Nutrition remains one of the most crucial manageable factors for reproduction in a livestock herd, says Dr Francois van de Vyver, national technical manager: ruminants at Nutri Feeds. He says that rather than focusing on a single nutrient, the answer lies in a balanced nutrition programme, which is adapted continuously according to the condition of grazing as well as animals’ production stages.
It is essential that deficiencies are supplemented to ensure optimal production, without losing sight of cost. The composition of the complementary feed is therefore changed according to specific times of the year, and this is where the advice of a nutritionist is worth its weight in gold.
Supplements for overwintering
The nutritional supplements given to livestock that overwinter on natural grazing, are based on the supplementation programme followed the previous summer and autumn and will, in turn, serve as basis for the complementary feed given after winter. Enough dry matter in the form of grazing or hay must be available throughout winter and the production system must be adapted according to the availability of dry matter. Where crop residues are available, the complementary feed must be adapted to the nutritional value of the residues.
According to the standards of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), a dry cow weighing 450kg requires around 4kg of energy and 0,75kg of protein per day just for maintenance. Approximately two months before calving, her nutritional requirements are almost 25% higher and her protein requirement is usually double during this period.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2021-Ausgabe von Stockfarm.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2021-Ausgabe von Stockfarm.
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Shongololo Boer Goat Stud: Only The Best Will Do
South African Boer goats have proven popular worldwide for their ability to improve indigenous goat breeds. In addition, Covid-19 restrictions necessitated the establishment of electronic auctions, making it easier for foreigners to acquire outstanding genetic material exported by agents via established channels.
Feed Additives: A Veterinary Perspective
In an already volatile environment, dairy profit margins vary as milk prices and feed costs shift annually. Feed costs represent the largest input cost (an estimated 35 to 70% of the variable cost) in the production of milk. As a group of feed ingredients, feed additives can cause a desired physiological response in a non-nutrient way, such as pH shift, growth or metabolic modifier, and will usually be cost-beneficial.
Guard Against Lumpy Skin Disease
Most parts of the country received good rains during the rain season and producers are generally very optimistic. Wet seasons unfortunately come with their own set of challenges and veterinarians have cautioned livestock producers to keep an eye out for elevated biting insect loads, which may lead to conditions such as lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Climate-Related Hazards: How Smallholders Can Mitigate Its Consequences
Rainfed crop production remains the main source of food security and livelihoods for rural communities in South Africa but presents the challenge of climate variability due to its high dependence on weather variables such as rainfall and temperature.
Tips for a successful AI programme
The success of an artificial insemination (AI) programme depends on several factors that are largely within the control of the producer. It is interesting that those producers who take a hands-on approach to their cattle and inspect them regularly are also the ones who achieve the greatest success. Before his passing, Stockfarm spoke to Koot Louw, a well-known reproduction technologist from Brandfort in the Free State, about his insights into and advice regarding the AI process.
Pay Attention To Orf In Your Flocks
Some of our readers may have treated or heard of sheep or goats that have been infected with orf (vuilbek).
Sanele Mbele: Where Passion And Skill Meet
Passion for farming runs strong in the Mbele family’s veins. Sanele Mbele, from the farm Rietspruit in the De Jagersdrift area near Dundee, has inherited this passion in huge dollops.
Land Reform: Case Studies In Kwazulu-Natal
Land reform in South Africa is complex. Land reform solutions are equally complex and within partnership and development models, this is no different – but there is hope. KwaZulu-Natal has several types of partnership models and the wide variation in farming systems, as well as their different needs, set each model up for different strengths and weaknesses.
Brahman Breeders In Limpopo Have A Winning Plan
Several breeders from the Bosveld Brahman Club in Limpopo are applying genetic excellence and genotypic correctness to stimulate the demand for their bulls. At several of the last auctions, the minimum standard of bulls was raised to achieve this goal.
A Brahman Dream Comes True
For as long as he can remember, JP Mlangeni wanted to be a farmer. It might have taken a few years, from being a teacher and later a businessman, but his dream finally took shape and today he runs a fully-fledged breeding and commercial Brahman farming enterprise in Mpumalanga.
