livestock

LIVESTOCK 

April - June 2016 

$2.00 

Draught update 

Draught update 

ZFPA Launch 

65 Years of 

Mashona Cattle 

Livestock and Meat 

Advisory Council 

& its allied associations

BAIN

LIVESTOCK 

A Magazine for Livestock and Meat Advisory Council & its allied associations 

April - May 2016 

CONTENTS 

Editorial – Taking stock 4 

Drought update 6 

ZFPA launch 7 

Quail 9 

65 years of Mashona cattle 11 

Growing hides' stockpile 14 

Bread, bran and the bigger picture 15 

Cover 

9 

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Livestock and Meat Advisory Council & its allied associations

Editorial 


Taking Stock 

G 

overnment' recent landmark Agency (DANIDA) funded Smallholder 

decision to recognise Livestock (Beef) Sub-Sector Study carried 

aquaculture as part of out by the Netherlands Development 

agriculture has paved the way for fish Agency (SNV). 

farming's expansion in Zimbabwe. It is Two-thirds of the national herd is now 

now a livestock industry in its own right concentrated in the communal sector, 

under the ambit of the ministry of where cattle are kept for multiple 

agriculture, mechanization and purposes and offtake is generally low. In 

irrigation development. some rural communities, offtakes of up at grassroots level to evolve into a unitary 

Other new livestock entities have been to 13% over the last decade have been association. 

established, reflecting growing interest in recorded, almost reaching the 15% Strong farmer associations and 

the commercial rearing of different types offtake target set by government to grow organisational structures at the macro 

of stock for sustainable livelihoods and the beef industry. level are vital to give cohesion, direction, 

self-empowerment. The Rabbit Breeders Recognising the strong dairy farmer engagement and professionalism when 

and Producers Trust and the Zimbabwe organisation in the country, the study serving the interests of livestock 

Quail and Aviculture Association have observes that the Zimbabwe Association producers at all levels. Well organised, 

recently been launched and a large of Dairy Farmers plays a critical role in member-owned associations deliver on 

number of participants attended the providing technical extension, lobbying their mandate and give farmers a unified 

events. and engagement and information voice to engage other stakeholders on 

I n l i n e w i t h t h e s e e x c i t i n g transfer to dairy farmers. issues fundamental to the business of 

developments, the annual Livestock The workshop to validate the findings farming. 

Symposium in May will also include fish, of the SNV Beef Sub-Sector Study This is especially important in a year 

quails and rabbits. This event provides a i d e n t i f i e d a n e e d f o r s t r o n g when many livestock producers are 

learning and experience sharing forum organisational structures to build farmer fighting for survival--with some now 

for livestock producers across the capacity in the beef sector. Noting the losing up to four cattle a day to drought. 

spectrum. many initiatives to improve the There is a need for drought mitigation 

That Zimbabwe's largest group of livelihoods of cattle owners at the micro, measures, for strategic planning and to 

livestock producers, cattle owners, do meso and macro levels, the study use available resources to help people 

not have an association of their own to emphasises the need for a strong beef survive as well as to save livestock. 

represent their interests is highlighted in producer organisation—whether So who's going to look after our 

the Danish International Development established as a national entity or initially interests then? 

4 

Livestock Today April-June 2016


6 


F 

ish farming is a livestock 

enterprise in its own right and 

must be developed into a fullyfledged 

agricultural industry in 

Zimbabwe. This was highlighted at the 

launch of the Zimbabwe Fish 

Producers' Association (ZFPA) at 

Exhibition Park on March 17, which 

attracted a turnout of 206, eager to 

find out more about fish production. 

The formation of ZFPA under the 

umbrella of LMAC brings aquaculture 

formally into agriculture as part of the 

livestock sub-sector. 

The establishment of ZFPA comes as freshwater fish farm in Africa but less for human consumption. Aquaculture 

Zimbabwe works to develop a fish than 5% of the 400,000 hectares is a form of commercial farming that is 

capacity building strategy, under the suitable for inland aquaculture are non-consumptive in its use of water 

EU-funded SmartFish programme. In a being used for fish production. and can be integrated into crop 

project co-implemented by FAO, OIC Currently concentrated in commercial production or other livestock farming. 

SmartFish is working with the ministry tilapia operations on Lakes Kariba, Fish farming has an important role to 

of agriculture, mechanization and Chivero and Darwendale and rainbow play in Zimbabwe, in drought 

irrigation to develop the country's trout farming around Nyanga, mitigation, agricultural production for 

aquaculture potential, so that a q u a c u l t u r e r e m a i n s l a r g e l y sustainable livelihoods and food 

Zimbabwe can also reap the benefits undeveloped. security, as well as contributing to 

of the global Blue Revolution. 

economic development through 

“Fish farming in Zimbabwe is still in its processed fish exports. 

Aquaculture—the world's fastest infancy,” Gerry McCollum, chairman Aquaculture is the fastest growing 

growing food industry—can be of ZFPA noted at the launch of the agricultural industry globally. 

developed into a major industry in association. “Fish is an industry that Fish have the highest food conversion 

landlocked Zimbabwe at both small- people can get involved in and realise ratios - they produce more protein per 

and large-scale levels. The country the enormous potential that exists for kg of feed. 

holds 60% of all dammed water in the fish farming here in Zimbabwe. 

SADC region and boasts the largest 

To assist small-scale farmers to enter 

“We have fabulous water resources the industry, ZFPA is working to make 

and perfect climatic conditions for fish all the required inputs and services 

farming. We have all the inputs, the accessible to farmers in one package. 

right feed to grow fish commercially “We plan to roll out the same model as 

and we need to take advantage of this the one used in the broiler industry, so 

to grow aquaculture into a strong and as to support small-scale producers 

burgeoning industry in Zimbabwe.” with a full package of inputs and to 

provide farming advice,” explains 

Government is ready to partner the Gerry McCollum. 

new ZFPA to ensure the success of fish 

farming in Zimbabwe, guest speaker, The vision to grow aquaculture in 

Eng. Ringston Chitsiko, permanent Zimbabwe will focus on developing 

secretary in the ministry of agriculture fish farming in areas with greatest 

mechanization and irrigation, said at production and marketing potential, 

the launch. By recognising that fish are greater use of the abundant water 

livestock, to be farmed commercially resources and growing commercial 

for food production and not just smallholder aquaculture in the country. 

conserved in their wild state for Where there are no water bodies, there 

capture, government has classified is scope for pond construction, the 

aquaculture as part of the livestock basis of commercial smallholder fish 

sub-sector. 

farming in Asia. 

Fish can be farmed intensively; they are 

efficient converters of feed into protein 


ZIMBABWE FISH PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION LAUNCH 

- bringing aquaculture into agriculture 

Picture Courtesy of African Fisherman 


Malachite bream 

In the warmer areas of Zimbabwe, not 

as well suited to other forms of 

Livestock Today April-June 2016 7

agriculture, fish can be 

introduced as an alternative form 

o f c o m m e r c i a l f a r m i n g . 

A q u a c u l t u r e c a n p l a y a 

complementary role in the fish 

industry too, augmenting 

livelihoods of capture fisherman 

whose catches have been steadily 

declining over the last decade. 


Bringing aquaculture into agriculture 

continued from page ...7 

The ministry of agriculture, 

mechanization and irrigation is 

developing an aquaculture 

capacity building programme for 

Zimbabwe, with technical 

assistance from SmartFish and 

FAO 

Calling on Zimbabwe to emulate 

ZFPA is working to develop a 

the example of some other 

regulatory framework for 

African countries, SmartFish 

aquaculture in Zimbabwe, one of 

Programme fisheries and 


the few countries in Africa that 

aquaculture advisor, Dr Blessing 

does not yet have one, and to suited to high stocking in dams and Mapfumo, told the ZFPA launch 

harmonise all legislation relating to ponds. Another key development is gathering: “Fish production requires 

fish and aquaculture. “We also need the Aquaculture Quality Control the creation of an enabling 

to establish production standards and Laboratory in Harare, to be equipped environment.” The continent's top six 

benchmark with other countries,” says with EU funding under the SmartFish fish producers, Namibia, Zambia, 

Gerry McCollum. programme. In a programme of Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and South 

technical assistance to Zimbabwe Africa, have invested in aquaculture 

The development in Zimbabwe of a started in 2012, SmartFish has development with stimulus policies 

specialised fish feeds' industry in provided training in aquaculture, and development programmes that 

recent years has improved tilapia v a l u e c h a i n a n d b u s i n e s s are building strong aquaculture 

growth rates for the commercial development support, as well as trade industries in these countries. 

farming of Africa's indigenous fish, and marketing studies and promotion.


These indigenous birds are productive, producing eggs 

said to have twice the nutritional value of hen's ones and 

they are quick to market. 

C 

apital Foods' launched its first clutch were males. 

quail feed to a capacity Nevertheless her flock 

crowd at the Andy Millar grew but the biggest 

Hall in Harare's Exhibition challenge was the 

Park on January 30. 

feed. 

Quail 

These indigenous birds are productive, Capital Foods have 

producing eggs said to have twice the solved this particular 

nutritional value of hen's ones and they problem with a new 

are quick to market. Their meat, similar range of balanced 

to chicken, is said to give the grey nutrition for the birds 

generation the energy to face another at various stages, plus 

day: they are certainly a good source of a costing model so 

protein. 

people can budget 

correctly. 

Mrs Woloza started farming quail three 

years ago. She started with 50 birds It produces a layers' 

and said they are easy to breed—but mash that is 24% 

hard to sex and three-quarters of her protein. This reduces 

to 10% protein after 

three to four weeks. 

After six or seven 

Quail eggs contain twice the goodness of hens' ones. 

weeks they move onto a finishing diet “To move from the office to raising 

so they no longer lay. The broiler food quail was difficult but thanks to this little 

contains 18% protein. 

bird, my family manages to eat and to 

pay school fees. If we are good to these 

“We did not vaccinate and somehow birds, they will look after you.” 

they did not die,” Mrs Woloza said. 

“We also did not know how long to Capital Foods also launched feed for 

incubate the eggs but we managed. roadrunners. With the worldwide move 

The biggest question was: 'Who is the to organic food, the price of 

market?' I can tell you: we are the r o a d r u n n e r s i s i n c r e a s i n g 

market. It is a sweet bird and, like all exponentially, so this is a good market 

Quail, an indigenous bird now 

meat, it is important to eat it fresh. to investigate as well. 

being intensively farmed. 

Would-be quail farmers crammed the Andy Millar hall to find out how to raise these wild birds. 



Mashona Cattle Society marks 65 proud years 

- AS THE MASHONA IS PROPOSED AS ZIMBABWE'S BASELINE BREED 

O 

nce scorned for their small 

size, Zimbabwe's Mashona 

cattle are today recognised 

as one of the world's most productive 

and resilient bovines. This unique 

indigenous breed—saved by the 

Mashona Cattle Society from genetic 

dilution 60 years ago—is to be 

adopted as Zimbabwe's baseline cattle 

breed. 

“More than ever, we recognise the 

value of the little Mashona as we 

experience the effects of climate 

change,” Joseph Sikosana, director of 

Livestock and Pastures Research in the 

Department of Research and Specialist 

Services told the 65th AGM of the 

Mashona Cattle Society in December 

2015. 

Adapted over thousands of years to efficient conversion of grass to beef and Ranch, one of the largest commercial 

the harsh African environment, the also in the dairy industry to boost beef enterprises there, Mashona have 

Mashona has been genetically production fo r n ational milk sufficiency. outperformed other breeds over the 

improved for greater productivity by This breed is proving its worth in other last five years, achieving a 98% 

Mashona cattle breeders working in African countries too. pregnancy rate against the ranch 

conjunction with the Zimbabwe Herd “On-farm results from Mozambique average of 57%. The Dombe Mashona 

Book (ZHB). show that Mashona are still the most Herd is the highest performing herd on 

The Mashona breed has a significant productive cattle on veld”, MCS veld grazing in Mozambique, 

role to play in farming today—in chairman Dr Doug Bruce told the surpassed only by cows on pasture. 

climate mitigation strategies, society 's 2015 AGM. On Dombe 

continued on page ...11 



Mashona Cattle Society marks 65 proud years 

continued from page ...9 

Twenty years on, this corroborates the Zimbabwe's Mashona breed has also The Indibreed Group Breeding 

results of Zimbabwe's most extensive attracted interest in the United States, Scheme, operated by the society for 10 

cattle breed comparison trial at w h e r e t h e e m p h a s i s h a s ye ar s, w as established to speed up 

Matopos Research Station in the traditionally been on breeding larger Mashona genetic selection and forms a 

1990s, where the Mashona was animals. Crossbreeding work in New nucleus herd; in a scheme also 

unrivalled on natural veld. During “the Mexico has shown that Mashona cross designed to feed improved stock back 

worst drought in living memory” in steers were the only animals to turn a into communal herds for genetic 

1992, it was evident that the Mashona profit on natural grassland with no improvement. 

were able not only to survive adverse supplements. In meat analysis tests, this 

conditions but to produce a calf again “true grass breed” scored a high Today, working in conjunction with 

the following year. flavour rating and showed good ZHB, Zimbabwe's Mashona cattle 

marbling. 

breeders continue to improve the breed 

“Kilogram for kilogram, Mashona 

for greater productivity and resilience 

cattle will give more kilos of calf, per In Zimbabwean cattle research and under climate change—one of the 

kilo of cow put to the bull,” notes Dr evaluation, the adoption of the greatest challenges to global 

Bruce. On the role that the Mashona Mashona as the baseline breed is a agriculture. 

can play in the dairy industry today, the proud achievement for the MCS, which 

MCS chairman says. “We can in 1968 initiated the first research work - From the Mashona Cattle Society. 

crossbreed for hybrid vigour, with sexed on indigenous cattle 

dairy semen to produce hardy, good in the country to 

milkers for communal farmers.” demonstrate that 

indigenous cattle 

The MCS has also devised a breeds can also be 

programme to help interested small- genetically improved 

scale farmers to become fully w i t h s e l e c t i v e 

registered pedigree breeders. In this breeding. In the 

open appendix system, new breeders 1960s and 70s the 

can register with the Zimbabwe Herd society campaigned 

Book (ZHB) and work with the MCS to to save the Mashona 

upgrade their foundation Mashona breed from genetic 

cows to fully registered stud animals dilution in a massive 

over three generations. 

A .I. programme 

intended to improve 

The value of Zimbabwe's Mashona all communal cattle 

breed is well recognised today. It is with exotic cattle 

understood that the Mashona's small genes, a misguided 

size is part of its survival mechanism, policy. 

evolved over thousands of years for 

productive efficiency under harsh To make best use of 

environmental conditions. These Zimbabwe's fine 

include heat tolerance, resistance to cattle heritage, new 

ticks, flies and parasite infestation, high Mashona genetics in 

fertility and reproductive efficiency, a the communal herd 

lower maintenance requirement as well must be identified to 

as foraging ability and strong teeth for broaden the gene 

optimum utilization of the veld and pool for breeding, a 

efficient conversion of grass into beef process begun by the 

or milk. MCS in the 1990s. 



G 

rowing 

GROWING STOCKPILES OF HIDES 

stockpiles of 

hides at 

Zimbabwe's - Rethinking the export of hides and skins 

abattoirs highlight the 

deepening crisis in the 

hide-to-leather value chain. 

This has been precipitated 

by concurrent crashes in the 

local and international hide 

market and the introduction 

of an export surtax to 

protect home industry that 

translates into almost 90% 

of the current international 

market price, making it 

sub-economic to export 

hides. 

In the current economic 

slump, the local tanning 

industry is not able to take 

up its quota of hides for 

value addition under the Shutterstock 

Zimbabwe Leather Sector 

Strategy (2012 –2017). Far also calling for an increase 

Hides outside a shoe store 

it is sub-economic for continue to decline, with 

from stepping up beneficia- in the export quota from abattoirs to export hides reduced demand for hides 

tion to the targeted 75% of 25% to 40% with no from Zimbabwe. and a decrease in local 

raw hides and skins, local restrictions on exports when Global market prices for market prices. It is feared 

tanneries are only able to the local market is unable both raw and wet blue that mounting stocks of 

absorb a small percentage to take up its quota. Some hides have plummeted to hides at abattoirs will lead 

of flared hides and are 60% of Zimbabwe's raw their lowest level for several to further hide spoilage. 

offering prices ranging hides meet quality years. The crash in the local Money realised from 

from 12% to 50% of specifications for the market prices is even more hides could be ploughed 

international market prices, international wet blue hide drastic, with prices falling back into a Leather 

which have also plummeted 

Development Plan 

in the international hide The competitiveness of the tanning industry to build the capacity of 

market crash. 

must be strengthened, so it can play its role in tanneries to operate viably, 

“The Abbatoirs 

strengthening the whole 

Association of Zimbabwe value addition, outlined in the Zimbabwe leather value chain 

(AAZ) fully supports local 

Leather Sector Strategy 

AAZ is also proposing to 

value addition and 

establish a Leather Industry 

recognises that the local market. by as much as 50% in Fund from a fair hide levy 

tanning industry must have In October an export 2015. that will be ploughed back 

first priority on hides,” surtax of 15% or $0.75/kg The competitiveness of into developing the leather 

emphasises AAZ chairman, — whichever is the tanning industry must industry to strengthen 

Godrey Chanetsa. greater—was imposed on be strengthened, so it can tannery competitiveness. It 

“Beneficiation is important the export of raw hides play its role in value would be modelled on the 

to grow the Zimbabwean under the 2015 Mid Term addition, outlined in the Dairy Revitalization Fund to 

economy. Fiscal Policy Review Zimbabwe Leather Sector grow the home dairy 

“But where good quality Statement. At the same Strategy industry, which is funded 

hides are going to waste time, export tax on hides “In the whole equation, from the 10 cents a litre 

because the local market is was extended to the 25% there is a need to restore levy on all UHT milk 

not able to use its quota, export quota not reserved competitiveness in the local imported into Zimbabwe. 

we feel there should be for local tanners in the tanning industry,” explains Revenue generated from 

flexibility to allow us to Zimbabwe Leather Sector Chanetsa. “Local tanners tax on raw hide exports is 

move these stockpiles of Strategy (2012–2017). must be competitive; not not being channelled into 

hides and sell them on the In the global hide market under-price hides in order building the leather 

international market,” says slump, this effectively to survive at the expense of industry. 

Chanetsa. means that there is a tax on abattoirs and farmers who AAZ members account 

AAZ proposes reducing all hide exports, which produce the raw materials for some 70% of formal 

the export tax to a equates to 88% of the for this industry.” sector cattle slaughters and 

reasonable percentage of international market prices. High processing costs are the largest producers of 

the export parity price. It is At $0.05—0.10 cents a kg, have seen tannery profits hides in Zimbabwe. 

14 




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