Articles
Lekke by VleisbeesteIn meeste vleisbeesondernemings word slegs vinnige groei en afronding van die speenkalf beklemtoon, terwyl die rol van die teelkoei in die hele produksiesisteem gewoonlik oor die hoof gesien word. Van die belangrikste stadiums in die totale vleisbeesonderneming bly egter die reproduksie- en groeifase. |
Hinner Supplementation Cedara Farmers Day May09Most cow/calve operations emphasise the growth and finishing phase, while the role of the breeding cow is often neglected. Two of the most important phases within the whole beef enterprise are the reproductive and growth periods. The breeding cow is involved in both these phases and can be considered as the most important link in the whole cow/calve operation. |
Phosphorus supplementation in Rumintants June09The supplementation of phosphorus for grazing cattle is common practice since the pioneering work by Sir Arnold Theiler the early 20th century at Armoedsvlakte near Vryburg. As the prevalence of Arthrosis (degeneration of cartilage) became more known, a renewed focus on mineral supplements, interaction between minerals and the utilization (bio-availability) of macro and micro minerals came about. An ongoing research project by the Veterinary Faculty at the University of Pretoria (under the guidance of Prof Leon Prozesky) currently addresses these aspects. |
Maize silage critical for dairy profits to offset high maize priceThe consistent higher prices of maize – largely the result of demands by the biofuel industry – are forcing dairy farmers to deal with a changing animal feed landscape to produce milk profitably. Forages of higher digestibility and greater essential nutrient value, such as maize silage, and by-product feeds that provide alternative carbohydrates have become critical components in the diet of lactating cows. |
Supplementation of beef cattle May 2009Most cow/calve operations emphasise the growth and finishing phase, while the role of the breeding cow is often neglected. Two of the most important phases within the whole beef enterprise are the reproductive and growth periods. The breeding cow is involved in both these phases and can be considered as the most important link in the whole cow/calve operation. |
AMINO ACID NUTRITION IN DAIRY ANIMALS AND ITS EFFECT ON MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK SOLIDSThe fundamental goal of ruminant protein nutrition in dairy cows is to optimize the efficiency of utilization of dietary nitrogen (N) to maximize milk production per unit of N consumed. This requires fine-tuning of protein nutrition in two ways. |
Improved animal performance through feed processing technologyIt is well recognized that feed represents the most significant cost of animal production. Even with sheep, which typically consume more forage (as a percentage of their diet) than do other domestic species, feed may represent 55% or more of total production costs. |
The effect of different protein and energy fractions on the utilisation of low-quality forage by beef cattle - -New principles-Most cow/calve operations emphasise the growth and finishing phase, while the role of the breeding cow is often neglected. Two of the most important phases within the whole beef enterprise are the reproductive and growth periods. The breeding cow is involved in both these phases and can be considered as the most important link in the whole cow /calve operation. |
FEEDING STRATEGIES FOR DAIRY COWS WHEN MAIZE PRICES ARE HIGHFeed costs have always been a dominant portion of the cost of producing milk and other animal products across the world. The unprecedented rise in raw material prices of all ingredients (following maize commodity prices closely) over the last 2 years has stimulated much interest in feed management and measures of the economic efficiency of feed use on dairy farms. A few years ago, high maize prices occurred sporadically following a disastrous crop year. |
Transition cow diets maybe the most critical to improve performance of higher yielding dairy herdsAlthough the term “transition phase” is often used to describe the period from three weeks before to three weeks after calving, transition dairy cows for this article will be defined as those in the last three weeks before calving. Feeding the dairy cow during the last 21 days of the dry period is a challenge, due to the unique set of nutritional and physiological changes that occur during this period. What also makes it difficult is that we do not know what our target is. |
Improved animal performance through feed processing technologyIt is well recognized that feed represents the most significant cost of animal production. Even with sheep, which typically consume more forage (as a percentage of their diet) than do other domestic species, feed may represent 55% or more of total production costs. |
FEEDING STRATEGIES FOR DAIRY COWS WHEN MAIZE PRICES ARE HIGHFeed costs have always been a dominant portion of the cost of producing milk and other animal products across the world. The unprecedented rise in raw material prices of all ingredients (following maize commodity prices closely) over the last 2 years has stimulated much interest in feed management and measures of the economic efficiency of feed use on dairy farms. A few years ago, high maize prices occurred sporadically following a disastrous crop year. We all knew then that maize would soon fall back to a normal price range. But the biofuel industry brought us to consistent high priced maize, irrespective of crop failure, with little hope for significant price reductions even in the long-term. Therefore producers must learn to deal with this changed landscape. |