Livestock production: Spotting the first signs of disease

Observing your livestock’s general health costs nothing and you don’t need special equipment – but it can save your animals’ lives. It takes very good stockmanship to spot abnormal behaviour in your animals. Daily observation of normal behaviour and a step-by-step investigative approach if they do not behave as usual.…

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Write down what you observe about the forage your flock is eating. Make notes on the quality of the forage and the condition of the animals.

Mozambique loses 40% of crops to pests and diseases

Up to 40% of Mozambican crop produce has been lost to pests and plant diseases since April 2017, the government has said. Government Spokesperson Ana Comoana said the maize crop has been besieged by fall armyworm, while coconut plantations have been ravaged by yellow-leaf plague. Banana plantations are reportedly under…

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FAO trains African vets in livestock disease surveillance and control

At least 1 078 veterinary health professionals from 13 African countries are among the 4 700 trained by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture and Organisation (FAO) to strengthen the developing countries’ capacity to manage livestock disease outbreaks. In a statement, the FAO said with funding from the United States…

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Livestock production: How fast do livestock recover after disease treatment?

Question: How fast do livestock recover after treatment for disease? Disease is a process that becomes more severe over time. Sometimes, it takes a few minutes (as in cases of poisoning) or days/weeks (as for a wireworm infestation). The same applies to recovery after successful treatment. The longer a disease/condition…

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Livestock production: Listeriosis in animals

Question: There have been recent media reports about deaths from Listeriosis in people in South Africa. Does the disease also occur in animals? Listeriosis does occur in animals and is caused by a bacterium [germ] called Listeria monocytogenes. Three syndromes occur, and these are meningitis and encephalitis, abortions or still-births, and…

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It’s time to vaccinate animals, says RuVasa

The beginning of the rainy season also means farmers should expect an increase in several animal diseases. The latest monthly report of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa’s (RuVasa), compiled by dr. Faffa Malan, indicates that as soon as rainfall increases, problems with parasites will follow suit. Farmers are…

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Small stock production: The five-point check for internal parasites in small stock

This five-point assessment method allows farmers to identify several diseases and parasites in their small livestock. This enables you to diagnose and prevent diseases and death on your farm. 1. NOSE AREA Nasal discharge By checking the nose, you can immediately see if there are any sign of nasal worm…

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Livestock production: Safety and handling meat from diseased animals

Question: Can livestock that died due to a disease be eaten by people? There are some diseases that only affect livestock or a specific type of livestock, for example foot and mouth disease that only affect cloven hoofed livestock. But then there are also many diseases like Rift Valley fever…

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Deboned chicken under scrutiny as Zambia tightens bird flu controls

Stakeholders in the Zambian poultry industry want an independent consultant to investigate whether the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8), commonly known as bird flu, can spread to the process of making deboned chicken meat. The request comes after reports of backyard meat processing companies which sprung up to meet the…

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What to do about Johne’s disease in sheep

Ovine Johne’s disease, or OJD, is also called Paratuberculosis. As this last name indicates, it is related to tuberculosis and is a definite concern for all sheep farmers. It can get onto a farm mainly when a farmer buys sheep that are infected, but show no signs of ill health.…

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Forty hectares of vegetable success on open land and in hydroponic systems

This family’s vegetable farming enterprise in the Gamtoos Valley in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa has expanded over the past nine years from a quarter hectare to nearly 40 hectares of vegetable production. They attribute their success to their willingness to exceed their customers’ demands and expectations. As…

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East Coast fever kills cattle in Zambia’s Copperbelt

Zambia’s Copperbelt has been hit by East Coast fever. It has so far killed 100 cattle, Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) and local authorities have confirmed. According to local media, the disease is concentrated in Lufwanyama, about 100 kilometres from the provincial capital Ndola. “The outbreak is due to a…

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Poultry production: Up broiler performance with these simple steps

Producers often ask why some flocks perform exceptionally well, while others do not, under the same conditions. A well-known quotation goes: “You are the master of your own destiny”. If applied to broiler farmers, this implies that, with correct management and a suitable vaccination programme, broiler performance will be as…

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New online portal gives insights into deadly maize disease

A new online portal provides the necessary information for southern African farmers, researchers and governments to arm themselves against the threatening maize disease, maize lethal necrosis (MLN). Scientists have named the MLN disease as one of the most threatening diseases to one of southern Africa’s most important food sources, namely…

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Great push to improve animal health for sub-Saharan farmers

Veterinary experts from several international research institutions are driving an initiative worth US$7.12 million to provide appropriate technology to improve animal health and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. The Supporting Evidence Based Interventions Initiative (SEBI) is a global scheme combining the expertise from several research institutions and partners to provide practical…

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Alarming spread of deadly avian flu in South Africa

The highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak in South Africa is reaching over a greater distance than previously thought, says Dr Mike Modisane, Chief Director of animal production and health at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Modisane told the Parliamentary portfolio committee for agriculture forestry and fisheries that even…

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Tackle animal disease on national level – SA vets

South Africa will have to change its approach to animal health to control animal disease more effectively. In order to improve the control of animal diseases, the country will have to abandon its provincial approach, said Dr. John Adam from the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). The council recently announced…

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Zambia ups surveillance to prevent bird flu

Zambia has intensified surveillance of its water bodies with wild migratory birds to keep bird flu at bay. Government also reiterated the need for farmers and the public to immediately notify veterinary officers about bird mortalities and disease. Director of Veterinary Services Yona Sakala said the surveillance is concentrated in…

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Farmers must register to sell live chickens

Buyers and sellers of live chickens reacted positively to governments set of requirements on how poultry may be sold. The conditions must prevent the highly contagious H5N8 virus, also known as bird flu, from spreading. The measurements were put in place after an outbreak on two commercial farms. Government first…

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Poultry production: Vaccines – Newcastle disease

There has been an outbreak of Newcastle disease (ND) in South Africa’s Limpopo Province and a consequent scare in the poultry industry. Up to date vaccination is always important and now is a good time for poultry farmers to review their vaccination programmes and check on the right way to handle…

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Tilapia farmers worldwide under threat due to deadly virus – FAO

Tilapia farming around the globe is under serious threat after the FAO issued a warning for an outbreak of the deadly Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) an outbreak of TiLV threatens the livelihoods and food security of millions of…

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