The Veldt: A Symbiotic Dance Between Cows and Grass
Zimbabwe’s vast landscape, from the Limpopo River to the Zambezi and beyond, is dominated by the veldt, a vital ecosystem that sustains most of the country’s cattle. Cows: Nature’s Unspoken Experts While cows can’t explain their grazing habits and their actions speak volumes. Their body condition and fertility serve as a natural gauge for the...
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),...
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...