The true diagnosis of mineral deficiencies depends on the mineral responses to the supplementation of the deficient minerals; however, based on animal tissue analysis Cu, Mn, Ca and P are minerals that are likely to be deficient in cattle production…
Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) often contains high levels of nitrate and other NPN compounds. During silage fermentation it is likely that nitrosamines are formed which are well known carcinogens. An investigation on kikuyu silage confirmed the presence of at least…
Experiments were carried out to examine stocking rate and live weight gain (LWG) relationships for Coastcross II Bermuda grass grazed for four consecutive summer periods by young growing beef cattle. Stocking rate affected the daily LWG/animal through its influence on…
Experiments were carried out to determine the potential of tropical pastures for growth of dairy replacement heifers, and to assess the need for supplementation of growing animals grazing these pastures. Grain supplementation (1,4 kg maize/head/day) increased ADG to 0,62; 0,56…
Substantial increases in milk production can be achieved using improved pastures. When grazed at lenient stocking rates ( <1,6 cows/ha) milk yields of Friesian cows was ca. 4000 L/lactation. Productivity per unit area is increased when fertilizer nitrogen is used to…
A four-year study was conducted in which a protein supplement was fed to Hereford heifers so that they could be first mated at 15 months of age and calve each year thereafter. Protein supplemented heifers had an ADG of 500…
Reasons for low productivity of sheep grazing barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) were investigated based on studies of intake and digestion. Pasture analysis showed that barrel medic represented only 13 to 30% of the diet selected and this was similar to…
Groundnut and bean haulms were evaluated as feeds for indigenous Malawian goats. Generally, the results showed that the nutrients in the bean haulms were better digested and utilized by the goats than those in the groundnut haulms. However, provided that…
Supplementation of low quality Mongolian hay and barley straw with urea, minerals and a small quantity (11 - 14% of total DM) of easily digestible carbohydrate had a positive influence on in vivo digestibility, increasing the net energy value of…
The use of ammoniated maize residue as a replacement for maize meal in the diet for fattening lambs, was investigated. Ammoniation of maize residue increased average daily DMI and ADG at the 0 and 20% concentrate levels. The feed conversions…
The effect of alkali-treated bagacillo in diets varying in proportion of bagacillo and molasses was studied in lambs. The bagacillo was treated with a concentrated solution of NaOH in a horizontal drum-type mixer to give a final concentration of 6%…
A balance study was carried out to investigate digestibility and retention of major nutrients in wethers fed rations in which condensed beet molasses solubles (CBS) formed 27% of the dietary DM. Results showed that CBS contained 8,3 MJ of ME…
Anatomical and nutritional adaptations were studied in four African rodents (Cricetomys gambianus, Mystromys albicaudatus, Thallomys paedulcus and Saccostomus campestris). The stomachs of all species are markedly sacculated with a highly modified corpus containing either numerous papillae or several diverticula and…
The productive performance of rabbits was evaluated on diets of alfalfa meal and tropical forages. The results showed that rabbits can utilize high forage diets with little or no cereal grain. Several tropical legumes (Desmodium distortum, Macroptilium lathyroides, Clitoria ternata…
A study was undertaken to examine the digestion and fermentation in the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) fed either forage or a predominantly concentrate diet. The large volume of digesta (3,66 and 2,73 kg), pH (6,6 and 6,3), NH3 - N (78…
Transit time and digestibility of two diets differing in fibre content were studied using captive hyrax (Procavia capensis). Significant negative correlations were found between transit time and NDF content of the diets. During these studies the hindgut played a major…
The digestive capabilities of the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) were studied using captive and field animals. The stomach contents comprised 6,47% of the body mass and had a low pH (2,0).The Cape porcupine also has a long small intestine (670…
Volatile fatty acid production was studied in the rumen and caecum of culled grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) and in the rumen of tame fistulated duikers. The caecum had a higher total VFA concentration and production rate per unit volume than…
Forbs form the preferred dietary component of the kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). This preference was associated with the high nutrient content of their leaves and less fibrous stem material relative to trees and shrubs. Woody browse was most sought after during…
Factors influencing food plant selection by the blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas) were studied in an area with simple plant composition. Dicanthium pyllosum leaves were specifically selected by the blesbok. Cuticle analysis gave a ratio of 1 Dicanthium to 1,85 of all…
