However, circumstances have changed so much that producers can no longer afford to lose any lambs. On some farms up to 30% of the lamb crop can be lost to jackals. When this is converted into a monetary value, the damages can amount to several thousand rand.
Giepie Calldo, technical manager at BKB, was one of the first producers in South Africa to utilise lambing pens. He says the current economic climate forces producers to wean more lambs to cover additional on-farm expenses. Although there are several factors that can be controlled, a number of other factors are beyond a producer’s control, such as mortalities, abnormal weather conditions, predators, and labour. For this reason, producers should rather alter their methods.
Some producers believe that utilising lambing pens increases labour, but from experience Giepie knows this not to be the case. With good planning, the workload is almost similar to that experienced during the lambing season on an extensive farm.
Use of temporary facilities
Su-Maré Groenewald, technical advisor at Veekos, conducted a thorough study of lambing pens. She says sheep producers in the Northern Cape have been utilising lambing pens for years, mainly for two reasons: producing more lambs and speeding up genetic progress because it affords them more control over their flocks.
According to her, some producers use open storage areas in which to erect lambing pens; once the lambing season is over, the pens are dismantled and the area cleaned so that it can be utilised for other purposes. Producers erect pens in sheltered areas such as this, as it provides protection against wind, cold weather and predators, thus keeping both ewes and lambs out of harm’s way.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2020-Ausgabe von Stockfarm.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2020-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.
