ERUSTUS NGARUKA
LIVESTOCK farms’ objectives are to increase and sustain production. This in turn exerts pressure on animals’ physiological abilities to perform.
These performance aspects include reproduction and health, feed conversion, general adaptability, and other things.
Three factors affect the productivity of a livestock farm: the environment, the animal and the management system. If these factors are not incorporated at all, the animal’s potential to produce may be reduced to a certain degree.
These attributes are also important in determining the importance of each factor in determining productivity.
THE ANIMAL
The animal’s productivity is primarily affected by its genetic make up or, in general, by its breed type.
Different livestock breeds have different physiological and structural abilities that can impact their performance in different environments.
There are many differences between the different animal breeds, including their ability to adapt to the environment and feed conversion, as well as disease resistance.
Personal preferences, management abilities, and personal preferences also have an impact on the breed choice. However, the main driver of performance is genetic-environmental interaction. The genetic characteristics of different sheep breeds, such as the Damara and Dorper, can be used to measure performance based on the environment and production objectives.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The animal’s performance is affected by its environment. This is mainly due to the climatic conditions (temperature and rainfall), the landscape or topographic features (e.g. mountains and plains) and finally, the availability and quality of resources like forage and water.
Animals’ ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions is crucial to their survival and performance. However, animals that have become accustomed to the environment perform better than those who are not.
Adaptability can also be described as both spatial and temporal. 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 not uncommon for non-native animals to have their productive potential reduced or even destroyed by harsh environmental conditions.
MANAGEMENT
A livestock management program should be based on production targets and objectives. To achieve those objectives, specific activities must be undertaken.
To ensure that production targets and objectives are met, the management system should aim to harmonize the interaction between the animal’s genetics and its environment.
This includes practices such health maintenance, feed, water provision and general animal welfare (shelter). These practices ensure that the animal performs optimally.
The market influences the farming objectives, which leads to the introduction and maintenance of specific animal breeds to meet market demands. This in turn places pressure on the animal’s environment.
For example, heavier slaughter or carcass masses will require large-framed breeds of animals. This will in turn demand heavy feeding to ensure their production potential.
The environment or the grazing space is under pressure to support heavy breeds in comparison to lighter breeds such as Limousine versus Nguni.
The conclusion is that livestock selection should not be considered an independent practice. Instead, it should be guided by production targets and objectives. However, the final decision should not compromise the animal’s potential, the environment, or the management abilities but ensure sustainable farm productivity.
* Erastus Ngaruka is technical adviser: livestock and range lands at Agribank.