adminThe Herald, July 20, 1979
IN the past six weeks, Cold Storage Commission has saved nearly 14 000 cows from slaughter under a Government scheme designed to rebuild the country’s breeding herd.
The general manager of CSC, Mr Tony Hall, said arrangements were being made to hold back at another 10 000 head of cows from the abattoirs.
The scheme was announced by the Transitional Government in May and launched by CSC early June.
The idea was to preserve breeding stock for rebuilding the breeding herd, and to arrest the high rate of female herd slaughtering.
In March this year, 63 percent of the animals slaughtered werecows, and 30 percent of those were in calf. In previous months, females had numbered about 50 percent of the total killed.
Under the scheme, the CSC offers to purchase certain eligible breeding stock committed for slaughter on a live mass basis at equivalent slaughter value.
After an agreement is reached between the CSC and the farmer the aim then is, wherever possible, to encourage farmers to retain the stock on their properties.
In such cases, the cattle are paid for branded with the commission’s brand and placed on a Grazier agreement with the farmer concerned.
Where farmers are unable to retain the stocks on their properties, the commission purchases the cattle and moves them to holding grounds pending resale or placement with other farmers.
Mr Hall said that while the CSC is taking the initiative in contacting farmers who might be willing to participate in the scheme, interested producers were welcome to contact the CSC as well.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
In any business venture, especially in animal husbandry, it is critical to ensure continuity and sustainability through preservation of breeding stock.
Branding is an important aspect in rearing cattle and aiding in the identification of the animals, in the event that they are stolen or lost.
Corporates, especially those that are into agro-processing should work hand in glove with farmers who are the primary producers of their raw material. This will ensure increased capacity and growth in output leading to growth in business and profits. In Zimbabwe, contract farming has been key in driving production of crops such as tobacco, cotton, and soya beans among other crops.
With the imminent return of the CSC, there is need for farmers to start preparing their stock so that the company’s operations are sustained.
Online Reporter