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Respondents (n = 180) from Mutale municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa, were interviewed so as to assess the factors affecting the use of medicinal herbs in treatment of livestock diseases. A significantly greater proportion of males (79.8%) than females (52.7%) preferred a combination of treatment methods (P < 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of females (36.8%) than males (10.6%) preferred using medicinal herbs only (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportions of males and females using conventional drugs only (P > 0.05). Overall, a significantly greater proportion of respondents between 20-40years old (83.1%) preferred to use a combination of treatment methods (P < 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of the unschooled respondents (46.6%) preferred to use medicinal herbs only (P < 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of the tertiary-schooled respondents (50%), however, preferred to use conventional drugs only (P < 0.05). Parts from Cassia abbreviata and Cissus quadrangularis were the preferred oral treatments for retained placenta, Pterocarpus angolensis and Combretum collinum were the preferred oral treatments for constipation in cattle. Cissus quadrangularis, Dichrostachys cinerea and Ximenia americana were preferred for topical treatment of wounds, Synadenium cupulare for arthritis, Ziziphus mucronata for mastitis, Maytanus eduncularis for fractures and Gossypium herbaceum for blindness in cattle, sheep and goats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of pathogenic bacteria in the environment at a livestock farm in Limpopo Province. Environmental samples were collected from three sampling locations: cattle camp (CC), sheep camp (SHC), and goat camp (GC). Samples were processed and analysed for total bacterial counts in the Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Limpopo, South Africa. Identifications were done with Matrix Assisted Laser Disorption Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectometry (MALDI-TOF MS) using the simplified on plate technique. The colony forming unit formula per gram of environmental sample (CFU/g) was used to determine total bacterial counts. High counts were observed in CC and low counts in SHC for both soil and faecal samples. Bacillus species were the most dominant across the sampling locations for soil samples. Bacillus cereus occurred in 36 samples (33%), however, the frequency of isolation dominated in the CC with (44.4%), GC (22.2%) and SHC (13%). Staphylococcus aureus had the least frequency (2.2%) followed by Listeria monocytogenes (4.4%). In faecal samples, the occurrence and level of contamination with bacterial species varied across sampling locations with Escherichia coli dominating in the CC with 20% frequency, and abscent from SHC and GC.

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Background: Bovine brucellosis causes substantial loses in livestock production systems through abortions and infertility. The aim of this study was to determine whether the occurrence of bovine brucellosis is influenced by climatic variabilities. Methods: Data on confirmed cases of bovine brucellosis from the year 2013 to 2018 was retrieved from the Limpopo Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development. Temperature and rainfall data was retrieved from the South African Weather Services. A semi structured questionnaire was used to gather information on management related risk factors from 60 purposively selected farmers. Data were analysed using microsoft excel, simple linear regression, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Mann-Kendall test. Result: The average occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis was 3.96%. Simple linear regression coefficient analysis indicated a non-significant (p greater than 0.05) effect of temperature and rainfall variabilities on occurrence of bovine brucellosis. Seventy seven per cent of cattle farmers were aware of bovine brucellosis and 83% experienced cases of abortion in their herds.