Tesis sobre el tema "Goats – Pakistan – Feeding and feeds"

Small maize livestock farmers in the Eastern Province of Zambia badly need forage high in protein to supplement the protein deficient pasture grass. Nutrient intake, especially for the small ruminants with small gastro-intestinal capacity compared to metabolizable energy requirement, will be near or below maintenance if these poor quality feeds are not supplemented. High quality supplements however, are beyond the reach of the small scale farmers. The effect of feeding maize husk and leucaena as a mixture or separately on voluntary intake of maize husk was studied over a 40 day period. Ten male goats with an average weight of 15 kg were used. In a separate experiment the effect of browse supplementation on maize husk utilization by goats was studied. The treatments were; maize husk plus urea; maize husk plus Leucaena leucocephala (3:2); maize husk plus Calliandra calothyrsus (3:2); and maize husk plus leucaena plus calliandra (3:1:1). The results of the study indicate that leucaena and calliandra are both potentially valuable feed components.

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O objetivo principal foi determinar a contribuição dos diferentes segmentos do trato gastrointestinal (TGI) para a digestão da fibra. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos, os quais foram determinados o tempo médio de retenção (TMR) de partículas e líquido, conteúdo e pesos dos tecidos nos diferentes segmentos pelo método do abate. O primeiro estudo avaliou TMR de partículas e líquido de cabritos Saanen em crescimento de diferentes sexos e submetidos a diferentes níveis de restrição alimentar. Foram utilizados 54 cabritos da raça Saanen (18 fêmeas, 18 machos castrados e 18 machos inteiros) em um arranjo fatorial 3 × 3 que compreendeu os três sexos e três níveis de restrição alimentar (ad libitum / sem restrição, restrição moderada e severa). Contrastes polinomiais foram utilizados para determinar o efeito linear e quadrático da restrição alimentar, enquanto o efeito do sexo foi comparado pelo teste de Tukey. Os efeitos do sexo e interação entre sexo e restrição alimentar não foram significativos na maioria das variáveis avaliadas. A restrição alimentar aumentou o TMR de partículas e fluído. O TMR foi um recurso importante para aumentar a oferta de nutrientes, quando os animais foram submetidos à restrição alimentar, como indicado pelo aumento da digestibilidade total. O segundo estudo avaliou aspectos fisiológicos da digestão da fibra, retenção de partículas e líquido, conteúdo e peso dos tecidos em todo o TGI de cabritos da raça Saanen. O total de 58 cabritos da raça Saanen foram aleatoriamente dispostos em um arranjo fatorial 3 × 3, composto por três sexos (fêmeas, machos castrados, machos inteiros) e três pesos de abate (aproximadamente 16, 23, e 30 kg de peso no abate). Os efeitos do tratamento foram avaliados em um esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com o sexo como efeito principal e peso de abate como sub parcela. Contrastes polinomiais foram utilizados para determinar os efeitos ...
The main objective was to assess the contribution of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to the fiber digestion. Two experiments were conducted, which mean retention time (MRT) of particulate and liquid matter, pool size, and tissues weight in different segments were determined by slaughter technique. The study one evaluated MRT of particulate and liquid matter in growing Saanen goats of different sexes and subjected to different levels of feed restriction. Fifty-four Saanen goats (18 each of females, castrated males and intact males) were used in a 3×3 factorial arrangement comprising the three sexes and three levels of feed restriction (unrestricted/ad libitum, moderate and severe restriction). Polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effect of feed restriction, while the effect of sex was compared by Tukey test. The effects of sex and the interaction between sex and feed restriction were not significant on most of variables evaluated. In conclusion, the level of feed restriction increased the MRT of particulate and liquid matter. The MRT was an important mechanism to increase nutrient supply when animals were subjected to feed restriction, as indicated by increased total tract digestibility. The second study examined physiological aspects in the digestion of fiber, particulate and liquid matter residence, pool size, and tissues weight in the whole tract of growing Saanen goats. A total of 58 Saanen goats were disposed in a 3×3 factorial arrangement consisting of three sexes (female, castrated males, intact males) and three slaughter weights (target BW 16, 23, and 30 kg at slaughter). Treatment effects were evaluated in a split-plot design, with sex as the main plot and slaughter weight as the subplot. Polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of slaughter weight. Thus increased BW at slaughter resulted in greater MRT of particulate and liquid matter in ...

Orientador: Izabelle Auxiliadora Molina de Almeida Teixeira
Banca: Gustavo Rezende Siqueira
Banca: Antonello Cannas
Banca: Gilberto de Lima Macedo Junior
Banca: Renata Helena Branco Arnandes
Resumo: O objetivo principal foi determinar a contribuição dos diferentes segmentos do trato gastrointestinal (TGI) para a digestão da fibra. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos, os quais foram determinados o tempo médio de retenção (TMR) de partículas e líquido, conteúdo e pesos dos tecidos nos diferentes segmentos pelo método do abate. O primeiro estudo avaliou TMR de partículas e líquido de cabritos Saanen em crescimento de diferentes sexos e submetidos a diferentes níveis de restrição alimentar. Foram utilizados 54 cabritos da raça Saanen (18 fêmeas, 18 machos castrados e 18 machos inteiros) em um arranjo fatorial 3 × 3 que compreendeu os três sexos e três níveis de restrição alimentar (ad libitum / sem restrição, restrição moderada e severa). Contrastes polinomiais foram utilizados para determinar o efeito linear e quadrático da restrição alimentar, enquanto o efeito do sexo foi comparado pelo teste de Tukey. Os efeitos do sexo e interação entre sexo e restrição alimentar não foram significativos na maioria das variáveis avaliadas. A restrição alimentar aumentou o TMR de partículas e fluído. O TMR foi um recurso importante para aumentar a oferta de nutrientes, quando os animais foram submetidos à restrição alimentar, como indicado pelo aumento da digestibilidade total. O segundo estudo avaliou aspectos fisiológicos da digestão da fibra, retenção de partículas e líquido, conteúdo e peso dos tecidos em todo o TGI de cabritos da raça Saanen. O total de 58 cabritos da raça Saanen foram aleatoriamente dispostos em um arranjo fatorial 3 × 3, composto por três sexos (fêmeas, machos castrados, machos inteiros) e três pesos de abate (aproximadamente 16, 23, e 30 kg de peso no abate). Os efeitos do tratamento foram avaliados em um esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com o sexo como efeito principal e peso de abate como sub parcela. Contrastes polinomiais foram utilizados para determinar os efeitos ...
Abstract: The main objective was to assess the contribution of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to the fiber digestion. Two experiments were conducted, which mean retention time (MRT) of particulate and liquid matter, pool size, and tissues weight in different segments were determined by slaughter technique. The study one evaluated MRT of particulate and liquid matter in growing Saanen goats of different sexes and subjected to different levels of feed restriction. Fifty-four Saanen goats (18 each of females, castrated males and intact males) were used in a 3×3 factorial arrangement comprising the three sexes and three levels of feed restriction (unrestricted/ad libitum, moderate and severe restriction). Polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effect of feed restriction, while the effect of sex was compared by Tukey test. The effects of sex and the interaction between sex and feed restriction were not significant on most of variables evaluated. In conclusion, the level of feed restriction increased the MRT of particulate and liquid matter. The MRT was an important mechanism to increase nutrient supply when animals were subjected to feed restriction, as indicated by increased total tract digestibility. The second study examined physiological aspects in the digestion of fiber, particulate and liquid matter residence, pool size, and tissues weight in the whole tract of growing Saanen goats. A total of 58 Saanen goats were disposed in a 3×3 factorial arrangement consisting of three sexes (female, castrated males, intact males) and three slaughter weights (target BW 16, 23, and 30 kg at slaughter). Treatment effects were evaluated in a split-plot design, with sex as the main plot and slaughter weight as the subplot. Polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of slaughter weight. Thus increased BW at slaughter resulted in greater MRT of particulate and liquid matter in ...
Doutor

The occurrence and concentration of substances like glycosides, alkaloids, certain amino acids, and, especially, phenolics in vegetation has been seen as a defense against environmental perturbations. Whether this phenomenon is associated with the disruptive effect of man, herbivore predation or the invasion of arthropods and microorganisms remains to be ascertained by ecologists. However, contemporary research shows that most so-called secondary metabolites in plants render them less sensitive to adverse factors in the natural environment. Likewise, herbivores that adapted to chemical defense in plants were rewarded with wider food source and might have been able to more efficiently exploit rapidly changing foraging environments. This study focuses on relationships between goats, their ruminal microbes and tannin-rich plants in a central Arizona chaparral vegetation type dominated by shrub live oak (Quercus turbinella). The study tested hypotheses involving goat dietary selection, estimated through microhistological analysis of feces; phenolic profile of shrub live oak, expressed as condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, protein binding capacity of oak leaves extract, expressed as bovine serum albumin (BSA) precipitation; and apparent dry matter digestibility of mature and immature oak leaves by goat ruminal microbes measured at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Findings of this research indicated that goats prefer leaf and shoot ends of shrubs, mainly shrub live oak, despite the constant high concentration of tannins in that plant. Hydrolyzable tannins in oak are synthesized during summer/fall and late spring, and the synthesis of condensed tannins is mostly restricted to winter and early spring. Precipitation of BSA by extract of oak leaves, apparently associated with hydrolyzable tannins, did not discourage oak consumption by goats. The digestibility of younger and older oak leaves was more influenced by time of incubation than level of phenolics in plant tissue. This research emphasizes the adaptability of goats to ecological zones where presence of toxins and digestion reducing compounds in plants adversely affects survival and fitness of non-adapted herbivores.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate Dohne Merino sheep and Boer goats in terms of the degradable parameters of a high-fibre diet, a low-fibre diet and two vegetable protein sources commonly used in South Africa. Differences between species were evaluated following the potential differences within species. The feedstuffs used were those for the following diets: low-fibre diet (LF); high-fibre diet (HF); sunflower meal (SFM) oilcake; and soybean meal (SBM) oilcake. In the first trial, the digestible characteristics of the HF and LF diets were determined by means of a digestibility study. A 6 × 6 Latin square design was used to determine whether Dohne Merino sheep or Boer goat wethers differ regarding the digestibility characteristics of low- and high-fibre diets. The diets were fed once daily at 1.24 kg to all the wethers, which had ad libitum access to fresh water. Each period consisted of 10 days of adaptation and seven days of faecal and urinary sampling. The results indicated that the intake and digestibility characteristics of nutrients did not differ between sheep and goats. However, the different diets differed in terms of the nutrient intake and digestibility range of sheep and goats. The second trial was an in sacco degradability trial to determine the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of the LF, HF, SBM and SFM diets. Six Dohne Merino and six Boer goat wethers were fitted with rumen cannulae so that they could be used in the trial. All wethers received the same basal diet. The samples were incubated in the rumen in polyester Dacron bags, with the bags being removed at intervals of 0h, 3h, 9h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h for the LF and HF diets. All the oilcake was removed at intervals of 0h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h, 16h, 24h, 36h and 48h. The sheep and goats were found not to differ from one another in terms of effective degradability of any of the feedstuffs concerned. However, within species differences were observed. To establish a fully integrated outcome of degradability, the study described in the current thesis was structured in such a way that the in vitro trial ran parallel with the in sacco trial, being performed with the aid of a Daisy Incubator (ANKOM Technology Corp., Fairport, NY). Such a procedure was only adopted in relation to the SFM and SBM diets in order to evaluate their in vitro data in relation to the in sacco data. The same oilcake was tested in the case of both trials, with the composite sample of rumen liquid of four sheep or goats, which was used in the in sacco trial, also being used in the in vitro study. In the study, DM disappearance values were determined and fitted to a single-compartment model by means of an iterative least-square procedure in order to determine the DM and CP degradability parameters. The DM used in vitro or in sacco was compared, using the actual values obtained after 8h incubation, due to only a limited amount of residue being left after incubation. In the study, the in vitro method overestimated the digestibility of SBM by 37% to 39% and the digestibility of SFM by 17% to 20% compared with that found to occur in the in sacco method. In vitro DM disappearance values for all SBM samples were found to be higher than those that were detected in the SFM samples. The percentage of in vitro true digestibility parameters was also calculated. No significant differences were found between species for effective degradability, though differences were observed within species between the two substrates concerned. In conclusion, the sheep and goats used in the study were not found to differ in terms of digestion parameters when they were compared on different types of roughage or protein sources. However, within species differences were, indeed, found to occur. Sheep and goats digested the SBM better than they did the SFM.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of Dohne Merino skape verskil van Boerbokke in terme van degradeerbaarheidsparameters van ‘n hoë vesel-, ‘n lae veseldieët en twee plantaardige proteïenbronne wat algemeen in Suid-Afrika gebruik word. Die verskille tussen spesies is ge-evalueer en daarna die potensiële verskille binne spesies. Die volgende grondstowwe is geëvalueer: ‘n laevesel-dieët (LF), ‘n hoëvesel-dieët (HF), sonneblom-oliekoekmeel (SFM) en sojaboon-oliekoekmeel (SBM). In die eerste proef is die degradeerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët en die LF dieët met behulp van ‘n verteerbaarheidstudie bepaal. Dohne Merino hamels of Boerbok kapaters was gebruik om te bepaal of skape en bokke verskil in terme van inname en degradeerbaarheid van voedingstowwe wanneer hul hoë- en lae vesel voere gevoer word. Al die hamels en kapaters het ad libitum toegang tot vars water gehad en hul was een keer per dag (1.24 kg) gevoer. Elke periode het bestaan uit ‘n 10 dag aanpassingsperiode en ‘n toegelate 7 dae vir mis- en urienmonster versameling. Die resultate het aangedui dat die inname- en degradeerbaarheidsparameters van nutriënte beinvloed word deur verskillende diëte binne spesies. Geen verskille is gevind tussen spesies wanneer daar hoë- en lae kwaliteit voere gevoer is nie. Die tweede proef was ‘n in sacco-degradeerbaarheidsstudie om te bepaal wat die droë materiaal (DM) en ruproteïen (RP) verteerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët, die LF dieët, die SBM en die SFM is. Ses Dohne Merino’s en ses Boer bokke met rumen kanullas is in die studie gebruik en al die diere het dieselfde basale dieët ontvang. Die monsters is in die rumen geïnkubeer in poliester dakronsakkies en die sakkies is verwyder na onderskeidelik 0 uur, 3 uur, 9 uur, 12 uur, 24 uur, 48 uur, 72 uur en 96 uur intervalle. Laasgenoemde intervalle was geldig vir die lae vesel- en hoëveseldieët. Die oliekoeke se intervalle het verskil en is verwyder na 0 uur, 2 uur, 4 uur, 8 uur, 12 uur, 16 uur, 24 uur, 36 uur en 48 uur. Daar was geen verskille tussen spesies in effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape verteer veselagtige grondstowwe meer effektief terwyl bokke weer hoë proteïn bevattende grondstowwe beter verteer. Om ‘n volkome geïntegreede uitkoms van degradeerbaarheid te bewerkstellig is die in vitro proef en die in sacco proef gelyktydig gedoen. Die in vitro-degradeerbareheidstudie is met behulp van ‘n ANKOM Daisy Inkubeerder uitgevoer (ANKOM Tegnologie Korp., Fairport, NY) vir net die oliekoek behandelings. Gedurende die studie is dieselfde oliekoeke gebruik. ‘n Saamgestelde monster van die rumenvloeistof van vier van die skape of bokke wat vir die in sacco-studie gebruik was, is gebruik vir die in vitro-inkubasie van die monsters. DM verdwyningparameters is bereken en dan met ‘n interaktiewe kleinste kwadraat prosedure op ‘n een-kompartement model gepas om die in sacco DMdegradeerbaarheidsparameters te bepaal. Die DM verdwyning, na 8h inkubasie, was gebruik om die in vitro en die in sacco metodes met mekaar te vergelyk, weens ‘n beperkte residu na die afloop van die elke inkubasiestudie. Tydens die studie het die in vitro metode degradering oorskat in vergelyking met die in sacco metode. DM verdwyningswaardes vir al die SBM monsters was hoër in vitro as die SFM monsters. In die studie is die persentasie in vitro ware degradeerbaarheidswaardes bereken. Geen verskille is opgemerk tussen spesies vir effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie. Daar was wel verskille binne spesies. Om af te sluit het dit voorgekom dat skape en bokke nie verskil aan degradeerbaarheidswaardes wanneer daar ‘n vergelyking was tussen verskillende vesels- en proteϊenbronne nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape en bokke het SBM effektief beter verteer as SFM.

The broad objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing and housing management systems on greenhouse gas emissions, blood profiles and meat quality of Nguni goats. A total of 64 castrated Nguni goats were used and a housing structure was designed to accommodate the goats as well as evaluate effects of type of floor on greenhouse gases, meat quality, blood metabolites and fatty acid profiles. In the first experiment: Forty-eight castrated Nguni goats, at 6-7 months old were used for herding (H) or tethering (T) management systems and randomly allocated to pens with earth (E) or slatted (S) floors. Gas sampling was done using static chambers and analysed using a SRI 8610C gas chromatography machine. The highest CH4 fluxes were from the manure of herded goats on earth floors (HE). The highest CO2 fluxes were from manure of herded goats that were housed on slatted floors (HS): The highest N2O fluxes were from the manure of tethered goats that were sheltered on slatted floors (TS). It was concluded from the first experiment that goat manure is an important source of GHG that is influenced by grazing and floor type management systems. The second experiment was done to evaluate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from disused (DP) vs occupied goat pens (OP) with earth (EF) or slatted (SF) floors. Eight previously occupied pens were used in this study. Sixteen goats were randomly put in the pens labelled occupied pens with earth floors (OPEF) and occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) resulting in four goats per OP. There were month by pen use; month by floor type; and use by floor type interaction effects (P < 0.05) on CH4 production. Floor type, use (DP vs OP) and month affected (P < 0.05) CH4 production. Manure on earth floors of occupied pens (OPEF) emitted the highest (P < 0.05) methane followed by earth floors of disused pens (DPEF). The least CH4 was emitted from DPSF. There was pen use (DP vs OP) by floor type interaction effect (P < 0.05) on CO2 emission. Floor type and pen use affected (P < 0.05) CO2 production. Manure in occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) produced the highest CO2 and the least CO2 was from disused pens with slatted floors (DPSF). Floor type and month influenced (P < 0.05) N2O production. It was concluded that continued use of goat pens increased GHG emissions. However, disused goat pens with manure remain an important source of GHG as they continued to emit quantifiable levels of CH4, CO2 and N2O. The third experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the concentrations of blood metabolites, activity of creatine kinase, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and carcass characteristics using 48 castrated Nguni goats. Tethered goats had higher (P<0.05): urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin concentrations and more activity of CK than herded goats. On the other hand, herded goats had higher (P<0.05) plasma glucose (H: 3.39±0.020 vs T: 3.23±0.020 mmol/L), serum albumin (H: 15.30±0.147 vs T: 14.82±0.144 g/L) concentration. It was concluded that serum concentrations of all the metabolites and the activity of CK were sensitive to grazing system. Herding of goats promoted more glucose concentration and preservation of muscle protein and hence superior body weights and BCS than tethered goats. The fourth experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the activity of creatine kinase (CK) and cortisol concentration, and chevon quality. Further, the effect of muscle type [Muscularis longissimus thoracis et. Lumborum (LTL) and triceps brachii (TB)] on chevon quality was also investigated. Forty eight castrated Nguni goats aged 6- 7 months were randomly allocated to tethering (n=24) and herding (n=24) treatments. Floor type affected meat (P<0.05) pH24. Tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) L* and CL percent than herded goats. Muscle type had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on a*, WBSF and pH. It was observed and concluded that T resulted in higher L* and more CL percent whilst SF lowered the pH24 of chevon; at the same time meat from the TB muscle was more tender, despite having a higher pH24 and more CL percent relative to LTH cuts. The fifth experiment was done to determine the effect of grazing and floor type on fatty acid composition of chevon from tethered and herded Nguni goats. Floor type had no effect on fatty acid composition. Oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic were the major fatty acids. Chevon from tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and more total SFA, total PUFA, total Omega- 6 and total omega 3 fatty acids than herded goats. On the other hand, chevon from herded goats had more (P < 0.05) C18:1c9, C18:2t9, 12 (n-6), C20:3c11, 14, 17 (n-3) and total MUFA than tethered goats. However, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the PUFA: SFA and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios between the herded and tethered goats. It was concluded that tethering promoted higher proportions of beneficial PUFAs which were more in TB than LTH muscle. The overall conclusions from the whole study were that goat manure is an important source of GHG with high CH4 being emitted from earth floors of herded goats. High CO2 and N2O are emitted from SF of herded and tethered goats, respectively. There were no major differences in meat quality between herded and tethered goats. However, herding promoted more live weight gain than tethering. On the other hand, tethering promoted more beneficial fatty acids. Therefore depending on the objective of the enterprise, smallholder farmers can safely tether or herd their goats. Further, there is need to develop technologies to harness CH4 from goat manure.

Climate change is predicted to have a negative effect on the rangelands of sub-Saharan Africa, affecting the distribution, productivity and extent of these rangelands. Similarly, Subtropical Thicket vegetation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa is expected to experience a reduction in plant growth with conditions becoming similar to those experienced under desertification. The transformation of thicket results in a decrease in perennial plant species cover and richness, which is replaced by an ephemeral layer of grasses and forbs. Assessing the responses of herbivores to this transformation thus allows the testing of the hypothesis that climate change and desertification will lead to a broadening of diet and a decline in secondary productivity. In this study, the diet and productivity of Angora goats in intact and transformed thicket in adjacent paddocks was investigated from August 2005 to July 2006. Faecal analysis was used to compare the diets of the Angora goats in the intact and transformed thicket treatments. Goats in the transformed treatment consumed a higher diversity of plant species (94 species) compared to those in the intact thicket (42 species). The higher species richness per faecal sample and the larger seasonal variation in plant species utilized by the goats in the transformed treatment reflected the variability of this treatment in response to rainfall. Dietary shifts to include less palatable species not found in the intact treatment diet were clear, but due to the high rainfall year an abundant ephemeral layer, comprising grasses and forbs, was available in the transformed treatment. The diet quality of the transformed treatment goats was higher, as indexed by faecal lignin, than the intact treatment goats, although there was no statistical difference in the NDF and ash levels between the treatments. There was however, more variation in the nutritional quality of the transformed thicket diet, as indexed by dietary phosphorous, showing that intact thicket retains a more constant nutritional level. There was no difference in the body condition and mohair production of the goats in the two treatments. The hypothesis of broadening of the diet was thus supported, but there was no evidence for the predicted decline in secondary productivity. This study was undertaken during an above average rainfall period and large quantities of nutritious ephemeral grasses were available in the transformed treatment. This resource would not be available in a drought; therefore goats in the intact thicket will likely perform better over longer periods; providing stocking rates are realistic. This is the first study to measure the response of domestic herbivores to transformation either in terms of resource use or production.

This study was conducted on the grazing of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats managed by 41 farmers in Nigeria. The study focused on the use of "fodder banks" by small-scale farmers. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of seeding Stylosanthes hamata on herbage productivity and goat performance under three grazing management systems: tethering (conventional), free grazing natural pasture or free grazing legume-seeded pasture (fodder bank).
Irrespective of the system of management, goats grazing the various pastures had a weaning weight of 6.0 $ pm$ 0.3 kg. At 6, 9 and 12 months the body weights were 9.3 $ pm$ 0.41, 11.7 $ pm$ 1.36 and 12.6 $ pm$ 0.73 kg, resulting from an average daily gain (ADG) of 49.0 $ pm$ 4.0, 33.4 $ pm$ 4.0, 31.0 $ pm$ 0.1 and 25.0 $ pm$ 0.03 g day$ sp{-1}$ for the growth periods of birth to 3 months (pre-weaning) 3-6, 3-9, and 3-12 month (post-weaning) growth periods, respectively. There were no significant differences among the grazing systems with regard to birth weights and 3-month body weight (weaning weight). However, during the 3 to 6-month growth period, the ADG of goats tethered on natural pasture was higher than that observed for goats grazing S. hamata seeded pasture or fenced natural pasture, but this difference disappeared with time. At the 12-month period goats grazing fodder banks were heavier than goats tethered on natural pasture during the late wet season period, but the effect was not significant. Although animals lost weight during the late rainy season, animals grazing fodder banks seemed to have lost less weight than those grazing natural pasture. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Feeding behaviour of Xhosa lop-eared, Nguni and Nguni × Boer goat genotypes kept on rangelands of the False Thornveld By Archibold Garikayi Bakare The study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare farm to assess the feeding behaviour of three goat genotypes: Xhosa lop-eared (XLE), Nguni (NGN) and Nguni × Boer crossbred (NBC) genotypes. The time spent on different activities (grazing, browsing and other activities) on rangelands was recorded using stop watches. The micro-histological faecal analysis technique was used to identify and quantify the plant species that were consumed by the goats across the four seasons. Time spent browsing was high in post-rainy season for XLE (55.94 %) compared to NGN (52.97 %) and crossbred NBC (45.95 %) goats. The high browsing activity was also noted for XLE in hot-wet and cool-dry season (P < 0.05). The NBC goats on the other hand; devoted most of their time grazing compared to XLE and NGN goats across seasons (P < 0.05). Generally, time of day had no effect (P > 0.05) on foraging activities among the goat breeds. Grewia occidentalis, Panicum maximum and Diospyros lycioides were the most preferred plant species by all genotypes across seasons in the paddock. It was concluded that crossbreds spent more time grazing as compared to XLE, which are more of browsers. It could, therefore, be recommended that XLE complement with grazers (cattle and sheep) for efficient management of feed resources in rangelands.

The effects of limited and infrequent drinking, and atropine administration on feed intake and utilization was investigated in South African indigenous goats. Sixteen goats with an average body weight of 29.1 kg were subjected to water restriction and deprivation with concurrent atropine administration. They were fed ad libitum with a mixture of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and eragrostis hay (Eragrostis curvula), blended with molasses. The diet contained 10.47% crude protein, 38% crude fibre and 17.5 MJ/kg gross energy. Fifteen goats were randomly divided into 3 groups and were watered ad Libitum, 50% of ad libitum and 30% of ad libitum water intake respectively (Trial 1). In trial 2, a group of 8 animals were deprived of water for 3 days while the other group had free access to water daily (phase1). During phase 2, another group of 8 were watered on the 5th day while others had water ad libitum. A subgroup of 4 goats each were injected with atropine in both phases. The results showed that these goats have high water efficiency. The limited and infrequent supply of water decreased feed intake but enhanced nutrient utilisation. The provision of water at the 50% ad libitum level or once in 3 days is economical and beneficial to goat production in water-scarce areas. There is a need for complimentary investigations using atropine at high doses to further elucidate the effects of this drug on the gastro-intestinal functions of ruminants.
Dissertation (MSc (Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.
Anatomy and Physiology
unrestricted

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Little research has been done on natural feed additives which enhance milk production in dairy animals. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) is a member of the legume family and is found in India, Middle East, North Africa and South Europe. Fenugreek is used as an herb in traditional medicine to promote lactation in lactating women. It also influences the lactation performance in ruminants such as dairy cows, water buffaloes and dairy goats. Diocin is a natural saponin found in Fenugreek and has structural similarity to oestrogen, which leads to an increased release of growth hormone (GH) and ultimately milk production. Three different trials were carried out to investigate Fenugreek’s effects. Each trial consisted of three treatment groups where dairy goats were randomly assigned. Nutrifen®, NutrifenPlus® and a control treatment served as the three treatments used in this study. Forty-eight goats per treatment group were used in the first trial where the main objective was to evaluate Fenugreek’s effect on milk production and milk composition. The second trial consisted of eight goats per treatment group, where Fenugreek’s effect on the in vivo and in vitro digestibility of the feed served as the main objective of this study. In the final part of the study, growth hormone found in plasma was subsequently investigated using the same goats from trial two. Fenugreek’s effect on elevating GH levels was the objective from the third part of the study. The first trial showed promising results in terms of an increase in milk production (P = 0.01) from dairy goats using the Nutrifen® treatment and an increase in milk lactose (P = 0.03) using the NutrifenPlus® treatment. Blood cholesterol and cholesterol content found in the milk did not differ between treatments used. Apparent digestibility of the total digestible nutrients (TDN) from the feed did not increase and did not differ between treatments and therefore concluded that the dairy goats digested the different treatments with similar efficiency regardless of the additive added to the feed. Growth hormone levels found in plasma also did not differ between treatments used in the third part of the study. Variation was found in GH plasma levels and this was expected as GH levels are known to have variation within ruminants. It appears that Fenugreek used as a natural feed additive can increase the milk yield from dairy goats, which would be beneficial to the commercial dairy goat farmer. However, the process on how Fenugreek exerts its effect on milk production still remains unclear.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tot datum is min navorsing gepubliseer wat die invloed van natuurlike voer bymiddels op melkproduksie aanspreek. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) is ‘n peulgewas en kom voor in Indië, die Midde Ooste, Noord Afrika en Suid Europa. Fenugreek word in tradisionele medisyne gebruik om sodoende melkproduksie in lakterende vroue te verhoog. Dit verhoog ook melkprodukise in melkkoeie, waterbuffels en melkbokke. Diocin is ‘n natuurlike saponien, met sterk oestrogeniese strukturele ooreenkomste, wat in Fenugreek voorkom. Diocin lei tot die verhoogde afskeiding van groeihormoon (GH) en uiteindelik ‘n toename in melkproduksie. Drie proewe is uitgevoer ten einde die effek van Fenugreek te ondersoek. Elke proef het bestaan uit drie behandelingsgroepe en melkbokke is ewekansig aan die groepe toegedeel. Nutrifen®, NutrifenPlus® en ‘n kontrole sonder enige additief is gebruik as behandelings. Agt-en-veertig bokke is per behandeling gebruik in die eerste proef. Die doel van hierdie proef was om die invloed van Fenugreek op melkproduksie en melksamestelling te bepaal. Die tweede proef het agt bokke per behandelingsgroep gehad en het ten doel gehad om te bepaal wat die invloed van Fenugreek op die in vitro en in vivo verteerbaarheid van die voere was. In die derde proef is dieselfde bokke as die in proef twee gebruik en hier is groeihormoon vlakke in sirkulerende bloedplasma gemeet om die invloed van Fenugreek op hierdie parameter te bepaal. Resultate van die eerste proef het getoon dat melkproduksie van bokke wat Nutrifen® ontvang het betekenisvol verhoog het (P = 0.01) terwyl NutrifenPlus® gelei het tot ‘n verhoging (P = 0.03) in melk laktose vlakke. Bloed cholesterol en melk cholesterol vlakke was onveranderd. Skynbare verteerbaarheid van die totale verteerbare voedingstowwe (TVV) van die voer het nie verander (P = 0.34) met die insluiting van Fenugreek nie. Plasma groeihormoonvlakke was nie betekenisvol verskillend (P > 0.05) tussen behandelingsgroepe nie en die gebrek aan verskille kan waarskynlik toegeskryf word aan die variasie wat binne behandelings groepe opgemerk is vir hierdie parameter. Sodanige variasie in plasma groeihormoon word as algemeen beskou in herkouers. Gevolglik kan aanvaar word dat die natuurlike voerbymiddel, Fenugreek, gebruik kan word om melkproduksie in lakterende melkbokke te verhoog. Hierdie praktyk behoort voordele in te hou vir die kommersiële melkprodusent. Die proses waardeur hierdie verhoging plaasvind is egter steeds nie duidelik nie.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a substituição do milho pela raspa de mandioca na dieta de cabras Alpinas sobre o consumo de massa seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e energia metabolizável (EM), sobre a produção e composição do leite, digestibilidade aparente da MS, PB e FDN e também sobre o comportamento ingestivo dos animais em pastagem de capim-tobiatã. O experimento teve duração de 72 dias, em que foram utilizadas oito cabras em lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos (4 x 4) balanceados. Os tratamentos consistiram em níveis de 0, 33, 67 e 100% de substituição do milho pela raspa de mandioca no concentrado. A inclusão da mandioca proporcionou aumento linear no consumo de CNF e na digestibilidade da MS. A substituição não influenciou a produção e composição do leite e no comportamento ingestivo dos animais, dessa maneira, a raspa de mandioca pode substituir totalmente o milho no concentrado fornecido às cabras sem trazer prejuízos à produção de leite.
This study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of corn by cassava in supplementation of Alpine does on dry matter intake (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and metabolizable energy (ME), yield and milk composition, apparent digestibility of DM, CP and NDF and also on the grazing behavior in tobiatã grass. The experiment lasted 72 days, were used eight lactating does, distributed in two Latin squares (4 x 4) balanced. The treatments were as following: 0, 33, 67 and 100% replacement of corn by cassava. The inclusion of cassava caused a linear increase in the NFC consumption and DM digestibility. The substitution had no effect on milk yield and feeding behavior of the animals in this way, cassava can replace totally the corn in the supplement provided to does without harming the production of milk.

Orientador: Heraldo César Gonçalves
Banca: Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles
Banca: Marco Aurélio Factori
Banca: Otavio Rodrigues Machado Neto
Banca: Kleber Tomasde Resende
Banca: Carla Maris Machado Bittar
Resumo: O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a substituição do milho pela raspa de mandioca na dieta de cabras Alpinas sobre o consumo de massa seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e energia metabolizável (EM), sobre a produção e composição do leite, digestibilidade aparente da MS, PB e FDN e também sobre o comportamento ingestivo dos animais em pastagem de capim-tobiatã. O experimento teve duração de 72 dias, em que foram utilizadas oito cabras em lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos (4 x 4) balanceados. Os tratamentos consistiram em níveis de 0, 33, 67 e 100% de substituição do milho pela raspa de mandioca no concentrado. A inclusão da mandioca proporcionou aumento linear no consumo de CNF e na digestibilidade da MS. A substituição não influenciou a produção e composição do leite e no comportamento ingestivo dos animais, dessa maneira, a raspa de mandioca pode substituir totalmente o milho no concentrado fornecido às cabras sem trazer prejuízos à produção de leite.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of corn by cassava in supplementation of Alpine does on dry matter intake (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and metabolizable energy (ME), yield and milk composition, apparent digestibility of DM, CP and NDF and also on the grazing behavior in tobiatã grass. The experiment lasted 72 days, were used eight lactating does, distributed in two Latin squares (4 x 4) balanced. The treatments were as following: 0, 33, 67 and 100% replacement of corn by cassava. The inclusion of cassava caused a linear increase in the NFC consumption and DM digestibility. The substitution had no effect on milk yield and feeding behavior of the animals in this way, cassava can replace totally the corn in the supplement provided to does without harming the production of milk.
Doutor

The study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare farm to assess the effect of dietary supplementation on physico-chemical and consumer sensory characteristics of chevon from South African indigenous goat genotypes. Forty-eight 6-month-old Xhosa lop-eared (XLE), Nguni (NGN), Xhosa-Boer cross (XBC) and Boer (BOR) castrated goats with a body weight range from 20 to 25 kg were used in this study. Half of the goats in each genotype were supplemented with 200g/head/day of sunflower cake. The other half of goats in each genotype was not supplemented. The goats were slaughtered at day 90 to determine slaughter weight (SLW), cold dress mass (CDM), meat colour, cooking loss, meat pH and Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear force values. Furthermore, a consumer sensory evaluation of cooked or fried chevon from supplemented and non-supplemented goats was conducted with consumers of different ages, tribes and gender. The XLE and NGN goats had higher pH24 (P < 0.05) than BOR and XBC goats. Supplemented BOR goats had higher L* values than their non-supplemented counterparts (P < 0.05). The other meat quality attributes in XLE and NGN were comparable to those in meat from the Boer goat. Female respondents gave higher (P < 0.05) sensory scores than male respondents for both cooked and fried meat on aroma intensity. Shona consumers gave higher (P < 0.05) aroma intensity scores than the Xhosa and the Zulu consumers for both cooked and fried meat. In the non-supplemented goats, fried meat for all genotypes was superior (P < 0.05) to the cooked meat for initial impression of juiciness. Age and gender of respondents and thermal iv treatment influenced initial impression of juiciness scores (P < 0.05). The quality of chevon from XLE and NGN was comparable to that of the Boer goat, and dietary supplementation improved most meat quality attributes. Chevon from the supplemented goats had higher consumer sensory scores than chevon from the non-supplemented goats. Keywords: supplementation, meat colour, ultimate pH, consumer sensory evaluation, Xhosa lop eared, Nguni, Boer goats.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
A estratégia mais rápida para alterar o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de maneira a beneficiar a saúde do consumidor é aumentar o teor do ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA) por meio da suplementação da dieta dos animais com óleos vegetais. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a inclusão de abacate na dieta de cabras, por meio da polpa da fruta com 16% de extrato etéreo (EE) na matéria seca (MS) e óleo comercial com 8% de EE na MS sobre: consumo, produção, composição e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite. Foram usadas seis cabras Anglo-nubianas em lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 3 x 3 balanceados. A dieta com polpa reduziu e a de óleo aumentou o consumo de MS em relação ao controle (3% EE na MS), sendo observada a mesma tendência para os nutrientes, exceção para o EE que foi mais consumido na dieta com polpa em relação ao controle. Os teores de sólidos totais e gordura do leite foram maiores na dieta com óleo em relação ao controle, e estes não diferirem da polpa, os demais constituintes e a produção de leite não foram influenciados pelas dietas. Observou-se redução no teor de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta no leite das cabras suplementadas com fontes lipídicas em relação ao controle, e aumento no nível de CLA em 56,88 e 66,10% nas dietas com polpa e óleo respectivamente. A suplementação de ácidos graxos insaturados por meio do óleo ou da polpa de abacate aumenta a concentração de CLA e diminui os ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, melhorando assim as propriedades nutracêuticas do leite podendo beneficiar a saúde dos consumidores
The fastest strategy that alters Milk fatty acid profile in order to benefit consumer health is to improve the level of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by supplementing animal diets with vegetable oils. This research aimed to evaluate goat diets supplemented with avocado addition using a fruit polp with 16% of ether extract (EE) in dry matter (DM) and commercial oil with 8% EE in DM on: intake and milk production, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. There were used six Anglo Nubian lactating goats, distributed in two balanced 3 x 3 latin squares. Pulp diet reduced and oil diet improved DM intake in relation to control (3% EE), and the nutrients followed the same tendency, except for EE, that was more consumed in pulp and oil diets. The content of milk total solids and fat were higher in oil diet in relation to control, and did not differ from pulp diet, the other constituents and the milk production were not influenced by diets. In relation to fatty acids, it was observed reduction in short chain fatty acids in milk from goats supplemented with lipid sources in relation to control and increase on CLA level in 56,88 and 66,10/% in treatments with pulp and oil respectively. The supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids by avocado oil and pulp increases CLA concentration and decreases short chain fatty acids, improving milk nutraceutical properties, what can benefit consumer health.
FAPESP: 13/07146-0

Orientador: Heraldo César Gonçalves
Banca: Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles
Banca: Simone Fernandes
Banca: Helen Fernanda Barros Gomes
Banca: Gil Ignacio Lara Canizares
Resumo: A estratégia mais rápida para alterar o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de maneira a beneficiar a saúde do consumidor é aumentar o teor do ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA) por meio da suplementação da dieta dos animais com óleos vegetais. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a inclusão de abacate na dieta de cabras, por meio da polpa da fruta com 16% de extrato etéreo (EE) na matéria seca (MS) e óleo comercial com 8% de EE na MS sobre: consumo, produção, composição e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite. Foram usadas seis cabras Anglo-nubianas em lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 3 x 3 balanceados. A dieta com polpa reduziu e a de óleo aumentou o consumo de MS em relação ao controle (3% EE na MS), sendo observada a mesma tendência para os nutrientes, exceção para o EE que foi mais consumido na dieta com polpa em relação ao controle. Os teores de sólidos totais e gordura do leite foram maiores na dieta com óleo em relação ao controle, e estes não diferirem da polpa, os demais constituintes e a produção de leite não foram influenciados pelas dietas. Observou-se redução no teor de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta no leite das cabras suplementadas com fontes lipídicas em relação ao controle, e aumento no nível de CLA em 56,88 e 66,10% nas dietas com polpa e óleo respectivamente. A suplementação de ácidos graxos insaturados por meio do óleo ou da polpa de abacate aumenta a concentração de CLA e diminui os ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, melhorando assim as propriedades nutracêuticas do leite podendo beneficiar a saúde dos consumidores
Abstract: The fastest strategy that alters Milk fatty acid profile in order to benefit consumer health is to improve the level of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by supplementing animal diets with vegetable oils. This research aimed to evaluate goat diets supplemented with avocado addition using a fruit polp with 16% of ether extract (EE) in dry matter (DM) and commercial oil with 8% EE in DM on: intake and milk production, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. There were used six Anglo Nubian lactating goats, distributed in two balanced 3 x 3 latin squares. Pulp diet reduced and oil diet improved DM intake in relation to control (3% EE), and the nutrients followed the same tendency, except for EE, that was more consumed in pulp and oil diets. The content of milk total solids and fat were higher in oil diet in relation to control, and did not differ from pulp diet, the other constituents and the milk production were not influenced by diets. In relation to fatty acids, it was observed reduction in short chain fatty acids in milk from goats supplemented with lipid sources in relation to control and increase on CLA level in 56,88 and 66,10/% in treatments with pulp and oil respectively. The supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids by avocado oil and pulp increases CLA concentration and decreases short chain fatty acids, improving milk nutraceutical properties, what can benefit consumer health.
Doutor

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Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar efeitos do sistema de alimentação e grupo racial no desempenho, medidas biométricas e análise morfológica do estômago de cabritos confinados. Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos (gênero) casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo os grupos raciais: A (Alpino), AN (Anglo-Nubiano), 1/2 BA (1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpino), 3/4 BA (3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpino) e 7/8 BA (7/8 Boer + 1/8 Alpino), e os sistemas de alimentação: dieta experimental sem leite e dieta experimental mais 1,5 L de leite/animal/dia. Os animais foram abatidos após atingirem 30 kg de peso vivo. Como o melhor desempenho foi obtido com animais 1/2 BA, não há necessidade de o produtor manter fêmeas mestiças 1/2 BA e 3/4 BA no rebanho. A utilização de leite excedente pode ser recomendada, uma vez que não trouxe prejuízos ao desempenho e medidas biométricas dos animais, ajudou a reduzir o peso total do estômago, além de uma economia de 51,39 % no consumo da dieta
The experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding system and racial group in the performance, biometric measurements and morphological analysis of the stomach of confined goats. It was used a block design (gender) randomized in a factorial scheme 5 x 2, being the racial groups: A (Alpine), AN (Anglo-Nubian), 1/2 BA (1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpine), 3/4 BA (3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpine) and 7/8 BA (7/8 Boer + 1/8 Alpine), and the feeding systems: experimental diet without milk and experimental diet more 1.5 L of milk/animal/day. The animals were slaughtered after reaching 30 kg of live weight. As the best performance was obtained with the 1/2 BA, no have need the producer keep crossbred females 1/2 BA and 3/4 BA in the herd. The use of surplus milk can be recommended, since it did not caused damage to the biometric measurements and performance of the animals, helped reduce the total weight of the stomach, besides an economy of 51,39 % in the diet consumption

Orientador: Heraldo Cesar Gonçalves
Banca: Roberto de Oliveira Roça
Banca: Cyntia Ludovico Martins
Banca: Sirlei Aparecida Maestá
Banca: Helen Fernanda Barros Gomes
Resumo: O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar efeitos do sistema de alimentação e grupo racial no desempenho, medidas biométricas e análise morfológica do estômago de cabritos confinados. Foi utilizado o delineamento em blocos (gênero) casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo os grupos raciais: A (Alpino), AN (Anglo-Nubiano), 1/2 BA (1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpino), 3/4 BA (3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpino) e 7/8 BA (7/8 Boer + 1/8 Alpino), e os sistemas de alimentação: dieta experimental sem leite e dieta experimental mais 1,5 L de leite/animal/dia. Os animais foram abatidos após atingirem 30 kg de peso vivo. Como o melhor desempenho foi obtido com animais 1/2 BA, não há necessidade de o produtor manter fêmeas mestiças 1/2 BA e 3/4 BA no rebanho. A utilização de leite excedente pode ser recomendada, uma vez que não trouxe prejuízos ao desempenho e medidas biométricas dos animais, ajudou a reduzir o peso total do estômago, além de uma economia de 51,39 % no consumo da dieta
Abstract : The experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding system and racial group in the performance, biometric measurements and morphological analysis of the stomach of confined goats. It was used a block design (gender) randomized in a factorial scheme 5 x 2, being the racial groups: A (Alpine), AN (Anglo-Nubian), 1/2 BA (1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpine), 3/4 BA (3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpine) and 7/8 BA (7/8 Boer + 1/8 Alpine), and the feeding systems: experimental diet without milk and experimental diet more 1.5 L of milk/animal/day. The animals were slaughtered after reaching 30 kg of live weight. As the best performance was obtained with the 1/2 BA, no have need the producer keep crossbred females 1/2 BA and 3/4 BA in the herd. The use of surplus milk can be recommended, since it did not caused damage to the biometric measurements and performance of the animals, helped reduce the total weight of the stomach, besides an economy of 51,39 % in the diet consumption
Doutor

Effects of Acacia karroo supplementation on meat quality of Xhosa Lop-Eared goats The objective of the study was to determine the effects of A. karroo supplementation on the quality of meat from Xhosa lop-eared goats. Eighteen castrated 4-month-old Xhosa lop-eared male kids were kept at the University of Fort Hare Farm until slaughter. At the beginning of the experiment the goats had a mean body weight of 13.5 ± 0.31 kg (mean ± S.E.) and a mean body condition score (BCS) of 3.3 ± 0.16 (mean ± S.E.). From birth until weaning the kids were kept on natural pastures with their mothers. After weaning the goats were housed in an open sided barn for a period of 60 days, and were fed 500 g/head/day of Medicago sativa hay covering their maintenance and growth needs. For the purpose of the experiment, the goats were randomly divided into two balanced treatment groups of nine goats each, supplemented group (AK) and non-supplemented group (NS). The supplemented group received an additional 200g per head per day of fresh A. karroo leaves collected each day for two months. Supplementary feed was given to the goats individually in feeding troughs. The kids were slaughtered at 60 days old and samples for meat quality assessment were taken from the Longistimus dorsi muscle. The effect of A. karroo supplementation on meat quality measurements such as ultimate pH, colour and cooking losses of meat from indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats were determined. The effect of A. karroo supplementation on the consumer sensory characteristic scores of the meat from the indigenous Xhosa lop-eared breed was also determined. There was a significant effect of the A. karroo supplementation on the meat quality measurements except for L* and a* colour coordinates. Meat from the A. karroo supplemented goats had lower pH and cooking loss scores than that of the non-supplemented goats. Acacia karroo supplementation improves meat tenderness and juiciness. There were no significant effects of A. karroo supplementation on the flavour and off- iv flavours of the meat from the supplemented goats. However, thermal preparation and consumer background had a significant effect on the meat sensory characteristics. The cooked meat had significantly higher sensory scores than the roasted meat. Female consumers reported higher sensory scores than male consumers. Consumers of different tribes and ages also reported significantly different sensory scores of meat from indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats. Therefore, this study indicated that A. karroo supplementation can be fed to the Xhosa lop-eared goats to improve their meat quality.

Transformation in the arid succulent thicket of the Eastern Cape of South Africa in response to unsustainable livestock production has been widespread, with less than 10 percent remaining intact. Transformation in succulent thicket has resulted in large areas of dense thicket (comprising a two-phase mosaic of perennial-vegetated patches separated by animal paths and bare patches) being replaced with a ‘pseudo-savanna’ of remnant canopy trees with a structurally simple field layer of ephemeral and short- lived perennial grasses and forbs. There is an extensive literature describing the transformation of succulent thicket, with many speculative statements about the underlying mechanisms of transformation. The central focus of this study was to improve our mechanistic understanding of transformation in succulent thicket using field experiments. Hopefully these results will set another foundation upon which future management of succulent thicket can be improved and large-scale restoration initiated. This study comprises four themes that are linked to the concept of landscape function. The central premise of landscape function is that functional landscapes have mechanisms that capture and retain scarce resources. Conversely, as landscapes become increasingly dysfunctional, so these mechanisms become disrupted. In succulent thicket, dysfunctio n appears to be linked to the reduced ability to harvest water, cycle carbon and a loss of organic carbon. In this thesis I examined some of the key processes that influence water and organic carbon fluxes: perennial vegetation cover, soil fertility, litter fall and decomposition, and runoff and soil erosion. The experimental design that was used for all this work was a factorial ANOVA based on replicated fenceline contrasts that reflect differences in long-term management history. The main objectives of this thesis were to: quantify the patterns of transformation in an arid form of succulent thicket, including changes in the biomass, cover and structure of the dominant vegetation guilds; test the stability of the transformed succulent thicket ecosystem to show whether it is a new stable state or an intermediate stage in a trajectory towards a highly desertified state where only the ephemeral grasses and forbs persist; describe and compare soil fertility across transformation contrasts, concentrating on changes in the spatial patterns of soil resources and the ability of the soil to harvest precipitation; to compare litter fall and decomposition of leaf material from the dominant plants in intact and transformed succulent thicket; to quantify and compare run-off and erosion from run-off plots in intact and transformed succulent thicket. Transformation and stability I quantified the changes in plant diversity, physiognomy and biomass that occur across transformation contrasts. Thicket transformation results in a significant loss of plant diversity and functional types. There is also a significant reduction in the biomass (c. 80 t.ha-1) and structural complexity of the vegetation, both vertically and horizontally. These results were interpreted in terms of their implications for ecosystem functioning and stability. To test the stability of the transformed succulent thicket I used aerial photographs and ground-truthing to track the survivorship of canopy trees over 60 years in pseudo-savanna landscapes. I also measured seedling establishment in different habitats. I show that the pseudo-savanna is not a stable state owing to ongoing adult mortality and no recruitment of canopy trees. Soil fertility and water status I hypothesised that the above-ground changes in ve getation would be accompanied by similar trends in the pattern and levels of soil nutrient resources and the ability of the landscape to harvest precipitation. I compared soil fertility (organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus), texture, matric potential, and surface micro-topography in the two main micro- habitats on either side of the replicated fenceline contrasts. The results show that intact spekboom thicket has a distinct spatial pattern of soil fertility where nutrients and organic carbon are concentrated under the patches of perennial shrubs, compared to under canopy trees and open spaces. Transformation results in a significant homogenisation out of this pattern and an overall reduction in the fertility of the landscape. The proportion of the landscape surface that would promote infiltration of water decreases from 60 – 0.6 percent. Soil moisture retention (matric potential) also decreases with transformation. I interpreted these patterns in terms of the ability of the landscape to harvest and release water after rainfall events. Litter fall and decomposition Surface litter and soil organic matter are critical components to wooded ecosystems; contributing to several ecosystem functions. The rates of litter fall and decomposition are ratelimiting steps in nutrient cycling and incorporation of organic matter into the soil. The ecological mechanisms behind the collapse of succulent thicket in the face of domestic herbivory are not fully understood, but are believed to include the breakdown of several ecosystem processes, including litter fall and decomposition. I quantified the changes in litter fall and litter decomposition of four of the dominant perennial woody plants (Euclea undulata, Pappea capensis, Portulacaria afra and Rhus longispina) across the replicated fenceline. Litter fall was measured over 14 months using mesh traps. Decomposition was measured over 15 months using a combination of litterbags and unprotected leaf packs. I also quantified soil microclimate during the experimental period; hypothesising that transformation would lead to soil conditions less amenable for biotic activity. Litter fall in succulent thicket was very high for a semi-arid system, comparing more to temperate forests. The leaf-succulent P. afra contributed the largest single component of the total litter production at a landscape scale. The effect of transformation on litter fall was species specific. Deep-rooted or drought-adapted species showed no change in litter yield with transformation; shallow-rooted species showed a significant decrease. There were few significant differences in decomposition rates across the transformation gradient and between litter types. Portulacaria afra litter had the steepest rate of mass loss, and was most affected by transformation. The more recalcitrant (high C:N ratio) leaves of P. capensis remained largely unaffected by transformation. These results indicate the critical role of the perennial vegetation in incorporating organic carbon into the soil. Transformation of succulent thicket leads to a disruption of the flow of carbon into the soil, reinforcing the cycle of transformation through reduced fertility. Rehabilitation of this ecosystem will require the active establishment of species, such as P. afra, that will restart the flow of carbon into the soil. Run-off & Erosion The landscape function model predicts that functional semi-arid shrublands efficiently conserve limiting resources such as water and water-bourn sediments (soil and organic matter). As these rangelands become transformed through unsustainable livestock production, so their ability to conserve resources decreases. The primary determinant of landscape function and conservation of resources appears to be the proportional cover of perennial vegetation. I hypothesised that the switch from a two-phase mosaic dominated by perennial succulent and woody shrubs to a single phase system dominated by an ephemeral field layer would be accompanied by disruption of the mechanisms that conserve resources. Specifically, I tested the hypothesis that transformation of succulent thicket increases runoff volume, sediment concentration of runoff, soil erosion and loss of organic matter at a patch scale (c. 100 m2). Runoff and water-borne sediment were measured from runoff plots established across replicated fenceline contrasts. Data were collected from eight extreme weather events over two years. There were no significant differences between runoff and erosion across the transformation contrast, as each extreme weather event was unique in terms of its runoff response. The transformed runoff plots alone also gave inconsistent results, largely due to differences in the cover of ephemeral forbs and weakly perennial grasses. Runoff and erosion were not predictable from the data across the transformation gradient due to complex interactions between the nature of the above-ground vegetation, soil micro-topography and land use history. The results highlighted the need for longer-term catchment experiments to generate a predictive understanding of the effect of transformation on runoff and erosion in succulent thicket.

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Alimentos com menores teores de gordura e ou com melhor perfil de ácidos graxos são o principal enfoque do mercado para produtos de origem animal. Portanto, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a inclusão de três fontes de óleo vegetal na dieta de cabras em lactação sobre a composição, o perfil de ácidos graxos e os parâmetros sensoriais do iogurte produzido com o leite destas cabras. Foram utilizadas 32 cabras da raça Anglo-nubiana distribuídas em quatro tratamentos: dieta controle versus com inclusão de 3% de óleos de canola, girassol e soja. Foram avaliadas as influências de tratamentos e períodos de lactação sobre a composição, o perfil de ácidos graxos e os parâmetros sensoriais do iogurte. Para determinação dos constituintes, foram colhidas amostras aos 21, 51, 81 e 111 dias de lactação e para o perfil de ácidos graxos aos 21 e 111 dias de lactação. A produção leiteira em 120 dias de lactação foi de 182,75 kg e não houve diferença para os tratamentos. Os constituintes, não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, entretanto o teor de proteína apresentou efeito para período. Para gordura e extrato seco desengordurado houve interação entre tratamento e período. A inclusão de óleos de girassol e soja promoveu aumento no teor total de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) e de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA). O índice de aterogenicidade (IA) melhorou com a adição de óleo na dieta dos animais, sendo mais acentuada nos tratamentos com óleo de girassol e soja. Para a análise sensorial os iogurtes dos tratamentos com inclusão de óleos de girassol e soja não apresentaram diferença do tratamento controle (sem adição de óleo) para o parâmetro sabor, já o iogurte do tratamento com óleo de canola demonstrou diferença. Para a consistência todos os tratamentos com adição de óleo foram diferentes do tratamento controle, sendo ainda o iogurte ...
Foods with lower fat and or better fatty acid profile are the main focus of the market for animal products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of three vegetable oil sources in the diet of lactating goats on the composition, fatty acid profile and sensory parameters of yogurt made from milk of these goats. Were used 32 Anglo-Nubian goats distributed in four treatments: control diet versus with inclusion of 3% of canola, sunflower and soybean oil. The influences of treatments and lactation periods on the composition, fatty acid profile and sensory parameters of the yoghurt were evaluated. For determination of the constituents, samples were taken at 21, 51, 81 and 111 days of lactation and the profile of fatty acids at 21 and 111 days of lactation. Milk production in 120 days of lactation was 182.75 kg and there is no difference to the treatments. The constituents were not affected by the treatments, but difference on the protein content was seen at period. For fat and defated dry extract was interaction between treatment and period. The inclusion of sunflower and soybean oils promoted an increase in the total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The index of atherogenicity (IA) improved with the addition of oil in the diet of animals, being more pronounced in the treatments with sunflower and soybean oil. For sensory analysis of the yogurt the treatments including sunflower oil and soybean showed no difference from the control treatment (no addition of oil) for taste parameter but yogurt of the treatment with canola oil showed a difference. For consistency all treatments with the addition of oil were different from the control treatment, still yogurt from the treatment with canola oil the less accurate than the control. These results suggest that the addition of 3% of vegetable oils in the diet of lactating goats improves ...

Orientador: Roberto de Oliveira Roça
Banca: Simone Fernandes
Banca: Marcelo Henrique de Faria
Resumo: Alimentos com menores teores de gordura e ou com melhor perfil de ácidos graxos são o principal enfoque do mercado para produtos de origem animal. Portanto, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a inclusão de três fontes de óleo vegetal na dieta de cabras em lactação sobre a composição, o perfil de ácidos graxos e os parâmetros sensoriais do iogurte produzido com o leite destas cabras. Foram utilizadas 32 cabras da raça Anglo-nubiana distribuídas em quatro tratamentos: dieta controle versus com inclusão de 3% de óleos de canola, girassol e soja. Foram avaliadas as influências de tratamentos e períodos de lactação sobre a composição, o perfil de ácidos graxos e os parâmetros sensoriais do iogurte. Para determinação dos constituintes, foram colhidas amostras aos 21, 51, 81 e 111 dias de lactação e para o perfil de ácidos graxos aos 21 e 111 dias de lactação. A produção leiteira em 120 dias de lactação foi de 182,75 kg e não houve diferença para os tratamentos. Os constituintes, não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, entretanto o teor de proteína apresentou efeito para período. Para gordura e extrato seco desengordurado houve interação entre tratamento e período. A inclusão de óleos de girassol e soja promoveu aumento no teor total de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) e de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA). O índice de aterogenicidade (IA) melhorou com a adição de óleo na dieta dos animais, sendo mais acentuada nos tratamentos com óleo de girassol e soja. Para a análise sensorial os iogurtes dos tratamentos com inclusão de óleos de girassol e soja não apresentaram diferença do tratamento controle (sem adição de óleo) para o parâmetro sabor, já o iogurte do tratamento com óleo de canola demonstrou diferença. Para a consistência todos os tratamentos com adição de óleo foram diferentes do tratamento controle, sendo ainda o iogurte ...
Abstract: Foods with lower fat and or better fatty acid profile are the main focus of the market for animal products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of three vegetable oil sources in the diet of lactating goats on the composition, fatty acid profile and sensory parameters of yogurt made from milk of these goats. Were used 32 Anglo-Nubian goats distributed in four treatments: control diet versus with inclusion of 3% of canola, sunflower and soybean oil. The influences of treatments and lactation periods on the composition, fatty acid profile and sensory parameters of the yoghurt were evaluated. For determination of the constituents, samples were taken at 21, 51, 81 and 111 days of lactation and the profile of fatty acids at 21 and 111 days of lactation. Milk production in 120 days of lactation was 182.75 kg and there is no difference to the treatments. The constituents were not affected by the treatments, but difference on the protein content was seen at period. For fat and defated dry extract was interaction between treatment and period. The inclusion of sunflower and soybean oils promoted an increase in the total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The index of atherogenicity (IA) improved with the addition of oil in the diet of animals, being more pronounced in the treatments with sunflower and soybean oil. For sensory analysis of the yogurt the treatments including sunflower oil and soybean showed no difference from the control treatment (no addition of oil) for taste parameter but yogurt of the treatment with canola oil showed a difference. For consistency all treatments with the addition of oil were different from the control treatment, still yogurt from the treatment with canola oil the less accurate than the control. These results suggest that the addition of 3% of vegetable oils in the diet of lactating goats improves ...
Mestre

The main objective of this research was to assess the nutritional status of sheep and goats grazing two rangeland types in Baluchistan, Pakistan. These types were Artemisia maritima/Haloxylon griffithii association represented by the Zarchi Field Station and Cymbopogon shoenanthus, found at the Tomagh Field Station. Seasonal above ground biomass production and variability in the quality of major plant species was determined at four phenological growth stages for two years. At the same time a relative palatability index of major plant species and preference of sheep and goats was also determined. The Analysis of Variance procedures (ANOVA) of Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 1985) were used to evaluate various null hypotheses. Forage quality decreased with the advancement of phenological growth stages in all plants studied. On both study sites (Tomagh and Zarchi), spring forage samples were of higher quality than those of other seasons. Advance in season brought significant changes in the nutrient content of plant species. Grasses were lower in crude protein concentration and higher in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content than forbs and shrubs. Plant species were not statistically different in phosphorus concentration. From March through October, sheep and goat diets varied in their botanical composition on both study sites. Grasses remained a major component of animal diets at Tomagh throughout the grazing seasons. However, sheep and goats consumed a higher percentage of shrubs with the passage of time while grazing Zarchi area. Across all the grazing seasons, the diets of both animal species were deficient in protein and phosphorus. The lignin ratio technique was evaluated for its use in determining daily dry matter and apparent nutrient digestibility consumed by grazing animals. Highly variable digestion co-efficients of lignin (both positive and negative) were obtained by using sheep and goat rumen liquors. As much as 51.0% of forage lignin in samples was digested. Negative lignin digestion co-efficients were also obtained from forage samples. These ranged from -1.0% to - 103.0%. Lignin biodegradation and/or complexing during in vitro digestion invalidated its use as an internal marker in digestion studies on these rangelands.
Graduation date: 1991

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate tree forage as a feedstuff for small livestock, using the foliage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.). In the first trial, rabbits were fed diets containing 40% alfalfa (control), and 10%, 20% and 40% poplar leaves (PL) from untrimmed or uncoppiced growth, and 10% and 20% PL from trimmed or coppiced growth. At the 20% level, crude protein (CP) was better digested for the coppiced PL than for the uncoppiced (p < .05). No significant difference was evident between treatments in the average daily gain (ADG) or feed efficiency, but dry matter (DM) intake increased for all the PL treatments compared to the control (p < .01). In the second experiment, black locust (BL) leaves were treated by various methods in an attempt to counter the effect of tannins. Rabbits were fed diets containing 50% alfalfa (control), 25% alfalfa and 25% black locust meal (BLM) (BLM control), BLM + 1% polyethylene glycol (PEG), BLM + 1% phytase, and BLM + 0.3% L-methionine and 0.3% choline chloride. In general, nutrient utilization and ADG were better for the control than for the BLM treatments. The addition of PEG increased CP digestibility (p < .01) and ADF (p < .03) compared to the BLM control, partially alleviating the reduced nutrient availability. The addition of L-methionine and choline chloride increased ADF digestibility (p < .02). In the third trial, black locust (BL) bark and other tree products were used to study the possible toxic effects of lectins in BL bark. Rabbits were fed diets containing 25% BL bark, oak sawdust, red alder bark, or red alder sawdust (all diets also included 25% alfalfa). A 50% alfalfa diet served as a control. In general, nutrient digestibilities and ADG were higher for the control than the treatments and, also, higher for the BL bark diet than the alder bark diet. The ADG with the BL bark diet was lower than for the alder bark diet (p < .01), which indicated a possible toxic effect of the BL bark. The fourth trial examined the feeding value of poplar leaves for sheep. Sheep were fed diets containing 50% PL or 50% alfalfa. Nutrient digestibilities were lower for the PL diet (p < .01). In the fifth experiment, BL leaves were fed to sheep and goats in order to determine if goats, being browsers instead of grazers like the sheep, are better equipped to tolerate the anti-nutritive effects from BL forage. Sheep and goats were fed diets composed solely of BL leaves or alfalfa (control). Overall, the nutrient digestibilities were higher for alfalfa than for BL leaves, and there was no difference in terms of digestibility between species. Although the leaves of black locust and poplar contain anti-nutritive factors, it was concluded that the trees have potential as multipurpose trees from which the leaves could be harvested as animal fodder, particularly in temperate areas of the developing world.
Graduation date: 1993

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of dietary tannin on the physiology of Boer goats. In particular, dietary intake, digestibility, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) histology and presence of bacteria along the GIT were measured. In addition the ability of goats to detoxify tannins by measuring liver and kidney mass; and urinary glucuronic acid concentration was investigated. Commercialized tannin was used because of wide variation of tannin levels, which can be affected by season, species, and part of the plant. Thirty adult, male goats were fed one of five diet treatments of different tannin levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) for 6 weeks following which they were kept in metabolic crates for data collection for a further 10 days. Dietary intake of feed decreased significantly as tannin levels increased between the diets. Digestibility of dry matter (DM) tended to decrease with increasing tannin levels. However, digestibility of crude proteins (CP), organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid neutral detergent fibre decreased Significantly with increasing tannin levels. Faecal CP increased while urinary CP decreased with increasing tannin levels. There was no tannin present in the faeces. It appears that goats cope with low levels of tannin ingestion. There appears to be a threshold above which greater tannin ingestion has detrimental effects. The linear decreased dietary intake with increased tannin level may indicate that goats limit their intake of tannin below some threshold as a defence strategy. Differences in the histopathology of the oesophagus, reticulum, rumen, abomasum and duodenum were evaluated. Animals on the control diet had more protozoa present in the GIT than the other diets. Number and types of bacteria observed in the reticulum and rumen increased with tannin level in the diet. These may be responsible for tannin-protein complex degradation. Few bacteria were observed in the abomasum. There was a loss of epithelial cells and erosion of microvilli in duodenum with increased tannin levels, which would impair absorption of nutrients. The width of the keratinized GIT epithelial layer increased and villi height decreased as tannin levels increased which could further reduce nutrient absorption. Goats in the present study did not show detoxification abilities because the liver and kidney masses, and urinary glucuronic acid concentration did not increase with increased dietary tannin levels In summary, condensed tannins as large compounds appear to be metabolized and absorbed from the GIT. However, it is not clear if they are detoxified at the epithelial mucosa interface. The main detrimental effect of tannin on goats appears to be the reduction of feed intake and increased faecal CP.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Feeding of lespedeza to sheep and goats, besides supplying protein, could be a possible alternative remedial control measure against gastro-intestinal parasites in sheep and goats. However, the feeding behaviour of individual animals and their feed intake are likely to influence t its effect on the parasites. This study was conducted to determine the different feeding behaviour of sheep and goats on Sericea lespedeza and its effect on faecal egg count. The first part dealt with behaviour of animals feeding on lespedeza or leucaena within the rangeland while for parasitic response they were fed on lespedeza or veld hay. During feeding behavior, three sheep and three goats averaged 2- 3 years of age were observed for 30 days during the months of March and April 2006. Activities such as browsing, grazing and idling were recorded after every two minutes for every animal while following animals at a distance of five meters. Feed intake was determined by recording the number of bites made by each animal for a period of ten minutes and by estimating the weight of forage eaten. More (P<0.001) browsing time was observed on goats at both lespedeza and leucaena plot than on sheep, with goats consistently spending longer time browsing than sheep on both lespedeza and leucaena than sheep between 7.00 and 14.00h. More of the browsing time of goats was spent on leucaena than on lespedeza. The longest time of grazing by animals was on the lespedeza plot than on leucaena plot, with sheep grazing for a longer (P<0.001) time than goats. The biggest difference in grazing time for sheep at the lespedeza and leucaena occurred during morning hours. Animal type and interaction of feed animal type significantly affected idling time with goats Idling for a longer (P<0.001) time than sheep at both the lespedeza and leucaena plots. Feeding rate (bite/min) for both sheep and goats were similar on both lespedeza and leucaena plots. Intake rates were higher (P<0.01) for both sheep and goats on leucaena than on lespedeza, with sheep having higher (P<0.01) intake rates than goats on both plots. Animals had the fastest bite rate and intake rate during midday (12.00h) and lowest rates at 14.00h. The highest intake rate occurred on leucaena in the morning and afternoon, but lower than lespedeza during midday. For parasites response twelve sheep and twelve goats aged between 3 and 4 years were used in a study that lasted 60 days. Animals were naturally infested by gastro-intestinal parasites. Egg count was done according to McMaster egg count technique (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1977) by magnifying parasitic eggs from faecal samples dissolved in saturated sodium chloride. During feacal egg count, the effect of animal on feed intake was highly significant (P<0.001) with sheep consuming more of each kind of feed (lespedeza or hay) than goats. Live weight of animals decreased during the early period of feeding, beyond which it remained stable. Egg count varied significantly (P = 0.015) among periods of sampling, a general trend indicating a decrease from day 0 to day 46 beyond which egg count tended to increase. When regression analysis was done to determine the effect of the previous week’s intake, it was observed that increased intake during the previous week was associated with depression in egg count, the effect attaining significance (P<0.05) for both sheep and goats on hay and for sheep on lespedeza. The results of this study are rather inconclusive about the effect of supplementing small ruminants with Sericea lespedeza hay on gastro-intestinal parasites, owing to variation associated with intake of lespedeza and hay, thus warranting further investigation.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Two methods of estimating the intake of a 25% leucaena : 75% grass hay diet by young male Boer goats were assessed, (a) The purine derivative technique which uses the urinary excretion of purine derivatives (expressed relative to creatinine concentration in the same sample) as an index of feed intake, and (b) the conventional marker method, utilizing chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) contained in gelatin capsules and dosed twice daily, as the marker. Following a prerun the two techniques were compared in three runs of an indoor experiment. In each run 10 goats were randomly allocated to five feeding levels (500 to 1100 g fodder d ¯¹ on air dried basis). A preliminary and an adaptation period during which goats were dosed with the Cr₂O₃ and fed their daily feed allowance, was followed by a 4 day collection period during which spot samples of urine were collected and analysed for allantoin and creatinine (allantoin being used instead of total PDs) and faecal samples were collected for chromium analysis and percentage dry matter determination. For the first two runs, two grab samples per day for each goat were bulked and analysed for chromium content. For the last run, the total daily faecal collection was subsampled and analysed for chromium. Work was done in metabolic crates to determine the effect of time of collection on the ratio of allantoin : creatinine (A/C) in spot urine samples and it was found to non-significant (P>0.05). Linear regressions of: (a) feed intake expressed per unit metabolic mass (g.d ¯¹.LW ¯°∙⁷⁵ (I_mmass)) against A/C ratio; (b) faecal output (g d ¯¹) against feed intake (g d ¯¹); and (c) faecal chromium concentration (mg kg ¯¹) against faecal output (g d ¯¹) were fitted to the data. During the prerun, only regression (a) was fitted and was non-significant (P>0.05), showing no trend at all. For the first true run, the regression of I_mmass against A/C ratio was significant and the correlation was high (P≤ 0.001, R² [A] 0.715, n = 10) but for the second and third runs, the correlations only became significant when the apparent outliers were discarded from the data. (Run 2: P≤ 0.001, R² [A] 0.824, n = 8; Run 3: P≤ 0.05, R² [A] 0.430, n = 9). It was concluded that the relation between I_mmass and A/C ratio is not well enough defined to be used for predictive purposes. When regression (b) was investigated, all the runs produced significant results (P≤0.001, P≤0.01, P≤ 0.001 for runs 1,2 and 3 respectively) however the correlations were not as high as expected (R² [A] being 0.714, 0.565 and 0.863 respectively). For the regression of faecal Cr concentration against faecal output (regression c), all runs showed significant relations (P< 0.001, P< 0.0001, P:s 0.001 for runs 1,2 and 3 respectively) and the correlations were high (R²[A] being 0.836, 0.837 and 0.912 respectively). The data from the three runs were pooled and single equations established for regressions (b) and (c) to allow for the prediction of intake from faecal chromium concentration. Faecal output = feed intake * 0.448 + 19.341 (P≤ 0.001, r 0.853, R² [A] 0.718, SE 25.664, n - 30) Faecal chromium concentration = faecal output * -241.547 + 1.315E+05 (Ps 0.001, r 0.904, R² [A] 0.811, SE 5603.788, n = 30). In vitro figures were determined for a range of leucaena : hay mixes but no apparent trend was found between percentage leucaena in the mix and the digestibility of the mix. These results compared favourably with in vivo results obtained for a 25% leucaena : 75% hay mix. Neither technique proved entirely satisfactory, but the external marker method was found to be more effective than the purine derivative technique. More work is required especially with respect to the latter method.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

Thesis (MSc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018
A study was done to determine the effect of Acacia (A.) karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion in a diet on methane emission and productivity of yearling male Boer goats fed a basal diet of Avena sativa hay. The first part of the study was conducted to determine and compare nutrient contents and tannin levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meals and Avena sativa hay in a completely randomised design. The diets means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference at the 5 % level of probability. The three Acacia species had higher (P<0.05) crude protein contents compared to Avena sativa hay, ranging from 12.42 to 14.49 %. No tannins were detected in Avena sativa hay. Among Acacia species, A. nilotica leaves had higher (P<0.05) total phenolic and total tannin contents than A. karroo and A. tortilis leaves, the latter being similar (P>0.05). All three Acacia species had similar (P>0.05) contents of condensed tannins, ranging from 1.49 to 1.76 %. However, only A. nilotica leaves had hydrolysable tannins of 128 mg/g. The second part of the study was conducted to determine the effect of A. karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level on diet intake and digestibility, methane emission, productivity and blood profiles of yearling male Boer goats. A total of three experiments were conducted and different goats were used in each experiment. A grand total of thirty six (twelve per experiment) yearling male Boer goats with initial mean live weights of 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 1), 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 2) and 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 3) were used in 21-day experiments. The goats were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each containing A. karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels at 10, 15, 20 and 30 % with Avena sativa hay as a basal diet. Each goat was housed in well-ventilated individual metabolic pen. The diets were replicated three times. The data collected were subjected to analysis of covariance and analysis of variance in a completely randomized design using SAS. Differences were separated at 5 % level of probability. Additionally, regression equations were used to determine the relationships and responses in optimal diet intake and digestibility, methane emission, productivity and blood profiles of yearling male Boer goats to differing inclusion levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meal. v Experiment 1 involved feeding different levels of A. karroo leaf meal inclusion to yearling male Boer goats fed Avena sativa hay as a basal diet. Results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. karroo leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and after experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. karroo leaf meal. However, A. karroo leaf meal inclusion level had no effect (P>0.05) on diet intake, methane emission, live weight changes and digestibility, except (P<0.05) for digestibility of crude fibre. Feed conversion ratio improved linearly with increased A. karroo leaf meal inclusion level. In the case of experiment 2, results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. tortilis leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and after the experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. tortilis leaf meal. However, variation in A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level had comparable effect (P>0.05) on methane emission, live weight changes and digestibility, except (P<0.05) for digestibility of crude protein and acid detergent fibre. Diet intake and feed conversion ratio were affected (P<0.05) by A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level. A positive relationship was observed between A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level and diet intake. In experiment 3, results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. nilotica leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and the after experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. nilotica leaf meal. Apart from diet fat digestibility and feed conversion ratio, no statistical differences (P>0.05) were observed on diet intake, digestibility and live weight changes of goats fed A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level. Positive relationships were observed between A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level, diet fat digestibility and feed conversion ratio in male Boer goats. The high crude protein and low tannin contents in A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaves indicate that these Acacia species can be safe to use as a source of protein in animal nutrition if used sparingly. It was noted that nutrient intake, digestibility, vi feed conversion ratio and blood profiles of Boer goats in the present study were optimised at different inclusion levels for all the three Acacia species. This may imply that inclusion levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meals for optimal productivity will depend on the Acacia species used and, also, on particular productivity parameters in question. Although, A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meal reduced methane emission, optimal reduction in methane emission was not determined. Further validation is required to determine Acacia inclusion levels for optimal methane production and emission by goats.
NRF (National Research Foundation), AGRISETA (Agricultural Sector and Education Training Authority) and NSFAS (National Students Financial Aid Scheme)

Goats are found in almost every country and are an important source of protein and produce lactose-free milk. In South Africa, survival rates of goat kids are low, mainly due to malnutrition. Intensive goat production systems based on cultivated pastures were evaluated, at various stocking rates to evaluate the effects of improved nutrition on goat production. The pastures chosen to be evaluated for goat production were Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) and Secale cereale (Stooling rye). Kikuyu is one of the more important dryland summer pasture species in KwaZulu-Natal. Three stocking rates of goats on kikuyu were evaluated using ewes with kids. When analysing the period to weaning, the ewes lost weight in all stocking rate treatments and for both years. The years had a significant effect on weight loss (P<0.001; R²=95.7%) with a mean ADG of -0.0267 kg.animalˉ¹.dayˉ¹. There was a significant difference between ADGs between stocking rates, with ADGs of -0.0157, -0.026 and -0.0384 kg.animalˉ¹.dayˉ¹ at stocking rates of 30, 45 and 60 goats.haˉ¹ respectively (P<0.001; R²=95.7%). The analyses of the entire grazing period showed no significant difference in ewe ADGs between treatments, but a significant difference between the two years (P=0.03), with a mean ADG of -0.0205 kg.animalֿ¹.dayֿ¹. There was no significant difference between kid masses between treatments. There was a significant difference between kid performance between years (P<0.001; R²=21.8%). However, factors such as ewe start mass (P<0.001) and whether the kid was a singleton or a multiple (P=0.015) had an influence on kid ADG, while gender had no significant effect (P=0.446). Interpretation of the combined ewe plus kid weight revealed that the high stocking rate produced the highest total mass per hectare (P<0.001) with an overall mean of 2377 kg.haˉ¹. Kid ADG was positively correlated to ewe ADG (P=0.013; R²=5.8%) although this was not a strong relationship. Protein was negatively correlated to pasture height (P=0.036; R²=30.8%) and had a quadratic relationship with ADG (P<0.001; R²=48.4%) with maximum ADG occurring at protein levels of 26.17%. Rainfall was different between the two seasons, which affected pasture growth, with the stocking rates in the second year being too low, so the maximum stocking rate per hectare was not reached. Stooling rye is a pasture used predominantly in South Africa and is a good source of high quality winter feed. Four stocking rates were evaluated over winter, using pregnant ewes. Rainfall was not an important variable since supplementary irrigation was given and the difference in temperatures between the years was negligible. The rate of weight gain showed a similar response for both years with the level of weight gain varying significantly between years (P=0.001; R²=90.2%). The regressions for ADG on stocking rate were determined and were y=0.2340-0.00293x for 2001 (P=0.151; R²=58.0%) and y=0.1292-0.002198x for 2002 (P=0.137; R²=61.6%). Gain per hectare was determined, as were the stocking rates at which maximum gain per hectare were achieved and this was determined to be 40 goats.haֿ¹ during 2001 and 29 goats.haֿ¹ for 2002. The respective ADGs at these stocking rates were 0.1168 and 0.0633 kg.dayֿ¹ and daily gains.haֿ¹ were 4.672 and 1.898 kg.haֿ¹.dayֿ¹ respectively. Herbage analyses revealed that there were extremely high levels of protein in the pasture (33.87%) even though the pasture was not excessively fertilised. Average daily gain was negatively related to NDF levels (P=0.006; R²=38.4%). ADF levels (P<0.001; R²=48.4%) and NDF levels (P<0.001; R²=60.4%) showed a quadratic relationship with pasture age. Blood serum revealed that selenium levels in all treatments were lower than the normal range, while all other minerals were within the normal range. To maximise animal performance, the highest quality pasture should be offered to producing animals, namely growing animals. The seasonal variation between years has a large effect on the performance of goats on pastures.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2006
Two experiments were carried out to determine the effect of the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g polyethylene glycol 4000 on diet intake, digestibility, and growth rate of indigenous Pedi goats fed ad libitum Buffalo grass, Buchloe dactyloides, hay. The first experiment lasted for 37 days, with the first 30 days being for adaptation and the last 7 days being for collection. Twenty yearling male Pedi goats weighing 22 ± 0.5 kg live weight were allocated to 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 Factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomised Design. Acacia nilotica leaf meal contained 120 g crude protein per kg DM, indicating its potential as a browse source for ruminants. It, also, contained high amounts of total phenolics (2.04 % DM) and low amounts of condensed tannins, both extracted (0.37 % DM) and unextracted (1.83 % DM). Increasing the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation to 120 g increased (P<0.05) crude protein intake (38 g/kg DM) when compared to 80 g supplementation (34 g/kg DM). Supplementation with 23 g PEG 4000 increased (P<0.05) the crude protein intake where goats were supplemented with 120 g of A. nilotica leaf meal. However, PEG 4000 supplementation did not have an effect (P>0.05) on intake when goats were supplemented with 80 g of Acacia nilotica leaf meal. Supplementation with 120 g of Acacia nilotica leaf meal increased (P<0.05) diet digestibility of DM (0.57), OM (0.60) and CP (0.71) by the goats. Similarly, supplementation with 23 g PEG 4000 increased (P<0.05) DM (0.65), OM (0.66) and v CP digestibilities (0.76) where goats were supplemented with 120 g of A. nilotica leaf meal. Polyethylene glycol 4000 also increased (P<0.05) diet CP digestibility where goats were supplemented with 80 g of Acacia nilotica leaf meal. However, 23 g PEG 4000 did not have a significant (P>0.05) effect on diet digestibility of DM and OM where goats were supplemented with 80 g of Acacia nilotica leaf meal. In vivo NDF and ADF digestibility were not affected by the treatments. Level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g of PEG 4000 had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the daily live weight change of the goats. The effect was higher where goats were supplemented with 120 g of A. nilotica leaf meal when compared to 80 g supplementation. Blood urea concentrations were improved (P<0.05) by level of A. nilotica supplementation and PEG supplementation. It is concluded that PEG 4000 has the potential to improve the feeding value of Acacia nilotica leaf meal and can, therefore, be used in the feeding systems for ruminant animals. The second experiment determined the effect of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation and PEG 4000 supplementation on in vitro diet digestibility. Level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g PEG supplementation improved (P<0.05) in vitro diet DM, OM and CP digestibilities where 120 g Acacia nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. Similarly, 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation also improved (P<0.05) in vitro diet CP digestibility where 80 g Acacia nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. However, level of A. nilotica supplementation plus PEG 4000 supplementation had no vi effect (P>0.05) on in vitro NDF and ADF digestibilities. In vivo diet DM, OM and CP digestibilities were positively and significantly (P<0.05) correlated with in vitro diet DM, OM and CP digestibilities. It is, therefore, concluded that in vitro diet DM, OM and CP digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo diet DM, OM and CP digestibilities.
National Research Foundation. Working Solutions International

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 1991.
The contribution of browse and grass to the diets of cattle and goats was assessed in relation to the total biomass of woody foliage and grass available in the study area. Livestock made less use of browse during the dry season than was shown by studies conducted in the Sahel and Nylsvley, northern Transvaal. Goats fed more selectively, utilised newly flushed foliage more and fed upon a greater variety of woody plant species than did cattle. Browse contribute nore to goat diets than to cattle diets although goats were less often supplied with browse. For goats, feeding on standing browse, 'supplied browse and leaf litter occupied 34.7 % of observation time before the tree/shrub flush and 8.3 % post-flush; for cattle the contributions were 14.7 % and 5.8 %, respectively. Fruits, flowers and bark were utilised only during the pre-flush period and only by goats. Goats spent significantly more time grazing and more time browsing than did cattle during the post-flush period. Agave sisalana (sisal) contributed to cattle diets during the preflush and post-flush periods, and to goat diets during the pre-flush period. Since relatively little standing woody foliage is accessible to the animals (16.6 % preflush and 30.7 % post-flush of the wet season maximum), lopping of woody foliage by herders substantially increases the amount of food accessible to livestock, and supplied browse was eaten wherever it was encountered. Aerial cover of grass averaged less than 20 %, grass biomass ,less than 120 kgDM.ha·t and biomass concentration of grass less than 553.5 gDM.m"3 for catena toplands, catena bottomlands and drainage line thickets. The low contribution of browse to livestock diets during this study was due to the scarcity of accessible, palatable forage, exacerbated by the late flush 011 woody plants. In addition, local people harvesting live wood for fuel may compete with foraging livestock. To increase the supply of food for livestock further the rollowing practices could be encouraged: storage of woody foliage litter until the late dry season, use of chemicals to increase the nutritional value of poor quality browse and establishment of woodlots of palatable, perhaps leguminous, evergreen woody species for use as livestock fodder.
GR2017

Diet selection and its variation due to difference in forages nutritive value are central processes in plant-herbivore interactions. An incorporating of these parameters may allow predicting diet selection patterns which are a basic underpin for sustainable vegetation management and profitable animal production. To achieve these issues many studies were done two of which were run to study the browse-browser interactions in a sub-humid subtropical savannah, a herd of goats was used as a model browser in natural pasture. Other studies evaluated the nutritive value of five plant species which were the most selected by goats. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the seasonal patterns of diet selection of goats on woody species and their nutritive value and (ii) to predict the diet selection. The secondary objectivrs were to (i) investigate how plant characteristics such as plant morphology (spinescence, and broad vs. fine leaves), phenology (evergreen vs. deciduous species) and plant chemistry (nitrogen, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, condensed tannin, cellulose and hemicellulose) are relate to the diet selection patterns and to (ii) evaluate the nutritive value of the most plant species selected by goats during the different seasons. Two experiments were conducted at Owen Sitole College of Agriculture, KwaZulu-Natal, to determine diet selection of goats grazing/browsing in Zululand Thornveld. The first experiment was done in the early wet season (November 2007) and late wet season (March/April 2008) while the second experiment was conducted in the dry season (June/July 2008), early wet season (November/December 2008) and late wet season (February/March 2009). The relative abundance of browse species in the veld was determined and used to estimate the selection index. In the first part, diet selection was estimated using (i) direct observation of animals (account bouts) by observing every one minute two goats while they were foraging with others for 3 hours in the morning and 1.5 hours in the afternoon on alternate days for a total of six days and (ii) an indirect plant-based method by observing at regular intervals 40 marked branches on ten plants of each browse species every two days for a total of six days. The browse species observed were: Gymnosporia senegalensis, Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo (Acacia natalitia), Scutia myrtina and Dichrostachys cinerea. In both seasons, the three most selected species according to the plant-based observations were S. myrtina, A. karroo and D. cinerea. Consistently, A. nilotica experienced moderate defoliation and G. senegalensis the least. However, on the basis of the selection index, the species followed the order: A. nilotica > D. cinerea > A. karroo > S. myrtina > G. senegalensis in the early wet season and A. nilotica > S. myrtina > D. cinerea > A. karroo > G. senegalensis in the late wet season. Both methods did not rank species in the same order. The selection index was negatively (P<0.05) correlated to neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). In the second part, observations were taken on feeding time of two goats, randomly selected per day for 7-8 days. Observations were made during active foraging periods for 2 hrs in the morning and 1.5 hrs in the afternoon. The duration of each feeding bout and the species of woody plant from which bites were cropped at each feeding station were recorded. Season and plant species affected diet selection and preference. The five main species selected (utilized) by goats in decreasing order were S. myrtina, A. nilotica, D. cinerea, Acacia natalitia and Chromolaena odorata. Scutia myrtina was the most preferred (highest utilisation relative to availability) in the dry season while D. cinerea comprised the greatest proportion in the early and late wet seasons. Scutia myrtina was most preferred in the dry and early wet seasons while A. nilotica was most preferred in the late wet season. Spinescent species were generally selected more than non-spinescent species in all seasons, while fine-leaf and deciduous species were selected more than broad-leaf and evergreen ones in the wet seasons. However, preference for broad-leaf and evergreen species increased in the early wet season. Although plant chemistry varied across seasons, it did not explain the preference of goats for various plant species in this study. Instead, effects of chemistry were species- specific. The nutritive value of the five main species selected by goats was evaluated by chemical composition, in vitro gas production, in vitro degradability and in sacco degradability. Two experiments were conducted for the in vitro studies, the first experiment was to test the effect of season and species, while the second experiment tested the biological effect of tannins using polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG). The PEG treatment was applied to samples of the early and late wet seasons only. The parameters were maximum gas production (GP), degradation rate (C), lag time (lt), maximum rate of GP at the point of inflection (μ), half time to the maximum gas volume(T1/2), gas produced from fermentation of soluble and slowly degradable fractions (A and B, respectively), their degradation rates (c1 and c2, respectively), apparent (ApDeg) and true degradability (TrDeg), microbial yield (MY), partitioning factor (PF), degradation efficiency factor (DEF) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA). There were wide variations among seasons and species in crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF and condensed tannins. Season and species affected kinetics of gas production, GP, TrDeg, MY, PF and SCFA. Chromolaena odorata had the highest CP (185.8-226.4 g kgˉ¹), GP (87.3-104.1 ml gˉ¹ DM), gas produce from soluble (47.6-50.9 ml gˉ¹ DM) and insoluble (39.8-50.9 ml gˉ¹ DM) fractions during the three seasons compared to other browse species. The TrDeg ranged from 634 to 856 g kgˉ¹ DM. The total SCFA varied between seasons and among species. The addition of PEG decreased TrDeg and PF, and increased GP and total SCFA. The GP, its degradation rate (C) and gas from the soluble fraction were positively correlated to CP without and with PEG. Gas from the soluble fraction was negatively correlated to NDF, ADL and CT; and GP to CT without PEG. In the in sacco study, the parameters of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradability were soluble (a) and slowly (b) degradable degradability, the degradation rate (c), potential degradable (PD), effective degradability (ED) and lag time (lt). Season affected PD of DM degradability and ED of both DM and CP. Browse species and its interaction with season affected all parameters except b fraction of CP and interaction did not affected PD of CP. Chromolaena odorata had the highest estimated parameters of degradation during the three seasons compared to other browse species. Based on PD and ED, the plant species followed this decreasing order: C. odorata, A. nilotica, A. natalitia, S. myrtina and D. cinerea. All parameters were positively correlated to CP except the a and b fractions of DM and CP, respectively, and lt of both DM and CP. All parameters were negatively correlated to NDF, ADF and ADL except the b fraction and rate of degradation. Condensed tannins (CT) were negatively correlated with all parameters except the b fraction and PD of DM and CP, and lt of DM degradation. Cellulose was negatively correlated with a of DM and lt of CP degradation. The broad objective of this study was to assess whether plant characteristics, in sacco degradability, in vitro gas production, digestibility or chemical composition (NDF, ADF, ADL, CT and CP) could predict the selection of browse species. The parameters were selection index, plant characteristics (spinescence, or leaves phenology), chemical composition, in vitro gas production, in vitro degradability and in sacco degradability parameters. Most of these parameters were poor for predicting selection by goats of browse species. Spinescence (spn), leaves phenology (phen), NDF, CP and CT accounted for 86% of the variation in selection index (y) = -5.91 - 0.01CT - 0.002NDF + 0.02CP + 6.18spn + 2.43phen; (R2=0.86; n=20; RMSE=0.406; P<0.001; for phen, 1 = evergreen, 0 = deciduous; for spn, 1 = spinescent, 0 = spineless). It was concluded that in vitro gas production, in vitro degradability and in sacco degradability were poor predictors of selection index of browse species used by goats. Spinescence, leaf phenology, condensed tannins, CP and NDF were predictors of diet selection index and suggested that these plant species have potential to be used as feed supplements. Chromolaena odorata has the highest potential as feed protein source in goats. The addition of PEG (tannin binding agent) emphasizes that the inhibitory effect of tannins on rumen microbes was great in tannin-rich feeds.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Diet selection and foraging efficiency are primary driving behavioural processes in mammalian herbivore plant interaction. They determine the quality of production and also impact on vegetation, necessitating managerial inputs that will sustain productivity and conserve or improve on its plant species composition. In view of a better understanding of browse/browser interaction in subtropical arid savannah, Nguni goats were adopted as our model browser considering their socioeconomic importance to local, regional and global economy. The primary objective of this research was to determine the seasonal and plant species trend of diet selection indexed by intake and foraging efficiency indexed by intake rate. The secondary objective was to investigate how plant morphological variables such as spinescence, shoot morphology such as long shoots as opposed to short shoots, and broad as against fine leaves, phenological variables such as evergreen versus deciduous species, and plant chemical components including: crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent lignin and condensed tannins relate and possibly explain the observed patterns. Six browse plants, Acacia nilotica, Acacia robusta, Ehretia rigida, Euclea crispa, Rhus lancea and Ziziphus mucronata were used in the first experiment to determine short term intake during the dry and rainy seasons. In the second experiment, 10 browse plants: Acacia nilotica, Acacia robusta, Combretum epiculatum, Dicrostachys cinerea, Ehretia rigida, Euclea crispa, Gymnosporia buxifolia, Rhus lancea and Ziziphus mucronata were used to determine short term intake rate in the dry, early rainy and late rainy seasons. Diet selection was significantly affected by species (F5,60= 31.87 ; p< 0.05) and the interaction between seasons and species (F,60= 2.52; p= 0.039). Intake was not significantly higher in the rainy relative to the dry season, 3.94 ± 0.42a gDM compared to 3.57 ± 0.42a gDM. Rhus lancea and A. robusta were the most preferred species in both seasons, while Z. mucronata was more preferred in the dry season than E. crispa but in the rainy season it was the opposite. Dichrostachys cinerea and A. nilotica were the least preferred in both seasons, but with improved intake of D. cinerea in the rainy season, whereas that of A. nilotica declined significantly. Intake of plant species with long shoots, which were also broad leafed, was significantly higher than that of old short shoot species (t= -3.99; df= 65.80; p= 0.0002). Similarly, intake of evergreen species was significantly higher than that of deciduous species (t= 5.22; df= 34.02; p< 0.0001). Cellulose in the rainy season positively correlated with intake (r= 0.85; n= 6; p= 0.031), bite number cropped (r= 0.98; n= 6; p= 0.001) and browsing time (r= 0.93; n= 6; p= 0.007). In the dry season there was no correlation of any plant chemical components with intake except cellulose that correlated with the intake variable of bite size (r= 0.87; n= 6; p= 0.023). The following regression equation was generated from the correlation to model intake: Intake= 0.68 + BS (3.07), (R2= 0.71; p< 0.05), where BS= bite size. Intake rate varied amongst species (p< 0.05), as well as seasons (p< 0.05). Instantaneous intake rate in the dry season were highest for A. caffra and G. buxifolia, followed by C. apiculatum, R. lancea, E. crispa, A. robusta and Z. mucronata. The bottom tier comprised of E. rigida, D. cinerea and A. nilotica. At the onset of the rainy season, A. robusta, A. caffra and R. lancea had the highest instantaneous intake rate, followed by C. apiculatum, E. crispa and Z. mucronata. The lowest instantaneous intake rates were derived from D. cinerea, E. rigida, G. buxifolia and A. nilotica. At late rainy season, A. robusta, A. caffra, C. apiculatum, E. crispa and R. lancea yielded the highest intake rate, followed by D. cinerea, G. buxifolia and Z. mucronata in the middle tier, and the least were derived from E. rigida and A. nilotica. Acacia caffra, A. robusta, R. lancea, C. apiculatum and E. crispa featured amongst species with the higest intake rate in all three seasons, whereas G. buxifolia from which one of the highest intake rates was derived in the dry season declined to amongst those with the least in both early and late rainy seasons. Ehretia rigida, D. cinerae and A. nilotica were consistent in all three seasons as the least efficiently foraged Browses with long shoots were more efficiently foraged upon than those with short shoots (t= -3.2; df= 284.64; p< 0.002). Evergreen plant species yielded higher instantaneous intake rate relative to deciduous species (t= 2.02; df= 278.01; p< 0.044). Intake rate of spinescent relative to spineless species was not significantly different but more bites were cropped from spinescent relative to spineless species (t= 2.80; df= 256.77; p= 0.006). Bite sizes were smaller for spinescent relative to spineless species (t= -3.30; df= 227.4; p= 0.001). There were significant positive correlations of cellulose with intake rate (r= 0.7; n= 10; p= 0.023), and with condensed tannins (r= 0.7; n= 10; p= 0.022) in the dry season. Additionally, cellulose also had a positive correlation with bite size in the same season (r= 0.7; n= 10; p= 0.016). At early rainy season, there was no correlation of intake with any of the plant chemical components, whereas, NDF (r= 0.6; n= 10; p= 0.044), hemicellulose (r= 0.8; n= 10; p= 0.012) and condensed tannins (r= 0.7; n= 10; p= 0.032) all correlated positively with browsing time at early rainy season. The following regression equations were derived to model intake rate and some intake rate related variables: (1) intake rate= 0.433 + BSDM (0.081), R2= 0.68, p< 0.05 and BSDM= bite size dry matter; (2) Bite rate= 0.503 –BSDM (0.147), R2= 0.597, p< 0.05 and BSDM= bite size dry matter; (3) Bite size dry matter= 1.713 – BR (4.210), R2= 0.597 ,p< 0.05 and BR= bite rate, and (4) Intake dry matter= 3.804 + BSDM (0.865), R2= 0.607, p< 0.05 and BSDM= bite size dry matter. Diet selection and foraging efficiency were both influenced more by shoot and leaf morphology than by spinescence. Plant chemistry on the other hand had diverse and inconsistent effect on diet selection and foraging efficiency trends. The results therefore have important and far reaching implications for Nguni goat and goat production as a whole in the bush veld of Gauteng and related ecological zones.
Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Small-scale goat farmers from south-western KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, identified gastrointestinal helminths, dry-season feed scarcity and poor reproductive performance as major production constraints and highlighted the paucity of information on goat health and management. The research and extension processes adopted to address these problems comprised on-station experimentation, followed by on-farm validation combined with the participatory dissemination of both study findings and relevant information on goat health care. The approach included the use of the FAMACHA© system to assess anaemia, a characteristic symptom of infection with the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803). On-station experimentation indicated that urea-molasses block supplementation during the dry, winter season was a cost-effective option. Unfortunately, when tested on-farm, the value of such supplementation proved inconclusive, possibly due to low block consumption and further research into alternative and palatable protein supplements for goats is suggested. However, tactical anthelmintic treatment with ivermectin effectively reduced faecal egg counts and is recommended, as is concurrent symptomatic anthelmintic treatment, as determined by the FAMACHA© system, since this practice appeared to improve reproductive capacity. Investigations to better adapt the FAMACHA© system to goats is, however, recommended. A flexible training framework was developed with the collaboration of the farmers, providing them with advice on goat health and management. This ‘hands-on’ approach encompassed regular meetings geared to the farmers’ current expertise and exploited the on-farm experimentation as a training vehicle. The process nurtured local farmer ‘champions’, strengthened the extension skills of researchers and technicians and incorporated the development of a Goatkeepers’ animal health care manual. Indications are that the use of such an approach has considerable potential for the development of goat farming. Moreover this process, which is relatively novel for South Africa, is equally applicable to other similar agro-ecological zones. Access to veterinary and agricultural inputs in areas where communal grazing is practised could be vastly improved and a case is made for universities, researchers, extensionists and farmers to collaborate to encourage the long-term sustainable development of these communities.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.