By McGeorge Mbare
Matebeleland South provincial livestock officer Hatitye Muchemwa has urged Beitbridge farmers to continue breeding their local breeds, Nguni and Tuli, as they are highly resistant to diseases.
Following the high rate of January diseases also known as tick- borne disease which has affected cattle in several districts under Mat South, except Beitbridge, Muchemwa implored farmers to increase breeding of these two breeds to secure resistant breeds in Beitbridge.
“Beitbridge is the only district that has not recorded January diseases cases so far because of high rate of Nguni and Tuli breed of cattle which are very good at resisting disease and drought. I urge farmers to keep increasing the breeding of this two,” Muchemwa.
Muchemwa also emphasized that both Nguni and Tuli breed produce exceptional beef meat. Therefore if Mat South farmers continue breeding them it could attract buyers from across the country.
Muchemwa also urged farmers to dip and vaccinate their livestock to control pest and diseases.Dipping helps control external parasites like ticks which can transmit diseases while vaccination promotes immunity against specific diseases.
Additionally, he stated that farmers should to practice stockpiling, haymaking and urea treatment of stover as preparation for drought feeding.
“As farmers no animal should die under our watch, either during drought or rainy season, farmers should always be prepared to vaccinate and control diseases,” Muchemwa stated.
He also emphasized that Nguni and Tuli cattle breeds are known for their long reproductive life, as they are capable of bearing twelve to fifteen calves in their lifespan, an advantage for farmers.