Dovec Farms

14/12/2024

AGRICULTURAL LAWS TO KNOW

1. Never target high seasons; high seasons come with their own challenges. Be a farmer, not a gambler.

2. Choose at least two main crops and a crop rotation plan. Switching from one crop to another is not directly in your pocket.

3. Plan your farm and always have crops at different stages of age to ensure a constant supply.

4. No crop is profitable in itself; just master the advantages and disadvantages of a particular crop.

5. Having a lot is not a guarantee for successful farming.

6. Have a spraying and fertilizing plan and stick to it.

7. Never follow the advice of agro-veterinarians and agrochemical sales agents. Most of them are salespeople, not agronomists.

8. Try as much as possible to reduce agricultural expenses without compromising the quality of products.

9. Never hold onto a product if it is perishable. Sell it at prevailing prices.

10. Never plant a new seed on a large scale before testing it, unless you have seen it somewhere.

11. Never entrust your million-dollar idea to a farm worker; make sure you are present during critical stages of crop development until commercialization.

12. Never employ a close family member to manage your farm; most of them will let you down.

13. If you are neighboring farmers, plant the same crop.

14. Never apply agricultural information you get online without consulting your agronomist.

15. Always have a farm plan.

16. Old is always good. Most old seed varieties and chemicals will never disappoint you.

11/12/2024

What beef breeds should you go for?

Environmental factors will help a farmer select the best suited beef breed. The prevailing temperatures (heat and humidity) and pastures for example are factors that you must consider. Cross breeds are a darling to many beef farmers because they combine local environmental tolerance and good beef traits.

In Kenya, cattle for beef production can be selected from the dual purpose breeds like the East African Zebu, Boran, Simmental and Sahiwal or from beef breeds like Hereford, Charolais or Angus.
The choice of which breed to keep will also be determined by the preferences of your target market. Age at slaughter or market weight will determine which breed to select. If you are targeting to attain market weight at 12 months which has been shown to be the most profitable slaughter age, then an exotic beef breed will do. But bear in mind that this will come with intensive feeding.

Which approach or production system?

There are three approaches in beef farming; cow/calf, back grounding feeder calves and feedlots. In the cow/calf approach, a farmer keeps a herd of cows that produce calves. In this approach, the main focus is on the calves produced per year. If a farmer chooses cow/calf production, the breed selected should have good reproduction history. It should produce one calf annually. For this to be realised, a good feeding programme must be in place.

A backgrounder on the other hand buys weaned calves and feeds them to a certain weight before selling them. A feedlot operator buys weaned calves or mature animals (normally in not so good condition) and fattens them specifically for the market.

In both, take an extra step and know the health status of the animals being acquired. Vaccinations and de-worming records must be kept.

Feeding Programme

It doesn’t matter which approach you choose, feeding will be a critical component and one that will contribute greatly to your success or failure.

The business of beef cattle is to convert feeds into meat and your business is to ensure that happens by provision of quality feeds. Beef cattle have different nutritional requirements which are determined by the breed and the physiological status -- pregnant cows will for example require more nutrients compared to the other animals.

Breeds need to be selected that fit into a designed production system. For example, East African Zebu or the Boran may cost less in terms of feeding but will take a longer to mature and is therefore suited for large ranches.

The production system for cow-calf producers should include a cross-breeding programme that utilises two or more breeds. The breeds chosen need to produce calves that are appropriate for their end use.

___________________________________
BEEF CATTLE FARMING PROJECT BUSINESS PLANS NOW AVAILABLE

E- COPIES Now Available @ kshs 400/-

For E-COPIES, pay through Mpesa Till Number 664444 or Text your email to 0724512194.

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09/12/2024

28/11/2024

Feed formulation
Feed formulation refers to the process of creating a balanced and nutritious mixture of ingredients to meet the dietary needs of animals, whether for livestock, poultry, aquaculture, or pets. It involves selecting the right ingredients and adjusting their proportions to ensure optimal health, growth, reproduction, and performance. Below is an expert recommendation.

Starter Feed (0-8 weeks)
Maize: 50 kilograms
Soya Meal: 17.5 kilograms
Fish Meal: 12 kilograms
Maize Bran: 10 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 4.5 kilograms
Limestone: 4 kilograms
Bone Meal: 1.5 kilograms
Salt: 300 grams
Premix: 200 grams
Toxin Binder: 100 grams
This feed supplies the essential high protein (18-20%) required for the rapid growth and advancement of the chicks.
Grower Feed (9-20 weeks)
Maize: 60 kilograms
Soya Meal: 14 kilograms
Fish Meal: 10 kilograms
Maize Bran: 7 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 5 kilograms
Limestone: 2.5 kilograms
Bone Meal: 1.2 kilograms
Salt: 200 grams
Premix: 100 grams
Toxin Binder: 50 grams
This formulation diminishes the protein content to approximately 16-18%, which is optimal for the ongoing growth and preparation of the birds for laying.
Layer Feed (20+ weeks)
Maize: 55 kilograms
Soya Meal: 13 kilograms
Fish Meal: 8 kilograms
Maize Bran: 12 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 6 kilograms
Limestone: 5 kilograms
Bone Meal: 2 kilograms
Salt: 300 grams
Premix: 150 grams
Toxin Binder: 100 grams
This feed sustains egg production with approximately 16% protein and the necessary calcium for robust eggshells.

17/11/2024

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔.

Do you know someone whose business employs young people, refugees and displaced persons, or persons with disabilities? Send them this post and learn how to apply here: https://ow.ly/qaUF50TWBv0

09/10/2024

✅️Fertility is a chain. The chain is more detailed where artificial Insemination (A.I) is used as compared to natural mating.

✅️If any link in that chain breaks, it fails to function effectively.

✅️A broken chain means a failed A.I.

✅️This chain consists of the farmer (Mkulima), the cow, and the inseminator.

🟥As a farmer, what are your roles along the chain⁉️

Please respond in the comment section❗️

09/10/2024

✅️Whenever A.I. is mentioned on this platform, many of us are quick to shift the blame to inseminators and manufacturers.

✅️ Indeed, fertility is a chain, and the main players are Mkulima, the cow, and the inseminator.

✅️ Yesterday, we asked about the role of the farmer in achieving successful artificial insemination (A.I.).

✅️As expected, silence was louder than the D.P impeachment motion.

🟥 Today, let's try our luck again and ask: What is the role of the farmer along the fertility chain⁉️

09/10/2024

09/10/2024

Calving interval.

✅️The calving interval refers to the time period between successive calvings.

✅️It is an important measure in dairy farming as it affects overall productivity and profitability.

✅️A shorter calving interval generally indicates more frequent calving, leading to increased milk production and better herd turnover.

✅️Ideally, the calving interval for dairy cows is typically around 12 to 13 months, but this can vary based on management practices, breed, and individual animal health.

N.B

✅️If the calving interval in your farm exceeds 400 days, consider whether this is intentional or unintentional.

✅️ If unintentional, reflect on whether the issue lies with you or the cows.

🟥Please share your insights in the comment section.

09/10/2024

Factors affecting dairy cattle fertility and embryo production.

1. Metabolic profile.
2. Body condition score.
3. The type and quantity of Feed intake.
4. Heat stress.
5. Human resource.
6. Disease status.
7. Milk production.

The physiological changes associated with high milk production such as a sudden decrease in body condition score and excessive mobilisation of fat stores to meet the energy demands and their genetically determined milk production have a detrimental effect on reproductive efficiency in commercial dairy herd.

Worth to note, the correlation between high milk production and fertility and why good management is crucial.

21/09/2024

Super jersey on sale

09/08/2024

KALES/RAPE FARMING

Raising Seedlings
• Use certified seed with special attributes, such as tolerance/resistance to pest and diseases and high yielding
• The seed rate is about 50 g per acre

Nursery Site Selection:
• The nursery should be located in a plot that has not been planted with crops in the
Brassicaceae family for at least three (3) years

Nursery Establishment:
• Prepare a seed bed of 1 m width and of
convenient length
• Make 2 cm deep drills on the seed bed at a
spacing of 10 – 15 cm apart
• Thinly sow the seeds in the drills and cover
lightly with soil
• Mulch seedlings in the seedbed, if possible

Management of Nursery:
• Water the seedlings regularly
• Avoid over-watering which can lead to
“Damping-off” disease
• Start hardening the seedlings 1 – 2 weeks
before transplanting by reducing the frequency of watering and the shade over the nursery

• Notes: It may be effective to raise seedlings in pots(potting)/seedling trays in order to avoid overgrowing in the nursery

Transplanting
Appropriate Time
• Seedling should be transplanted 30 days after seed germination
• Transplanting should be done either early in the morning or late in the evening
• In case farmers did potting, the seedlings can be transplanted more than 30 days after germination

Recommended Spacing
• Transplant the seedling at a spacing of 60 cm
between rows and 40 – 60 cm between plants
depending on the variety
• Plant Population: 11,111-16,666 per acre

Fertilizer Application Rates
• In case manure/compost is to be applied during
transplanting, apply 1 – 2 handfuls per hole (5 – 8 tons/acre)
• Apply 80 kg/acre (1 teaspoonful/hole) of TSP in the planting holes

[Note]
– Soil testing to determine the type and amount of fertilizer
– Only thoroughly composted manure should be used to avoid possible introduction of pests and diseases in the field
– The TSP should be mixed thoroughly with the soil to avoid possible scorching of the
seedlings

16/07/2024

It is always a dream come true for any farmer to have a cow breed that gives high returns.