The Evaluation of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover in Terms of Milk Production

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) comprises the greater part of irrigated summer and autumn pasturage for milk production in the Southern Cape. Milk production per cow is limited by low forage quality. The aim of the study was to determine the milk production from kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp. cv Energa) (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv Yatsyn, Dobson) and perennial white clover (Trifolium repens cv Haifa, Waverley) and red clover (Trifolium pratense cv Kenland, Cherokee) (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial white and red clover (KC). The trial was carried out under irrigation using Jersey cows in a put-and-take grazing system. Fertiliser was applied to raise phosphorus level to 35 mg/kg, potash level to 80 mg/kg and the pH (KCl) to 5.5. No nitrogen fertiliser was applied to the KC and KRC pastures

The Seasonal Dry Matter Production and Carrying Capacity of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

In the main milk producing areas of the Southern Cape, kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is considered an important summer and autumn pasture which is climatologically well adapted. The main problem experienced with kikuyu is that winter and spring production is low and the exclusion of legumes make it dependent of nitrogen fertiliser and that increases the input cost. The aim of the study was to quantify the seasonal dry matter (DM) yield and carrying capacity of kikuyu (K) through treatments involving kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.) (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) and perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red (Trifolium pratense) clovers (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of only perennial white and red clovers (KC)

The Seasonal Nutritional Value of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

To overcome the seasonality and relatively low forage quality of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.), perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) can be incorporated into an existing kikuyu stand to improve pasture quality and spring production. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and perennial white and red clover (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of white and red clover (KC), in swards grazed by dairy cows

The Seasonal Botanical Composition, Calcium and Phosphorus Content of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is one of the major grasses used for summer and autumn grazing in the Southern Cape coast area of South Africa. Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.), perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) can be incorporated into an existing kikuyu stand to improve pasture quality and spring production. The aim of this study was to determine the persistence of these species and effects on the calcium and phosphorus content of kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) and perennial white and red clovers (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial white and red clovers (KC)

Establishing Baseline Values for Soil Quality Indicators in the Southern Cape of South Africa

Commercial dairy farming on pasture is commonly practiced in the southern Cape region of South Africa. In terms of its sustainability, quantification of the impact of dairy-pasture management on soil quality is essential. To comprehend the behaviour of soils in terms of quality, indicators should be assessed to screen the general direction of soil quality within a management system. Development of a soil quality assessment framework necessitates establishment of baseline values for soil quality indicators. The aim of this study was to establish baseline values for soil quality indicators for dairy-pasture soils in the southern Cape. Physical, chemical and biological indicators on a no-till kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum)-ryegrass (Lolium spp.) pasture were compared to those of a virgin soil. Stratification ratios, which demonstrated the rate at which the indicator decreased with depth, were assessed for soil organic matter (SOM) related indicators. Biological indicators showed a well-established and well-functioning microbial population in the improved pasture soil. Stratification ratios demonstrated that the soil quality of the improved pasture system was improved relative to the virgin soil. Chemical indicators showed that the impact of nutrient management was favourable to pasture productivity. The association between the chemical and biological indicator were better established in the managed pasture. Physical indicators demonstrated that management practices adversely impacted the ability of the soil to provide physical support and structural functionality. This data were used in developing a first approximation of baseline values. Further research is warranted to validate them on representative commercial dairy farms in the southern Cape

Southern African pasture and forage science entering the 21st century : past to present

Given the global challenges of mitigating and alleviating land degradation and ensuring food security, particularly through protein production, pasture and forage science together with rangeland science will remain imperative to sustainable livestock production systems. Recognising the scientific principles developed in this discipline the past 50 years and more in Southern Africa, customary to our diverse and unique environmental conditions will continue to guide and identify future research priorities. A journey from the past to the present can assist in avoiding reinvention and repetition of pasture research. This review highlights how research priorities have either remained the same over time or where research has received less or more priority. The review further illustrates that there has been more interest in species adaptation to drought, pasture and forage water relations, alternative pasture and forage species, and the combination of pasture species in the 21st century than in the 20th century. In conclusion, the soil–plant– livestock complex can serve as a conceptual basis for more effective research together with pasture breeding and nutrition. Finally, researching pasture and forage sciences in an inter- and multi-disciplinary manner clearly supports the principles of holism applied by General JC Smuts, one of the first pioneers of pasture and forage sciences.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tarf20hb2016Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Cervical cancer and human papillomavirus : South African guidelines for screening and testing

Cervical carcinoma is still the most common cancer of women on the African continent. Mortality remains high – worldwide at 50% – mainly because of late presentation, advanced stage of disease and absence of a functioning screening process. The aetiological link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has been well established and a number of high-risk HPV genotypes have been identified. HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world today – up to 80% of sexually active females will harbour HPV at some point in their lives. The majority of women will experience natural elimination of HPV infection because of an intact immune system. Persistent infection with a high risk type HPV puts women at high risk to develop precursors of cervical cancer or carcinoma itself. As part of a public health response to this serious problem, several HPV vaccines are under development. Use of vaccines still poses unanswered questions in many respects

Risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape province, South Africa

Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, location, and comorbidities, to examine the associations between HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 death from 1 March to 9 June 2020 among (1) public-sector “active patients” (≥1 visit in the 3 years before March 2020); (2) laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases; and (3) hospitalized COVID-19 cases. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COVID-19, comparing adults living with and without HIV using modeled population estimates.Among 3 460 932 patients (16% living with HIV), 22 308 were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 625 died. COVID19 death was associated with male sex, increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. HIV was associated with COVID-19 mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.70), with similar risks across strata of viral loads and immunosuppression. Current and previous diagnoses of tuberculosis were associated with COVID-19 death (aHR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.81–4.04] and 1.51 [95% CI, 1.18–1.93], respectively). The SMR for COVID-19 death associated with HIV was 2.39 (95% CI, 1.96–2.86); population attributable fraction 8.5% (95% CI, 6.1–11.1)

Preventing cervical cancer

The original publication is available at http://www.cmej.org.za/index.php/cmejCervical cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed in women in southern Africa, with an estimated lifetime risk of 1 in 26.1 Unfortunately most of these cancers are also diagnosed at a late stage, with subsequent poor prognosis for long-term survival. This very high incidence is particularly sad in an era where advances in medical science have made cervical cancer a mostly preventable disease. In most developed economies cervical cancer has become a less common occurrence due to intensive screening and preventive strategies