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Estimation of goat production potential and efficiency in the resource-poor communal areas of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

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Abstract

It is often inappropriately assumed that the contributions of goats to household economies are similar across flock sizes. A monthly questionnaire was administered to 19, 21, and 13 farmers in Matatiele and Qawukeni and Mankone. Entries and exits to and from each flock were assessed. Most (P < 0.05) kids were born in August (4.92 ± 0.362 and 2.03 ± 0.329 for large and small flocks, respectively). Total entries were higher (P < 0.05) in August, September, and October than in the other months. Kid mortality peaked in May and September at 21%. Most (P < 0.05) goats were sold in December (1.06 ± 0.127 for large flocks and 0.23 ± 0.135 for small flocks). Goat production efficiency (GPE) was affected (P < 0.05) by month and flock size. The GPE was higher (P < 0.05) in small than in large flocks. The low GPE values obtained in this study indicates the need to devise other indices that factor in the neglected functions of goats when measuring goat production efficiency in communities where the main function of goats is not for sale or consumption.

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Abbreviations

GPE:

goat production efficiency

GPP:

goat production potential

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Francisca Rumosa Gwaze & Michael Chimonyo

  2. Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    Kennedy Dzama

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  1. Francisca Rumosa Gwaze
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  2. Michael Chimonyo
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  3. Kennedy Dzama
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Correspondence to Michael Chimonyo.

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Rumosa Gwaze, F., Chimonyo, M. & Dzama, K. Estimation of goat production potential and efficiency in the resource-poor communal areas of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 1235–1242 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9555-9

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