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Results are presented of the diagnostic phase of a study of the [`]traditional' smallholder system of cattle production in southern Mozambique. Data were obtained over an 18-month period from 944 cattle, belonging to 49 families. A high proportion (20%) of the cattle maintained were work oxen, and overall 25% of all cattle were used for work. All farmers in the survey employed draught animals, mainly for ploughing, and also for transport using simple sledges. A positive relationship was noted between herd size and area ploughed. Hiring of work animals was common. Most (83%) farmers milked their animals during the rainy season. Little difference was found between the overall rates of calving (49%) and mortality (8·4%) recorded in the studied herds and those reported from the commercial ranching sector. While the off-take of animals and meat in the traditional sector appeared slightly below that of the commercial sector, the widespread use of draught animals, together with the consumption of milk, suggests that overall productivity is higher in the traditional systems. The limited number of watering places combined with the farmers' practice of daily watering appeared to lead to overgrazing in some areas and undergrazing in others. Little use is made of crop residues, and farmers argued that improved access to ox-carts would encourage conservation of residues for dry season feeding.