South African Journal of Animal Science

Aims & Scope

About the Journal Background and Purpose The South African Journal of Animal Science (SAJAS) , formerly known as the South African Journal of Animal Production , has been a cornerstone of animal science research in South Africa since its inception in January 1971. As an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, SAJAS plays a vital role in advancing science by disseminating high-quality research focused on animal production and related fields. It supports national priorities such as food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable agriculture by addressing critical issues in livestock nutrition, genetics, health, and production systems. SAJAS fosters local research capacity, strengthens academic and practitioner networks, and promotes the visibility of African scholarship in global scientific discourse. The journal places particular emphasis on research relevant to Southern African contexts, bridging the gap between science and practice, and offering insights that inform both policy and on-the-ground agricultural interventions. Its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals - especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) - underscores its broader contribution to sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems. SAJAS holds particular regional importance as a platform for African animal science research, supporting local innovation while contributing to global knowledge exchange. Through a rigorous peer-review process and editorial workflows, the journal maintains high academic standards and ensures the integrity of published work. Its open-access model enhances transparency, visibility, and accessibility, making research freely available to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers across the continent and beyond. History and Technical Infrastructure Originally supported by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) , SAJAS moved online in the early 2000s using a custom-built manuscript submission and edi

A twelfth criterion — whether APC fees are clearly disclosed — is not scored here; it is left out of the total rather than counted as a failure. Publication charges appear in the metrics card above.

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Source: OpenAlex · Each year’s green bar = citations earned by that year’s papers, counted to date — so recent years look lower simply because their papers haven’t had time to be cited yet.

SJR Quartile by Discipline

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Subject Classification