The study compares the biological performance of progenies of the Afrikaner x Western Sanga crossbred (small frame) and the Bonsmara (medium frame) cattle on the following traits: calving and growth rates as well as mortalities. The study was conducted in the Sourish Mixed Bushveld of the North West province. The objective was to identify a lowcare cattle breed, which can withstand unfavourable conditions under which most farmers in the North West Province operate. The results of this study indicated that, under good management, the Bonsmara cattle have higher growth rates compared to the Sanga cattle. There were statistical differences with regards to birth, pre-wean and wean masses, (P< 0.0001). Sanga cattle however were able to maintain higher calving rates under all varying conditions (Bonsmara 77% average and Sanga 84% average). The Sanga, due to its lower nutritional requirements, on average requires 15% less of the surface area required by the Bonsmara. Sanga cattle also returned better yields in terms of kilogram weaned calf per LSU and per hectare. With regard to herd mortalities, there was no significant difference (P = 0.03329).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:10947 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Moraka, Joseph Ntlhoki |
| Publisher | Port Elizabeth Technikon, Department of Agricultural Management |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MTech |
| Format | vi, 90 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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