The current review focuses on characterization and conservation efforts vital for the development of breeding programmes for indigenous beef cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa. Indigenous African cattle breeds were identified and characterized using information from refereed journals, conference papers and research reports. Results of this current review reviewed that smallholder beef cattle production in Southern Africa is extensive and dominated by indigenous beef cattle strains adaptable to the local environment. The breeds include Nguni, Mashona, Tuli, Malawi Zebu, Bovino de Tete, Angoni, Landim, Barotse, Twsana and Ankole. These breeds have important functions ranging from provision of food and income to socio-economic, cultural and ecological roles. They also have adaptive traits ranging from drought tolerant, resistance to ticks and tick borne diseases, heat tolerance and resistance to trypanosomosis. Stakeholders in the conservation of beef cattle were also identified and they included farmers, national government, research institutes and universities as well as breeding companies and societies in Southern Africa. Research efforts made to evaluate threats and opportunities of indigenous beef cattle production systems, assess the contribution of indigenous cattle to household food security and income, genetically and phenotypically characterize and conserve indigenous breeds, and develop breeding programs for smallholder beef production are highlighted. Although smallholder beef cattle production in the smallholder farming systems contributes substantially to household food security and income, their productivity is hindered by several constraints that include high prevalence of diseases and parasites, limited feed availability and poor marketing. The majority of the African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized although most of the indigenous cattle breeds have been identified.

HighlightsHigh prevalence for Haemonchus and Eimeria spp.Site, season, sex and age significantly influenced gastrointestinal infections.Highest level of infections in the wet season, in males and in young animals.Parasite species composition and risk factors also varied by area.

HighlightsResistance to anthelmintics in small ruminants is documented worldwide.Genetic resistance in GIN have been studied in experimental and commercial flocks.Limited in low-input low-output farming systems.Nematode eradication has evolved to manipulation of host-parasite equilibrium.Selection for resistant hosts can be considered a sustainable control strategy.

Herd dynamics of indigenous pigs were determined in a semi-arid farming area of Chirumanzu, Zimbabwe. Thirty-two pig herds were monitored once every month for 12 months. Consequently, pig production potential (PPP) and pig production efficiency (PPE) were computed for each month. Incidences of farrowing were higher in times of pig confinement (57%) than in times when the pigs were free ranging (43%). About 23% of the farmers interviewed had access to irrigation. The mean pig herd size per household was 3.3. The average litter size per farrowing was 7.7. Pigs were free ranging for most of the year and penned during the rainy season. Herd sizes changed with month (P<0.05). Farmers who had access to irrigation had higher (P<0.05) herd sizes, number of piglets and the number of adult pigs. Highest piglet numbers were observed during the rainy months. The number of mature pigs contributing to pig production efficiency was low. Piglet mortality was the major cause of exits from the herd and was higher in farmers with no access to irrigation facility (P<0.05). The PPP was highest in farmers who had access to irrigation (P<0.05), except in June and July. The PPE was low and not affected by either month, village or access to irrigation (P>0.05). It can be concluded that pig production efficiencies were low and intervention strategies to improve them need to be developed.

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