This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration 48 hours after progesterone-impregnated sponge removal on fertility and prolificacy in lactating Assaf ewes. In this study, 71 ewes were synchronised using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone…
This study assessed the seasonal availability and nutrient profiles of pig feedstuffs present on small-scale farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa. Eighty-two feedstuffs (54 in winter and 28 in summer) were collected from 50 small-scale urban pig farms in…
The experiment evaluated the effects of encapsulated sodium butyrate and arginine on the gut health of broiler chickens from 1 to 22 days of age, with or without exposure to an enteric challenge. The experiment was carried out in the…
This study evaluated the relationships between sow parity, prepartum faecal score, farrowing and umbilical cord traits, and reproductive performance. Data were obtained from sows of different parities on commercial farms with records of litter characteristics, farrowing intervals and duration, prepartum…
To assess the copper nutritional status of southern African free-ranging wild ruminants, liver copper concentrations from more than 1000 animals representing 14 species were evaluated. Hepatic copper concentrations closely reflect copper intake levels in ruminants, and are widely accepted as…
The efficacy and safety of beta-adrenergic agonist use in modern swine production are controversial. This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary ractopamine hydrochloride and salbutamol on the performance of 440 male and female finisher pigs (Topigs Norsvin TN70),…
This study investigated the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis supplements on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, dressing percentage, morbidity, and mortality of weaner lambs under commercial South African feedlot conditions. The blinded field trial included 649 Merino…
Over 75% of South Africa’s electricity is generated by coal-powered plants that are primarily located near large coal deposits in the north and east of the country. The Transvaal Highveld region is characterised by commercial agricultural enterprises dispersed among coal-powered…
This study determined the selected reproductive traits and growth and survival rates from birth to weaning of Awassi sheep raised in the Adıyaman province of Türkiye between 2016 and 2018 within the scope of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding…
Frequent power outages in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), disrupt critical dairy operations such as milking, cooling, feeding, and pasteurisation, thereby compromising the microbial, physical, and chemical quality of raw milk. This review evaluates the impact of load-shedding on…
This study examined the rumen microbiota of Brown Hanwoo, Jeju Black, and Brown Hanwoo × Jeju Black cross-bred steers reared under the same dietary and environmental conditions. Nine steers were included in the study, with three animals per genetic type,…
The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry production has raised concerns for human, animal, and environmental health owing to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. These concerns have triggered global efforts to decrease AGP use and have…
This study investigated the impact of increased vitamin E and nutrient intake during early gestation on reproductive performance in sows. Thirty first-parity sows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average initial body weight of 163 kg were used. Sows…
A growing concern in South African feedlot systems is the increased prevalence of non-adapting weaner lambs. This study aimed to identify on-farm risk factors associated with poor adaptation using retrospective production data and a structured questionnaire administered to 80 lamb-rearing…
The estimation of genetic parameters allows for the accurate prediction of estimated breeding values (EBVs), which play a crucial role in developing selection indices used to generate genetic progress for economically important traits. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters…
The global livestock sector is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by the need to improve production efficiency, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare in response to growing demand for animal-derived protein. Precision livestock farming (PLF) has emerged as a paradigm shift from…
This experiment investigated the potential of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as an indoor artificial light source for Brown Tsaiya ducks. A total of 144 birds (16 weeks old, average body weight: 1270 g) were randomly allocated to three light-source treatment…
This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of bacteriocin (nisin) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, small intestinal histomorphology, and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 100 one-day-old male chicks were divided into four…
