Chipinge farmers take up hay production

07 Oct, 2016 - 00:10 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Blessing Rwizi Farming Correspondent

CHIPINGE Livestock Development Trust has embarked on a hay production initiative aimed at boosting animal production which is under threat from drought.

Drought killed and affected thousands of cattle in the district in 2015.

CLDT started hay production early this month using the money obtained from stock feed sales during drought mitigation last year.

The initiative is aimed at adding value and boosting cattle production in the district, with a view of improving livelihoods for farmers.

Hay is sold to farmers to pen fatten their cattle.

Most cattle in Chipinge have been fetching low market prices due to poor live weight, a problem that can only rectified through pen fattening.

Livestock Production Department head for Manicaland, Mr Joshua Zveutete, said: “There has been a change over the recent months in cattle production around the district. It is quite pleasing and we believe that hay production will also add value to the quality of cattle in Chipinge since most of them had lost weight due to drought. The reason why we encouraged farmers to pen fatten is that instead of selling these cattle at low prices, farmers can use fodder to increase their weight and get good prices on the market.”

Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing animals such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep.

It is also fed to smaller animals such as rabbits and pigs.

It can be used as animal fodder when or where there is not enough pasture or when grazing is unavailable due to unfavourable weather conditions. In cases where animals fail to access pastures, hay can also be used.

 

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