ZFU establishes feed-lot

The feed-lot project is aimed at assisting farmers make profit from livestock through improving quality of the ultimate product.
It is targeting cattle ranging areas such as Matabeleland North and South and Masvingo provinces.

A feed-lot, also known as a feed yard, is a land area under a perimeter fence where livestock is restricted for two to three months and fed a highly specialised diet to fatten it before marketing and slaughter.

Prior to entering a feed-lot, cattle are weighed, dosed, dipped and vaccinated to eliminate diseases and pests.
This is followed by an induction process where animals are introduced to the new environment and stock feeds within minimum movement. ZFU Livestock expert Lloyd Mataya said plans were afoot to spread the feed-lots across the country.

“The issue is on primarily improving the quality of cattle before it is sold. Currently, we are engaging various partners for the purpose of scaling up the program. We want to cover the whole southern part of the country soon,” Mataya said.

Mataya said the union was also exploring ways of establishing similar feed-lots for goats. “It is not a secret that small livestock production is mostly considered a women’s business. Therefore a deliberate move to boost small livestock production and marketing would ultimately lead to women empowerment,” he said. — New Ziana.