Boer Goat breeding stock:

  • Ideally, the station can carry between 200 and 250 breeding females at any given time.  This would result in about 100 gimmers and 100 bucks being sold to farmers each year.
  • For the stocking mentioned above, at least 100 ha would be required for grazing; 20 ha would be under browse species and 20 ha would be required to grow maize for energy source for the stock.
  • Currently, the Institute is not meeting demand for breeding stock from clients.  Additional investment to upscale stock production would improve supply.
  • The Institute is in the process of meeting due deligence for registration to be in the Boer Goat Breeders Society.

Dorper Sheep breeding stock:

  • The Institute targets to maintain a flock of 200 ewes (breeding females) or more.  This would allow for sale of at least 100 gimmers and 50 rams per year.
  • There is very high demand for breeding stock by livestock farmers already rearing sheep and those wanting to embark on sheep farming.
  • The current target is to retain as many females as possible for rebuilding the flock.
  • 100 ha would need to be set aside, under improved pastures and hay production for the purpose.  Another 25 ha for silage maize and grain is necessary to carry a breeding stock of at least 200 females.
  • Further investments in feed resources in the future can increase breeding stock.

  • The institute is a source of seed of pasture grasses and forage and pasture legumes for farmers wanting to improve their livestock production in Zimbabwe.
  • The institute has set side at least 200 ha for its seed production programmes. The yield of pasture seed is very low, hence the requirement for a large land area.
  • The institute has been identified by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as having potential to supply pasture and forage legume seed to the SADC region, if additional investment is made.  This was against the backdrop that:

ü  Pasture seed is very expensive when imported from countries outside the African continent.

ü  The sub-region has good sources of natural pasture grasses and legumes, whose productivity could be further enhanced through selection.

ü  Regional supply of seed would be an additional source of revenue to complement the institute’s funding.

ü  Currently, Australia is the only reliable source of pasture seed and it exports to many countries around the globe. However, their prices are beyond the reach of most, especially African farmers.

The demand for seed of pastures and forages by livestock producers has been increasing in recent years.  The institute has made great effort to supply the seed within its current capability.  However, optimum and increased seed production is hindered by lack of capital investment for purchase of appropriate machinery and equipment for planting, harvesting, cleaning and packing pasture seeds.  This is an area that requires strategic investment, including installation of additional irrigation infrastructure for irrigating the pasture and forage seed crops.  

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