"Experientia docet" - Experience is the best teacher
Survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers on commercial dairy farms in Kenya
Herd health and adaptability are of concern in dairy herds in the tropics because of persistent exposure to multiple stresses of low quality and quantity feeding, heat stress, high disease and parasitic incidences, poor husbandry and breeding practices. The combined…
Sustainable livestock development in Africa: How do we help Africa to feed itself?
Livestock, especially small stock, are important for communal and small-scale farmers in developing areas in Africa. Efficiency of production from these herds could be improved, thereby enhancing the nutrition and income of these resource-poor farmers. Development programmes should assist the…
The contribution of the South African ostrich industry to the national economy
South Africa is a major supplier of ostrich products to the world and produces approximately 70% of all ostrich meat, leather and feathers on the world market. At national level, the ostrich industry is the leading South African meat exporter…
The growth, carcass yield, physical and chemical characteristic of two South African indigenous pig breeds
The effect of breed and diet on growth performance, carcass, physical and chemical composition were determined for two South African indigenous pig breeds (Kolbroek, n = 12 and Windsnyer, n = 12). The Kolbroek (KB) pigs grew faster than the…
The one-humped camel in Southern Africa: Their presence and use in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the early twentieth century
The one-humped camel has been introduced to many regions outside its natural area of distribution in North Africa, the Near and Middle East and South Asia. This paper describes the import and subsequent short history of camels in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). …
Goat farming in South Africa: Findings of a national livestock survey
During a national livestock survey held in 2003 under the FAO/UNDP/SADC Project RAF/97/032, a total of 892 goat keepers completed questionnaires covering aspects of management and production. The majority of the keepers came from the communal farming areas (892), with…
Capacity building for sustainable use of animal genetic resources in developing countries
Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (AnGR) have great potential to contribute to increased food security and improved livelihood of poor people in developing countries. However, indigenous livestock which are well adapted to local conditions are often underutilized, and…
Characterisation of production systems for indigenous chicken genetic resources of South Africa
Indigenous chicken production systems were studied in Limpopo, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 137 households in the three provinces. The study showed that a small proportion of the households (9.8%) derive…
Dairy production systems in the emerging and communal sectors of South Africa: Results from a structured survey
A South African national livestock survey was conducted in 2003 as part of an FAO initiative. The design of the survey sample framework was based on the input variables of the different biomes and urban/rural and deep rural enumerator areas…
Developing an Integrated support system to achieve a Continuous Profitability amongst the Resource Poor farmers of North West, L
The study was conducted to assess and examine the Community Piggery Projects so as to develop an integrated support system to achieve a continuous improvement in profitability amongst the Resource Poor Farmers of North West (NW), Limpopo (LP) and Mpumalanga…
Development of livestock based sustainable family farms: Heifer International’s approach (WCAP Suppl)
Heifer International supports families in integrated, sustainable livestock and crop farms in order to develop strong local communities. Livestock receive protection from predators, improved feed supplies, appropriate housing and humane slaughter in exchange for the benefits they give to the…
Performance of progeny of wild and domesticated Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Southern Botswana
Guinea fowls are adaptable to harsh climatic conditions of Botswana and survive well with limited feed resources for most part of the year. Very little research has been done on guinea fowls in Botswana. The objectives of this study were…
