Business
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 |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Red Brahmans show their mettle in this crossbreeding system
The deeper the red, the more beautiful the animal - provided the cattle possess both the genetic ability and ideal conformation to thrive and produce under challenging conditions. This philosophy, embraced by Chris Badenhorst and his son, also Chris, is delivering great results on their farm, Witpan, near Lichtenburg in North West.
5 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Crossbreeding as a tool in the Brahman toolkit
One of the most powerful tools available to cattle producers to improve productivity and efficiency in a herd is the use of crossbreeding.
5 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
WGM Brahmans: Harnessing hybrid vigour
If Willie Marais' good friend hadn't needed money for an engagement ring, the WGM Brahman stud might never have existed.
4 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Investigating wastewater solutions in the dairy sector
During one of its regular webinars, the Dairy Standard Agency (DSA) recently took a closer look at measures for a cost-effective approach to contaminant reduction in dairy wastewater.
3 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Poultry diseases that can cause chaos
Whether farming on a small or large scale, the key to successful poultry farming remains the same: Provide enough feed, water and space, while keeping coops or cages clean, neat, and dry to prevent diseases. A disease outbreak can be costly, but the correct vaccinations, good hygiene, and a sustainable biosecurity plan can help mitigate its impact.
2 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Biosecurity on a chicken farm
Biosecurity encompasses a set of preventive measures designed to minimise the risk of infectious disease transmission to flocks, farms, or surrounding areas, thereby safeguarding farms from diseases.
2 min |
July 2025
Stockfarm
Develop a 12-month herd health and reproductive management plan
During winter, when calves are being weaned and pregnancy tests conducted, cattle producers usually have all the necessary information available to plan for the next 12 months.
2 min |