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Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle

Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2014.

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Other Authors: Webb, E.C. (Edward Cottington)
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2015
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Webb, E.C. (Edward Cottington)
author_browse Webb, E.C. (Edward Cottington)
author_facet Webb, E.C. (Edward Cottington)
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2015 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:07.698Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2015
publishDateRange 2015
publishDateSort 2015
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/46074 Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle Webb, E.C. (Edward Cottington) Van Marle-Koster, Este Myburgh, S.J. (Susanna Johanna) UCTD Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2014. The functional efficiency of beef cattle including sound claws are essential given that it has a marked influence on functional longevity and subsequent performance. The aim of this study was firstly to analyse Bonsmara inspection data to determine the extent of claw problems in the breed. Secondly, the evaluation of morphological and physiological claw characteristics with specific reference to major bioregions. Inspection data analyses indicated that 2.84% of Bonsmara cattle exhibited claw problems at inspection over a period of 11 years. Logistic regression models on a subset of inspection data revealed a significant influence (P <0.05) of sex and bioregion on claw problems with the sire effect insignificant. Breeder had the most significant effect on claw problems implying stricter selection policies of certain breeders with regard to claws as well as possible differences in management practices. Normal claws of 89 Bonsmara stud animals were collected from the three main bioregions where Bonsmara cattle are farmed (Mesic Highveld Grassland (Gm), Eastern Kalahari Bushveld (SVk) and Central Bushveld (SVcb) bioregions). The majority of the claws obtained were from Bonsmara bulls slaughtered after phase D testing with a few claws from older cows. Lateral toe length (LL), medial toe length (ML), claw circumference, colour coding and tensile strength (TS) were determined on fore and hind claws and mineral composition only on fore claws. Multiway ANOVA models indicated that bioregion, moisture content, calcium (Ca), selenium (Se) and claw position (fore versus hind) had a significant effect (P <0.05) on tensile strength. Bioregion, AgeSex and ForeHind effects were significant (P <0.05) with regards to the respective morphological measurements (LL, ML and claw circumference). The research serves as a benchmark for claw traits in the Bonsmara breed and will assist in future studies. tm2015 Animal and Wildlife Sciences MScAgric Unrestricted 2015-07-02T11:06:46Z 2015-07-02T11:06:46Z 2015/04/14 2014 Dissertation Myburgh, SJ 2014, Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle, MScAgric Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46074> A2015 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46074 en © 2015 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title_full Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title_fullStr Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title_full_unstemmed Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title_short Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in Bonsmara cattle
title_sort morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in bonsmara cattle
topic UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46074