Integration of livestock into conservation agriculture systems in the Mediterranean climate region of South Africa

Within the Mediterranean climate region of South Africa, the livestock sector constitutes a substantial contributor to the regional economy. Livestock integration is prevalent in conservation agriculture systems in this region. Crop rotation involving small grains and canola is combined with lucerne and annual medics (among other forage crops) that are grazed by sheep. However, challenges exist due to high land footprints of livestock. Furthermore, there is concern about competition between animal feed and human food production, nitrogen flows, on-farm nutrient balance, water pollution, soil acidification, biodiversity loss and impacts on climate change. There is a growing demand and interest for sustainable livestock production systems, and we explore efficient use of local feed resources with low opportunity costs (e.g. crop residues, sacrificial crops, food waste) to create circular farm and food systems. Conservation agriculture systems serve as a good example of farming practices that address sustainability while simultaneously offering ecosystem services. This paper highlights the need for integrated agricultural systems that could also serve as a buffer against environmental degradation caused by conventional agricultural systems. Integrated crop-livestock systems create synergies between crops and livestock that ensure the recycling of nutrients, minimise by-product waste, reduce external inputs and encourage sustainable resource management.