How did you get involved with the Drakensberger breed?
In 2009, Willie Landman and I bought our first two Drakensberger stud cows at the Buffalo Valley auction of John Roos. We were so overwhelmed by the hospitality of the breeders and the beauty of the Drakensbergers that we decided to start our own stud, calling it Black Hills.
People in the Drakensberger Breeders’ Society of South Africa have been highly supportive in helping us develop our stud. We’re involved in the activities of the society and enjoy the sense of belonging among like-minded farmers.
Please take us through the origin of the breed.
The Drakensberger is the oldest of South Africa’s three indigenous cattle breeds. [Portuguese explorer] Vasco da Gama provided the first written proof of their existence after he rounded the Cape in 1497. He diarised that he had traded some merchandise for “tender and juicy” meat of Cape black cattle.
During the early 1700s, Simon and Adriaan van der Stel [successive Dutch governors of the Cape] farmed these black cattle extensively and imported a few black Groningen bulls to the Cape to improve the genetic pool. The cattle gained the name ‘Vaderlanders’ and were dispersed into the rest of the interior during the Great Trek, beginning in 1838.
Their purpose as draught animals declined with the arrival of mechanisation, resulting in a greater emphasis on their beef production potential.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 15 July 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 15 July 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.
