SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Brand, T. S."

Browsing by Author "Brand, T. S."

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Analysis of carcass characteristics and fat deposition of Merino, South African Mutton Merino and Dorper lambs housed in a feedlot
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2018-02-15) Brand, T. S.; Van der Westhuizen, E. J.; Van der Merwe, D. A.; Hoffman, L. C.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time spent in a feedlot on the size of the various fat depots and the distribution of the main tissues (muscle, bone, and fat) of three common South African sheep breeds. Lambs were supplied with a balanced diet (16% protein, 10 MJ ME/kg feed) ad libitum and had free access to water. Lambs from each breed were divided into six groups, which were slaughtered at 21-day intervals until a production period of 105 days had been reached. During carcass dressing, visceral and renal fat was removed and expressed as a percentage of carcass weight. The subcutaneous fat (SCF) depth was measured on the longissimus lumborum at the 13th rib position using an electronic calliper. The proportion of muscle, bone and fat was determined by dissecting a three-rib cut made on the prime rib between the 9th and 11th ribs. The percentage of visceral and renal fat increased throughout the production period for all breeds. The percentage of renal fat was up to 2.9% higher than the percentage visceral fat in both SAMM production groups. Dorper lambs tended to have high SCF levels (5.6 mm fat after 42 days) due to the early maturing nature of the breed. They reached a maximum fat depth of 20.4 mm fat after 105 days. The SAMM lambs tended to deposit SCF at a slower rate and the late maturing Merino breed was found to be much leaner, and did not reach the high fat levels of the SAMM or Dorper lambs. The percentage of muscle and bone in all carcasses decreased with an increase in the number of days in the feedlot, while the percentage of carcass fat increased during this period. The increase in late maturing adipose tissue in all breeds as they become older is amplified by the restricted movement in the feedlot and high energy diet that the lambs receive.
Anti-nutritional factors in canola produced in the Western and Southern Cape areas of South Africa
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2007) Brand, T. S.; Smith, N.; Hoffman, L. C.
ABSTRACT: The development of low erucic acid, low glucosinolate cultivars of canola seed has led to the availability of a feed ingredient with considerable potential to replace soyabean meal in diets for all classes of farm animals. The sinapine and glucosinolate content of various canola cultivars cultivated in two areas of the Western Cape, South Africa were compared. There were no significant differences in sinapine content between the canola produced in the Western and Southern Cape (mean value of 9.95 mg sinapine/g grain). There were cultivar differences, with Varola 54 and Rainbow cultivars having significantly higher sinapine concentrations than Varola 50. There were no significant differences between the aliphatic, indolyl or aromatic glucosinolate content of the canola originating from either the Swartland or the Ruens areas in South Africa (mean value of 17.84 umol total glucosinolates/g grain). There were significant differences in the total glucosinolate content of the various canola cultivars. Varola 44 and Hylite 200TT had the lowest total glucosinolate concentration and Varola 50 had the highest glucosinolate concentration. The results obtained seem to indicate a maximum dietary inclusion level of up to 14% for South African produced canola with an average of 17.83 umol glucosinolates per gram to ensure optimal animal production.
Chemical composition, true metabolisable energy content and amino acid availability of grain legumes for poultry
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2004) Brand, T. S.; Brandt, D. A.; Cruywagen, C. W.
Samples of sweet yellow lupins (Lupinus luteus; n = 4), broad leaf lupins (Lupinus albus; n = 12), narrow leaf lupins (Lupinus angustifolius; n = 8), faba beans (Vicia faba; n = 2), field peas (Pisum sativum; n = 4) and narbon beans (Vicia narbonensis; n = 2) were collected over a two-year period. The physical characteristics (thousand seed and hectolitre mass), chemical composition (dry matter, ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and mineral content), energy values (nitrogen corrected true metabolisable energy content (TMEn for roosters)) as well as the lysine and methionine availability (with roosters) of the samples were determined. Lupinus albus had the highest TMEn (12.49 MJ/kg), followed by field peas (11.35 MJ/kg) and narbon beans (11.25 MJ/kg), faba beans (10.90 MJ/kg), L. angustifolius (10.46 MJ/kg) and L. luteus (10.20 MJ/kg). Lupinus luteus had the highest CP concentration (393.6 g/kg) followed by L. albus (381.9 g/kg), L. angustifolius (338.9 g/kg), faba beans (260.0 g/kg), field peas (247.4 g/kg) and narbon beans (237.6 g/kg) (values on a dry matter basis). Lupinus luteus had the highest lysine concentration (22.2 g/kg), followed by L. albus (19.6 g/kg), field peas (19.3 g/kg), L. angustifolius (18.6 g/kg), narbon beans (17.5 g/kg) and faba beans (17.0 g/kg).
Conception rate and fecundity of Dohne Merino ewes in a continuous mating system
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2014-08-24) Brand, T. S.; Terblanche, S.; Jordaan, J. W.
A study was conducted to evaluate the conception rate and fecundity of Dohne Merino ewes in an intensive sheep production system, where continuous mating was applied. The study was conducted at the Kromme Rhee research farm. Ninety-two 3-year-old Dohne Merino ewes were used in the trial and allocated to irrigated-lucerne equal-sized paddocks of 0.85 ha. Rotational grazing was applied at a stocking rate of 15 ewes per hectare, with rams left with the ewes continuously. A self-formulated creep feed and lick was provided to the lambs and ewes, respectively, on an ad libitum basis. The experimental animals were weighed every second week and lambs were weaned at approximately 120 days of age. The statistical procedures indicated that 65.4% of the ewes conceived within 81 days after lambing. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed on the observed variables. The Shapiro-Wilk test was performed to test for normality and Student’s-t least significant differences (LSD) were calculated at the 5% level of confidence, to compare the treatment means. Regression analyses were performed to establish the contribution of each variable to the predicted “days after lambing”. The stepwise selection method was executed in order to select the variables that significantly contributed to the predicted “days after lambing”. There was no significant difference in “days after lambing” and conception weight between ewes that produced single, twin or triplet lambs. Results also indicated that a more rapid breeding system is achievable on irrigated pastures. However, the sustainability of such a system needs to be tested further to determine the effect of the accelerated system on the productive lifespan of the ewes.
Effect of days in feedlot on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Merino, South African Mutton Merino and Dorper lambs
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2016-12-08) Brand, T. S.; Van der Westhuizen, E. J.; Van der Merwe, D. A.; Hoffman, L. C.
This study investigated the effect of feedlot production on lamb growth characteristics of three common South African breeds: Merino, South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and Dorper. Lambs were supplied with a balanced diet (16% crude protein, 9.41 MJ ME/kg feed) ad libitum and had free access to water. Lambs from each breed were divided into six groups. One group of each breed was slaughtered every three weeks until 105 days under feedlot production were reached. The weights of the lambs were recorded weekly, along with feed intake, to obtain the individual daily intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for each lamb. The ADG for the SAMM 2007 and Dorper lambs increased throughout their production period, while that of the SAMM 2008 and Merino lambs tended to decrease with time, although the SAMM 2008 group achieved the highest ADG of 350.2 g/lamb/day of all the breeds. The Dorper and SAMM 2007 lambs had higher FCR (7.52 and 7.58, respectively). The average FCR achieved by the SAMM 2008 and Merino lambs was 5.54 and 5.14, respectively. However, the FCR of Merino and SAMM 2008 lambs increased throughout the production period. The Dorper lambs produced fatter carcasses and therefore exhibited the highest average dressing percentage of 49.7% compared with the SAMM 2007 (48.4%) and 2008 lambs (45.6%), followed by the Merino lambs (43.9%). The results confirm that the Merino is a late maturing breed that is recognised for its wool rather than meat production, and therefore exhibits weaker growth characteristics. The SAMM is a dual-purpose breed that has also been selected for growth and meat production, and therefore exhibits desirable production characteristics, while the Dorper is an early maturing breed that deposits localized fat at an earlier age as it grows, thereby producing fatter carcasses than SAMM and Merino lambs. Therefore, Dorper lambs should be slaughtered at lower live weights so that carcasses are not graded as over-fat.
The effect of different combinations of dietary energy and protein on the composition of ostrich eggs
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2003) Brand, Z.; Brand, T. S.; Brown, C. R.
Nutrition of breeding female birds can influence egg quality and is therefore extremely important for the development of the embryo and the successful hatching of a high quality chick. We investigated the effect of combining different levels of dietary energy and protein, with accompanied amino acid levels, in the diets of female ostriches on the composition of their eggs. Ninety pairs of breeding ostriches were divided randomly into nine groups of 10 pairs per group in a factorial design with three energy and three protein levels. The groups were fed diets with levels of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 MJ metabolisable energy/kg, each combined with each one of three protein levels 105, 120 and 135 g/kg respectively. Fresh eggs were collected from each group at the end of the breeding season and the albumen and yolk separated and analysed for protein and lipid content and for amino acid and mineral composition. No significant interaction between energy and protein levels occurred. Despite some differences in egg composition and amino acid concentrations, different dietary energy and protein levels for the most part had little or no effect on the composition of ostrich eggs.
The effect of different dietary vitamin and mineral levels on certain production parameters, including egg shell characteristics of breeding ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2014-08-24) Brand, T. S.; Tesselaar, G. A.; Hoffman, L. C.; Brand, Z.
Earlier studies on breeding birds indicated no effect of dietary energy-content on feed intake. This observation is contradictory to results for other animals and/or poultry where feed intake decreases with an increase in dietary energy level. Literature revealed that a lack of certain nutrients may cause animals to consume more feed than necessary to satisfy their nutrient requirements for these limiting nutrients. In this study eight diet groups were evaluated. A standard commercial diet plus one of the following supplements: (i) Standard diet without a vitamin and mineral premix pack (control diet), (ii) with a normal premix pack, (iii) with normal vitamin and 2 x trace elements (M x 2), (iv) with normal trace elements and 2 x vitamins, (v) with a normal premix pack and limestone added as calcium source; (vi) with a normal premix pack and monocalcium phosphate added as phosphorus source, (vii) with a normal premix pack and soybean oilcake added as crude protein source, (viii) with a normal premix pack and linseed added as a fatty acid source. Significant differences were recorded in the quantity of feed ingested by birds between the diet with surplus minerals (M x 2) (Group 3) (2.3 ± 0.3 kg/bird/day), the diet with no vitamins and minerals added (Group 1) (2.7 ± 0.3 kg/bird/day) and the diet with added fatty acids in the form of linseed (Group 5) (2.9 ± 0.5 kg/bird/day). This indicates the possibility that ostriches may adjust feed intake to satisfy their mineral requirements. No statistically significant relationship was found between the thickness and strength of the shell. Significant differences in shell strength (mean value of 154.7, 109.9, 140.4, 142.7, 153.0, 143.4, 138.4 and 151.1 N/cm2, respectively) were found between all treatments, but no specific pattern could be identified. Results further revealed no effect of dietary treatment on egg production, dead-in-shell eggs (DIS), infertile eggs or chick production. Further experiments that include certain dietary treatments during the five months rest period are currently being done to quantify the effect of the addition of minerals and vitamins during this period on the production of breeding ostriches.
Effect of supplementary feed and stocking rate on the production of ostriches grazing irrigated lucerne pasture
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2009) Strydom, M.; Brand, T. S.; Aucamp, B. B.; Van Heerden, J. M.
This study was conducted to determine the effect of two different levels of supplementary feed and two different stocking rates on the production of grazing ostriches. One hundred and seventy ostriches were randomly allocated to four groups and kept on irrigated lucerne pasture with or without supplementary feed from approximately 58 kg to a target weight of 95 kg. The ostriches rotationally grazed lucerne pasture at one of two stocking rates, i.e. 15 birds/ha or 10 birds/ha and were fed one of two levels of supplement i.e. 0 g or 800 g feed/d formulated according to the nutrient requirements of the relevant group of birds. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. There was no interaction between the supplementary feed and stocking rate regarding mean live weight at 54 weeks of age and feed conversion ration (FCR). Data were provided as the two main effects of level of supplementation and stocking rate. Significant differences in mean live weight at 54 weeks of age and FCR of the birds were observed between the different levels of supplementary feed. The parameters measured for the two different stocking rates used in this study (10 birds/ha vs. 15 birds/ha) did not differ from each other and did not influence either mean live weight at 54 weeks of age, average daily gain (ADG) or FCR. The two groups which received 800 g supplementary feed/d reached slaughter weight (95 kg) within the set of 54 weeks of grazing for the trial, while the two groups which received no supplementary feed did not achieve slaughter weight by 54 weeks on the pasture. Ostriches receiving supplementation of 800 g/bird/day had significantly better FCR's than birds receiving no supplementation. There was a significant interaction between level of supplementary feed and stocking rate regarding ADG of the birds. As stocking rate increased, average daily gains of birds receiving no supplementary feed declined. This study indicates that ostriches being kept on grazing and receiving supplementary feed will exhibit improved and faster growth rates than ostriches which only have access to grazing and receive no supplementary feed.
Effect of varying levels of protein concentration on production traits of ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2019-07-28) Brand, T. S.; Viviers, S. F.; Van Der Merwe, J.; Hoffman, L. C.
The ostrich industry is poised to recover from the recent lifting of the four-year export ban on fresh meat products to the European Union EU). However, during this period profit margins were severely affected and the need to minimize input costs was as important as it ever was, particularly nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of varying protein concentrations in the diets of slaughter ostriches on the production traits. Five treatment diets were formulated for each feeding phase (pre-starter, starter, grower and finisher), with a control diet, two diets that decreased in protein content and two diets that increased in protein concentration. There were three replications per treatment, resulting in 15 camps, which contained 20 chicks each. Differences were found in live weight of the birds at the end of each feeding phase, except for the finisher phase. Differences were found among the diets for dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The control diet and the two diets that were formulated with higher protein concentrations had higher DMI values, better ADG, and more efficient FCR. Differences were found in cold carcass weights and thigh weights for the birds that were exposed to the treatment diets. The results indicated that the birds on the control diet and on the diets containing higher concentrations of protein, although not differing from each other, consistently outperformed the diets with lower concentrations of protein. From a financial standpoint it can be concluded that it does not make sense to increase the protein concentration in the diets beyond that currently used in the ostrich industry, while a decrease in protein concentration resulted in decreased production performance.
The effects of dietary energy and protein concentrations on ostrich skin quality
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2006) Cloete, S. W. P. (Schalk Willem Petrus van der Merwe); Van Schalkwyk, S. J.; Brand, T. S.; Hoffman, L. C.; Nel, C. J.
ABSTRACT: The effects were investigated of energy and protein concentrations (with associated amino acid concentrations) in ostrich diets on leather quality of the skins of 50 ostriches. Energy concentrations were 9.0, 10.5 and 12.0 MJ ME/kg diet and protein concentrations were 130, 150 and 170 g/kg diet. The physical leather parameters that were assessed included tensile strength, elongation, slit tear strength and skin thickness. All traits were assessed in samples taken parallel or perpendicular to the spine in the butt region of the slaughter bird. The raw skin weights of ostriches consuming the diets with energy concentrations of 10.5 and 12.0 MJ ME/kg diet were respectively 19.4 and 21.8% heavier at slaughter than those of their contemporaries on the 9.0 MJ ME/kg DM diet. A corresponding trend was found for trimmed skin weight, and the increase in skin weight with diets higher in energy exceeded 10%. Differences between skin area means only approached significance, with a tendency to increase with an increased energy concentration. Leather thickness taken parallel to the spine was increased by 13% in the diet containing 12 MJ ME/kg diet, compared to the diet containing 9.0 MJ ME/kg. Dietary protein concentrations failed to influence skin weight, skin area or any of the physical leather properties. The skins of male ostriches were thicker than those of females. The study suggested that the lowest levels of energy and protein supplied, were sufficient to prevent a decline in physical leather quality.
Effects of varying sweet lupin dietary inclusion levels on feather classes, leather traits and meat composition of feedlot ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2017-12-01) Brand, T. S.; Engelbrecht, J. A.; Van Der Merwe, J.; Hoffman, L. C.
The main consumer products derived from ostriches are feathers, leather and meat. Despite progress in optimizing production practices, additional information is still necessary about the value of various raw materials as feed to ensure cost-efficient production. This study aimed to determine the effects of the gradual replacement of soybean oilcake meal with sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed in the diet of feedlot ostriches on the feather, leather and meat production characteristics. The chicks received a standard commercial pre-starter ostrich diet, with the trial utilizing 141 ostrich chicks (± 10 chicks per group), beginning with the starter phase (83 days posthatching) and reared until 11 months of age. Five iso-nutritional diets were formulated for each feeding phase (starter, grower and finisher) according to specifications for each phase. In each phase, a control diet (Diet 1, 0% lupin diet (LD)) was formulated using soybean oilcake meal as the sole protein source and Diet 5 (100LD) was formulated to include the maximum amount of sweet lupin according to the specifications for the species and feeding phase. The maximum amount of sweet lupin included in 100LD therefore differs among the three feeding phases. The remaining three diets were formulated by gradually replacing soybean oilcake meal with lupins in the following increments: 100 : 0 (0LD); 75 : 25 (25LD); 50 : 50 (50LD); 25 : 75 (75LD), and 0 : 100 (100LD). There were three replications per treatment, resulting in 15 groups of birds. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. No differences were found for moisture, crude protein and ash contents of the meat. However, the intra-muscular fat content was significantly influenced by the sweet lupin content of the diet. No differences were found for any of the feather classes that were measured. Regarding leather traits, the treatment diets had no effect on the crust sizes, leather grades, nodule diameters, and nodule densities. Differences were observed for leather thickness and pinhole number. It can be concluded that the sweet lupin inclusion levels evaluated in this study had little influence on leather traits, meat composition and feather classes.
Effects of varying sweet lupin dietary inclusion levels on feather classes, leather traits and meat composition of feedlot ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2017-12-01) Brand, T. S.; Engelbrecht, J. A.; Van der Merwe, J.; Hoffman, L. C.
The main consumer products derived from ostriches are feathers, leather and meat. Despite progress in optimizing production practices, additional information is still necessary about the value of various raw materials as feed to ensure cost-efficient production. This study aimed to determine the effects of the gradual replacement of soybean oilcake meal with sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed in the diet of feedlot ostriches on the feather, leather and meat production characteristics. The chicks received a standard commercial pre-starter ostrich diet, with the trial utilizing 141 ostrich chicks (± 10 chicks per group), beginning with the starter phase (83 days posthatching) and reared until 11 months of age. Five iso-nutritional diets were formulated for each feeding phase (starter, grower and finisher) according to specifications for each phase. In each phase, a control diet (Diet 1, 0% lupin diet (LD)) was formulated using soybean oilcake meal as the sole protein source and Diet 5 (100LD) was formulated to include the maximum amount of sweet lupin according to the specifications for the species and feeding phase. The maximum amount of sweet lupin included in 100LD therefore differs among the three feeding phases. The remaining three diets were formulated by gradually replacing soybean oilcake meal with lupins in the following increments: 100 : 0 (0LD); 75 : 25 (25LD); 50 : 50 (50LD); 25 : 75 (75LD), and 0 : 100 (100LD). There were three replications per treatment, resulting in 15 groups of birds. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. No differences were found for moisture, crude protein and ash contents of the meat. However, the intra-muscular fat content was significantly influenced by the sweet lupin content of the diet. No differences were found for any of the feather classes that were measured. Regarding leather traits, the treatment diets had no effect on the crust sizes, leather grades, nodule diameters, and nodule densities. Differences were observed for leather thickness and pinhole number. It can be concluded that the sweet lupin inclusion levels evaluated in this study had little influence on leather traits, meat composition and feather classes.
Feed preference of grower ostriches consuming diets differing in Lupinus angustifolius inclusion levels
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2017-12-01) Brand, T. S.; Engelbrecht, J. A.; Van der Merwe, J.; Hoffman, L. C.
Feed costs contribute the largest proportion of the input costs of slaughter birds in an intensive ostrich production unit. Alternative, cheaper feedstuffs, such as lupins (sweet and bitter cultivars), were therefore evaluated to determine the optimal lupin inclusion level in ostrich rations without affecting feed preference and intake. Sixty South African Black ostriches were randomly divided into ten paddocks of six birds per paddock. Three trials, with five different experimental diets, were conducted to investigate the diet preference of grower ostriches in a free-choice system. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The position of the diets in the successive paddocks was varied by rotating the five feed troughs in a clockwise direction, but within each paddock the position of each feeder and diet stayed the same throughout the three trials. In the first two trials, sweet (trial 1) or bitter (trial 2) lupins replaced soybean oilcake meal to have 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% lupin inclusion levels in the diet. In trial 3 the soybean oilcake meal was replaced with either sweet or bitter lupins to have dietary inclusion levels as follows: 0% lupins, 15% sweet, 15% bitter, 30% sweet, or 30% bitter. The daily intake per group for each diet was monitored over a period of five days each. The average initial body weight of the birds was 73.6 ± 0.5 kg. No interaction was found between day and diet for the three trials and dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ between the five treatments for any of the three trials. In the second trial the birds tended to show a preference for the 7.5% bitter lupin inclusion level and discriminated against the 15% and 30% bitter lupin inclusion levels. Regression analysis of DMI on lupin inclusion rates revealed no significant trends. In conclusion, the study revealed that soybean oilcake meal can be replaced in the diets of grower ostriches by sweet lupin inclusion levels up to 30%, without any significant detrimental effect on diet preference and feed intake.
Feeding preferences of ostriches towards the inclusion of full-fat canola seed in grower diets
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2018-11-20) Brand, T. S.; Niemann, G. J.; Muller, A.; Hoffman, L. C.
The largest expense of an intensive ostrich production unit is feed cost (ca.75%). Protein makes up a great portion of feed for monogastric animals and this expense can be lowered by utilizing locally produced feedstuffs such as full-fat canola, although it is not clear whether ostriches will readily consume full-fat canola because of its anti-nutritional and other known factors. To evaluate the feeding preference of ostriches towards full-fat canola, 60 South African Black ostriches (82.2 ± 1.06 kg in live weight) were placed in 10 camps of six birds per camp. Each camp had five identical feed troughs containing diets in which full-fat canola seed (FFCS) incrementally (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of protein source) replaced the soybean oilcake meal (9.8% of the total diet composition in control diet was soybean oilcake meal and full-fat canola was included up to 27.5% of the total diet) as protein source. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured daily and feed colour characteristics were measured, based on L*, a* and b* colour attributes. Only the 25%FFCS showed a higher DMI (817.38 ± 81.98 g/bird/day) and percentage DMI (~29.53%) than the other diets, with an average DMI of 488.8 g/bird/day) and percentage DMI of 17.62%. Although the 0%FFCS, 50%FFCS and 75%FFCS had a lighter colour than the 25%FFCS and 100%FFCS and the b* colour parameter for 100%FFCS was lower than the rest, it is believed that these differences had no effect on DMI. Based on the results of this study, diets with up to 27.5% full-fat canola seeds had no detrimental effect on feed intake of finishing ostriches. Birds prefer diets with a combination of 6.9% full-fat canola seed and 7.4% soybean oilcake meal.
The growth and carcass and meat characteristics of pigs raised in a free-range or conventional housing system
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2003) Hoffman, L. C.; Styger, E.; Muller, M.; Brand, T. S.
The growth performance and the carcass and physical and chemical characteristics of the meat of 24 Landrace X Large White pigs were compared when reared under a free-range or a conventional housing system. The free-range pigs had lower feed intakes and slower growth rates than the conventionally housed pigs. The free-range pigs also had a lower P2 fat depth and therefore yielded a carcass with a higher percentage lean meat. Housing systems had no effect on the weight distribution of the commercial cuts (as a percentage of cold carcass weight). The meat from the free-range pigs was slightly more reddish in colour, but apart from that housing systems had no effect on the water-holding capacity (WHC) of the meat, its initial pH (PH 45) or its final pH (pH24). The meat from the free-range pigs had the same shear force (WBS) values as those of the conventionally housed pigs. Housing systems had an influence on the fatty acid composition. Stearic acid (C18:0) was significantly lower in the meat of the free-range pigs than that of the conventionally housed pigs while linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were significantly higher. However, the moisture, fat, protein and ash contents as well as the mineral composition in the meat were unaffected by housing systems. It could be concluded that pigs raised in a conventional housing system produced meat with similar quality characteristics to that of pigs raised in a free-range housing system.
Growth and development of the reproductive organs of female breeding ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2009) Olivier, T. R.; Brand, T. S.; Gous, R. M.
A study was conducted to determine the growth rate of the reproductive organs of breeding female ostriches, which may be used in a prediction model for estimating nutrient requirements of breeders. Forty breeding female ostriches were sampled over an eight week period (five per week) starting at the onset of the breeding season. The ovary and oviducts were collected and weighed at each slaughter interval. No significant trend in the weight of the oviduct of the ostriches could be observed over the 49 d period, this weight being highly correlated with the body weight of the ostrich, whereas the ovary weight tended to be correlated with the time after the onset of the breeding period, although the variation in weights both within and between weights was very high. The variation in the weight of the ovary probably reflects differences in the laying pattern of individuals, and this lends itself to simulating the ovulatory cycle and consequently gaining a better understanding of the process, which would in turn aid in determining the requirement for the nutrients responsible for the growth of the ova.
Influence of dietary energy level on the production of breeding ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2009) Olivier, T. R.; Brand, T. S.; Brand, Z.
A study was conducted to determine the influence of dietary energy level on the production of breeding ostriches. Six diets varying in ME content (7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 and 10.0 MJ ME/kg feed) were provided to both males and females at an average rate of 3.4 kg/bird/day. Dietary protein and lysine levels were held constant respectively at 120 (g/kg feed) and 5.8 (g/kg feed). The trial ran over one breeding season and production records recorded included egg production, chick production, number of infertile eggs, number of dead-in-shell eggs and weight change of breeders. No significant differences were observed for total eggs produced per female per season (44.3 ± 7.6), number of chicks hatched (15.6 ± 4.1), number of infertile eggs (11.8 ± 3.9) and for number of dead-in-shell eggs (11.9 ± 3.1). Analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in the weight change of female birds on different treatments, although regression analysis revealed an increase of 2.4 kg per female bird per 0.5 MJ increase in dietary energy value of the feed. Significant differences in the weight change of male breeders were observed which ranged between 6.3 ± 2.7 kg and 18.4 ± 2.8 kg over the breeding season. Overall, the weight of male breeders increased by 1.9 kg per 0.5 MJ increase in dietary energy content (R2 = 0.09). It was concluded that the energy supplied for both male and female breeders was in excess of their requirements, since both sexes increased in weight over the season.
The influence of different dietary energy concentrations on the production parameters of feedlot ostriches
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2017-12-01) Brand, T. S.; Viviers, S. F.; Van der Merwe, J.; Hoffman, L. C.
Energy is essential for the continuous survival of any living organism. In ostrich diets, energy is usually derived from maize, which is often subject to fluctuations in yield as a result of drought conditions. Therefore, the optimal utilization of energy in the diets of ostriches becomes of paramount importance, but without affecting the performance of the birds negatively. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of five treatment diets, each with a different energy concentration, on the growth performance of 300 slaughter ostriches. Three replications per treatment resulted in 15 camps of ostriches being fed through the four feeding phases from pre-starter to starter, then grower, and finally finisher. A high mortality rate was experienced during the pre-starter phase, while the chicks were still young. Significant differences were found among the live weights of the birds after the pre-starter phase, with birds that consumed the middle diet (Diet 3) being the heaviest, at an average of 22.3 ± 0.33 kg. However, by the end of the trial, these differences were not significant. This was reflected in the production parameters, namely dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Differences were found only in the pre-starter phase in ADG, with Diet 3 displaying the highest gain per day of 216.0 ± 8.08 g. Thus, in this study, dietary energy above and below the predicted optimum (Diet 3) seemed to have little influence on the performance of the ostriches, but results may have been affected by the above-average mortalities.
Production and slaughter performance of ostriches fed full-fat canola seed
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2018-09-26) Niemann, G. J.; Brand, T. S.; Hoffman, L. C.
Full-fat canola seed (FFCS) is a locally produced alternative protein source that has potential for inclusion in the diet of ostriches. Chicks aged 84 days and weighing 24.7 ± 0.36 kg were fed five iso-nutritional diets with varying levels of FFCS. Birds were fed until slaughter at 309 days old (93.2 ± 1.82 kg). In each feeding phase, FFCS replaced soybean oilcake meal incrementally (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of protein source). Dry matter intake (DMI) during the grower phase was lowest (1.52 kg/bird/day) for the 100%FFCS diet. Birds on the 100%FFCS also showed a 34% slower growth rate (average daily gain of 152.0 g/bird/day) compared to the other four diets (average growth rate of 230 g/bird/day) during the grower phase. The 0%FFCS (236.2 g/bird/day) and 50%FFCS (267.8 g/bird/day) diets resulted in a higher ADG. End weights during the grower phase for 0%FFCS, 25%FFCS, 50%FFCS and 75%FFCS (74.8, 72.2, 76.8, and 72.5 kg, respectively) did not differ significantly. The 100%FFCS resulted in a lower end weight (67.4 kg) for the growth phase, when compared to the 0%FFCS and 50%FFCS diets. For the overall trial period, the only differences were in ADG, with the 0%, 50% and 75%FFCS replacement diets showing the fastest growth. Fat pad weight was the only slaughter trait that revealed differences between diets, with 50%FFCS resulting in the heaviest fat pad weight. A maximum of 20.6% inclusion of FFCS should be used in diets in the grower phase, although in the other phases, FFCS could be included up to the maximum level evaluated (100% replacement of soybean oilcake meal) without detrimental effects on production parameters.
The use of crude protein content to predict concentrations of lysine and methionine in grain harvested from selected cultivars of wheat, barley and triticale grown in the Western Cape region of South Africa
(South African Society for Animal Science, 2000) Brandt, D. A.; Brand, T. S.; Cruywagen, C. W.
Correlations were determined between the crude protein (CP) and lysine or methionine concentrations of grain from wheat (cultivar: palmiet), barley (cultivar: clipper) and triticale (cultivar: usgen 19) grown in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Twenty samples of varying CP content were collected for each grain type from different areas within the winter-rainfall sub-region. The relationships between CP content (x; percentage on an air-dry basis) and lysine concentration (y; percentage of CP) were as follows: (wheat) y = 6.380 - 0.198 x, (r2 = 0.85); (barley) y = 6.003 - 0.167 x, (r2 = 0.92); (triticale) y = 5.538 - 0.156 x, (r2 = 0.75). The relationships between CP content (x; percentage on an air-dry basis) and methionine concentration (y; percentage of CP) were as follows: (wheat) y = 2.115 - 0.025x, (r2 = 0.39); (barley) y = 1.527 - 0.030x, (r2 = 0.59); (triticale) y = 1.581 - 0.022x, (r2 = 0.31). It was concluded mat the regression equations may be used as a rapid screening method for predicting the lysine and methionine content of South African wheat, barley and triticale grain from CP content.

Browsing by Author "Brand, T. S."

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