Piggery 101
When embarking on a piggery project, several key factors demand careful consideration: Capital: The financial requirements for setting up a piggery project are contingent on the desired scale of operations. Capital is essential for constructing pigsties, procuring equipment and breeding stock. Working capital is also crucial to cover costs like feed, medications, and labor during...
Cattle management 4Ds
Cattle Management 4Ds Dipping Dipping is a method of controlling external parasites on cattle. It is done by immersing the cattle in a solution of insecticide. There are many different dipping chemicals available, but some are more effective than others. It is important to rotate your dipping chemicals to prevent resistance. Deworming Deworming is a...
Farm management – Farm workers
Getting and keeping good farm workers is a challenge, but it is essential for the success of any farm. Here are some tips on how to retain your best employees: Provide comfortable accommodation. Farm workers deserve to have a clean and comfortable place to live. Make sure their housing is well-maintained and has access to...
Boran breeders – Mating predictor function
Zimbabwean boran breeders now have access to the Mating Predictor function under Internet Solutions. This is available using the link below: https://www.lrf.co.za/zimbabwe/ Available to Brahman, Boran, Simbrah, Simmental, and Tuli.Calculates the expected inbreeding coefficient and ebvs of the progeny from a mating.Enter the sire id and dam id, multiple sire and dam ids can be...
DISEASES OF SHEEP AND GOATS – EXAMINATION FOR DISEASE AND PARASITES
Purpose : Identification of animals in the early stages of sickness can aid the farm manager in restricting the spread of disease in the flock and initiating treatment at the earliest. A. Spotting of sick animals B. Sample collectionSamples include blood (microbiology, immunology, hematology, protozoan parasites), feces (endoparasites and enteric pathogens), urine (urinary tract infections),...
Cattle feeding
Cattle feeding is the practice of providing a balanced diet to cattle, primarily for the purpose of raising them for meat production, dairy production, or other agricultural purposes. Proper cattle feeding is essential for the health, growth, and productivity of the animals. Key Aspects of Cattle Feeding: Diet Composition: Cattle require a balanced diet that...
Nguni and Mashona Animals
Mashona cattle, on the other hand, can trace their origins to the Shona people of eastern Zimbabwe and are categorized as a Sanga type. These cattle are raised across a vast expanse that encompasses much of the eastern half of Zimbabwe and an adjacent area of Mozambique, which is free from the tsetse fly. The...
Forage Production
The marginal and semi-arid areas of Southern Africa are not suited to crops without irrigation and irrigation is available to only a few farmers. Livestock production such as beef, dairy, goat and sheep are more suited to farming here for smallholder farmers who do not have access to irrigation. Dairying in particular is increasingly popular...