bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of untreated and formaldehyde treated whole linseed on the performance and fatty acid composition of milk produced by Friesland ewes
Authors: Wilkinson R.G. , Fry V.E. , Sinclair L.A.
Published: June 2019

Increasing the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of ruminant products is widely accepted as a potential means of reducing the incidence of cardio-vascular disease in man. However, after ingestion dietary PUFAs are extensively hydrogenated in the rumen. Whole linseed is particularly high in a-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) and the feeding of whole seeds with an intact seed coat has been reported to double the duodenal supply of C18:3 in wether lambs (Wachira et al. 1998). This supply may be further enhanced by treating the whole seed with formaldehyde (Gulati et al. 1997). The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of untreated and formadehyde treated whole linseed on the performance and fatty acid composition of milk produced by Friesland ewes.
Trends in the fertility of dairy cows in the United Kingdom
Authors: Royal M.D. , Darwash A.O. , Lamming G.E.
Published: June 2019

The gain in genetic merit for milk production in the US (Foote, 1996) has been accompanied by a decline in conception to first service of approximately 0.45% per year (between 1975-1997, Butler and Smith, 1989; Beam and Butler, 1998). A similar trend is anticipated in the UK. Lamming and Darwash (1998) reported that defective ovarian function prior to insemination contributes to lower reproductive efficiency. In particular, persistent luteal activity was associated with reduced fertility and a higher incidence of late embryo mortality (embryonic death after day 16 post-insemination). The objectives of this study are firstly, to determine the current incidence of atypical ovarian hormone patterns and secondly, to make specific comparisons between the present results and those of our previous study.
The effect of reducing feed intake following insemination on embryo survival in cattle
Authors: Dunne L.D. , Diskin M.G. , Sreenan J.M.
Published: June 2019

In farm animals early embryonic loss is recognised as a major cause of reproductive wastage. In sheep and pigs there is evidence that high energy intakes prior to ovulation and in early pregnancy depress systemic progesterone with a detrimental effect on embryo survival. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short term nutritional changes pre- and post-insemination on embryo survival and systemic progesterone in cattle. Preliminary results have been presented previously (Dunne etal., 1997).

Oestrus was synchronised in 247 beef cross heifers aged 18-24 months using two injections of prostaglandin (PG) administered 10 days apart. At the oestrus following the first PG injection heifers were allocated to either a Low (L, 0.6 M) or High (H, 2.3M) pasture allowance for the 10 day period prior to artificial insemination (AI). AI was carried out at the oestrus following the second PG injection using semen from a single Limousin bull. On the day following AI, heifers were randomly reallocated to either a L or H pasture allowance until embryo recovery at day 14 to 16 or pregnancy diagnosis at Day 30.
The effect of body composition at farrowing and subsequent protein intake on performance and lactational oestrus in gilts following modification of the suckling stimulus
Authors: Sinclair A.G. , Bland V.C. , Edwards S.A.
Published: June 2019

Reproductive performance of modern lean genotypes of pig has been shown to be particularly sensitive to dietary protein (Sinclair et al. 1996, Cia et al. 1998). This experiment examined the effect of modifying body protein : lipid ratio at different absolute protein mass on ovarian function in lactating gilts. A partial weaning technique was used to increase the potential sensitivity of the reproductive axis to differing lactational dietary protein levels.

A 3x2 factorial experiment involving 60 first parity sows compared 3 different pregnancy feeding strategies and 2 lactation diets. During pregnancy, sows were fed from day 42 either a set quantity (mean of 2.27 kg/day) of basal diet (5 g lysine, 13 MJ DE/kg[C]), or basal diet + energy (maize starch + soya oil in 3:1 ratio [E]), or additional basal diet supplying both protein and energy [P]. Lactation diets provided either high (180 g CP/kg, 9g lysine/kg [H]) or low lysine (120 g CP/kg, 6g lysine/kg [L]) and were formulated to be isoenergetic (14.5 MJ DE/kg) and fed to appetite. From day 21 of lactation, sows were separated from their litters and housed next to a boar for 8 hours each day; final weaning occurred on day 31.
Modifications of the Warner-Bratzler shear force method to improve the relationship with pork tenderness1
Authors: Van Oeckel M.J. , Warnants N. , Boucqué Ch.V.
Published: June 2019

The tenderness of pork is one of the most important quality attributes to the consumer. Since it is very time-consuming and costly to evaluate tenderness by taste panel, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) is often used as a measure for meat tenderness (Boccard et al., 1981). However, the WBSF method gives a value for the maximal force needed to shear a cylindrical core of cooked meat, while the tenderness perception by the consumer is a result of the biting and chewing experience of grilled or fried meat. Moreover, this method is originally designed for the assessment of beef tenderness. The objective of this study was to evaluate modifications to the WBSF method to improve the correlation with pork tenderness.
The effect of pre-weaning environment on piglets' post weaning behaviour
Authors: Cox L. , Cooper J.J.
Published: June 2019

A number of welfare and production problems are associated with weaning piglets including belly-nosing, ear and tail-biting, depressed immune responses, low intake of pelleted feed and impaired growth rate. These problems are, however, less pronounced in piglets reared on outdoor systems, which initially consume more pelleted food and show less belly-nosing and ear and tail biting than comparable indoor reared piglets. The objective of this study was to investigate how these differences in post weaning behaviour relate to the piglets' pre-weaning behaviour in the two rearing environments.

The study was carried out on a 200 sow breeding herd (Camborough line 12) with sows equally divided between extensive and intensive systems. In the intensive system, sows were singly housed prior to farrowing in crates and their piglets received a pelleted “creep” feed prior to weaning. On the outdoor system, sows were allowed to build straw nests in arks for farrowing and both sow and piglets had access to pasture. Each ark had observation holes in the front and back to allow sampling of the piglet's behaviour without disturbing the sow. Indoor and outdoor piglets were weaned at three weeks of age and mixed together in groups of 90-120 in straw-yard housing with access to a pelleted feed.
The effect of flight distance on aggression and skin damage of newly weaned sows at mixing
Authors: Kay R. M. , Burfoot A. , Spoolder H. A. M. , Docking C. M.
Published: June 2019

The mixing of unfamiliar sows at weaning results in the establishment of dominance hierarchies, frequently involving aggression. In commercial situations, with limited available flight distances, this can result in injuries and poor sow welfare. The objectives of this study were to measure flight and chase distances, and the incidence of aggressive interactions and levels of skin damage that occur when newly weaned sows were mixed in a large area where flight and chase distances were unlikely to be limiting.

Eight replicate groups of six unfamiliar sows were mixed in an arena (18x10.5m) at weaning. The sows were mixed at 09.00 h on Day 1, removed on Day 2 at 08.00 h for feeding in individual stalls, and returned to the arena at 09.00 h. Sows were observed directly from 09.00 h to 16.00 h on Day 1, and from 09.00 h to 13.00 h on Day 2. Video tape records were taken continuously for 28 hours from 09.00 h on Day 1. All aggressive interactions were recorded and categorised into three classes: brief (single knock, snap or bite), one-sided fight (no retaliation by defender), or two-sided fight (defender retaliates).
The production response by dairy cows to the inclusion of small quantities of straw in diets based on high quality grass silage and zero grazed grass
Authors: Ferris C.P. , Gordon F.J. , Patterson D.C. , Mayne C.S.
Published: June 2019

To satisfy the increased nutrient requirements of high genetic merit dairy cows, diets of increased nutrient density and intake potential are required. This can be achieved through increasing the feed value of the forage component of the diet (grass silage or grazed grass) and by increasing concentrate feed levels. However both approaches tend to reduce the fibre concentration of the diet, and the physical effectiveness of the fibre in terms of its ability to stimulate ruminal processes. The incorporation of small quantities of straw into the diet has been suggested as a means of overcoming this problem and hence improving animal performance. This study was undertaken to examine the production response by dairy cows to straw inclusion in high quality grass silage and zero grazed grass diets.
The effect of micronization on performance and digestibility in piglets fed diets based on wheat
Authors: Zarkadas L.N. , Wiseman J.
Published: June 2019

The overall performance of pigs is closely related to that achieved immediately post-weaning which is often only modest because of inefficient digestion on cereal-based diets (attributable to insufficient a-amylase). Processing of cereals is frequently considered and micronising is employed. Previous studies using this technology have concentrated on growing / finishing pigs (e.g. Lawrence 1973). Furthermore, investigation of the precise effects of altering variables during processing have not been widely studied. The objective of the current trial was to examine the effects of steeping and micronising temperature with wheat on the nutritional value of diets determined with postweaning piglets through assessments of performance and digestibility.
Effect of supplementation of sucrose and lactose with sodium bicarbonate on rumen metabolism and microbial protein synthesis in sheep
Authors: Hussain A. , Miller E. L.
Published: June 2019

Sucrose and lactose are used as energy supplements in ruminant diets. In our previous study (Hussain and Miller, 1998) lactose maintained a higher rumen pH, increased organic matter and neutral detergent fibre digestion in the rumen, reduced the number of rumen protozoa and increased microbial (bacterial) protein flow to the duodenum compared with sucrose. However, it was not clear whether the effect of lactose on pH or on reduction of protozoa was the main factor increasing rumen fermentation and microbial protein flow. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of isoenergetic amounts of sucrose and lactose as supplements (equivalent to 50 g glucose) on rumen fermentation and metabolism in the presence of sodium bicarbonate to maintain rumen pH.
The effect of incremental changes in metabolisable energy intake on the partitioning of metabolisable energy in dairy cows
Authors: Agnew R. E. , Gordon F. J. , Kilpatrick D. J. , Yan T. , Porter M. G.
Published: June 2019

The current energy (E) feeding standards (AFRC, 1993) have the objective of providing accurate feeding of dairy cows when there is either zero tissue E retention or a given tissue E change. Such approaches are of limited practical value in the real world in which we must be able to predict optimum feeding levels and strategies for animals of differing milk yield potential producing in a range of physical and economic environments. In the latter context the key economic factor is how the animal responds to additional increments of feed. This is primarily driven by how the animal partitions that additional E between milk output and body tissue gain. The objective of this experiment was to use calorimetric techniques to explore the impact of level of metabolisable E (ME) intake (MEI) on milk E output (E1) and tissue E gain (Eg) and hence partitioning of increments of MEI between milk and tissues.
Effect of maize silage maturity on digestibility and energy balance of lactating cows
Authors: Sutton J.D. , Cammell S.B. , Beever D.E. , Phipps R.H. , Humphries D.J.
Published: June 2019

Increasing maturity at harvest of maize silage has been shown to affect feed intake and milk production in Holstein-Friesian cows (Phipps et al., 1998). The purpose of the present experiment was to determine whether the milk production response was related to improvements in the efficiency of feed energy utilisation.

Four multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows (mean live weight 620 kg) fitted with permanent cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were given diets based on maize silage and grass silage (3:1 DM ratio) offered ad libitum plus 8.7 kg DM/day of a concentrate (254 g crude protein (CP)/kg DM) starting 5-10 weeks post-calving. The maize silage was harvested at four different stages of maturity as defined by DM content and ensiled without additives. The grass silage was a first-cut perennial ryegrass (260 g DM/kg, 519 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg DM, 146 g CP/kg DM).
Metabolisable energy requirements of lactating dairy cows offered a straw/concentrate ration
Authors: Kirkland R.M. , Gordon F.J.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies at this Institute (Yan et al., 1997), using regression techniques on calorimetric data obtained with dairy cows offered grass silage based diets, have indicated that the metabolisable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) is higher than that predicted using the equations of AFRC (1990). It was hypothesised, (Yan et al., 1997), that this higher MEm may reflect the use of diets containing ensiled grass and, furthermore, that ratio of grass silage:concentrates also influences MEm. In contrast, kl calculated by regression techniques was in line with that predicted using the equations of AFRC (1990). Against this background, the objective of the current study was to establish, using regression techniques, the MEm and kl on a non-grass silage based ration.
Effect of breed and diet on polyunsaturated fatty acid composition oflongissimus dorsimuscle in beef steers
Authors: Choi N.J. , Enser M. , Wood J.D. , Scollan N.D.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies have demonstrated that even though the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in linseed (principally α-linolenic acid, C18:3n-3) were largely biohydrogenated in the rumen significant improvements in the PUFA content of the resultant beef were observed (Choiet al., 1997, Scollanet al., 1997). Treating whole linseed with formaldehyde should help to reduce the degree of biohydrogenation of C18:3n-3, resulting in higher responses at the muscle level. Genetic variation may also play a role in regulating the PUFA content of beef. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of different sources of dietary PUFA, including formaldehyde treated whole linseed on muscle fatty acids and to determine whether breeds differ in their ability to incorporaten-3 PUFA into muscle lipids.
Prediction of carcass composition in meat breeds of sheep using computer tomography
Authors: Young M.J. , Lewis R.M. , McLean K.A. , Robson N.A.A. , Fraser J. , Fitzsimons J. , Donbavand J. , Simm G.
Published: June 2019

Ultrasound imaging has proved a very useful tool for the modern animal breeder wishing to improve carcass composition. However, more accurate imaging technologies, such as X-ray Computer Tomography (CT), could accelerate genetic improvement of carcass composition, and widen the range of traits assessed (e.g. by considering deeper tissues). Carcass quality is assuming more importance for breeders but quality traits are difficult to assess objectively and accurately in live sheep. The present study was designed to identify a few CT scan positions from which accurate prediction of dissected tissue weights could be made in meat sheep.

One hundred Suffolk lambs (50 of each sex) were CT scanned and slaughtered at 14, 18, 22 or 26 weeks of age (59±16kg LW, range 20-96kg). Each animal was scanned at seven sites; three in the gigot (ISC, caudal ischium; FEM, mid-shaft of femur; HIP, hip joint), two in the loin (LV5 and LV2, 5th and 2nd lumbar vertebrae) and two in the chest/ shoulder (TV8 and TV6, 8th and 6th thoracic vertebrae).
Mapping genes for growth and fatness in pigs with data from international studies
Authors: Walling G.A. , Visscher P.M. , Andersson L. , Rothschild M.F. , Moser G. , Groenen M.A.M. , Bidanel J.P. , Haley C.S.
Published: June 2019

The use of genetic markers to identify regions of the genome associated with variation in quantitative traits (QTL) is now widespread. Several studies have attempted to find QTLs for growth and fatness in pigs. Since the first published study (Anderssonet al., 1994) many groups have found effects on chromosome 4, albeit with different breeds. In theory, joint analysis offers considerable potential to extract additional information from the data. This study aims to investigate the benefits and drawbacks of joint analysis.

Data on birth weight (BWT), growth rate to end of test or slaughter (GRE) and average backfat depth (BF) were supplied from seven different pig populations in six countries. The data from Scotland, France, USA, Netherlands and half of the data from Germany were Meishan (MS) x commercial F2populations. Data from Sweden and the remaining German data were from wild boar (WB) x commercial F2populations. A total of 31 different markers were used, all on chromosome 4.
The consequences of index selection on carcass composition in Suffolk sheep
Authors: Lewis R. M. , Emmans G. C. , Simm G. , Dingwall W. S. , FitzSimons J. , Fraser J.C. , Donbavand J.E.
Published: June 2019

Early in the 1980s a selection index was designed at SAC to improve the rate of lean growth in terminal sire sheep which combined ultrasound measurements of fat and muscle depth, and live weight at 150 days of age (Simm and Dingwall, 1989). Beginning in 1985, this index was applied in the SAC Suffolk flock in a performance test. In 1994, rams from a line selected on this index weighed on average 12% more (8 kg) and had 12% lower fat depth (– 0.9 mm) and 10% higher muscle depth (2.9 mm) than rams from an unselected Control line. Comparison of Selection and Control line animals has thus far been based on live predictors of carcass composition at weights substantially heavier than typical market lamb weights. The aims of this study were to test whether selection decisions based on the lean growth index produced an improvement in actual carcass composition in purebred terminal sire sheep and whether these changes persisted at live weights different from those under which selection was carried out.
The effects of physiological state on the carcass composition of continental heifers
Authors: Patterson D.C. , Steen R.W.J. , Moore C A
Published: June 2019

Several studies have investigated once-bred heifers as a means of improving the efficiency of beef production. In these studies, when compared with unbred heifers, the observed carcass effects were usually associated with simultaneous changes in several factors namely: diet composition, plane of nutrition, carcass weight and age at slaughter. The present study aimed to examine the effects of reproductive state on carcass weight and carcass composition, with bred and unbred heifers grown at equal rates of carcass gain on diets of equal composition.
Effect of parity number on growth pattern and carcass measurements of continental cross suckler cows under lowland conditions
Authors: Patterson D.C. , Moore C.A. , Steen R.W.J. , Kilpatrick D.J.
Published: June 2019

The objective was to examine the effects of parity of cows at slaughter on the growth and development of the carcass, and changes in carcass composition in continental suckler cows in a lowland beef system.

The experiment had a factorial design based on the factors : parity and level of finish. The parity treatments were parities: 0 (maiden), 1, 3 and 5. The levels of finish were medium (fat class 3) and high (fat class 4 L). A group of three Blonde d’Aquitaine AI sires was common to parities 1, 3 and 5. Mean lactation length was 163 days which was spent at pasture. Animals for the medium level of finish were slaughtered at the point of service (maiden heifers) or at weaning (parities 1, 3 and 5), while high finish animals all had an additional finishing period on a grass silage/concentrate diet. A total of 77 animals of ¾ Charolais genotype were slaughtered within the experimental design with approximately equal numbers of animals slaughtered within each treatment.
The effect of housing system on the behaviour, welfare and performance of beef cattle
Authors: Lowe D.E. , Steen R.W.J. , Beattie V.E. , Moss B.W.
Published: June 2019

There is increasing public concern about the welfare of farm animals and one of the issues recently raised has been the use of totally slatted floors for rearing and finishing beef cattle. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of using different types of floors in accommodation for beef cattle on the performance, physiology and behaviour of beef cattle.

Sixty Continental-cross steers (mean initial live weight 450 (s.e.m. 2.5) kg) were blocked according to live weight and randomly assigned to one of three floor types, namely fully slatted floors, fully slatted floors covered with perforated rubber mats or solid floors bedded with straw. There were four pens of five animals in each treatment. Daily food intakes and live-weight and carcass weight gains were determined for a mean duration of 139 days. Each individual animal was observed directly, once per week.
Use of near infrared spectroscopy for beef meat quality assessment: can NIRS measure tissue vitamin E?
Authors: Thomas E , Scaife J R , Murray I. , Rutter A , Cowie E , Colquhoun G
Published: June 2019

Assessment of the quality characteristics of meat is time consuming and, due to the heterogeneity of muscle tissue, is subject to considerable variability. A cheap, fast, accurate and non-destructive method of assessment of meat with the potential to predict subsequent quality, would be useful to the meat industry. Near infra red spectroscopy (NIRS) offers this potential for rapid quality assessment and has been shown to be a valuble tool in the evaluation of a variety of meats (Cozzolino et al 1996)

Twenty beef bulls were selected from a commercial herd. Ten bulls (group US) were fed a standard barley-based ration consisting of (g kg–1 DM) barley, 900; GFS Beef 34 protein pellets, 100. Ten bulls (group S) were fed an identical ration supplemented with α-tocopherol acetate (ATA). The average daily intake of these diets was 10 kg DM head-1 d-1 over 100 days prior to slaughter.
Effects of serum or fatty acid supplementation of synthetic oviduct fluid medium on development of bovine embryosin vitro
Authors: Farrar N.C. , Staines M.E. , McCallum G.J. , Haggarty P. , Robinson J.J. , McEvoy T.G.
Published: June 2019

Serum, which is routinely included in many embryo culture media, can decrease the viability of bovine and ovine embryos produced in cultures employing synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF; Kuran et al., 1999) and represents a possible route for transmission of disease. Alternative approaches include the use of chemically defined culture media but results from studies which avoid sera and its derivatives (e.g., albumin) are generally less favourable due to a lack of knowledge regarding the embryo's response to specific nutrients, most notably fatty acids. As a preliminary step towards investigating fatty acid influences on bovine embryo developmentin vitro, the present study examined the effect of adding palmitic acid (C16:0) to SOF plus bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the performance of this semi-defined culture medium and contrasted it with embryo production in SOF supplemented with serum.
The effect of exogenous prostaglandin F?? analogue administration on subsequent corpus luteum function in the dairy cow
Authors: Starbuck G.R. , Mann G.E. , Lamming G.E.
Published: June 2019

Historically there has been some controversy over possible detrimental effects of exogenous prostaglandin F? ? ? (PGF? ?) administration on the function of the subsequent corpus luteum (CL). In the light of recent evidence that early luteal phase progesterone is essential for embryonic development (Mann et al., 1996) combined with the clinical use of PGF2? analogues in herd fertility management, an urgent need has arisen for this matter to be clarified. This abstract presents work designed to investigate whether two of the commercially available PGF? ? analogues used in veterinary therapy have any detrimental effect on corpus luteum function.
The effect of feeding a diet high in fibre during the rearing period on reproduction in gilts
Authors: Glasgow V.L. , Edwards S.A. , McEvoy T.G. , Shanks M.
Published: June 2019

Feeding diets high in fibre to breeding sows has been found to have a positive effect on reproductive performance. Danske Slagterier (1994) found a significant increase in litter size when sows were fed a diet containing high levels of unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP) during pregnancy and lactation. Litter size is influenced by two main factors; ovulation rate and embryo survival. Glasgow et al (1996) found no increase in ovulation rate in gilts fed high USBP diets. This experiment was designed to assess the effect of feeding a high USBP diet on endocrinology and early embryo viability.

The experiment was of a randomised block design incorporating two diets; a cereal based diet (C) and a diet containing 50% unmolassed sugar beet (HF). 72 gilts of lean genotype (Newsham Hybrids) were allocated to treament at 138 days of age, housed in groups of 6 and had liveweight and backfat thickness recorded fortnightly. For the first 8 weeks, HF gilts were fed ad-libitum and C gilts were pair fed to the same daily energy intake. Subsequently, gilts were floor fed isoenergetically at a flat rate of 2.8 kg/d (HF) and 2.3 kg/d (C).
Effects of cutting height at harvest of fermented whole crop wheat and supplement type on milk production by dairy cows
Authors: Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G.
Published: June 2019

Previous work conducted with fermented whole crop wheat (WCW) silage has focussed on the effects that stage of maturity can have on nutritive value and milk production (Sinclair and Wilkinson 1998, Phippset al.1998). An alternative means of manipulating the nutritive value of WCW is to alter the relative proportion of straw to grain through altering cutting height at harvest. Additionally, the form of energy supplied by the concentrate also offers the potential of manipulating milk production in cows fed diets containing WCW. The objectives of the current experiment were therefore to determine the effect of two cutting heights at harvest and supplement type on the performance of dairy cows offered fermented WCW silage.
Factors effecting the feeding value of maize and grass silage in late lactation dairy cows
Authors: Mulligan F.J. , O'Mara F.P. , Rath M. , Caffrey P.J. , Callan J. , Flynn B.
Published: June 2019

Higher dry matter intakes (DMI) have been reported in dairy cows fed maize silage than in dairy cows fed grass silage. The objective of this experiment was to investigate this phenomenon by the measurement of digestibility and the determination of rumen outflow rates for both forages. The response in milk production of late lactation dairy cows to grass or maize silage was also measured.

Fourteen late lactation multiparous dairy cows (n = 7) were fed diets containing either grass silage (GS) (DM: 197g/kg; pH: 4.05; NDF: 642g/kg DM) or high starch maize silage (MS) (DM: 339g/kg; pH: 3.94; starch: 360g/kg DM; NDF: 442g/kg DM) ad-libitum plus 4kgs/hd/day of a dairy concentrate (233g CP/kg DM). Urea (460g N/kg DM) was used as a source of degradable protein (10g/kg DM) for the MS diet which also included straw (40g/kg DM). Dietary NDF equalled 542 and 423g/kg DM for the GS and MS diet.
Intake, digestibility in vivo and nitrogen balance in sheep of pea-wheat bi-crop silages harvested at three stages of maturity
Authors: Adesogan A.T. , Salawu M.B. , Fraser M.D. , Evans S.T. , Fychan R. , Jones R.
Published: June 2019

The production and utilization of complementary cereal/legume bi-crops as ruminant feeds is beneficial for several reasons. The nitrogen fixation by the legume reduces the amount of fertilizer nitrogen required by the cereal. The cereal in turn supports the legume, thereby preventing the lodging that typifies pure stands of mature forage peas. When bi-crops are fed, the legume and cereal components respectively provide relatively low cost protein and energy, which may be synchronously supplied to the animal. In Denmark, pea-barley bi-crops are reported to reduce the cost of feeding without reducing intake and animal performance (Kristensen, 1992). However, little is known about the intake potential and level of animal performance sustainable from such bi-crops when produced and fed under UK conditions. Therefore this study determined the intake, in vivo digestibility and nitrogen (N) balance in sheep of spring sown, peawheat bi-crop silages harvested at three stages of maturity.
Apparent digestibility and nitrogen utilization of maize silage harvested at three stages of maturity and fed to beef cattle
Authors: Browne E.M. , Bryant M.J. , Beever D.E.
Published: June 2019

Development of early maturing forage maize varieties has enabled the crop to be grown in more marginal areas of the UK, consequently the crop is harvested at a range of maturities and dry matter (DM) concentrations. Digestibility of maize silage DM is reported to remain relatively constant over a wide range of maturities; however very mature maize is known to suffer reduced DM digestibility (Bal, Coors and Shaver, 1997). The objective of this experiment was to measure nutrient digestibility of maize silage harvested at stages of maturity commonly experienced in the UK.
An evaluation of a dried yeast culture on milk yield and composition in dairy cows fed grass and maize silage
Authors: Williams S. P. , Marsh S. P. , Williams D.
Published: June 2019

There is considerable interest in the effect of dietary supplementation with probiotics or yeast cultures on dairy cow performance. Yeast cultures such as Diamond V ‘XP’ are produced by growing selected yeast strains on a semi-solid medium under stressed conditions, which are then dried. They are now used by a majority of the high yielding herds in North America (McCullough, 1995) and have been shown to have a significant effect on butterfat and protein yield with grass silage fed UK dairy cows (Rowlinson et al., 1995). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding a yeast culture to a medium-high yielding (8,100 kg) herd of dairy cows fed a diet based on grass and maize silage.
Effect of conditioning feed flavour to rumen distension in cows
Authors: Klaiss M , Forbes J M
Published: June 2019

Inflation of a balloon in the rumen of forage-fed ruminant animals depresses intake. This might be due to the unpleasant over-stimulation of stretch receptors or to mimicking the pleasant after-effects of eating. If the former then cows would be expected to avoid stimuli which they had learned to associate with distension, while if the latter, they should be attracted to such stimuli. The experiment reported here paired small meals of flavoured concentrates with inflation of a balloon in the rumen of dry cows on several occasions and examined their subsequent preferences for the flavour of concentrates.

12 individually-tethered adult Holstein cows, neither pregnant nor lactating, were fed freshly-chopped sugar cane ad libitum with 4 kg/day soya bean meal sprinkled over it. At 1200 h the basal food was removed and 30 min later 6 cows had a balloon inserted into the rumen via a cannula which was filled with 12 litres of water and remained in place for 120 min.
Effect of crude protein concentration on urinary excretion of purine derivatives in growing heifers fed concentrate and barley straw on an ad libitum basis
Authors: Devant M. , Pérez J. F. , Plaixats J. , Ferret A. , Caja G.
Published: June 2019

The amount and source of nitrogen required to optimize microbial protein synthesis has been widely discussed in the literature. However, information available on factors affecting microbial protein synthesis in young heifers fed high concentrate diets is limited. Our objective was to study the effect of CP concentration on ruminal fermentation and urinary excretion of purine derivatives, used as an index of microbial yield, in heifers fed concentrate and barley straw, both ad libitum, from 100 to 230 kg LW.

Ten crossbreed beef heifers (101±4.5 kg LW), of which 6 where ruminally cannulated, were individually penned and randomly offered (115% of previous day consumption) a concentrate (14%, L or 17%, H) and barley straw diet once daily. Concentrates (H and L) were composed of ground corn (32; 38%), barley (27%), cassava (17%) and sunflower meal (5.8%) and soya bean meal included either at 16% or 9%, respectively.
Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for estimating food intake in housed dairy cows
Authors: Unal Y. , Garnsworthy P. C.
Published: June 2019

Dry matter intake (DMI) is a major limitation to milk production in dairy cows, but is difficult to measure under commercial conditions where cows are housed and fed in groups. Several methods have been developed to estimate DMI by individual cows, such as using inert markers, where dual markers can be used to predict digestibility and faecal output simultaneously. However, their scope is limited by the laboratory analyses required and there are problems with marker dosing and recovery. Predictions of DMI by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) have been reported, but they have been based on scanning forage samples to predict intake potential. Since DMI is a function of the animal as well as the diet, it is more logical to scan samples of faeces when predicting individual intakes. The objective of this study was to see whether NIRS could accurately predict DMI from faecal samples of individual cows.
The effect of two liquid feed additives on feed intake and milk production in lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Jones A. K. , Holder P.
Published: June 2019

Earlier studies at the Centre for Dairy Research have examined the effect on feed intake and milk production of a range of by-products used in a total mixed ration (TMR) based on maize silage. These studies showed that distillers grains and molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF) could be used to replace cereal and protein supplements, with no effect on milk yield and dry matter (DM) intake but with a large reduction in milk fat and a little change in milk protein content. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect on feed intake and milk production of lactating dairy cows offered a TMR in which Stockmol 20, a molasses supplement (92 g/kg DM crude protein and 12.3 MJ ME/kg DM) and Regumaize 44, a high protein molasses urea based liquid (440 g/kg DM crude protein and 10.7 MJ ME/kg DM) were used to replace conventional energy and protein sources.
A comparative study of dry matter intake and digestive pool variations in Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep
Authors: Molina E. , Ferret A. , Caja G. , Calsamiglia S. , Gasa J.
Published: June 2019

Manchega (MN) and Lacaune (LC) are two semi-coarse-wooled dairy breeds with similar size but different milk yield, the latter producing twice as much milk as the former (Pérez, 1997). The aim of this experiment was to compare, under the same feed conditions, dry matter intake and performance in late pregnancy and lactation and digestive pools of these two breeds.

Twenty-four ewes, 12 per breed, were used in three different periods: late pregnancy (8 weeks), rearing (5 weeks) and milking (7 weeks). At lambing, average body weight was 74.4 vs 78.5 kg, for LC and MN, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI), apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD), body condition score (BCS) and milk yield (MY) standardized according to Bocquier et al. (1993) were recorded.
Effects of prolonged lead supplementation on cadmium accumulation in sheep
Authors: Chiy P.C. , Mohammed M.O. , Phillips C. J. C.
Published: June 2019

Maximum concentrations of toxic metals in human food have been established for cadmium and lead independently, but both metals may be increased concurrently in sewage sludge and other forms of industrial pollution. Synergism exists between the two metals in their toxic effects (Kaji et al., 1995), which emphasises that the toxic thresholds cannot be prescribed for metals in isolation. An experiment was conducted that investigated the medium and long-term effects of adding lead to the diet of sheep, to determine whether the animal's metabolism would adapt to alter the effects of lead on the accumulation of other toxic metals.
Digestibility of α-tocopherol acetate in sheep
Authors: Soultoyiannis N. , Scaife J R
Published: June 2019

The principle role of α-tocopherol is to protect the polyunsaturated fatty acids of membrane lipids against peroxidation. The biological activity of α-tocopherol is very important in meat quality. Supplementation of cattle and pig diets with α-tocopherol acetate results in the production of meat which has an extended shelf life, greater colour stability and reduced drip loss (Vega et al 1994, Monahan et al 1994). Supranutritional supplementation with quantities of α-tocopherol acetate as high as 4000 mg d-1 have been reported in cattle (Arnold et al 1993). These high levels of supplementation have been shown to improve meat quality significantly. However, it is not clear if all of this α-tocopherol is absorbed or if the absorption of α-tocopherol becomes saturated leading to excretion of unabsorbed α-tocopherol. The present study was designed to measure the digestibility of α-tocopherol acetate in sheep when given at moderate and high levels.
Repeatability of computer tomography scan measurements in sheep
Authors: Young M.J. , Jay N.P.W. , Jopson N.B.
Published: June 2019

Computer tomography (CT) has the potential to measure body composition and form in live farm animals accurately and objectively in ways not possible with longer established assessment methods. Preliminary reports (Young, Logan, Nsoso and Beatson, 1996) verified that this is so but concluded that registration errors and subjective interpretation of tissue boundaries during image analysis affect accuracy. However, their study did not allow an assessment of the relative significance of these effects. The trial reported here was designed to quantify such effects by determining the repeatability of CT scan measurements.
The Effect Of Forage Maize Hybrid Type On Site Of Digestion In Sheep
Authors: Kamalak A. , Parker D.S. , Finlayson H.J. , Hooper P.
Published: June 2019

The introduction of new forage maize hybrids has provided feed raw materials with a range of nutritional characteristics. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of feeding different hybrids of forage maize on the overall digestibility of feed components and rumen degradability of starch in sheep.

Four forage maize hybrids from different sites within the UK[NANCIS(A) and EMA(B)] and France[Hybrid 6196 High Oil (C) and Volgata Waxy(D)] were ensiled in sealed drums with no additives. The resultant silages were used as the basis for a digestibility trial using four fistulated Suffolk X wethers in a 4 X 4 factorial design. Sheep were fed twice daily with total intake of 900 g DM of silage plus 150g Soya Bean Meal. After an adaptation period (21d) a 5 day total collection of faeces was carried out followed by a rumen degradability study.
Welfare of the neonate lamb immediately after tail-docking
Authors: Notman A. B. , Heath H. L. , Hill J.
Published: June 2019

Tail docking of new born lambs is a routine practice in the United Kingdom. It has been used as a strategy to reduce the impact of myriasis (blowfly strike). There is only a limited period of time after birth (up to seven days) during which lambs can be docked without the use of anaethesia. Tail docking may have a detrimental effect on the ewe-lamb bond if the process leads to significant and sustained pain. French, Wall and Morgan (1994) suggested lambs suffer acute pain immediately after the procedure of docking but this potential disturbance of normal behaviour during the first few days of life did not seem to affect the long-term performance of lambs. The study reported in this paper considers the effect of tail docking on the behaviour of lambs during the first 90 minutes after docking and on lamb performance to slaughter.
Evaluation of distillery by-products, barley and molassed sugar beet feed for intensive lamb finishing
Authors: Minter C.M. , Lyness J.E. , Wilkinson R.G.
Published: June 2019

Intensively reared early weaned lambs are conventionally fed a high energy concentrate diet in order to maximise daily gain and feed conversion efficiency. This reduces both the time required to reach slaughter weight and the overhead costs. However, it is estimated that feed costs in intensive lamb systems amount to 0.24 of the total output value (MLC 1998) and that the profitability is sensitive to relatively small changes in the lamb price to feed cost ratio. The objective of the work was to investigate the effects of various alternative feeds consisting of molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF), distillers products and the whole barley or grainbeet (200 g/kg MSBF and 700 g/kg brewers grain) on the performance and profitability of intensively reared lambs.
Effects of diets formulated to contain similar amounts of ERDP with different protein sources on ruminal peptide-N concentrations in Iranian Baloochi lambs
Authors: Danesh Mesgaran M , Moosavi A R H
Published: June 2019

Peptides are intermediates in the conversion of ingested protein to ammonia in the rumen and their accumulation depends upon the nature of dietary protein (Mesgaran & Parker, 1995). In addition, It has been demonstrated that the hydrolysis rate of peptides was influenced by peptide structure and that proline containing peptides were hydrolysed more slowly by rumen fluid (Mesgaran & Parker, 1996). The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of altering the sources of protein, in diets with similar effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), on the ruminal peptide-N concentrations.

Four Iranian Baloochi lambs weighing 33±1.3 Kg, each with a permanent rumen fistula, were fed twice daily with diets differing in protein sources in a 42 latin square design. The diets consisted of a basal diet of chopped lucerne, barely and sugar beet pulp (190, 230 and 170 g DM d–1, respectively) which was supplemented with lucerne (L), cottonseed meal (C), soybean meal (S) or molasses+urea (M+U) (210, 118, 84 and 80+9 g DM d–1, respectively).
The effects of fat source and breed on the fatty acid composition of lamb muscle and adipose tissue
Authors: Wachira A.M. , Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G. , Demirel G. , Enser M. , Wood J.D.
Published: June 2019

The benefits of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to human health, especially those of the n-3 series are now widely recognised. In a previous experiment (Wachira et al. 1998) supplementing diets with whole linseed or fish oil increased n-3 fatty acid levels in lamb muscle. To raise these further the whole linseed can be treated with formaldehyde to increase protection in the rumen. Dietary antioxidants such as vitamin E can control lipid oxidation but information on their effects on lamb performance and fatty acid composition is limited. The current experiments investigated the effects of different dietary PUFA sources and vitamin E levels on growth and fatty acid composition in two sheep breeds. Detailed results of the effects of vitamin E are presented in the accompanying abstract by Enser et al.
The CAMDA sheep breeding scheme: I. Estimation of genetic parameters for 18-week weight
Authors: Aslaminejad A. A. , Lewis R. M. , Roden J. A. , Fowler V.R.
Published: June 2019

The CAMDA group breeding scheme was established in 1976. Its objective is to increase lamb growth rate, mature size and maternal ability of the Welsh Mountain sheep while retaining their hardiness and breed type. The opportunity to achieve this goal depends on the extent of genetic variation within the breed for these traits. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of variation in 18-week live weight attributable to the lamb genotype (direct) and dam maternal ability, both genetic and environmental, in Welsh Mountain sheep within this scheme.

A total of 12954 records of 18-week live weight of Welsh Mountain lambs collected between 1976 and 1995 from 4 flocks of the CAMDA scheme were considered. The data were edited for small contemporary groups and for incomplete performance or pedigree recording.
The CAMDA sheep breeding scheme: II. Genetic progress over twenty years
Authors: Aslaminejad A. A. , Lewis R. M. , Roden J. A. , Fowler V.R.
Published: June 2019

Two aspects of the CAMDA group breeding scheme is to improve lamb growth rate and the mothering ability of Welsh Mountain sheep. Genetic variation for these traits is present (Aslaminejadet al., 1999) but the rate of genetic progress depends on the selection decisions made within the scheme. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic gain achieved in the nucleus and members’ flocks over the 20 years since the scheme began.

A total of 31887 records of 12 and 18-week live weight of Welsh Mountain lambs collected between 1976 and 1995 in 7 flocks of the CAMDA scheme were used in this study. Each flock was analysed separately fitting a univariate animal model with a direct and maternal random genetic effect. Genetic parameters were estimated using a derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood algorithm (DFREML; Meyer, 1993).
Genetic parameters for live weight, ultrasonic measurements and conformation in Bluefaced Leicester sheep
Authors: Heelsum A.M. van , Lewis R.M. , Jones D.W. , Haresign W. , Davies M.H.
Published: June 2019

Currently fewer than 50% of UK lambs produce carcasses of acceptable quality for the domestic and export markets, which compromises the competitiveness of sheep farming. Carcass quality can be changed by selection, and this is now being taken advantage of in terminal sire breeds and, to a lesser extent, in hill breeds. However, little attention has yet been focused on the crossing breeds, which have relatively poor carcass quality, in spite of the large impact such breeds have on the slaughter generation. Recently, a long-term project began to develop breeding programmes relevant to crossing sire (‘longwool’) breeds. Its objective is to produce a selection index to improve carcass quality without compromising the reproductive performance or maternal ability of these breeds. The Bluefaced Leicester is the most prevalent crossing sire breed with its crossbred (‘Mule’) daughters out of draft hill ewes accounting for 89% of crossbred (longwool x hill) ewes in the UK (Pollot, 1998).
Comparison of sugar beet feeds and distillers grains as supplements for early lambing ewes fed straw-based and big-bale silage diets
Authors: Chapple D G , Wheeler K P A , Perrott G , Witt M
Published: June 2019

Feeding lowland sheep on straw-based systems during pregnancy (Davies and Chapple 1995) has shown that ewe and lamb performance can be satisfactory, providing adequate compound supplementation was fed. Whole barley and soya bean meal has been the standard ration. Experiments with March-lambing ewes (Chapple et al., 1997) has shown that feeds based on molassed sugar beet feed and maize distillers dark grains can replace a barley/soya supplement. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on ewe and lamb performance of feeding sugar beet feeds with higher levels of distillers grains to January-lambing ewes on straw-based and big-bale silage systems during pregnancy and early lactation.