The well-being of the animals by ensuring water, food and shade is reflected in their good physical condition.
Las Tunas.- In the first half of 2023, malnutrition remained one of the main causes of death in cattle in the province of Las Tunas and this shows how much still needs to be done to ensure the nutrition of these animals, especially pregnant animals and calves.
As early as May 2021, at a meeting with producers, specialists and leaders in the agricultural sector, it was said that the Las Tunas area could be one of the first in Cuba to be able to feed the masses with its own resources.
But more than two years later, we still have to regret the loss of specimens, because there is little forecast to meet the needs of livestock in the period of greatest drought, when natural grazing on the pastures is scarce.Promotion of an area for silvopastoralization of cattle in the Calixto Sarduy agricultural production cooperative.
This is not a new phenomenon; However, for some individual producers and in different forms of government, the onset of rains and the greening of the grass make us forget the worries of the most critical months, when food and water supplies are a problem.
Fortunately, the mentality is changing, albeit more slowly and rapidly. Part of what has been achieved in the eight parishes of Las Tunas is due to the impetus of the Provincial Committee of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP).
Its President, Roberto Medrano Ledesma, considered that, given the weather conditions that characterize this area, the beneficial effects of planting pastures and fodder on the development of livestock, particularly milk production, have been demonstrated.
He said that in all communities there are units with remarkable results in increasing the average milk yield per cow and that there are still many reserves that could bring better productive and economic results to the units and the owners.
As an example, he cited the Calixto Sarduy Arcia agricultural production cooperative (CPA) from Becerra in the municipality of Las Tunas, whose land was of very poor quality. However, they have cattle in excellent physical condition with good milk and meat yields.
Satisfied with this, Reydenis González Céspedes, President of the Production Unit, explains that there are three silvopastoral areas, each with three paddocks and a leucaena and mulatto grass association that has given good results so far.
“The effects of silvopastoral agriculture are clearly visible, especially in the case of the Orive dairy, where very good results have been obtained. The cattle are fat and healthy and this is due to the attention given to them as the plots are free from fat. These protein and forage crops are in poor condition.
“It hasn’t rained here for more than two months and the fields are almost bare. To ensure food and the welfare of the animals, we have guásima and carob from the land, which provide seeds, shade and leaves for the livestock to consume.” .
“We also have other types of food. We have pangola, star grass and protein crops like moringa, mulberry, tithonia, kratylia and nacedero. Now we are consolidating these crops for intensive production of multi-nutrient blocks.”
“Thanks to the Agricultural Intercooperation Support Project (Apocoop), we have obtained technology that favors animal feeding, with feeders and choppers, as well as a windmill that allows the extraction of water from underground sources.”
The experience of this cooperative must be multiplied to ensure livestock vitality in the dry period, with an adequate protein balance in the diet, without imported feed and yes, based on what is sown and harvested in each unit.
