Factors that favour beef production Factors that hinder beef production in

in South Africa South Africa

•Vast and extensive grazing land, •Lack of camp systems to protect livestock.
especially in the Highveld.
•Drought prevalence due to limited rainfall.
•Favourable climate for the breeding of
•Increased feed costs in times of droughts.
cattle. BEEF PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
•Poor veterinary interventions i.e. cattle not
•Reserves such as hay and silage so
being vaccinated.
they can conserve surplus forage in
times of dry seasons. •Insufficient breeding stock for beef cattle.
•Introduction of communal farming for •High cost of fuel and transportation.
the utilization of the same land for both
crop and livestock. •Lack of equipment especially amongst the
small scale farmers.
•Provision of subsidies for purchase of
breeding stock and dosing products. •Diseases that leads to death of cattle across
the country.
•Availability of veterinary services for
farmers through government initiatives. •Increase in stock theft and pilfering (stealing
in small numbers on a continuous basis).
•Insufficient or declining grazing land due to
human settlement expansion
•Poor or no access to credit for expansion.

Contribution of beef products to the South African economy

•Increase in the market prices of beef especially for export purposes.
•High beef consumption within the country across major market segments.
•Sustained increase in rand value of beef products on a year-to-year basis
•A higher return value on investment i.e., more profit from less cost of production.
Activity 1
November 2018
FIGURE 3.5: BEEF FARMING

2020 AND BEYOND: A VISION FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN BEEF

INDUSTRY

By Lloyd Phillips, 7 December 2017

In 2016 South Africa became a net red meat exporter for the first time, supplying
mainly the cheap beef market.

In 2016 global red meat exports amounted to 9,44 million tons. Brazil led the way,
exporting 1,85 million tons or 19,6% of the total. South Africa ranked 15 th at 60 000
tons, or 0,64%, of the world total.

The recent drought showed how crucial it was for the country's beef industry to stop
focusing on exporting only cheap beef. By exporting higher quality beef, our industry
can protect itself from shocks that result in reduced profits.

It must be noted, however, that with the current high beef price in South Africa, the
country will be unable to compete against the likes of Brazil and other top beef
exporters.
[Adapted from https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-
business/agribusinesses/ 2020-beyond-vision-sa-beef-industry/]
3.5 Refer to FIGURE 3.5, an extract on South Africa’s beef industry.
3.5.1 Which country had the highest exportation of beef in 2016? (1 x 1) (1)
3.5.2 Quote evidence from the extract that suggests that the beef industry is
growing in South Africa. (1 x 1) (1)

3.5.3 Refer to the statement below.

By exporting higher quality beef, our industry can protect itself from shocks
that result in reduced profits.
(a) Why does the exportation of low quality beef reduce profits?
(1 x 1) (1)

(b) Suggest how farmers can produce higher quality beef. (2 x 2) (4)
3.5.4 Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines explaining the factors
preventing South Africa from being competitive with other top beef
exporters. (4 x 2) (8)
Marking Guideline

3.5 3.5.1 Brazil (1) (1 x 1) (1)

3.5.2 ꞌSouth Africa became a net red meat exporter for the first timeꞌ (1) (1 x 1) (1)

3.5.3 (a) Make less money as poor quality beef does not fetch high prices (1)
Countries buy less as a result of poor quality (1)
[ANY ONE] (1 x 1) (1)

(b) Improved breeding programmes/research will increase the

quality of the beef (2)
Prevent overstocking/Do not exceed carrying
capacity (2) Industrial beef cattle farming (2)
Regular vaccination to prevent
diseases (2) Regular health checks
of cattle (2)
Free range farming improves quality of beef (2)
Genetically modified species/scientific methods to improve stock
yields (2) Increase education and skills of farmers/research and
development (2) More agricultural officers to educate small scale
and new farmers (2) Access to funding to improve mechanisation
and technology (2)
Government subsidies and grants will improve processing
techniques (2)
Accelerate the process of land reform (2)
Improved pasturage and feeding will result in healthier cattle (2)
[ANY TWO] (2 x 2) (4)

3.5.4 Water shortages reduces stock numbers (2)

Regular droughts reduce the amount and quality of stock for export
markets (2)
Small-scale (subsistence or commercial) farming can result in less
production for markets (2)
Commercial farmers abandon their farms and beef production
decreases (2)
A huge demand for beef within South Africa decreases exports (2)
Low government subsidies push up prices (2)
Large distances to overseas markets increases the costs of exportation
(2)
Expensive to refrigerate beef products during transportation (2)
Cattle diseases e.g. foot and mouth/mad cow disease reduces meat
availability for export markets (2)
Low quality of natural grazing reduces the amount of stock (2)
Unclear land reform policies slows down beef production while
outcomes are
awaiting (2)
Stock theft reduces the amount of stock (2)
Increased cost of fodder during drought/winter results in beef farmers
reducing
stock numbers (2)
Veld fires reduce natural grazing and therefore stock (2)
Medication against diseases expensive and increase farming costs (2)
Poor exchange rate reduces profits for beef farmers (2)
Price fluctuations reduce profit (2)
Increase in production costs (machinery/labour) reduces stock
numbers and
profits (2)
Trade barriers discourage cattle farming (2)
Youth do not pursue farming/Loss of skilled farmers therefore beef
production
is low (2)
Lack of scientific breeding methods keeps beef production low (2)
Limited beef processing plants limits the export of beef products (2)
Traditionally cattle is regarded as a symbol of wealth and subsistence
farmers are reluctant to sell their cattle (2)
Small-scale farmers cannot access loans from banks and cannot afford
the
increasing production costs (2)
Activity 2
November 2015
FIGURE 4.5: CATTLE FARMING

SOUTH AFRICA'S BEEF INDUSTRY: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

12:00 (GMT+2), Saturday 31 August 2013

By Lloyd Phillips

While South Africa has what appears to be a thriving beef industry, its average
productivity, compared with that of other countries, shows that it is not achieving its
full potential. This is partly due to the low productivity of our informal beef farming
sector. This problem needs to be corrected. The South African beef industry is in a
position to take advantage of Africa's increasing middle-class expenditure and
increased population growth from one billion to two billion people by 2050 – and the
associated demand for red meat. In recent years there have been worldwide
improvements in beef feeding practices and herd quality through the use of modern
technologies. These technologies have failed to find their way into South Africa's
informal beef farming sector. Due to several factors, including environmental
concerns, the national beef herd cannot be increased, and existing production
methods therefore need to be improved.

[Adapted from Farmer's Weekly, 31 August

2013]
4.5 Study FIGURE 4.5 based on cattle farming and answer the questions that follow.

4.5.1 Why, according to the article, is South Africa's beef production not at
the same level as that of other countries? (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.2 Why is there a need to increase beef production in future? (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.3 Why does South Africa have such a large informal cattle farming
sector? (1 x 2) (2)
4.5.4 Suggest TWO ways in which the South African government can assist
informal cattle farmers to improve their productivity levels. (2 x 2) (4)
4.5.5 State TWO environmental concerns associated with cattle farming.
(2 x 2) (4)
4.5.6 Besides being a source of food, give ONE other reason why the beef
industry is important to the South African economy. (1 x 2) (2)
Marking Guideline

4.5.1 Low productivity (1)

Informal beef farming (1)
[ANY ONE] (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.2 Increasing middle class expenditure and consumption (1)

Projected population growth from one billion to two billion people by 2050 (1)
[ANY ONE] (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.3 Large rural population practicing subsistence farming (2)

In certain cultures the wealth of the family is determined by the number of
cattle (2)
Domestic use of cattle does not allow for commercial use of cattle (2)
Emerging farmers lack training (2)
[ANY ONE - ACCEPT ANY OTHER REASONABLE ANSWER] (1 x 2) (2)

4.5.4 The South African government can:

Increase education/training of small scale farmers in land and
financial management (2)
Promote the use of agricultural extension officers to small scale
farmers (2) Promote land ownership by creating more land tenures
and restitution(2) Increase access to bonds from the development
bank to small-scale farmers to increase access to funding (2)
Promote open markets for fair and equitable pricing of beef and beef
products
(2)
Promote grants for technical and scientific advisors to assist small scale
farmers (2)
Increase tariffs on the import of beef products to improve trade in the home
markets (2)
Speed up land distribution programme (2)
[ANY TWO - ACCEPT ANY OTHER REASONABLE ANSWERS] (2 x 2) (4)

4.5.5 Increase in soil erosion/degradation due to larger herds (2)

Removal of vegetation (overgrazing) (2)
Increase in air pollution due to release of methane gas (2)
Increases global warming (2)
Desertification (2)
Compacting of soil which reduces infiltration (2)
[ANY TWO - ACCEPT OTHER POSSIBLE ANSWERS] (2 x 2) (4)

4.5.6 Contributes to the GDP through export products (2)

Provides employment (2)
It is a source of raw material to industries e.g. canned meat (2)
Used in the manufacturing of dairy products (2)
[ANY ONE - ACCEPT ANY OTHER REASONABLE ANSWER] (1 x 2) (2)
Activity 3
November 2020
FIGURE 3.5: CATTLE FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA

TOUGH TIMES NEED TOUGHER CATTLE

With the ongoing drought and foot-

and-mouth disease outbreaks in
South Africa, choosing the right cattle
breed for production and breeding
has never been more crucial. With its
adaptability and high functional
efficiency, Bonsmara cattle has
proved itself the ideal breed to cope
with, and thrive in, these challenging
conditions.

The Bonsmara, bred for Africa's harshest conditions, has shown that it can adapt to
the changing climate, reduced rainfall and warmer temperatures. The Bonsmara cow
is capable of walking long distances to find grazing. The breed also adapts in both
extensive and intensive agricultural environments.
[Source: https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/animals/cattle/tough-times-need-tougher-
cattle/]

3.5 Refer to the extract in FIGURE 3.5 based on cattle farming in South Africa.

3.5.1 Identify ONE problem from the extract that poses a challenge to
cattle farmers. (1 x 1) (1)
3.5.2 Why, according to the extract, is the Bonsmara breed ideal for cattle
farming? (2 x 1) (2)
3.5.3 Suggest TWO ways in which the government can assist small-scale
cattle farmers to increase beef production. (2 x 2) (4)
3.5.4 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, discuss how an
increase in beef production can contribute to food security in
South Africa. (4 x 2) (8)
Marking Guideline
3.5 3.5.1 (Ongoing) drought (1)
Foot and mouth disease outbreak (1)
Changing climate (1)
Choosing the correct breed (1)
Walking long distances to find grazing (1)
[ANY ONE] (1 x 1) (1)
3.5.2
They can adapt to the changing climate/reduced rainfall and warmer
temperatures They can walk long distances to find grazing (1)
Adapts well in extensive and intensive agricultural environments (1)
With its adaptability and high functional efficiency (1)
[ANY TWO] (2 x 1) (2)
3.5.3 Provide government subsidies and grants (2)
Increase education and skills of farmers (2)
Provide access to funding from banks (2)
Government to intensify support by allocation of agricultural/veterinary
services (2)
Land reform programmes where land is allocated to more farmers (2)
Create easier access to services and facilities (for example abattoirs)
required for cattle farming (2)
More research to improve production (2)
Development of infrastructure for small scale farmers (2)
Regulation and subsidy of market prices (2)
[ANY TWO] (2 x 2) (4)
3.5.4 Beef will become more affordable/cheaper prices (due to greater
supply) (2)
Beef will be more accessible to all people (due to increased production)
(2)
Beef will provide protein which is nutritious to the diets of many people
(2)
Creates more job opportunities as more meat is available for
processing
 resulting in income to buy nutritious food (2)
More meat will be available on the local market (due to increased
production)(2)
A variety of other products associated with beef can be produced (2)
Decrease in the need to import expensive beef (2)
More exports result in more local production creating job opportunities
(2)
[ANY FOUR] (4 x 2) (8)