ProAgri Zambia 79

ProAgri celebrates women in agriculture

The month of August is a significant month on the South African calen dar. Each year, the country celebrates Women’s Month that offers an excel lent opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and the important role that women have played, and con tinue to play, in agriculture and the broader South African society. National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday and is celebrated annually on the 9th of August.

The contribution of women in the ag ricultural sector and food production is significant. There are many women who deserve recognition. In this edition, we shall focus on a few women that are on the rise in agricultural sector.

As we celebrate Women's Month, we raise our glasses to women leading the way. To all the ladies at ProAgri, thank you for the vital role you play in shaping

our cultural and social attitudes and encourage us to remain fearless.

In the cover story of this month’s edition of ProAgri Zambia 79, you can read more about Jesper Lublink of Mubuyu Farms in southern Zam bia, and his success story with his Zimmatic pivots on page 3. We take a look at the core elements of dry season feeding and supplementation for grazing animals and the process of how to make apple cider vinegar.

Please keep in touch with us, and visit our websites www.proagrimedia. com and proagri.co.za to keep up to date with the latest agricultural news.

ProAgri greetings

Bianca Henning bianca@proagri.co.za

Cover

Zimmatic is a leader in innovative irrigation for more than 50 years. They offer highperforming centre pivot irrigation. From small fields to large, multifield operations, discover how Zimmatic products can help expand your field’s potential –read more on page 3.

ProAgri ProAgri

Nangwenya House No. 7352 Nangwenya Road Rhodespark +26 (0)97-769-9786 www.proagri.co.za

Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. No material, text or photographs may be reproduced, copied or in any other way transmitted without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the editor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their respective owners. ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

ProAgri Zambia

Editor Bianca Henning >

Reporters Benine Ackermann > Maryna Steyn >

Natasha Kruger >

Specialist Writer Annemarie Bremner >

Senior Production Manager Zainab Pandor >

Client Relations Manager

Carin Swartz >

Marketing Manager

Diane Grobler Xander Pieterse

Johan Swartz

Tiny Smith Gotz

Lynette van Tonder

Creative

Christiaan Joubert

+27 82-326-2572 bianca@proagri.co.za +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za +27 82-261-9177 maryna@proagri.co.za +27 81-736-4236 natasha@proagri.co.za +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za +26 (0)97-769-9786 zainab@proagri.co.za +27 84-233-0123 carin@proagri.co.za +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za +27 71-599-9417 johan@proagri.co.za +27 82-698-3353 tiny@proagri.co.za +27 76-820-8478 brandon@proagri.co.za +27 74-694-4422 lynette@proagri.co.za +27 72-419-3990 christiaan@proagri.co.za

Design Michelle Kruger & Lizelle Erasmus Botha

Distribution subscription Volmer-van Zyl

Accounts Schluter

Business

George Grobler

+27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za +27 79-515-8708 nita@proagri.co.za +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za

DRILLS

SOIL CULTIVATION

PLOUGHS

VERSATILE ALL-ROUNDERS

BEST CONDITIONS

Characteristic for the entire plow program from LEMKEN is the comprehensive range of equipment features for all plows. There is the optimum implement for basic soil cultivation for all requirements.

LEMKEN offers a wide product range of compact disc harrows and cultivators to enable a coordinated strategy for stubble and subsoil cultivation depending on the location, soil and crop rotation.

LEMKEN offers a wide product range of compact disc harrows and cultivators to enable a coordinated strategy for stubble and subsoil cultivation depending on the location, soil and crop rotation.

Possible equipment includes:

° mechanical and hydraulic systems for stone protection

The machines offer:

LEMKEN offers a wide product range of compact disc harrows and cultivators to enable a coordinated strategy for stubble and subsoil cultivation depending on the location, soil and crop rotation.

The machines offer:

° various options for selecting the distance between the individual bodies for blockage-free work

o High operating comfort with maximum operational safety

o Equipped with powerful electronics on request

The machines offer:

° stepped and stepless variants for adjusting the working width

° High operating comfort with maximum operational safety

° High operating comfort with maximum operational safety

° Suitable plows for all soil conditions and any tractor from 40 hp

o For conventional and conservation tillage

° Equipped with powerful electronics on request

° Equipped with powerful electronics on request

PRECISE TECHNOLOGY

OUR DRIVING FORCE: YOUR SUCCESS!

° For conventional and conservation tillage

° For conventional and conservation tillage

OUR DRIVING FORCE: YOUR SUCCESS!

precise, powerful: That‘s seed drill technology from LEMKEN! seed placement – in conventional as well as in conservation tillage. Seed Drills: mounted, trailed or semi-mounted. working widths from 3 to 12 meters. effective in various farming operations. capacities available from 860 to 5800 litres.

Contact your nearest LEMKEN dealer to find out more: Karel Munnik, Managing Director, 082 412 2577, k.munnik@lemken.com Blackie Swart, Area Sales Manager, 082 404 9651, b.swart@lemken.com SOIL CULTIVATION VERSATILE ALL-ROUNDERS

OUR DRIVING FORCE: YOUR SUCCESS! lemken.com

OUR DRIVING FORCE: YOUR SUCCESS!

Contact your nearest LEMKEN dealer to find out more: Karel Munnik, Managing Director, 082 412 2577, k.munnik@lemken.com Blackie Swart, Area Sales Manager, 082 404 9651, b.swart@lemken.com

Contact your nearest LEMKEN dealer to find out more: Karel Munnik, Managing Director, 082 412 2577, k.munnik@lemken.com Blackie Swart, Area Sales Manager, 082 404 9651, b.swart@lemken.com lemken.com

DRIVING FORCE: YOUR SUCCESS!

LEMKEN dealer to find out more: Managing Director, 082 412 2577, k.munnik@lemken.com Sales Manager, 082 404 9651, b.swart@lemken.com

Rely on Zimmatic for wise water application

W ater is one of our biggest chal lenges, declares Jesper Lublinkof of Mubuyu Farms in southern Zambia, 85 km south of Lusaka in the Chikankata District. During the winter months (May to September), wheat is grown on 800 hectares of irrigated land. In the summer months, the crop is rotated with soya beans. An additional 65 hec tares produce Arabica coffee under the name, Munali Coffee.

Jesper's father, Willem, immigrated from Holland to Zambia in 1968 as a skills development worker. He man aged a dairy farm in the Mazabuk area. In 1971, he purchased the first plot of Mubuya Farms.

Willem immediately started working on waterworks such as dams, weirs, and canals. Irrigation was a natural extension of this. In 1979, he was responsible for bringing the first centre pivot into Zambia. At that time, there were reportedly only five pivots in Southern Africa.

"The farmers thought this Dutchman was crazy," he laughs. "The fields were square or rectangular and I was put ting a circle in the centre of it."

But Willem knew what he was doing. Soon the pivot drew attention. "It was efficient, it used very little electricity to rotate, and was quickly and easily adjusted to apply the correct quantity of water," says Jesper. "Soon more farmers became interested in irrigating with pivots and sales took off. It has become the most cost-effective way to irrigate."

Irrigation management with Zimmatic by Lindsay

"On this farm, we have two rivers flow ing into the main dam. This dam has a storage capacity of 17 million cubic metres, but it is mostly only 30% full. In a drought, we might receive 340 mm whereas the normal rainfall is 825 mm. Then we can have hardly any inflow. We have a few boreholes, but they yield very little," Jesper explains.

The oldest pivot had overhead

sprinklers with no pressure regulators, so they required 8 bars of pressure to run — a challenge with little water. Now, the required pressure has been reduced to 2,5 bars with the modern technology of low-pressure sprinklers.

"We have used pivots from several manufacturers, but now we stick to Zimmatic. In total, we have eleven centre pivots," he says. "All are retro fitted with FieldNET pivot controllers from Lindsay. Having all the different pivots on one platform is important in prescription irrigation.

"Zimmatic makes a difference in terms of the quality of the structure. The galvanised pipes are important in extending the pivot's life. The align ment system, gearboxes, and the pivot supplier's assistance with acquiring your choice of flotation tyres are all worth mentioning.

Since Jesper started his journey with Zimmatic in 2017, he has only benefit ted from it. "Our relationship began when we retrofitted variable-rate irri gation (VRI) to an old Lockwood pivot. It saved water and increased yield."

On the farm, they also use a compa ny that offers crop consultancy in order to create specialised irrigation sched ules. This information is read into the FieldNET application. "With FieldNET,

we can make the adjustments with ease," Jesper claims.

Every drop counts with Zimmatic Water remains one of the biggest chal lenges. Especially during a drought, Jesper needs sufficient water to still irrigate the crops. "We need to harvest more water and use it more efficiently if we want to survive the droughts," Jesper explained.

"If we find more water, we shall increase our number of pivots, but for now, we are focused on maximising efficiency. As a part of that, we are replacing older pivots from the 1980s with newer Zimmatic pivots.

"We have used fertigation and intend to do more biological additions through the pivots," he mentions.

Jesper believes that the more infor mation a person has about technology, the better he can make a calculated decision. In farming, you need to react in time. "Having Zimmatic staff that visit the farm to understand the opera tion has been a game changer. I would recommend Zimmatic to any farmer. They offer solutions for new pivots as well as old ones," he explains. "They can modernise your existing systems to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from the FieldNET platform."

The innovative young staff are help ful and assist the farmer who is most fearful of technology. “It also helps that the panels and software are very userfriendly and easy to use,” he admits.

With the upgraded pivots, Mubuyu Farms saves water and energy by apply ing exactly the right quantity of water when the crop needs it the most. This also helps to optimally use fertilisers.

To find out more about FieldNET and Zimmatic pivots by Lindsay, contact Tanya Brits at +27(0)21986-8900 or tanya.brits@lindsayaf rica.co.za. Visit www.lindsay.com to find your nearest dealer.

by Maryna Steyn

Photo's by Combrinck van Wyk, Applications and Field Service Manager.

More time in the field with service intervals fuel with engine designed

PULL MORE, WORK HARDER

Additional high reserve torque for heavy applications.

Use more implements with 39% higher drawbar capacity.

Get equal load distribution with planetary reduction gears.

WORK MORE, MORE

62 Litre Fuel Tank allows for longer hours in the field. 33% more contact area due to heavy helical gear design in transmission, ensuring durability and longevity.

Easier operation with adjustable seat. Convenient gear shifting with side-shift gear lever.

Less transmission noise with heavy duty helical gear design.

John Deere Africa & Middle East

John Deere

by Benine Ackermann

Female farmer is living her dream

“F arming is my life, it's not a job,” says, Alida Venter. She farms in the Outeniekwa Mountains, between Uniondale and Knysna.

“It’s in the middle of nowhere, but in the perfect place, chosen by our Lord's hand. It’s a special piece of the world, almost completely cut off from the busy outside world. Except for during December when the narrow dirt road becomes a main route to the popular coastal towns,” she says.

Alida is new to the area. Six years ago, she moved with her family from the Waterberg in Limpopo to the West ern Cape. Their house is completely off the grid.

“It's not a tame world and I humbly call myself a farmer, because there are many challenges here, but the rewards are numerous,” she says.

Alida farms with British Alpine dairy goats, Pedi sheep, bees, and has a vegetable garden and chickens for personal use.

Farming is in her blood

Farming has always been her calling. “I always hung on my father's lips when he explained his plans. He couldn't wait for Monday mornings when he unlocked the barn and started the week.

“I had the great privilege of study ing Animal Science at the University of Pretoria and then farmed with my father for a few years. My mother also supported me a lot and never per suaded me to go work in another field instead. It's a wonderful privilege to have support and opportunities from your family,” she says.

Alida also says that farming is family friendly. “Everyone can work together on a farm for the next generation. It is so wonderful for our sisters to see how our brother and his wife continue my father's legacy.”

She is excited about the future of agriculture “I take my hat off to the big commercial

farmers in South Africa and worldwide, because we are moving into a new era.”

The agricultural industry is changing with technology and human resources.

“Young farmers need humbly seek ad vice and wisdom from older farmers and the older farmers should not be afraid to head in new directions,” says Alida.

She also believes that male and female farmers can complement each other in the process, “because we are different, but have the same love and passion in our hearts.”

John Deere walks the road with Alida Alida grew up with the green tractors and implements on her father's farm. “I now understand why my father chose John Deere. It is true craftsmanship.”

She has a John Deere 5503 with a 553 loader bucket. “It is mobile and strong enough to perform countless tasks on our mountainous piece of land,” she says.

The tractor is not only responsi ble for the normal establishment of pasture, but according to Alida and her children, can do everything on the farm, such as composting, transporting beehives, driving stones for barn walls, hauling out trucks and wagons, trans porting foreign tourists, cattle trans port, moving butchered pigs, hauling wood for the donkey and wood stoves, and hauling manure.

“I am very excited about what the tractor will do for us over the years,” she concludes.

On the tractor are Alida (female farmer) and all her children. With her is Petronella, her youngest daughter. Below from left to right is her son Johannes Geswindt, her right-hand man John Mtaya, her husband Gerhard and her other son Franko.

To also purchase a stalwart John Deere tractor, visit their website at www.deere.africa/en/.

Alida Venter is at her happiest on the farm in the Outeniekwaberge among her animals.

Is Infectious Bronchitis Variant 2 a problem in your broiler enterprise?

Infectious Bronchitis (IB) Variant 2 (also known as IB variant IS/1494/06) was first detected in Zambia in 2017. In an ongoing survey, Phibro has found it in two broiler flocks in the Lusaka province during the first half of 2022, confirming the problem is still prevalent. Since IB Variant 2 virus is sometimes difficult to detect, we estimate the prevalence in Zambia may be even higher.

This article answers the most com mon questions on Variant 2 posed by our broiler customers and presents options to protect your farm. Remem ber to always consult your vet before modifying your vaccination plan.

What is a variant and why is it important to be aware of its presence?

A variant is a new strain of a given virus that, due to changes in very specific points of its genetic material, presents modifications in its structure and function. This results in changes in its virulence, in the type of disease it produces and, depending on the vac cination plan and vaccines used in the broiler flock, it might be able to escape immunity and infect vaccinated birds.

What should I expect to see if my broiler flock gets infected?

The symptoms and lesions depend on whether the broilers suffer an early or a late infection.

Early infection

• In some cases of early infection, birds may not show any respiratory signs. The farmer only observes a reduction in performance and poor uniformity.

• When signs are present, they start around 10 to 14 days of age. The multiplication of Variant 2 in differ ent tissues opens the door to sec ondary infections and septicaemia (general infection) verified at around 16 to 17 days of age. An increase in mortality (1 to 2% daily) is observed

at around 20 days of age.

• If blood samples are taken at slaughter from a flock that has suffered an early infection, an in crease in the antibody titres against Infectious Bronchitis is observed. It is, therefore, advisable to include serology just before slaughter as a routine procedure, particularly in large commercial enterprises.

• In post-mortem examination one may observe inflammation of the trachea (tracheitis), moderate to severe inflammation of the kid neys (nephritis) (Figure 1), general bacterial infections and polyserositis (Figure 2) (often times caused by E. coli or other coliforms), as well as lesions in the joints (such as femoral head necrosis).

• In flocks positive for Mycoplasmas, an infection with Variant 2 will result in reactivation of the dormant myco plasma, aggravating the symptoms and prolonging the recovery.

Late infection

The signs of late infection with Variant 2 in broilers begin at 28 to 30 days of age and often disappear a week later.

• The most striking feature is a

sudden increase in mortality, between 2 and 5 % daily.

A B• Birds show lameness, with legs in wide stride position (as in Marek’s disease) or sitting on their legs and refusing to move (this is primarily due to pain caused by the severe kidney damage).

• The litter becomes wet, due to the kidney damage. The lesions in these organs reduce their ability of concentrating urine, resulting in an abnormal increase of water excre tion.

• Once the symptoms subside, the surviving birds show delayed growth, resulting in poor flock uni formity.

• The post-mortem examination may show a wide range of lesions,

by Dr Oscar Blanco (DVM, PhD) Phibro Animal Health Central and Eastern Africa

Figure 1: Nephritis (inflammation of kidneys). A: 18 days-old broiler (Lusaka). B: 42 days-old broiler (Lusaka).

Figure 2: Polyserositis due to secondary infection by a coliform (18day old broiler, Lusaka).

but, under Zambian conditions, a coarse spray (150 to 200 micron) is recommended especially in young birds or in Mycoplasma posi tive flocks.

• Reconstitute the vaccine in clean, cool water with a pH of 7. It is very important to keep the water temper ature between 6 and 10 °C during mixing and application. Studies have shown that the vaccine will be stable for up to 4 hours at 4 °C but at 19 °C you can lose a large propor tion of virus immediately and it will be completely inactivated after 2 hours. Placing frozen ice bricks or ice packs in the container of the spraying machines may assist to maintain the temperature the clos est to the ideal 4 °C.

• Use the correct volume of water — see the package insert for more information.

Figure 3: Inflammation of the air sacs (airsacculitis). A: Airsacculitis in 18-days old broiler, with purulent content. B: Airsacculitis in 42 -days old broiler, air sac with thickened walls. C: Same air sac, opened and showing caseated content. Both cases from Lusaka.

• including inflammation of the kid neys (nephritis) (Figure 1) with ac cumulation of urates, inflammation of the trachea (tracheitis), inflam mation of air sacs (airsacculitis) (Figure 3), secondary generalised infections (septicaemia, polyserosi tis) (Figure 2), inflammation of the intestines (enteritis), inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) (Figure 4), liver lesions, fluid collection around the heart (hydropericardium), swol len spleen, necrosis of the femoral heads, gout (accumulation of urates on the surface of organs).

• The occurrence of late septicaemia and polyserositis results in high lev els of abattoir condemnations.

How do I protect my birds against infection with Variant 2?

As we mentioned in Issue 69 of ProAgri Zambia, maximum protection against Infectious Bronchitis Variant 2 is obtained with the application of a homologous vaccine, that is a vac cine containing a virus strain identical to the field virus. Currently, Phibro’s TAbic IB VAR206 is the only vaccine in the market containing a virus that is homologous to the circulating Variant 2 field strain. Additionally, Phibro’s TAbic IB VAR206 has also been shown to provide cross protection to some other field strains as well (such as 4/91, QX, etc). Heterologous vaccines (that is

vaccines containing a strain different from the field strain), used alone or in different combinations, confer variable, suboptimal levels of protection against the Variant 2 strain.

How often should I apply TAbic IB VAR206 in broilers?

High challenge risk situation:

In cases where Variant 2 has been a problem at the broiler farm or where it is present in the vicinity of the farm, protection is achieved with the applica tion of Phibro’s TAbic IB VAR206 at the hatchery, followed by a second dose at 10 to 12 days at the farm. The application at the hatchery is essential to avoid the risk of early infections.

Medium challenge risk situation:

In cases where there is a potential risk of IB Variant 2 challenge in the area, Phibro TAbic IB VAR may be applied at the hatchery, followed by TAbic IB VAR206 10 to 12 days later at the farm.

In all cases, TAbic IB VAR206 and TAbic IB VAR can be mixed with TAbic VH to also immunise the birds against Newcastle Disease.

Are there any ways of maximising the vaccination success?

• Apply the vaccines by coarse spray or eye drop only — not via drinking water. Fine spray is more effective

Please consult your veterinary advisor to get further informa tion on IBV Variant 2 and how to control it at your enterprise.

Figure 4: T: Testicle, showing orchitis (inflammation). K: Kidney (anterior lobe), showing nephritis (inflamma tion) (42-days old broiler, Lusaka).

Visit Phibro Academy (www. academy.pahc.com) to learn more about IB and other poul try topics.

Twigg Furniture grows from farm start-up to busy workshop

A n entrepreneurial farmer and son team has built a flourishing artisa nal furniture and timber ware company with a Wood-Mizer LT40, ingenuity and artistic flair. Based in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, Bathurst is home to Twigg Furniture company.

The charming country village near Port Alfred on South Africa's east coast was the early administrative centre for British Settlers in the 1820s.

The Settlers' culture remains today. Farmers in the area run successful cattle, game, and sheep farms, breed horses, and live close to the land.

Bathurst is South Africa's pineapple capital. South Africa's temperate coastal climate and surrounding hills and valleys make it the world's 29th largest pineapple producer.

The town's beauty and charm attract retired academics, artists, and eccen trics, who open artisanal eateries, gal leries, and craft businesses like Twigg Furniture Company.

Curt Herbst and his son Matthys Jo hannes or “MJ” for short, started Twigg Furniture on Myrtle’s Grove, a cattle farm outside Bathurst.

MJ’s interest in timber started in 2011 when he remodelled his mother Maria’s kitchen with sawn timber that Curt had cut on his Wood-Mizer LT40.

The kitchen that now cooks up a storm for Maria’s preserve company, Myrtle’s Grove Artisan Preserves, inspired MJ to work wider, while Curt’s contract cutting business on nearby farms also took off.

“The farmers in the area knew what my Wood-Mizer could do, so they used me to clear timber with a commercial value from the farms,” Curt says.

Curt's Wood-Mizer produced pine, cedar, and yellowwood for furniture and log homes. The father-son team's projects and commissions won praise.

Bespoke furniture and timberware

With Twigg Furniture taking off, the

The workshop with a batch of chairs in the making.

charcuterie boards feature meats, cheeses, fruits, and preserves from Maria's farm and nearby farms.

The future

Covid-19 hurt us badly,” MJ states. “We went from a flourishing business to zero trading in a moment.”

The workshop shut down, and cus tomers dried up. They had to evolve, and they did so fast.

The digital arena is now Twigg’s new reality. The company’s ranges now sell online with Maria’s preserves and Curt’s custom sawmilling services.

But at the end of the pandemic, Twigg Furniture is standing firm.

The recent Bathurst show, the first after the pandemic’s end, saw Twigg Furniture's country workshop spilling over with people again.

Wine, good food, timber, and people were welcomed in a new beginning, free from the throes of the virus that kept everyone hostage for nearly two years.

A final take Change and forging new frontiers are not new for this hardy farming community. They come from a tradition of building and creating a new life and new beginnings where none previ ously existed.

Bathurst and surrounds, including Twigg Furniture, will sprout again, and the deep soils of the area and the rich tradition of fortitude will build a new and exciting future.

decision to move the business from the farm to Bathurst quickly paid dividends.

The company’s new workshop at the Bathurst Showgrounds gave Twigg the room it needed to blossom. Custom furniture, exclusive timberware like cutting boards, serving trays, picture frames, and live-edge bowls filled the range.

Curt added to Twigg’s success with his Wood-Mizer

The sawmill’s ability to cut standard and outsized timber components for traditional and heavy dimensioned fur niture items made it indispensable for the workshop’s success.

Thick, live-edge slabbed timber and countertops with heavy beams that replace traditional concrete lintels and posts combine with elegantly styled furniture pieces to build Twigg’s range and popularity.

The workshop's rustic look is perfect for wine and food tasting. Twigg's

For more information on the Wood-Mizer product range, visit www.woodmizer.co.za.

The father and son team of Curt and MJ Herbst that started Twigg Furniture.

A beautiful piece of cedar timber being split on the Wood-Mizer LT40, now waiting for production in Twigg Furniture’s workshop in Bathurst.

Curt and Maria Herbst’s log home on their Myrtle Grove’s farm. His WoodMizer LT40 produced the sawn timber used to build the magnificent structure.

Turned mastery from Twigg Furniture.

by Ceaser John

Dry season feeding and supplementation of grazing cattle, sheep, and goats

Dry season feeding and supplemen tation for grazing animals requires good planning. The plan should take into account of the long-term effect of the dry season on the land, pasture, finances, people, and cattle.

Assessing pasture quantity and qual ity and adjusting stock numbers ac cordingly can reduce the need for highcost feeding. Animal welfare is a very important issue, particularly in such times and must be considered when making any management decision.

Efficient feeding depends on segregating cattle according to their feed requirements, identifying the nutrient most limiting production and selecting the right feed for the situa tion. As such, one needs to determine what nutrients are limiting or are most likely to limit performance; and then choose a supplement that rectifies the deficiency and achieves the desired performance economically.

Dry feed (grass) is often deficient in protein and sulphur. In cases where the vegetation is green but very short, it is the low energy in the vegetation that limits production.

Late in the season, there is plenty of poor-quality dry feed (grass), which animals cannot use efficiently. Sup plementary feeding at this stage aims to make better use of this feed by sup plying those nutrients that the pasture is deficient in, so that animals can be maintained affordably.

Principles of supplementation:

• Identify the most limiting compo nents and select supplements con taining high levels of the identified limiting components

• The supplements must be well balanced (also with the dry feed) to ensure efficient rumen function with

minimal disruption of the animal’s digestive system

• Choose the most appropriate feeding technique

• Cost out the program, considering alternative measures

• Start feeding those animals with the greatest needs (for exam ple pregnant cows with a low-fat score, or weaners below critical live weights) and monitor feed consump tion, live weight and condition, so that you can confirm that your strat egy is working.

Depending on the nature of the supplement (energy or protein supplement) used and its interaction with the pasture during digestion, the three possible outcomes are:

Supplementation

The supplement is eaten and pasture intake is unchanged — this is a rare event.

Substitution

The supplement eaten causes reduced pasture intake — this happens with high-energy feed supplementation.

Complementation

The supplement is eaten and pasture intake increases. This occurs when animals are grazing on dry pasture or crop stubble and the supplement improves the animals’ ability to utilise the feed.

For grazing cattle, use Winter 100 and for sheep and goats, use Ewe Mix concentrates for minimizing weight loss during the dry season by supplying proteins, energy, vitamins, and minerals.

Farmers can further supplement the vitamins and minerals provided in the mentioned concentrates, with Rainfos P15 Concentrate in both the dry and wet seasons. These products offer both substitutional and complementary ef fects on the pasture.

Successful rabbit farming with Tiger Animal Feeds: What a farmer needs to know – Part 2

by Barbara Mulonda Simbaya, Technical Advisor at Tiger Animal Feeds

If you have followed this article from the previous publication (Part 1), then you would be aware that rabbits are a very economically viable live stock. They have high reproductive rates compared to other livestock, and their meat is highly marketable, fetch ing a good price on the market. They grow very fast, reaching market size within a few weeks of birth. Their meat is tasty and a good source of food as it is high in protein.

The advantages of keeping rabbits are many, and most, if not all ben efits, were outlined in the first part of this article. Now, in order for you as a farmer to reap the benefits of raising and selling rabbits for their meat or fur, Part 2 of this article covers successful breeding.

How can one breed rabbits successfully?

For a farmer to be successful, he needs to understand rabbit reproduction and the breeding system that yields better results. Parent breeding stock selection (buck and doe) is the key to successful breeding in rabbit farming. The follow ing are important factors to consider: breeding age, health status, and man agement practices.

Once a successful mating has taken place, the farmer must be adequately prepared for the period of pregnancy through to kindling, then there is a need to care for the young ones until they are weaned from the mother – this is called brooding. Success de pends on how much technical knowl edge the farmer has.

Tiger Animal Feeds' Technical Team is committed to see farmers get into commercial rabbit production success fully by giving relevant rabbit farming knowledge. With the right technical advice, a rabbit enterprise can flourish and grow very quickly. Rabbit farming is yet another farming venture that has the potential to bring much-needed revenue to the farmer. Get into rabbit production and have access to the Ti ger Technical Service free of charge!

Reproduction

Selection of breeding stock

When selecting the breeding stock there is a need to understand some of the breeds that one can choose from. In Zambia, two main breeds stand out as prominent as choice breeds for most

commercial farmers. These are the Californian white and the New Zealand white. However, many other breeds are available.

The selection of a breeding buck and doe is very important since good prog eny is expected from a good buck and doe. One has to consider the breeding stock in terms of fertility, maternal instinct, milk yield, growth rate, fecun dity, and viability.

Age to breed

Different breeds of rabbits reach

sexual maturity at different ages. Small breeds (such as the Polish) can be bred at 4 to 5 months of age. Me dium breeds (for example New Zealand and Californian whites) become sexu ally mature at 6 to 7 months of age. The giant breeds (such as the Flemish Giant) should be at least 7 months of age when bred. The females of all rabbit breeds reach sexual maturity earlier than the males. This means that does can be put into production before bucks of a similar age.

Ovulation and mating

The rabbit belongs to a group of mam mals which do not ovulate spontane ously. There is no oestrus cycle. This means that ovulation happens once mating has occurred. Generally, ovula tion takes place 10 hours after mating.

When does become receptive to mating, they will usually show signs of being in heat by acting restless, rubbing their chins on feed and water containers or other equipment. The vulva (external genital organ of the female) of a doe that is ready to mate is slightly swollen, moist and a reddish, purplish colour. The doe may also “pre sent herself,” and lie on her stomach or lift her tail when touched if she is in heat. Always take a doe to the buck’s cage for mating. Before any mating attempts, examine both the buck and doe to be sure they are in good condi tion and free of disease and injury.

Pregnancy

The gestation period in rabbits ranges from 28 to 32 days (approximately 30 days). In preparation, provide a nest box within the cage at least 5 to 6 days before parturition. The nest box should contain litter for warmth to kittens. A doe may pull out some of her own hairs to make a nest for the litter. Adequate measures should be taken for feeding and management during the pregnancy period. The quantity of feed should be increased for 10 to 15 days of preg nancy. Plenty of fresh water should be provided and environmental stresses avoided.

Pregnancy can be detected by palpa tion of the abdomen two weeks after mating, or by placing the doe near a buck. The buck will not mate with a

pregnant doe. One may also detect pregnancy by taking note of the weight (300 to 400 g) gained by the does be tween mating and 30 days.

Kindling (parturition) and care for new-borns

The process of giving birth in rab bits is called kindling. The parturition, which usually takes place at night or early morning, may not require human intervention. The process is usually completed within 7 to 30 minutes. The does should not be disturbed during this time as they are very sensitive, and adequate food and water should be provided so that optimum quantity of milk is available to the baby rabbits.

Rabbit kits are born hairless, blind, and deaf. They begin to show hair a few days after birth, and their eyes and ears are open by day 10. Newly born rabbits are unable to regulate their own body temperature until about day 7. If a doe is unable to nurse all the kits effectively, kits may be fostered by removing them from the nest box during the first 3 days and giving them to a doe of about the same age with a smaller litter.

If the fostered kits are mixed with the doe’s own kits and covered with hair of the doe, they are generally ac cepted. Kits can be reared by hand, but the death rate is high. If a lactating doe is not available to foster the kits, they can be given kitten milk replacer twice a day. Feedings vary from ½ tea spoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the age and breed of the kits.

Weaning

The baby rabbits can lead their lives without mother’s milk at about 21 days

of age. The young should be sepa rated from their mother at 4 weeks by removing the doe from the cage. Foods like concentrates and grasses should be provided. The baby rabbits can chew and eat after 3 weeks of age.

Tiger Animal Feeds produces rab bit pellets that meet all the rabbit’s nutritional requirements. The pellets are convenient and will ensure that the breeder rabbits are healthy and able to reproduce successfully. Tiger Technical Team members are always available to offer advice to farmers who wish to make rabbit farming commercial.

In conclusion, it is important to look at some problems one may encounter when breeding rabbits: Exposure to extremely hot temperatures may cause temporary sterility, particularly in old bucks, and they can remain sterile for 60 to 90 days. To help reduce male sterility due to hot weather, keep breeding bucks in the coolest part of the rabbitry and mate them frequently.

Pseudo pregnancy (false pregnancy) is a condition in which a doe seems to be pregnant but is not. This can result from a sterile mating or from physical stimulation, such as being mounted by another rabbit. Pseudo pregnancy lasts about 17 days, and the doe will not breed. She may also construct a nest, even though she may not be expect ing. Although the condition is normal and not harmful to the doe, it will delay breeding.

Another common reproductive prob lem occurs when does fail to conceive after mating due to being overweight or having been out of production for a long period. As a rabbit raiser, strive to keep your breeding animals in a trim, active and healthy condition for the best reproductive performance.

For more information, contact Barbara Mulonda Simbaya, Technical Advisor at Tiger Animal Feeds at (+26)0-969202-207.

Cattle breeds Part 3

Drakensberger

In 1497, the seafarer, Vasco da Gama, first encountered black oxen when rounding the Cape. In 1836, several Voortrekker families left the Cape with similar black oxen, referred to as Vaderland cattle. Most of these farmers set tled along the Drakensberg mountain range, where they developed the breed further. In 1947 the Drakensberger Cat tle Breeders’ Society was formed.

Drakensbergers are a mediumsized beef breed, with bulls weighing 820 to 1 100 kg and cows weighing 550 to 720 kg.

They are black with smooth coats and clearly defined bodies. These cat tle have a tranquil temperament; cows have excellent mothering abilities; easy calving because calves are small; and a low abortion rate. The breed is disease and internal parasite resistant, ultraviolet radiation resistant, and heat resistant due to its loose hide and coat.

crossed with other breeds to cre ate hybrids. The breed has no known ancestors, so breeding it with another breeds yields superior results. They are often used as a foundation herd for semen or bulls from other breeds be cause of their maternal qualities. These cattle are classified as a subspecies in the Bos indicus group.

Meat quality

More than 80% of Drakensbergers have a marbling gene, which is the same gene that makes Angus and Wagyu beef so popular. As a result, the meat is juicy, tender, and easy to slice.

by Natasha Kruger

Production regions

The Drakensberger is popular all over Southern Africa because of its adapt ability, hardiness, and ability to thrive on poor-quality veld. Having strong legs and hard "buffalo" claws, they are able to easily negotiate even the most rugged terrain.

Their high milk production enables weaner calves to obtain a 60 to 70% skeletal development. Some weaners can reach 206 kg at the weaning age of 205 days.

Use

A closed herd of Drakensbergers can produce some of the best beef in the world, but they are also frequently

Hereford

Hereford is a popular beef breed in Southern Africa. The Hereford breed appears to have evolved from draught oxen descended from Roman Briton small red cattle and large Welsh breeds.

The breed evolved in Herefordshire, a historic agricultural region of England. It is one of the oldest English breeds, with a high meat yield and production efficiency being top priorities.

The cows weigh 500 to 650 kg, and bulls between 900 and 1 100 kg.

Hereford cattle have a distinctive white head, crest, underline, socks, and tail switch. They have a reddish hue and can be polled or horned. As a result of their early maturation and ability to produce high-quality meat from low-quality forage, they are known around the world as "the breed that made grass famous".

Production regions

Because of their hardiness and ability

to thrive in the harshest of climates, Herefords can be found all over. They can survive anywhere, from the bitter cold of winter to the sweltering heat of warmer regions. Since the Hereford has developed immunity to tick-borne diseases, purebred herds can now be found in the northern parts of South Africa, particularly in the heartwater and redwater regions.

In warmer climates, crosses with Zebu cattle are beneficial, while more temperate ones benefit from crosses with Angus cattle. Hereford cattle are classified as a subspecies in the Bos taurus group.

Use

Hereford cattle can be used on their own in closed herds, but they are also very popular in crossbreeding pro grammes because of their high level of heterosis. This is because they are pure and have good mothering skills, fertility, and utilisation of forage.

Meat quality

Even though they are a popular breed in feedlots, they can also be "fattened" on natural and established pastures, allowing them to truly be sold as "grass

Drakensberger bull. (Image source: drakensbergers.co.za)

Drakensberger cows. (Image source: drakensbergers.co.za)

Hereford bull. (Image source: gemstonecattle.com)

Hereford cow and calf. (Image source: gemstonecattle.com)

fed". Cattle farmers, feedlot owners, and consumers around the world rec ognise the distinctive white head as a quality trait marker.

Limousin

Limousin cattle were originally used as draught animals and slaughtered when they became too weak to work. They have the adaptability to thrive in harsh, rugged, and rocky conditions. The breed has excellent meat-producing qualities and is produced worldwide.

The Limousin is known as the "car cass breed” for its exceptional beef qualities. Feedlot cattle have excellent feed conversion, gaining an average of two kilogrammes per day. Because it can produce a lot of meat, this breed often wins carcass competitions.

The breed is characterised as being medium-framed, with cows weighing 650 to 850 kg and bulls weighing 1 000 to 1 300 kg. Despite their size, the cattle are lean with no excessive fat. They are easy to handle on the farm or in a feedlot because of their docility.

The cows are extremely fertile and produce small calves for easy calving. Despite this, the calves grow rapidly due to the high quality milk produced. In the course of her produc tive life, a cow can produce as many as fourteen calves.

Production region

Limousin cattle are well-known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in harsh environments. They thrive in the Highveld's cold winters with lowpalatable sourveld grasses.

Use

However, the Limousin is also used as a component for crossbreeding pro grammes, whereby the meat quality of other breeds is improved. These cattle are classified as a subspecies in the Bos taurus group.

Meat quality

Feed conversion and average daily gain are excellent with "naturally" produced meat. The cattle are naturally raised without the use of hormones, making their meat exceptionally tender, tasty, and healthy. They also produce low-fat carcasses with a high slaughter per centage and high meat-to-bone ratios.

Nguni

In the past, these cattle were more than just a source of food and milk; they were also used to pay wedding gifts, and this practise continues to this day. Keeping as many cattle as possible led to overcrowding and the belief that these animals were underperforming.

The Nguni is medium-framed, with cows weighing 300 to 400 kg and bulls weighing 500 to 600 kg. Ticks do not usually attach to Nguni cattle due to their smooth coats and short hair.

Colours, patterns, and horn shapes differ from other breeds. Skin and eye cancer is prevented by the unique pigmentation of their hides, which is used to make handbags, floor covers, and wall art.

The breed has evolved to withstand the harsh conditions of Southern Af rica, including heat, cold, and disease. According to research, they are the most tick resistant of all cattle breeds.

Nguni cattle are calm and easy to handle. As with the Afrikaner and Brahman, their feed conversion rate is superior to most other breeds. The Nguni Cattle Breeders Society labels it as the breed that “produces the most kilogrammes of beef per hectare at the lowest cost”, making the Nguni “the most profitable and economically sus tainable beef breed”.

Production region

In Southern Africa, Nguni cattle are kept because of their toughness and ability to thrive on poor quality veld. As a result of climate change, Southern Africa is likely to have more extreme weather. The fact that Nguni cattle can handle high temperatures shows po tential for its role in meat production in the future.

Use

Although primarily a beef breed, Ngunis may also be used for milk production, and their hides are highly sought after.

Nguni cattle are classified as a subspe cies in the Bos taurus africanus group. Depending on how they are kept, they can be used to improve the meat quality or maternal characteristics of other breeds. With early sexual maturity, high reproductive rates, easy calving, and above-average milk production, the Nguni has excellent maternal traits. As a result, various crossbreeding programmes make use of the dam line.

Meat quality

Although the quality of Nguni meat is on par with that of most other breeds, the meat's colour tends to be darker, mak ing it more attractive for the consumer.

As a result of its hardiness, the breed can be allowed to finish itself off on the veld naturally. The term "fin ished off on the veld" refers to the fact that these cattle do not need to spend time in a feedlot.

References

Southafrica.co.za. (2022). South African Beef Breeds. [online] Avail able at: https://southafrica.co.za/ south-african-beef-breeds.html.

Loubser, A., Schutte, N. and Hofmeyr, I., (2007). Cattle breeds of South Africa. Pretoria, AgriCon nect, Pages 97-165.

Limousin bull. (Image source: agriland.ie)

Nguni cows and calves. (Image source: nguni.co.za)

Limousin cows. (Image source: grangelimousins.com)

In previous issues, we discussed the value of indigenous and ancient food plants of Africa that can provide es sential nutrition that is lacking from ‘modern’ food plants that are presently cultivated in many African countries.

Even though there may be enough food to keep the continent’s communi ties from starving, modern vegetables do not provide sufficient nutrition to keep people healthy. Malnutrition in pregnant mothers causes sickly babies who are not strong enough to fight disease, stunted physical growth and mental slowness in young children, and obesity in adults. Although they may have enough food, these foods – espe cially fast foods that are sold at street stalls – provide a lot of carbohydrates (starch), but not enough protein.

In the following issues, we shall look at ten neglected and underutilised ancient plants that are brimming with nutrition and are easy to grow in a backyard gar den or on a small-scale farm.

These ten plants include leafy vegeta bles (slender leaf and malabar spinach), edible leaves and pods (cowpeas), beans (marama, lablab and bambara), roots (jute mallow) and fruit (horned melon).

Slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens and ochroleuca)

Slender leaf, which is also known as rattlepod, rattle pea, or Ethiopian rattlebox, is a tropical legume. It is na tive to tropical Africa and occurs from northern Nigeria, eastwards towards Ethiopia and southwards towards the southern parts of Tanzania. It is still cultivated in these East African coun tries, as well as in Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda. It is also to some extent used in West Africa.

From its East African origins, the plant was also widely distributed to Mediterranean countries, the West Indies, and the Americas.

A market survey in western Kenya showed that the plant was one of the top ten priority African indigenous veg etables in the region.

The plant grows in grasslands, de ciduous woodlands, and bushlands, as well as seasonally swampy grasslands, and sometimes on termite mounds. It also grows naturally on cultivated land, in clearings of highland dry forests, and along roads.

The young leaves and shoots are eat

en as a leafy vegetable and can be boiled, fried, or used as a potherb in stews and soups to provide nutritious greens and flavour.

Because of the bitter taste of brevidens, the younger generation may prefer the close relative Crotalaria ochroleuca, also known as rattlepod. Brevi dens grows about 210 cm high, while ochroleuca grows up to 250 cm tall.

Cultivation

The seeds of the slender leaf can be scattered freely or planted in rows 30 cm apart. After six weeks, the seed lings need to be thinned out to 15 to 20 cm apart.

There are several ways of harvesting the plant. It can either be uprooted as a whole and the leaves used immedi ately, as they only stay fresh for a day.

The leaves can also be harvested from the growing plant, which will con tinue to grow another eight weeks until the plant starts flowering.

Also, after eight weeks the main shoot can be cut off 10 to 15 cm above the ground to allow new shoots to grow. The leaves on these new shoots will be ready to pick after two weeks.

The leaf yield is about ten tonnes of green matter per hectare. The leaves can be harvested up to fifteen times for four months if they are picked every two weeks. During the dry sea son, the plant stops growing and must be uprooted.

Nutritional value

Slender leaf is one of the important Af

rican indigenous vegetables as the ed ible young leaves and shoots contribute 100% of the daily dietary requirement for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, as well as 40% of proteins per 100 g of the fresh weight.

Medicinal value

Slender leaf is used to treat an upset stomach and malaria.

It has agricultural advantages as it can produce seed under tropical condi tions and drought. It grows well even when the soil is nitrogen poor, as it can fix atmospheric nitrogen.

It is a suitable intercrop for finger mil let, as it can be used as green manure. It has also been used as a fodder crop. The plant can be used to curb the develop ment of the striga weed (Striga hermon thica), an obnoxious cereal crop weed.

Farmers usually harvest their own seeds, which can be stored up to three years. Research has shown a germina tion success of more than 90%, which is better than other leafy greens in Africa.

Although slender leaf is one of the most promising indigenous vegetables in Kenya, the potential has not yet been fully exploited. Despite the high nutritional and economic value, it has been neglected by researchers and

by Tisha Steyn

(Image source: Janet Machuka , Twitter)

(Image source: Janet Machuka , Twitter)

Slender leaf (Crotalaria ochroleu ca). (Image source: eol.org)

farmers, who have concentrated on ex otic and already improved vegetables.

Malabar spinach (Basella alba)

Malabar spinach is a perennial vine that belongs to the family Basellaceae. It is widely used as a leafy green vegetable with a green stem, or a reddish-purple stem in the Rubra variety.

The plant grows in tropical Africa and Asia. It is native plant of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea, and has also been used for ages in Brazil, Belize, Colombia, the Philippines, the West Indies, Fiji, and French Polynesia.

Nutritional value

The leaves and stem tips are eaten raw or cooked, while an infusion of the leaves is used as a tea substitute. The

fruit sap is used as a food colouring in pastries and sweets.

The plant has a high protein content compared to the low calories it con tains. It is also high in vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. It is a good vegetar ian protein option and great for healthconscious people.

Medicinal value

The plant has gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity. It is used for healing ulcers and a decoction is a safe laxative for pregnant women and children. It is also reported to improve testosterone levels in males, thus boosting libido.

Cultivation guidelines

This spinach differs from other spinach plants because it is a perennial, climb ing vegetable that keeps on growing as long as it is taken care of.

It grows all year long and loves warm weather, unlike conventional spinach that grows new shoots on the ground

Malabar spinach fruit sap is used as a food colouring. (Image source: inaturalist.org)

Striga weed (Striga hermonthica), an obnoxious cereal crop weed. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

and prefers cooler weather. A sheltered, sunny spot is ideal, as it is vulnerable to frost. It requires a minimum daytime temperature of 15 ° Celsius, but can tolerate low night temperatures that sometimes fall below 10 ° Celsius.

The plant needs well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and retains moisture. It prefers sandy loam, but can tolerate relatively poor soil with a pH level of between 4,3 and 7. It is fairly resistant to pests and disease.

The fast-growing plant is ready to harvest between four to six weeks and will yield up to 40 kg of leaves from a ten-metre square bed over 75 days. The leaves that are picked from the vine must be eaten on the same day.

Contact details: Jurie van der Walt at jurievdw@mweb.co.za. His books are freely available on re quest. The history of food and why we eat it (2020), and We need to revive the ancient indigenous food crops of Africa (2021).

Additional resource: AbukutsaOnyango, M. (2007) Response of slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens Benth) to inorganic nitrogen ap plication. African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Develop ment, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2007 Available at: https://www.hindawi.com/jour nals/ija/2020/2710907/

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by Tapuwa Mashangwa

Meet Janet Phiri, an expatriate agri producer

W hen people leave Zimbabwe, it does not mean they give up on the country. Finding a career in another country can empower them to contrib ute to growth back home.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the sub-Saharan agricultural landscape has seen steadily increasing numbers of expatriate agricultural par ticipants. Although their emigration may be instigated by a myriad of factors, chief among them being low wages, sub-standard living conditions, under employment, and unpredictable political situations, this has not disheartened them from contributing to their coun try’s agricultural production systems.

Such is the farming tale of registered nurse and midwife, Janet Phiri, based in Perth, Western Australia. She pro duces a variety of agricultural produce on her farm in Marondera in Mashonaland East, about 72 km east of Harare.

Regardless of having left Zimbabwe in 2003 for greener pastures, she never forgot her roots and aspirations towards farming. In her youth she gained farming experience tending

to a piece of family-owned land, pro ducing maize, chickens, groundnuts, and vegetables, mainly for subsistence consumption. This experience, and the profit she made selling vegetables to raise her own money for travelling, convinced her to remain involved in agribusiness.

Zimbabwe’s school curriculum includes agriculture, contributing to Janet’s knowledge.

Her interest in investing in agricul ture back home was spurred by her desire to contribute to the growth of the economy, especially to alleviate poverty and hunger amongst women. Her hope is that a better tomorrow can be crafted through farming.

In a way farming is an extension of her nursing career where she takes care of humans, to taking care and nurturing crops and animals.

She managed to purchase her land via flexible payment terms through an online real estate agent based in Harare, after travelling to Zimbabwe to assess the authenticity of the agent and the land. Once that was finalised, she began self-funding the develop ment of the farm.

A trait to which she contributes her success is discipline. By saving her salary and through hard work, she has managed to fund her projects. She avoided getting a loan to start farming as she firmly believes in the impor tance of first garnering enough experi ence before approaching creditors. Bank funding is also out of the question with the central bank currently calling for a 200% interest rate per annum on Zimbabwean dollar loans.

Expanding on her knowledge, she learns more about modern farming methods using digital sources, mostly YouTube videos, Google, and WhatsApp groups. Her market research is frequently executed online, and she would like to do short online courses in the near future.

In Australia she volunteers on farms to gain more knowledge and experi ence. Sometimes her farm experiences abroad involve farm visits, stays and farm tours.

The role information technology has played in assisting the running of her farm cannot be overemphasised. She employs it for GPS systems, drones for land mapping, farm security, virtual farm inspections, farm management software, to locate livestock, and even to monitor the animals’ health.

One way she ensures success of her projects is through involving experts on the ground. Some of the Zimbabwean agricultural bodies and institutions that have played a role in her farming jour ney are: ZIMTRADE, which has helped with information pertaining to regional and international market research; The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU); the Goats and Beef Association, and the Poultry Association, helping especially with marketing.

The unstable Zimbabwean dollar, COVID restricted movement during

Left: Janet tries to get as much expe rience and knowledge as possible by working on and visiting farms abroad.

Zimbabwe's school curriculum includes agricultural theory and practice.

Janet Phiri’s staff include a full-time agronomist, two full-time work ers, and part-time workers during harvesting, land preparation, and transplanting.

Janet gains experience by working on farms in Australia, such as this fruit farm.

the pandemic, low numbers of qualified agricultural staff, the lack of infrastruc ture, and poor market information, are some of the challenges she has encoun tered at her farm.

She put in consistent effort to re solve these through employing quali fied personnel, subscribing to farming associations, remunerating staff on time, providing decent accommodation, and ensuring that everyone (including family) sign work contracts. She re mains optimistic, knows her team well, and maintains effective and honest communication for better results.

Her strategies have gained her a better professional network, a gist of agricultural productivity, and access to agricultural technology. She employs more women than men, tapping into their maternal instincts to take care of everything on the farm.

Her staff is comprised of a full time resident agronomist, two full time workers and part time workers dur ing harvesting, land preparation and transplanting, as her farm is not fully mechanised. The farm also has per manent construction staff and employs casual workers to assist them to make bricks on-site.

In the beginning she struggled with the marketing of her products because her timing was not right, and a poor road network made transport diffi cult. Now she utilises the established

markets provided by contract farming companies such as Irvines chickens and others involved in potato produc tion and seed growing. They also assist with the transport of goods.

Plans for the farm include increased mechanisation, agribusiness growth, continuing with expert input, improv ing coordination with her farm team to learn more and keep up with market

trends, employing more women, and hopefully constructing her own clinic.

All this she believes will create gen erational wealth, not only for her, but also for her staff, as well as increased investment towards infrastructure and transport so that pregnant women get access to deliver in a safe environment. This will reduce perinatal and maternal mortality rates in the country.

Janet Phiri is a nurse and midwife in Australia and a farmer in Zimbabwe.

Natural and artificial incubation

In the previous issue, we discussed the raising of pullets and broilers to be sold as meat. In this issue, we look at natural and artificial brooding of eggs to be raised as layers.

Breeds of chicken

In the chapter on planning your poultry farming enterprise, we looked at the chicken breeds that are best for pro ducing eggs. In short, hybrid chickens bred from indigenous breeds that are suitable for African conditions, such as Mike Bosch’s Boschveld chickens, are ideally suited as layers.

Raising layers

If you have never kept chickens, it is best to start small and learn what works well and what does not.

There are two ways to get chickens to be raised as broilers or layers. You can buy day-old chickens and raise

them in a brooder until they are three weeks old, like we discussed in chap ter 4. Then you can raise the pullets until they are 18 weeks old and almost ready to start laying eggs, as we dis cussed in Chapter 5 (1).

If you want to save time, you can buy point-of-lay hens that are 18 weeks old and will start laying in two weeks’ time. Although they are more expensive, you will save money on feed for 18 weeks, and they will have had their important inoculations.

Natural incubation

If you want to gain some experience with chickens before you go commercial, you can start with eight hens and a cock erel. These hens need to sleep inside a safe henhouse where there are perches for them to sleep on and nest boxes in which to lay their eggs.

A broody hen that is chosen for natu

ral incubation should be large so that her body can cover about 16 eggs. She must be preferably vaccinated, healthy, and free of external parasites.

A hen is broody when she stops lay ing and remains sitting on her eggs. She becomes quite fierce and will peck at you when you come too close to her nest. She ruffles her feathers and spreads her wings protectively and will cluck quite loudly.

The nest must be in a suitable con tainer in a secluded spot. Put a layer of about 2 cm of sand in the container and top it with about 3 cm of dry nest ing material to create a snug nest.

Put food and water close to the nest so the hen doesn’t have to leave the nest to look for food. She needs to sit on the eggs almost constantly to keep them at a constant temperature of 39,5 Celsius. If the eggs get cold, it ham pers the development of the embryos. The eggs must also be kept moist. The hen splashes the eggs with water from her beak to keep them moist and cool. To help keeping the humidity right in hot, dry areas, slightly damp soil can be put underneath the nest. This will keep the moisture levels constant to prevent the contents of the eggs from drying out through the porous shell.

As the embryo develops, it generates more heat, and the soil underneath the nest will also help cool them down.

Eggs are usually fertile about four days after the rooster has been with the hens. You can check whether they are fertile by holding them up to a candle flame. If there is a dark spot, the egg is fertile. Remove infertile eggs and replace them with fertile eggs from one of the other hens, but it is best to do so at dusk so as not to upset the broody hen.

Eggs stored for incubation must be

Young chicks stay close to their mother. (Source: Michael Anfang, unsplash.com)

A mother hen teachers her chicks what Andrea Light-

kept at a temperature of between 12 and 14 Celsius, and the humidity must be quite high (80%). The eggs must not be stored longer than seven days.

The eggs will hatch in 20 to 21 days. Half of the chicks will be female, but you will only be able to find out which ones once they start growing feathers. The male chicks can also be raised as broilers, but they grow slower than the females. On the other hand, you can feed them less expensive feed than you would the females.

The hen and her chicks must be kept away from the others until the chicks are about five weeks old.

Artificial incubation

You can also hatch chicks in an arti ficial incubator, but for that you will need a reliable supply of heat and ther mostats to keep the heat constant.

There are many artificial incubators available commercially, but these are mostly costly. You can make your own artificial incubation box for hatching fifty to hundred chickens.

Here are some things to consider: A broody hen instinctively takes care of the eggs in her nest, but to artificially incubate a batch of eggs, you will have to be a mother hen for three weeks.

You need to control the temperature in the incubation box at a constant temperature of 39,5° Celsius. This can be done by means of two electrical light bulbs or coils that are connected

to the thermostat. You can also use a gas heater or a kerosene lamp that is normally used for lighting purposes. Make sure you don’t run out of kero sene, as the eggs must not get cold!

The incubator must be well ventilated to keep the warm air moving through the box.

You can regulate the humidity at 50% by placing a tray of water on the floor of the incubator.

The eggs must be turned five to seven times a day to keep the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane. Mark the eggs on one end to ensure you turn all of them.

They must not be rotated end to end, but little by little to ensure a complete turn is achieved each day. As with natural incubation, the eggs will hatch after twenty to twenty-one days.

In the next issue, we shall discuss the care of layer hens, so they produce quality eggs.

References

Boschveld Free-range Chickens (n.d.) Boschveld.co.za http://bosch veld.co.za/

Cilliers, P.F. (July 2000) Smallscale poultry housing in South Af rica. ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering.

Cilliers, F. (Project manager) (2001) Small-scale broiler house (combined). ARC-Institute for Agri cultural Engineering.

Family poultry training course trainee’s manual. http://www. sapoultry.co.za/pdf-training/train ers-manual-poultry-course.pdf

Lesley, C. (2020) The complete life cycle of a chicken explained Chickens and more https://www.chickensandmore. com/life-cycle-of-a-chicken/ Sonaiya, E. B., Swan, S. E. J. (2014) Small-scale poultry produc tion Technical Guide. Chapter 5: Incubation and hatching. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-1050821 ISSN 1810-1119

https://www.fao.org/3/y5169e/ y5169e06.htm

Any suitable container can be used as a nest. (Source: Phoenix Han, un splash.com)

A mother hen keeps an eye out for predators. (Source: Joseph Cortez, un splash.com)

Eight hens and a cockerel are a good-sized flock for limited chicken farming. (Source: Zosia Korscz, unsplash.com)

A hen and her chicks forage in the garden. (Source: Kannan, unsplash. com)

by Tapuwa Mashangwa

At the helm of the tobacco industry

The pioneers of commercial tobacco production, The British South Africa Company, could not have fathomed that what seemingly began as a pro duction option to growing food crops and raising livestock in the Highveld would become the stepping stone in the emergence of what is now one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative agricultural products. The small beginnings now boast a sector dominated by a number of industry players in the production and processing of tobacco, and its as sociated subindustries.

Prominent in this industry is Caven dish Tobacco Zimbabwe, a member of the Cavendish Lloyd Group, an inter national company servicing the whole tobacco supply chain through a variety of products and services. At Cavendish Tobacco Zimbabwe, the financial opera tions are overseen by the talented Miss Rebecca Manford, the company’s Chief Finance Officer.

She holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) from the Univer sity of South Africa (UNISA), gained her professional chartered accountant qualification through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and continued to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree with the University of Suffolk. These qualifications help her to man age her current portfolio encompassing treasury and finance, business strategy and operations.

She never imagined working in the agricultural sector, as she spent a good amount of time in auditing and later in finance in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing. Agriculture and specifi cally tobacco was a whole different ball

game through which her determination to learn and achieve has brought her reputable success. Her knowledge regarding tobacco production system was gained through on the job training.

The agricultural sector is a very significant and important industry for the Zimbabwean economy, and her role at Cavendish allows her as a citizen to contribute her part to the country. She

is inspired by the need to live out her purpose which keeps her afloat in mo ments of despair.

Working in a male dominated sector has taught her to ‘man-up!’ as men are very solution oriented. She has thus learnt that in any crisis one must set aside one’s emotions and focus on how the crisis can be managed and resolved, and despite the existence of a notable atmosphere of sexism in the tobacco sector as in any other industry, she has managed to play her role op timally by being bold, speaking out and initiating change where she can.

The best benefit from IT, in her experience, is that it continues to advance to accessing and extraction of information, and reporting is now quicker. The availability of advanced internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems mean that a decisionmaker can always make informed deci sions in a shorter turnaround time.

She believes that Zimbabwe’s IT in frastructure could be improved through digitalising a lot of the processes and approvals that currently have to be obtained physically from various gov ernment departments and associated industry agents. This would make business operations more efficient.

Cavendish Tobacco Zimbabwe's CFO, Rebecca Manford, oversees financial operations.

Left: Zimbabwean tobacco is still competitive and desired by most markets, a status that can only be maintained by tobacco producers ensuring growers have everything they need to produce a top-quality crop. (Image source: unsplash.com by Afif Kusuma)

Also, availability of up-to-date platforms related to the tobacco industry would make information easier to obtain as sadly most of this is done manually.

Zimbabwean tobacco is still very desired by most markets, a status that can only be upheld though the collaboration of tobacco producers to ensure that growers are equipped with everything they need to produce a top quality crop.

What Cavendish CFO would like to see are possible tax breaks and sus pension of certain associated trading fees. This type of support would ensure that in the aftermath of Covid-19, tobacco merchants and growers can bounce back.

Covid-19 resulted in spikes in freight charges which consequently increased the cost to produce and export tobac co, meaning margins had to be revised. Since the beginning of Covid-19 to now, most executives have realised that there must always be forward planning and measures to counteract and react towards a pandemic or natural disaster.

As advice to those interested in occupying a position of her stature she recommends: “The bare minimum requirement to get anywhere in life is still simply to believe in yourself. There are no shortcuts to getting anywhere in life and in commerce. You have to put in the work. You have to work hard, remain focused and have the ability

to pick yourself up after each setback or disappointment.”

She further reiterates that the in ternal work one needs to do is making sure one has all the education and skill required to continue advancing oneself in every way, because to become an executive, one needs to be a true lead er and must make value-adding con tributions to the organisation served. Lastly, when entering a new industry, its paramount to learn and read widely to always be aware and informed.

Miss Manford is pleased to witness

more small-scale farmers at the tobac co auction floors. She believes wealth is indeed from the soil and urges the younger generation to also be ready to take the baton and continue with farm ing as their forefathers did in the past.

“We all have a reason and purpose on this earth and we must work every day to stay on assignment,” she says, and her assignment is beyond agri culture as she is not only a respected Zimbabwean Chartered Accountant, she is also a gospel musician, fitness influencer, and philanthropist.

The Zimbabwean agricultural sector is very important, and Rebecca’s role at Cavendish allows her to contribute to the country. (Image source: worldat las.com)

Meet Hughna Dlodlo, the crop whisperer

I

ntellectual knowledge blended with practical experience is always a wellbalanced combination in any profes sion. In a sector such as agriculture, the value such an individual brings on the ground is indispensable.

Hughna Dlodlo is one such expert. Her contribution as an agronomist to vegetable and fruit production, which constitutes over 60% of Zimbabwe’s agricultural production systems, is invaluable.

She started her career working in the Department of Agriculture as an Exten sion Officer for five years, then moved into the private sector beginning with PANNAR Seeds. She did some private consultancy before joining Total Farm Solutions for a period of three years and then ventured out on her own again where she has become a soughtafter private consultant.

Her interest in agriculture stems from the thrill she obtains from seeing a project grow from its initiation as it is nurtured to success. She says chal lenges keep her on her toes. “Chal lenges can be frustrating, but it allows me to grow as I have to find solutions to the various challenges.”

The idea to venture into consultancy came after realising that most farm ers lack the technical knowledge to run their enterprises commercially. The downside of consultancy is that most of the landowners are first genera tion commercial farmers lacking an appreciation for the services from the agricultural consultancy sector and can thus be reluctant to hire a consultant or pay for his/her services.

As the agricultural sector is an ever evolving industry, she has to keep up with the challenges and industry de velopments. She does this through liai sons with other players in the industry about new developments in crop varie ties, pests, pesticides and fungicides. A lot of institutions offer free online courses on different subjects and she

does her best to attend at least two different courses each month.

Information technology has helped her operate more efficiently as her services have an increased coverage thanks to a lot of people using online services. Problem solving on farms is also simpler. “I do not always have to be on-site to assess problems and propose solutions,” says Hughna Agricultural bodies and institutions have been immensely helpful in her career. The efforts of organisations such as the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), and Zimbabwe Trade (ZimTrade) among others have helped her with information which expanded the consultancy’s product and service range, thereby increasing her client base.

One of the challenges she faces is the unstable economy as most small scale farmers are more focused on sur vival rather than investing in growth. Another challenge is that some farm managers do not always fully follow agronomic recommendations and farm recording procedures as they some times have no one to report to. The adverse effects of drought, flooding and extreme high and low tempera tures have also seen some farmers lose their crops making them reluctant to invest in agricultural projects. At times the lack of practical experience of some industry experts makes it hard to find individuals to partner with on some of her projects. Any partner has to be screened thoroughly to ensure the quality of services.

To face these challenges, Hughna has had to adapt quickly and in some cases lower her service charges to still attract low earning clients.

On the upside, more professionals and expatriates are now turning to

by Tapuwa Mashangwa

agriculture to supplement their income and as a retirement option. They understand the value of expertise. The government is also expanding programs aimed at increasing agricul tural production.

Most of Hughna’s farming work include a work plan and weekly report that makes the farm staff more ac countable and ensures that her advice is followed.

Through the use of the internet and mobile applications she ensures that she is aware of climatic changes that may affect crop production, and if she finds that crops may be affected, she ensures that she relays precautionary measures to be put in place.

She intends to maintain the high quality of products and services she offers, increase her staff, engage more with other regional and international people, attend more workshops and training opportunities, and reinvest into her own production system.

Hughna says: “Zimbabwe has so much to offer and we must heep up the hope that better days are yet to come and a greener future awaits farmers.”

Hughna Dlodlo doing her magic as private consultant in a tomato tunnel.

Hughna Dlodlo on a farm visit to asses multi-cropping under shade cloth.

To assess pests and diseases you need to get down to it.

Leaves tell a story and you can trust The Crop Whisperer to understand the language of plants.

Danatrac Limited is a Private limited Zambian company established in the year 2000. It is a member of the Dana Group of Companies which is solely owned by indigenous Zambians. During the 2004/2005 financial year, it became the leader in agricultural machinery with approximately 60% market share.

The company successfully managed farm machinery franchises with Valtra Tractors, Tatu Machesan implements and Gaysa Sprayers before acquiring exclusive dealership for New Holland Agriculture in Zambia, in 2011. New Holland Agriculture is a subdivision of CNH Industrial with headquarters in Holland.

In 2016, Danatrac picked up a significant share of the market becoming the second largest farm machinery dealership for one and half years in Zambia. Danatrac’s main products are the supply and delivery of New Holland tractors and tractor drawn implements such as ploughs, disc harrows, planters, sprayers, etc. Amongst our reputable tractor implements suppliers are Beri Udyok suppliers of Field King Implements from India and Sfogia of Italy. With increased business reengineering Baldwin filters have been incorporated to suit the need among its clients. The business focus is to market Danatrac as a one-stop place for its clients and continue striving to be the market leader in Zambia.

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