Erastus Ngaruka
The objectives of livestock farming enterprises are to increase and sustain production. This in turn puts pressure on animals’ physiological abilities to perform. These performance aspects include reproduction and health, feed conversion, general adaptability, and general adaptability.
Three factors affect the productivity of a livestock farm: the environment, the animal, and the management system. The animals’ productive potential may be reduced if these factors are not kept separate at all.
The role of each of the factors in determining productivity can be influenced by the attributes listed below.
Factor animal
The animal’s ability to produce is largely influenced by its genetic makeup or, more generally, by its breed type.
There are many different livestock breeds, each with their own unique structural and physiological capabilities. This influences their performance in any given environment. The ability to adapt to the environment, feed conversion, and disease resistance of different breeds of animals is one example.
Personal preferences and management abilities are also important factors in the choice of breed. However, the main driver of performance is genetic-environmental interaction. Given the environment and production goals, the genetic attributes of different sheep breeds, such as the Damara and Dorper, can be used to measure performance.
Environmental factor
The production environment can have a significant effect on the performance of animals. This is primarily due to the climate conditions, such as temperature and rain. The landscape, topographic features like mountains and plains, as well as the availability and quality of resources, such as food and water, play an important role.
Animal performance and survival depend on its ability adapt to changing environments. However, animals that are more familiar with their environment perform better than those who are not. Furthermore, adaptability can be measured both on spatial as well as temporal scales.
As a result of genetic-environmental interaction, an animal may adjust or adapt to a new environment when exposed to it over time due its genetics being influenced to express adaptive traits. It is common for non-native species to lose their productive potential or, in extreme cases, to succumb to harsh environment conditions.
Management factor
A livestock management program should be based on production targets and objectives. Specific activities must be undertaken to achieve those objectives. To achieve production goals and targets, the management program should aim at harmonising the interaction between the animals genetics and their environment.
This includes practices such a health maintenance, feed and water provision, and general animal welfare (e.g. Shelter is important to ensure that the animal performs at its best. The market influences the farming objectives, which in turn leads to the introduction and demand for specific animal breeds. This pressures the animal and the environment.
For example, heavy feeding is required to maintain their production potential because of the increased demand for heavier carcass or slaughter weights. The environment or grazing area will be under pressure to support heavy breeds in comparison to lighter breeds like Limousine versus Nguni cattle.
The final conclusion is that livestock selection is not an autonomous practice. Instead, it should be guided by production targets and objectives. However, the final choice should not compromise animals’ potential, the environment, or management abilities but ensure sustainable farm productivity.
* Erastus Ngaruka is AgriBanks Technical Advisor: Livestock & Rangeland.
