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
June 20, 2023
Breeding
Pork production: Managing the breeding herd
Good management is crucial for any pork producer who wants to farm profitably. The ultimate goal of a breeding herd
May 14, 2019
Pork production: How to choose a breed and select sows
The success of a pig production business depends on selecting the correct breed. Simon Streicher, former CEO of the South
January 17, 2019
Cattle production: Artificial insemination not a lot of bull
Question: What are the benefits of artificial insemination (AI) and how is it done? Joël Kotzé from Taurus, an AI
October 16, 2018
Small stock production: Sheep and goats – how to make breeding selections
Breeding to improve animal production entails the upgrading or improvement of a breed in respect of specific characteristics. An expert explains
October 11, 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: 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
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
Pork production: Keeping farm records for your piggery
Question: I’m serious about my pig farming operation, even though it’s small. I need to keep track of what’s happening
June 18, 2018
Livestock production: How to prepare your animals for breeding
The introduction of controlled grazing (camps and rotational grazing) and breeding (mating season) has resulted in a significant improvement in
June 15, 2018
Poultry production: The difference between incubators and brooders
Question: What are brooders and incubators, and how does one use them? Brooders are used on a farm and incubators
June 12, 2018
Pork production: Repeating sows and your boars
Question: I have a serious problem – nearly 50% of my sows repeat (come on heat after being served). I
June 11, 2018
Small stock production: Reproduction management tips for sheep and goats
Every sheep or goat farmer wants to have as many healthy lambs or kids as possible on a regular basis.
May 30, 2018
Cattle production: The value of body condition scores
Farmers need to be proactive to make sure that cows are in top form before calving. Wilma den Hartigh explains
May 9, 2018
Small stock production: Managing lambs and kids
We continue our series about raising kids and lambs. Here, we deal with management. Ensure that ewes or does have
March 13, 2018
Game farming: Length of gestation in game
Question: What are the periods of pregnancy (gestation) for game and other animals? Here are the gestation periods for some
January 5, 2018
Pork production: When are sows in heat and how long are they pregnant?
Question: I have just started pig farming and have 5 young females, 6 months old, and a 9 month old
November 27, 2017
Livestock production: Ensuring your cows get pregnant again after calving
Question: I know how to care for the newborn calf or lamb, but what must be done to ensure the
November 27, 2017
Cattle production: Why would cows not calve every year?
Question: My cattle aren’t calving every year. What could be the problem? I have a good bull that’s been tested
November 22, 2017
Small stock production: Taking care of your rams
Farmers have to keep rams in top condition to ensure good reproductive performance and profitability in a small stock herd.
November 16, 2017
Cattle production: Castration methods for calves/cattle
Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of different castration methods in calves? Bull calves have to be castrated as
October 16, 2017
Livestock production: How to evaluate beef cattle
How does one determine if an Angus bull and cow are really top-notch? A leading member of the Angus Society
September 29, 2017
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