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Tick susceptibility and its effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2008

V. Muchenje ,
K. Dzama ,
M. Chimonyo ,
J. G. Raats  and
P. E. Strydom
V. Muchenje
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Republic of South Africa Department of Agriculture Management, Zimbabwe Open University, Bulawayo Region, PO Box 3550, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
K. Dzama
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Republic of South Africa
M. Chimonyo*
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Republic of South Africa
J. G. Raats
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Republic of South Africa
P. E. Strydom
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, Republic of South Africa
*
E-mail: mchimonyo@ufh.ac.za
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Abstract

The objective of the current study was to compare tick loads, growth and carcass characteristics of dipped and non-dipped Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. One hundred 7-month-old castrated weaners were kept at the University of Fort Hare Farm for 12 months. There were 30 weaners each of Angus and Bonsmara, and 40 weaners of the Nguni breed. Half the Bonsmara, Angus and 14 Nguni weaners were dipped every fortnight. The rest were not dipped. Monthly weights and tick counts under the tail, on scrotum, belly, sternum and ears of the steers were recorded. The dipped Nguni steers had lowest (P < 0.05) tick counts, and the non-dipped Angus steers had the highest (P < 0.05) tick counts. There were more ticks (P < 0.05) during the warm wet season than during the cool dry season. Ears had the highest (P < 0.05) tick infestation. Average daily gain (ADG) was similar (P > 0.05) among the three breeds. The non-dipped Bonsmara steers had the heaviest (P < 0.05) carcasses (142 ± 5.4) while the non-dipped Nguni steers had the lightest (P < 0.05) carcasses (111 ± 4.5 kg). The non-dipped Bonsmara had the highest (P < 0.05) eye muscle area (3996 ± 120.8 mm2) while the non-dipped Angus had the smallest (P < 0.05) eye muscle area (3291 ± 210.6 mm2). The non-dipped Bonsmara also had the highest (P < 0.05) dressing percentage (53.8 ± 1.01) while the non-dipped Nguni had the lowest (P < 0.05) dressing percentage (50.3 ± 0.84). The current study has shown that while the non-dipped steers had higher (P < 0.05) tick loads than the dipped steers, their growth and carcass characteristics were similar (P > 0.05). The study has also shown that, despite being a small-framed breed, the Nguni steers had similar (P > 0.05) ADG to the large-framed Bonsmara and Angus steers. Therefore, the Nguni cattle have the potential to produce organic beef. However, a reasonable assessment of organic beef production potential of the Nguni requires an evaluation of its meat quality traits under natural pasture.

Keywords

carcassgrowthNguni cattleorganic beefticks
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , February 2008 , pp. 298 - 304
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2008

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