Bovins domestiques

Having a breeding (and calving) season can optimise the reproductive performance of a breeding herd and the pre-wean growth rate of calves. This, in turn, can profoundly influence the profit margin of a beef cattle enterprise. The aim of a breeding s

“The Afrikaner is a low-input animal with good-quality beef. Herein lies the real value of the breed,” says Jacquies Steenkamp, who registered his Derus Afrikaner Stud in 1996. Today, he runs 240 Afrikaner female animals, half of which are registered

In agriculture, biosecurity refers to procedures to reduce the risk of infectious diseases being transmitted amongst animals. It is an important factor in the livestock industry. Symptoms of a disease may not always be obvious, especially in the earl

Livestock production systems are the world’s largest users of land resources, and the situation in Southern Africa is no different. Approximately 84% of the surface area of South Africa is available for agriculture, of which only about 13% is arable.

Like too many other black farmers in South Africa, David Rakgase of Rakgase Farms in Northam, Limpopo, has spent decades being refused the right to buy the state land he had been living and working on for decades. The 74-year-old Rakgase, who runs a

As part of my project management work in communal farming areas in the northern reaches of the Eastern Cape, I’ve noticed livestock handling facilities are either dilapidated or non-existent. This makes it difficult to hold auctions and most sales th

IF ‘a peck of March dust is worth a king’s ransom’, then what’s a whole April of dust worth? Weather lore doesn’t tell us, because it’s unprecedented, here in Galloway anyway. Of all the Aprils for it to happen, this one has been heaven-sent, as the

During a drought, a lack of drinking water is often a bigger problem for livestock than a lack of forage. Livestock are removed from pastures with adequate feed left in them because there’s no drinking water after the pond or stream dries up. Ensurin

Developing a healthy respect for animals is part of every on-the-farm education. We all have stories about the times our animals have surprised us, and not always in good ways. My mother’s childhood was populated by evil roosters and geese that made

To the question whether the Hindus ever ate beef, every Touchable Hindu, whether he is a Brahmin or a non-Brahmin, will say “no, never”. In a certain sense, he is right. From times [sic], no Hindu has eaten beef. If this is all that the Touchable Hin

I have met some outstanding trappers in my lifetime. These trappers are not only dedicated, but their attitude reflects the best qualities of true sportsmen and human beings. Most, if not all, are willing to share knowledge and help others become bet

Do you dream of milking your own cow? Having fresh, raw milk available on tap? The thought of all of that warm, frothy sweetness pouring into your bucket is very appealing to many but before you consider bringing a house cow into your daily life, the

All countries with a wildlife reservoir for BTB share a common history of a high BTB burden in cattle, which spilled over to wildlife they were in contact with. In South Africa, the most important wildlife reservoir is, without any doubt, the African

Having retired from corporate life last year, John is fully focused on the continuous development and improvement of Nondo Private Game Reserve, a 638ha safe haven for a full spectrum of smaller mammals, birds, predators and a thriving free-ranging t

BEING ATTACKED AND killed by an enraged elephant is an horrific way to die. In 1972 at the time of this incident, was a Rhodesian Department of National Parks & Wildlife Management game ranger. My area of responsibility was the Zambezi Valley’s Urung

• Certified organic goods, services or businesses are marked: • Non-certified producers are included on the implicit expectation that they share a philosophical and practical commitment to recognised standards of organic production. Organic Gardening

Email: editor@organicnz.org.nz Post: PO Box 9693, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141. I really enjoy reading Organic NZ – it’s a great and informative magazine. It’s encouraging to read about wonderful people growing organically, and the tips and advice

History has been made as 32 cows have entered the word’s first floating dairy farm based in the port at Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Years of development and construction have finally come to the last hurdle: whether the Montbelliarde cows can find

Advertising campaigns in the late 20th century established the myth that milk was essential to building strong bones and getting enough vitamin D—falsehoods that are still pervasive today. Because of the dairy industry’s long-standing financial ties

Practicing for roping, sorting, working cow horse, or any cattle class is challenging without, well, cattle. That was one reason Bill Riel and fiancée Emma Reichert decided to introduce cows to their small horse farm in Mechanicville, New York. Riel

As well as the gas produced, cow manure impacts greatly on the environment. Often used as fertiliser, it can be carried with rainfall into rivers and lakes. High in phosphorus and nitrogen, the manure can turn the water green by increasing algae grow

Cows have been providing products for us for millennia, and are more useful to us than any other farm animal. We encounter cow products every day, whether that’s eating a beef burger, putting milk in our tea or wearing a leather jacket. Widespread ac

One of the unsung heroes of heritage livestock farming is Norris Albaugh. He has dedicated his life to bringing back an important historic cattle breed — the Native Milking Shorthorn. I had the great pleasure of meeting Norris in 2011 in my role as s

Tell your friends and family that you’re thinking of them while showing your support for bees with Bee Notecards! These hand-painted prints feature three different bee portraits, each with a blank interior and an accompanying envelope. Printed on pap

When Cathy Palmer found out about the darker side of the dairy industry, she decided to take the bull by the horns. Instead of giving it up, she set out to find a solution to the problem. The former music industry executive and her partner Dr Les San

54 YEARS AGO The inimitable William, an Ayrshire bull, is a show champion with a difference. A cow, they say, once jumped over the moon. At least that’s the theme of a popular English nursery rhyme. You may not believe it, but go to a modern British

“It started as a hobby in 2012, when we bought a few commercial Angus cows,” says Theuns Bruwer. His wife, Debbie, had been nagging him to spend less time in front of the TV and find a hobby. She had previously assisted Pierre Veldhoen and his wife,

Alan and Frances Webster arrived in the Weenen area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in late 1990, ready to take their first steps towards becoming commercial dairy farmers. The young couple had long been scrimping and saving towards achieving this goal during

Angus McIntosh, a champion of regenerative agriculture in South Africa, has applied biodynamic practices to beef, broiler and egg production since he began farming on Spier Wine Estate near Stellenbosch in 2008. Almost from inception, his customers a

With his long shaggy hair, graying beard and muscle T-shirt, Mike Stura looks like a biker or a truck driver. Yes, he rides a motorcycle and drove trucks for years. But he’s also a vegan who runs an animal sanctuary and calls a cow, Jimmy, his best f