Data of the Tygerhoek Merino flock were used to obtain halfsib heritability estimates for the components of reproduction rate within age groups as well as averaged over a number of lambing opportunities. Two separate sets of data were considered. The…
Data of the Tygerhoek Merino flock were used to obtain estimates of genetic correlations of 18 months wool and pre-mating live mass traits with average reproduction over two to five lambing opportunities, as well as between pre-mating live mass and…
The repeatability of reproduction rate at 2 years or up to 3 years of age was investigated by regression methods considering subsequent reproduction averaged over a number of lambing opportunities or within subsequent age groups. Results from the study suggested…
Testicular development from 3 to 14 months of age was examined in Dorper (DD), Dohne Merino (DM) and crossbred (Meatmaster; MM) rams. Testicular measurements included testis volume (TV), diameter (TD), length (TL) and scrotal circumference (SC). Both TD and SC…
The relationship between beef bull libido and conception rate following a 21-day breeding period was investigated over two seasons. Libido was defined as the number of services completed during a 10-minute exposure to a restrained oestrous female. In the first…
The evaluation of sewage sludge as protein source for growing pigs. The utilization of sewage sludge (28% CP) as a protein source in pig growth diets was investigated. Fish meal was replaced by sewage sludge at three levels (0%, 25%…
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate L. albus cv. Buttercup as an alternative to heated full-fat soya bean meal for early weaned piglets. In Experiment 1, the performance of piglets, fed diets with 0%, 4%,8% and 12% lupins and formulated…
Thirty adult Merino rams were fed a ration with a 16% protein and 75% TDN content. Live body mass increased by 51,4% and testes volume by 111,7% in 210 days. Testicular growth responded rapidly to supplementation and testes volume increased…
Straw of maize plants which had been fertilized with 40, 120 or 200 kg N/ha was fed to 27 Döhne Merino wethers in a digestibility trial. Feed residues, faeces and urine were collected over a 7-day period. Intake…
In this investigation, silage made from cattle waste being ensiled with maize residues (ECW), was evaluated with respect to ensiling characteristics and feeding value. Cattle waste was obtained from cows that were finished on a high-concentrate (80%) diet. It was…
A method of processing blood meal in which the nutritive value of the protein is preserved is described, since appreciable losses occur in the nutritive value of the protein when prepared by heat sterilization with drying at atmospheric pressure in…
The effect of replacing O. 33, 66 and 100% of the maize meal with apple residue in a concentrate diet (containing 89% concentrate and 11% roughage) for dairy calves was investigated. Four groups of 10 new-born Friesian bull calves were…
Testis size, stimulated testosterone concentrations and mating performance (serving capacity, libido score and serve : mount ratio) of 14 Dorper rams were measured in the breeding season (March) in order to determine the influence of testis size and testosterone concentration…
Members of the Performance Testing Division of the Merino Stud Breeders Association of South Africa select their young sheep according to a selection index, calculated from objective measurements of the following four characteristics body mass, clean fleece mass, fibre diameter…
The importance and problems of cattle production in Transkei are discussed in this paper. Findings show a situation of low levels of production and deteriorating natural resources owing to mismanagement and overstocking.
A survey of 468 lamb and sheep carcases of various breeds and crosses was conducted to investigate certain carcase characteristics. Carcases in each grade were divided into four mass groups, i.e. 10,1-15 kg; 15,1-20 kg; 20,1-25 kg and >25 kg…
A total of 104 carcases were selected on the market in three age groups and four mass classes representative of the six fat classes of the classification system for carcase evaluation. Four subcutaneous fat thickness measurements were taken on the…
The influence of fatness, conformation and carcase mass as individual predictors of carcase composition, was determined in 104 carcases which were fully dissected and of which carcase composition was determined. Chemical analysis was done on each carcase and…
A sample of 104 lamb and mutton carcases was selected on the market at an abattoir in three age groups and four mass classes representing five of the six fat classes of the classification system. The loin cut of the…
The accumulation and retention of copper (Cu) in the livers of Ile de France and South African Mutton Merino lambs were compared at four levels of dietary molybdenum (Mo) supplementation, viz. 0, 2, 4 and 8 mg Mo/ lamb/day in…
