THE Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) is encouraging livestock farmers to keep animal kraals clean.
Agribank technical adviser for livestock and rangeland management Erastus Ngaruka says proper hygiene can reduce disease, improve animal welfare and increase productivity.
Ngaruka says the environment in which animals are raised has a direct impact on their health and performance.
“The most important thing that you need to consider is that an unhappy animal, or an animal that is stressed, will not even perform as you are expecting it to,” Ngaruka said in a recent episode of Agribank’s AgriLearn online platform.
He said farmers should keep both the surrounding environment and livestock kraals free of waste such as plastics, bottles, bones and sharp objects that could injure animals.
Ngaruka warned that dirty kraals increase the risk of diseases such as tetanus, mastitis and foot rot, as well as bacterial infections.
He advised farmers to remove excess dung regularly and use it as manure in crop fields.
Ngaruka added that kraals should be cleaned using simple tools such as a rake before the waste is collected and transported to fields.
He said animals raised in clean environments grow better than those kept in dirty conditions.
According to Ngaruka, dusty kraals can lead to eye and lung infections, while wet and muddy conditions during the rainy season increase the risk of foot rot.
He also urged farmers to keep kraals dry and spacious to allow animals to move freely and reduce stress caused by overcrowding.
He said farmers should provide shade structures or roofing to protect animals from heat, rain and strong winds, especially young animals.
He added that livestock should always have access to clean drinking water to maintain their health and productivity.
