Two comparative slaughter studies using 24 male goats and 40 Omani male sheep lambs were carried out to determine the effects of various levels of metabolisable energy (ME) on chemical composition of carcass and non-carcass portions. Eighteen goats and 30…
The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects on intake, digestibility and lactational performance of goats when fed diets containing whole or ground maize grain at two different dietary starch levels through substitution of beet pulp for maize.…
A study was conducted on 14 ha of Caducifolia thorny forest with an average total dry matter yield of 800 kg/ha/year. The area of study was divided into two 7 ha camps. Thirty-five Alpine goats were allocated to one of…
Information on improved forages for goat grazing is lacking for the southern USA. Two cafeteria-style grazing trials were completed to determine preference of meat-type goats for cool-season annual clovers in Georgia. In both experiments, 8 replicates of 6 plots of…
The main disadvantages of the rumen fluid in vitro technique are the cost and welfare issues of keeping cannulated animals. The purpose of the study was to find an accurate alternative in vitro technique to determine organic matter digestibility (OMD)…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of Atriplex spp. for small stock production. Selected plants were harvested and analysed for crude protein, in vitro digestibility and leaf to stem ratio. Significant differences in nutritional value…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the interspecies variation in oxalic acid (OA) concentrations of leaves between Atriplex canescens, A. halimus, A. nummularia and Cassia sturtii. Significant differences in the oxalic acid concentration were noted between the three…
The objective of this study was to quantify the macro and trace mineral concentrations of Atriplex canescens, A. halimus, A. nummalaria and Cassia sturtii at two different sites in South Africa. Statistically significant differences in Ca, P, Mg, Se, Zn…
Leaves of three Atriplex spp. and Cassia sturtii grown in two different locations in South Africa were analysed for certain nutritive characteristics. Crude protein values ranged from 176 to 234 g/kg DM for the Atriplex spp. and for C. sturtii…
In this study the mineral composition of ash from fireplaces at rural homesteads was determined to establish if such ash could be a source of minerals to goats. The mineral composition of ash collected from homesteads in six different communal…
Many arid and semi-arid areas have been degraded to bare patches and interventions are necessary to restore a productive state. Fodder shrubs, both exotic and indigenous, have been used for revegetation and reclamation. Ideally the species to be used should…
The study was conducted to determine mineral concentrations in diets selected by goats grazing a thorn shrubland in a semi-arid region of north Mexico. Three goats (38 ± 1.8 kg BW) fitted with oesophageal cannulae were used to collect monthly…
Diet selection of sheep and goats was determined seasonally using the microhistological technique to assess their trophic diversities, diet overlapping and preferences between the two species. The trophic diversities of both sheep and goats were higher in the wet than…
Results are presented of a study of a smallholder goat production system in the Boane district, southern Mozambique. Goat keepers (n = 65) were selected and their goats (Landim breed) (n = 770) were recorded and monitored over two years…
The goat industry is the smallest among the so-called "big" domestic animal sectors in Hungary. At present the estimated size is about 60-70 thousand does, which are kept by approximately 7 000 holders. Not much information is available to evaluate…
The traditional system of goat management is mainly characterised by low survivability and high mortalities of kids, which result in low weaning percentages. High mortality among kids and slow growth among those that survive are the major constraints to production.…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of down fibre production and of the percentage of active hair follicles in several genetic types of Italian goats. The trial was carried out in two regions…
Recent investigations into objectively measured attributes of commercial cashmere have differentiated cashmere produced in different regions of the world on the basis of cashmere fibre attributes. By plotting any two of mean fibre diameter, fibre curvature and resistance to compression,…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and quantity of cashmere produced by Boer goats in South Africa. No significant differences were found between reproductive status and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of cashmere produced by Boer goats.…
The aim of this study was to evaluate two techniques, Optical Fibre Diameter Analysis (OFDA) and Video Image Analysis (VIA) that were used to measure fibre diameter of cashmere and guard hair produced by South African indigenous goats. The fibre…
