SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING
Supplementary feeding is an option when pasture feed is available, otherwise we advice you provide a full ration, do zero grazing. In Botswana, supplementary feeding is common during WINTER as the pastures are dry . Dry feed is often deficient in Protein and sulphur.
Important times to supplement are :
1. Late gestation
2. During lactation
3. During growth of replacement stock
How to choose the right supplementary feed
1. Test the quality of your supplements
2. Classes of livestock e.g weaners and pregnant animals need more protein
Types of Supplementary Feeds
1. Cereal grains such as corn ( maize)- high in energy but can cause pulpy kidney disease.
2. Pellets – convinient and a complete ration.
3. Roughages such as Lurcerne,its good
for lactating ewe and growing lambs.
NB : Lurcene is not a complete feed,its only a component of a complete feed therefore needs to be suplemented with grain or pellets .
4. Straw – inexpensive but low in protein and energy,always mix with grains.
NB: We do not advice feeding straw to growing animals.
Minerals should be provided all year-round as blocks,mixed in feed and loose.
Always provide clean drinking water to your animals.
REMEMBER WELL-FED ANIMALS ARE MORE RESISTANT TO DISEASES AND PARASITES.
ALSO REMEMBER BOTSWANA SOILS LACK PHOSPHORUS ALWAYS MAKE PHOSPHORUS AVAILABLE TO YOUR ANIMALS.
Always establish and maintain a good relationship with a vet/ vet technician/ Livestock managers for nutritional advice.
Contact us at 75197077 for animal nutrition advice personalized for your Farm needs.
