Beef Breeders implored to keep records
Consistent record keeping within the multi- million Pula beef cattle industry is one of the critical factors which can ensure growth, sustainability and ultimately improved pro tability.
This is according to Laura Bafaletse, who part owns LK Beef Ranchers, which is in the business of livestock management, feed lot, meat production among other beef industry services. In a move which shows her contribution to the beef industry, Bafaletse, has authored a ground- breaking booklet, ‘ Botswana Beef Cattle Record Book’ which seeks to promote proper record keeping in the broader sector.
“Many of our cattle breeders do not keep proper records especially those at subsistence level. is explains why some of them are unable to access the lucrative European Union markets,” adding that the booklet provides a seamless platform for cattle breeders to be able to keep records of vaccinations administered to cattle, herd counts, disposal & birth records, disease monitoring, among others. e bene ts of proper record keeping helps with reducing cattle mortality, assisting those who have insured their cattle, ensuring compliance with European Union market compliance among others. He told this publication post a recent Letlhabile Southern Farmers Association Expo in Jwaneng that, for the beef industry to grow, there is need for mindset change, which basically emphasise need for the sector to move away from traditional methods to new methods, which include proper record keeping.
According to Bafaletse, the booklet targets any beef farmer, be it small, large, established farmers as well as their employees. Her grand plans are to engage further with government agencies in the whole eco- system of the beef industry, for possible partnerships that can drive the sub sector forward. Over the years, government has launched several initiatives aimed at growing the beef industry. However, most of them have fallen short of addressing challenges that a ect the industry.
Bafaletse has disclosed her immediate plan is also to write booklets which target small stock farmers, among other segments of livestock breeding. To move with times which calls for innovation, Bafeletse plans to develop an App for livestock record keeping, “which will be easy for breeders and herders to use.”