malvernmugadzikwa
Word from the Market
Chipo Tachiona
EARLY this year, the Government declared war on the January disease following a rise in its cases and cattle deaths across the country.
Several programmes were lined up, in collaboration with private sector organisations and development partners, as part of the broader effort to tame the tick-borne disease.
Other tick-borne diseases that can affect cattle are heartwater, anaplasmosis or gall sickness, and babesiosis or red water.
The Government then embarked on a marathon programme to rehabilitate dip tanks across the country. However, the war against the January disease can be won if all avenues are explored, and the deployment of spray races can be one of them.
How it works
Spray races are typically made of pipes in a tunnel arrangement, with nozzles placed strategically to wet the cattle completely as they pass through. A pump powered by either petrol engine, electric motor or a solar-powered pump draws the spray mixture from a sump and forces it under pressure through the spray nozzles.
The best results come from pumps that supply large amounts of water while being run at relatively low pressure. An example is a 6.5 horsepower water pump. The nozzles are designed in a way that allows them to be altered to spray at various angles.
This makes sure the animal is completely drenched in spray. A simple filtration mechanism keeps the system safe as a whole. The amount of disinfection required per animal is far less than with older methods such as cattle dipping and use of hand-spray pumps.
Safety measures
Farmers should check the treated animals to ensure they are completely drenched, paying specific attention to any areas where the targeted pest is most likely to be found, such as behind the ear or beneath the tail.
There is need to control the flow rates of cattle through the race so that the animals can stroll, not run, and may be adequately wetted.
Because the spray wash is recycled, it is essential to reduce the amount of dirt and other foreign material pouring down into the sump.
There is need to regularly check spray nozzles to make sure any blocked ones are quickly found, cleaned out or replaced.
Take cattle through a footbath before they approach the spray race, as this helps prevent hoof disorders.
Many hoof conditions, including laminitis, can affect cattle and lessen the movement and well-being of a cow and may cause lameness.
Footbath solutions should be a minimum of 10 centimetres deep to ensure adequate coverage of the foot area.
Copper sulphate is commonly used as a non-antibiotic footbath solution for cattle.
Particular attention should also be paid to stripping; this occurs when a chemical is absorbed preferentially by the skin and hair coat.
As a result, the spray is more effective, but the amount of the active chemical in the sump gradually decreases.
By using continuous replenishment — which automatically adds fresh dip water to the spray sump using the starting concentration of chemical, or reinforcement, which adds additional concentrated chemical when the sump level drops — the effects of stripping can be reduced, and all cattle are given an effective dose of chemical.
Farmers should look for directions on the product’s label on reinforcing, replenishing or filling up the water to lessen the effects of stripping.
Benefits
There is less waste from acaricides.
Spray races ensure a more flexible operation, for example, changing the acaracide is easy due to the system’s requirement for large quantities of both water and chemical.
It can be used to quickly spray a large number of animals; it is suitable for a large herd. The animals are guaranteed of receiving a suitable application of the acaricide. Only one person is needed to start the motor and move the animals through the spray race.
So, in essence, it requires less labour to operate. Small animals like sheep and goats can be handled and accommodated, unlike in dip tanks.
Spray races are better for weaker animals like calves and pregnant cows, and also less stressful for cattle.
Since there is no swimming involved, it means there are lower chances of mishaps such as leg breaks.
Problems in using a spray race
Spray race nozzles are prone to blocking if a sieve is not used, and this may compromise the effectiveness of the equipment. Improper construction/engineering will leave the farmer with an ineffective unit, which can adversely affect results. The spray race must be properly operated. As such, it is critical that the personnel are adequately trained.
To show its resolve, Government last year launched the Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Strategy (2022-2030) to fight a myriad of diseases affecting the livestock sector, in line with the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan.
The plan seeks to attain a US$2 billion livestock economy by 2025 and contribute to food security and nutrition, employment creation, household incomes and, ultimately, growth of the rural economy, as the country journeys towards Vision 2030.
Chipo Tachiona is the director of Farmyard Investment. Word from the Market is a column produced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to promote market-driven production. Feedback: [email protected] or WhatsApp +263781706212.
Online Reporter