2024 SRA FIELD DAY EXPECTATIONS
This Year at the SRA Field Day, discussions will be centred around the 'Theme' that will attract interest from farmers and other stakeholders from across the country. Livestock farming experts will provide a better understanding of the most important factors in the sector, including sharing experiences and technology that is available.
The Theme for 2024 SRA Field Day is “Sustainable and profitable livestock farming practices through maximisation of ranch carrying capacity, including introduction of agro-technologies”. As farmers, the Theme offers an opportunity to specifically look at the following among others: a) Herd Management Strategies, especially with particular focus on: - improving herd performance - fertility management - infrastructure development. b) Sustainable increase in livestock numbers:
- range and grazing land management, including rehabilitation of land -tackling of bush encroachment which greatly reduces the carrying capacity of our ranches. On this we will rely on fellow farmers and experts in the field of range management to share with attendees on the best strategies for over-coming bush encroachment.
- reducing environmental damage while improving productivity and increasing profitability of our livestock. -Bush fires- the Sandveld area, and other farming areas within the country, have been attacked by ferocious bush fires that have seen grazing land destroyed and left farmers in great peril. We seek to address the issue of bush fires and find solutions to minimising the fires and minimising the impact the fires have on ranches, grazing land and ultimately the carrying capacity of ranches. c) Introduction of agricultural technology:
- An in depth look into agro-technology such as artificial insemination and embryo transplant.
- Get real life experiences from farmers within the Sandveld area that have introduced agricultural technology into their farming and hear the challenges and successes they have achieved.
These and many other issues will form part of the Sandveld Ranchers Association Field Day to be held from 26 to 28 April 2024, and the expected outcomes will shape and influence the growth trends in the livestock sector.