Allsopp, Nicky

Hoffman, M. T.

Naidoo, M.

English

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky UKnowledge International Grassland Congress Proceedings 21st International Grassland Congress / 8th International Rangeland Congress The Effect of Variable Climatic Conditions on Animal Production in a Semi‐Arid Communal Farming System in South Africa M. Naidoo University of Cape Town, South Africa M. T. Hoffman University of Cape Town, South Africa Nicky Allsopp University of the Western Cape, South Africa Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc  Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/21/9-3/4 The 21st International Grassland Congress / 8th International Rangeland Congress took place in Hohhot, China from June 29 through July 5, 2008. Proceedings edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference Published by Guangdong People's Publishing House This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Grassland Congress Proceedings by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu. 　 Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World 　 Volume Ⅱ 　 瞯 ]121　 瞯Grasslands/Rangelands Production Systems——— Livestock Production SystemsThe effect of variable climatic conditions on animal production in a semi‐arid communal farmingsystem in South AfricaM .Naidoo1 ,M .T .Ho f f man1 ,N .A llsop p 21 Plant Conservation Unit ,University o f Cape Town , Priv ate Bag ,Rondebosch 7701 , South A f rica .2 A RC － L ivestockBusiness Div ision : Range & Forage Unit ,University o f the Western Cape ,Priv ate bag X17 ,Bellv ille 7535 ,South A f ricaNamaqualand is characterized by extensive livestock farming areas of which １ .３ million hectares ( about ２７％ of the total area)fall under communal tenure .In spite of widespread commonages in Namaqualand ,little is understood about communal livestockfarming with regard to the effect of seasonality and drought on the animal production system .This study aims to examine theeffects of climatic variability on livestock fecundity and herd recovery in a communal area in Namaqualand .The variation in herdsize and composition serve as an indication that a communal system should be viewed as a whole to understand the dynamicsthat exist within such a system .The collection of data was confined to the Paulshoek Commons in Namaqualand ,South Africa .Monthly weight gains of all smallstock within the commons were recorded since January ２００６ to strengthen an existing １０ year database on mortality ,sales ,births and slaughter of livestock .Long term datasets have been analyzed to determine general trends of livestock production inthis area .Results indicate that the livestock production system is highly dependent on rainfall .Livestock numbers decimate during droughtyears and recover rapidly during good rainfall years .There were no significant differences between the recoveries of small andlarge herds .This is a direct result of the farmer摧s management strategy to enter drought periods with more animals ensuring ahigher survival rate for the next season .The weight gain of animals is highly correlated to rainfall patterns since the weightsincrease during the winter months and decline significantly during the dry period .This variation within the year dictatescompensatory grow th and higher survival rate during the dry period .The variation of climatic conditions within years allows farmers to increase their income during wet years by keeping moreanimals thereby withstanding the loss incurred during drought periods .Market sales displayed this phenomenon .In a goodrainfall year for ２００６ that followed the drought period in ２００３ ,a total income of ZAR ２０６０００ for Paulshoek was yielded throughlivestock sales .This study confirms that communal grazing areas in a semi‐arid environment are indicative of a complex and dynamic animalproduction system that is dictated by environmental variability as well as the intricacies of people摧s livelihoods .

The Effect of Variable Climatic Conditions on Animal Production in a Semi‐Arid Communal Farming System in South Africa

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3086&amp;context=igc

The Effect of Variable Climatic Conditions on Animal Production in a Semi‐Arid Communal Farming System in South Africa

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