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In this lesson we are going to discuss about beef farming in Kenya and Argentina

Answer Text:
ii) Beef Farming
- Rearing of cattle for production of meat.
Conditions Favouring Beef Farming
Kenya
Physical Factors
(a) Extensive flatlands with natural grass within Nyika plateau and Rift Valley region.
(b) Moderate temperatures of about 28◦c.
(c) Moderate rainfall of about 750mm or above which ensures there is enough pasture.
(d) Availability of watering sites like Lorian swamp and a number of permanent rivers flowing through beef farming areas.
Human Factors
(a) Availability of ranching schemes which control overgrazing and the spread of pests and diseases.
(b) Cultural practice of local people who carry out livestock keeping as their occupation.
Argentina
- Argentina is the world’s top beef exporter.
- Beef farming is mainly carried out in pampas grasslands with the major beef farming areas being Chaco Formosa and Santiago del
Estero.
Physical Factors
(a) Extensive rolling pampas grasslands which provides good natural grazing landscape and allows cattle to graze freely.
(b) Fertile soils from the slopes of Andes which have given rise to good natural pasture.
(c) Moderate and well distributed reliable rainfall (about 1000mm annually) received in Pampas which favours growth of good
pasture throughout the year and ensures regular water supply for animals.
(d) Temperatures ranging between 24◦c in summer and about 10◦c in winter which enables grass to grow throughout the year.
Human Factors
(a) High quality exotic breeds such as Short horn and Hereford which mature faster and have quality and quantity beef.
(b) Availability of alfalfa which matures faster and is more nutritious which has been planted to replace natural grass.
(c) Well developed infrastructure like the railway network used for movement of beef cattle from ranches to factories and to the markets.
(d) Availability of large scale ranches which are well managed and mechanised.
(e) Availability of adequate capital making it possible to have refrigeration for proper storage of beef products.
(f) Availability of local markets in E.U and U.S.A.