Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes: 1. The isolation of total RNA and mRNA from Angora goat adrenals. 2. Synthesis and nucleotide sequence alignment of Angora goat CYPI7 cDNA. Two DNA sequences were produced, identifying two CVP 17 alleles in an Angora goat from the Swartland district. 3. The development of a CYPI7 genotype test for Angora goats. 4. Genotyping of Angora goats and Boer goats with the developed genotype test. S. Mapping of the substituted amino acids in the amino terminal of CVP 17 to a specific CYPI7 genotype. 6. Partial synthesis and alignment of Angora goat genomic nucleotide CYPI7 sequences. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beskryf: 1. Die isolering van totale RNA en mRNA van Angorabok byniere. 2. Sintese en nukleotied volgorde oplyning van Angorabok CYP17 eDNA. Twee DNA volgordes is geproduseer, en so is twee CYP17 allele in 'n Angorabok van die Swartland omgewing geïdentifiseer. 3. Die ontwikkeling van 'n CYP17 genotipe toets vir Angorabokke. 4. Genotipering van Angorabokke en Boerbokke met die ontwikkelde genotipe toets. 5. Korrelering van die omgeruilde aminosure in die aminoterminaal van CYPl7 met 'n spesifieke genotipe. 6. Gedeeltelike sintese en oplyning van Angorabok genomiese CYPl7 nukleotied volgordes.

This research examined the diets of angora goats on a sagebrush bunchgrass rangeland. Research objectives were to 1) determine the effects of a positive conditioning method on both mature and immature angora goats; and 2) to quantify plant selection and provide preliminary information as to the potential for using goats to rehabilitate degraded sagebrush rangelands. Goat diets were ascertained using focal - animal bite-count observations during five consecutive seasons, summer 1990 through summer 1991. Treatment group goats were conditioned for 8 months by including ever- increasing amounts of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate subspp. wyomingensi) in their daily ration, up to 25% of their total intake. Conditioning effects were evaluated in a rangeland setting by comparing relative amounts of sagebrush consumption between groups. Our results indicate that while conditioning did not significantly impact sagebrush consumption, young animals consumed significantly more sagebrush than adults. Additionally, learning throughout the first year altered dietary selection by the second summer. Both does and kids were primarily gramnivorous, however there was strong seasonality in species preference and a significant age difference in diets selected. Age differences in the plant species selected persisted throughout the study until the summer of 1991 when kids were eighteen months old. / Graduation date: 1993

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-110). Also available via the Internet.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

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 investigates the role of non-traditional enterprises in rural economies and attempts to understand farmers’ decision to adopt non-traditional enterprises. Three separate mail surveys were conducted to collect socio-economic data from biological and organic, Angora goat, and ginseng farm enterprises. Descriptive statistics, Pearson χ² tests, and multinomial logit models were used to accomplish the objectives of the study. The analysis focuses on biological and organic, and Angora goat enterprises. The results of the analysis show that the principal operators of these enterprises were significantly younger, better-educated, better-off, and more likely to be a female in comparison to all Virginia farmers. The majority of farm operators came from non-rural backgrounds and their principal occupation is not farming. Only a very small percentage cited economic factors as the most important reason for starting the non-traditional enterprises. The most common information source used for planning and developing these new enterprises is books, magazines, or newsletters. The majority of respondents in both the biological/organic and Angora goat surveys did not perform any feasibility analyses prior to beginning their non-traditional enterprises. The farmers rated production and marketing as their major problems. In general, the majority of biological and organic farms and Angora goat farms were not profitable in 1993, and the income from these enterprises contributed very little to household income. However, it was found that biological and organic enterprises have played an important role in the economic survival of farmers with financial obstacles. The majority of farmers in the samples saw a bright future for their products. / Master of Science

The full text of this thesis/dissertation is not available online. Please <a href="mailto:upetd@up.ac.za">contact us</a> if you need access. Read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

A genetic study of four commercial goat breeds in South Africa was performed using microsatellite markers. The commercial breeds included the Boer goat, Savanna, Kalahari Red and the Angora goat. Indigenous goat populations from Delftzijl and Groblersdal were also included in this study. Seventeen microsatellite markers were tested to determine the genetic variation. Genetic variation within the breeds were relatively high with heterozygosity values ranging from 57% for the Boer goat, 68% for the Kalahari Red, 69% for the Savanna goats and 70% for the Angora goats. First values indicated that the Savanna and Boer goat are genetically the closest (0.114), while the Kalahari Red and Boer goat are the least related (0.237). Phenotypic measurements included height, length, depth, heart girth, pelvic length and width for a phenotypic description. Significant differences were observed in the phenotypic measurements among all the breeds. The genetic and phenotypic differences indicate that these goats can be distinguished as different breeds. Results of this study contribute genotypic information of the commercial goats in South Africa. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

An intensive study was conducted on the free-living larvae and parasitic life stages of R.glabroscutatum on Angora and Boer goats in the Uitenhage district. Free-living larvae exhibited periods of maximum relative abundance during months of generally lower rainfall, from the end of autumn to the beginning of spring. Relative larval abundance in open and gully sites was low while larvae were rarely found in bush sites. Relative abundance was higher at 20h00 than at 08h00 and 14h00. Repeated sampling in the same areas did not reduce larval numbers. Over 99% of parasitic ticks removed from Angora and Boer goats were located on the feet. The annual occurrence of a low and variable number of parasitic immatures was synchronous with the occurrence of free-living larvae. High, less variable numbers of adult ticks were removed from goat feet from September to December, the highest numbers being recorded during October and November. The occurrence of a single period of parasitic adult abundance annually indicated a life cycle with 1 generation per anum. There were higher numbers of adult ticks on the feet of the Angora goats than on the Boer goats. Adult numbers were higher on the hind feet of both breeds of goats than on the front feet. R.glabroscutatum adults seem to be implicated in the aetiology of foot abscesses since more infections were observed in Angora goats than in Boer goats and on the hind feet rather than the front feet within both goat groups. In addition R.glabroscutatum adults attached at interdigital sites where abscesses also originated and reached highest numbers in October and November when abscesses were most frequently observed. A review of distribution and host records indicated that R.glabroscutatum was limited in its distribution to the eastern Cape Province, being primarily located in South Africa's major mohair producing areas. R.glabroscutatum was classed an obligative xerophile on the basis of its recorded occurrence in non coastal areas with a low annual rainfall and Karoo and Karroid Bush vegetation. Host records for R.glabroscutatum included 10 species of wild ungulate, sheep, goats and cattle. The common site of occurrence on small stock and on small to medium sized wild animals appeared to be the legs and feet.