By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Cattle farming has improved in 2022, as the birth of this livestock has increased by 4.9 percent.
According to the 2023 Companies Survey, the cattle births in 2022 were reported at 97,340 compared to the 92,764 recorded in 2021. This depicted a 4.9 percent growth in cattle births in the review period. The above normal rainfall experienced in the period resulted in palatable pastures and the cattle birth rates, supporting increased cattle production.
Similarly, total cattle slaughters (beef production) also increased by 7.9 percent, mainly driven by home and commercial slaughters. Home slaughters improved by 4.2 percent whilst commercial slaughters increased by 12.1 percent in the year under review.
Registered cattle population stood at 613,815 in 2022, reflecting a 1.9 percent increase relative to the population reported in 2021. The foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in some parts of South Africa (SA) affected artificial insemination mobilization, as well as bull importation as the movement of clove and hoofed animals entering the Eswatini boundaries was prohibited.
The short-to-medium term prospects for cattle production are positive conditional on favourable weather conditions. The continued FMD outbreak has offered an opportunity for local beef farmers to sell their stock at favourable prices, however, risks remain.
