Rangelands, Drylands & Pastoralism

Shows mixed species stocking in Northern tropical Africa w., particularly emphasis on the African traditional animal production systems; w. data on reproduction, growth and viability for five species in the region; herd & flock structures for dif. species; and the use of livestock to increase the human food supply.

This paper examines post-drought rehabilitation policies to aid recovery in pastoral livestock production in Africa. It starts by describing the main impact of drought on livestock production and the sequences of this for the national economy. It considers the range of policy options open to governments and development agencies in this area and the problems associated with each one.

Examines the consequences for cattle husbandry of livestock-crop integration as practiced in an agropastoral production system in the sub-humid zone of Nigeria - based on a study of herding practices and cattle grazing behaviour.

Evaluates the productivity of transhumant Fulani cattle in the inner Niger delta of Mali. Summarises the results of the animal productivity study extending from December 1978 - March 1983, which indicated high calf mortality, low reproductive performance and moderate milk production.

Discusses the historical context of ILCA's research, the principal types of animal production systems and the stages in ILCA's farming systems research.

Presents results of studies of settlement, land use & relations w. settled farmers of Fulani agropastoralists in Abet & Kachia Grazing Reserve in Subhumid Nigeria. Discusses reasons of choice of site, pattern & right of grazing and access to land.

A trial conducted to examine the effects of watering Boran cattle once daily, once every two days and once every three days on birth and weaning weights, post-weaning growth and cow performance under extensive grazing conditions.

Describes effects of feeding Bunaji cows supplements of cottonseed cake, molasses-urea or fodder bank on birth & 1-year weight of calves and their viability to 1-year, and milk yield, for both calves & humans, of cows under an agropastoral management system.

This paper examines a process - the spontaneous enclosure of the range by livestock owners - which may rise new problems but also permit new approaches to the development of the African livestock industry. Drawing on case material from Sudan and Somalia, the opening section of the paper discusses some of the spontaneous range enclosure.

Discusses the results of the measurement of environmental changes in grazed ecosystems with reference to correlated changes in livestock management in Kenya; includes techniques used to measure the changes, and proposed methods; presents data on a case study at a group ranch located in western Kenya which covers 50,000 ha.; ends with comparison of surveys, i.e., that of 1978 and 1981.

Summarises the performance of three species of stylosanthes, viz, S. guianensis cvs Cook and Schofield, S. hamata cv. Verano and S. humilis under different production systems in Nigeria, such as in pure legume pastures, mixed pastures, with crops, in rangeland and under seed production.

Explains to what extent effective traditional African range management systems exist/existed, and discusses the factors which influence their incidence, persistence or effectiveness - focussing principally on sub-Saharan Africa.