Associations of breed, herd structure, and grazing system with the reproductive performance of Nguni and Boran cattle in South Africa.
- 1Department of Animal and Pasture Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
- 2Economic Analysis Unit, Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Pretoria, South Africa.
Abstract
Reproductive efficiency remains a major constraint limiting the productivity and sustainability of communal cattle production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Although breed adaptation, herd structure, and grazing management influence cattle productivity, their combined effects on reproductive performance remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of breed adaptation, herd structure, and grazing system on the reproductive performance of Nguni and Boran cattle managed under communal rangelands in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 80 clinically healthy multiparous cows (40 Nguni and 40 Boran) were observed within a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial field design comprising two breeds, two herd structures evaluated as homogeneous (single-breed) or heterogeneous (mixed-breed) groups, and two grazing systems (cattle-only and mixed-species grazing). Reproductive traits, body weight, body condition score (BCS), and calf performance were monitored over a 12-month breeding cycle and analysed using mixed-effects models in R, with the herd/farm set as the primary experimental unit to reflect the herd-level application of treatments. Breed, herd structure, and grazing system were significantly associated with reproductive performance (p < 0.05). Nguni cattle achieved higher pregnancy (91.3%), conception (86.5%), calving (88.9%), and calf survival (96.2%) rates than Boran cattle. Heterogeneous herds and mixed-species grazing improved reproductive efficiency, body condition, and growth performance. Integrating adaptive indigenous breeds with improved grazing management can enhance reproductive performance and livestock productivity under communal rangelands.
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BibTeX
@article{slayi2026associations,
title = {{Associations of breed, herd structure, and grazing system with the reproductive performance of Nguni and Boran cattle in South Africa.}},
author = {Mhlangabezi Slayi and Siphe Zantsi and Zuko Mpisana},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1940048},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909183},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Associations of breed, herd structure, and grazing system with the reproductive performance of Nguni and Boran cattle in South Africa.
AU - Mhlangabezi Slayi
AU - Siphe Zantsi
AU - Zuko Mpisana
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in veterinary science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1940048
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909183
AB - Reproductive efficiency remains a major constraint limiting the productivity and sustainability of communal cattle production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Although breed adaptation, herd structure, and grazing management influence cattle productivity, their combined effects on reproductive performance remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of breed adaptation, herd structure, and grazing system on the reproductive performance of Nguni and Boran cattle managed under communal rangelands in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 80 clinically healthy multiparous cows (40 Nguni and 40 Boran) were observed within a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial field design comprising two breeds, two herd structures evaluated as homogeneous (single-breed) or heterogeneous (mixed-breed) groups, and two grazing systems (cattle-only and mixed-species grazing). Reproductive traits, body weight, body condition score (BCS), and calf performance were monitored over a 12-month breeding cycle and analysed using mixed-effects models in R, with the herd/farm set as the primary experimental unit to reflect the herd-level application of treatments. Breed, herd structure, and grazing system were significantly associated with reproductive performance (p < 0.05). Nguni cattle achieved higher pregnancy (91.3%), conception (86.5%), calving (88.9%), and calf survival (96.2%) rates than Boran cattle. Heterogeneous herds and mixed-species grazing improved reproductive efficiency, body condition, and growth performance. Integrating adaptive indigenous breeds with improved grazing management can enhance reproductive performance and livestock productivity under communal rangelands.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -