The study aimed to determine the effect of assisted reproductive technologies on cow productivity. The study was conducted with organized cattle farmers under communal and emerging farming systems from three provinces, namely; Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Cow parameters evaluated were breed type, body frame size, parity, age, body condition score and lactation status. An ovsynch protocol was used during the oestrous synchronization process. All experimental cows were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed Nguni semen. The study recorded a calving rate of 48%. The dominant cattle breed types were the Bonsmara, Brahman and Nguni. Chi-Square Test of Independence were computed between calving rate and individual factors. The data were further modelled using logistic regression model for SAS, modelling the probability for success. Calving rate was not independent of provinces, districts and body condition score (P < 0.05). Cows in Mpumalanga had more chances to calve than those in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Nguni cattle breed had more chances to calve down than Brahman (P = 0.815), but less chances than Bonsmara cattle breed (P = 1.630). It is recommended for rural farmers to farm with small framed animals because of their higher chances to calve down compared to other cattle breed.

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Authors' Contribution MA, MM, AM and AIA executed methodology, collected data, did initial analysis and wrote initial draft. MA, SH and SM did formal analysis and revised draft. SRK, AIA, KA and AMQ conceived the idea, validated findings and revised manuscript.

This study address historical legacy of South Africa that has dual economies resembling low and high income beef sectors. Low-income herds are farmed mainly under communal village or land reform farms. The study focused on providing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to the low-income sector including finding challenges to its implementation and adoption. The study was conducted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces using mixed methods that looked at cows and sectors stakeholders. Data collected and evaluated on cows included breed type, frame size, body condition, age parity, and lactation status. Cows were exposed to ART through synchronisation, oestrus detection, fixed time artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis. Qualitative data was collected to study perception of key stakeholders on ART implementation and adoption. Chi-Square Test was computed to determine the association among cow factors. Qualitative data was collected, coded and managed into themes using Nvivo Version 11. Themes that emerged were interpreted using critical social and systems thinking. Conception rate was not independent of provinces (P &lt; 0.05), cow body condition score (BCS) and body frame size. KwaZulu-Natal cows had the highest conception rate at 66% (P &lt; 0.05) than Limpopo (44%) and Mpumalanga (60%) provinces. Cows with a BCS higher than 3.5 had higher conception rate (P &lt; 0.05) than those with BCS of &lt;2.5 and 3. Interestingly, large framed cow size had higher conception rate than medium and small framed (P &lt; 0.05) cows. The study achieved a 100% calf survival rate. Calving rate was influenced by body BCS, province and district (P &lt; 0.05). Calving rate of 58% in Mpumalanga and 54% in KwaZulu-Natal was higher than that recorded in Limpopo at 36% (P &lt; 0.05). Interestingly, cows with BCS of &lt;2.5 had a higher calving rate than those with a higher body condition score of 3 (P &lt; 0.05). Perception study results revealed many factors that could affect the adoption and implementation of ART in the study areas. The high success rate and above average reproductive performance led to North West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces adopting ART as part of their low-income beef sector support.