shloboe boe
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT, through the Department of Veterinary Services, has urged farmers to consistently dip their livestock to protect them from tick-borne diseases prevalent during the rainy season.
In an interview, Matabeleland South provincial veterinary director Dr Enat Mdlongwa stressed the importance of dipping schedules, particularly in January Disease hotspot areas, where a strict 5-5-4 dipping regime must be followed. Farmers in other areas are advised to dip their animals weekly until April.
Under the 5-5-4 system, livestock should be dipped every five days for two cycles, followed by a four-day interval before resuming the five-day schedule.
“The wet season heightens tick activity, increasing the risk of diseases such as January Disease, heart water, gall sickness and sweating sickness. Farmers must take this advice seriously to avoid significant livestock losses,” said Dr Mdlongwa.
“A single tick can lay over 2 000 eggs, posing a severe threat to an entire herd if dipping is neglected. Even one undipped animal can compromise the effectiveness of the process for the whole community.”
Dr Mdlongwa highlighted Government’s efforts under the Second Republic to make dipping services more accessible, including constructing new dip tanks and rehabilitating existing ones. He called on traditional leaders to oversee adherence to dipping regulations and enforce penalties on non-compliant farmers.
Dr Mdlongwa said legislation requiring 500 cattle per dip tank has been relaxed, enabling the construction of more dip tanks.
Last year, three new dip tanks were built in the province, and more are planned for this year. Additionally, rehabilitated dip tanks are reducing the distances farmers need to travel.
Dr Mdlongwa said in some areas, farmers have taken the initiative to construct dip tanks themselves, demonstrating the power of community co-operation.
“In some areas, farmers have taken a leading role in constructing dip tanks. If we come together as a province we can preserve our provincial herd,” he said.
Dr Mdlongwa also urged farmers to pay the dipping levy to ensure a consistent supply of dipping chemicals.
He stressed the importance of closely guarding livestock to protect them from disease and theft, recommending farmers to pen their animals overnight and supervise them during the day.
The Department of Veterinary Services has intensified awareness campaigns to educate farmers about disease prevention during the rainy season.
Dr Mdlongwa said traditional leaders play a vital role in enforcing regulations at the community level.
He said their ongoing awareness campaigns aim to ensure farmers act responsibly to safeguard their herds and prevent disease outbreaks.
“As the Department of Veterinary Services, we continue conducting awareness campaigns on control and prevention of disease. There is a need for farmers to act responsibly to protect their animals and contain disease outbreaks,” he said. — @DubeMatutu
