Accurate genetic parameters are vital for genetic prediction, selection on breeding values and creation of selection objectives. Consequently, records for birth weight (BW), 200 (WW), 400 (YW) and 600 (FW) day weight were analyzed to obtain heritability estimates. These records…
Cactus pear cladodes in ruminant diets are characterized by the production of wet faeces and assumed to be diarrhoea. Incremental levels of sun-dried and coarsely ground spineless cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica var. Algerian) cladodes were used to substitute part of…
The aim of the study was to monitor the physiological changes in plasma free amino acid profiles in Boer goats under nutritional restriction. Fifteen Boer goat bucks were allocated to two experimental groups: CG (control), fed Themeda trianda hay, supplemented…
A dose-response trial was conducted with dairy cows on six farms in the Ixopo district of the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Up to 30 cows per farm received a single subcutaneous injection of 5 mL of a long-acting/slow-releasing selenium (Se) supplement…
Animal breeding and genetics have changed markedly, resembling those that have already taken place in the plant sector. These changes are going to be larger with sequenced genomes, transgenic livestock and cloned animals. Animal scientists have now started to protect…
A primary objective of commercial pig production is lean meat yield in order to satisfy consumer needs. The majority of the commercial pig breeds in South Africa have been selected for high lean growth potential and reduced backfat thickness. There…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ovarian response and embryo recovery rates in Boer goat does superovulated with pFSH following a pre-treatment with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) outside the natural breeding season. Oestrus was synchronised in 22…
The aim with this investigation was to quantify the impact of different veld condition classes, viz. poor, moderate and good on soil-water utilization (SWU: crude protein produced per unit of evapotranspiration), during four growing seasons (2000/01 – 2003/2004). Evapotranspiration was…
Accidental, runaway veld fires cause enormous fodder flow problems in dry regions. It was the objective of this study to estimate the short-term (one year) impact of fire over 10 growing seasons (1995/96 – 2004/05) on the productivity (aboveground phytomass…
Vitrification may alter the cytoskeleton (microtubule, meiotic spindle, microfilament, etc.) and the subsequent fertilization rate of in vitro derived bovine oocytes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitrification and post-thawing incubation periods on the cytoskeleton and fertilization…
This study was undertaken to determine the influence of three grazing pressures [high (HGP), medium (MGP) and low (LGP), corresponding to 30, 50 and 75 g available DM/kg BW/day, respectively] on the quality of herbage consumed by lambs grazing Lolium…
This study was undertaken to determine the influence of three grazing pressures [high (HGP), medium (MGP) and low (LGP), corresponding to 30, 50 and 75 g available DM/kg BW/day, respectively] on the performance of lambs grazing Lolium perenne and Dactylis…
This study was undertaken to determine the degradation characteristics and in vitro gas production kinetics of drought tolerant shrubs (Cassia sturtii, Atriplex nummularia and three Atriplex canescens cultivars, viz. Santa Rita, Field Reserve 1 and Rincon) growing under South African…
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementary light on the performance of bulls in a feedlot. Feed intake (FI), average daily gain (ADG), back fat thickness (BFT), eye muscle area (EMA), P8 (fat layer on…
A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) on the superovulatory response in Boer goats during the natural breeding season. Twenty-one does were synchronised with CIDR’s for 17 days and superovulated with a…
A study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of indigenous and Rhode Island Red (RIR) chickens under intensive management conditions for 22 weeks using standard commercial diets. Eggs from seven indigenous chicken lines were collected from the respective administrative…
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two carbohydrate sources, barley and maize, on the ruminal fermentation of Atriplex nummularia cv. De Kock fed to sheep. Barley was used as a source of rapid fermentable carbohydrates…
Waste products from the avocado (avocado meal, AM) and macadamia (macadamia oilcake, MOC and macadamia chips, MCH) processing industries have the potential to be included in animal diets, depending on their nutritive value. Avocado meal consisted of oil-extracted avocados unsuitable…
Egg production performance of the Lesotho native chickens was compared with that of South African native (Ovambo, Lebowa-Venda, Naked Neck and Potchefstroom) and exotic (Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire) chicken lines under semi-intensive conditions in Lesotho. Traits that were…
