Benefits of Herding on Communal Rangelands in Free State Province, South Africa

B. Conradie; N.   Matthews; Y. Bahta

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2024/v52n5a14651

Authors

B. Conradie University of Cape Town https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4675-6300
N. Matthews University oft the Free State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8975-9026
Y. Bahta University of the Free State https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3782-5597

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2024/v52n5a14651

Keywords:

Benefits of Herding, Communal Rangeland, Herd Performance

Abstract

This study used survey data to measure the benefits of paid herding for small stockholders on the communal rangelands of the eastern Free State. Extensionists can recommend herding to their clients because it mitigated the worst of a recent drought by controlling intermediate consumption and facilitating better recruitment. However, the practice did not impact the size or composition of livestock losses. In drought, livestock holders prioritised off-take over accumulation and selectively shed male animals. Off-take was directed to sales rather than to home consumption. Herding affected the cost of production, with herders saving more than their wages on purchased feed and remedies but not enough to make their herds profitable.

Downloads

References

ABEYGUNAWARDENA, H. & DEMATAWEWA, C.M.B., 2004. Pre-pubertal and postpartum anestrus in tropical Zebu cattle. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 82: 373-387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.05.006

ALIBER, M. & MDODA, L., 2015. The direct and indirect economic contribution of small-scale black agriculture in South Africa. Agrekon., 54(2): 8-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2015.1065187

ALLSOPP, N., LAURENT, C., DEBEAUDOIN, L.M. & SAMUELS, M.I., 2007. Environmental perceptions and practices of livestock keepers on the Namaqualand Commons challenge conventional rangeland management. J. Arid Environ., 70(4): 740-754. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.11.005

BERNSTEIN, H., 2013. Commercial Agriculture in South Africa since 1994: 'Natural, Simply Capitalism'. J. Agrar. Change., 13(1): 23-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joac.12011

CHONCO, J.M., 2009. Factors influencing choices of grazing lands made by livestock keepers in Enhlanokhombe in Ukhahlamba (Drakensberg). Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

CONRADIE, B. & NATTRASS, N., 2017. The robustness of self-report data on predation: A comparison of two Karoo surveys. Afr. J. Agric. Resour. Econom., 12(3): 217-229.

CONRADIE, B. & LANDMAN, A., 2015. Wool versus mutton in extensive grazing areas. S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext., 43(1): 22-31.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DALRRD)., 2021. Abstract of Agricultural Statistics. Pretoria: Directorate Statistics and Economic Analysis.

HARDIN, G., 1968. The tragedy of the commons: the population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality. Science., 162(3859): 1243-1248. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.162.3859.1243

HORNBY, D. & COUSINS, B., 2019. "Reproducing the social": Contradictory interconnections between land, cattle production and household relations in the Besters Land Reform Project, South Africa. Anthropol. South. Afr., 42(3): 202-216. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23323256.2019.1653206

MAPIYE, C., CHIMONYO, M. & DZAMA, K., 2009. Seasonal dynamics, production potential and efficiency of cattle in the sweet and sour communal rangelands in South Africa. J. Arid Environ., 73(4-5): 529-536. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.01.003

MÜLLER, F.L., IGSHAAN SAMUELS, M., CUPIDO, C.F., SWARTS, M.B., AMARY, N.M., HATTAS, D., MORRIS, C., CYSTER, L.F. & STEPHEN BOATWRIGHT, J., 2019. The impacts of season and livestock management strategy on the quality of diets selected by goats and sheep in the semi-arid rangelands of Namaqualand, South Africa. Afr. J. Range Forage Sci., 36(2): 105-114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2018.1552622

NQENO, N., CHIMONYO, M. & MAPIYE, C., 2011. Farmers' perceptions of the causes of low reproductive performance in cows kept under low-input communal production systems in South Africa. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 43(2): 315-321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9691-2

NYAM, Y.S., 2017. A metafrontier analysis of sheep production in the N8 development corridor. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Free State University, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

OSTROM, E., 2009. A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science., 325(5939): 419-422. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1172133

ROHDE, R.F. & HOFFMAN, M.T., 2008. One hundred years of separation: The historical ecology of a South African 'coloured reserve'. Africa., 78(2): 189-222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3366/E0001972008000132

SALOMON, M., CUPIDO, C. & SAMUELS, I., 2013. The good shepherd: Remedying the fencing syndrome. Afr. J. Range Forage Sci., 30(1-2): 71-75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2013.781064

SAMUELS, I.M., ALLSOPP, N. & HOFFMAN, M.T., 2021. Changes in pastoral mobility in a semi-arid montane region of South Africa: The role of policy and legislation. Afr. J. Range Forage Sci., 38(1): 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2020.1861096

SAMUELS, M.I., SWARTS, M., SCHROEDER, A., NTOMBELA, K. & CUPIDO, C., 2018. Through the lens of a herder: Insights into landscape ethno-ecological knowledge on rangelands in Namaqualand. Anthropol. South. Afr., 41(2): 136-152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23323256.2018.1462091

SAMUELS, M.I., ALLSOPP, N. & KNIGHT, R.S., 2007. Patterns of resource use by livestock during and after drought on the commons of Namaqualand, South Africa. J. Arid Environ., 70(4): 728-739. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.11.006

SCHURCH, M.P., MCMANUS, J., GOETS, S., PARDO, L.E., GAYNOR, D., SAMUELS, I., CUPIDO, C., COULDRIDGE, V. & SMUTS, B., 2021. Wildlife-friendly livestock management promotes mammalian biodiversity recovery on a semi-arid Karoo farm in South Africa. Front. Conserv. Sci., 2: 652415. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2021.652415

STRAUSS, A.J., AVENANT, N.L. & DE WAAL, H.O., 2021. The impact of predation on Merino and Dorper sheep flocks in the central Free State Province, South Africa. Indago., 37: 43-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.38140/00679208/INDAGO.V37.A7

TODD, S.W. & HOFFMAN, M.T., 1999. A fence-line contrast reveals effects of heavy grazing on plant diversity and community composition in Namaqualand, South Africa. Plant Ecol., 142(1): 169-178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009810008982

TSOTETSI, A.M. & MBATI, P.A., 2003. Parasitic helminths of veterinary importance in cattle, sheep and goats on communal farms in the northeastern Free State, South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc., 74(2): 45-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v74i2.503