Milele Fm

01/10/2022

K-Othrine 20g granulated Insecticide. A public product for use in the control of mosquitoes.

24/09/2022

Four poisonous plants that can kill your cattle
Dear Daktari, Thanks for your informative articles. I am a dairy farmer practising free ranging in Eldoret. Recently, I noticed bloody urine in two of my cows and I immediately called a vet. He examined the cows and insisted on walking round my farm. He told me my pasture was infiltrated with poisonous plants and the bloody urine was most likely attributed to the bracken ferns. I think it would be beneficial to educate my fellow farmers on this issue. [Sam Kipkemboi, Eldoret]

Thank you Mr Kipkemboi for your feedback. Yes, there are a number of plants that are poisonous to livestock when eaten. While some appear appetising to livestock in dry seasons, most sprout when it is raining alongside edible pastures and are consumed accidentally by cattle. In dry periods livestock are pushed into eating poisonous plants due to starvation. Animals sometimes feed on poisonous plants in search of variety.

The resultant health risks depend on the quantity of poisonous plants ingested, the period over which it has been exposed to the poisonous plant, the animal species and the type of plant or the part that has been consumed. The health status of the animal will also determine the outcome of poisoning. Here are some poisonous plants to look out for.

Lantana

Lantana is a plant common on many hedges and in bushes. Goats love feeding on its leaves and seeds but when consumed in large quantities it causes wounds or sores on the skin of animals when they are exposed to sunlight. The resultant condition is called photosensitivity. In severe conditions it can cause death in goats.

Bracken Fern

Bracken Fern is a common w**d in pastures; especially natural pastures that are not taken good care of. It is a common poisonous plant and prolonged ingestion causes development of tumours in the bladder and this is what causes bloody urine. Other signs include weakness, pale mucus membranes due to anaemia, rapid loss of weight.

Cotton seed

Cotton Seed is sometimes used in animal feeds but it contains a poisonous chemical called gossypol which is poisonous to pigs and young ruminants. When preparing cotton seed cake use heat treatment to destroy the gossypol. Cotton seed poisoning appears after prolonged ingestion and clinical signs include loss of appetite, weakness and death.

Datura/nightshade

Datura/nightshade is a common w**d in farms and all parts of this w**d are poisonous. While most livestock avoid datura, it can be accidentally or intentionally (maliciously) find itself in animal feeds. It can be harvested through hay or silage. It affects cattle, goats, horses and poultry. Among its clinical signs are restlessness, rapid heart rate, diarrhoea, retained urine and death are observed in datura poisoning.

How to protect livestock from poisonous plants

First, identify the poisonous plants in your farm or neighbourhood. Next, establish the conditions under which it is likely to be ingested for example accidentally or intentionally and the likely season. This should be followed by strategic grazing to limit exposure. Do not move hungry or new animals into fields with poisonous plants. Proper nutrition which ensures animals have access to adequate water and mineral supplementation helps limit intentional ingestion of poisonous plants by animals. Chemically or manually remove poisonous plants from the farm. Sensitising the farm hands about these plants also helps.

Finally, call in your veterinary doctor in case you suspect plant poisoning in your animals.

BY THE STANDARD MEDIA

10/06/2022

Tomato Varieties and their yields

There are categories of tomato varieties, namely determinate and indeterminate.

Determinate tomato varieties grow to a standard height of about 1metre. They stop growing when fruit starts forming on the top bud. The fruit from the plant ripens at approximately the same period (usually 7-14days). They stand on their own hence do not require staking for support.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing and producing fruits until it withers due to environmental factors such as drought and frost. This variety reaches heights of up to 2metres. Indeterminate will flower, set new fruit and ripen fruit all at the same time throughout the season. They require substantial staking for support.

Some of the common varieties of tomatoes grown in Kenya include;

Rio Grande- This is a determinate variety that does very well in warm climates. It is a very popular tomato with rich deep red and sweet-tasting fruits. Some of the attributes Rio Grande variety holds include;

It can yield up to 18tonnes per acre
The Rio Grande matures in between 75–85 days.
It is tolerant to verticillium and fusarium wilt.

Assila F1- This is a determinate variety that produces red coloured fruits with an oval shape and is known to be sweet. Other characteristics attributed to Assila F1 include;

Assila F1 is an early maturing variety taking 75days to mature after transplanting.
It is tolerant to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus and nematodes.
This variety can yield up to 23tonnes per acre.
It can be stored well and transported without much damage.

Kilele f1 – This is a determinate variety suitable for growing in the drier or humid regions. Some of its attributes include;

This variety is tolerant to diseases such as Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, Tomato Mosaic Virus, Verticillium, Fusarium Wilt, and Nematodes.
It matures in 75-85days after transplanting.
Kilele F1 can yield up to 35tonnes per acre.
Its fruit is firm and elongated. The fruit has a 21day shelf life, thereby giving you adequate time to seek its market.

Cal j – this is a determinate variety that is open-pollinated. It produces red, blocky shaped fruits. Some of the other attributes of this variety include;

It matures in about 75–85 days after transplanting.
This variety has the potential to yield up to 12tonnes per acre
Cal J is also known for its easy transportability to the market

Anna F1- Anna F1 falls in the category of indeterminate. It does well in both greenhouses and the open field. Some outstanding attributes for this variety include;

This variety matures in 75days.
Anna F1 has a yield of about 74tonnes per acre. It can yield up to 35kgs of tomatoes per plant
Anna f1's fruit is deep red, firm, and has an oval shape.
This variety has a high resistance to Alternaria stem canker, Verticillium, Fusarium wilt as well as nematodes.

Prostar F1 – Prostar F1 is a hybrid indeterminate variety that does well in warm climates. It can be grown both outdoors or in a greenhouse. Some of its attributes include;

It takes between 80-85days to mature.
It can yield up to 180tonnes per acre.
This variety is tolerant to Leaf Curl Virus and Bacterial Wilt.
It has a long harvesting period and excellent keeping quality.

The choice of the variety that you should plant should be based on several factors that include;

The variety's disease resistance capability. Some varieties are resistant to diseases such as fusarium wilt and nematodes.
Whether the variety is hybrid or the open-pollinated one. Hybrid varieties give higher yields but are costly in terms of the cost of seeds.
Depending on your farm, you should also consider whether the variety is determinate, indeterminate, or semi-determinate. Indeterminate varieties will raise your costs of materials and labour as you will be required to build the supports for the plants.
Also, the fruit type in terms of shape, size, and colour. The fruit type is determined by market needs, whether it is processing or market buyers.

24/12/2021

Am already vaccinated but maumifu.

01/07/2021

22/05/2021

Meet single women near you tonight. Now you can use our list and photos of women in your local area.  ...

23/11/2020

KIENYEJI CHICKENS VACCINATION SCHEDULE

This week am going to take you through common diseases in chicken, signs symptoms and prevention measures. Meanwhile, let's focus on vaccination.

Kienyeji Chicken are very much disease resistant compared to broilers and layers, but this doesn't mean that they're entirely free from disease attacks.

Just to mention, layers require more vaccines ( Marek's, Infections B., Newcastle, Gumboro, Fowl pox, Fowl typhoid and Fowl cholera) since they remain in production for long time unlike broilers ( Infections B., Newcastle, Gumboro) that are slaughtered at two months.

The key role of vaccination are ;
√. Boosting the birds immunity system by producing antibodies that fights the invading causal organisms.
√. Improve the yields and also enable the farmer to produce quality and safe meat and eggs for human consumption.

To prevent any kind of diseases in your chicken, you not only need to vaccinate but also to;
√. Maintain high standards of hygiene.
√. Ensure there's good ventilation in the chicken house.
√. Give them enough quality feeds and supplement their diet daily with vitamins and required minerals.
√. Fence your place with wiremesh to prevent interactions with other chickens.

Important Things To Note During Vaccination
(a). Transport the vaccines in well insulated cool boxes containing ice packs to keep the temperature constant.
(b) Ensure the vaccines haven't expired.
(c). Don't expose them to freezing, direct sunlight or extreme heat and light.
(d). Store vaccines in low temperatures (2°C - 8°C).
(e). Vaccinate either in early morning or late evening.
(f). Give your chickens enough vitamins a day before and 3 days after vaccination to help prevent stress.
(g). Always clean equipments and after use, clean and sterilize them thoroughly.
(h). Use correct methods of vaccination of each vaccine.
(i). Dispose the remaining mixed unused vaccines immediately after the task.
(j). Repeat the Newcastle vaccine twice in a three month period after the first vaccine.
(k). NEVER VACCINATE SICK CHICKENS or any bird with signs of stress or ill health. Separate them and vaccinate the rest.

Keep in touch for more.
WhatsApp; +2547 9252 5554 to join our training classes.

Happy Warren.

11/09/2020

...Matendo 8:9-24 Na mtu mmoja, jina lake Simoni, hapo kwanza alikuwa akifanya uchawi katika mji ule, akiwashangaza watu wa taifa la Wasamaria, akisema ya kuwa yeye ni mtu mkubwa....Hata Simoni alipoona ya kuwa watu wanapewa Roho Mtakatifu kwa kuwekewa mikono ya mitume, akataka kuwapa fedha akisema, "Nipeni na mimi uwezo huu, ili kila mtu nitakayemweka mikono yangu, apokee Roho Mtakatifu". Petero akamkemea maana alidhania kuwa karama ya Mungu inaweza nunuliwa Kwa pesa. Karama ya Mungu, kipawa cha Mungu huwezi nunua, ili ufanye vile wengine wanavyofanya, lazima ujue ni karama gani ambayo Mungu amekupa ili usiwe na machungu k**a Simoni. Kuna watu ambao Wana machungu sababu wanang'ang'ana kufanya mambo k**a wenzao, wafanye biashara k**a wenzao, familia zao zifanane na za wenzao, watembee na waishi k**a wenzao yaani wanataka kufanana, hawajui karama ni tofauti. Leo hii naomba ujue vyema karama yako ni ipi uishi kulingana nayo na utafika Galilaya! Shinda vyema na Tukutane Galilaya! MAMA TAIFA EVAH Mwalili

31/08/2020

Facts about tomatoes on soil agronomy;

⏩ *Tomatoes do best in an optimum pH of 6- 6.8*

At this pH, tomato is able to absorb the required nutrients.( Favourable for good root development and crop development which in turn will translate to yields after flowering - vigorous crop)

⏩ Tomatoes needs a lot of Calcium in it's development stages and fruiting. That's why you find blossom end rots amongst other Calcium deficiencies in a land that has less Calcium or acidic.

Lime (Boresha Calcium fertilizers) can mitigate this problems.

Soil health is very important as far as tomato farming is concerned. Tomatoes are very sensitive to soil acidity.