Diet is the most direct way to affect the rumen microbial community. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different diets on ruminal methanogen composition in cashmere goats. Twenty-four cashmere goats were randomly divided into four…
The objectives were to investigate the β-carotene status of dairy cows under various production systems, and to determine the effect of pre-partum β-carotene supplementation on their post-partum β-carotene status. Ten farms were selected from each of the three production systems,…
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two silage sealing films on whole crop maize (WCM) fermentation, aerobic stability and nutrient digestion by rams. Prior to ensiling (day 0), triplicate samples of the WCM were collected to determine…
The chemical composition of roughages constantly changes while it grows towards maturity. The effective dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradabilities of lucerne hay (LH), harvested after regrowth periods of 4, 5 or 6 weeks,…
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the nutritive value of the forage legume species, Centrosema pascuorum, Lablab purpureus, Macroptilium bracteatum, Macroptilium gracile and Vigna oblongifolia as feed for ruminants in the Capricorn region of Limpopo Province, South Africa.…
The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Commelina diffusa L. as a ruminant feed. Commelina diffusa belongs to the Commelinaceae family, a family of plants that is generally poorly investigated with respect to ruminant nutrition. The…
Non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN) passage to the small intestine and disappearance of NAN in that organ have been studied in multi-cannulated sheep on pasture or fed indoors. Forages under investigation included a number of subtropical grasses, foggages and hay, temperate grasses,…
