Hello all.am a newbie but so far so good this forum is da best..pls keep it up cos am learni g everyday.

Chicks are fond of piling up together whenever they’re afraid or whenever light suddenly goes off. To prevent this, you have to give the chicks what’s called blackout training. Start this from day old. This training involves turning the light off for about 5 to 60 minutes daily. Without this, the chicks will likely die in pile-ups on the litter if a blackout occur.

Another way to prevent pile-ups is by raising them in brooder rings. The rounded corners will prevent pileing ups.

Has anyone ever had a problem where a lot of healthy chicks were found dead in the morning? Blackout is probably the caused.

Pictured below is a brooder ring. Smaller sizes can also be used depending on number of chicks.

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I’ve come across a site that state that neem seed can be used at low level (7g/kg feed) in feed as a replacement for antibiotics. What other such herbal remedy do you know?

Hello all. I’ve heard many owners of battery cage complaining about flies. I have a good news for you to try out. I’ve read somewhere that you can control flies by spraying lime powder or 10% malathion spray twice a month on the droppings. Other insecticides like imidacloprid, Chlorpyrifos, Abamectin etc can be used.

I hope this will help. And please, don’t fail to tell me how helpful this is.

Do you know you can save feed cost by formulating your own feed? If you don’t want to go all the way to the scratch to formulate your own feed, you can use concentrates and add to it things like maize, wheat offal or rice bran and soybean meal. Below is an example:

AnimalCare sells a 25kg concentrate feed for layers for N3100 (old price, 2015 or so). With this concentrate, you can formulate 100kg of feed as follows:

1. Layers Concentrate: 30kg
2. Maize: 50kg
3. Wheat offal/Rice bran (as source of fiber): 20kg

The trick is to find places where you can buy maize and wheat offal/rice bran at cheap prices. You can get them cheap by buying directly from maize farmers or companies that have wheat offal/rice bran as byproducts. Having your own vehicle will save you a lot in transport cost.

Apart from AnimalCare, there are other companies that sell concentrates. Visit chicken feed sellers to find out.

It is important that you cook whatever you want to eat very well. This also applies to eggs. If you don’t cook them well, you may end up contacting salmonella infection. The symptoms appears 6-72 hours after consuming an infected egg. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever and/or headache. In healthy people, these symptoms may last only a day or two, but for the elderly, very young, pregnant women, the ill or those with immune system disorders, it can lead to complications and even death.

So always remember to boil or fry your eggs well. The high temperature of cooking will kill any pathogens present. Also remember that you can also contact salmonella from other animal food products, and even from some non-animal products like tomato, orange juice, cereals etc. The end of everything is that you cook everything you’ll eat properly. In case of fruits, wash them well in salt solution and prepare them under hygienic conditions.

Although salmonella won't make the birds seriously sick, birds are still vaccinated against it for the sake of humans.

TREATED Cameroonian Hybrids Plantain/ Banana
9month Fruiting Suckers
Nationwide & Self Pickup Services Available.

Kindly Call/WhatsApp:08120757274/08057761905
www.sedulusfarms.com.ng

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The Central Bank Of Nigeria CBN is issuing loans to small and medium enterprises under the Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS) Loan 2020.

What is Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)?

Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme AGSMEIS is the Bankers’ Committee’s initiative aimed at complementing the efforts of the Federal Government to promote agri-business as well as small and medium-sized enterprises as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and job creation.

The AGSMEIS was approved at the Bankers’ committee 331st held on the 9th of February 2017. The Scheme requires all banks in Nigeria to set aside 5% of their profit after tax (PAT) annually for onward disbursement as loans.

In pursuit of this Scheme, the CBN appoints reputable and experienced organizations, referred to as Enterprise Development Institutes (EDIs), to provide necessary business development support.

From the AGSMEIS, you can access up to N10M at 5 percent per year– without collateral.

Objectives of the Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)

The Scheme’s goals include:

To create much-needed job possibilities in Nigeria

To improve the agricultural value chain and guarantee sustainable farming practices.

To guarantee access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

To boost the managerial capacity of Agri-Business/SMEs as pipelines of fast growing enterprises that can evolve into corporate organizations.

Who is eligible for AGSMEIS Loan
MSMEs are eligible in the following industries:
Agriculture,
Education,
Healthcare,
Services,(Hospitality, Restaurants, Catering, Services, etc.),
ICT,
Manufacturing / Production,
Mining, Creative Industry (Fashion, Design, Craf Entertainment, etc.), etc.

How to apply for AGSMEIS Loan Without Collateral

Step 1: Get trained
Train at a CBN-certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) for a one-week mandatory training course.

Step 2: Apply for the Loan.
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) will guide you and help you get all the papers you need to secure your credit.
You can obtain the current application form from the CBN EDC that trained you. But

Step 3: Receive funds
For eligible applications, funds are paid into the beneficiaries’ account.
Feedback is provided to unqualified applicants.

Step 4: Get Business Support Services
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute will assist you in implementing the business plan and commercially delivering business support services.

Step 5: Make Sales
Sell products and services for reimbursement and profit.

Step 6: Reimbursement
Run your business, keep records, monitor sales and expenses to maximize profit and repay the loan.

What is the interest rate for AGSMEIS Loan?

This is the question any serious prospective entrepreneur should ask. The AGSMEIS charges as little as five (5) percent interest for the first five(5) years on overall capital.
In other words, if you get One Million Naira(N1,000,000), you will be required to reimburse One Million Fifty Thousand Naira(N1,050,000) over the period of the loan.
Get more details at: www.nmfb.com.ng/sme

CBN AGSMEIS Loan Requirements
Get the following details handy as you will be required to present them either during application, before final approval of the CBN loan application or final disbursement of the funds.
Registered business with CAC
Evidence of tax payments
BVN
Letter of Introduction
Letter of Guaranty
Certification by an EDI
Passport photo of you and guarantor
Valid ID card
Who Is Qualified To Write A Letter of Introduction for CBN AGSMEIS Loan?
Your Pastor/Priest
Chief Imam
LGA Chairman
CDA Chairman
Village Head
Senior Civil Servants Level 14 above
Your friend or spouse can write the guaranty letter.

Important Notice: Please note that applicants who submitted last year and received a link to provide further details before the last requirements came out do not need to submit again.

About NMFB
The National Microfinance Bank is Nigeria’s leading financial institution authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Company was established in 2019 as a Private Limited Company and began operations after obtaining a license from the CBN as a National Microfinance Bank. It is owned by the Bankers Committee by 50%, by NIRSAL by 40% and NIPOST by 10%.

Until now, the bank has disbursed about 776 million loans under the AGSMEIS to eligible SMEs.

Here is a list of CBN approved Entrepreneurship Development Centers EDC
There is at least one EDC center in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country. Here are their addresses.

CBN-EDC, Ibadan (South West)
Website: www.edcsouthwest.org
Address: Old SDSTC (Oyo Oodua Skill Acquisition Centre Premises),
Samonda, along Sango-UI Road,
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

CBN-EDC, PortHarcourt (South South)
Website: www.ssedc.org
30 Trans-Woji road, Grace plaza, by Slaughter Bridge Woji Town,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State

CBN-EDC, Maiduguri (North East)
website : edcnortheast.com.ng
Address: Old Informatics Institute, Njimtillo, Kano Road,
Maiduguri, Borno State

CBN-EDC, Kano (North West)
Address: Murtala Muhammed Library Complex,
Kano, Kano State

CBN-EDC, Makurdi (North Central)
Off Jonah Jang Crescent,
Near Federal Secretariat,
Makurdi, Benue State.

CBN-EDC, Minna (North Central)
Address: Minna Innovation Institute,
Behind Niger State Sharia Commission,
Justice Ndajiwo Drive,
Minna, Niger State.

CBN-EDC, Enugu (South East)
Address: Ebenezer Villa Suite
8, Ogenyi Close, Off Cornerstone Avenue
Off Nike Lake Resort Road,
Enugu, Enugu State.

You can get more contact addresses of Entrepreneurship development centres in Nigeria @ https://www.boi.ng/edcpartners/

Frequently asked questions

How do I access the Loan?
Get trained by first selecting a CBN-Certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) to guide you through the loan application process and ensure that all your documents are complete.

What is the interest rate for this loan?
The interest rate is nine percent (9%) per annum

Do I need collateral?
No, this loan scheme does not require a collater

How long will it take to receive funds?
This loan scheme is designed to be easily accessible. The entire process is automatted. From application submittion to disbursement takes six(6) to eight(8) weeks.

Has disbursement started?
Yes we have disbursed over N25B and this is sti ongoing.

Source: https://canonspace.com/2019/10/02/apply-for-cbn-agsmeis-loan-2019-without-collateral/

Pope Francis has declared support for civil unions for same-sex couples for the first time, according to the Catholic News Agency.
The Pope made the historic remarks in "Francesco," a new documentary film directed by Russian filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, that premiered at the Rome Film Festival on Wednesday.

"Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They're children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," the Pope said in the film, the Catholic News Agency reported.

"What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered," the Pope said.

The film also explores the Pope's work and views in other issues, including climate change, migration and economic equality, according to the film's website. It is set to premiere in North America on Sunday during the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.

Francis has suggested in past interviews that he is not against civil unions, but this is the first time as Pope that he has directly come out in favor of them.

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis advocated for same-sex civil unions as an alternative when Argentina was discussing whether to legalize same-sex marriage.
Francis' comments differ from his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who made the news when he labeled homosexuality "an intrinsic moral evil."

Jesuit Father James Martin, who has advocated for the church to welcome LGBTQ people, said bishops from many countries, including some in the United States and Poland, who are "violently against" civil unions will have to rethink their positions.

"He's creating a new space for LGBT people ... He's saying it on the record and he's being very clear. It's not simply that he's tolerating it -- he's supporting it," Martin told CNN's Christine Amanpour on Wednesday.

In the US, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, asked for more clarification, saying the Francis' comments contradict the church's teachings on same-sex unions.

"The Church cannot support the acceptance of objectively immoral relationships," Thomas said in a statement. "Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and must have their personal human rights and civil rights recognized and protected by law. However, the legalization of their civil unions, which seek to simulate holy matrimony, is not admissible."

Ed Mechmann, director of public policy for the Archidiocese of New York, described the Pope's comments as a serious mistake that can lead to a lot of confusion.

"In this case, I think we have to recognize that the Holy Father has plainly erred," Mechmann wrote in a blog post. "Catholics cannot promote the legalization of same-sex unions. But we also have to be clear that he isn't changing the teaching of the Church on homosexuality or same-sex unions in any way."

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/21/europe/pope-gay-couples-civil-union-intl/index.html

Is it advisable to mix  ,fungicides and liquid fertilizer in the same tank?
Won't the fertilizer reduce the effectiveness of both contact and systemic fungicide that are to be mixed together? 
Also what is the advisable mixing ratio of the fungicides(both contact and systemic)?

Pls my pepper has been affected by diseases and they have affected many plantsuch as Tomatoes spotted wilt virus, bacteria leaf spot ,fruit rot etc.pls any remedy, I just applied manxozeb (z force) but I ve not noticed any changes?

 I am a new member, a vegetable farmer..I will love to learn more on vegetable farming (pepper and tomatoes)  and share my experiences in later times

An Abia pig farmer, Mr. Akobundu Steven Agomoh is currently counting his losses following a deadly disease that struck his farm, killing over 438 pigs.

Mr. Agomoh who is the CEO of Akonauche Farms located in Agbommiri Ndoro Oboro in Ikwuano local government area of Abia state in a chat with ABN TV on Friday said the swine flu defied all cures by his veterinary doctors.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy9zcilClCs

According to Mr. Agomoh, all known medication was administered on the pigs but no result was achieved as they continued dying helplessly. The farmer described the disease as an outbreak that broke out in Lagos, moved to Ogun, and later Umuahia, Abia State. He said it was brought into the state by people who went to buy the younger pigs known as weaners.

The disease which he said can be spread to humans witnessed a spike in Umuahia when owners of infected pigs started an aggressive sale to meat sellers. He said it was transferred into his farm by meat sellers who had contact with infected pigs and later visited his farm in Oboro, Ikwuano. The disease since the outbreak in June this year has caused fatal losses to farmers, he said.

In the third week of June, Agomoh's farm was struck, leading to the death of 438 pigs, estimated at 11 million Naira. "They died in tens hourly. The first sign I noticed was the loss of appetite and cold. Anyone that dies will have a semblance of blood on the nose.
"They also had red spots. Within 40 minutes after death, the spots change to black" he said.

Source: https://abntv.ng/2020/07/fears-as-deadly-pig-disease-hits-abia-farmer-loses-millions-in-4-days-photos-video/

I am Adeyeye Emmanuel a new member wishing to get first-hand counsel that will help me in my poultry adventure

I reside deep in the heart of kaduna, graduate of chemical engineering whose heart has always been in love with farming, especially livestock. Now my singular goal is to marry both to aid boost Agric Business in Nigeria. For now I own a small poultry farm but my mind harbors a plan for the near future. I am glad to be here as I always advocate for the free flow of information as long we all do the same. This thread will host my current experiences good and the other good

I reside deep in the heart of kaduna, graduate of chemical engineering whose heart has always been in love with farming, especially livestock. Now my singular goal is to marry both to aid boost Agric Business in Nigeria. For now I own a small poultry farm but my mind harbors a plan for the near future. I am glad to be here as I always advocate for the free flow of information as long we all do the same. This thread will host my current experiences and journey so far  

Hi everyone. I m a newbie. So glad to come across this forum

In this thread, I want to post lots of info I have gathered on plant nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are very tiny pests that lives in the soil. So tiny that you can't see them with your naked eyes. These pests can attack roots and suck nutrients out of plants, causing decrease yield and poor plant health.

There are many types of nematodes but the root knot nematodes is popularly known by many. They are those ones that causes knots on the roots.

PTF: Farmers Should Prepare To Return To Their Farms by modgba :
By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, Mr Boss Mustapha, has asked farmers in the country to prepare to return to their farms very soon.

The PTF Chair, speaking during the daily press briefing on Friday in Abuja, stated that this became necessary to avert food crisis in the country at a time the nation was battling with health and economic crisis.

According to him, the federal government, through the ministry of Agriculture, will make adequate arrangements to make things go smoothly for farmer.

He said Nigeria must take full advantage of the forthcoming planting season to increase the food bank of the nation.

“​I also wish to use this opportunity to restate that food security and self-sufficiency remain important to our national life.

“I therefore, urge all our farmers to begin to prepare for their return to the farms as the planting season.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has put in place arrangements for access to farm inputs, extension and others services,” Mr Mustapha said.

The PTF boss, who doubles as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), used the occasion to announce the signing of a deal to provide life insurance to about 5,000 health workers assisting in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

“​I am, however, pleased to inform you that, in addition to what the Federal Government is doing, the insurance industry has responded massively to the call for support.

“The PTF has received the life insurance cover to the frontline workers on COVID-19 for a maximum of 5,000 health workers who are employed to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The premium in the sum of N112,500,000 for the cover has been fully paid by the Nigerian insurance industry in line with the principle of no premium, no cover,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Mr Mustapha further appealed to “all Nigerians to continue to comply with the advisories,” saying, “These are still the most efficient measures that can help us manage the ravaging virus.”

https://businesspost.ng/general/farmers-should-prepare-to-return-to-farms-ptf/

I have come across some sites that claim that fermented cow urine can be used against pests and diseases. But how true is this? Can it really tackle stubborn pests and diseases?