Matopo Research Station embarks on dairy cow cross-breeding programme

MATOPO Research Station has embarked on a dairy cow cross-breeding programme aimed at assisting smallholder dairy farmers in Matabeleland region and the Midlands Province with high milk yielding animals, which are adaptive to the two areas’ climatic conditions.

Matopo Research Station’s head of institute, Mr Shadreck Ncube said the cross-breeding programme was part of the institution and the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers’ efforts to compliment Government’s Dairy Revitalisation Programme.

“We are looking at improving milk production especially for smallholder farmers through cross breeding indigenous breeds like Tuli and Nguni as well as the Afrikaner with Holstein and Jersey, for improved milk yields,” said Mr Ncube.

He said the cross-breeding programme which will see 50 heifers being dispatched is going to target farmers in Matabeleland and Midlands Province.

“We have 50 calves but they are young at the moment and next year we will call on farmers to come and purchase them. Our wish is that these animals are bought by farmers from Matabeleland region and the Midlands Province.

“Many farmers are in need of these breeds particularly in Bulawayo’s peri-urban areas such as Clairemount. In Midlands there are farmers in Shurugwi and Tongogara and in Matabeleland South Province we will be targeting Umzingwane District particularly Irrisvale and Mawabeni,” said Mr Ncube.

He said prospects are high that the cross-breeding programme would play a pivotal role towards improving production at one of the most successful rural community dairy projects, Umzingwane Dairy Association, which runs Umzingwane Dairy Centre situated at Mawabeni Business Centre.

“In Mawabeni there is a small-scale dairy scheme where there is a collection centre. As it is there is no milk which is being delivered there so there is need for them to have dairy cows, which can easily adapt to that climatic condition so as to save the facility, which is under threat of turning into a white elephant, through ensuring that it has adequate milk supplies and they start doing yoghurts and packaged milk,” said Mr Ncube.

Milk deliveries at Umzingwane Dairy Centre have plunged by about 90 percent as farmers struggle to obtain optimum yields for processing with only one member out of the 35 affiliates delivering milk at the plant due to the effects of drought.

The advantages of cross-breeding are well documented and can have a big impact on one’s net return. Heterosis (hybrid vigor) and breed complementarity are the primary benefits realised from a properly planned cross-breeding program. Heterosis is the increase in performance or function above what is expected based on the parents of the offspring. Breed complementarity allows a breeder to capitalise on the strengths of different breeds because no single breed excels at all of the traits that affect profitability.

Mr Ncube said plans are underway for the institution to produce pure dairy breeds.

“This is a long-term project and the (Deputy) Minister (Paddy Zhanda) wants it to grow and eventually we will produce and sell pure breeds to farmers. The advantage of producing such breeds here is that they easily adapt to the local climatic and environmental conditions. Those that are imported face a high mortality and low calving rates and this affects milk yields,” he said.

Mr Ncube said milk yield in Matabeleland region and some parts of Midlands was being compromised by the poor climatic conditions. The two areas are relatively dry with low annual rainfall.

“This region is very dry and most boreholes get dry around this time of the year. If one is to venture into dairy, water is of paramount importance. Thus Government should ensure that all dairy projects have access to water so that their animals can get forage and water to drink because high milk yield depends on the availability of water.

“They are very few farmers that are able to buy feed from stock feed manufacturers. Farmers in Matabeleland region struggle to fend for themselves and buying feed for their animals becomes a secondary option thus we are encouraging farmers to embark in fodder production to ensure sufficient forage for their animals consequently improving their milk yields,” he said.

Milk production in the Matabeleland region has dropped by around eight percent this year compared to the same period last year despite growth in national volumes.

According to figures from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services’ Dairy Services Unit, the national milk output for the period January to September this was 48 635 129 litres compared to 42 605 872 litres realised during the same period last year, thus showing a 13,2 percent increase in volumes.

Dairy Services Unit’s Mr Addmore Waniwa attributed the increased national milk production to improved feeding regimes by commercial dairy.

However, fortunes for dairy farmers in Matabeleland appear to be different with production dropping owing to a myriad of challenges.

A Matabeleland South farmer, Mr Brendon Maplanka said the effects of drought over the past two years had led to depletion of pastures while the prevailing liquidity crunch in the country has limited farmers from buying stock feed, a situation that has culminated in low milk yields.

“Managing a dairy herd is difficult, it is quite capital intensive and without the funds, farmers become constrained and cannot produce as much as they would in a normal situation,” said Mr Maplanka.

He also said due to the cash crisis milk processors were failing to make prompt payments for deliveries by producers.

“We need to be able to import cattle that can adapt to our climate but the funding is not available. We are appealing to Government to assist us otherwise our production will continue dropping,” said Mr Maplanka.