Africa-Press – Botswana. The first batch of calves that remained after the depopulation of cattle in Zone 6B has arrived at Pandamatenga transit point.
The calves had remained in Butale following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in North East District last year, where over 6 000 cattle were slaughtered in Maun abattoir.
Briefing the Chobe District leadership on the relocation exercise in Kasane recently, Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao said government had taken a decision not to cull the 1 100 orphaned calves unlike in the past where they were killed and buried.
He stated that a decision was taken to relocate them to FMD red zones of which Chobe was selected due to the fact that FMD vaccination was effective, as all farmers in Chobe district met 100 per cent target in comparison to another red zone of Nhabe.
Mr Molao explained that the calves were identified with BAITS ear tags and were fully vaccinated against FMD, adding that they would be disposed through a public auction where Chobe residents would have an opportunity to purchase them.
The minister said the calves were moved from North East to make way for the advancement stage of restoration of Zone 6B official FMD free status.
He highlighted that the calves presented a quality and genetic material that was not in Chobe hence he called on the public to participate in the auction.
Responding to questions from leaders, he assured Chobe District that government could never at any point endanger their livestock, adding that the calves had undergone routine vaccinations for FMD, measles, tick and were free from FMD.
He said the calves would be kept at Pandamatenga kraals to adapt and ensure were fit and healthy for close to a month before being auctioned on a date to be announced.
The Foot and Mouth Disease Control coordinator in North East, Dr Bernard Mbeha pointed out that a total of 118 calves had arrived in Pandamatenga research farm.
He said the youngest of the calves were three months old and were still being nursed by caretakers at Butale, adding it would be moved to Chobe later.
He highlighted that the calves were being hand fed and watered in confinement, both in Butale and Pandamatenga because there was no grazing feed.
Dr Mbeha stated that the calves had been fully vaccinated three times against FMD, anthrax, and were dewormed. ‘’We vaccinate and treat these animals to ensure we relocate animals that are in the best state of health and we want them to adapt to new areas where they will be bought and we will offer extension services as the Ministry of Agriculture.”
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