Ram fertility is not defined by a single trait. Quantifiable physical parameters that are correlated to fertilization capacity of sperm are required to advise farmers on ram selection activities. The objective was to investigate the relationship between body measurements and…
This study evaluated the differences in the muscle-fat-bone yield of Namaqua Afrikaner (NA), Dorper (D) and SA Mutton Merino (SAMM) ram lambs. The breeds constituted an indigenous, hardy and late maturing, fat-tailed breed (NA), an early maturing, commercial meat breed…
Three commercial and three indigenous goat populations from South Africa were studied for genetic variation using ten microsatellite markers. Heterozygosity values of between 0.62 and 0.69 were obtained for the populations, except for the SA Boer Goat, which had the…
The erosion of the Kalahari Red with red Boer goats is a major concern among breeders. Little empiric information is available with no comprehensive system of monitoring special characteristics. Eighteen microsatellite markers were applied to investigate the genetic diversity of…
