Poultry manure, potentially suitable as a ruminant f'eedstuff, was obtained from various sources Samples consisted of pure excreta from birds kept in batteries, broiler excreta on deep litter systems and pullet and breeder excreta on deep litter systems. Large variations…
In order to overcome the refractory period of the corpus luteum to prostaglandin (day 15 of the cycle through oestrus to day 3 of the next cycle), two injections each consisting of either 31,25 μg; 62,5 μg; 125 μg or…
The effects of oestrogen priming and GnRH administration on the release of LH and on luteal function were investigated using 66 spring-lambing S.A. Mutton Merino ewes in early lactation. Seven randomly selected groups of ewes received either (i) 30 μg…
Weaning mass was studied for 753 calves out of Africander cows by Africander, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford and Simmentaler sires. Crossbreds performed 11,1 per cent to 11,8 per cent better than Africander controls. Charolais progeny had a significantly greater weaning mass…
Post-weaning growth performance was studied for 342 steers out of Africander cows and by Africander, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford and Simmentaler sires. In a system of intensive fattening, the latter three Bos taurus sire-breed progeny-groups performed strikingly better than the former…
Thirty six lactating cows were used in a trial with a partially balanced change-over design to determine the effect of the fineness of roughage and concentrate to roughage ratio on intake and digestibility. Nine rations were used with combinations of…
Thirty six lactating cows were used in a trial where low quality maize straw was used as a roughage source in complete diets. The effects of fineness of roughage and concentrate to roughage ratio on milk production and milk composition…
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects on the reproductive performance of lactating beef cows of supplementation with protein and/or energy during a 100 day period. Over three years the average recalving percentage for the cows receiving energy rich-,…
Sixty high-producing multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to determine the effect of a direct-fed microbial (DFM), Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 (Me), on dairy cattle productivity and health. The cows received one of two…
Protein degradation in bovine milk affects the quality of dairy products. Alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) can protect vulnerable elastic tissues from degradation by neutrophil elastase. The aim of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms in bovine AAT gene…
This paper details genetic characterization and trends from a microsatellite-based study of genetic diversity on southern African pig populations. A total of 351 pigs from three commercial breeds and three indigenous populations were genotyped at 39 loci. Differences among the…
Concentrations of progesterone and luteinizing hormone were determined in peripheral blood plasma during the oestrus cycle of three non-lactating Afrikaner cows. Blood samples were drawn daily during the luteal phase (Day 3-16) and every 8 hours from Day l7 to…
Progesterone and total unconjugated oestrogen concentrations in the peripheral blood of 4 Afrikaner cows during late gestation and parturition were determined by RIA. From l2-18 days prepartum, progerone levels ranged .from 8.4 to 13,0 ng/ml and subsequently declined to 3,7-8,2…
Following parturition blood samples were collected daily from 5 mature lactating cows until the first post partum oestrous period. Plasma progesterone concentration as determined by RIA was applied to evaluate post partum ovarian activity. Parturition to first oestrus varied from…
In a five-year study made on beef cows ranched in the Fish River valley of the Eastern Cape with bulls being run continuously with the cows, an average calving percentage of 80,3 was achieved. Yearly calving percentages were positively correlated…
An experiment was conducted to investigate the possible use of anise (Pimpinella anisum) and/or α-tocopheryl acetate as dietary supplements on the performance and some egg quality characteristics of laying Japanese quail. One hundred and eight Coturnix japonica quail (72 females…
The influence of two stocking rates on diet composition and intake of sheep in a three camp rotational grazing system in the central Orange Free State A study was made of the nutritive value of native pasture for sheep in…
The study was conducted firstly to establish the influence of cultivar and environment on the protein-, amino acid and ether extractable oil concentration of sunflower seed and secondly to study the influence of soil pH and fertilization on the protein…
