The effect of environmental factors on pre-weaning performance traits was studied using 3556 records collected between 1980 and 1995. Sow performance in terms of number born alive was higher if sows farrowed in summer months of October to April than…
Forty Dorper ram lambs were allocated to two trails. In the first trial (intensively housed) and second trial (extensively maintained), one group (n + 10) in each trial was treated weekly with an intramuscular injection of an anabolic steroid (50…
The effect of substituting lucerne hay (LH) with ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) in diets for lactating Holstein Friesland cows was investigated in two trials. In Trial 1 four roughage diets containing LH and AWS in the following ratio`s of 100:0;…
The responses in growing pigs to balanced diets at different dietary energy levels are estimated from published data after recalculation of digestible energy (DE) levels using standard tables. Although responses in live weight gain (ADG), food intake (FI) digestible energy…
In South Africa the exact breeding goal for Holstein Friesians still needs to be determined. This means that the traits, which should be most important in selection have to be identified. One method to identify these traits could be to…
The amount of allozyme variation within, and the extent of genetic differentiation between, 19 sheep breeds from Southern Africa were determined by six genetic blood systems commonly used to distinguish between animal breeds. Another eight enzyme-coding loci were analysed for…
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of method of sample preparation on the degradation kinetics of herbage when applying the in situ technique. Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar) was harvested at three and four weeks after…
The effect of cyadox on growth and apparent digestibility of nutrients in weanling pigs was investigated. Cyadox (2-formylquinoxaline-N1,N4-dioxide cyanocetylhydrazone) is a derivative of quinoxaline-1, 4-dioxide, a growth promoting antimicrobial agent that is used in pig production. Seventy-five crossbred weanling barrows…
Two thousand four hundred quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hatching eggs were used to determine the effects of breeder age and pre-incubation storage time on egg traits, hatching traits and the growth of some selected organs in newly hatched chicks. Eggs…
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes adverse effects on quality of eggs by modifying the fatty acid composition of the yolk. Supplementing oils prevent CLA-induced changes, but cause a decrease in the level of egg CLA. The objective of the…
In this study the effects of feeding rosemary, oregano, saffron and α-tocopheryl acetate on hen performance and egg quality were investigated. One hundred-twenty Lohmann laying hens, 32 weeks old, were divided into five groups replicated four times with six hens…
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the heat treatment of full-fat soyabean (FFSB) and solvent extracted soyabean meal (SBM) on the in situ dry matter (DM) and protein degradability, and in vitro gas production kinetics…
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cultivar and formaldehyde treatment of barley grains on rumen fermentation characteristics using the in vitro gas production technique. Amount of gas produced (mL/g organic matter (OM)) during fermentation was…
Cage-reared, egg-type domestic pullets were given a 7L:17D regimen from 2 d of age. At eight weeks, 24 birds were transferred to individual cages in each of four controlled environment chambers and maintained on 7-h photoperiods. A radio was played…
We report new demographic and genetic data on southern African camel (Camelus dromedarius) populations. Results from questionnaires on demography indicated that approximately 476 camels were extant in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in 2003. We have sampled 234 camels for…
The total and individual trimmed meat yield of six hind quarter cuts and one fore quarter cut were estimated for 200 carcasses from animals of mixed origin with regard to breed, sex and feeding regimen. The linear models included carcass…
Acacia trees form the third largest woody plant family in southern Africa and are an important ecological component of the bushveld vegetation that is prevalent in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine…
The serum metabolic profile of ostriches was studied in relation to the blood collection site (jugular vs. wing vein) and age (1 vs. 2 years) on 20 male birds. Blood was collected from the birds in the morning, after 12…
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term nutritional stress after weaning on the wool production characteristics of fine vs. strong wool producing Merino sheep over the short and medium term. Forty fine wool and 40…
