Eastern Cape Freight Databank-Livestock Production

Introduction

Approximately 80 % of agricultural land in South Africa is suitable mainly for extensive livestock farming. Livestock are also found in other areas where they are kept in combination with other farming enterprises. In South Africa, cattle, sheep and goat farming involves approximately 590 000 km². This represents 53 %of all agricultural land in the country and includes the vast Karoo areas of the Northern and Western Cape provinces as well as the mixed veld types of the Eastern Cape and the southern Free State.

Owing to the relative low carrying capacity on natural pastures (72 million ha), extensive cattle ranching is practised in the lower rainfall regions (NDA, 2003a). South Africa’s climate is ideally suited for stock farming and it is the most viable agricultural activity in large parts of the country. Almost 70% of the 122,3 million ha land surface of South Africa is suitable for raising livestock, particularly cattle, sheep, pigs and goats (SAMIC, 2004a:1).

The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s premier livestock province and is home to more livestock than any other province. The Province has the highest livestock population in the country with 60% in the Eastern segment whilst 40% in the Western part of the Province. Commercial livestock production has been inhibited in the former homelands, but is receiving substantial support from the provincial government. The provincial livestock industry has developed niche markets in high-value meat cuts and is set to increase export markets further.

The rich natural grasslands of the Eastern Cape have great potential for high-value ‘organic’ meat production. The main challenge in livestock farming in the Eastern Cape is to translate the potential of high livestock numbers to commercial production of livestock and their products. The core of this challenge is to increase commercial, quality livestock production from the former homeland areas, where most head of livestock are kept. At the same time, existing black commercial livestock farmers provide a base for future development.

Livestock is the largest agricultural sector in South Africa. In February, 2006 the livestock population stood at 14. 09 million cattle, 25.1 million sheep, 1.6 million and 6.4 million goats. See the table below for livestock numbers.

Livestock numbers per province
	*Cattle*	*Sheep*	*Pigs*	*Goats*
Western Cape	492,085	2,582,326	177,352	236,795
Northern Cape	487,639	6,341,801	23,242	556,764
Free State	2,373,367	5,128,445	131,735	226,065
Eastern Cape	3,170,607	7,712,631	135,365	2,531,384
KwaZulu Natal	2,867,210	754,175	165,001	924,503
Mpumalanga	1,388,079	1,718,657	133,618	97,687
Gauteng	268,389	91,165	179,960	43,858
North West	1,814,371	579,595	300,185	757,843
Limpopo	1,233,345	211,023	402,771	1,042,751
Total	14,095,092	25,119,818	1,649,229	6,417,650
Source: NDA(Feb.2006 est.)		Table 1

As rainfall plays a major role in the availability of fodder and grazing, it is logical that a good correlation would exist between rainfall and the size of the national herd, in particular cattle.

Cattle are found throughout the country, but especially in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the North West provinces. Herd sizes vary according to type of farming. In the case of dairy cattle, it varies between less than 50 and 300 (average approximately 110). Beef cattle farms range from fairly small (less than 50 head of cattle) to large farms and feedlots (more than 1 000). The production of weaners for the feedlot industry is the most frequent form of cattle farming in South Africa. Feedlots account for approximately 75 % of all beef produced in the country. The total number of cattle in South Africa at the end of August 2006 is estimated at 13,53 million, comprising various international dairy and beef cattle breeds, as well as indigenous breeds such as the Afrikaner and Nguni. The number is approximately 1,9 % lower than the estimate of 13,79 million as at the end of August 2005. Beef cattle comprise approximately 80 % of the total number of cattle in the country, while dairy cattle make up the remaining 20 %. As is evident from table 1, the number of cattle for the Eastern Cape at the end of Feb 2006 stood at 3,170, 607.

Although sheep farms are found in all provinces, they are concentrated in the arid parts of the country. The largest number of sheep is found in the Eastern Cape (29,3 %), Northern Cape (25,7 %), Free State (20,0 %) and Western Cape (11,0 %) provinces. Flock sizes vary between 125 and 1 800 head. Sheep flocks in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape provinces tend to be much larger than those in the other provinces.

The animals are kept mainly for wool and mutton production and the industry is therefore represented by organisations from the mutton as well as the wool industry. The sheep industry also has various breeders’ associations, with the Dorper Sheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa and Merino SA being the most prominent. The total number of sheep in South Africa at the end of August 2006 is estimated at 25,0 million—approximately 1,2 % lower than the estimated 25,3 million as at the end of August 2005.

Goats are found mainly in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces. Estimates indicate that there was an increase of 0,63 % in the number of goats, from 6,36 million in August 2005 to 6,40 million in August 2006. Flocks of goats intended for meat production are usually smaller than sheep flocks, averaging approximately 300 head per farm. Angora goats are kept primarily for mohair production, while Boer goats are mainly for meat production. There are also farmers who have adopted a market differentiating strategy by producing goat’s milk.

Pigs are found predominantly in the Limpopo, North West and Western Cape provinces. There are approximately 400 commercial pork producers and 25 stud breeders in South Africa. It is estimated that pig numbers decreased by 2,0 %, from 1,656 million in August 2005 to 1,623 million in August 2006. The pig population for the Eastern Cape was estimated at 96 613 for 2006.

Transportation of livestock is an integral phase of any livestock enterprise. The ability to transport animals means that the producer is not entirely dependent on local markets. Should markets in the immediate vicinity be over-supplied, the producer is able to overcome this by selling on markets further afield. Road transport is the mode of choice in most cases, because of convenience and efficiency. Animals can be moved to their destination within a matter of hours. There are usually no long delays between requesting the transport, and the actual moving of the animals.

Road transport is taking over a major portion of livestock transportation due to the ease and convenience of transporting cattle by road. It is an important means of reducing stress to livestock. Animals in transit undergo "shrinkage". This is due to reduced water intake, and to poor food consumption which is characteristic of animals in transit. Shrinkage can amount to 4 to 6 % for trips of less than 70 km, but can be as high as 8 to 9 % for distances exceeding this. Road transport reduces travelling time, and partly overcomes shrinkage.