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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(7)

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

A. Stroebel A C , F. J. C. Swanepoel A , N. D. Nthakheni A , A. E. Nesamvuni A and G. Taylor B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.

B Department of Agricultural Management, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Private Bag x6531, George 6530, South Africa.

C Corresponding author. Email: stroebea.rd@ufs.ac.za

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 825-828 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08058
Submitted: 25 January 2008  Accepted: 29 March 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

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.


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