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Agriculture Reporter
DESPITE generating high quality drinking water and pastures that are contributing to continued improvement of livestock condition, the persistent rains hitting most parts of the country are also a source of muddy kraals associated with the problem of foot rot especially in cattle.
This came out in the weekly summer season preparedness report dated February 6, which was availed by the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) chief director Professor Obert Jiri’s on Friday.
The report highlighted that the high rainfall quantities received in the high veld in recent weeks had also improved livestock’s access to drinking water while they had also given rise to the occurrence of foot rot in animals, courtesy of the muddy state of kraals they are known to cause.
Prof Jiri challenged farmers to introduce rotational use of kraals to minimise incidences of the foot rot disease. He also urged livestock farmers to vaccinate their animals against soil-borne diseases that are typical of the wet season.
Meanwhile, Prof Jiri also took the opportunity to encourage farmers to start preparations for hay baling saying hay cutting and baling should start mid-March and be concluded at the end of the same month.
Online Reporter