Livestock farmers urged to stock up on feed

Business Reporter
MANGWE Farmers Association in Plumtree has urged livestock producers in the area to take contingency measures on time to mobilise stockfeed in case the rainy season fails to recover pastures to last until the next wet season. Due to erratic rainfall, Matabeleland South Province tends to be prone to droughts that have over the years depleted pastures.
Cattle have died as a result of lack of pasture.

While, so far the wet spell has boosted pastures and the condition of livestock, farmers have been urged to be ready, in case the coming dry season diminishes grazing.

Mangwe Farmers Association chairman Adam Bango Dube said:
“During this time of the year, when the country is receiving rainfall, our livestock here (Matabeleland South) are in good health because the grazing lands are good and water is there.

“However, farmers should not relax saying water and pastures are there.
“They should learn from previous experiences that the region receives erratic rains resulting in successive droughts.

“At a time when things seem to be good, the farmers should source stock feed now and not wait”, he said.
His organisation is running a number of feedlots in Mangwe District. If one sends twong stock feed.

“The idea of running feedlots is to help farmers fatten a few cattle and sell them so that they can afford to buy stock feed for the remaining animals.

“However, it is not always the case that when one wants to sell his or her cattle the animals have to come for fattening. If healthy, the cattle can be sold any time,” Dube said.

He said farmers in Mangwe would this year continue working on increasing their feedlot schemes.
“We are going to finish up on the three projects which were started last year and open seven more feedlots to ensure that in each and every ward there is a feedlot,” he said.