Two groups of eight Friesland bull calves each were used in the trial. Calves received a commercial, coagulable milk replacer in which casein coagulation either was normal (CM treatment), or was prevented by the precipitation of Ca++ with an oxalic…
Genetic parameters of 16 pelt traits and birth mass were calculated in a Karakul control flock (n = 2058; rams = 305) with a half-sib analysis. Moderately high heritabilities were estimated for pelt traits. No antagonistic genetic correlation was found…
Investigation of selection criteria for Afrino sheep. Genetic parameters of growth and wool traits: The data used in this study were obtained from the Carnarvon Afrino stud. The genetic and phenotypic parameters for the various growth and wool traits were…
Pelts of 2465 lambs from a randomly bred Karakul flock were subjectively evaluated within 24 h after birth, over a two-year period. The data were analysed with year of birth, birth status, month born, age of the dam and sex…
Lifetime reproduction of 1462 eight-year-old Karakul ewes was recorded since 1972. The influence of season of birth, age at first lambing and lambing interval on lifetime reproduction was investigated Age at first lambing was significantly (P<0,01) affected by month of…
Data of 224 Merino breeding ewes, kept on artificial pasture in a favourable environment in the South Western Districts, were analysed. Means of greasy wool mass at 16, 28 and 40 months of age were respectively 8,41, 9,14 and 8,79…
Maize crop residues were grazed at three stocking rates, viz. 6, 9 and 12 sheep/ha, for about three months. Total DM yield of the maize crop was about 7500 kg / ha, and consisted of 38,5% grain and 61,5% residues…
Five diets were formulated on an iso-nutrient basis (approximately 12 MJ digestible energy, 16,5% crude protein, 5% non-degradable protein, 33% neutral detergent fibre, 18% acid detergent fibre, 0,8% calcium and 0,3% phosphorus) so that lucerne hay (LH) was substituted by…
Growing wether sheep were given a low-phosphorus (P) diet (1,06 g P/d) supplemented, with 1,75 g P in the form of either Langebaan rock phosphate (Langfos) or two different calcium phosphates, composed of either a mixture of monocalcium and dicalcium…
Individual inbreeding coefficients were computed in three lines of a selection experiment by using the algorithm of Quaas (1976). The mean inbreeding was about 2% at the end of the experiment and no significant difference was found among lines selected…
The voluntary feed and water intake by springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and two breeds of sheep (Ovis spp.) were investigated by means of trials conducted in pens. The dry-matter intake (g DM/kg W0,75/d) by the respective animals was as follows: springbok…
Dietary selection trials were conducted on kikuyu pastures while being grazed for a period of 3,5 days in a four-week rotation, at stocking rates of 3,5 6,2 and 8,3 animals per hectare. The pasture was fertilized with 210 kg N…
The nutritive value of maize residues, presented in three forms to growing Simmentaler steers (250 ± 31 kg), was evaluated by means of a growth and digestion study. The three forms of maize residues evaluated were: (i) selected material which…
Growth and individual cumulative feed intakes (cumFI) of 15 Brahman, 12 Bonsmara and 14 Drakensberger bulls, randomly acquired from various herds, were recorded in a 140-day post-weaning feedlot trial. Of the linear and quadratic regressions fitted to the data of…
The effect of including 20, 30, 40 and 50% Tarchonanthus camphoratus as the sole roughage in a finishing diet for limbs was investigated. Stems (with leaves), not exceeding 12,5 mm in diameter and 600 mm in length respectively, were…
The Nguni, the smallest beef breed in South Africa, was used to investigate the advantages of mating beef heifers early. A group of 43 heifers was mated at 13 - 15 months of age, in contrast to the normal practice…
The efficiency of energy utilization is one of the key indicators for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. Factors influencing the energy demand in dairy farming are the cumulative energy demand for feed-supply, milk yield as well as the replacement rate…
The seasonal variation in diet selection and herbage intake of cattle and sheep and the effects on animal performance at various research centres are put into perspective, taking into consideration the annual rainfall and its distribution. The most important constraint…
Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of dietary molybdenum (Mo) on the fertility of young rams, when fed for ca. 14 weeks to prevent copper (Cu) toxicity. In the first trial, the sexual development of young weaner rams…
Elevated rumen ammonia levels in sheep on high nitrogen kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) grass were indicative of a protein/energy imbalance in the grass. To correct the imbalance, grass containing 22% crude protein required maize meal supplementation of at least 20%…
