Healthy Cattle, High Returns for Zimbabwe

Case Study

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As a child, Jenny Turton loved animals and was fascinated by images of Africa. It seemed only natural that she would study to become a veterinary scientist and one day go to Africa.

Jenny became an Australian Volunteer Abroad (AVA) between 1993-96 working as a veterinary research officer on a project for diagnosing and controlling two diseases in cattle in Zimbabwe. The project was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). It funds collaborative projects between Australia and developing countries in areas of agriculture or science where Australia has knowledge or expertise, and where both countries have the same problems.

In Zimbabwe, cattle can usually be found on two types of farms.

• Commercial farms are large-scale businesses where several crops, such as maize, soybeans, snow peas and tobacco, are often raised alongside cattle. The crops and livestock are produced for local markets and for export. Live cattle can be exported.

• Subsistence farms are found in communal areas where families or small groups own their own few cattle and rely on them for draught work, such as ploughing, as well as for manure for crops, milk, meat on special occasions, and leather. Cattle represent wealth, and can be used as 'bank accounts', such as for paying for brides

The diseases of babesiosis and anaplasmosis are passed on when ticks feed on, and move to, different cattle in a herd. They can affect cattle on commercial farms as well as in communal areas. The cattle become ill and weak, and can eventually die. Infected cows can abort if pregnant, and their milk can dry up. Bulls can become temporarily sterile. Although Zimbabwe has a good commercial cattle industry, the diseases can put the industry at risk if not controlled. The lives of people in communal areas can also be seriously upset if their cattle become infected. One sick or dead animal in a communal area has a much bigger impact on its owner than one sick or dead animal on a commercial farm.

In the past, the main method of controlling the diseases has been to regulate tick populations by dipping the cattle. There have been many problems with the dipping process:

• the cattle must be dipped often - usually weekly during the wet season and fortnightly in the dry
  
• dipping is an expensive activity over the lifetime of an animal, considering the costs of chemicals, wages and equipment
  
• much water is needed for a dip. This can be a problem, especially during droughts, on commercial farms as well as in communal areas
  
• there can be delays (and extra costs) if dipping tanks and equipment are not maintained, or if water pumps are broken or stolen
  
• on commercial farms, too much of workers' time has been given to dipping whereas there are many other jobs the workers could be performing
  
• in communal areas, the unpaid job of herding the cattle - sometimes over several kilometres - can be a long and tiring task. Although traditionally man's work, the job can fall on women if most men have left the area to seek work in the cities. This work is on top of women's other jobs in a day, such as domestic duties, farming, and earning money
  
• water runoff and heavy movement of cattle near a dipping tank can cause soil erosion
  
• the ticks have begun to develop a resistance to the dipping chemicals
  

Jenny worked in partnership with a team of Zimbabwean scientists in Harare, the capital city, to produce vaccines to control the diseases. Because the vaccines are made from cattle blood, it was important for Jenny's team to check that the vaccine would neither cause the disease nor help it spread, and that it worked in 'real' conditions outside the laboratory.

The project was very successful, and has continued to be, for many reasons:

• one injection usually lasts for the life of an animal
  
• one injection costs much less than repeated dipping
  
• the government plans, over time, to extend vaccination throughout the country
  
• vaccination gives commercial farmers more certainty of healthy cattle for local consumption and export
  
• vaccination gives subsistence farmers more certainty of the health and quality of their cattle for their own uses
  
• with increased vaccination in communal areas, people will be freed from constantly herding cattle to dip stations
  
• there is less soil erosion from runoff and trampling
  
• a close relationship develops between Australian and Zimbabwe partners in the project
  

Jenny and her team became very close. Whether in the Harare laboratory, out on farms, or meeting socially after-hours, they learned much about each other's cultures and countries. The Zimbabweans were delighted to think that Australia wanted to help Zimbabwe, and that rather than giving money, had sent Jenny to work on an equal basis of pay and conditions.

In her spare time, Jenny made the most of her opportunities to leave the city behind. The warm Brisbane-like climate suited her interests of bush-walking, camping and game-viewing, especially at nearby Mana Pools and Hwange Game Park. She also went looking for traditional rock paintings painted by the indigenous San people who had once lived in the area. Jenny had always found Aboriginal art interesting, and she found the San people's art beautifully similar because of the natural colours, animal designs and symbols.

Jenny says that one of the main things she learned from the project was how her work in the area of veterinary science with cattle, working mostly in a laboratory, could make so many positive differences to the lifestyles and environments of people far away.

The AVA program enables veterinary scientists like Jenny, as well as qualified workers in health, construction, education, environmental issues and community development, to work in partnership with people in developing countries. It receives funding assistance from the Australian Government through AusAID, and is managed by the Overseas Service Bureau.