https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:32744 Wed 12 May 2021 23:43:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28493 0.05) by the treatments applied. The herbage height and basal cover had greater values (P<0.05) under rested plus chopping (CR) treatment followed by grazed plus chopping (GC). Grass biomass production and essential nutrients showed a greater concentration (P<0.05) under CR treatment than any treatments applied. The results on perceptions revealed that goats had the highest mean household holding number than any other livestock species across the selected villages in all the villages. Respondents indicated that both goats and cattle had equal or more importance than sheep. Three out of four villages raised cattle primarily for income generation and secondarily for cultural purposes like slaughtering during weddings ceremonies, amazila and also during woman circumcisions (Ntonjane). Similarly, goats and sheep were primarily raised for cash income generation. The results revealed that livestock population decreased over ten to twenty years (one-two decades) and poor rangeland condition is assumed to be the cause of the situation as feed is the key factor for production. The area was dominated by the grasses rather than by browse woody species so the above results are possible as the P. incana is more competitive than grasses. It was concluded that P. incana is detrimental to both rangeland and animal production. Forage and animal performance as well as farmers’ economic status (livelihoods) were negatively affected by P. incana invasion and the scientific assessment reported it to be detrimental to agriculture. Thus chopping and resting (CR) treatment resulted in a greater improvement of the basal cover, biomass production, soil nutrients as well as grass height than the other treatments applied. Therefore it can be concluded that chopping and resting the veld invaded with P. incana can improve the range and consequently animal production.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 23:41:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39114 Wed 12 May 2021 23:40:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28251 Wed 12 May 2021 23:40:05 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27795 Wed 12 May 2021 23:26:17 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28071 Wed 12 May 2021 23:18:19 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29399 Wed 12 May 2021 23:06:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28066 0.05) between Dense, Mixed and Moderate bushland. Woody plant density in all these sites exceed 2500 plants/ha, which showed that the rangeland was encroached with woody plants. Soil nutrient content was determined for each site. Five samples of soil were collected per site to test the effect of bush encroachment on soil nutrient composition. The concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increase in bush density, while that of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and sulphur showed no significant differences (P>0.05) across all homogenous vegetation units. The study revealed that Sheshegu communal farmers are aware of both negative and positive effects of encroachment on their community, and also argue that the government is not willing to support communal farmers in the process of reducing the spread of bush encroachment. It was concluded that the concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increasing bush density and that bush encroachment had negative effects on herbaceous species. It was recommended that communal farmers should be formulating rangeland rules and regulations to manage rangeland resources. Rangeland rules and regulations should be based on the management of livestock management during grazing and harvesting of rangeland resources. The harvesting of woody and good timing of application of fire can also reduce the spread of bush encroachment. Veld resting and rotational grazing can also improve fuel load which is required for burning of woody plants. Furthermore, Department of agriculture should also provide workshops or training to communal farmers use different approaches or cheap ways of reducing bush encroachment and conserving rangeland resources.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 23:00:02 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39627 0.05) in the concentration of OC, Ca, and Mg between the communities and seasons. Phosphorus (P) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in winter (concentrations) in most of the sites, except the top sites of Mbizana where summer concentration of P was significantly higher than winter. Potassium (K) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in summer than in winter in most of the HVUs, except the topland areas of Njwaxa and Mbizana sloppy areas where there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the concentration of K. Soil pH did not display any significant differences (p>0.05) between communities and sites. The mean soil pH recorded in this study was 5.4 implying the soils of Njwaxa and Mbizana communities were acidic. It is evident that communal farmers are well aware of their rangeland condition, changes occurring in their rangelands, their causes and are capable of suggesting some solutions in controlling the declining condition of the rangelands. This study has shown the importance of engaging farmers’ inputs in range assessment since those are people bearing the consequences of rangeland degradation.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 22:52:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27417 Wed 12 May 2021 20:55:03 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39120 Wed 12 May 2021 20:11:06 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29578 Wed 12 May 2021 20:07:30 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:36682 Wed 12 May 2021 19:52:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27558 Wed 12 May 2021 19:50:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31457 Wed 12 May 2021 19:48:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27755 Wed 12 May 2021 19:36:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29357 Wed 12 May 2021 19:03:07 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28064 Wed 12 May 2021 18:17:13 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27299 Wed 12 May 2021 18:10:54 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31494 Wed 12 May 2021 17:54:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27584 Wed 12 May 2021 17:48:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27598 Wed 12 May 2021 17:41:25 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27938 Wed 12 May 2021 17:34:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27564 Wed 12 May 2021 16:38:19 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39115 Wed 12 May 2021 16:37:43 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27560 0.05) differences on the chemical composition (CP, NDF, ADF, and ash) and mineral composition (Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe) of the six varieties. The grass silage results showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among the six varieties for moisture content. Perennial ryegrass variety Nui (66.76 percent) had low moisture content than the other grass silages. The different varieties had no significant effects (P>0.05) on chemical composition (CP, NDF, ADF, and ash) and mineral composition (Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe). It is concluded that the biomass production of the six varieties of three grass species was different throughout the year under irrigation hence Ryegrass and Tall fescue are recommended for dairy farmers in the region for all seasons. It can be concluded that there is no difference with respect to fermentation characteristics and nutrient content among the varieties of the grass species.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 16:32:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27874 0.05) were noted between proximate composition of fresh and frozen/thawed minced meat. The lipid content of fallow deer was 2.4 percent (±0.04). Total n3 fatty acids differed (P<0.05) between treatments and decreased with increased storage and display day. There were significant (P<0.05) treatment and time interactions on all measured colour parameters, TBARS and myoglobin forms. Fresh mince was lighter and had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values than mince from two months frozen stored meat. Hue angle for fresh mince remained stable throughout display whereas it increased for frozen/thawed mince. Fresh mince had lower TBARS values than frozen/thawed mince. Minced meat produced from frozen/thawed deer meat had higher surface met-myoglobin and total met-myoglobin percentages. Surface and total oxy-myoglobin percentage was higher in fresh mince. The first trial clearly showed colour and lipid stability differences between fresh mince and mince from frozen/thawed meat. It also showed that fresh mince has a longer retail display life than mince produced from frozen/thawed meat (six days and four days, respectively). In the second trial, the effects of frozen storage duration on colour and lipid stability were investigated. Twenty-four fallow deer were used. Twelve were harvested in June (6male 6female) and the other twelve in August (6 male 6female) of the same year.Twenty four hours after harvesting, the fore and hindquarter muscles of the carcasses were deboned, vacuum packed and kept at -20°C until October (i.e. 2months and 4months frozen storage period). Upon thawing, the meat was processed into mince following the same procedure used for the first trialand displayed for a fiveday period under retail display conditions. Frozen duration and gender had no effect (P>0.05) on the proximate composition of fallow deer meat. The total amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) increased and total amount of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased as frozen duration and display day increased (P<0.05). Frozen duration affected (P<0.01) lipid oxidation and percentage oxy-myoglobin. Mince pH and all colour parameters (L*, a*, b*,hue and chroma) differed (P<0.05) between treatments on day zero and three. Display day was a significant factor (P<0.05) on all measured parameters. By day three all parameters except pH showed signs of extended oxidation and discolouration as evidenced by reduced redness, decreased colour intensity and high TBARS values. This study showed that prolonged frozen storage negatively affects the colour and lipid stability of meat and increases oxidation of PUFAs during frozen storage. However, the study also suggests that although frozen/thawed meat has a shorter retail display shelf life; the proximate composition of the meat remains unchanged.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 16:01:16 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40401 0.05) between the APC of raw beef (4.8 Log CFU/g), mutton (3.7 Log CFU/g) and pork (2.8 Log CFU/g) and also the cooked beef (1.5 Log CFU/g), mutton (1.3 Log CFU/g) and pork (1.9 Log CFU/g) samples. A similar trend was observed in the values of Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts in raw and cooked meat samples. However, a positive correlation between Aerobic plate counts (APC) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) (P<0.001) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (P<0.01) was found in the study. It can, therefore, be concluded that there were no differences in the microbial counts of raw and cooked meat sold in the informal markets of Nkonkobe and Buffalo City Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 14:42:36 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40154 0.05) on breast and drumsticks. Moringa oleifera leaf meal had a significant effect on carcass weights, control diet had heavier weights (1185g ± 28.96) compared to chickens fed with MOLM diets (1121g±28.96, 1070g ± 28.96, 1030g± 28.96). Broilers fed with MOLM had higher values of lightness (L*) and (b*) values (P<0.05) at 45 minutes and 24 hours and no difference was observed in redness (a*) at 45 minutes and 24 hours. The L* values dropped at 24 hours for all the treatments and MOLM fed broilers had the lowest values (46.59 ± 0.76,46 ± 0.76,49 ± 0.76) compared to the control diet (50 ± 0.76). The pH levels were comparable after 24 hours; T2 had the highest pH values (5.95 ± 0.024) compared to other treatments (5.90 ± 0.024, 5.75 ± 0.024, 5.73 ± 0.024). The results of this study demonstrated that even though the FI was reduced in MOLM fed broilers, they efficiently consumed and used nutrients, as a result MOLM fed birds had higher weights and low ammonia concentration throughout the experiment, which may improve the house environment without affecting the quality of meat.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 14:21:24 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40256 Wed 12 May 2021 13:56:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40157 Wed 12 May 2021 13:51:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28624 Tue 07 May 2024 11:01:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27396 Tue 07 May 2024 10:02:12 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39224 0.05) were found amongst all growth performance parameters. The cost efficient treatment to feed, which accumulated the cheapest cost of feed per weight gain (R33.62/kg gain) was T2 (5percent BSC+MM). The second trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding diets containing graded levels of baoabab (A. digitata) seedcake on performance, apparent digestibility and digestive organ weights of broilers chickens. A total of 200 Ross 308 day-old chicks of mixed sex were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The trial diets were as follows: T1 (control), was a commercial starter diet; while T2, T3 and T4 diets contained baobab seedcake meal at 0, 5, 10, and 15percent; respectively. Inclusion of BSC in diets only affected FI during the first and third weeks. In the first week, FI had significant differences (P < 0.05) during the first and third week of the trial, respectively. Birds in T4 had the least FI, while those in T3 had the highest (P<0.05). In the third week, T3 birds had the highest FI (P<0.05), while T1 birds had the lowest. Significant differences for changes in bodyweight were only evident in the second and forth weeks of the study. During week 2, birds in T had the highest BWG, whereas T4 birds had the lowest (P<0.05); however, in week 4, there were no statistical differences (P>0.05) amongst birds in T1, T2 and T4; respectively, while T4 had the lowest BWG (P<0.05). The FCR was not statistically different among treatment groups, except in week 3, where it was highest in T4birds with T3 birds having the lowest (P<0.05). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among treatment groups for all parameters that were considered for digestibility and digestive organ weights. Due to the fact that two different trials were conducted, it was concluded that blend of baobab seedcake and maize from the first trial can be supplemented up to 5 percent replacement level for optimum production; while up to 10 percent baobab seedcake graded level can be used on the second trial without resulting in any negative consequences on growth performance, nutrient utilization and digestive organ weights.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 16:43:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29537 Thu 13 May 2021 15:50:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39252 Thu 13 May 2021 08:10:20 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28144 Thu 13 May 2021 07:09:23 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27557 Thu 13 May 2021 06:35:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31464 Thu 13 May 2021 06:14:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28125 Thu 13 May 2021 04:44:07 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29350 Thu 13 May 2021 04:29:28 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39250 Thu 13 May 2021 03:34:52 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39734 Thu 13 May 2021 03:33:16 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31481 Thu 13 May 2021 03:20:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27845 Thu 13 May 2021 02:33:26 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39253 0.05) difference among all the treatments ranging from 1.44 to 1.62 in fresh forage and ranging from 1.31 to 1.50 in the dry forage. In terms of dry matter content, the control treatment had the highest dry matter content of 37.78percent, however, all the other treatments did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from each other. There was no significant effect of P application (P > 0.05) in terms of ash, EE, ADF, CP, Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe of the whole plant forage among the treatments. The application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the NDF (51.16percent) of the whole plant of Mucuna compared to the other treatments which did not differ (p>0.05) among themselves. Within the stem fraction there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the treatments for the ash, EE, ADF, NDF, and CP, hemicellulose, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe contents. However, the application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Na (0.05percent) content of the Mucuna stem fraction. In the leaf fraction of Mucuna there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in terms of ash, EE, ADF, NDF, CP, hemicellulose, Ca, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe among the treatments. However, the application of 20 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Mg (0.52percent) of the Mucuna leaves compared to the other treatments. Therefore the study has shown that increase in P application (60 kg P/ha) has no major effect in the nutrient content of Mucuna. Furthermore, it is recommended that Mucuna can be grown as a protein supplement, based on the CP content values that were recorded in this study and to provide maintenance requirements for ruminants. It was therefore concluded that phosphorus fertilization particularly 60 kg P/ha is necessary and required for optimum growth of Mucuna pruriens in order to increase forage yield. Based on the nutrient content result it was concluded that there was no effect of P fertilizer application levels on the nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens in Alice.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 02:28:50 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39656 Thu 13 May 2021 01:56:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31462 Thu 13 May 2021 00:38:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ufh.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27837 Thu 13 May 2021 00:17:33 SAST ]]>