Available volumes for Applied Animal Husbandry & Rural Development since 2008
Available volumes (1-8) for SA Anim Sci from 2000 to 2007
Reproduction and production potential of communal cattle on sourveld in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
The effect of improved management on the reproduction and production rates of cattle in communal areas has not been quantified and compared to commercial farming. The objective of this study was to determine the reproduction and production rates of communal…
Research on pre-slaughter stress and meat quality: A review of challenges faced under practical conditions
Transportation and handling of animals are important components in meat production systems. Animals destined for slaughter are stressed by factors such as loading, transportation, restraint, handling, and novelty of the slaughter environment, adverse weather conditions, hunger, thirst and fatigue. When…
The importance of a holistic approach by the animal scientist involved in research, teaching and practice
Animal science is a multidisciplinary science spanning a multitude of links in the production chain from conception to consumption. The animal scientist responsible for the research, teaching and practicing of the science should therefor always be aware that a holistic…
The contribution of the South African ostrich industry to the national economy
South Africa is a major supplier of ostrich products to the world and produces approximately 70% of all ostrich meat, leather and feathers on the world market. At national level, the ostrich industry is the leading South African meat exporter…
The status of maize stover utilization as feed for livestock in Kiambu and Thika districts of Kenya: Constraints and opportunities
Maize stover is an important feed resource in smallholder crop/livestock production systems. A situation analysis survey was undertaken in four administrative divisions, namely Kiambu and Githuguri in the Kiambu district and Gatanga and Kamwangi in the Thika district as representatives…
The analysis of breeding structure in the modern context
The analysis of the breeding structure of a livestock breed is generally considered as “old” technology and was, generally, cumbersome to achieve. The advent of modern computerised animal recording databases and faster and more powerful computers have made this kind…
Analysis on the productive and reproductive traits of Murrah buffalo cows maintained in the coastal region of India (WCAP Supp}
Data of 698 Murrah cows sired by 43 bulls maintained at the Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Alamadhi were analysed to study the performance of Murrah buffaloes at the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India. Least-squares means and genetic parameters were…
Livestock systems and competing claims for land at the wildlife-based tourism/livestock interface
This paper discusses competition for land between communal grazing livestock systems and emerging preferences for wildlife-based tourism land uses in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Renewed efforts to improve livestock production as a tool for rural development in Southern Africa…
Development of livestock based sustainable family farms: Heifer International’s approach (WCAP Suppl)
Heifer International supports families in integrated, sustainable livestock and crop farms in order to develop strong local communities. Livestock receive protection from predators, improved feed supplies, appropriate housing and humane slaughter in exchange for the benefits they give to the…
The effect of stock theft and mortalities on the livestock industry in South Africa
This article reports on the effect of stock theft and mortalities on the livestock industry in South Africa, using the information from a survey based on a sample framework where urban/rural/deep rural enumerator areas of the South African population census…
Off-take and production statistics in the different South African cattle sectors: Results of a structured survey
This article demonstrates the value of a survey based on a sample framework where urban/rural/deep rural enumerator areas of the South African population census are fused onto the input variables of the different biomes. The results of the survey can…
Estimation of live body weight from the heart girth measurement in KwaZulu-Natal goats
This study was conducted to determine if heart girth measurements can be used effectively in the prediction of live body weights of goats in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and to assist in developing a heart girth measuring tape. This is especially aimed…
Goat farming in South Africa: Findings of a national livestock survey
During a national livestock survey held in 2003 under the FAO/UNDP/SADC Project RAF/97/032, a total of 892 goat keepers completed questionnaires covering aspects of management and production. The majority of the keepers came from the communal farming areas (892), with…
Survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers on commercial dairy farms in Kenya
Herd health and adaptability are of concern in dairy herds in the tropics because of persistent exposure to multiple stresses of low quality and quantity feeding, heat stress, high disease and parasitic incidences, poor husbandry and breeding practices. The combined…
Characterisation of production systems for indigenous chicken genetic resources of South Africa
Indigenous chicken production systems were studied in Limpopo, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 137 households in the three provinces. The study showed that a small proportion of the households (9.8%) derive…
Capacity building for sustainable use of animal genetic resources in developing countries
Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (AnGR) have great potential to contribute to increased food security and improved livelihood of poor people in developing countries. However, indigenous livestock which are well adapted to local conditions are often underutilized, and…
Results of the national cattle survey undertaken in South Africa, with emphasis on beef
A South African national livestock survey was conducted in 2003 as part of an FAO initiative. This article presents the results of the survey in respect to cattle, with an emphasis on beef cattle. The survey was weighted towards the…
Management and recording guidelines for accurate and reliable breeding values
The aim of these guidelines is to assist breeders in applying good management and recording practices to optimize their herds’ genetic evaluations, i.e. to optimize the amount, correctness and effectiveness of your herd’s data that is used in a BLUP…
Evaluation of growth performance and NRC Nutrient Requirements for liquid fed Holstein calves under South African conditions
Twenty four Holstein heifer calves were used in a completely randomized block design, and fed either 2 L of full milk (FMS) or experimental milk replacer (EMSS) twice daily with ad lib access to a commercial calf starter. The purpose…
Dairy production systems in the emerging and communal sectors of South Africa: Results from a structured survey
A South African national livestock survey was conducted in 2003 as part of an FAO initiative. The design of the survey sample framework was based on the input variables of the different biomes and urban/rural and deep rural enumerator areas.…
