scholarly journals Evaluating management options that use climate forecasts: modelling livestock production systems in the semi-arid zone of South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Thornton ◽  
RH Fawcett ◽  
KA Galvin ◽  
RB Boone ◽  
JW Hudson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Climate Forecasts ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Detection and Molecular Identification of Salmonella Virulence Genes in Livestock Production Systems in South Africa

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mthembu ◽  
Zishiri ◽  
Zowalaty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Foodborne Diseases ◽  
Sampling Location ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Zoonotic Infections

Livestock are an important source of protein and food for humans, however opportunistic pathogens such as Salmonella spp. turn livestock into vehicles of foodborne diseases. This study investigated the prevalence of virulence genes in Salmonella spp. isolated from livestock production systems in two provinces of South Africa. During the period from May to August, 2018, a total of 361 faecal (189), oral (100), environmental (soil (36) and water (27)) and feed (9) samples were randomly collected from different animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks and chickens) that were housed in small-scale livestock production systems from Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces in South Africa. Salmonella spp. were isolated and identified using microbiological and DNA molecular methods. Salmonella spp. were present in 29.0% of the samples of which 30.2% belonged to the Salmonella enterica species as confirmed by the positive amplification of the species specific iroB gene. Virulence genes that were screened from livestock-associated Salmonella were invA, iroB, spiC, pipD and int1. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were established between the virulence genes, sampling location, animal host as well as the season when samples were collected. Furthermore, statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations were observed between most of the virulence genes investigated. This is one of the recent studies to detect and investigate livestock-associated Salmonella spp. in South Africa. This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and surveillance for pathogenic salmonellae. It also demonstrated the detection and prevalence of virulent Salmonella spp. harbored by livestock in South Africa. This study demonstrated the potential risks of pathogenic Salmonella enterica to cause foodborne diseases and zoonotic infections from farm-to-fork continuum using the global one-health approach.

Benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder farmers: a case study of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 825 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stroebel ◽  
F. J. C. Swanepoel ◽  
N. D. Nthakheni ◽  
A. E. Nesamvuni ◽  
G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Vhembe District

A survey of livestock production systems was conducted in the Vhembe District, located between 22°85′ latitude and 30°71′ longitude in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the benefits obtained from, and key functions of, cattle production, as well as related breeding objectives in smallholder livestock production in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected by means of a general survey questionnaire and a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise. The results indicate that almost 60% of farmers own < 10 cattle. Female animals constituted the largest component of the herd (55.02%). Although the bull : cow ratio was extremely high (1 : 3.7), the calving rate was low at 35.60%, with an extremely high herd mortality of 15.70% and a low off-take of 8.70%. In a pairwise ranking, the benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder livestock farmers are as follows: selling and meat consumption (4), wealth, status and savings (3), socio-cultural activities (2) and draught power (1). The ‘cattle complex’, where cattle are kept for prestige and status, is still appropriate, but cattle also make significant contributions in respect to selling and meat consumption, and arable inputs such as draft and fertiliser. It is concluded that benefits obtained from cattle form the basis of decision-making by smallholder cattle owners with respect to livestock production.

Sheep production systems in the semi-arid zone: Changes and simulated bio-economic performances in a case study in Central Chile

2015 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Toro-Mujica ◽  
Claudio Aguilar ◽  
Raúl Vera ◽  
José Rivas ◽  
Antón García
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Semi Arid

Opportunities and challenges in Australian grasslands: pathways to achieve future sustainability and productivity imperatives

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay W. Bell ◽  
Richard C. Hayes ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
Cathy M. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
The Past ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Production Value ◽  
Grassland Production ◽  
Efficiency And Productivity ◽  
Semi Arid

Grassland production systems contribute 40% to Australia’s gross agricultural production value and utilise >50% of its land area. Across this area, diverse systems exist, but these can be broadly classified into four main production systems: (i) pastoral grazing, mainly of cattle at low intensity (i.e. <0.4 dry sheep equivalents/ha) on relatively unimproved native rangelands in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern and central Australia; (ii) crop–livestock systems in the semi-arid zone where livestock graze a mixture of pastures and crops that are often integrated; (iii) high-rainfall, permanent pasture zone in the coastal hinterland and highlands; and (iv) dairy systems covering a broad range of environments and production intensities. A notable trend across these systems has been the decline in sheep numbers and the proportion of income from wool, with beef cattle or sheep meat increasingly important. Although there is evidence that most of these systems have lifted production efficiencies over the past 30 years, total factor productivity growth (i.e. change in output relative to inputs) has failed to match the decline in terms of trade. This has renewed attention on how research and development can help to increase productivity. These industries also face increasing scrutiny to improve their environmental performance and develop sustainable production practices. In order to improve the efficiency and productivity of grassland production systems, we propose and explore in detail a range of practices and innovations that will move systems to new or improved states of productivity or alter efficiency frontiers. These include: filling gaps in the array of pastures available, either through exploring new species or improving the adaptation and agronomic characteristics of species currently sown; overcoming existing and emerging constraints to pasture productivity; improving livestock forage-feed systems; and more precise and lower cost management of grasslands. There is significant scope to capture value from the ecological services that grasslands provide and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production. However, large reductions in pasture research scientist numbers (75–95%) over the past 30 years, along with funding limitations, will challenge our ability to realise these potential opportunities.

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