Maphari Machaka
Livestock production particularly in rural areas is the backbone of household nutritional security and poverty alleviation. Animals are raised for meat and milk and other related activities such as live sales, auctions, trophies and being processed to the production of wors, tin beef, bacon, among others.
The management part of it requires an agri-preneur equipped with necessary skills backed up by passion for sustainability.
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) hosted famers day on livestock production and management to provide required skills to succeed in the industry. This was held at Mmakata Agriculture Local Office, Ga-Molepo on the 13 September 20223.
The event unpacked all the basic requirements (animal nutrition and production, animal health management, veld care, enterprise development and re-sale scheme) to run a successful livestock production. Farmers were advised that the primary functions of raising an animal (cattle, goats, sheep or pigs) to a point of sale for meat require a day-to-day care, selective and breeding.
Livestock farmers were made aware of a major disease in livestock and advised to put preventative measures in place.
Livestock farmers were urged to build a proper structure as a starting point. Cattle need water, minerals, protein and energy as part of providing nutrition to promote health in livestock, which will result in a higher productivity in health, and meat. In line of breeding, farmers were advised to choose the system suitable for his/her own regions around their farms.
For animal identification, farmers were advised to keep records, not only to improve and manage herd, but also minimize theft. Managing records include inventory of all animal types such as cow, bulls, oxen, heifers and calves, the number of deaths and sales. Keeping records also assist farmers to identify costs incurred on herd such as feed, protein supplement, labour, transport, commission, medicine, veterinary services, and repairs to infrastructure.
Assertion was also flagged on control of diseases on animals as there several diseases such as heartwater, red water, anaplasmosis, black quarter, botulism, lumpy skin, parasite control for both internal and external, that farmers need to take note of and put preventative measures in place.
Lekganyane Mogadime from Lerato Le Kgotso Agricultural Training and Development urged farmers who are aged to involve young people who still have the energy to run this lucrative business and grow the economy and address the unemployment in this country.
Lekganyane Mogadime urges involvement of young people in livestock production to increase the economy and address the unemployment.
