Rains bring relief to livestock

THE condition of cattle in Manicaland province’s drier districts has started to improve significantly in the wake of the first rains that nurtured new flashes of veld grasses, Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) Manicaland provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi has said.

In an interview, Mr Mungazi told The Herald that the condition of cattle from the province’s dry areas was now in the range of fair to good leaving only the sick ones in the poor condition bracket.

Manicaland’s dry areas include Buhera, parts of Bocha and parts of Chipinge.

“High rainfalls produce good to very good conditions in cattle due to the availability of enough veld and drinking water for the greater part of the year.

“At the moment, cattle condition is varying from dry regions to high rainfall areas. It is such scenarios that also determine the production levels in terms of good calving rates during the off-summer season,” he said.

He was, however, quick to add that draught power tended be a challenge before the first rains but normally improved a few weeks after the rains. Farmers need to employ good livestock production skills like deworming, supplementary feeding, vaccinating, and follow proper dipping schedules as spelt out by livestock extension personnel,” said Mr Mungazi.

ZFU president Retired Major Abdul Nyathi also added his voice challenging farmers to seek training in cattle maintenance during dry seasons.

“They need to learn how to make fodder and harvest water during the wet season for use when it’s dry. It is also critical for farmers to destock through selling of unproductive and ageing animals then buy stockfeeds for the remaining herd.

“Farmers also need to be vigilant in terms of disease outbreaks, as it is always crucial to control diseases before they get out of control,” commented Retired Major Nyathi.

The country has lost thousands of cattle in the recent past owing to consecutive droughts.