Ritual slaughter of goats is a common practice in South Africa if the relative proportion of informal slaughter is taken into account. Religious, traditional or customary slaughter is legal in terms of meat safety legislation in South Africa. However, it is suggested that there is lack of understanding of basic food safety and occupational health concepts, and that this exposes the community to a wide spectrum of meat related hazards and food-borne diseases. Many hazards that are associated with traditional or customary slaughter of goats in South Africa have not been identified and characterized. The aim of the study was to identify, characterize and assess the occupational health and food safety risks of the biological, chemical or physical hazards associated with traditional slaughter of goats, by investigating the cultural practices and informal food chains associated with goats in South Africa. The study area was the Tshwane Metropole. A descriptive study, a form of qualitative research that describes the nature and the distribution of the outcomes, was conducted with 105 purposively selected adult respondents of both sexes at taxi ranks and places where commuters gather informally. A survey in the form of structured interviews using questionnaires was used. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method in conjunction with a statistical analysis. The abattoir or formal goat slaughter process, was considered as a baseline standard for comparison of meat hygiene and occupational health safety during traditional slaughter of goats. The traditional slaughter pathway, from farm to fork was derived based on structured interviews and compared to legislated norms for slaughter in red meat abattoirs. It was found that there were existing regulations for slaughter of goats at abattoirs, despite the fact that no goat abattoirs exist any longer in South Africa. Physical, chemical and biological hazards associated with ritual slaughter were identified and characterized. Qualitative data was analysed using Epi-info 7 (Centre of Disease Control, Atlanta, USA) and Microsoft Excel 2010 ® (Microsoft Corporation, USA). The magnitude and likelihood of identified biological hazards was estimated using qualitative risk assessment, modified after the method suggested for BSE in Cattle by FAO (2009). Methods of ritual slaughter differed between groups, but there was little pre-slaughter examination for disease and stunning was not used. Exsanguination could be improved by hanging the carcass and a more structured approach to decreasing contamination of the carcass by ingesta, soil, leaves and dirt could be prioritized. It was recommended that veterinary services pay more attention to the health of goats in South Africa, as these are not regularly examined at post mortem, as are other livestock where routine surveillance for disease is carried out at registered abattoirs. Information on how to determine if a goat that is bought for slaughter is healthy, based on veterinary extension and communication, should be communicated to rural communities. A simple pamphlet or poster could be developed and distributed to commuters at taxi stops, or distributed by Animal Health Technicians in rural areas. Meat hygiene principles, linked to practical hygiene principles such as the WHO “five keys” should also be communicated within rural communities and applied to informal slaughter. The principles of good hygiene and meat safety, are, however, the same. Veterinary services could be involved in actual training of those who regularly slaughter goats to make sure that they cut the throat cleanly and the goat is exsanguinated properly. Welfare of goats during slaughter could be improved by paying more attention to humane transport and restraint as well as the use of sharp knives. Research needs to be done on a practical way of stunning under rural conditions. This however should not infringe upon people’s cultural norms and religious beliefs. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

The clinical use of xylazine may result in morbidity and mortality in small ruminants, and it was suspected that exposure to changes in environmental temperature may contribute to these effects. Xylazine hydrochloride was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg to a group of six indigenous domestic goats with a mean body mass of 28.2 kg. Xylazine was administered at a room temperature of 14°C and relative humidity of 33%, at 24°C and a relative humidity of 55%, and at 34°C with a relative humidity of 65%. The following variables were evaluated: clinical behaviour, cardiopulmonary function, haematology, acid-base balance, plasma glucose and insulin, body temperature, and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of xylazine. Xylazine administration resulted in transient restlessness, followed by sedation, muscle relaxation, and salivation. The onset of these clinical signs was not influenced by environmental conditions. Administration of xylazine resulted in a transient increase in respiratory rate in the 24 and 34°C environments. In the 14°C environment, the respiratory rate decreased significantly (p<0.05) from baseline and continued to decrease for the full duration of the 60 minutes observation period. Heart rate decreased in all three environments, but this decrease was only significant in the 14°C environment for the duration of the observation period. Changes in haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, red blood cell count and mean red blood cell volume were significantly (p<0.05) different 15 minutes after xylazine administration and continued to be so for the duration of the observation period. Total serum protein changed significantly (p<0.05) in the 24° and 34°C environments from 15 minutes after xylazine administration. The white cell count changed significantly (p<0.05) from 15 minutes after xylazine administration for the duration of the observation period in all three environments. Significant (p<0.05) changes occurred after xylazine administration in acid-base balance and arterial blood gas variables independent of environmental conditions. Arterial pH and the partial pressure of oxygen decreased significantly within 5 minutes of xylazine administration, and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, total carbon dioxide and base excess increased significantly (p<0.05). Environmental conditions had no observable on plasma glucose and insulin concentration. Significant (p<0.05) changes occurred in all three environments. Environmental conditions had no influence on body temperature in the control (untreated) animals. Following the administration of xylazine, the body temperature of the goats in the 14 and 24°C environments was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the goats in the 34°C environment. The maximum decrease in oesophageal temperature of 1.57°C was observed 60 minutes after xy1azine administration to goats maintained in the 14°C environment. Environmental conditions had no influence on all of the pharrnacokinetic parameters of xylazine hydrochloride evaluated. It is concluded that apart from changes in body temperature, changes that occurred in clinical and pharmacokinetic variables after xylazine administration, were independent of the three environmental temperature and humidity conditions. / Thesis (DPhil (Surgery))--University of Pretoria, 1999. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

Brucellosis is a constraint to livestock production in Moçambique. Reproductive failure due to brucellosis has been reported in the country and abortions occur in cattle, sheep and goats on many of the farms in Maputo Province of Moçambique. Brucellosis is an infectious disease affecting mainly sexually mature animals and is caused by organisms of the genus Brucella. Brucella abortus is the species that mainly affects cattle throughout the world, while Brucella melitensis affects mainly goats and sheep. Control of bovine brucellosis using B. abortus S19 vaccine was undertaken before the civil war in Moçambique which started in 1978 and ended in 1992. During this period the vaccination status of animals was not known. The diagnosis of brucellosis is mainly based on serological surveys and conflicting results obtained previously emphasized the need for additional studies. The aims of this research were to determine the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle, goats and sheep due to B. abortus and B. melitensis in five districts of Maputo Province based on serology, and to assess the relationship between abortions and reproductive failure occurring in the study area by isolation of Brucella organisms or nucleic acid detection. A total of 971 adult beef and dairy cattle, 752 goats and 260 sheep from the study area were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), indirect ELISA and complement fixation test (CFT). Milk from 85 dairy cows and tissue samples from 32 cows and bulls from Gaza and Inhambane provinces slaughtered in Maputo municipal abattoir and Machava abattoir, and an aborted foetus were also examined. All serological test results for small stock were negative. An overall apparent prevalence of 14.0% (n=971) was found in beef and dairy cattle in the study area based on a 95% confidence interval. The highest prevalence was observed in Manhiça District (27.4% (n=180)) with a significant difference compared to other districts (p<0.05). The lowest prevalence was observed in Magude District (7.1% (n=241)). The prevalence in the remaining districts were 14.5% (n=138) in Matutuine, 8.7% (n=173) in Moamba and 14.6% (n=239) in Boane. Apparent prevalences of 15.5% (n=161) in small, 14.0% (n=578) in medium and 12.9% (n=232) in large livestock production sectors where found in the study area with no significant differences (p>0.05) between them. B. abortus was isolated from the spleen of an aborted foetus. A PCR amplification product of 600bp was generated from this isolate 584/05 and from the organs of five slaughtered cows using primers ISP1 and ISP2 for Brucella genus-specific sequences. The isolate 584/05 was confirmed as a B. abortus field strain when fragments of 498bp and 178bp were generated using a PCR assay for differentiation of B. abortus field strains and vaccine strains 19 and RB51. A correlation was made between the 584/05 isolate and serum from the cow that aborted. The results confirmed that the isolate was not a vaccine strain. The results from this study will supplement existing epidemiological data and aid brucellosis control programmes in Moçambique. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Fresh-harvested Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) browse was mixed with chopped alfalfa hay to formulate six diets , varying in oak content at two phenological stages. Diets included juvenile oak (65 ,80,95%), mature oak (40,80\), and an alfalfa control . Diets we re evaluated for goats using a series of total-collection dige st ion balance trials . Dry matter intake was highest for animal s on mature oak diets, and lowest on diets containing a high percentage of juvenile oak, possibly due to differences in diet dry matter content . Apparent digestibility of dry matter and cell wall components was lowest for mature oak diets, and highest for diets high in juvenile oak. Nitrogen and energy balances were positive in all cases , and all diets provided nitrogen and energy in excess of rnaintenance requirements. This was reflected by weight gains for all animal s in every trial. Fecal and urinary nitrogen losses did not appear to be related to tannin content of the diets, because high-percentage juvenile oak diets resulted in reduced nitrogen outputs , presumably due to reduced nitrogen intakes for these diets. In comparison with previous data using pelleted formulations, the fresh-fed material was consistently higher in digestibility of the various fractions, and associated with lower dry matter intakes.

No / Until recently, osteological studies into ancient diet and health have primarily focused upon human remains. As a result, these areas of research are still in their infancy in the field zoo-archaeology. Animals have paid a heavy price for many major human advances, such as those in agriculture and transport. This use (and often abuse) of animals has left many tell-tale signs in their teeth and bones. Along with the many advantages in animal exploitation have also come major problems for humans. Thus, infectious diseases passed from animals to humans must have long played a significant evolutionary role in the development of society. The zooarchaeological record could provide an extremely important temporal framework for exploring and understanding past and current issues of human health and animal welfare. This volume provides one of the first contributions to the field, and may stimulate many more.

Reclaimed coal-mined lands in the Appalachian region can be successful established and utilized for beef cattle production. Currently, these areas are underutilized partly due to an increase in invasive plant species, such as multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb. Ex Murr.), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.), and sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don). The steep topography and low economic returns from beef cattle make conventional control methods inhibitive. Goats are effective browsing on invasive plant species. An experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 at the Powell River Research and Education Center near Wise, VA (77° 43' 30" west longitude, 38° 57' 30" north latitude, elevation 155.5 m) to determine the effects of an ungrazed control, cattle alone grazing, and mixed grazing goats with cattle on forage biomass, botanical composition, relative plant abundance, and animal performance. The three treatments included an ungrazed control, cattle grazing alone, and mixed grazing goats with cattle. Experimental design was a randomized complete block design with two replicates for the control and three replicates for the grazed treatments. Three times during the grazing season the following were measured, analyzed or assessed: nutritive values of pasture, autumn olive, multiflora rose, and sericea lespedeza were assessed; forage biomass was determined by clipping four 0.25 m² quadrants per control replicate and eight 0.25 m² quadrants per grazed replicate; botanical composition and relative abundance of plant species was assessed by the Double DAFOR method from five fixed points in each control replicate and ten fixed points in each grazed replicate; animals were weighed; autumn olive shrub height was measured with a clinometer from a distance of 10 m from the shrub. Branch length was measured with a tape measure from the base of the branch to the end tip. Shrub survival was measured by counting shrubs in each replicate and determining visually percent leaf-out. Each year, control and cattle alone treatments had greater (P < 0.05). Generally, grass content increased in the grazed treatments from spring to fall while weed content increased in the control treatment (P < 0.05). By the end of the two experimental years, the legume components of the pasture were low. This was more evident in the ungrazed control than the grazed treatments. The relative abundance of tall fescue and orchardgrass (P < 0.05) increased in grazed treatments while sericea lespedeza became a dominant weed in the control (P < 0.05). Goats showed high preference for sericea lespedeza and maintain this plant in a leafy, vegetative stage. This leafy, vegetative growth was found to acceptable to cattle. Cattle performance was not affected by treatment (P < 0.05) but total animal output was higher for mixed grazed compared to cattle alone treatments (P < 0.05). The nutritive values of multiflora rose, autumn olive, and sericea lespedeza were higher than pasture in most instances (P < 0.05). In our experiment, autumn olive was severely impacted by goat browsing. Shrub survival was lower in mixed grazing (61%) by the end of the experiment compared to over 90% for the control and cattle grazing treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, pastures were utilized more uniformly in mixed grazing compared to other treatments. Mixed grazing goats with cattle appear to be a viable option for livestock producers in the Appalachian coal mining region. / Master of Science

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the reasons why meat supply does not meet human demand is that man has concentrated on utilising relatively few animal species as a source of meat. Development of unconventional livestock, such as goats, is advocated as a means of increasing global meat production and consumption. Although South Africa possesses large numbers of domestic ruminants, meat consumption has been limited mainly to sheep and cattle. Goats are used to a lesser extent. This is partly attributed to a general belief that goat meat is inferior to mutton and beef. Numerous contradictions regarding comparative goat and sheep growth, carcass characteristics and meat composition exist in literature. Concepts involved with most of the contradictions includes average daHy gain (ADG), dressing percentage, carcass weight distribution and organoleptic characteristics, especially tenderness, juiciness and flavour, particularly as pertaining to animals reared/grown under intensive/feedlot conditions. Therefore this project was undertaken to obtain more information on the growth, carcass and organoleptic characteristics, as well as meat chemical compositions of Boer goat (BG) kids in comparison with South African Mutton merino (MM) lambs, reared under feedlot conditions. Thirty-two BG kids and 32 MM lambs were used for this investigation. All the animals were castrated and weaned before entering the feedlot. Two pelleted diets (fed to 16 animals/species) with either a low (LE; 8.9 MJ/kg OM) or a high (HE, 10.9 MJ/kg OM) metabolisabie energy level were fed individually, ad lib for either 28 or 56 days. Feed and water intake, ADG and feed conversion efficiencies (FCE) were monitored. During the last week of the feeding trial, 12 BG kids and 12 MM lambs were used to evaluate the digestibility of the two diets. After either 28 or 56 days, the animals were slaughtered and the carcasses dissected into South African commercial cuts. The m. semimembranosus and 8-9-10-rib cut of each carcass was dissected for determination of chemical composition, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force values and colour measurement. The m. gracilis was dissected from the hind leg of the carcass and used for sensory evaluation. MM's had significantly higher AOG's than BG's (e.g. MMHE56: 0.281; BGHE56: 0.162 kg/day). Within a diet there was no difference (P>0.05) in FCE between BG's and MM's and only the MM's FCE differed between the LE and HE diet (e.g. BGLE28: 7.65; BGHE28: 6.37; MMLE28: 8.73; MMHE28: 5.56 kg feed/kg weight gain). BGLE digested dry matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and energy more efficiently and had a higher energy retention than MMLE. The two diets had the same ME-value for the goats, which confirms that goats perform equally well on a lower quality feed as their contemporaries on a higher quality feed. Neither species, nor diet affected nitrogen retention. The BG had a 49 % lower (P<0.01) water intake per kg weight gain than the MM on both the high and low energy diets. Both species had a lower (P<0.01) water intake on the high than on the low energy diet. Furthermore, the BG had a daily water intake of only 171 ml/kgo.75 compared to the 302 ml/kgo.75 of the MM. The weight of the liver, empty stomach, head and feet (as a percentage of empty body weight) were higher in goats than in sheep. The MM's had significantly heavier skins, probably due to wool growth. Both kidney fat and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) fat increased with age. The animals slaughtered after 56 days in the feedlot had significantly longer and deeper carcasses than their contemporaries slaughtered after 28 days. Within a diet and slaughter age, the MM had significantly broader and deeper carcasses than the BG's. BG's had significantly less weight per unit carcass length, and thus more slender carcasses than MM's. Diet had no significant influence on the carcass weight distribution of the goats. However, MM's had heavier carcasses (LE: 19.87 vs. 15.28 kg; HE: 24.01 vs. 17.05 kg) and proportionally heavier ribs and buttocks than BG's. Neither diet nor slaughter age influenced the proximate analysis of the m. semimembranosus, but MM's had significantly lower moisture values than BG's. In the 8-9-10-rib cuts BG's had significantly more moisture and protein and lower fat and energy values than MM's. OM, fat and energy values increased with an increase in slaughter age in both species. BG's had significantly higher concentrations of 11 of the 18 measured essential amino acids in their 8-9- 10-rib cuts than the MM's. Gaat carcasses had higher Ca, K, Mg, Na and P-Ievels than sheep carcasses, regardless of the diet fed. There was a tendency for goat's m. semimembranosus to have a lower Fe-content than that of sheep. BG carcasses had a lower carcass cholesterol content than that of lamb (66.77 vs. 99.28 mg/100g, respectively). Palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1 n9) acid comprised the greatest proportions of fatty acids in both the m. semimembranosus and 8-9-10-rib cut for both species. On a LE-diet there was no significant difference between the saturated fatty acid (SFA) to unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) ratio of goat meat and lamb. However, on the HEdiet, lamb had a significantly higher SFA:UFA ratio than chevon (m. semimembranosus: 0.842 vs. 0.689; 8-9-10-rib cut: 1.407 vs. 0.892). Organoleptically, a difference was noted between chevon and lamb. Each has a specific species flavour, which was not influenced by energy level of the diet. BG meat was perceived to be stringier than that of the MM, but there was no significant difference in Warner-Bratzler shear force values. Tenderness declined with age in both species and there was also a tendency for goat meat to be less juicy than lamb. Chevon had a more pronounced aftertaste than lamb. No objective differences could be distinguished between the colour of the cooked chevon and lamb. There was a tendency for fresh lamb to have a higher a*-value (redness) than chevon. Although diet did not influence drip loss, drip loss increased with an increase in slaughter age. Only after 56 days did the MM's m. semimembranosus have a significantly higher drip loss than the BG's (LE: 4.84 vs. 3.43%; HE: 4.72 vs. 3.32%). In the m. semimembranosus of both species, cooking loss increased with an increase in slaughter age. Since diet did not influence the growth, carcass weight distribution, water holding capacity, colour, shear force values or organoleptic qualities of chevon, BG's may be finished on a diet with a lower ME-value than that usually formulated for sheep, without a reduction in performance. This may render a direct economic advantage for BG feedlot finishing. Meat from young feedlot goats is not inferior to that of lamb and it has a higher protein percentage and lower fat percentage. Therefore, it can be considered as a healthy food commodity, especially among low-income groups or people wishing to consume a low calorie diet. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Vergelykende analise van nutriëntverbruik en vleiskwaliteisparameters van Boerbokke en Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino's: Een van die hoofredes waarom die vraag na vleis die aanbod oorskrei, is die feit dat die mens tot op hede net op 'n paar dierspesies as bron van vleis gekonsentreer het. Benutting van niekonvensionele spesies, soos bokke, kan aanbeveel word ten einde die globale vleisproduksie en -verbruik te verhoog. Ten spyte van die feit dat Suid-Afrika oor baie gedomestikeerde herkouerspesies beskik, is vleisverbruik in die verlede tot hoofsaaklik skape en beeste beperk. Bokke is tot 'n mindere mate gebruik. Dit kan gedeeltelik toegeskryf word aan die algemene siening dat bokvleis ondergeskik aan skaap- en beesvleis is. Verskeie teenstrydighede ten opsigte van vergelykings tussen bokke en skape se groei, karkaseienskappe en vleissamestelling bestaan in die literatuur. Teenstrydige resultate ten bpsigte van gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GOT), uitslagpersentasie, karkasgewigverspreiding en organoleptiese eienskappe (veral taaiheid, sappigheid en geur) van diere afgerond onder intensiewe/voerkraal-toestande, kom veral voor. Hierdie projek is vervolgens uitgevoer ten einde meer inligting ten opsigte van die groei, karkas- en organoleptiese eienskappe, sowel as die chemiese samestelling van die vleis van Boerbok (BB) lammers in vergelyking met Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino (VM) lammers, onder voerkraal-toestande grootgemaak, te verkry. Twee-en-dertig BB lammers en 32 VM lammers is vir hierdie studie gebruik. AI die diere is gekastreer en gespeen voor hulle in die voerkraal geplaas is. Twee verpilde diëte (gevoer aan 16 diere/spesie) met óf 'n lae (LE, 8.9 MJ/kg DM) óf 'n hoë (HE, 10.9 MJ/kg DM) metaboliseerbare energievlak is individueel, ad lib, vir óf 28 óf 56 dae aan die diere gevoer. Voer- en waterinname, GOT en voeromsettingsdoeltreffendheid (VOD) is gemonitor. Gedurende die laaste week van die voedingsproef is 12 BB'e en 12 VM's gebruik ten einde die verteerbaarheid van die twee diëte te bepaal. Na 28 of 56 dae is die diere geslag en die karkasse in Suid-Afrikaanse kommersiële snitte verdeel. Die m. semimembranosus en 8-9-10-rib snit van elke karkas is verwyder vir bepaling van chemiese samestelling, drupverlies, kookverlies, skeurwaardes en kleurbepaling. Die m. gracilis is uit die agterbeen uitgehaal en vir sensoriese evaluering gebruik. VM's het betekenisvolle hoër GOT's as BB'e (bv. VMHE56: 0.281; BBHE56: 0.162 kg/dag) gehad. Binne 'n dieet was daar geen verskille (P>0.05) in VOD tussen BB'e en VM's nie en net die VM's se VOD het tussen die LE- en HE-dieet verskil (bv. BBLE28: 7.65; BBHE28: 6.37; VMLE28: 8.73; VMHE28: 5.56 kg voer/kg gewigstoename). BBLE het die droë materiaal (DM), ruproteïen (RP) en energie meer effektief verteer en het 'n hoër energieretensie as VMLE gehad. Die twee diëte het dieselfde ME-waarde vir die bokke gehad, wat bevestig dat bokke net so goed op 'n laer kwaliteit voer presteer as op 'n dieet van 'n hoër kwaliteit. Stikstofretensie is nie deur spesie of dieet beïnvloed nie. Die BB het 'n 49% laer (P<0.01) waterinname per kg massatoename op beide die HE- en LE-dieet gehad. Beide spesies het 'n laer (P<0.01) waterinname op die hoë as die lae energie dieet gehad. Verder het die BB ook 'n daaglikse waterinname van slegs 171 ml/kg075 gehad in vergelyking met die 302 ml/kgO.75van die VM. Die gewig van die lewer, leë pens, kop en pote (as persentasie van leë liggaamsgewig) was hoër vir bokke as vir skape. Die VM's se velle was betekenisvol swaarder, waarskynlik as gevolg van wolgroei. Beide niervet en kanaalvet het toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Die diere wat na 56 dae in die voerkraal geslag is, het betekensivol langer en dieper karkasse gehad as dié na 28 dae. Binne 'n dieet en slagouderdom, het die skape breër en dieper (P<0.05) karkasse as die bokke gehad. BB'e het betekenisvol minder gewig per eenheid karkaslengte en dus maerder karkasse as VM's gehad. Dieet-energievlak het geen betekenisvolle effek op die verspreiding van karkasgewig by bokke gehad nie. VM's het egter swaarder karkasse (LE: 19.87 vs. 15.28 kg; HE: 24.01 vs. 17.05 kg) en proporsioneel swaarder ribbes en boude as BB'e gehad. Dieet of slagouderdom het nie 'n betekenisvolle effek op die chemiese samestelling (vog, vet, proteïen en as) van die m. semimembransous gehad nie, maar VM's het laer (P<0.05) vogwaardes as BB'e gehad. In die 8-9-10-rib snit het BB'e betekenisvolle hoër vog en proteïen, maar laer vet- en energiewaardes as VM's gehad. In beide spesies het DM, vet en energiewaardes toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. BG'e het 'n betekenisvolle hoër konsentrasie in 11 van die 18 gemete essensiële aminosure in hul 8-9-10-rib snitte gehad in vergelyking met VM's. Bokkarkasse het ook hoër Ca, K, Mg, N en P-vlakke as skaapkarkasse gehad, ongeag die dieet. Daar was 'n neiging vir die bok m. semimembranosus om 'n laer Fe-inhoud as dié van die skaap te hê. BB-karkasse het 'n laer cholesterol-inhoud as skaapkarkasse (66.77 vs. 99.28 mg/100g, onderskeidelik) gehad. Palmitiensuur (C16:0), steariensuur (C18:0) en oleïensuur (C18:1n9) het die grootste proporsies van die vetsure in beide die m. semimembranosus en 8-9-10-rib snit van beide spesies uitgemaak. Op 'n LE-dieet was daar geen verskil tussen die versadigde (SFA) tot onversadigde (UFA) vetsuur-verhouding van bok- en skaapvleis nie. Op 'n HE-dieet het skaapvleis egter 'n betekenisvol hoër SFA:UFA-verhouding as bokvleis gehad (m. semimembranosus: 0.842 vs. 0.689; 8-9-10-rib snit: 1.40 vs. 0.892, onderskeidelik). Organolepties is 'n verskil tussen bok- en skaapvleis gevind. Elkeen het 'n spesifieke spesiegeur, wat onafhanklik van die dieet was. Bokvleis is waargeneem as meer veselrig as skaapvleis, maar daar was geen verskil in Warner-Bratzler skeurwaardes nie. In beide spesies het sagtheid afgeneem met 'n toename in ouderdom en daar was 'n neiging vir bokvleis om minder sappig as lamsvleis te wees. Bokvleis het ook 'n meer pertinente nasmaak as lam gehad. Geen objektiewe verskil kon tussen die kleur van gekookte skaapen bokvleis onderskei word nie. Daar was egter 'n tendens vir vars lamsvleis om 'n hoër a*- waarde (rooiheid) as bokvleis te hê. Alhoewel dieet nie 'n invloed op drupverlies gehad het nie, het drupverlies toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Slegs na 56 dae het die VM se m. semimembranosus 'n hoër (P>0.05) drupverlies as dié van die BB getoon (LE: 4.84 vs. 3.43%; HE: 4.72 vs. 3.32%, onderskeidelik). In die m. semimembranosus van beide spesies het kookverlies toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Aangesien dieet nie 'n effek op die groei, karkasgewig-verspreiding, waterhouvermoë, kleur, skeurwaardes of organoleptiese eienskappe van bokvleis gehad het nie, kan BB'e op 'n dieet met 'n laer ME-waarde as wat normaalweg vir skape geformuleer word, afgerond word, sonder om 'n verlaging in produksie te verwag. Dit mag 'n direkte ekonomiese voordeel vir afronding van BB'e in die voerkraal inhou. Vleis van jong voerkraalbokke is nie minderwaardig teenoor die van skape nie e-n dit het 'n hoër proteren- en laer vetpersentasie. Dus kan bokvleis as 'n gesonde voedselbron gesien word, veralonder lae-inkomste groepe of mense wat 'n lae kalorie-dieet wil inneem.

Thesis (PhD (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Milk production records of all grade and registered Saanen dairy goats from the Milk Recording and Performance Testing Scheme of the Animal Improvement Institute of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa and pedigree information of these animals from SA Studbook were analyzed to obtain specific genetic parameters. Records of goats with lactations exceeding 60 days in milk were used. A sufficient number of records only became available from 1985 onwards. Reproduction records were determined from milk recording data. The number of milk production records for the British Alpine and Toggenburg breeds was too small to warrant a genetic evaluation. In total, 3190 lactation records of 1413 Saanen does were available for the initial analysis. First and second parity records, 1190 and 775 records, respectively, were subjected to a separate genetic analysis. Milk production records (2319) of one commercial herd providing more than 70% of all the records in the national herd, were also subjected to a separate genetic analysis. The fixed effects identified as having a significant (P<0.05) effect on all traits studied were production year, age of dam, lactation length, parity number, herds (owners) and year of birth. Although some significant interactions were found, they were ignored as their effects were very small. Additive genetic variances and heritability estimates were obtained by ASREML procedures fitting three models. Estimates were generally in accordance with values found in the literature although estimates for fat and protein percentage were lower than expected when compared to dairy cow data. This could be explained by pedigree information lacking in the data set. The h2 estimate for milk yield using all records, first parity records, second parity records and records from a commercial herd were 0.21±0.05, 0.32±0.08, 0.20±0.10 and 0.31±0.06, respectively. Heritability estimates for fat percentage showed a large variation and were 0.19±0.05, 0.67±0.08, 0.34±0.12 and 0.12±0.05, respectively for similar data sets as previously mentioned. In contrast to this protein percentage varied little between data sets and were 0.30±0.06, 0.32±0.00, 0.24±0.11 and 0.28±0.07, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among production traits were positive and high for all data sets. As for dairy cows, milk fat and protein percentages were negatively related to milk yield. Genetic correlations between milk fat and protein percentages were positive and moderate to high. Increasing milk volume would have a negative effect on fat and protein percentages although it would increase fat and protein yields. Reproduction parameters, i.e. age at first kidding (AFK), age at last kidding (ALK), productive life (PL) and number of lactations (NL) were derived from milk recording data. Mean values for these parameters were 457±171 days, 1046±718 days, 19.3±13.9 months and 2.24±1.37 kiddings, respectively. Kidding interval had no genetic basis and is controlled by management. Heritability estimates were in accordance with literature values and were 0.25±0.04, 0.28±0.04, 0.08±0.04 and 0.05±0.03 for AFK, ALK, PL and NL, respectively. The genetic correlation between AFK and ALK was as expected positive and high, i.e. 0.61±0.10, although the correlation between AFK and PL was negative indicating similar to dairy cows that PL is shortened by a later AFK. The genetic trend for milk, fat and protein yield were positive, although it did not differ from zero. Large variations were observed between years (R2 <0.13). Genetic trends for fat and protein percentages were positive and negative (P<0.05), respectively. These trends are in contrast to trends observed in other countries such as France, The Netherlands and the USA where positive trends were generally observed. This may indicate a higher selection emphasis on milk yield parameters or more complete data sets in terms of pedigree information. The dairy goat industry in South Africa should address some of the problems that were encountered in the analysis of the data. These include factors such as a large number of small herds, many short lactations, a large number of animals lacking production data linked to pedigree information, incomplete pedigrees, few does that have completed three or more lactations, little genetic ties between herds and a small number of progeny for bucks. Some organizational and logistic issues concerning pedigree and milk recording need to be addressed by the South African Milch Goat Society to enable the accurate estimation of the genetic merit of animals in the national herd.

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.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Göttingen, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-164).