This study was conducted to determine the effects of seas on and auction and produce marketing systems on prices received by farmers for livestock sales and the effect of price on cattle numbers sold in KADD. Livestock population, carrying capacity, and stocking rate were estimated. Data were analyzed using pie charts, regression methods, and analysis of variance. There was no significant difference (P=.06) between cattle prices per kilogram during the wet season and after harvest. During the wet season, significantly more cattle were sold than after harvest (P< .001) to purchase food and farm inputs, and pay school fees and medical bills. Market price was only a secondary factor. Carrying capacity and stocking rate were estimated at 15.00 kg metabolic mass per hectare and 12.00 kg metabolic mass per hectare, respectively. Most households primarily sold male cattle because females are retained for breeding.

Information on livestock operations, particularly what kind of livestock operations are practiced in the Somali central rangelands, and how these operations differ for different herders in different vegetation types and farming systems, could serve as a major tool in making management decisions. This study provides a detailed description of range livestock operations in the Somali Central Rangelands. It also answers some important management questions. Range livestock operations were inventoried through personal interviews with the owners and herders. Data are supplemented by previous nation-wide and regional survey statistics. Herd productivity data which include herd structures, age, age-related sales, slaughters, gifts, and Zakat (religious payment) was derived from the herd recording survey. The results indicate the need for long term data to serve as a base for decisions concerning range and livestock development.