The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Farming Reporter
FARMERS in Matabeleland region are up in arms with the Department of Veterinary Services for its continued ban of cattle sales at auction pens in Bulawayo, saying the embargo was negatively impacting on the viability of their agricultural enterprises.
The Department of Veterinary Services quarantined cattle from moving from areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease following a spate of outbreaks in various parts of Matabeleland last year.
According to the Department of Veterinary Services national FMD’s latest update an outbreak of FMD was reported on 27 April 2014 in Masvingo Province’s Mwenezi District.
Following outbreaks in the Matabeleland region, the Department of Veterinary Services decided to close Cattle Company (CC) Sales and Agri-Auctions cattle auction sales as farmers were reportedly moving cattle from FMD affected areas to sell to buyers some of whom acquired the animals for production purposes resulting in the spread of the disease in previously unaffected areas.
CC Sales conducts it auction sales at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds while Agri-Auctions is located in the Westondale industrial area on the outskirts of the Central Business District along Khami Road.
“The issue is not that the selling of cattle is not allowed but farmers want to sell their animals at CC Sales and Agri-Auctions cattle sale pens, which they deem to be viable and competitive in terms of prices but its where most cases of FMD have been reported.
“These cattle sale pens are not only for direct slaughter but both direct slaughter and production and some farmers were now bending rules whereby they went on to breed animals coming from affected areas and as a result auctions there were closed then we said cattle should be sold at local sale pens,” said Bulawayo provincial veterinary officer Dr Bongani Mkhwananzi.
However, farmers felt the decision to close CC Sales and Agri-Auctions was hindering the viability of their livestock business as the location of these two auctioneers was convenient to buyers. The two auctioneers are reported to have been attracting more than 40 registered buyers.
“At outlying or district sale pens, the selection is limited hence most buyers shun such markets. The other deterrent to buyers going to outlying areas is time spent away from the office up to four times a week.
“CC Sales auction centres are far and wide apart, transport and transportation costs add to the final buying price thus discouraging buyers whereas if it were in Bulawayo most of the transport costs are borne by the seller.
“Farmers as well shun district auctions because the price is usually low due to lack of competition. But by far the biggest negative issue to the farmers is that with no auction centre in Bulawayo and poor attendance at district cattle sales, individual farmers are now going directly to the abattoirs, which happen to be the only market available to the farmer.
“Faced with this deluge of unsolicited cattle of all grades the abattoirs pay as they please,” said one of the renowned livestock farmers in Matabeleland Retired Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome.
He said farmers were the most affected when prices of cattle fall as they were unlikely to recoup the production and operational costs they would have incurred.
“While the falling prices have affected the whole market, at least the other stakeholders have retained their margins. The farmer’s operating costs have remained constant and with price reductions farmers face collapse of their ventures,” Rtd Brig-Gen Mayihlome said.
The producer price for commercial beef has fallen from around $1,80 to $1,20 per kilogramme while economy beef is around $1,50 to $0,70.
“Farmers want the two Bulawayo auction pens to be opened up immediately for all direct slaughter cattle. Any animal brought to the sale must end up dead at least until the risk of FMD has been cleared. Young stock or breeding cattle should be sold in district sale pens.
“With sale pens opening, farmers will be tempted to bring cattle to auction centres as opposed to abattoirs where there is no competition. Buyers will then also converge on central points. Only in this way can a transparent and fair market be established,” said Rtd Brig-Gen Mayihlome.
The Vet Department acknowledged that abattoirs were overwhelmed by the number of cattle being brought for sale by farmers but hinted that it was due to the effects of drought as farmers hasten to destock.
“At the moment there are overwhelming numbers of cattle at abattoirs but it’s not only because of FMD. It’s also the drought situation because the number of cattle being sent to the abattoirs will be high, as a result the prices will be lower due to the poor conditions of the animals.
“We will, however, consider lifting the ban in March when animals will be in a better condition. The reprieve will only be extended to peri-urban farmers situated within the 30-kilometre radius from the city and it will be only for direct slaughter.
Farmers further away will resort to cattle sale pens which were recently established,” Dr Mkhwananzi said.
