•••
P R OM O TI ON A L A R T I C L E
Drought – 2016
THE PREVIOUS
GENERATION USED TO
REMIND US OF THE 1933
DROUGHT AND HOW
THEY EXPERIENCED IT.
THE 2015/16 SEASON
WILL SURELY BE
REMEMBERED BY THIS
GENERATION AS THEIR
“33” DROUGHT.
D
espite statistics which indicate the worst drought,
the reality is that we are facing a
drought with many challenges.
Getting rid of unproductive
animals, restructuring of the herd,
ect., is an exercise which has been
undertaken by many livestock
producers. It may be a good thing
to stand back and ask whether the
problems experienced this season
were all due to the drought or
whether the underlying problems
were merely brought to the surface
by the drought (Pietman Botha –
Agricultural Economist, February
2016). This statement makes one
Table 1. Application of Complete Ruminant* in a drought situation
Cow mass
Total
intake
Complete Ruminant
intake
Roughage intake
(Kg)
(kg)
(Kg)
(% Body mass)
(Kg)
(% Body mass)
450
8.1
2.9
0.65%
5.2
1.15%
500
9
3.3
0.65%
5.8
1.15%
550
9.9
3.6
0.65%
6.3
1.15%
Ewe mass
(Kg)
Total
intake
Complete Ruminant
intake
Roughage intake
(kg)
(Kg)
(% Body mass)
(Kg)
(% Body mass)
50
1
0.5
1.00%
0.5
1.00%
60
1.2
0.6
1.00%
0.6
1.00%
70
1.4
0.7
1.00%
0.7
1.00%
* Should Complete Ruminant not be available, Herbivore All in One (V22476) can be used
as alternative.
think Pietman! However, it is a
reality that even producers with
well-planned fodder flow systems
will have to make adjustments in
order to keep their herds productive for the coming season, simply
due to the unprecedented low
rainfall.
A common question being
asked at present is what can be
done in the absence of roughage.
The hard reality is that ruminants
are roughage consumers and
roughage is extremely important.
Normal roughage intake is 2%
- 3% of body mass. In extreme
drought conditions it can be
limited to as low as 0.75% of
body mass, but preferably no
lower than 1% (5 kg for a mature
cow). Supplementation which
include energy and protein must
be provided additionally. High
production is out of the question
and animals are merely being kept
alive without detrimental longterm effects. Limit maintenance
requirements to a minimum by
providing shelter against the cold,
limiting movement by feeding in
small enclosures and providing
shade and adequate clean, fresh
drinking water.
Producers with limited rough-
54
Apr/May 2016 • SENWES Scenario
ULP DRO
EH
HT AID
UG
HINTERLAND DROUGHT AID FOR CLIENTS
DROOGT
JOHAN MOUTON
RCL FOODS