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
Testday models for production traits in dairy cattle
Methodology has been developed to implement testday models in the national genetic evaluation of dairy breeds for production traits in South Africa. Positive definite covariance matrices have been estimated, using multitrait, multi-lactation, fixed regression testday BLUP animal models, including testday…
Heritability estimates and correlations between subjectively assessed and objectively measured fleece traits in Merino sheep
Data from 2801 individuals (born from 1996 to 2002) were used to obtain heritability (h2) estimates for five objectively measured and six linearly assessed type fleece traits (scored on a 1-50 point scale) from the Tygerhoek Merino flock. Correlations of…
Bone marrow and kidney fat indices in male and female (gravid and non-gravid) springbok in the Northern Cape
Kidney Fat Index (KFI) is the most used indicator of body condition for African ungulates and regarded most reliable. The possible use of Metatarsus Marrow Dry Weight (MMDW) as an alternative for KFI and femur marrow dry weight as indices…
Genetic parameters for growth traits in South African Brahman cattle
Genetic parameters for growth traits in the South African Brahman breed were estimated using ASREML from data records of birth weight (BWT) = 41 509, weaning weight (WWT) = 37 705, yearling weight (YWT) = 22 682 and final weight…
Genetic analyses for conformation traits in South African Jersey and Holstein cattle
(Co)variance components for linear type traits of South African Jerseys and Holsteins were estimated. Heritability estimates are mostly in agreement with other studies although some estimates for the Jersey population are lower. Genetic trends for conformation traits of the South…
Genetic relationship between feed efficiency and profitability traits in beef cattle
Genetic selection to improve feed efficiency aims to reduce the cost of feeding costs in beef cattle production and thereby improve profitability. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic (co)variances to compare residual feed intake (RFI) and feed…
The influence of dietary energy concentrations on scrotal, testicular and semen characteristics of young Dorper rams
A study with the aim to evaluate the effects of different dietary energy concentration (8.23, 9.77 and 11.32 MJ ME/kg DM) on scrotal, testicular and semen characteristics of young Dorper rams was conducted during the breeding season. Thirty-six 11-12 month…
Evidence of scrotal fat mobilisation during periods of restricted energy intake in young Dorper rams
A study with the aim of evaluating the reversibility of the nutritionally induced changes in the scrotal and testicular characteristics of young rams was conducted. Thirty-six Dorper rams, 11 to 12 months of age were randomly divided into three groups…
Variance component estimation for reproductive merit of beef cattle using linear and non-linear models
An objective was defined for a breeding program in South Africa to improve the female fertility of the national herd. The aim of the study was to change the approach of defining a trait based on female fertility and to…
The effect of egg weight on the hatchability and growth performance of New Hampshire and Rhode Island Red chicks
A trial was conducted to determine the effect of egg-weight on the hatchability and growth performance of chickens. Large and medium eggs of New Hampshire (NH) and Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens were grouped in four categories, according to their…
Genetic diversity of indigenous goats in Namibia using microsatellite markers: preliminary results
Four different goat ecotypes are recognized in Namibia. These ecotypes represent a unique genetic resource due to their adaptation to the different environmental conditions. Sufficient phenotypic characteristics exist that distinguish between the ecotypes. This study is a first attempt to…
The effect of supplemental biotin in dairy cow diets on fibre fermentation patterns as measured by in vitro gas production
Six ruminally-cannulated cows were assigned to a 2 x 3 changeover experiment with two periods to determine the effect of supplemental biotin on in vitro fibre fermentation kinetics. All the cows received the same basal diet but with different biotin…
Effect of an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme on growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio in growing lambs
Thirty two Döhne Merino lambs with an initial mean (± s.d.) body weight of 30.3 ± 2.5 kg were used in a randomised block experiment to determine the effect of an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme preparation (Abo 374) on body weight…
Effect of different cryodiluents and thawing methods on the post-thaw motility of African Lion (Panthera leo) spermatozoa
A study with the aim of developing a protocol for the successful cryopreservation and thawing of African lion (Panthera leo) sperm was conducted. Semen from six chemically immobilized adult lion males was collected by electro-ejaculation and frozen using Biladyl and…
Energy and nitrogen retention of Merino and Dohne Merino lambs receiving a feedlot diet
The energy and nitrogen retention of Merino and Dohne Merino lambs offered a feedlot diet were measured. The energy retentions of the two breeds were relatively similar (0.96 vs. 1.00 MJ/kg BW0.75), but the Merino lambs had a higher nitrogen…
Body-, protein- and essential amino acid composition of male Merino and Dohne Merino lambs
The weight and protein distribution, as well as the essential amino acid composition of the carcass, internal and external offal of Merino and Dohne Merino male lambs were investigated. Differences in the weight and protein distribution, as well as the…
The whole empty body essential amino acid profiles of male Merino and Dohne Merino lambs
The whole empty body essential amino acid composition of finishing Merino and Dohne Merino male lambs was investigated. The amino acid requirements for growth vary considerably between these two breeds. Hence, it appears that whole empty body amino acid profiles…
The microbial protein and undegradable essential amino acid requirements for the growth of male Merino and Dohne Merino lambs
The chemical score of microbial protein revealed the order of limiting amino acids for whole empty body growth of Merino and Dohne Merino lambs as histidine, methionine, leucine, arginine and phenylalanine. Microbial protein is unable to provide a similar duodenal…
The effect of a liquid rumen protected lysine on the productivity of Holstein cows
Thirty Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a randomised complete block design to compare a lysine deficient diet, which was sufficient in methionine, to the same diet supplemented with a rumen protected lysine product. The lysine supplementation resulted…
Genetic parameter estimates in South Africa Holstein cattle
A total of 79687 (after editing) first lactation records for milk (MY), butterfat (BFY) and protein (PRY) yield, as well as butterfat (BFP) and protein (PRP) percentages were obtained from the South African Holstein Society for animals that were registered…
