The Sunday News
Senior Farming Reporter
THE Department of Livestock Production and Development (DLPD) has urged farmers to introduce their cattle to supplementary stock feeds to improve their condition in the wake of diminishing and drying pastures. DLPD Matabeleland South provincial livestock specialist Mrs Simangaliphi Ngwabi said it was high time farmers introduced their in-calf and calved-down cows, slaughter cattle as well as cull cows and oxen to supplementary feed since pastures had lost their nutritious value after drying up during the winter season.
“This is the period for cows that have calved down or are in calf because there won’t be adequate pastures in actual fact even when the pastures are there, the grass would be low in quality in terms of food values and as such farmers are urged to supplement. Farmers can use maize stover added sprinkled with a salt solution to feed their animals,” Mrs Ngwabi said.
Maize stover, the major crop residue in Zimbabwe, is characterised by a low protein and high fibre content.
Mrs Ngwabi said farmers should also start pen feeding their cattle so as to fetch lucrative prices during the festive season.
“Prices of cattle peak during the festive season and such farmers should pen feed their slaughter cattle which might include steers, cull cows and oxen. These animals should be pen finished to enhance their condition so as to fetch good prices,” she said.
Mangwe Farmers Association chairman Mr Adam Bango-Dube concurred with Mrs Ngwabi saying that it was necessary to pen feed cattle during this period since most of the grass had dried up.
“During this period the grass is dry and as such it doesn’t have enough nutrients and as such farmers should pen feed their slaughter cattle to improve their condition and polish them up to get good prices,” Mr Bango-Dube said.
Mangwe Farmers Association was the pioneer of feedlots among communal farmers in Matabeleland South two years ago at the height of massive cattle deaths owing to lack of pastures.
