‘Don’t throw away maize stover’

Mashonaland Central provincial livestock officer Mr Daniel Kampiyao has urged farmers to harvest maize stover and store it, to supplement livestock feed in  winter.

Mr Kampiyao said although the country suffered drought the province had enough maize stover for livestock.

Stover comprises the leaves and stalks of field crops like sorghum and maize that are left after harvesting.

“Maize stover is a good source of energy and roughage for livestock. We are experiencing drought but it is the maize plant that did not produce the cob but the stover is there. We have enough in the province for our livestock,” said Mr Kampiyao.

“Maize stover has higher nutritional value. Grazing pastures are scarce during winter and other dry seasons and we want the farmer to keep the livestock alive and well maintained until the seasons change. Supplementation with high quality feeds is required.

“Harvesting of maize stover is a strategy a farmer can use to cope with scarcity of green feeds. When a farmer introduces livestock to high energy feeds like concentrates, roughage from maize stover will ensure that the animals don’t get bloated.

“Also the roughage from maize stover will prevent scours (diarrhoea) in cows. When farmers harvest their maize stover they must keep it in the shade because exposure to the sun will result in it losing its nutritional value.”