21 Feb 2017

Ngamiland farmers have been advised to bring cattle to the Maun abattoir for slaughter.

The plea follows reports that the abattoir efforts to secure alternative markets are producing positive results. For a long time farmers decried loss of beef market due to the recurrence of animal disease and loss of livestock due to  the drought.

The plea was made by Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi of Chanoga in an interview who visited the abattoir to appreciate its operations.

He said the management announced that they managed to secure market locally and outside the country.

It was reported that some of the countries which showed interest in the beef trade include China, Kuwait and Vietnam.

He said as a leader, he found it fit to encourage farmers to take advantage of the available markets and bring their cattle for slaughter.

He appreciated that farmers had been complaining about prolonged absence of beef market due to livestock disease outbreaks and noted that time has come for farmers to take advantage of the good grazing period and sell their cattle while in good condition to make better profits.

However, In general, spring season is the time when plants begin to grow again and animals start to procreate because rainfall increases greatly during the spring, which helps increase plant growth and farmers were advised not to wait for drought period.

Kgosi Setlhodi said during his visit, the abattoir management appealed to farmers to make an arrangement and bring cattle for slaughter.

He said farmers were advised to bring atleast 10 cattle adding that if one does not have enough, they are allowed to group themselves.

He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the arrangement while there is good season for grazing and give BMC quality cattle in the right time. BOPA