Effect of Blockage of the Ducts of the Vomeronasal Organ on LH Plasma Levels during the “Whitten Effect” in Does

Eighteen mature, nonpregnant, and indigenous South African does were randomly divided into two groups to test if their vomeronasal organs exert an influence on LH plasma levels during a Whitten effect experimental trial. Does in the treatment (VNO ablated) group had their vomeronasal organs rendered nonfunctional by cauterization of the nasoincisive duct under surgical anesthesia. Does in the control group had their nasal civities irrigated with physiological saline under surgical anesthesia. All does were synchronized into oestrus and introduced to bucks one day prior to their expected second oestrus cycle. Successful matings were recorded. Timely blood samples were collected during each of the five days before and five days after buck introduction. Blood plasma concentrations of estradiol and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Analysis of variance between groups demonstrated that the does in the VNO ablated group did not demonstrate any interest in mating, did not become pregnant, and did not demonstrate the primary increase in tonic plasma levels of LH that is necessary for ovulation to occur. By contrast, all of the does in the control group demonstrated successful matings, became pregnant, and demonstrated typical primary tonic level increases and preovulation surges in LH. Thus, it was concluded that the vomeronasal organ modulates the primary increase in tonic levels of LH and thus influences ovulation that occurs during the Whitten effect in South African indigenous does

The ethics of meat production and quality - a South African perspective

The global livestock industry has recently been inundated with criticisms about the impact of animal production systems on anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), animal welfare, environmental sustainability and human health and well-being. Although it is accepted that the estimate of GHG emissions from animal agriculture has been exaggerated by the FAO’s publication “Livestock’s Long Shadow”, the 18% estimate is a gross exaggeration. Industrialisation in the agricultural sector in some developing countries without “enlightenment” has been associated with environmental problems like among others, land degradation and water pollution. It is estimated that global livestock production will double by 2050 to satisfy demands, which suggests a faster than expected growth compared to any other agricultural sector. Demand for meat, milk and eggs is expected to increase by about 30% in the next 8 years. These trends resulted in calls for stricter environmental and animal welfare legislation. By contrast, there are also growing concerns about the world’s ability to provide in the considerably growing protein needs of a rapidly growing human population, especially in developing countries where it is unlikely that the demands will be met. The importance of the latter is emphasized by the UN’s focus on ‘the right to food as a global goal’ and the fact that Rio+20 will also have to be held accountable for the effects of environmental legislation on humans’ physical and economic access to food. The purpose of this paper is to focus on some of these conflicting issues and the effects of a shift to intensive production systems on the ethics of meat production, quality and animal welfare in African countries with knowingly limited natural resources.http://www.sasas.co.za/am201

Description of carcass classification goals and the current situation in South Africa

Carcass classification is an essential part of efficient animal production, price fixing and meeting consumer demands. Carcass classification (or grading) is based on the description of carcasses by means of clearly defined characteristics that are of prime importance to the meat industry, retailers and consumers. Significant variation exists in carcass composition and quality due to the effects of species, age, maturity type, sex and interaction effects with animal production systems. A number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors affects carcass and meat quality and the purpose of carcass classification in South Africa is to classify carcasses to ensure more consistent meat quality, composition and consumer satisfaction. Although carcass inspection is compulsory in South Africa, carcass classification is not a requisite at all South African abattoirs. South Africa employed a carcass grading system from 1944 to 1992, which was replaced by a carcass classification system in 1992. Carcass classification differs fundamentally from carcass grading. In carcass classification there is a shift of emphasis to classifying carcasses in order to provide the meat industry and consumers with a choice of different types of carcasses in terms of carcass composition and physical attributes, while there is no indication of perceived quality as is provided in a grading system. In a carcass grading system, an indication is provided of standard, prime and superior carcass grades which relate to standard, prime and superior meat quality. The conceptual basis of the carcass classification system is therefore based on the principle that producers, retailers and consumers differ in terms of their perceptions and expectations of carcass and meat quality, and subsequent eating experience. More recently it has become apparent that the current classification system is being used as a grading system due to the use of preferred classes, which defeats the original purpose of a classification system. Furthermore, recent research suggests that the variation within carcass classification categories has increased considerably due to differences between livestock breeds and types, animal production systems and the use of modern feedstuffs and growth enhancing technologies. The purpose of this paper is to review the characteristics and goals of the current South African carcass classification system, grading systems in other countries and the implications for effective marketing, price fixing and consumer satisfaction based on the complex cycle from ‘farm to fork’.URL: http://www.sasas.co.zaam201

Electrical stimulation and carcass size : interactions between pH, temperature decline and instrumental shear force

The time of application and duration of electrical stimulation (ES) on light and heavy carcasses of Zilmax treated animals poses new challenges in the meat processing industry in South Africa. Owing to the use of Zilmax, larger carcasses are now processed at abattoirs that were built to accommodate smaller carcasses. This creates challenges in terms of optimising muscle to meat conversion using ES and the appropriate chilling regime.https://www.afma.co.za/afma-matrixhj2020Animal and Wildlife Science

Effect of slaughter technique on bleed-out, blood in the trachea and blood splash in the lungs of cattle

The South African Animal Protection Law, which requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, allows certain exemptions to accommodate religious slaughter. The supporters of the Jewish method of slaughter (Shechita), in which animals are slaughtered without pre-stunning, claim that the bleed-out and some quality parameters are better than when the animals are stunned before slaughtering. In this study, the percentage blood loss (BL%), presence (%) of blood in the trachea (BLT%) and blood splash % in the lungs (BS%), between the Shechita (Kosher) group and the conventionally slaughtered group of cattle were compared. Results showed no significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of blood loss, although the conventional group had a higher bleed-out. However, there were significant differences in the presence of blood in the trachea and blood splash in the lungs, with the Kosher group having the highest percentages of these quality defects. Out of 170 animals examined for Kosher, 93% had blood lining the trachea, ranging from one to over 50%. From the 141 animals examined for the conventionally-slaughtered group, 97% had no blood lining the trachea while the remaining 3% had less than 10% blood lining the trachea. Furthermore, 65% of animals slaughtered in the Kosher way had blood splash ranging from 5% to over 50%, while the conventional group had only 0.7% incidence of blood splash in the lungs. These results show that slaughtering animals without stunning do not improve bleed-out, but increase blood in the trachea and blood splash in the lungs.This work was funded by the Red Meat Research and Development of South Africa (RMRD-SA).http://www.sasas.co.za/am201

Carcass weight, meat yield and meat cuts from Arado, Boran, Barka, Raya cattle breeds in Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the objective to evaluate carcass weight, meat yield and primal meat cuts of beef from Arado, Boran, Barka, Raya and nondescript cattle breeds slaughtered at export abattoirs in Ethiopia. Data was collected from Abergelle and Melgawendo export abattoirs in 2011. The result of the study revealed that the average live weight, warm carcass weight, cold carcass weight and warm dressing percentage of cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs studied were 241.41±0.37 kg, 106.93±0.21 kg, 101.19±0.18 kg and 44.21±0.05%, respectively. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were differ (P < 0.001) between abattoirs, seasons and breeds of cattle slaughtered. Average meat yield and yield percentage of cattle slaughtered at Abergelle abattoir was 61.56±0.94 kg and 67.81±0.33%, respectively. Meat yield and weight of primal meat cuts were different (P < 0.001) between breeds of cattle. Yield percentage was significantly (p < 0.05) different between seasons. Retailed meat yield was significantly predicted (R2 = 88.1%) from slaughter weights, Topside (R2 = 77.86), Silverside (75.64), Knuckle (R2 = 70.13), Striploin (R2 = 70.73), Tenderloin (R2 = 61.33), Shank (R2 = 64.55) and Rumpcap (R2 = 64.48). From the study it was concluded that Boran cattle was better in dressing percentage compared to most cattle breeds in Africa while the dressing percentage and meat yield of Arado, Barka and Raya breeds were less than the percent and yield reported for other zebu cattle in Africa. A strategy should be devised to improve the carcass weight, dressing percentage and retail able meat yield from local cattle in Ethiopia.University of Pretoria and Haramaya University.http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jashj2020Animal and Wildlife Science

The influence of household characteristics on cattle off-take rates in the North West Province of South Africa

This paper evaluates the socio-economic characteristics of small-holder cattle producers in the North West Province and investigates the relationship between these characteristics with cattle off-take. A questionnaire aimed at capturing cross-sectional data on factors affecting cattle off-take for 2011 breeding season was administered through face-to-face interviews of 308 respondents. Respondents were predominantly middle and old age males. Households headed by seniors (>65 years) tended to be larger than others. The majority (58%) of household heads regarded farming as their form of self-employment while only 15% had temporary or permanent employment outside agriculture. Most (82%) households relied on income from cattle followed by other livestock (55%) and social grants (47%). Female headed household relied on small businesses, which correlated positively with the sale of cattle and sheep. Households which depend on employment had less number of persons attending tertiary education and sold more cows. As expected, farmers sold more male animals (62.8%) than females mainly through auction sales. Unlike previous studies, our study shows that income from outside agriculture supplements cattle off-take. Households owning herds smaller than 11 head had higher overall herd off-take, as well as off-take for females than steers. Affiliation to and official position in community associations suppressed the cow sales but induce steer off-take. We conclude that financial burdens in households with smaller herds compel those households to sell potential breeding stock. We recommend the development of an animal recording system and that future interventions focus on the strengthening of women and community associations.http://www.lrrd.orgam2016Animal and Wildlife Science

Sources of information for small-holder cattle farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality in the North West Province, South Africa

The purpose of this paper was to identify sources of information used by small-holder cattle enterprises and evaluate their influence on productivity of those enterprises. Results showed that public extension is the main (85-87%) source of information for small-holder cattle producers, followed by radio (52%) and other farmers (47-48%). More educated farmers prefer magazine and TV to extension officers while women prefer office visits to magazine, TV and commercial farmers (P<0.05). Older farmers tend not to rely on magazine, radio, TV, commercial farmers and veterinarian while owners of larger herds prefer these sources to office visits (P<0.05). Older farmers tend not to rely on magazine, radio, TV, commercial farmers and veterinarian while owners of larger herds prefer these sources to office visits (P<0.05). Source commonly used by more educated farmers, men, younger farmers and owners of large herds such as radio, TV and commercial farmers, suppressed the sale of cattle and small stock (P<0.05). Reliance on other small-holder farmers for agricultural information, resulted in lower calving rates while reliance on both commercial and small-holder farmers suppressed the sale of small stock (P<0.05). Sources preferred by women such as office visits and telephone stimulated the sale of sheep and small stock in general. We recommend that age, gender, education and herd size should guide the selection channels for disseminating information to small-holder cattle producers and that the extension content be enriched to include markets and entrepreneurship in the study area.http://www.sasas.co.za/aahrdam2016Animal and Wildlife Science

Influence of electrical stimulation on carcass and meat quality of Kosher and conventionally slaughtered cattle

In a previous study regarding the effects of Kosher and conventional slaughter techniques on carcass and meat quality of cattle, it was speculated that electrical stimulation may have affected some of the meat qualities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and non-electrical stimulation (NES) on key carcass and meat quality attributes of cattle slaughtered by Kosher vs. conventional slaughter methods. Carcass pH and temperature profiles over a 24 h post mortem (pm) period, meat shear force and water holding capacity were investigated in feedlot type cattle of comparable weights and breed types. Results showed that the combined effects of slaughter methods did not influence the meat quality attributes, but there were differences within the slaughter groups. The effect of ES on carcass pH lasted longer within the conventionally slaughtered group (12 h), than in the Kosher slaughter group (6 h). Muscle samples from the ES groups for both slaughter methods were more tender. Electrical stimulation also had a significant effect on the cooking loss from Kosher meat, while there was no significant difference in meat from the conventional slaughter methods. The results show that ES influences certain meat and carcass quality attributes of cattle, based on the way cattle were slaughtered.The Red Meat Research and Development of South Africa (RMRD-SA)http://www.sasas.co.za/am201

Herd mortality and cattle off-take rates among smallholder producers in the North West Province of South

This study was done to determine the influence of herd mortality on off-take rates through face to face interviews of 308 smallholder cattle producers from Dr RSM District Municipality, North West. Most deaths were caused by diseases (50%) and drought (34%). Producer’s gender had no influence on herd performance and off-take even though extension ward with higher proportion of women had higher mortality and lower off-take rates. The sale of steers decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the death of adult animals as well as that of the overall herd increased. Herd off-take also declined as mortality of suckling calves as well as that for overall herd, increased. Herd mortality logically reduces stock and therefore suppresses sales. It is recommended that herd mortality should be monitored through animal recording to improve the competitiveness of small-holder production systems.http://www.academicjournals.org/AJARam2016Animal and Wildlife Science