Seasonal dynamics, production potential and efficiency of cattle in the sweet and sour communal rangelands in South Africa

Journal of Arid Environments

Volumn 73, Issue 4-5, 2009, Pages 529-536

  Mapiye, C ^a   Chimonyo, M ^a   Dzama, K ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE   (South Africa)

^b STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY   (South Africa)

Author keywords

Cattle sales; Herd dynamics; Household consumption; Mortality

Indexed keywords

CATTLE; LIVESTOCK FARMING; MORTALITY; RANGELAND; SEASONAL VARIATION;

AFRICA; SOUTH AFRICA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA;

BOS;

EID: 60949087260     PISSN: 01401963     EISSN: 1095922X     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.01.003     Document Type: Article

References (36)

1. Abeygunawardena H., and Dematawewa C.M.B. Pre-pubertal and postpartum anestrus in tropical Zebu cattle. Animal Reproduction Science 82-83 (2004) 373-387
2. Agenas S., Heath M.F., Nixon R.M., Wilkinson J.M., and Phillips C.J.C. Indicators of under-nutrition in cattle. Animal Welfare 15 2 (2006) 149-160
3. Ainslie A., Kepe T., Ntsebeza L., Ntshona Z., and Turner S. Cattle Ownership and Production in the Communal Areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa (2002), University of the Western Cape Research report number 10
4. Amanor K.S. Dynamics of herd structures and herding strategies in West Africa: a study of market integration and ecological adaptation. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute 65 3 (1995) 351-394
5. Angassa A., and Oba G. Relating long-term rainfall variability to cattle population dynamics in communal rangelands and a government ranch in southern Ethiopia. Agricultural Systems 94 (2007) 715-725
6. Baptist R. Simulated livestock dynamics: effects of pastoral off-take practices and drift on cattle wealth. Tropical Animal Health and Production 22 (1990) 67-76
7. Bebe B.O., Udo H.M.J., Rowlands G.J., and Thorpe W. Smallholder dairy systems in the Kenya highlands: cattle population dynamics under increasing intensification. Livestock Production Science 82 2-3 (2003) 211-221
8. Begzsuren S., Ellis J.E., Ojima D.S., Coughenour M.B., and Chuluun T. Livestock responses to droughts and severe winter in the Gobi Three Beauty National Park, Mongolia. Journal of Arid Environments 59 (2004) 785-796
9. Boone R.B., and Wang G. Cattle dynamics in African grazing systems under variable climates. Journal of Arid Environments 70 3 (2007) 495-513
10. Chiduwa G., Chimonyo M., Halimani T.E., Chisambara S.R., and Dzama K. Herd dynamics and contribution of indigenous pigs to the livelihoods of rural farmers in a semi-arid area of Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production 40 2 (2008) 125-136
11. Coetzee L., Montshwe B.D., and Jooste A. The marketing of livestock on communal lands in the Eastern Cape Province: constraints, challenges and implications for the extension services. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 34 1 (2005) 81-103
12. Coop R.L., and Kyriazakis I. Influence of host nutrition on the development and consequences of nematode parasitism in ruminants. Trends in Parasitology 17 (2001) 325-330
13. Delali B.K., Dovie D.B.K., Charlie M., Shackleton C.M., and Witkowski E.T.F. Valuation of communal area livestock benefits, rural livelihoods and related policy issues. Land Use Policy 23 (2006) 260-271
14. Desta S., and Coppock D.L. Cattle population dynamics in the southern Ethiopian rangelands, 1980-97. Journal of Range Management 55 (2002) 439-451
15. Desta Z.H., and Oba G. Feed scarcity and livestock mortality in enset farming systems in the Bale highlands of southern Ethiopia. Outlook on Agriculture 33 (2004) 277-280
16. Ellery W.N., Scholes R.J., and Scholes M.C. The distribution of sweet-veld and sour-veld in South Africa's grassland biome in relation to environmental factors. African Journal of Range and Forage Science 12 (1995) 38-45
17. Ezanno P. Dynamics of a tropical cattle herd in a variable environment: a modelling approach in order to identify the target period and animals on which concentrating management efforts to improve productivity. Ecological Modelling 188 2-4 (2005) 470-482
18. Fynn R.W.S., and O'Connor T.G. Effect of stocking rate and rainfall on rangeland dynamics and cattle performance in a semi-arid savanna, South Africa. Journal of Applied Ecology 37 (2000) 491-507
19. Kay R.N.B. Responses of African livestock and wild herbivores to drought. Journal of Arid Environments 37 (1997) 683-694
20. Kgosikoma, O.E., 2006. Effects of Climate Variability on Livestock Population Dynamics and Community Drought Management in Kgalagadi, Botswana. MSc thesis, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway, pp. 1-56.
21. Kynoch, G., Ulicki, T., 2001. Cross-border raiding and community conflict in the Lesotho-South African border zone. Southern African Migration Project (SAMP), Migration Policy Series No. 21.
22. Lesoli, M.S., 2008. Vegetation and Soil Status and Human Perceptions on the Condition of Communal Rangelands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. MSc thesis, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.
23. Mapiye C., Chimonyo M., Muchenje V., Dzama K., Marufu M.C., and Raats J.G. Potential for value-addition of Nguni cattle products in the communal areas of South Africa: a review. African Journal of Agricultural Research 2 10 (2007) 488-495
24. Marufu, M.C., 2008. Prevalence of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Cattle on Communal Rangelands in the Highland Areas of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. MSc thesis, Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.
25. Mellink E., and Martin P.S. Mortality of cattle on a desert range: paleobiological implications. Journal of Arid Environments 49 (2001) 671-675
26. Montshwe, B.D., 2005. Factors Affecting Participation in Mainstream Cattle Markets by Small-scale Cattle Farmers in South Africa. MSc thesis, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Free State, South Africa, pp. 1-120.
27. Muchadeyi F.C., Sibanda S., Kusina N.T., Kusina J.F., and Makuza S. Village chicken flock dynamics and the contribution of chickens to household livelihoods in a smallholder farming area in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production 37 4 (2005) 333-334
28. Muchenje V., Dzama K., Chimonyo M., Raats J.G., and Strydom P.E. Tick susceptibility and its effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. Animal 2 (2008) 298-304
29. Musemwa L., Mushunje A., Chimonyo M., Fraser G., Mapiye C., and Muchenje V. Nguni cattle marketing constraints and opportunities in the communal areas of South Africa: review. African Journal of Agricultural Research 3 4 (2008) 239-245
30. National Department of Agriculture (NDA). Directorate: Agricultural Statistics of the National Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa (2008). http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Abstract_08.pdf (accessed 16.07.08.)
31. Nqeno, N., 2008. Reproductive Performance of Cows in Sweet and Sour Veld Types Under Communal Production Systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. MSc thesis, Department of Livestock and Pasture Sciences, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.
32. Oba G. The effect of multiple droughts on cattle in Obbu, Northern Kenya. Journal of Arid Environments 49 (2001) 375-386
33. SAS. Users Guide, Version 9 (2003), Statistical Analysis System Institute Inc, Carry, NC, USA
34. Scoones I. Exploiting heterogeneity: habitat use by cattle in dryland Zimbabwe. Journal of Arid Environments 29 (1995) 221-237
35. Tainton N.M. Veld Management in South Africa (1999), University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg
36. Upton M. Livestock productivity assessment and herd growth models. Agricultural Systems 29 (1989) 149-164