bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of untreated and formaldehyde-treated barley distiller’s solubles and rapeseed meal as protein supplements in dairy cows given grass silage ad libitum
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Khalili Hannele , Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Twenty Friesian cows in four pens were arranged in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment with 4 wk experimental periods to evaluate the effects on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of treating barley dried distiller’s solubles (DDS) with a formaldehyde reagent, and to compare DDS with rapeseed meal as a protein supplement in dairy cows given a grass silage-based diet. The control diet (C) consisted of grass silage ad libitum fed with 8.5 kg/d of concentrate based on barley, oats and barley fibre (250, 250 and 500 g/kg dry matter (DM)). In three other diets 1.5 kg/d of the basal concentrate was replaced with rapeseed meal (RSM) treated for reduced ruminal degradability, 1.5 kg of untreated DDS (UDDS) or 1.5 kg of DDS treated with formaldehyde reagent at the level of 15 l/t (TDDS). On average, protein supplementation increased silage and total DM intake by approximately 0.5 kg/d (P>0.05). Milk yield (P
Digestibility and protein utilization responses of soybean and rape seed meal to physical and enzymatic treatments in diets for growing pigs
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

The effects of extrusion, hydrothermal processing and enzyme pretreatment of soybean meals (SBM) and rapeseed meals (RSM) and the multienzyme supplementation of diets on nutrient digestibility, protein utilization and performance were investigated in growing pigs. The study was comprised of two separate total-collection digestibility and balance trials with 6x6 Latin square designs and a production trial with 140 growing pigs. The processes employed had only minor effects on the chemical composition of the treated oilseed meals. Extrusion and addition of enzyme premix improved the organic matter (OM) and protein (CP) digestibilities of SBM (P
Protoplast culture and plant regeneration of different agronomically important Brassica species and varieties
Authors: Pauk János , Fekete Sándor , Vilkki Juha , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

Protoplast cultures were prepared from 6-day-old hypocotyls of six spring, seven winter cultivars of Brassica napus L. and one line of Brassica campestris L. The molarity of enzyme solution was raised to 0,714 M mannitol resulting in well manipulable, cytoplasm dense protoplasts. In the protoplast purification procedure density gradient centrifugation was used to minimize physical damage of protoplasts. Three different protoplast culture systems —(1) liquid, (2) 2nd day embedded, (3) directly embedded in low melting agarose were compared. The two different protoplast embedding techniques resulted in the same efficiency of cell division as the liquid culture method and over this fact the colony browning was avoided. Using protoplast agarose-embedding and culture techniques, healthy calli were obtained for plant regeneration experiments. Incorporation of silver nitrate into the regeneration medium improved the efficiency of plant regeneration in responsive genotypes and the regeneration was induced in three nonresponsive (without silver nitrate) genotypes, too. The supplement of silver nitrate in regeneration medium was especially advantageous in plant regeneration of B. campestris. Out of fourteen commercial cultivars of Brassica napus and B. campestris, there is only one recalcitrant genotype in obtaining plantlets from protoplast-derived calli.
Scanning electron microscopy of hyphal interaction between Streptomyces griseoviridis and some plant pathogenic fungi
Authors: Tapio Eeva , Pohto-Lahdenperä Arja
Published: July 2018

The interaction between Streptomyces griseoviridis and the pathogens Alternaria brassicicola, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Mycocentrospora acerina, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was studied by SEM both on autoclaved seeds and living seedlings of turnip rape and carrot and the fungi Phomopsis sclerotioides and Pythium ultimum on cucumber seedlings. The samples were prepared by the standard method for examination by scanning electron microscope. The hyperparasitism of S. griseoviridis was clearly shown. S. griseoviridis tightly wound around Alternaria conidia and Sclerotinia hyphae, eventually disintegrating them. It grew along the hyphae of B. cinerea, P. sclerotioides and M. acerina, dissolving them. The hypha of F. oxysporum seemed to be slightly affected, and its conidia not at all. The hyperparasite grew only loosely on the hypha of R. solani and on the mycelium and oogonia of Pythium which seemed not to sustain much injury.
Finnish agriculture in European integration: A firm level approach
Authors: Kola Jukka , Marttila Juha , Niemi Jyrki
Published: July 2018

European integration and the possible application of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, will substantially affect Finnish agriculture. Although the major principles and means of the CAP and the Finnish agricultural policy are quite similar, Finnish agriculture would face fundamental adjustment needs primarily due to the high level of domestic prices and costs. The key factor in the adaptation process would be the overall structural adjustment in terms of production costs, development of farm size, internal and external comparative advantage, and regional reallocation of resources. The length of run analysis, especially w.r.t. to capital requirements, is decisive. Major disadvantages of the Finnish agriculture are unfavourable climate and farm structure. The study indicates that cereal production in particular suffers from the disadvantages through high unit costs of production. Milk production has better capabilities to adjust in European integration, but not without problems, either.
The effect of type of additive on rumen fermentation and digestion of grass silage in cattle
Authors: Vanhatalo Aila , Varvikko Tuomo , Aronen Ilmo
Published: July 2018

Four grass silages made from a second cut cocksfoot-timothy grass were ensiled with the application of water, i. e., without additive (NA), formic acid (FA), lignosulfonate + formic acid + acetic acid (LFA) and cellulase + glucose oxidase enzymes (E), The silages were fed at maintenance level to four dry cows, which had been equipped with a rumen cannula and a simple T-shaped duodenal cannula, in a digestibility experiment designed as a 4x4 latin square. The silages and a mixture of barley and oats (1:1) were given at a ratio of 70:30 on a dry matter basis. All the silages were well preserved, but fermentation in the silo was more restricted in silages ensiled with acid-based additives. The enzyme treatment resulted in reduced levels of cell wall contents compared to the other silages. The apparent digestibilities of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre with E silage were higher (P
Protein utilization responses of growing pigs to supplemental lysine as liquid versus crystalline form in barley-barley protein diet
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

The study examined the influence of increasing dietary supplements of liquid compared to crystalline lysine on nitrogen (N) balance and protein utilization in growing pigs (30-100 kg LW) in a 8*8 Latin square. Eight isonitrogenous diets with 160 g CP/kg were formulated from barley and barley protein supplemented with the two lysine sources at levels of none, 1, 2 and 3 g/kg to provide 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 g/kg total dietary lysine. Barley-SBM served as a contol diet. The dietary lysine concentration had substantial effect on N retention and metabolism. The lysine supplements to the cereal-based diet with a low lysine content, 5.5 g/kg, significantly improved N-retention, decreased urinary-N excretion and enhanced protein utilization and daily gain. There was a linear response of N-retention, urinary-N and urea-N excretion and apparent biological value (P
Milk production and concentrations of blood metabolites as influenced by the level of wet distiller’s solubles in dairy cows receiving grass silage-based diet
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Miettinen Harri
Published: July 2018

Twelve Finnish Ayrshire cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 4-week experimental periods to study the effects of replacing increasing amount of barley with wet distiller’s solubles (WDS) on feed intake, milk production, digestibility and blood constituents. The four dietary treatments consisted of grass silage ad libitum and 7.8 kg dry matter (DM)/d of barley, of which 0 (WDSO), 1 (WDS1), 2 (WDS2) and 3 kg DM/d (WDS3) was replaced with WDS. Mainly because of a greater intake of concentrate with WDS containing diets silage DM intake varied quadratically (P
Evaluation of undehydrated barley feed fractions and dried oat feed fractions from integrated starch-ethanol process in diets of growing pigs
Authors: Näsi Matti , Aimonen Erkki
Published: July 2018

The nutrient digestibility and protein utilization of undehydrated barley fractions: protein (BP), protein fibre mixture (BPF) and distillers solids (DS) at two levels of inclusion in diets fortified to equal lysine content were assayed with growing pigs in a 6 x 6 Latin square. Dried barley fibre (BF), oat protein (OP) and oat fibre (OF) from integrated starch-ethanol production were evaluated as feed ingredients for pigs in three other trials. DS and OP had a higher essential amino acids content than BP, especially with respect to lysine. All fractions had a rather high ether extract content 46-196 g/kg and their fatty acid composition is presented. BP showed higher protein digestibility than DS (0.931 vs. 0.857) and pigs on BP-diet retained more N than on DS-diet. BF showed a low digestibility of OM and CP and 0.1 inclusion of BF mixed with BP depressed CP digestibility and N-retention. A higher protein supply from cereal protein in the diet promoted N-retention but decreased protein utilization. OP had high digestibility and OF was more digestible than BF. The study confirmed the high digestibility and energy values of the proteinous grain fractions and a high protein utilization when adequately fortified with lysine. The fibrous fractions have a rather low nutrient digestibility and their use in pig diets is therefore limited.
Repeatability of subjective grading in fur animals II. Grading of mink and blue fox pelts
Authors: Kenttämies Hilkka , Smeds Kerstin
Published: July 2018

Repeatabilities for subjectively scored colour, clarity and quality traits as well as for measured and classified pelt sizes were studied in mink and blue fox pelts. Mink pelts appeared to be more difficult to grade than blue fox pelts. Among the scored traits, colour was found to be easiest to judge, while clarity as well as some pelt defects tended to be difficult to grade. Repeatabilities for size confirmed by measuring were greater as compared with the traits scored subjectively. Differences between repeatabilities attained by various persons were obvious.
Genetic engineering: An additional tool for plant improvement
Authors: Jain S. Mohan , Oker-Blom Christian , Pehu Eija , Newton R. J.
Published: July 2018

Advances in gene transfer technologies have enabled the production of both monocot and dicot transgenic plants. With the biolistic method, genes can be transferred in recalcitrant crop plants and forest trees, independent of their genotype. Inexpensive methods for both stable and transient gene transfers - ultrasonication, direct DNA insertion during imbibition using somatic embryos, and silicon carbide fibres - have been developed. The frequency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation rates of cloned genes can be enhanced in plant cells. The analysis of molecular markers (RFLPs, RAPDs, DNA fingerprints) can accomplish the characterization, gene mapping and identification and certification and patent protection of cultivars. With PCR, selective amplification of a specific DNA segment from a small amount of an organism’s total DNA can be used toidentify transgenic cultivars. The expression of a target gene can be inhibited with antisense RNA. So far, a limited number of genes have been identified and cloned with genetic engineering. With specific gene transfers, many goals such as biological control of insect pests and fungi, male sterility, virus resistance, improving seed protein, and production of transgenic plants as “bioreactors” can be accomplished. T-DNA mutagenesis may lead to learning more about the genetic control of plant development and morphogenesis, and isolation of useful mutants. Before genetic engineering becomes a reliable tool of plant breeding, more attention is needed to explore: (a) new plant genetic resources in order toidentify and clone new genes, (b) fate of selective and scorable marker genes, and (c) field evaluation of transgenes in transgenic plants.
Barley β-amylase and β-glucanase activities at germination in vulgare-type lines from backcrosses of wild, spontaneum strains with cv. Adorra
Authors: Ahokas Hannu , Erkkilä Maria J.
Published: July 2018

Two hundred and nineteen lines derived from the backcross progenies of eight different Hordeum spontaneum strains were evaluated for β-amylase and β-glucanase activity five days after germination under aseptic conditions. The activities were determined on the basis of soluble protein or grain mass. The recurrent parent cultivar, Adorra, served as the standard. Putative recombinants with high B-amylase activity were relatively easily achieved from high-activity strains of H. spontaneum. Recombinants with high β-glucanase were rare. They appear to be eliminated, possibly due to the strong selection for the domesticated phenotype during the derivation process.
Rapeseed meal as a supplementary protein for dairy cows on grass silage-based diet, with the emphasis on the Nordic AAT-PBV feed protein evaluation system
Authors: Tuori Mikko
Published: July 2018

The effect of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation on the performance of dairy cows on direct cut grass silage based diets was studied in five feeding trials. The proportion of RSM varied from 0% to 33% in the concentrate mixture (the grain was an oat-barley mixture of 1:1). In one experiment the treatments were RSM and soybean meal (SBM), while in another experiment forage was either grass silage or bam dried hay cut at the same maturity. In addition, this was compared to the data of other trials in Finland during the last ten years, in which RSM supplementation had been used. Using this data the response in terms of milk yield to RSM supplementation was estimated. The utilization of protein in milk production was estimated by the Nordic AAT-PBV protein evaluation system. During the experiments (1983-1990) the varieties of turnip rape were changed from high glucosinolate, containing single-zero, to low glucosinolate containing doublezero varieties, while the glucosinolate content was reduced from 40-50 μmoles to 14 μmoles per g of defatted meal. Heat-moisture treatment (™Öpex) further reduced the glucosinolate content by half. By replacing grain with RSM in the concentratemixture with ad libitum silage feeding, the silage intake increased by 0.43 kg per kg increase in RSM on the basis of dry matter (DM) (non significant). The response in increased milk production was 0.77 kg in milk or 0.70 kg in energy corrected milk (ECM) yield (P
Beef production as influenced by stage of maturity of grass for silage and level and type of supplementary concentrates
Authors: Aronen Ilmo , Toivonen Vesa , Ketoja Elise , Öfversten Jukka
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the effects ofstage ofmaturity of grass for silage (EC = early cut, LC = late cut), and level (LL = low level, i.e., 1.5 kg dry matter (DM) d-1, HL = high level, i.e., 3.0 kg DM d-1) and type (B =barley, BRSM = barley and heatmoisture treated rapeseed meal) of supplementary concentrates on feed intake, animal performance and diet digestion in Finnish Ayrshire bulls. The study was conducted as a 23 factorial experiment with six randomized complete blocks. The average initial and final live weights of the bulls were 123 kg and 494 kg, respectively. The crude protein content of the ad libitum fed EC and LC silages, cut at an interval of eight days, was 159 and 131 g kg-1 DM. However, the difference in the estimated content of AAT (= amino acids absorbed in the small intestine) between the two silages was small, whereas there was a large difference in PBV (= protein balance in the rumen). The respective values for crude fibre were 278 and 304 g kg-1 DM. At the beginning of the experiment the voluntary grass silage intake of the EC bulls was higher than that of the LC bulls. Towards the end of the experiment the difference in silage intake between the two stages of cut disappeared. This change in voluntary grass silage intake was followed by a similar change in the rate of daily live weight gain (LWG): the EC bulls started to grow faster than the LC bulls, but the initial slower LWG of the LC bulls had been compensated by the end of the experiment. The LL bulls had a higher intake of silage than the HL bulls. The substitution rate was 0.63 kg silage DM per concentrate DM, regardless of the stage ofcut. HL feeding resulted in faster LWG. Owing, at least partly, to the improved diet digestibility, inclusion of rapeseed meal in the diet increased the silage intake throughout the experiment followed by a faster LWG. The positive effect of rapeseed meal was unaffected by the stage ofmaturity of the grass for silage and the level of concentrate supply. The animals were not able to take full advantage of the high protein content of the EC silage. The inclusion of rapeseed meal in the diet, however, improved the rate of gain and resulted in more efficient feed conversion.
Plant tissue tests for predicting nitrogen fertilizer requirements in spring wheat
Authors: Peltonen Jari
Published: July 2018

Application of nitrogen (N) at sowing (basal N) alone is not always adequate for maximum yield and quality formation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Because uptake and utilization ofN by the plant is influenced by many environmental and varietal factors, supplementary N may be needed during the growing season, too. Additional N can be applied at particular stages of the plant’s development (phenology) to produce the best result from its use. The applicability of plant tissue N concentration as a diagnostic tool for measuring the N status of a wheat stand to guide economical use of additional N application was reviewed here. On the basis of grain protein concentration data, growers producing spring wheat with consistently low protein concentration are advised to pursue a more vigorous and better planned N fertilization programme in their crops. Plant tissue N testing provides a useful method for the producer to annually optimize wheat grain yield and grain protein concentration. Knowledge of both these ‘critical components’ as determined by pre-harvest N levels of plant tissue and post-harvest grain protein concentration can be utilized for making both basal and supplemental N fertilizer recommendations.
Benefit of using plant growth regulators in fodder barley
Authors: Erviö Leila , Jalli Heikki , Kontturi Markku , Hakkola Heikki , Kangas Arjo , Simojoki Paavo
Published: July 2018

The study was conducted to investigate the effect and benefit of applying plant growth regulators (PGR) to two easily lodging barley cultivars, Arra and Kilta, which were commonly used for fodder production all over Finland. Field trials were conducted at six experimental sites in different parts of the country. Of the PGRs tested, ethephon and mepiquat/ethephon were the most effective in shortening the culm and preventing lodging. However, neither could prevent the lodge adequately in all growing circumstances. When applied at flag-leaf stage (FS 10) they increased yield under conditions favourable for lodging. They also raised the volume weight of barley, which was important for the final price of the yield. The most important factors determining future lodging of barley were an effective temperature sum of over +5°C and precipitation during the period from sowing to the beginning of tillering (FS 2). About 64-68% of the lodging risk of the cultivars studied could be predicted from weather conditions during early development of the crop. Local growing conditions and the presence of lodge had a marked impact on the results obtained with PGRs. In the case of moderate lodging the compound used determined whether a profit or loss was made on the crop. In the case of heavy lodging, compounds containing ethephon contributed to an economic return. Their application at flag-leaf stage gave a profit of FIM 70 - 390 ha-1. Since the profitability of PGR treatments depended on lodging, treatments are recommended for fodder barley only when lodging is expected. The lodging risk can be predicted within certain limits at the tillering stage of barley.
Reducing crude protein content with supplementation of synthetic lysine and threonine in barley - rapeseed meal - pea diets for growing pigs
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Alaviuhkola Timo , Suomi Kaija
Published: July 2018

This study was conducted to determine the possibility to use synthetic amino acids to lower the nitrogen output from pig production. A performance experiment was carried out with 120triplet-fed growing pigs whose dietary crude protein was reduced from 179 g/feed unit (FU= 0.7 kg starch equivalent) to 160, 140 and 122 g/FU, respectively. The diets were supplemented with synthetic lysine and threonine to keep the level of these amino acids constant. Dietary protein reduction did not affect the growth performance or feed conversion ratio of the pigs, but it did linearly increase the portion of fat to lean in the carcass. Significant linear effect was found in back fat (p
The phytotoxicity of disinfectants and their effect at different temperatures
Authors: Avikainen Hanna , Koponen Hilkka , Meinander Beata , Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

When disinfecting plastic growth containers, only sodium hypochloride (NaClO) caused damage both to cucumber and lettuce seedlings grown on peat if the containers had not been washed with water after disinfection. Also the seedlings grown on rockwool cubes were susceptible to Menno-Ter-forte when the growth containers were not properly rinsed after disinfection. All tested disinfectants caused damage to cucumber, lettuce and cauliflower seedlings when mixed in the peat substrate. The efficiency of disinfectants was higher at +20°C than at +5°C, especially against Fusarium culmorum, F. oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. A decrease in temperature affected least the efficacy of NaOCl and Menno-Ter-forte and most that of Virkon S.
Macro- and microelement concentrations of Finnish timothy in 1974 and 1987
Authors: Mäkelä-Kurtto Ritva , Erviö Raimo , Sippola Jouko
Published: July 2018

Macro- and microelement concentrations of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) in 1974 and 1987 were compared. Timothy samples were collected from the same Finnish fields in 1987 as in 1974 and analyzed for seventeen elements. The biogenic element concentrations of timothy were mostly unchanged or slightly decreased. The decreases were most probably due to differences in the weather conditions between the years and in the stage of development of the plants at the time of sampling. The decrease in timothy Zn was apparently caused by the decrease in soil Zn. In 1987, the mineral nutritive value of timothy as animal feed was nearly the same as in 1974, but lower than the recommendations valid today. In both years, the concentrations of harmful elements in timothy were low. A drastic decrease in Pb from 1974 to 1987 was due to a remarkable decrease in the Pb emissions from traffic into the atmosphere. Timothy grown on fine mineral soils was rich in K, AI, Cd, Cu and Ni, while timothy from organic soils was rich in P, Mg, Fe and Mo. The only clear regional difference was in the Pb concentration; it was higher in the south than up north.
Partitioning of injuries caused by winter, fungal diseases and viral infections in cereals
Authors: Peltonen Jari
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to clarify whether the critical levels of winter damage, viral infections and foliar diseases of cereals could be established by the Cate-Nelson procedure. This information would help the State Granary representatives and computer modelists, as well as farmers and consultants to understand the yearly variations in grain yields of cereals. Three winter rye, spring wheat and oat cultivars were used. The severity of leaf diseases and percentages of winter damage were observed visually. When winter damage exceeds 19%, a yield reduction of 44% (1804 kg ha-1) in winter rye may be expected. The critical level of Septoria nodorum infection in spring wheat was 37%. Above this critical level a yield reduction of 33% (1393 kg ha-1) was estimated. In oat canopy an area of > 38% infected by barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) decreased the grain yield significantly by 30% (1718 kg ha-1).
Cooked meat products made of coarsely ground pork: the main bacterial strains of bacterial flora, their heat resistance and effect on spoilage
Authors: Petäjä Esko , Puolanne Eero
Published: July 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the bacterial flora of the surface layer and the core of meat products made of coarsely ground pork at the moment of spoilage when stored at 7°C or 4°C. The dominating strains were isolated, their heat resistance was studied in APT-broth, on APT-agar and in coarsely ground cured pork, and their growth after heating and effect on spoilage were followed in coarsely ground cured pork. The first signs of spoilage appeared in the surface layer of the products. The strains were coccoid lactic acid bacteria with counts ranging from 3,5 to 7.8 log cfu (colony forming units)/g. They survived only accidentally after heating for 15 minutes at 72°C in APT-broth. The core of the products contained only coccoid lactic acid bacteria or only pseudomonads or both as the main bacterial strains. The counts ranged from 2.6 to 6.0 log cfu/g. Most of the strains isolated from the core survived after heating for 30 minutes at 72°C in APT-broth in at least three tests out of six. The most noticeable result of the study was the occurence of heat-resistant pseudomonads in the core. It must be pointed out that all pseudomonads found survived after heating for 60 minutes at 72°C in APT-broth, and often after heating for 15 minutes at 72°C in coarsely ground cured pork (core 72°C). The cfu number of the two most heat-resistant streptococcus strains decreased only 1 log unit over 15 minutes at 72°C in coarsely ground cured pork. The numbers of inoculated pseudomonads decreased but those of streptococci rose by a maximum of 1 log unit when the experimental porks were kept at 4°C after heating. This indicates that streptococci and pseudomonads probably do not constitute a serious spoilage factor in cooked meat products, but spoilage is generally effected by bacteria which have contaminated the surface layer of the products after heat treatment.
Polyene production of antagonistic Streptomyces species isolated from Sphagnum peat
Authors: Raatikainen Olavi , Tuomisto Jouko , Tahvonen Risto , Rosenqvist Heikki
Published: July 2018

Several isolates of Streptomyces species, suppressive against fungal growth and obtained from light-coloured Sphagnum peat, produced polyene antibiotics. The mechanism of growth suppression by these isolates is probably partially explained by antibiosis, since there was a significant difference in the antibiotic production by suppressive vs. non-suppressive isolates. The antibiotic consists of several individual components, which form an aromatic heptaene complex of the candicidin type containing p-aminoacetophenone and mycosamine moieties. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antibiotic against yeasts and fungi was the same as that of candicidin.
Effect of barley grinding method and sodium polyacrylate supplement in the diet on the performance and stomach ulcer development of growing finishing pigs
Authors: Alaviuhkola Timo , Hautala Marja , Suomi Kaija , Vuorenmaa Juhani
Published: July 2018

Two different grinding methods - rolling and hammer milling - as well as polyacrylate supplement in the diet were studied to evaluate their effect on the performance of pigs and the incidence of gastric lesions. The experiment was carried out in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with a total of 160 pigs. The grist size of rolled barley was bigger than of hammermilled barley, but the difference in water-binding capacity was insignificant. No significant differences were observed in the performance traits of pigs fed either rolled or hammer-milled barley. The sodium polyacrylate supplement had no effect on the daily gain, feed:gain ratio or carcass quality of the pigs. Gastric ulcers and constrictions of the oesophageal opening of the stomach were more frequent in the groups fed hammer-milled barley than in the groups fed rolled barley, the difference being statistically significant (P
Inclusion of wheat bran in barley-soybean meal diets with different phosphorus levels for growing-finishing pigs I. Effects on nutrient digestibility and mineral balances in finishing pigs
Authors: Helander Eija , Näsi Matti , Partanen Kirsi
Published: July 2018

The effect of the intrinsic phytase of wheat bran (WB) on phytin-phosphorus availability to pigs on barley-soybean meal diets was measured in a digestibility and balance experiment using a 2x3 factorial arrangement in a 6x5 cyclic change-over design. The factors were WB inclusion (0 or 100 g per kg, later referred to as WB- and WB+, respectively) and three phosphorus (P) levels: high (HP), medium (MP) and low (LP). The inclusion of WB in the diet did not significantly improve dietary P utilization. However, the absorption and retention of P appeared to be slightly improved by WB inclusion in the LP diet. This improvement may be due to WB phytase. The effects of WB on the digestibility and balance of other minerals remained relatively small. The P level, on the other hand, had a greater effect on mineral balances. Ash digestibility was not affected by the treatments. Dry matter and organic matter digestibilities were impaired when WB was included in the diet. N absorption of intake was higher (p
Propionic acid treated grain (oats) in the diet of horses
Authors: Saastamoinen Markku T.
Published: July 2018

Use of oats treated with propionic acid in horse feeding was investigated in a 48-day feeding trial. Twenty horses were divided into a control and an experimental group. Horses in the control and experimental groups were fed with hay and dry or propionic acid treated oats, respectively, according to their energy requirements. The influence of the diet on health, faecal microflora, haemoglobin and haematocrit values, blood serum glucose concentrations, and weight change was investigated. The state of the health of all the horses was good throughout the trial. The functioning of the digestive tract of the horses was normal, since no symptoms of a declined health status of the digestive tract or harmfull effects on microflora due to propionic acid treated oats were observed. Also the haematology of the horses was unaffected by the diet. These data indicated that propionic acid treated grain can succesfully be included in rations for horses.
Effects of microbial phytase supplementation of a barley-soybean meal diet on the performance and bone mineralization of growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Helander Eija
Published: July 2018

The study evaluated the effect of a phytase supplement, produced by Aspergillus niger, on the performance of 72 growing-finishing pigs (28-101 kg). Chemical and physical parameters of the tibia and fibula bones were measured. The control diet (diet 1) was formulated to be adequate for pigs with respect to all nutrients, and diets 2 and 3 with respect to all other nutrients except total phosphorus (P). The P source of the control diet was dicalciumphosphate (dihydrate), while no inorganic P was added to diets 2 and 3. Diet 3 was supplemented with phytase, 720 U/kg feed. The average daily gain (ADG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the control pigs were significantly better than those of the groups without inorganic P. Phytase improved the ADG (p
Preferences of farmed blue foxes for platforms, nestbox and cage floor
Authors: Korhonen Hannu , Niemelä Paavo
Published: July 2018

A preference test system was devised to assess the preferences of farm-raised, juvenile blue foxes for six various types of resting platforms, including nestbox roof, and for nestbox and cage floor. The results showed that platform use was low since the test foxes preferred the cage floor. The amount of previous individual platform usage did not affect preference. However, foxes originating from groups with a high amount of previous platform use also had the highest amount of platform usage in the test situation. Of all the platforms, the nestbox roof was preferred the most. Although the location of the platform in the present test situation was found to affect preference, it was difficult to finally separate the real effects of platform location and type. No relationship was found between temperature and use of the platforms or nestbox. On the basis of the present results we may conclude that platforms are not actually necessary for foxes during winter period.
Lysine supplementation of barley wet distillers’ solids diets for growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Siljander-Rasi Hilkka , Alaviuhkola Timo , Rantanen Asko
Published: July 2018

A growth experiment was conducted to study the effect of different lysine supplementation levels of barley wet distillers’ solids (WDS) diets on the performance and the carcass quality of pigs (25.5-95.5 kg live weight). A total of 160 pigs were divided into four groups of 40 animals. Four pigs of the same sex were placed in each pen and fed one of the four experimental diets; a barley-soyabean meal (SBM) control diet (167 g crude protein (CP) /kg dry matter (DM) and 7.6 g lysine/feed unit (FU)) or three similar barley-WDS diets (204 g CP/kg DM) which were supplemented with synthetic lysine to contain 7.7, 9.2 or 10.7 g lysine/FU. Lysine supplementation linearly improved the daily weight gain (DG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the pigs during growing (1-5 weeks) (p < 0.001), finishing (6th week onward) (p < 0.001) and the whole experimental period (p < 0.001). However, during the whole growing-finishing period the performance of the pigs levelled off at the lysine level of 9.2 g/FU and daily supply of 18.0 g, respectively(quadratic effect: p < 0.05 for DG and p < 0.01 for FCR). The pigs on the SBM diet grew faster and more efficiently than did the pigs on the WDS diets with similar lysine content (p < 0.05).
The application of agricultural land rating and crop models to CO2 and climate change issues in Northern regions: the Mackenzie Basin case study
Authors: Brklacich Michael
Published: July 2018

The Mackenzie Basin in northwestern Canada covers approximately 1.8 million km2 and extends from 52°N to 70°N. Much of the Basin is currently too cool and remote from markets to support a viable agricultural sector, but the southern portion of the Basin has the physical potential to support commercial agriculture. This case study employed agricultural land rating and crop models to estimate the degree to which a CO2 -induced global warming might alter the physical potential for commercial agriculture throughout the Basin. The two climate change scenarios considered in this analysis would relax the current constraints imposed by a short and cool frost-free season, but without adaptive measures, drier conditions and accelerated crop development rates were estimated to offset potential gains stemming from elevated CO2 levels and warmer temperatures. In addition to striving for a better understanding of the extent to which physical constraints on agriculture might be modified by climate change, there is a need to expand the research context and to consider the capacity of agriculture to adapt to altered climates.
Impact of global warming on potato late blight: risk, yield loss and control
Authors: Kaukoranta Timo
Published: July 2018

The impact of climate warming on yield losses caused by potato late blight and on the need for disease control was studied by constructing models for timing late blight epidemics and a model of potato growth constrained by late blight. Empirical models predicting the date of planting and emergence of potato were based on thermal time, and a model predicting the date of late blight outbreak was based on thermal time on rainy days. Experiments were conducted over 3 years under ambient and elevated (+3°C) temperatures to obtain parameter values for the growth model. Potato emergence is predicted to occur at 631 degree days accumulated above 0°C after the 16-day running mean temperature in spring exceeds 0°C. A blight outbreak is predicted to occur when the effective temperature sum accumulated above 8°C after potato emergence, on days with at least 0.1 mm of precipitation, achieves 156 degree days. In the prediction of the outbreak the maximum daily accumulation of temperature is limited to 10 degree days. A preliminary sensitivity study carried out at one site in southern Finland suggests that over a range of 1 to 3°C warming, the period during which late blight needs to be controlled by fungicide applications would be 10-20 days longer per 1°C of warming. The increase in yield loss of unprotected crops would be of the same magnitude as the increase in yield potential, around 2 t/ha of dry matter per 1°C of warming.
Effects of physical treatment of barley and rapeseed meal in dairy cows given grass silage-based diets
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Heikkilä Terttu
Published: July 2018

Twenty-four Ayrshire cows were used to study the effects of physical treatment of barley, rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation and heat-moisture treatment of RSM on silage intake and milk production. Experimental design was a cyclic change-over with six dietary treatments. The treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement consisted of either untreated (UB) or heat-moisture treated barley (TB), given without protein supplementation (control) or with untreated or heat-moisture treated RSM. Grass silage was given ad libitum and the concentrates at a rate of 10 kg/d. For the RSM diets, 2 kg/d of the basal concentrate was replaced with either untreated or treated RSM. Treatment of barley decreased silage intake, the effect being greater when the supplement did not contain RSM. There was no effect on milk yield, but due to the lower milk fat content, energy corrected milk yield was lower in cows given TB than in those given UB. Feeding the TB diets was also associated with lower milk urea content, and with increased milk protein content but not protein yield. Faster initial rate of gas production in vitro suggested that the treatment of barley increased the rate of fermentation. Compared with the control diets, RSM supplementation significantly increased silage intake, milk yield, milk protein content and yields of all milk constituents. Heat-moisture treatment of RSM did not produce any further production response.
Effects of expanding on the nutritive value of wheat bran in pig diets
Authors: Näsi Matti , Partanen Kirsi , Laurinen Pasi
Published: July 2018

Nutrient digestibility and protein utilization responses in pigs to the expanding process of wheat bran were evaluated. The digestibility and nitrogen balance study was conducted with nine finishing barrows (live weight of 75-93 kg) using a two-period reversal design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Wheat bran, untreated or expanded with a Kahl expander at a temperature of 105- 110°C, was included at two levels of 150 or 300 g kg-1 in barley-based diet supplemented with minerals and vitamins and fortified with lysine. The level of wheat bran in the diet had a diminishing effect on organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and hemicellulose (HC) digestibilities of the diet and tended to decrease those of crude protein (CP) and ash. Expanding of the wheat bran affected a non-significant improvement on ether extract (EE), NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and HC digestibilities of the diet. Nutrient digestibilities of wheat bran and expanded wheat bran computed by regression were 0.64, 0.67 for OM; 0.70, 0,70 for CP; 0.47, 0.63 for EE; 0.35, 0.40 for NDF and 0.01, 0,16 for ADF, respectively. Feed values of untreated and expanded wheat bran were 11.45 and 12,08 MJ ME kg 1 DM, 7.84 and 8.02 MJ NE kg-1 DM and digestible crude protein 1 13 and 1 10g kg-1 DM respectively. The expanding process had no effect on nitrogen retention or protein utilization parameters measured. Processing of wheat bran with an expander had only a slight improving effect on the nutritive value of bran in pig diets.
Non-surgical transfer of 4’,6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole-stained equine embryos
Authors: Huhtinen Mirja , Bredbacka Peter
Published: July 2018

4’,6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) is a fluorescent dye that binds only to the DNA of dead blastomeres of an embryo. The use of DAPI for assessing viabilities of equine Day 6 to 7 embryos was studied. The pregnancy and normal development of the embryo until 20 days after transfer (day of pregnancy termination) was used as an indicator ofembryonic viability. Eleven embryos were stained with DAPI at room temperature for 15 min. They were then exposed to UV light to visualize staining, and cultured for 2 h before non-surgical transfer to recipient mares. Eight control embryos were cultured for 2 h before transfer to recipient mares. The recipient mares were scanned for pregnancies every other day starting 6 days after transfer. Twenty days after the transfer the pregnant recipient mares received luprostiol to induce abortion of the foetus. The pregnancy rate 6 days after transfer was 82% in the treatment group, and 75% in the control group (P>0.05). One DAPI-stained embryo resorbed and was no longer visible 12 days after transfer. However, this particular recipient mare had a uterine inflammation as shown by examination in the oestrus following embryo transfer. Although the number of embryos is insufficient to demonstrate lack of treatment effect, the high pregnancy rates following DAPI staining should encourage further studies on this subject.
The transfer of 137Cs through the soil-plant-sheep food chain in different pasture ecosystems
Authors: Paasikallio Arja , Sormunen-Cristian Riitta
Published: July 2018

A grazing experiment with sheep was carried out in 1990-1993 on natural, semi-natural and cultivated pasture on clay soil. The pastures were located in Southern Finland and were moderately contaminated with 137 Cs by Chernobyl fallout. Natural pasture refers to forest pasture and serai-natural pasture to set-aside field pasture, the latter having been under cultivation about 15 years ago. The transfer of 137Cs to sheep was clearly higher from forest pasture than from the other two pastures and it was lowest from cultivated pasture. The transfer was higher to muscle and kidney than to liver and heart. The transfer of 137Cs to plants and to meat varied with years. Seasonal variation in the plant 137 Cs was followed-up on forest and set-aside field pasture; the activity concentration of plants reached a maximum in June, a lesser increase occurred later in the autumn. In 1993, which was considered an average year with respect to 137Cs transfer to plants, the mean soil-plant transfer factors of 137Cs for forest, set-aside field and cultivated pastures were 1.78, 0.36 and 0.09, and soil-meat aggregated transfer factors 11.0, 0.28 and 0.03, respectively.
Optimization of centrifugal separation of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin
Authors: Tupasela Tuomo , Koskela Petri , Pahkala Eero , Kankare Veikko
Published: July 2018

Whey proteins, which are mainly composed of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) and α-lactalbumin (α-la), account for about 20% of the proteins of bovine milk. In this study we investigated the effect of pH, dry matter content, concentration factor, heat treatment and centrifugation on the separation of α-la from β-lg using clarified whey as raw material, α-La precipitation was highest, 23.3%, when the dry matter content ranged from 5.8% to 25.7%. The optimum pH of α-la precipitation depended on the dry matter content. The separation efficiency increased when the concentration factor and heat treatment time at 55°C increased. A longer centrifugation time and higher separation speed did not have a marked effect on the separation efficiency. Separation was more efficient with a higher centrifugation speed at concentration levels 30 X and 60 X. The separation efficiency did not improve when the temperature was raised from 55°C to 65°C but it was better at a concentration level 120 X than at 60 X and 30 X, and also at concentration level 60 X than with 30 X.
Seasonal and circadian changes in activity rates of adult farm blue foxes
Authors: Korhonen Hannu , Niemelä Paavo
Published: July 2018

The present paper reports systematic activity rates obtained from year-round video recordings of farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) housed singly in conventional wire-mesh cages (107 cm wide x 110 long x 70 cm high). Subjects were 9 males and 13 females. Mean whole-year activity rates were slightly higher in males (394 ± 116 min/24 h; mean ± SD) than females (349 ± 111 min/24 h). Significant (P
Agricultural phosphorus and water quality: sources, transport and management
Authors: Sharpley Andrew , Gburek William , Heathwaite Louise
Published: July 2018

Freshwater eutrophication is usually controlled by inputs of phosphorus (P). To identify critical sources of P export from agricultural catchments we investigated hydrological and chemical factors controlling P export from a mixed land use (30% wooded, 50% cultivated, 20% pasture) 39.5-ha catchment in east-central Pennsylvania, USA. Mehlich-3 extractable soil P, determined on a 30-m grid over the catchment, ranged from 7 to 788 mg kg-1. Generally, soils in wooded areas had low Mehlich-3P (
Changes in the thermal growing season in Nordic countries during the past century and prospects for the future
Authors: Carter Timothy R.
Published: July 2018

The start, end, duration and intensity of the thermal growing season (the period with mean daily temperatures exceeding 5°C) during the past century (1890-1995) was analysed at nine sites in the Nordic region. Statistical comparisons were made between three adjacent 35-year periods. The results indicate that the growing season lengthened considerably at all sites between 1891-1925 and 1926-1960. Lengthening has continued at a slower rate up to the present at the eight Fennoscandian sites but not at the Icelandic site. In contrast, the intensity of the growing season, expressed by effective temperature sum above 5°C, which increased at all sites between the first two periods, has decreased slightly at all locations except Turku in recent decades. Under three scenarios, representing the range of estimated greenhouse gas-induced warming by the 2050s, the growing season is expected to lengthen at all sites. For a “Central” scenario, the greatest lengthening is computed for southern and western Scandinavia (7-8 weeks) with smaller changes in Finland (4 weeks) and Iceland (3 weeks). With a lengthening growing season during the past century in Fennoscandia, there are likely to have been impacts on natural and managed ecosystems. Some evidence of recent biotic and abiotic effects already exists, but other indicators of long-term change remain to be analysed.