bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lamb production from diverse genotypes. 1. Lamb growth and survival and ewe performance
Authors: Fogarty N. M. , Hopkins D. L. , Ven R. van de
Published: August 2016

Growth and survival of 3673 female and cryptorchid lambs representing the range of types (second cross, first cross and Merino) produced in the Australian lamb industry are reported. The lambs were sired by a selection of Poll Dorset (D; no. = 7), Texel (T; no. = 10), Border Leicester (BL; no. = 12) and Merino (M; no. = 12) rams and born to Border Leicester × Merino (BLM) and Merino (M) dams, which resulted in six lamb genotypes (D×BLM, T×BLM, D×M, T×M, BL×M and M×M). The second cross lambs (D×BLM, T×BLM) were heavier at birth, weaning and post-weaning and had higher growth rates, than first cross lambs (D×M, T×M, BL×M), which were higher than M×M lambs (P< 0·01). For post-weaning weight (cryptorchids at 156 days) second cross lambs were 4·2 (s.e. 0·3) kg heavier than comparable sired first cross lambs, with the BL×M 2·6 (s.e. 0·5) kg lighter than other first cross types and the MxM a further 4·2 (s.e. 0·6) kg lighter. The average advantage of D over T crosses was 1·0 kg for post-weaning weight, with greater variation amongst individual sires.

Lamb survival to weaning was 76% and it was affected by birth weight and birth type (P< 0·01). Sire breed had no significant effect on lamb survival, whereas lambs from BLM ewes had higher survival than those from M ewes (P< 0·01).

Overall the proportion of ewes lambing was 84% with a mean litter size of 1·77. There was no difference infertility between AI (thawed frozen semen and laparoscopic insemination) and natural (single sire) mating, although the M were higher than the BLM ewes (P< 0·01). Gestation length was 2·3 days shorter (P< 0·01) for BLM than M ewes and there was no difference between D and T sire breeds. There was little effect of birth type on gestation length but it increased with birth weight within birth type categories. Between year repeatability of gestation length for ewes was 0·33 (s.e. 0·05).
Ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids in growing pigs given a cassava root meal diet with inclusion of cassava leaves, leucaena leaves and groundnut foliage
Authors: Phuc B.H.N. , Lindberg J. E.
Published: August 2016

Ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids (AA) in a cassava root meal and soya-bean meal diet without and with an inclusion (150 g/kg) of sun-dried cassava leaves, ensiled cassava leaves, leucaena leaves and groundnut foliage was studied in a change-over experiment (5 ✕ 5) with post-valve T-caecum cannulated growing pigs.

The ileal apparent digestibility of dietary crude protein (CP) and AA were unaffected by the inclusion of groundnut foliage (P> 0·05). In contrast, when sun-dried and ensiled cassava leaves, and leucaena leaves were included in the diet the ileal apparent digestibility of dietary CP and AA were significantly reduced (P< 0·05).

The estimated ileal apparent digestibilities of essential and non-essential AA in groundnut foliage were higher (P< 0·05) than those of the other leaf products and there were no differences among cassava leaves and leucaena leaves (P> 0·05). On average ileal apparent digestibility of essential AA was 0·71 in groundnut meal and 0·56 in cassava and leucaena leaves.

It was concluded that, under tropical conditions, groundnut foliage has the potential to improve the dietary protein and AA supply and to replace partially soya-bean meal, in low fibre diets for growing pigs. Further, when conventional protein-rich foods are not available, cassava and leucaena leaves may also have the potential to improve the protein and AA supply for pigs.
The effects of selection for lean tissue content on maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours in Scottish Blackface sheep
Authors: Dwyer C. M. , Lawrence A. B. , Bishop S. C.
Published: August 2016

British hill sheep are required to give birth to and rear their lambs under harsh extensive conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic selection for increased (LEAN) or decreased (FAT) carcass lean content in the Scottish Blackface breed over 7 years had affected the ability of ewes to rear lambs by altering the expression of maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours. The behaviour of 61 ewes (32 LEAN and 29 FAT) and their 119 lambs were recorded at parturition and over the first 8 weeks of life. Overall there were very few effects of selection on the behaviour of the ewes. LEAN ewes were significantly faster than FAT ewes to start grooming their lambs after birth and FAT ewes tended to withdraw more frequently from their lambs than LEAN ewes. There was, however, a highly significant effect of selection line on lamb behaviour. LEAN lambs were significantly quicker than FAT lambs to perform all righting movements (median latency to stand (mins): LEAN = 11·7, FAT = 23·4,P< 0·01), were more likely both to suck (percentage that sucked: LEAN = 81·0%, FAT = 57·1%,P< 0·05), and to play within the first 2 h of birth. The higher rate of sucking in LEAN lambs persisted over the first 3 days after birth (percent observations where lambs were sucking: LEAN = 7·8 (s.e. 0·8), FAT = 5·1 (s.e. 0·6),P< 0·05), when LEAN lambs were also significantly closer to their mothers than FAT lambs. Thereafter, there were no significant effects of ewe or lamb line on behaviours recorded up to 8 weeks after birth. Overall lamb mortality to 8 weeks was 19·3% and was not significantly affected by lamb line. However, lambs that were slow to perform early behaviours had a reduced survival to 8 weeks of age. These data suggest that, although ewe maternal behaviour has not been significantly affected by selection for lean growth, the activity of the neonatal lamb has been affected. Lamb activity was related to lamb survival, even in our indoor lambing conditions. It is likely that the speed with which newborn lambs stand and suck will be even more important for survival under extensive conditions.
Efficiency of part lactation test day records for genetic evaluations using fixed and random regression models
Authors: Mrode R. A. , Swanson G. J. T. , Lindberg C. M.
Published: August 2016

The efficiency of part lactation test day (TD) records in first parity for the genetic evaluation of bulls and cows using a random regression model (RRM) and a fixed regression model (FRM) was studied, modelling the random and fixed lactation curves by Legendre polynomials. The data set consisted of 9 242 783 TD records for first lactation milk yield of 1 134 042 Holstein Friesian heifers. The efficiency of both models with part lactation TD records was examined by comparing predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) for 305-day milk yield for 114 bulls and their 4697 daughters, from analyses where the maximum number of TD records of these daughters was restricted to the initial 2, 4 or 6 TDs with those estimated from 10 TDs. The correlations of PTAs estimated from 2, 4 or 6 TDs with those from 10 TDs computed for cows and bulls within each model were very similar. A rank correlation of 0·91 (0·92 FRM) was obtained for cows between PTAs based on 2 TDs and those from 10 TDs. The correlation increased to 0·96 with 4 TDs and 0·98 with 6 TDs. For bulls, correlations between PTAs estimated from 4 or 6 TDs with those estimated from 10 TDs were high at 0·98 and 0·99 respectively. With 2 TDs, the correlation was 0·95. The average under-prediction of PTAs with 2, 4 or 6 TDs relative to 10 TDs was generally higher and more variable with a FRM compared with a RRM for highly persistent cows and bulls. A similar trend was observed for mean over-prediction of PTAs, except for the initial predictions based on 2 TDs when the RRM gave a higher mean over-prediction for bulls and their daughters with low persistency but high initial TD records. The range of over and under-predictions were large (up to 200 kg milk) for some bulls when only 2 TDs were included in both models. A moderate correlation of 0·64 was obtained between persistency evaluations estimated from 10 TDs with those estimated from 2 TDs. The correlation increased to 0·71 with 4 TDs included and 0·85 with 6 TDs. The moderately high correlation between 6 TDs and 10 TDs of 0·85 was unexpected given the high correlation of 0·99 between PTAs for yield estimated from 6TDs with those estimated from 10 TDs.
Changes in muscularity with growth and its relationship with other carcass traits in three terminal sire breeds of sheep
Authors: Jones H. E. , Lewis R. M. , Young M. J. , Wolf B. T. , Warkup C. C.
Published: August 2016

Data were available for 160 sheep (50 Suffolk males, 50 Suffolk females, 40 Texel males and 20 Charollais males). One-fifth of animals within each breed and sex were slaughtered at each of 14, 18 or 22 weeks of age and two-fifths slaughtered at 26 weeks. After slaughter linear measurements were taken on the carcass. The left side of each carcass was then separated into eight joints and each joint dissected into lean, bone and fat. Five muscularity measures (three for the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle, one for the hind leg and one for the whole carcass) and one of the shape of the LTL cross-section (depth: width) were calculated. With the exception of one measure for the LTL, muscularity increased with growth. Rates of increase in most measures were higher in Texels than in each of the other breeds, but were not different between the male and female Suffolks or between the Suffolk and Charollais lambs. Increases in most muscularity measures at a constant live weight were associated with increases in lean to bone ratio and carcass lean content. Associations with fat content were either non-significant or negative. Relationships with lean distribution were non-significant or weak. Correlations between the three measures of muscularity for the LTL were high. Correlations between the whole carcass measure and those within different regions were moderate to high in the Texels but lower in the Suffolk and Charollais breeds. The same was true for correlations between the LTL measures and hind leg muscularity. If muscularity throughout the carcass is to be described effectively, measures in more than one region may be required, particularly in the Suffolk and Charollais breeds.
Meal patterns of dairy cows consuming mixed foods with a high or a low ratio of concentrate to grass silage
Authors: Tolkamp B. J. , Friggens N. C. , Emmans G. C. , Kyriazakis I. , Oldham J. D.
Published: August 2016

With the aim of testing the effects of food quality on meal patterns 127 213 visits by 22 lactating cows to 12 computerized feeders supplying two foods, high forage (HF) and high concentrate (HC) consisting of grass silage and concentrate were analysed. The foods were composed of the same ingredients but the proportion of concentrate dry matter (DM) in the food DM differed between HC (0·59) and HF (0·27). Each of the foods was offered ad libitum to 11 cows from the start of lactation until 156 (s.e. 9) days after calving. Mean daily fresh food intake (49·2 kg) was not affected by treatment. Mean daily intake of DM differed between HC (23·6 kg) and HF (17·8 kg). After estimating individual meal criteria, visits were grouped into meals. The mean daily number of meals was 6·6, the mean fresh food intake per meal was 7·6 kg and neither was affected by treatment. Cows consuming HF had longer meals (41·4 v. 31·3 min) but a lower feeding rate than cows consuming HC (233 v. 337 g of fresh food per min and 78 v. 156 g DM per min). Pre- and post-prandial correlation coefficients were sometimes statistically significant but always low (R2from 0 to 0·05) and not affected by treatment. Food intake per hour of the feeding cycle (defined as the intake during a meal divided by length of the meal plus the duration of the preceding between-meal interval) showed a diurnal pattern in the shape of a sine-wave with low values of about 1·5 kg/h for cycles starting just after midnight and high values of more than 3·0 kg/h for cycles starting just after noon. Neither the mean, nor the amplitude, nor the shift of the sine-wave were affected by treatment. The data suggest that similar mechanisms are responsible for the short-term intake regulation of HC and HF. No evidence was found to suggest that the diurnal meal pattern of cows consuming HF deviated from that of cows consuming HC as a result of differences between foods in constraints related to their physical properties.
Growth performance and carcass characteristics of two genotypes of growing-finishing pig in three different housing systems
Authors: Guy J. H. , Rowlinson P. , Chadwick J. P. , Ellis M.
Published: August 2016

A trial was conducted to compare the growth performance and carcass characteristics of 720 growing pigs housed in one of three different finishing systems: outdoor paddocks, straw yards and fully slatted pens. Two genotypes were used: ‘indoor’ (progeny of Large White ✕ Landrace sows mated to Large White boars) or ‘outdoor’ (progeny of part-Duroc or part-Meishan sows, mated to Large White boars). Groups of 20 pigs were reared from an average of 30 to 80 kg live weight and given ad libitum access to a commercial specification diet. The outdoor genotypes had significantly lower average daily gain than the indoor genotype (682, 673 and 719 g respectively for part-Duroc, part-Meishan and indoor-type pigs, P 0·01). Part-Meishan genotypes had significantly higher backfat levels than the indoor genotype (P 0·05), with an intermediate value for part-Duroc pigs (22·6, 21·1 and 21·8 mm respectively). Values for food conversion ratio were significantly higher for combined outdoor genotype groups when compared with the indoor genotype (2·76 v. jt>2·62, P 0·05). Average daily gains of pigs in straw yards and outdoor paddocks were significantly higher than for those in fully slatted pens (736 and 675 v. 627 g, P 0·01 respectively). Food conversion ratio was similar for pigs in outdoor paddocks and fully slatted pens, but significantly lower for those in straw yards (2·77 and 2·75 v. 2·55, P 0·01 respectively). Backfat depth (P1 + P3mm) was significantly greater for animals finished in straw yards compared to those in outdoor paddocks (22·2 v. 20·6 mm, P 0·05) and intermediate for those finished in fully slatted pens (21·5 mm). Interaction between finishing system and genotype did not occur to any major degree, hence it appears unnecessary to specify a particular genotype for a particular finishing system. It was concluded that pigs of the outdoor genotype had a lower growth performance compared with the indoor genotype. Finishing systems however may have been confounded by other factors so that no clear recommendations can be made as to the optimum finishing system.
Genotype by environment interactions in lamb weight and carcass composition traits
Authors: Maniatis N. , Pollott G. E.
Published: August 2016

The systematic use of the same genotype in several different environments provides information that can be used to estimate genotype by environment interaction (G ✕ E) variances and parameters. Data from the UK Suffolk Sire Referencing Scheme Ltd were used to investigate a range of sire and dam by environment interactions in lamb weight (at 8 weeks and scanning) and body composition traits (muscle and fat depth). These interactions were calculated in a DFREML mixed model containing direct additive, maternal additive, maternal environmental random variance components and the covariance between direct and maternal additive effects. Sire interactions with year, flock and flock-year and dam effects within and between litters were investigated. The addition of all G ✕ E (co)variance components resulted in an improved fit of the model for all traits. Sire interactions accounted for between 2 and 3% of the phenotypic variance in all traits, usually at the expense of both additive effects. Maternal litter environmental variance components ranged from 10% (fat depth and muscle depth) to 20% (8-week weight) of phenotypic variance. Most of this variation was found in the residual component of variance when the term was omitted from the model. When fitting sire G✕ E components in a model the covariance between direct and maternal additive genetic effects, as a proportion of phenotypic variance, was reduced to a low level (from –0·36 to –0·08 for 8-week weight). Genotype by environment interactions form a significant source of variation in lamb growth and composition traits and reduce the high negative correlation between additive effects found previously in these traits.
The effect of melatonin treatment on fur maturation period and hair follicle cycle in growing chinchillas
Authors: Lanszki J. , Allain D. , Thébault R.-G. , Szendrö Zs.
Published: August 2016

The effect of melatonin treatment on fur maturation period and hair follicle cycle in 4-month-old male and female chinchillas, kept under conditions of natural photoperiod, was studied. The animals were treated with continuous-release implants of melatonin (18 mg, group M, no. = 56), while no treatment was given to the control (group C, no. = 69). The effect on hair follicle activity cycle under conditions of normal hair growth (no. = 8) and after defleecing (no. = 8) and on number of hair fibres per follicle bundle (no. = 27) were measured by taking skin samples for histological examination once a month. The age at fur priming was reduced by 31 days (P < 0001) in the melatonin-treated chinchillas. When moulting began during the short-day period, the fur reached maturity 13 days (P < 005) sooner than when the moult began during the long-day period. Melatonin administration proved to be effective in these two periods. Melatonin treatment led to hair follicle activity decreasing at a faster rate, and the differences between treated and control groups from day 60 were significant (P < 005). The primary and secondary hair follicles reached the telogen phase 30 days earlier. Due to melatonin administration more fibres per follicle bundle were observed on the matured pelt (P < 005). At 4 months of age, following the removal of hair by defleecing, the growth of the first adult hair was studied without the presence of young-age hairs. No influence of defleecing as opposed to normal hair development on age at fur maturation or on the number of fibres per hair follicle bundle was observed. Within groups M and C the number of fibres per hair follicle bundle proved to be independent of age at first fur priming. No substantial differences between the groups were observed with respect to either body weight or pelt length at the time of pelting. According to these results, melatonin administration is effective in shortening the coat maturation period in growing chinchillas and causing corresponding changes in the hair follicle cycle.
The influence of cow genetic merit for milk production on response to level of concentrate supplementation in a grass-based system
Authors: Kennedy J. , Dillon P. , Faverdin P. , Delaby L. , Buckley F. , Rath M.
Published: August 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate if there is a genotype ✕ feeding system interaction for milk production in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. For this purpose, 48 high genetic merit (HM) and 48 medium genetic merit (MM) dairy cows, were used in a two (genotypes) ✕ three (levels of concentrate feeding) randomized-block design experiment in three consecutive years. In year 1, all animals were in their first lactation, while in year 2 and year 3, 18 and 12 first lactation cows replaced animals culled at the end of the previous lactation. A total of 66 cows remained in the study in the same feeding system for the 3-year duration of the study. Concentrate feeding levels were 376, 810 and 1540 kg per cow per lactation; these were identified as the LC, MC and HC feeding systems respectively. There was a separate farmlet for each feeding system; farmlets were managed so that pre-grazing and post-grazing herbage height were similar for all three feeding systems. When compared on treatment means there was a significant genotype ✕ feeding system interaction for fat yield, while for mean solid-corrected milk yield the interaction was close to statistical significance (P = 0·07). However, regression coefficients of both milk and protein yield on pedigree index for milk and protein yield were significantly different between the LC and the HC. The interaction between feeding system and the regression of both on pre-experimental milk and protein yield were close to statistical significance (P = 0·08 and P = 0·09 respectively). Outputs of milk, fat, protein and lactose were greater for the HM than the MM cows. Feeding system had a significant effect on milk, fat, protein and lactose yields. There was a significant genotype ✕ feeding system interaction for body condition score (BCS) at the end of lactation; the MM cows had a higher rate of body tissue repletion than the HM cows especially in the HC system. The results suggest that there is a genotype ✕ concentrate feeding level interaction and that feeding systems developed in the past for animals of lower genetic merit may require adaptation if they are to be optimal for higher genetic merit animals.
A comparison of a linear and proportional hazards approach to analyse discrete longevity data in dairy cows
Authors: Lubbers R. , Brotherstone S. , Ducrocq V.P. , Visscher P.M.
Published: August 2016

The objective of this study was to compare two methods for analysis of longevity in dairy cattle. The first method, currently used for routine genetic evaluation in the UK, uses a linear model to analyse lifespan, i.e. the number of lactations a cow has survived or is expected to survive. The second method was based on the concept of proportional hazard, i.e. modelling the conditional survival probability of a cow as a function of time. Comparisons were based on estimated heritabilities, ranking of estimated breeding values of sires, estimated effects of covariates used in the final models, and the distribution of residuals. The same data set, 21497 observations on the number of lactations cows had survived, was used for both analyses, even in the presence of censored observations. Cows in the data were progeny of 487 sires. Heritability estimates for lifespan or survival were approximately 0·06 for both methods, using the definition of heritability on a logarithmic scale for the proportional hazards model. Correlations between breeding values for sires were high, with absolute values ranging from 0·93 to 0·98, depending on the model fitted. It was concluded that it may be justified to use the standard Weibull model even for discrete time measures such as the number of completed lactations, but that more research is needed in the area of discrete time variates.
Modelling the relation between energy intake and protein and lipid deposition in growing pigs
Authors: Milgen J. van , Quiniou N. , Noblet J.
Published: August 2016

When modelling the effect of a changing nutrient supply to growing animals, it is important to distinguish the individual response curve of an animal from the change in this response that may occur during growth. A data analysis model is proposed where, for an individual animal, the relation between protein deposition (PD) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake above maintenance (MEp) is curvilinear, so that PD intersects the origin and reaches its maximum at the maximum protein deposition rate (PDmax). An increase of MEp beyond that required to attain PDmax would not change PD. The MEp not used for protein synthesis can be used for lipid deposition (LD). The relation between PD and LD on the one hand and ME on the other hand can then be described as a function of the maintenance energy requirement (MEm), PDmax, the level of ME required to attain PDmax (F; as a multiple of MEm) and the energetic efficiencies of PD (kp) and LD (kf). Of these statistics, only kp and kf were assumed to be independent of body weight (BW), age or genotype. Variation in PDmax was described as a Gompertz function (of age) whereas variation in F was assumed a linear function of BW. Maintenance energy requirement was expressed as a power function of BW. To evaluate the model, 145 nitrogen and energy (indirect calorimetry) balances were obtained from three types of pigs (Large White castrated males (cLW) and Piétrain × Large White castrated males (cPP× ) and males (bPP×)) ranging in BW between 45 and 100 kg and housed under thermoneutral conditions. Animals were allotted to one of four energy levels ranging from 0·70 to 1·00 of ad libitum intake. The MEm was not different between genotypes (849 kJ/kg BW0·60) whereas the kp and kf were 0·56 and 0·75, respectively. For castrated animals on ad libitum intake, PDmax started limiting PD at approximately 130 days of age (78 and 86 kg BW for cLW and cPP×, respectively). Before this age and for bPP×, PD was limited by MEp. In bPP×, the difference between PD and PDmax was small (less than proportionately 0·05). The F did not change with BW for bPP× (2·85 × MEm) whereas for the other genotypes, it decreased linearly from 4·47 at 45 kg to 2·00 at 100 kg of BW. Due to its nature, the model allows estimation of PDmax even when energy is restricting PD.
Nose-rings influence feeding efficiency in pigs
Authors: Horrell I. , A’Ness P. , Edwards S. A. , Riddoch I.
Published: August 2016

Nose-rings are often fitted to outdoor commercial pigs to inhibit rooting and reduce consequent pasture damage. During ethological observations of the behaviour of ringed pigs at pasture, subjective impressions suggested that pigs with nose-rings picked up their normal feed, in the form of large nuts (‘roll nuts’), more tentatively than unringed pigs. The observed pigs were gestating sows under one of three treatments: unringed controls (UR), multiple wire ‘clip-rings’ through the upper rim of the snout (CR), or rigid ‘bull-rings’ through the nasal septum (BR). For formal assessment of feeding efficiency eight randomly selected pigs from each condition were timed and video-recorded, in individual feeder stalls, as they ate 20 3-cm long roll-nuts laid out in a standard rectilinear array in a steel-sided tray under each of five conditions: on a hard surface, on the surface of soil, on the surface of turf, embedded in soil, or embedded in turf. All groups took longer to eat up their test meal from the plain surface than from the surfaces of either soil or turf and longer still when the nuts were embedded. In all conditions, ringed pigs took longer to eat their 20 nuts than did controls, with BR > CR > UR (overall mean times, pooling data from the different feeding conditions: 118·6, 69·9 and 56·7 s respectively: P < 0·001). The difference between groups was greatest when nuts were embedded. Also, when nuts were embedded, ringed pigs were more reluctant to root: the latency to their first rooting action was delayed (mean latency across both embedded’ conditions: 29·6, 87·9 and 106·8 s for UR, CR and BR pigs, respectively: P < 0·01 with soil and turf conditions combined) and, even after starting, a smaller proportion of the residual trial time was spent rooting (0·11, 0·27 and 0·62 of the total time by BR, CR and UR pigs respectively; P < 0·001). It is concluded that nose-ringing depresses the efficiency with which pigs feed on solid food, especially if they have to root for it. The threat to welfare inherent in this will be greatest when ringed pigs are in direct competition with unringed pigs.
Management factors affecting activity and aggression in dynamic group housing systems with electronic sow feeding: a field trial
Authors: Jensen K. H. , Sørensen L. S. , Bertelsen D. , Pedersen A. R. , Jørgensen E. , Nielsen N. P. , Vestergaard K. S.
Published: August 2016

A series of 24-h video studies on four commercial Danish pig herds investigated the behaviour of pregnant sows kept in dynamic groups (72 to 200 sows) with electronic sow feeding (ESF). The herds mainly differed with respect to provision of a layer of unchopped straw as bedding material, the frequency of introduction/removal of animals, space allowance in the lying area, group size and number of feeding stations, and starting times for the feeding cycle. All herds had one feeding cycle per 24 h. Six 24-h video recordings in the most settled period with respect to rank relationships (2 to 12 days after the last introduction) were collected from each herd and analysed according to activity and aggressive interactions. In two of the four herds recordings were collected in two separate periods with different starting times for the feeding cycle. In all herds peaks of activity in the morning and in the afternoon were evident. Furthermore, the diurnal variation was overlaid by an increase in activity at the start of the feeding cycle. The activity and aggression in the feeding area as well as the duration per sow of the period with high feeder occupation were lowest in herds where a layer of straw bedding was provided. Changing feeding start from day time to night time was accompanied by a reduced feeder occupation in the period following start of the feeding cycle. However, in herd 1 (characterized by no litter, high stocking density and high frequency of grouping) the level of aggression was reduced, whereas it was increased in herd 2 (characterized by straw in lying area, low stocking density, low frequency of regrouping). Number of regroupings and space allowance apparently had no obvious effects on the average frequency of aggression or the aggression per sow at risk in periods between introduction of new animals, but space allowance may have improved social function by weakening the association between activity and aggression. Due to the small number of herds included the present results were descriptive rather than conclusive. However, the study supports the suggestions that provision of unchopped straw as bedding material and starting the feeding cycle in the evening for overnight feeding may improve behaviour in dynamic group housing systems with ESF. However, the benefits of starting the feeding cycle in the evening may depend on low disturbance in daytime from other management procedures.
Environmental enrichment of intensive pig housing using spent mushroom compost
Authors: Beattie V. E. , Sneddon I. A. , Walker N. , Weatherup R. N.
Published: August 2016

In a comparative study which examined the effect of having access to mushroom compost in an otherwise barren environment there were three treatments and six replicates. The three treatments were (T1) control barren pen providing 0·7 m2per pig with fully slatted floor, (T2) empty horizontal rack suspended above the pigs’ heads and (T3) mushroom compost on rack as in treatment 2. Pigs released particles of compost from the rack by nosing the metal grid from below. Almost twice as many pigs with access to mushroom compost (T3) nosed the rack (P< 0·001) and the ground below the rack (P< 0·001) as pigs which had a rack with no mushroom compost (T2). Fewer pigs with mushroom compost were involved in behaviours directed at penmates such as nosing, biting and chewing penmates than pigs in treatments 1 and 2 (P< 0·001). In addition fewer pigs in T3 were involved in feeding behaviour than in T1 and T2 (P< 0·05). Percentages of tail-bitten animals which had to be removed were 11 and 24 for T1 and T2 respectively while T3 had < 1% removed because of tail biting (P< 0·05). Apparent food intake was higher (P< 0·05) and food conversion ratio tended to be poorer in T1 (P= 0·1). It is suggested that pigs will redirect rooting behaviour towards penmates and the feeder in the absence of any rooting substrate. Adding substrate to commercial finishing pens reduces this redirection of behaviour and improves welfare by minimizing injury through tail biting.
The effect of dietary fish-meal supplementation on parasite burdens of periparturient sheep
Authors: Donaldson J. , Houtert M.F.J. van , Sykes A.R.
Published: August 2016

Pregnant ewes were offered 0·80, 1·0 or 1·25 of estimated protein requirement, groups P80, P100 and P125, respectively and trickle infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta (average of 10000 larvae per day) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (average of 7000 larvae per day) for 42 days prior to parturition. Eleven days after lambing half (group TC) received a single challenge infection of 25000 T. circumcincta and 17500 T. colubriformis larvae and the remainder (TO) no further larval challenge. Worm burdens were determined 21 days post partum.

Worm burdens were inversely related to dietary protein concentration. Mature worms (L5) of T. circumcincta recovered were (log10 (count + 1)) 4·002, 3·806 and 3·444 in TO sheep and 3·812, 3·633 and 3·113 in TC sheep from P80, P100 and P125 groups, respectively. The corresponding burdens of T. colubriformis were 2·665, 2·893 and 2·029 for TO and 3·985, 2·363 and 1·188 for TC sheep. The numbers of L4 larvae recovered from TC sheep were (log10 (count + 1)) 3·532, 3·288 and 3·127 for T. circumcincta and 3·080, 2·180 and 0·949 for T. colubriformis on P80, P100 and P125 diets, respectively. There was no evidence of inhibition of larval development or egg laying with either worm species suggesting that the major effect of protein supply in enhancing resistance was operating at the larval establishment stage. There was evidence that the post-partum challenge infection affected the fecundity and survival of the established adult worm population of T. circumcincta but not of T. colubriformis.
The effect of the quality of dietary lignocellulose on digestion, zootechnical performance and health of the growing rabbit
Authors: Gidenne T. , Arveux P. , Madec O.
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and digestive response of the growing rabbit according to a change in the nature of the lignocellulose (ADF), without a change in the ADF level. Three diets with a linearly decreasing lignin/cellulose ratio (ADL/cellulose = 0·8; 0·4; 0·2; respectively LC8, LC4, LC2) were given to a total of 162 rabbits per diet, from weaning till slaughter weight. A reduction of the ADL/cellulose ratio led to a lower food intake (LC8 v LC2: -11%), associated with a lower daily weight gain (-6% for LC2). Mortality and morbidity rate was significantly greater (+50%) for LC2 and LC4 diets compared with the LC8. Thus, the health risk index (morbidity + mortality) increased by 20 units for LC4 and LC2 compared with LC8 diet. In parallel, rate of passage was slower (mean retention time 4·5 h greater,P= 0045) with LC4 and LC2 diets. Dry-matter digestibility was slightly affected, whereas protein digestion was favoured with low ADL/cellulose ratio. It is recommended that a minimum lignin supply (about 6 g/day) is adopted as well as a minimum dietary lignocellulose to ensure growth performance and health of the growing rabbit.
Pulsatile growth hormone secretion, circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration and cellular density of somatotrophs differ between Wagyu and Holstein steers
Authors: Matsuzaki M. , Sato T. , Morita S. , Shiba N. , Tsuneishi E. , Hara S. , Ozutsumi K. , Yamaguchi T.
Published: August 2016

Japanese Black cattle (Wagyu), deposit much higher amounts of intramuscular fat, known as marbling, than other breeds of cattle. To determine whether this unique fat deposition is attributable to the somatotropic axis, we compared pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion, plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and cellular density of somatotrophs (GH-expressing cells) in the anterior pituitary glands of Japanese Black and Holstein steers. Blood samples were withdrawn every 15 min for 6 h from 14 Japanese Black and 12 Holstein steers at about 17 months of age, and GH and IGF-1 concentrations were determined. The distribution and proportion of GH-expressing cells were analysed by immunohistochemistry combined with point-count morphometry in pituitaries from six steers from each breed aged about 18 to 21 months. Overall mean and baseline plasma GH concentrations were lower (P < 0·001) in Japanese Black than Holstein steers. In addition, Japanese Black had smaller (P < 0·05) amplitudes of GH secretory pulses than Holstein steers, whereas the GH pulse frequency did not differ between the breeds. Japanese Black steers also had lower (P < 0·001) plasma levels of IGF-1 than Holstein steers. The marbling score of Japanese Black steers was higher (P < 0·001) than that of Holsteins at the same carcass weight. The proportion of GH-expressing cells was smaller (P < 0·05) in Japanese Black than Holstein steers at the hind dorsal and hind ventral regions of the adenohypophysis. Thus, in Japanese Black and Holstein steers, the breed difference in the relative density of GH-expressing cells corresponded to that in profiles of pulsatile GH secretion. These results suggest that the features of the somatotropic axis intrinsically differ between Japanese Black and Holstein cattle and that these features may be partly responsible for the genetic ability of the former to deposit greater amounts of marbling fat and for the smaller frame of Wagyu cattle.
The effects of supplementing grazing dairy cows with straw-based mixtures of differing composition
Authors: Hameleers A. , Immenga D. J. , Roberts D. J.
Published: August 2016

Two groups of grazing lactating dairy cows (no. = 10) were offered straw/sugar-beet pulp mixtures of different straw and sugar-beet pulp content. The low straw mixture (LS) contained 310, 592, 65, 9 and 24 g/kg dry matter (DM) of barley straw, sugar-beet pulp, cane molasses, urea and minerals respectively. The high straw mixture (HS) contained 540, 359, 65, 12 and 24 g/kg DM of these ingredients. This resulted in metabolizable energy and DM degradability values of 10·4 and 8·4 MJ/kg DM and 0·48 and 0·42 for mixture LS and HS, respectively. In experiment 1, the mixtures were offered for 1 h after each milking while in experiment 2 the amount of LS available was restricted to the intake of the HS mixture. The animals continuously grazed a perennial ryegrass sward with sward height maintained at 7·5 and 6·9 cm respectively for experiment 1 and 2. Forage intakes in both experiments were measured using the n-alkane technique. In experiment 1, intakes of the forage supplement were 5·3 and 2·3 kg DM per day (s.e.d. = 0·51, P < 0·001), while herbage intake was 11·5 and 14·5 kg DM per day (s.e.d. = 0·77, P = 0·004), resulting in total forage intakes of 16·9 and 16·7 kg DM per day for treatments LS and HS respectively. No significant differences in terms of time spent grazing, ruminating and eating forage supplement were observed. No significant differences in terms of animal performance were observed. In experiment 2 intakes of the forage supplements were 2·8 kg DM per day for both treatments while herbage intake was 13·0 and 13·2 kg DM per day (s.e.d. = 110) resulting in total daily intakes of 15·8 and 16·0 kg DM (s.e.d. = 1·24) for treatment LS and HS, respectively. No significant differences in terms of grazing time, rumination time or animal performance were detected. It was concluded that under conditions when herbage was readily available, higher amounts of high energy/high degradability forage supplement were consumed than of low energy low degradability forage supplements. However, total dry matter intakes were equal. Intake from forage supplements seem to be affected by short-term fill effects in this situation.
Some Considerations in the Theories of Combinations, Probabilities and Life Contingencies (Concluded from No. VI)
Authors: Hardy Peter
Published: August 2016

Before I proceed to the more immediate object of this paper, viz., to the Consideration of some leading Problems in the Theory of Probabilities, I would premise a few observations with reference to the doctrine of Life Contingencies.

In my work on Notation, p. 13, I have asserted a fact which is of such essential importance in the elucidation of the doctrine, that it can scarcely be too often repeated, or too strongly impressed upon the mind of a student, viz,, that curtate expectations of life are the values of annuities which do not bear interest; and this is universally true, whether they be the expectations of single lives, of joint lives, of the longest of two or more lives, or of a life or lives after another or others,—in short, however remote or complicated the contingencies may be in which they are involved; and the values of annuities, or those series in which interest is involved, are invariably in the same form of expression as their corresponding curtate expectations, as thus employing the notation explained in the work already alluded to.
On the Doctrine of Successive Lives
Authors: Gray Peter
Published: August 2016

The chief, perhaps the sole, applications of the Theory delivered in Part I., are to Church Livings and Copyhold Estates. Of these applications we shall treat in order.

The principle on which the valuation of the rights of presentation to Church livings is subjected to treatment by this theory is, that the worth of the living is greater than that of the services to be performed by the holder of it. It is conceived, therefore, that the patron, in presenting a clerk to a benefice, is entitled to consider that, in addition to affording the clerk an opportunity for the exercise of his vocation, he is conferring upon him also an annuity due for his life, whose amount is the excess of the value of the benefice over that of the clerk's services. The law sanctions the arrangements that arise from this mode of viewing the subject, and permits the open purchase and sale of the right of presentation, whether for ever or for any number of times; save and except during the "mortal sickness" of an incumbent, or during the period between his death and the appointment of his successor; the purchase of a right of presentation in these circumstances being held to be simony, and the guilty party consequently being amenable to law.
On the liability of the occupier of a tenement for damage done to that of a neighbour, by fire kindled through his own or his servant's negligence
Authors: Bunyon C. J.
Published: August 2016

The question as to the liabilities arising upon the destruction of property by a fire which has originated through negligence, is one of considerable importance, both to the public and to Insurance Offices; and as it appears that the vulgar notions afloat upon it, by no means tally with the law, and have, nevertheless, their origin in no less an authority than that of Sir William Blackstone, it may be a matter of interest to the readers of this magazine to investigate the subject.
On the Value of Selection as exercised by the Policy-holder against the Company
Authors: Higham John Adams
Published: August 2016

During the last session of the Institute of Actuaries, I had the honour to read a paper on the Value of the Principle of Selection as exercised by the Offices in granting Assurances upon Lives, and to submit some calculations which I had made with reference to that subject, in which calculations the lives admitted at particular ages were kept apart from others during their subsequent existence. I have now to offer to the Institute an extended set of Tables of a similar character; and, after stating the course which I have followed in constructing them, I shall make a few observations on the value of selection as exercised by the policy-holder against the Company.
On the Improvement of Life Contingency Calculation. Part II: The System of Dependent Risks
Authors: Farren Edwin James
Published: August 2016

In the former paper, it was laid down, as the basis of any improvements I might be able to suggest as to life contingency calculation, that, in place of premises of a specific nature leading to special conclusions, we should rather, from the very commencement, recognise the variable nature of the results we might have to encounter, and accordingly construct a system of limits rather than one of particular values.
On a Property of Mr. Gompertz’s Law of Mortality
Authors: De Morgan A.
Published: August 2016

It is commonly known that in calculating an annuity on three joint lives, two of the lives are made to count as one life of the same annuity value; and that the result is approximately true. Twenty years ago (Phil. Mag., Nov., 1839), I showed that if the law of mortality explained by Mr. Gompertz were accurately true for the whole of life, this substitution of one life instead of two would also be accurately true. I now repeat the same proposition in a more general form.
On the Purchase of Life Assurance Policies as an Investment
Authors: Day Archibald
Published: August 2016

An allusion made by Mr. Jellicoe to this subject, in a paper read before the Institute of Actuaries on the 28th November, has induced me to place on record the conclusions at which I had arrived after a somewhat recent consideration of the question.

It appears to me that the buyer of a policy by way of investment, in considering the price at which he should purchase, should come to his decision entirely independent of what might be the Office value. The two values have no connexion whatever one with another. In the one case the purchaser is about to make an investment; in the other, the Office proposes to redeem a liability.
New Method for Calculating the Value of an Assurance to the Survivor Nominated, &c
Authors: Réboul M.
Published: August 2016

The following letter from M. Réboul will serve to introduce the several subjects upon which he has addressed the Institute:—

“Gentlemen,—The Institute of Actuaries being the most competent tribunal in matters of assurance, it is to you, as to my natural judges, that I have conceived it proper to submit my first essays in that science.

“ The manuscript, which I have the honour to present to you, contains:—

“ 1st. Five new tables of life annuities.

“ 2nd. The introduction and plan of a work upon assurance.

“ 3rd. Note upon a new formula for calculating the assurance of a capital sum to the survivor nominated.

The annuity tables accompanying M. Réboul's communication are sufficiently described by that gentleman himself. The rate of mortality, and the rates of interest upon which they are based, will, no doubt, be considered by our readers as circumstances affording sufficient reason for not reproducing them here.
On the Construction of Life Tables, illustrated by a New Life Table of the Healthy Districts of England
Authors: Farr W.
Published: August 2016

The Transactions of the Royal Society contain the first Life Table. It was constructed by Halley, who discovered its remarkable properties, and illustrated some of its applications. The Breslau observations did not supply Halley with the data to frame an accurate table, for reasons which will be immediately apparent; but the conception is full of ingenuity, and the form is one of the great inventions which adorn the annals of the Royal Society.
Newton's Table of Leases
Authors: De Morgan A.
Published: August 2016

By this I do not mean what is usually called Newton's Table, but something which has a better right. First, however, I will speak of the table which, having Newton's certificate of accuracy, is (or was) usually called by his name.

Mr. Edleston, Fellow of Trinity College, in making researches for his biography of Newton, found out the author of the old table. His name was Mabbot, and he was manciple (mancipium) or caterer of King's College. Mabbot published his table in 1686, with the well-known attestation of Newton opposite to the titlepage. There seems to have been a special reason for procuring this certificate. The church lessors were beginning to open their eyes to the leniency of their terms, and Mabbot's tables were certainly intended both to urge them to raise their fines, &c., and to point out the proper way of doing it. Subsequent editions of these tables had attached to them the well-known letter which pointed out the advantage under which the tenant was living. As it was natural that the lessees should oppose the new scheme, and they would probably question its accuracy, it seems that Newton was applied to for the testimonial which, as is well known, he gave.
On the Construction of Life Tables, illustrated by a new Life Table of the Healthy Districts of England (Concluded from page 141)
Authors: Farr W.
Published: August 2016

The series lx has been constructed, and from that series others are deduced to complete the Life Table, consisting now of six columns.

(1.) dx=lx−lx+1=number of deaths in the year of age following, out of lx alive at the age x. By taking x successively at 0, 1, 2, 3…to the last age in the Table, the numbers dying in every year of age are obtained.