bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A vision of pig production in the UK
Authors: Carr J.
Published: June 2019

Preamble

While preparing to write a vision of pig production in the UK, the fragility of crystal ball gazing became apparent, when in February 2001, the nightmare scenario of Foot and Mouth disease broke. The problem appears to have started on a pig farm using swill feed in Northumberland and within weeks, primarily associated with the farmer's failure to report a problem and legal but uncontrolled sheep movement, Foot and Mouth Disease spread throughout the West of England, Wales and the South West of Scotland as well as closing a major slaughterhouse for adult pigs. The disease then spread into continental Europe, causing instant havoc to export markets for the UK and then over the whole of the European Union. Had the problem prevented Denmark from exporting globally for any period, this would have resulted in severe price depression in pig production in Europe. And all this in the year following East Anglia's savaging with Classical Swine Fever.

The Foot and Mouth epidemic in the UK is likely to have a long term impact on the country's export capabilities; already there are threats of five year bans from countries like the United States of America. Much will depend on whether natural wildlife, such as deer, have become infected and how effective we are at finding carrier animals.
Nutrition management of growing pigs
Authors: Whittemore C. T. , Green D. M. , Schofield C. P.
Published: June 2019

Nutritional management of pigs to optimise growth demands pig-specific, time-specific and place-specific determination and provision of nutritional requirement. These elements need to be incorporated into response prediction models that operate in a real-time (not retrospective) closed-loop control environment. This implies appropriate means for the on-line measurement of response to change in nutrient provision, and the simultaneous means for manipulation of feeding level and feed quality. The paper describes how response prediction modelling and response measurement may now be achieved. Optimisation may be pursued with mixed objectives, including those of production efficiency and environmental protection.
Applications of process control techniques in poultry production
Authors: Aerts J.-M. , Wathes C. M. , Berckmans D.
Published: June 2019

The application of modern process control techniques to poultry production is outlined. Compact dynamic data-based models are proposed to describe and control the metabolic responses of broiler chickens to variations in the micro-environment. The dynamic response of heat production to step changes in air temperature and light intensity could be modelled with a, on average, of 0.83 and 0.93 respectively. Using recursive parameter estimation techniques, the time-variant response of animal growth to food supply could be predicted on-line with a prediction error of a maximum of 5%, three to seven days ahead depending on the type of feeding schedule. We argue that the potential conflicts between the environmental, financial and biological pressures on sustainable poultry production can be resolved through the development of integrated management systems using process control techniques.
An assessment of the contribution of plant proteinases to proteolytic digestion in the rumen of sheep
Authors: Wallace R. J. , Wallace S. J. A. , McKain N.
Published: June 2019

Protein breakdown in the rumen often leads to excessive ammonia production and inefficient use of dietary protein by ruminants (Wallace et al., 1997). Attention has for many years focussed on the proteolytic activity of ruminal microorganisms (Wallace et al., 1997). The wide variety of proteolytic species and proteolytic enzymes and their between-animal variability has made the task of decreasing microbial proteolytic activity difficult (Falconer & Wallace 1999). Much less attention has been paid to the contribution of proteinases originating from the feed. In particular, grass cells contain vacuoles harbouring broad spectrum proteinases which are known to be responsible for protein breakdown in the silo (Wetherall et al., 1995). Theodorou et al. (1996) proposed that much of the rapid release of ammonia in grazing animals might be initiated by the action of plant, rather than microbial, proteinases. The present study was undertaken to compare the proteolytic activities of fresh grass and ruminal microorganisms and to evaluate their likely contributions to ammonia production in the rumen.
The effects of increased dietary salt concentration on performance and behaviour of finishing pigs
Authors: Beattie V.E. , Weatherup R.N.
Published: June 2019

Tail-biting is a behavioural vice with important welfare, economic and carcass quality implications observed in growing pigs. Fraser (1987) proposed that mineral deficiencies in the diet may be related to tail-biting while Beattie et al (1996) found that tail-biting did not occur in intensive housing when pigs had access to a rooting substrate. This study compared the effects on pig performance and behaviour of increased dietary salt concentration with a negative control (standard diet, no rooting substrate) and a positive control (standard diet, rooting substrate provided).
The effect of stage of lactation in dairy cattle on the partitioning of increments of metabolisable energy between milk and body tissue
Authors: Kirkland R.M. , Gordon F.J.
Published: June 2019

The current energy rationing system in the U.K., the metabolisable energy (ME) system (AFRC, 1993) takes no account of the partitioning of increments of ME intake (MEI) between milk energy output (E1) and body tissue (Eg). However, recent work at this Institute, Agnew et al., 1999, has shown that the response in E1 to increasing MEI complies to the law of diminishing returns, while the converse response is obtained for Eg. Rationing cows for economic milk production requires a full understanding of the dietary and animal factors which influence this partitioning. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of one animal factor, stage of lactation, on the partitioning of increments and decrements of MEI between E1 and Eg.
Intake and milk production responses to legume silages offered to Holstein-Friesian cows
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Davies D. W. R. , Fisher W. J. , Bertilsson J. , Wilkins R. J.
Published: June 2019

Earlier work showed that red clover silage has considerable potential for milk production (e.g. Thomas et al., 1985), though low digestibility and difficulties ensiling clovers were seen as problems that needed to be addressed. Advances in legume breeding and conservation technology as well as a renewed emphasis on extensive organic production systems within Agenda 2000 meant that it was timely to reconsider the potential of legume silages for milk production.
Genetic analysis of mastitis in dairy cattle with a Bayesian threshold model
Authors: Kadarmideen H.N. , Rekaya R. , Gianola D.
Published: June 2019

Genetic parameters of mastitis are required in genetic selection for mastitis resistance. Excluding cows that are culled at an early stage of lactation due to mastitis from genetic parameter estimation may introduce culling bias. The use of linear models, suitable for continuous traits, is inappropriate for analysis of mastitis records because it is recorded as an all or none (binary) trait. Here, a Bayesian-threshold model with Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques was used to analyze mastitis data. The objective was to estimate genetic parameters of mastitis in first and all-lactation cows using complete or incomplete records on disease.
Heritabilities of, and correlations between, faecal egg counts and cashmere traits in goats
Authors: Vagenas D. , Bishop S.C. , Jackson F. , Merchant M. , Russel A.J.F.
Published: June 2019

In animal production significant losses occur due to parasitism (Coop et al. 1985). The classic means of treating animals against parasites is with anthelminthic drugs. However, the recent years resistance to anthelminthic drugs has become a major problem in many countries. Novel ways of overcoming the problem of nematode parasites have been proposed. One of them is breeding for resistance to parasites (Bishop and Stear, 1999). The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters needed to devise strategies to breed against nematode parasites. Faecal egg counts (FECs) are used as the indicator trait of resistance to parasites.
Serum leptin concentration in pigs selected for high or low daily food intake
Authors: Cameron N.D. , Penman J.C. , McCullough E.
Published: June 2019

Leptin is synthesised and secreted from adipocytes into the blood stream and transported to the brain, where it acts to cause a release of factors which can reduce food intake (Houseknecht et al., 1998). There are two murine mutations of the recessive gene coding for leptin which are associated with obesity. The Lepob allele determines synthesis and secretion of leptin, while the Lepdb allele determines responsiveness to leptin. In the Edinburgh lean growth experiment in pigs, selection for high and low daily food intake (DFI) has been practiced for seven generations in a Large White herd, which provides the experimental resource to determine if the correlated response in fat deposition is consistent with insufficient leptin production or with insensitivity to leptin.
The additivity of predicted ATP yields from feedstuffs incubated in vitro with rumen fluid
Authors: Moss A.R. , Rymer C. , Fakhri S. , Givens D.I.
Published: June 2019

Rumen micro-organisms ferment feeds to short chain fatty acids (SCFA) with the production of ATP. Measuring SCFA concentration in vitro could therefore be used to predict the yield of ATP in vitro. This estimate could then be used to predict the yield of synthesised microbial biomass. However, feeds may interact when they are incubated together, and so it is quite possible that ATP yield is not additive. The objectives of this experiment were therefore to determine whether the yield of total SCFA produced by feed mixtures was additive, and also whether the ATP yield of feed mixtures could be predicted from the calculated ATP yield of the individual feeds.
A comparison between in situ and in vitro measurement of rumen degradability of Brazilian feeds
Authors: Bueno I.C.S. , Gobbo S.P. , Abdalla A.L. , Cabral Filho S.L.S.
Published: June 2019

The in situ measurement of rumen degradability explains properly the disappearance of rumen feeds by solubilization. However, this methodology does not assure wheather the material in the rumen indeed suffered microbial degradation, or if the loss of material occurred by other reasons. The in vitro gas production technique, on other hand, measures a product of the fermentation process. If the remains of the gas production is recovered at pre-determined intervals, we could also determine the rate and extent of the degradation occurred in the process. Thus, the aim of this work was to compare the rate and extent of the degradation obtained from these two methodologies.
Fibrolytic enzyme mixtures as an alternative to rumen fluid for assessing feed degradation kineticsin vitro
Authors: Colombatto D. , Mould F. L. , Bhat M. K. , Owen E.
Published: June 2019

Several techniques involving enzymes as alternatives to rumen fluid inin vitrostudies have been proposed. However, high cost, ill-defined characterisation and high variation among enzyme preparations and batches have discouraged their use. In addition, most studies have aimed at determining dry matter degradability (DMD) at a fixed time, commonly 48 h. Consequently little information has been published concerning the DM degradation dynamics of forages incubated with enzymes. Therefore the objective of the present study was to compare the ability of a commercial enzyme mixture to describe the fermentation dynamics of two contrasting forages, using the ANKOMin vitrofermentation system (Daisy II, ANKOM Co, USA).
Effects of continuous intake of condensed tannins on parasitised sheep
Authors: Athanasiadou S. , Kyriazakis I. , Coop R.L. , Jackson F.
Published: June 2019

Parasitised sheep consuming forages high in condensed tannins (CT) show lower faecal egg counts (FEC) and total worm burden (TWB) compared to those consuming CT free forages (Niezen et al., 1998). This may be due to an indirect effect of CT, through an increase in protein availability; extra protein could improve the host’s ability to mount an effective response towards gastrointestinal parasites, during the expression of the immunity (Coop and Kyriazakis, 1999). However, CT have been also shown to have a direct anthelmintic effect on adult Trichostrongylus colubriformis (intestinal nematode), when they were administered for a short period (Athanasiadou et al., 2000). The objectives of this experiment were i) to elucidate the effects of a continuous intake of CT during the development of a T.colubriformis infection and ii) to test whether these effects are dose dependent.
A bio-economic approach to estimating economic values for UK hill sheep
Authors: Conington J. , Bishop S. , Waterhouse A. , Simm G.
Published: June 2019

Profitability of sheep production systems depends on several different animal characteristics rather than a single trait. Economic selection indexes combine information from more than one trait into an overall score, to maximise genetic gain. Economic values (EVs) are required for each trait in the breeding goal so that selection emphasis is proportional to the economic importance of each trait. Defining clear breeding goals is more complex for hill breeds than for other sectors of the sheep industry because they provide breeding females in addition to lambs for slaughter. The aims of this paper are to i) describe how EVs for breeding goal traits suitable for UK hill sheep were derived for a combination of carcass, maternal and ‘sustainability’ traits using a bio-economic model, and ii) show how these EVs vary between different production systems as a result of the differences in the physical constraints of farm size, pasture availability and the biological limits of sheep in extensive rearing environments.
Characterisation and mapping of the Booroola (FecB) gene using regression analysis in sheep
Authors: Walling G.A. , Dodds K.G. , Galloway S.M. , Beattie A.E. , Lord E.A. , Lumsden J.M. , Montgomery G.W. , McEwan J.C.
Published: June 2019

The Booroola Merino strain of sheep carries a major autosomal mutation (FecB) which increases ovulation rate (Davis et al., 1982). To map the gene, heterozygous sires (B+) were mated to non-carrier ewes (++). The female progeny were then examined by laproscopy to determine ovulation rates and these phenotypes used to assign progeny genotypes (B+, ++ or undetermined). Linkage analysis between the assigned Booroola genotype and a set of marker genotypes was used to assign the Booroola gene to a region of sheep chromosome 6 (OOV6) (Montgomery et al., 1994). These studies relied on accurate genotype assignment and a constant gene effect across animals and breeding seasons. This study aims to use regression analysis to verify the validity of these assumptions.
Application of the in vitro Reading Pressure Technique to demonstrate the patented Regulated ReleaseTM technology incorporated in a number of molasses-based liquid feeds
Authors: Mackintosh E. , Mould F.L.
Published: June 2019

Regulated ReleaseTM (RR) is a patented liquid feed technology designed to reduce costs associated with protein supplementation. By causing the rate of ammonia release to mimic that of feed protein, through complexing urea and sugars, RR allows urea to act as a cost-effective ammonia source. However as molasses is used as the carrier it is difficult to demonstrate the efficacy of this technology using standard feed evaluation methodologies such as the artificial fibre bag technique of Ørskov et al. (1980). However the Reading Pressure Technique (RPT, Mauricio et al., 1999) can evaluate such feeds in vitro and the opportunity was therefore taken to examine the ability of RR to alter the rate and extent of fermentation by comparing a blended molasses with three RR molasses-based liquid feeds. As the majority of the CP in these feeds originates from urea rather than true protein, little if any gas will be produced from CP degradation. It was therefore hypothesised that an alteration in measured gas production, relative to that of Stockmol 20, would be due to the influence of RR technology limiting carbohydrate fermentation.
Influence of growing conditions on rumen escape protein and chemical composition in grass
Authors: Cone J.W. , van Gelder A.H. , Kamman A.A. , Hindle V.A.
Published: June 2019

The amount of rumen escape protein is commonly determined with the nylon bag technique. However, there is also an in vitro technique described using a protease of Streptomyces griseus (Aufrère et al., 1991; Cone et al., 1996), allowing systematical analysis of protein quality in a large number of samples. The aim of this study was to identify the influences of growing conditions on content of rumen escape protein in grass and grass silage and to investigate the relationships between rumen escape protein determined in vitro and in situ and chemical composition.
Comparison of digestibility coefficients in different farm animal species
Authors: Roosenstein A.M. , Cone J.W. , Beynen A.C.
Published: June 2019

Because feed evaluation of new feeds for animal nutrition requires in vivo trials, which can be expensive, harmful to the animals and time consuming, alternatives have been developed. in vitro techniques are used commonly for many farm animal species. However, in vitro data do not always predict in vivo data satisfactorily. As many processes in the gastro intestinal tract of different animal species are comparable also the digestibility of feeds may be comparable. The aim of this research was to identify similarities in digestibility coefficients between different farm animal species. If it is possible to use in vivo data of one animal species for the evaluation of alternative techniques for another species, this would enlarge existing data sets, accelerate the validation of new techniques and reduce the number of harmful animal trials.
Effect of the anti bloat agent poloxalene on n-alkane concentration in cattle faeces
Authors: Nuthall R. , Rutter S.M. , Rook A.J.
Published: June 2019

Current pressures to extensify agricultural systems are leading to more emphasis on incorporating legumes, such as white clover, into swards thus reducing the amount of fertiliser nitrogen used. Cattle fed clover rich diets often receive poloxalene (Bloat guard ®, Agrimin Limited) as a feed additive to prevent bloat. Poloxalene is a surfactant, reducing surface tension of bubbles caught in froth, and thus reducing foam formation in the reticulo-rumen. The n-alkane technique (Dove and Mayes 1991) to measure intake is widely used in grazing experiments. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons found in the waxy cuticle of plants, which are used as internal markers to estimate herbage intake and to determine dietary composition in grazing ruminants. Animals are typically dosed with a controlled release bolus (CaptecTM FERNZ, New Zealand) containing an even-chained synthetic alkane (C32). Mean daily dry matter intake is calculated using the assayed release rate of C32 and the concentrations of C32 and C33 in herbage and faeces (Dove and Mayes, 1991). Given that poloxalene is a surfactant, it could potentially interact with the n-alkanes and therefore invalidate the technique. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of including poloxalene in the diet on the n-alkane concentration in faeces from dairy cattle.
Effect of sire and dam origins on the weaning weight of Welsh Mountain lambs produced by embryo transfer
Authors: Ap Dewi I. , Evans E. , Evans E.
Published: June 2019

The project, conducted at ADAS Pwllpeiran, was based on mating individuals from several sources in Wales, using multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) to generate substantial numbers of progeny per sire and dam combination. The project represents the first attempt to create co-operative links between Welsh Mountain sheep breeding groups in Wales. The current analysis was conducted to determine whether sire and dam origins affected weaning weight.
Genetics of maternal behaviour in Scottish Blackface sheep under field conditions: factors affecting maternal behaviour scores and their influence on lamb live weights and survival
Authors: Lambe N. R. , Conington J. , Bishop S. C. , Waterhouse A. , Simm G.
Published: June 2019

Behavioural studies of sheep have shown that poor maternal behaviour by the ewe immediately postparturition can lead to reduced lamb survival and ewe production (O'Connor et al., 1985). Under field conditions, behaviour may be quantified by the maternal behaviour score (MBS) - a six-point scale assessing ewe flight distance when lambs(s) are handled for the first time, within 24 hours of birth (adapted from O'Connor et al., 1985). Greater scores are awarded to ewes remaining closer to their lamb(s). The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the factors affecting MBS in Scottish Blackface ewes; (2) to determine if MBS affects the average weight of lambs reared or the number of lambs dying before weaning; (3) to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for MBS and correlations between MBS and lamb performance.
A comparison of Scottish Blackface and Wicklow Cheviot ewes and five sire breeds in terms of lamb output in hill sheep systems
Authors: Carson A.F. , Irwin D. , Kilpatrick D.J.
Published: June 2019

Improvements in the level and quality of lamb output are required to help sustain the financial viability of hill sheep farming. In the lowland sector breed substitution has been shown to be an effective means of increasing ewe productivity and lamb carcass lean content. However, there is a lack of adequate contemporary breed comparisons for the hill sector to base breeding decisions on. Consequently, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of ewe and ram breed on lamb output under a range of hill environments.
The effect of abrupt and frequent changes in forage quality on nitrogen balance in crossbred steers fed napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and barley straw
Authors: Sanda I A , Romney D L , Tanner J , Thorne P , Leaver J D
Published: June 2019

Sanda et al. (1999) studied the effects on crossbred steer liveweight gain of alternating the same quantities of napier grass and barley straw at five day intervals over a 40 day period. These animals lost significantly more weight (p<0.05) than animals on one and ten day frequencies of alternation and those receiving the same quantities of the two feeds mixed together at each meal. These responses could not be explained by differences inin vivodigestibility or intake. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that there are gradual changes in the rumen environment as animals adapt to the intake of a given forage and that, during this adaptive phase nitrogen is not used efficiently, which could explain the poor performance.
The effect of composition of gain during a winter store period on carcass characteristics in beef steers
Authors: Phillip S.L. , Prathalingham N.S. , Chapple D.G. , Lomax M.A. , Heasman L.
Published: June 2019

In the UK, 18-month beef finishing systems are common. Previous work has focused on the effects of
the rate of gain during a winter store period on performance (Lowman et al., 1994) and carcass composition (Wright and Russel, 1991). However, few data are available relating the composition of gain during the winter store period to subsequent carcass characteristics. This study was designed to determine the effect of high and low body fat levels at the end of the store period on carcass characteristics, both in Spring, and after finishing on grass in Autumn.
Performance responses and partitioning of nutrients in steers fed on either grass silage or grass silage and concentrate at similar levels of metabolisable energy intake
Authors: Kim E.J. , Cooper A. , Parker D.S. , Dawson J.M. , Buttery P.J. , Dhanoa M.S. , Scollan N.D.
Published: June 2019

It is generally accepted that diets for beef cattle containing a high proportion of grass silage compared to concentrates may result in poorer performance responses (intake, liveweight gain). Scollan et al. (1999) reported that in comparison to feeding grass silage alone, supplementing with additional concentrates increased growth rates, but the animals achieved the same amounts of carcass protein whilst depositing more fat. This study examined the effect of feeding a grass silage alone compared to silage and concentrate at the same level of metabolisable energy (ME) intake on animal performance and body composition.
Effects of protein source and formaldehyde treatment on the metabolism and performance of pregnant and lactating ewes fed straw
Authors: Handford D. , Pattinson S.E. , Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G.
Published: June 2019

Fishmeal is a suitable protein source for pregnant and lactating ewes, providing higher levels of undegradable protein (UDP) than vegetable protein sources, with an improved biological value (Robinson, 1987). The lower amounts of UDP supplied by vegetable protein sources may however be improved by formaldehyde treatment. The objective of the current experiment was to compare the effects of feeding concentrates containing fishmeal with concentrates containing vegetable protein sources with or without formaldehyde treatment.
Conditioned feeding responses of sheep towards food flavours associated with administration of ruminally degradable and/or undegradable protein sources
Authors: Arsenos G. , Tolkamp B. J. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: June 2019

The basis of diet selection for protein by ruminants has been questioned by Tolkamp et al. (1998). They suggested that diet selection by ruminants is based on the ruminally degradable protein (RDP) of foods whereas the metabolizable protein (MP) yield has no effect when the foods offered as a choice contain adequate RDP. However, it is necessary for an animal to have some knowledge of the nutritional properties of the available foods in order to select appropriately between them, as the prevailing view is that its feeding behaviour depends largely on learning (Arsenos and Kyriazakis, 1999). The objective of this study was threefold: (i) to test whether sheep are able to form specific associations between food flavours and post-ingestive consequences (PIC) induced by the administration of a ruminally undegradable, but readily digestible protein source (DUP); (ii) to investigate the relative importance of RDP and DUP sources and their consequent PIC in the development of such associations; and (iii) to test whether such associations can be formed when DUP is administered concurrently with a RDP source. Following Tolkamp et al.'s (1998) suggestion we have hypothesised that learned associations would be dictated by the PIC attributed to RDP rather than DUP administration.
A comparison of the responses of dairy cows with high and low milk yield potential to the application of sodium fertilizer
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Chiy P.C.
Published: June 2019

Tabulated sodium requirements of dairy cows, such as those of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC, 1980), are all based on milk yield. The principle for this is the apparent homeostatic control of sodium concentration in the milk of cattle, with sodium loss in milk being approximately proportional to milk yield. However, there is evidence that low yielding cows respond more than high-yielding cows to a sodium supplement when grazing lucerne with a low sodium content (Joyce and Brunswick, 1975), and the present study therefore investigated the effect of dairy cow milk yield potential on the response to the application of a fertilizer containing sodium.
The effect of molybdenum, sulphur and iron on the copper status of store lambs
Authors: Mackenzie A.M. , Evans S , Lynn J.N.C. , Illingworth D.V. , Wilkinson R.G.
Published: June 2019

Clinical copper deficiency is the second most common mineral deficiency in the world, the main cause being high dietary levels of molybdenum, sulphur and iron. Phillippo et al, (1987) reported that clinical signs of deficiency resulted from high dietary Mo and S. However, Fe and S resulted in hypocupraemia but did not induce clinical signs of deficiency. Therefore is was concluded that clinical copper deficiency was due to a direct effect of dietary Mo and S on copper metabolism in ruminants. Mackenzie et al. (1997) reported that plasma copper levels were not an accurate indicator of copper status and unlikely to predict animals requiring copper supplementation. Caeruloplasmin is large copper enzyme and accounts for 88% of plasma copper and Mackenzie et al. (1997) proposed that a caeruloplasmin to plasma copper ratio may provide a more accurate biochemical indicator of copper status. This trial was designed to investigate the effect of dietary Mo, S and Fe on the copper status of the lambs.
Replacement of soyabean meal by maize distillers grains for lactating dairy cows
Authors: Sutton J.D. , Humphries D.J. , Witt M.
Published: June 2019

Maize distillers grains (MDG) are a traceable and valuable energy and protein feed for dairy cows (Owen and Larson, 1991) but little is known about the ability of UK MDG to replace more conventional protein sources, particularly their effects on the supply of protein to the cow. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the effects of replacing soyabean meal with MDG on digestion in the rumen and flow of protein to the duodenum of lactating dairy cows.
Prediction of methane emissions from dairy cows using multiple regression analysis
Authors: Yates C. M. , Cammell S. B. , France J. , Beever D. E.
Published: June 2019

The UK is bound by the UN Framework Convention on climate change to reduce methane emissions to below 1990 levels by the year 2000. The Kyoto protocol requires a further cut of 12.5% by 2010. Ruminants are estimated to produce 74 Tg of methane per year (Benchar et al. 1998) which represents about 15% of total emissions (Crutzen et al., 1986). Therefore any reduction in the release of methane gas by enteric fermentation from the dairy herd is environmentally important. The objective of this study was to use data obtained from calorimetry trials to generate multiple regression equations predicting the levels and variability of methane emissions from dairy cows.
Validation of the UK metabolisable energy system and other energy systems
Authors: Yan T. , Agnew R. E.
Published: June 2019

The UK metabolisable energy (ME) system for dairy cattle and net energy (NE) systems presently used in Europe and America were developed over 30 years ago. Recent studies have however indicated that these systems could under-predict the ME (MEm) or NE (NEm) requirement for maintenance for current dairy cows (e.g., Yan et al., 1997). The objective of the present study was to validate these systems using calorimetric data produced with lactating dairy cows and published around the world since 1976.
Effect of diets formulated to contain similar amounts of ERDP with different protein sources on blood free and peptide-bound amino acid-N concentrations in Iranian Baloochi lambs
Authors: Danesh Mesgaran M
Published: June 2019

Recent data indicate that rumen fluid contains a relatively high concentration of peptide nitrogen and that it is influenced by the source of protein in the diet (Mesgaran & Parker, 1995). In addition, it has been demonstrated that ruminant gastrointestinal tract may have the potential for absorbing intact peptides, and that the hydrolysis rate of the peptides is influenced by peptide structure in the blood (Mesgaran, 1996; 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 blood free and peptide-bound amino acid-N (FAA-N and PBAA-N) concentrations in Iranian Baloochi lambs.
The maize crop as a source of food and feed for livestock on smallholder dairy farms in the Kenyan highlands
Authors: Lukuyu B.A , Romney D.L , Tanner J C , Thorpe W
Published: June 2019

A major constraint on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya is inadequate feed supply resulting in low productivity. In Kiambu district of the Central Highlands, principal feed resources are cultivated Napier grass, roadside grass and fodder from maize, including stover and higher quality thinnings cut during the growing period. An average farmer in Kiambu owns 0.8 ha of which 0.19 and 0.17 ha are dedicated to Napier and maize cultivation, respectively, and 2.2 cows producing 5.8 kg milk/day (Staal et al. 1998). Meeting the feed requirements of the dairy animals, while maintaining food production is already a challenge. There are indications that the maize crop will become increasingly important as a source of fodder (Staal et al. 1998). Methu (1998) showed that by planting 4 rather 2 maize seeds per hole, 1.9 t DM/ha of thinnings, with high energy and N content could be harvested without affecting significantly the yields of stover or grain. The present study explored further the potential of increasing production of good quality thinnings without jeopardising grain yield in a series of on-farm trials.
Finishing performance of progeny of Continental cross suckler cows by two sire breeds
Authors: Chapple D G , Grundy H F , Keatinge R , Sadler R F
Published: June 2019

Previous ADAS trials have shown the potential of Continental cross suckler dams to increase calf growth rates in a hill environment (Keatinge et al., 1994), and to improve carcass quality when the progeny are finished intensively (Chapple et al., 1995). The aim of this experiment was to compare the progeny of two Continental dam genotypes, using either Charolais or Aberdeen-Angus sires, when finished at 18 months of age.
Effects of feeding space on growing pigs housed with a reduced level of floor space
Authors: Penny P.C. , Penny P.J.
Published: June 2019

The live weight range 20-40 kg is a critical phase for lean growth optimisation. One of the constraints on efficient pig growth is floor space allocation which is often seen as a compromise between maximum performance and economic return / unit of floor space. It is documented that a reduction of floor space, usually by removing or increasing the number of pigs in the pen, decreases both pig growth and feed intake (Kornegay et al 1984). Interpretation of these experiments is difficult, as the modification of other pen resources such as feeding space are not adjusted for. It is therefore hypothesised that by reducing floor space provision whilst at the same time increasing feeding opportunity will optimise pig performance. The objective of this experiment was to test this hypothesis.
The use of an in vitro nitrogen digestibility screening method to assess the effect of protease pre-treatment of soyabean meals
Authors: Beal J.D. , Brooks P.H.
Published: June 2019

The assessment of the potential usefulness of enzymes as animal feed additives or treatments requires an understanding not only of the effect an enzyme has on its target substrate but also on the digestibility of that substrate. In vivo digestibility studies are expensive, time consuming and often involve invasive procedures that necessitate premature slaughtering of experimental animals. Preliminary laboratory screening methods can be used to indicate potential beneficial treatments prior to undertaking animal trials. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of protease pre-treatment of four differently processed soyabean meals on the digestibility of protein using an in vitro digestibility of nitrogen (Boisen and Fernandez 1997) technique as a screening method. The assumption implicit in this objective was that, if protease pre-treatment did not improve in vitro digestibility, it was unlikely to improve in vivo digestibility.
Liquid diets fed prior to weaning enhance performance of weaned piglets
Authors: Blanchard P.J. , Toplis P. , Taylor L. , Miller H.M.
Published: June 2019

Creep feeding enhances weaning weight (King et al., 1998) and may also enhance early post-weaning growth rate, both of which are positively correlated to subsequent performance (Miller et al., 1999). When preweaning feeds are offered, current practice in the UK is to feed either dry feed from day 14 to weaning or acidified milk replacer from days 3 to 18. Intakes of dry feed pre-weaning are generally low whereas liquid feeds are consumed more readily. Our objectives were 1) to offer creep feed as a gruel to test whether this would enhance intake of creep and provide an alternative to milk replacer, and 2) to provide all three forms of supplementary feeding together to determine whether this further increased performance. Piglets receiving no supplementary pre-weaning feed were the negative control.
Early post-weaning benefits of porcine plasma re-emerge in later growth performance
Authors: Slade R. D. , Miller H. M.
Published: June 2019

Porcine plasma is known to improve immediate post-weaning performance but this is often only evident in the first week to ten days after weaning (Toplis and Miller, 1999). Few if any studies have investigated whether there are any long term effects over the entire growth period. It has previously been shown that piglets in poor health situations (Coffey and Cromwell, 1995) demonstrate markedly greater responses to porcine plasma. The objective of this study was to determine whether porcine plasma produced long-term benefits and whether this was modulated by health challenge during the weaning period.
Kola-pod husk as a partial substitute for maize in layer diets
Authors: Olubamiwa O. , Iyayi E. A. , Ayodele E.A. , Adebowale B.A.
Published: June 2019

The continued search for alternative feed resources for poultry in Africa is necessitated by the competition between people and poultry for cereal grains. Several farm and agro-industrial by-products have been evaluated for this purpose in West-Africa. One of such by-products, cocoa-pod husk (CPH) has shown promise in laying hen diets in Ghana and Nigeria (Osei et al., 1991; Sobamiwa, 1998). Another farm by-product sharing several similarities with CPH but of higher crude protein and lower crude fibre contents is Kola-pod husk (KPH). Nigeria produces 70% of world kola (ColanitidaVent) and consequently the bulk of KPH which is estimated at 210,000 tones annually (Ogutuga, 1975). The present study investigates the partial replacement of maize with KPH in laying hen diets in South Western Nigeria. This is the region of kola production and it is characterized by small holder rural poultry farms which could easily adopt the findings of this study.
Preferences of housed finishing beef cattle for different floor types
Authors: Lowe D.E. , Steen R.W.J. , Beattie V.E.
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. However, human perception of the needs of animals may not necessarily reflect that of the animals' needs. The objective of this experiment was to examine beef cattle preferences for different floor types, in order to provide scientific information that will be valuable in formulating a policy on the housing requirements of beef cattle.
Diet and hoof health: a comparison between high starch and high fibre diets
Authors: Phipps R.H. , Blowey R. , Beever D.E. , Reynolds C.K. , Jones A.K. , Perrott J.G. , Witt M.
Published: June 2019

Lameness in the dairy cow not only causes major financial loss but also has serious welfare implications. Both environmental and nutritional factors have been implicated in its occurrence, which is commonly observed as laminitis, white line disease and sole ulcers, which are disorders of the corium. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of diet composition in the form of non-structural carbohydrates on hoof health.
Effect of stage of development and pre-natal nutrition on hoof characteristics of fetal sheep
Authors: Howard K. , Birnie M. , Galbraith H.
Published: June 2019

Lameness is a major welfare problem in farm animals and poor hoof (claw) health frequently causes painful lesions. Such lesions frequently arise from damage to the underlying dermal and epidermal soft tissues causing impaired production of the horn on the external surface of the claw (Budras et al., 1998) Precisely timed interactions between embryonic dermis and epidermis, are essential for normal development and function in other integumental tissues such as the hair follicle (Galbraith, 1998), but have not been confirmed for claw tissue. The time course of development of cellular and extra-cellular structures has not been described, nor has the question of whether fetal prenatal claw development may be affected by undernutrition of the ewe such as frequently occurs in extensive production systems. The aims of the study were to investigate external physical dimensions and internal cellular development of fetal claws and how these may be influenced by stage of gestation and maternal nutrition.
The effects of handling and environmental enrichment on the welfare of finishing pigs
Authors: Chamberlain H. L , Edwards S. A. , Day J. E. L
Published: June 2019

The general well-being of growing pigs is known to be affected by both the quantity/quality of stockperson input invested and the complexity of their housing environment (Pearce et. al., 1989). However, the nature of the interactions which exist between these two factors is still largely unknown. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the separate and interactive effects of handling and environmental enrichment on the welfare and performance of growing pigs.
The effect of an environmental enrichment device - the PECKABLOCK ™ - on the behaviour and growth performance of broiler chicks
Authors: Guy J.H. , Guy N.R. , Phillips R.A.
Published: June 2019

Rearing houses for broiler poultry breeders are relatively barren buildings which provide for the basic environmental comfort and nutritional needs of the birds, but offer little in the way of additional novel stimuli (FAWC, 1998). The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) recommends that environmental enrichment should be available in rearing houses. The Peckablock is a cereal-based enrichment device which is suspended in front of broiler breeders and provides birds with a novel material at which to peck, mimicking their natural behaviour. The manufacturers claim that this stimulus, plus the reward of cereal grains that are loosened and have fallen into the undertray, can help to ameliorate the potential problem of cannibalism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of providing Peckablocks on the behaviour and performance of commercial broiler chicks at two different levels of light intensity.
The effects of offering different degrees of social contact in indoor farrowing systems on the welfare of piglets post-weaning
Authors: Malkin S. , Marchant J. N. , Day J. E. L.
Published: June 2019

Previous research into free-farrowing systems for pigs has found that although sow welfare is better than in crated systems, piglet mortality levels are often unacceptably high. Whilst on-going research programmes are investigating methods to address this problem, the effect of alternative farrowing systems on piglet behaviour and welfare post-weaning is largely unknown. A recent study found that the increased social contact between piglets reared outdoors prior to weaning resulted in welfare benefits post-weaning (Cox and Cooper, 1999). The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether offering different degrees of social contact in an indoor community-lactation system would confer similar enhancements to piglet welfare post-weaning.
The effect of mixing litters pre weaning on the performance of piglets pre and post weaning
Authors: North L. , Stewart A. H.
Published: June 2019

Major psychological stress occurs when piglets are weaned and in particular the stress of mixing piglets into new social groups may be one of the most significant of all (Musgrave et al, 1991). The objective of the experiment was to determine whether the practice of mixing litters prior to weaning and at weaning had any effect on performance both before and after weaning.
Effects of re-grouping on behaviour, immune function and production in sows
Authors: Arey D. S. , Sinclair A. , Edwards S. A. , Rooke J. A.
Published: June 2019

The re-grouping of sows is a common procedure in pig production systems and is one which can have adverse consequences for both welfare and production (Arey and Edwards, 1998). Sows in an indoor dynamic group system, in which group structure was changed repeatedly, had a high rate of returns to service which may have been due to them receiving greater levels of aggression (Rigat et al., 1998). The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of re-grouping on sow aggression and how this affected behaviour, immune function and productivity.
Seasonal and interbreed variation in the thermoregulatory capacity of equine pelage
Authors: Fuller Z. , McG. Argo C.
Published: June 2019

The adaptation of horses (Equus caballus) to diverse environments throughout their range (e.g. Iceland and Arabia) has given rise to numerous phenotypically distinct breeds, many of which are currently maintained within the UK for sporting or leisure purposes. The welfare (energy balance) of outwintered horses has been associated with the ability to minimise heat loss by the growth of deep insulative pelage (Cymbaluk, 1994). Identification of breeds acclimated to UK conditions but retaining pelage adaptations appropriate to their environment of origin may facilitate management.
Effects of varying silage quality for dry cows on feed intake, weight change and performance in the subsequent lactation
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Davies D. W. R. , Fisher W. J.
Published: June 2019

Earlier studies (e.g. Dewhurst et al., 1996, 1999) have shown marked declines in forage voluntary intake as calving approaches. The resultant reduction in nutrient supply may compromise performance in the next lactation, because it coincides with a period of intense metabolic activity in preparation for the next lactation. Feeding concentrates to dry cows did not overcome this problem (Dewhurst et al., 1999). The objective of the current experiment was to investigate alternative dry cow strategies, using only high-quality grass silage, to minimise the severity and consequences for subsequent milk production of the reduction in nutrient supply in this period.
The effect of feeding forage maize ensiled with sugar beet pulp ('Pulp'n'Maize') to dairy cows
Authors: Bell J. F. , Roberts D. J. , Leach K. A.
Published: June 2019

An increasing acreage of forage maize is being grown in the north of England and south of Scotland as an alternative to grass silage for dairy cows. Previous work has shown that molassed sugar beet pulp (MSBP) can be ensiled with maize to minimise effluent production and ensiling losses (Hameleers et al) from low dry matter (DM) maize. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of feeding 'Pulp'n'Maize' on intake, milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows.
The effect of feeding whole cracked rapeseed and vitamin E on dairy cow performance and milk fat composition
Authors: Mansbridge R.J. , Collins C.A.
Published: June 2019

Current thinking suggests that the saturated fatty acids myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease compared to longer chain fatty acids such as stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1). Milk fat is rich in C14:0 and C16:0 because these fatty acids can be manufactured in the bovine mammary gland from glycerol and free fatty acids. Rapeseed oil is a rich source of oleic acid, and feeding whole rapeseed to dairy cows has been shown to increase the C18:1 content of milk fat (Murphy et al, 1995). However, increasing the unsaturated fat content of milk has led to suggestions that oxidative stability may be effected. Feeding high levels of a natural antioxidant such as vitamin E may enhance milk stability and improve its' nutritive value. This study investigated the effect of feeding various amounts of whole cracked rapeseed and vitamin E on animal performance, and the levels of fatty acids and vitamin E in milk fat.