Health Harvest Organic Farm

30/05/2025

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒

1. Age of the chicken:
As hens get older, their egg production naturally declines.

2. Poor nutrition:
Without a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, hens may stop laying eggs.

3. Lack of light:
Chickens need around 14-16 hours of light daily to maintain regular egg production.

4. Stress:
Changes in the environment, predators, or other stressors can cause hens to stop laying.

5. Illness:
Health issues or parasites can lead to a decrease or cessation in egg production.

6. Molting:
During molting, hens shed old feathers and grow new ones, often pausing egg production.

7. Predators:
The presence of predators can stress hens and disrupt their laying habits.

8. Improper nesting conditions:
Uncomfortable or unclean nesting areas can discourage hens from laying eggs.

©️ Mute poultry Farming

13/05/2025

This year we started early. 2 months earlier than last year..

27/05/2024

Hello hello people it's been a long time here.
If you feel you benefited from this page in one way or another kindly note that we have moved to Trevor Siafunda Blog. Kindly follow our new page that's where all our farming content and more will be posted..

Thank you.

23/12/2023

Tips on how to apply fertiliser:

1. Apply the fertiliser when the soil is moist.

2. Basal fertiliser should be applied at planting or 5-7 days after seed emergence. Top dressing fertiliser is recommended to be applied 21 days after planting.

3. The recommended basal for Maize is NPK (23:10:5) and for top dressing is Urea 46% N.

4. Dollop method of applying fertiliser is recommended in Maize where a hole is made beside the plant and the fertiliser is placed in the hole.

5. Fertiliser should be placed 10 cm away from the plant. 5g( Cup No.5 or a bottle top equivalent) of fertilizer.

The importance of this method of applying fertilizer is to avoid your fertilizer from being washed away by running water.

22/12/2023

Don't worry my president, I know many youths won't understand you when you say instead of buying V8 buy a tractor. I know what you mean I follow you closely. The next set of millionaires ll be us farmers...

20/12/2023

Someone said this. Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man...

19/12/2023

08/12/2023

Butternut farming basics

Cucurbita moschata, or butternut, is a summer crop. It is part of a group of winter squashes. It produces a hardy fruit with a long shelf life. Its sweet taste and bright orange flesh make it a popular vegetable for a wide range of dishes. Farmers can now grow butternut from seedlings obtained from commercial vegetable nurseries.

Soil Requirements:
The crop can be propagated in many types of soil but performs best in organically rich soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 6.6. It is essential to transplant the seedlings to well-drained soil. Clay soil can be a suitable medium but waterlogging can lead to lower crop yield and dirty fruits. The plant is sensitive to frost and it is best to avoid planting it on fields at risk of experiencing frost.

Spacing:
Varieties with shorter runners can have rows closer together – about 1.5m apart. The optimal spacing for those that produce normal runners will vary according to cultivar.

For example, a variety that produces three or so fruit on a runner relatively close to the crown will continue growing for some length without allowing more fruit to develop until the leaf area is again sufficient for further fruit.

In this case, you should plant them closer if you want to harvest only the first flush. The second flush will mature much later and this may not suit you.



https://zascommunity.wordpress.com/2023/12/04/butternut-growing/

21/11/2023

MAIZE PRODUCTION COST AND MANAGEMENT BY AGRONOMIST H.KANYIMBO 2023

This guide is intended to assist farmers who wish to maximize the yield potential of maize seed varieties. Seed companies often claim that these varieties can yield 8-14 tons per hectare (equivalent to about 160 to 280 50kg bags). However, this level of production is typically achieved by commercial farmers, while small-scale farmers only manage 2-3 tons per hectare (40 to 50 50kg bags), which is significantly lower considering the potential yield of 8-14 tons per hectare. To attain this yield potential, farmers need to ensure they prioritize crop protection (using agrochemicals) and proper nutrition (such as fertilizers) during production. Below, you will find a guide on effective maize management. Feel free to contribute and share your comments.

SEED
For the best maize variety to plant in your area, it is advisable to reach out to Seed Companies as they offer a wide range of options. Here are a few recommended medium varieties known for their stability in terms of yield: Seedco 637, DK 777, SY 6444, K2 607, and Pan 53.

SEED REQUIREMENT PER HECTARE
To cover a 1-hectare area, approximately 20-25kg of seed is required. If the price per 10kg of Pan 53 seed is k510, you will need two bags of 10kg each, which amounts to k840. Here's the breakdown:
- 10kg × 2 = 20kg/ha
- K510 × 2 = k1,020/ha
Therefore, for the purchase of seed, you will spend k1,020 per hectare.

LAND PREPERATION AND PLANTING DATES

If the land has already been cultivated, there is no need to cultivate it again. Instead, it is recommended to practice minimum tillage in order to minimize soil disturbance. When it comes to planting, wait until the land is ready, which means after experiencing a good and stable rainfall. For farmers with access to irrigation, planting can begin as early as October, while those in dry lands should wait until November, ensuring they have reliable rainfall predictions from the meteorological forecast. It's i