Red cattle breeds often come in for criticism, with many farmers and others in the industry saying there are in fact minimal differences between these breeds. What is your opinion on this, and how does the Beefmaster differ from other beef breeds?
If you’re looking at a breed’s breeding goals, or what it’s supposed to be in order to breed calves economically and produce animals both for herd replacement and the feedlot, then all synthetic breeds are supposed to look more or less alike. The appearance of an animal is influenced by its breeding goals, environment and, of course, its breed composition.
The real distinction is in the animal or breed’s performance, and this is where the Beefmaster breed can be distinguished from all other breeds that are performance-tested by SA Stud Book.
Here, it has been shown that the Beefmaster is the leader in inter calving period (ICP) and cow-to-calf ratio, which is the calf’s percentage of its dam’s weight at weaning. When taking this into account, Beefmaster is, on average, more profitable than other breeds.
Beefmaster also boasts the largest herd per breeder, which shows that the breed performs well in any commercial setting.
Please describe the ideal Beefmaster bull.
It is medium-framed, has a good coat, and has a distinctly masculine appearance, with a strong brow ridge and well-developed neck and shoulders. It should have a comfortable gait as a result of good-sized hooves and strong and correct bone structure. The body should be well-balanced.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 16, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 16, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
