The ABC of cattle management during drought

Word From The Market with Chipo Tachiona

MANY parts of the country have for several weeks been experiencing dry spells owing to the El Niño weather phenomenon. This has resulted in crops succumbing to moisture stress.

Livestock has also 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, some steps can be taken to minimise 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 in preparing and making the best decisions for the herd.

During drought periods, proper nutrition is key to maintaining the health of cattle. One way of assessing the nutritional status of cattle is by observing their body condition.

A healthy cow should have a body condition score of five or six on a scale of one to nine, with one being emaciated and nine being obese. If the body condition score is below five, it is critical to take steps to improve the diet and prevent further weight loss.

If a cow is losing weight, it is also important to provide a diet that is balanced in terms of 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 is 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 ones. It is, therefore, important to tailor the diet to the stage of lactation.

Providing a controlled amount of feed can be a way of conserving hay supplies while still meeting the nutritional needs of cattle.

Whole grain corn is a good option for limit feeding because it is high in energy and easy for cattle to digest. It is important to make sure the cattle have access to plenty of water since whole grain corn 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 means of supplementing 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, lower conception rates and even death.

Water management is also crucial. There are several strategies which farmers can use to conserve water and ensure that their herds have access to clean, fresh supplies. For example, tanks can be installed with meters to monitor water usage. Additionally, low-flow watering systems can be used to reduce waste. Ponds can also be used to store water.

Rainwater needs to be harvested and stored in tanks.

Another strategy is to rotate the animals in the pastures, so that the grazing animals do not deplete one area of its water resources.

It is important to carefully consider the decision to breed cows during drought. One strategy is to wean calves early, to allow cows to regain their 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, to limit the number of calves born 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 less productive cows.

However, culling can also have negative effects on the overall genetic diversity of the herd, so it is important to balance the need to maintain productivity with the need to maintain genetic diversity.

Vaccinations are an important part of a herd’s health, both during drought periods and when there are rains. During drought, 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, which 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 dip tanks, which need to be filled with water to submerge the cattle.

In addition, spray races can be used with water that is not as clean as the one needed for a dip 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 to promote market-driven production. Feedback: [email protected] or WhatsApp/Call +263781706212.