Zambia Agribusiness Society

During the wet season especially in phosphorus deficient countries such as Botswana when the energy and protein levels in the feed are high the need for phosphorus increases as it becomes the limiting nutrient. Limiting nutrient means this nutrient limits the ability of the animal to reach the performance target. When fed phosphorus during the wet season cattle can show a great response with improved live-weight gain, improved fertility, and increased milk production. The major impact of phosphorus is reduction of appetite which leads to low weaning rates and increased mortality. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency: 1.     Lameness. 2.     Poor growth rate/ retarded growth rate in young cattle - wonder why your young animals are not growing check their phosphorus level. 3.     Peg leg. 4.     Stiff gait. 5.     BOTULISM may be encountered in phosphorus deficient cattle from chewing bones. Choosing phosphorus supplements Assess using: 1.     Cost. 2.     Infrast

Why do cattle chew their cud? What is cud? Are they born knowing how to do it? What triggers this response? For us humans with our simple stomachs, it can be a little hard to understand what goes on in the digestive system of a ruminant animal. You may have thought about these questions – and others – before, but it may have been hard to find clear answers. Let us spend some time talking about cattle and their cud! First of all, we know that cattle are ruminant animals. This is commonly described as having four stomachs, but that is not entirely accurate. It is more like they have a four-compartment stomach. Each compartment has a different job, looks different, and is a slightly different size. This impacts what kinds of foods they can eat, and the amount of nutrients they can get from that food. The four compartments of a ruminant stomach are the reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum. Food will first be chewed, then sent down the oesophagus (like in monogastric animals like us

Dr. Obakeng Mfikwe, the founder of Lekatu Simbras & Simmentalers stud, hung up his stethoscope in 2010 to establish a successful commercial mixed-farming operation in Lichtenburg and Magaliesburg, under the name of KMF Farm Holdings. Lekatu Simbras & Simmentalers has won numerous awards and has dominated shows across the country. Owner Obakeng Mfikwe, a medical doctor who took early retirement, believes that by setting big goals you might miss them – but if you don’t set them, it is almost guaranteed you won’t reach them. For him, the goal is building an integrated meat enterprise to supply local and international markets. KMF Farm Holdings runs its mixed-farming operations on five farms totalling 2, 894ha; four in Lichtenburg, North West, and one in Magaliesburg, on the border between Gauteng and North West. The mixed operations include a 172, 000-per-cycle broiler production, 350 Simbra, Simmentaler and Black Angus stud breeding cows, and 1, 152ha for grain production. On t

Ticks can be identified by direct examination without the use of microscopes or hand lens. Those filled with blood are easier to identify because they are large and also reddish from the consumed blood. To find ticks on your livestock, comb the hairs or feathers to expose and examine the skin directly. Ticks may have preferred attachment sites that protect them to a certain degree from being dislodged by animal grooming. Areas around the head, in the ears, on the shoulders and other parts of the body can harbour attached ticks. On cattle, ticks can be found in highly vascularized areas of the skin (i.e., tail, udder). Unattached ticks can be recovered from the host by combing and examining the comb. It is important to identify the types of ticks attacking your livestock. This is because some ticks carry agents that transmit deadly infections that may wipe out your stock. Find someone knowledgeable or use biological reference manuals for easy identification. Livestock extension office

By now you’ve probably heard rumours about cow farts containing greenhouse gases or that reducing the meat in your diet will save the planet. But how true are the things you’re hearing? Today, I’d like to go through and fact check some rumours and claims to see where the truth is. First of all, I’d like to establish what climate and climate change is.  Climate is not weather . Weather is how cold or warm or rainy or sunny it is on one particular day.  Climate  is the pattern. It’s how consistently it is warm or cold or rainy or sunny during certain times of the year.  We are experiencing climate change . Things like warmer Arctic temperatures delivering an  Arctic blast  as far south as the Midwest and  more frequent severe storms  during the summer months attest to this. In agriculture, climate change is  especially concerning , because agriculture is dependent on Mother Nature cooperating. We have  benefited greatly  from advanced crop breeding and management techniques that help

The real reason for engaging in the business of farming is to make profits. But profits don't just come. You have to work it out! One of the best ways to make better profits in livestock and poultry farming is to do away with unnecessary costs. A wise farmer will continually look for ways to cut costs without necessarily reducing the quality of his farm products. Profits boosting ideas in livestock farming Let us look at some ideas that will greatly boost your farm profits in both short and long runs. 1. Strict hygiene/ biosecurity : We cannot overemphasize the need for hygiene in the farming environment. There is no money spent on hygiene that will not turn to gains eventually. Do not give room to dirty attendants and practices; they are profits killers. 2. Preventive health mentality: Always aim to prevent disease outbreak in your farming operations. Strive at all cost to do all necessary preventive practices. It is always better and cheaper to prevent disease than

Artificial Insemination (AI) is when fertilization of the livestock is achieved by injecting the semen of a male animal into the vagina of the female counterpart using other techniques than the male. It is performed by qualified personnel who have been trained. This is because the activity involves delicate parts which need to be held very well. Artificial insemination is mostly used in beef cattle and dairy cattle but it applies to other livestock, such as goats, chickens etc. AI also brings the issue of crossbreeding to surface as the bull selected can be of a different breed and the farmer would want to improve his/her stock. The success of artificial insemination is highly dependent on management skills and commitment of the farmer and the farm. The farm needs to have an intensive breeding system which will allow for AI activities. The farmer should pay attention to details of all the farm practices that takes place and even preparation before mating so that at least 90% conception

I had an exciting Saturday morning this past weekend at my friend’s farm in Sentlhane, where he was administrating AI on his cattle. Advanced farming practices like AI is used to improve herd genetics - this method can also be effective for communal farmers especially when facing bull-related issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, as well as many others. In addition, if a proper breeding season is followed, a bull is used for only about two months of the year, so using AI saves money and grazing. When choosing genetics to select from a bull catalogue in order to purchase your semen, it's vital to know which characteristics you are looking for e.g. ease of calving, good feed conversion, and adaptability to the tough environment. Especially in areas where it can be dry and hot, so this should be a priority. Artificial insemination (AI) is one of the most effective tools available to cattle producers to improve productivity and profitability of their cattle operation.

There are a number of cattle businesses to consider if you are looking for a profitable future in animal agriculture especially cattle. 1. Cow/Calf Enterprises also Known as Weaner Production Here entrepreneurs produce calves for sale, calves are sold from 6 months to 8 months at around 120kg to 180kg. This business is suitable for entrepreneurs who borrow funds from institutions such as CEDA, NDB and youth. It provides a source of finance to pay back funders while growing the business. Who should buy from cow- calf enterprises? Employed Youth looking to start off an investment, instead of saving in banks, get that money and buy a calf every month. By December you have 12 calves and by the next year they start breeding. Don't not expect to cash from this business, it's an investment, give it time to mature. Nature it, and become a commercial cattle breeder. 2. Commercial Cattle Breeding Commercial (a cross between different breeds, generally without any type of docu

Drought seems to have become a permanent part of Southern Africa’s weather patterns, but many farmers are still caught unaware, and suffer accordingly. Southern Africa has always experienced droughts, but in the past they didn’t seem to linger for as long as they do these days. Spring rain seems to have largely disappeared, while summer rains appear to be arriving later and later. Many areas now receive rain only in late December, and by February the rain has stopped falling. Communal farmers should work collectively or in large groups to plant crops such as Smuts finger grass as summer feed or oats as a winter feed crop. Here are some additional strategies to help your farming enterprise through a drought: ·          Whether you farm as an individual or a community, save enough money to buy supplementary feed. Stockpile this feed before prices start to rise and feed becomes scarce. ·          Budget properly. Work out the exact daily cost of the supplementary feed. For exa