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BEEF PROJECT PROPOSAL Mudede

This proposal outlines a beef cattle production project on a 74 hectare farm in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The farmer proposes to purchase 20 in-calf heifers and establish a breeding herd following a structured breeding program. The farm has adequate grazing land, water access, and handling facilities to support the herd. The goals are to generate income, contribute to national employment and herd rebuilding, and make productive use of farm resources. Technical support will be provided by government agencies. Financial projections over 5 years indicate the viability of the project. The strengths include addressing national livestock policy priorities and integrating livestock and crop production.

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Wilkinson Taurwi
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6K views10 pages

BEEF PROJECT PROPOSAL Mudede

This proposal outlines a beef cattle production project on a 74 hectare farm in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The farmer proposes to purchase 20 in-calf heifers and establish a breeding herd following a structured breeding program. The farm has adequate grazing land, water access, and handling facilities to support the herd. The goals are to generate income, contribute to national employment and herd rebuilding, and make productive use of farm resources. Technical support will be provided by government agencies. Financial projections over 5 years indicate the viability of the project. The strengths include addressing national livestock policy priorities and integrating livestock and crop production.

Uploaded by

Wilkinson Taurwi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BEEF PRODUCTION

PROPOSAL
FOR

MR t pachiti
of
7325 border view
mutare
Cell: 011 795 622

Assisted by:
Wilkinson Taurwi ((BSc. Agricultural Economics and Development (Hons)) MSU
Tel: +263 7773 22 981
Email: wilkinsontaurwi@gmail.com
Executive summary

Name of Farm: Globe Rock of Monkfield

District / Province: Midlands

Total Area: 74ha

Grazing Area: 64ha

Arable: 10ha

Proposed Enterprises Beef cattle production

Water source: River and a dam

Loan required: $xx

Working capital: $xx million

Total Project cost: $xx million

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The current scenario in the beef industry and the escalating cost of beef in the country is
certainly not news to any Zimbabwean. This has resulted, due to a combination of
various factors which have in one way or another affected the beef industry in the past
decade. Among these are the recurrent droughts that have hit the country and the
outbreak of disease such as Foot and Mouth and Anthrax. These factors have had a
negative impact on the conception and calving rates of beef cattle, with fertility levels
being estimated at 50 – 52 % instead of the optimum 80 %. In an effort to cushion
themselves against financial loss due to the droughts, a number of commercial beef
producers destocked substantially with thousands of breeding animals being slaughtered
and thus leading to a further loss of the beef industry as a whole. The resuscitation of the
beef industry therefore depends mainly on promotion of restocking of farms, promotion
of cattle breeding projects, and minimizing the continued slaughter of breeding stock.

It is on this background that farmers should consider engaging in farming activities that
support the national objective of rebuilding our national herd, through a specialised beef
production system.
This document outlines the framework within which a beef breeding project is intended
to operate at Globe Rock of Monkfield all in an effort to resuscitate the beef industry.
2.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1 LOCATION AND SIZE
Globe Rock of Monkfield farm is situated about 20km from Mutare and 13km from Leopard
Rock. The farm is dominated sandy loamy soils. This farm falls in Natural Region Ib which is a
specialized and diversified farming area. Rainfall in this area is high and temperatures are
normally comparatively low fruit and intensive livestock production can be practiced.
2.2 WATER AND FEED RESOURCES
Because of high rainfall, the vegetation is usually green during a greater part of the year.
Intensive crop production can also support livestock production. On the farm water is
adequately supplied by a nearby river and dam. This farming areas can support up to 21
livestock units.

2.3 CATTLE HANDLING FACILITIES

 The farm has a boundary fence


 The farmer intends to construct a four pen systems and improve the existing race and crush
bail for effectively handling of cattle. Currently there is an overnight cattle
 There is also a small milking parlour, so the farmer has got also an option of choosing a dual
purpose breed which can also provides milk.

3.0 GOALS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT


3.1 Project overall objective
 To ensure increased and more reliable intensive livestock and crop production. All in
an effort to contribute to the resuscitation of the beef industry.

3.2 Short term

 To generate income for personal and household use

 To productively make use of the resources and infrastructure at the farm

 To contribute to the national employment creation

 To ensure optimum utilisation of the land on an environmentally sustainable basis.

3.2 Long term

 To generate income for the livestock infrastructural development of the farm.

 To compliment the Government efforts in the rebuilding of the national herd

 To improve livestock marketing system and contributing towards beef export.

3.3 Project outputs

 The management will liaise with other technical support service providers, such as

Department of Livestock Production and Development, Department of Veterinary

Services, Agricultural, Research and Extension Services and Stock feed Suppliers. It is

through this liaison that his beef breeding project will also see to it that the following

outputs are realized.

 Veld and grazing management practices improved and maintained

 Livestock marketing system improved and maintained.

 Livestock management practices improved and maintained.


4.0 NATURE OF BUSINESS
4.1 PRODUCTION SYSTEM
 The farmer intends to purchase 20 incalf heifers for
breeding.
 His livestock production policy would be breeding and selling steers at 2 ½ years. The
fertility calving and take off rates are as follows:
- 80% calving

- 4% bulling

- 20% replacement rate

- 0% mortality
4.1.1 Proposed herd cycle
- Calves born in September – December

- Heifers to be bulled in November – February

- Cows to be bulled in December – March

- Steers to be sold off the veld at 2 ½ years old

- Excess heifers to be sold at 1 ½ - 2 years old.

4.2 HERD HEALTH PROGRAMME

- Animals will be dosed for internal parasites on arrival before grazing the veld.

- The farmer will practice a strict herd vaccination and cattle dipping programme to
ensure optimum productivity.
- The cost of the herd health programmes is indicated in the production cashflows
- Assistance on herd health management will be sought from the department of
Veterinary Services.

4.3 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

- A strict breeding programme will be followed where by a bull will run with the
herd only during the proposed breeding period.
- The farmer will employ a farm supervisor who will supervise the stockman

- Technical assistance and advisory services will be provided by the Departments


of Livestock Production and Development, Veterinary Services and Arex.

5.0 MARKETING PLAN


 There is currently an insatiable market for breeding heifers and
this project will ease this shortage especially for new beef
farmers who intend to embark on beef production at their
newly acquired plots.
 2 ½ year old steers and cull cows will be sold through
organised cattle sales or straight to private abattoirs.
 Arrangements can also be done so that cattle are sold through
the Cold Storage Commission.

5.1 FINANCIAL DETAILS


 The farmers wish to borrow money for the purchase of 20 breeding stock.
 Financial resources for maintaining the herd and setting up infrastructure will be met by the
farmer.
 The repayment plan is outlined in the cashflow (attached)

6.0 SWOT ANALYSIS


6.1 STRENGTHS
 The breeding project is in line with the National Livestock
Policy whereby the promotion of beef breeding is geared
towards restocking and rebuilding the national herd.
 There is adequate grazing and browse and livestock production
can be integrated with crop production.
 The beef sub-sector currently has an insatiable demand for beef
animals
 Technical expertise will be provided by the Department of Livestock Production and
Development and Veterinary and Technical Services.

6.2 WEAKNESS
 The project cannot accurately predict the future trends in inflation due to volatile economic
climate.
 Disease outbreak can pose a serious threat to the project although a strict health programme
will be followed.
 Stock theft is currently rife and poses a threat to the business although cattle insurance and
security have been put in place to combat this threat.
7.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The financial analysis by way of the 5 year production cashflows indicates the viability of the
project. In recommending this project, the major strengths are drawn from the following aspects:
(i) The project being in the best interest of the National Livestock Policy will be set
to get enough financial support.
(ii) The farmer has shown his commitment into the project by installing a boundary
fence, feed and water troughs, a cattle pen and a race.
(iii) The farmer has a sound financial base to support this proposed project

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