Characterization of small-scale cattle farming in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu districts of the Free State Province

English: This study was executed in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu districts, located in the southern part of the Free State Province. A total of 255 cattle farmers from Thaba Nchu and 265 cattle farmers from Botshabelo were individually interviewed and responded to a questionnaire designed to assess the farming characteristics in both districts. The most important farming or management practices as well as the productivity and the sustainability of these farming systems were evaluated and the most important production constraints identified. It was found that in general, the purpose for farming, the farming practices, the productivity and the main constrains which limit cattle production in both districts are very similar and are in line with most of the other small-scale cattle farming systems from other regions of Southern Africa. The majority of the farmers have a small number of animals in their herds <10), generally dual purpose crossbreed type of cattle (milk and meat). Farmers have an unbalanced herd structure, orientated mainly for milk production, with a high percentage of mature cows and very few calves and replacement heifers being kept. Very few farmers have bulls and use is made of "communal bulls", -which are insufficient for the number of breeding females. Almost all farmers milk their cows and use the milk for home consumption - locally they sell very few animals (usually old cows and bulls), only when they have financial needs. The keeping of cattle can be seen as a form of capital investment or saving. Due to poor veld management, overstocking, frequent veld fires and residential encroachment, the communal grazing areas show signs of overgrazing, veld deterioration and erosion. There are very few farming support systems and the general management (nutrition, breeding, weaning, milking, disease control practices, among others) is very poor, and are still being done in the traditional and ineffective manner - which limits the productivity of these farming systems and threatens their long-term sustainability. The milk production and the reproductive rates are very low, but comparable with other traditional small-scale cattle farming systems in the Southern African region. Available information on these districts, regarding grazing areas available, carrying capacity of the natural pasture and the number of animals utilising the veld is outdated and is in need of urgent re-assessment. This basic information is needed for future extension service intervention. The majority of the cattle farmers in both districts have recognised the need for better management practices and suggest that individual land rights and fencing of the veld are the only possibilities to improve veld management practices and veld condition. The small-scale farmers have also recognised the need for more extension services support and veterinary assistance to make their farming enterprises more efficient.