Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2005. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-55). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The range use behaviour and activity patterns of a single herd of disease-free Cape buffalo Syncerus caffer in the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, Free State, was investigated. This reserve falls outside the historical distribution of these buffalo. It has sub-optimal habitat for buffalo, a long history of severe overgrazing and no large predators. The veld condition and grazing capacity of six management units identified in the reserve were investigated, and a long-term grazing capacity of 750 L.S.U. calculated. A maximum long-term buffalo stocking rate of 82,2 L.S.u. was determined from their range use. The main factors, which appear to regulate habitat selection by the buffalo, are seasonal changes in the food supply, the availability of cover for daytime resting, and protection against low night temperatures. Effective management of the buffalo depends on protecting the woody riverbank and vlei grasslands, which are the most crucial vegetation types for the buffalo. / Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 1999. / Centre for Wildlife Management / unrestricted

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar determinadas características produtivas e econômicas de algumas criações de búfalos no Brasil desenvolvendo um estudo sobre as dificuldades, facilidades e potencialidade da bubalinocultura envolvendo as ferramentas de marketing aplicadas ao agronegócio bubalino. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo utilizando formulário eletrônico para preenchimento on line por criadores de búfalos com questões estratégicas e disponibilizado na página da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo. O mesmo questionário impresso foi encaminhado, via correio, à 184 criadores de búfalos com endereços cadastrados na página da Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos. Foram avaliadas 50 propriedades com atividade em bubalinocultura rurais distribuídas em 12 Estados brasileiros. O presente estudo identificou que a bubalinocultura representa uma atividade promissora junto ao agronegócio brasileiro com bom nicho de mercado para a produção de leite, porém com barreiras no posicionamento do mercado da carne de búfalo. Há um desafio a ser vencido a partir da articulação dos componentes de toda a estrutura no agronegócio bubalino envolvendo cadeia produtiva de leite e de carne para produção em escala visando atender adequadamente a demanda do mercado interno e do mercado externo. / This study aimed to identify certain characteristics of some productive and economical of buffalo production in Brazil developing a study on the difficulties, advantages and potential of buffalo production involving the tools of marketing applied to buffalo agribusiness. We performed a field research using electronic form to fill on line by buffalo raisers with strategic questions available on the website of Faculty of Food Engineering and Animal Science from University of Sao Paulo. The same form was sent via mail to the 184 buffalo raisers with addresses registered on the website of the Brazilian Buffalo Raisers Association. We evaluated 50 rural farms with activity in buffalo production distributed in 12 Brazilian states. This study identified that buffalo production represents a promising activity to the Brazilian agribusiness with a good special market for milk production, but with barriers in the market positioning of buffalo meat. There is a challenge to be achievement from the articulation of the components of the entire structure in the agribusiness production chain involving buffalo milk and meat production scale to adequately meet the demand of the internal and external markets.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar determinadas características produtivas e econômicas de algumas criações de búfalos no Brasil desenvolvendo um estudo sobre as dificuldades, facilidades e potencialidade da bubalinocultura envolvendo as ferramentas de marketing aplicadas ao agronegócio bubalino. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo utilizando formulário eletrônico para preenchimento on line por criadores de búfalos com questões estratégicas e disponibilizado na página da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo. O mesmo questionário impresso foi encaminhado, via correio, à 184 criadores de búfalos com endereços cadastrados na página da Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos. Foram avaliadas 50 propriedades com atividade em bubalinocultura rurais distribuídas em 12 Estados brasileiros. O presente estudo identificou que a bubalinocultura representa uma atividade promissora junto ao agronegócio brasileiro com bom nicho de mercado para a produção de leite, porém com barreiras no posicionamento do mercado da carne de búfalo. Há um desafio a ser vencido a partir da articulação dos componentes de toda a estrutura no agronegócio bubalino envolvendo cadeia produtiva de leite e de carne para produção em escala visando atender adequadamente a demanda do mercado interno e do mercado externo. / This study aimed to identify certain characteristics of some productive and economical of buffalo production in Brazil developing a study on the difficulties, advantages and potential of buffalo production involving the tools of marketing applied to buffalo agribusiness. We performed a field research using electronic form to fill on line by buffalo raisers with strategic questions available on the website of Faculty of Food Engineering and Animal Science from University of Sao Paulo. The same form was sent via mail to the 184 buffalo raisers with addresses registered on the website of the Brazilian Buffalo Raisers Association. We evaluated 50 rural farms with activity in buffalo production distributed in 12 Brazilian states. This study identified that buffalo production represents a promising activity to the Brazilian agribusiness with a good special market for milk production, but with barriers in the market positioning of buffalo meat. There is a challenge to be achievement from the articulation of the components of the entire structure in the agribusiness production chain involving buffalo milk and meat production scale to adequately meet the demand of the internal and external markets.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc Agric (Production Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2000. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Theileria parva is a tick-borne intracellular protozoan parasite which infects cattle and African buffalo in Eastern and Southern Africa. Cattle may be immunised against T. parva by the infection and treatment method (ITM), which involves inoculation with live sporozoites and simultaneous treatment with oxytetracycline. One such ITM vaccine is the Muguga Cocktail, which is composed of a mixture of three parasite stocks: Muguga, Serengeti-transformed and Kiambu 5. Although the vaccine has been used with success in the field in several areas in Eastern Africa, there is evidence that vaccination using cattle-derived parasites does not always provide adequate protection against buffalo-derived T. parva. A number of T. parva antigens recognised by CD8+ T cells from cattle immunised by ITM have been identified in previous studies. A proportion of these antigens show a high degree of sequence polymorphism and allelic diversity is believed to be much greater in buffalo-derived T. parva than in cattle-derived parasites. The present study focussed on the development and application of a deep sequencing technique for characterising genotypically heterogeneous T. parva DNA samples. A panel of genes encoding CD8+ T cell antigens was used as the basis of a multi-locus sequence typing system (MLST) built upon Roche 454 amplicon sequencing technology. This system was validated using parasite stocks of known composition and then utilised to investigate genetic and antigenic diversity in vaccine stabilates and samples derived from African buffalo. The MLST profile obtained for the Muguga Cocktail stocks was compared to those of African buffalo in two geographically separated sites and was also compared with micro/mini-satellite DNA profiles of Muguga Cocktail stocks. The three components of the T. parva Muguga Cocktail vaccine were found to have limited genotypic and antigenic diversity using both methods. The composition of vaccine batches produced in a single production run (ILRI0801-ILRI0804) was shown to be relatively consistent. In contrast, the composition of the component stocks was shown to alter following passage through cattle and ticks. The deep multi-locus sequence profile and satellite DNA profile established in this study may be used as a reference for comparison with future vaccine batches. It is suggested that formulation of a new cocktail vaccine containing three parasite clones selected on the basis of genotypic and antigenic divergence may well provide protection comparable to that obtained with the Muguga Cocktail. The components of such a vaccine could readily be distinguished and the composition of vaccine batches monitored, thus allowing improved quality control and greater consistency of the vaccine. Genetic and antigenic diversity was found to be very high in parasite populations from African buffalo from the Kruger National Park, South Africa and the Ol Pejeta conservancy, Kenya. The estimated average genetic ‘distance’ between any two alleles in the Kruger National Park and within the Ol Pejeta conservancy was very similar for all six genes investigated. Many of the identified alleles were ‘private’ to either the buffalo from Ol Pejeta or the Kruger National Park and many of these alleles were present in several individuals in one location. Principal co-ordinate analysis and phylogenetic investigation of several antigen-encoding loci indicated that extant buffalo parasite populations are geographically sub-structured although some of the underlying diversity may reflect ‘ancient’ polymorphism in an ancestral population. A subset of the CD8+ T cell antigens examined exhibited extensive antigenic polymorphism while others were highly conserved at the amino acid level. These conserved genes may represent good candidates for the development of next generation vaccines, as strain specificity may be overcome if protective CD8+ T cell responses could be generated against these conserved antigens. This would enable the use of sub-unit vaccines in areas where cattle co-graze with buffalo. Theileria sp (buffalo) was identified in cell lines isolated from cattle, indicating that this parasite can transform bovine lymphocytes and may therefore be implicated in pathology in cattle. Phylogenetic analysis of T. parva and T. sp (buffalo) clones using the 5S subunit ribosomal RNA gene, Tp6, Tp7 and Tp8 showed a clear distinction between the two parasite species. These genes could thus be considered as candidates for an improved diagnostic test for T. parva in South Africa.

The informal economic sector is a very important part of the economy for any developing country; it is a growing employment sector for the less skilled people living in both rural and urban areas. Organizing the informal sector and reorganizing its role as a profitable activity may contribute to local economic development. This can also build the capacity of the informal workers to meet their basic needs by increasing their incomes and strengthening their legal status. Municipal support for the informal business sector may play an important role in achieving these objectives. The problem statement of this research report highlights the problems of poverty and unemployment in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, which has resulted in the growth of informal business sector. In order to improve economic development, local authorities are expected to give support to any sector that provides employment and incomes for the poor, including the informal sector. The overall aim and objectives of the research were to investigate the role of Local Economic Development strategies in the informal sector in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. To discover whether there is any support programme employed by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Local Economic Development Unit to boost the informal sector economy. To, assess the impact of the informal sector, in generating income for the unemployed. To identify Local Economic strategies employed in the area to develop the local economy. An overview of the literature on the informal sector provided a basis for the research into the problems facing street traders in Mdantsane, a large township adjacent to East London in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in the study. The use of data collection tools such as interviews, questionnaires and observation helped to solicit the required information. An analysis of the findings confirmed that the informal sector plays an important role in in generating an income for the unemployed particularly for unemployed women. It appears that the informal traders have some basic requirements that would make a difference to their survival and working conditions, but that minimal support is received from the municipality. These findings recommend that in the absence of formal job opportunities in Buffalo City, the Municipality should develop strategies to support the informal sector participants to survive and thrive in difficult economic times.

Urban Renewal which originates in the concept of Local Economic Development (LED) has in recent years gained much global acceptance as a strategy to improve certain areas that are poorly developed in order to improve the quality of lives of the local residents. South Africa have adopted the Urban Renewal approach and ever since, a number of national centres have been targeted for urban renewal activities. The Buffalo City Municipality (BCMM) implemented the Mdanstane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP) which is essentially the case study of this research. Despite the government instituting the Integrated Development Planning (IDP), Buffalo City still remains one of South Africa’s poorest metropolitan areas, with a relatively high unemployment and crime rate compared to other metropolitan cities in the country (Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality,2012). The study, therefore, sought to empirically analyse the effectiveness of the URP as an initiative of Integrated Development Planning (IDP) particularly on how it has addressed socio-economic pathologies such as poverty and inequality rampant in the area of study. The Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme was used to monitor and evaluate the impact it had on the communities and the municipality. The study used a mixed methods or triangulation approach as both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used in determining the effect of the MURP on local development as well as in exploring the different perceptions and challenges facing the programme. The data that was gathered was analysed both quantitatively using frequency tables and graphs, and qualitatively based on the key themes that emerged. The research established that whilst the MURP has scored some gains in refurbishing the area of study, there are still various challenges inherent in the MURP such as its non-inclusiveness, lack of transparency, accountability and the lack of real benefits accruing in the local communities. Thus, this research recognised a need for a more inclusive and pro-poor urban development framework that promotes local citizen participation, accountability, sustainability and equity in resource distribution and allocation, in order to improve the livehoods of the local people in Mdantsane.

Governments all over the world cannot downplay the economic role of small businesses. It is accepted world-wide that this sector of the economy alleviates unemployment, creates wealth, encourages innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. Various factors, both internal and external, make it difficult for small businesses to reach their true potential or realise their objectives. Internal factors would refer to areas such as lack of financial acumen, operational management expertise and marketing skills. External factors such as the business environment, competition, legislation, commercial institutions, amongst others, also contribute to the downfall of small businesses. The support that small businesses require is vital at the start-up phase of the business as it lays a solid base from which to proceed. The research emanates from a high failure of Small Black Businesses in the country, with the focus being on the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This section of the business community has a vital role to play in the well-being of this region. According to the South African Cities Network, BCM has a high rate of unemployment. The success of Small Black businesses in the area could offer many opportunities for productive people who would otherwise be condemned to unemployment. The literature review revealed a plethora of factors that hinder the success and development of small businesses. It has therefore become important to research these factors and come up with recommendations that are going to assist small businesses and society at large. There is an outcry against insufficient government support in assisting small businesses. Due to the research being qualitative in nature, date collection was by means of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed in such a manner as to provide responses that would assist in addressing the challenges faced by small businesses. Data analysis entailed its transcription in order to allow the researcher to make notes. The next step was to do a preliminary data analysis in order to highlight emerging issues, identify relevant data and to give direction for seeking more data. A summary all the issues was subsequently prepared for interpretation. The study revealed that the problems experienced by small businesses are both internally and externally influenced. Small businesses have it within themselves to manage and control the internally influenced problems, contrary to the externally influenced factors. The study recommends additional governmental support in terms of providing skills development, financial support, removal of red tape, eradication of corruption and so on. Commercial financial institutions also have a vital role to play by removing some of the requirements that make it difficult for small businesses to access funding.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-124).