A study was conducted to evaluate the variation and expand the existing and limiting nutritive value database of Medicago sativa L. hay (168 near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy spectrally selected samples) in South Africa. The highest moisture content recorded (140 g/kg) was…
The effectiveness of different treatment methods to improve the nutritional value of the sugarcane by-products (pith or bagasse) has been evaluated. The treatment methods included a high-pressure steam treatment (HPST; 19 bar, 3 min), treating the products with sodium hydroxide,…
The near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict chemical and digestibility parameters was investigated. Samples (n = 168) representing the spectral characteristics of the South African Medicago sativa L. hay population were chemically analysed for the development of calibration equations. …
A study was conducted to evaluate current proposed models for assessing Medicago sativa L. hay quality, using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) analyses and Cornell Nett Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) milk production prediction as a criterion of accuracy. Application…
This study evaluated the effect of repeated superovulation and embryo recovery in 15 Boer goat does. Does were synchronised for oestrus using CIDR’s for 17 days and superovulated with pFSH during the natural breeding season (autumn). Cervical inseminations with fresh…
The study evaluated the effect of different cryoprotectants on post-thaw survival and motility of Kolbroek sperm. Semen from Kolbroek boars was collected with the gloved hand technique. Ejaculates were diluted with Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) at a ratio of 1…
Undernutrition of cows grazing semi-arid range as a result of drought or heavy stocking rates reduces prenatal and pre-weaning growth of their calves. A mechanistic model has been developed that simulates the productivity of vegetation and cattle on semi-arid savanna…
Comparisons between production and breeding potential of different feeding systems (Concentrates, Mixed and Pastures)in South Africa were made. Data of active cows participating in performance testing as at November 2007 were used. Holstein cows numbered 68280 in 254 herds and…
The possible use of sorghum hay in the production of milk by high and low yielding Friesland cows and firstcalf heifers was investigated and its influence on milk composition was determined. The animals were divided into four production groups, and…
An experiment was conducted (1) to determine the effect of formaldehyde treatment on the protein digestibility, nitrogen retention and energy digestibility of birdproof grain sorghum, and (2) to evaluate the effect of treated grain, when used as a grain component…
Five diets with equivalent lysine (0,73 %) and digestible energy (13 MJ/kg) contents on an "as is" basis containing distillers dried grains at levels ranging from 15 to 35 percent were fed to 5 groups of 5 landrace x Large…
Two diets containing respectively 14 and 16 percent crude protein were fed either wet or dry to 80 Landrace x Large White cross bred barrows. Live mass gain, carcass growth, deposition rates of the different chemical carcass components and carcass…
The importance of sufficient vitamin A in the diet of cattle has been adequately substantiated (Rosenberger, 1970; Bauernfeind & Marusich, 1971; Thompson 1975; Lotthammer, 1978). It has been claimed that under semi-arid conditions (winter range) where no green pasture is…
The application of an allometric-autoregressive model for the quantification of growth and efficiency of feed utilization for purposes of selection for efficiency is discussed. To maturity rat growth and efficiency can be divided into 3 growth phases by this model…
The effect of different production traits on the income of Angora goat farming was investigated. From the few estimates available in the literature, it was concluded that the heritability of production traits of the Angora is of the order of…
The control of oestrus and ovulation in sheep has been researched for more than 3 decades and still continues. Both in South Africa and abroad, much research has been done on the use of intravaginal progestagen sponges alone (Robinson, 1967;…
The objective of this trial was to quantify the differences in average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BFT), eye muscle area (EMA), fat thickness (FT) on different body parts, the feed conversion ratio (FCR), body measurements and the weight of…
A study was conducted to determine the influence of dietary energy level on the production of breeding ostriches. Six diets varying in ME content (7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 and 10.0 MJ ME/kg feed) were provided to both males and…
This study aimed at identifying gene markers associated with wool quality traits in Merino and Merino Cross sheep using a candidate gene approach. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis was used to identify sequence variation in the KAP1.3…
