Climate change effects on livestock

22 Mar, 2020 - 00:03 0 Views
Climate change effects on livestock

The Sunday News

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter 

AGRICULTURAL experts have said farmers should not ride on the improved condition of their livestock but be wary and prepare to guard against the effects of climate change.

Department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) Matabeleland South provincial crops and livestock officer Ms Simangaliphi Ngwabi said the late rainfall received in various parts of the country played a significant part in improving the condition of livestock, which was now dire.

“The late rains we received recently led to the improvement of livestock’s condition, with water levels at various sources also improving but farmers should always be wary of the effects of climate change. Climate change has dire effects on livestock in the sense that it brings about heatwaves which wipe out grassland and it also leads to high evaporation of water sources,” she said.

Ms Ngwabi said this was an opportune time for farmers to destock to avoid devastative losses and enable them to purchase supplementary stock feed to feed their animals in the event of insufficient graze.

“It’s high time farmers destock while their animals are still in good condition so as to enable them to fetch better returns to buy supplementary feed for their remaining herd so as to guard against the occurrence of prolonged dry spells,” she said.

Ms Ngwabi further stated that farmers should also plant fodder crops to mitigate against loss of pastures.

“Some enterprising farmers have since planted fodder at their gardens to feed their animals and we have seen a number of non-governmental organisations also promoting the growing of fodder at community nutritional gardens. Fodder planting is of paramount importance towards making up seasonal shortfalls between feed demand and supply,” she said.

Renowned Matabeleland livestock expert Dr Ronny Sibanda said the late rains were not enough to assure graze availability in the critical feed shortage months.

“There has been improvement of grazing in some areas but other areas are still under threat as they received little rainfall. The late and sub-normal rain quantity and distribution also means grass maturity is likely not to be full. Thus, it’s availability to support the critical feed shortage months of August to October is in question or doubtful,” he said.

Dr Sibanda added that it was of paramount importance for farmers to be in the habit of making their own feed through utilising locally available resources. 

“This uncertain situation means farmers must maintain feed supply vigilance through collection and storage of various animal feed materials found in their areas. That way they will be prepared for this climate change induced harsh weather,” he said.

Another livestock expert, Mr Mhlupheki Dube reiterated Dr Sibanda’s sentiments further stating that farmers should guard against overgrazing their livestock.

“Most animals have improved condition because of the late rains that obviously rejuvenated the grazing but that shouldn’t make farmers relax because that doesn’t mean the grazing is enough. Farmers need to match the number of their animals with their grazing areas,” he said.

Mr Dube, however, said although graze had improved most farmers in some parts of the country are still faced with a challenge of watering their animals. 

“In as much as the grazing is available, one of the major challenges farmers are going to have, is that of water for drinking their animals. We received rains but it was only enough to irrigate the veld or to establish it. The rains were not enough to fill most water bodies, farmers will have challenges drinking their animals because most of the water bodies didn’t fill up,” he said.

@DNsingo 

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