Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Beef cattle – Namibia – Marketing'

Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transaction cost economics has travelled a difficult and long path to general acceptance in current economic opinion. The general theory of transaction cost has however developed in various paradigms with little or no empirical backing. It is mostly the difficulty of measurement that caused economists to shy away from empirical testing and rather, to quote Coase (1992), "to write in prose". The last 10 years there has been a renewed thrust for the empirical measurement of transaction cost. This study is an attempt to measure transaction cost by using case study data gathered in the run of the NOLIDEP study in the meat markets of the Northern Communal areas of Namibia. Until recently the method of data analysis that has been used in most empirical studies was variations of the regression technique. Regression as a tool is most useful in economics, giving quick answers and general trends to the researcher. It is however a technique that is linear in nature and therefore some information in the data will always be sacrificed. In general- and multi industry surveys this do not pose a great problem as general trends can usefully be applied in making policy recommendations. In smaller and especially rural industries this is not the case. The dynamic interactions within the industry and its dynamic linkages with the rest of the economy will surely be underrated when using a linear method. Consequently, a non-linear technique was applied in this study - the Non-linear Dynamic Model. This model gave the interactions between all variables enabling one to describe the dynamics of the market. As mentioned elsewhere the first aim of this study was to measure transaction cost so that the second aim could be fulfilled. The second aim of this study was to prove that transaction cost has an important influence on marketing channel decision. The analysis of the data satisfied the above two aims: Firstly it showed that it was possible to measure transaction cost. Secondly that transaction cost has a large and sometimes overriding influence on marketing channel decisions. A third and last point that became apparent was that a non-linear method of data analysis allows for better description of a dynamic market.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit het 'n lang tyd gevat vir transaksie koste om as konsep in ekonomie aanvaar te word. Die algemene teorie van transaksie koste het egter ontwikkel binne verskeie paradigmas sonder werklike empiriese ondersteuning. Dit is meestal die meting van transaksie koste wat empiriese werk in die rigting belemmer het. Daar is egter in die laaste 10 jaar hernude pogings gewees om transaksie koste empiries te meet. Hierdie studie is 'n poging om transaksie koste te meet deur gebruik te maak van data wat verkry is gedurende die NOLIDEP studie in die noordelike kommunale gebiede van Namibia. Tot onlangs was die metode van data analise vir empiriese studies variasies op die regressie tegniek. As 'n hulpmiddel is regressie baie bruikbaar in ekonomie waar vinnige antwoorde en algemene tendense verwag word. Die tegniek is egter inhirent liniêr en daarom sal daar altyd interpretasies rondom data opgeoffer word. In algemene studies is dit egter nie 'n probleem nie en kan voldoende beleids aanbevelings gedoen word. Dit is egter nie die geval in kleiner en plantelandse industriëe nie. Die dinamiese interaksies binne die industrie en die dinamiese skakels met die res van die ekonomie word dan onderskat met die gebruik van 'n liniêre metode. Daarom is 'n nie-liniêre metode gebruik, die Non-linear Dynamic Model. Die model neem die interaksie tussen veranderlikes in ag wat die beskrywing van dinamika moontlik maak. Soos reeds genoem is die eerste doel van die studie om transaksie koste te meet sodat die tweede doelwit van die studie bereik kan word. Die tweede doel is om te bewys dat transaksie koste bemarkingskanaai besluite bëinvloed. Die data analise het beide bogenoemde doelwitte bevredig. Eerstens dat transaksie koste meetbaar is. Tweedens dat transaksie koste 'n groot en selfs oorweldigende effek het op bemarkingskanaai besluite. 'n Derde punt wat sterk na vore gekom het is dat nie-liniêre metodes 'n beter beskrywing van dinamika toelaat.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008.
"December, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-31). Library also has microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [2009]. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Beef production is known to be the most important livestock related activity in Namibia (Just over 2 million cattle in Namibia in 2009) with the majority of weaners being exported to the South African feedlot industry. Extensive beef production requires a sound knowledge of management practices, genetics and nutrition. The nutritional requirements of cattle remain one of the most important factors for maximizing return and profitability of the farming enterprise. The purpose of this study was to quantify the nutritive value of two veld types in the north western part of Namibia. The thorn bush savanna was assigned as treatment K whilst the mopane savanna was assigned as treatment M. For the oesophageally collected samples there were differences between the two years (2007 and 2008) for all the parameters as well as differences between the two veld types (treatments) and periods. Crude protein (CP) had a large seasonal variation in both treatments, with treatment K having higher CP concentrations for the majority of the trial period compared to treatment M. Phosphorous (P) also tended to show seasonal variation with higher concentrations during the wet season. The CP requirements for a 400kg cow were not met during the time when the cow is expected to be pregnant, however during lactation and early gestation the CP requirements of a 400kg cow are met from the intake of forage alone. The P requirements of a 400kg cow were met during the majority of the year except during the last trimester of gestation where the forage alone is not able to supply the P requirements of a 400kg cow. Treatment K had higher concentrations of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and copper(Cu) compared to treatment M, whilst Treatment M had a higher concentration of manganese (Mn) during the majority of the trial period. The Mn concentration of the forage was shown to be adequate during most parts of the year and was able to supply the Mn requirements of a 400kg cow during gestation and lactation for both treatments. However, Cu, Zn and Mg were deficient especially during the winter months and intake from forage alone was not able to supply the Cu, Zn and Mg requirements for a 400kg cow during both gestation and lactation. The Ca concentration of both treatments was high, and caution should be taken to ensure that the high intake levels of Ca through feed and water do not cause mineral imbalances. The in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations increased from the winter to the summer months. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations varied between treatments as well as throughout the trial period. The rumen cannulated animals showed differences between years, treatments and periods for total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and rumen NH3-N. The rumen ammonia-N concentrations increased during the periods of higher rainfall whilst the total VFA concentration showed no distinct seasonal pattern. The faecal CP results indicated that protein supplementation is necessary especially during periods of lower rainfall. whilst the faecal P results fell within the normal range. The relationship between faecal CP and diet CP concentration was not so strong and faecal CP concentration should be used with caution to predict the CP concentration of the forage. The relationship between faecal P and diet P concentration was also not strong when both treatments and years were combined which confirms that such relationships need to be tested under specific conditions.
Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2018.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
MSc (Agric)
Unrestricted

The Virginia Beef Cattle Simulation Model (VBCSM) is a user-friendly, dynamic, stochastic computer program whose objective is to serve as a decision-aid for Virginia cattlemen dealing with complex management issues such as whether to retain weaned calves through the stocker growth stage. Its five source-code modules are reproduction, forage, nutrition, marketing, and a tool that randomly assigns values to variables from appropriate statistical distributions. The VBCSM contains production statistics for 12 breeds, 21 forage species, and three Virginia agro-ecological zones. It simulates at the animal level using information obtained from program dialog. Help can be activated on each dialog page. It is event-driven on a daily time increment. The reproduction module simulates puberty, conception, abortion, parturition, dystocia, lactation, pregnancy testing, culling, within-herd replacement female selection, open or pregnant replacement female purchases, cow and calf mortality, and weaning. The forage module simulates daily pasture growth dependent upon month, precipitation, erosion, pasture maintenance, grazing system, farm location, weed infestation, and slope. This module interacts with the nutrition module to calculate each animalâ s forage intake, supplemental feed requirements, and daily gain or loss using National Research Council equations. The marketing routine sells the weanling calves to the stocker herd and sells stocker calves, orphan calves, and cull cows through user-specified markets, including the Virginia Tel-O-Market auction. After simulating for eight years to achieve equilibrium conditions, the VBCSM provides an income statement for the cow-calf operation and a partial budget for net income or loss from the stocker herd for up to three years. VBCSM was rigorously tested using a mathematical model with two calving seasons, three lengths of breeding season, four culling policies, and a year effect. Descriptive statistics suggest that the program code works in a consistent manner. However, several potential programming inconsistencies were discovered. Simulation results indicate that fall calving may be more profitable for Virginia cattle producers than spring calving for weanling calf production, but a spring calved stocker program may be more profitable that a fall calved stocker program. Perhaps, VBCSM will help cattlemen to enhance their profits by more efficient market planning and utilization of production resources.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Namibia by nature is very well suited for livestock production and is a net exporter of beef. Beef is currently exported to South Africa, the European Union (EU) and Japan while market access to the United States of America is being explored. Food safety, traceability and lately animal welfare are all aspects which are requested by Namibians trading partners when exporting meat to those countries. The first two aspects have been addressed with the introduction of the Farm Assured Namibian Beef scheme (FAN Meat) which also provides basic guidelines for animal welfare. Beef in Namibia is produced from extensively managed enterprises which are privately owned and managed, or state owned and communally utilized. The events of handling and transport are considered stressful to all animals but especially so to extensively raised animals and their reaction to these events has the potential to severely infringe on their welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pre-, during, and post-transportation handling on animal welfare status under Namibian transport conditions. The study also investigated the influence of breed on the meat quality of Namibian beef. The level of bruising recorded on slaughter was used to measure animal welfare. Interviews with producers were conducted to describe the pre-transport handling. Questionnaires that included variables considered as important indicators of animal welfare during transport were distributed to truck drivers. Observations of the off-loading event and animal behaviour were completed in lairage at the export abattoir in Windhoek. The variables that were identified as high risk factors and had a significant influence on the level of bruising under Namibian transport conditions include animal factors (i.e. breed type, age, sex, condition and subcutaneous fat cover), pre-transport handling (i.e. re-branding of animals), transport related risks (loading density and animals lying down during transit) as well as lairage factors (i.e. fit of truck floor to off-loading ramp, the way animals moved to holding pens, pen size and minimum environmental temperatures). The influence of breed on meat tenderness and water-holding capacity of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the four main beef breeds (i.e. Brahman, Bonsmara, Simbrah and Simmental), as well as the effect of different aging periods on meat quality (i.e. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & 37 days post mortem) were investigated. The Brahman differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the other three breeds in terms of all aging treatments; with higher Warner-Bratzler shear force values reported for this breed. Interactions between days post mortem and breed were found for the Simbrah, and Simmental breeds, which may be indicative of a delayed response to aging of meat samples obtained from Simbrah animals. This can possibly be ascribed to an increased calpastatin activity in these animals. Meat samples obtained from the Bonsmara steers showed the highest rate of tenderization, with this effect retained until day 30 post mortem. Recommendations as pertaining to the ante mortem handling of cattle are made.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Namibië word gekenmerk deur toestande wat uitstekend vir diereproduksie is, met die land wat as ‘n netto uitvoerder van beesvleis beskou word. Vleis word na Suid-Afrika, die Europese Unie (EU) en Japan uitgevoer, met die moontlikheid van die Verenigde State van Amerika wat as ‘n uitvoermark ondersoek word. Voedselveiligheid, naspeurbaarheid en dierewelsyn is drie vereistes wat deur die invoerders van Namibiese vleis daargestel word. Die eerste twee vereistes is reeds deur die implementering van die Farm Assured Namibian beesvleis skema (FAN Meat) aangespreek, met die skema wat basiese riglyne vir dierewelsyn voorskryf. Namibiese beesvleis word geproduseer onder grootskaalse ekstensiewe boerdery omstandighede, wat of privaat besit en bestuur word, of aan die regering behoort en deur plaaslike gemeenskappe benut word. Die invloed van hantering en vervoer is besonder stresvol vir diere en in besonder vir diere wat onder ekstensiewe omstandighede geproduseer word. Omdat diere onder ekstensiewe omstandighede ongewoond aan hantering en vervoer is, kan dié twee aksies ‘n ernstige impak op die welsyn van sulke diere hê. Die doelwit van die studie was om die invloed van hantering voor-, tydens en na-vervoer onder Namibiese vervoertoestande te ondersoek. Die invloed van ras op Namibiese beesvleiskwaliteit is ook ondersoek. Die mate van kneusing waargeneem met slagting was as standaard gebruik om die welsynstatus van diere te bepaal. Onderhoude is met produsente gevoer om inligting oor die pre-vervoer toestande in te win. Vraelyste wat veranderlikes wat as belangrike indikators van dierewelsyn tydens vervoer beskou kan word, ingesluit het, is aan vragmotorbestuurders versprei. Waarnemings van die aflaai en verwante diergedrag was by die houfasiliteite van die uitvoer abattoir in Windhoek, waarnatoe die diere vervoer is, gedoen. Verskeie hoë risiko faktore wat ‘n betekenisvolle invloed op die mate van kneusing wat tydens vervoer opgedoen is, gehad het, is in die studie geïdentifiseer. Hierdie faktore het dierverwante eienskappe (d.i. ras, ouderdom, geslag, liggaamskondisie en onderhuidse vetvoorsiening), voorvervoer hantering (d.i. herbrandmerk van diere), vervoerverwante risiko’s (d.i. aantal diere per trok kompartement en diere wat tydens vervoer gaan lê), asook ontwerp van houfasiliteite (d.i. verbinding tussen trokvloer en laaibrug, die manier wat diere na houkampies beweeg het, grootte van houkampies en lae omgewingstemperature), ingesluit. Die invloed van ras op die sagtheid en waterhouvermoë van die Longissimus dorsi spier van die vier hoof vleisbeesrasse (d.i. Brahman, Bonsmara, Simbrah en Simmentaler), asook verskillende verouderingstydperke op vleiskwaliteit (d.i. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 en 37 dae post mortem) van die vier rasse is ondersoek. Die Brahman het betekenisvol (p < 0.05) van die ander drie rasse in terme van die effek van veroudering op vleiskwaliteit verskil, met hoë Warner-Bratzler skeursterkte waardes wat vir dié ras aangeteken is. ‘n Interaksie tussen aantal dae post mortem en ras is gevind vir die Simbrah en Simmentaler rasse, wat dui op ‘n vertraagde effek van vleisveroudering vir die Simbrah ras, moontlik as gevolg van ‘n hoër mate van kalpastatien aktiwiteit. Vleismonsters bekom van jong Bonsmara bulle het die grootste mate van versagting getoon, met die voordeel wat waargeneem is tot dag 30 van die post mortem vleisveroudering. Aanbevelings betreffende die voorslag hantering van beeste word gemaak.

Cattle producers are faced with difficult decisions on how they market theircalves. This study examines the different characteristics that play a role in determiningthe price of a group of animals. Identifying characteristics that determine pricedifferentials relative to the price premium given to producers participating in CPH salesis important information when producers are making a marketing decision. The modeldeveloped in this study provides producers with evidence of what characteristics generatethe highest price, as well as relative differences between sales locations and types ofsales. The more information available to producers, the better equipped they are to makedecisions.

Perception plays an important role in the human assessment process. This construction of an image is based on many factors, including race, religion, national origin, income, gender, marital status - in short, the summation of our life experiences. An important consideration for the methodology consumers utilize for purchase decisions has been also referred to as the "Country of Origin" (COO) effect. This individual bias based on perceptions and attitudes has a significant impact on how consumers make their purchasing decisions. The 2008 Farm Bill legislation contained a requirement for country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef, lamb, pork, and other products. This paper examined some of the 2008 Farm Bill's impact on consumer's purchasing decisions regarding beef and related meat protein products. Of a potential population of over 700 respondents, 161 responses were received. Correspondence analysis and preferences indicated by the respondents were used to analyze the results. Respondents were mostly well educated, white, in higher income brackets, and split about 60%-40% between male and female. Food safety is considered important and respondents generally believe that the US food supply is safe. Over 40% of respondents had no knowledge of COOL and its background, but about 70% of respondents believed that COOL should be mandatory for all meat products studied. The majority of respondents (111 of 161) indicated that they would be willing to pay $0.25 to $1.00 per pound more for COOL. However when asked about the likeliness to pay, 25%-30% indicated that they were "Not at all Likely" or "Somewhat Likely" to pay. The correspondence analysis results indicated that beef was a product eaten more often, but considered expensive. Chicken was eaten more often and considered inexpensive and healthful. Turkey was a product considered healthful and inexpensive. Lamb was considered expensive, while pork was inconclusive in the two dimensions used. The results of this study provide information for producers, purveyors, retailers, and the government on the importance of COOL as perceived by consumers, and their willingness to pay for this labeling.

O entendimento dos hábitos e necessidades dos consumidores é um elemento estratégico para a cadeia produtiva, mas o setor produtivo de carnes no Brasil ainda é carente de análises. Frente a esse desafio este trabalho busca caracterizar o perfil do consumidor da carne bovina da cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil. Mais ainda, buscou-se definir os padrões de preferências e consumo destes consumidores, em função de diferentes espécies produtoras de carnes e cortes bovinos disponíveis no mercado local. Além disso, estimar a frequência de consumo da carne bovina, local de compra e quantidade em quilogramas comprada por semana relacionando essas informações com o perfil socioeconômico dos entrevistados. Os dados foram coletados através da aplicação de 1070 questionários nos principais parques, em dois períodos dos anos de 2011 e 2012. Os questionários foram divididos em dois blocos – primeiro com perguntas relacionadas à preferência e consumo das espécies de carne e o segundo com questões específicas sobre a carne bovina. A amostragem foi realizada pelo método survey quantitativo longitudinal e explanatório. Para as comparações entre preferência e consumo de espécies de animais produtores de carnes (tipo de carne) e dos cortes de carne bovina foram realizadas por Qui-quadrado com índice de concordância de Kendall pelo software SPSS 20.0. Para comparar as médias foi realizada uma análise descritiva dos dados e uma comparação entre as médias por Kruskall-Whallis também no SPSS 20.0. Para todas as análises, foi considerando nível de significância de 0,05. Os dados encontrados corroboram para os resultados de pesquisas já realizadas em Porto Alegre nos últimos anos. A população consume e prefere majoritariamente a carne bovina, sendo sua principal substituta é a carne de frango. A carne de peixe também se faz presente nos hábitos alimentares. A compra da carne bovina foi realizada principalmente em supermercados. O nível de renda e a instrução foram os fatores que mais influenciam na decisão de compra. Os cortes bovinos mais consumidos foram à alcatra, costela, carne moída e maminha, e os preferidos foram à picanha, costela, maminha, filé mignon, e alcatra.
Understanding the habits and needs of consumers is a strategic element in the supply chain, but the Brazilian meat industry still lacks researches. Therefore, this research aims to characterize the profile of beef consumers in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil. Furthermore, it aims to define the standard of preferences and consumption of these consumers for different meats species and beef cuts available at the local market. In addition, estimate the frequency beef consumption, place of purchase and quantity in kilograms purchased for week, relating this information to the socioeconomic interviewed profile. Data were collected through the application of 1070 questionnaires in the main parks, in two periods of the years 2011 and 2012. The questionnaires were divided into two blocks - first with questions related to preference and consumption of meat species and the second with specific issues related to beef. The sampling was performed by longitudinal quantitative and explanatory survey method. To compare the preferences and consumption between meat species (type of meat) and beef cuts the Chi-square with Kendall concordance index was applied. To compare the means, a descriptive analysis and a Kruskal-Whallis were used. For all analyses were carried out in the SPSS 20, considering 0.05 significance level. The results corroborate with the previous researches carried in Porto Alegre in recent years. The consumers prefer beef meat, and it’s main substitute is the chicken meat. The fish meat is also present in eating habits. The purchase of beef was held mainly in supermarkets, and the income and educations levels were the factors that most influence the decision of buying power. The most consumed beef cuts were the rump, short ribs, ground beef e trip-tip, and the preferred cuts were top sirloin cap, short ribs, trip-tip, tenderloin and rump.

There is currently no strategic marketing plan for stud or commercial breeders of the Drakensberger breed of cattle in South Africa. This study aims to determine what strategic marketing plans can be employed that could be successful for the different levels of Drakensberger cattle farmers. The analysis set off by a literature review of the beef industry in South Africa. Currently domestic production serves 85% of the local beef market. The literature review showed that, irrespective of breed or geographical area, specific characteristics, such as fertility, adaptability and temperament, could be identified as critical success factors for the beef industry. The Drakensberger as competitive breed of cattle, is also analysed within a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats), while the beef industry is analysed by means of Porter's 5-forces model. From the results conclusions were made on the farming profile of the Drakensberger farmers, their marketing orientation, as the important elements relevant to a marketing plan of the Drakensberger breed of cattle. This includes attractive promotional and advertising possibilities, pricing and product promotion activities. A number of marketing recommendations are also made to improve the market share of the Drakensberger breed of cattle in South Africa.
Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The Namibian meat industry relies on the export of weaners to the South African feedlot industry while the largest part of the cattle population in the communal areas of Namibia remain underutilised. Producing a marketable cattle carcass for slaughter, which contributes the most to the Namibian economy, remains a challenge that needs a high level of understanding of all management variables under control by the rangeland manager. The nutritional requirements of cattle are one the important areas for maximising the return from the land and ensuring long term sustainability of the farming enterprise. A commercial farming enterprise, with the same climate and sandy soils that were predominantly found in the communal farming areas of Namibia, was chosen as experimental site. Three groupings of cattle were exposed to different experimental techniques and treatments over a 15 month trial period. The first grouping of cattle was 6 oesophageal fistulated cattle used, to collect veld samples selected by the cattle, every 3 weeks to estimate the contribution of the tree and shrub savannah towards the diet of the cattle. The second grouping was 110 cattle allocated to different nutrient supplementation treatments for slaughter at 28months of age. Five different nutrient supplementation treatments were chosen for 5 groups of 22 cattle, consisting of steers and heifers, for the duration of the period on an ad libitum basis. The 5 treatments were applied to illustrate the economic concept of diminishing marginal returns as the increasing feeding cost progressively deteriorated the amount of profit that would be expected. The optimal supplementation strategy would thus be identified according to the financial resources available to a farmer. Some of the treatments were also planned to progressively result in negative associative effects on forage intake, as energy containing raw materials in such treatments would replace the intake of natural available forage. The need for replacing forage was a common practice in droughts when the availability of forage was limiting or when the finishing of cattle during a short period before slaughter was planned. The cattle needed to be foraging less to conserve energy and thus increase protein accretion and fat deposition. The control of the experiment was the rock salt treatment group (RST) which only received a rock salt lick throughout the dry and wet seasons of the year. This was generally used for the supplementation of wildlife and cattle on rangeland in Namibia and it placed nearly no strain on the finances of a farmer. The remaining four treatments received commercially manufactured lick products with a diverse set of applications that were not strictly used according to the manufacturer's guidelines. During the wet season it was a well-established practice to only supplement with phosphorus and trace mineral containing licks due to the forage having maximum nutritional value during this time in which no additional benefit would be derived from the supplementation of protein and energy containing licks. All treatments, except for the rock salt treatment group (RST), were thus placed on a phosphorus and trace mineral lick during the wet season as part of the nutrient supplementation treatment programs. Different licks were made available to the cattle in the treatment groups, during the dry season, from which the treatment groups derived their names. One group was placed on a phosphorus and trace mineral lick for the duration of the trial, during the wet and dry season, and defined as the 6% phosphorus treatment group (6%PT). A maintenance treatment group (MTT) received protein in addition to phosphorus in the lick during the dry season. The production treatment group (PDT) received energy containing raw materials in addition to the minerals and protein as established in the MTT. The finisher treatment group (FST) received a larger amount of energy containing materials which diluted the mineral and protein concentration of the dry season lick even further than in the PDT. The third experimental procedure was to establish a group of 5 ruminally cannulated cattle that would individually be rotated every 3 weeks between the supplement fed treatment groups. The cattle would then be sampled for ruminal fluid, blood and faeces to observe the short term impact of the supplements during the different seasons on these variables and the diagnostic value of these parameters to indicate the nutritional status of cattle. The results clearly illustrated that the cattle had exhibited “nutritional wisdom”. The selection of higher quality plant material than what was on offer in the veld was highlighted in a review of previous oesophageal fistulated cattle research. The strong influence of rainfall on the forage quality (increased phosphorus and protein) was highlighted. During spring the phosphorus and protein reached their maximum concentrations. It was only during the wet season that animal performances were optimised when the quantity of high quality forage increased. The average daily ad libitum nutrient supplement consumption per animal on the different treatments was strongly influenced by these seasonal changes in forage quality and quantity. The lick intake increased as the dry season progressed and the quality of the forage the animals were able to select decreased. During spring the lick intake sharply decreased as the forage quality improved. The cattle adapted their intake level with the aim of maximising their energy intake, which resulted in the highest possible performance possible, from the forage and lick that was on offer to them. Monitoring the average monthly lick intake per animal would give valuable information to the farmer on the quality of the forage selected. The trends observed in average lick intake during the year could be used as an inexpensive indicator of veld qualit. An upper threshold could be set on lick intakes that would signal that a specific area was optimally grazed and that a camp rotation would aid in conserving the rangeland and optimise animal performance. The year round supplementation of rock salt lick group (RST), or alternatively no nutrient supplement, under these conditions had clearly shown a minimal contribution to the nutritional status of cattle and that this strategy would lead to certain financial underperformance or ruin of the cattle farmer. From the results presented, the year round supplementation with a phosphorus and trace mineral lick (6%PT) was indicated as the absolute minimum nutrient supplementation strategy that would need to be followed in all communal and commercial cattle farming areas of Namibia and probably similar farming locations around the world. Free access to phosphorus licks throughout the year to growing cattle must be ensured by the farmer to allow the cattle to select the correct amount that it would require to optimise performance. This strategy required the least amount of capital to implement and had the largest return on investment for a newly established farmer. If limited amounts of energy containing materials (molasses, maize, bran) were included in the nutrient supplement on offer it allowed the animal the opportunity to only consume the minimum amount of phosphorus that it required throughout the year to balance the shortages that occurred in the forage that it was selecting from. The finisher lick given during the dry season on the FST clearly illustrated that salt and phosphorus were poor regulators of supplemental intake if the cattle were able to increase their total energy retention by over consuming and probably excreting of minerals. The optimum nutrient supplementation strategy was the MTT that alleviated the primary phosphorus and secondary protein shortages during the dry season. This strategy had a much higher capital requirement and would be most suitable for the established cattle farmer that was able to afford this strategy or had access to credit. The PDT and FST were associated with higher supplementation costs that resulted in the highest turnover for the cattle farmer, although at lower profit than the MTT. The PDT and FST supplementation strategies would be more appropriate if the improved nutritional status of the cattle was utilised in a cow herd for improved reproduction or in stud farming when genetic expression of growth potential would offset the cost of supplementation. Copyright
Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

The economic necessity of a better production strategy on sourveld promoted this study. Production of marketable two-tooth steers in the summer season and overwintering of all cattle without excessive feed costs were motivating factors. The problems of economic beef production were identified as resulting from the seasonal flow of forage quality from sourveld grass production. Season long rests, early burning and non-selective grazing of nutritious grass were identified as essential elements of a new utilization strategy. A 'forage reserve', built into the system to cater for fluctuations in grass production due to varied climatic conditions, is used as an indicator of the seasonal stocking rate. This provides a barometer in relation to the economic and ecological carrying capacity of the property. Research was conducted on the winter utilization of rested veld and its effects on grass species composition and vigour in the following season. It was found that the winter grazing of the rested veld did not affect (P>0.05) the subsequent production in the three seasons of this study on 'Stratherne' in the Dundee district, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa (30°17'E 28°17'S). The grass species composition of four transects was recorded in 1994, prior to the implementation of the grazing system under test. The same transects were recorded again in 2002 to determine the effect of the change in utilization on grass species composition. It was found that a more productive state was developing in response to the strategy implemented in this study. The general trend has been for sites to move from a Hyparrhenia hirta dominated state to a more productive one associated with species such as Themeda triandra. Summer mass gains of steers (147 kg and 143 kg over the two summers) have improved over the previous systems applied (average 119 kg), as a result of the more nutritious grazing. A greater proportion reached market readiness as two-year old to two and half year olds (97%) on veld, which is far superior to the 38% quoted from research using similar Bonsmara type steers from 'conventional' systems. Monitoring and flexibility are important in the application of the strategy to conditions in Africa. The principles of adaptive management (monitoring, recording, constant learning and adaptation) will build a data base to ensure long-term success of the strategy. A change of focus in grazing strategy from needs of animals to the needs of plants is strongly advocated.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Feedlot finishing of beef cattle in Southern Alberta involves income risk due to the variability of prices of feeders, feed and finished cattle. Several strategies are available to reduce this risk, including hedging of cattle on feed, participation in a Federal- Provincial government and producer established income stabilization program for finished cattle (National Tripartite Stabilization Plan) and diversification of production plans. This study evaluated the efficacy and interaction effects of these strategies in reducing net income variability in cattle feeding in Southern Alberta. Concerns that were addressed included: (1) whether participation in hedging or Stabilization would increase firm-level slaughter cattle output, (2) whether portfolio effects exist between production and marketing alternatives, (3) whether participation in Stabilization would reduce participation in hedging (4) whether hedging performance could be increased by hedging the Canadian dollar, and (5) whether privately supplied hedging versus publicly supplied Stabilization is better able to handle income risk in cattle feeding. The theory of decision making under uncertainty was reviewed to determine how to best incorporate the risk aspects of the feedlot , management problem. Expected Value-Variance (EV)and safety-first risk analyses were identified as frameworks for formulation of the feedlot management problem in a mathematical programming context. Using data from 1976-87, linear risk programming (MOTAD and Target MOTAD) models of the feedlot process were constructed to analyze the alternatives for reducing income risk. Results for the 1986-87 feeding year suggested that, at moderate levels of risk aversion, feedlot managers should maintain high levels of hedging of both live cattle and the Canadian dollar with moderate participation (25 percent of cattle on feed) in the Stabilization plan. Significant portfolio effects were present. Hedging, but not Stabilization, was found to increase firm-level output by increasing the average weight to which a group of cattle would be finished. Participation in Stabilization was found to reduce hedging participation by an average of 10 percent. Hedging of the Canadian dollar improved the performance of live cattle hedging. Whether hedging was better at reducing risk and maintaining income than Stabilization depended on the definition of risk.
Graduation date: 1989