Production practices and constraints to sheep productivity in two ecologically different and resource-poor communal farming systems of South Africa

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to determine the production practices and constraints to sheep productivity in ecologically different communal areas of South Africa. Direct observations and participatory techniques were also employed to capture data from farmers in Gaga and Sompondo communal villages. Most (70%) of sheep owners were men and were more involved in sheep flock management than adult females and youths. Mean sheep flock size per household was not significantly different between the two villages; Sompondo (18.3 ± 3.10) and Gaga (19.0 ± 3.10). There were significance negative correlations (r = -0.61 for Sompondo and Gaga, r = - 0.55; p < 0.05) between sheep flock sizes and cattle herd sizes kept per household. Shortage of feed and diseases/parasites were ranked by farmers as the most important constraints. In both villages, sheep houses were poorly constructed. Most mortalities were caused by heartwater (Ehrlichia ruminantium), gall sickness (Anaplasmosis) and footrot. Few farmers owned rams, 39% in Sompondo and 36 % in Gaga, respectively. Dohne merinos were the common breed in the communal areas. Breeding season was undefined and mating system was largely uncontrolled in the villages. Differences in agro-ecological conditions, specific social and economic conditions at household level affected sheep management practices. Key words: rams, feed shortage, flock management, household, sweetveld, sourveld.