Climate-smart potential of cattle feedlots as a holistic approach to mitigate enteric methane emission, gastro-intestinal parasites and optimize weight management in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
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Date
2024-10
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Publisher
University of Fort Hare
Abstract
This study investigates the climate-smart potential of cattle feedlots as a comprehensive strategy to mitigate enteric methane emissions, address gastrointestinal parasites, and optimize weight management in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Despite the growing significance of these issues, farmers’ perceptions regarding communal feedlots as a tool to reduce enteric methane emissions remain underexplored. Structured questionnaires were distributed among 161 smallholder farmers, revealing that while 67.7% were aware of feedlots, only 19.9% participated due to a lack of knowledge about feedlot operations. Many farmers (53.8%) did not perceive feedlots as a practical approach to mitigating methane emissions, citing factors such as poor feed quality and a lack of technical knowledge. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of financial resources and education levels in influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt feedlots. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives and support systems to enhance awareness and promote feedlot adoption among farmers. In addition, the study conducted a comparative analysis of faecal egg count, weight gain, and body condition scores in feedlot and non-feedlot cattle. The results, drawn from 120 cattle of different age and sex groups, farms, and breeds from two commercial abattoirs (EA1 and EA2), demonstrated the potential of feedlots to enhance animal health and productivity. Non feedlot cattle at EA1 exhibited higher egg per gram (EPG) values (323.3±28.9) than feedlot cattle (73.3±13.3), indicating increased susceptibility to internal parasitic infections. While weight gains were similar between feedlot (298.1±4.7) and non-feedlot cattle (287.16±7.79), body condition scores were significantly better in feedlot cattle (P< 0.05).
Moreover, the study identified that the feedlot farms of origin had a significant effect (P< 0.05) on EPG and body condition score values in EA1, with no significant effect in EA2. The negative correlation between EPG and body condition scores suggests that as parasite load increases, there may be a subtle tendency for body condition to decrease. The study calls for further research to comprehend the factors influencing differences in non-feedlot cattle for informed decision-making in livestock management.
Description
MSc dissertation
Keywords
Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Cattle -- Parasites -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Methane -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape