The objective of this experiment was to assess the reproductive and productive performance of Nguni cattle distributed among 11 farms in four regions of South Africa. Only data of registered Appendix A to Stud Proper Nguni animals from the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa’s database were used. Data were collected from 2061 dams and 3285 calves between 1990 and 2009. Overall means for age at first calving (AFC) and calving intervals (CI) were 33.79 ± 4.90 months and 400.29 ± 78.70 days, respectively. Dry season-born heifers had lower AFC than wet season-born heifers. Dry seasons 4 and wet seasons 1 had lower CI than seasons 2 and 3, indicating that conceptions take place between December and May. Average growth weights of calves were 24.87 ± 3.13, 151.91 ± 21.09, 169.25 ± 23.68 and 237.96 ± 27.34 kg at birth (BW), weaning (WW), 12 months (YW) and 18 months of age, respectively. BW was higher in dry seasons 4 and wet seasons 1; WW and YW were higher in dry than in wet seasons. This is the first study demonstrating that performance of Nguni cattle is influenced by ecological regions of the dam’s origin, year-season of birth/calving, breeder’s management, parity and herdbook status, confirming that environment-genotype interactions influence the performance of Nguni cattle in southern Africa. This stimulated a follow-up study on the use of geographic information systems to specifically identify factors influencing the reproductive and productive performance of Nguni cattle in southern Africa.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0923-3 | DOI Listing |
Animal
August 2023
Animal Science and Fisheries Management Unit, Department of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, Bowen University, PMB 284, Iwo Osun-State, Nigeria.
The recurring drought and limited rainfall patterns occasioned primarily by climate change in sub-Saharan African countries threaten sustainable animal agriculture. The irreversibility of this natural phenomenon calls for an intensive and urgent selection of adaptable breeds that can cope but with minimal compromise on production indices. A water scarcity simulation study was conducted to assess the adaptation potential of Nguni goats to regulated watering by evaluating their growth performance, tolerance to heat and water stress and blood indices during the dry summer months.
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November 2022
Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
Grass biomass composition and distribution patterns within the paddock as determinants of behavioral activities and animal performance of Nguni (NG) and Boran (BR) cattle post-relocation to a novel environment were examined. Ten steers of each breed aged 9 months were bought from two different farms and sent to Honeydale research facilities, where they were reared on rangelands for 12 weeks. Identification and classification of grass species were done every sampling week before introducing cattle to each paddock.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Genet
June 2022
Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Climate change is a major influencing factor in beef production. The greenhouse gases produced from livestock production systems contribute to the overall greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study was to identify selection signatures within and between Nguni and Bonsmara cattle in relation to production and adaptation.
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October 2021
Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Local cattle and sheep populations are important for animal production and food security in South Africa. These genetic resources are well adapted to the diverse climatic conditions and hold potential to be utilized in production systems subjected to climate change. The local beef breeds are well integrated into commercial livestock production systems with access to performance recording and genetic evaluations, while local sheep breeds are mainly utilised in smallholder and communal systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
November 2021
University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Factors such as increases in population, urbanization, growth in per capita income and changes in consumer taste and preferences are causing gradual increases in livestock product consumption and demand. South Africa is addressing this predicted increase in livestock products demand by commercializing smallholder livestock producers. The Limpopo Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Nguni Cattle Development Project is an example of such effort.
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