Nutritive value of Acacia tree foliages growing in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Acacia trees form the third largest woody plant family in southern Africa and are an important ecological component of the bushveld vegetation that is prevalent in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine types and amounts of tannins and also to evaluate the nutritive value of tree foliages, Acacia karroo, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Acacia galpinii, Acacia sieberiana, Acacia hebeclada and Acacia rhemniana, grown in the Limpopo Province and also to determine types and amounts of tannins occurring in them. Young leaves with petioles from seven tree foliages were collected from five different trees per species at the University of the North (now University of Limpopo) in April 2003, in a completely randomized design. Packed volume ranged from 1.50 mL/g for A. karroo to 3.00 mL/g for A. hebeclada whilst water retention ranged from 3.71 g/g for A. galpinii to 4.98 g/g for A. sieberiana. These results suggest that all the tree leaves have a high intake potential. All the Acacia species had crude protein levels above 100 g/kg dry matter (DM), ranging from 103 g/kg DM for A. rhemniana to 183 g/kg DM for A. sieberiana. Crude protein levels of this magnitude in a diet are adequate to support the maintenance requirements of cattle, sheep and goats at low to medium production levels. The Acacias contained medium to high levels of neutral and acid detergent fibres with ranges of 488 to 622 and 415 to 545 g/kg DM, respectively. In vitro DM and organic matter degradabilities varied from 345 to 534 and 254 to 474 g/kg DM, respectively. Acacia hebeclada, A. sieberiana and A. galpinii contained traces of total phenolics whilst A. tortilis contained approximately 90 g/kg DM of total phenolics and A. karroo, A. nilotica and A. rhemniana contained intermediate concentrations. Extract condensed tannin (CT) content ranged from 1.1 g/kg in A. hebeclada to 80.7 g/kg in A. karroo. At level above 50 g/kg, CT tends to negatively affect intake and digestibility in ruminants. Consequently, reduced intakes of A. galpinii, A. karroo and A. tortilis could be expected because they contained CT values above 50 g/kg. Only A. nilotica showed a sharp curve in the potassium iodate test, reflecting its considerable content of hydrolysable tannins (HT). All the other species had flat curves reflecting low levels of HT in them. The results showed that all the species except for A. galpinii, A. karroo and A. tortilis are of good nutritive value and have a potential for integration into livestock feeding systems in the Limpopo Province. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 35(4) 2005: 221-22

Breed and Sex Differences in the Gross Anatomy, Digesta pH and Histomorphology of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Gallus Gallus Domesticus

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to investigate the influence of breed and sex in the gross anatomy, digesta and histology of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Chickens were slaughtered at 90 days of age and the pH of the digestive organs was measured immediately after slaughter. The digestive organ weights and lengths of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens were measured. Tissue samples of the duodenum, ileum and jejunal from each treatment group were collected and histologically examined. Higher (p<0.05) gizzard pH values were observed in male and female of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The jejunal and ileal pH values were lower (p<0.05) for Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The absolute weights of the gastrointestinal tract, crop, proventriculus and gizzard were lighter (p<0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The relative organ weights of the GIT, proventriculus, gizzard and caeca were higher (p<0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 90 days. Male chickens had higher (p<0.05) relative organ weights than female chickens. Interactions between breed and sex influenced (p<0.05) the absolute weights of the crop, proventriculus, caeca and large intestine. Ileum villus heights of female Venda chickens were higher (p<0.05) than those of female and male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The male and female Ross 308 broiler chickens had higher (p<0.05) ileum and duodenum crypt depths than male and female Venda chickens. The duodenum and ileum villus height/crypt depth ratios were higher (p<0.05) in male and female Venda chickens than Ross 308 broiler chickens. In overall, male broiler chicken performed better

Can It be Achieved? Partnering Towards Improving Livelihoods in the Ganspan Settlement, Norther n Cape Province, South Africa

The Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) approach was used to determine the livelihood strategies of the Ganspan community; the current socio-economic dynamics and how they impact on livelihoods; the vision for the future; and to develop an initial road map for achieving better livelihoods. Eighty out of 210 households were sampled to determine the livelihood typology of the settlement. Participatory rural appraisal tools were used to explore stakeholders&rsquo; perceptions of the current problems/opportunities and the possible solutions. Only 3 percent of households are solely dependent on agriculture whereas the majority (76%) derive livelihood from non-agricultural activities. The rest of the households derive their livelihoods from both agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Agriculture has a modest contribution to household income compared to social grants and employment. Generally, the community is economically depressed. Developmental strategies were identified, screened and prioritised. Collaboration and joint action by various stakeholders is essential for the sustainable development of the settlement. The establishment of an innovation platform with representatives of all relevant stakeholders is strongly recommended in order to jointly implement integrated and inter-institutional development action plans