dcllarb have be~;r ;;J:crt cr research a r.<.1 develcpnu::·r-.t durir.q the past t\iC; dE:.>cades, tl:e prc~uctivity :: nl'exes -tlle curcass \!eiqht and <.iu:::ssir:::; rat,~s -_ell ·.:ell L<..:lcv expectutic.r.s. Il; lS'fJl, tile aver<H::t.. carcass \leiqh;_ cf cattl~.;; ir. ld::cicc. v:as less tl1c1 L 47, 55 and 6:. per cer.'.::. cf ·.:.1:csE.· cf Ncrth l'J:1cri~..:a, ··iesterr Europe ard L;,tin Ameri:::a resFec:.ivcly. Ir· tln:.- s<.~rr.e year, it js estir:;att;;•l: that tne a·v'eracc c&rcass ci a:..c,ut G8 pt:r cer.t c:i tb:.! cdttle \Jeiqhec les: thar, !Sf' J~ilcc;ran;.s, tli<d cf 2f~ per cent Let'v;eeL lE·O and 200 kii oa:::-ans ;, !;(~ tl.<.::t cf crly 4 per cert mere tl1aL 200 kilcqrams. It shcuJ:.:. i.e rctE:d tlut aLu.:t G per cer:t cf-tiu.:,) animals slau~htered durir.q lSGl \:ere ir-.rcrte,:. 60. The tiressir.c; rat~::s are belc\' tLe \ crld <~veraqe, ar<~ it takes about. eic:ht years tc. i:att.er: c<..tUe fer the slauC'l:ter-hcu~e. Studies in i·.frica ha\·.~ sl1c.:r. that tl:vse var.LaL•les a.ce capalJlc cf siqnificar,t improvemcrt., <.r_c st.rc:tJficatic.n cf li\'estccl\. ac­ tivities is l•elievec tc l·e ar:.crc; t.J1e sclt.:ticu;. f!c\.ever, the strat.ificaticn pc.licy has ret. bee~ successft.:lly i~pleu~r~e~. 61. The ar.ir;.al prcteir, irt<.i>e c[ Africars is ar;,ci:Q th...: lc\lest. ir: the wc..rla, <.J.Ui yet. a:::.out ]:~, lf. ar.u 33 per cerct cf vc.1lu cattle, s·neejJ ar.c. qc.::tts respective!::,• are tc.• l1''-" fcui<i in Africa. Over ti:e J.>ericcl 1977-1'.:b0, t1:e ye;..rly uver<"ae Cfrsmrnticl' c£ r::eat ir. Africa 'w·:as 5,017,0(•(• tcr.r:es. '.i.'he ave;:-aq<:: c;rn¥tb r<~te ir· ccrcsux::p­ tior: was about 4.8 per ccrt, cuq;;:,n,~u •dtl1 pcpulaticr. crc\;t.h. of 3 per ceLt a yeur. ''i'J·1e sb<:,re c:. ir:" c.rte(j r.:eat aver<H.;ec... S.5 per cent, ar.<.l the: pe:r CCIJ·it.a ccr•sur~ptic:. of lE~ss t11a1J 13 kiloqr<:~F.s '.Ia s ia r be 1 C\1 the \'.'C.·r 1 ,; a v·e ra qe. Cattle Sheep Gc.a t& Asses liorsel:;; l:a.rr.e l s Piqs Chicr.t:: r:s T<1ble IV .h.l? 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the development of cattle farming in Africa, specifically the decline in cattle productivity and the impact of this decline on the economy. The text also touches on the issue of food security and the need to improve agricultural practices. The language used is technical and specialized, suggesting that the text is intended for an audience with some background knowledge of agricultural economics or development studies.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Economic development