2,091 research outputs found
Comparison between the effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and Rsalbutamol during the finishing period on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle
No full textDissertation (MSc (Agric Animal Science (Production Physiology and Product Quality))--University of Pretoria, 2021.This study was conducted on 228 typical South African feedlot steers, of which 114 steers
were fed 60 mg of zilpaterol HCl per steer per day for the final 30 days of the feedlot finishing
period and the other 114 steers were fed 120 mg of R-salbutamol per steer per day for the last
30 days of the feedlot finishing period. The animals were slaughtered at the same abattoir after
waiting the 3-day withdrawal period of zilpaterol HCl and R-salbutamol. The recorded growth
and feedlot parameters included starting weight, slaughter weight, average daily gain, live
weight gain and lean gain. The recorded carcass and meat characteristics parameters included
warm and cold carcass weights, carcass length, carcass fat thickness measured over the 13th
rib, carcass classification score, age code as well as fat code using the current South African
classification system, dressing percentage, and carcass compactness.Prof E.C. Webb, Department of Animal Science, University of PretoriaAnimal and Wildlife SciencesMSc (Agric) Animal Science: Production Physiology and Product QualityUnrestricte
Afropean Journeys: A Conversation with E.C. Osondu
No full textNigeria-born and US resident author E.C. Osondu debuted with the short story collection Voice of America (2010), followed by the novel This House is Not for Sale (2015) and Alien Stories (2020). His latest novel, When the Sky is Ready the Stars Will Appear, the compelling tale of an African boy’s journey towards Rome in search of a better life, was first published in translation in Italy with the title Quando il cielo vuole spuntano le stelle (2020). Only one year later, the original version of the novel was published in Nigeria. This piece, based on a conversation with the author within the context of the “Afropean Bridges” 2021 Series, introduces E.C. Osondu and his works to the Italian audience
Effects of steroidal growth implants alone or in combination with a beta-adrenergic agonist feed additive on the gonadal development of South African Dohne Merino rams and ewes
No full textDissertation (MSc Agric: Animal Science (Production Physiology and Product Quality))--University of Pretoria, 2022.The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of different combinations of steroidal growth implants alone or in combination with a beta–adrenergic agonist feed additive on the gonadal growth, relative to ADG per treatment group of feedlot rams and ewes.
The trial was conducted at the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield experimental farm. A total of 240 Dohne Merino lambs of 8 months old were randomly selected into 8 different treatment groups and fed for a period of 70 days following 3 days of adaptation. Zilpaterol hydrochloride was included into the finisher ration of half of the treatments for the last 18 days prior to slaughter (with 3 days withdrawal before slaughter). On arrival, the lambs were split by weight, first removing the outliers, and then split per sex (rams and ewes). Both sex groups were then randomly allocated into six treatment groups and then implanted as per treatment group, with one group receiving no implants only Zilmax and one group receiving no growth enhancers at all. Following the 70 days feeding period the lambs were taken to the Cavalier Group abattoir where they were humanely slaughtered, and the reproductive organs kept aside for further sampling and analysis. Data collection and statistical analysis was done on 68 selected lambs (22 rams and 46 ewes).
The results indicate that the effects of steroidal growth implant and Zilmax treatments differed between ewes and rams. The results for the ewes show that Revalor G, Revalor H and Ralgro all caused a significant decrease in the number of ovarian follicles in the ewes (P0.05). The feed supplementation with Zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax) to the ewes decreased the growth of the gonads in terms of length, width and number of follicles (P0.05).
The results for the rams indicate that the feed supplementation with Zilmax did not cause changes in the physical size or shape of the testes (in terms of length, width, volume and weight) (P>0.05). Revalor G significantly decreased the weight, volume, length and width of the testes (P0.05) in the growth of the testes.
Results from the growth part of the trial show that the ewes responded positively to the addition of Revalor G and Revalor H. The subcutaneous fat thicknesses of the ewes decreased from 2.11 ± 0.564mm in the control to 1.68 ± 0.565mm for both the Revalor G and Revalor H treatment groups (P0.05). No increases were seen in final mass of the rams due to the supplementation of Zilmax (P>0.05), but significant decreases in carcass subcutaneous fat thicknesses were observed with the feed supplementation of Zilmax in rams decreasing the subcutaneous fat thickness from 1.67 ± 0.564mm to 1.36 ± 0.564mm (P0.05).
Additional studies are needed to test the effects of the age at which lambs are implanted as well as the effects of different combinations of exogenous growth promotants and supplementation of different dosages of Zilpaterol hydrochloride on sperm counts, morphogenesis, motility and other related fertility estimates in male ruminants as well as on folliculogenesis and patterns of oestrous in females.Cavalier GroupEdward Webb Production Animal Physiology Research GroupAnimal and Wildlife SciencesMSc Agric: Animal Science (Production Physiology and Product Quality)Unrestricte
Arenigena albiseta Webb 2009, spec. nov.
No full textArenigena albiseta Webb spec. nov. (Figs. 55–63) Etymology. Albus (Latin) = white; seta (Latin, female) = bristle. This name refers to the abundant white setae that cover the males of this species. Diagnosis. Arenigena albiseta is similar to A. floridensis and A. semitaria in having the inner gonocoxal process bilobed (Fig. 58). It differs from A. floridensis in having the gonocoxite ventral view (Fig. 57) with a posteromedial aggregation of dense setae; the dorsal apodeme (Fig. 60) narrow, oval with the anterior margin rounded; and the furca (Fig. 63) rectangular, posterior margin pointed or rounded. It differs from A. semitaria in having the wing veins and cross-veins yellow, lacking a brown margin; the proepimeron setose across the dorsal margin; the male sternite 8 with setae continuous across posterior margin (Fig. 57); the gonocoxite ventral view (Fig. 57) with a posteromedial aggregation of dense setae; the gonostylus (Fig. 59) lacking short, dark brown apical macrosetae and an apical tuft of setae; the dorsal apodeme (Fig. 60) narrow, oval, and the anterior margin rounded; and the furca (Fig. 63) broad anteriorly. Description of MALE. Variation (n=10). Body length 8.2–1.1, 9.9 mm. Head. Length 0.90–1.24, 1.09 mm. Ocellar tubercle dark reddish brown, pubescence gray, dense; setae pale white, elongate. Frons pubescence whitish gray, dense; setae absent. Antenna yellowish brown, second and third flagellomeres dark brown, scape with dense, white pubescence; antenna/head length 0.52–0.84, 0.72; scape length 0.18–0.28, 0.24 mm, width 0.14–0.16, 0.14 mm, length/width 1.3–1.9, 1.7, scape/pedicel length 2.3–3.3, 2.8, scape/flagellum width 0.8–1.0, 0.9, setae white, elongate, macrosetae dark brown; pedicel length 0.08–0.10, 0.08 mm, width 0.14–0.16, 0.14 mm, length/width 0.5–0.7, 0.6 setae dark brown, short; flagellum with apical third of first flagellum narrow, elongate, length 0.36–0.52, 0.48 mm, width 0.14–0.18, 0.17 mm, length/width 2.1–3.7, 2.8, flagellum/scape length 1.5–2.8, 2.0. Parafacial pubescence white. Gena rounded ventrally; setae white, elongate. Maxillary palpus yellow; length 0.42–0.50, 0.45 mm, width 0.06–0.08, 0.07 mm, length/width 5.5–7.3, 6.3; setae white to pale yellow, elongate. Occipital setae white, elongate, abundant dorsally. Thorax. Macrosetae 2–3 np, 2 sa, 1 dc. Mesonotum dull brownish gray, pubescence gray, dense; setae white, elongate. Pleuron pubescence gray, dense; setae white, elongate on propleuron, proepimeron (along dor sal margin), anepiste rnum, ka tepist ernum (abunda nt a long anteri or ma rgin), late rotergi te, metanepisternum, and scutellum. Wing. Membrane hyaline, veins yellow; length 6.2–7.7, 7.1 mm, width 2.0–3.2, 2.6 mm, length/width 2.3–3.3, 2.7; pterostigma brown, narrow. Halter yellow. Legs. Coxae pubescence white, dense; setae white, elongate. Femora dark reddish brown, pubescence white; ventral setae white, elongate, dorsal setae white, appressed. Tibiae yellowish brown, apex dark brown. Tarsi 1 yellowish brown, apex dark brown; 2–5 dark brown. Abdomen. Pubescence white, dense; dorsal setae white, elongate, erect, abundant; lateral setae white, elongate. Terminalia (MEI 012010) brown. Tergite 8 (Fig. 56), setae pale yellow. Sternite 8 (Fig. 57), rectangular, sides rounded, posterior truncate; setae pale yellow, continuous as narrow band across posterior margin. Epandrium (Fig. 56) quadrate; posterolateral margin broadly pointed; setae yellow. Cerci (Fig. 56), ending basal to apex of hypoproct. Hypoproct (Fig. 56), posterior margin deeply emarginate. Gonocoxite ventral view (Fig. 57) quadrate, tapering posteriorly to broad rounded point with dense aggregation of setae posteromedially; lateral view (Fig. 58), oval, tapering posteriorly to blunt point, inner gonocoxal process bilobed, dorsal lobe thick with apical yellow setae, ventral projection narrow. Gonostylus lateral view (Fig. 59) thick, cylindrical, broadly curved posteroventrally; setae yellow. Aedeagus with dorsal apodeme (Fig. 60) narrow, sides rounded, anterior margin truncate; ventral apodeme (Fig. 61), broad, clavate, anterior margin rounded to slightly pointed; distiphallus dorsal view (Fig. 60) narrow; lateral view (Fig. 62) thick basally, thin apically; ejaculatory apodeme (Figs. 60–61) extending beyond anterior margin of dorsal apodeme. FEMALE. Similar to male except for following. Variation (n=10). Body length 8.4–13.0, 10.4 mm. Head. Length 0.88–1.22, 1.09 mm. Frons pubescence white, dense; setae white. Antenna/head length 0.7–1.1, 0.8; scape length 0.18–0.30, 0.24 mm, width 0.14–0.18, 0.16 mm, length/width 1.3–2.1, 1.6, scape/ pedicel length 2.2–3.0, 2.7, scape/flagellum width 0.7–0.9, 0.8; pedicel length 0.08–0.10, 0.09 mm, width 0.14–0.16, 0.15 mm, length/width 0.5–0.7, 0.6; flagellum length 0.47–0.54, 0.51 mm, width 0.18–0.24, 0.21 mm, length/width 2.2–2.7, 2.5, flagellum/scape length 1.6–2.9, 2.1. Maxillary palpus length 0.50–0.56, 0.53 mm, width 0.08–0.10, 0.10 mm, length/width 5.0–6.5, 5.6. Thorax. Macrosetae 3 np, 2–4 sa, 1–2 dc. Wing. Length 6.7–8.8, 8.0 mm, width 2.5–3.2, 2.8 mm, length/ width 2.7–3.2, 2.8. Abdomen. Dark brown, pubescence gray, denser on tergites 1–4 and most of tergites 2–7, tergite 8 glossy; dorsal setae white to pale yellow appressed. Terminalia (MEI 170263). Furca (Fig. 63) quadrate; length 0.37 mm, width 0.30 mm; anterolateral projections short, rounded. Immature stages. Unknown. Distribution. Arenigena albiseta is known from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming (Fig. 55). Habitats and Phenology. Arenigena albiseta has been hand-netted and sweep-netted in sand and prairie habitats, and collected in pan, Malaise, and rotating traps. Adults have been collected from May through August. Specimens examined. Type specimens. The holotype male of Arenigena albiseta Webb (MEI 119000) is labeled "20Mi.NE.Tuba City, Coconino County, Arizona, VI-26-67, Ephedra cutleri, Peebles Join fir, Collectors J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier " and is deposited in the USNM. PARATYPES. UNITED STATES. ARIZONA. Cochise County. Wilcox [32.253, -109.831], 20.VIII.1958, Hurd, P.D., 1♂ MEI 119081 (EMEC). Coconino County. 19.3 km NE Tuba City [36.251, -111.122], 21.VI.1967, Davidson, J.M., Cazier, M.A., 1♂ MEI 119061 (ASUT); 32.2 km NE Tuba City [36.34, -111.034], 26.VI.1967, Davidson, J.H., Davidson, J.M., Cazier, M.A., 3♂ MEI 119054, 119056, 170265, 1♀ 119094 (ASUT); 7.2 km E Moenkopi [36.111, -111.157], 3.VI.1967, Davidson, J.H., Davidson, J.M., Cazier, M.A., 5♂ MEI 119050, 119052 (INHS), 119060 (USNM), 119070, 170264 (ASUT); Moenave [36.139, -111.337], 24.VI.1967, Davidson, J.H., Davidson, J.M., Cazier, M.A., 1♀ MEI 170263 (INHS). Yavapai County. Prescott [34.54, - 110.468], 11.VI.1902, Oslar, 1♂ MEI 029003 (ANSP). CALIFORNIA. Inyo County. 11.3 km S Oasis [37.383, -117.914], 1539m, 23–24.VI.1992, Irwin, M.E., Yeates, D.K., 1♂ MEI 119040, 1♀ 170262 (MEIC), sweeping sagebrush; 27.37 km E Big Pine, Death Valley road [37.165, -118.289], 2111m, 21–24.VI.1992, Irwin, M.E., Yeates, D.K., 1♂ MEI 119065 (MEIC), rotating trap. Lassen County. Hallelujah Junction [39.776, -120.038], 27.VI.1949, Hurd, P.D., 1♂ MEI 012010 (EMEC). Mono County. 14.5 km N Bishop [Inyo County], at Fish Slough [37.494, -118.394], 1280m, 19.V–29.VII.1980, Giuliani, D., 1♀ MEI 072636 (CSCA), pitfall trap. COLORADO. Alamosa County. [37.682, -105.548], Brown, F.M., 1♀ MEI 119098 (INHS). Bent County. 4.0 km S Caddoa [38.012, -102.968], 3.VII.1990, Kondratieff, B., Kippenhan, M., Evans, H. E., 2♂ MEI 075522, 075525 (CSUC); 11.VII.1991, Kippenhan, M., Kondratieff, B., Leatherman, D., Leatherman, M., Opler, P., 1♂ MEI 075528 (INHS), sanddunes; off County Road 37 and Route 50 [38.11, -102.75], 30.VI.1991, Kondratieff, B., DeJong, G., 1♂ MEI 075527 (CSUC); Road 26, S of Caddoa Creek [38.053, -102.925], 14.VI.1994, Evans, Kondratieff, 2♀ MEI 075529 (CSUC), 075530 (USNM). Costilla County. Blanca [37.438, -105.515], 28.VII.1948, Martin, D., Martin, C.H., 1♂ MEI 119073 (OSU). Larimer County. Fort Collins [40.585, -105.084], 8.VII.1900, 1♂ MEI 081079 (MCZ). Otero County. Colorado Route 109, MP 37, 11.VIII.1990, Kondratieff, B., Leatherman, D., DeJong, G., Rhoades, C, 1♂ MEI 075526 (CSUC); Vogel Canyon, 1.VII.1994, Kondratieff, B., 1♂ MEI 075531 (CSUC). Saguache County. Baca Grant [37.791, - 105.563], 27–29.VI.1997, Pineda, P.M., 2♀ MEI 106465–6 (CSUC), pitfall trap. Weld County. 27.VI.1970, Bell, R.T., 1♀ MEI 084512 (ESUW), pitfall trap. NEBRASKA. Thomas County. Halsey [41.903, -100.269], 5–12.VIII.1957, Henzlik, R., 1♀ MEI 034457 (UNSM), alcohol pitfall trap, prairie, 2♀ MEI 034455–6 (UNSM), sweep-net, prairie. NEVADA. Churchill County. 8.1 km NE Fallon [39.525, -118.725], 18.VII.1978, Bechtel, R.C., Martinelli, D.M., 1♀ MEI 076982 (NVDA); Blow Sand Mountains, 39.177, - 118.649], 28.VI.1979, Bechtel, R.C., Martinelli, D.M., Horton, D.L., 4♂ MEI 119003 (INHS), 119090, 119077, 119088 (UNVR); Stillwater [39.522, -118.546], 1.VII.1965, Irwin, M.E., 1♀ MEI 119099 (MEIC). Humboldt County. 16.1 km N Winnemucca [41.118, -117.735], 19.VI.1985, Veirs, D., 1♂ MEI 072773 (EMUS). Lincoln County. [37.819, -114.414], 12.VI.1987, Bechtel, R.C., Knight, J.B., 1♂ MEI 076966 (NVDA). Mineral County. 14.5 km S Mina [38.256, -118.085], 1.VII.1965, Irwin, M.E., 1♂ MEI 119076 (MEIC). Nye County. Mercury [36.661, -115.994], 4.VI.1961, 1♂ MEI 133748 (BYUC). Washoe County. Bedell Flat [39.851, -119.828], 29.VI.1976, Knight, J.B., 1♂ MEI 076984 (NVDA). NEW MEXICO. Dona Ana County. 8.1 km SW La Mesa, dunes NW Black Mountain [32.07, -106.759], 1311m, 22.VIII.1983, Forbes, G.S., 1♂ MEI 119082 (NMSU); Eddy County. [32.35, -103.85], 3.VI.1979, Burke, Delorme, Carrola, Friedlander, Schaffner, 1♂ MEI 076522 (TAMU). Lea County. 16.1 km S Hobbs [32.563, -103.135], 29.VII.1986, Gordy, P., 1♂ MEI 075378 (CSUC). Luna County. Deming [32.268, -107.759], 4.V.1933, Ball, F.D., 1♂ MEI 119053 (MEIC). Torrance County. Moriarty [34.99, -106.049], 29.VII.1962, Anderson, L.D., 1♂ MEI 119102, 1♀ 119101 (MEIC). NORTH DAKOTA. McKenzie County. 2.VIII.1977, Schutz, L.A., Smith, J.W., 1♀ MEI 119100 (MEIC). TEXAS. Hidalgo County. 8.VI.1958, Knull, D.J., Knull, J.N., 1♂ MEI 114610 (OSU). Hudspeth County. 24.2 km W road 2775, 22.VI.1994, Kondratieff, Kippenhan, 1♂ MEI 075521 (CSUC). Ward County. [31.648, -102.823], 16.VII.1975, Nelson, G.H., 1♂ MEI 119093 (FSCA). UTAH. Garfield County. 54 km S Hanksville, Woodruff Springs [37.865, -110.582], 1550m, 22–27.V.2002, Irwin, M.E., Parker, F.D., 1♀ MEI 170261 (MEIC), Malaise trap; Boulder Mountain [38.087, -111.433], 13.VI.1969, Knowlton, G.F., Davis, D.W., 1♂ MEI 072779 (EMUS); Horse Canyon, off Burr Trail [37.719, - 111.266], 15.VI.2000, Green, E.C., Huntzinger, K.T., Mendel, W.N., 1♂ MEI 133942 (BYUC); The Post [trailhead], MVL [37.835, -110.981], 3.VI.1994, Opler, P., Kondratieff, Nelson, 1♀ MEI 035786 (CSUC). Kane County. top of Mollies Nipple [summit], off Kitchen Corral Road [37.271, -112.054], 2216m, 5.VI.2000, Barber, H.A., Green, E.C., Huntzinger, K.T., Mendel, W.N., Nelson, C.R., 1♂ MEI 133846 (BYUC); trail to Mollies Nipple [summit], off Kitchen Corral Road [37.279, -112.085], 5.VI.2000, Barber, H.A., Green, E.C., Huntzinger, K.T., Mendel, W.N., Nelson, C.R., 4♂ MEI 133845, 133847 (INHS), 133849–50, 1♀ 133848 (BYUC); [37.035, -112.727], 1786m, 11.V.2000, Huntzinger, K.T., Mendel, W.N., Nelson, C.R., 1♀ MEI 133766 (BYUC). WYOMING. Platte County. Dwyer [42.242, -104.956], 7.VII.1965, Holland, F.R., 1♀ MEI 119096 (ESUW); Glendo [42.503, -105.026], 7.V.1961, Lavigne, R.J., 1♀ MEI 084521 (ESUW); Guernsey [42.27, -104.741], 4.VIII.1960, Lavigne, R.J., 1♀ MEI 119097 (ESUW); Pruitt Ranch, 11.VII.1966, Morston, N., 1♂ MEI 119092 (INHS); Teeter Ranch [Teeters Ranch] [41.914, -104.532], 13.VII.1966, Marston, N., 1♀ MEI 119095 (INHS).Published as part of Webb, Donald W., 2009, A revision of the genera Acrosathe Irwin and Lyneborg, Arenigena Irwin and Lyneborg, and Litolinga Irwin and Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae: Therevinae) from the Nearctic Region, pp. 1-67 in Zootaxa 2091 (1) on pages 39-40, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2091.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/531835
Effects of different stunning methods on the welfare and carcass quality of finisher pigs in South African pork abattoirs
No full textDissertation (MSc Agric (Animal Science))--University of Pretoria, 2024.The purpose of this research was to study the effects of different stunning systems on the welfare of pigs in South African abattoirs. Four stunning systems were evaluated: 84% CO2, emergency head-only electrical, standard head-to-heart electrical, and an experimental 80% Argon 20% CO2 (Ar-CO2) admixture. pH data, pig behaviour inside the stunner and muscle metabolites were studied in this research. Both the Ar-CO2 and emergency head-only stunning methods were deemed problematic on the basis of animal welfare. The Ar-CO2 method had the sharpest and fastest pH decline. The 84% CO2 and standard electrical head-to-heart stunning methods had similar rates of pH decline, with CO2 having a lower pH than electrical stunning at every point. The behaviour displayed during gas stunning treatments was recorded by way of cameras located inside the stunner. Those stunned by 84% CO2 lost their consciousness significantly faster than those stunned by Ar-CO2. During the Ar-CO2 stunning, four out of five pigs squealed while under the admixture’s influence, indicating that the animals were distressed during this process. Squeals were not heard while the pigs were exposed to the 84% CO2. pH profiles did not differ significantly between head-to-heart electrical stunning and 84% CO2 stunning, implying that the stunning treatment itself did not have a big effect on the post mortem pH and its decline. The author recommends that further research in the South African pork industry be focused on improving and refining current CO2- and electrical stunning systems. Pre-slaughter handling plays a big role in the animal’s psychological- and physiological state during stunning and must be further improved upon.Red Meat Abattoir AssociationAnimal and Wildlife SciencesMSc Agric (Animal Science)UnrestrictedFaculty of Natural and Agricultural SciencesSDG-12: Responsible consumption and productio
Ships Observing Marine Climate: a catalogue of the VOS participating in the VSOP-NA
No full textOur present knowledge of the marine climate, as represented by data sets such as COADS (Woodruff et al., 1987), is based on meteorological observations from the Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS). Because the VOS are merchant ships, rather than specially designed meteorological platforms, errors and biases exist in the data. However there is little information readily available to the climatologist either on the nature of the VOS fleet or on the observing practises which are used. This report, describing the forty-six ships that participated in the Voluntary Observing Ships' Special Observing Project - North Atlantic (VSOP-NA), therefore serves two purposes:(i) it provides a reference document to aid analysis of the VSOP-NA data set,(ii) it gives a detailed description of a subset of the VOS, which will be of value in the interpretation of marine climate data sets.This report is in two parts, Part 1 is an overall summary of the ship characteristics, Part 2 is a ship by ship description. The next section will briefly describe the VSOP-NA project, followed by a summary of the characteristics of the VSOP-NA ships (Section 3). Since these ships were specially selected (Section 2.2), the degree to which they are representative of the whole VOS fleet will be carefully considered. The meteorological instrumentation used by the VOS varies depending on which meteorological agency recruited the ships. That used on the chosen VSOP-NA ships is typical of VOS recruited by the countries bordering the North Atlantic, and will be described in Section 4. Section 5 is a summary of Part 1 of the report.Part 2 presents the VSOP-NA ship catalogue. This includes, for each ship, diagrams of the layout (indicating in particular the exposure of the sensors), a summary of the geographical positions at which observations were obtained, and details of the instrumentation used.<br/
The effect of land tenure system on goat production in KwaNdebele
No full textDissertation (M Inst Agrar ( Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Indigenous goats are one of the most important sources of animal protein to many rural poor, but this is being threatened by the way they are managed and the way people utilize the land. Goats supply the rural people with meat, milk, manure (which can be used as fertilizers) and hides which can also be used for different purposes. Milk and meat have always been an important component in the normal balanced diet, providing energy, protein, calcium and other minerals and vitamins. As the population in South Africa continue to grow, meat and milk will become more important as a source of high quality protein to reduce malnutrition especially in children. As such milk and meat production is a vital form of primary health care in both rural and peri-urban areas. Donkin (1998) indicated that, in commercial enterprises, milk is usually from cows. However, the disadvantages with cows as a source of milk for the household and small holder farmer are that dairy cows are expensive, require large amounts of food, produce large amounts of milk (more than household needs), have a relatively long generation interval and when slaughtered have large carcases (posing problems of storage and distribution). In contrast, dairy and meat goats are less expensive, are easily handled by women and children, eat less, produce appropriate quantities of meat and milk for household consumption, reducing storage problems, have a short generation interval and produce more progeny. In spite of all these advantages, Bembridge and Tapson (1993) indicated that productivity from goats in the communal farming system, which is based on the extensive system is poor due to a low weaning rate, a high mortality rate and low turnover. Goats are often blamed for veld deterioration and damage to soil subsequent to poor animal and grazing management. Goats are hardy animals, that can survive where other animals cannot (Webb et al., 1998). One of the major problems at present however, is the availability of adequate grazing and the current land tenure systems. Goat farmers share common grazing land, which makes it very difficult to manage since the chief of the area holds the land in trust. This is one of the reasons why rural land is poorly managed. Our concern as researchers is how we can help rural people to sustain the productivity of these animals. This research is focused on the fact that" some 30% of the population of South Africa are classified as ultra-poor (i.e. those who do not obtain sufficient food) and of these, 80% are blacks living in rural areas, it is understandable that the efficiency of animal production in rural communal farming systems has been perceived by some as the most important issue for animal production research". The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of land tenure system on goat production in two rural villages, Moutse and Phooko. The analysis is based on 1998 / 1999 survey data. Surveys of landless and smallholder farmers were conducted in the KwaNdebele district of Mpumalanga in 1998 and 1999. In total 26 farmers were interviewed. The interview was through a questionnaire which was distributed to participating farmers with the help of an extension officer from the villages. The effect of land tenure on goat production was analysed by determining the productive efficiency of livestock in the villages, and the contribution of livestock to the livelihood of the local people. Finally farmers were classified according to categorical characteristics such as type of animal farmed with, those practicing minor management versus those who do not, and the type of farming system practiced e.g. animal or mixed farming. The results show that all the categories mentioned i.e. type of management, type of farming and land tenure system influence animal performance to some extent. It is concluded from the results that to successful farmers, land tenure seems to be a major limiting factor. The characterization of farmers that are economically successful in terms of goat I animal husbandry shows that they have little or no land and no regular substantial off farm income. Therefore, they rely mainly on goat I animal husbandry to provide a constant income, which emphasize the importance of livestock in rural farming systems. Although goats are less popular compared to cattle (often used for lobola), they form an important part of most rural farming systems, particularly in providing meat and milk for rural people. The results of the survey show that from the 26 farmers interviewed, 13 are farming with goats and cattle, and the remaining 13 with a combination of goats, cattle, sheep and sometimes pigs. KwaNdebele, like other former homelands has an agricultural potential which is largely underestimated because of lack of skills and training, absence of ownership, overstocking and lack of veld management. From the result, it is concluded that it is difficult to enforce proper management and conservation measures under communal land. Although the results suggests only a slight effect on land tenure on animal performance, land tenure does have an effect on the implementation of conservation measures. In economic terms, the cultivator I farmer is said to lack incentives to carefully husband the holding he does not have property rights that internalise the costs and benefits of conserving or failing to conserve the land (Basset and Crummey, 1993).Animal and Wildlife Sciencesunrestricte
[Photograph 2012.201.B1400.0052]
No full textPhotograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Rev. E.C. Webb Supt. Methodist Home of Tahlequah.
Services in Europe: a policy for the '90s. Europe: Magazine of the European Community No. 263, January-February 1987
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