A calf is tomorrow’s cow. From the health point of view, the life of a bovine is divided into two parts; the first 24 hours, and the rest. The first 24 hours of life of a calf is so important that it has a strong bearing on the rest of its life. A calf not provided adequate care in the first 24 hours may succumb to diseases or will always remain weak and an under-performer, even though it has good genetic potential and is provided a good environment.
Farmers will find themselves looking for animals to purchase from time to time. The purchasing process is itself daunting and it helps when a farmer engages in the process from a point of information. Did you know that just by look at the physical features of animal you can tell a lot about it’s health? What signs you should look out for when choosing an animal to purchase?
Calf pneumonia is one of the most common calf problems in the farm, especially during the cold season as is currently experienced in the country. About 67% of pneumonia cases affect calves less than three months old. The early months of a calf’s growth affect its lifetime performance. If stunted during this time chances are that the calf may not reach its full performance potential later in life making the farmer to incur losses.
Except for a few feed manufacturers who keep to the standards in poultry feed formulations, many feed companies make very poor quality feeds, a situation which has led huge losses. Poor quality feeds lead to a slow growth in chickens, low egg production, diseases or even death. Making poultry feeds on the farm is one of the best ways to maintain quality and cut the cost of production.
Ethno-veterinary Medicine (EVM) is as old as the domestication of livestock. It comprises belief, knowledge, practices and skills relating to animal healthcare and management. India, for example, has a sophisticated medical culture with a tradition of over 5,000 years. We look at how you can use elements of EVM for the health of your livestock.
Kienyeji chicken farming can be a well-paying venture if done right as almost everyone is now looking into clean eating. Majority of Kienyeji poultry farmers practice what is called free range system of poultry keeping. To commercialise this form of business, these are the five most important things to do.
The government has terminated a multi-million-shilling contract awarded for construction of the 15,000-acre Bachuma Livestock Export Processing Zone (LEPZ) in Voi sub-county in Taita-Taveta County after the contractor consistently failed to meet the set deadlines for completion of the project.
Africa’s richest man, was once asked what sectors he would invest in if he were 21 years again and he said information and communication technology and agriculture. But why would a man endowed with huge financial muscles think of investing in agriculture, a field most youth perceive as an ‘employer of the last resort’?
The cabinet secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives, Hon. Peter Munya, has announced new regulations aimed at streamlining the tea sector. The sector has for years been held hostage by cartels who benefit at the expense of farmers. Below is his statement.
The deadly coronavirus has been spreading quickly worldwide. Originating from live animal markets in Wuhan, China the virus has now spread across Europe, parts of Asia and even into Africa. Kenya’s economy largely depends on the agricultural sector. In this article we explore, the effect of the virus on the sector.