Opportunities for conservation and utilisation of local pig breeds in low-input production systems in Zimbabwe and South Africa

Purpose and methods

In situ conservation of pig genetic resources requires understanding of the farming systems under which the pigs are kept. The objective of the study was to characterise smallholder pig production systems where indigenous pigs are kept in order to assess opportunities for in situ conservation of these pigs. Factors influencing pig herd sizes, ranking of pigs in smallholder production systems, breeds and breed preferences, pig ownership patterns, traits preferred by farmers and constraints to production were investigated in a survey involving 199 farmers from Chirimhanzu District of Zimbabwe, Vhembe, Alfred Nzo and O. R. Tambo Districts of South Africa.

Results

Income was the major factor influencing most pig production related parameters. Most pigs (69.67 %) were owned by women, with most of the women falling into the very low income group. Farmers kept pigs for several reasons that were common across geographical zones and income groups. The odds of a farmer ranking pigs first in the production system depended on the absence of other livestock (P?<?0.05). Farmers in the higher income group tended to mention poor feed resources and access to information as constraints (P?<?0.05) compared to the very low income group. There was preference heterogeneity in the breeds kept and the reasons for breed choice across the income groups and geographical zones. Fewer farmers in the very low income group (42.62 %) recognised the need to conserve local pigs compared to the low income group (80.49 %), the medium income group (50.00 %) and the high income group (100.00 %; χ ²?=?19.14; P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

It was concluded that farmers see value in local pigs and are willing to conserve them. In situ conservation programmes are possible and these should recognise the role of poor women in conserving and enhancing indigenous pig genetic resources.     

Comparative performance of dairy cows in low-input smallholder and high-input production systems in South Africa

The aim of this study was to benchmark the performance of dairy cows in the low-input smallholder system against their counterparts in the high-input system, in South Africa. Data comprised of cow performance records from the national dairy recording scheme. Performance measures included production (305-day yields of milk, fat, and protein), lactation length, somatic cell count (SCC), and reproductive traits, represented by age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI). Least squares means of each trait were compared between the two systems, and lactation curves for production traits and SCC were plotted for each production system. Mean yields of milk, fat, and protein were significantly (P?<?0.05) lower in the smallholder (4097?±?165, 174?±?5.1, and 141?±?4.5 respectively) compared to the high-input system (6921?±?141, 298?±?4.7, and 245?±?4.1 respectively). Mean lactation length was significantly (P?<?0.05) shorter for the smallholder (308?±?15.1) than the high-input system (346?±?12.8). Log-transformed somatic cell count (SCS) was, however, significantly (P?<?0.05) higher in the smallholder (2.41?±?0.01) relative to the high-input system (2.27?±?0.01). Cows in high-input herds showed typical lactation curves, in contrast to the flat and low peaking curves obtained for the smallholder system. Cows on smallholder herds had their first calving significantly (P?<?0.05) older (30?±?0.5) than those in the high-input system (27?±?0.5). There was, however, no significant difference (P?<?0.05) in CI between the two systems. These results highlight large room for improvement of dairy cow performance in the smallholder system and could assist in decision-making aimed at improving the productivity of the South African dairy industry.     

Milk production and calf rearing practices in the smallholder areas in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Farmer perceptions on milk production and calf rearing practices on communal rangelands in the smallholder areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa were evaluated on a total of 218 cattle farmers using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews with key informants and personal observations. Nearly 70% of the households in the small-scale areas milked twice a day compared to 60% in the communal areas. About 62% of the interviewees weaned calves between 6 and 12 months of age. Milk yield/cow/day (7.5 ± 0.5 litres), fresh milk consumption/household/day (3.2 ± 0.5 litres) and sales/household/day (3.1 ± 1.1 litres) were highest in the sour-veld, small-scale farms (P < 0.05). Sour milk consumption/household/day (2.6 ± 0.2 litres) and sales/household/day (0.8 ± 0.2 litres) were significantly high in communal farms with a sour-veld. It was concluded that, calf rearing practices were poor and milk yield, consumption and sales were generally low and varied with production system and rangeland type. Further research is required to improve calf management practices, cow nutrition, milk yield and quality and how milk production can be used as a toll for rural development in the smallholder areas of South Africa.     

Opportunities for improving Nguni cattle production in the smallholder farming systems of South Africa

A total of 218 structured questionnaires were administered to determine the influence of production and socioeconomic factors on Nguni cattle farmers' constraints in the smallholder areas of South Africa. Cattle were mainly used for cash, milk and ceremonies. Cattle herd sizes were higher (P < 0.05) in the small-scale (23 ± 5.2) compared to the communal (9 ± 3.1) areas and mainly composed of cows. Most (75%) of the cattle owners were adult males and were more involved in herd management than adult females and youths. Shortage of feed and diseases/parasites were ranked by farmers as the most important constraints. The logistic regression model showed that odds ratio estimates of households experiencing cattle feed shortage and disease/parasite challenges were high for rangeland type, production system and gender of the household head. About 40 and 75% of the respondents in the sour and sweet rangelands reported that cattle condition deteriorates during winter, respectively (P < 0.05). Tick-borne diseases were the common causes of cattle mortality, especially in summer. Local crossbreds and Nguni were the common cattle breeds in the smallholder areas. African tradition worshippers had higher (P < 0.05) Nguni herd sizes (6 ± 3.2) than Christians (1 ± 0.5). Breeding season was undefined and mating system was largely uncontrolled in the communal areas. Farmers' socioeconomic and pedo-climatic situations should be considered when planning strategies for cattle development in the smallholder farming systems.     

Vachellia karroo leaf meal: a promising non-conventional feed resource for improving goat production in low-input farming systems of Southern Africa

Among a vast number of forage trees, Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) remains one of the most widely distributed indigenous plant legumes in Southern Africa. The plant possesses some striking attributes, such as rapid growth rate, drought tolerance, adaptation to alkaline and acidic sterile soils, and resistance to a variety of edaphic and temperature changes. In past years V. karroo was recognised to be a major threat to rangeland productivity owing to its invasive nature. Research interest has shifted from its eradication as an unwanted plant to its utilisation as a feed resource for livestock. Extensive utilisation of V. karroo is mainly hindered by the presence of tannins and spines. Prospects to lessen the adverse effects of the anti-nutritional influences are now recognised. Vachellia karroo possesses desirable fatty acid profiles, and high protein and mineral contents that can improve animal performance. Presently, the use of V. karroo for goat production in communal areas is restricted owing to limited evidence for its nutritional value as animal feed. The present review, therefore, seeks to demonstrate the utility potential of V. karroo to improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, chevon quality, meat fatty acid profiles and as a natural anti-helminth for goats raised under an extensive system of production.     

The role of cultivated pastures in milk production in South Africa

A brief survey of existing methods of milk production in the Republic of South Africa is made, together with an appreciation of the role and importance of established pastures in relation to these. The cost of milk is discussed in relation to two roughage plans; the one being based on ordinarily accepted methods of roughage provision, and the other on roughage produced under intensive methods of grass farming where a high fertilizer regime is employed. High‐producing cows are more economic than low‐producing cows. So too, is a high‐level pasture fertilizing regime, except where cows have a very low inherent production.     

Milk production systems in Central Uganda: a farm economic analysis

The Ugandan dairy sector is developing rapidly over recent years and is dominated by small-scale farmers owning more than 90 percent of the national cattle population. Due to market forces and higher competition for production factors, milk production systems are intensifying, necessitating proper understanding of the new production tendencies. Three intensive and four extensive production systems were identified and analysed, using TIPI-CAL (Technology Impact Policy Impact Calculations model). The results show that the production systems are very different in many respects but share similar development trends. Whereas intensive systems use graded animals and invest heavily into feeding, buildings and machinery, extensive systems use local breeds and invest minimally. Total cost of milk production falls with increasing herd size, while dairy returns vary among farms from 18 to 35 USD/100 Kg of milk. All systems make an economic profit, except the intensive one-cow farm, which heavily employs family resources in dairying. Due to better management of resources and access to inputs and markets, dairy farming closer to urban areas and using improved breeds is highly profitable, especially with larger herd sizes. Stakeholders should favour such practices as well as others which can improve productivity, especially in African countries where traditional systems dominate dairying.     

Temporal and spatial patterns of abundance and breeding activity of Namaqua sandgrouse in South Africa

We examined various measures of temporal and spatial patterns of abundance and breeding activity of Namaqua sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua (presumably mostly for P. n. furvus) in South Africa. Bird-atlas maps indicating reporting-rates and extensive-counts showed that the majority of Namaqua sandgrouse concentrate in Bushmanland, in the north-western Cape Province, from December to March. From April to July the sandgrouse move north and east of Bushmanland and apparently return to Bushmanland from August to November. This west-east movement occurs at a relatively constant rate of 30-50 km per month. Only 15% of the sandgrouse ringed at an estate within the eastern part of this species range returned the following winter. Follicle diameter and brood-patch measurements increased significantly from July to August, at the time when the majority of birds leave the estate. Belly-soaking was more prevalent in early summer in Bushmanland than in any season in the east. South African populations of Namaqua sandgrouse are partial migrants which breed primarily in early summer (October - November) in Bushmanland.     

Characterization of the village goat production systems in the rural communities of the Eastern Cape,KwaZulu-Natal,Limpopo and North West Provinces of South Africa

Expansion of goat improvement programs requires exploration of the factors that influence the production system and breeding initiatives. Characterization of goat breeds or populations is crucial in providing information on prevalent goat types and their attributes and may suffice as a guideline on conservation, development, and selection for improved productivity. This study investigated the existing village goat production system and phenotypic diversity of the different village populations from four South African provinces. The study further investigated the use of phenotypic attributes to classify goats to breeds or populations. Data was collected from 142 households in 26 villages of the Eastern Cape (n?=?2 villages), KwaZulu-Natal (n?=?6 villages), Limpopo (n?=?13 villages), and North West (n?=?5 villages) provinces through a survey. Individual interviews and focus group discussions revealed that the mean goat herd size per household was least in Limpopo at 13.2?±?12.40 and highest in Eastern Cape (34.18?±?28.36). Flocks had more (p?<?0.05) adults than kids, and the distribution of breeding animals was biased towards does and less bucks. Goats were kept mainly for meat, for selling, and for ritual ceremonies. The goat production system was mainly scavenging. Goat health was a major challenge across households and villages. Qualitative traits such coat, horn, ears, and wattle characteristics were recorded for populations of village goats (n?=?319) and a feral Tankwa breed (n?=?50). The dominant coat pattern was plain (74.53%) with black as the most common coat color (31.98%). Across breeds, a majority (88.08%) of the goats had horns, and 7.59% had wattles while 56.64% had beard. Adult goats (<3 years; n?=?398) were further analyzed for five quantitative traits of chest girth, height, length, and pin bone and there were significant (p?<?0.05) breed differences in all. A stepwise discriminatory procedure was used to rank the quantitative traits according to their discriminatory power to separate breeds or populations. Significant traits were then subjected to canonical discriminant analysis for principle component analysis. Based on the quantitative traits, the Tankwa, Xhosa, and Tswana goats formed their own cluster separated from commercial meat type breeds and the Venda and Zulu ecotypes. The discriminant function analysis correctly classified 90.41% of the Zulu goats and 82.93% of the Xhosa village populations. None of the Savanna goats were correctly classified. The study demonstrated diversity in village goat populations and production systems, which would allow for within population selection in genetic improvement programs. The heterogeneity in the phenotypic traits in the village goats is reflective of the role of village production systems in the maintenance of animal diversity in local populations.     

Pasture research in South Africa

The “systems approach” means that decision‐rich parts of any given system are considered quantitatively and in their proper context. This is done by using models of various kinds. A model can be built if an adequate information base exists for the system in question, and if decisions have been taken about the scope and focal point(s) of the model, its application, and its form. The systems approach is illustrated by outlining a general procedure for livestock enterprise planning. Some of the research and extension problems revealed, and new problems created, by this and other models, are mentioned.

Two matters of general concern are discussed. It is argued that the quality of leadership in agricultural research leaves something to be desired. Secondly, the class of agricultural scientists seems to be regrettably indifferent to the long‐term effects of its work, and blind to the needs of primitive food producers. The systems approach can contribute to improvement in both areas, as a result of forcing people to define clear objectives and order their priorities. There is a need for grassland and other research workers to state the objectives of their disciplines for the next 30 years.     

Pasture problems in South Africa

Grassland problems in South Africa are reviewed and the suggestion made that a Pasture Research Institute should be established forthwith to serve South Africa. An holistic approach is needed whereby plant, soil and animal influences are studied as controllable parts of the environment. The importance of a legume component is stressed as also is the value of an examination of the whole range of potentially adaptable plant materials (exotic and indigenous). Plant breeding programmes must be a corollary of these studies. Reference is made to sward density as a factor in erosion control. Conservation of fodder is discussed in relation to drought conditions and the need is stressed for more information in relation to food quality both in the green state and when conserved. Pasture research is dealt with in relation to the huge potential offered in South Africa for the increase in the output of meat, milk and wool.     

Turkey meningo-encephalitis in South Africa

Turkey meningo-encephalitis is a neuroparalytic disease of turkeys first described and shown to be caused by a flavivirus in Israel. During 1978 a similar disease was observed in South Africa. In addition to the lesions described in Israel, myocarditis, regression of the ovary and egg peritonitis were constant findings. The similarity in host range, symptoms and pathological changes produced by the virus isolated locally and in Israel and the serological cross-reaction between the 2 virus isolates indicate that they are identical.     

A consideration of veld condition assessment techniques for commercial livestock production in South Africa

Abstract

A number of procedures have been developed for the evaluation of veld condition in a variety of vegetation types in South Africa. These include both agronomic and ecologically based methods, about which there still remain a great deal of controversy. However, the urgent need for methods which can be applied in practice has recently prompted the recommendation of specific methods for the vegetation types representative of the major livestock producing areas of South Africa.     

The long-term effects of fire regime on primary production of montane grasslands in South Africa

Natural grasslands deliver essential ecosystem services through plant production, which enhances water supply, nutrient cycling, soil retention and greenhouse gas mitigation. Although the condition of montane grasslands for provision of ecosystem services is maintained by regular annual or biennial burning, controversy exists over the impact of different frequencies and seasons of burning on grassland productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of different burning regimes on primary production and quality of the montane grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. There were no significant differences in the mean standing live mass between 30 years of annual winter and biennial spring burning. However, in unburnt areas productivity was 20% lower (118.2?g m?2) than in regularly burnt grassland (144.7–154.5?g m?2). Crude protein did not vary between the annual winter and biennial spring treatments (95–113?kg ha?1), but was significantly lower in unburned areas (45?kg ha^?1). However, an infrequent fire in a protected area caused a temporary spike in crude protein (16%) compared with regular burning (5–10%), which can benefit wildlife. We conclude that montane grasslands can be burnt annually or biennially in the dormant season to promote long-term productivity.