Successful reproduction of a cow-calf production system is the corner stone for biological and economical efficiencies. Cattle evaluations have focused mainly on production traits and consequently genetic improvement on reproductive traits through the use of selection tools is limited. Twinning…
Wood ash is a mineral source that is readily available in most subsistence farming communities. The potential use of wood ash as a mineral source in animal nutrition is evaluated and reviewed. The predominant mineral in wood ash is calcium…
In resource-limited livestock production systems, the supplementing of mineral supplements is often not feasible because of economic constraints and possibly a lack of appropriate information. Wood ash is a pure mineral source that is usually readily available in many subsistence…
Estimation of animal weight is critical in cattle production to assist in herd management and to estimate the value chain prices of the animals. There is a lack of tools for small-scale farmers and stakeholders to readily estimate cattle weight…
The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of serial hatching on egg production parameters and hatchability of the non-descript indigenous Xhosa chicken ecotype. Additionally, the effect of season on egg production parameters over 4 seasons was…
About 70% of South Africa’s total area is suitable only for livestock production. Although livestock are found throughout the country, the highest numbers are concentrated in the Eastern Cape Province. The main objective was to assess the status of livestock…
Seasonal fluctuations in forage availability in African drylands significantly affect the body condition of pastoral livestock. The result is lean animals that, besides falling short of market requirements, often fetch low prices for producers. In Kenya’s pastoral areas, stratified cattle…
Women play an important role in livestock production and their contribution remain un-recognized by researchers and policy makers. The study was conducted to investigate the participation of women in livestock production activities at two district municipalities of the Eastern Cape…
Poultry in rural households are found in all developing countries. They play a vital role in many poor rural households as means of providing and ensuring food security. The aim of the study was to determine the sustainability of production…
Heat stress in dairy cows is an increasing problem because of climate change. Even though South Africa has a warm to hot climate, little research on this topic has been done locally. Currently, while intensive housing is increasing being used…
The difference between the grazing capacity of the veld and the stocking rate is that grazing capacity refers to the true number of animals that the vegetation can sustain; and stocking rate to the perceived number of animals that the…
It is a common practise in communal areas to kraal sheep at night. This study was conducted to determine the effect of overnight confinement on sheep growth and wool production under favourable grazing conditions. The project on Dohne Sourveld commenced…
The importance of indigenous breeds that are adapted to the anticipated warmer climate, lower nutritional value of the grazing and harsher conditions will increase as a result of climate change. South Africa has indigenous beef cattle breeds such as the…
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of agricultural extension services on beneficiaries of Nguni cattle project in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A survey was conducted on 73 Nguni cattle project beneficiaries in Ncera…
The aim of the study was to establish the nutritional value of different browse species utilized by communal livestock farmers, in various local municipalities of Amathole and O.R. Tambo districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Leaves from twelve different…
The thought “farmers’ follies” came to mind recently while evaluating some dairy farms as part of a national herd evaluation process. The Oxford Dictionary describes a folly as a “foolish act, idea or practice, unwise conduct, lack of good sense”…
Numerous factors affect cow efficiency, but the most important one is reproductive performance. Increased productivity generates less greenhouse gas emission per unit of product and this article gives an overview of breeding objectives, appropriate selection criteria and crossbreeding strategies to…
South Africa faced its worst drought in 2015 and as a result the livestock herds and flocks were under severe threat. This drought, linked to the heat waves and the reduction in breeding stock, will result in a shortage of…
Calf rearing is a demanding task which requires regular milk feeding that contributes substantially to the labour inputs on a dairy farm. The feeding of milk and especially grain is necessary to develop the rumen of calves before weaning. Grain…
Producing efficient beef cattle in a commercial cow-calf enterprise is an issue of utmost importance. The rapidly increasing costs of feed as a result of effects of climate change and other inputs alongside with low market prices are responsible for…
