![Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1724048434/articles/Q264OCY-W1724156183027/HAPPY-HEALTHY-FLYERS-WIN-THE-BIG-PRIZES.jpg)
Just a reminder in case you missed the first two articles in this series, a One Loft is a privately owned communal pigeon racing loft. Just-weaned youngsters from entrants are homed and trained at a One Loft to compete in a One Loft Race for prize money and, in some races, a brand-new car.
A One Loft series starts with initial training and pre-finals races and builds up to a grand finale that carries the main stakes.
Over the years, most South African One Loft races have aimed for enough entrants to reach a R100 000 payout for the owner of the winning pigeon. However, with the recent boom in the popularity of these races, the prize pool has grown to impressive amounts.
HEALTHCARE AND TEMPERAMENT
It’s obvious that only pigeons that have advanced immune systems should be used as stock to breed for the money races. Exceptional health is linked to an advanced immune system, which is enhanced by clean environmental conditions and proper nutritional care.
Beginning with the matching of your stock pairs, candidates identified for One Loft competitions should demonstrate more assertive temperaments and characters. Shy and nervous pigeons will get bullied at One Lofts. They will also get bullied at the food tray and just take a quick sip at the drinker. They are always on the run. This affects their health and fitness condition negatively and they will be the first to stray as the race distances progress during the series.
Overmedication in pigeon lofts is a known South African sin that has made our pigeon flock vulnerable to all kinds of bugs and viral diseases. Make use of the services of the vet and administer routine medication wisely with the use of probiotics. Use quality feed and supplements and ensure the food is free of harmful chemicals.
SETTLING IN VERSUS HOMING ABILITY
This story is from the August 23, 2024 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 August 23, 2024 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
![More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/VBasj4FXZ1725539857303/MORE-FUNDING-NEEDED-TO-FLOODPROOF-OLIFANTS-RIVER.jpg)
More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.
![Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/1_uL8lGtf1725539759905/ZAMBIA-BURUNDI-AGREE-TO-MAXIMISE-AGRI-POTENTIAL.jpg)
Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential
In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultural products under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
![Expanded market brings avocado season success](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/gYsTt7Yxm1725539697707/EXPANDED-MARKET-BRINGS-AVOCADO-SEASON-SUCCESS.jpg)
Expanded market brings avocado season success
The South African avocado industry is making headway in India after gaining market access earlier this year. Supported by the World Avocado Organization (WAO), consumers and food businesses in India are being educated about the health benefits of regular avocado consumption and how best to use this fruit in Indian cuisine.
![Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hIPDsywUj1725539549374/PLAN-NEEDED-TO-ENHANCE-COMPETITIVENESS-OF-SAS-DECIDUOUS-FRUIT-CANNING-INDUSTRY.jpg)
Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry
Dr Heinrich Jantjies, group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, says the deciduous fruit canning industry has been on a decline in South Africa since 2016. He suggests implementing a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan to turn the industry around.
![Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/o3E0Gk2-I1725539319019/KRUGERS-MEMORY-LINGERS-IN-HIS-BOEKENHOUTFONTEIN-FARMHOUSES.jpg)
Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses
Lucille Davie visits Kedar Heritage Lodge in North West to see the farmhouses Paul Kruger owned.
![From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/KXiU5nzQP1725539052607/FROM-STREET-ART-TO-FEATS-OF-ENGINEERING-BRISTOL-HAS-IT-ALL.jpg)
From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all
Brian Berkman visits the vibrant UK port city of Bristol and says two days are not enough to explore renowned graffiti artist Banksy's hometown and pop in at all the historical taverns.
![Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/CMdKpFFox1725538948378/MANAGING-BROODMARES-AND-FOALS-PROFITABLY-AND-SAFELY.jpg)
Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely
Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.
![Double cab's leisure features find favour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/EdKvhkQ4V1725538815110/DOUBLE-CABS-LEISURE-FEATURES-FIND-FAVOUR.jpg)
Double cab's leisure features find favour
The GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4x4 Super Luxury AT has launched in South Africa, and the bakkie takes aim at the more premium, leisure-focused offerings from rival brands. Car Magazine's Marius Boonzaier writes.
![More fungal diseases that can infect beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hGxapspAW1725538716535/MORE-FUNGAL-DISEASES-THAT-CAN-INFECT-BEANS.jpg)
More fungal diseases that can infect beans
Bill Kerr explains the symptoms of angular leaf spot and anthracnose and how to avoid infection in your fields.
![Keeping invasive insects at bay](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/sCJt3-9so1725538531021/KEEPING-INVASIVE-INSECTS-AT-BAY.jpg)
Keeping invasive insects at bay
Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.