{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,12]],"date-time":"2026-06-12T15:06:04Z","timestamp":1781276764484,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]],"date-time":"2025-03-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1740787200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,10]],"date-time":"2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1741564800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":9,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Trop Anim Health Prod"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    African agriculture faces triple threats of climate change, population growth and inequality, necessitating sustainability research in agriculture that comprehensively examines social, economic, environmental, and socio-political trade-offs. To examine sustainable beef production in Botswana, this study used a mixed-method approach to explore Feedlot and Free-range cattle management systems. First, competing but overlapping factors of environmental, economic, and social sustainability in beef production were identified from literature review, and a conceptual framework for sustainability was used to assess the trade-offs inherent in both management systems. Second, abattoir post-mortem examinations were used to compare 25 feedlot cattle and 22 free-range cattle across standard factors including: carcass dress mass (CDM), carcass grade, fat colour, conformation, dentition, carcass and offal postmortem decisions, and reasons for the decisions. Lastly, sustainability trade-offs for feedlot and free-range cattle management were compared through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunity, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Sustainability assessment showed that feedlots rely on imported grains like corn and soybean, increasing producers\u2019 uncertainty as an increasingly turbulent world affects grains availability and pricing. Free-range pasture systems, on the other hand, rely on rainfed agriculture (and often communal lands), which are increasingly challenged by the intersections of climate change, overgrazing and issues of land access. Feedlot animals had a significantly higher CDM (\n                    <jats:italic>p\u2009=\u2009<\/jats:italic>\n                    0.0001) at 237.56\u00a0kg\u2009\u00b1\u20096.98 (Mean\u2009\u00b1\u2009SEM) compared to 184.50\u00a0kg\u2009\u00b1\u20097.44 for Free-range cattle and higher incidences of red offal condemnation rates (lung, liver, and spleen) (\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009&lt;\u20090.05) compared to free-range cattle. Free-range cattle had higher green offal condemnation rates specifically large tripe (\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009=\u20090.026) compared to feedlot cattle. SWOT analysis confirmed the trade-offs in several factors including carcass weight, feed costs, and climate change impacts. The conceptual framework for sustainability, postmortem findings and SWOT analysis reveal cattle farming challenges and trade-offs that must be made to address disease burdens, animal nutrition, and productivity in Botswana.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,9]],"date-time":"2025-03-09T22:25:11Z","timestamp":1741559111000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Comparative analysis of Feedlot and Free-range cattle management on Botswana beef quality: a study of sustainability, post-mortem examination, and SWOT analysis"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"57","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8481-1975","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Brianna E.","family":"Parsons","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joshuah","family":"Makore","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Boisy","family":"Motube","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gregory Thato","family":"Rakobe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Solomon Stephen","family":"Ramabu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"4355_CR1","unstructured":"Akoon I, Archer E, Colvin C, Davis C, Diedricks G, Engelbrecht F, Vincent K, Cull T (2011) Climate risk and vulnerability: a handbook for Southern Africa. Accessed at: https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/236144201_Climate_risk_and_vulnerability_A_handbook_for_Southern_Africa"},{"issue":"3","key":"4355_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1038\/s43016-024-00926-x","volume":"5","author":"TS Breure","year":"2024","unstructured":"Breure TS, Estrada-Carmona N, Petsakos A, Gotor E, Jansen B, Groot JCJ (2024) A systematic review of the methodology of trade-off analysis in agriculture. Nat Food 5(3):211\u2013220. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43016-024-00926-x","journal-title":"Nat Food"},{"issue":"1","key":"4355_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1186\/s42779-023-00199-y","volume":"10","author":"DM Chatibura","year":"2023","unstructured":"Chatibura DM (2023) Beef as intangible cultural heritage in Botswana: a documentary review. J Ethnic Foods 10(1):41. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s42779-023-00199-y","journal-title":"J Ethnic Foods"},{"key":"4355_CR4","unstructured":"Coleman A (2024) Botswana considers extra global grain imports. Farmer\u2019s weekly. https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.za\/agri-news\/africa\/botswana-considers-extra-global-grain-imports\/. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR5","unstructured":"Convention on Biological Diversity (2024) Botswana\u2014country profile. Secretariat of the convention on biological diversity. https:\/\/www.cbd.int\/countries\/profile?country=bw. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"issue":"2","key":"4355_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.1111\/1467-9493.00123","volume":"23","author":"MBK Darkoh","year":"2002","unstructured":"Darkoh MBK, Mbaiwa JE (2002) Globalisation and the livestock industry in Botswana. Singap J Trop Geogr 23(2):149\u2013166. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1467-9493.00123","journal-title":"Singap J Trop Geogr"},{"key":"4355_CR7","unstructured":"FAO (2005) AQUASTAT Country profile\u2014Botswana"},{"key":"4355_CR8","unstructured":"IPCC (2014) Climate Change 2014: Synthesis report. In: Core Writing Team RK, Pachauri, Meyer LA (eds) Contribution of working groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. IPCC, Geneva p 151"},{"key":"4355_CR9","unstructured":"International Trade Administration (2024) Botswana\u2014agricultural sectors. https:\/\/www.trade.gov\/country-commercial-guides\/botswana-agricultural-sectors. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1016\/j.agsy.2016.09.010","volume":"163","author":"DR Kanter","year":"2018","unstructured":"Kanter DR, Musumba M, Wood SLR, Palm C, Antle J, Balvanera P, Dale VH, Havlik P, Kline KL, Scholes RJ, Thornton P, Tittonell P, Andelman S (2018) Evaluating agricultural trade-offs in the age of sustainable development. Agric Syst 163:73\u201388. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.agsy.2016.09.010","journal-title":"Agric Syst"},{"key":"4355_CR11","unstructured":"Kgosikoma OO, Mogotsi K, Makhabu SW (2012) Cattle productivity and nutritional limitation in the semi-arid Makgadikgadi region of Botswana"},{"issue":"4","key":"4355_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.2989\/10220119.2015.1008042","volume":"32","author":"OE Kgosikoma","year":"2015","unstructured":"Kgosikoma OE, Mojeremane W, Harvie B (2015) The impact of livestock grazing management systems on soil and vegetation characteristics across savanna ecosystems in Botswana. Afr J Range Forage Sci 32(4):271\u2013278. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2989\/10220119.2015.1008042","journal-title":"Afr J Range Forage Sci"},{"key":"4355_CR13","unstructured":"La Via Campesina (1996) Food sovereignty: a future without hunger. https:\/\/viacampesina.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/11\/1996-Rom-en.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR14","unstructured":"La Via Campesina (2008) Food sovereignty for africa: a challenge at fingertips. https:\/\/viacampesina.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2008\/03\/Food-sovereignty-for-Africa-2007.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"issue":"12","key":"4355_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3575","DOI":"10.2527\/jas.2007-0565","volume":"86","author":"JM Leheska","year":"2008","unstructured":"Leheska JM, Thompson LD, Howe JC, Hentges E, Boyce J, Brooks JC, Shriver B, Hoover L, Miller MF (2008) Effects of conventional and grass-feeding systems on the nutrient composition of beef. J Anim Sci 86(12):3575\u20133585. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2527\/jas.2007-0565","journal-title":"J Anim Sci"},{"issue":"2","key":"4355_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"368","DOI":"10.14202\/vetworld.2022.368-373","volume":"15","author":"B Mazhani","year":"2022","unstructured":"Mazhani B, Masitha E, Ntwaetsile M, Thutwa K, Sehularo K (2022) Distribution of bovine cysticercosis prevalence in the southeastern districts of Botswana from 2015 to 2016. Vet World 15(2):368\u2013373. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14202\/vetworld.2022.368-373","journal-title":"Vet World"},{"issue":"3","key":"4355_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.1007\/s10584-019-02645-w","volume":"159","author":"PK Mogomotsi","year":"2020","unstructured":"Mogomotsi PK, Sekelemani A, Mogomotsi GEJ (2020) Climate change adaptation strategies of small-scale farmers in Ngamiland East, Botswana. Clim Change 159(3):441\u2013460. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10584-019-02645-w","journal-title":"Clim Change"},{"key":"4355_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaridenv.2012.11.006","volume":"91","author":"K Mogotsi","year":"2013","unstructured":"Mogotsi K, Nyangito MM, Nyariki DM (2013) The role of drought among agro-pastoral communities in a semi-arid environment: the case of Botswana. J Arid Environ 91:38\u201344. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaridenv.2012.11.006","journal-title":"J Arid Environ"},{"key":"4355_CR19","unstructured":"Nyeleni Village (2007) Declaration of NY\u00c9L\u00c9NI. https:\/\/nyeleni.org\/IMG\/pdf\/DeclNyeleni-en.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR20","unstructured":"Ritchie H, Rod\u00e9s-Guirao L, Mathieu E, Gerber M, Ortiz-Ospina E, Hasell J, Roser M (2023) Population growth. Our world in data. https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/population-growth. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147481","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2021.147481","volume":"786","author":"CA Ruggerio","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ruggerio CA (2021) Sustainability and sustainable development: a review of principles and definitions. Sci Total Environ 786:147481. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2021.147481","journal-title":"Sci Total Environ"},{"key":"4355_CR22","unstructured":"Statistics Botswana (2022) Botswana Food Imports. https:\/\/statsbots.org.bw\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/Botswana%20Food%20Imports%20March%20%202022.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"issue":"3","key":"4355_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.1071\/ea9930269","volume":"33","author":"DB Strachan","year":"1993","unstructured":"Strachan DB, Yang A, Dillon RD (1993) Effect of grain feeding on fat colour and other carcass characteristics in previously grass-fed Bos indicus steers. Aust J Exp Agric 33(3):269\u2013273. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1071\/ea9930269","journal-title":"Aust J Exp Agric"},{"key":"4355_CR24","unstructured":"Sunday Standard Reporter (2023) Feedlotting could \u2018undermine Botswana beef\u2019s positioning as a premium brand\u2019 | Sunday Standard. https:\/\/www.sundaystandard.info\/feedlotting-could-undermine-botswana-beefs-positioning-as-a-premium-brand\/. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cosust.2019.04.011","volume":"38","author":"AM Thomson","year":"2019","unstructured":"Thomson AM, Ellis EC, Grau HR, Kuemmerle T, Meyfroidt P, Ramankutty N, Zeleke G (2019) Sustainable intensification in land systems: trade-offs, scales, and contexts. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 38:37\u201343. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cosust.2019.04.011","journal-title":"Curr Opin Environ Sustain"},{"key":"4355_CR26","unstructured":"United Nations (2023) Global issues: population. United Nations. https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/global-issues\/population. Accessed 15 May 2024"},{"key":"4355_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"USAID LandLinks (2024) Botswana. https:\/\/www.land-links.org\/country-profile\/botswana\/. Accessed 15 May 2024","DOI":"10.5089\/9798400288135.002"},{"key":"4355_CR28","unstructured":"World Bank (2024) What is food security? There are four dimensions [Text\/HTML]. World Bank. https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/topic\/agriculture\/brief\/food-security-update\/what-is-food-security. Accessed 15 May 2024"}],"container-title":["Tropical Animal Health and Production"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,11]],"date-time":"2025-04-11T07:42:15Z","timestamp":1744357335000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]},"references-count":28,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]}},"alternative-id":["4355"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11250-025-04355-1","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.21203\/rs.3.rs-4508724\/v1","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["0049-4747","1573-7438"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0049-4747","type":"print"},{"value":"1573-7438","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]},"assertion":[{"value":"31 May 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"19 February 2025","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"10 March 2025","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"109"}}