23 Sep 2014

After the discontinuation of the bolus system in 2013, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) started a campaign on ear tag linkage and the campaign ended on 8^th August 21014.

This was revealed by the Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang during the last session of the full council meeting recently. 

He said out of 290 000 cattle eligible for the bolus ear tag linkage, only 189 000 cattle have been linked.

He said calves that were below three months during the campaign would be ear tagged by owners, adding that ear tags could be purchased from Livestock Advisory Centres (LACs) at P21 a pair of analogue and electronic ear tags.

Mr Tlhomelang said farmers should tag their cattle and submit records to DVS offices for capturing into the system. 

The chairperson noted that the government made a decision in mid-August 2014 that farmers were expected to vaccinate their cattle to avoid delays resulting in their cattle dying.

He said farmers who could not manage to vaccinate their cattle should engage individuals who know how to vaccinate such as retired and unemployment veterinary doctors who would be paid P4 per beast by the government.

Councillors were told that vaccines for anthrax (kwatsi) and blackleg (serotswana) would be given to farmers free of charge. However, he said they would be expected to submit statistics on their cattle either before or after vaccinations. 

He said farmers would be required to present their brand certificates and certified IDs when requesting for vaccines. ENDS