Archive for October 2026
Profit, not perfection: Why Africa’s cattle producers should breed for function, fertility and adaptability
For Zimbabwe’s cattle breeders, the most impressive animal is not necessarily the most profitable. Mark Hook, chairman of the Zimbabwe Boran Breeders Society, and international cattle judge PJ Budler believe the future of sustainable beef production lies in breeding animals that are adapted to their environment, reproduce consistently and perform efficiently under the conditions in…
Read MoreOrganic vegetable production
General guidelines and principles by Sebastian Scott, Grasslands Trust, Zambia Soil health A healthy soil is needed to grow good quality organic vegetables. Healthy soil leads to healthy, disease-free plants. Soil health can be maintained by the following practices. Use good quality compost Vegetables are very sensitive to un-balanced availability of nutrients in the soil.…
Read MoreWhere do our Zimbabwean indigenous cattle breeds stand? My philosophy on their past and future
There is a recent and welcome upsurge of interest and awareness for our indigenous breeds, both from cattle breeders, stud and commercial, and Government. The recent Government support for our indigenous breeds as a part of their initiative to mitigate drought conditions and make communities in drought prone and degraded areas more self-sufficient and to…
Read MoreA hands-on approach to Saanen goat dairying in Zimbabwe
Over the past 13 years, a passion for Saanen goats has developed into a specialist dairy operation, with a herd of around 80 goats and a strong focus on genetics, hands-on management and producing fresh milk and dairy products for the local market. The herd’s owner admits that everything she knows about keeping dairy goats…
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