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Winter – no problem for communal farmers

Farmers from the Okahao district in the Omusati Region relaxing after attending a lecture on the benefits of supplements for livestock during winter.

Farmers from the Okahao district in the Omusati Region relaxing after attending a lecture on the benefits of supplements for livestock during winter.

Livestock farmers in the Northern Communal Areas last week learned about the benefits of feed supplements during winter at a series of lectures conducted by Agra ProVision.
The producers, mainly livestock farmers attended the farmers’ days in large numbers.
The lectures began at the topic “Why do we feed animals?” followed by the Feedmaster supplementation programme which explained various lick products, and concluded with “Nutritional deficiencies that lead to animal health risks.”
Agra ProVision partnered with Feedmaster to host the sessions.

The farmers’ days were hosted in Kavango East, Oshikoto and Omusati Regions.
In Kavango East, Governor Samuel Mbambo encouraged farmers to start supplementing with nutrients, as he said, “Some farmers are reluctant to use the licks as prescribed due to the high initial costs.
 However, farmers should note that although an immediate response is not always visible with licks, advantages are only recognized later. Farmers who invest in lick supplements get re-paid by higher production and fertility of their livestock.”
At the sessions in Oshikoto and Omusati, the topic of supplementation was new to most of the livestock producers.
 “It is good to note that licks are only used to supplement the most limited nutrients.
It is thus important to keep the animals on the pasture and not to substitute pasture with the lick” said Erastus Ngaruka, Junior Technical Advisor for Animal Production.
The next farmers’ day will be hosted next week on Friday, 22 August 2014 in Grootfontein at Pondoki Rest Camp under the theme “Don’t loose your heads.”
The event will discuss and advice the participants on diplodia headrot found in maize.

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