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…
Biological factors that influence the quality of mohair. The influence of the most desirable properties (fineness, length, style, character and lustre) on the price of mohair is discussed briefly. Biological factors such as age, nutrition, genetics, sex, and stress and…
The effect of protein, energy and phosphorus supplements, fed individually or in various combinations, on roughage intake and livemass change was measured in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions…
The effect of physical form, moisture level and prolonged treatment period on the ammoniation of wheat straw using 75 9 urea per kg wheat straw was investigated in a 2 x 3 x 6 factorial experiment. Physical form was represented…
The voluntary feed intake, body composition and efficiency (ME intake/energy retention) of 10 Dorper x Merino and 10 Afrino x Merino lambs were studied. The age of experimental animals ranged from weaning at approximately 120 days, to about 240 days…
The effect of diet protein and energy levels on the growth performance and feather production of slaughter ostriches under feedlot conditions. Lucerne , maize and ostrich carcass meal were used to formulate nine diets supplying three protein levels (14,…
The optimal day of milk sampling for pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone quantitation was determined as well as the diagnostic efficiency of the test for days 14 - 24 post insemination in dairy cattle. The results show that on days…
Factors that influence mortality amongst lambs in the Elsenburg Dormer and SA Mutton Merino flocks. Data related to 1 852 SA Mutton Merino and Dormer lambs born in the Elsenburg flocks, during the period 1978 - 1981 inclusive, were analysed…
Shorthorn and Bonsmara type beef heifers from two breeding seasons were allocated to a high (H), medium (M) and low (L) level of nutrition after weaning at 7 months of age. The feeding levels were applied for 145 days (1972…
Two experiments were conducted to measure the influence of trough space (170 mm, 350 mm and 700 mm/animal) and pen area (5,5 m2, 11 m2 and 22 m2/animal) on feedlot performance. There was no advantage in allowing more than 170…
The purpose of this trial was to evaluate two methods of roughage treatment and two levels of treated roughage in complete rations for weaner lambs. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used. Untreated, sodium hydroxide-treated, and steam-treated…
The influence of weaning age on the efficiency of an accelerated mating frequency with sheep. One hundred late pregnant South African Mutton Merino ewes were divided into two comparable groups (an early and a late-weaning group) of 50 animals each…
Phenotypic and genetic parameters in a commercial Merino flock. A study was made of a commercial Merino flock on the farm Rietfontein near Soutpan in the central Orange Free State . The progeny of 43 rams and 542 ewes were…
A study was made of the incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in the Cedara dairy herd consisting of 110 Friesland cows. It involved an analysis of 103 cases of clinical mastitis which occurred over 4 years and the random…
Mycotoxins, and more specifically aflatoxins, have been found in samples of feed, litter, and liver tissue obtained from broiler chicken houses that had a high incidence of ascites and were also associated with low growth rates. It is suggested that…
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different dietary lipid sources and inclusion levels on lipid oxidation of thigh and breast muscle of male broilers. Eight isoenergetic (15.12 MJ AME/kg DM) and isonitrogenous (222.8 CP/kg DM)…
