bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evaluation through finishing heifers of a baterial inoculant as a silage additive using difficult-to-ensile herbage
Authors: Keady T W J , Steen R W J
Published: June 2019

Traditionally silage additives have increased silage intake and the performance of beef and dairy cattle through improvements in silage fermentation. In a series of studies undertaken at this Institute with feaef and dairy cattle an inoculant based on a single strain of lactobacillus planterum (Ecosyl) produced leBirable benefits in terms of silage intake and animal performance without any improvement in silage fermentation. Most of these benefits occurred in studies where the untreated silage was well preserved. Uherefore the present studies were designed to evaluate the same inoculant under difficult-to-ensile conditions.
The effects of sodium fertilizer application to perennial ryegrass pasture and direct sodium supplementation on dairy cow production and grazing preference
Authors: Chiy P.C. , Phillips C.J.C.
Published: June 2019

At least 25% of herbage grown in Britain contains Inadequate sodium (Na) for lactating cows (Baxter, 1968). The chances of defelcincy have been increased in recent years as more potassium (K) fertilizer has been applied which reduces herbage Na content. Voluntary DM intake of conserved feeds supplemented with Nacl is increased up to 5.5g Na/kgDM but thereafter declines (Shnelder et al., 1986). There is evidence that ruminants will select a high Na diet even when Na requirements are met (Michell and Moss, 1988). Milk yield responses to increased dietary sodium above ARC (1980) recommended allowances have been observed in some experiments (Mallonee, 1984; Schneider et al., 1988) but not in others (O'Connor et al, 1988). This experiment aimed to examine the effects of Nacl application to perennial ryegrass pasture on herbage and dairy cattle productivity, on the preference for Nacl fertilized pasture and to distinguish these effects from those of direct supplementation in concentrates.
The effect of number of single-space feeders and the provision of an additional drinker or toy on the performance and feeding behaviour of growing pigs
Authors: Morrow A.T.S. , Walker N.
Published: June 2019

Feed spillage is a major cause of inefficiency when non-pelleted diets are fed ad libitum especially when large groups of pigs have access to only one feeding space (Patterson and Walker, 1989; Walker, 1990). Competition for access to the feeder may contribute to spillage (Hansen, Hagelso and Madsen, 1982) although Albar and Granier (1989) showed no reduction in feed efficiency with 8 to 12 pigs per feeding place. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the performance and feeding behaviour of pigs fed ad libitum in groups of 20 when given an extra single-space feeder or an additional drinker or ‘toy’.

Six hundred and forty cross-bred pigs from Landrace and Large White origins were used from 37 kg to slaughter at 91 kg live weight. They were penned in groups of 20 with a floor space allowance of 0.66 m2 /pig on fully slatted floors.
The effect of group size, spatial allowance and perch presence on nest soiling and nest use in caged hens
Authors: Reed H. J. , Nicol C. J.
Published: June 2019

Evidence of the need to improve welfare for hens in battery cages has come from any sources. Provision of a nest may be regarded as essential (eg. Kite 1985; Appleby and Hughes, 1990). There is general agreement that current spatial allowances are inadequate for welfare, while perches have been shown to improve foot condition and leg bone strength (Appleby and Hughes, 1990). These elements, in combination, may yield other benefits or drawbacks. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of spatial allowance, group size and the presence of a perch on comfort behaviour, nest use and nest soiling in caged hens.
Responses to housing conditions and immunological state in sows
Authors: Zanella A.J. , Broom D.M. , Mendl M.T.
Published: June 2019

If a housing condition results in impaired immune system function then vulnerability to disease is greater in that condition. Measures of immune system function can therefore be important indicators of welfare. Another indicator of welfare is the maximal adrenal cortex response to ACTH challenge. Ten third parturition sows kept in stalls, and 27 first parturition sows kept in an electronic sow feeder system have been studied. A direct measure of immune system function is to assess B-cell responses by measuring antibody production following antigen challenge. Sows in stalls were injected with tetanus toxoid, as commonly practised for protection against tetanus. The amount of antibody produced was negatively correlated with adrenal weight. The colostral antibody ELISA titre was 1/125,000 when the response to ACTH challenge was zero but was almost zero in animals which showed an increase in salivary Cortisol of 25 nmol l-1 after ACTH challenge i.e. antibody production was negatively correlated with adrenal response (r = -0.634, p = 0.028 (Fig. 1)).
Colostrum production by prolific ewes
Authors: Pattinson S. , Davies D.A.R. , Winter A.
Published: June 2019

The production of colostrum by prolific ewes is of particular importance because of the increased demand of larger litters. Robinson (1985) has shown that there is a sharp increase in the ewe's net protein requirement for udder growth and colostrum production in the last 2 weeks pre-partum.

The trial was designed to investigate the effect of level of protein in the diet during the last weeks of pregnancy on the quantity and quality of colostrum produced by prolific ewes.

Forty-four Cambridge ewes aged 2 to 7 years and scanned as carrying two to four lambs were used. Ewes were housed and sheared approximately 2 months pre-partum and fed a complete diet at a restricted level and hay ad libitum until the commencement of the feeding trial at 2 weeks pre-partum. The ewes were then individually penned until 5 days post partum. During this period the ewes were fed ad libitum one of the two complete diets detailed in Table 1 together with hay ad libitum.
Lamb performance on two silages and two concentrates fed alone and in combination
Authors: Morgan C A , Henderson A R , Anderson D H , FitzSimons J , McClelland T H
Published: June 2019

Intakes of well-fermented silages by store lambs can be disappointing, with liveweight gains well below the 100 to 125 g/d required to fatten lambs over the winter. To achieve high levels of gain it has been necessary to supplement grass silages. Barley, as an energy supplement, has increased the intake of dry matter but often the intake of silage dry matter is decreased. Protein supplements, on the other hand, have been shown to increase silage DM intake. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects on intake and performance of store lambs of two supplements of differing protein content when offered as the sole constituent of the diet or with one of two silages at two levels of supplementation.

After a 24 hour wilt, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was ensiled: half of the material was untreated and half was treated with an additive which contained lactic acid bacteria (supplying 106 cfu/g), Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus and enzymes derived from Trichoderma reesei.
The influence of level and pattern of allocation of concentrates given with silage ad libitum on the performance of lactating cows
Authors: K. Aston  , W.J. Fisher  , R.D. Baker
Published: June 2019

The trial is one of a series in a project to develop a mathematical model to predict the consequences of changes to the food supply on yields of milk constituents. The objective of the trial was to measure the responses of winter-calved dairy cows to changes to the level or to the distribution within a level of concentrates given with grass silage ad libitum.

Ninety-eight British Friesian cows in their second or subsequent lactations with a mean calving date 6 December were used in a randomised block experiment. There were 7 treatment groups. Cows received on average 3, 6 or 9 kg concentrate dry matter (DM) per day over weeks 4 to 22 of lactation.
The preference of dairy cows for combinations of high riegrass and high clover feeds and the effects on production
Authors: Phillips C J C , James N L , Nyallu H.
Published: June 2019

Supplementary forage is frequently fed to grazing cows to overcome pasture shortages. It is particularly Important for cows grazing a high clover Sward because of the need to maintain a short sward that will encourage high clover contents. This experiment compared high clover and high ryegrass silages and hay as supplements for cows grazing high clover or high ryegrass pastures.
The effect of harvesting height of the basal forage Pennisetum purpureum and level of supplementation with Leucaena forage on the performance of crossbred dairy cows in the subhumid tropics
Authors: Muinga R.W. , Thorpe W. , Topps J.H.
Published: June 2019

Much of coastal Kenya has a subhumid lowland climate with proven potential for small holder dairy production. Establishment of dairy units to realise this potential is taking place and is being stimulated by a large unsatisfied demand for milk and dairy products. The units use crossbred cows with the recommendation that feeding is zero-grazing based on Napier fodder (Pennisetum purpureum). Napier fodder usually contains insufficient protein to meet the requirements of lactating animals so there is a need to feed a by-product or forage which is rich in protein. The legume shrub Leucaena leucocephala grows well in the subhumid tropics and it has been established already on many smallholder farms. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of lactating dairy cows given Napier fodder only cut at two different stages of growth (1.0 or 1.5 m in height) or supplemented at two levels with freshly cut Leucaena.
Soya oil in diet for growing-fattening bulls : effects on metabolism in the rumen and on apparent digestibility
Authors: Clinquart A. , Van Eenaeme C. , Istasse L. , Neirinck K. , Midy G. , Bienfait J.M.
Published: June 2019

The diets for growing-fattening bulls in Belgium are usually high in concentrate (Van Eenaeme, Istasse, Gabriel, Clinquart, Maghuin Register and Bienfait, 1990). The fat content of such diets in usually low at about 0.025. Over the recent years, feed manufacturers have incorporated fat in fattening diets. The incorporation rates are usually rather low so that the ether extract content is about 0.05 in fat supplemented regimes. At such rates upsets of intake and digestion and depression of growth could be avoided (Zinn, 1989). The fat concentrates which are incorporated are usually blends of various and very often unknown origins. Conflicting observations were reported on the effects of fat supplementation. Two experiments were carried out to assess the effects of soya oil on metabolism in the rumen and on apparent digestibility.
Interactions between concentrations of Metabolizable Energy in calf milk replacers and calf starter diets
Authors: Newbold J.R. , Blake J.S. , Haggis N.G.
Published: June 2019

One classical theory of food intake control suggests that, within limits, food intake is regulated to ensure that requirements for energy are just met. Two of the prime objectives of the calf rearer are to achieve rapid growth and early intake of solid food (to allow early weaning). The optimum concentration of energy, therefore, will be sufficiently low to maximise intake of solid food, yet high enough to maximise total intake of energy. A complication is introduced by the fact that the pre-ruminant calf receives two foods simultaneously; a daily allowance (usually fixed) of milk replacer supplemented by ad libitum access to solid starter feed. Theory predicts that intake of starter will be determined by concentrations of energy in both starter and milk replacer (assuming other nutrients supplied in excess of requirements). If the calf is able to select a level of intake of starter which allows requirements for energy to be met, rate of growth will be independent of concentrations of energy in both starter and milk replacer. Our objective was to test these predictions in a conventional calf rearing system.
Effects of body condition at farrowing and protein content of the lactation diet on sow performance
Authors: Edwards S A , Taylor A G , Vidal J
Published: June 2019

Current strategies for sow feeding are based on maintenance of a constant body condition throughout the reproductive cycle by feeding at levels only slightly above maintenance in pregnancy and feeding generously for milk production in lactation. Recent evidence suggests that feeding at a low level during pregnancy, whilst meeting nutritional requirements, may be detrimental to sow welfare. The large intake capacity of the sow also offers opportunities for utilising cheaper, alternative feeds at this stage. If bulky feeds are available at low cost, it might be economically attractive to feed for fat deposition by the sow in pregnancy and utilise this during the subsequent lactation. This experiment was designed to investigate whether sows with increased body fat reserves at farrowing could be encouraged to utilise these efficiently during lactation by the provision of a high protein diet.
The digestion of non-starch polysaccharides from diets containing plain sugar beet pulp by piglets, growing pigs and sows
Authors: Longland A.C. , Low A.G , Close W.H. , Sharpe C.E. , Carruthers J.C. , Harland J.I.
Published: June 2019

Recent studies have shown that piglets, growing pigs and sows can perform well on diets containing substantial proportions of plain sugar beet pulp (SBP) (Bulman et al., 1989; Low et al., 1990; Close et al., 1990). SBP contains c. 600 g non-starch polysaccharides (NSP)/kg which, unlike starch, cannot be digested by the hosts’ enzymes but must be fermented by the gut microflora to yield VFA for subsequent use as an energy source by the animal.

The objective of this study was to determine the degree to which 32-day-old piglets, growing pigs of various ages, and mature sows can ferment the NSP content of diets containing varying proportions of SBP.
The effect of dietary energy source during lactation on sow milk production and piglet performance
Authors: Raison J J , Edwards S A , English P R , MacPherson O , Thomson K
Published: June 2019

Piglets which are heavier at weaning generally show a lower incidence of post weaning disease and mortality, superior growth rates and convert feed to gain with greater efficiency than smaller piglets. Weaning weight is largely determined by the yield and quality of milk available to the suckling piglet, and these parameters are becoming increasingly important with the large litter sizes produced by modern prolific sows.This experiment was designed to quantify milk production by sows of a modern commercial genotype and investigate possibilities for dietary manipulation of milk yield and composition as a means of increasing piglet performance.
Effects of high inclusion levels of sugar beet pulp in diets for dry sows
Authors: Edwards S A , Taylor A G , Fowler V R
Published: June 2019

The dry sow is well suited to utilise high fibre diets and there are some suggestions that feeding such diets in pregnancy may enhance litter size and subsequent piglet performance. This experiment was designed to investigate the effects on performance of inclusion of a high level of fermentable fibre in the form of unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) in the diet of dry sows.

24 gilts and 20 multiparous Landrace x Large White sows were allocated to one of two diets according to weaning or entry date, parity and liveweight. The diets comprised a barley/soya basal diet with either 450 g/kg wheat (diet W) or SBP substituting for this wheat to provide the same quantity of corrected digestible energy (diet B). The two diets were fed at differential levels, to supply the same daily total of corrected digestible energy, from weaning or gilt entry until farrowing. The allocated amount of diet was given in a single daily feeding period to animals confined in individual feeding stalls, and a period of one hour was allowed for the ration to be consumed. After farrowing all animals were fed twice daily on a standard diet, according to a scale related to litter size.
Fibrous raw materials in sow diets
Authors: Brouns F. , Edwards S.A. , English P.R.
Published: June 2019

Although the amount of food given to dry sows in commercial situations is nutritionally adequate for maintenance and reproductive performance, it may not be adequate in other aspects. There is evidence that low levels of food intake increase the incidence of abnormal behaviours. It might be desirable to feed greater amounts, but without causing excessive nutrient intake and obesity of the sow which occur when feeding commercially used diets at high levels. One solution might be to provide bulky, low density diets. The objectives of this experiment were to obtain information on level and variation in voluntary food intake in dry sows on fibrous diets and on the relationship between chemical aspects of the diet, intake, and apparent digestibility.
The nutritional value of rapeseed meal for piglets
Authors: Latymer E.A. , Low A.G. , Ingham M.A. , Close W.H.
Published: June 2019

The level of glucosinolates in the seed of many double low varieties of rapeseed is still very close to 20 μM/g, which will be the limit for EEC subsidy from 1992. Besides the effects on the price, the high level of glucosinolates in rapeseed meal, and their possible products of decomposition, may limit their usefulness in feeding strategies and programmes for pigs.

The possibility that the agronomical conditions under which the rapeseed it grown and harvested may influence the glucosinolate content of the seed, and hence alter its nutritional value to pigs, was investigated in the present experiment. Substantial variation in glucosinolate levels between batches of seeds of the same variety has been found in different years, depending upon the site and conditions under which the crop is grown.
The inclusion of sugar beet pulp in diets for early weaned piglets
Authors: Edwards S A , Taylor A G , Harland J I
Published: June 2019

The inclusion of fibrous ingredients in diets for weaned piglets has been reported to enhance health but also to reduce voluntary intake and performance. This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of inclusion of a highly digestible fibre source by including different levels of molassed or unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) in the diet of piglets weaned at 25 days of age.
Effects of feeding level and sex on fat deposition and serum cholesterol in growing pigs
Authors: Taylor J.A. , Salter D.N. , Close W.H. , Laswai G.H.
Published: June 2019

Previous experiments at Shinfield (Taylor, Salter and Lister, 1990) have shown an association between serum cholesterol and carcass fatness. This was particularly marked when cholesterol levels had been altered through feeding a hypercholesterolemic diet. In the present experiment, serum cholesterol and fat deposition have been studied in entire and castrated pigs at different planes of nutrition and stages of growth.

In a 2 x 2 factorial experiment (Taylor, Salter, Close, Laswai and Hudson, 1990) 18 castrated and 18 entire male pigs, of initial weight 20 kg, were fed either 2.25 (Low) or 3.4 (High) x maintenance energy requirements, to a scale based on liveweight. Nitrogen and energy balances (including calorimetry) were measured over 7-day periods when the pigs reached approximately 30, 60 and 90 kg. Fasting blood samples were taken on the morning after each balance period and serum was analysed for total- and HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol. LDL-cholesterol was calculated as: Total cholesterol - HDL-cholesterol - (triacylglycerol/6). Fat deposition was calculated as the difference between total energy retention and energy retained as protein.
The effect of prostaglandin f2α on the production and quality of boar semen
Authors: Melendez Ronald , MacPherson O , Roden J A , Edwards S A , Hutchinson J S H , Taylor A G , English P R
Published: June 2019

The breeding boar is the single most important animal in the pig herd because he can sire very many piglets in a year, even moreso when used for AI. When a very superior boar is isolated following performance or progeny testing, good management and AI technology can be combined to exploit his potential. One possible way of making even more effective use of such a sire is through treatment of both the boar and his semen with analogues of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α ). There have been reports from commercial practice of treatment of boars with PGF2a having desirable influences on libido, an increase in ejaculate volume and subsequent litter size in sows they serve. There have also been claims that when human semen is treated directly with an analogue of PGF2α sperm velocity increases. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the effects of PGF2 on semen production and semen quality of boars.
Live and carcass weight gains of cattle offered whole-crop barley silage harvested at an immature growth stage
Authors: O'Kiely P. , Moloney A.P.
Published: June 2019

Harvesting cereals in whole-crop form and conserving them by ensilage, has potential benefits compared to conventional cereal harvesting systems in terms of a lesser dependence on weather conditions and higher animal production per hectare. Three experiments were carried out to determine the performance of cattle offered whole-crop barley silage harvested at an immature stage of development.

Whole-crop barley was harvested using a precision chop harvester in each experiment and intakes were recorded on a group basis in Experiments 2 and 3. In Experiment 1, winter barley was harvested either on June 17 (Cut 1 - grain at milky stage) or July 6 (Cut 2 -grain at mealy stage). Groups of seven Friesian steers (503 kg mean starting weight) were offered either Cut 1 or Cut 2 silage ad libitum for 95 days supplemented with one of the following supplements per head daily : (a) none, (b) 3 kg rolled barley, (c) 3 kg barley/soya (154 g crude protein (CP)/kg DM) and (d) 1 kg soyabean (470 g CP/kg DM).
Replacement of whole crop wheat by grass silage in the diet of dairy cows
Authors: Hill J. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies with whole crop wheat (WCW) fed to dairy cows (Hill and Leaver, 1990) showed that high intakes were achieved relative to liveweight when offered as the sole forage, but there appeared to be a poor utilisation of the ME intake. The reasons for this have not been clarified, but the very high intake of ammonia could be a predisposing cause. The place for WCW is therefore likely to be as a proportion of the total forage. The high pH should make it an ideal complement for silage.

The objective of this experiment was to replace part of the WCW intake with grass silage.
Feeding sorghum stover to Ethiopian goats and sheep: Effect of amount offered on growth, intake and selection
Authors: Aboud A A O , Owen E , Reed J D , Said A N , McAllan A B
Published: June 2019

Aboud et al (1990) found that intake and selection of sorghum stover (i.e. straw) by Ethiopian sheep increased as the ad libitum amounts offered (g/kg mass[M].day[d]) were increased from 25 to 50 and 75. The greater intakes resulted in improved growth rates. In view of the importance of goats in smallholder tropical-agriculture and the fact that goats are considered to be selective feeders, the present experiment compared the response of goats and sheep when offered increasing ad libitum quantities of sorghum stover.

Sorghum (bird-resistant variety Seredo) was grown at Melkassa in the Rift Valley. Fourteen days after hand-harversting of grain in November 1988, stover was hand-cut and transported to the ILCA Station at Debre-Zeit. The stover was chopped (tractor-mounted Alvan Blanch Maxi Chaff Cutter) and stored for one month before feeding. Twenty four Galla bucks (11-13 months old) and twenty four Ethiopian Lowand rams (14-16 months old) were used in the 2 x 3 factorial experiment with 8 replicates.
Cholesterol content and fatty acid compositon of red deer carcasses
Authors: Enser M. , Whittington F.M. , Fisher A.V. , Davies M.H.
Published: June 2019

Excessive human consumption of saturated fatty acids and possibly cholesterol is thought to increase the risk of occlusive vascular disease. This has focused attention on ruminant tissues which tend to contain high proportions of saturated fatty acids compared with other meat species, although their cholesterol contents are reported to be quite similar. However, there have been claims, apparently unsubstantiated, that vension has a low cholesterol content and is a healthy food. The aims of this study were to determine the cholesterol contents of muscle and adipose tissue of deer and to investigate their relationship to carcass fatness and tissue fatty acid composition, particularly as venison lipids are reported to be very high saturated.
The effect of breeding cashmere doe kids on their subsequent reproductive and physical performance
Authors: Roger Louise C , Gunn G J , Waterhouse A
Published: June 2019

The breeding of doe kids is clearly attractive if it enables the generation interval in a breeding programme to be reduced.

It is important for the health and welfare of the goats that breeding at such a young age reaches a successful conclusion. Furthermore it is vital that it does not jeopardize the successive pregnancies and future lifetime performance of both dam and offspring. However, there are currently no guidelines for minimum liveweight at mating for these young goats.

This paper describes the result of an investigation into the effects of breeding cashmere doe kids on their subsequent performance.
Effect of protein supplementation on the digestibility of urea treated whole crop wheat and on milk production by dairy cows
Authors: Hill J. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies have shown a low efficiency of utilisation of urea treated whole crop wheat (UWCW) when offered as the sole forage to dairy cows (Hill and Leaver 1990). The poor efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy could possibly be influenced by the level and quality (the balance in QFN, SFN, and UN) of protein intake by the cow.

To investigate the effect of level and quality of protein intake on the digestibility of UWCW fed ad libitum to lactating cows, an experiment was carried out using three concentrate sources based upon molassed sugar beet pulp pellets (Diet A), soya bean meal (Diet B) and fishmeal (Diet C). A concurrent experiment was implemented to analyse the degradation characteristics of UWCW using sheep.

Six multiparous mid to late lactation Holstein Friesian cows were allocated to two 3x3 latin squares. Each cow was housed in an individual pen and fed UWCW ad libitum once daily and concentrate twice daily. Individual DM intakes of forage, milk production, liveweight and faecal output were estimated for each diet. The degradability trial used the methodology of Paine et al (1982).
The effect of plane of nutrition and forage:concentrate ratio on the performance and carcass composition of steers
Authors: Steen R.W.J.
Published: June 2019

Consumer demand for leaner beef necessitates a reduction in the fat content of a major proportion of the beef carcasses currently produced. It is generally accepted that reducing the plane of nutrition of beef cattle reduces fat content. However the effects on growth rate and overall efficiency of production are also important. The effects of reducing energy intake on performance and carcass composition may be influenced by the nature of the change in energy intake. An experiment has been carried out to examine the effects of reducing energy intake, either by increasing forage: concentrate ratio (F:C) in the diet or reducing dry matter intake at constant F:C.

Thirty-six Friesian (F), Limousin x F and Belgian Blue x F 12-month old steers which were initially 368 kg, and which had been reared under uniform management and nutrition were used. They were purchased from dairy farms during October and November at approximately 10 days old, were aritifically reared and were at pasture from April until October. After a three week acclimatization period they were divided into blocks according to breed and live weight and allocated to the three treatments at random with each block. The three treatments were a complete diet consisting of 0.67 grass silage (719 g digestible organic matter and 144 g crude protein/kg DM; 82 g ammonia N/kg total N) and 0.33 concentrates (0.9 rolled barley and 0.1 soyabean meal) offered (1) ad libitum or (2) at 0.8 of ad libitum intake.
The effect of dietary nitrogen and energy synchronisation on rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep
Authors: Sinclair L A. , Gamsworthy P. C. , Newbold J. R. , Buttery P. J.
Published: June 2019

Balancing the rate of nitrogen and energy yielding substrates to rumen micro-organisms has been proposed in order to maximise the capture of rumen degradable nitrogen and to optimise microbial growth rate and efficiency (Johnson 1976). Current systems for diet formulation of ruminants are based upon the extent of fermentation of organic matter or carbohydrate fractions and the supply of rumen degradable and undegradable protein (ARC 1984, Webster, Dewhurst and Waters 1988). Little attention has been paid to the effect of the rate of supply of energy and nitrogen to rumen microorganisms in-vivo. The objectives of the current experiments were to formulate diets that had similar daily degradation of nitrogen and energy yielding components but varied in the rate of energy and nitrogen release based upon in-situ degradation characteristics of the raw ingredients, and to monitor the effect of these diets on rumen fermentation and microbial growth.
Feed energy evaluation systems and current research on dietary fat for pigs in europe report of the 1991 braude scholarship study tour
Authors: Powles Jayne
Published: June 2019

Dietary energy is the major factor influencing the cost of pig feed and consequently pig meat production. Therefore, precise estimation of the energy value of feedstuffs is particularly important. The 1991 Braude Scholarship was used to finance a visit to a number of research establishments based in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and France to compare their systems of energy evaluation, to investigate the energy-yielding ingredients included in pig diets in these countries and to learn of current research concerning these areas, specifically on the digestibility of fats.
Feed ingredient selection in growing and finishing pigs: effects on performance and carcass quality
Authors: Onibi G E , Gill B P , English P R
Published: June 2019

One of the potential advantages of choice feeding is that it could remove the need to formulate and manufacture complete diets for pigs. The simplest and most attractive option would be where pigs could select an adequate diet from basic raw feed ingredients offered separately. However, intrinsic differences in the composition of feed ingredients, particularly naturally occurring antinutritional and toxic factors, may influence selection, nutrient intake and performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether growing pigs could select an adequate diet when offered an unrestricted choice between a cereal and a protein supplement.
Dietary choices made by growing pigs given feeds that differ in protein content and the inclusion level of rapeseed meal
Authors: Kyriazakis I , Emmans G C , Taylor A J
Published: June 2019

A theory of diet selection (Kyriazakis, 1989), which is supported by the results of a series of experiments, proposes that growing pigs, given a choice between a low and a high protein food, will select a diet that meets their protein requirements and avoids, at least to a certain extent, excess protein intake. It is important to test whether the rules that appear to underlie the diet selection of pigs persist when one, or both, of the foods given as a choice contain an anti-nutritive factor. A rapeseed meal of high glucosinolate content, was chosen as the protein source to test the above hypothesis. The objective of the experiment wad thus to investigate the rules that may underlie the diet selection of pigs when they are given a choice between two foods that differ in their protein content (a low and a high) and the inclusion level of rapeseed meal.
Apparent ileal digestibility of crystalline l-tryptophan in young pig diets
Authors: Bong L. , Cole D.J.A. , Haresign W.
Published: June 2019

An Increasing amount of data are being generated on the digestible amino acid content of feedstuffs. Progress towards formulations based on digestible amino acids rather than total values is promising. A wider variety of feedstuffs may feature in feed formulations along with greater use of crystalline amino acids when more confidence can be placed on their digestible amino acid values. However crystalline amino acids are often assumed to be 100 per cent digestible. This study was designed to assess the digestible value of crystalline L-tryptophan in young pig diets.
The ability of growing sheep to select a diet that meets their protein requirements
Authors: Kyriazakis I , Oldham J D
Published: June 2019

Whilst our previous work (Hou et al, 1991) has shown that sheep will make structured selections amongst pairs of feeds offered as a choice, we have not been able to relate these selections to the animals requirements as estimated by relative performance as single feeds. Also the nature of crude protein in diets offered as a choice has not been used as a variable.

The objective of the experiment was to develop the proposition that growing sheep, when given a choice between a suitable pair of foods, will select a diet that meets their protein requirements by using pairs of foods to be given as a choice and also offering each food singly to sheep, in order to quantify the effects of the foods on performance. In order to address an aspect of the extent to which sheep may make selections between diets to satisfy digestive (rumen) function rather than metabolic needs we have also included urea supplementation of an otherwise low CP diet amongst the foods offered as a choice.
The effect of silage quality and frequency of feeding of supplementary concentrates on serum metabolite and insulin-like growth factor 1 (igf-1) concentrations in the late pregnant ewe
Authors: Wylie A.R.G. , Chestnutt D.M.B
Published: June 2019

Concentrates for pregnant ewes are often increased incrementally during the last 6-8 weeks to as much as 50% of dry matter intake. Commonly, they are given as a single daily feed. Increasing the number of meals in which a concentrate allowance is given to cattle minimises diurnal fluctuation in ruminal activity with beneficial effects on dry matter intake (DMI).

The current study was undertaken to determine if more frequent feeding of concentrates to ewes in late pregnancy affects levels of nutritionally-dependent serum IGF-1 and serum metabolites and to associate these with changes in ewe DMI and performance.
Litter size effects on intake at pasture and on plasma creatinine and urea concentrations in terminal sire breeds of sheep of similar mature size but different body composition
Authors: Vulich S. A. , Hanrahan J. P.
Published: June 2019

Litter size and body composition are two of the major factors affecting the efficiency of production systems under grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate breed and litter size effects on herbage intake by ewes and lambs using breeds of similar mature size but different carcass composition (viz. Suffolk and Texel; Texel leaner than Suffolk). A secondary objective was to evaluate associated effects on blood metabolites proposed as indicators of carcass composition (viz. urea, creatinine).
Lifetime performance of sows given different rearing and pregnancy feeding regimes
Authors: Simmins P.H. , Edwards S.A. , Spechter H.H. , Riley J.E.
Published: June 2019

Greater demands have been Imposed by present-day management practices on the modern dam with gilts being bred at younger ages and lower levels of back fat. This has raised questions over whether current rearing feeding practices and low pregnancy feeding regimes may have adverse Influences on lifetime reproductive performance. The objectives of this experiment were to compare the reproductive performance of sows given different feeding regimes during rearing and pregnancy. Data previously reported from the experiment have shown that the weight and back fat depth of the gilt and sow can be manipulated by feeding regime over the first four parities (Simmins et al. 1989, 1991). Sows reared on the lower feed levels were more prolific 1n their first two Utters, but also had longer, farrowing Intervals (Edwards et al. 1989). These sows remained more prolific by weaning of the fourth Utter (Simmins et al. 1991). Performance over eight litters is described below.
The efficiency of energy use in animal production
Authors: Webster A.J.F.
Published: June 2019

Efficiency has replaced productivity as the prime rationale for research and development in agriculture. The reasons for this are to (1) reduce input costs when output is static; (2) to make best use of limited renewable resources; (3) to conserve both non-renewable resources and the quality of the environment. Efficient agriculture and conservation are often seen as opposing arguments because parties are arguing from different, incomplete premises. Blaxter (1975) explored the biological efficiency of agricultural systems using energy as a unit of account. He recognised that it was primarily the use of fossil energy as fuel (0.42) and as fertiliser (0.38) that had increased the productivity of U.K. agriculture but that “in the long term …the world must eventually reach a steady state in which energy provision will not entail a depletion of its capital resources.“
Sow housing, behaviour and productivity are related to opioid receptor densities
Authors: Zanella A.J. , Broom D.M. , Hunter J.C.
Published: June 2019

Stereotypies such as bar-biting and sham-chewing, inactivity and unresponsiveness are behavioural responses to confinement in pigs. A link between stereotypies and opioids in sows, has been established by Cronin et al.,(1986) who found that the opioid antagonist naloxone inhibited some stereotypies. Stereotypies exhibited different degrees of resistance to the disruption by naloxone, in Cronin's experiment. Modulation of opioid receptors can be influenced by chronic treatment with opioid agonists and antagonists (Blanchard, and Chang,1988). Similarly, opioid receptors can be up or down-regulated by stressful stimuli such as restraint, electric footshock or social isolation (Zeman et al., 1988). In the study reported here mu, delta and kappa receptor densities and affinity were measured post-mortem. A comparison was made between sows which had been tethered or group-housed on commercial farms. The receptor densities were also compared with the behaviour which tethered sows had shown during the latter stages of pregnancy, as well as with their reproductive peformance.
Mediation of stress-induced inhibition of oxytocin in farrowing sows by endogenous opioids
Authors: Lawrence A. B. , Petherick J. C. , Mclean K. , Gilbert C.
Published: June 2019

A considerable amount is now known about the endocrine and neuro-endocrine control of parturition. Far less is understood however about the effect of events which may be considered stressful on the parturition process, despite its broad relevance to animal welfare and farm animal production. There is evidence that stress can have highly disruptive effects during parturition. For example, it has been suggested, that in pigs the behaviourally restricting farrowing crates used in commercial farming practice give rise to increased inter-piglet birth intervals and piglet mortality (Vestergaard and Hansen, 1984). Recent work on rodents has suggested that inhibtion of oxytocin secretion mediated by endogenous opioids, might be responsible for prolonged parturition following an acute stress such as a mid-partum change of environment. The aim of the present work was to extend the study of the effects of stress at parturition to a large animal model. We report two studies on the effects on parturition and oxytocin secretion of movement in mid-parturition to a novel environment (environmental disturbance). In Experiment 1 the effect of this disturbance on inter-piglet interval was investigated. In Experiment 2 a fuller investigation was made of the effects of environmental disturbance on a range of measures including inter-birth interval, behaviour of the sow and plasma oxytocin and Cortisol levels. The role of opioids was investigated in both experiments by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone.
The effect of the ingestion of food on performance of stereotypies in sows
Authors: Terlouw E.M.C. , Lawrence A.B.
Published: June 2019

Previous work (Terlouw et al., 1991) has shown that confined sows only developed stereotypies when kept under food restriction. Furthermore, highest levels of stereotypies were found immediately after feeding. The present study tested the hypothesis that stereotypies in food restricted sows are specifically stimulated by food ingestion.

Experiment 1. The experiment was conducted on 13 restrained and food restricted sows (parity: 2; Cotswold Pig Development Co. Ltd, UK), receiving 2.5 kg of a concentrated sow food (13 MJ/kg) at 0900 hrs and that had shown post-meal stereotypic chain manipulation (range 0-300 min/day) and excessive drinking (range 6-50 litres/day) for 7 months. Two treatments were given in the afternoon, when they were generally inactive; 1) novel sound (duration 10 min) 2) unexpected extra meal (approximate ingestion time 10 min). Each treatment was repeated twice, with two treatment days per week. Days preceding treatment days were used as controls. Chain manipulation and drinking were recorded continuously using an automatic logging system.
Prediction of margin over food, health and reproduction costs
Authors: Veerkamp R F , Simm G , Oldham J D
Published: June 2019

Results from the Langhill Dairy Cattle Research Centre (a joint venture between the Scottish Agricultural College and the University of Edinburgh) have confirmed that cows with a high genetic index for fat plus protein are more efficient (ME in milk divided by ME in feed) and more profitable (margin over food costs) than low index cows (Simm et al 1991a). Although food is one of the major costs of production it is important to monitor the consequences of selecting solely for fat plus protein yield on other costs, such as health and reproduction as well. This paper includes further results from a project supported by the Hoistein Friesian Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The aim of the study reported here is to examine the contribution which pedigree index, liveweight and linear type traits make to the prediction of margin over food, health and reproduction costs of individual cows.
The effects of fermentation characteristics of grass silage on the eating behaviour of dairy cows
Authors: Elizalde H F , Mayne C S
Published: June 2019

The total amount of feed eaten by ruminant animals in a given period of time depends on the number of meals eaten in that time, the duration of each meal and the rate of eating during each meal (Bines, 1976). It has been suggested that differences in the pattern of intake with differing silages may influence the rate of nutrient release within the rumen, and thereby alter the efficiency of use of ingested nutrients (Gill et al, 1988).

An experiment was carried out to examine the eating behaviour of 48 lactating dairy cows offered 5 silages with contrasting fermentation characteristics, with silages produced using a range of silage additive treatments.

The treatments consisted of five silages harvested between 2-6 July from a perennial ryegrass based sward which had previously been harvested between 18-19 May. Herbage was ensiled either untreated (C), treated with an inoculant (I), inoculant with enzymes (I + E), formic acid (FA) or high levels of mixed aliphatic carboxylic acids (A). Animals were allocated to a randomized block design with 9 animals/treatment on treatments I, I+E, FA and CA and 12 animals on treatment C. Eating behaviour was monitored using a system in which cows were identified from collar borne transponders as they ate from weighed blocks of silage (Forbes et al, 1987).
A comparison of distillers dark grains with proprietary concentrate for milk production
Authors: McKendrick E J , Hyslop J J
Published: June 2019

In an attempt to increase the value of distillery by-products, in the 1970's many Scottish distilleries installed drying plants and dried distillers wet grains and pot-ale syrup together to produce dark grains. The feeding value of these dark grains for ruminant livestock has been well researched in America and researchers Firkins et al (1984) concluded that the protein component of dark grains is partially resistant to degradation in the rumen and this protein fraction can be more efficiently utilised by some classes of ruminant livestock than rumen degradable protein.

The current trial considered replacement or partial replacement of proprietary concentrate with one of three types of dark grains. The dark grains were from cereal sources - either barley, wheat or maize.

Twenty-one British Friesian cows in early lactation were used in an incomplete changeover design experiment consisting of four periods each of four weeks duration.
Effects of sodium fertilizer application to pasture, or its direct supplementation, on dairy cow production and grazing behaviour
Authors: Chiy P.C. , Phillips C.J.C
Published: June 2019

The sodium (Na) requirement of dairy cows is dependent on the level of production and the physiological state of the animal (ARC, 1980). In a previous paper (Chiy and Phillips, 1991), it was shown that changes in pasture growth rate and composition following sodium (Na) fertilizer application in mid-season to a dairy cow perennial ryegrass pasture leads to increased grazing and ruminating times, milk yield and milk fat concentration. Adding Na to concentrate also increased ruminating time and milk fat concentration. The effects of different levels of Na fertilizer have not been reported. The aim of the present experiment was to compare the effects of 0 (Nil), 32 (Low) and 64 (High) Kg Na /ha/year appied as fertilizer, with ( + ) or without (-) a sodium bicarbonate (NaHC03) buffer added to a concentrate supplement on cow production and ingestive behaviour during the grazing season.

Fifty four cows in their second or later lactation, and with a mean calving date of 4 February 1990, were allocated to sextets. Within sextets, cows were allocated to one of six treatments in a split-split-plot design arranged in a 24 X 3 X 2 factorial: weeks 1 to 24 of experiment; 0 (Nil), 32 (Low) or 64 (High) Kg Na ha/year and with (+) or without (-) 100 g NaHC03included in 2 Kg maize gluten supplement/ cow/day.
Whole crop barley as a supplementary feed for grazing dairy cows
Authors: Hargreaves A. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

It is not clear when the optimum time of harvesting the winter barley as whole crop for silage should be in terms of feeding value for dairy cows and yield of the crop. Little information is available using whole crop barley as a buffer feed. The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the feeding value of whole crop barley (WCB) silage harvested at three stages of growth as a supplementary feed for grazing dairy cows during the late season.

Winter barley (var. Pipkin) was harvested at 4 stages of growth : T1:250, T2:350, T3:450 and T4:550 gDM/kg, at the following dates : 25/5, 19/6, 3/7 and 11/7/1991, respectively. The chopped material from T1-T4 was stored in minisilos and from T1-T3 in larger silos for animal studies.