Available volumes for Applied Animal Husbandry & Rural Development since 2008
Available volumes (1-8) for SA Anim Sci from 2000 to 2007
Sources of information for small-holder cattle farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in the North West Province, South Africa
The purpose of this paper was to identify sources of information used by small-holder cattle enterprises and evaluate their influence on productivity of those enterprises. Results showed that public extension is the main (85-87%) source of information for small-holder cattle…
Approximation of forage demands for lactating beef cows of different body weights and frame sizes using the Large Stock Unit
Producing efficient beef cattle in a commercial cow-calf enterprise is an issue of utmost importance. The rapidly increasing costs of feed as a result of effects of climate change and other inputs alongside with low market prices are responsible for…
Selection preferences of Boer Goats in the Thornveld of the Southern Limpopo, South Africa
The selection behavior of Boer Goats was studied over a two year period in the Sourish Mixed Bushveld of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Goats were followed and species browsed, selection frequency, plant parts selected and browsing height recorded. A…
The effect of epigenetic changes on animal production
All alterations in DNA function, without alterations in DNA sequence, are referred to as epigenetics. It is associated with gene expression and the expression of different phenotypes (appearance). These modifications are influenced by environmental factors and can be transferred to…
Seasonal effects on village chicken flock dynamics in the Chris Hani Municipality, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
The objective of the study was to determine village chicken flock dynamics in Chris Hani, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Thirty village chicken flocks reared by smallholder farmers were randomly selected and monitored for four seasons. The data was…
Crossbreeding with a Bonsmara dam line
Data from a crossbreeding trail in South Africa which involved the Bonsmara (Bo) as dam line and the Simmentaler (S), Brahman (Br), Charolais (C) and Herefords (H) as sire lines were used to estimate the additive and non-additive effects for…
Stress-related behaviour, bleed-out times and some meat quality parameters from sheep slaughtered at a commercial abattoir
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of breed, gender and age on Stress-related behaviour (AB) of sheep at slaughter, bleed-out times (BT) during exsanguination, and the quality of mutton. The behaviour of 90 castrates and 110…
Ways to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming
The image of dairy farming systems is increasingly being scrutinized by welfare organizations, activist groups and the public with intensive systems getting the most attention. So-called factory farms are being regarded by the public as not ideal for the production…
Climate change and animal science – outcome of a panel discussion between animal scientists
This article reports on the outcomes of a panel discussion on climate change during the 45th Congress of the South African Society for Animal Science. The impact of global warming and continued uncontrolled release of greenhouse gasses has two-fold implications…
Production responses of Jersey cows on three different feeding systems of pasture, concentrate and a total mixed ration
In this study the production performance of 26 multiparous Jersey cows in three production systems was compared over standard lactation periods in a year-round calving pattern. The production systems were: (1) pasture plus 3kg concentrate/cow/day (AG), (2) pasture plus 4…
Effect of synchronisation on calving date following natural mating in beef cattle
Fertility is the main component influencing total herd efficiency in beef cattle. This short communication reports on the effect of oestrous synchronisation followed by natural mating on calving percentage and distribution of calvings. The results for the first year show…
An overview of crossbreeding in beef cattle with reference to the Southern African situation
An increasing number of commercial beef producers direct themselves to crossbreeding systems in which crossbred animals have higher merit in reproduction, growth and end product. It has been claimed that heterosis in a sound crossbreeding program could increase the productivity…
Can avocado meal replace maize meal in broiler diets?
After the oil has been extracted from avocado fruits that were unsuitable for the fresh fruit market, a product, avocado meal (AM), remains as a waste product, and this product is causing a disposal problem for fruit distributers. An investigation…
Cation-anion balance in supplementary feed to mitigate heat stress in grazing beef cattle
Beef cattle are expected to experience severe heat stress as a result of the changing weather patterns on both a global and regional scale. This may negatively affect the food production from cattle. Negative effects of increased ambient temperatures and…
The effect of housing and anthelmintic treatment on pre-weaning kid death rate and infestation with gastrointestinal helminthes
The effects of type of goat housing and provision of anthelmintic treatment on kid mortality and the prevalence of internal parasites were investigated in this study. Thirty six flocks of goats, of multiple ages and mixed sexes, belonging to Rushinga…
A review: Forensic DNA technology to meet the stock theft challenges in South Africa
Stock theft, one of South Africa’s most persistent crimes, is one of the factors that pose a serious threat to food security and biosecurity. It impacts negatively on animal production in South Africa and represents a risk to animal health…
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…
