The yield, nutritional value and production potential of silage made from twenty one maize hybrids were compared. The digestibility of organic matter and predicted intake, mean retention time and milk production potential were found to differ between hybrids (p <…
This study was conducted to assess the effect of greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum) and sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatus) supplementation of napier grass on dry matter intake, degradation and rumen fermentation in Friesian steers. Four fistulated steers were offered napier…
The variation in, and often the disappointingly poor weight gains and the inability of lambs to achieve desirable carcass grades on ryegrass pastures have long been a concern to researchers, extension officers, advisors and farmers. The objectives of this study…
The n alkane marker (dosed marker, dotriacontane, C32, herbage markers C31, C33 and C35) technique was evaluated for use in feed intake and digestibility studies with horses. The mean retention time of digesta in the digestive tract was determined in…
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to maize at ensiling on the fermentation dynamics during ensiling, aerobic stability of the silage as well as the intake, milk…
The alkane method of measuring herbage intake in ruminants was compared with actual intake determined by transponder-controlled feed gates (Calan gates). Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) intakes of yearling bulls (Holstein-Friesland and Hereford) were measured for a period of seven days. No…
The potential of red vine husks and pips as a component of animal feed was investigated. Twenty-five Dohne Merino ram lambs (mean live weight ± s.d. = 41.4 ± 2.3 kg) were used. A completely randomised design was used and…
A study was conducted to determine the effect of quantity and physical form of maize bran (CB) in diets of goats, on intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation. Sixteen male American Alpine goats weighing ca. 24 kg, were randomly assigned to…
The effect of weaning age (42 vs. 70 days) on the feed intake and growth performance from seven to 140 days of age was investigated, using 58 male Saanen kids. Final body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency…
The aim of this trial was to determine the water intake of Tswana goats and investigate the effects of short term water deprivation in summer or winter (6000 ml water offered either once every 72 h, 48 h, 24 h…
Three Pennisetum selections, Bana, Greengold and Pennaris, were evaluated asforage for sheep. Dry matter yield, 1eaf:stem ratio and intake were determined at two regrowth heights, namely 300 mm and 800 mm. The trials were repeated in autumn, spring and summer…
Two experiments designated A and B were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing napier grass with lucerne on dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain(ADG) of Friesian and Sahiwal heifers. In experiment A which lasted 92 days, 24 heifers…
