Rebuilding a livestock enterprise after a drought

Drought, especially if prolonged, leads to a decline in veld condition, livestock numbers and the financial situation of a livestock enterprise. Once the drought breaks, the livestock farmer faces a burning question: what are the best practices for repairing drought damage and rebuilding the farm to its former level of productivity?

But before answering this, the farmer has to answer another question: which comes first, the veld, the livestock or the finances? The answer is that all three should be repaired simultaneously as they are interdependent. But implementation is not that simple.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following should be borne in mind when carrying out the recovery and rebuilding process:

• A drought-stricken farm, like a patient in an intensive care unit (ICU), needs