Livestock deaths near 100 000
Despite good rainfall recently, the country is still faced with one of the most severe droughts in its history.
Latest statistics indicate that close to 100 000 livestock deaths have been recorded as a result of the devastating drought in Namibia.
Over 59% of the deaths reported were cattle and 28% were goats, while sheep, donkeys and horses made up less than 1% of the livestock deaths.
According to statistics provided by the agriculture ministry's directorate of veterinary services to Meatco, a total of 97 854 livestock deaths were recorded from October 2018 to December 2019.
It could however be possible that not all regions recorded data of mortalities, Meatco said. “For instance, in this case Kavango East did not report any mortalities, but it does not mean that there were no mortalities.”
Namibian Sun recently reported that 88 219 livestock deaths were recorded from October 2018 to September 2019.
During that period, a total of 49 235 cattle, 27 101 goats, 10 845 sheep, 715 donkeys and 323 horses died.
From October 2018 to December 2019, a total of 57 937 cattle, 27 876 goats, 10 936 sheep, 762 donkeys and 343 horses died due to the drought.
The statistics indicate that the regions that recorded the highest number of livestock deaths were
//Karas (17 955), Erongo (17 231) and Kunene (15 826).
The lowest number of livestock deaths were recorded in Kavango East (none), Hardap (20) and Zambezi (150).
South of the veterinary cordon fence, a total of 49 846 animals died, with 26 543 being cattle.
Meanwhile, Meatco says despite good rainfall in the north-eastern parts of Namibia, it is a desperate time because the country is still faced with one of the most severe droughts in its history.
Grazing conditions have been deteriorating severely throughout the country and poor rainfall performance has worsened the situation. Many farmers have lost livestock due to a lack of grazing and water.
According to Meatco, the chairperson of the Namibian Livestock Producers' Organisation, Thinus Pretorius, said very little rain has been reported this season to the far north and south of the capital.
“We need considerably more widespread rain. Because of the drought, the pressure on grazing has been immense. The roots of grazing species have been largely destroyed and much more rain is needed for the seeds that remain in the soil to germinate and grow,” he said.
According to Pretorius, while livestock numbers had been cut to the core, the genetics remaining on farms are of top quality.
Producers got rid of all animals that had not performed optimally in the drought, he said. “They only retained the best animals to build up herds after the drought is broken.”
Meatco added that it is not only the volume of rain that matters, but also when it falls. If little growth occurs after the early spring rain, even follow-up rain in January will not be enough to kick-start grass growth.
However, if the rest of the growing season – February to March – gets rainfall of about 30% above average, veld in good condition can regain enough vigour to recover before autumn. In this case, soil fertility, which may have improved because of root dieback, will help to speed up growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
Over 59% of the deaths reported were cattle and 28% were goats, while sheep, donkeys and horses made up less than 1% of the livestock deaths.
According to statistics provided by the agriculture ministry's directorate of veterinary services to Meatco, a total of 97 854 livestock deaths were recorded from October 2018 to December 2019.
It could however be possible that not all regions recorded data of mortalities, Meatco said. “For instance, in this case Kavango East did not report any mortalities, but it does not mean that there were no mortalities.”
Namibian Sun recently reported that 88 219 livestock deaths were recorded from October 2018 to September 2019.
During that period, a total of 49 235 cattle, 27 101 goats, 10 845 sheep, 715 donkeys and 323 horses died.
From October 2018 to December 2019, a total of 57 937 cattle, 27 876 goats, 10 936 sheep, 762 donkeys and 343 horses died due to the drought.
The statistics indicate that the regions that recorded the highest number of livestock deaths were
//Karas (17 955), Erongo (17 231) and Kunene (15 826).
The lowest number of livestock deaths were recorded in Kavango East (none), Hardap (20) and Zambezi (150).
South of the veterinary cordon fence, a total of 49 846 animals died, with 26 543 being cattle.
Meanwhile, Meatco says despite good rainfall in the north-eastern parts of Namibia, it is a desperate time because the country is still faced with one of the most severe droughts in its history.
Grazing conditions have been deteriorating severely throughout the country and poor rainfall performance has worsened the situation. Many farmers have lost livestock due to a lack of grazing and water.
According to Meatco, the chairperson of the Namibian Livestock Producers' Organisation, Thinus Pretorius, said very little rain has been reported this season to the far north and south of the capital.
“We need considerably more widespread rain. Because of the drought, the pressure on grazing has been immense. The roots of grazing species have been largely destroyed and much more rain is needed for the seeds that remain in the soil to germinate and grow,” he said.
According to Pretorius, while livestock numbers had been cut to the core, the genetics remaining on farms are of top quality.
Producers got rid of all animals that had not performed optimally in the drought, he said. “They only retained the best animals to build up herds after the drought is broken.”
Meatco added that it is not only the volume of rain that matters, but also when it falls. If little growth occurs after the early spring rain, even follow-up rain in January will not be enough to kick-start grass growth.
However, if the rest of the growing season – February to March – gets rainfall of about 30% above average, veld in good condition can regain enough vigour to recover before autumn. In this case, soil fertility, which may have improved because of root dieback, will help to speed up growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
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