Be inspired to perspire

“In the world of greatness, the escalator is broken down. The lift does not work. You, therefore, have to take the stairs.” Managing cattle during drought

THOMAS ALVA EDISON (February 11, 1847 — October 18, 1931) was an inventor and businessman out of whom came many useful inventions. He is credited with the greatness-defining statement: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” This implies that greatness is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.

Edison was known for his focus and handwork. A person who cannot focus should forget about greatness. Edison argued that none of his inventions came by accident or mere good fortune.

He did not rely on luck. He was not just gambling with life. He was intentional. Greatness should never be a mystery. Edison once remarked: “I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”

Get a moment of inspiration, then get down to working. Work like a great person, not a lazy bum.

To labour under the belief that life is 99 percent good fortune and 1 percent work is weird and totally absurd.

Love work and love thinking.

Be open to inspiration and get down to working, and doing great things. Be known for execution; translating thoughts into things; moving from inspiration to perspiration. Focus on getting things done.

Work is not a curse. Laziness, in whatever clothes it wears, is no badge of honour.

Edison knew that nothing happens by sheer luck. He knew that past success was not an excuse for resting on your laurels. He continued working long after he was a multi-millionaire.

Stop dreaming of a lazy life, of no contribution except spending.

The lottery mindset is flawed. You have to do something in order to produce something or get somewhere.

Edison once said opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

There are too many people who frown at opportunities for real work because they are obsessed with the big stage. In the world of greatness, the escalator is broken down.

The lift does not work.

You, take the stairs.

Many people frown at overalls and the related work involved. They would rather do another job while in designer wear. Not for Edison. He focused on the 99 percent work. Many would rather don a suit and tie than put on an overall and work. therefore, have to

Work is not what you are seen to be doing but what you actually do. Clever excuses made by lazy hands will always have an air of sophistication but no value-creating power.

This same Edison inspires us to stretch and reach for greatness when he

says: “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

You are a miracle in motion. If you implement the ideas that pass through your mind, you will surprise yourself.

There is awesome greatness in you. If you did all that you are capable of doing, you would shock yourself and everyone. You are a warehouse of miracles. There is more that you can do and become. Stop focusing on your casket and start thinking about your basket of possibilities. There are more opportunities to be useful and create value now than in any other generation in the past.

Upgrade your thinking and take your head out of the shell. You cannot use industrial age expectation to solve new world challenges. The problems you see around you are not arrows of fate but the ore of opportunity ready for mining. Great things happen when you hustle while you wait for the big break. Never be satisfied with just looking at problems, complaining about the lack of opportunity.

A genius is nothing special, but a hardworking person who does his homework consistently.

Do not watch the clock too much or you may never make progress. Do not suspend your life on some big social media platform when there is work to do.

Edison was not just working the clock. He threw himself into work. He focused.

He once said: “I owe my success to the fact that I never had a clock in my workroom. Seventy-five of us worked twenty hours every day and slept only four hours — and thrived on it.” That is the true spirit of greatness. Watch for the result and not measuring the effort. Expecting to harvest without sowing is the mother of all corruption.

Never be satisfied with yesterday. Do not park. Edison challenged us all when he said: “Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I’ll show you a failure.” Refuse to park on the alley of irresponsibility. No one owes you a living and no one will do your thinking for you. There is always something to do.

The bigger the problems, the more the opportunities for worthy work. Most answers you look for “out there” are really “in here”. Take greatness with you. Committed to your greatness.

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IMBABWE has for the past couple of months been experiencing hot temperatures. Some areas such as Chiredzi, Mbire, Mangwe, Insiza and Gokwe have recorded temperatures of over 42 degrees Celsius.

This comes after weather forecasters predicted that Zimbabwe would receive below-normal to normal rainfall, associated with extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and dry spells during the 2023/2024 cropping season.

Last week, it was reported that over 5 000 cattle had succumbed to drought and diseases countrywide, with Matabeleland provinces being the most affected, accounting for the bulk of the deaths, as the El Niño phenomenon takes its toll on Zimbabwe’s national herd.

The Government has sprung into action, embarking on a nationwide borehole drilling exercise to save the lives of both livestock and people.

Through the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, the Government is putting in place several measures to address production and productivity issues, thereby laying the foundation for the sector to take a leading role in transforming the livelihoods of millions of farmers and building a source of the much-needed raw materials for local industries.

The plan seeks to grow the national cattle herd to 8 million by 2025.

Since cattle farming is one of the rural population’s economic activities that serve as key sources of income, farmers must have a strategy to ensure their livestock survive and thrive during dry spells.

Here are some of the interventions farmers can employ to reduce cattle mortality.

When temperatures remain high, this usually causes deaths due to heat stress. Heat stress can have a significant impact on the health and productivity of cattle.

It occurs when the animal’s body cannot dissipate heat effectively. This can cause cattle to die or the animals can produce low-quality milk and meat. The quantity of milk and meat also drops.

Some of the heat stress symptoms are breathing quickly, frothing at the mouth, protruding tongue, excessive salivation and reduced feed intake. In an attempt to locate a cooler spot, animals may also pace back and forth. Bulls are more susceptible to the effects of heat than cows.

Livestock farmers need to watch out for these signs of heat stress, especially during dry spells or when transporting cattle over long distances.

Implementing management practices such as providing ample shade and access to cool water, and adjusting feeding schedules can help minimise the impact of heat on cattle health and welfare.

ZDepending on how long the dry spell persists, farmers need to make some difficult choices.

Establishing dedicated fodder plots and providing cattle with adequate water should be top priority. The plots are meant to ensure there is adequate feed and forage in the absence of sufficient rains. During dry seasons, animals should be fed and cared for according to their current location (steers in a dry lot, cows on grass, et cetera).

Among the best things a farmer can do for the cattle in a feedlot are:

If hay supplies are depleting, think about providing additional protein. This helps to extend and supplement hay supplies.

◆ Ensure the pen is not too full.

◆ Instal shades to protect cattle from the sun.

If there is no breeze coming through the pen, subject the cattle to water mist.

Keep in mind that they will survive as long as there is airflow through the pen. It will be difficult, nonetheless. Cattle can sweat, so the breeze will help cool the animal and make the sweat evaporate.

Naturally, during drought, farmers should exercise caution and keep a close eye on cattle that are on grass.

During a drought, you may want to think about the following if you have cows on grass:

Provide protein-rich feeds such as grain or range cubes if the grass is not enough.

Think about removing calves from cows early, and transfer them to a dry lot. The cows will feel less stressed as a result of this. Determine how much feed the cows will require over a specific period and begin stockpiling.

Focus on maintaining a healthy and productive herd.

Open cows should go first if the farmer decides to engage in culling. Older cows rank second, followed by those that produce less.

Provision of a reliable source of water is the best way of alleviating deaths during dry spells. Farmers should ensure cattle have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

They are encouraged to install water tanks or troughs as reliable water sources.

Drought can be a devastating natural disaster, which can significantly impact cattle production and profitability.

As a farmer, it is essential to have a comprehensive plan in place to manage your herd during such times.

Chipo Tachiona is a director at Farmyard Investments. Word from the Market is a column produced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority to promote market-driven production. Feedback: cchiduku@ama.co.zw or WhatsApp/Call +263781706212.