bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Kuiper Belt Dust Grains to the Inner Solar System
Authors: Liou Jer-Chyi , Zook Herbert A. , Dermott Stanley F.
Published: June 2019

The recent discovery of the so-called Kuiper belt objects has prompted the idea that these objects produce dust grains that may contribute significantly to the interplanetary dust population at 1 AU. We have completed a numerical study of the orbital evolution of dust grains, of diameters 1 to 9 μm, that originate in the region of the Kuiper belt. Our results show that about 80% of the grains are ejected from the Solar System by the giant planets while the remaining 20% of the grains evolve all the way to the Sun. Surprisingly, these dust grains have small orbital eccentricities and inclinations when they cross the orbit of the Earth. This makes them behave more like asteroidal than cometary-type dust particles. This also enhances their chances to be captured by the Earth and makes them a possible source of the collected interplanetary dust particles (IDPs); in particular, they represent a possible source that brings primitive/organic materials from the outer Solar System to the Earth.

When collisions with interstellar dust grains are considered, however, Kuiper belt dust grains larger than about 9 μm appear likely to be collisionally shattered before they can evolve to the inner part of the Solar System. Therefore, Kuiper belt dust grains may not, as they are expected to be small, contribute significantly to the zodiacal light.
The COSMIC DUST ANALYZER for the CASSINI Mission to Saturn
Authors: Srama R. , Grün E. ,   The CASSINI-Dust-Science Team
Published: June 2019

In October 1997 a unique mission to the Saturnian system will be launched by NASA, the CASSINI mission. One goal of this mission is to study the Saturnian dust environment, and for this task, the COSMIC DUST ANALYZER (CDA) has been developed and is currently being tested. Impact ionization is used to determine the speed (1 - 100 km/s) and the mass (1•10–15 – 1•10–9 g) of impinging particles. Furthermore, the electric charge (1•10–15 – 1•10–12 C) of the particles can be measured via the induction principle, and an integrated time-of-flight mass spectrometer will analyze the chemical composition of individual dust particles. In order to achieve sufficient sensitivity for dust fluxes as low as 10 particles/(month-m2), the sensor has a large sensitive area of 0.1 m2. This paper will describe the function of the experiment.
Fragmentation of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's Nuclei During Flight Through the Jovian Atmosphere
Authors: Sekanina Z.
Published: June 2019

Fragmentation dominates the ablation process of cometary type impactors during their atmospheric flight. Models that account for it imply that a kilometer-sized nuclear fragment of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 has disintegrated almost completely by the time of its terminal explosion, at a pressure level of <1 bar. This result, consistent with impact scenarios based on precursor-event timings, suggests that the initial masses of two fragments, K and R, were between 7×1014 and 5×1015grams apiece.
Optical Properties of Fluffy Particles
Authors: Stognienko R. , Henning Th. , Ossenkopf V.
Published: June 2019

For particles grown in the two limiting cases of coagulation (ballistic particle-cluster agglomeration and ballistic cluster-cluster agglomeration), lower and upper limits of the extinction at wavelengths from 1 μm to 1 mm are derived. The particle sizes are in the Rayleigh limit and the number of constituent grains in each particle is constant. Effective medium theories, the discrete dipole approximation and the discrete multipole method are applied to compute the optical behaviour of the coagulated particles. The spectral representation for inhomogeneous media is employed to investigate topology effects systematically.
Properties of Interstellar Dust
Authors: Dorschner Johann
Published: June 2019

In this review, the picture of the interstellar dust is outlined from the viewpoint of its role in galactic evolution. The modern concept of distinct dust populations is presented. The properties of the dust grains in the diffuse interstellar medium and in the molecular clouds are described. Some unsolved problems and future perspectives of interstellar dust research are pointed out.
The Dust in β Pictoris Systems
Authors: Fajardo-Acosta S.B.
Published: June 2019

The bright 10 μm excess emission of β Pic stars allows detailed spectroscopy of their warm circumstellar solid material. The silicate features in β Pic and 51 Oph are broader and contain more structure than interstellar and most circumstellar emission features. The β Pic and 51 Oph features are remarkably similar to those in comets Halley, Bradfield 1987s, Levy 1990 XX, and Mueller 1993a which have 11.3 μm emission features characteristic of crystalline silicates. In contrast, other β Pic-type stars (ζ Lep and β UMa) show weak 10 μm emission from larger, amorphous dust grains. Some comets such as Austin 1990 V emit similar weak 10 μm features.
The linguistic disadvantage of scholars who write in English as an additional language: Myth or reality
Authors: Flowerdew John
Published: June 2019

Academics are coming under increasing pressure to publish internationally. Given the global dominance of English, this very likely means publishing in English-medium journals and with publishers which publish in English. This raises the important question of the possible disadvantage of those scholars whose first language is not English and who therefore have the additional burden of having to develop adequate proficiency in an additional language, English. As a student of modern languages to university level and of other languages to rather lower levels of proficiency and as a teacher of English for academic purposes (EAP) and of English for research and publication purposes (ERPP), since I became aware of this issue, I have always believed this extra burden on the English as an additional language (EAL) academic writer to be a self-evident truth. Ken Hyland, however, in a recent book (Hyland, 2015) and an article titled ‘Academic publishing and the myth of linguistic injustice’ (Hyland, 2016a), has taken it upon himself to argue that such an assumption is ill-founded. Hyland argues that native-speakers (NSs) of English encounter the same difficulties as non-native speakers (NNSs) when it comes to academic writing, that ‘academic English is no one's first language’, and that it requires ‘deliberate learning’ by both NSs and NSs (p. 57). Native and non-native writers, Hyland implies, are on a level playing field when it comes to writing for publication, both groups having to jump the same hurdles.
Milk utilization and manipulation of composition in the future
Authors: Banks W. , Muir D. D.
Published: June 2019

Milk composition varies greatly throughout the year, due largely to the effects of the diet of the cow and the stage of lactation. Whilst such variations go unremarked with bottled and cartoned milk, they are of major importance to manufacturers who use milk as a raw material. The most obvious example is when the yield of a dairy product is affected, e.g. in Scotland, the volume of milk required to produce 1 kg butter varies between 21.1 and 23.3 1 at different times of the year.

In addition, however, some of the more subtle changes in milk composition either affect product quality, e.g. the ease with which butter may be spread, or cause processing difficulties, e.g. instability during heating processes. This paper reviews some of our current knowledge on the relationship between milk composition and the properties of some dairy products — butter, whipping cream, Cheddar cheese, ultra-heat treated milk and full-cream evaporated milk. The aim is to identify those milk components that affect each product or process and then enquire how milk composition may be altered to effect improvements — whether at the farm by dietary manipulation or at the creamery by technological adjustment.

It is believed that all the evidence indicates that, despite difficulties due to restrictive legislation, the answer must lie at the creamery. The farmer should concentrate on producing desirable milk solids at the lowest possible cost and leave the technologist to do the fine tuning that leads to improved products.
Breeding and milk quality
Authors: Mulholland J. R.
Published: June 2019

The broad principles of animal breeding are outlined and the ‘normal-probability curve’ is used to illustrate how progress should be made in improving the genetic merit of dairy cattle. The importance of genetically correlated responses is discussed, together with the need to test progeny. The way in which genetic improvement accumulates in dairy cattle is described and the need to use high-production sires with reliable proofs is stressed. Present and proposed milk-quality payment schemes require that selection should be based on the yield of recorded solids as the best indicator of total solids. As cattle breeding involves a long time-scale, it is not always possible to take into account short-term changes in the value of milk constituents. The effect of changing values upon the ranking of bulls is small and, for the foreseeable future, the use of the weight of recorded solids, i.e. the weight of fat plus the weight of protein, as the selection factor, is likely to maximize progress. The relationship between functional type and herd life is examined. It is concluded that there is no obvious relationship between type and herd life; yield is the dominant factor in determining the length of time an animal remains in the herd. Any breeding programme should therefore place maximum emphasis on production.
Research and development implications for the future
Authors: Wilson P. N. , Lawrence A. B.
Published: June 2019

Choice of breed

A model should be developed to allow the selection of the optimal breed on the basis of production traits and economic efficiency.

Choice of selection method

New breeding schemes to replace the current widespread use of progeny testing should be examined critically and, in particular, breeding schemes incorporating multiple ovulation and embryo transplant should be assessed.

Identification of marker traits

Research to evaluate the relevance of marker traits to milk quality should be pursued.

Genetical engineering

Long-term prospects of applying genetical engineering techniques to cattle should be assessed in terms of desk studies.

Nutritional manipulation of milk fat

The biochemical and metabolic aspects of lipid protection in the rumen should be examined further.

Nutritional manipulation of milk protein

Further studies should be undertaken to examine the effects and possible benefits of protein and specific amino acid protection.

New milk products

Work should be conducted to increase the range of marketable products of high added value, particularly new types of cheese for export.

Alleged relationship between milk fat and coronary heart disease (CHD)

The alleged causal relationship between dietary fat and CHD should be examined critically, particularly the definition of safe levels of serum cholestrol in man.
Fully Controlled Out-of-Parlour Feeders and Milk Composition
Authors: Rees P. , Rowlinson P.
Published: June 2019

The recent increased use of out-of-parlour feeders for dairy cows has occurred for two main reasons: (1) convenience, including ease of rationing and saving labour; and (2) claims made for beneficial responses in milk yield and/or milk composition. The suggestions concerning improvements in milk composition arise from the effects of the increased frequency of concentrate feeding on certain rumen parameters. There is a reduced fluctuation in those parameters, with a maintenance of ruminai acetate production, which gives beneficial effects on milk fat production. Evidence from the literature indicates that an increased frequency of concentrate feeding does not increase the proportion of milk fat (on a weight basis) but merely rectifies a decrease in milk fat caused by a high concentrate to forage ratio. In trials conducted over 2 years, two groups of cows were offered equal amounts of concentrates from either a controlled out-of-parlour concentrate feeder to provide frequent feeding (O), or twice daily in the parlour (P). Group O out-yielded group P (25.1 v. 23.9, s.e. of difference 0.32** and 27.1 v. 25.4, s.e. of difference 0.56** kg milk/day) in years 1 and 2, respectively. The milk fat content (g/kg) for group O was consistently lower than for group P (36.5 v. 38.1, s.e. of difference 0.91, P = 0.10; 39.8 v. 42.6, s.e. of difference 1.47, P = 0.15) but the difference was not significant. The solids-not-fat content (g/kg) was significantly higher for group O in year 1 (89.9 v. 89.1, s.e. of difference 0.18***) but similar for the two groups in year 2 (90.9 v. 90.9, s.e. of difference 0.60, NS). Overall, the yields of milk fat on the two treatments were similar but the yields of all other milk constituents were increased significantly with out-of-parlour feeding.
The Langhill Breeding Project: Breeding and Feeding for Total Solids Production in An Experimental Dairy Herd
Authors: Neilson D. R. , Simm G. , Parkinson H.
Published: June 2019

To achieve high yields of total solids in a dairy herd requires the implementation of appropriate breeding and feeding strategies. The Edinburgh School of Agriculture's Langhill herd, which consists of 200 cows, embarked on a long-term breeding programme in the early 1970s to demonstrate to what extent genetic improvement might be achieved within a herd, using selection methods available to commercial dairy farmers. The specific selection objective was yield of total solids, with artificial insemination (AI) sires being chosen on their improved contemporary comparison for fat plus protein production and females being selected on their genetic index for the same traits. To measure genetic change, a genetic control population was established. Thus, a section of the herd, currently 25 animals but increasing to 20% of the total herd, are bred from a panel of 50 AI sires selected randomly from the 1976 Milk Marketing Board and Scottish Milk Marketing Board Dairy Bull Progeny Testing Schemes. The herd is given complete diets during the winter housing period, September to May, and grazed on a paddock system in the summer months. The average 305-day yield in the selected herd in 1983 was 6924 kg at 41.8 g fat and 34.2 g protein/kg. This yield shows an increase from the 1977 yield of 5732 kg at 38.7 g fat and 32.5 g protein/kg. Current first-lactation yields average 6107 kg at 42.5 g fat and 33.9 g protein/kg. The food intake of a section of the herd is recorded and initial results suggest that cows producing high yields of solids are more efficient than cows producing lower yields.
Milk Composition in Herds With High and Low Mastitis Cell Counts
Authors: Booth J. M. , Harding F.
Published: June 2019

Fifty herds with the highest annual average mastitis cell counts in England and Wales were compared with 50 herds with the lowest cell counts. The milk-quality test results of these herds for milk fat, protein and lactose contents, and total bacterial count (TBC), over the 6 winter months, October 1982 to March 1983, were examined.

The herds with high cell counts had an arithmetic mean of 2.50 × 109 cells/1 and the herds with the low cell counts had 0.117 × 109 cells/1. The milk-quality test results were: milk fat, 39.8 and 40.0 g/kg; protein, 33.2 and31.5 g/kg; lactose, 42.8 and 46.9 g/kg; and TBC, 139 and 12.0 × 106/1 for the herds with the high and low cell counts, respectively. There were highly significant differences in protein and lactose contents and in TBC. When the average monthly results were compared, these differences were statistically significant in all months. On average, lactose was 9% lower and protein 5% higher in the herds with the high cell counts when compared with the herds with the low cell counts.
By-products from cereal, sugar beet and potato processing
Authors: Barber W. P. , Lonsdale C. R.
Published: June 2019

From just five industries in the United Kingdom — brewing, distilling, milling, sugar extraction and potato processing — at least 2.7 × 106 mega joules (MJ) of metabolizable energy (ME) and 4 × 105 tonnes of crude protein (CP) are available annually to livestock farming as by-products. This is equivalent to 1.6 × 106 tonnes of barley and 4.7 × 105 tonnes of soya bean meal, although in some cases nutrient density may differ somewhat from that found in barley or soya.

A large proportion of the by-products available is already used in animal feeds, either djrectly by the farmer or through inclusion in compound feeds which are then used as components of balanced rations.

The materials available are potentially alternative feedstuffs to conventional forages or concentrates. As such they will only form part of a balanced ration and it is in this context that their relative value and usefulness can be judged. In many investigations there has been a tendency to consider particular by-products in isolation and as a consequence any nutrient imbalance has been highlighted to the detriment of the material as an alternative feed. Very few straight feedstuffs contain ratios of nutrients balanced for particular levels of animal production and invariably rations for livestock consist of blends of different materials. Whilst extremes of nutrient imbalance may be identified in individual by-products they are, none the less, wholly suited to blending with other by-products or feeds of contrasting nutrient content in order to produce a completely balanced ration.
Slaughter waste in animal feeding
Authors: Cooke B. C. , Pugh Margaret L.
Published: June 2019

The slaughter of animals for human consumption leads to the production of a large quantity of materials which with further processing can be converted into a form suitable for use in animal feedingstuffs. Currently, much of this material goes to waste because of the fragmentation of the abattoir industry into many small units (1700). This means that it is often uneconomic to transport by-products to central points for further processing. However, more stringent control of effluents from abattoirs and the need for high capital investment to bring units up to newly imposed standards means that slaughterings will be concentrated into fewer and larger units (250) (Gerrard and Mallion, 1977), so making the collection and further processing of waste more attractive from both the economic and environmental standpoint. Within the UK, some 13 to 13.5 million cattle units are slaughtered per year (Table 1). (1 cattle unit = 1 beast or 2 pigs, or 3 calves, or 5 lambs).
6.5 The Incidence of Bovine Hypocupraemia in England and Wales and its Relationship with Geochemistry
Authors: Leech Anne , Thornton I. , Howarth R. J. , Lewis Gwyneth
Published: June 2019

As the initial part of a research programme to assess the importance of geochemical factors in livestock production, a survey has been conducted on the copper (Cu) content of whole blood samples from cattle analyzed by the Veterinary Investigation Service over the period 1977-1980 inclusive. The area covered was restricted to England and the Welsh borders; data for Wales were not included, as they were not of a strictly comparable form, being based on plasma rather than on whole blood analysis.
6.8 Effects of Iron and Molybdenum on Copper Metabolism in Calves
Authors: Bremner I. , Phillippo M. , Humphries W. R. , Young B. W. , Mills C. F.
Published: June 2019

Although it is well established that changes in dietary iron (Fe) intakes can influence copper (Cu) metabolism in animals, little attention has been paid to their importance in causing Cu deficiency in ruminants. The realization that silages frequently contain large amounts of Fe, mainly as a soil contaminant, prompted us to assess the potency of Fe as a Cu antagonist and to compare its effects with those of molybdenum (Mo).

In one experiment, 27 male Friesian calves, aged about 3 weeks, were allocated to three treatment groups and given a milk-substitute ration containing 2.5 mg Cu and 50, 250 or 500 mg Fe (as FeCl3.6H20)/kg DM. Liver biopsies were taken after 8 weeks and analyzed for Cu and Fe. As expected, tissue Fe increased by as much as 50% with increasing Fe intake. However, there were no effects of Fe on hepatic Cu retention in these pre-ruminant calves (liver Cu was 343, 372 and 390 mg/kg DM, respectively: SEM = 40).
3.2 Utilization of Conserved Forages
Authors: Thomas P. C.
Published: June 2019

From the late autumn until the spring, a large proportion of the ruminant livestock in the United Kingdom, dairy cows especially, are housed indoors or sheltered and given rations of hay or silage ad libitum with supplementary feeds to provide additional energy and protein. During this period, feeding costs form the major portion of the total cost of meat and milk production and decisions about the type and quality of the conserved forage and about the amount and composition of the concentrate are of crucial economic importance. Against this background, this paper discusses the utilization of forage crude protein and considers in particular the factors influencing the supply of amino acids absorbed from the animal's gut and the implications of the use of supplementary concentrate feeds.
Cattle systems in the hills and uplands
Authors: Lowman B. G. , Chalmers A. J.
Published: June 2019

The vital criterion in selecting a beef system is to ensure that feed requirements match supplies produced on the farm, with a minimum of conflict with other enterprises. Grass must form the basis of any system with emphasis given to grazing. In quantifying feed supplies, the ability of the suckler cow to store summer grazing, as body fat, must also be included.

Traditionally, enterprises have been evaluated on a Gross Margin basis. On combined beef/sheep units, such comparison must be carefully interpreted if misleading conclusions are to be avoided. Adequate supplies of autumn grazing arc key components for both enterprises. Failure to meet these, results in reduced individual performance or increased winter feed requirements. The grassland requirements of both enterprises must therefore be complementary.

May calving and selling calves store in the spring, prior to lambing, achieves these objectives. An important component of such a breeding enterprise is the tax-free, capital accumulation via the herd basis and beneficial effects on the cash flow. Where capital for investing into breeding stock is unavailable, the purchase of week-old calves in January, for sale at 330 kg the following spring or retained for grass finishing, can also integrate successfully with the ewe flock, minimizing dependence on conserved winter feed and accommodation.
Impacts of livestock on crop production
Authors: Powell J. M. , Pearson R. A. , Hopkins J. C.
Published: June 2019

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the association of crops and livestock in mixed farming systems generally benefits both enterprises. This paper focuses on the main contributions of livestock to crop production: the use of manure and animal draught power to produce crops and the investment of income from livestock into technologies that benefit crop production. In low-input, grazing-based feeding operations, manure is a vital soil fertility amendment. In these systems, penning livestock overnight on fields, fallow between cropping periods, returns both manure and urine to the soil and results in much higher crop yields than if manure only is gathered from stalls and spread onto fields. However, most farmers have insufficient manure to sustain food production. Nutrient harvests often exceed nutrient inputs, requiring a much greater use of fertilizers to arrest soil nutrient depletion. The opposite may be true for mixed farming where livestock are given food in confinement. In these emerging systems, the continuous importation of food (and fertilizer) can result in nutrient surpluses with subsequent soil nutrient build-up and loss. The contribution of animal power to crop production is relatively new in Africa. Animal power affects the amount of land cultivated by farmers, crop selection, the yield per farm and per ha, and on the participation and work load of people (family members and outside labour) involved in crop production and its associated activities. In addition to the impacts of manure and draught power on crop production, income derived from livestock is often invested in inputs that enhance crop production. At the ‘micro’ level, livestock income influences crop production (1) directly by allowing households to invest in productive inputs such as fertilizer, hired labour, and carts and (2) indirectly by allowing poor households to improve their nutritional status and, therefore, the productivity of their most important resource, their own labour. At the ‘macro’ level, increased livestock exports have a large stimulating effect on the demand for locally produced goods and services, particularly basic food crops. Thus, increasing the productivity of the livestock sector, including an emphasis on the policy and institutional environment influencing marketing and trade, is an important element of a development strategy focused on stimulating economic growth and alleviating poverty.
Farmers' participation in agricultural research: experiences from Ethiopia
Authors: Konde Alemayehu
Published: June 2019

Livelihoods of most farmers in different ecological settings are local, extremely complex, diverse, dynamic and unpredictable. The situation of low-income farmers is even more complex: poor infrastructure; diverse and risk-prone agro-ecological conditions; strong interactions between crop, livestock, tree and fodder components of the farming system, between agriculture and the management of common resources, combining cropping and herding with off-farm activities; and diverse socio-economic conditions.

Until recently, agricultural research in developing countries had predominantly been conducted under conditions ‘controlled’ by researchers, on topics chosen predominantly by researchers and in ways largely determined by researchers. Concern over the complexity and diversity of situations faced, especially by low-income farmers, paved a way to the steady development of a range of participatory approaches which, in turn, led to the increasing recognition of farmers’ participation (though in varying degrees) in the research process, if research were to generate and spread appropriate agricultural technologies with some prospect of uptake by farmers.

The purpose of this paper is to provide information on ‘Farmers’ Participatory Research’ (FPR), i.e. research in which smallholders play leading roles, from diagnosis through implementation to assessment of results and dissemination. With particular emphasis on recent experiences in Ethiopia, the rationale, techniques, application and some results of FPR, carried out in different settings at different times of the year, are reviewed.

The paper highlights local peoples’ abilities in identifying and prioritizing their own problems; significant rôles, if allowed to participate, in identifying and prioritizing the ‘best-bets’ and, or, researchable issues, carrying out and evaluating research. The degree of smallholders’ participation in setting the research agenda, their involvement in the research process and ultimately success or failure depend on various factors. Of these: nature and state of problems limiting agricultural productivity; types and stages of research; expected duration of the research; time and resource availability; and favourable policy issues are considered to be amongst the most important.
Comparison of the gas production and nylon bag techniques to determine the effect of physical treatments applied to hay or silage
Authors: Petit H. V. , Agbossamey Y. , Thiago L. S. , Savoie P. , Buchanan-Smith J. G. , Plaizier J. C. B. , Seoane J. R.
Published: June 2019

The in situ dry matter disappearance technique (Ørskov and McDonald, 1979) evaluates forages for their rate and extent of degradation in the rumen. However, this method does not allow the evaluation of a large number of samples at one and the same time and therefore which limits screening of treatments applied to forages. The in vitro gas production method is faster and allows handling of many samples per batch; therefore, gas production could be an alternative to the use of nylon bags if the response to treatments between the two methods is similar among treated forages. The objective of this experiment was to compare results obtained with both the gas production and the nylon bag techniques for forages treated with four levels of maceration and conserved as hay or silage.
Screening of factors favouring the maintenance of rumen protozoa in a dual outflow continuous fermenter
Authors: Broudiscou L.-P. , Papon Y. , Fabre M. , Broudiscou A. F.
Published: June 2019

For the past years in Europe, the need for reliable alternative techniques to animal experimentation has been urged by ethical and legal prescriptions. In ruminant nutrition, dual outflow stirred-tank reactors (Hoover et al., 1976; Merry et al.,1987) have proved to be suitable for the accurate control of environmental conditions to study the metabolism of rumen microbes. Their ability to support a varied ciliate population, however, is uneven. As protozoa are major agents in the rumen microbial community, investigating the best set of general operating conditions to maintain their population at high levels is an important issue.

The study was conducted in six dual outflow continuous fermenters (working volume of 1.11) supplied with 30 g/day of a pelleted diet made of 750 g orchard-grass hay and 250 g ground barley per kg. The vessels were inoculated with the rumen contents from four wethers, each equipped with a rumen cannula and given a similar diet. They were continuously infused with an artificial saliva containing: Na2HPO4.12H2O 6.157 g/l, NaHCO3 5.268 g/l, KHCO3 0.597 g/l, NaCl 0.305 g/l, HC1-cysteine 0.4 g/l and alcalinized to pH 10.0 with 1.63 g/l NaOH. The fermentation broth was separately complemented with 31.7 mg CaCl2, 47.5 mg MgCl2 and 0.755 g (NH4)2SO4 per day.
Milk, Blood Lipids and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) - ‘The Myth and the Evidence’
Authors: Minihane Anne M.
Published: June 2019

Chronic diet related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancers account for the vast majority (∼ 65%) of total mortality in the UK (Figure 1). In westernised countries average life expectancy is rapidly increasing with the ratio of people of working age to people over 65 estimated to fall from about to 4:1 to 2.5:1 by the year 2040. These ageing population demographics have placed an almost unbearable strain on the health care systems of these countries. As a result there has been increased focus on the use of diet as a modifiable means of preventing or delaying the onset of disease. This approach in addition to being cost effective would ensure that for the individual who is living longer that they also remain healthier for longer, developing chronic life threatening diseases at an older age.
A Direct Marketeers View
Authors: Butler J
Published: June 2019

I was a farm manager of 2,500 acres, cereals, sugar beet, vegetables, milking cows, suckling cows and outdoor sow unit producing weaners. I moved to Mells in Suffolk 26 years ago and set up a 200 sow indoor unit producing weaners before turning that into 350 sow unit, finishing half of the progeny and selling the other half as weaners.

In 1993 I set up a 600 Cotswold outdoor sow unit, producing weaners for Louis Dreyfus Livestock (LDL). My landlord was and still is a partner in the business. We have a very simple partnership, he provides the land, I run the business with no cost to each other; everything else is 50-50. After four years LDL wanted to get out of pigs altogether so we bought the herd. We then went on to finish pigs outdoors in large finishing kennels with runs, which was not brilliant in wet conditions!
The effect of floor type on ammonia emission, welfare, health and behaviour of growing pigs
Authors: Breuer K. , Kay R.M. , Demmers T.G.M. , Day J.E.L.
Published: June 2019

In order to reduce ammonia emissions from pig housing systems, the Council of Europe proposes the use of part slatted flooring in preference to fully slatted flooring, but the effects of such changes on the health and welfare of pigs in the UK has not been defined. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different floor types on the emission of ammonia, behaviour and welfare, physical performance and respiratory and enteric health of growing/finishing pigs. This involved three replications of five treatments: 1) UK fully-slatted, 2) UK fully–slatted with rubber matting over 50% of the slats, 3) UK fully–slatted with “structural” modifications which involved “paving” over 50% of the floor and partitioning off the slurry channel beneath the solid floor, 4) UK part–slatted, and 5) novel Dutch partslatted with UK pig stocking density. Groups of 10 pigs (balanced for gender) weighing approximately 40kg were on–test for 10 weeks.
The effects of diet on the faecal pH of horses
Authors: Hale C.E. , Pickering S.
Published: June 2019

Laminitis is accepted as one of the most common causes of lameness in horses (Johnson et al., 2004). The painful and crippling condition is potentially fatal and has obvious far-reaching implications for the welfare of affected animals, . However, considering the prevalence of the disease, the exact aetiology of laminitis has still to be unanimously identified (Hale, 2005; Bailey et al., 2004; Mungall et al., 2001). Although there are several causes of laminitis in horses, studies into the dietary-induced form of the disease have found there to be a strong correlation between ingestion of large amounts of soluble carbohydrates and the development of laminitis. Excessive consumption of cereal starch or soluble sugars found in pasture have been linked to the aetiology of the disease (King and Mansmann, 2004). Indeed, in a recent study carried out in America, it was concluded that 53% of all laminitis cases were dietary induced, with 46% attributed to “lush pasture” and 7% caused by grain overload (USDA, 2000).
Water movement and the simulation of storm surges in the Firth of Clyde
Authors: Townson John M. , Collar Richard H. F.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

The basic mechanisms governing the general circulation of water in the Firth of Clyde are reviewed with particular reference to their changing relative importance throughout the system, this including the inner estuary. Attention is then focused on the effect of storm surge. A numerical model for the depth-integrated equation of motion is applied to the surges recorded in 1972 and 1979. The proportion of surge generated within the outer firth is thereby assessed.
The status of fish populations in the Clyde Estuary
Authors: Henderson Anne R. , Hamilton James D.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

Changes in the status of fish populations in the Clyde Estuary between Woodhall and Glasgow since 1978 are described and data presented on species composition and distribution, temporal and spatial fluctuations in abundance and biomass and length frequency data for certain species are analysed.

The seaward part of the estuary is colonised by marine and euryhaline marine species dominated by flounder, while the ‘city reaches’ have a fresh water component dominated by three-spined stickleback and eel in addition to several euryhaline species, e.g. sand-goby and saithe.

The extent of biological recovery of the estuary from severe organic pollution can be gauged from the presence now of thirty-four species, including nineteen in the city reaches which were virtually fishless in the mid nineteenth century. The upper estuary is now able to support resident and migratory fish for much of the year, but species composition and abundance are markedly affected by seasonally variable fresh water flows to the estuary affecting primarily dissolved oxygen and salinity, leading to mortalities among resident species and providing a barrier to migrants.
Recent changes in numbers of waders on the Clyde Estuary, and their significance for conservation
Authors: Furness Robert W. , Galbraith Hector , Gibson Iain P. , Metcalfe Neil B.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

The Clyde Estuary is recovering from gross pollution. In the early 1970s high densities of a small number of species of intertidal invertebrates tolerant of organic enrichment and low oxygen levels provided rich feeding for large numbers of dunlin, redshank, lapwing, oystercatcher and curlew. Winter numbers of the first three species have now declined considerably. The declines cannot be attributed to national changes in wader numbers and are not due to changes in breeding habitats or lack of reproductive success in particular regions, since each species wintering on the Clyde Estuary breeds in a different area. The most likely explanation of the decline, which is most pronounced in the species highly dependent onCorophium volutator, is either that reduced organic pollution has reduced the densities of the main prey, or that higher oxygen levels over the mudflats have allowed fish, particularly flounders, to enter the estuary and compete with the waders for the available prey. Although there is evidence of some birds having moved to other wintering areas, the fate of most birds is unknown.
The distribution of plaice eggs and larvae in the Clyde Sea Area
Authors: Poxton M. G.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

Information concerning the abundance and distribution of plaice Pleuronectet, platessa L. eggs and larvae has been gathered from the examination of old records and from cruises carried out for this precise purpose. Additional information on the spawning of plaice is presented from the capture of ripe specimens.

Plankton samples have been taken in the Clyde Sea Area over many years by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland for a variety of purposes. All samples taken since 1950 have been examined and data on plaice eggs and larvae have been extracted and collated. The data have been standardised by expressing all the results in terms of number/100 m3.

The data show that plaice spawn in the Clyde between February and April, with maximum concentrations of eggs and larvae occurring in early March and April, respectively. Although the eggs are widely distributed, they are commonest to the east of Arran, the greatest densities being found off the Heads of Ayr, in Ayr Bay, close to Ailsa Craig and in Irvine Bay. The distribution of eggs and larvae in relation to the position of the nursery grounds for the young fish is discussed.
Definition of Mollusca II
Authors: Yochelson Ellis L.
Published: June 2019

Definition and classification probably rank second only to marriage as a source of controversy, but it is not in that spirit in which I want to write; I only want to show that there may be more than one viewpoint about Mollusca. Problems of definition and classification are different. Workers may agree on the defintions of phyla and classes, yet disagree on their arrangement. Definition and classification each have two separate and distinct phases: the work itself on developing a concept; and the general acceptance of this concept. New ideas by their very nature go against prevailing opinion; it is not a new idea itself which is the critical feature as is its acceptance. Acceptance of definition and/or classification tends to be a passive process and most teachers are content to quote uncritically that which is in the latest textbook.
Early Evolutionary History of Diasome Mollusks
Authors: Pojeta John
Published: June 2019

The subphylum Diasoma (Runnegar and Pojeta, 1974) is a phylogenetic taxon used to show the commonality of origin, ecology, and gross structure of the classes Rostroconchia, Pelecypoda (=Bivalvia), and Scaphopoda. Diasomes have pseudobivalved, bivalved, or univalved shells, which often gape at the anterior and posterior ends. The mouth and anus open at opposite ends of the shell. The head is poorly differentiated or absent, and the radula is present or absent. The stratigraphic range is lowest Cambrian through Holocene.
The effect of monensin addition to and formaldehyde application on the digestion of fresh forage by growing cattle
Authors: Beever D.E. , Losada H.R. , Gale D.L. , Spooner M.C.
Published: June 2019

Studies on the digestion of fresh forages by cattle have indicated that when N content in the forage exceeds approximately 25 g/kg OM, considerable losses of dietary N from the rumen will occur. This finding has been related to the rapid rates of proteolysis and deamination observed on fresh forages, with associated increases in rumen ammonia N concentration due in part to a poor synchronisation of energy and protein availability for microbial synthesis.
Water consumption and slurry production of dry and lactating sows.
Authors: Lightfoot A.L. , Armsby A.W.
Published: June 2019

This study measured the amount of water consumed by dry and lactating sows when available ad libitum and the amount of slurry produced. Limited information was available on both subjects and this required verification.

In one room containing 12 farrowing crates the water supply to 6 crates was metered separately to washing down water. Sows used a nose operated drinker to dispense water into the feed rough so water usage recorded was consumed and not wasted.

The rear third of each farrowing pen was perforated metal and the slurry produced was contained in a channel within the building and periodically pumped out for measuring.
Field Trials in Fixed Time Sheep A.I. in Ireland
Authors: Crosby T F , Boland M P , Gordon I
Published: June 2019

Studies reported from this laboratory in the mid seventies showed that it was possible to achieve a conception rate of 73% to a single fixed-time insemination in the autumn breeding season in ewes previously treated with intravaginal progestagen and pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). The present work was aimed principally at an examination of the AI technique in commercial flocks when applied over a period of three years (1979–81) and when applied in sheep of different breeds (Galways and Suffolk-cross).

In the course of three successive breeding seasons, a total of 2,704 cyclic ewes in 87 farm flocks were bred to Texel or Suffolk rams by A.I. using a sperm dose of 400 million in 0.2 ml volume of a skim milk diluent; only semen samples showing a wave motion rating of 3.5 or higher were used and accepted samples were pooled. A further 525 ewes in 20 farm flocks were bred by natural service (ratio of 1 ram: 10 ewes) in one area covered by the AI work. Control of oestrus and ovulation was achieved by a 12-day treatment using commercially available progestagen sponges (Chronogest, Intervet. Ltd.; Veramix, Upjohn Ltd.); at sponge withdrawal a single intramuscular injection of 500 i.u. PMSG (Intervet. Ltd.) was administered.
The effect of policy changes in large, dairy herds
Authors: Bell Elsa M.
Published: June 2019

Data relating to husbandry and health, from a group of 35 large dairy herds of an average herd size of around 140 cows has been collected for a number of years. Comparative analysis of the years 1978/79 and 1982/83 is presented to show the effect of calving pattern change on mastitis infections in particular, and also the effect of improved record keeping together with the need for improved efficiency on other factors such as culling and rebreeding management.
Efficacy and the Assessment of Hazards of Residues Following the use of Trenbolone Acetate (Finaplix) in Cull Dairy Cows
Authors: Heitzman R. J. , Little W. , Russell K. L.
Published: June 2019

These experiments investigated the efficacy and safety of the use of anabolic agents for finishing cull dairy cows over a two month period before slaughter. The safety of the treatment was assessed by measuring the residues of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and its metabolites in samples collected during the treatment period and at slaughter.
Oestrus detection in dairy cows by milk temperature measurement
Authors: Fordham D.P. , McCarthy T.T. , Rowlinson P.
Published: June 2019

The efficiency of oestrus detection is probably the most important factor determining the profitability of the dairy farming enterprise. With current trends towards larqer herds and fewer stockmen, achieving a 365 day calving interval has become increasingly difficult, with each oestrus missed representing considerable economic loss (Esslemont and Bryant, 1976). This highlights the need for an accurate method of oestrus detection

An experiment was undertaken to evaluate the use of milk temperature as a method of oestrus detection.
A survey of factors effecting mortality and incidence of disease among purchased calves
Authors: Fallon R. J. , Hante F. J.
Published: June 2019

A survey was conducted on 3200 purchased Friesian male calves to see if any easily measured parameters could provide an indication of possible problems in the subsequent rearing of the animals

The survey was conducted at the Agricultural Institute farm at Grange in the period January 1976 to June 1982. The effects of serum immunoglobulin status, purchase weight, calf source and feeding system on calf mortality and incidence of disease were assessed. The following catagories were used in the analysis.

1.

Immunoglobulin status as indicated by the Zinc Sulphate Turbidity Test (ZST). Calves were categorised as “low” (less than 15 ZST units) or “high” (greater than 15 ZST units).

2.

Purchase weight: Calves were categorised as “light”(less than 40kg) or “heavy”(more than 40kg).

3.

Calf source: Calves were categorised as “farm” (purchased direct from farms) or “market“ (purchased in auction markets).

4.

Feeding systems: Calves were categorised as “bucket” (individually penned on straw and fed various quantities of milk replacer by bucket) or “ad libitum” (group penned on straw and fed their milk replacer allowance ad libitum by teat).
Incidence and Treatment of Hypothermia in the Young Lamb
Authors: Dickson I A , Eales F A , Lloyd Mary , Smith M E , Speedy A W
Published: June 2019

New techniques developed for the detection and resuscitation of hypothermic lambs were evaluated in 1931 by farmers and shepherds on thirty farms varying widely in type and location in Scotland.

Flock size varied from 60 to 2000 ewes. All lambs showing dullness or lack of vigour were to be examined and treatment determined by rectal temperature and by age if severely hypothermic. A prototype electronic thermometer was used indicating by coloured lights whether the lamb was not hypothermic (>39°C) , mildly hypothermic (37-39°C), or severely hypothermic (<37°C).
Effect of Silage dry Matter Content and Protein Supplementation on the Performance of In-Lamb Ewes
Authors: Done Diana L
Published: June 2019

On the basis of experimental results, Forbes, Rees and Boas (1967) recommended that silage for pregnant ewes should have a DM content of at least 200 g/kg. Higher silage intakes and improved animal performance may be achieved by feeding silage of DM content in excess of this level.

Increases in lamb birth weight have been achieved with additional protein supplementation to ewes on hay based rations in late pregnancy (Clark and Speedy, 1981). The response to protein supplementation on silage based diets is less well documented.

In a 3 x 2 factorial experiment, 23A Border Leicester x Welsh Mountain in-lamb ewes, penned in groups of 18 or 21,were offered either an unwilted silage 199 g DM/kg) made with a formalin/formic acid additive (UA); a wilted, silage (287 g DM/kg) made with additive (WA) or a wilted silage (272 g DM/kg) made without additive (WO). The silages were offered ad-libitum from housing in January until lambing in mid-March.
Developments in Goat and Sheep Fibre Production
Authors: Russel A.J.F. , Ryder M.L. , Lippert Margaret
Published: June 2019

The overproduction of many traditional forms of agricultural production in the EEC has stimulated an interest in alternative land-use enterprises. Of these, non-food products such as animal fibres are of particular interest, although it must be borne in mind that these too will generate meat as a by-product. Fibre production from a number of animal species is being examined in different countries throughout the world; this paper is concerned with fibre production from only the goat and sheep.