Heartbreak in Zvishavane: Farmers Lose Cattle to Deadly Cold Weather
ZVISHAVANE – A recent cold snap brought destruction to Zvishavane’s agricultural heartland, with Mpalawani village under Chief Jahane losing nine cattle and Mkiza village under Chief Masunda losing three, leaving farmers struggling to cope with the loss.
In an interview with AfroGazette News, farmers who relied on draught power shared their struggles after suffering devastating livestock losses.
“lam speechless, lost five cattle worth US$1000. As a peasant farmer, l rely heavily on draught power and this devastating loss will significantly hinder my preparations for the upcoming agricultural season,” said Ndaizivei Mlilo from Rugare village in Ward 21, Mplawani resettlements.
Mlilo recounted the alarming events leading to the tragic loss.
“Last Saturday, my cattle suddenly fell ill,displaying alarming symptoms such as high fever, labored breathing and loss of appetite. Despite my desperate attempts to warm them with fire,the rentless light showers rendered my efforts useless. The next morning, l was met with devastating news including five cattle lay lifeless in shed,leaving me shocked and heartbroken, said Mlilo”.
Thomas Moyo, another farmer from the same village, wore a weary expression as he shared his devastating loss. “I lost four cattle in just one day.They were my income lifeline- supporting my children’s school fees. Now am left empty-handed with no means to provide for their education.”
Martha Nyoni a farmer from Mkiza village ward 10 suffered a devastating loss when three essential cattle including a milking cow, pregnant heifer, and ox-drawn cattle died suddenly. “These cattle were my everything, my children’s nutrition, my family’s income, and my dignity. Losing them feels like losing a part of myself.”
Officials from the Veterinary Services Department confirmed that animal deaths during abnormal weather conditions are primarily caused by poor nutritional status, resulting from inadequate management. Additionally, temperatures below 4°C significantly contribute to the mortality rate.
Dr. Munyaradzi Chigiji, a veterinarian at a Private Veterinary Surgery in Gweru has noted that “A cold spell can be catastrophic for livestock. When temperatures plummet below 4°C, cattle, sheep, and goats are particularly vulnerable, especially those that are thin or poorly conditioned.”
He added,”These animals rapidly deplete their body fat reserves while trying to regulate their temperature, making them more susceptible to death”.
Dr Chigiji has urged farmers to take proactive measures to protect their livestock, including enhancing nutritional management, investing in robust infrastructure, and vaccinating cattle before the onset of the cold season.
“To booster resilience against extreme weather, enhancing nutritional management is crucial. This includes providing animals with sufficient feed throughout the year”.
“There should be an infrastructure developed to ensure that cattle shed are comfortable and equipped to withstand extreme weather conditions,if poorly ventilated they expose them to respiratory disease.”
He also emphasized that,”vaccinations should be administered well before the onset of cold season, specifically those providing protection against respiratory diseases such as pasteurella and viral pneumonia”.
