Business
Stockfarm
Information and technology: Importance and relevance in beef production
This ongoing transformation is driven by the application of information and technology, among others, which have become key pillars of informed decision-making and sound breeding programmes.
5 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Lamb feedlot mortalities: The rumen development link
The South African sheep feedlot industry annually produces approximately 180 000 tons of lamb and mutton with an estimated value of R7 billion.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Adjusting planting windows for crop resilience in a changing climate
The first webinar in CropLife SA's acclaimed training series for 2025 examined the impact of shifting climate conditions on planting dates, highlighting the risks associated with late planting and contributing factors.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Impact of the lactoperoxidase system on FMD virus in raw milk
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious aphthovirus infection with outbreaks resulting in decreased productivity, trade restrictions, and economic costs due to control measures.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Labour inspections: Is the official official?
Workplace inspections by the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) have become more routine to ensure compliance with labour legislation.
2 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Indigenous breeds: A sustainable solution to climate change
Climate change poses a serious threat to livestock production in South Africa, with heat stress emerging as one of the most pressing challenges.
5 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Supplementary nutrition on veld
Natural veld grazing is the cornerstone of most livestock production systems.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
RPO Northern Cape producers call for improved marketing and production environment
During the annual congress of the RPO Northern Cape held in Kimberley, numerous producers voiced concerns over persistent challenges at grassroots level, including livestock theft, the impact of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, and issues relating to animal health.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Lessons from the field: Crop challenges in the arid Northern Cape region
The Northern Cape is one of South Africa's driest provinces, with an average annual rainfall of less than 200mm in many areas.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
RED MEAT PRICES: Short-term spike or long-term trend?
After two challenging years in the red meat industrymarked by lower prices for both weaners and carcasses compared to 2022 - the saying 'twenty twenty five, twenty twenty thrive' has proven true for livestock producers.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Next level genetics through technology
Predictability and sustainability equals genetic stability. These are the three cornerstones of Chippy Watson's breeding programmes at Vova Genetics.
6 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
The Grootfontein Dohne Merino stud: Research for definitive answers
The Grootfontein Dohne Merino stud was formed in 2001 to establish a genetic pool of dual-purpose sheep with premium quality meat and superfine wool under extensive conditions. The research eventually shifted to DNA studies.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Brucellosis in dairy cows: Know the enemy
Brucellosis is widely regarded as a serious threat to livestock producers in South Africa.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Optimising winter feed strategies for next season's calf crop
The goal of winter nutrition for bulls and cows should be to prepare breeding animals for the upcoming breeding season. This is the critical time when the foundation is laid for optimal reproduction and production – factors that will ultimately determine the success of the next calving season.
5 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
WHAT'S UP?
The South African poultry industry has asked the government to withdraw a 'concession' granted to the United States (US) authorities to determine for themselves which US states can export poultry to South Africa following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu).
5 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Single genes in beef cattle
Recent advances in unravelling the genomes of livestock species have revolutionised breeding decisions.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Dairy MONTHLY
It is now certain that the fungus responsible for sporidesmin toxicity (facial eczema) in affected areas, and probably in all of South African livestock, is Pseudopithomyces toxicarius.
2 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Taking the law into your own hands
In previous articles, we examined the issue of illegal evictions and their consequences.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Understanding brucellosis: Protecting the health of your beef herd
Brucellosis is a serious but underestimated threat to livestock in South Africa.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Storage, nutritional value and processing of grass silage
South Africa's sunny weather makes it an ideal place for hay production. However, unpredictable weather patterns – such as the widespread, late-summer rainfall experienced earlier this year – can disrupt haymaking, leaving producers with no choice but to turn to silage.
2 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Why vaccinations fail
With growing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the saying 'prevention is better than cure' is more relevant than ever.
3 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
Major concern over red meat industry’s future
\"Handled with care for confident consumption\" was the theme of the 31st conference and congress of the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA), held earlier this year at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. Several key issues were discussed at the conference, including animal health — particularly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) — biosecurity, traceability, the development of a tracking and trading system, and residue monitoring.
4 min |
August 2025
Stockfarm
The market share of locally produced chicken meat in South Africa
South Africans often proclaim themselves to be meat lovers. Globally, the average meat consumption is estimated at 64kg per capita, while South Africans consume approximately 69kg per capita each year.
4 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Bonsmara shines at Elite Awards
During this year’s SA Stud Book Elite Awards, Bonsmara breeders once again demonstrated why this red breed and its breeders are leading the pack. Through the use of rigorous, mandatory performance testing, Bonsmara breeders in South African continue to meet the demands of commercial breeders.
2 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Functional nutrition drives poultry performance
Exceptional gut health is to become the benchmark for obtaining the expected profitable performance output of poultry production units.
1 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Optimising feed conversion efficiency in sheep farming
In modern sheep farming, efficiency is everything. With rising input costs and increasing pressure on natural resources, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) has emerged as a critical factor in determining the profitability and sustainability of livestock operations.
2 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Making the most of winter greenfeed for sheep
Seasonal differences in feed production are a given and it is therefore important that livestock producers plan thoroughly for periods when the waning quality of natural pastures can negatively impact animal production.
4 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
The right silage for the right species
Producers and animal nutritionists often speculate about which silage is best for which animal species. This question requires a scientific approach to reach the correct answer.
3 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Finishing lambs on cultivated pastures: Lick composition
As part of his sheep nutrition legacy, the late Dr Jasper Coetzee in an article referred to a range of factors affecting the performance of livestock on green grazing. Among them are the grazing’s moisture content, availability, height, and digestibility.
4 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Applying ESTA to property in an urban area
The Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act 62 of 1997), or ESTA, provides protection to people who have permission (expressly or tacitly) to reside on land owned by another person.
3 min |