The use of Nguni in crossbreeding programmes as a way to improve both the communal and commercial beef enterprises in South Africa

Transcription

1 African Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (AJAST) Vol. 3, Issue 5, pp May, ISSN Oceanic Journals Review Paper The use of Nguni in crossbreeding programmes as a way to improve both the communal and commercial beef enterprises in South Africa Thobela Louis Tyasi 1 *, Mawande Ngayo 2, Ning Qin 1, Zhi-Chao Lyu 3 and Masibonge Gxasheka 4 1 Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, , P. R. China. 2 Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa. 3 Department of Food Analysis and Testing, Institute of Modern Agriculture, Jilin Province Economic Management Cadre College, Changchun, P.R. China. 4 Department of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin , China. * of corresponding author: tyasi1921@gmail.com Accepted 3 rd May, 2015 The objective of this study was to review the use of Nguni in crossbreeding programmes as a way to improve both the commercial and communal beef enterprises in South Africa. In South Africa, most of the cattle kept under the communal production system are crosses of imported beef breeds with the indigenous Nguni cows. In communal areas, these breeds are reared under harsh extensive system where the feed is limited with little or no supplementation during drought. On the hand, commercial farmers mostly keep exotic breeds like Angus, Hereford, Brahman, under intensive farming system. Furthermore, these exotic breeds are highly maintained with feed and water adequately in cultivated camps or in feedlots, concentrate supplementation and vaccinated against diseases and parasites. Key words: Nguni, crossbreeding, communal farmers, commercial farmers, beef cattle. INTRODUCTION Approximately 69% of South African agricultural land is used for extensive grazing (Wilson and Minson, 1980). Beef cattle production has increased by nearly onemillion heads from 12,6 million in 1994 to 13,5 million in 2004, out of those millions 60% is owned by commercial farmers while 40% is owned by communal and emerging cattle producers (Van Pletzen, 2009). However, areas for grazing rangeland declined owing to expanding human settlements and other activities such as mining, crops, forestry and conservation (Muchenje et al., 2008). The total consumption of red meat products in South Africa has increased by over 77% from million metric tons in 1970 to million metric tons in 2000 (Van Pletzen, 2009). However, there is growing evidence that South Africa does not produce enough beef to sustain all the domestic market. According to Scholtz and Theussen (2010), livestock production faces specific challenges as a result of a rise in human population numbers, urbanization and economic development, especially in developing countries. South Africa's human population was estimated at 40.6 million in 1996 (Stats SA, 1996)

2 Afr. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 245 of which approximately 46% was rural and 54% urban, according to the World fact book the July 2006 population estimate was 44,187,637 with a minus 0.4% growth rate. According to Census (2011) the country's population stands at million, up from the census 2001 count of 44.8-million. Hence in future these developments will lead to a significant rise in demand for livestock products (Delgado et al., 1999). The number of meat animals globally will have to increase to meet this demand (Steinfeld et al., 2006). Therefore, both communal and commercial beef cattle farmers as the major role players, have a responsibility to improve beef production to sustain the ever increasing beef demand for the present and the future. These exotic breeds grow faster and yield better carcass weight than the indigenous breeds. However, European breeds, such as the Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Simmental which have been developed under relatively benign conditions, fail to survive under communal rangeland conditions where the Nguni thrives (Muchenje et al., 2008). Furthermore, although Nguni is known for its hardness, fertility, good mothering ability, lower level of dystocia, longevity and adaptability to harsh environment compared to other local breeds, its lower growth rate is a worrying factor for beef producers. Beef industry Historically, beef cattle farming in South Africa developed on the veld. The availability of grains and the by-products of the grain industry have allowed for the intensification of beef production; currently more than 70% of the total South African beef production comes from feedlots (Van Pletzen, 2009). A major shift from extensive to intensive production occurred to meet the increased demand for beef. Commercial farmers are estimated at , emerging farmers at and communal farmers 3 million. There are approximately 70 feedlots in South Africa and 495 abattoirs. Beef industry is a major employer with people employed and dependent on the livestock industry for their livelihood. Beef cattle producers vary from highly sophisticated commercial who rely on high technology to communal subsistence producers who rely on indigenous knowledge and appropriate technology (Van Pletzen, 2009). The commercial beef producers (mostly white farmers), where production is relatively high and comparable to developed countries (Muchenje et al., 2008). Their production is generally based on synthetic breeds or crossbreeding, using indicus types and their crosses as dams. There are emerging black beef cattle farmers who own or lease land (LRAD beneficiaries). Their cattle generally consist of indigenous crossbred or exotic type of animals. Lastly, there are communal beef cattle farmers who farm on communal grazing land. Their cattle are mostly of indigenous types. Beef farming in South Africa South Africa produces 85% of its meat requirements, with 15% imported from Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Australia, New Zealand and the EU (Van Pletzen, 2009). Local demand generally outstrips production, even though there are untapped reserves in the communal farming areas. Cattle ranches are found mainly in the Eastern Cape, parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Northern Cape. The Eastern Cape and Kwazulu Natal are known to have the highest number of beef cattle but the off-take is quite low (Van Pletzen, 2009). This due a number of factors, amongst other constraints which include lack of access to market, lack of breeding knowledge and multi-purpose beef cattle farming approach in communal areas. Beef breeds South Africa has approximately 30 different beef cattle breeds including British, European, composite and indigenous breeds (Muchenje et al., 2008). To mention a few, popular beef breeds include the indigenous Afrikaner and Nguni and locally developed Bonsmara and Drakensberger. European and American breeds such as Charolais, Hereford, Angus, Simmentaler, Sussex, Brahman and Santa Gertrudis are maintained as pure breeds or used in cross-breeding. Furthermore, both the indigenous and exotic breeds can be reared under intensive or extensive farming system depending on the breeder s level of financial inputs and technological resources. Climate change effects on beef production It is anticipated that global warming will change Southern Africa's environments from grass dominated vegetation to dry woodland and desert with a vegetation of C4 dominated grasses (Wilson and Minson, 1980), and the grazing capacity is expected to decline by more than 30% (Furstenburg and Scholtz, 2009). Climate change is perceived as a major threat to the survival of many species and ecosystems and the financial sustainability of pastoral systems in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries. Recent economic studies have suggested that severe losses will occur if the current management systems are not modified in the face of climate change (Muchenje et al., 2008). Under global warming animals will face a lot of challenges affecting adaptation and productivity. Heat stress is a major factor involved in reducing

3 Tyasi et al. 246 productivity and animal development (Muchenje et al., 2008). Heat stress in livestock is a physiological condition in which the core body temperature is higher than the normal activity range. Core body temperature is the result of total heat load minus the ability of the animal to dissipate heat from the body. In beef cattle, the threshold temperature above which dry matter intake is adversely affected is 30 C with a relative humidity of below 80%, and if the relative humidity is above 80% the threshold temperature drops to 27 C. Heat stress directly reduces dry matter intake and lowers the conception of beef animals. Hence, crossbreeding to exploit heterosis under harsh environments is often used to counter genotype x environmental interaction and heterosis is generally larger under severe environments (Muchenje et al., 2008). Therefore, this makes crossbreeding the obvious breeding practice under the on-going global warming challenge in the farming industry at large. Crossbreeding using the Nguni breed Hybrid vigour effects Effects of heterosis have important implications, perhaps even more than breed additive effects, for economic efficiency of beef production (Davis et al., 1994). Hence, crossbreeding systems are employed mainly to improve the efficiency of beef production through the use of heritable difference among breeds and heterosis (Davis et al., 1994). Ehiobu et al. (1990) reported that greater theoretical distance based on the co-ancestry of pairs of lines was significantly correlated with heterosis. Thus, greater genetic distance between breeds may result in greater heterosis, relative to more closely related breeds. Furthermore, the heterozygocity results to the achievement of breed complementarity through combination of different traits from the two crossed breeds. However, some of the most important traits related to beef production, such as reproductive rate and calf survival, are of low heritability (Davis et al., 1994). Nevertheless, the level of heterosis is larger under poor environmental conditions than under good environmental conditions (Dadi et al., 2002; Skrypzeck et al., 2000). Genome selection Genetic material conserved in most traditional communities is not influenced by modern breeding programmes, artificial seed stock breed standards or pressure of commercialization or adaptation (Scholtz, 2005). Hence, many beef breeds kept in communal areas need to be improved through modern breeding programmes like crossbreeding to become competitive and survive under harsh communal environment (Davis et al., 1994). Traits linked to fertility and longevity, are still a challenge and the appropriate quantitative breeding technology to properly handle these traits still needs to be developed. Gene or marker assisted selection may play an important role in selection for disease and parasite resistance, since it is generally difficult to measure these traits directly. Meuwissen et al. (2001), Van Raden (2008) and Van Raden et al. (2009) have discovered that the inclusion of information from DNA analysis in the genetic evaluations or estimation of breeding values may result in substantial increases in genetic gain at a reduced cost. Strategies that utilize estimated breeding values (EBVs) derived from DNA information, together with conventional mixed model methodology, may speed up the process of breeding animals that are adapted to the newly created environment, as a result of climate change. According to Scholtz et al. (2010) marker assisted selection and proteomics may also be valuable in selection for secondary traits linked to adaptation, such as the genes for high levels of blood urea and ruminal ammonia in certain genotypes, associated with adaptation to low quality grasses. Possible attribute contribution of Nguni in cross breeding Attributes such as adaptation, longevity, good mothering ability, calf survival rate, low dystocia and diseases, external and internal parasite resistance under harsh environmental conditions are highly heritable from Nguni breeds. Various studies (Bonsma, 1980; 1983; Prayaga, 2003a; 2003b; 2004; Prayaga et al., 2006) indicated that indigenous cattle have the ability to survive, grow and reproduce in the presence of endemic stress factors such as external and internal parasites, diseases, climatic conditions characterized by high heat and humidity, and poor seasonal nutrition. In contrary the Nguni breed exhibits large differences in growth performance and hence there exists a potential genetic improvement of growth traits in the breed (Norris et al., 2004). Furthermore, Nguni cattle possess several attributes, such as resistance to tick-borne diseases, high reproductive performance, good walking ability and low maintenance requirements, acquired through centuries of natural selection (Collins-Luswet, 2000; Strydom et al., 2000; 2001). Amongst other attributes, Nguni cattle have inherent capacity to produce beef of comparably high yield under both feedlot (Swanepoel, 1989; Strydom et al., 2000; 2001) and natural pasture conditions (Muchenje, 2007; Muchenje et al., 2007). According to Schroeder (1994) the Nguni are unicoloured or multicoloured, white, black, brown, grey, red. There are 80 different colour patterns that are

4 Afr. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 247 uniform, spotted or pied and have a smooth, soft and glossy coat. These attributes somehow protect the animal from severe solar radiant energy and against limit tick attachment on the coat. Similarly, Brown (1959) discovered that Nguni has a great ability to maintain its condition in winter compared to other breeds. This may be due to the Nguni s ability to maintain high blood urea when the nitrogen content of the pasture drops. This trait encompasses the ability of the Nguni to walk long distances selectively grazing. Besides the above mentioned attributes, it is believed that improved indigenous cattle like Nguni, Afrikaner and crosses of indigenous breeds with exotic breeds probably have the greatest potential for sustainable red meat production in South Africa (Schoeman, 1989; Scholtz and Theunissen, 2010). Therefore, the use of Nguni breed in cross breeding programmes offers a great opportunity for both communal and commercial beef enterprises to improve beef production in South Africa. Prospects for the future Use of Nguni in cross breeding in both communal and commercial beef enterprises can bring about productive improvement in the beef industry for the benefit of both producers and consumers. The cost of beef cattle production (in terms of maintenance) be will reduced in both communal and commercial enterprises under the worldwide challenge of climate change. In anticipation, this cross breeding approach can offer the agricultural sector a financial and productive benefit to close the gap between the communal and commercial beef cattle farmers. In turn, the gap between red meat production and demand can be close. Therefore, in a long run the country can achieve self-sufficiency and become less reliant on beef meat imports. Conclusion Crossbreeding Nguni with exotic breeds like Hereford, Angus, Charolai, is likely to produce an offspring that has attributes such as adaptation to harsh condition, good mothering ability, longevity, tick-borne disease, external and internal parasite resistance and production of high carcass quantity and quality. There is no single pure breed that possesses traits which enable it to excel in all environments. Therefore, by making use of genotypic differences among indigenous and exotic beef breeds, the opportunity for adaptability and high productivity can be maximized through crossbreeding under the challenge of climate change and limiting feed resources. REFERENCES Bonsma JC (1980). Livestock production: a global approach. Tafelberg Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Bonsma JC (1983). Man must measure: livestock production, Agri Books, Cody, WY. Brown DL (1959). The Nguni breed of cattle. I.A descriptive review. Empire J. Expr. Agric. 27(108): Collins-Luswet E (2000). Performance of Nguni, Afrikaner and Bonsmara cattle under drought conditions in North West province of Southern Africa. S. Afri. J. Anim. Sci. 30 (1): Dadi H, Jordaan GF, Schoeman SJ, Van der Westhuizen J (2002). The effect of Charolais and Hereford sires and straightbred and crossbred dams on pre-weaning growth of calves. S. Afr J. Anim. Sci. 32: Davis K, Tess MW, Kress DD, Doornbos DE, Anderson DC (1994). Life cycle evaluation of five biological types of beef cattle in a cow-calf range production system: II. Biological and economic performance. J. Anim. Sci. 72: Delgado C, Rosegrant M, Steinfeld H, Ehui S, Courbois C (1999). Livestock to 2020: the next food revolution. Washington, DC,International Food Policy Research Institute, FAO, and International Livestock Research Institute. Ehiobut NG, Goddard ME, Taylar JF (1990). Prediction of heterosis in crosses between inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Theor. Appl. Genet. 80: Furstenburg D, Scholtz, MM (2009). Global climate change and animal production in southern Africa: A short review. Submitted: Livestock Science. (Supplement - 10th World. Congress of Animal Production). Meuwissen T, Hayes B, Goddard M (2001). Prediction of total genetic value using genome-wide dense marker maps. Genetics. 157: Muchenje V (2007). Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. PhD. Thesis. Department of livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa. Muchenje V, Chimedza-Graham R, Sikhosana JLN, Assan N, Dzama K, Chimonyo M (2007). Milk yield of Jersey Nguni and Jersey Tuli F1 and F2 cows reared under smallholder farming conditions. S. Afr J. Anim. Sci. 8: Muchenje V, Dzama K, Chimonyo M, Raats JG, Strydom PE (2008). Tick susceptibility and its effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. Anim. 2: Norris D, Banga C, Benyi K and Sithole BC (2004). Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Variance Components for Growth Traits of Nguni Cattle in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Trop. Anim. Health Pro. 36: Prayaga KC (2003a). Evaluation of beef cattle genotypes and tropical environment. 1. Growth traits. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 54: Prayaga KC (2003b). Evaluation of beef cattle genotypes and tropical environment. 2. Adaptive and temperament traits. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 54: Prayaga KC (2004). Evaluation of beef cattle genotypes and tropical environment. 3. Fertility and calf survival traits. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 55: Prayaga KC, Barendse W, Burrow HM (2006). Genetics of tropical adaptation. 8 th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock production, August 13-18, 2006, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Schoeman SJ (1989). Recent research into production potential of indigenous cattle with special reference to Sanga (Review). S. Afr. J. Ani Sci. 19: Scholtz MM (2005). The role of research and the seed stock industry in the in situ conservation of livestock genetic resources. 4 th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture,

5 Tyasi et al. 248 Arusha, Tanzania Scholtz MM, Theunissen A (2010). The use of indigenous cattle in terminal cross-breeding to improve beef cattle production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anim. Genetic Resources. 46: Skrypzeck H, Schoeman SJ, Jordaan GF, Neser FWC (2000). Estimates of crossbreeding parameters in a mutibreed beef cattle crossbreeding project. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 3: Stats SA (1996). The People of South Africa. Population Census 1996 National Census. South African Statistical Services. Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, Castel V, Rosales M, de Haan (2006). Livestock s long shadow: environmental issues and options. Rome, FAO, 390 pp. Strydom PE, Naude RT, Smith MF, Scholtz MM, van Wyk JB (2000). Characterisation of indigenous African cattle breeds in relation to meat quality traits. Meat Sci. 55: Strydom PE, Naude RT, Smith MFA, Scholtz MM, van Wyk JB (2001). Relationships between production and product traits in subpopulations of Bonsmara and Nguni cattle. S.Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 31(3): Swanepoel J (1989). The carcass and meat quality attributes of young intensively fed Afrikander, Nguni and Pedi-bulls. M.Sc. Thesis, Uni- versity of Pretoria, South Africa.pp.110. Theunissen ACB, Neser FWC (2013). The effect of global warming on beef production in developing countries of the southern hemisphere. ARC-Animal Production Institute, Irene, South Africa. 5: Van Pletzen H. (2009). Beef production from the offers great opportunities. Voermol, Home/ Technical Articles/. 23 November Van Raden PM (2008). Efficient methods to compute genomic predictions. J.Dairy Sci. 91(11): Van Raden PM, Van Tassell CP, Sanstegard TS, Scnabel RD, Taylor JF, Schenkel FS (2009). Invited review: reliability of genomic predictions for North American Holstein Bulls. Wilson JR, Minson DJ (1980). Prospects for improving the digestibility and intake of tropical grasses. Tropical Grassland. 14: