Available volumes for Applied Animal Husbandry & Rural Development since 2008
Available volumes (1-8) for SA Anim Sci from 2000 to 2007
Women’s participation in livestock activities under small-scale farming system in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Women play an important role in livestock production and their contribution remain un-recognized by researchers and policy makers. The study was conducted to investigate the participation of women in livestock production activities at two district municipalities of the Eastern Cape…
Stratified cattle production in pastoral areas of Kenya: Existing forms, driving factors and management practices
Seasonal fluctuations in forage availability in African drylands significantly affect the body condition of pastoral livestock. The result is lean animals that, besides falling short of market requirements, often fetch low prices for producers. In Kenya’s pastoral areas, stratified cattle…
The status of livestock production in communal farming areas of the Eastern Cape: A case of Majali Community, Peelton
About 70% of South Africa’s total area is suitable only for livestock production. Although livestock are found throughout the country, the highest numbers are concentrated in the Eastern Cape Province. The main objective was to assess the status of livestock…
Effect of serial hatching and season on egg production and hatchability of non-descript indigenous Xhosa chicken ecotype
The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of serial hatching on egg production parameters and hatchability of the non-descript indigenous Xhosa chicken ecotype. Additionally, the effect of season on egg production parameters over 4 seasons was…
A live weight-heart girth relationship in Nguni-type and Brahman-type cattle as a tool for small-scale farmers
Estimation of animal weight is critical in cattle production to assist in herd management and to estimate the value chain prices of the animals. There is a lack of tools for small-scale farmers and stakeholders to readily estimate cattle weight…
Wood ash in livestock nutrition: 1. Factors affecting the mineral composition of wood ash
In resource-limited livestock production systems, the supplementing of mineral supplements is often not feasible because of economic constraints and possibly a lack of appropriate information. Wood ash is a pure mineral source that is usually readily available in many subsistence…
Wood ash in livestock nutrition: 2. Different uses of wood ash in animal nutrition
Wood ash is a mineral source that is readily available in most subsistence farming communities. The potential use of wood ash as a mineral source in animal nutrition is evaluated and reviewed. The predominant mineral in wood ash is calcium…
To twin or not to twin
Successful reproduction of a cow-calf production system is the corner stone for biological and economical efficiencies. Cattle evaluations have focused mainly on production traits and consequently genetic improvement on reproductive traits through the use of selection tools is limited. Twinning…
Factors affecting the pre-weaning performance of Nguni and Angus x Nguni calves in an arid environment of South Africa
The importance of indigenous breeds that are adapted to the anticipated warmer climate, lower nutritional value of the grazing and harsher conditions will increase as a result of climate change. South Africa has indigenous beef cattle breeds such as the…
The effect of overnight kraaling on sheep production in the sourveld areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
It is a common practise in communal areas to kraal sheep at night. This study was conducted to determine the effect of overnight confinement on sheep growth and wool production under favourable grazing conditions. The project on Dohne Sourveld commenced…
Explaining the principle of large stock units and its implications on grazing capacity
The difference between the grazing capacity of the veld and the stocking rate is that grazing capacity refers to the true number of animals that the vegetation can sustain; and stocking rate to the perceived number of animals that the…
The effect of milk feeding frequency on the performance of Dexter x Holstein calves from birth to weaning
Calf rearing is a demanding task which requires regular milk feeding that contributes substantially to the labour inputs on a dairy farm. The feeding of milk and especially grain is necessary to develop the rumen of calves before weaning. Grain…
The reality of drought, consequences and mitigation strategies for livestock production in South Africa
South Africa faced its worst drought in 2015 and as a result the livestock herds and flocks were under severe threat. This drought, linked to the heat waves and the reduction in breeding stock, will result in a shortage of…
A critical analyses of cow-calf efficiency in extensive beef production systems
Numerous factors affect cow efficiency, but the most important one is reproductive performance. Increased productivity generates less greenhouse gas emission per unit of product and this article gives an overview of breeding objectives, appropriate selection criteria and crossbreeding strategies to…
Farmers’ follies – Is it a lack of knowledge or poor advice?
The thought “farmers’ follies” came to mind recently while evaluating some dairy farms as part of a national herd evaluation process. The Oxford Dictionary describes a folly as a “foolish act, idea or practice, unwise conduct, lack of good sense”…
Partial nutritional evaluation of some browser plant species utilized by communal livestock in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
The aim of the study was to establish the nutritional value of different browse species utilized by communal livestock farmers, in various local municipalities of Amathole and O.R. Tambo districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Leaves from twelve different…
Effect of agricultural extension services on beneficiaries of the Nguni cattle project in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A case study of two villages
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of agricultural extension services on beneficiaries of Nguni cattle project in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A survey was conducted on 73 Nguni cattle project beneficiaries in Ncera…
Sale Trends of Swakara Pelt Offered at the Copenhagen Fur Auction from 1994-2013
The objective of this study was to assess and document the performance of the Namibia Swakara pelt sold at the Copenhagen Fur Auction from 1994 to 2013. The Karakul sheep was first introduced into Namibia in 1907 from Central Asia…
Characterization of production outputs and ewe flock structure of communal wool sheep in Ngqolowa, Eastern Cape
A research project was initiated to evaluate aspects regarding communal wool sheep production outputs in Ngqolowa, Eastern Cape Province. Ewes and lambs of participating farmers were observed in different seasons over a period of 5 years. The project was initiated…
Status of the smallholder pig farming sector in Gauteng Province of South Africa
Pig farming is an important area of pig production among smallholder farmers in Gauteng Province. The objectives of the study were to identify the demographics, farm infrastructure, type of feed, animal health, management and marketing channels within the smallholder pig…
