bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fertility in Cheviot ewes. 3. The effect of level of nutrition before and after mating on ovulation rate and early embryo mortality in South Country Cheviot ewes in moderate condition at mating
Authors: Gunn R. G. , Doney J. M. , Smith W. F.
Published: September 2010

One hundred and twenty South Country Cheviot hill ewes were differentially group-fed indoors over a 2-month period to achieve either moderately-good or poor body condition. Over 5 weeks prior to mating, ewes in moderately-good condition were brought down in condition by restricted feeding and ewes in poor body condition were raised in condition by a high level of feeding. The ewes were thus in moderate condition at mating. During the first 4 weeks after mating, half the ewes from each original condition group were fed at a high level and the other half were fed at a low level. Ewes were killed either on return to service or at 30 ± 10 days forcounts of corpora lutea and viable embryos.

Ovulation rate was not significantly related to the level of pre-mating food intake at the condition level studied, although the trend was positive. Embryo mortality, as ova loss, was reduced by a high level of post-mating food intake but was increased by a high level of pre-mating intake. This latter result, however, may be influenced by the experimental confounding of high pre-mating food intake and very low initial body condition. The greatest loss was incurred by ewes, originally in poor condition, which were fed at a high pre-mating level and a low post-mating level. Potential lambing rate at slaughter was not affected by the level of food intake either before or after mating although the trend was for a low level of post-mating intake to be associated with an increase in the proportion of barren ewes.
The performance of Masham ewes
Authors: Newton J. E. , Fenlon J. S.
Published: September 2010

The performance of two flocks of crossbred Masham ewes (Tees-water × Dales Bred) was measured for 6 and 4 years respectively. The ewes in Flock 1 were mated with Dorset Down rams and the ewes in Flock 2 with Suffolk rams.

The overall mean mating weight of each flock was 68-0 kg with no consistent year-to-year variation. The mating weight repeatability values for ewes entering the flocks as 2-year-olds were 0·532 (±0·0681) and 0·524 (±0·1118) for Flocks 1 and 2 respectively.

Mean litter size increased with age, but repeatability was low. Over- all litter weights for singles, twins and triplets were 5·89, 9·88 and 12·43 kg respectively. Two-year-old ewes had lighter litters than mature ewes. Repeatability for litter weight in Flock 1 was 0·337 (±0·0755).

Lamb growth rate to 4 weeks of age was lower for 2-year-old ewes in both flocks and the repeatability was 0·322 (±0·0947) in Flock 1. For ewes having twin lambs, significant correlations (P < 0·01) were found between mating weight and birth weight and between birth weight and lamb growth rate to 4 weeks of age.

Perinatal mortality was higher for lambs with a birth weight below 3·9 kg, but overall lamb mortality was only 8%: this low figure was probably due to the relatively high birth weight of the twin and triplet lambs.
The effect of copper treatment on the performance of hypocupraemic calves
Authors: MacPherson A. , Voss R. C. , Dixon J.
Published: September 2010

1. Seven experiments involving 191 calves and 40 cows were under- taken over a 2-year period into the effect of copper treatment of hypocupraemic calves on their subsequent performance.

2. Significant increases in mean live-weight gain of copper-treated calves ranging from 19·9 to 34·3 kg/head relative to untreated control groups were obtained in three cases.

3. The frequency of copper injection required to maintain plasma copper levels above 0·60 mg/1 varied from 6 to 12 weeks.

4. The live-weight gain and plasma copper concentration responses are discussed in relation to the pasture herbage concentrations of copper, molybdenum and sulphate.
Feeding calcium salts of fatty acids in high-starch or high-fibre compound supplements to lactating cows at grass
Authors: Garnsworthy P. C.
Published: September 2010

In two experiments, the effects of protected fat and fibre were studied in compound supplements for grazing dairy cows. The protected fat used consisted of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids. In experiment 1, 17 cows (group S) were given 4 kg/day of a starchy compound and 17 (group F) 4 kg/day of a high-fibre compound containing protected fat for the first 4 weeks after turn-out to grass. No significant difference was found between groups in milk yield, but cows in group F produced milk with a higher fat content (42·6 g/kg) than did those in group S (37·1 g/kg; P < 0·01) and had higher yields of fat (0·88 v. 0·79 kg/day; (P < 0·05). In experiment 2, four groups of five cows were given 4 kg/day of starchy (S) or fibrous (F) compounds, with (P) or without (C) protected fat for the first 4 weeks after turn-out. After 4 weeks, treatments (starchy or fibrous, added fat or none) were reversed for a further period of 4 weeks. There was no significant effect on milk yield, milk protein yield, live-weight change or change in condition score, although cows on treatment SC tended to produce less milk and have greater gains in live weight and condition. For groups SC, FC, SP and FP respectively, milk fat yields (kg/day) were 0·86, 0·98, 0·99 and 1·06 (s.e.d. 0·06); milk protein contents (g/kg) were 34·4, 34·8, 34·2 and 33·0 (s.e.d. 0·68) and calculated milk energy outputs (MJ/day) were 67/2, 74·3, 74·4 and 76·6 (s.e.d. 3·04). It is concluded that substituting fibrous compounds for starchy compounds tends to increase milk fat content and yield; adding calcium salts of fatty acids to either type of compound significantly increases milk fat content and yield but tends to decrease milk protein content.
Selection and response within the nucleus of a sheep group-breeding scheme
Authors: Anderson S. , Curran M. K.
Published: September 2010

An evaluation of the response to selection for prolificacy within a nucleus sheep flock of a commercial group-breeding scheme is presented. In 1979, the Romney Group Breeders formed a nucleus flock of 120 prolific ewes chosen from 12 contributing flocks. A control flock was established in 1982 from the same source. The analysis was conducted on the trait of litter size. Selection differentials are presented for each year of birth progeny group in both flocks. Expected selection response was calculated from selection differentials and was found to have an average value of 1·5% of parent mean litter size per year. Using least squares procedures the litter size performance of control and nucleus ewes of 2, 3 and 4 years of age was corrected for environmental effects. Realized response was estimated from the differences between corrected litter size means of control and nucleus flocks. Response in litter size was found to be significant within years and within ewe age groups (P < 0·05).
Compensatory growth and body composition changes in grazing steers following silage feeding without or with a supplement of fish meal and monensin
Authors: Gibb M. J. , Baker R. D.
Published: September 2010

The effects of fish meal and monensin supplementation of silage on the growth and composition Friesian steers was examined in winter and subsequently during grazing. Four-month-old steers were given grass silage ad libitum, alone (U) or mixed with fish meal and monensin at 100 and 0·005 g/ dry matter (DM) of silage (S) for 17 weeks. Empty body weight (EBW) and carcass weight (CW) gains were significantly increased by supplementation (810 v. 495, and 553 v. 332 g/day, respectively). Although treatment S steers were heavier, their composition at turn-out was similar to that of the treatment U animals: mean fat, crude protein (CP), water, ash and energy contents were 121, 187, 640, 51 g/kg and 9·10MJ/kg EBW, respectively. During the following 20 weeks, six animals from each treatment grazed a perennial ryegrass/white clover sward unsupplemented (UU and SU), supplemented with a fish meal/maize/molassine meal (50:35: 15) pelleted diet and monensin at 4 g/kg live weight (LW) per day and 0·1 mg/kg LW per day, respectively, (UMF and SMF). A further group of six steers from treatment S received the pelleted diet without monensin during grazing (SF). Steers from treatment U showed significant compensation in EBW and in carcass growth at pasture, irrespective of whether they received a supplement, which led to a marked reduction of the differences in EBW and CW by final slaughter. Composition at final slaughter showed no significant effect winter nutrition, with the exception of fat content (g/kg EBW), which was significantly lower animals from treatment SU. Steers from treatments UMF and SMF had slightly higher rates of fat, CP, water and energy deposition, which resulted in higher fat and lower water contents (g/kg EBW) than those from treatments UU and SU, although these differences were not significant. Steers on treatment SF had gains and final compositions intermediate between those on treatments SU and SMF. Supplementation was cost effective in winter, but marginal in summer.
Influence of trenbolone acetate, zeranol and oestradiol-17β implantation on growth performance and reproductive function in beef heifers
Authors: Zarkawi A. , Galbraith H. , Hutchinson J. S. M.
Published: September 2010

Twenty-four Hereford ♂ × Friesian ♀ heifers were divided into four equal treatment groups and given subcutaneous ear implants as appropriate 14 days after prostaglandin treatment for the induction of synchronized cycles. Subsequently, they were observed for 75 days. One group was an untreated control, one was given 300 mg trenbolone acetate, one 36 mg zeranol and one 45 mg oestradiol-176. Growth and ovarian cyclicity, assessed by periodic progesterone measurement, were monitored. Trenbolone acetate-treated heifers grew faster (P < 0·05) than other groups which did not differ significantly. Trenbolone acetate shortened the oestrous cycle in which treatment was started in two of five heifers and lengthened it in two others. Subsequent cycles were either suppressed or of short duration. Zeranol and oestradiol-176 treatment had little effect on ovarian cyclicity apart from a small increase in the number of short cycles. It is concluded that, at the doses used, trenbolone acetate suppresses mechanisms leading to ovulation or pre-ovulatory follicular development.
Seasonal variation in voluntary food intake and post-weaning growth in lambs: a comparison of genotypes
Authors: Iason G. R. , Mantecon A. R.
Published: September 2010

Voluntary food intake (VFI) was measured daily and live weight (LW) was measured weekly in a total of 39 growing lambs of six genotypes given a similar complete chopped-straw based diet in experiments in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The six genotypes and the years of study were: Scottish Blackface (BF), 1983 and 1988; Suffolk × (Border Leicester × BF) (BL × BF), Suffolk × (East Friesland × Cheviot) (EF × NCC), Suffolk × (East Friesland × BF) (EF × BF), 1985; Welsh mountain (WM) and Beulah (BH), 1985. Measurements were made on lambs penned individually within 6 weeks of weaning at 5 to 6 months of age through to slaughter in the following spring. During this period there was an increase in LW and VFI associated with growth. Regression lines were fitted to LW and weekly means of daily VFI against week for each individual. Analysis of deviations about these lines showed a decline in VFI in BF lambs around December and to a lesser e×tent in BL × BF from December to January. The decline in VFI in BF was observed in two different years. A negative deviation from the normal rate of increase in LW was also apparent although it was much less marked and present in EF × NCC lambs as well as BF and BF × NCC. Any such variability of seasonal cycles between genotypes of growing lamb would influence the e×tent to which nutrition and growth may be manipulated. This should be considered when choosing a feeding or growth regime for a particular genotype, or vice versa.
Comparative aspects of resistance to body cooling in newborn lambs and kids
Authors: Müller S. , McCutcheon S. N.
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to compare responses to cold stress in newborn lambs and kids. Two experiments were conducted in a climatic chamber with controlled air temperatures and artificial wind and rain. The first experiment involved 25 Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Romney) lambs and 16 Angora × feral kids while the second involved 30 Suffolk × (Border Leicester × Romney) lambs and 26 Angora × feral kids. Rectal temperatures were measured and the rate of decline in rectal temperature estimated in both experiments. In the second experiment, metabolic rate was also measured and coat characteristics (birth coat depth and wool weight per unit area of skin) were examined. The effects of birth rank and sex on resistance to cold exposure and their interaction with species were examined in both experiments.

In experiment 1, kids had lower rectal temperatures than lambs at the start of the test but there was no species effect on the rate of decline in rectal temperature. In experiment 2, kids exhibited a significantly greater rate of decline in rectal temperature than did lambs. This difference in species effect between the experiments reflected primarily a greater rate of body cooling in the Poll Dorset-cross lambs (experiment 1) than in the Suffolk-cross lambs (experiment 2) rather than a difference between the kids in the two experiments. Additionally, in experiment 2, metabolic rate per unit live weight was significantly lower in the kids than in the lambs. No differences were apparent between the species in coat characters. Multiple-born lambs and kids were found to exhibit a significantly greater rate of decline in rectal temperature than singles, but only marginal differences in heat production were observed between the birth ranks. No significant effects of sex on resistance to cold stress were found in this study. Effects of birth rank and sex were additive with those of species. It is concluded that a combination of low heat production capacity and small body size is responsible for the generally poor responses of newborn kids to cold stress but there is probably little difference between lambs and kids in the insulative value of their birth coats.
Prediction of voluntary intake of grass silages by lactating cows offered concentrates at a flat rate
Authors: Rook A. J. , Gill M. , Willink R. D. , Lister S. J.
Published: September 2010

Data for individually recorded silage dry-matter intake (SDMI), concentrate dry-matter intake (CDMI), live weight, milk yield and milk composition of lactating dairy cows offered silagead libitumand concentrates on a flat-rate basis, together with data for silage composition from experiments conducted at four sites, were used to obtain simple and multiple regressions of SDMI on other variables.

Simple regressions showed that the most important variables affecting SDMI were, in order of importance: silage ammonia nitrogen, fat yield, CDMI, silage digestible organic matter concentration (DOMD) and live weight. The best multiple regression for the mean SDMI over weeks 4 to 13 of lactation accounted for proportionately 0·649 of the variation. Examination of week by week data for weeks 3 to 20 of lactation showed that two models for early and mid lactation were required to give a reasonable pattern of residual variances. These models accounted for 0·627 and 0·581 of the variation respectively. It was necessary to fit time effects explicitly in early lactation. Live weight was best represented by fitting post-calving live weight and deviations from post-calving live weight separately. A number of models requiring fewer input variables were also obtained to allow for use in situations where the full range of measurements is not made.

The new models were tested using independent data from three sites. They performed better than a number of previously published models but the best model still gave a prediction error of proportionately 0·17 about the mean actual silage intake in early lactation and 015 in late lactation.

The results suggest that there is little to be gained from further refinement of the functional form of the models and that the construction of a number of models for specific food and management situations is preferable to the use of global models.
The utilization of alkali-treated wheat straw: effects of neutralization of residual alkali and potassium supplementation on growth and mineral balance of male calves
Authors: Holzer Z. , Drori D. , Brosh A. , Levy D.
Published: September 2010

The mineral balance of male calves given neutralized (with HC1) and unneutralized 35 g NaOH per kg treated wheat straw (WS), was determined in a digestibility trial in which WS was offered at inclusion levels of 300, 500 and 700 g/kg diet. The ratio of apparently retained sodium (Na) and potassium (K) increased with increasing proportion of straw in the diet and was lower on neutralized straw diets.

The effect of supplementation with 3 and 6 g K per kg diet dry matter in a diet comprising approximately 500 g/kg of 35 g NaOH per kg treated WS, on performance, mineral status and acidbase balance was examined in a growth trial with 56 Israeli-Friesian male calves. The animals on the untreated WS diet had significantly (P< 0·05) less fat in the large depots and lower fat trim of carcass than did animals on the treated WS diets. No other differences in performance were significant. Ammonia concentration in rumen liquor and urea in blood were lower in the animals given alkali-treated WS. The concentrations of Na, K and chlorine in blood serum of the experimental animals were not affected by the treatment. The data on Na, K and magnesium (Mg) in muscle show depletion of Na and K and a trend towards a decrease in Mg concentration. K supplementation reduced the extent of depletion of Na and K. In bone, only Na was affected by the feeding of alkali-treated WS, the pattern being the same as in the muscle. The blood acid-base balance of the experimental animals was not significantly affected by treatments. The values of pH, actual bicarbonate and pCO2 of the animals given 35 g/kg alkali-treated WS indicate mild alkalosis in those animals. This alkalotic state did not affect performance. It appears that there is no Na loading problem which might interfere with growth.
Influence of straw quality and level of concentrate in a completely mixed diet on intake and growth rate in steers
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Reid G. W. , Kay M.
Published: September 2010

Three types of straw were used, a spring barley (variety Corgi) untreated (UC), ammonia-treated Corgi (AC) and an ammonia-treated winter wheat (variety Longbow) (AW). Each straw was included in a complete diet containing either 350 (L), 450 (M) or 550 (H) g/kg straw. The other principal ingredients were rolled barley, molassed sugar-beet pulp and fish meal. Hereford cross steers approximately 16 months old and weighing 350 kg live weight were given the diets ad libitum in both a main trial lasting 80 days, to assess intakes, live-weight gains and food efficiency, and in a subsidiary trial to measure in vivo apparent digestibility.

The live-weight gains during 80 days for steers given the UC diet at L, M and H inclusion were 117, 102 and 0·70 kg/day respectively. The respective live-weight gains for AC were 1·32, 1·27 and 1 02 kg/day and for AW 1 ·26, 1 ·20 and 0·95 kg/day.

While experimental comparisons were terminated at 80 days when the first steers were slaughtered, all except five with the lowest growth rate reached the target fat class for slaughter before 6 months on the diets. While differences in intake and performance between steers given the straws closely reflected differences in degradation characteristics determined by in sacco measurements, the increase in in vivo apparent digestibility between untreated (0·510) and treated (0·545) was small. It is concluded that a large proportion of high quality or treated straw can be incorporated and utilized in diets for finishing cattle.
A note on the effect of post-mating stocking rate on reproductive performance of Greyface ewes
Authors: Gunn R. G. , Maxwell T. J. , Smith W. F. , Agnew R. D. M. , Kerr C. D. , Sim D. A.
Published: September 2010

Continuously grazed rye grassl clover swards with surface heights of 8 to 10 cm at 5 weeks before a synchronized mating and 7·5 cm at mating were grazed by 151 Greyface ewes stocked at 12 per ha until mating. The effects of two stocking rates (eight and 16 ewes per ha) for 6 weeks over the mating and post-mating period were then studied on live weight, body condition and reproductive peformance. Sward height fell more rapidly post mating when stocked at 16 ewes per ha than at eight ewes per ha, but remained above 3·5 cm until 4 weeks after first mating under both rates. Ewes stocked at 16 per ha became significantly lighter and leaner than ewes stocked at eight per ha. There was no significant effect of post-mating stocking rate on reproductive performance in terms of conception rate and lambing rate to first mating or lambing rate to all matings. Reproductive performance of Greyface ewes is therefore unlikely to be adversely affected by post-mating stocking rate on swards of 7 to 8 cm which do not fall below 3·5 to 4·0 cm until 3 to 4 weeks after mating.
Influence of social conditions post-puberty on the sexual behaviour of the domestic male pig
Authors: Hemsworth P. H. , Winfield C. G. , Beilharz R. G. , Galloway D. B.
Published: September 2010

Three groups of four mature boars were housed in individual pens for 3 mo under one of the following social conditions: near ovariectomized female pigs induced into sexual receptivity at 2-week intervals; isolated from female pigs but either with or without visual and physical contact with neighbouring boars. The total number of copulations achieved in six mating tests throughout the period was significantly greater (P<0·01) for the boars housed near sexually receptive females than for those housed in the other two social conditions. For the subsequent 3 mo all boars were housed near sexually receptive females and no significant differences were found between the three groups for total number of copulations.
Reproductive performance at first lambing and in twice-yearly lambing in a flock of Finnish Landrace sheep in Finland
Authors: Goot H. , Maijala K.
Published: September 2010

1. The reproductive performance of 128 first-lambing ewes born during 1966–71, and of 118 ewes kept on a twice-yearly lambing system during 1968–1972/73, in a commercial flock of Finnish Land-race sheep in Finland, was analysed.

2. The first-lambing ewes were exposed to the ram throughout the year, except in June and July. Out of 95 ewes born between January and May, 92 (97%) lambed at the age of 376·4 ± 29·9 days, and out of 20 born between July and September, 15 (75%) lambed when 323·8 ± 50·4 days old.

3. The average litter sizes at first lambing were 1·6, 1·9 and 2·6 for ewes with average ages of 324, 388 and 534 days, respectively; the 5-mo litter weights averaged 41·7, 45·7 and 70·5 kg per ewe for the three groups.

4. In the twice-yearly lambing system 55% of ewes lambed once within a calendar year and 45% lambed twice. The number of consecutive lambings and the number of lambs born per ewe per year were 1·52 ± 0·29 and 4·03 ± 1·18, respectively. The consecutive lambings of the 118 ewes, over a period of 1½ to 5½ yr, did not indicate any decline in reproductive performance.

5. The estimated lambing-to-conception interval in consecutive lambings was 116·6 ± 64·3 days; February had the lowest conception rate (0·7%) and November the highest (20·8%); April (16·5%) and September (15·5%) were similar.

6. Litter size was not affected by year, age of ewes, or lambing period. The mean lamb mortality up to 14 days of age, based on 1168 lambs born dead or alive, was 12·8% and the annual ewe wastage averaged 21·9%

7. For ewes which lambed twice within a calendar year, the lambing to conception interval was 71·7 ± 24·7 days. Such ewes produced 5·0±1·4 lambs per calendar year and the combined 5-mo weight of both litters was 168·2 ± 43·2 kg per ewe.
Food intake, eating rate, weight gains, metabolic rate and efficiency of feed utilization in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred cattle
Authors: Frisch J. E. , Vercoe J. E.
Published: September 2010

Food intake, eating rate, weight change and fasting metabolic rate were measured on 12 animals of each of the following breed-types: Hereford × Shorthorn (HS), Brahman × HS (BX) and Africander × HS (AX). Measurements were made on ad libitum and fixed levels of lucerne and ad libitum and fixed levels of low-quality tropical pasture hay (approx. 1·2% N) during feeding periods of about 100 days' duration.

The BX and AX were heavier and either gained more weight or lost less weight than the HS on all diets. At feeding levels close to maintenance, which included the ad libitum pasture hay diet, adjustment for differences in either live weight or intake did not alter the unadjusted ranking of the breeds. On ad libitum lucerne, however, adjustment for either weight or intake showed higher gain in the HS than in the BX. The voluntary food intake per kg live weight was consistently and significantly highest for the HS and lowest for the BX. Rates of eating were not significantly different for the different breed-types but they were higher for high-quality lucerne and for the lower level of feeding. Fasting metabolic rate per kg live weight was highest for the HS and lowest for the BX; the difference between the breeds varied with the previous dietary treatment. The ratio of voluntary food intake to fasting metabolism was practically constant between breeds and animals within breeds, though different between diets.

Correlations for animals within breeds and years between the various parameters within diets and between diets are presented.
A note on the utilization of hay by pure and cross-bred Marwari sheep
Authors: Ratan Ram , Purchit G. R. , Abichandani J R. K. , Ghosh P. K.
Published: September 2010

A comparative study was made of the utilization of hay (Lasiurus sindicus) by Marwari and Russian Merino × Marwari male sheep. Intakes of dry matter and crude protein and digestibility of dry matter were similar for both groups but the digestibility of crude protein was higher for the purebred Marwari sheep. Within the purebred animals, digestibility of crude protein was higher in those that gave a consistently low fleece yield.
Meat production from pigs which have farrowed 1. Reproductive performance and food conversion efficiency
Authors: Brooks P. H. , Cole D. J. A.
Published: September 2010

The reproductive performance and food conversion efficiency ofyoung female pigs (gilts) destined for slaughter after weaning their first litter were investigated using four treatment groups of 19 Landrace × (Landrace × Large White) gilts. In two treatment groups gilts were mated at pubertal heat and suckled for 5 to 11 and 35 to 42 days respectively. These gilts were slaughtered following weaning. A third group of gilts were conventionally mated at third oestrus and suckled for 35 to 42 days. These animals acted as controls for reproductive performace. The fourth treatment group consisted of unmated gilts, slaughtered at 118 kg live weight, which served as controls for food conversion efficiency, growth rate and carcass measurements.

There were no significant differences in either the number or weight of piglets born in any of the treatment groups. The food conversion efficiency and growth rate of the mated gilts was significantly (P< 0·001) worse than that of the unmated gilts marketed at heavy weights. Of the mated gilts those mated at puberty and weaned at 35 to 42 days had the best overall feed conversion efficiency (4·56: 1) between the start of the experiment and weaning and required less food per piglet reared to 6 weeks of age than the gilts mated at third heat.
A note on meat production from pigs slaughtered after first weaning a litter
Authors: Kotarbińska Maria , Kielanowski J.
Published: September 2010

Fourteen Large White female pigs were mated at about 6 months of age and 90 kg live weight. Three of them gave birth to very small litters and were slaughtered a week after parturition at an average live weight of 166 kg. From the other 11 females 6-week-old litters with average an of 8-8 piglets were weaned. Twenty-four days after weaning the mothers, averaging 152 kg live weight, were slaughtered. Performance was compared with that of unmated females slaughtered at 90 or 130 kg live weight. After subtracting the amount of feed used normally for the production of weaned litters from the total feed consumption of the 14 females which farrowed, the feed intake per 1 kg live-weight gain was 3·67 kg, as compared with 3·43 kg and 4·46 kg in the groups slaughtered at 90 or 130 kg live weight, respectively. The average daily protein deposition in the 14 females together with their litters was 119·6 g, compared with 104·1 and 81·4 g in the control groups.
A note on the digestibility by sheep of hulls from the field bean (vicia faba l)
Authors: Edwards D. G. , Duthie I. F. , Rogers Barbara M. , Owen Emyr
Published: September 2010

The digestibility of a feed containing hull material prepared mechanically from Throws MS field bean (Viciafaba L) was determined in a 12-day balance trial with sheep. The pelleted feed contained 62 % hulls and 38 % of a concentrate mixture, and was given at a maintenance level. The mean digestibility coefficients of the feed were for dry matter, 66·3; organic matter, 68·2; nitrogen, 65·7; crude fibre, 59·4; and energy, 65·5%.

The coefficients for the bean hulls themselves, estimated by assuming coefficients for the concentrates, were dry matter, 59·6; organic matter, 61·0; nitrogen, 58·2; crude fibre, 60·3; and energy, 59·9%. By assuming a value of 2·515 Mcal/kg for the metabolizable energy of the concentrates, the metabolizable energy of the bean hulls was calculated to be between 2·00 and 2·10 Mcal/kg.

Digestibility coefficients for the bean hulls determined in vitro were found to agree with those determined in vivo.
Studies on the effect of social environment on the behaviour and growth rates of artificially-reared British Friesian male calves
Authors: Stephens D. B.
Published: September 2010

Observations have been carried out on the effect of social environment on the behaviour and growth rates of British Friesian male calves artificially reared on an automatic Nursette milk dispenser. The observations were made during two watches of 3 hr duration per week for the first 9 weeks of the calves' stay in the rearing unit. The calves appeared to be in a high state of anxiety on arrival and showed a vigorous following response to each other and the stockman. Although the lighter subordinate calves spent less time in sucking the Nursette than the heavier dominant calves, and had a lower pre-weaning growth rate, they spent more time ingesting dry feed. Consequently they suffered a less severe check in growth rate at abrupt weaning after 6 weeks than the dominant calves. Non-nutritive cross-sucking of the ear, scrotum or prepuce of others in the group occurred in some calves. The aetiology of cross-sucking is discussed and interpreted in terms of an oral deprivation hypothesis.
Comparative reproductive performance of Brahman and Santa Gertrudis cattle in a hot humid environment 1. Fertility and descriptive statistics
Authors: Willis M. B. , Wilson A.
Published: September 2010

In a 15-year period (1956-1970) data were available from 192 Brahman cows exposed to bulls on 1409 occasions (1199 calvings) and from 155 Santa Gertrudis cows exposed 907 times (847 calvings). All were mated by natural service in the same herd in Cuba. Calving percentage and net calf crop significantly favoured the Santa Gertrudis with overall means of 92·7 and 85·3% for the two traits respectively. Parity, lactation status and year of calving significantly affected calving percentage with significant year × breed and status × parity interactions. Lactation status, year of calving, breed × year and status × parity interactions also affected net calf crop. Calf mortality was 6·41% in Brahmans and 5·64% in Santa Gertrudis but more of the latter breed were stillborn (41·7 v. 16·9% of all deaths). There were no breed effects on age at first or last calving, age at culling or calves per cow which were 38·5 months, 117·1 months, 130·1 months and 6·62 calves in Brahmans and 39·3, 111·5, 123·2 and 6·58 respectively in Santa Gertrudis. Twinning percentage was low (under 0·4%) and male births high (53·54%) in both breeds. Some 30% of cows lost at least one calf prior to weaning during their lifetime.
Comparative reproductive performance of Brahman and Santa Gertrudis cattle in a hot humid environment 2. Factors affecting calving interval
Authors: Wilson A. , Willis M. B.
Published: September 2010

Over a 15-year period 1011 calving intervals from 187 Brahman (B) cows and 687 calving intervals from 146 Santa Gertrudis (SG) were examined. Year of calving significantly affected intervals in both breeds. Season of calving and parity of dam were both important in SG. Longer intervals were seen in B than SG (437 v. 406 days). Repeatability of calving interval was low (< 0·02). The average life-time calving interval was significantly related to total calf production in that cows with shorter mean intervals had more calves in their lifetime.
Milk production from silage 3. A comparison of red clover with grass silage
Authors: Thomas C. , Aston K. , Daley S. R.
Published: September 2010

Silages were made from the primary growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or red clover (Trifolium pratense) and were given ad libitum to 52 British Friesian cows, together with 70 kg dry matter per day of a barley/ground maize/soya bean supplement in 2 years. Twenty of the cows were used in both years, providing a total of 72 observations. Three treatments were imposed during weeks 3 t o 20 of lactation: red clover silage, (RC/RC); red clover silage, weeks 3 to 10, grass silage weeks 12 to 20 (RC/PRG); grass silage (PRG/PRG).

Apparent digestibility of the gross energy assessed in lactation weeks 14 and 15 was slightly lower for red clover than for perennial ryegrass (0·683, 0·706 and 0·701 for treatments RC/RC, RC/PRG and PRG/PRG respectively). There was no effect of previous treatment on the digestibility of perennial ryegrass diets (RC/PRG v. PRG/PRG). Cows given red clover silage consumed proportionately 1·22 of the dry matter and 1·09 of the digestible energy ingested by those given perennial ryegrass. The intake of perennial ryegrass in mid lactation was similar, irrespective of early lactation treatment.

During weeks 3 to 20, cows given red clover yielded 1·9 kg more milk than did those given perennial ryegrass (P < 0·01). However, this milk had a significantly lower concentration of fat (P < 0·01; 37·2 and 41·2 g/kg for treatment RC/RC and PRG/PRG respectively). In mid lactation the cows that had received red clover silage in early lactation (RC/PRG) had the lowest yield of milk, milk fat, protein and lactose and the difference between this treatment and PRG/PRG was significant for milk and milk fat yields (P < 0·05).

Red clover silage rather than perennial ryegrass silage of similar digestibility resulted in higher silage intake and higher yields of milk, milk protein and lactose. However, the strategic use of red clover silage to increase yield in early lactation did not induce positive residual effects in mid lactation; rather, there was evidence of a negative effect on milk and milk-fat yield.
The effect of a fully-controlled out-of-parlour concentrate dispenser on the production of British Friesian dairy cows
Authors: Rees P. , Rowlinson P.
Published: September 2010

In two experiments the effect of giving concentrates to dairy cows from a fully-controlled out-of-parlour dispenser was compared with giving concentrates twice daily in the milking parlour. In experiment 1, 22 cows were used in a cross-over design during the first 19 weeks of lactation. In experiment 2, 34 cows were used in a continuous trial during the first 18 weeks of lactation. Weeks 1 to 3 of each experiment were used as a standardization period during which all cows were given equal amounts of concentrates twice a day during milking. At the end of this period cows were paired and assigned to receive concentrates either in the milking parlour (group P) or to receive 1·0 kg concentrates per day in the milking parlour and the remainder from an out-of-parlour dispenser (group O). Within pairs, between treatments, cows were offered the same amount of concentrates and allowed access toad libitumsilage. Means for milk yield, fat and solids-not-fat concentrations during experiment 1 were 25·1v.23·9 kg/day (P< 0·01), 36·5v.38·1 g/kg, 89·9v.89·1 g/kg (P< 0·001), and for experiment 2 were 27·1v.25·4 kg/day (P< 0·01), 39·8v.42·6 g/kg, and 90·9v.90·9 g/kg, for groups O and P respectively. Mean concentrate intakes during experiment 1 were 8·3v.8·4 kg/day (P< 0·01) and during experiment 2 were 8·9v.8·6 kg/day (P< 0·01) for groups O and P respectively. In both experiments, group O had more positive changes in weight and body condition score (P< 0·05). It is concluded that the use of the dispenser improved milk yield, weight and condition-score changes, though milk fat concentration was decreased compared to that of parlour-fed cows.
A note on the effect of suckling stimulus on uterine involution, post-partum ovarian activity and fertility in Nili-Ravi buffaloes
Authors: Usmani R. H. , Ullah N. , Shah S. K.
Published: September 2010

Nineteen pluriparous buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed which calved during the months of October and November 1983 were studied for the effects of sucking stimulus on the uterine involution, post-partum ovarian functions and fertility. On the day of calving, buffaloes were assigned to either a limited-suckling (LS) or non-suckling (NS) group. Changes in reproductive organs were monitored by rectal palpations at weekly intervals. Buffaloes were observed for oestrus twice daily (04.00 and 18.00 h) with the help of a teaser bull, and were artificially inseminated at the first post-partum and each subsequent oestrus. LS buffaloes had a shorter period to uterine involution (20 days) than NS buffaloes (28 days). Intervals to regression of the corpora lutea of pregnancy and to resumption of post-partum follicular development did not differ in the two groups. LS buffaloes had longer intervals to first post-partum oestrus and conception (54 and 88 days respectively) than NS buffaloes (39 and 68 days respectively). However, the difference in services per conception of LS and NS buffaloes was non-significant (2-05 v. 1·62). These limited data reveal that the suckling stimulus has a negative effect on the post-partum resumption of oestrous activity, and that conception is delayed. Further studies are indicated to verify these observations in a larger sample size and during all seasons of the year.
A note on the behaviour of individually-penned sheep regarding their use for research purposes
Authors: Marsden Debbie , Wood-Gush D. G. M.
Published: September 2010

The behaviour of individually-penned lambs was observed and found to include many abnormal as well as normal behaviour patterns. Those with ad libitum pelleted concentrate or hay or greater environmental disturbance spent less time exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
The use of a synthetic prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) to control parturition in the commercial rabbit
Authors: Partridge G. G. , Lamb I. C. , Findlay M.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments were performed to examine the efficacy of a synthetic prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol (‘Planate’, ICI) to induce parturition in the rabbit. In experiment 1, does were injected intramuscularly on day 28 of pregnancy with either saline or with 4·38 μg, 8·75 μg, or 17·5 ug cloprostenol; a fifth group comprised untreated controls. Experiment 2 included only the groups treated with 4·38 μg and 17·5μg cloprostenol and untreated controls. In both experiments, cloprostenol injection significantly reduced the length of pregnancy when compared with saline-injected and untreated controls. Of the does treated with cloprostenol, 25 out of 26 kindled between 30 and 60 h after injection, whereas the variation in birth time in untreated and saline-treated groups was much greater (range 26 to 140 h). Litter birth weights tended to be lower in cloprostenol-treated does because of their precocious delivery but this did not appear to reduce pup viability. In both experiments, the proportion of pups dead at birth tended to be higher for does which did not receive cloprostenol (0·22 v. 0·10). Deaths between birth and weaning were similar on all treatments. Conception rate following mating 1 day after parturition appeared to be unaffected by cloprostenol treatment, as was milk yield during the 1st week of lactation.
Prolificacy and 50-day lamb weight of ewes in the Cambridge sheep breed
Authors: Owen J. B. , Crees Sarah R. E. , Williams Janet C. , Davies D. A. R.
Published: September 2010

The paper describes the results of the analysis of over 3000 records of Cambridge sheep kept on 11 farms over a 12-year period. The heritability of the number of lambs born per ewe increased from a low value for the 1-year-old ewes to a high value for the 3-year-old ewes; the multiple age value for 2-, 3- and 4-year-old ewes was 0·33 (s.e. 0-121). Heritability estimates for number of lambs surviving were lower, but showed the same trend of increasing values with increasing ewe age. This trend in heritability was also evident for the mean 50-day lamb weight, as a trait of the ewe, which had a multiple age value of 0·20 (s.e. 0·151). The estimates of heritability of various measures of early lamb mortality were relatively low. Date of first oestrus showed a variable heritability although the multiple age value was 0·42 (s.e. 0·149).

Prolificacy was strongly correlated with various measures of early lamb mortality although the correlation with the final number of lambs weaned was positive. Prolificacy was positively correlated with the ewe's mature weight and the ewe's date of first oestrus and the genetic correlation with mean 50-day lamb weight was slightly positive.

The effect of increases in prolificacy on numbers of lambs weaned was markedly curvilinear with maximum numbers of lambs weaned at an intermediate level of prolificacy.
Milk yield and milk composition of indigenous goats (Capra prisca) in Greece
Authors: Zygoyiannis D. , Katsaounis N.
Published: September 2010

Twenty-four indigenous goats suckling either single (male or female) or twin kids were traditionally reared during a 32-week lactation period. During the suckling period of 12 weeks, milk production was estimated at 7-day intervals. During the milking period the goats were hand-milked twice daily and their milk production was measured at 4-week intervals. Milk samples were analysed for fat, protein, lactose, ash and dry matter concentration and solids-not-fat and energy concentration were calculated. During lactation, the goats were weighed at regular intervals and their body-condition score assessed at each weighing.

Goats with twins produced more milk than did those with singles during the suckling period but not after weaning. Peak yield occurred between the 10th and 11th week of lactation. Yield declined rapidly after weaning at 12 weeks and then decreased gradually from 16 to 32 weeks. The sex of the single kids had no effect on lactation yield. Milk composition was not affected by the number or sex of the kids suckled. Fat, protein and ash concentration fell during the 1st month of lactation and thereafter showed a gradual rise. Lactose concentration fell gradually after the 2nd month. Both live weight and body condition of the goats increased continuously throughout lactation.
Performance of pigs with or without the intestinal receptor forEscherichia coliK88
Authors: Edfors-Lilja Inger , Petersson H. , Gahne B.
Published: September 2010

The adhesion of Escherichia (E.) coli K88ac to epithelial cells of the small intestine was studied after slaughter in 564 crossbred pigs (Swedish LandracexSwedish Yorkshire). E.coli K88ac adhered to epithelial cells obtained from different parts of the small intestine in 40·8% of the pigs studied. Performance data indicated that presence of the receptor resulted in poorer daily gain during the 1st weeks of life, but that it had a beneficial influence on daily lean growth during the fattening period (24 to 100 kg live weight).
Seasonal grouping in a herd-year-season model of sire evaluation
Authors: Chauhan V. P. S. , Hill W. G.
Published: September 2010

Analyses of variance were conducted using two separate random sets of data (25 158 and 24 084 records) on first-lactation, milk-production records of progeny of 69 British Friesian-Holstein proven sires in order to examine the criteria of seasonal grouping for a sire-evaluation model fitting herd-year-season as a fixed effect. Five different seasonal groupings were chosen each comprising two or three seasons with equal or unequal number of months and with different trends in production within season.

The smallest herd-year × month of calving within-season interaction, smallest residual variance, largest effective number of daughters and smallest among-months, within-season variation were considered to be the appropriate criteria of seasonal grouping. None of the groupings examined satisfied all criteria. However, a small herd-year × month within season interaction and all small within-season variation would be desirable if milk records were pre-corrected for the effect of month of calving in sire evaluation, and the effective number of daughters should be large. Given this the grouping currently used in Britain (three seasons: December to March, April to July and August to November) was considered to be appropriate, although a grouping with two seasons: February to July and August to January gave similar results. The regional differences in production were observed to be large, but the region × month-of-calving interaction was small.
Partition of food intake between maintenance and gain among bovine sex phenotypes
Authors: Gettys T. W. , Henricks D. M. , Burrows P. M. , Schanbacher B. D.
Published: September 2010

Four groups of calves (10 bulls, 10 steers, 10 heifers and 10 ovariectomized heifers) of Simmental- Hereford breeding were individually given a high-energy diet from 10 to 16 months of age. At the end of the experiment, the 9-10-11th rib section was dissected into fat, lean and bone and chemical analysis was performed on the dissected soft tissue. For each group, the relationship between food intake and change in body weight was examined by a method designed to separate intake into its simultaneous maintenance and gain components: least-squares estimates for the maintenance coefficient (βm, kg/day per kg body weight) and the gain coefficient (βg, kg food per kg gain) were obtained for each animal. Conventional measures of food conversion ratio (kg food per kg gain) were examined on both common age and common weight-gain bases. Bulls, followed by steers, accumulated the most lean and least fat while heifers and ovariectomized heifers accumulated the least lean and most fat. Maintenance coefficients (βm) were lower in males than in females but did not differ within gender. Gain coefficients (βg) did not differ among the groups, although the coefficients appeared to be similar within gender. Food conversion ratio computed over a common age interval did not differ among groups. Food conversion ratio computed over common weight intervals was lowest in bulls followed in increasing order by steers then the two female groups. It is concluded that males grow more efficiently than females while accumulating more lean and less adipose tisue and that this greater efficiency is achieved by consuming less food per unit of body weight for maintenance, leaving proportionately more of the total intake available for gain.