|
ANIMAL
PRODUCTION |
Livestock
numbers
Dry weather conditions, which occurred
throughout the winter of 1999 and the late rains in November last year, had a
declining effect on both the cattle herd and the sheep flock, with low lambing
and calving numbers, from August 1999 to August 2000. Stock theft and vermin
were contributing factors to the declining of sheep numbers. On the other hand,
a low maize price encouraged farmers to hold back livestock. Livestock has
reached a point where farmers are building herds and flocks.
Approximately
59% of the total area of South Africa consists of natural grazing and can only
be utilised by cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and wildlife. As rainfall plays a
major role in the availability of fodder and grazing, it is logical that a good
correlation would exist between rainfall and the size of the national herd.
Cattle
Cattle are
found throughout the country, but particularly in the Eastern Cape,
KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and North West. Herd sizes vary by farm type;
dairy cattle herd sizes vary between less than 50 to between 100 and 500,
averaging approximately 110. Beef cattle farms range from fairly small farms
(less than 50 cattle) to large farms with more than 1 000 cattle per farm.
The total
number of cattle in the RSA at the end of August 2000 was estimated at 13,5
million, consisting of various international dairy and
beef cattle breeds, as well as indigenous breeds such as the Afrikaner and
Nguni. The numbers were approximately
0,7% lower than the estimate of 13,6 million as at the end of August 1999.
Cattle
numbers per province since 1996 are estimated to be as follows:
|
Province |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 ‘000
head (August) |
1999 |
2000 |
|
Western
Cape Northern
Cape Free
State Eastern
Cape KwaZulu-Natal Mpumalanga Northern
Province Gauteng North
West |
477 466 2
114 2
685 3
021 1
407 1
251 259 1
709 |
491 485 2
192 2
773 3
007 1
445 1
264 261 1
749 |
503 478 2
193 2
937 3
002 1
414 1
225 264 1
756 |
505 460 2
190 2
951 2
889 1
367 1
167 303 1
748 |
509 476 2
148 2
975 2
797 1
344 1
173 287 1
752 |
|
Total |
13
389 |
13
667 |
13
772 |
13
580 |
13
461 |
Estimated
cattle numbers in the RSA—August 2000: The largest numbers of cattle are found in the Eastern Cape,
KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and North West:
|
Although sheep farms are found in all
provinces, they are concentrated in the more arid parts of the country. The
largest numbers of sheep are found in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free
State and Western Cape.
It is expected that the national sheep herd
will increase over the next few years, given the optimism in the industry due to
the relatively higher wool and meat prices as well as the favourable production
conditions because of favourable weather conditions over the past four seasons.
Because of the escalation of stock theft and
the breakdown in vermin control, the growth in the sheep herd will be limited to
certain areas only and is expected not to exceed 1% per annum in total.
Mutton production is expected to increase,
owing to the swing to meat type sheep over the past few years.
The total number of sheep in the RSA at the
end of August 2000 was estimated at 28,6 million—approximately 0,4% lower
than the estimated 28,7 million at the end of August 1999.
The number of sheep in the various provinces
since 1996, are estimated to be as follows:
|
Province |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 ‘000
head (August) |
1999 |
2000 |
|
Western
Cape Northern
Cape Free
State Eastern
Cape KwaZulu-Natal Mpumalanga Northern
Province Gauteng North
West |
3
381 7
643 5
967 7
887 1
031 1
913 200 108 804 |
3
441 7
782 5
879 7
958 1
065 1
941 228 94 799 |
3
524 7
741 5
914 8
118 1
058 1
846 221 88 835 |
3
459 7
337 5
855 8
067 970 1
848 216 92 836 |
3
349 7
765 5
831 7
917 887 1
743 206 91 762 |
|
Total |
28
934 |
29
187 |
29
345 |
28
680 |
28
551 |
Goats
The majority of goats are found in the
Eastern Cape, Northern Province, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West. It is estimated
that there was a 4,7% increase in the number of goats, from 6,4 million in
August 1999 to 6,7 million in August 2000.
Where goats are kept for their meat, goat
flocks tend to be smaller than cattle herds and sheep flocks, averaging
approximately 230 head per farm. Angora goats are primarily used for mohair
production.
Pigs
Pigs are found predominantly in the Eastern
Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga. Pigs are kept mainly for pork (95%). The
remainder are kept for breeding purposes. It is estimated that pig numbers
increased from 1,531 million in August 1999 to 1,556 million in August 2000.