Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural economics)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The cattle (especially beef) industry in Botswana has traditionally played an important role in the country’s economy, with significant contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exports, and employment, as well as playing an important role in social and cultural spheres. Agriculture contributes about 2.3 % of GDP, out of which 70% - 80% is attributable to cattle production. By 2004, beef exports amounted to P284m, approximately 1.7% of total exports of P16.2 billion. In recent years, however, there have been signs of decline and stagnation, especially in the beef export subsector, with adverse implications for the viability of cattle farming in the country, and more generally for rural livelihoods. Botswana’s beef subsector has not fulfilled its potential as a contributor to economic growth and development, especially in the rural areas. The BMC has never been able to meet its quota of 19 000 tonnes of beef to the European Union (EU), despite being cushioned by the Continuo agreement against price competition from more efficient beef producers like Brazil. With the above background, the study was undertaken to examine the supply response of beef farmers in Botswana to various economic (e.g. prices) and non-economic [e.g. rainfall, technology and inventory (cattle population)] factors. This study used historical data on Botswana’s beef subsector for the period 1993 to 2005, and Nerlove’s partial adjustment model was used for the empirical analysis of the data. The results of the study revealed that Botswana beef farmers respond positively to price incentives and time trend (proxy for technology), and negatively to all other variables. Elasticities of supply showed that cattle supply is elastic with respect to variations in producer price and almost unit elastic to changes in cattle inventory. However, the response to shocks in other variables included in the model was inelastic. Short run price elasticity of supply is 1.511 whereas long run price elasticity is 10.57, a clear sign that pricing can be employed as a strategy to enhance beef production in Botswana. The speed of adjustment however, was relatively very low at 14% per period. This slow adjustment perhaps tells us that Botswana farmers, who are predominantly subsistence farmers, may not be having enough capacity (in terms of resources and technology) to immediately increase production when economic environment improves in their favour. Based on the results it is recommended that price increase be adopted as a strategy for improving cattle supply. Extension services need to be strengthened with a view of promoting cattle farming as a commercial activity. Current technology of using communal grazing and indigenous breeds need to be improved. It is also recommended that studies be conducted to determine the suitability of technology that is at the disposal of the farmers. Lastly Botswana government needs to come up with a strategy by which farmers can change from their attitude of oxen production to weaner production.

No description available.

Graduation date: 1998

This study examined the impacts of a beef cattle newsletter, “Beef Cattle Time,” on Tennessee beef producers. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of “Beef Cattle Time” as perceived by Tennessee beef producers on the utilization, satisfaction, benefit, and future of this newsletter. A self-developed, seventy-six question, survey was mailed to 639 randomly selected Tennessee beef cattle producers. Two hundred seventy six (43%) participants responded. One hundred thirty-four (48.6%) reported reading “Beef Cattle Time” and 142 (51.4%) had never read “Beef Cattle Time.” The utilization of “Beef Cattle Time” as a source of information was found to be used less than other sources of information by all respondents. The most popular source was that of cattle and farm magazines. Those beef producers who read “Beef Cattle Time,” were quite satisfied with it as a publication, and it was considered to be beneficial to those producers who did read it. Beef cattle producers did want to see “Beef Cattle Time” continue into the future.

Two behavioural studies were conducted at the University of Saskatchewan beef feedlot. In the first study, the temperament of 400 steers was determined using both objective and subjective measures. The consistency of temperament, over repeated tests and between different measures, was also tested. The objective behavioural tests were conducted during the individual restraint of the steers using strain gauges and an MMD (movement-measuring-device). The time required for the steers to exit the area was also recorded. Subjective assessment of animals responsiveness during restraint was recorded on a scale of 1-5 (calm to wild). The consistency of individual differences in a steers response within the evaluation series and across repetitions, shows that this trait may represent a stable personality of the animal. The significant relationship between objective and subjective measures demonstrates that objective measures of temperament can be used to replace the traditional subjective scale as it has the added advantage of reducing inter- and intra-observer variability. The positive relationship of subjective scores and MMD values with the steers performance (average daily weight gain) shows not only that a calm temperament is conducive to productivity, but also that objective measures can replace subjective techniques for assessing temperament for performance evaluation. In the second study the reactivity of a subset of the original 400 steers (262 animals from 8 pens) to a novel stimulus was assessed. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a steers behavioural response in the novel test was correlated to its temperament assessment determined in the first study. A remote controlled ball was dropped from the ceiling of a salt feeder while a steer licked the salt. Two overhead cameras connected to a monitor through a VCR and time lapse recorder permitted us to observe and document the response. A lack of correlation between measures of handling and novelty measures show that reactivity of animals in the handling chute and their responsiveness to the novel stimulus do not represent one and the same trait.

This thesis described the results of two studies that measured the concentrations of serum micronutrients in western Canadian beef cows at key production points, and examined associations between reproductive outcomes and micronutrient concentrations. The first study reported the serum copper and molybdenum concentrations at pregnancy testing time in cows from 66 cow-calf herds that were enrolled in a study of factors affecting productivity in 205 herds from western Canada. A relatively small proportion of cows had serum copper and molybdenum concentrations outside of adequate levels (16.2% of cows had below adequate serum copper, < 0.60 ppm; 12% of cows had high serum molybdenum, > 0.10 ppm). There were no associations between copper and molybdenum concentrations measured at the end of the grazing season and reproductive outcomes measured in these cows, with the exception that cows with the lowest serum copper concentrations at pregnancy testing were more likely to be pregnant than cows with higher copper concentrations. The practice of comparing serum copper and molybdenum concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant animals in the fall as a tool in investigating poor pregnancy rates was not supported by this study. In the second study, serum micronutrient concentrations of beef cows (n = 791) in southern Saskatchewan were measured before placement onto summer grazing and breeding pastures and again at the end of the grazing season. Pre-breeding serum copper concentrations were less than adequate (< 0.60 ppm) in 75% of cows. High concentrations of serum molybdenum (d 0.10 ppm) were present in 19% of cows at pre-breeding. Cows < 10 years of age with lower pre-breeding serum copper concentrations were at increased odds of nonpregnancy. The greatest effect on pregnancy rates was observed for pre-breeding serum copper concentrations < 0.4 ppm. Season of measurement influenced the concentrations of serum micronutrients in these cows. Copper and vitamins A and E were higher in the fall, and molybdenum and selenium concentrations were lower in the fall. These studies described serum micronutrient concentrations from healthy cows in western Canada at two production points, pre-breeding placement onto grazing pastures and pregnancy testing when cows are removed from grazing pasture. Identifying increased odds of nonpregnancy in cows with below adequate serum copper at pre-breeding emphasizes the importance of ensuring adequate copper concentrations in breeding females during this critical production phase.

Two behavioural studies were conducted at the University of Saskatchewan beef feedlot. In the first study, the temperament of 400 steers was determined using both objective and subjective measures. The consistency of temperament, over repeated tests and between different measures, was also tested. The objective behavioural tests were conducted during the individual restraint of the steers using strain gauges and an MMD (movement-measuring-device). The time required for the steers to exit the area was also recorded. Subjective assessment of animals responsiveness during restraint was recorded on a scale of 1-5 (calm to wild). The consistency of individual differences in a steers response within the evaluation series and across repetitions, shows that this trait may represent a stable personality of the animal. The significant relationship between objective and subjective measures demonstrates that objective measures of temperament can be used to replace the traditional subjective scale as it has the added advantage of reducing inter- and intra-observer variability. The positive relationship of subjective scores and MMD values with the steers performance (average daily weight gain) shows not only that a calm temperament is conducive to productivity, but also that objective measures can replace subjective techniques for assessing temperament for performance evaluation. In the second study the reactivity of a subset of the original 400 steers (262 animals from 8 pens) to a novel stimulus was assessed. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a steers behavioural response in the novel test was correlated to its temperament assessment determined in the first study. A remote controlled ball was dropped from the ceiling of a salt feeder while a steer licked the salt. Two overhead cameras connected to a monitor through a VCR and time lapse recorder permitted us to observe and document the response. A lack of correlation between measures of handling and novelty measures show that reactivity of animals in the handling chute and their responsiveness to the novel stimulus do not represent one and the same trait.

Bos indicus influenced primiparous heifers (n = 300) and yearling Beefmaster heifers (n = 172) were evaluated to determine relationships between serial carcass ultrasound traits and ability to breed in short (45 to 90 d) breeding seasons. Data collected included carcass ultrasound traits: ribeye area (REA), intramuscular fat (IMF), rump fat (UFAT), ribfat, weight, and body condition score taken at yearling age, pregnancy determination, before breeding, and after the breeding season when pregnancy status was recorded. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of ultrasound traits and body condition on pregnancy status. Odds ratios suggested the likelihood of primiparous cattle rebreeding would have been increased by 93% if IMF would have averaged 3.5% instead of 2.5% as yearlings, or an increase in the average ribfat as yearlings from 0.287 to 0.387 cm would have increased the odds of rebreeding by 88%. Increased average body condition score of 6.5 rather than 5.5 at 30 days postpartum in primiparous cows was estimated to have increased rebreeding 367%. The odds of yearling Beefmaster heifers successfully breeding during a 45-day season would have been increased by 73% (year 1) or 274% (year 2) by increasing REA 6.4 to 6.5 cm^2 at a year of age. Steers were serially scanned beginning at approximately 265 kg of body weight through harvest in 56 day +/- 6 intervals. Data collected included ultrasound measurements (ribeye area (REA), 12th rib fat thickness (RibFat), percent intramuscular fat (IMF), and rump fat (UFAT)), weight, and carcass data. Days to choice was calculated for each steer based on a linear regression. The IMF deposition was quantified as quadratic from scans 1-6 and linear when cattle were on full feed. Prediction models at scans 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 yielded R-square values of 0.20, 0.25, 0.41, 0.48, 0.59, and 0.49, respectively for days to choice. Odds ratios suggested that if steers in this study had averaged 3.78% at day 0 rather than 2.78, the odds of cattle grading premium choice or greater would have been increased by 300%.

Two trials were conducted to compare the effectiveness of fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) to AI based upon visual detection of estrus following superstimulation of donor beef cows. In Trial 1, multiparous beef cows (n = 31) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments following superstimulation and removal of an intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR). Cows in the Control group were inseminated at 12 and 24 h after onset of estrus. Cows in the Estradiol group were injected with estradiol-17β (1 mg, im) at 12 h and inseminated at 24 and 36 h after CIDR removal. Cows in the pLH36 group were injected with porcine LH (Lutropin, 12.5 mg, im) at 24 h and inseminated at 36 and 48 h after CIDR removal. Mean numbers of viable embryos were 7.8, 3.6 and 9.6 for Control, Estradiol and pLH36 treatment groups, respectively (P > 0.10). In Trial 2, multiparous beef cows (n = 22) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments following superstimulation and removal of a CIDR. Sixteen of the cows were superstimulated a second time approximately 50 days later and allotted to one of the two treatments that differed from the initial treatment group. Cows in the Control group were inseminated at 12 and 24 h after onset of estrus. Cows in the two pLH groups were injected with porcine LH (Lutropin,12.5 mg, im) at 24 h after CIDR removal and were inseminated with either one unit of semen at 36 and 48 h (pLH36) or with two units of semen at 48 h (pLH48) after CIDR removal. Mean numbers of viable embryos were 3.0, 6.4 and 3.8 for Control, pLH36 and pLH48 treatment groups, respectively (P > 0.10). These data indicate that administration of pLH can facilitate use of fixed-time AI in superovulated beef cows without sacrificing embryo production. The second study evaluated the efficacy of resynchronizing beef cow recipients using CIDR devices for only 7 or 14 d. Recipient cows received CIDRs either on the day of transfer (n = 88) or 7 d post-transfer (n = 230). All CIDRs were removed on d 21 and cows were observed for estrus between d 22 and 24. Cows that displayed estrus were ultrasounded on d 30, those cows not pregnant that possessed a CL had an embryo transferred that day. Cows were later examined for pregnancies approximately 23 to 30 d later. There were no differences in pregnancy rates between cows with 7 or 14 d CIDRs and therefore data were combined. Pregnancy rates at two different ranches indicate that beef cow recipients can be successfully resynchronized by insertion of a CIDR without compromising pregnancy rates of transferred embryos. At Center Ranch the pregnancy rate for the first transfer was 57% while the resynchronized group that received the second transfer had a pregnancy rate of 55%. At Mound Creek Ranch the first transfer of embryos produced 59% pregnancy rates while the second transfer had a pregnancy rate of 71%. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the pregnancy rates of the initial transfer and those of the resynchronized transfer using only CIDRs, indicating that resynchronization using CIDRs can be used without reducing pregnancy rates.

This study examined the impacts of a beef cattle newsletter, “Beef Cattle Time,” on Tennessee beef producers. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of “Beef Cattle Time” as perceived by Tennessee beef producers on the utilization, satisfaction, benefit, and future of this newsletter. A self-developed, seventy-six question, survey was mailed to 639 randomly selected Tennessee beef cattle producers. Two hundred seventy six (43%) participants responded. One hundred thirty-four (48.6%) reported reading “Beef Cattle Time” and 142 (51.4%) had never read “Beef Cattle Time.” The utilization of “Beef Cattle Time” as a source of information was found to be used less than other sources of information by all respondents. The most popular source was that of cattle and farm magazines. Those beef producers who read “Beef Cattle Time,” were quite satisfied with it as a publication, and it was considered to be beneficial to those producers who did read it. Beef cattle producers did want to see “Beef Cattle Time” continue into the future.