Zambia Agribusiness Society

B-complex vitamins must be supplemented on a regular basis. They offer livestock better immune response to diseases. They are needed in energy metabolism. Vitamin B-complex is essential in times of stress such as vaccinations, moving from location to location, deworming and in times of diseases challenge. Better yet, some products of vitamin B-complex contains minerals such as Selenium. Importance of Selenium in Cattle, Sheep and Goats Normal growth and fertility Helps prevent mastitis and calf scours Important in metabolism Deficiency in selenium may cause: Suboptimal milk production Suboptimal fertility in cattle Premature, weak calves, prenatal death and abortions. Go ahead grab a bottle of Vitamin B-complex supplement for your animals.

Hello fellow farmers! Don't waste your money when testing soil pH . Someone comes to your farm, collect a soil sample and go away without examining whether your farm has acidic, alkaline or neutral soil. Let me share with you on how to test soil pH in order to obtain good produce in your farm. Areas to Avoid During Soil Test 1.     Avoid taking soil sample along the boundary take at middle of your farm. 2.     Avoid areas where there is manure. 3.     Avoid areas where there are trees. 4.     Avoid swampy areas. Methods Used to Collect Soil Sample 1.     Traverse method. 2.     Zigzag method. How to Test Soil pH Material Required 1.     Soil 2.     Water 3.     Vinegar 4.     Baking soda Take soil from different areas of your garden. Put 2 spoonful into separated container. Add half cup of vinegar. Result: If it fizzes you have alkaline soil with pH of 7 - 8. Best Crop at Alkaline Soil Cabbage, spinach, beans, leek, sunflower, watermelon etc.

Important guidance notes for the incubation of eggs. The following guide meets the conditions required for poultry eggs in all automatic incubators, but other egg breeds are closely similar. The first consideration in the incubation process is of course the selection and treatment of eggs. There are three important aspects to address: Stock breed and its vigour – do not expect high fertility or hatch rates from a declining strain. Breeding stock health – stock must be free of any ailments, be in peak of condition and fed on best quality rations. This applies to both cockerels/cocks and pullets/hens. Storage of hatching eggs - they should be collected frequently to avoid unknown increases in temperature that could trigger the start of incubation, and they should be clean. If they do need a rinse, only use tepid warm water with a suitable mild disinfectant, and only a very short gentle rinse. They should be stored in a cool dark room and

Agriculture is vital to the continued diversification of Zambia’s economy and to rural prosperity and food security for all Zambians. The country’s agricultural market system is exceedingly complex. Building the sector requires a systematic approach that encompasses entire targeted value chains. All links are important. Without a link to a profitable source of market demand, farmers will not invest in their farms. Without a reliable, affordable, and local source of quality raw materials, processors will not expand operations based on local materials and will not see local farmers as long-term partners. Without links to experienced extension services and market information, farmers will not be able to take advantage of market opportunities. Without reliable sources of quality inputs, farmers will not be able to efficiently produce the quantities or quality needed to meet market demand. To inform future efforts, we have compiled cross-cutting lessons learned in our twelve years of exis

Traditional farmers fulfil some principles of organic farming already by relying on farm own resources, growing different crops simultaneously and raising livestock. However, there are still practices, which clearly distinguish such farms from organic farms. The following challenges need to be addressed for conversion: Avoid burning of crop residues after harvest as this is, in most cases, not a viable solution, since it destroys valuable organic material and damages soil organisms. Establish a well organised diversification systems including a ‘planned’ crop rotation and intercropping systems. Accumulate knowledge and practice regarding efficient use of farm own resources, especially for compost production to manage and improve soil fertility. Avoid indiscriminate tree cutting for firewood and charcoal burning. Establish a system to collect the animal manure for composting. Apply measures to prevent loss of soil through erosion and protect it from drying out. Pay special attention

Just like humans need proper food packed with healthy nutrients to help us grow strong and vigorous, your plants also need the right foods. Feed your plants the right foods in the right ways and you too could see consistent yields of 3-plus pounds per grow light, like many growers today who follow these feeding guidelines. To help you on your path to successful growing, in this article we’re going to cover everything you need to know about plant food and what you need for your high-value plants and specialized strains, including: 1.     What plant-specific nutrients do and why they are so important for high-value crops. 2.    How to know exactly what to feed your plants during every stage of their growth cycle to get maximum yields, potency and performance. 3.     In addition, common feeding mistakes, along with how to fix them as quickly as possible. Let us start with the basics… What are plant nutrients, what do they do, and why are they so important? Just like food f

Planning your farm will help you get started, and define where you will end up. So you've decided you want to farm (congratulations!). But what do you grow? What are the conditions you have to work with (such as soil/ location/ water) and what resources are you able to invest? 1. Do your homework: Attend farmer workshops, conferences and visit the market to see what is in demand and the prices. Keep a notebook to track your findings. Read magazines or any materials related to farming, join farming groups on social media and obviously stick to this like page LOL. Talk with established farmers in your area, they will usually have plenty of experience. You should really consider working on someone else's farm for a season or two. You will gain valuable skills and experience. Nothing prepares you better to farm than experience does. 2. Draft a plan and set farm goals: Goal setting is important in every aspect of farming. Since farming is a business, it needs a vision and plan

The agriculture sector is one of the major contributors to the country’s economy. Horticulture, for instance, generates more than $1 billion annually. The demand for food is high not only locally but also internationally. However, food production is determined by the soil health. The primary indicator of soil health is soil pH. The yields from the farm and what you can grow can be predicted by the soil pH. It is therefore important to manage the soil pH for your crop. Factors Affecting Soil pH Most crops perform well when the pH levels are neutral, ranging between 6 to 7.5. Low pH can inhibit the nitrogen cycle. Some inherent factors affecting soil pH include  soil texture ,  mineral content , and  climate . Minerals in the parent material determine the pH of newly formed soils. When the rainfall amounts are high, the soil pH decreasing as a result of acidification caused by leaching. In dry environments, the soil pH is either alkaline or neutral since weathering and leaching are l