bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies of meat. Part VI. Factors affecting the iodine number of fat from the fatty and muscular tissues of lambs
Authors: Callow E. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Carcasses of nineteen fat lambs (from six ewes and thirteen wethers weighing from 29 to 841b., aged from 78 to 365 days, all from the Suffolk breed and all fed in pens with no grazing) have been dissected into six joints, namely neck, thorax, loin, pelvis, shoulder (including shank), and leg (including shin). The subcutaneous and intermuscular fatty tissues and the muscular tissues have been dissected from each joint and analysed for fat. The iodine number of each sample of fat has been determined.

2. The average percentage of fat in the fatty tissues of the carcass ranged from 71·9 to 87·8 and the average iodine numbers from 43·6 to 56·1. With the muscular tissues these figures were from 4·8 to 11·1 and iodine numbers from 51·5 to 61·7.

3. The extreme ranges found in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the joints were from 63·0 to 91·6 for percentage of fat and from 43·7 to 59·3 for iodine number. For the intermuscular fatty tissue these ranges were from 52·0 to 88·4 for fat and from 41·7 to 58·5 for iodine number. The kidney fat extended this range up to 95·7 for fat and down to 36·4 for iodine number. With the muscular tissue of the joints the ranges were from 2·7 to 17·3 for fat and from 48·3 to 65·0 for iodine number. The rectus femoris muscle extended this range down to 1·8 for fat and up to 66·2 for iodine number.
The value of the rib joint in predicting carcass chemical composition in various breeds of cattle and buffalo
Authors: Moran J. B.
Published: March 2009

Left and right 9–10–11 rib joints from 104 Madura, Ongole, Bali, Grati (or Friesian cross) and buffalo bulls were dissected into bone, muscular and fatty tissues and then ground and chemically analysed for water, ash, ether extract and protein contents. The carcasses from 48 of these bulls were also ground and analysed for these same chemical components. Within-breed relationships between dissectible and chemical composition in the rib and between dissectible composition of the rib and chemical composition of the carcass were tested by regression analyses.

There were no breed differences in the relationships between bone and ash or between muscle and protein in the rib, but at the same content of rib fatty tissue, buffaloes had less predicted rib ether extract than Bali, Ongole or Madura cattle. At the same ash content of the rib, Madura bulls had the most carcass ash. Rib-muscle content was considered to be a poor predictor of carcass protein. At the same fat content of the rib, breed differences in predicted carcass ether extract were large with Grati having higher levels than Bali and all four cattle breeds having higher levels than buffaloes. Use of rib-fat or rib-energy contents to predict carcass energy yielded relative breed differences similar to those when rib fat was used to predict carcass ether extract.

Differences in the distribution of fat within the carcass, particularly in the subcutaneous fat depot, were considered to have a major bearing on differences in the within-breed relationships. Therefore, published part-whole prediction equations should be used with caution when comparing genotypes likely to differ in the distribution of tissue within the carcass.
Rice bran as a supplement to elephant grass for cattle and buffalo in Indonesia: 2. Carcass development, energy accretion and its effect on feed efficiency: 2. Carcass development, energy accretion and its effect on feed efficiency
Authors: Moran J. B.
Published: March 2009

Indonesian Ongole and swamp buffalo bulls that had previously been given 0, 1·2, 2·4, 3·6 or 4·8 kg/head/day rice bran plus ad libitum elephant grass were slaughtered after 161 days feeding. Abdominal depot fat, full and empty reticulo-rumen and cold carcass weights were recorded. Various carcass variables were measured and the 9–10–11 rib joints were dissected into bone, muscle and fat. Carcass gross energy was calculated from rib-fat content using previously determined regression equations. Feed efficiency was expressed in terms of the ratios of live-weight gain or carcass-energy accretion to metabolizable energy available for growth.

Increasing supplementation with rice bran resulted in larger abdominal fat depots, higher dressing percentages, increased carcass fatness (and hence carcass gross energy) and improved rib muscle to bone ratios. Carcass conformation was unaffected by dietary treatment. When feed efficiency was expressed per unit live-weight gain, there was a decrease with increasing rice-bran feeding. Feed efficiency, expressed per unit of carcass energy accretion, improved with rice-bran supplementation and was generally higher in buffalo than in Ongole bulls. Dietary and species differences in feed efficiency could be primarily explained by the differential energy cost of deposition of, and the availability of energy from, carcass protein and lipid.
Changes in carcass measurements of the bacon pig during processing
Authors: Gatherum D. P.
Published: March 2009

During recent years increasing use has been made of carcass measurements to assess differences in the conformation, growth rates and carcass quality of bacon pigs. The measurements usually taken are: (a) thickness of back fat at one or more points, (b) thickness of flank at one or more points, and (c) the length of the carcass. Whilst at present there is fairly general agreement as to where the back-fat and flank measurements should be taken, the same agreement is not found in the case of carcass length.
The physiology of forage rye (Secale cereale)
Authors: Hay R. K. M. , Al-Ani M. K. Abbas
Published: March 2009

Field and pot investigations of the vegetative and early reproductive growth of a winter wheat and a winter rye cultivar over three seasons (1978–9, 1980–2) have shown that higher and earlier forage yields of rye are due to a combination of factors, notably more rapid rates of germination, crop emergence, leaf appearance and leaf expansion coupled with higher leaf area ratios. There was no evidence, from studies of net assimilation rate, that the photosynthetic apparatus of rye plants is better adapted than wheat to the low temperature and light conditions of winter and early spring. However, the earlier initiation of rye stem extension was associated with significant increases in net assimilation rate, which compensated for reductions in the leaf area ratio. Practical aspects of these results are discussed briefly.
Effects of date of planting on plant emergence, leaf growth, and yield in contrasting potato varieties
Authors: Jones J. L. , Allen E. J.
Published: March 2009

Five experiments which studied the effects of a wide range of dates of planting on contrasting potato varieties in Pembrokeshire are reported. In three experiments (1976–7) four early varieties (Home Guard, Arran Comet, Irish Peace and Ulster Sceptre) were sprouted from the end of dormancy and compared at four dates of planting, which began as soon as soil conditions allowed (February in 1975 and 1976 and March in 1977). In these experiments all early-emerging treatments were damaged by frost and in 1975 and 1976 date of planting had little effect on leaf area index or yield. In 1977 planting in late April delayed and increased peak leaf area index but reduced yields throughout harvesting. In all experiments the emergence of varieties was affected by date of planting. The varieties with the longest sprouts emerged first only from the earliest plantings; at late plantings all varieties emerged together, which suggests that rate of post-planting sprout elongation decreased in this old seed as planting was delayed despite increasing soil temperatures. The implications for testing of early varieties are discussed.

In two further experiments two early varieties (Home Guard in both years and Red Craigs Royal and Arran Comet in 1 year) were compared with three maincrop varieties (Désirée, Maris Piper, Stormont Enterprise) using seed which did not begin to sprout until January at dates of planting beginning in March. Sprout length was again poorly related to earliness of emergence. Delaying planting delayed and increased peak leaf area index in all varieties but only increased yields in the early varieties which had the smallest leaf areas. In maincrop varieties date of planting had little effect on final yields. In these years there were long periods without rain and in 1976 yields were limited by the amount of water available from the soil, for as each treatment exhausted this supply bulking ceased.
Nutritional value of triticale for different classes of White Leghorn chickens
Authors: Zombade S. S. , Chawla J. S. , Ichhponani J. S.
Published: March 2009

Three varieties of triticale (TL-238, TL-257 and TL-319) bred by the Plant Breeding Department of Punjab Agricultural University were studied for nutrient composition and metabolizable energy (ME) content for egg-type chicks. A feeding trial was also conducted to study the suitability of triticale as a replacement for maize in conventional high- and low-cereal diets for different classes of egg-type chickens.

The crude protein contents of TL-238, TL-257 and TL-319 were respectively 13·4,14·4 and 2·1%. Corresponding values for starch content were 51·5, 49·2 and 54·3%, respectively. ME in triticale varieties closely followed the trend of starch content. Accordingly TL-319 was higher in ME (13·58 MJ/kg D.M.) than TL-238 and TL-257 (12·91 and 12·49 MJ/kg D.M. respectively). There were no significant differences in body-weight gain or in food conversion of chicks fed diets containing different varieties of triticale. The substitution of triticale for maize in a conventional high-cereal diet improved growth and food conversion of starter chicks. In a low-cereal diet, however, triticale had an adverse effect on the growth rate and food conversion of starter chicks. At the end of 18 weeks of age, the differences in body-weight gain, food conversion and efficiency of protein utilization by chicks on all the treatments were not significantly different (P > 0·05). Results of the production phase showed that egg production, egg mass, food conversion and energetic efficiency were significantly (P < 0·05) improved by feeding triticale.
Cytogenetic relationships of certain artificial and natural species of Avena
Authors: Griffiths D. J. , Rowlands D. G. , Peregrine W. T. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The desirability of employing the genetic variation present in diploid and tetraploid wild species for the improvement of the cultivated hexaploid species stimulated an investigation into the synthesis of various amphiploid forms in Avena.

2. Five amphiploids at the hexaploid level have been produced, but the present investigation is limited to the amphiploids developed from the cross A. barbata (2n = 28)×.A. strigosa subsp. hirtula (2n= 14), their hybrids with the natural hexaploid species and with other amphiploid types.

3. These amphiploids, like their parents, possessed black paleae, with hairs and a fairly strong geniculate awn on both the lower and upper grains. The bases of both the lower and upper grains possessed the articulation surfaces characteristic of A. fatua. Their hybrids with A. fatua were similar in spikelet morphology, but the A. sterilis type of spikelet was dominant in both the amphiploid 6x × A. sterilis and amphiploid 6x × A. byzantina. Partial dominance of the cultivated type base over the shedding type was evident in crosses with A. sativa and A. nuda but the naked caryopsis and multiflorous spikelet were recessive in the latter cross. In crosses between the A. barbata/A. hirtula 6x amphiploid and the A. abyssinica/A. strigosa 6x amphiploid (Cc 4387) the hybrid exhibited a reversal of dominance relationships, with the cultivated base type of Cc4387 being completely recessive to the shedding base.
Developmental changes in the biochemical composition of muscle from ‘splayleg’ piglets with special reference to DNA synthesis
Authors: Farmer Linda J. , Mackie W. S. , Ritchie P. J.
Published: March 2009

DNA, RNA and protein concentrations, cathepsin D activity and tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA were measured in selected muscles from newborn to 7-day-old ‘splayleg’ piglets. The results indicated that the pattern of development differed considerably from that observed in muscle from normal piglets, and the range of results was greater both within and between affected animals. The most striking difference between muscle from normal and ‘splayleg’ piglets was in the incorporation of tritiated thymidine, which was lower in the latter from 3 to 6 days of age, indicating that the number of cells undergoing mitosis may have been reduced. It is suggested that this could have a severe effect on future muscle growth especially if satellite cells are affected.
Effects of different protein and energy levels on the performance of growing and finishing turkeys in the tropics
Authors: Olomu J. M. , Offiong S. A. , Abed S.
Published: March 2009

Three experiments were conducted to assess the effects of different protein and energy levels on turkeys during the periods 12–16 weeks, 16–20 weeks and 20–24 weeks. Compared with 20 and 22% protein, 18% significantly depressed weight gain and feed efficiency during the 12–16 weeks period, while 14 and 16% protein, compared with 18%, significantly depressed weight gain and feed efficiency during the 16–20 weeks period but gave similar weight gain and feed efficiency as the 18% protein during the 20–24 weeks period.

During all periods between 12 and 24 weeks, the two energy levels tested (11·72 and 12·56 MJ/kg) did not significantly affect weight gain and feed efficiency whereas feed consumption was significantly higher on the lower energy level.

The present studies suggest that 20, 18 and 16% protein, all with metabolizable energy of 11·72 MJ/kg, may be recommended for turkeys aged 12–16 weeks, 16–20 weeks and 20–24 weeks respectively.
A study of artificial fibre bag technique for determining the dig estibility of feeds in the rumen
Authors: Mehrez A. Z. , Ørskov E. R.
Published: March 2009

The artificial fibre bag technique was evaluated for assessing the proportions of dietary D. M. and N which disappear in the rumen. The most important factor determining the variability in disappearance from bags incubated together was the sample size in relation to bag size. For incubation of 5 g air dry feed, a bag size of 17 ✗ 9 cm was found to be adequate. There were also variations in substrate disappearance between animals and between days of incubation. It was estimated that three sheep and the measurement of substrate disappearance twice were necessary in order to obtain acceptable repeatability.

The technique was found to be satisfactory as a simple and rapid guide for measuring nutrients disappearance in the rumen such as protein degradation and carbohydrate fermentation. It has been used in subsequent work to measure the effect of features of the rumen environment, such as pH and NH3 concentration, on rate of fermentation.
Summer legume intercrop effects on yield and nitrogen economy of wheat in the succeeding season
Authors: Singh S. P.
Published: March 2009

The results of experiments conducted for 2 years in north-western India under irrigated conditions are described here. Wheat following legume intercrops gave increases in growth, yield attributes, yield and N uptake. Various legume intercrops such as groundnut, cow peas (both for fodder and grain) and greengram reduced the need of fertilizer nitrogen for wheat in the succeeding season by 30–84 kg/ha compared with sorghum.
Bovine sebum composition during the first 6 weeks post partum
Authors: Mabon R. M. , Noble R. C. , Jenkinson D. McEwan
Published: March 2009

A noticeable feature of mammalian skin surface lipids is the considerable variation in lipid and fatty acid compositions that exists between species (Nicolaides, Fu & Rice, 1968). The sebaceous lipids of oxen are characterized by the presence of relatively high levels of triglycerides, which, in contrast to those of other bovine tissues, contain a significant proportion (> 20%) of linoleic acid (Noble, Crouchman & Moore, 1974; Smith, Noble & Jenkinson, 1975; O'Kelly, Reich & Mills, 1980). The uniqueness of these highly unsaturated triglycerides has indicated possible roles in the chemical and biological defence systems of the skin surface for linoleic acid released by hydrolysis (Jenkinson, 1980). The skin surface triglycerides of calves do not attain the high levels of linoleic acid displayed by adults until 4–5 weeks after birth (Nobleet al.1975). It is, however, not known if a new-born calf compensates for this difference by an increase in sebum triglyceride concentration and output or, in view of the decreased availability of linoleic acid at this Stage, produces a sebum of widely different composition from the adult.
A comparison of tissue weight distribution in Landrace, Hampshire and Duroc Jersey pigs
Authors: Goenaga P. R. , Carden A. E.
Published: March 2009

The carcasses of 20 Landrace, 20 Hampshire and 20 Duroc Jersey barrows were dissected in order to study the influence of the breed on tissue weight distribution.

After weaning, at 56 days of age, the animals were allocated to individual pens and fed a standard diet containing 18% crude protein and 13 MJ ME/kg, until they reached their designated slaughter weight.

The Landrace and Hampshire pigs were slaughtered between 60 and 115 kg and the Duroc Jersey ones between 40 and 115 kg live weight. The right half carcasses were completely dissected using strictly anatomical criteria. Individual muscles were classified into eight anatomical groups (Carden & Goenaga, 1977).

The results were examined by covariance analyses utilizing the allometric equation. Carcass tissue composition was studied using the weight of the dissected side as covariate. When muscle: bone ratio was examined, the weight of total side muscle was used as the independent variable. The growth of different parts of a tissue relative to the corresponding whole tissue was studied.

Concerning carcass composition, there were significant breed differences in muscle and fat contents and in the muscle:bone ratio.

Breed differences were found in muscle distribution. The 6 values of muscle groups 1 (proximal hind limb), 2 (distal hind limb), 6 (distal forelimb) and 7 (muscles connecting forelimb to thorax) were statistically different as were the adjusted means of groups 3 (spinal column), 5 (proximal forelimb) and 8 (muscles connecting forelimb to neck and intrinsic muscles of neck and thorax).

Significant differences were also found in bone weight distribution. Slope values of the tarsals, os coxae, scapula and sternum were statistically different. Adjusted means of tibia-fibula, sacrum, spinal column, radius-ulna, carpals and ribs were also significantly different.

Finally, there were breed effects in the distribution of fat, the relative weight of subcutaneous and of intermuscular fat being statistically different.
The effects of genotype, sex and feeding regimen on pig carcass development: 1. Primary components, tissues and joints
Authors: Evans D. G. , Kempster A. J.
Published: March 2009

Dissection data for 1006 pig carcasses taken from the first 2 years of the Meat and Livestock Commission's (MLC) Commercial Pig Evaluation (CPE) were used to examine the relationships between carcass components and carcass weight over the growth period from 46 to 92 kg carcass weight. Alternative models were tested and parameters examined for different genotypes (pigs from different companies in CPE), sexes (barrows and gilts), feeding regimens (ad libitumand restricted feeding) and years.

Generally, linear allometry provided an acceptable description of carcass development, although some curvilinearity was indicated for the head, kidneys, rump back joint, M. psoas and total dissected lean. Growth coefficients conformed to the generally accepted pattern of carcass development in pigs. Using linear allometry, proportional weight increases were comparable for all genotypes and sexes, but dissected fat increased relatively faster on the restricted feeding regimen.

At a constant carcass weight of 66·5 kg, all tissue weights and the weights of primary components and most joints differed by genotype. The ratio of carcass lean weights for the two extreme genotypes was 1·04; comparable ratios for carcass fat weights were 1·13 (restricted-fed pigs) and 1·07 (ad libitum-fed pigs).

Significant differences were recorded between sexes and between feeding regimens, largely reflecting differences in fatness. Some important year differences were also found.
Relationships between the number of stems produced by a potato seed tuber and its weight
Authors: Wurr D. C. E. , Morris G. E. L.
Published: March 2009

The relationships between the number of stems per tuber and tuber characters measured before planting were studied using a wide range of tuber weights of the varieties Désirée and Maris Piper. The effects of the storage temperature of the seed tubers and the site of growth on these relationships were then investigated over 3 years.

Linear relationships between the numbers of stems per tuber and tuber weight accounted for more of the variation in numbers of stems than linear relationships established using tuber shape or sprout measurements. The linear relationships had positive slopes and intercepts, showing that small seed tubers produce more stems per unit weight than large seed tubers. There was little evidence of non-linear effects.

On average over all treatments, using ten plant samples, single linear relationships between above-ground stems and tuber weight accounted for 64 % of the variation in above-ground stems with D6sire'e and 58 % with Maris Piper. When separate regression lines were fitted for each treatment the best models in each variety accounted for about 86 % of the variation in above-ground stems. The best model with Désirée had parallel lines showing that the advantage, in terms of stem production, of small seed over large seed increases in environments favouring stem development. The relationships for each treatment are used to show how the stem density established can vary when planting tubers at the recommended spacing.

Seed tubers of comparable weight, planted at different sites, gave different numbers of stems suggesting that the optimum spacing may vary from one site to another.

It is suggested that breeding varieties for yield stability might be aided by selectingfor low variation in the relationship between the number of stems per tuber and tuber weight.
Nutrient relations of winter wheat: 2. Movement of nutrients to the root and their uptake
Authors: Gregory P. J. , Crawford D. V. , McGowan M.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this work was to determine the relative importance of mass flow and diffusion in supplying nutrients to wheat plants and to calculate nutrient uptake rates by roots (inflow). Winter wheat was grown in the field and measurements of plant Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, S and N contents, root length, plant water uptake and soil solution concentration made at regular intervals during growth. The apparent contribution of mass flow to plant uptake of nutrients between mid- April and mid-June was greater than the measured plant uptake for sodium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur (14, 9, 2 and 4 times respectively); however, only 50 % of the measured plant uptake of nitrogen and potassium and 5% of the phosphorus was supplied in this way. There were some 7 day periods when mass flow was able to supply the measured uptake of nitrogen and potassium, and it is possible that for these nutrients the importance of mass flow and diffusion may change during growth. Mean inflows (uptake in mol/cm root/sec) were calculated from sowing until mid- June. Inflow decreased for all nutrients from high initial values to low values during the winter and rose again in mid-April and May before falling in June. The increase in inflow in mid-April was concomitant with increased shoot growth but the precise factors controlling plant demand for nutrients and uptake in the field are still ill-defined.
A survey of the follicle populations in a range of British breeds of sheep
Authors: Ryder M. L. , Padfield D. G. , Bell R. M.
Published: March 2009

Details are given of the S/P follicle ratios of a number of British breeds of sheep. These are discussed in relation to the figures of different authors for other breeds. Figures are given for the incidence of fibre shedding and follicle abnormalities, and evidence is presented which suggests that, at any rate in British breeds, follicles are formed after birth and it is suggested that the number formed may be roughly constant in all breeds. There is an appendix describing statistical treatment of the question of follicle competition.
Agronomic assessment of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in a warm-temperate semi-arid environment
Authors: Moss Q. I. , Muirhead W. A.
Published: March 2009

The production of green beans was studied in sowings made from December to February, September to February, and from October to February in three seasons, and over six oonsecutive seasons for a mid-season sowing.

With September-October sowing the rate of emergence was slow, and establishment sometimes poor. Possible virus disease, and the lack of continuity of setting pods resulting from cool weather, were problems. Good yields were obtained from midseason sowings (31 October-18 December), up to 19·6 t/ha, with good yields for late sowings up to 13·9 t/ha in ^he first three seasons. In another three seasons mid-season sowings (late November-early December) resulted in poor yield due to periods of hot weather (> 35 °C max.) prior to and during flowering.

There was a relationship between quality and yield. The greatest yield and best quality green pods were obtained when conditions favoured rapid growth and rapid setting of pods, and when there was a high rate of pod maturation.

For yield of dry seed the early sowings were best, 3·6 and 2·8 t/ha in two seasons. A total of 460 mm of water was required for the first six sowings, but fell to 360 mm for the mid-February sowing (rainfall plus irrigation).

Although it was possible to grow beans over a 9-month period the January and early February sowings appeared to be the least risk prone with the present cultivars.
Changes in plasma palmitate specific radioactivity during long-term intravenous infusions of tritiated palmitate into lactating goats
Authors: König Barbara A. , Oldham J. D. , Parker D. S.
Published: March 2009

Vascular injection or infusion of isotopically labelled fatty acids into both ruminant and nonruminant species has been used as a method for determining the entry rate of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) into blood (Bickerstaffe, Annison & Linzell, 1974; Vranic, 1975). Results obtained in this way represent the release of fatty acids from several sources, principally adipose tissue. The predominant labelled end-products from [3H]– and [14C]fatty acid metabolism are water and carbon dioxide respectively. Both these metabolites enter extensive body pools and the label is unlikely to be reincorporated into plasma NEFA during the time course of conventional short-term experiments (2–4 h). During isotope dilution experiments, however, some labelled fatty acid could be incorporated into adipose tissue triacyglycerol (TAG) following synthesis of low-density lipoprotein in the liver. In addition, the contribution of NEFA carbon to endogenous acetate production could result in transfer of 14C in any C, or 8H attached to the C8 position in acetate, from the infused fatty acid to fatty acids synthesized by liver and adipose tissue.
Establishment and growth of sugar beet as affected by seed treatment and fluid drilling
Authors: Longden P. C. , Johnson M. G. , Darby R. J. , Salter P. J.
Published: March 2009

Seed treatments and methods of sowing sugar beet were tested in the laboratory and in field trials in 1975, 1976 and 1977 on a range of soil types including a sand, several loams and a peat.

‘Advancing’ the seed by controlled imbibition of water followed by drying before sowing, gave 2–3 % more emergence. Seedlings appeared 3–4 days earlier and were up to 50 % heavier at the four to six leaf stage, but by final harvest yields of sugar per unit area were similar from advanced and untreated seed. ‘Priming’ in osmotic solutions of salts or polyethylene glycol, to bring all seeds to the point of germination, before drying back and sowing gave inconsistent effects in the field with emergence percentage frequently being below that of the control. Steeping seed in water, aimed at removing germination inhibitors, improved germination and reduced the time to, and duration of, germination when tested in the laboratory but gave poorer results than the untreated control in the field. ‘Chitting’ the seed in the laboratory greatly improved emergence characteristics but treatment effects in the field were very variable. Chitted seeds were sown in carrier gels in the field to try to protect the radicles from damage but seedling establishment was no better from fluid drilling than from normal dry seed sown ‘raw’ or pelleted in clay, even when only chitted seeds were put into the fluid. Possible reasons for this are discussed.

Fluid-drilled seeds consistently gave quicker emergence and larger seedlings. Even when these were 30–50 % heavier, differences had usually become negligible by the end of the average 230 days long growing season, so that sugar yields were not consistently affected by the treatments tested.
Comparison of the action of rumen bacteria on cell walls fromEragrostis tef
Authors: Jane Morris E. , Van Gylswyk N. O.
Published: March 2009

A selection of the hemicellulose-utilizing rumen bacteria isolated by Henning (1979) were partially characterized. These and a number of other cellulolytic organisms were incubatedin vitrowith teff (Eragrostis tef) cell walls, and the extent of solubilization and utilization by the bacteria of individual cell wall sugars was determined. Results were compared with the action of the bacteria on isolated xylan and cellulose.

The cellulolytic rumen bacteria solubilized more of both cellulosic and hemicellulosic sugars in the cell wall than the non-cellulolytic organisms. Bacteria which were unable to solubilize isolated cellulose could also degrade very little of the cell wall cellulose, and this appeared to limit the amount of cell wall hemicellulose which could be attacked.

There was no direct relationship between the extent of degradation of isolated xylan and solubilization of cell wall hemicellulose, but those xylanolytic organisms which produced freely diffusible enzymes (as evidenced by production of clearings in 3 % xylan-agar) were more effective in attacking the cell wall than those which did not.

Examination of thin sections in the electron microscope showed no relationship between attachment of bacteria to the cell walls and ability to degrade them.
Fat cell synthesis in pigs assessed after administration of tritiated thymidine in vivo
Authors: Kirtland Janet , Gurr M. I.
Published: March 2009

The aims of this work were to determine the feasibility of using the incorporation of radio-labelled thymidine into fat cell DNAin vivoas an index of cell division in the adipose tissue of young pigs, and to distinguish between the processes of new cell synthesis and the ‘filling’ of existing ‘empty’ cells.

Five Large White pigs were given tritiated thymidine as follows: two animals were injected at 2 days of age, two at 9 days of age and one at 40 days of age. The animals were killed at different times after the injection and adipose tissue was removed from various sites. The tissue was separated, using collagenase, into ‘fat cell’ and ‘stromal cell’ fractions. The specific (radio)activity of DNA isolated from each fraction was measured.

Fat cell synthesis occurred rapidly in pigs aged between 2 and 40 days of age. It appeared that by 40 days of age the rate of synthesis declined in backfat such that the filling of pre-existing empty fat cells became a more important contributor to the increased mass of adipose tissue than the filling of newly synthesized cells.
Using Suffolk sheep for improving lamb production from subtropical Egyptian sheep
Authors: Aboul A. M. , el-Shobokshy A. S. , Gabr M. G.
Published: March 2009

The performance of Suffolk cross-bred ewe lambs produced either by Suffolk crossbred ewes, 70–90% Suffolk (HS), or by Ossimi ewes, 35–45% Suffolk (LS), was investigated. Forty-three ewe lambs from both groups were available, and were given two different levels of feeding.

The LS ewe lambs showed, insignificantly, better growth performance than the HS group, and breed group differences increased with age. They also reached puberty earlier (305·4v.334·6 days for the HS ewe lambs). Using the HS breeding rams rather than the imported Suffolk ones, for improving lamb production from the local sheep flocks, is recommended.

The LS ewe lambs started their first breeding season 18 days earlier, and ended 34 days later, than the HS ewe lambs. Both cross-bred groups showed clear anoestrous periods of 225·4 and 202·2 days, respectively. The onset of their second breeding season was similar, on average 29 August. These figures are close to those of the purebred Suffolk ewes, and far away from the nonseasonal local parents.
Growth pattern and its effect on feed utilization of sheep
Authors: Murray D. M. , Slezacek Olga
Published: March 2009

The effect of three different growth patterns from 15 to 40 kg live weight on the feed utilization of lambs was studied. The treatments were: high (H) ad-libitum feed intake, low (L) restricted feed intake and high-maintenance-high (HMH) ad-libitum feed intake from 15 to 25 kg followed by a 50-day period during which live weight was maintained constant, which in turn was followed by ad-libitum feeding. Animals were individually penned and fed a pelleted lucerne chaff-cereal grain mixture. Intakes of pellets were converted to digestible organic matter (DOM) using the results of in-vitro digestion studies. Two animals were killed at the start of the experiment (15 kg) and the remaining 27 animals (nine in each treatment) were killed at common live weights of 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg.

A marked reduction was observed during weight stasis at 25 kg in the amount of DOM required daily by the HMH animals to maintain live weight. Despite marked compensatory growth by the HMH animals which were rehabilitated after the period of weight stasis, DOM intakes were similar in both these HMH animals and a corresponding number of H animals over identical live-weight ranges.

Differences between treatments were found in DOM intake per unit live-weight gain (H < HMH < L), empty body-weight gain (H = HMH < L) and carcass weight gain (H < HMH = L) from 15 kg until slaughter. DOM intake was utilized more efficiently for gains of all these components by HMH animals during compensatory growth compared with H animals over the same live-weight ranges.

DOM intakes were related to energy gains in the carcass both for all animals in each treatment from 15 kg until slaughter, and for the H and HMH animals which were killed at 30, 35 and 40 kg from 25 kg. Comparisons of these data showed treatment differences in the efficiency of DOM conversion to carcass energy (H > HMH > L) and that DOM was utilized no more efficiently by HMH animals during compensatory growth than by H animals over identical live-weight ranges.

It is concluded that the increased efficiency of utilization of DOM for carcass gain during compensatory growth was due to changes in carcass composition during the period of weight stasis.
The effect of row orientation, date and latitude on light absorption by row crops
Authors: Mutsaers H. J. W.
Published: March 2009

A model study of light absorption by rectangular hedgerows with different row orientations was made.

The effect of row orientation on daily light absorption is greatest around 25° latitude. North–south orientation gives highest absorption for most of the year near the equator. At higher latitudes, up to 55°, absorption is highest with N–S orientation during the summer months and with E–W orientations for the rest of the year, but the magnitude of the difference between orientations decreases with increasing latitude. From 65° upwards, E–W orientation gives highest absorption all the year round, but the difference among orientations is minor. The effect of orientation will be smaller as cloudiness is greater.

The results of this study are wholly consistent with yield differences due to different orientations, reported in the literature.
The interaction between environment and level of feeding for pigs from weaning to bacon weight
Authors: Lucas I. A. M. , Calder A. F. C.
Published: March 2009

1. The rates of growth and efficiencies of food conversion between 45 and 100 lb. live weight of pigs kept to a low plane of feeding were most adversely affected during the winter months by bad housing conditions, wherein the average air temperature was 43° F. On the other hand, this bad housing had no adverse effect upon pigs of a similar size kept to a high plane of feeding.

2. The summer season, with consequently higher environmental temperatures in both good and bad piggeries, only had a significantly beneficial effect upon the rates and efficiencies of growth of pigs of 45–100 lb. live weight kept to a low plane of feeding in a bad piggery. Any effects upon the growth of pigs of similar size kept to a high plane of feeding in either a good or bad piggery or to a low plane of feeding in a good piggery did not approach statistical significance.

3. There was probably some environmental factor other than air temperature or relative humidity which had a beneficial effect on the growth of the pigs kept to a low plane of feeding in the good piggery.

4. It was observed, but not proved, that pigs of 100–200 lb. live weight kept to a high plane of feeding grew rather more efficiently in the bad house than in the good house, despite the higher environmental temperatures in the good house.

5. During the growth period between 45 and 100 lb. live weight the efficiency of food conversion, expressed in pounds t.d.n. required per pound liveweight increase, was better in the well-housed pigs kept to the low plane of feeding than in the highplane pigs housed in either piggery.

6. During the growth period between 100 and 200 lb. live weight the efficiency of food conversion of the well-housed low-plane pigs was significantly better than that for the well-housed high-plane pigs, but was not significantly better than the efficiency of food conversion of the high-plane pigs from the bad piggery.
The pre-natal development of follicle population in the Romney lamb
Authors: Ryder M. L.
Published: March 2009

Previous studies on the development of follicle population in relation to the growth of the fleece have, except for the Merino, been mostly post-natal. The pre-natal study of follicle development in some British sheep by Wildman (1932) was mainly qualitative, as also was the work of Carter (1943) in the Merino. The latter study was, however, followed by some numerical work on the same breed (Carter & Hardy, 1947). Figures were given for the follicle density per unit area and the ratio of the number of secondary follicles to the number of primaries at different ages. The present study therefore helps to fill a gap in our knowledge by considering numerically the pre-natal stages of development in the English Romney, a breed which is important in the northern hemisphere and which might be considered to be comparable with the Romney of the southern hemisphere.
Slaughter losses and yield of Wiltshire bacon
Authors: King J. W. B.
Published: March 2009

A study has been made of variations in the shrinkage from the live pig to the carcass and from the carcass to the side of Wiltshire bacon. Most of the variation occurs at the first stage when the losses have a variance of 17·67 lb. compared with only 4·59 lb. and the second stage. Similarly, breed differences were found at the first stage, Wessex and Essex pigs giving 1·1 and 2·7 lb. more carcass respectively than the Large White pigs, but not at the second stage. On the other hand, differences between litter groups were found at both stages.

Correlations made between carcass measurements and yield of carcass and bacon were generally found to be small and positive. Antagonisms were indicated between quantity and quality of bacon, in particular by positive correlations between thickness of back-fat and weight of carcass, and between a desirable proportion of cuts and losses on slaughter. The problem of deciding the relative attention which should be paid to various carcass characteristics is discussed and the need for an index of total carcass merit is pointed out.
Investigations in the Triticinae III. The morphology and field behaviour of theA2generation of interspecific and intergeneric amphidiploids
Authors: Bell G. D. H. , Lupton Mary , Riley Ralph
Published: March 2009

1. In general the juvenile growth of interspecificTriticumand intergenericTritioum-Aegilopsamphidiploids, was normal and did not deviate from the parental behaviour. However, in the case of the interspecific hexaploids derived fromT. monococcumandT. aegilopoidesthere was an early check in growth, and all the amphidiploids derived fromA. caudatadeveloped more or less severe chlorosis.

2. Most amphidiploids were intermediate between their parents in mature plant characters. However, in the hexaploidTriticuminterspecific amphidiploids there was a transgressive increase in plant height, and whilst the derivatives ofTriticum x Aegilopscrosses fell within the range of their parents, they were closer to one or other parent depending upon theAegilopsspecies involved.

3. The ear morphology of theTriticuminterspecific amphidiploid was generally a composite of that of the parents, the influence of each parent being detectable. In theTriticum-Aegilopsamphidiploids, however, ear morphology was so strongly influenced by theAegilopsspecies, that there was frequently no obvious difference between the ears of amphidiploids with a commonAegilopsparent but different wheat parents.

4. The fertility of the amphidiploids was low and there was no significant correlation between the fertility of amphidiploids and parents. There was a significant correlation between both the grain weight, and number of spikelets per ear, in parents and amphidiploids, but whilst the mean grain weight was about that of the parent with the heavier grain, the mean of spikelets per ear was about that of the parent with the fewer spikelets.
Flower and pod production inPhaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Binnie R. C. , Clifford P. E.
Published: March 2009

A series of glasshouse and growth-cabinet experiments were carried out to investigate aspects of flower and pod production inPhaseolus vulgarisL. (French bean). Abscission of flowers and immature pods varied between 45 and 80% in the seven cultivars tested, with flowers which opened first being most likely to produce mature pods. Seed yield was only slightly reduced and sometimes increased by the removal of opened flowers for periods of up to 15 days from the start of anthesis depending on the conditions under which plants are grown. It was demonstrated that plants compensated for flower removal by setting pods from flowers which opened later. Similarly, when opened flowers were removed from alternate nodes plants compensated by setting pods from flowers which opened on nodes not being deflowered.

The physiological basis for premature abscission of reproductive structures in grain legumes is discussed.
Induction of pregnancy in lactating anoestrous ewes
Authors: Boland M. P. , Crosby T. F. , Gordon I.
Published: March 2009

Efforts have been made to control the oestrous cycle of ewes so that breeding can be induced at most times of the year (Gordon, 1963, 1975; Cognie, Hernandez-Barreto & Saumande, 1975; Smith, Boland & Gordon, 1981). Despite a high oestrous response, conception rates have generally been low in lactating anoestrous ewes (Hunter, 1968; Land & McClelland, 1971; Cognie et al. 1975; Shevah, Black & Land, 1975). The ability to achieve conception in post-partum ewes appears to be related to season, breed and lactational status (Cognie et al. 1975; Evans & Robinson, 1980; Rhind et al. 1980). Early research has shown that conception rates of 90% can be achieved in Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes using exogenous hormones, early weaning and artificial lighting (Robinson, Fraser & McHattie, 1975). Subsequent studies have shown that similar results can be obtained under natural daylight conditions provided that each ewe received pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at the time of sponge withdrawal (Fraser el al. 1976). Some breeds of sheep may be induced to lamb at 6-month intervals, when maintained under ideal conditions including artificial lighting (Evans & Robinson, 1980). There seems to be some conflict in the literature as to factors affecting conception rate in ewes. Kann & Martinet (1975) have shown that it is the problem of suckling rather than lactation that is responsible for the delay in return to normal reproductive activity. It has been shown that luteinizing hormone (LH) release is quantitatively less in lactating than in cyclic ewes (Cognie & Pelletier, 1976; Evans, 1980). Also the pattern of LH production has been shown to differ in ewes conceiving and those which fail to conceive (Rhind et al. 1980). Cognie & Pelletier (1976) have suggested that in lactating ewes, a proportion of eggs are shed abnormally late in relation to the LH surge and may not be fertilized. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate some of the factors which may influence the induction of pregnancy in nursing ewes in the non-breeding season.
Leaf Area as a Factor in Disease Assessment
Authors: Lim L. G. , Gaunt R. E.
Published: March 2009

Recently it has become evident that the estimates of crop losses by biotic and abiotic agents are not adequate for present-day requirements. With the increasing awareness of the need for more accurate and reliable crop loss estimates within both administrative and scientific disciplines, there has been an enhanced interest in the precision of disease measurement.
Whole body composition of heifers in relation to phosphorus status with particular reference to the skeleton
Authors: Hoey W. A. , Murphy G. M. , Gartner R. J. W.
Published: March 2009

The carcass composition of phosphorus-deficient heifers of lower body weight was similar toad libitumand restricted-fed controls supplemented daily with an extra 12 g phosphorus. The skeleton of heifers fed a phosphorus deficient diet for 63 weeks contained 18·8% less ash than restricted-fed controls given an extra 12 g phosphorus daily, but not less thanad libitumfed controls. Supplements of phosphorus and energy had different effects on the weights and concentration of bone minerals in skeletal components. A phosphorus supplement increased deposition of phosphorus in head, feet and tail, limbs and vertebrae and increased phosphorus concentration in head, feet and tail, vertebrae, ribs 1–5 and ribs 10–13. Extra energy intake slightly increased phosphorus accretion only in ribs 6–9 but had no effect on its concentration in this and other skeletal components. Only one (40 weeks) of the six biopsy samples taken from the cortex of the 11th and 12th ribs during the course of the experiment reflected the effect of uncomplicated phosphorus deficiency. No treatment differences were found in biopsy samples taken at slaughter in spite of differences in rib 10–13 analyses. The implications of this are discussed as they relate to the use of this method to monitor the phosphorus status of cattle.