Abstract:
This study was done to determine the influence of herd mortality on off-take rates through face to face
interviews of 308 smallholder cattle producers from Dr RSM District Municipality, North West. Most
deaths were caused by diseases (50%) and drought (34%). Producer’s gender had no influence on herd
performance and off-take even though extension ward with higher proportion of women had higher
mortality and lower off-take rates. The sale of steers decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the death of
adult animals as well as that of the overall herd increased. Herd off-take also declined as mortality of
suckling calves as well as that for overall herd, increased. Herd mortality logically reduces stock and
therefore suppresses sales. It is recommended that herd mortality should be monitored through animal
recording to improve the competitiveness of small-holder production systems.
