bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voluntary intake responses of ‘White’ and Meishan cross growing pigs to nutrient dilution
Authors: Gill B. P. , Blanchard P. J. , Chadwick J. P. , Stickney K.
Published: June 2019

Selection for efficiency of lean growth has lead to a marked reduction in fat gain and voluntary food intake (VFI) of modern genotypes. There is concern that future improvements in lean growth rate may be limited by appetite. Moreover, the ability of lean genotypes to adjust their VFI in response to variations in nutrient density is not well known. Such genotypes may fail to compensate their intake in response to marginal reductions in nutrient density, which could affect growth performance. The aim was to evaluate the VFI and growth performance of ‘White’ and Meishan cross growing pigs in response to incremental reductions in dietary energy content.
Investigation into methodologies of the ‘standard’ human approach test for sows
Authors: Forde R. M. , Marchant J. N. , Spoolder H. A. M.
Published: June 2019

The ‘standard’ human approach test has been used extensively since the early 1980's to assess fear responses in most farmed species. However, in recent years, there has been considerable debate questioning its efficacy given the short duration of the familiarisation period and the suitability of the location of the testing environment, i.e. the home pen versus a novel arena (Pedersen, 1997). It is possible that the test simply reflects an animal's level of motivation to explore the novel arena and any novel objects therein rather than a specific response to the presence of a human. This work addresses both the length of acclimatisation period and the location of the test arena.
The influence of parity on lactational oestrus in a multisuckling system for sows
Authors: Rigat J. , Edwards S.A. , English P.R.
Published: June 2019

The occurrence of ovulation in the sow after parturition is usually inhibited for the duration of suckling. A system of management in which lactating sows are mated and conceive, therefore routinely commencing a successful pregnancy concurrent with lactation, would obviate the need for early weaning of piglets and promote adoption of economic systems incorporating more extensive lactation housing. Previous studies have shown that first parity sows rarely show ovulation during lactation when group-housed in multisuckling systems with multiparous sows, and suggested that reduced food intake through social competition and/or higher suckling intensity were responsible for this (Hulten, 1997). The object of this experiment was to investigate, in a more controlled way, the factors contributing to this parity effect by removing the possibility of social interactions between primiparous and multiparous sows, and investigating possible dietary influences within parity.
The acquisition of IgG from colostrum by piglets
Authors: Bland I. M. , Rooke J. A. , Bland V. C. , Sinclair A.G. , Edwards S. A.
Published: June 2019

An adequate intake of colostrum by the newborn piglet allows the piglet to acquire passive immunity and develop active immunity. Many studies have looked at the uptake of IgG by piglets in artificial situations rather than by natural suckling. Therefore we investigated the uptake of IgG by piglets whilst suckling naturally and estimated the time of gut closure.

A total of 8 multiparous sows (Newsham - Large White x Landrace) were induced to farrow on day 114 of gestation. Colostrum/milk was sampled, using oxytocin where necessary, at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24h and 2, 5 and 7 days after farrowing. Female piglets (average 3 per litter) were fitted with umbilical catheters to allow blood sampling at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 48h; samples were taken at 5 and 7 days of age by venepuncture.
Differences in meat quality and the calpain enzyme system in pigs supplied by 4 different commercial production units
Authors: Sensky P.L. , Parr T. , Scothern G.P. , Bardsley R.G. , Buttery P.J. , Wood J.D. , Warkup C. C.
Published: June 2019

The calpain enzyme system plays an important role in the proteolytic events leading to the conversion of muscle to meat in livestock species. Evidence in beef has shown that the levels of calpastatin, the inhibitory component of the system, measured 24 h after slaughter can be used to predict the degree of tenderisation achieved at the end of the normal conditioning period (Koohmaraieet al., 1995). In pigs there is now evidence that calpastatin levels measured within the first hour of slaughter correlate with tenderness measured after conditioning (Senskyet al., 1998). In this study we report differences in the calpain system in pigs supplied by four different commercial production units who supplied pigs with predominantly tough (A and B below) or tender meat (C and D below) in a previous study (Senskyet al., 1998).
Genotype by nutrition interactions from Langhill dairy cows in three lactations
Authors: Pryce J.E. , Simm G. , Veerkamp R.F. , Oldham J.D.
Published: June 2019

The economic pressures on the dairy industry may force more farmers to consider reducing the amount of concentrates fed to cows in order to keep costs down. We have been testing whether the long-term performance of daughters of sires progeny tested in high concentrate systems maintain their advantage over cows of average genetic merit when managed in a lower input feeding system. This paper extends the scope of our initial report (Chalmers et al., 1997) and includes data on reproductive performance.

Data were from Holstein-Friesian cows managed at the Langhill Dairy Cattle Research Centre. Sires of the Selection (S) line are among the highest available in the UK for predicted transmitting abilities of weight of fat plus protein (PTA F+P). Sires of Control (C) line cows are about UK average for PTA F+P.
Choice feeding of mid lactation dairy cows offered different levels of effective rumen degradable protein concentrate and grass silage ad libitum
Authors: Lawson R E , Forbes J.M.
Published: June 2019

At a specific digestible ERDP content the diet of an individual cow will be correctly balanced. When the cow is offered two foods, one in excess of predicted requirements for ERDP, the other deficient in ERDP for the predicted level of production, then the cow has the opportunity to select a diet, which exactly meets her requirements for ERDP assuming it meets the predicted milk yield. The aim of this experiment was to examine if lactating dairy cows can choose a level of ERDP concentrate appropriate to their requirements.

Twenty four mid lactation, Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used for this experiment. The experiment was of latin square design and repeated measures analysis was used in SAS. They were fed grass silage (DM, 295g/kg; CP, 175g/kgDM; 11.5MJ/kgDM) ad libitum via the LUCIFIR (Leeds University Individual Feed Intake Recorder) system which enabled all meals to be recorded.
A comparison of the prediction of intake and milk yield in high yielding dairy cows using either the UK rationing system or the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System
Authors: Mansbridge R J , Blake J S , Bending I
Published: June 2019

While the current UK Metabolisable Energy (ME) and Metabolisable Protein (MP) systems (AFRC, 1993) form the basis of diet formulation for ruminants in the UK, they are thought to have a number of serious deficiencies. Consequently, there has been increasing interest in other approaches such as the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) (Fox et al., 1992) which estimates the effect of feeds on rumen substrate pools within a rumen sub-model. To examine the value of CNCPS to UK dairy farmers, this study compared measured performance against values predicted by CNCPS or the current UK ME/MP model.
The occurrence of conjugated linoleic acid in the milk of dairy cows
Authors: Lock A.L. , Garnsworthy P.C.
Published: June 2019

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a group of positional and geometric isomers (cis/trans-9-11 or cis/trans-10-12) of linoleic acid (cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic acid). CLA is formed in the rumen by the anaerobic bacteria Butyrivibrio fibrivsolvens as an intermediate step in biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids. CLA has recently gained considerable attention due to its anticarcinogenic and antioxidative properties (Belury, 1995). Therefore, it may be desirable to increase the level of CLA in milk as a health benefit in human nutrition. The concentration of CLA in milk fat and milk products has been reported to vary considerably (Lin et al, 1995). However little work has been conducted under UK conditions. The objective of this work was to study changes in CLA content of cows’ milk throughout the year and investigate the influence of various performance measures on CLA content and yield.
Influence of ammonia concentration on [15N]ammonia uptake andde novosynthesis of different amino acids by mixed rumen microorganisms from the sheep rumenin vitro
Authors: Atasoglu C. , Newbold C.J. , Wallace R.J.
Published: June 2019

Ammonia is thought to be the main source of nitrogen for protein synthesis by the rumen microorganisms, but peptides and amino acids derived from protein degradation are also incorporated into microbial protein. Recent experiments carried out by Atasogluet al.(1998) demonstrated that preformed amino acids decrease the uptake of ammonia into microbial protein and microbial amino acids in a concentration-dependent manner. However, little is known about how rumen ammonia concentrations affect ammonia uptake into microbial protein. The present study was undertaken to determine the influence of rumen ammonia concentrations on ammonia incorporation andde novosynthesis of individual amino acids by the mixed rumen microorganismsin vitro.
The prediction of methane production in dairy and beef cattle offered grass silage-based diets
Authors: Yan T. , Agnew R. E. , Gordon F. J. , Porter M. G.
Published: June 2019

A number of equations for predicting methane energy output (CH4-E) in ruminants have been published since 1930. However the data used to develop these equations were collected from diets containing mainly dried or high dry matter (DM) forages, rather than low DM heavily fermented grass silages. Since 1992 a number of calorimetric studies have been carried out with growing and lactating cattle offered grass-silage based diets at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. The objective of the present study was to use these data to develop new relationships between CH4-E output and animal and dietary factors.
Characterization and comparison of the lipids of the epidermis of the equine hoof wall and sole
Authors: Grant E , Scaife J R , Birnie M.
Published: June 2019

Lameness is a major economic and welfare issue in horses and cattle. Many factors contribute to the cause of lameness. The composition of hoof horn is one of the factors which determines the integrity and strength of the cornified epidermis of the wall and sole. Although keratins are an important component of hoof horn, other constituents such as lipids also contribute to the functional and structural integrity of the horn. In only one study has any attempt been made to quantify the major lipid classes in the equine hoof (Wertz and Downing, 1984).The objective of this study was to characterise the lipid composition of equine hoof horn.
The incidence of lameness in a group of dairy herds in England
Authors: Kossaibati M.A. , Esslemont R.J.
Published: June 2019

Lameness causes significant economic losses and serious welfare problems in dairy cows. Surveys carried out in the UK since 1960 have produced different results. In a recent survey (1989/1991) the annual incidence of lameness was put at 54.6 limb cases per 100 cows. The objective of the present survey was to measure the incidence of lameness, and type of lesions involved, in a group of typical UK herds using the Dairy Information System (DAISY).

A survey was carried out using computer based dairy cow records from 17 DAISY sites (veterinary practices and farms) in southern England. Lameness records from over 150 herds were examined for lameness cases (treated by the vet or farmer) recorded between July 1995 and June 1996. Data reliability was checked via personal contacts with veterinary surgeons involved with these herds. Data for the survey were finally derived from 50 Holstein/Friesian herds (average herd size 150 cows).
The effect of ‘flavour imprinting’ on the acceptability of solid food in weanling rats
Authors: Day J. E. L. , Randall E. A. J. , Sibly R. M.
Published: June 2019

Weaning is associated with a dramatic change in the nutritional status of young animals, and many neonates experience a lag in their normal trajectory of growth post-weaning because they have little experience of ingesting solid food. In the wild, animals are able to learn which foods are ‘safe’ through the mammary transfer of volatile flavours present in the maternal diet. This mechanism could be harnessed in a commercial environment by the use of flavour imprinting, a technique where a characteristic flavour is included both in the maternal and weanling's diet (for pilot data see Campbell, 1976). The use of this method could be associated with considerable increases in the profitability of animal production, however, the whole area is poorly understood. The objective of this experiment was to enhance our understanding of the effect of flavour imprinting on the acceptability of solid food, and hence our ability to predict the diet selection and food intake of newly weaned animals.
Relationship between plasma leptin concentration and reproductive function in dairy cows
Authors: Mann GE , Blache D
Published: June 2019

In modern dairy cows, poor fertility is an ever-increasing problem. Milk progesterone analysis has revealed that this poor fertility is associated with a high incidence of reproductive cycle problems during the post partum period and with reduced progesterone secretion following mating. One of the likely causes of these problems is the increasing metabolic demand placed on these cows by increasing milk yield. In recent years, the search for an endocrine link between nutritional status and reproductive function has focussed on leptin. The aim of the present study was to determine whether plasma concentrations of leptin differ between cows with and without post partum reproductive problems and to determine if any relationship exists between plasma leptin and post mating plasma progesterone concentration.
Successful lactation in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice
Authors: Knight C. H. , Ong E. , Vernon R.G. , Sorensen A.
Published: June 2019

Mice lacking a functional leptin gene (ob/ob) are obese and sterile. Treatment with exogenous leptin will restore fertility and allow full-term pregnancy, but when leptin is withdrawn at parturition the young die, apparently as a result of total lactation failure (Chehab et al., 1996). From this one could hypothesise that leptin is an essential requirement for mammary development and/or initiation of milk secretion. Since a few of the mice used in this work were subsequently able to rear pups following a second pregnancy and parturition, we decided to re-examine this hypothesis.
Leptin is a signal of adiposity in fetuses of pregnant ewes fed at or above maintenance energy requirements
Authors: Mühlhäusler BS , Roberts CT , McFarlane JR , Kauter KG , McMillen IC
Published: June 2019

In the adult, circulating leptin concentrations are dependent on body fat content and on current nutrient intake. Whilst leptin concentrations in umbilical cord blood correlate with fetal adiposity in the human neonate, it is unknown whether leptin acts as a signal of fat mass before birth or whether changes in maternal nutrient intake alter plasma leptin concentrations in the fetus. We have therefore investigated the relationship between fetal plasma leptin concentrations and fetal fat mass in pregnant ewes fed at or above maintenance energy requirements.
Influence of dietary fatty acids on the fatty acid composition of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen in the milk fed calf
Authors: Muturi K.N. , Birnie M. , Wallace M. , Struthers J. , Scaife J. R. , Lomax M.A.
Published: June 2019

Dietary fatty acids have been shown to affect the activity of the immune system in a variety of species through eicosanoid dependent or independent mechanisms (Miles 1998, Calder 2001). MLN and spleen are lymphoid tissues which play a key role in the immune function. Changing the fatty acid composition of these tissues could change the profile of eicosanoid produced by immune cells in these tissues and this could alter the immune response. This study was carried out to establish the extent to which different oil supplements could change the fatty acid composition of MLN and spleen in milk fed calves.
The effects of including ruminally protected lipid in the diet of Charolais steers on animal performance, carcass quality and the fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle
Authors: Scollan N.D. , Gulati S. , Hallett K.G. , Wood J.D. , Enser M.
Published: June 2019

Increasing the ratio polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acids (P:S) in beef muscle by nutrition is hampered by the high levels of ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Effective ruminal protection of dietary fatty acids, such as that provided by encapsulation of PUFA in formaldehyde-treated protein may ameliorate this situation. This study evaluated the effects of including in the diet a ruminally protected lipid supplement (PLS), containing linoleic (C18:2) and α -linolenic (C18:3) acids, on the fatty acid composition of the m. longissimus.
Dairy cow performance in relation to the combination of cow height and condition score
Authors: Pollott G. E. , Wicks H. F. , Leaver J. D.
Published: June 2019

The increased use of Holstein genes in the British dairy herd led to the replacement of Friesian cows with the taller, thinner Holstein type. The objective of this study was to use measurements of cow height (Ht) at withers and average body condition score throughout lactation (ACS), to investigate their relationship with commercial herd performance.
The influence of grass height on bite dimensions of horses
Authors: Naujeck A. , Hill J.
Published: June 2019

The management and maintenance of swards grazed by horses is known to be a difficult task. In a short period of time (2 to 3 weeks) pastures used for horse grazing develop patches of bare ground, short grass and areas which horses refuse to graze because of faecal contamination. Bite depth and bite area are important in determining the effects of grazing on the vegetation. The dimensions of the bite have been investigated in cattle (Ungaret al., 1999), sheep and goats (Concha, 2000), but not horses. The interaction of the horse with the pasture surface is poorly understood but important to improve management and maintenance of areas grazed by horses. The study reported examines the influence of grass height on bite dimensions, i.e. bite depth, bite volume and bite area of the horse at grazing.
Voluntary feed intake, apparent digestibilities and nutritive values in ponies given ad libitum access to complete pelleted diets containing different levels of unmolassed sugar beet pulp
Authors: Hyslop J. J.
Published: June 2019

Previous work has indicated that unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP) may suppress voluntary feed intake (VFI) in ponies when offered as the major component; but not when offered as a relatively minor component of the diet (Hyslop et al, 1998, 1999). However, critical levels of USBP inclusion in equine diets remain to be established. This study examines VFI, in vivo apparent digestibilities and nutritive values in ponies offered pelleted complete diets containing USBP at inclusion levels between 0 – 800 g/kg dry matter (DM).
Effect of leaving piglets in the farrowing rooms post-weaning and mixing pre-weaning on piglet performance
Authors: Allen M. J. , Stewart A. H. , Mackenzie A. M.
Published: June 2019

The stress caused by weaning piglets is known to have a serious detrimental effect causing a growth check, increased aggression leading to skin lesions and reducing future performance potential. Previous work (Allen et al., 2000) has shown that mixing piglets pre-weaning can improve post-weaning performance and reduce skin lesions caused by fighting without detrimental affects on pre-weaning performance and behaviour. The aim of this experiment was to assess the effect of changing the post-weaning environment on piglet performance.
Estimation of genetic variation in plasma leptin concentrations in pre-pubertal heifers
Authors: Royal M.D. , Flint A.P.F. , Webb R. , Blache D , Woolliams J.A.
Published: June 2019

Leptin is involved in the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure and whole body energy balance. In livestock species these processes are important for optimisation of growth, reproduction, lactation and overall health and well-being. Condition score is a useful indicator of energy balance and is highly correlated (-0.84) genetically to commencement of luteal activity (CLA), an endocrine measurement of fertility in dairy cattle (Royal et al., submitted). Circulating leptin levels drop post-partum reflecting changes in energy balance and fat mobilisation. The interval to first ovulation post-partum is phenotypically correlated (0.83) to the interval from parturition to the leptin nadir (Kadokawa et al. 2000), suggesting that a delay in the recovery of leptin secretion postpartum increases the delay to first ovulation. The heritability of circulating leptin concentrations in humans and pigs is high (0.39-0.61; Cameron et al., 2000; Rotimi et al., 1997). If this were also the case in cattle, and postpartum changes were related to concentrations at an early age, then it would be of immense value to the genetic improvement of traits associated with fertility.
Lactation induces hypoleptinaemia and activates orexigenic hypothalamic pathways in sheep
Authors: Sorensen A. , Adam C.L. , Findlay P. , Marie M. , Vernon R.G.
Published: June 2019

The initial period of lactation in domestic ruminants is usually characterised by both hyperphagia and negative energy balance (Barber et al, 1997). The factors regulating the hyperphagia of lactation are not well understood. Leptin is a peptide hormone which is secreted by adipocytes, and which acts on a number of neuropeptides and receptors in the hypothalamus to regulate appetite and energy balance (Spiegelman and Flier, 2001). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of leptin in the hyperphagia of lactation in sheep.
Effects of crossbred ewe genotype and ram genotype on lamb meat quality from the lowland sheep flock
Authors: Dawson L.E.R. , Carson A.F. , Moss B.W.
Published: June 2019

Ewe and ram genotype have been shown to have a significant effect on carcass quality. For example, Dawson and Carson (2001) demonstrated that lambs from Bluefaced Leicester X Blackface ewes were of poorer conformation than lambs from the Texel X Blackface, Suffolk X Cheviot or Texel Cheviot ewes while high lean growth index sired lambs had an improved conformation compared with lambs sired by non-recorded rams. Recent work has shown that genotype can have significant effects on the meat quality of lambs from hill sheep systems (Carson et al. 2001). Therefore the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of ewe and ram genotype from the lowland sector on meat quality.
Predicting inbreeding using markers and long-term genetic contributions
Authors: Hernandez-Sanchez J. , Haley C. S. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: June 2019

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) are chromosomal regions containing genes causing variation in continuous traits. Two alleles are Identical-By-Descent (IBD) if they are copies of the same original allele. For each point on a chromosome, it is possible to predict IBD probabilities among individuals given a pedigree and marker information and use them to map QTLs in farmed species. Pedigree founders can either be assumed unrelated (George et al. 2000) or related through distant common ancestors (Meuwissen and Goddard 2000). The relationship among founders was estimated through simulating the history of a model population. Linking the current population with original ancestors, without a pedigree, is central to the theory of long-term genetic contributions (Bijma 2000). Hence, in the light of this theory, it should be possible to deterministically predict IBD relationships among pedigree founders. A first step towards this objective was predicting inbreeding (F) within each animal at a chromosomal location.
Comparison of available and required metabolisable energy (ME) resources for livestock during winter in an agro-pastoral system of the Hindu Kush – Himalayan region of Pakistan
Authors: Abdur R. , Duncan A.J. , Gordon I.J. , Wright I. A. , Miller D.W. , Frutos P. , Atiq R.
Published: June 2019

The semi-arid Hindu-Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan region of Pakistan covers 72,000 sq km with a rainfall of 100-400 mm per year5. Limited arable land and water scarcity have made subsistence farming the dominant agro-pastoral farming system. Each household keeps a range of ruminant livestock species such as goats, cattle, sheep, donkeys and yaks their proportion in the herd are 0.53, 0.23, 0.19, 0.03 and 0.02 respectively. In winter, livestock are confined and stall-fed on stored roughages or grazed on marginal lands and fallow agricultural fields close to the villages. The aim of this study was to quantify nutritional inputs in terms of metabolisable energy resources, and to compare these with ME requirements of the animals for maintenance over winter.
Sheep productivity in private flocks in Kazakstan
Authors: Wright I.A. , Malmakov N.I.
Published: June 2019

During the Soviet era, state or collective farms on the rangelands of Kazakstan moved livestock between winter, spring, summer and autumn pastures in different ecological zones. By the end of the Soviet era, livestock production was still based partly on the traditional migratory system, but had become heavily dependent on supplementary winter feed over the harsh winters. When the majority of former state and collective farms became cooperatives in the mid 1990s, they retained the same management structure, but individuals became members of the cooperatives or had the right to a share of the assets (e.g. livestock, machinery, access to land) and become private farmers. Many individuals, who remained cooperative members and are not private farmers, still keep private livestock. There are, in addition, an increasing number of private farmers. Most flock owners cannot now afford to follow a four-season migratory system of sheep management nor to obtain sufficient winter feed of good quality. Small-scale flock owners with less than about one hundred sheep lack the resources (e.g. family labour, transport) to move animals the long distance between the different pastures. There has been a large decrease in sheep numbers and there is now excess pasture in all ecological zones, as many sheep now spend the whole year within 10 km of the home village or private farm. However they need to be supplied with winter fodder since the vegetation ceases to grow in autumn and is often covered in snow from December to March. The aim of the present study was to determine current management practices and their effects on sheep productivity.
Farmers’ evaluation of five technologies that enhance sheep productivity in West Asia
Authors: Thomson E.F. , Martini A.M. , Tutwiler R.
Published: June 2019

Attempts to improve the productivity of farm animals in developing countries have often been thwarted by the inappropriateness of the technologies to the conditions in the recipient countries. The reasons for the successes and failures are numerous, among them the degree of participation of the client farmers testing technologies, government policy, the strengths of the extension service and the prices of inputs and outputs. A study was conducted between 1990 and 1995 in Iraq, Jordan and Syria that aimed to assess the potential for adoption of a number of technologies which were known to improve sheep productivity. The technologies were tested at the farm level under the supervision of researchers in the three national programs.
Investigating temperament traits in cattle for quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification
Authors: Ball N. , Haskell M.J. , Williams J.L. , Deag J.M.
Published: June 2019

Farm animals show individual variation in their behavioural responses to handling and management systems on farms. These behavioural responses are presumed to reflect underlying temperament traits such as fear or aggression. Information about the location of genes that influence temperament traits could be used in selective breeding programmes to improve animal welfare, as selection for desirable behavioural responses would increase the ability of animals to cope with stressors encountered on farms. The aims of this study were to obtain reliable temperament measurements in cattle using behavioural tests, and to use this data to localise the genes (quantitative trait loci) that are involved in such traits.

Behavioural data obtained in temperament tests must be shown to reflect underlying traits by demonstrating intra-animal repeatability, inter-animal variability and validity. The objectives of this experiment were i) to carry out four behaviour tests on a group of heifers, and examine the repeatability, variability and validity of the results obtained; ii) to correlate the behavioural data with genotyping data from a large number of heifers to look for associations between behavioural phenotypes and genetic markers. Associations localise quantitative trait loci (QTLs), or regions of the genome, that are involved in these traits.
The qualitative assessment of pig behaviour using Repertory Grid Technique
Authors: Grajfoner D. , Wemelsfelder F. , Austin E.
Published: June 2019

Most studies which provide qualitative assessments of animal behaviour use prefixed lists of adjectives (e.g. shy, bold, interested). However,Wemelsfelder et al. (2000, 2001), using Free-Choice-Profiling (FCP) methodology, allowed observers to develop their own descriptors for scoring pigs, and found this method to be highly reliable and repeatable. Repertory grid technique (RGT) is a frequently used method in human psychology and resembles FCP. Recently RTG has also been applied to assess personality in chimpanzees (Dutton et al., 1997). The purpose of the present study was to apply RGT to pigs and to correlate obtained pig scores with those previously obtained through FCP.
Individual differences in sociability and the trade-offs made by sheep grazing in a patchy environment
Authors: Sibbald A.M. , Hooper R.J.
Published: June 2019

In a patchy environment, sheep may have to make trade-offs between being close to companions and grazing the preferred vegetation. It has been demonstrated that individual differences in sociability, measured as the tendency to graze close to others in a group, can predict behaviour in a motivational conflict situation (Sibbald et al, 2000). An experiment was carried out, in which sheep with different sociability indices were compared in a test situation which required single animals to move away from the group in order to graze, but where stress due to physical separation was minimised.
The metabolizable protein requirement of the parasitized, lactating ewe
Authors: Houdijk J. G. M. , Kyriazakis I. , Jackson F. , Coop R.L.
Published: June 2019

It has been suggested that periparturient breakdown of immunity to parasites (BIP) has a nutritional basis (Coop and Kyriazakis, 1999). In support of this hypothesis, recent studies have shown that an increased supply of metabolizable protein (MP) reduces the magnitude of periparturient BIP in sheep (Houdijk et al., 2001). Improved MP supply to ewes, infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, has been associated with reduced nematode egg excretion and smaller worm burdens. These immunity indicators may differ in their sensitivity to changes in MP supply. This hypothesis has been addressed in the current doses-response experiment, which also allowed us to estimate the MP requirements of parasitized, lactating, twin-rearing ewes. The latter can be expected to be larger than those of non-parasitized ewes, due to MP requirements for mounting an immune response and for replenishing protein losses.
The effect of rearing regime on the development of the mammary gland and claw abnormalities in high genetic merit Holstein-Friesian dairy herd replacements
Authors: Carson A.F. , Dawson L.E.R. , Wylie A.R.G , Gordon F.J.
Published: June 2019

Feeding and management during the rearing period has a major effect on the subsequent performance and welfare of dairy herd replacements. Recently, Carson et al. (2000) found that increasing the live weight of high genetic merit Holstein Friesian heifers from 540 to 620 kg at first calving increased first lactation milk yield by 11%. Mammary growth is a major determinant of milk yield capacity and longevity of lactation and may be the primary driver behind the observed increases in milk production with larger heifers. The first objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of rearing regime, in terms of diet offered and target weight at 18 months of age, on mammary gland development of high genetic merit Holstein-Friesian heifers. The second objective of this study was to investigate the effect of rearing regime on solear haemorrhages and heel erosions in Holstein-Friesian heifers.
Enhancement of the ability of the porcine colonic microflora to resist colonisation by Salmonella poona, in an in vitro intestinal simulation
Authors: Hillman K.
Published: June 2019

The ability of the porcine intestinal microflora to resist the establishment of pathogenic bacteria has been demonstrated previously (Hillman et al, 1994). Subsequent work has shown that certain intestinal lactobacilli react to the presence of a culture filtrate derived from a coliform pathogen by increasing their antagonistic activity towards that pathogen (Hillman and Robertson, unpublished), indicating the presence of a quorum-sensing or related mechanism. The current experiment was devised to determine whether a similar effect could be produced within the entire porcine colonic microflora, using an in vitro simulation system.
The effect of dry matter concentration on component digestibility and retention in growing/finishing pigs fed diets varying only in water:dry matter ratio
Authors: Thompson J.E. , Wiseman J. , Gill B.P.
Published: June 2019

There is potential for improving the growth performance of pigs through a better understanding of factors that influence the digestibility of nutrients and energy in liquid feeds. These factors include dry matter content and the size and distribution of particles of the dry feed components within the liquid diet. The objective of the current study was to determine if changing the dry matter concentration of liquid feeds affects the digestibility and retention of nutrients and energy in pigs growing from 35kg to 95kg live weight.
Influence of feeding fermented liquid feed on faecal bacterial flora and selected colostrum parameters of lactating sows
Authors: Demecková V. , Kelly D. , Brooks P.H. , Campbell A.
Published: June 2019

Farrowing and lactation are two of the most critical phases of pork production. A relatively high proportion of pig losses occurs during these periods. Rapid bacterial colonisation of piglets’ sterile gut and underdeveloped immune system represents a very dangerous combination of events. The most significant factors affecting the microflora of the piglet’s gut is its mother and the environment into which it is born. Therefore, management interventions and nutritional regimes that influence the microbiology of the sow’s faeces in a beneficial way are likely also to influence the neonate. Work at the University of Plymouth and at Foulum in Denmark has shown that feed may be fermented successfully with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and that this process reduces the number of salmonellae and coliforms in the feed and consequently in the lower gastrointestinal tract (Brooks et al. 2001). Recent studies strongly support the hypothesis that orally administered LAB stimulate the immune system, both at the local and systemic level. This combination of effective immunity and reduced level of environmental contamination with faecal pathogens can lead to improved management of sows for increased litter size and weight at weaning time.
Effect Of L-Thyroxin Hormone (T4) On Compensatory Growth In Broiler Chicks
Authors: Hassanabadi A. , golian A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose of researches in feed restriction area is improvement of feed efficiency, decrease of carcass fat content and abdominal fat pad size (Plavnik and Hurvitz,1991).Birds after early life feed restriction have less maintenance requirements due to decrease of heat increment and decrease of basal metabolic rate and specific dynamic action of food (Forsum et al.,1981).In many investigations, compensatory growth have not observed (Summers et al.,1990).It seems administration of Thyroid hormone after feed restriction can induce compensatory growth. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of early feed restriction and L-Thyroxin administration after early feed restriction on compensatory growth in broiler chickens.
The use of production data of feeding studies in lactating dairy cows to validate energy feeding systems
Authors: Yan T. , Agnew R. E. , Murphy J. J. , Ferris C. P. , Gordon F. J.
Published: June 2019

There is little information available in the literature on the validation of the currently adopted energy feeding systems developed from calorimetric data, using data obtained in production studies. The objective of the present study was to use production data from feeding studies to validate some metabolisable energy (ME) systems (AFRC, 1990 and 1993; SCA, 1990) and net energy (NE) systems (Van Es, 1978, INRA, 1989; NRC, 2001).
Application of a dynamic mechanistic model of small intestinal starch digestion in the dairy cow
Authors: Mills J. A. N. , Kebreab E. , Crompton L. A. , Dijkstra J. , France J.
Published: June 2019

The high contribution of postruminal starch digestion (>50%) to total tract starch digestion on certain energy dense diets (Mills et al. 1999) demands that limitations to small intestinal starch digestion are identified. Therefore, a dynamic mechanistic model of the small intestine was constructed and evaluated against published experimental data for abomasal carbohydrate infusions in the dairy cow. The mechanistic structure of the model allowed the current biological knowledge to be integrated into a system capable of identifying restrictions to dietary energy recovery from postruminal starch delivery.
Processed urea treated whole-crop wheat (Alkalage) for finishing beef cattle
Authors: Marsh S.P , Rudden C
Published: June 2019

Since feed accounts for 75-85% of the variable costs of beef production, the use of alternative feeds and high-energy forages that have a lower cost per unit of energy are worthy of investigation. The technique of harvesting cereals where the whole-crop is harvested at a dry matter (DM) content of 650-750g/kg with the harvester fitted with a grain processor has recently been developed. The objective of this trial was to determine the effect of feeding either adlibitum processed urea treated whole-crop wheat (Alkalage) or cereals on the performance of Continental cross beef cattle since there is no data on the performance of beef cattle fed Alkalage.
Effect of feeding soya-bean meal or distillers grains on the performance of silage fed beef cattle
Authors: Marsh S.P , Carr W.A.J , Witt M.
Published: June 2019

Extracted soya-bean meal is used by many beef producers in the UK as a protein source for cattle. A number of farm assurance schemes and abattoirs now prohibit the use of this feedstuff due to the possible inclusion of genetically modified material. Organic production standards prohibit the feeding of solvent extracted feeding stuffs. Therefore, there is a requirement to evaluate alternative traceable protein sources for beef cattle. The objective of this trial was to determine the effect on cattle performance of feeding sugar beet feed with distillers grains or soya-bean meal to beef cattle on a silage based system.
Effect of energy source or fibre level in concentrates fed to finishing Swaledale lambs
Authors: Middlemass C A , Minter C M , Marsden M
Published: June 2019

Concentrate finishing systems for store lambs often involves a dramatic change in the basal diet as lambs are moved from being managed on, e.g. grass and / or roots to concentrates. If this is done too quickly there is a risk of digestive disturbances leading to acidosis and secondary infections. Hence, the selection of the carbohydrate balance between starch and digestible fibre is crucial as ruminants fed high levels of starch-based concentrates can develop sub-clinical acidosis and liver abscess, leading to decreased voluntary food intake and daily live weight gain (DLWG). The aim of this study was to evaluate two concentrate formulations for effective growth for finishing of Swaledale lambs, one concentrate being starch biased the other digestible fibre biased.
Early lactation responses to red clover or ryegrass silages offered to dairy cows during the dry period
Authors: Jaurena G. , Moorby J. M. , Fisher W. J. , Davies D. W. R.
Published: June 2019

Energy and protein supply during the dry period can affect subsequent milk production and composition (Moorby et al., 1996). Grass silage is a common ingredient of dry cow diets, but although it is usually adequate in crude protein concentration (CP), a high proportion is frequently in non-protein forms. Red clover silage has shown interesting characteristics that would increase true protein supply to ruminants (Broderick et al., 2000), which could avoid the use of more expensive concentrate supplements. The objective of this experiment was to compare red clover and ryegrass silage when fed as the sole source of forage to dry cows with a diet comprising ryegrass silage and a protein supplement.
Influence of Genetic Merit on Fertility Traits of Dairy Cattle on Commercial Farms
Authors: Wicks H.C.F. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

The selection of dairy cattle for high milk production is thought to be linked to increased problems with fertility. Most research has concentrated on the influence of actual yields rather than the effect of genetic merit on fertility. It has also been reported that by maintaining a high level of herd management the reproductive efficiency problems associated with high milk production can be removed (Nebel and Gilliard, 1993). The current work estimated the influence of genetic merit (defined as PIN95), 90-day daily milk yield, deviation from herd mean 305-day milk yield and body condition score on fertility, in an attempt to assess whether actual yield has more effect than potential yield as indicated by genetic merit.
Effects of calcium salts of fatty acids on follicular characteristics and several blood parameters in two fat-tailed sheep breeds
Authors: Zamiri M. J. , Rowghani E. , Ghoreishi S. M.
Published: June 2019

There is substantial evidence that the increased consumption of fat by dairy cattle can result in an increase in the number ovarian follicles, and the number and size of corpora lutea; it also stimulates post-partum ovarian activity and improve pregnancy rate. Increased dietary lipid also increases plasma cholesterol and progesterone, and the supply of lipoproteins which play significant roles in regulating ovarian steroidogenesis (Willimas, 1996). In contrast to cattle, there are few observations on the effects of dietary lipid on reproductive function in sheep. Intravascular infusion of lipid into ewes stimulated progesterone and prostaglandin synthesis (Burke et al., 1996), and dietary supplementation of calcium soaps of fatty acids enhanced luteal function (Kuran et al., 1999). Calcium soaps of fatty acids have been manufactured in Iran in recent years and sold under the trade name of Megalac. The aim of the present experiment was to study the effects of this protected fat on follicular number and luteal activity in two fat-tailed sheep breeds.
Tannin contents and in vitro digestibility of Brazilian browses
Authors: Nozella Eduardo F. , Cabral Filho Sergio L. S. , Bueno Ives C. S. , Abdalla Adibe L. , Vitti Dorinha M. S. S.
Published: June 2019

Brazil has arid regions where livestock production is limited by forage source. However, some native herbaceous legumes have a dry tolerance and had been used as animal feed. Some of those plants have anti nutritional compounds such as tannins that and can interfere on intake and digestibility of these plants. Tannins have a high affinity with proteins and could make these molecules unavailable for animal. Compounds as polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) have been used on tannin studies, because it has more affinity with tannins than proteins. Based on that, it is possible to evaluate the nutritive potential of tanniniferous plants, using PVPP as an inhibitor of tannin effects. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of tannins on in vitro rumen fermentation.
The effects of quebracho tannins on rumen degradation and post-rumen digestion of pea and lupin seeds
Authors: Bento M. H. L , Cowieson A. J. , Acamovic T. , Abreu J. M. F.
Published: June 2019

The use of alternative protein sources in ruminant diets is of interest because of restrictions on the use of animal proteins, loss of nitrogen (N) compounds to the environment and efforts to reduce costs of systems. A problem of some protein-rich-ingredients is that they degrade rapidly in the rumen. The use of tannins has been proposed as a means of reducing the extensive dietary protein degradation in the rumen. However, condensed tannins have been reported to exert detrimental effects on gut microflora and on the gastrointestinal tract, and they can affect post-rumen digestion. The two experiments reported here aimed to study the influence of quebracho tannins (QTs) on ruminal degradation of peas (Pisum sativum) and sweet lupins (Lupinus luteus), and to investigate the effect of QTs on postrumen digestibility of these feeds using a poultry model.
Ruminal peptide and soluble protein N concentrations in Iranian Baloochi lambs fed diets containing lucerne hay or silage
Authors: Moosavi A R Heravi , Mesgaran M Danesh
Published: June 2019

It is generally agreed that peptides accumulate in the rumen fluid after feeding. It has been also suggested that the production of peptides in the rumen was not altered by the protein supplements when diets provided similar effective rumen degradable protein (Mesgaran & Moosavi, 1999). The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of diets containing lucerne hay or silage treated by urea and formaldehyde on the ruminal peptide and soluble protein N concentrations in Iranian Baloochi lambs.
Degradability characteristics and Intestinal protein apparent digestibility of Iranian soybean and cottonseed meals as assessed by the mobile nylon bag technique
Authors: Mesgaran M Danesh
Published: June 2019

Ruminal degradability of feed protein is an important factor when assessing feed protein value according to the modern ruminant feed evaluation systems. In addition, the worth of any food protein to ruminant animals depends on the how the protein is digested in the small intestine. The work described in this summary assessed the in situ degradability and intestinal apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein, using ruminal and intestinal mobile nylon bags technique, of Iranian soybean (S) and cottonseed (C) meals.