Dohne Merino wethers grazed crop residues of lupins, dry beans, soybeans, sunflower, sorghum and maize at a stocking rate of 10 wethers / ha. Three wethers in every treatment were oesophageally fistulated and during sampling periods the other seven were…
Pelts of 2465 lambs from a randomly bred Karakul flock were subjectively evaluated within 24 h after birth, over a two-year period. The data were analysed with year of birth, birth status, month born, age of the dam and sex…
The voluntary feed and water intake by springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and two breeds of sheep (Ovis spp.) were investigated by means of trials conducted in pens. The dry-matter intake (g DM/kg W0,75/d) by the respective animals was as follows: springbok…
Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of dietary molybdenum (Mo) on the fertility of young rams, when fed for ca. 14 weeks to prevent copper (Cu) toxicity. In the first trial, the sexual development of young weaner rams…
The efficiency of meat production with regard to kilogram of lamb weaned per kilogram metabolic mass of ewes at mating of six different Fl crossbred populations, viz. Finnish Landrace x Merino (FL x M), Border Leicester x Merino (BL x…
Carcasses of 122 ram lambs born from Finnsheep X Merino (FM) and Merino (ME) as dam lines, crossed with the Ile de France (IF), SA Mutton Merino (SAMM), Dohne Merino (DM), FM and Merino as sire lines were evaluated for…
Forty-five ewes (29 Romanov X Dorper, 9 Karakul, and 7 Dorper) were divided into four groups, synchronized using progestagen sponges and superovulated with 1000 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin. Sponges were withdrawn on days 13, 14, 15 and 16 (in…
Supplementation of early and mid-season Italian ryegrass (Lolium mu/tiflorum cv. Midmar) with maize meal, maize meal with NaHC03 buffer, or maize meal plus combinations of slowly degradable protein was studied. Supplements were administered via a rumen fistula. The effect on…
Mechanisms that have been proposed to account for (i) premature regression or (ii) subnormal secretory activity of corpora lutea (CL) in cows or in ewes are reviewed. Processes which occur prior to, at the time of, or following, ovulation are…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the livestock production potential of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton cultivated under dry-land conditions and grazed at various stocking rates after various periods of re-growth. Treatments included a high stocking rate, fast rotation…
The use of the CIDR (controlled internal drug release) dispenser as a progestagen-synchronizing agent was evaluated in 37 Karakul ewes during the breeding season, using the intravaginal progestagen sponge as a control (30 ewes). Although there was no significant differences…
The aim of this study was to measure the effects of stage of maturity and level of nitrogen (N) fertilisation of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton on intake, ruminal fermentation and the partial digestibility of organic matter (OM) in sheep grazing…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of level of nitrogen (N) fertilisation and stage of maturity on certain qualitative parameters and dry matter (DM) production of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton during autumn. Treatments included seven levels…
The nitrogen (N) retention response to the abomasal infusion of amino acids in South African Mutton Merino ram lambs fed a standard finishing diet was investigated. The basal diet consisted of (g/kg air dry weight): 300 lucerne, 80 wheat straw,…
The aim of this study was to estimate correlated responses in lean, fat and bone weights in vivo in Dorset Down sheep selected for lean tissue growth. Over the period 1986-1992 inclusive, the lean tissue growth line had been selected…
Timing of birth and birth site selection were investigated in two lines of grazing Merino sheep that had been divergently selected for multiple rearing ability. Time budgets in the neonatal phase were also compared between the two lines. Parturition was…
Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is a summer growing tropical pasture species well adapted to the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Kikuyu foggage (standing hay) could play an important role in a fodder flow programme to sustain dry ewes during late winter after their…
Available information on the selenium (Se) status of grazing herbivores in South Africa is reviewed and collated in the form of a geographical distribution map. Marginal to acute Se deficiencies have been reported to occur in the Midlands region and…
The experiment was conducted on 90 Karacabey Merino ewes divided into three groups. The first group of ewes was treated with 5 mL 0.1% sodium selenate, the second with 5 mL 0.1% sodium selenate and 250 mg vitamin E, while…
Six Red Maasai sheep were used to investigate the effects of urea treatment and cotton seed cake supplementation of maize stover on intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. The basal feeds were Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay (H), untreated maize…
