![How intensive sheep farmers can improve traceability and profits](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1641983554/articles/61def1f48fc69/Sheep-Sheep-farming-Agriculture-Technology-and-farms-Radio-frequency-identification-systems-Intensive-sheep-farming.jpg)
Long gone are the days when sheep were produced on sleepy farms where the animals were simply left on the veld for days without having any contact with the farmer. These days, farmers have to manage their flocks with far greater care due to the risks posed by stock theft and predation.
Gareth Angus runs Merino sheep, cattle (Simmentaler and Simbra) and game with his father on Wisp-Will Farm near Arlington in the eastern Free State. He is in charge of the sheep component.
SPRING AND AUTUMN LAMBING
“We divide the sheep into two flocks: a spring and an autumn-lambing flock,” Angus says.
The spring group lambs from the beginning of September until mid-October, while the autumn group lambs from mid-May until the end of June. Both do so in staggered subgroups. “Each group of ewes lambs once a year. As a result, we have two lambing seasons per annum.”
All maiden ewes (two-tooth) are put to the ram at 18 months old. Teaser rams are used initially for 11 days at three or four rams per 100 ewes, followed by breeding rams for 34 days at the same ratio.
Willie Krüger, a sales representative at RFID Experts/BKB, demonstrates how easy it is to use radio frequency identification system technology.
This story is from the January 21, 2022 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 21, 2022 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![South Africa makes strides in protecting rhino populations against poaching](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/FzHJ7dUr81724157224750/SOUTH-AFRICA-MAKES-STRIDES-IN-PROTECTING-RHINO-POPULATIONS-AGAINST-POACHING.jpg)
South Africa makes strides in protecting rhino populations against poaching
A significant drop in the number of rhinos poached was recorded during May and June as a result of dehorning and policing efforts. Lindi Botha reports on the efforts behind this significant development.
![Financial management of a farm: the basics of budgeting](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/IMuTBHSQT1724157005287/FINANCIAL-MANAGEMENT-OF-A-FARM-THE-BASICS-OF-BUDGETING.jpg)
Financial management of a farm: the basics of budgeting
Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.
![The profound importance of the feed conversion ratio](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/8ngT9fTcV1724156880663/THE-PROFOUND-IMPORTANCE-OF-THE-FEED-CONVERSION-RATIO.jpg)
The profound importance of the feed conversion ratio
To grow an aquaculture concern efficiently and profitably, the quality of feed and the price point need to be correct, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
![New Zealand abandons green policies to bolster economy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/QaYb8KkFx1724156825366/NEW-ZEALAND-ABANDONS-GREEN-POLICIES-TO-BOLSTER-ECONOMY.jpg)
New Zealand abandons green policies to bolster economy
New Zealand’s green credentials are in jeopardy following the government’s decision to backtrack on key environmental reforms in a bid to bolster the economy and live up to the promises it has made to voters, according to Reuters.
![Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/uaQvJFDja1724156599905/OPENING-THE-DOORS-TO-FINANCE-FOR-SA-FARMERS.jpg)
Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers
Agriculture is a crucial pillar of South Africa's economy, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to the nation's GDP. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including securing adequate financing to sustain and grow their operations. Cobus du Plessis looks at some of the key features and pros and cons of the financial opportunities available to producers.
!['My mentor played a huge role in my success'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/Ga9mTxCZ21724156413353/MY-MENTOR-PLAYED-A-HUGE-ROLE-IN-MY-SUCCESS.jpg)
'My mentor played a huge role in my success'
According to Vincent Mhlonitshwa, making the transition from a communal to successful commercial farmer requires mentorship. Mike Burgess visited him near Elliot in the Eastern Cape to better understand how a mentor helped establish the foundations on which he built a mixed farming operation on less than 1 500ha.
![Choosing the right show for your horses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/ed0ynGcNZ1724156335794/CHOOSING-THE-RIGHT-SHOW-FOR-YOUR-HORSES.jpg)
Choosing the right show for your horses
Should you take your stud horses to an agricultural show or a riding show? It depends on what you want to achieve
![Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/Q264OCY-W1724156183027/HAPPY-HEALTHY-FLYERS-WIN-THE-BIG-PRIZES.jpg)
Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes
In this article, the final in a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at ways to help your birds settle in a loft, as well as the best nutrition to enhance their health and stamina during long races.
![Banking on Beefmasters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/tsMBCBhb11724155972140/BANKING-ON-BEEFMASTERS.jpg)
Banking on Beefmasters
The Stapelberg family will be hosting their first Beefmaster production sale in Indwe, Eastern Cape, on 3 September. Marcel Stapelberg, co-owner of the Cornish Beefmasters stud, spoke to Mike Burgess to give him a better understanding of why and how the family established their stud in less than a decade.
![Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop's biggest threat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1803847/zyG1f6WgV1724155878354/BACTERIAL-DISEASES-IN-BEANS-ARE-YOUR-CROPS-BIGGEST-THREAT.jpg)
Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop's biggest threat
Bill Kerr says he can't overemphasise the importance of making sure that the bean seed you purchase is disease free.