Request for Proposals: Consultancy for the Development of a Livestock Production Plan for Kasigau Ranch and Neighboring Communities at African Wildlife Foundation

Scope of Work

The consultancy will focus on the following areas:

• Develop a livestock production plan for Kasigau Ranch that utilizes local breeds and potential crossbreeds with strong mothering abilities, early maturation, and high meat quality.
• Create a breeding program aligned with the production plan, incorporating breed improvement strategies for surrounding communities, optimizing seasonal calving, and facilitating the ranch's integration into relevant breeding societies, as well as ensuring the registration of animals with the Studbook.
• Design an infrastructure plan, including animal handling, treatment, weighing, grouping, and separation (technical drawings and bills of quantities required).
• Develop a year-round health calendar for preventive activities such as vaccinations, deworming, spraying against tick-borne diseases, and tsetse fly control.
• Provide advice on a unique animal identification system and digital herd management system for data collection and registration.
• Formulate feeding strategies for different herd categories, including breeding herds, weaners, and feedlot cattle, based on market prices.
• Advise on feed stock purchasing and storage for year-round feeding, considering price and quality.
• Recommend restoration techniques for degraded rangelands, cultivation of grasses for hay, and forage crop varieties for silage, including a production calendar and cost estimates.
• Provide marketing advice and establish market linkages for both slaughter and breeding animals.
• Develop a project implementation plan.

Deliverables

• An inception report outlining the agreed methodology and sampling strategy.
• A draft and final comprehensive report incorporating the following:
• Beef Cattle Production and Management Plan addressing the areas covered in the scope.
• Designs, charts, drawings, and recommendations (as annexes).
• The final report should provide Kasigau Ranch with a detailed blueprint to turn livestock production into an efficient and profitable enterprise.

Consultant Qualifications

The ideal consultant should meet the following requirements:

• At least 10 years of experience in the beef sector, with at least 5 years managing successful beef production operations (e.g., farm, ranch, or feedlot).
• An advanced degree in Agriculture, Animal Production, Animal Health, Animal Breeding, or a related field.
• Experience in breeding business plan development.
• Knowledge of livestock production systems in arid/semi-arid regions.
• Understanding of beef carcass grades, feed conversion, and genetic selection.
• Knowledge of climate-resilient beef production systems.
• Expertise in fodder and range resource planning in ASAL or extensive/semi-intensive beef production systems.
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.