bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial pathogens in animal feed and their control
Authors: Hinton M. , Mead G.C.
Published: June 2019

Many tens of thousands of tonnes of manufactured feed are consumed by farm animals each year and yet the incidence of infectious diseases contracted from this source is extremely low.

The potential disease hazards include, in alphabetical order, anthrax, botulism, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot and mouth disease, listeriosis, Newcastle disease (pigeon paramyxovirus infection), salmonellosis, swine fever and swine vesidular disease. The control of each of these diseases involves a number of different procedures, including the appropriate handling and treatment of the feed, the use of suitable management techniques on the farm, the vaccination of susceptible stock and either the treatment or slaughter of infected animals, or those animals in contact with them.

Several of the diseases (foot and mouth disease, swine fever and swine vesicular disease) have been eradicated from the U.K. while others (anthrax and botulism) occur only infrequently. On the other hand, the presence of salmonellas in feed does constitute a continuing problem since, although organisms do not usually cause disease in animals consuming the feed, they may ultimately cause gastroenteritis in people who either handle or consume meat derived from the animals concerned.
The effect of enzyme supplementation of a wheat/barley-based starter diet on nutrient faecal digestibility in early weaned piglets
Authors: Inborr Johan , Graham Hadden
Published: June 2019

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effect of adding a multi-enzyme product to a diet based on wheat, barley and soybean meal on faecal nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in early-weaned piglets.

A total of 36 pigs, weaned between 21 and 25 days of age, were assigned on weight and litter origin basis to two dietary treatments and placed in flat-deck pens of 6 pigs each. The design of the pens allowed total collection of urine and faeces separately.
Heterogeneity of variance between herds for milk production traits
Authors: Visscher P.M.
Published: June 2019

One assumption made by most users of the BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) method to predict breeding values, is that variances are homogeneous over herds or herd-year-seasons (HYS). In dairy cattle there is abundant evidence, however, of heterogeneity of variance across herds or herd groups (see e.g. Hill et al. 1983 and Brotherstone and Hill, 1986, for U.K. studies). The effect of ignoring heterogenous variances between herds on prediction of breeding values for bulls may be small when using a sire model, if sires were tested across many herd-variance groups. Loss in efficiency may be larger when sires are tested in few herds, or, for cows, when the genetic evaluation is for bulls and cows simultaneously (with an animal model (AM)). The aim of this study was to calculate individual herd parameter estimates to investigate heterogeneity of within herd variance in the U.K. dairy population. The investigated trait was fat yield and the estimations were carried out using a REML (Restricted Maximum Likelihood; Patterson and Thompson, 1971) program written by Karin Meyer (Meyer, 1989).
Metabolic adaptation to dietary energy source in the growing pig
Authors: Close W.H. , Longland A.C. , Sharpe C.E.
Published: June 2019

It is now known that growing pigs can utilise considerable quantities of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in their diets (Bulman et al., 1989). These materials are fermented in the hind-gut of the animal to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) which are then used as an energy source, unlike starch from conventional cereal-based rations which is digested by the host enzymes of the animals. Little is known about how animals adjust to a sudden change in dietary energy source and the present experiments were designed to investigate the metabolic adaptations in pigs fed either a conventional cereal-based diet or one containing 300 g sugar beet pulp/kg diet.
Effects of feeding level and sex on nitrogen retention and serum insulin-like factor 1 in growing pigs
Authors: Taylor J.A. , Salter D.N. , Close W.H. , Laswai G.H. , Hudson A.
Published: June 2019

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulates many anabolic processes within the body. In entire animals, release of IGF-1 has been shown to be regulated by nutritional status (e.g. starvation/re-feeding) and in reproductive tissues by gonadotropins and steroid hormones (Phillips et al., 1990). To investigate this further the relation between serum IGF-1 and N retention has been studied in entire and castrated pigs at different planes of nutrition and stages of growth.
The influence of level of feeding on nutrient partition and energy metabolism in pigs of different growth potential
Authors: Laswai G.H. , Close W.H. , Sharpe C.E. , Keal H.D.
Published: June 2019

Continued improvement through genetic selection and the use of entire males has resulted in pigs with considerable potential for lean tissue growth rate. These animals have, however, lower appetites and this suggests that there may be considerable differences in the partition and in the efficiency of utilisation of dietary nutrients, compared with those previously recommended by ARC (1981). There may also be differences in energy expenditure since Campbell and Taverner (1988) and Rao and McCracken (1990) have suggested that animals of high potential for lean tissue growth rate have higher maintenance energy requirements. There is little information on the energy requirements of pigs of different growth potential and the present experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of feeding levels on nutrient partition and energy metabolism of pigs of different body weights and sex.
The Sir John Hammond Memorial Lecture Current and Future Problems
Authors: Blaxter Sir Kenneth
Published: June 2019

The accomplishments of United Kingdom agriculture and the changing government policies which have accompanied them are briefly discussed, leading to expectations of future change. The constraints on animal production are outlined, particularly those which affect consumption of animal products. It is concluded that the scientific validity of many official recommendations and expressed views are highly questionable. One specific example, among others discussed, is the COMA recommendations of 1984 to reduce consumption of fat and saturated fatty acids by the whole population so to reduce coronary heart disease and mortality. Recent work, which is briefly reviewed, shows the contention cannot be sustained on scientific grounds while direct, controlled experimentation with many thousands of subjects shows that intervention has not reduced mortality. This recommendation should be withdrawn.
Energy Balance for dairy cows given grass silage with either barley or molassed sugar beet feed in the concentrates
Authors: Beever D E , Sutton J D , Cammell S B , Haines M J , Spooner M C , Harland J I
Published: June 2019

When diets of concentrates and grass silage (70:30) were offered to cows to compare barley (B) and molassed sugar beet feed (SBF) as the major component of the concentrate, calorimelric studies revealed enhanced energy partition towards milk at the expense of tissue repletion on B, during lactation weeks 11-21, whilst heat production was unaffected (Beever et al., 1989). In contrast when Sutton el al. (1988) fed the same diets to early lactation cows SBF increased milk fat and energy yields particularly during weeks 4-10, but less so during weeks 11-14. One possible explanation for this difference in response may relate to the different stages of lactation examined. To investigate this further, energy partition was examined in cows between weeks 6 and 14 of lactation given barley or molassed sugar beet feed based concentrates with approximately equal proportions of grass silage.
Grazing system, behaviour and milk production in dairy cattle
Authors: Ian Horrell  , Matthews Lindsey , Murray Pearce  , Arnold Bryant
Published: June 2019

Over recent years, the system of grazing management most commonly adopted by dairy producers has tended to oscillate between various forms of strip-grazing, on the one hand, and set-stocking, on the other. While arguments in favour of strip-grazing mainly revolve around the ease of grassland management, many of those for set-stocking are essentially behavioural -greater space for the cattle and, hence, less competition, aggression, and spoiling of localised areas of pasture. A current development in the southern hemisphere, ‘fast-rotation’ grazing, attempts to combine the merits of both systems. In this, the herd is given a fresh area each day, but a much larger one than in strip grazing, resulting in less close grazing and (given the same overall land allocation) a much quicker rotation over the total grassland.

This project, part of a larger one evaluating other aspects of the system, was designed to determine the effects a fast-rotation system, versus strip-grazing, on grazing, competition and aggression, and on the incidence and distribution of other basic activities.
Feeding behaviour of pigs in groups monitored by a computerised feeding system
Authors: Young R.J. , Lawrence A.B.
Published: June 2019

Recently computerised pig feeding has attracted interest from pig breeding companies, to improve selection. Testing has in the past been carried out on Individually housed pigs, whereas on commercial farms pigs are group housed and correlations between these two environments can be poor. Practically this problem can be solved by group housing pigs with an electronic feeding station. This system allows one pig to feed at a time and records each pigs Identity and the amount of food consumed, making the selection environment similar to conditions found on commercial farms. This paper presents results showing the strong effect of social factors on the feeding behaviour of Individual growing pigs In such a system.

The subjects were 30 male and 30 female Large White X Landrace pigs (Cotswold Pig Development Co. Ltd, Lincoln UK), divided Into six groups of ten, balanced for sex and initially body weight (mean starting and finishing weight 32.1 vs 68.5kg) within a pen but not between pens. Measurements of feeding behaviour (see below) were continuously monitored for an average of 38 days, by one electronic feeding station (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, developed by Hunday Electronics Ltd.) In each pen. The pigs were fed on a standard pelleted grower diet.
The assessment of sow personality and its effects on reproduction and endocrine status
Authors: Stedman R.C. , Varley M.A.
Published: June 2019

Most people believe that it is highly probable that many animals are aware of both themselves and their surroundings. It may follow that a group of sows should not be reared as a homogenous mass because they are individuals each with their own distinguishable characteristics, or in other words each has a personality. It may also be the case that sows having different dispositions may be either more or less susceptible to certain environmental and psychological stressors and these in turn could affect reproductive performance. Hemsworth et al (1981) has found previously that on those farms where sows displayed a greater withdrawal response from a human investigator the number of piglets born per sow was significantly reduced. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the possibility that relationships may exist between the personality of multiparous sows, endocrine status and ultimately reproductive performances.
Spatial Preferences of farrowing sows
Authors: Petchey A M
Published: June 2019

To satisfy stringent welfare criteria a farrowing pen must meet the sows’ needs for freedom of movement and allow her to exhibit most normal behaviours.

Pens must be designed which provide adequate space for the loose housed farrowing sow but which have additional features to promote high standards of pig care. The sow should not be left to farrow indiscriminately within the pen but must be provided with an enriched environment to satisfy both her needs and those of the piglets. Within the pen the sow requires a suitable nest site and material to manipulate immediately pre-farrowing. These features can only be provided when it becomes known what the sows’ find desirable. In previous work it was shown that sows’ preferred to build their nests and farrow within a cubicle rather than in a corner or against a straight but open wall and that sows exhibit intensive nest building activity in the 14 hours before farrowing. In this trial the objective was to determine the farrowing sows’ response to an arrangement of parallel walls spaced 0.55, 0.95 and 1.35 m apart. The rationale behind the measurements was that they approximated to the body width, height and length of a generalised sow. Information about the sows’ response to such a wall arrangement would be useful if pens with walk-through nests were being designed.
The effect of design of mono-place feeders on growth performance of finishing pigs
Authors: Walker N.
Published: June 2019

When feed is offered ad libitum from hopper feeders, with water supply remote from the feeder, the feed conversion ratio with pelleted diets is improved by around 10% compared with non-pelleted diets (Patterson and Walker, 1989). This difference was reduced to around 6% when mono-place feeders with built-in water supply were used (Walker, 1990). The improved digestibility due to pelleting accounts for only 1% unit of these differences and the majority therefore appears to be due to feed wastage. A hopper feeder was developed by Baxter (1989) which minimised feed wastage of both pelleted and non-pelleted diets when assessed by short term collections of spilled feed. It was considered that a longer term growth trial would be a good indicator of the benefits of this feeder compared with other designs which had been used here in previous experiments.
The effects of lairage time on the blood profile of slaughtered pigs
Authors: Warriss P.D. , Anil M.H. , Brown S.N. , Fordham D.P. , Rodway R.G. , Warkup C.C.
Published: June 2019

After transport to the slaughter plant, pigs may be kept in lairage for up to 24h before being killed. This facilitates smooth, continuous operation of the slaughterline and, it is commonly believed, allows the animals to rest and so recover from the stress of transport. We have tested this latter belief by examining indices of stress in blood collected at slaughter from pigs kept in lairage for various times.

A total of 320 LW x (LW x LR) pigs (89 kg) of both sexes were used. They were killed in ten batches. Prior to slaughter they were transported for 2h (80 km) at a stocking density of 0.52 m2 per 100 kg live weight. On arrival at the IFR-Bristol slaughterhouse the pigs were killed either as soon as practicable after unloading off the transporter (Oh lairage), after 3h in lairage or after holding in lairage overnight (21h). Half the pigs held overnight were fed in lairage (in the late afternoon), half were not. At slaughter therefore, pigs in the four different lairage treatment groups had been subjected to food withdrawal periods of 3, 6, 16 and 24h.
Plasma ß-endorphin and cortisol in sheep during isolation stress
Authors: Al-Gahtani S. , Rodway R.G.
Published: June 2019

Many stressful procedures have been shown to cause elevation of plasma ß-endorphin (ß-EP) and Cortisol in sheep. These include shearing and electroimmobilization (Jephcot, McMillen, Rushen, Hargreaves and Thorburn, 1986), routine surgical procedures (Shut, Fell, Connell, Bell, Wallace and Smith, 1987), hypoglycaemic stress (Owen, Smith, Green and Falconer, 1984) and procedures such as handling, transport and slaughter (Fordham, Lincoln, Ssewannyana and Rodway, 1989) as well as change of environment (Fordham, Al-Gahtani, Durotoye and Rodway, 1991). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a very reproducible and easily applied stress, namely Isolation from other animals, on plasma ß-EP and Cortisol and also to study the effect of suppression of hypothalamo-pitultary axis with dexaniethazone during isolation. Six ovarlectomlzed ewes (48±3kg) were housed in groups of two in separate pens without visual contact between pens. In each experiment one ewe of each pair was removed from the pen. The remaining ewe was therefore isolated both physically and visually from its partner and was blood sampled every 10 min via a jugular catheter.
Energy source and protein level in supplements to silage for finishing store lambs
Authors: Bastiman B , Marsden S
Published: June 2019

The proposed reduction in lamb variable premium payments could well lead to fewer lambs being sold as stores, with more being finished on the farms of origin. On upland farms such lambs are likely to be finished indoors to reduce competition at grass with ewes being flushed. Many farms now have accommodation for housing ewes for 3 months prior to lambing, and such housing can easily be used to finish lambs prior to housing the ewes. On grassland farms finishing is likely to be based on silage which, represents a relatively cheap, home-grown feed. However, lamb performance on silage alone is likely to be inadequate and unpredictable, so that in most cases supplementary feeding will be requited. Type of supplement is likely to have important influences on both physical and financial performance.

The 144 Scottish Blackface wether lambs used for this trial were selected from a group of 455 lambs bought in the open market on 29 September 1989. The lambs were run at grass until selection for the trial on 27 November when the 144 selected lambs were drawn out and introduced to compound feed.
The voluntary intake and digestibility by sheep of grass silages treated with different silage inoculants
Authors: Rooke J A , Kafilzadeh F
Published: June 2019

The selection of lactic acid bacteria for use as silage additives is normally based upon their ability to dominate the silage fermentation and not upon benefits in animal performance. The object of this study was to investigate whether two lactic acid bacteria selected for fermentation characteristics would support the same animal performance as an established silage inoculant.

On 5 June 1989, first cut, predominantly perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was ensiled direct with no wilting in plastolene silos of 2 tonne capacity. The herbage was harvested with a precision chop forage harvester and the following additive treatments were applied: None, control (C); Formic acid (Add-F, BP Nutrition, 850g/kg; 3 litres/tonne), (F); inoculant E. (Ecosyl, ICI Pic, 106Lactobacillus plantarum /g): inoculant A, (Pediococcus sp, 10 /g); inoculant B (L. plantarum 106 /g). The silages were fed to 6 wether sheep (Suffolk x Halfbred), initial live-weight, 40.1 kg (s.d. 2.22kg). Because the silages were unstable aerobically and restricted quantities of each silage were available, all sheep were fed the silages in the same (random) order.
Effects of supplementary hay in the diet of concentrate fed early weaned lambs
Authors: Vipond J E , FitzSimons J , Lewis M , Horgan G
Published: June 2019

Early weaned lambs have been successfully reared to slaughter on ad libitum concentrate diets for many years, mainly in systems involving out of season lamb production where high market prices offset the comparatively high feed costs. In these systems maximum growth rates are required to enable lambs to reach acceptable slaughter weights before market prices fall.

Feeding systems may be based on whole cereals supplemented with small, high protein pellets, a technique developed from Rowett studies (Orskov et al, 1974) or home made blends of processed cereals and by-products or proprietary concentrates. Component selection Is a common problem with diets based on whole grains and although this can largely be overcome by correct feeder design this incurs considerable expense. Diet selection can be reduced by processing grain (eg on farm rolling) or by pelleting. Cereal processing and pelleting however can have deleterious effects on rumen function as described by Orskov (1973), the effects being attributed to both inadequate saliva production and reduced rumen surface stimulation by roughage.
Response of fast growing lambs to compound protein level
Authors: Blake J S , Brigstocke T D A , Kenyon P J
Published: June 2019

Reduction of the financial support by the EC to sheep farmers has highlighted the need for lamb fattening diets which can adjust the rate of lamb growth, depending on market needs. A trial was run at BOCM SILCOCK Development Unit, Barhill using 144 Texel and Suffolk x Mule lambs, with a mean start weight of 18.6 ± 0.50 kg (mean ± SE). Lambs were divided into 24 pens and allocated one of four compound diets (Diets A, B, C or D). The diets were designed to be isoenergetic with an estimated energy of 11.4 MJ ME/kg DM and contained 138, 172, 206 and 250 g crude protein/kg DM. Protein levels were increased by increasing soya bean meal inclusion from 0 to 25% and reducing barley and wheat levels.

Formulations and actual analysis are shown in Table 1. Lambs were bedded on barley straw refreshed daily, with compound diets and water available ad-lib.
A study of premature wool loss in sheep
Authors: Clark J E , Roden J A , Macpherson O , English P R
Published: June 2019

Premature loss of wool from fleece casting prior to shearing is a problem in some sheep genotypes, in particular in the North Country Cheviot. The reasons for this ocurrence are not fully understood, but it is believed that it is due to a complex of factors including heredity, nutritional and managerial (stress) practices, the wool growth cycle, and physiological parameters such as pregnancy. Prolonged stress is reported to be particularly important in the case of wool slip in ewes which are housed and shorn (Morgan et al, 1986).

The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of visible fleece casting in the North Country Cheviot (NCC), Scotch Halfbred (HB) (Border Leicester x NCC), and Border Leicester (BL), which has no history of premature wool loss. The study was implemented on 8 commercial farms in Scotland, and links between key productive parameters and wool loss were studied, and an attempt to identify fleece types most liable to cast was also made.
A sheep health survey of lowground purchasers of breeding sheep in grampian & the borders of scotland
Authors: Alexander A W , Burgess G , English P R , Macdonald D C , MacPherson O
Published: June 2019

The Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) is developing a strategy for the production and marketing of high health breeding sheep. With HIDB support, farmers in the North of Scotland have formed a co-operative to produce and market high health status sheep. The co-op (the Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association) has over 800 members with a total of 300,000 breeding ewes. Members' flocks are monitored by the Scottish Veterinary Investigation Service for Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE) and for vaccination against the Clostridial Diseases and Pasteurella. To guide HIDB strategy a postal survey was undertaken of lowground breeding sheep purchasers in Grampian and Borders.

The objectives were to determine, firstly, lowground breeding sheep purchasers' attitudes, opinions and practices when buying breeding sheep; secondly, their management of sheep health; thirdly, their experience of EAE, its prevention and control; and fourthly, their awareness of sheep health schemes and interest in purchasing high health status sheep.
The effect of silage characteristics and level of concentrate on intake, substitution rate, and milk constituent output
Authors: Baker R.D. , Aston K. , Thomas C. , Daley S.R.
Published: June 2019

The profitable management of milk production in relation to quota would be greatly aided by an ability to predict responses in milk constituent output to changes in feeding. One pre-requisite for doing so is a knowledge of substitution rates between feeds. The trials described here were the first in a series to aid the development of a mathematical model embracing the inter-relationships between forage quality and type, concentrate level and type, and milk outputs. The objective was to explore further the impact of silage type and quality and a wide range of concentrate level on substitution rate and milk constituent output.
The response of limousin x friesian steers fed silage and concentrates to the addition of supplemental yeast culture (yea-sacc) and/or antibiotic additive (avotan)
Authors: Edwards I E , Topps J H , El Sheikh M , Paterson G F M
Published: June 2019

Supplementation with Yea-sacc - yeast (Saccharomyces cerivisiae ‘1026’) and its growth medium or with Avotan - an antibiotic feed additive has been found by several workers to alter rumen fermentation patterns and animal performance. This experiment investigated the effect of inclusion of these supplements on their own or in combination in the concentrates of silage fed steers on rumen fermentation and animal performance.
The effects of ensiling molassed sugarbeet feed with grass on dairy cow performance
Authors: Davies O D , Perrott G
Published: June 2019

Silage effluent is a major contributor to farm pollution incidents in the United Kingdom. In 1987, silage effluent was responsible for 26% of all farm pollution cases reported, and 437. Of farm associated water pollution incidents that resulted in prosecution.

A practical solution to this problem could be to incorporate absorbent materials into the grass at ensiling. Several absorbent materials have been tested, some being based on fibrous bi-products. Of those tested, chopped barley straws proved the most effective (Offer an Al-Rwidah 1989) however this material lowered silage quality and also reduced the weight of grass that could be stored in a given silo by 78%. Molassed sugarbeet feed (MSBF), a feed high in digestible fibre which has been widely incorporated into ruminant diets as an energy source, was less absorbent but improved silage quality and reduced grass storage weight for a given silo by only 27%.
The effect of sodium fertilizer application to pasture on the ingestive behaviour of dairy cows
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Bello M. , Chiy P.C.
Published: June 2019

Previous research has suggested that ruminants will select a high Na diet possibly even when they are not Na deficient (Chiy and Phillips, 1991; Michell and Moss, 1988). Schneider et al (1986) also recorded an increased DM intake of dairy cows up to 5.5gNa/kg dietary DM. increases in ruminating time have also been recorded for high Na diets (Chiy and Phillips, 1991) but it is unclear whether this arises from increased herbage intake. This experiment aimed to further investigate the effects of Na content of feed on ingestive behaviour of dairy cows.
The Performance of Summer Calving Cows on Different Grass Swards
Authors: Fisher G.E.J. , Dowdeswell A. , Roberts D.J.
Published: June 2019

The U.K. Milk Marketing Boards are encouraging dairy farmers to produce more milk in the summer months. However, the management of May to July calving cows is difficult as peak yield and intake requirement coincide with declining grass growth and quality. One means of overcoming this problem has been to offer a forage buffer as an extra feed to supplement the intake of grazed grass. The objective of this experiment was to investigate optimising the performance of summer calving cows by manipulating grass sward morphology to improve grazing intakes and eliminate the need for a forage buffer.
Compensatory growth in mashona steers of two ages grazing natural pasture in zimbabwe
Authors: Manyuchi B. , Smith T.
Published: June 2019

Cattle not fed a supplement on dry season grazing lose weight. The magnitude of this loss and the extent of recovery during the subsequent wet season were measured in Mashona steers.

Mashona steers aged 8 and 20 months at the outset (groups A and B respectively) were used. Within each group (n = 50) steers were fed cottonseed meal (CSM, 250g per 100kg live-weight) or not fed CSM during the dry season.
Chemical composition of commercial steers, heifers and young bull carcases
Authors: Lowe D B , Kempster A J , Fogden M W , White C F
Published: June 2019

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of dietary issues and are demanding that food is labelled effectively with compositional information. In the past 20 years major changes have taken place in beef production, in particular the greater use of young bulls and the introduction of genes from several continental breeds, which have the potential of producing leaner meat. The current standard reference, McCance and Widdowson's ‘The Composition of Foods’ was last revised over 10 years ago, so this trial was set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to provide up-to-date estimates of the chemical composition of beef.
Combined effects of aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (amaferm; ao) and monensin on fermentation in the rumen simulation technique (rusitec)
Authors: McKain N. , Newbold C.J. , Wallace R.J.
Published: June 2019

Monensin, an ionophore, and AO, a fungal feed additive, are growth promoters which modify rumen fermentation. Previous studies have shown that monensin increased propionate, the efficiency of bacterial growth and the flow of protein from the rumen and decreased methane production and fibre digestion (Schelling, 1984), whereas AO increased bacterial numbers and fibre digestion and lowered methane production (Frumholtzet al., 1989; Fondevilaet al., 1990). The aim of the present study was to determine, using Rusitec, the effects on rumen fermentation of combining these additives.
Dietary effects of energy and crude protein content on lactation and intake in dairy cattle
Authors: Wood Bethan L , Roberts D J , Hunter E A
Published: June 2019

Efficient utilization of silage diets depends upon the nutritional value of the forage and the amount eaten by the animals. However, even good quality silage is usually supplemented with energy concentrates (principally cereal based) to provide sufficient dietary energy for a high producing dairy cow. This experiment was therefore designed to examine two concentrate energy sources (starch and sugar) at two levels of crude protein on animal production, using the sugar based concentrate (molaferm 20) as a true silage supplement.

A 3 x 4 week changeover design based on Latin squares, the experiment was conducted with 18 individually fed Autumn calving dairy cows, on average 77 days calved. The animals were second lactation or more and commenced their experimental period at least six weeks postpartum, with the preceding 2 weeks being used as a covariance period. Cows were blocked according to current milk yield, liveweight and lactation number and from these randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups.
Leucaena leucocephala as an alternative protein supplement to fishmeal for lactating cows in bangladesh
Authors: Khan M.A.S. , Jabber M.A. , Akbar M.A. , Topps J.H.
Published: June 2019

In Bangladesh, locally produced fishmeal is available as a protein source for lactating cows but sometimes it is scarce and expensive. There is a need to find an alternative concentrate such as a legume which can be grown by the roadside, embankment and home. An experiment has been carried out to assess the effect on performance of partly replacing fishmeal with fresh foliage from Leucaena leucocephala.
The evaluation of draff (malt distillers grains) as a concentrate replacer for dairy cows
Authors: McKendrick Elizabeth J , Roberts D J
Published: June 2019

The investigation was designed to examine the use of draff ensiled with molassed sugar beet nuts (MSBN) as a concentrate replacer in silage based diets for dairy cows.

Twenty four British Friesian cows in early lactation were used in a changeover design experiment consisting of 3 x 3 week periods. The cows were allocated to the treatments listed below in such a way that one cow from each of the 12 pairs was allocated to proprietary concentrate treatments and the other to draff treatments for the duration of the experiment.
Detection and identification of animal-derived protein in feedingstuffs by enzyme-linked immunoassay
Authors: Brett P. A. , Goodwin P. R.
Published: June 2019

In Great Britain the use of animal-derived protein in animal feeds has recently been subject to restrictions (The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1988 and subsequent orders), including a prohibition on the use of animal protein produced from ruminant carcases in feed given to ruminants. More generally, livestock producers are increasingly demanding more detailed information about the ingredients included in the compound feeds they purchase, and may stipulate that meat and bone meal derived from particular animal species is not used in their feed. In order that compliance with these legal and commercial requirements can be monitored and enforced, it is important that feed manufacturers, their customers and the regulatory authorities should have recourse to a means of identifying the species from which animal protein, when present in a feed, is derived.
The effect of cereal flaring and diet pelleting on the voluntary intake and performance of weaned piglets
Authors: McCone Sheila , English P R , Fowler V R , Gill B P , Birnie M , Davidson F M
Published: June 2019

Flaking is widely used by the feed industry since it is considered to improve the digestibility and palatability of cereals for young pigs. Pelleting is believed to give similar benefits plus a reduction in feed wastage and improved voluntary intake. However, the scientific literature lacks consenssus on this subject and provides no clear indication whether the response to feed processing is influenced by the type of cereal used. This experiment examined the effects of flaking, cereal type and diet pelleting on the voluntary intake and performance of early weaned piglets.
Comparison of meishan and white pigs for voluntary intake and digestibility of high fibre diets
Authors: Edwards S A , Fowler V R , Berges E , Taylor A G , Haley C
Published: June 2019

The Meishan breed has evolved in China on high fibre diets. This experiment was designed to investigate whether, in consequence, they are better able to utilise high fibre diets than modern UK hybrid pigs. This might be achieved by a higher voluntary intake to compensate for low nutrient density of diets and/or by a more efficient gut fermentation of non-starch polysaccharides.
The role of the large intestine in the utilization of feeds containing non-starch polysaccharides
Authors: Longland A.C. , Close W.H. , Low A.G.
Published: June 2019

The utilization of diets high in fibre (defined here as non-starch polysaccharide - NSP) is dependent on the extent to which the NSP is fermented by the gut microflora, and the subsequent utilization by the animal of the end-products of fermentation - the VFAs. It has frequently been assumed that fermentation of NSP in the pig occurs almost exclusively in the hind-gut. However, a number of studies using pigs fitted with ileal-cannulas have suggested that some fermentation of NSP may occur prior to the hind-gut (e.g. Graham et al., 1985). The aim of this study was to determine the relative roles of the small and large intestine in a) the digestion of feeds containing non-starch polysaccharides, and b) the subsequent utilization of energy by growing pigs. This was achieved by comparing the abilities of intact or ileo-rectomised pigs to digest and grow on cereal-based diets containing 0 or 300 g/kg sugar beet pulp.
Adipocyte Beta-Adrenoceptor numbers in growing pigs of different genotypes
Authors: Taylor J.A. , Salter D.N. , Montgomery A.I. , Seve B.
Published: June 2019

Catecholamines are the major lipolytic agents in fat cells and are mediated primarily by beta-adrenergic receptors. The present experiment was designed to study p-receptor numbers in growing pigs of various genotypes in relation to their body compositions.

Fat samples from 5 representative pigs of each genotype were removed immediately after slaughter, at about 60 kg body weight, and stored at -80°C prior to analysis. Adipocytes were extracted by incubation with 1 mg/g (w/v) collagenase in a tris/MgCl2/ EDTA/Bovine serum albumin buffer (pH 7.4) for 1 hour at 37°C. Cells were mechanically ruptured and membranes were removed by ultracentrifugatlon (37,000 rpm for 20 minutes). Recovery was estimated by protein assay using the method of Lowry (1951). Approximately 20 μg of adipocyte membrane protein in 300 μl tris/MgCl2/EDTA assay buffer was added to graded concentrations of the125I-labelled β-antagonist Iodocyanopindolol (100 μl) together with 100 μl of either assay buffer or the non-specific β-antagonist propanolol (to determine non-specific binding). Samples were then incubated for 1 hour at 37°C. Total β-receptor numbers (maximum binding - Bmax) expressed as pmol/g protein, were estimated by Scatchard analysis using the computer programme ‘EBDA’ by Elsevier - BIOSOFT, Cambridge.
Effect on silage intake and milk production of incorporating maize silage in dairy cow rations based on grass silage of either average or high energy concentration
Authors: Weller R F , Rook A J , Phipps R H
Published: June 2019

Following the introduction of milk quota many farmers attempted to place greater reliance on home grown forage as a means of decreasing concentrate inputs and thus reducing input costs. As a high energy forage, maize silage should have the potential to increase forage intake and influence milk yield and quality. The objective of the current trial was to examine the effect on forage intake and milk production of incorporating maize silage into rations based on grass silage with average or high energy concentration.

Sixty-three multiparous and 28 primiparous Friesian cows were used in a trial lasting 20 weeks. Following a two week covariate period cows were allocated to treatment. Treatments were based on forage mixtures of maize silage and grass silage of either average (A) or high (H) energy value in which maize formed 0, 25, SO or 75% of the forage mixture DM.
Preliminary observations on the production and quality of whole crop wheat
Authors: Phipps R H , Weller R F , Clark H , Reeve A
Published: June 2019

During the last few years there has been increasing interest in the potential role of alternative forages in dairy cow rations based on grass silage. In this context, whole crop cereals, particularly wheat (WCW) treated with urea (40 g/kg DM), have more recently received considerable attention within the farming community. This is in spite of the fact that research experience of the potential of whole crop wheat as a forage component for dairy cow rations is limited.

In order to provide general background information on the practical application of this approach, eight farms were surveyed on wheat crop husbandry, harvesting and preservation. Nutritional quality of the resultant forages was also assessed. Additional observations on crop losses during harvesting and feeding were undertaken at the Bernard Weitz Centre.
Intake and digestibility of enzyme-treated whole-crop wheat silage by steers
Authors: Adogla-Bessa T. , Owen E. , Tetlow R.M , Baker R.D.
Published: June 2019

Interest in the feeding of whole-crop wheat silage has been on the increase (Newman, 1990) but to fully exploit its potential, whole-crop wheat has to be harvested at advanced stages of growth (dough stage). The objective was to assess the feeding value of whole-crop winter wheat silage harvested at two stages of growth and treated with two commercial (Finnish Sugar Co. Ltd., Helsinki) cellulase and hemi-cellulase mixtures (Clampzyme [CLZ] and FS02 [FS2]).
Influence of crop stage of growth on aerobic-stability and chemical profile of enzyme-treated whole-crop wheat silage
Authors: Adogla-Bessa T. , Owen E. , Tetlow R.M , Baker R.D.
Published: June 2019

Doubts have been expressed about the aerobic stability of whole-crop cereal silages. Urea and ammonia additives have proved effective in controlling aerobic deterioration (Deschard et al., 1988). The aim was to evaluate the effects of two commercially-produced (Finnish Sugar Co. Ltd., Helsinki) cellulase and hemicellulase mixtures (Clampzyme [CLZ] and Deezyme [DEZ]) on fermentation and aerobic stability of winter-sown wheat (cv Brock), harvested at four stages of growth.

The experiment was of 4 x 2 x 4 x 2 factorial design. The crop was direct-cut harvested (precision chopped) and ensiled for 150 days in mini-silos (polypropylene sack enclosed in polyethene sack; 5.0 kg dry matter (DM) of crop; plastic-strip seals). Harvesting was at 4 moisture-content (g DM/kg) stages of growth: cut 1, 300 (heading); cut 2, 400 (mealy); cut 3, 500 (soft/medium dough); cut 4, 650 (hard dough). Enzymes were applied at 4 levels: 0, 0.3, 0.7 and 1.0 1/tonne (t) DM for CLZ and 0, 1.0, 1.3 and 1.7 1/t DM for DEZ. Silos were either evacuated and sealed immediately (IMM) or sealed after 24 h (DEL).
Effect of stage of growth and urea addition on the preservation and nutritive value of whole crop wheat
Authors: Hill J. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

Whole crop wheat (WCW) is a relatively new crop as a feed for dairy cows, and little information is available on its dry matter yield and nutritive value relative to stage of growth at harvest. Also, the role of urea (which hydrolyses to ammonia in the crop) addition in reducing fermentation and aerobic spoilage losses has not been investigated.

The aim of this experiment was to examine three stages of growth at harvest for WCW, with and without urea.

An area of winter wheat (cv Fortress) was cut (5 cm above ground) at three growth stages (GS 49, 71 and 87). The resultant forages were chopped through a precision-chop harvester and stored in air-tight barrels of 0.225 m3 capacity. Urea was added at 0 and 40 g/kgDM at each stage of growth and there were three replicates of each treatment. Thermocouples placed centrally were used to monitor temperature changes. The mini silos held approximately 100 kg of forages and they were opened after 90 days. Vertical cores were taken as samples and the mini silos were left open for a further 18 days to assess aerobic deterioration.
Feeding sorghum stover to ethiopian sheep: effect of chopping and amount offered on growth, intake and selection
Authors: Osafo E L K , Owen E , Aboud A A O , Said A N , Gill E M , McAllan A
Published: June 2019

Aboud et al (1990) found that intake and selectivity of sorghum stover by Ethiopian sheep increased as the ad 1ibitum amounts offered (g/kg mass[M].day[d]) were increased from 25 to 50 and 75; the largest improvement in intake occurred with increasing the amount offered from 25 to 50 g/kg M.d. In the study by Aboud et al (1990), the stover offered was in chopped form. The present study investigated the effect of chopping per se, with stover offered at 25 or 50 g/kg M.d.

Following hand-harvesting of sorghum grain (non bird-resistant variety Dinkamash) in mid-November 1989, the stover (straw) was hand-cut from the field in mid-January 1990 and stored indoors until feeding in May. Forty eight Menz Highland rams of 17.2 kg initial M and ca.15 months of age were fed 113 g dry matter [DM]/ram.d of cottonseed cake and ad libitum sorghum stover over 56 d; salt licks were also provided.
Assessment of the nutritive value of colombian ricepolishings for ruminants by in vitro and in vivo techniques
Authors: Cardenas Garcia D , Galbraith H , Topps J H
Published: June 2019

Ricepolishings produced in the final milling process of white rice production, are a potentially useful and readily available, but underused by-product in Colombia. There is a considerable interest in assessing their value as a feed supplement for ruminant animals. The aim of this study was to assess their nutritive value by the use of chemical analysis, the in vitro menke gas test and in sacco dacron bag techniques.

Duplicate samples of Colombian ricepolishings (CRP) were analysed for proximate constituents and to determine the concentrations of fatty acids and amino acids in the fat and protein respectively.

In the menke gas test, dietary preparations containing either CRP or a mixture (0.41 and 0.59 of dried grass and medium quality hay respectively) DGH, were studied in the following ratios: 1.0 CRP: 0.0 DGH (A); 0.80 CRP: 0.2 DGH(B); 0.6 CRP: 0.4 DGH (C); 0.4 CRP: 0.6 DGH (D) 0.2 CRP: 0.80 DGH (E) and 0.0 CRP: 1.0 DGH (F).
Effect of level of protein supplementation on growth, body composition and fibre characteristics of british angora goats
Authors: Shahjalal Md , Galbraith H , Topps J H , Cooper J M
Published: June 2019

The growing need to diversify animal agriculture in the UK has increased interest in the production of Fibre and meat from goats. Protein supplements are among the most expensive of feed ingredients in animals ration and the efficiency of protein utilization is of considerable importance in the economical production of animal products such as meat, Fibre or milk. Previous studies (e.g. Huston etal, 1971; Huston, 1980 in the USA; Shahjalal et al, 1990a in the UK) have suggested that protein supplementation can influence growth rate and fibre characteristics of Angora goats. The aim of the work reported here was to provide more detailed information on the effect of level of protein supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield and fibre characteristics of British Angora goats.
Estimation of genetic parameters for temperament and ease of milking assessed on a linear scale in friesian holstein heifers
Authors: Bellamy H J , Swanson G J T
Published: June 2019

Following the introduction of the linear assessment method of evaluating conformation within the Dairy Progeny Testing Scheme run by the Artificial Insemination Organisation (now Genus) of the Milk Marketing Board in 1983 three new traits were included in 1985 and 1986. The new traits were Temperament, Ease of Milking and Fore Udder Angle. In addition information was collected on the number of hours since milked when the classification was carried out.

The objective of this study was to establish whether the variation in linear scores was significantly affected by the number of hours since milked and also to estimate the phenotypic and genetic parameters for the new trails, in particular Temperament and Ease of Milking.
Estimation of genetic parameters for milk cell count and correlations with production traits in friesian holstein heifers
Authors: Swanson G.J.T. , Gnanasakthy A.
Published: June 2019

Mastitis is a major source of culling and economic loss in the dairy herd. To date in England and Wales the main monitor of mastitis both within a herd and nationally is provided by monthly herd milk cell counts. The main thrust of mastitis control programmes has been to improve management practices such as dry cow treatment and milk machine testing. Interest has also been shown in the use of milk cell count as an indirect means of selecting for resistance to mastitis infection. Wood and Booth (1983) indicated that the cell count at the third monthly recording had the highest correlation with lactation mean cell count. The objective of this study was to estimate the herilability of somatic cell count, taken at the third recording after calving in the heifer lactation and to examine the association between cell count and production traits.