FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN ORGANIC ANIMAL HUSBANDRY-BY BERNARD WAINAINA, PROFARMS Nairobi, KENYA

 Considerable effort has been out into conversion of conventional crop production to organic production systems while leaving behind Organic Livestock Production which is an equally important aspect of Animal Husbandry.

Traditional African pastoralists have been using more or less organic methods of livestock production which use very little on none of conventional inputs like commercial feeds and synthetic drugs. This is made possible by keeping Livestock breeds that are resistant to the common tropical diseases and the harsh climate common in this arid and semi arid areas. Where treatment is done, the pastoralists normally resort to use of local medicinal herbs with significant degree of success that has not been appreciated by conventional Veterinary practitioners.

This brings us to the most disturbing question in the minds of most conventional livestock farmers; is it possible to keep livestock under an organic system of production? The answer is a definite YES! Our pastoralists have been doing it for very many years with good results. We only need to give a scientific approach to this system by employing the modern understanding and knowledge of Organic Animal Husbandry.

Question (Q): What is Organic Livestock Production?

Answer (A): it is the rearing of livestock without use of synthetic (man-made) inputs in their nutrition, disease control and treatment and breeding. Synthetic inputs include antibiotics, feeds originating from excessively pesticide sprayed raw materials, artificial growth prompters like steroids, fortified mineral licks with artificial additives and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) among others.

Q: Why avoid the use of synthetic inputs?

A: because most of the synthetic inputs cannot be broken down into harmless residues both inside the animal and in the general environment, thus leaving toxic residues that are harmful to the environment and human health when taken in as food or upon coming into contact with the environment. Doe example, when dip wash is disposed into the environment, it is likely to be washed into rivers killing fish and polluting drinking water. Excessive use of of antibiotics in treatment of animals leads ti residues in meat, milk and eggs which when taken by humans leads to lowered immunity and possible resistance by disease causing organisms that also cause human diseases. Ordinarily, we use common antibiotics in both Veterinary and Human Medicine.

Q: Why raise animals in an organic system?

A: This is important in order to;-Produce healthy animal products for human consumption that are free from toxic chemical residues.

-Allow animals to practice their natural behavior in order to reduce stress which exposes animals to easy attack by diseases.

-preserve the environment by promoting sustainable input use in production. For example, by use of medicinal plants that can be sustainably harvested from the environment.

-promote animal welfare by using humane use humane methods of production and utilization of farm animals. For example, avoid cruelty to work animals like donkeys and ploughing oxen.

Q: How can a conventional livestock farm convert into an organic system of production?

A: According to the East African Organic Agriculture Standards, individual animals brought into the herd shall undergo conversion period according to the following;-for meat production, cattle shall take 12months,poultry45days,sheep,goats and pigs 3months and rabbits 45days.

-for milk, all animals shall take 3months.

-for egg production, all species shall take 45days.

Animals shall be raised organically from birth. Where organic livestock is not available, conventional animals may be brought in according to the following age limits:-2day old chicks for meat production.

-18 week old hens for egg production.

-3months old for piglets

-3month old for calves

-3month old for goat and sheep.

Older animals may be brought in for breeding purposes only.

Q: How are products from an organic livestock farm distinguished from others?

A: Organic livestock products can be distinguished from others thro application for certification from an accredited certifying body that will also provide labels bearing the East African Organic Standard Mark to show that thru have been verified to be from an organic origin.

Q: Can animals in an organic system be treated with synthetic drugs in case of emergency?

A: Yes! Animal life must be preserved at all times but such cases must be well recorded in the Internal Control System(ICS) record book to allow for enforcement of stipulated withdrawal periods before products from such animals can be remarketed as organic.

Q: What is the current market demand trend for organic livestock products?

A: Very high! Informed consumers are making a choice to use animal products of organic origin that are free from toxic chemical residues in order to avoid metabolic illness, cancers, allergies and lowered immunity which occurs as a result of taking foods with high levels of toxic residues.

Let's go Organic with LIVESTOCK.

Bernard Wainaina – DIRECTOR,

PROFARMS

See also Profarms Ethnoveterinary publication

Notes On Organic Animal Husbandry

See also the Profarms Organic Animal Husbandry Publication

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