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Ishemunyoro Chingwere Business Reporter
A 50 percent increase in average prices was recorded at this year’s edition of the National Breed Sale as more farmers continue to embrace improved breeds in livestock production. The breed sale whose purpose is to record, preserve and improve the country’s livestock genetics is coordinated by the Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) which was established through an Act of Parliament in 1980.

According to a report released by the ZHB, bull prices averaged $4 518, which signifies a 48 percent rise from the preceding year whose annual average was $3 053.

Of the 89 pedigree bulls on offer at the sale, which was held in Mt Hampden on July 28, two fine bulls went under the hammer for a staggering $8 400 and $8 300 and breeds on offer ranged from the usual favourite – Brahman – as well as the increasingly popular Boran, Simmental, Tuli and Beefmaster.

Also on the up were heifers whose average was $2 478 up from $1 235 the previous year.

With the commercialisation of goat meat slowly gathering pace due to high international demand mainly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, goat breeders marked their debut at the national sale and the average buck sale was $1 283.

The rise in uptake of pedigree beasts comes as a welcome development to Government which has been saying the problem with livestock production is not on dwindling stock numbers but on new farmers’ failure to produce optimally.

In an earlier interview, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development (Livestock) Paddy Zhanda said the major problems afflicting the industry was mainly poor animal husbandry, inbreeding and poor genetics.

“The biggest problem we have is that some farmers do not have a commercial mind yet the interest of government is that wherever an agriculture activity is happening, let it be commercial,” said Deputy Minister Zhanda.

“There is a misconception that we must increase our cattle numbers, but my question is why do you need the numbers if you are not efficient?” he queried.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development the current national herd stands at 5,5 million up from 5,3 million last year.

The rise in the uptake of improved breeds will go a long way in meeting Government’s target of getting back to a national average carcass weight of 200 kilograms up from the current 165 kilograms.

According to the Herd Book report, General Manager, Dr Mario Beffa said the rise in prices at this year’s National Sale is due to, “a combination of top genetics on offer, a good farming season and the desire to invest money prudently.”