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MADE POSSIBLE BY
BAYER
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Optimising livestock production
without degrading the ecosystem
R
UMINANT LIVESTOCK ARE IMPORTANT TO MAN-
KIND SINCE MOST OF THE WORLD’S VEGETA-
TION BIOMASS IS RICH IN FIBRE.
Only ruminants can convert this high fibre vegetation into high qual-
ity protein sources such as meat and milk for human consumption.
Livestock agriculture is the world’s largest user of land resources
and southern Africa is no different to the rest of the world. In South
Africa, approximately 84% of the surface area is available for farm-
ing, but only 13% of this area is arable. The greater part of the
country (71%) is only suitable for extensive livestock farming and
primary beef cattle and small stock farming are largely extensive in
South Africa.
The continuing deterioration of the natural vegetation is at pre-
sent one of the most burning agricultural issues in southern Africa
which impacts negatively on the competitiveness and efficiency of
the livestock sector. It is thus imperative that role-players within the
livestock industry (research institutions, government departments at
national and provincial level, primary producers as well as the relat-
ed secondary industries) must recognise that the natural resource is
vital to sustain livestock production.
That is why Red Meat Research and Development SA (RMRD SA)
puts special emphasis on natural resource utilisation.
RANGELAND AND HERD MANAGEMENT
Many of the important management decisions a livestock producer
make, relate to the management of the forage resources of the land
unit. Both biological and economic efficiency are influenced by a
producer’s ability to match animal type and nutrient needs to for-
age availability and quality on a year-round basis. Animal type as
defined primarily through species and breed differences, has a large
influence on the nutritional requirements of animals. Therefore, the
type of animal can have an impact on the level of performance of the
animal and the economic returns of a grazing system on different
rangeland types/forages.
Producer decisions, such as timing of parturition to match the
lactation curve to the forage production curve or choosing to graze
steers rather than cow-calf pairs, should be considered in the choice
of management decisions related to forage and grazing systems.
A further aim of rangeland and herd management is to ensure
the maximum quantity and quality forage/mm rainfall, which will
contribute to optimum livestock production without degrading the
ecosystem. In reality, however, rangelands have deteriorated consid-
erably. The challenge ahead is to reverse the situation and to ensure
that they improve through sound rangeland and herd management
systems.
MATCHING SPECIES, BREEDS AND COMBINATIONS
WITH THE PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
Matching animals to both the environment and the production sys-
tem is a key challenge in sustainable livestock agriculture. By inte-
grating information on the production environment with information
on species and breeds, stock-owners will be able to make a more
informed choice as to the breed and combination best suited to indi-
vidual production inputs.
The challenge is not to change the vegetation to suit a specific
animal type or production system, but to use the animal type and
production systems as determined by the environment. Given the
large variation in rainfall and the consequent impact on grazing
capacity, the challenge is to exploit this variability and develop sus-
tainable livestock production systems within the different ecological
regions. If the environment (especially rainfall) is analysed, some
current livestock systems within specific regions can be questioned.
This especially relates to commercial livestock farming in certain are-
as which is not according to recommendations and the requirements
of the vegetation.
FODDER PRODUCTION PLANNING AND
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Any pastoral system’s efficiency primarily depends on the following
factors:
• The amount, quality and seasonal distribution of fodder produc-
tion, which is a function of soil type, the amount and seasonal
distribution of rainfall and the availability of irrigation.
• Proportion of the feed consumed by the animal.
• The efficiency with which the animal uses the food consumed.
The objective should be to match fodder demand with fodder supply.
Whereas the general principle of fodder production planning applies
to all pastoral livestock enterprises, each has distinctive characteris-
tics which merit special attention. These specific requirements are a
function of the system being adopted within each enterprise. For the
system to operate effectively, a particular set of conditions needs to
prevail irrespective of where in the country the system is used.
ALTERNATIVE FODDER CROPS
Given the current state and limited potential of some vegetation
resources over much of South Africa, and the low productivity of
the national livestock herd, alternative fodder crops should be
established as a priority. It is important to appreciate that rangeland
and cultivated pastures can play complementary roles in providing
quality fodder to livestock. It can also significantly increase forage
production. There is undoubtedly considerable and, as yet, untapped
potential for cultivated pastures in many parts of the country.
A strategy to develop this potential would make it possible to
increase forage production and improve productivity and efficiency
of livestock to such levels that South Africa can become self-sufficient
in livestock products and also compete in the international arena.
Gerhard Schutte, chief executive
officer, Red Meat Producers
Organisation. First published
in SA Graan/Grain November
2019. Send an email to
gerhard@rpo.co.za
Graan