Livestock Production Activities Research Articles

Analysis of backyard agriculture and livestock production activities in the South Huasteca Region in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Objective: To carry out a diagnosis and assess the importance of backyard agriculture and livestock production in rural communities of the XV District in the South Huasteca Region of the State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, on the social, economic and nutritional context of the population. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out with two blocks of surveys, the first with the local government and the second with peasants, evaluating the socioeconomic status, importance of livestock and agriculture, nutritional status and culture. The method was deductive and descriptive; the information was with multivariate analysis of principal components. Results: Government support does not reduce poverty. Families feel secure with their material goods. The nutritional status of the population is lacking. Raising chickens, turkeys and Creole pigs prioritizes livestock activity. Self-consumption and the commercialization of plant species is a traditional activity. There is a culinary culture. Limitations on study/Implications: The restriction of information by the municipal government; the pandemic problems to generate more information from the surveys. Conclusions: It is necessary to create efficient programs that improve agricultural and livestock production in the region, with the purpose of improving the nutritional status of the population and generating economic resources to reduce poverty.

The impacts of caterpillar fungus income on grazing pressure in Tibetan regions: a tale of income diversification

PurposeThis research examined the impacts of diversified income from trading caterpillar fungus on pastoral households' livestock production and income. The specific objectives were to identify the main factors underlying participation in caterpillar fungus trade and to explore the impacts of a diversified income from trading fungus on livestock production activities and income.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a pastoral household survey (n = 503) in five Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures. The authors employed propensity score matching (PSM) procedures to estimate the effects of participation in trading caterpillar fungus.FindingsPastoral households participating in caterpillar fungus activities maintain smaller herds, sell fewer animals for profit, slaughter more livestock for family consumption and experience fewer livestock deaths compared to nonparticipants. There is also some evidence that pastoral households participating in caterpillar fungus activities have a higher annual income compared to nonparticipants.Research limitations/implicationsA direct measure of grassland degradation was not included due to the data limitation. The estimated average treatment effects could differ under different observed households' characteristics.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the literature on the impacts of diversified income on livestock production activities. The authors provide a new perspective on the controversy over the extraction of caterpillar fungus. This study contributes to exploring the dual role of income diversification in addressing poverty and grassland resource degradation for Tibetan pastoral communities.

Spatial and Temporal Characteristics, Evolution Law and Improvement Path of China’s Animal Husbandry Production Pattern

To examine the evolutionary pattern of livestock production activities in China, this paper analyzes the livestock production pattern from 1995 to 2020 using the models of center of gravity shift, spatial agglomeration and binary structure equilibrium index. The results show that: (1) overall, the degree of geographic agglomeration of China’s livestock industry shows a weak trend of enhancement, the center of gravity of production moves to the northwest, the main production areas gradually move to the three northern regions, and Inner Mongolia and Liaoning become emerging large livestock production provinces; (2) in terms of classification, there are obvious geographical characteristics in the movement of the center of gravity of production of various livestock products; some livestock product production is highly concentrated in a few provinces and produces (3) “Zhongtiao Mountains-Taihang Mountains” has become an important geographical division of spatial division of labor for livestock products in China, and the North China Plain and Loess Plateau on the left and right sides have become the landing areas of the center of gravity for the production of grain-consuming and herbivorous livestock products, respectively; 2006 was the peak of spatial concentration of livestock industry in China. 2006 is not only the peak inflection year of spatial concentration of livestock industry in China, but also the turning point of balanced development of grain-consuming livestock industry and herbivorous livestock industry. Therefore, following the intrinsic requirements of the new development concept on productivity layout, it is proposed to comprehensively implement the green spatial layout strategy, deeply promote the innovation of grass-livestock balance system, construct the green production mode of animal husbandry, coordinate and promote the “one place, one product” characteristic animal husbandry industrialization project and promote the transformation from a large country of animal husbandry production to a strong country of animal husbandry industry.

Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Remote Sensing and Field Data in the Wari-Maro Forest Reserve and Its Periphery (Benin)

Land use affects the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems, thus affecting greenhouse gas fluxes. Greenhouse gas emissions were assessed in the Wari-Maro Forest Reserve (FCWM) and its periphery between 2005 and 2020. To achieve this, the methodological approach applied is based on the use of activity data (AD) from 2005 and 2020 land use and land cover maps derived from satellite images and emission factors (EF) from forest inventory data conducted in 2005 and 2020. The analysis of the results shows that the peripheral zone has the highest emission factor evaluated at 87.22 t.eq-CO2 /ha/year against 47.37 t.eq-CO2/ha/year recorded in the Forest Reserve. The total CO2 emissions due to deforestation in the Forest Reserve are 5106.78 t.eq-CO2/ha/year against a global emission of 65402.23 t.eq-CO2/ha/year for the periphery. This high emission of the peripheral area is due to the result of the high anthropogenic pressure in this area. Those due to degradation are 2880.53 t.eq-CO2/ha/year in the Forest Reserve against 1049.67 t.eq-CO2/ha/year in the periphery. The amount of CH4 and N2O increases progressively from the Forest Reserve (319.49 t.eq-CO2/ha/year and 26.80 t.eq-CO2/ha/year) to the periphery (2658.08 t.eq-CO2ha/year and 222.99 t.eq-CO2/ha/year) probably due to the extent of agricultural and livestock production activities in this area.

Women’s Role in Livestock Production and Its Impact on Livestock Income

Livestock is adopted and managed extensively in rural and peri-urban areas of different countries as a source of livelihood and to fulfill a family's nutritional requirements. Its management is a full-time job for performing special activities requiring the involvement of both men and women. Women’s role is very important, especially in small-scale production to generate family income and cater the nutritional needs. The current study aims to analyse the role of women in livestock production. For this purpose, a sample of 456 respondents was collected from Punjab's northern, central, and southern regions. Multiple regression analysis is used to assess the impact of women's participation on livestock income. The assessment shows that overall women's participation in livestock production activities was greater compared to men in all regions of Punjab except marketing. Similarly, women’s age, livestock ownerships, participation in livestock activities, access to input markets, and women’s education are the factors that have a positive and significant impact on livestock income. Women's participation can be much more productive by increasing women's empowerment in resources like livestock ownership, access to easy credit and opportunities like market access, access to non-farm income opportunities, and access to training and information.

A typology of smallholder livestock production systems reflecting the impact of the development of a local milk collection industry: Case study of Fatick region, Senegal

Senegal is a country where millions of livelihoods directly depend on smallholder livestock production activities. Unfortunately, these farmers now face the effects of a changing climate and associated societal responses. In addition, the lack of understanding of the specific farmers’ problems in their respective production systems by assuming homogeneity has led to inappropriate planning of interventions and inefficient utilization of resources. The variations in individual farming systems and local contexts require to understand each system separately to inform decision-makers and relevant stakeholders about specific entries of intervention for farmers based on customized needs. Using a Fatick region case study, different statistical clustering techniques were adopted to develop a livestock typology that reflects the above realities. This typology confirmed the co-existence of three livestock production cluster systems with differences and similarities in their production targets and quantities, market access, animal breeds, and the livestock management system of the animals. The studied region represented a new format of smallholder livestock development, where the implementation of a dairy processor and its milk collection centre created a new dynamic in production activities. Farmers confirmed that the extension services and a consistent market opportunity provided by the dairy processor increased local productivity and offered an alternative source of income but they have also reiterated concerns like the dairy processor’s low milk buying prices which need to be addressed. To harness the growth and the regional opportunities, there is a need to establish robust and continuous collaboration structures between the Government, agro-industries, and producers. These public-private partnerships will help producers lower the cost of inputs and services and increase productivity while boosting local dairy production.

Modeling of Livestock Production Activities and Cattle Marketing, A Decision-Making Model of Production and Sales Management

Appropriate and accurate decision making is needed in every business activity. Farmers, collectors, and butchers at Slaughterhouses are the main actors in cattle production and marketing to final consumers. Modeling of cattle production activities to marketing helps the analysis and application of the right decision making. This research was conducted in Lolong Guba District, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia, and will take place in 2021. The research aims to establish a model of cattle production and marketing activities. The research used a combination method, namely qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods were used to collect primary data information from cattle breeders, collector traders, and butchers at Slaughterhouses. Quantitative methods are used to record and make quantitative data from the informants. The resulting data will be used for model testing and simulation analysis in the future. The model formulated includes the variables of the amount of cattle produced by the breeder, the amount of production sold, the profit received by the farmer, the cost of production of the farmer, the value of cattle sales at the farmer level, the added value of cattle that are not sold, the price of kilograms of carcass at the farmer level, the value of the sale of cattle at the butcher's level, the profit received by the butcher, and the price per kilogram of carcass at the butcher's level. The model formed consists of 8 structural equations and 2 identity equations.

Livestock subcomplex of the East Kazakhstan region: evaluation of the state and target benchmarks

The research aim is to study the current state of development of livestock production in the East Kazakhstan region, consider the main problems and prospects. The article provides a detailed analysis of livestock production activities in the East Kazakhstan region in the period from 2016 to 2020 by comparing the indicators of number of livestock and poultry population, their productivity, production volume of livestock production industry. The structure of production by farm categories is shown in dynamics. The indicators are presented taking into account the indicative parameters of the State Program on Development of AIC RK for 2017-2021. The main problems of the livestock sub-complex of the East Kazakhstan region are identified, including low level of provision with forage base, lack of high-quality animal nutrition, which, in turn, contributes to reduction of productivity of animals and poultry, small proportion of breeding stock. The author notes that a significant shortage of livestock production industry is weak technical equipment, unjustified technological processes and lack of a single production organization scheme. Emphasis on public support as a result of the successful implementation of the longterm sectoral program on development of dairy farming for 2018-2027 will contribute to stimulating the activities of personal subsidiary farms, their increase through the creation of family farms, which will increase the efficiency of livestock farms. In the future, strict observance of sanitary and hygienic requirements, timely implementation of full-fledged veterinary and pedigree work will increase the breeding cattle population in this region.

Rainfall variability and socio-economic constraints on livestock production in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Rainfall variability is of great importance in East Africa, where small-scale farmers and pastoralists dominate. Their livestock production activities are heavily dependent on rainfall. We assessed pastoralist perceptions on climate change, particularly rainfall variability, its impact on livestock production, and the adaptive capacity of pastoralists in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania. We combined 241 household interviews and information from 52 participants of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) with archived data from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). We found that most (71%) pastoralists were aware of general climate change impacts, rainfall variability, and impacts of extreme events on their livestock. Most (> 75%) respondents perceived erratic and reduced amounts of rainfall, prolonged and frequent periods of drought as the main climate change challenges. Mean annual rainfall accounted for only 46% (R2), (p = 0.076) and 32% (R2), (p = 0.22) of cattle, and sheep and goat population variability, respectively. Unexpectedly, cattle losses intensified by 10% when herd size increased (p < 0.001) and by 98% (p = 0.049) when mobility increased, implying that increasing herd sizes and mobility do not cushion households against climate change shocks. Our study highlights the need to enhance adaptive capacity of the pastoralist communities through interventions that proactively reduce vulnerability. We recommend that future research should address the profitability of pastoral cattle production under changing environmental conditions.

Dietary mitigation of enteric methane emissions from ruminants: Areview of plant tannin mitigation options.

Methane gas from livestock production activities is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which have been shown to influence climate change. New technologies offer a potential to manipulate the rumen biome through genetic selection reducing CH4 production. Methane production may also be mitigated to varying degrees by various dietary intervention strategies. Strategies to reduce GHG emissions need to be developed which increase ruminant production efficiency whereas reducing production of CH4 from cattle, sheep, and goats. Methane emissions may be efficiently mitigated by manipulation of natural ruminal microbiota with various dietary interventions and animal production efficiency improved. Although some CH4 abatement strategies have shown efficacy in vivo, more research is required to make any of these approaches pertinent to modern animal production systems. The objective of this review is to explain how anti-methanogenic compounds (e.g., plant tannins) affect ruminal microbiota, reduce CH4 emission, and the effects on host responses. Thus, this review provides information relevant to understanding the impact of tannins on methanogenesis, which may provide a cost-effective means to reduce enteric CH4 production and the influence of ruminant animals on global GHG emissions.

Diagnóstico económico del criadero hacienda holstein Puculpala

Este proyecto nace con el propósito de rescatar una de las actividades productivas pecuarias de la comunidad Puculpala de la parroquia Químiag perteneciente al Cantón Riobamba.&#x0D; El presente estudio se lo realizo en el Criadero Holstein Puculpala y se consideró como objetivos conseguir los márgenes brutos y netos de comercialización de la leche cruda; asi como determinar la participación directa del productor en lo que respecta al precio de la leche al consumidor final.&#x0D; Este trabajo pretende generar una contribución para favorecer la toma de decisiones a nivel financiero para garantizar la permanencia del negocio y motivar a los ganaderos, el análisis del costo para que sea un elemento del día a día que perita el mejoramiento continuo en el proceso. Atendiendo estimaciones, no existe suficiente información para la debida obtención del costo de producción en el Criadero.&#x0D; La propuesta de un sistema de costeo para la producción de leche en el Criadero Holstein Puculpala aspira determinar el costo de producción, el precio de venta y conseguirá una mejor rentabilidad incorporando dentro del área de finanzas, una unidad de contabilidad de costos, la cual comprenderá básicamente los siguientes lineamientos.&#x0D; Ser una hacienda reconocida por los productores y comercializadores de leche.&#x0D; Cooperar con el desarrollo de la industria nacional buscando que el producto sea reconocido por su calidad, innovación y precio justo.&#x0D; Poseer presencia a nivel nacional.&#x0D; Ser reconocida por sus prácticas y actitudes alineadas con ética y valores humanos.

6600 years of human and climate impacts on lake-catchment and vegetation in the Julian Alps (Lake Bohinj, Slovenia)

Mountain grazing and ore processing had a significant impact on the Alpine environment in the last 5000 years, but few studies have so far focused on environmental changes of the south eastern Alps. This study investigates the vegetation history and sedimentary processes in the catchment of Lake Bohinj (Julian Alps, Slovenia), where a 12-m-long core was collected in the central part of the lake. Sediment in the early Holocene section of the core was partially reworked due to a major seismic event dated to 6711–6523 yr cal BP (Rapuc et al. 2018), therefore a detailed palaeoenvironmental reconstruction was performed only for the top 4.4 m of the core. Here the results of mineralogical, sedimentological, geochemical, stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N), and pollen analysis are presented in order to better understand the impact of people (agriculture, grazing, mining) on the environment, and climate-human interactions over the last 6600 years.The results of palynological research suggest that at ca. 6000 yr cal BP Lake Bohinj was surrounded by mixed forest composed of Picea, Abies, deciduous Quercus, with Fagus becoming dominant after ca. 3300 yr cal BP. In the Bronze and especially the Iron Age (3500–2500 yr cal BP), when the region was, according to archaeological data, densely populated, clearing of forests due to agriculture, livestock production and metallurgical activities was detected through Cerealia type pollen, Plantago lanceolata, and the decline of Abies. These activities probably triggered soil erosion recorded as increased sedimentation rates. In the subsequent centuries human impact on the environment continued (increased), but it seems that the watershed was not destabilised again. Several periods of high terrigenous input were recorded at 6100–6000, 5700–5550, 5000–4600, 3900, 3700–3550, 2300–2200 yr cal BP and could be associated with a mobilisation of river inflow from the eastern flysch bearing catchment, due to river migration during periods of wetter climate. These flood patterns match with periods of enhanced flood activity in the wider Alpine region.

Cash Transfers and Gender Differentials in Child Schooling and Labor: Evidence from the Lesotho Child Grants Programme

Cash Transfers and Gender Differentials in Child Schooling and Labor: Evidence from the Lesotho Child Grants Programme

Roads and livelihood activity choices in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania.

Road development is occurring at an unprecedented rate in important conservation areas in tropical countries with limited understanding of how local people will adjust their livelihood activities in response. We use a discrete choice experiment to explore the effect of road development on respondents ex-ante preferences for changes in livelihood activities—crop and livestock production, hunting and trading bushmeat, and business and wage employment—under different incentives—provision of loans, livestock and crop extension services–in scenarios with reduced travel time to nearest district town in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem in Tanzania. We test four hypotheses about the effects of roads with opposing implication for conservation. Hypothesis 1 predicts that increased market access will lead to intensification of crop and livestock production activities (achieved through extension services and loans), and Hypothesis 2 that market access will facilitate the development of non-farm Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) providing new livelihood opportunities (e.g. business income and wage employment)–both reducing environmental pressure. Hypotheis 3 on the other hand predicts that improved market access will lead to extensification and expansion of crop and livestock production activities, while Hypotheis 4 suggests that it will encourage exploitation of environmental goods (here in the form of hunting and trading bushmeat and illegal grazing inside protected areas)–both increasing environmental pressure. We find increasing preferences for more cropland and more cattle as travel time to market is reduced but no preference for increased allocation of household members to hunting and trading bushmeat supporting hypothesis 3 while contradicting hypothesis 4. However, second-order effects might support hypothesis 4 as we find aversion towards decreasing effort invested in hunting and trading bushmeat. Preferences for increased cropland and livestock may furthermore interact to increase land use change and illegal grazing inside protected areas. Crop extension services had a negative modifying effect on preferences for more cropland (supporting hypothesis 1) while livestock extension services had a positive modifying effect on preferences for more cattle (contradicting hypothesis 1). Providing loans had a negative modifying effect on preferences for increasing cropland and number of cattle. Marginal rates of substitution suggest that 950,000 TSH borrowed at a 10% interest rate will reduce preferences for more cropland and cattle by 11.8 and 38.4% respectively. Crop extension services reduce preferences for more cropland by 27% whereas livestock extension services increase preferences for more cattle by 104%. Contradicting Hypothesis 2, we found no preference for increasing the number of households members engaged in business and wage employment in response to reduced travel time. Targeted efforts to increase the educational level as well as entrepreneurship skills in the GSE could promote engagement in the labour market and development of business enterprises diverting focus from traditional activities such as farming and livestock production and hence reducing pressure on the ecosystem.

Antibióticos y su implicancia ambiental

Due to its extensive use in various livestock production activities and its use in human health care, antibiotics have become an environmental problem that draws the attention of the scientific community. Several research works report their presence in different ecosystems compartments, as well as their impact in organisms that inhabit these ecosystems which are being investigated by this community; until now, it has been reported problems of bacterial resistance and damages at DNA level in living beings, among others; in this perspective it is necessary to perform monitoring in various environmental matrixes, in order to detect and quantify their presence, to have a better understanding of their long-term effects on living beings. In this sense, it addresses aspects that determine their presence in the ecosystem, as well as shows results of works evaluating their removal of contaminated water, in order to ensure their safety from an environmental perspective and taking into consideration the health of living beings and human beings.

Multiple antibiotic resistance indices of &lt;i&gt;Aeromonas hydrophila&lt;/i&gt; isolates of muscle of catfish (&lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;, Burchell 1822) from selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria

The extensive use and misuse of antimicrobials for treatment and prophylaxis in livestock production generally and aquaculture in particular is of great concern to environmental and public health. In Nigeria, regulation and monitoring of aquaculture and other livestock production activities at best is lax. Drug resistance pathogens have therefore been consistently reported in Nigeria.Ninety-eight adult live fishes weighing an average of 684.88±141.73g were purchased at random from different live-fish selling points fortnightly over a fourteen-week period. Fish were anaesthetized using Tricaine Methane Sulfonate (MS222 and 15g of muscle excised and processed according to standard methods. Growth, isolation and characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila was accomplished using Rimler-Shotts agar medium which had been infused with ampicillin supplement for 24 hours and incubated at 37oC and appropriate biochemical tests.Ten positive isolates (AH1-AH10) were subjected to culture and sensitivity test using the disc diffusion method on nutrient agar. Zones of growth inhibition around the colonies were observed, measured and characterized as sensitive, intermediate and resistant based on the Manual of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing method. All the isolates had MAR &gt;0.2. Isolate AH9 had the highest MAR index (1). Three of the isolates (AH3, AH5 and AH8) had MAR indices of 0.89, while AH2, AH4 and AH7 had MAR indices of 0.67. This study established the resistance of Aeromonas hydrophila isolates from fish muscle to a wide range of antibiotic. The detection of high MAR A. hydrophila in muscle of fish intended for consumption is significant and could act as a potential source of resistant bacteria for humans. Further investigation into antimicrobial resistance is recommended.

Preliminary Exploration and Management Analysis of the Impact of the Avian Influenza Epidemics from the Point View of Chinese Animal Farmers

&lt;p&gt;In the study, the outbreak of avian influenza was explored analyzed in depth with all the data resources available. It was found that behavior choices and motivations of the animal producers fundamentally depended on their interests and accessing means in the process of animal epidemic disease prevention and control. It was suggested that the government and its sectors should formulate and execute an appropriate compensation system and make compensation timely when there appears an economic impact of major epidemic animal diseases on the producers and the producers’ economic losses are found. Furthermore, the government should take any effective measures to guide and promote the transformation of the conventional modes of livestock production, and lead those farmers and producers to the changed ways of conventional livestock production activities and modes to reduce the probabilities of animal diseases spread and outbreak, especially the infectious diseases like avian influenza.&lt;/p&gt;

Measuring the technical efficiency of livestock production in Vietnam

The aim of this study was to measure the technical efficiency and productivity performance of livestock production activities across different regions of Vietnam, based on panel data covering the period 2008–2012. Although efficiency improvements did occur in some regions over this period, low technical efficiency, poor productivity performance, and variations in performance composition dominate across most regions. Households that depend heavily on the livestock income particularly or the agricultural income generally are more vulnerable than others in terms of livestock production.

A comprehensive approach for assessing the economic contribution of forage and livestock improvement options to smallholder farming enterprises

The importance of livestock production activities to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farming households and the efficiency of their underlying farming systems is increasingly recognized. A rapid increase in livestock numbers, especially beef cattle, and special purpose forages is being promoted for smallholder farms which have traditionally undertaken subsistence cropping activities or simple livestock rearing activities using low quality feedstuffs. Because limited plantings of specialized forages combined with a poor knowledge of animal nutrition are a challenge to establishing sustainable livestock enterprises, much public policy and research is now being focused on the use of new forages and improved feeding practices. A number of economic studies have suggested that specialized forage growing and livestock feeding activities can make a positive contribution to smallholder welfare. The studies have typically compared the total level of farm or household income with and without livestock activities. Little attention is given to how much the new forage or livestock activities actually contribute to or draw resources from other farm activities to assess their real economic contribution to the enterprise, and the availability of simple tools to assist in making such assessments are limited. This paper describes a simple modelling approach that was developed for an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-supported project to explore the real as opposed to apparent economic impact of integrating improved forages and livestock within smallholder farming systems in the Red Soils region of south-central China. Application of the model is demonstrated using a simple case study of a smallholder enterprise that plans to introduce a new beef cattle rearing activity to its existing farm activity mix. The case study highlights the importance of explicitly valuing transfers of resources between different farm activities to gauge the real contribution of those activities to economic returns.

Biomass transfers and nutrient budgets of the agro-pastoral systems in a village territory in south-western Burkina Faso

Privatisation of grazing resources is emerging in the agro-pastoral systems of West Africa, resulting in increased pressure on the remaining communal rangelands and greater competition between farmers for access to crop residues. Differential management strategies arise as determined by household diversity. This study quantified the flows of biomass and related nutrient budgets in relation to farm diversity in Koumbia, a representative village of south-western Burkina Faso. Four farm types were identified: subsistence-oriented and market oriented crop farmers, agro-pastoralists and pastoralists. Crop farmers collected about 30 % of their maize harvest residues for feeding during the dry hot season, while agro-pastoralists and pastoralists stocked about 50 % of their maize residues. Whilst the remaining crop residues on (agro)pastoralist farms were almost entirely grazed by their own cattle, about 90 % of the crop residues of crop farmers were consumed by cattle of (agro)pastoralists. On the other hand, available manure from cattle in the village was mainly used to fertilize the fields of the livestock owners. As a result, the cropped land of farmers with few livestock is continuously mined for nutrients. Calculated partial balances of N and K at farm level were negative for all farm types, except for N in the case of pastoralist farms. N and K balances of cropped fields were generally negative on all farm types. Partial balances of P were generally positive, which was to a large extent due to P fertilizer use. Better integration of crop and livestock production activities on farms and between farms offers a pathway to more efficient nutrient cycling with reduced nutrients losses.