The Impact of Climatic Variability and Extremes on Livestock Water and Fodder Use in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of Smallholder Livestock Farmers (SHLF) about the impact of climatic variability and extremes on livestock water and fodder use in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire for an interview of 366 SHLF. The main sources of water for SHLF were perceived to be rivers (41%), municipal/piped water (40%) and boreholes (33%). Only 3 % and 7 % of the farmers were believed to have used wells and dams/ponds respectively as water sources for livestock. Cattle were perceived to have obtained water from 1-10 km, mainly from rivers. The majority of SHLF (97%) was believed to have accessed fodder from communal grazing. Even with the use of crop residues (59%) and own crop harvest (35%), inadequate grazing was perceived to be the biggest challenge for cattle and sheep. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that: (1) early warning information be interpreted and regularly presented to SHLF, (2) livestock reduction is encouraged when the adverse climate is anticipated, and (3) earth dams be constructed to harvest flood water at strategic catchment points for use in times of scarcity.