STAKEHOLDERS in livestock production, a key component of the agriculture sector, continue to make efforts to grow the sector, but diseases threaten to derail the efforts.
Livestock production is normally practised in Matabeleland, but farmers in Mashonaland have taken up the trade.
The Veterinary Services Department has since embarked on a vaccination programme to reduce cases of anthrax in Matabeleland North Province.
Anthrax is a bacterial infection that usually affects goats, cattle, sheep, pigs, camels, antelopes and horses which can be transmitted to humans through breaks in the skin, from contaminated food and through inhalation of bacteria.
Under the programme more than 20 000 cattle have been vaccinated in areas such as Nkayi North, Tsholotsho, Lupane and parts of Binga.
The vaccination exercise, is targeted to be complete by end of July.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) livestock expert, Lloyd Mataya has said with the onset of winter, farmers should put in place measures to safeguard their herd.
Livestock diseases are rampant during the rain season, but there are diseases farmers should be on the lookout during winter.
Said Mataya: “Cattle should go into winter free of worm burdens.
“All ‘young stock’ and ‘adult cattle’ should be dosed for roundworms and fluke on farms where it is common.
“If not sure of worm and fluke levels, a farmer can take fresh dung samples to veterinary offices for testing.”
Apart from vaccinating livestock, Mataya said the stock should also be dipped and dosed.
“Farms that had a theileriosis or brown ear tick problem during the summer season should continue to dip the recommended intervals during July and August when brown ear tick nymphs are active and may pick up the Theileria infection from carrier cattle,” Mataya said.
“During winter, also have cows pregnancy diagnosed by veterinary surgeons as this gives an idea of which animals to re-bull and which cows do not need to be fed in winter or those for culling.
“Experts can also identify fertility problems, generalised herd diseases and give an expected calf crop.”
Mataya said sheep must be vaccinated against pulpy kidney, tetanus, clostridia and pasteurella.