Factors influencing food plant selection by the blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas) were studied in an area with simple plant composition. Dicanthium pyllosum leaves were specifically selected by the blesbok. Cuticle analysis gave a ratio of 1 Dicanthium to 1,85 of all…
Food preferences and food selection by giraffe have been extensively investigated but little data concerning the chemical composition of the preferred species are available. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the differences and seasonal changes in…
Various studies on the food preferences of giraffe indicate that the leaves of the Acacia and Combretum species are the most important food items selected. The present study was aimed at comparing the chemical composition of the leaves and explaining…
An experiment was conducted with eighteen rumen cannulated sheep fed on a chopped lucerne diet. Previous level of intake significantly influenced the level at which sheep initially established voluntary feed intake. This difference had disappeared after three weeks on an…
Treatment of oat grain by anhydrous ammonia at levels of approximately 0,75; 1,5 and 3,0% was investigated. Diets consisting of untreated oat grain and oat grain ammoniated for 24 hours at 90°C in an AN-STRA-VERTER® -oven at the respective treatment…
Barley as an alternative energy source for maize in diets for growing pigs. Barley was evaluated as an alternative energy source for maize in diets for growing pigs in a digestion and growth trial. Chemical composition of various barley samples…
The effect of different periods (12, 14, 16 or 18 days) of intravaginal progestagen treatment (MAP) and PMSG (300 IU) on synchronization of oestrus in Boer goat does was investigated. No significant difference in oestrous response, follicular activity, ovulation rate,…
The milk production ability of the Improved Boer goat in a grass/bush community. Boer goat does from the Adelaide Research Farm were run on the dry grass/bush community of the eastern Cape . An investigation was undertaken to determine the…
The testosterone response to gonadotropins in Nguni bulls with unilateral gonadal hypoplasia and aplasia was studied. Despite having one grossly affected or totally absent testis, the residual testicular tissue was found to be able to maintain a normal basal serum…
The proportion of eight fatty acids( 14:01, 6:0,1 6:1, 17:0, 17:1,18:01,8 :1and 18:2) was measured in the subcutaneous and kidney fat depots of five groups of Boer goat castrates which had been kept for 90 days on one of five…
Of the many advances in ruminant nutrition made in recent times the change from dilute roughage-based feeds to highly concentrated grain-rich diets has probably had the greatest single impact on ruminants and on their rate of production. This change has…
The primary objective of research scientists working in the field of rumen function is to advance animal production through greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in digestion and metabolism in the rumen. This article covers some of the more recent…
Roughage feeding of ruminants - new developments. This article is mainly limited to developments in improving the utilization of cereal straws by ruminants. Scanning electron microscopic studies have been applied in the study of the rate of roughage fermentation in…
Considerable savings can be realized and performance can be improved by formulating poultry feeds based on the daily feed intake and nutrient needs of the chicken. Programmes have been developed for commercial layers, broiler breeders, and replacement pullets for commercial…
The causal relationship between feed supply and fat and lean growth is critical to effective determination of optimum feed supply to growing pigs. Although excessive fatness may be controlled by reducing feed intake, in early growth appetite limitation is such…
Advances in reproductive physiology. Reproductive physiology plays an important role in the genetic improvement and increasing the fertility of the cow. The following factors which have an important influence on increasing the fertility of the female animal are discussed: Selection…
Several biologically dependent quality characteristics of meat (appearance and palatability) have been researched extensively in South Africa and some of these findings are discussed briefly in this article. Sound production and management practices may be used to manipulate the many…
Biological influences on the quality of dairy products. An analysis of the consumption pattern of dairy products shows that an increasing percentage of fresh milk is being diverted to the manufacturing industry for processing and that there is an increasing…
In this article the contribution which geneticists can make to egg quality i.e. eggmass, shell thickness, and albumen height is examined. Factors which the poultryman can manipulate on the farm such as the choice of a lighting system, dietary modification,…
Although only 3,9% of the total world wool production is produced here, South Africa is well known for the high quality of its wool and its classing. In this article quality differences of a biological nature are identified (breeding, feeding…
