Farmers urged to take extra precaution as high temperatures persist

With weather forecasters predicting that the blistering heat could continue into October, agricultural officials are advising livestock, poultry and crop farmers to take precaution to protect their investment.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), said it is important that farmers take the necessary steps to prevent their livestock from becoming dehydrated, and crops from drying up, while President of Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers Association Stephen Layne is calling on industry operators to make any necessary adjustments to their pens to keep the birds cool.

“Ensure that the animals are well hydrated, they should not be out of water at this point in time. Make sure that they drink adequate amounts of water. And of course find ways to cool the pens as much as possible.

“The heat can cause a number of issues, especially for poultry farmers who have conventional pens, where for instance you might have one square foot per bird. During times of need you have to allow for one and a half square feet per bird. In other words, you can grow less birds than you are accustomed to growing,” he said.

Layne, who said he has not received any reports regarding an increase in birds dying, despite the unfavourable weather conditions, also advised farmers to reduce the stocking in pens over the next few months.

He suggested that while larger farms may have the space to provide adequate ventilation for their birds, small farmers have the option of installing fans in their conventional pens to provide that additional cooling effect.

“The last couple of days were very hot and it would put the birds under stress, but farmers have to make sure that they always have clean, cool, water going to those birds and that will help significantly.

“But they might lose a bit of performance in terms of growth because they might not be eating as much during the day, but at least you would be able to save the bird and still be able to have those birds come to market.

“The management at this time has to be alot better than under normal conditions. They have to be visiting their farms and spending more time with the animals and observing them and having clean, potable water available to the birds at all times,” Layne said.

Meanwhile, Paul, who indicated that the heat causes an increase in certain pests which are kept under control in cooler weather conditions, revealed that there has been a slight increase in farmers complaining about ticks affecting their cattle.

“As it relates to plants, the heat could burn the tips of the leaves of certain types of plants and also create some kind of growing issues,” Paul said.

In a notice issued on September 12, the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) said that the warm conditions in Barbados are expected to persist throughout the remainder of September and into October, with maximum temperatures across the island peaking between 32 degrees celsius and 34 degrees celsius, particularly in urban areas..

The Ministry of Agriculture has also advised owners of livestock and crop farmers to take precautions to prevent heat stress.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb