29 Mar 2017

Chairperson of Ghanzi District Council, Mr Thato Tshweneyagae has cautioned farmers against parasites that accompany the good rains.
Officially opening the council session on Tuesday, Mr Tshweneyagae  said farmers should protect their livestock from parasitic diseases such as lumpy skin and diarrhoea.
He noted that his area received normal to above normal rainfall, with cumulative rainfall amounts of above 80mm over most parts of the region.
The chairperson expressed the importance of dipping and de-worming during this period of the year as parasites have also multiplied, warning that uncontrolled parasites could rob them their livestock.
He stated that there had been reports of mange cases in New Xade and Hanahai areas and surveillance was carried out in the affected areas.
He said on March 15, the Ministry of Agriculture took services to new Xade and treated animals affected by the disease, mostly for poverty eradication beneficiaries.
Cases of lumpy skin disease, Mr Tshweneyagae said were recorded at Chobokwane and farmers have since been advised to vaccinate cattle against the disease.
Another disease common at this time, he said was foot-rot, especially in small stock, which was predisposed by tick bites.
“I am advising all farmers to ensure that livestock is kept in dry kraals.”
Despite the latter challenges brought by the  rain, Mr Tshweneyagae was impressed that many farmers had shown interest in ploughing their field this season.
Area ploughed and measured for whole district, he said was 1 060.22 hectors by 493 farmers compared to 499.64 hectors by 285 farmers the same period in the previous season.
However, he stated that there had been an increase in the outbreaks of pest such as fall army worm, especially in Kuke and D’kar.
He said aphids, elegant grass hopper and corn cricket had been also reported in the entire district.
He called upon arable farmers to ensure that the pests did not rob them of their hard labour.
Regarding Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS), he said a total of 18 943 BAITS tags had been sold to farmers since January 1, while 1 4751 cattle had been captured onto BAITS and staff was continuing to assist farmers.
He noted that farmers only tagged animals when they intend to sell, not the whole herd, which was a bad practice. ENDS