This article focuses on beef farming in Kenya. Beef farming is a very profitable agribusiness venture involving the rearing of cattle for meat.
Most of the large-scale beef farmers in the country are pastoralists who raise the cattle in ranches. One may opt to raise weaner calves for sale or fatten them for slaughter.
Breeds of Beef Cattle in Kenya
1. Indigenous breeds
- Zebu.
- Boran.
2. Exotic breeds
- Hereford.
- Charolais.
- Simmental.
- Angus.
Indigenous breeds are readily available and don’t require a lot of capital to manage, especially when it comes to feeding.
Exotic breeds require a lot of experience to raise and may drain a farmer’s pocket to buy feeds. However, they mature faster compared to indigenous breeds.
Feeding
Feeding is the most important aspect when it comes to beef farming. About 60% of the total production cost goes to feeding or buying feeds.
For proper productivity, it is good to feed the cattle a well-balanced diet. You can feed them on green pastures like hay, green grass, nappier or Lucerne and top them up with clean drinking water.
Vaccination
The cattle need to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as foot and mouth which may be fatal.
Another important thing to do is to take the cattle to a cattle dip to control pests such as ticks, fleas, tsetse flies and mites.
Beef Market In Kenya
The demand for beef is very high in the country. It is the most consumed meat in Kenya. Local butcheries are the best markets.
Beef must be inspected by a veterinary officer before it is sold. He/she is the one to declare whether or not it is fit for consumption.
You may directly sell the cattle to the butcher or slaughter them then sell the meat based on weight. With connections and proper marketing strategies, you can source for tenders to supply beef to institutions such as schools, hotels and restaurants.
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