This is according to Livestock Welfare Coordinating Committee Convenor, Gareth Bath, who says proper planning is critical as droughts in Southern Africa are predicted to become more intense in future.

Bath says livestock farmers can plan for three different scenarios, namely to feed, to sell or to slaughter. He says there are very good financial reasons to do one of the above.

“First of all, if you allow animals to starve, then it’s financially disastrous when they die.

“Secondly, you can use the money that you get from selling them to buy feed for the remaining animals and eventually to buy replacements when the drought ends. Thirdly, you can get less but better supplements for the remaining animals.”

He says failure to reduce herds will also see massive damage to pastures due to aggressive grazing. He also highlights reproductive issues as starved animals will not grow or reproduce, while young animals can be severely stunted.

Aside from the financial reasons, Bath says there is also an ethical imperative to ensure animals in your care do not suffer.

Source: Algoa FM