bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Reasoning with Preferences?”
Authors: Broome John
Published: June 2019

Rationality requires certain things of you. It requires you not to have contradictory beliefs or intentions, not to intend something you believe to be impossible, to believe what obviously follows from something you believe, and so on. Its requirements can be expressed using schemata such as:

Modus ponens. Rationality requires of N that, if N believes p and N believe that if p then q, then N believes q.

Necessary means. Rationality requires of N that, if N intends that e, and if N believes that e will be so only if m is so, and if N believes m will be so only if she intends that m, then N intends that m.

Krasia. Rationality requires of N that, if N believes she ought to F, and if N believes she will F only if she intends to F, then N intends to F.
“Preference Change and Interpersonal Comparisons of Welfare”
Authors: Voorhoeve Alex
Published: June 2019

Suppose that we agree that for questions of justice in a pluralistic society, we need a public standard of welfare. An appropriate public standard of welfare will have to meet the following two requirements. First, its conception of each person's welfare should, to the greatest reasonable extent, be something that each person can recognise as encompassing the things she wants for herself and as giving these things weights that reflect the relative importance she gives to them. Second, it should be sensitive to the fact that reasonable people hold conflicting conceptions of what constitutes an individual's welfare. It should therefore, to the greatest reasonable extent, respect neutrality of judgement by refraining from endorsing any particular conception of welfare as superior to any other.
Issues arising from genetic change: Ruminants
Authors: Tamminga Seerp
Published: June 2019

In nutritional terms productivity in dairy cows is best expressed in multiples of their energy requirements for maintenance, which is directly related to Metabolic Body Weight (MBW). Energy requirements can further be specified as those for free energy (fME), ketogenic energy (kME), glucogenic energy (gME) and aminogenic energy (aME). For maintenance, energy is required in an approximate ratio fME:gME:aME of 85:5:10.For a production level of 6x maintenance the required ratio of fME:kME:gME:aME is approximately 18:31:29:22, hence 70% of the required ME has to be delivered as specific nutrients.

During their productive life, dairy cattle alternate periods with high and periods with low risk of an inadequate nutrient supply. A period of high risk is between 10 days pre-partum and 90 days postpartum. High risk in this period means a high susceptibility for metabolic and reproductive disorders, many of which are interrelated. Negative Energy Balance (NEB) in early lactation is a metabolic status that is almost inevitable in high yielding dairy cows. In severe cases this is an important predisposing factor for metabolic disorders (paturient paresis, fatty liver, ketosis, displaced abomasum) and reproductive disorders (undetected heat, delayed ovarian cycle, reduced fertility, increased between calving interval).

Adequate nutrient supply is required from 2 weeks pre-partum onwards. Critical issues are energy density, distribution between structural and non-structural carbohydrates and distribution between fME, kME, gME and aME. Practical solutions, which can help alleviate the metabolic and reproductive problems, could be a nutrient based feed evaluation system, a lower peak yield combined with an improved persistence and maybe a deliberately increased calving interval.
Relationships between genetic change and infectious disease in domestic livestock
Authors: Knap Pieter W. , Bishop Stephen C.
Published: June 2019

The relations between genetic change in domestic livestock and infectious disease (including both its epidemiology and the animal's reaction to it) are examined. The overall picture is confusing because there are different, and seemingly unrelated, ways of considering the issue. An attempt is made to put these together into a more general framework. Four processes of particular interest are distinguished and discussed in more detail: (i) the way a population's genetic potential for immunocompetence can be changed by breeding, (ii) the way an animal's immunocompetence is influenced by that animal's production potential, in combination with the environmental resources that are available to it at a given time, (iii) the way the disease status of an animal (and a population of animals) is influenced by its immunocompetence, and (iv) the way the production level of an animal is influenced by activation of its immune system. Ultimately, all four processes influence the realised level of production.

This comes down to four questions that need to be addressed: (i) can we use genetic variation in immunocompetence in animal breeding? (ii) does a higher production potential (today's direction of breeding) have a negative impact on immunocompetence? (iii) does improved immunocompetence result in improved health? and (iv) how large is the negative impact of disease on production?
The effect of different dietary oil sources on dairy cow performance and the level of C14:0 and C16:0 fatty acids in milk fat
Authors: Mansbridge R.J. , Blake J.S. , Collins C.A.
Published: June 2019

Human nutritionists have identified that dietary myristic and palmitic fatty acids are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease. Bovine milk fat is particularly rich in these fatty acids as they can be produced de novo in the mammary gland from by-products of fibre fermentation in the rumen. However, increased dietary levels of C18 fatty acids has been shown to reduce the concentration of myristic and palmitic acids in milk fat. Supplying dietary oil from whole oilseeds treated with xylose, may reduce rumen biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and further decrease the saturated fatty acid content of milk. In this study, the effect of feeding whole ground soya beans, whole ground soya beans treated with xylose and whole ground rape seed on dairy cow performance and milk composition was investigated. All three oilseeds reduced dry matter intakes and milk protein concentration. Both the xylose treated whole ground soya beans and the whole ground rape seed increased milk yield, but the whole rape reduced milk fat content. Levels of linoleic acid in milk fat increased when whole soya was fed, whereas oleic acid concentration was highest when whole rape was included in the diet. Concentrations of myristic and palmitic acids in milk fat were lower when any whole ground oilseed was fed, but the reduction was greatest with whole ground rape which reduced the myristic plus palmitic acid content of milk fat to 25 g/100 g fatty acid, compared with 47 g/100 g milk fatty acid in the milk from cows fed a standard low oil diet. These results suggest that feeding specific sources of dietary oil can dramatically reduce levels of myristic and palmitic acids in milk fat, and that different oilseeds have different effects on milk fat concentration.
The biologically relevant unit for the analysis of short-term feeding behaviour of dairy cows
Authors: Schweitzer D.P.N. , Tolkamp B.J. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: June 2019

Study of short-term feeding behaviour (STFB) could improve the understanding of variation in daily intake in dairy cows. STFB is generally measured in short bouts (e.g. visits to feeders) that are clustered in larger bouts (or meals). The value of bout analysis depends strongly on the choice of an appropriate bout. Before bouts can be grouped into meals, a meal criterion (MC, that is: the longest non-feeding interval accepted as part of a meal) must be estimated. Tolkamp and Kyriazakis (1999) criticised existing methods and recently developed a new technique to estimate meal criteria. These log-normal models were developed on basis of the idea that eating bouts end when animals are satiated (i.e., in a state of low feeding motivation) (Tolkamp and Kyriazakis, 1999). This implies that feed consumption during the relevant eating bout will result in a gradual increase in satiety. This will be associated with an increase in the probability of cows ending a bout. In this study we will analyse whether meals are a more biologically relevant unit of STFB than the short feeding bouts (i.e. visits) that are routinely recorded.
The effect of heifer rearing regime on body size and milk production during the first lactation
Authors: Carson A.F. , Dawson L.E.R. , Gordon F.J.
Published: June 2019

The UK dairy industry has entered a period of rapid increase in cow genetic merit. Feeding and management during the rearing period will influence the extent to which the genetic merit of these animals is realised. Current systems for rearing dairy herd replacements are based on research undertaken in the 1960's and 1970's with animals of lower genetic merit. High genetic merit Holstein Friesian animals have an increased live weight and frame size at maturity compared with their medium merit contemporaries, which may have implications for the optimum weight at first calving. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rearing regime, in terms of diet offered and target calving weight, on first lactation performance of high genetic merit heifers over a range of milk production systems.
Testing two theories of feed intake using the effect of temperature on the intake of bulky feeds in pigs
Authors: Whittemore E.C. , Kyriazakis I. , Emmans G.C. , Tolkamp B.J. , Knap P.W. , Simmins P.H. , Jagger S.
Published: June 2019

Currently there are two theoretical frameworks for the prediction of feed intake of animals. The first considers feed intake to be a consequence of the animal eating to achieve its genetic potential (Kyriazakis and Emmans, 1999). When potential performance is not achieved it is because feed intake is being constrained, for example through the bulkiness of the feed or the hotness of the environment. The second framework considers feed intake to be an outcome of some process of optimisation so that intake is that which allows the maximisation of biological efficiency (Tolkamp and Ketelaars, 1992). The two frameworks differ in their predictions of the effect of temperature on the intake of bulky feeds. In the first, feed intake on bulky feeds is seen as a function of the type of feed; in the second, feed intake is a function of both the type of feed and the environment. The first framework predicts that in the cold the intake of low, but not high, bulk feeds will increase. The second framework predicts that in the cold intake will be increased regardless of the type of feed offered. This experiment was designed to provide a severe test of the two feed intake theories.
Effects of protein and energy supply on the resistance to nematodes in pregnant ewes
Authors: Houdijk J.G.M. , Kyriazakis I. , Jackson F. , Coop R.L.
Published: June 2019

It has been proposed that the occurrence of the periparturient relaxation in immunity (PPRI) to gastrointestinal parasites is due to a lower partial priority of nutrient allocation to the immune functions, rather than to the reproductive functions, when parasitized hosts are offered scarce nutrient resources (Coop and Kyriazakis, 1999). This implies that immune functions directed towards gastrointestinal parasites will benefit from an increased supply from scarce resources, such as metabolizable protein (MP) and metabolizable energy (ME). In this experiment we studied whether the resistance in parasitized pregnant sheep is affected by an increased supply of MP, or ME, or both.
Development of a radio-immunoassay (RIA) for bovine and ovine leptin
Authors: Wylie A.R.G. , Bjourson A.J. , Devlin D.J.
Published: June 2019

Leptin is the 16 kDa product of the obese gene secreted by white adipose tissue in proportion to energy intake. In several species, plasma leptin levels correlate with, and may be and endogenous signal of, the extent of body fat reserves. Leptin acts via the hypothalamus to regulate feed intake in rodents and may control gonadal activity through this same axis. Significantly, the mutant ob/ob mouse lacks functional leptin and is both hyperobese and infertile. Leptin may be a useful diagnostic and/or therapeutic aid in high-yielding dairy cows in which infertility is rising inexorably and is anecdotally linked to the scale of the early post-partum negative energy balance. Our objectives were to recombinantly synthesise, and raise antibody to, a leptin-protein conjugate and to develop a useful and specific RIA for ruminant leptin.
The influence of rumen fluid pH on the rate and extent of maize silage and wheat straw degradation estimated in vitro using the Reading Pressure Technique
Authors: Mould F.L. , Mauricio R.M. , Smith T. , Owen E.
Published: June 2019

Fermentation of the increasingly energy-dense rations offered to meet the nutrient demands of today's high yielding dairy cows ought to adversely rumen fibre degradation. Not only could rumen fluid pH be depressed below that assumed critical to cellulolysis for extended periods of time but the quantity of readily fermentable carbohydrate available will further exacerbate this effect. These, together with the reduced rumen retention time of feed particles associated with high feeding levels could significantly limit fibre degradation. This in vitro study was designed to identify the pH at which degradation becomes impaired, the extent of this depression and whether the effect varies according to the feedstuffs offered.
Biochemical and in vitro assessment of six enzyme preparations as potential feed additives
Authors: Colombatto D. , Mould F. L. , Bhat M. K. , Owen E.
Published: June 2019

Considerable research efforts have been directed towards the use of cell wall degrading enzymes as feed additives. However, the factors affecting the response to a certain enzyme preparation are not well understood. A better knowledge of the enzymatic activities present in the preparations and their interaction with a substrate in presence of rumen fluid is needed. The objectives of this study were to characterise the main enzymatic activities of six enzyme preparations and to evaluate them in the presence of rumen fluid, using thein vitroReading Pressure Technique (RPT).
Bioavailability of dietary copper and zinc proteinates and sulphates in adult Texel sheep
Authors: Ryan J.P. , Kearns P. , Quinn T.
Published: June 2019

Mineral deficiencies for livestock are reported from almost all world regions. Deficiency can be caused by inadequate intake or by the presence of antagonists in the diet. Traditionally, inorganic salts, such as oxides and sulphates have been added to the diet to meet the requirements of the animal. More recently, there has been increasing interest in mineral chelates. Studies by Rojas et al. (1995) and Ward et al. (1996) have reported that the copper and zinc availability in copper and zinc chelates is greater than in the traditional inorganic salts. Other studies by Kegley et al. (1994) and Schell et al. (1996) reported contradictory results. In this study, two separate trials were carried out to compare the effects of Bioplex copper and Bioplex zinc with the effects of copper and zinc sulphate on plasma copper and zinc levels in adult Texel sheep.
An examination of rate of nitrogen fertiliser, date of harvest and additive treatment on degradability of grass silage in the rumen
Authors: Keady T.W.J. , Mayne C.S. , Fitzpatrick A
Published: June 2019

Grass silage forms the basal forage for the majority of beef and dairy cattle during the winter indoor feeding period. Previous studies undertaken at this Institute have clearly indicated that the major factors affecting the feed value of grass silage are the date of harvest, rate of fertiliser nitrogen (N) application and additive treatment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of rate of N fertiliser application, harvest date and additive treatment on in-sacco degradation characteristics of grass silage.
The effect of feeding dairy cattle during the transition phase on dry matter intake, blood metabolites, milk yield and milk composition
Authors: Margerison J K , Winkler B. , Mowll K. , Derrick R. , Mcintosh E. , Graham M.
Published: June 2019

Feeding the dairy cow during the transition phase (dry to lactating) has been found to effect subsequent feed intake and milk yield (Moorby et al., 1996; Olsson et al., 1998). The aim of this study was to compare the effect of feeding a liquid feed during the prepartum period on; feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, live weight loss and blood metabolite levels.
Component digestibility in cannulated and intact pigs fed diets containing different raw materials
Authors: Thompson J.E. , Wiseman J.
Published: June 2019

The effects of cannulation have not been widely studied in pigs. It is possible that digestive processes may be affected due to alterations in the gut micro-ecosystem and anaerobic conditions at the cannulation site. In studies where cannulated animals are used for digestibility measurements over the total tract as well as at the terminal ileum, it is important to determine if the process of cannulation can affect the results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cannulation on digestion in the pig by determining total tract digestibility of components from diets containing different raw materials (A-E) using both intact pigs and pigs fitted with simple T-pieces at the terminal ileum.
Cassava leaves as protein supplement to basal diet for weaner pigs in a sustainable swine production system in the tropics
Authors: Iyayi E.A. , Dada E.O. , Fakunle O.O.
Published: June 2019

Swine production is gradually being practised in Nigeria in an integrated manner where farmers apart from keeping pigs also grow root and legume crops on the farms. One of such major crops often grown is cassava. The roots have been shown to be of tremendous value as an energy source in swine feeding (Iyayi and Tewe, 1994). The leaves which are often discarded on the farm after harvest can be processed and used as protein supplement for rearing pigs because of its high protein content (19.67-39.90%, Allen, 1984). The objective of this study was to use wilted cassava leaves as supplement to basal diets for weaner pigs and estimate the overall performance, serum metabolites and nutrient digestibility of animals on such diets.
Biochemical, biomechanical and histological analyses of failure of supportive structures in cattle hooves
Authors: Tarlton J.F. , Webster A.J.F
Published: June 2019

The most common and intractable condition which leads to lameness in cattle is claw horn disruption (CHD). Although many risk factors have been associated with CHD, such as calving and housing, the mechanisms of tissue damage are unknown. It is proposed here that this chronic condition results from failure of the suspensory apparatus of the hoof, leading to solear ulcers and white line disease. The aim of this study is to develop methodologies which permit quantitative evaluations of the relationships between connective tissue biochemistry and the biomechanical properties of supportive structures of the hoof.
Variation in behavioural style during an attack latency test: a potential source of additional information about aggressiveness in young pigs
Authors: Pickup H.E. , D'Eath R.B.
Published: June 2019

Aggression seen on mixing of young pigs is a major welfare concern in modern farming. One solution may be to reduce the likelihood of aggression within a group by using combinations of individuals that facilitate rapid integration. This idea has been investigated by Mendl and Erhard (1997) using pigs with various levels of aggressiveness. An attack latency test was used to measure individual aggressiveness. Experimental pigs were placed in a familiar pen with an unfamiliar pig and the time taken to attack (i.e. attempt to fight) the intruder measured. In a substantial number of tests (e.g. 61% in the present study) no attack occurs in the time allowed (5 minutes) These pigs vary in their interactions with the intruder, ranging from no interest at all to persistent interest with isolated aggressive acts but no escalation to fighting (personal observation). The aim of this study was to investigate social behaviour throughout the test, thereby allowing a more detailed analysis of aggressiveness to be made.
Influence of milk production level of cow and protein content of supplement on the selection of maize and grass silages by dairy cattle given a choice of forages
Authors: Syed J.S. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

A previous study (Syed and Leaver, 1999) showed that offering maize and grass silages alternately either within days or between days resulted in higher intakes of maize than grass silage, and lower total intakes than when fed mixed together. The factors influencing the choice of forages are not well researched. The hypothesis tested was that as maize and grass silages are similar in ME value but very different in crude protein, nutrient demand for protein, and protein level in the supplement would influence forage selection. This experiment examined the influence of the milk yield level of the cow and the protein level of a supplement.
The effect of a period of early season part-grazing on the performance of animals managed on two contrasting systems of milk production during the winter
Authors: Ferris C.P. , Gordon F.J. , Patterson D.C.
Published: June 2019

In a previous study, spring calving dairy cows exhibited considerable milk yield responses when given access to spring grass for short periods (Sayers and Mayne, 1998). The current study seeks to examine the performance of autumn calving (later lactation) dairy cows when given access to spring grass. In addition, this study seeks to identify if winter management system (forage or concentrate based systems) influences the response achieved.
Growth and reproductive performance of Meishan and European hybrid pigs
Authors: Hall A.D.
Published: June 2019

Sow productivity is a major objective for genetic improvement of pigs. Research in Europe and the USA has indicated the greater reproductive rate, but lower growth rate and leanness of several Chinese genotypes, including Meishan (Haley, Lee and Ritchie 1995, Young 1998). To better assess the potential of Meishan genes Cotswold has developed a ½ Meishan ½ Landrace synthetic female grandparent line selected for leanness and litter size for seven generations. To determine whether selection in this line has exploited the advantages of Meishan whilst limiting the disadvantages the genetic gains in growth and reproductive performance were estimated. Also progeny of a ¼ Meishan crossbred parent gilt (½ Meishan × Large White) were compared to European type crossbred pigs containing no Meishan genes.
Estimation of voluntary intake and digestibility of grass by outdoor sows using the n-alkanes technique
Authors: Rivera Ferre M.G. , Edwards S.A. , Mayes R.W. , Riddoch I. , Hovell F.D. DeB.
Published: June 2019

In recent years there has been a notable increase in outdoor pig production systems; however, the nutritional requirements of these animals have not been well established. To make nutritional decisions relating to the needs of grazing animals, accurate estimations of the herbage intake and value have to be made. N-alkanes found in the wax cuticle of plants have been used as markers to measure the intake of grass by grazing ruminants (Dove and Mayes, 1991). This experiment studied the use of the methodology in grazing pigs.

The intake and the digestibility of grass, and the effect of level of supplementary concentrate feed, were measured in late spring and late summer in two studies each with eight multiparous, pregnant sows. In the Spring study sows were nose rung to prevent rooting, but only unrung sows were available for the Summer study.
Effects of source of bacterial isolate and microbial marker on the magnitude of absolute values of microbial nitrogen yield in sheep
Authors: S. Chikunya  , E. L. Miller
Published: June 2019

Microbial protein is the most variable and uncertain element of current systems of evaluating protein requirements for ruminants. The variability is partly a result of the multiplicity of techniques used to quantify microbial nitrogen (MN) yield and partly due to unrepresentative sampling of microbial cells. In a number of studies in the literature it is tacitly assumed that marker:N ratios in rumen liquid associated bacteria (LAB), solid associated bacteria (SAB) and duodenal digesta bacteria (DDB) are identical. Under ordinary feeding conditions ruminal SAB are numerically predominant and may comprise 50-75% of the total microbiota (Mitsumori and Minato, 1997). This study highlights the variations in chemical composition in LAB, SAB and DDB and their implications in estimating microbial growth. The study also simultaneously compares four microbial markers in vivo.
The effect of wilting and additive type on energy utilization of grass silage by growing cattle
Authors: Yan T. , Gordon F. J. , Dawson L. E. R. , Ferris C. P. , Steen R. W. J. , Kilpatrick D. J.
Published: June 2019

Wilting of grass prior to ensiling generally produces positive responses in dry matter (DM) intake of cattle, but the responses in animal performance are often small, or even negative. The primary objective of the present study was to compare energy utilization from heavily wilted and unwilted silages by growing cattle when given at equal metabolisable energy (ME) intakes. A secondary objective was to evaluate effects of silage additive type (inoculant v. formic acid) on energy utilization.

Four silages were produced from unwilted and wilted grasses (DM 193 and 450 g/kg) obtained from a perennial ryegrass sward. The wilted grass was dried in the field for 26 hours using rapid wilting techniques involving crop conditioning and spreading. At ensiling both the unwilted and wilted grasses were each treated with two additives, a bacterial inoculant (Ecosyl, Zeneca Bioproducts Limited) and a formic acid additive (ADD-F, BP Chemicals Ltd.).
Is a linkage map and a pedigree structure required to detect useful DNA markers (QTL) in the pig?
Authors: Wales R. , Siggens K.W. , Eijk M.J.T. van , Brugmans B. , Archibald A. , Haley C.S. , Plastow G.S.
Published: June 2019

The heritable components of many traits in which livestock producers strive for improvement comprise a number of genetic loci. Many workers have now reported the identification of such quantitative trait loci (QTL) using model crosses between divergent breeds or lines in combination with whole genome scans using mapped DNA markers. Such methods rely on two or three generation pedigrees in order to be able to trace the inheritance of markers and the QTL. However, it is not yet clear if such QTL have application in commercial pig populations. The AFLP™ technology is a very efficient method for identifying markers segregating in any population. We have previously reported the successful use of the AFLP™technology and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) for the detection of markers associated with pig coat colour, a monogenic trait (Plastow et al 1998). We set out to determine whether these methods could be used for the detection of loci associated with quantitative traits directly in commercial populations.
Genetic variation in net feed efficiency in Hereford cattle and its association with other production traits
Authors: Herd R.M. , Bishop S.C.
Published: June 2019

Net feed efficiency refers to variation in feed consumption between animals net of requirements for maintenance and production, and may be measured as residual feed intake (RFI). Because RFI is independent of liveweight (LW) and growth rate, selection for improved net feed efficiency is likely to reduce feed intake with little change in growth. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there exists genetic variation in RFI in young British Hereford bulls, and to determine the phenotypic and genetic correlations of RFI with key production traits.

The data consisted of performance measurements on 540 bull progeny of 154 British Hereford sires, collected over ten 200-day postweaning performance tests conducted between 1979 and 1988. The traits analysed were food intake (FI), 200 to 400-day daily gain (ADG), 400-day weight (W400), predicted carcass lean content (LEAN), lean growth rate (LGR), food conversion ratio (FI/ADG) and lean FCR (LFCR; FI/(ADG x LEAN), described by Bishop (1992).
Genetic relationship between somatic cell count and lifespan and conformation traits in some dairy breeds in the United Kingdom (UK)
Authors: Mrode R. A. , Swanson G.J.T. , Lindberg C. M.
Published: June 2019

Genetic evaluations for Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) and Lifespan (LS) have recently been introduced in the UK. LS is a measure of longevity and predicts the ability of a cow to withstand involuntary culling while SCC is used as an indirect measure of mastitis, which is a major reason for involuntary culling. Optimum use of both sources of information require incorporation of both traits in an index. In addition, the usefulness of including some Type traits with SCC to improve the accuracy of indirectly measuring mastitis has been demonstrated. Knowledge of the genetic relationships between SCC, LS and Conformation is crucial to the construction of such indices. This study investigates the relationship between SCC and LS and Conformation in some UK dairy breeds.
Urea treatment as a means of preserving/processing moist wheat for intensively finished cattle
Authors: Lewis M. , Lowman B.G. , Ford M.
Published: June 2019

Wheat requires processing for feeding to cattle otherwise large amount remain undigested. Processing methods can be mechanical or chemical (sodium hydroxide or aqueous ammonia) but these require specialised equipment and/or the use of contractors. The objective of this trial was to evaluate moist wheat fed whole, but treated with urea at harvest as a means of generating ammonia in situ, in diets for intensively finished cattle.

Eighty tonnes of wheat (variety Riband) was harvested on 21-22 August 1997 at a dry matter (DM) of 750 g/kg and treated immediately with 53 l/tonne of a urea solution (430 g urea/litre) to supply 30 g urea/kg wheat DM. Treatment was achieved by applying the urea to the wheat as it was augered into the storage silo, which was then sealed with polythene.
Protected fat and donor age effects on plasma total lipid level, plasma progesterone concentration, embryo yield and quality following superovulation in sheep
Authors: Onal AG , Robinson JJ , Staines ME , Speake BK , Hutchinson JSM , King ME , Kuran M , Gebbie FE , McEvoy TG
Published: June 2019

Supplements of dietary fat are highly effective in boosting energy intake at critical phases during the reproductive cycle. When fed to ruminants in the form of calcium salts of fatty acids, they have been shown to increase plasma cholesterol and progesterone levels (Spicer et al, 1993) which, in turn, could have beneficial effects on ovulation rate and embryo quality. In sheep, a likely reproductive state for a physiological response to a lipid supplement is during the superovulation of young animals in which the post-ovulatory steroidogenic capacity of the corpora lutea may be sub-optimal. The present study examined the effects of donor age and dietary fat on plasma progesterone concentration, and the yield and quality of embryos in superovulated Cheviot sheep.
Variation in the timing of ovulation relative to other follicular phase events following natural and induced luteal regression in dairy cows
Authors: Mann G.E. , Starbuck G.S. , Benboulaid M. , Peters A.R. , Lamming G.E.
Published: June 2019

Insemination at an inappropriate time is one of many constraints to good fertility in dairy cows. As a result, many studies have attempted to improve the synchrony of oestrus in controlled breeding programmes. However, the success of insemination depends not merely on the detection of oestrus, but also on the timing of ovulation relative to insemination. Thus a better understanding of the factors associated with the precise timing of behavioural oestrus and ovulation is required. In this study the time of ovulation has been determined, by ultrasound scanning, in relation to a variety of follicular phase events in dairy cows following both natural luteolysis and luteolysis induced by treatment with a prostaglandin F2a analogue. The objectives were firstly to determine whether differences existed in the timing of follicular phase events following natural and induced luteal regression and secondly to determine the degree of variation that exists between the timing of ovulation and the timing of other follicular phase events.
The relationship between milk urea content and fertility in dairy cows
Authors: Cottrill B.R. , Biggadike H. , Collins C.A. , Drew S.B.
Published: June 2019

A number of studies have shown that milk urea levels above about 350 mg/l are associated with reduced fertility in dairy cows (Ropstad and Refsdal, 1987; Gustafsson and Carlsson, 1993). A significant and increasing proportion of UK milk producers receive regular information on the urea content of bulk milk as part of routine milk testing. Two studies were undertaken to examine whether the urea content in bulk milk (Study 1) or in milk from individual cows at about the time of service (Study 2) could be used as a management aid to improve fertility status.

In Study 1, the milk urea (MU) contents in bulk milk samples from 475 farms in England and Wales were determined by NIRS. Fertility data for each farm was obtained from National Milk Records. Analysis of the data for each month of the study was restricted to those herds in which ≥15 cows were served.
Intake, growth rate and carcass quality of beef cattle fed maize silage harvested at three stages of maturity
Authors: Browne E.M. , Bryant M.J. , Beever D.E.
Published: June 2019

Crop maturity at harvest affects the intake potential of maize silage. A short feeding trial with young beef heifers (Browne, Bryant, Beever and Thorp, 1998) identified a significant depression in intake when low DM silage was fed, yet no significant effect on live weight gain was recorded. The objective of this experiment was to determine if these results were repeated in a longer intake study using finishing beef cattle and to examine the effect of maize maturity on carcass quality.

Forage maize was harvested at three stages of maturity (LOW, MED and HIGH) during September 1997. At each stage of maturity, the crop was cut and ensiled in a separate AgBag during one day, without the use of an additive. The respective silage DM concentrations were 297, 339 and 393 g/kgFWt.
The effect of different groups of amino acids on rat mammary protein synthesis in vitro
Authors: J.Alderson  , B.J. Bequette  , M.A. Lomax
Published: June 2019

The current pricing structure of the UK milk industry considers milk quality with higher premiums paid for milk protein content than for fat. Attempts to alter milk protein content by feeding extra protein(Bequette et al.,1998) or infusing amino acids(AA) in dairy cows has not always given consistent results. The present study is the first in a series where the objective is to use explants prepared from rat mammary glands to start identifying which AA may be (limiting) most important in regulating milk protein synthesis. Such information could be useful to identify specific AA which should be supplemented in the diet of the cow.
Comparison ofin vivoandin vitrodigestibility of silages made from a range of alternative crops
Authors: Akyol I. , Fraser M.D. , Griffith G.W. , Davies D.R.
Published: June 2019

In vitromethods for laboratory estimations of feed degradation are important tools for studying ruminant nutrition. These methods measure either substrate disappearance or fermentation products, the exact nature of which depends on the nature of the feed and the system being used to determine the digestibility. Consequently, there is a need for comparisons ofin vitroandin vivoresults, especially when new feeds are being assessed. The following study compared the gas production procedure to whole tract digestibility measurements for a range of alternative crop silages.

Round bale silages were prepared from five different alternative crops, red clover, lucerne clover, lotus, kale and a barley/pea bicrop, harvested at difference growth stages (Table 1). Freshly culturedLactobacillus plantarumwas used as an inoculant on half the material from each kale and barley/pea bi-crop harvest, and applied at a rate of 106colony forming units per gram fresh forage.
Using pedigree analysis to determine the genetic diversity of the British dairy population over the last thirty years
Authors: Roughsedge T. , Brotherstone S. , Visscher P.M.
Published: June 2019

Over the last twenty years the British dairy population has undergone a large importation of Holstein genes, largely from North America and Canada. This study aimed to investigate what effect this importation has had on the genetic diversity of the population and also to look at the change in genetic diversity of the population over the last thirty years.

As computing resources did not facilitate sampling of all cows born in the last thirty years, between 4 and 10 random samples of 2000 Holstein-Friesian cows, born every 5 years from 1967 to 1997 inclusive, were taken from the Holstein Friesian Society of Great Britain and Ireland's database. The base population of this database was born about 1960. The complete ancestry of these cows was traced on the database and these sample pedigrees were used for the various analyses.
In vivo apparent digestibility in ponies given rolled, micronised or extruded barley
Authors: McLean B M L , Hyslop J J , Longland A C , Cuddeford D , Hollands T
Published: June 2019

Processed cereals are used routinely in diets for equines but little information is available on how physical processing affects the digestibility of cereals in equines. This study examines the effects of three physical processing methods (rolling, micronisation and extrusion) on the in vivo apparent digestibility of barley fed to ponies.

Three mature caecally-fistulated Welsh-cross pony geldings, (LW 284kg ± 3.8kg) were used in a 3 x 4 incomplete latin square changeover design experiment consisting of four 21 day periods. Each period comprised a sixteen day adaptation phase and a five day recording phase when apparent digestibility in vivo was determined. Ponies were offered 4kg dry matter (DM) per day of either 100% hay cubes (HC) or one of three diets consisting of a 50:50 barley:hay cubes mix. The barley in the mixed diets was either rolled barley (RB), micronised barley (MB) or extruded barley (EB). Diets were offered in 2 equal meals per day fed at 09:00 and 17:00 hours respectively.
Development of the mobile bag technique to determine the degradation kinetics of purified starch sources in the pre-caecal segment of the equine digestive tract
Authors: McLean B M L , Hyslop J J , Longland A C , Cuddeford D , Hollands T
Published: June 2019

Previous work has shown that the mobile bag technique (MBT) can be used to study the dynamics of digestive processes in the whole tract of ponies (Hyslopet al, 1998). This experiment further develops the MBT as a method to study feed degradation dynamics over time in the pre-caecal segment of the digestive tract of ponies.

Two caecally-fistulated mature Welsh-cross pony geldings (LW 270kg) were offered 4kg of dry matter (DM) per day of a 1:3 rolled barley:hay cube mix plus minerals, in 2 equal meals per day at 09:00 and 17:00h. Grass hay was also offeredad libitumbetween 17:00 and 09:00h. Two sizes of mobile bag (6 x 1 cm Ø-large and 4 x 1 cm Ø- small) made from monofilament polyester with a 7 μm pore size were used.
In vivo apparent digestibility of proximate constituents and non-starch polysaccharides in ponies offered botanically diverse fibre based diets
Authors: Moore-Colyer M. J. S. , Hyslop J. J. , Longland A. C. , Cuddeford D.
Published: June 2019

Little information is available on digestion of the non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) fraction of fibrous feeds in equines. Two studies were conducted which examined the in vivo apparent digestibilities of proximate constituents and NSP in ponies offered diets based on botanically diverse fibrous foodstuffs.

In study 1 (S1), three mature caecally-fistulated Welsh-cross pony geldings (266 kg LW) were used in a 3 x 3 latin square changeover design experiment consisting of three 21 day periods. Ponies were offered 4 kg dry matter (DM) per day of either unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP), hay cubes (HC) or a 2:1 mix of oat hulls:naked oats (OHNO) plus minerals in 2 equal meals per day. After completion of S1 the same 3 ponies were used in study 2 (S2) where they were offered 4 kg DM/day of a 50:50 mix of USBP:HC (USHC) plus minerals fed as in S1 for a 21 day period.
Soaked unmolassed sugar beet pulp as a partial forage replacer in equine diets when ponies are offered grass hay ad libitum
Authors: Hyslop J. J. , Cuddeford D.
Published: June 2019

There is increased interest in using sugar beet pulp (SBP) products as forage replacers in equine diets. Previous work (Hyslop et al 1998) has indicated that SBP products may suppress voluntary feed intake (VFI) in ponies when they are the major fibre source at between 550-700 g/kg total diet dry matter (DM). This study examines VFI and apparent digestibility in vivo where soaked unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP) was offered as a partial forage replacement to ponies receiving ad libitum grass hay.

Four mature Welsh-cross pony geldings (280 kg LW s.e. 6.6) were individually housed and offered 0.86 kg/d of micronised barley (MB) and given ad libitum access to grass hay (HAY). In addition, ponies were offered either 0, 1, 2, or 3 kg/d USBP (U0, U1, U2 and U3 respectively) according to a 4 x 4 latin square changeover experimental design.
Ingestive behaviour of horses offered distillery by-products
Authors: Hill J. , Braithwaite A.R.
Published: June 2019

In the United Kingdom, a range of distillery by-products is available and may have a useful role in the formulation of equine rations. Pagan and Jackson (1991) investigated the ingestive behaviour of horses offered dried distillery by-products at differing rates of inclusion in the diet in a choice-preference study and concluded that they could be offered to 0.2 of the diet DM without adversely affecting ingestion rate. The aim of the study was to investigate the ingestive behaviour of horses offered the various distillery by-products as part of the concentrate component of the diet.

Ten horses were used in the experiment. Five horses (three years of age or under; mean age 1.6 years) and five horses (pregnant mares; mean age 13.2 years) were allocated to two 5 x 5 latin squares. The horses were housed individually, bedded on straw and were offered rations of hay (7.5 kg DM/day) and concentrate (1.8 kg DM/day) at 0700 and 1600 hours.
The ability of the ficin enzyme technique to predict thein situdegradability of lucerne N
Authors: Gizzi G. , Deaville E.R. , Givens D.I.
Published: June 2019

The assessment of protein degradability in the rumen is a complex process. The infinite combination of interaction between the rumen microbial population and the nature of the protein fed to the animal makes the estimation of ruminal protein degradability very arduous. At present thein situtechnique is the most popular means of predicting ruminal nitrogen (N) degradation. However this procedure is slow, expensive and relies on the use of numerous surgically prepared animals. A number of studies (Assoumaniet al., 1992; Aufrère and Cartailler, 1988) have shown that the use ofin vitromethods using proteases can predict with reasonable accuracy the extent of protein degradation. The objective of this experiment was to examine the possibility of replacing thein situtechnique with anin vitroprocedure based on the use of the ficin protease to predict the extent of N degradation.
The effect of rumen protected protein on plasma insulin, IGF-1 and glucose in sheep
Authors: Muturi K.N. , Birnie L.M. , Struthers J. , Wheelhouse N.M. , Lomax M.A.
Published: June 2019

Lean tissue deposition occurs in ruminants fed at maintainance energy intake provided that sufficient protein is supplied in the diet (Fattet et al 1984). The effect may be at least partially regulated by the endocrine system as circulating levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) are increased by the inclusion of high levels of protein in energy restricted diets (Kriel et al, 1992). The present study examines the extent to which IGF-1 and insulin concentrations are modulated by the inclusion of various amounts of rumen protected protein (Amino Green 98) in lambs restricted in metabolisable energy (ME) intake.
Validation of the n-alkane technique for measuring herbage intake in sows
Authors: Wilson H. , Sinclair A.G. , Hovell F D DeB. , Mayes R.W. , Edwards S.A.
Published: June 2019

N-alkanes are components of plant cuticular wax which have been successfully used as markers for the estimation of grass intake and digestibility in grazing ruminants (Dove and Mayes, 1991). Natural n-alkanes are predominately odd chain, and a known dose of an artificial even chain n-alkane (normally c32 or c36) is used to enable intake to be measured. Dietary n-alkanes may behave differently in the gastro-intestinal tract of ruminants and non-ruminants (Mayes et al, 1995). Therefore, in order to utilise this methodology in studies of outdoor pigs, this experiment was carried out to validate the faecal recovery of n-alkanes in this species. Since n-alkanes are soluble in lipid, which is often incorporated at high inclusion levels in pig diets, the experiment was also designed to determine whether n-alkane recovery is influenced by dietary lipid content.
Effects of feeder and penning design on social facilitation of eating in pigs in adjoining pens
Authors: Gonyou H.W. , Peterson C. , Getson K.
Published: June 2019

Social facilitation occurs when one animal increases performance of a behaviour due to the presence of another animal engaged in that same behaviour. Gonyou et al. (1992) reported that pigs in adjoining pens ate simultaneously more often if the feeders were adjacent to the common wall. Feeders which allow pigs to see pigs in the adjacent pen increase feed consumption in short trials (Hutson, 1995). Although these studies reported some form of social facilitation, the studies were either too short to detect an improvement in productivity, or none resulted. The objectives of this study were to determine if social facilitation of eating between pens of pigs can best be achieved by allowing visual contact through the wall or the feeder, and if feed consumption can be increased over an extended period of time.
The stockperson as a resource on dairy farms
Authors: Seabrook M.F. , Wilkinson J.M.
Published: June 2019

A key factor affecting economic efficiency and animal welfare on dairy farms is the performance of the employed stockperson in undertaking daily routine tasks. Little is known if the views of the stockperson as to which routine tasks are enjoyed and likely to be performed well, and which tasks are not enjoyed and likely to be performed less well. Stockpersons are a potential source of ideas for innovation and their views should be considered along with those of other in setting priorities for future research into milk production. The study reported here was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the routine tasks which were considered to be important were also those which were enjoyed. The study also sought to determine the priorities of stockpersons for innovations in milk production.
Characterisation and evaluation of a commercial enzyme for improving the nutritive value of ruminant feeds
Authors: Colombatto D. , Bhat M. K. , Mould F. L. , Owen E.
Published: June 2019

Feed enzymes for ruminants have received considerable attention recently, because of their potential to improve animal performance. However, the commercial preparations available are generally mixtures and are poorly characterised. Furthermore, their role in improving the nutritive value of ruminant feeds is not well understood. Previous work with a commercial enzyme applied at ensiling of maize stover showed a significant decrease in cell wall contents (Altafet al., 1997). The present study evaluated the enzyme used by Altafet al.(1997) in terms of a) main enzyme activities; b) ability to hydrolyse feeds at three different pHs and c) HPLC analysis of the products released.