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"Experientia docet" - Experience is the best teacher

Factors affecting the pre-weaning performance of Nguni and Angus x Nguni calves in an arid environment of South Africa

  • 2017
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 10
M.M. Scholtz, A. Theunissen, M.C. Mokolobate, O. Ntwaeagae & M. Ferreira Page: 1 - 8

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…

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Effect of agricultural extension services on beneficiaries of the Nguni cattle project in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A case study of two villages

  • 2016
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 9
L. Gwala, N. Monde & V. Muchenje Page: 31 - 40

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…

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Partial nutritional evaluation of some browser plant species utilized by communal livestock in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • 2016
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 9
S. Mthi, J.M. Rust & T.L. Morgenthal Page: 25 - 30

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…

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A critical analyses of cow-calf efficiency in extensive beef production systems

  • 2016
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 9
M.M. Scholtz, M.C. Mokolobate, F.J. Jordaan, F.W.C. Neser & A. Theunissen Page: 11 - 20

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…

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Approximation of forage demands for lactating beef cows of different body weights and frame sizes using the Large Stock Unit

  • 2015
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 8
M.C. Mokolobate, M.M. Scholtz, F.W.C Neser & G. Buchanan Page: 34 - 38

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…

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Sources of information for small-holder cattle farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in the North West Province, South Africa

  • 2015
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 8
D.M. Motiang & E.C. Webb Page: 26 - 33

The purpose of this paper was to identify sources of information used by small-holder cattle enterprises and evaluate their influence on productivity of those enterprises. Results showed that public extension is the main (85-87%) source of information for small-holder cattle…

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Status of the smallholder pig farming sector in Gauteng Province of South Africa

  • 2015
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 8
M.B. Matabane1,4, P. Nethenzheni1, R. Thomas1, T.R. Netshirovha1, D. Norris4, Page: 19 - 25

Pig farming is an important area of pig production among smallholder farmers in Gauteng Province. The objectives of the study were to identify the demographics, farm infrastructure, type of feed, animal health, management and marketing channels within the smallholder pig…

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Ways to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming

  • 2014
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 7
C.J.C. Muller & M.M. Scholtz Page: 31 - 37

The image of dairy farming systems is increasingly being scrutinized by welfare organizations, activist groups and the public with intensive systems getting the most attention. So-called factory farms are being regarded by the public as not ideal for the production…

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Crossbreeding with a Bonsmara dam line

  • 2014
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 7
A. Theunissen, M.M. Scholtz, F.W.C. Neser & M.D. MacNeil Page: 17 - 21

Data from a crossbreeding trail in South Africa which involved the Bonsmara (Bo) as dam line and the Simmentaler (S), Brahman (Br), Charolais (C) and Herefords (H) as sire lines were used to estimate the additive and non-additive effects for…

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The effect of epigenetic changes on animal production

  • 2014
  • Issue: 1
  • Volume: 7
M.M. Scholtz, J.P. van Zyl & A Theunissen Page: 7 - 10

All alterations in DNA function, without alterations in DNA sequence, are referred to as epigenetics. It is associated with gene expression and the expression of different phenotypes (appearance). These modifications are influenced by environmental factors and can be transferred to…

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