Ask the vet: Respiratory disease in ruminants
Respiratory disease generally refers to a disease whose symptoms include mainly the respiratory tract, which starts with the nose and
June 19, 2022
Animal Health
Ask the vet: Relooking livestock biosecurity
Biosecurity is critical for everyone involved in livestock production. It’s especially important considering the contribution of agriculture to livelihoods in
April 8, 2022
Pork production: Buying pigs
Question: I’ve decided to take up pig farming to supplement my pension when I retire. I want to start with
June 7, 2019
Poultry production: Broiler basics
Question: I would like to start a broiler operation on my cattle farm. I have 4 broiler houses measuring 120
June 6, 2019
Cattle production: A layman’s guide to helping a cow give birth
Many farmers have had to help out when a cow is unable, or struggling, to deliver a calf. Here are
May 24, 2019
Cattle production: Your calves and parasites
Question: The rainfall was exceptionally high in my area during late summer and autumn. The grazing looks good, and the
May 22, 2019
Livestock production: Sick animals and fever
Question: How important is it to determine the temperature of a sick animal? When infectious organisms such as bacteria or
May 17, 2019
Livestock production: Don’t underestimate botulism in horses
It takes less of the botulism toxin to kill a big horse than it does to kill a small mouse.
April 29, 2019
Livestock production: Becoming a better livestock farmer
Question: Where do I start to become a better livestock farmer? The answer is basic and straightforward. You have to
November 20, 2018
Cattle production: More on vibriosis
Question: What is vibriosis [campylobacter fetus (venerealis)]? Vibriosis in cattle is a typical venereal disease passed from one animal to
November 7, 2018
Diagnosis of brucellosis in humans
Question: How is brucellosis in humans diagnosed? Laboratory diagnosis of human Brucella infection is complicated and none of the currently
November 6, 2018
Livestock production: How to control fly-borne diseases
Flies not only cause irritation, but can also transmit disease. This may happen either mechanically, as a result of picking
October 22, 2018
Livestock production: What you should know about colic in horses
Question: What is colic? How does it develop and what can I do to prevent my horse from getting it?
October 11, 2018
Cattle production: Advice on buying young calves
Question: Is it advisable to buy 3- to 4-week-old calves and grow them? What are the risks and what kind
October 9, 2018
Small stock production: How to feed your ewes and does
The most important objective of small stock farming is to produce lambs or kids. Most of them are sold and
September 26, 2018
Pork production: Approach disease prevention holistically
It’s more than just vaccination and administering antibiotics. Farmers need to adopt a holistic approach to keep pigs disease-free. ‘It’s
September 18, 2018
Pork production: Getting the basics right
The basics need to be in place before you set up a piggery. But what exactly are the basics, and
September 6, 2018
Livestock production: Beware of thumps in horses
Unseasonably hot weather can mean a greater number of thumps cases in endurance horses. Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter or thumps is
September 5, 2018
Small stock production: Advice on culling ewes and does
Question: Why are we advised to cull our ewes and does? Surely it’s better to keep all the females for
August 30, 2018
Livestock production: Beat bloat and pasture toxicity
Using intensive pasture can threaten production by leading to metabolic imbalances and disease in pastoral animals. Most crops that are
August 29, 2018
Pork production: Useful guidelines for pig farming
Commonly asked questions about pig farming are answered here by an expert. The pigs used by farmers today have descended
July 13, 2018
Small stock production: How to choose the right goat for you
You’ve decided to farm with goats, but how do you know which breed is best? Here’s a guide to selecting
July 5, 2018
Small stock production: Castration and your rams
Question: Does castration retard the growth of young rams? Yes, it does. When you have two 1-month-old rams who weigh
June 28, 2018
Livestock production: Learn more about Rift Valley fever
Question: Please would you tell us more about called Rift Valley fever? Rift Valley fever is caused by a virus
June 27, 2018
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