Business
Stockfarm
World School Milk Day: A national celebration of dairy
The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with Milk SA's Consumer Education Project (CEP), marked the national celebration of World School Milk Day (WSMD) at Mandlomsobo Primary School in Bronkhorstspruit on 26 September.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
A breed that you like will work with you
Data can't fix what selection broke, and your grandpa knew it.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
2025 Santam Agriculture Silage Competition: Wet conditions, winning silage
Plaas Media's twelfth Santam Agriculture National Silage Competition once again showcased impressive expertise among its participants.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Unravelling the regulations for dairy and imitation dairy products
Regulation R1510 of 22 November 2019, which governs dairy and imitation dairy products, recently took centre stage during a webinar hosted by the Dairy Standard Agency (DSA). Thabang Rampa, manager of regulatory affairs at the DSA, provided a technical interpretation of key sections of the regulation, aimed at improving industry's understanding of the prescribed minimum compositional and labelling requirements.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
2025 ARC National Master Dairyman Awards: Top dairy farmers honoured
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) announced the winners of its 2025 National Master Dairyman Awards during a ceremony held in November at Lanzerac Estate in Stellenbosch.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Abattoirs: The hidden pulse of meat safety
In conversations regarding the meat supply chain, the first and final links tend to take prominence, while the work performed by the middlemen often goes unnoticed. Yet every link plays a vital role. The real question is: Do we truly understand the value each link adds? Or has ‘value addition’ become shorthand for 'price addition, leaving producers and consumers feeling the financial strain?
5 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Silage equipment you can't do without
Silage is an invaluable resource on many livestock farms but producing it is not always simple or cheap.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
The value of a vaccination programme for cattle
Vaccination is essential for any cattle operation, especially given the increasing risk of disease outbreaks. According to Dr Paul Reynolds, a veterinarian at the Warden and Vrede Animal Hospitals, vaccines are never developed arbitrarily. Each exists because a specific disease threat warranted it.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Silage competition winners: Key success factors
The Santam Agriculture National Silage Competition once again delivered impressive results, maintaining its high standards and enthusiastic participation. This year’s judging spanned six key categories: nutrient composition, fermentation quality, aerobic stability, top-layer losses, compaction or density, and visual assessment.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Why use a silage inoculant?
Producing high-quality silage is critical for any livestock operation, especially in regions where seasonal forage shortages are common. One of the most effective ways to improve silage fermentation and preservation is with a silage inoculant.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Bonsmara takes the lead: Awards and achievements in 2025
The meat industry faced more than its fair share of turbulence in 2025, driven largely by widespread foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks affecting nearly all major feedlots. As a result, weaner calf prices were highly unstable during the first part of the year, marked by sharp fluctuations.
1 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Smart vaccination solutions for healthier sheep
Sheep vaccination programmes are generally more straightforward than those of cattle. Dr Paul Reynolds, a veterinarian at the Warden and Vrede Animal Hospitals, says the common belief that sheep just want to die is largely misguided.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Boer goat management: Mating
Boer goat farming is rapidly gaining momentum in South Africa, with many producers considering it as an additional enterprise. According to Ilse Lombard, an experienced Boer goat breeder from the Vrede district, success starts with one key principle: stick to the same bloodline.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Borans: The heartbeat of a Northern Cape farming enterprise
It's easier to replace the roof of a building than having to replace its foundation and walls.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Seasonal workers in the agricultural sector
Seasonal employees are vital to South Africa's agricultural sector, especially when producers depend on additional labour during peak periods such as planting and harvesting.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Making sense of silage inoculants
Every silage season brings opportunity, the chance to capture the full nutritional value of your crop and protect your investment for the months ahead. With decades of peer-reviewed research now available, we can make informed decisions about when and how inoculants deliver value.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
SA Stud Book showcases genomic excellence on the global stage
A Stud Book continues to lead the way in applying genomic tools to serve the South African livestock industry.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
The dynamics of the South African lucerne hay industry
Lucerne hay is undoubtedly one of the most important forage crops used in animal nutrition globally. This article is part of a series that sheds light on the intricacies of the South African lucerne hay sector and highlights key industry dynamics.
7 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Stray livestock: Why kraaling them matters
Stray livestock is becoming a growing concern in South Africa that demands urgent intervention. Left unchecked, it endangers animal health, fuels stock theft, causes fatal road accidents, enables illegal grazing, and disrupts responsible producers' operations.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Modern haymaking and baling: The latest techniques and equipment
Given the sophistication of modern agricultural equipment, it is hard to picture a time when lucerne and maize fields were tilled with simple ploughs, and every hay crop had to be cut and stacked by hand.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Mandatory formal mediation prior to an eviction order
On 1 April 2024, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act 62 of 1997) (ESTA) was amended to introduce, among others, mediation or conciliation as a formal dispute resolution mechanism in eviction proceedings. Shortly thereafter, the Land Court Act, 2023 (Act 6 of 2023) came into effect on 5 April 2024, further shaping the legal landscape of tenure-related disputes.
2 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Rethinking grazing management:
Measuring how ranchers learn and adapt
6 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Circular agriculture in practice: A regenerative and profitable model
On their family farm in Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eustaces have developed a system that balances profitability with regeneration and sustainability, giving outputs a second life and adding value wherever possible.
4 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Clostridial diseases in sheep: Know the enemy
Clostridial diseases, caused by Clostridium spp. bacteria, are among the leading causes of sudden, unexpected deaths in sheep, often with few visible signs.
3 min |
January 2026
Stockfarm
Trust and muffins lead the way
In any business, communicating in silos is the main cause of issues among managers. With only three of us managing things, myself on sheep, Gert on vehicles and Mbali on payments, breaking through our silos is easy. Twice a week we hold short morning meetings to report progress and problems towards our goal of turning grass into sheep for profit.
2 min |
December 2025
Stockfarm
Santa's new team
Last December, we warned Santa Claus of the perils of visiting South Africa with his team of reindeer. We cautioned him about the biological hazards his reindeer might bring into the country, and the import tariff issues he might encounter when trying to bring in all those gifts. We also elaborated on the heat and other environmental challenges his team might face. But we also told him about our friendly farmers and the braais he might be invited to, complete with a beverage of his choice.
3 min |
December 2025
Stockfarm
The effect of iucerne hay quaiiiy on feedlot lambs
Lucerne hay is one of the most widely used roughage sources for ruminant diets, largely due to its reputation for providing high-quality nutrition. Important considerations for producers who use lucerne hay in their feed programme include assessing the true value of lucerne hay, determining the most suitable grade for specific feeding purposes, considering its cost, and balancing these factors against optimal feedlot performance.
3 min |
December 2025
Stockfarm
Imfuyo-yami Ingumcebo Wami: Livestock as a legacy of wealth and wisdom
In the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, under the warm sun and the watchful gaze of the rolling hills, the Hlawini Community Hall in Umfolozi Local Municipality came alive with the spirit of unity, learning, and tradition. The occasion? The Umfolozi Livestock Farmers' Information Day, held under the banner of the Agricultural Research Council's (ARC) Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) project, a national an initiative aimed at empowering communal livestock farmers through knowledge, technology, and sustainable practices.
3 min |
December 2025
Stockfarm
Celebrating the 2025 Komga Agricultural Show
This year's Komga Agricultural Show, energised by the arrival of summer and filled with festive stalls, was a hive of activity. The grounds came alive with live music, a poultry exhibition, the familiar sounds of cattle and sheep in the pens, displays of horsemanship, and top-quality technology and implements on show.
2 min |
December 2025
Stockfarm
DSA reaches new milestone on the road to excellence
The Dairy Standard Agency (DSA) has enjoyed an exceptional 2025 so far, marking two major achievements that underscore its ongoing pursuit of excellence.
3 min |