Production practices and constraints to sheep productivity in two ecologically different and resource-poor communal farming systems of South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (37) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Mapiliyao,
Author(s):  
A.F. Vatta ◽  
A.L.E. Lindberg

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the most important disease complexes of sheep and goats impacting on the resource-poor livestock farmer. Of the responsible nematodes, Haemonchus contortus, a blood-sucking worm of the abomasum, poses possibly the greatest threat. Over the past several decades, the worm has been controlled through the use of anthelmintics, but the emergence of anthelmintic resistance has threatened this chemotherapeutic approach. In Africa, the overall prevalence of anthelmintic resistance has not been extensively investigated, particularly within the resource-poor farming sector, but resistance has been reported from at least 14 countries with most of the reports emanating from Kenya and South Africa and the majority concerning H. contortus. While levels of resistance under commercial sheep farming systems in South Africa is considered to be amongst the worst in the world, resistance has also been reported from the resource-poor farming sector. Increases in productivity and reproduction of livestock and the development of markets for sale of animals are seen by international funding bodies as a way out of poverty for communities that keep livestock. This must lead to the greater need for parasite control. At such times, the risk of levels of anthelmintic resistance escalating is much greater and there is therefore a need to look at alternatives to their use. Proposed strategies include the appropriate, but judicious use of anthelmintics by application of the FAMACHA(c) system and the use of alternatives to anthelmintics such as strategic nutrient supplementation. It is also very clear that there is a strong demand for knowledge about animal diseases, including helminthosis, and their effective management in the resource-poor livestock farming communities. This is an important challenge to meet.


2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 599 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. Strydom ◽  
L. Frylinck ◽  
J. van der Westhuizen ◽  
H. M. Burrow

Two experiments measured the ability of tropically adapted beef breeds from resource-poor farmer herds in South Africa to produce high quality beef under commercial feedlot conditions. The resource-poor farming sector consists of ‘emerging’ and communal farmers. The herd and breed groups consisted of Sanga types (tropically adapted Bos taurus breed) including Nguni, Tuli, Bonsmara and Drakensberger, as well as Brahman and non-descript groups. The cattle were slaughtered after an average of 97 days in the first experiment and after an average of 92, 140 and 169 days on a grain-based diet in the second experiment. Growth performance, carcass quality and yield, occurrence of disease and meat quality were measured. The performance of the breeds groups was a function of their genetic potential and herd type (carcass weight and condition at arrival). Steers from emerging and communal farmer herds enter the feedlot at a lighter weight, but show similar growth performance to achieve acceptable, albeit lighter carcass weights, than their commercial counterparts. The incidence of disease was no different between commercial, emerging and communal herds. Carcass and meat quality analyses indicate small or no differences between herd types or breeds, except that Brahman produced tougher meat. It was concluded that cattle from resource-poor farmer herds have the ability to meet the specifications of South Africa’s commercial beef markets, indicating a genuine opportunity for import substitution, whereby the more than 5 million cattle in resource-poor farmer herds could be used to overcome the significant shortfall in South Africa’s domestic beef market demand.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-563
Author(s):  
Morutse Mphahlele ◽  
Ana M. Tsotetsi-Khambule ◽  
Rebone Moerane ◽  
Majela L. Mashiloane ◽  
Oriel M. M. Thekisoe

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Donald Skinner ◽  
Sakhumzi Mfecane ◽  
Olive Shisana ◽  
Ayanda Nqeketo ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to identify factors influencing the utilisation of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) in a resource poor setting in South Africa. Opsomming Die doel van die studie was om faktore te identifiseer wat die benutting van die Voorkoming van Moeder-tot-Kind Oordrag (VMTKO) beïnvloed in ‘n omgewing in Suid-Afrika wat arm is aan hulpbronne. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.


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