Tips on when to inseminate your cows and growing pears

HOW TO MAKE DAIRY MEAL for cows
I am David Chege from Rongo University. Please educate me on how to make nutritious dairy meal for my cattle.
David

Dairy meal is given to cattle as a supplementary feed to cater for nutrient inadequacies in the basal forage diet. The meal should provide energy, crude protein, minerals and vitamins at the right ratio. Energy and crude protein are contained in various plant and animal sources at different compositions. Kindly consider attending a feed formulation short course in the Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University. We offer the short courses and dates are advertised in the Seeds of Gold periodically.

Kimitei Ronald Kipkogei,
Department of Animal Sciences,
Egerton University.

DESIGN OF ZERO-GRAZING STRUCTURE

Please send me a graphical design of the zero-grazing structure.
Muya David

It is important to note that during construction, the zero-grazing unit specifications are subject to change depending on the cow breed you intend to keep. The construction should also be done under supervision by an expert to avoid costly mistakes. Obtain a standard plan by contacting me directly on [email protected].
Felix Akatch Opinya,

Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

WHEN A COW SHOULD BE INSEMINATED
After how long should a cow be inseminated?
Nyagus Kwach

Cows are normally inseminated about two to three months after calving once they show signs of heat. They then go into heat again every 17 to 24 days averaging to 21 days, thus, should be closely observed to successfully detect heat for proper timing of insemination. During this period, the cow is likely to show standing heat, which calls for insemination 10 to 14 hours afterwards. This means cows first seen in standing heat in the morning should be inseminated in the afternoon while those observed in the evening should be served the following morning.
Felix Akatch Opinya,

Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

MY AVOCADO SEEDLINGS DRY
My attempts to establish a Hass avocado farm in Ngorika, Nyandarua are being frustrated by the drying of the grafted seedlings. Drying starts at the middle of the stem then spreads up and down. What could be the problem?
Karogo Michael

Nyandarua has a general elevation of 3,500m above sea level, which is the reason your avocados consistently suffer from frost damage. Avocados, depending on the variety, grow well from 0 to 2,100m above sea level. The particular Hass cultivar is most-suited at elevation of 800 to 2,100m above sea level. Therefore, it is unwise to venture into avocado production there.
Ruth Muriuki Wangari,

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

Most common varieties of PEARS

I am Samuel Maina and I am interested in growing pears commercially. Kindly provide the following information.
a) Which are the most commercially preferred varieties in the market?

Varieties grown in Kenya are of Asian and European origin. These are Hosui (Japan), Shinko (Japan), Okusankichi (Old Japanese cultivar), Kieffer (Germany hybrid), Shinseiki or New Century (Japan), Tsuli (China), Packham’s Triumph (Australia), Forelle (Germany), Fertility (Hertfordshire, UK), Spadona, Ronzone (Italy) and Jargonelle (France).
b) Where can I get seedlings?

Obtain the seedlings from your nearest Horticultural Crops Development Authority centre and they will direct you to other seedling outlets.
c) Is the best planting materials from seeds or cuttings?

Most pear cultivars are not true to type when grown from seed, therefore, there is need to use vegetative propagation. The most common one is grafting and budding. However, caution should be taken since the choice of rootstock plays a key role in the pear tree’s productivity, longevity and hardiness. Incompatibility of rootstock and cultivar can result in poor growth and declining crops.

d) What’s the preferred spacing, both inter and intra rows?

Spacing will depend on cultivar and location. However, this should be 3 to 4m between plants in a row and 4 to 6m between rows.
e) Kindly provide information on the most common pests and diseases of commercial importance and their management.

Whereas the common Asian pear suffers little from diseases and pests, improved cultivars, and European pears require fairly intensive crop protection. They may be attacked by black spot disease (Alternaria spp.), scab (Venturia spp.), rust (Gymnosporangium spp.), fire blight (Erwinia spp.), root rot (Armillaria spp.), and powdery mildew (Phyllactinia spp.).

Common pests include aphids, fruit flies, red spider mites, thrips, scales and False Codling Moth.
Management of pests and diseases is by agro-chemicals, however, you should contact your nearest extension officer for proper identification for effective management.

f) How long do they mature after transplanting?
Pears take about three to five years after planting to start fruiting.
g) How is the market for pears and what’s the future prospects?
There is ready market for the fruits and you can export to other regions.
Muriuki Ruth Wangari
Department of crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

HOW TO PLANT POTATOES
Kindly share information on how to plant potatoes. I planted an acre in Kinangop last season using local seeds, manure and four bags of DAP. First I dug holes, put the seeds, then covered with small layer of soil and after three weeks applied manure and DAP. I only harvested 33 bags. Please advise on what went wrong and what is the recommended planting procedure?
Julius

The DAP fertiliser and manure should be applied before planting. The DAP will supply phosphorous, which is essential for early root development of the crop. Potassium nutrient is also crucial for potato production for the development of the tubers. So in addition to the DAP and manure, you can add Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertiliser prior to flowering to supply the potassium. Alternatively you can use NPK fertilisers that can supply all the three major plant nutrients.
Hezekiah Korir,
Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department.

I WANT TO START A CHICKEN FARM 

I am interested in starting a chicken project at a small piece of land in Kahawa West, Nairobi. Please advise on the materials needed, kind of drugs used to fight and prevent common diseases. 
Farmer

For your chicken project, you need to decide on your production objective (either kienyeji or hybrid birds and for what purpose, either eggs or meat). Once you have that in mind, it is easier to know what is required. Generally, you will require a housing structure whose size will depend on the number of birds you intend to keep and production capacity (for layers, a metre square holds four to six birds and for broilers, the same space holds 11 to 15 birds).

Offer feeds depending on the type of birds and for health management, consider a vaccination programme (cost-effective) for New Castle Disease (seventh and 21st day), Gumboro (14th and 28th day), fowl typhoid (week 9) and fowl pox (week 18). Deworm at week 12, thereafter, after every three months. Common poultry diseases are mostly caused by bacteria due to poor hygiene and as such they can be controlled by antibiotics (broad-spectrum) and maintaining cleanliness.
Sophie Miyumo,

Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.
I intend to rear 2,000 broilers. Kindly teach me on the correct rations of feeds from the time I bring in chicks to maturity. Also advice on the proper regime of vaccination until my birds are ready for the market.
Thomas

Broiler birds take six to eight weeks to reach market weight. Therefore, in the case of feeding, provide broiler starter of 35 to 75g per chick per day from day 0 to week three, (increasing the amount gradually as the chicks grow). Thereafter, provide broiler finisher from week four to week six or eight, allowing 80 to 150g per bird per day, increasing the amount gradually.

Between the third and fourth week, introduce the broiler finisher gradually to prevent stress on the birds’ digestive system. Since broilers take a shorter time in the farm, only New Castle Disease (NCD) and Gumboro (IBD) will be vaccinated against. First NCD vaccine will be offered on day seven and IBD on 14. Second NCD vaccine on day 21 while IBD on day 28 (the second vaccination is required to boost the first one).

Sophie Miyumo, Department of Animal Sciences,
Egerton University