Africa. They offer a variety of products including spray-dried molass...
A crucial element of the piggery business chain is the market. Thoroughly compiled market information and linkages determine piggery production objectives and profitability due to the co...
A landmark deal has been signed between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, which will see South Africa export beef – amongst other red meat products – to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA...
Productivity and efficiency are what Algar Animal Handling Equipment strive to give the farmer in the equipment they manufacture. A variety of their equipment was on show at NAMPO A...
Physical properties of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infects exclusively birds, with different clinical presentations depending on factors such as ...
In Zambia, poultry farming serves as a major source of income and nutrition for more than 1 million farmers and households who keep chickens. Novatek is committed to maintain both qua...
As equine competition season ramps up, the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has emphasised the importance of horse owners getting their animals vaccinated against African horse si...
Piet Warren, game rancher from Gravelotte in Limpopo, is slowly but surely getting rid of his assets with the aim of emigrating to Australia. Piet (75) and his wife Christine have bee...
Holstein dairy cows Holsteins are easily recognisable due to their distinct markings, which are most often black and white, but can also be red and white. The breed originated in the Ne...
Algar Animal Handling Equipment pride themselves on delivering high-quality products that make your work more efficient and profitable. Their wide range of products for livestock farmers...
Good old fashioned milk recording with pen and paper was inexpensive, but it was unreliable and brought about many problems. It also increased the workload when it had to be processed in...
The most important aspect concerning the efficient functioning of milking machine systems is vacuum stability. It is associated with positive milk removal from the udder with minimum irr...
Milk is a very sensitive product and can get stale and smelly within a very short time. Bad milk will be rejected by the buyer and cause serious financial losses. Milk should be treat...
The importance of holding pens at milking parlours is often disregarded. The absence or errors in the form and layout thereof, is the direct cause of poor cow flow at well-designed milki...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is one of the deadliest diseases for poultry throughout the world, and some strains may affect humans, who might die from it. AI, or bird flu,...
Elmic is situated in the highlands of the Eastern Free State. Their philosophy is the natural management of veld grass for animal production. And it shows in the genetics of their cattle...
The annual Jakaranda Ile de France Auction offers buyers a chance to purchase top genetics from the respected Hageland Ile de France stud. During the event, a record price was achieve...
Stock feed is the feed manufactured for livestock animals to meet the requirements of a certain species. It can be produced in a mash, crumble, or pelleted form. Livestock is an inves...
The interior design of your dairy can make or break your operation. With some clever thinking beforehand, your dairy will become a place of pride for generations to come. Doors Because...
To ensure a pleasant milking experience for the cows, farmer, workers and even visitors, it is very wise to have a look at all the factors involved and do some planning before you draw u...
Rapid-exit parlours are designed to improve the efficiency of fishbone and parallel parlours. All the cows on the one side of the parlour are let out simultaneously in a direction perpen...
Fishbone milking parlour Cows enter these parlours in groups and stand at an angle to the milking pit, so that only the udder part of the cow is exposed to the labourer (Figure 1). ...
Chickens get sick very easily. Disease can kill your whole flock overnight, so it is important to make sure that you do everything you can to keep them healthy. The two most significa...
Sussex Sussex cattle are one of the oldest and purest English breeds and are popular in Southern Africa’s beef industry. The breed descended from horned red cows once found in Susse...
Owning a horse can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, certain decisions must be made by a farmer to be prepared for this undertaking. You must make sure that you can give ...
Novatek Animal Feeds is the largest animal feed producer in Zambia and has been in operation since 2008. The company produces a large variety of scientifically formulated feeds and custo...
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has the potential to wipe out game ranches. “The effects will be worse than on a cattle farm, and destroy the ranch financially and from a biodiversity p...
Global meat consumption is increasing steadily with the concurrent rise in human population. Among meat products, pork has been maintaining its position in the top two of meats consume...
If you are looking for sheep that adapt well to different climates, an animal from Sterkfontein Meatmasters might just be the answer for you! "These animals adapt very well. We sell h...
CdP auctioneers invite you to the annual Leliekraans Meatmaster Production auction to pick from top genetics to add to your farm. There will be a variety of animals available for bidd...
Gumboro disease, also known as Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), is a threat to all poultry enterprises. This is a contagious disease affecting young birds. The virus targets the Bursa of...
In the first three articles on beekeeping, we gave you some background on why you should keep bees, what role bees play in pollination, and what goes on inside the hive. In this issue, w...
About eighty percent of all flowering plants must be pollinated and this is mostly done by insects and other animals, such as birds and bats. Pollination affects more than a third of glo...
Have you ever considered what life would be like without bees? Very few plants will grow in our gardens, and we will most certainly have less food to eat. More than 150 plant species tha...
What you feed your dogs is one of the most important choices a dog owner can make. Choosing the right diet for your dog is not always an easy decision, but with Tiger Animal Feeds as spe...
In developing countries such as Zambia, poverty levels are increasing, especially among rural households, the majority of whom rely on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. ...
In our previous two articles (ProAgri Zambia 71 and 73), we have described the basis of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) (or Gumboro Disease), the dynamics of antibodies in chickens, as w...
Dairy farming demands a hardworking, determined, and patient farmer. The aspiring dairy farmer must know that there is no holiday. A dairy farmer must possess some substantial knowledge ...
Raising healthy and productive calves is crucial for the long-term success of the dairy industry. The target of all good dairies should be to minimize mortality, and providing calves wit...
Most sheep operations derive the majority of their income from the sale of lambs or meat. As a result, lamb prices have a large influence on profitability and viability of the sheep ente...
Severe losses are suffered by farmers due to predators. The severity of the problem varies by farm and geographic region. For some producers, predator losses can be so overwhelming that ...
Grazing management is how and when you control the grazing habits of the animals on your pastures. What animals, how, when, and for how long they graze a pasture determines the species m...
Investing in proper nutrition for pregnant and lactating ewes saves both time and money in the long run. Ewes in good body condition prior to lambing have healthier lambs and fewer compl...
As with people, sheep do not require specific feeds. They require energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water. Many different feedstuffs can meet their nutritional requirements...
Effective sheep handling equipment can cut labour hours by as much as 18%, while allowing handlers to complete a variety of tasks efficiently and safely. The layout of the sheep far...
Though frequency and need varies, it is usually necessary to handle sheep several times per year for various reasons. Without an easy way to handle sheep and lambs, important tasks often...
One of the most important aspects of any animal-based agricultural operation is having an effective waste management plan which reaps the benefits of the waste and helps reduce the risks...
Biosecurity means the management practices that are followed to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. Healthy animals are the cornerstone of successful sheep farming. Biosecur...
Pig feed Good, high-quality feed is essential for pig production. Proper feed does not only lead to healthier pigs, but also to more profit. Pig feed can drastically impact on the pro...
Various feed sources can be used to make nutritious pig feed that will enable your pigs to grow and earn more profit. The composition of the feed is extremely important. Pigs, like peopl...
Farming is a business. No business can survive without good administration. Keeping detailed records of your pig farming business is essential to remain profitable, avoid losses and keep...
An important operation on any pig farm is proper waste management. The manure produced in the piggery can cause many problems if not managed effectively. If sound waste management princi...
Good, efficient housing makes pig management easier and helps the farmer to successfully rear 85% or more of all the live-born piglets to market weight in the shortest possible time. ...
The success of a piggery lies in the quality of the breeding programme and breeding practices. Using superior genetics and efficient culling will ensure that your pigs are genetically so...
Raising broiler chickens to sell as meat can be a profitable addition to your present small-scale farming. Chicken meat is a popular source of protein in diets everywhere in the world. ...
In part one of Chapter 4 we discussed the types of chickens suitable for Southern African circumstances. We also learned how to take care of day-old chicks in a heated brooder from the d...
In Part 4.1 of the series on raising chicks in a brooder, we looked at the preparation of a brooder heated with infrared lamps. In Part 4.2 we shall look at the requirements of chicks, a...
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. There is much truth in this saying which means that you should not count on anything before it actually happens. But with good plan...
We discussed twelve points that must be kept in mind when you are considering farming chickens for meat or eggs. This month we look at drawing up a budget to show you what the approximat...
Dry season feeding and supplementation for grazing animals requires good planning. The plan should take into account of the long-term effect of the dry season on the land, pasture, fin...
Santa Gertrudis Robert Kleberg Jr of King Ranch in the United States developed the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed. Kleberg's 400 000 ha ranch had 6 000 Hereford and Shorthorn cows. The...
Infectious Bronchitis (IB) Variant 2 (also known as IB variant IS/1494/06) was first detected in Zambia in 2017. In an ongoing survey, Phibro has found it in two broiler flocks in the...
If you have followed this article from the previous publication (Part 1), then you would be aware that rabbits are a very economically viable livestock. They have high reproductive rates...
In the previous aeticle we discussed the raising of pullets and broilers to be sold as meat. In this issue we look at natural and artificial brooding of eggs to be raised as layers. Br...
There is nothing that excites pig farmers more than seeing their herd healthy and having attained the ideal slaughter weight they sought for. It means their arduous labour put into reari...
Chickens will be a valuable and profitable addition to your existing smallscale farming, but you need a proper plan to ensure that it is sustainable. That means you do not want to spend ...
Would you like to start your own poultry farm, but do not know how to go about it? If you already have chickens roaming around your yard, you may like to take it one step further and set...
Bovine mastitis, which is an inflammation of the udder caused by multiple factors, including bacterial infection or trauma, can lead to abnormal and decreased milk production. It is sti...
Optimum profitability on a pig farm starts by raising good quality gilts. After that, feeding a high-quality creep feed to the youngsters will ensure a healthy digestive system, and in t...
Raising dairy calves is a challenge for any dairy farmer. Many losses occur through death and poor growth. These losses can be minimised, and health outcomes are improved if the calves a...
Drakensberger In 1497, the seafarer, Vasco da Gama, first encountered black oxen when rounding the Cape. In 1836, several Voortrekker families left the Cape with similar black oxen, ref...
Cattle can be considered as an essential daily food and nutrition source, a valuable supply of revenue, and they produce nitrogen-rich manure that can be used to rebuild soils. Different...
Beef production in Southern Africa has a long history, with cattle being farmed for a variety of purposes in diverse cultures throughout the continent in the present and past. Differe...
Piggery production systems are kept at peak performance by the upholding of a variety of parameters. One of these is health management. Efficient and effective health management safeguar...
An integral part of piggery is the feed the animals consume. The quality of the feed and feed uptake are closely related to parameters such as the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of the anim...
In pig farming, optimum management is essential as this determines the success of the venture. The general production cycle of pig farming begins with a sow mating with a boar, or the...
The history of pig production begins with humans domesticating pigs from wild boars independently in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and East Asia around 9 000 years ago. A team led by...
A local dairy farming operation in KwaZulu-Natal is now more grateful than ever for joining the Massey Ferguson family due to the cost-effectiveness and wide application of its tractor r...
Elmic Beef's 22 production auction is around the corner! Situated on the farm Brakvlei, Vrede in the eastern Freestate, Elmic Beef brings you top quality Beefmaster cattle. If you are...
Through the years Mylpaal Boerdery experimented with different cattle breeds (Beefmasters among others). We came to the conclusion that Beefmaster is the way to go – ideal for cross br...
“When you touch the wire, you can feel the quality,” says Hezekiel Malesa from Brits. He fenced his 23-hectare farm with Bonnox as part of his long-term farming plan. “I invest a ...
Kanna’s affordable wool presses press wool just as effectively as the automatic models. Better, quicker, easier, as well as more effective and affordable, that is what Kanna, the in...
AGI is well known for their grain handling facilities on farms and at silos, but they have proven in Mauritius that they also have the solutions for the bulk handling of material at feed...
JOCK dog food is a premium scientifically formulated dog food. Using only the finest ingredients, it provides a complete balanced diet. JOCK dog food is produced at the second-largest...
Feed-lotting (also called pen fattening) involves the feeding of beef cattle with a high protein, energy balanced diet for a period of 60 to 90 days in confinement to increase live and s...
Rabbits are commonly raised around the world to sell their meat and for gathering fur. Their meat is very tasty. Rabbit fur is of high quality, having extensive application in the textil...
There is a wide variety of options to choose from when constructing a dairy parlour. These parlours are costly to build; therefore, you will mostly find them on commercial dairy farms. W...
The planning and construction of a successful dairy require thoughtful actions and the involvement of various knowledgeable people. Many problems and complaints about dairies come about ...
The occurrence of wet, muddy conditions and accumulation of manure, do not only make the production of hygienic milk difficult, but also contribute to mastitis, hoof and leg problems, an...
Considering the biological characteristics of dairy cows and the influence of high and low temperatures on production, the climatic conditions prevailing in a certain region must be cons...
Animal feed is expensive. Farmers always strive to keep their animals fed with natural grazing and only supplement the nutrients that the herd may lack, instead of always feeding every a...
Winter is properly rearing its head with the first frost that had already occurred in places. The unpredictability of nature always presents challenges and can catch even experienced far...
The modern broiler chicken breeds have been selected over several years for fast growth and at present weigh around 2,3 kg at 35 to 42 days of age. The magnitude of growth indicates that...
Devastating losses can be caused in sheep flocks by parasites. In most sheep production areas, internal parasites, or gastro-intestinal nematodes, also known as worms, are the primary di...
Housing needs for sheep vary by climate, seasons of lambing, and management preferences of the farmer. Many different types of housing can be used for sheep. Traditional barns, pole buil...
Reproduction is one of the most important factors which determine profitability when farming with sheep. The reproductive rate varies by farm, production system, and geographic areas. ...
Sheep production is becoming more popular in Southern Africa and the prices of small stock are increasing at livestock auctions. The success of small stock farming rests on the implem...
Farming is a business, whether you have 10 or 1 000 female animals. The aim is to increase your wealth – to make more money or to have more sheep and/or goats. The best way to achieve ...
High temperatures Warm and humid weather conditions cause heat stress in dairy cows, which decreases milk production, milk quality and reproduction. The health status of the udder is al...
The purpose of the intensive housing system for dairy cows is mainly the provision of an environment in which the stress factors which accompany milk production, as well as the adverse e...
Dairy cattle breeds differ in many ways. Some breeds adapt better than others in particular environmental circumstances and the quantities of milk, butter fat and protein content in thei...
The main focus of this series is to provide the dairy farmer with the necessary advice and information regarding dairy structures from an engineering point of view. Enjoy! Through the...
Zambia holds 104,8 billion m³ of renewable freshwater, or 4,5% of the total SADC region, making Zambia the country with the fifth-largest supply of renewable freshwater. This import...
The present-day South African farming industry is striving for lower investment capital, in order to show bigger profits. Planners and designers in this industry are forced to develop me...
More than 85% of all lamb deaths occur during the birth process due to complications – sometimes as a result of malnutrition – together with stillborn lambs. Premature lambs may s...
Goat farming can be a lucrative business if managed properly. This guide will help you to increase your goat herd with healthy animals, and also your profits. The top meat producing goat...
The past several years have seen remarkable development in the area of fish immunology. Worldwide, fish culture is on the rise, with the treatment of fish diseases becoming increasingly ...
The success of a piggery lies in the quality of the breeding programme and breeding practices. Using superior genetics and efficient culling will ensure that your pigs are genetically...
Prevention is better than cure. Nowhere is this statement more accurate than used in reference to animal health. Medicines are expensive and they often influence the production schedule ...
The management of a business plays a crucial role in its success or failure. Even more so when dealing with livestock. Managing the different types of feed of animals at different ages, ...
Eating like a pig might not be considered good table manners, but it also should not imply that pigs feed on scraps and leftovers from the table. The days when farmers kept pigs to dispo...
Africa can get really hot during summer, and these are the conditions under which various diseases thrive. Livestock farmers must know what summer diseases to look out for, what the symp...
Formulated fish feeds are vital as they offer fish a balanced diet, which in turn promotes accelerated growth. Aquaculture as a business relies heavily on the shortest time to market bec...
A farm without any infrastructure is not a farm! A farming enterprise cannot be managed efficiently without infrastructure, and that means that no stock management or veld management wil...
