The South African Journal of Animal Science is an open access, peer-reviewed journal. The journal publishes reports of research dealing with the production of farmed animal species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, poultry and ostriches), as well as pertinent aspects of research on companion animals and aquatic and wildlife species. All submitted articles are subjected to a single-blind peer review process that is managed by a section editor under the supervision of the editor-in-chief. Copyright of a published article resides with the authors. Such articles will be published as open access content and be covered by the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 South African Licence. Users may copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the work, but must recognise the authors and the South African Journal of Animal Science.
Originally supported by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the South African Journal of Animal Science moved online in the early 2000s using a custom-built manuscript submission and editorial management system. In August 2025, the journal transitioned to the Public Knowledge Project’s Open Journal Systems (PKP OJS), hosted by Khulisa Journals at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
In line with international best practices, the journal integrates key components of digital research infrastructure, including DOIs (digital object identifiers), ORCID iDs (researcher identifiers), ROR IDs (research organisation identifiers), and CCLs (Creative Commons Licences), ensuring transparency, traceability, and global interoperability.
As of August 2025, the South African Journal of Animal Science makes use of the Crossref 10.17159 DOI prefix. View the journal metadata health and the Crossref DOI Conflict Report here.
If you experience any problems with the journal’s online platform, please contact the editor-in-chief at [email protected].
Clarivate Journal Impact Factor (2024): 0.6 (Q4 of subject category)
Clarivate Journal Citation Indicator (2024): 0.26
Scopus CiteScore (2024): 1.4
The effect of chilling temperatures and mode of suspension of beef carcasses on sarcomere length and meat tenderness
Young Afrikaner crossbred steers were used for the experiment after being fed ad lib until a desired estimated carcass mass of 120 and 240 kg was reached. Carcasses were split into sides - one group of sides served as controls…
The lability of some haematological parameters in chickens and ducks
The effects of restricting chickens and ducks to cages on their haematology (as compared to that of free-roaming animals) were investigated in this study. Significant differences were observed in several haematological parameters and the study showed that conclusions that could…
The influence of molybdenum and sulphur on sheep receiving high levels of copper and broiler litter in their rations
Copper (Cu) accumulated in the livers of sheep receiving high levels of dietary Cu but low levels of molybdenum (Mo) and sulphur (S). However. the liver Cu accumulation was much lower than levels found in similar trials in the literature…
Feed intake of non•pregnant, pregnant and lactating ewes on native pasture and lucerne hay
The voluntary feed intake of non-pregnant, pregnant and lactating Merino- and S.A. Mutton Merino ewes on native pasture and chopped lucerne hay, was investigated. The crude protein content of the native pasture ranged from 8,6 per cent to 16,2 per…
Urea in supplements for growing young cattle on veld grazing in the dry season
The effect of replacing increasing amounts of cottonseed cake meal with urea in isonitrogenous (40 per cent CP) supplements for growing weaner steers has been investigated over a period of three years. Each year six groups of 30 Hereford x…
Pre- and post-weaning performance of artificially reared calves. 1.High and low fat levels in milk replacers and cement kiln dus
Twenty-four Friesland-cross calves were reared artificially in a 22-factorial experimental design for a period of 13 weeks. The two factors and levels investigated were (1) the fat content of the milk replacer, viz. 20,8 per cent (F1) or 12,6 per…
A note on condition indices for adult male impala, Aepyceros melampus
Citeria of condition are discussed and defined. Thirty-eight condition indices taken from nine adult male impala were tested for linear correlation with condition and total body fat. Indices derived from the complete dissection of a buttock proved to be the…
The influence of the dressing procedure on the (mesophilic) bacterial population of baconer carcass surfaces
In a survey at a bacon factory agar sausage samples were taken from three carcass sites of each of 50 pigs at different positions along the dressing line. It was found that despite a very high initial bacterial count, the…
Reducing the partum-to-mating period in autumn lactating ewes through the use of exogenous hormones
The induction of oestrus during the early post partum period was attempted in 172 Merino ewes which lactated during autumn. Treatment was initiated on day 15 post partum and included groups receiving (i) a single 50 μg injection of GnRH,…
Sex differences in the heritabilities of economic traits in South African Merino sheep
Heritabilities of nine production traits measured in 1 236 ram and 1 371 ewe progeny born from the same 73 sires in the Tygerhoek Merino Flock from 1971 to 1977, were estimated by halfsib analysis procedures. The heritability values obtained…
Stikstofaanvullings tot mieliekuilvoer aangevul met mieliemeel vir vroeggespeende lammers
Starea and urea were used in two experiments as nitrogen supplements to maize silage plus maize meal for early weaned lambs. Maize meal was fed at a level of 1 and 2 per cent of mean body mass in Experiment…
