Livestock Systems

High quality markets and value chains for small-scale and emerging beef cattle farmers in South Africa (Stage 2)

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Project code
LS/2016/276
Budget
AUD 1,626,231
Research program manager
Dr Anna Okello
Project leader
Heather Burrow
Commissioned organisation
University of New England
Duration:
JAN 2018
JUN 2022
Project status
Concluded
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Overview

This project aimed to improve the profitability of emerging and smallholder cattle farmers by developing cost-effective and environmentally-sustainable beef value chains that supply cattle to meet the specifications of high-value, free-range beef markets.

Since the early 1990s, red meat consumption in South Africa has increased by about 20%, and is projected to increase by a further 20% by 2023. To meet this growing demand, South Africa is a net importer of beef and live animals to supply grain-fed beef to supermarkets and weaner cattle for feedlots.

Emerging and communal farmers market less than 10% of their animals each year, compared to 25% in the commercial sector, showing the enormous potential for improvement. 

The overall planned outcome was to increase the cost effectiveness of emerging and communal farm businesses in an environmentally sustainable way. Achieving the overall outcome simultaneously improves the profitability and productivity of smallholder farmer businesses through higher prices for cattle meeting free-range specifications and improves on-farm production systems that increase animal performance and supply of cattle.

Project outcomes

  • Increasing adoption of improved practices, knowledge and skills across all sectors of the value chain, including at farmer, transporter, processor and retailer levels.
  • Improving profitability and productivity of smallholder farmer businesses through higher prices for cattle that meet free-range market specifications and the use of improved on-farm production systems that significantly increase animal performance.
  • Regular monitoring of the farm natural resources by project farmers and their adherence to more sustainable production systems will result in reduced grazing pressure and soil erosion and improved land quality during the life of the project. If these practices are continued beyond the life of the project, they will lead to an improved farm natural resource base and environmentally sustainable production systems.
Map
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Map of South Africa
Key partners
Agricultural Research Council, Animal Products Institute
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa
National Agricultural Marketing Council, South Africa
University of New England, Australia
Documents
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fact sheet placeholder image
Fact Sheet LS/2016/276