By Chipo Tachiona
MANY parts of the country have for several weeks been experiencing dry spell owing to an El-Nino phenomena. This has resulted in crops succumbing to moisture stress. Livestocks have not been spared.
Managing cattle during drought can be a difficult and stressful task. Drought conditions can cause a variety of problems, such as poor nutrition, increased parasite loads, and water shortages.
However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize these problems and keep cattle healthy. The first step is to have a good understanding of the specific challenges that can occur during drought. This will help the farmer to prepare and make the best decisions for the herd.
During drought period, proper nutrition is key to maintaining the health of cattle. One way to assess the nutritional status of cattle is by observing their body condition. A healthy cow should have a body condition score of 5 or 6 on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese. If the body condition score is below 5, it’s critical to take steps to improve the diet and prevent further weight loss.
If a cow is losing weight, it’s also important to provide a diet that is balanced in energy, protein and minerals. Supplementation may be necessary during such periods. For example, trace minerals such as copper and zinc are often lacking in drought-stressed cattle. It’s advisable to provide a mineral supplement that contains calcium and phosphorus. In addition, protein supplements may be needed if the quality of forage is low.
Finally, lactating cows have different nutritional needs than dry cows, so it’s important to tailor the diet to the stage of lactation. Limit feeding or feeding a controlled amount of feed can be a way to conserve hay supplies while still meeting the nutritional needs of cattle.
Buck grain, also known as whole-grain corn, is a good option for limit feeding because it is high in energy and easy for cattle to digest. However, it’s important to make sure that the cattle have access to plenty of water, since buck grain can cause them to drink more than usual. Generally speaking, hay and grain can be expensive during drought, since there is less supply and more demand. However, there are some less expensive options available such as cottonseed meal. These by-products of other industries can be cost-effective ways to supplement the diet of cattle during a drought.
Another important consideration is to provide access to shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Without shade, cattle can suffer from heat stress, which can lead to decreased milk production, reproductive problems like abortions and lower conception rates and even death.
Water management is also crucial. There are several strategies that farmers can use to conserve water and ensure that their herds have access to clean, fresh water. For example, tanks can be installed with meters to monitor water usage, and low-flow watering systems can be used to reduce waste. In addition, ponds can be used to store water, and cisterns can be used to collect rainwater. Another strategy is to rotate pastures, so that the grazing animals don’t deplete one area of its water resources.
It’s important to carefully consider the decision to breed cows during drought. One strategy is to wean calves early, in order to allow cows to regain condition before being bred again. This can reduce the amount of feed required, but it may have negative effects on the future production of the herd. Another option is to reduce the number of days a cow is exposed to a bull, in order to limit the number of calves born during the following year. This can help to ensure that there is enough feed for the existing herd, but it may also reduce future productivity. It might be necessary to cull cows that are less productive. However, culling can also have negative effects on the overall genetic diversity of the herd, so it’s important to balance the need to maintain productivity with the need to maintain genetic diversity.
Vaccinations are an important part of herd health, both during and outside of drought period. During drought times, it is important to focus on vaccines that protect against diseases that could be exacerbated by stress, such as pneumonia and scours (also known as calf diarrhoea, is a common illness in young calves).
In addition, dipping cows and calves can help to prevent parasites from spreading during drought, when animals may be in closer proximity to each other. For dipping, spray races have an advantage in that they require less water than dipping tanks, which need to be filled with water in order to submerge the cattle. In addition, spray races can be used with water that is not as clean as what is needed for a dipping tank, since the cattle are not submerged.
By understanding the nutritional needs of cattle, considering the cost of various feeding options, and implementing appropriate biosecurity measures, farmers can help their herds to survive and thrive during a drought. With careful planning and preparation, even the most difficult times can be weathered.
Chipo Tachiona is Farmyard Investments director.
Word from the market is a column produced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to promote market-driven production. Feedback cchiduku@ama.co.zw or WhatsApp/Call +263781706212.
