Phillip Strydom Agricultural Research Council Cattleman's Conference March 2008 Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre, Benoni, East Rand Can Resource Poor Cattle Compete?

Some statistics…… 75% of beef in SA from feedlots  1.35 million annually or at one time Currently, most weaners supplied by…

1.35 million calves per year…… … at an off-take of 29% Source: South African Country Report on Farm Animal Genetic Resources, 2006 … at an off-take of 29%

Resource poor farming sector … owns 40% and market access of only 5-10% at off-take of 5% Source: South African Country Report on Farm Animal Genetic Resources, 2006

Resource poor farming sector Often characterized as: lower skills for Animal husbandry Overgrazing of land Low quality stock Source: South African Country Report on Farm Animal Genetic Resources, 2006

Does the feedlot sector need these animals……? And further… Can these animals compete Do we have sufficient knowledge of this sector What should be done or is being done to open up and make this sector more accessible Source: South African Country Report on Farm Animal Genetic Resources, 2006

Does the feedlot sector need these animals……? Continuous threat of less animals imported from neighbouring states LRAD of 2001  % agricultural land to resource poor farmers  26 million ha of which 24.6 million of white commercial farmers  How many of them are weaner calf producers?

Can resource poor cattle compete? What are the criteria for feedlot calves? Last seven years:  Average carcass weight: 226 kg to 250 kg  Weaner and carcass prices doubled High grain prices: High grain prices: A need for heavier carcasses at the same or younger age than previously

Trial results from initiative in collaboration with Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Two feedlot trials Commercial, Emerging and communal Nguni, Bonsmara, Brahman, Non- descript crosses Growth performance Yield Meat quality

Correct pre-slaughter and slaughter practice Other qualities  No DFD  Normal drip loss

Diseases monitored Bovine measles Parafilariasis Liver defects Foot rot

Four main hurdles…. Arrival weight/condition Frame size Age Disease

Various schemes that could address these problems Beef Profit Partnership – ARC, NDA and ACIAR Continuous Improvement and Innovation Simple tools  to analyze their own enterprises  identify the critical factors  impact on profit, efficiency and environment.

Various schemes that could address these problems Six steps of the better practices process of continuous improvement and innovation

Four main hurdles…. Collaboration with auctioneers and pharmaceutical companies To solve..  Logistics – gathering of animals  Platform for producer/buyer communication and satisfaction  Age, type -  Diseases,

Conclusion…. Supply of weaners under increasing pressure - LRAD Potential source of 5.7 million Hurdles  Breed type, calving %, age, disease, weaning weight, logistics………….. Solutions ????