ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the livestock sector in South Africa, and the changing environment in which it finds itself. Therefore it begins by detailing key trends in livestock production in South Africa, first describing a history of the agricultural sector, followed by post-1994 trends in consumption and livestock figures. The latest findings regarding climate change projections for South and southern Africa are then discussed, followed by what is currently known regarding the implication of such projections for the livestock sector, with preliminary observations regarding current and planned research. Although the livestock sector comprises a key component of South Africa's agricultural economy, it has traditionally received less attention in research and development than, for example, staple crops. Finally the chapter concludes by discussing current and future research in this area, including key gaps in both operational and research communities in South Africa and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region more broadly.
