African Journals Online
South African Journal of Animal Science

Issues Available About the Journal

Volume 32, Issue 1 2002
ABSTRACTS

The efficacy of neem seed extract (Azadirachta indica) to control tick infestation in Tswana, Simmentaler and Brahman cattle

Webb, E.C.; David, M.

 

Abstract: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the use of neem seed extract for controlling common cattle ticks of the Ixodidae species. Three bulls and three cows of the Tswana, Brahman and Simmentaler breeds were cleared of ticks using ether and hand-picking techniques. Each animal was then naturally infested with ticks. A 5% (w/v) water extract of neem seed kernel was applied at a rate of 5 g/kg body weight to various anatomical sites on the animals allocated to the experimental treatment, while the control treatment animals were sprayed with tap water. Treated and control animals grazed together and were mustered at weekly intervals for examination. Tick population densities on animals treated with neem seed extract were lower than on untreated animals. Indigenous Tswana cattle harboured fewer ticks during periods of tick abundance than Brahman or Simmentaler cattle. It was concluded that neem seed extract is effective in controlling ectoparasites on livestock.

 

 

The value of kikuyu foggage for overwintering dry ewes

De Villiers, J.F.; Dugmore, T.J.; Botha, W.A.; Wandrag, J.J.

 

Abstract: Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is a summer growing tropical pasture species well adapted to the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Kikuyu foggage (standing hay) could play an important role in a fodder flow programme to sustain dry ewes during late winter after their lambs have been weaned in mid-winter. The potential of kikuyu foggage to supply in the feed requirements of dry ewes was evaluated over four winter periods. The foggage was obtained by closing off the kikuyu to grazing during either late January or late February. The foggage was grazed for eight weeks, from mid-July to mid-September, using either strip or continuous grazing systems. Closing off date did not significantly influence the chemical composition of the material on offer. The ewes in the different treatments lost between 4.7 and 10.3% of their initial body weight over the grazing period. In vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) of the foggage declined as winter progressed and was positively correlated with the body weight loss of the ewes. Foggage utilization varied between 36.7 and 43.5%, indicating a high proportion of fodder wastage. The body weight loss of the dry ewes during the grazing period suggested that kikuyu foggage in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was unable to sustain the body weight of the dry ewe.

 

 

Effect of supplementation on reproduction of wet season kidding Tswana goats

Madibela, O.R.; Mosimanyana, B.M.; Boitumelo, W.S.; Pelaelo, T.D.

 

Abstract: Seventy-seven mature Tswana goats were used to investigate the effect of supplementation on reproduction of wet season kidding animals. Treatments groups with similar weights were: Unsupplemented Control (UC), Continuous Supplementation (CS), Before Rain Supplementation (BRS) and After Rain Supplementation (ARS). Fertility rate, kidding rate, kid survival rate and doe weight at weaning were similar between the three treatments and the control. Kid birth weights did not differ between treatment groups. Doe parturition weight was higher in CS and lowest in BRS. Kid average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weight were significantly higher for CS and ARS while they ranked low, but similar between BRS and the control groups. Among ARS animals, doe parturition weight and birth weight tended to be correlated. Kid birth weight was positively correlated with growth rate in the ARS treatment. Productivity index (PI) for CS was high but similar to that of ARS. However PI’s for BRS, ARS and the control groups were similar. Average daily gain (104.0±4.3 vs. 69.8±2.8 g/d) differed between singles and multiples. Survival rates were similar (91.9 vs. 93.9%) between multiples and singles. This study demonstrated that supplementary feeding can offset the detrimental effects of both maternal and offspring undernutrition during the critical stages of the reproductive cycle of goats.