M. Tech. Policing / Residents in the Giyani Policing Area of Limpopo Province are witnessing a scourge of stock theft, with the inhabitants of surrounding communities living in fear and isolation for their livestock, and the protection and preservation, thereof. This study sets out to carefully analyse, and evaluate, the extent of stock theft in the Giyani Policing Area, taking all contributory factors into consideration, determining the relationship between the Giyani South African Police Service Stock Theft Unit and livestock owners, as well as looking at existing strategies (and their effectiveness) in response to stock theft crimes in that area.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pasture Science)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / Due to shortage of adequate pasture in large parts of South Africa, winter survival poses a problem to farmers. A shortage in winter grazing is the major problem on most farms in South Africa. Animals loose weight in winter which leads to low reproduction, production of milk, mutton and meat. The winter feed shortages counteract also the possible good performance of animals during summer. Winter supplementation contributes largely to high input costs in livestock production, which can make this enterprise uneconomically. This study was done at two different localities: Hygrotech’s experimental farm at Dewageningsdrift, Gauteng and Nooitgedacht Agricultural Development center, Mpumalunga. Five winter fodder crop cultivars (Witteberg oats, Overberg oats, LS 35 stooling rye, LS 62 stooling rye and Cloc 1 Triticale) were planted on six planting dates (05 April, 04 May, 06 June, 20 July, 20 August and 26 September). Five cutting treatments were applied on Dewageningsdrift:  First cut 8 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 8),  First cut 10 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 10),  First cut 12 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 12),  First cut 14 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 14),  First cut when more than 50% of plants were in the reproduction stage (RS). The same cultivars that were used at Dewageningsdrift were used on Nooitgedacht ADC. Only one planting date was applied here that was 02 February 2007. The cutting treatments differed also from that on Dewageningsdrift. Material was cut for the first time when it reached a grazing stage (± 50-60 cm high) and after that re-growth was measured four weeks. The main conclusions from the study were that, Witteberg oats has retained its nutritional value longer than other cultivars. LS 35 stooling rye was an early or short duration growing cultivar, if planted in February to April it will provide grazing early/Mid-winter. However it can also be planted in July to grow in spring. LS 62 stooling rye is a medium to long duration growing cultivar which optimum production period will be in late winter and spring. Witteberg oats is a medium/late producer and a long duration growing cultivar, thus if planted early (April) it can provide grazing until late winter. Overberg oats is an early/med long duration growing type, if planted in April it will produce mid-winter, planted in May to July it will produce late winter and planted in August it will provide spring grazing. Cloc 1 triticale is a long duration growing type. It will produce late winter when planted in April to July and in spring when planted in August/September.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science

This study explores how livestock in rural communities were accessed, used as livelihoods portfolios and how off-farm activities and portfolios such as social grants, support from family members and employment assisted the rural poor to build their asset base. Empirical data was collected from 26 villages in the three districts. In particular the study examines firstly, the nature of rural poverty in these villages in the three districts and how households with and without livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, pigs, cats, ducks, horses and donkeys) used livestock local knowledge to sustain a living. Secondly it explores how the local government and related rural development agencies, intervened in livestock production and the thesis highlights the problematic nature of these interventions, and the implications this has for the form and nature of livestock ownership and use in relation to rural livelihoods. Arising from this, the thesis thirdly explores Ruliv‟s through concrete case studies, the challenges, constraints and implications of a pre-dominant top-down approach to rural development. Contrary to this approach, the study illustrates, through the Rhoxeni case study, the potential effectiveness of a „bottom-up‟ actor oriented approach to rural development. Fourthly, the study explores how local government initiatives intervened in the development of a rural livestock project in Alfred Nzo District Municipality through the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme Goat Project. Here iv the concerns of „commercialisation‟ of livestock production are explored and the thesis points to the implications that the exclusion of social and cultural meanings of livestock have for assumed paths of commercialisation and its associations with development. Fifthly the study explores the potentiality of emerging black commercial farmers who had acquired large areas of agricultural land through local government interventions (Land Redistribution Agricultural Development) but who lacked further support and capacity to transform themselves into commercial farmers. The thesis concludes that their livestock and crop farming activities remained more subsistence and livelihood based, than any transition to expected technical market oriented commercial farming. Overall, the thesis argues that while local government planning for rural development prioritised commercial agriculture as the basis of rural development and the key mechanism of rural poverty alleviation in developmental policies (PGDP, IDP, LED), rural poverty has actually been deepening. In this context, the study argues that the value of livestock to the rural poor lies „outside‟ of its assumed economic value and is more firmly and determinedly located in its social meanings and values, despite these significant levels of material poverty. This has major implications for understanding livelihoods, engaging livestock agency, defining farming and what it means to be a „farmer‟ and engaging with prevalent understandings and practices directed at rural development.

This dissertation investigates the hypotheses that high transaction costs contribute to relatively low participation rates in livestock leasing in South Africa; and that specific contractual characteristics contribute to minimising total transaction costs of livestock leasing contracts in South African commercial agriculture. Many emerging livestock farming businesses may value the option of leasing-in livestock. Likewise, many established livestock farming businesses are currently undergoing expansion (especially dairy farms) and may also value the option of leasing-in livestock. A reduction in transaction costs and an improvement in efficiency of the livestock lease market could prove beneficial for emerging/expanding livestock farms. Likewise, investors, who anticipate competitive rates of return from investments in livestock, may value the option of owning and leasing-out livestock to suitable farm businesses. Transaction costs in livestock rental contracts include costs of information about contracts, costs of monitoring and enforcing contracts, costs of finding party members to contract with, the costs of risk of an agreement being terminated due to exogenous factors such as land claims, the risk of incomplete contracts and the costs of risk bought about by adverse selection and moral hazard. The magnitude of transaction costs incurred by participants of a livestock leasing contract are a function of how costs and risks are shared between the lessee and lessor, the inclusion of specific contractual clauses, the type of leasing contract, the relationship between party members and additional contractual characteristics. A census postal survey of two populations of livestock farmers, namely members of the Jersey Breeders' Societies of South Africa, was conducted during April and May 2007 to collect data on farmers' perceptions of and their participation in livestock rental contracting agreements. Elicited data was analysed using a multinomial discriminant analysis to identify factors that discriminate between non-participants of the livestock leasing market, lessees of livestock and lessors of livestock. Ordinary least squares regression was used to identify preferred characteristics of livestock lease contracts. Results of the first analysis suggest that a livestock leasing market does exist in South Africa; however, the market is characterised by high transaction costs. Non-participation in livestock leasing markets amongst survey respondents is partially attributable to the high perceived costs of obtaining market information and establishing and enforcing livestock lease agreements. Findings of the second analysis show that survey respondents, on average, showed a preference for formal agreements, leasing commercial animals for shorter periods and keeping detailed inventories. It is concluded that providing livestock farmers with information about important characteristics of successful livestock lease agreements may reduce transaction costs, and thus reduce market inefficiency in the market. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The study focused on the role of the State and the environment in indigenous livestock farming in Debe Marela in Middledrift. Although communal farmers in the area used ethnoveterinary medicines to treat and prevent animal diseases, they also widely used conventional medicines, as these often provided a remedy to animal diseases. The livestock farmers believed in indigenous knowledge which empowered them in using herbs to a certain extent, but the latter was preferred. The Department of Agriculture has featured as a support institution and although livestock farmers in the area have participated in and benefitted from state programmes, they believe that they needed more interventions such as visits from veterinary surgeons, Extension Officers and Animal Health Technicians. The study therefore attempts to address the gaps highlighted in the work of other researchers.

MSCAGR / Department of Animal Science / Preservation of semen is an important process to ensure that semen quality is sufficient for use in assisted reproductive technologies. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three different extenders to preserve bull semen stored under different conditions, as an alternative to frozen-thawed semen straws used for artificial insemination. Semen samples were collected from two Nguni bulls using an electro-ejaculator and transported to the laboratory at 37 °C for evaluation. Pooled semen was first aliquoted into three extenders namely Triladyl, Ham’s F10 and M199 at a dilution ratio of 1:4 (semen:extender), and then stored at controlled room temperature 24 °C. Secondly pooled semen was aliquoted into four groups of Ham’s F10 extender and diluted at a ratio of 1:4, then stored at 24 °C, 17 °C, 12 °C and 5 °C respectively. Sperm motility rates were analysed after 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Morphology, viability and sperm DNA fragmentation were analysed after 72 hours. The study was replicated four times and data was analysed by ANOVA. Triladyl had higher sperm viability rate and total motility rate for 72 hours (P<0.01). However, Ham’s F10 had higher progressive motility rate as compared to the other extenders. There was no significant difference (P<0.01), in the viability rate between Ham’s F10 and M199. No significant difference was also observed in total sperm abnormalities (absent tails, coiled tails and bent tails), except for reacted acrosomes (P>0.05), between the two Nguni bulls. Lower temperatures than 24 °C influenced sperm motility and viability in Ham’s F10. There was no significant difference in sperm DNA fragmentation rates (P<0.01), between all the four storage temperatures which indicated that temperature did not have an influence on sperm DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, bull semen can be preserved in Triladyl or Ham’s F10 and M199 culture media stored at 24 °C and stay alive for 72 hours. Triladyl proved to be the best suitable extender showing higher sperm viability and total motility rates as compared to Ham’s F10 and M199. Lower temperatures than 24 °C noticeably decreased sperm motility and viability in Ham’s F10 culture medium.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Livestock production is the most important sub-sector in agriculture in South Africa. It contributes a very large proportion to the agricultural gross domestic product. It has been identified as the sub-sector that has potential in improving food security and livelihoods of the rural people. The current study analyses the determinants of market participation and profitability of IDC Nguni smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The aim of the study was to contribute to the body of knowledge that exist in the study area, particularly of Limpopo Province livestock marketing by analysing determinants of market participation and profitability. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. All IDC Nguni Project beneficiaries (62 famers)were included in the survey. Descriptive data were analysed using Version 23 of SPSS. The logistic regression was used to analyse market participation data, multiple regression was used for profitability data and livelihood model for assessing the contribution of the project to livelihoods. The models were analysed using Stata 14. The results revealed that 59% of the respondents participated in the market and 41% of respondents did not participate. The study revealed that 54% of the respondents indicate that market access was easy and only 38% of respondents indicated that market access was not easy and 8% of respondents revealed that they do not know how the market access was because they were not yet selling. Seventy percent of the farmers perceived their livelihoods being improved after joining IDC Nguni Cattle Project whereas 23% of the farmers perceived their livelihood not improve after joining IDC Nguni Cattle Project. Gross margin computation showed that 52% of the farmers made gross margins ranging between R2 000 and R481 200 during the 2015 production/marketing season. The overall gross margins showed that 46% of the farmers made loss ranging from R7 300 to R170 500 during the 2015 marketing season, and 2% of the smallholder farmers were operating break-even point. The average gross margin for Community Property Associations was R6 031 while for individual farmers it was R16 082. The decision making process, for example to sell vii livestock, may be complex in the CPAs and hence a higher gross margin results for individual farmers than for CPAs. Thirty-six percent of CPAs made a loss, while 49% of individual farmers also made loss during 2015. The results of logistic regression showed that marital status, education level, loan repayment, price of an animal and household income were all significant factors (at various probability levels and with different signs), influencing market participation in the study area. A multiple regression model revealed that empirically the herd size, farm size and distance travelled to the market were significant at various probability levels and with different signs influencing profitability in the study area. Livelihood model results revealed that recent increase in farm income and farm size were all significant at different probability levels and with different signs influencing smallholder farmers' livelihood improvement in the Limpopo Province. The study identified some challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Limpopo Province. The major ones were inadequate access of market information, high transactional costs, poor conditions of the animals and poor access to markets. Policy makers should come up with policies that support the smallholder farmers with formal training, seminars and workshops to improve profitability of the farmers. Basic training of production and marketing may enable the smallholder farmer to increase profits. Other recommendations were formation of farmers' organisations, access to financial resources and private-public collaboration to establish central selling points. / Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation (DST-NRF) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Food Security and National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Raising cattle in South Africa and any other developing country in the Southern African region as part of livestock production, is one of the important means through which people sustain their livelihood. Inadequate efforts have been taken by the government to improve the marketing system of cattle, particularly to develop small-scale farming in the Limpopo Province and South Africa as a whole. With that being said, the small-scale sector has not been developed to the extent it is expected to. This study examined the factors affecting the participation of small-scale cattle farmers in livestock auctions in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. The study had three objectives, namely; (i) To describe the socio-economic characteristics of the small scale cattle farmers in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province; (ii) To assess the perception of small-scale cattle farmers in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province towards livestock auction; (iii) To identify and analyse factors affecting the participation of small-scale cattle farmers in livestock auctions in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. The Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the representative sample. Three locations (Lepelle-Nkumpi, Molemole and Polokwane local municipalities) were selected purposively because a large number of small-scale cattle farmers in the Capricorn District rely on the agricultural sector economically. The Logistic Regression Model was used to analyse factors affecting the participation of small-scale cattle farmers in livestock auctions. The results showed that, out of the 120 sample size, 42% of small-scale cattle farmers were auction participants and 58% of small-scale cattle farmers were non-participants . There were 43 male-headed households of the participants and 61 female-headed households of the non-participants . An analysis of the farmers ’ socio-economic characteristics further showed that in order for the farmers to cut the costs of production, the majority of the small-scale cattle farmers preferred using family labourers or household labourers in their cattle farming. Farmers were asked a set of Likert type scale questions about their perceptions on the auctions. The Perception Index score ii was skewed to the left and therefore revealed that the small-scale cattle farmers had a negative perception towards the auction. Farmers who had a positive perception, on the other hand, often sold their cattle at a higher price compared to the non-participants who had a negative perception. Furthermore, small-scale cattle farmers who are participants tend to use the market avenue and through that, their cattle productivity is higher, resulting in a total revenue compared to the non-participants. Consequently, small-scale farmers who participate in auctions acquire valuable production information at the very auctions. Descriptive statistics such as means, minimum and maximum values, frequencies, percentages and standard deviations were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the small-scale cattle farmers in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. The results revealed that only 4 variables were significant. The total herd size, distance to the market, gender of the household head and market information were significant at 1%, 5%, 1%, 5%, respectively and all had a positive effect towards auction participation. The study suggested that the government and other policy makers should increase the marketing information and abilities of small-scale cattle farmers through avenues like mass media, extension service and other means of capacity building. This will help the farmers to minimise transaction costs. Furthermore, farmers will not incur more costs when they participate in the markets, considering that market facilities such as auctions are often hosted far from the farmers, which results in farmers incurring more costs.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / The Boer goat (Capra hircus) is one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production. The impact of cryopreservation on the viability of its semen depends on the extenders, freezing and thawing methods. This study evaluated the effects on sperm viability in Boer goat semen extended using Bioxcell, Biladyl and Ham’s F10, and frozen in semen straws placed on a rack at 4, 5, 6 or 7 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen. After storage in liquid nitrogen for 7 days, the frozen semen was thawed at 37 oC for 30 seconds or 90 oC for 5 seconds. Samples of sperm were also frozen to -196 oC in a programmable freezer, as the control regime for the freezing treatments. Sperm morphology, motility and viability were evaluated using the computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) system in a randomised design in which the treatments were in a 3 (extender) X 5 (freezing regime) and X 2 (thawing regime) factorial arrangement. The extenders Bioxcell and Biladyl were affected in the total motility, progressive motility and static (P<0.01), the motility was overall maintained only in straws placed at 5 cm above the liquid nitrogen level, with significant difference for the interaction extender X freezing regime in the total motility (p<0.01), non-progressive motility (p<0.05) and progressive motility (p<0.01), the 37 oC for 30 sec thawing regime had significantly more (P<0.05) in cut-head spermatozoa. Ham’s F10 extender had significantly lower normal spermatozoa (P<0.05) compare to Biladyl and Bioxcell extenders. In conclusion, the extender type, freezing and thawing regime were important factors for consideration in goat semen / NRF