Farmers urged to dose against internal parasites

THE Department of Livestock Production and Development has urged farmers to dose their animals using a wide range of remedies to guard against the side effects of consuming fresh pastures that have sprouted as a result of the recent rains received in various parts of the country.

DLPD Matabeleland South provincial chief livestock specialist Mrs Simangaliphi Ngwabi said there is a need for farmers to avoid unnecessary loss of their livestock by administering an array of remedies so as to get rid of internal parasites that tend to build up inside animals’ bowels upon being introduced to new pastures.

“Since it’s the start of the rainy season farmers should ensure that they dose their animals with broad spectrum remedies that destroy internal parasites that will have built up due to a new type of feed, which is usually the germinating grass,” said Mrs Ngwabi.

Cattle can be infected by roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes (trematodes). Protozoans such as coccidia are another type of internal parasite.

The internal parasite is limiting factors for profitable livestock farming by affecting the animal’s performance. In most of parasitism, the economic losses are actually not attributable to mortality but due to impaired productivity of animals.

The proper management of internal parasites is extremely important for successful livestock farming especially in the grazing conditions.

Mrs Ngwabi also urged farmers to introduce the animals they use for draught power to supplementary feeding.

Draught animals are economically important, but their maintenance involves both risk and capital expenditure to the owner.

Their outputs include livestock products as well as increased crop yields and transport facilities.

Because of their importance and the demands made upon them, draught animals deserve good care and attention.

“Despite improved pastures in some areas, farmers should give their draught animals supplementary feeding and desist from using those that are in bad shape. We are also urging farmers to utilise the land which they are not cropping on for forage production, which will go towards the upkeep of their animals when pastures get depleted,” Mrs Ngwabi said.