bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the smallest singular value of symmetric random matrices
Authors: Jain Vishesh , Sah Ashwin , Sawhney Mehtaab
Published: November 2021

We show that for an
$n\times n$
random symmetric matrix
$A_n$
, whose entries on and above the diagonal are independent copies of a sub-Gaussian random variable
$\xi$
with mean 0 and variance 1,
\begin{equation*}\mathbb{P}[s_n(A_n) \le \epsilon/\sqrt{n}] \le O_{\xi}(\epsilon^{1/8} + \exp(\!-\Omega_{\xi}(n^{1/2}))) \quad \text{for all } \epsilon \ge 0.\end{equation*}
This improves a result of Vershynin, who obtained such a bound with
$n^{1/2}$
replaced by
$n^{c}$
for a small constant c, and
$1/8$
replaced by
$(1/8) - \eta$
(with implicit constants also depending on
$\eta > 0$
). Furthermore, when
$\xi$
is a Rademacher random variable, we prove that
\begin{equation*}\mathbb{P}[s_n(A_n) \le \epsilon/\sqrt{n}] \le O(\epsilon^{1/8} + \exp(\!-\Omega((\!\log{n})^{1/4}n^{1/2}))) \quad \text{for all } \epsilon \ge 0.\end{equation*}
The special case
$\epsilon = 0$
improves a recent result of Campos, Mattos, Morris, and Morrison, which showed that
$\mathbb{P}[s_n(A_n) = 0] \le O(\exp(\!-\Omega(n^{1/2}))).$
Notably, in a departure from the previous two best bounds on the probability of singularity of symmetric matrices, which had relied on somewhat specialized and involved combinatorial techniques, our methods fall squarely within the broad geometric framework pioneered by Rudelson and Vershynin, and suggest the possibility of a principled geometric approach to the study of the singular spectrum of symmetric random matrices. The main innovations in our work are new notions of arithmetic structure – the Median Regularized Least Common Denominator (MRLCD) and the Median Threshold, which are natural refinements of the Regularized Least Common Denominator (RLCD)introduced by Vershynin, and should be more generally useful in contexts where one needs to combine anticoncentration information of different parts of a vector.
Modal Logic S5 Satisfiability in Answer Set Programming
Authors: ALVIANO MARIO , BATSAKIS SOTIRIS , BARYANNIS GEORGE
Published: November 2021

Modal logic S5 has attracted significant attention and has led to several practical applications, owing to its simplified approach to dealing with nesting modal operators. Efficient implementations for evaluating satisfiability of S5 formulas commonly rely on Skolemisation to convert them into propositional logic formulas, essentially by introducing copies of propositional atoms for each set of interpretations (possible worlds). This approach is simple, but often results into large formulas that are too difficult to process, and therefore more parsimonious constructions are required. In this work, we propose to use Answer Set Programming for implementing such constructions, and in particular for identifying the propositional atoms that are relevant in every world by means of a reachability relation. The proposed encodings are designed to take advantage of other properties such as entailment relations of subformulas rooted by modal operators. An empirical assessment of the proposed encodings shows that the reachability relation is very effective and leads to comparable performance to a state-of-the-art S5 solver based on SAT, while entailment relations are possibly too expensive to reason about and may result in overhead.
Digestibility and nitrogen balance in dairy cows given diets of grass silage and whole crop wheat
Authors: Sutton J D , Abdalla A L , Phipps R H , Cammell S B , Humphries D J
Published: November 2021

Whole crop wheat (WCW) appears to offer an attractive alternative forage to grass silage for dairy cows, particularly in those areas where maize silage cannot be grown. However in previous feeding trials the inclusion of WCW with grass silage has increased food intake but has not led to a corresponding increase in milk yield (Phipps et al,1993). As part of a programme to try to overcome the low efficiency of diets containing WCW, the present experiment was designed to examine the effects on feed intake and digestibility and milk production of the step-wise replacement of GS by urea-treated WCW.

Winter wheat (cv Hussar), harvested at 620g DM/kg fresh weight and preserved with 20 or 40 g urea/kg DM (WCW-2, WCW-4) was compared with first-cut perennial ryegrass silage (GS). Six multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in mid-lactation were offered six diets over three 4-week periods in an incomplete change-over design. Diets were 6kg DM concentrates daily with forages ad lib. Treatments (DM basis) were GS alone, 2:1 GS:WCW-2 or WCW-4, 1:2 GS: WCW-2 or WCW-4, and WCW-4 alone. Feed intake and milk production were measured in weeks 3 and 4 and digestibility in week 4.
Relative net energy values of grass silage and maize silage for dairy cows
Authors: O'Mara F.P.
Published: November 2021

The acreage of maize grown for silage in Ireland has increased in the last few years. This study is concerned with determining it's feeding value relative to grass silage. If energy content is used as the indicator of feeding value, net energy values must be used to allow valid comparisons between feedstuffs. Therefore relative net energy values were calculated for grass and maize silage. However maize silage has very good intake characteristics and this needs to be taken into account in assessing it's value. Relative intake values were calculated for the grass and maize silage's and these were combined with the net energy values to give an overall feeding value.
The effects of level of nitrogen fertiliser application to silage swards on subsequent silage composition, intake and animal performance of lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Keady T. W. J. , Murphy J. J. , Fitzgerald S.
Published: November 2021

Applications of high concentrations of fertiliser nitrogen (N) to silage swards are known to alter the chemical composition of herbage by increasing crude protein (CP), decreasing dry matter (DM) and altering water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations. Many studies have illustrated that increasing the CP concentrations of concentrates increases silage intake. However, there is little data available to illustrate the effects, if any, of silage CP concentration on forage intake and animal performance. Information is also lacking on the value of silage CP relative to concentrate CP in terms of animal performance. Therefore the present study was initiated, using different levels of formic acid to equalise fermentation, to evaluate the effects of N fertiliser on silage CP concentration, forage intake, digestibility and animal performance of lactating dairy cattle. It also provided an opportunity to compare the value of silage CP to that obtained from concentrate.
Effect of restricted suckling once daily in Bos taunts x Bos indicus dairy cattle on milk production and reproduction
Authors: Margerison J. K. , Preston T. R. , Phillips C. J. C.
Published: November 2021

Restricted suckling is one of the most common forms of livestock production in developing countries. It combines partial milk extraction and suckling, in a multi-commodity (milk and calf) production system.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the possibility of the use of once daily suckling to increase total milk production without reducing reproductive performance or the ‘ quantity’ of milk extracted at milking in crossbred cattle.

A total of 36 cows, locally known as ‘Lucerna’, were placed into two treatments. 18 cows were non-suckled and 18 cows were restricted suckled once daily for 15 minutes following milking (p.m.). All experimental cows had completed two or more lactations and at 3 days post partum were simultaneously allocated to the treatments according to: parity; condition score; previous lactation yield and calving interval. The cows remained in the experiment for 100 days.
The effects of using a bacterial inoculant with unwilted and wilted grass silages on performance and nutrient utilisation by dairy cattle
Authors: Yan T. , Patterson D. C. , Gordon F. J. , Porter M. G
Published: November 2021

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the use of bacterial inoculants as silage additives. A number of recent studies have shown improvements in silage fermentation, feed intake and milk production following the use of inoculant additives at ensiling. Even when compared with well preserved control silages, studies at this Institute have shown that treatment with an inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum at ensiling has produced positive responses in both silage intake and milk yields (Gordon, 1989; Mayne, 1990). This leads to the hypothesis that, unlike the traditional acid additives, application of an inoculant at ensiling to grass which has been wilted to a high dry matter (DM) concentration may still produce improvements in milk production in comparison with untreated silages. The objective of the present study therefore was to examine if the response to the use of a bacterial inoculant at ensiling was influenced by the wilting of grass.
The Effect of Nutrition During the Dry Period on the Onset of Ovarian Activity in the Subsequent Lactation in Dairy Cows
Authors: Ball P J H , McEwan E E A , Moorby J M , Marsden S
Published: November 2021

Dairy cow productivity depends on efficient reproductive performance. A vital element of this is the prompt resumption of ovarian activity, which is normally expected by 35 days post partum. Cows will thus have a period of progesterone priming, which is considered necessary for satisfactory conception and embryo survival. Dry period nutrition has been shown to affect milk production during the subsequent lactation and this study was instigated to examine the possibility that the onset of ovarian activity may also be affected.
The effect of giving the food allowance in one, two or three meals per day on the post-feeding behaviour of pigs
Authors: Morgan C A , Lawrence A.B.
Published: November 2021

Stereotypic behaviour in pregnant sows is related to food restriction, occurs in the post prandial period (Terlouw, Lawrence and Illius, 1991) and may be linked to continued existence of feeding motivation after a small meal of concentrate food (Lawrence and Illius 1989). Lawrence and Terlouw (1993) suggested that feeding motivation is heightened by positive feedback from the act of eating, while the negative feedback from absorbed nutrients may be insufficient to produce satiation. The resulting foraging behaviour is then channelled towards simple and repeated behavioural acts. In an attempt to manipulate positive feedback signals growing pigs were given a restricted food allowance in one, two or three meals per day and their behaviour was observed during the post-prandial period.
Manipulating dietary crude protein to reduce nitrogen excreted by pigs
Authors: Lee P.A. , Kay R.M. , Fullarton P.J. , Cullin A.W.R. , Jagger S.
Published: November 2021

In the UK, pollution of the water system with nitrate nitrogen leaching from the soil is seen as a major problem and farm animal effluents have been identified as a major source of nitrate pollution. It would, therefore, be beneficial to the livestock producer and to the environment if the nitrogen excretion from animals could be kept to a minimum. To limit the excretion of nitrogen by the pig, it is necessary to supply amino acids in the diet in better agreement with its dietary requirements. This could be achieved either by feeding diets according to the pig's requirements based on age and/or weight (phase feeding) or by improving protein quality. The best protein quality would be that which has the same balance of essential amino acids (EAA) with respect to lysine as that in ideal protein. Diets formulated on the basis of total dietary EAA on an ideal protein basis, using crystalline EAA, could enable lower crude protein (CP) diets to be offered whilst maintaining nitrogen retention (NR). The majority of the experimental evidence to support the theory of low crude protein (CP) diets comes from either the use of cereals alone with crystalline amino acid supplementation or diets high in maize by-products and low in lysine : digestible energy (Lys : DE) which contrast with the type of diets commonly used in the UK. A series of experiments have therefore been carried out to investigate more thoroughly the possibility of using dietary manipulation, based on diet specifications and ingredients more appropriate to the UK, to reduce nitrogen excretion by the pig, whilst at the same time maintaining the high level of lean gain achieved by UK stock. The object of the present experiment was to determine the effect of isocaloric diets which differed in CP content but had similar levels of essential amino acids (EAA), on nitrogen excretion (NE) and retention (NR) by growing and finishing pigs; these diets being formulated on an ileal digestible EAA (IEAA) basis.
The effects of transport on slaughter weight lambs
Authors: Knowles T.G.
Published: November 2021

It is necessary to quantify the effects of road transport on farmed livestock in order to provide a sound basis for legislation required to protect the animals. At present there is much interest in the transport of slaughter lambs as these animals tend to be transported for further, longer and in greater numbers than other, similar farmed species within the UK (Warriss et al 1990) and also because of the large numbers which are now exported. In 1993 approximately 2 million live lambs were exported from the UK, 8 per cent of UK production.

There is general agreement that transport is a stressful procedure. There are a variety of parameters which can be measured to give an indication of how well the animals are coping with the process. One measure which most would agree is indicative of failure to cope is mortality. When there is an increase in mortality it is not just those which have died which are likely to have suffered, those that survive have probably had more difficulty coping. In a survey of lambs arriving for slaughter in the south of England the overall mortality rate of lambs dead on arrival or dying in the lairage before slaughter was very low, at 0.018 per cent, when compared with figures for pigs (0.07 per cent) or broilers (0.19 per cent) (Knowles et al 1994a). This, despite a generally more protracted marketing process. However, the type of marketing process was important, as those animals which were brought direct from the farm for slaughter suffered a mortality rate of 0.007 per cent whilst those which were bought from a live auction market suffered a rate of 0.03 per cent.
Variance component estimates and genetic trends in a broiler breeder dam line using animal model methods
Authors: Morri A.J. , Pollott G.E.
Published: November 2021

Recent developments in computing technology have seen the widespread implementation of animal models for parameter estimation and breeding value prediction in both experimental and commercial breeding programs. These techniques have several benefits over traditional least squares and index methods, including the ability to monitor genetic trends in die absence of an unselected control population. This paper reports heritabilities and genetic trends estimated from a large poultry data set for three broiler traits.
The effect of energy or protein supplementation on embryo survival rate in ewes
Authors: Diskin M.G. , Hanrahan J.P.
Published: November 2021

Embryo survival rate is a major factor determining litter size and overall reproductive efficiency in sheep. In sheep, as ovulation rate increases the proportion of embryos surviving decreases. There is evidence, from cattle, that feeding a rumen-undegradable protein supplement enhances embryo survival rate. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect on embryo survival rate in high prolific ewes of feeding an energy or protein supplement.
Relationships between concentrations of steroids, igf-1 and igf binding proteins during follicular development in the ewe
Authors: Khalid M. , Haresign W.
Published: November 2021

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is one of the potential autocrine/paracrine regulators of ovarian function. Not only do relationships exist between follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-1 and various biochemical markers of follicular differentiation, but IGF-1 has also been shown to stimulate both proliferation and steroidogenesis in ovarian cells in vitro (Adashi et al., 1985). The actions of IGF-1 are thought to be modulated by IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Indeed, follicular growth and atresia in the ewe have been reported to be determined more by changes in IGFBPs than by changes in IGF-1 (Monget et al., 1993). However, in mat particular study, stage of follicular development was determined by follicle size and by microscopic examination of the granulosa cells of individual follicles rather than by biochemical markers of follicle status. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to investigate changes in IGF-1 and IGFBPs levels in follicular fluid and to relate these to the physiological status as determined by steroidogenic content of follicular fluid.
Heart rate responses and plasma cortisol and β-endorphin concentrations in ewes subjected to laparoscopy and its associated handling procedures
Authors: Haresign W , Williams R J , Khalid M , Rodway R
Published: November 2021

The laparoscopic technique used for intra-uterine insemination of sheep within sire-referencing schemes involves a small degree of surgical intervention. Although current codes of practice require the use of sedation and local anaesthesia, the concept of laparoscopic procedures still raises welfare questions in the minds of some. In spite of its sensitivity, little work has yet been undertaken to objectively measure the stress responses of sheep to laparoscopic procedures, and the present studies were therefore designed to rectify this deficiency.
Digestion by sheep of diets containing different ratios of grass silage to partially-fried potato chips
Authors: Mathers A. I. , Rooke J. A , Crawshaw R.
Published: November 2021

In preparing potato chips for the fast food industry a proportion of the material produced is rejected. Although the composition of these partially-fried chips would suggest that the chips should be fed to non-ruminant livestock, the bulky wet nature of the material precludes this option for many. Therefore a substantial proportion of the chips produced are fed to ruminants especially to growing cattle. Little is known about the rumen digestion of such materials. The aim of the experiment was therefore to evaluate potato chips as a ruminant feed.
The effect of management history on oestrus cyclicity in mule ewes
Authors: King Margaret E , Mitchell Linda M , Aitken R P , Wallace Jacqueline M
Published: November 2021

Extensive research has been focused on advancing the breeding season of the ewe but little is known about the duration of the natural breeding season and if this is influenced by previous breeding management. Lambing percentage declines after the winter solstice but it would appear conception rate is maintained or improved (King, 1990). Oestrus cycles also appear to become naturally synchronised at this time giving a compact lambing without the use of teaser rams or exogenous substances. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of management history on the onset and duration of ovarian activity in the commercially important Mule (Bluefaced Leicester x Blackface/Swaledale) ewe and on ovulation rate measured on three occasions during the natural breeding season.
Plane of nutrition and the timing of the moult in cashmere goats
Authors: Merchant M. , Riach D.J.
Published: November 2021

Cashmere growth is seasonal with the majority of fibres entering a resting phase (telogen) in the winter prior to shedding in the spring. Daylength appears to be the main cue for shedding, operating primarily through prolactin (Lincoln, 1990 ; Dicks et al., 1994), but there is evidence that nutrition may influence the timing of the moult in a range of species (Ling, 1970). Yeates (1958) demonstrated a nutritional effect on the moulting of the coat in beef cattle with high levels of nutrition advancing the moult and regrowth of the replacement coat and while it has been suggested that nutrition may affect the moult in goats (McDonald et al., 1987; Ryder, 1966), there is as yet no published evidence. Shearing prior to moulting is one of the methods of harvesting cashmere and may itself have a profound influence on the moulting of the stubble and subsequent regrowth. Wool growth may be reduced locally in response to cooling of the skin, but shearing may also increase wool production when associated with increases in voluntary food intake (Bottomley,1979). An experiment was therefore conducted to examine the effects of nutrition and shearing on the timing of the moult in cashmere goats. This paper reports some preliminary results.
An investigation of the role of thyroid hormones in the control of secondary fibre growth and moult in cashmere goats
Authors: Rhind S.M. , McMillen S.R.
Published: November 2021

The growth of a fine undercoat (cashmere) in goats is a seasonal phenomenon; growth generally begins during the autumn, continues into the winter and is followed by a moult in the spring. The endocrine mechanisms involved in the control of these processes are unclear but the thyroid hormones have been implicated in the control of fibre growth (Ferguson, Schenckel, Carter and Clarke, 1956; Lincoln, Klandorf and Anderson, 1980) and in the normal seasonal cycle of reproductive activity in sheep (Follett and Potts, 1990). However, it is not known whether or not the thyroid hormones have a role in the mediation of photoperiodic effects on secondary hair follicle activity in goats.

Most of the metabolic activity of the thyroid hormones is thought to be attributable to triiodothyronine (T3) which is primarily derived from thyroxine (T4) by a process of monodeiodination. This process can be inhibited by treatment with methylthiouracil.

The aim of this study was to suppress the synthesis of T3 and so to determine whether or not it has a direct role in the control of seasonal variation of secondary hair follicle activity and cashmere growth and moulting.
Repeatability of in vitro digestibility assays of forages when using fresh, frozen or freeze-dried cow faeces instead of sheep rumen liquor as sources of micro-organisms
Authors: Akhter S , Owen E , Theodorou M K , Tembo S L , Deaville E R
Published: November 2021

Previous studies (El Shaer, Omed and Axford, 1987; Akhter, Owen, Fall, O'Donovan and Theodorou, 1994) with the two-stage in vitro procedure of Tilley and Terry (1963) have shown a high correlation between digestibilities of forages as determined using either sheep rumen liquor, sheep faeces or cow faeces as the microbial inoculum. In the first study of the of the present investigation one objective was to examine the repeatability of these digestibility measurements when made on different occasions. A second objective was to assess whether the correlations between faecal and rumen fluid based inocula could be improved if microorganisms were obtained from pairs rather than individual animals. The objective in the second study using forages of known in vivo digestibility, was to investigate the effect of freezing or freeze-drying of faeces on the repeatability of digestibilities of forages determined in vitro using micro-organisms from cow faeces.
Relationships between in vitro gas production characteristics and composition of tree leaf fodders from bolivia, west africa and colombia
Authors: Wood C D , Grillet C , Rosales M , Green S
Published: November 2021

Tree leaves are important fodders in many less developed countries, particularly in dry seasons when alternative feeds can be scarce. Although many leaves appear to be good quality fodders due to their generally high crude protein content, many contain anti-nutritive factors which reduce their nutritive value. Tannins are the most widespread of the anti-nutritive factors and are to be found in many tree species. An in vitro gas production method has been developed by Theodorou et al (1994) and applied to the ranking of tree leaf fodders (Wood et al, 1993). This paper combines data obtained from three separate pieces of work investigating the nutritive value of tree leaf fodders in Bolivia, West Africa and Colombia. It seeks to investigate relationships between in vitro gas production at various times of incubation and proximate composition, fibre and tannin content in order to identify which components are of particular importance in determining gas production characteristics and whether these relationships are consistent over a wide range of species from different sources.
Comparison of the performance of two multiparous continental genotypes in a hill suckler herd
Authors: Christensen K.A. , Rowlinson P , Seal C.J. , Keatinge R.
Published: November 2021

There is little published data on the detailed performance of continental genotypes as suckler cows in a hill environment. The work presented investigates further, aspects of reproductive performance and metabolic profiles published previously (Christensen et al 1994) and (Keatinge et al 1994), for an autumn calving herd, during the post-partum period.

The herd consisted of 41 Piemontese X Holstein/Friesian (PXH/F) and 43 Simmental X Holstein/Friesian (SXH/F) cows which were grazed on upland pasture from May-September, with calving (second, @ approx. 3.5 years) from late September through October. The herd was housed in early November in a cubicle shed with barrier access to clamped grass silage, the calves had access to adjoining creep areas.
An in vitro method using bovine granulosa cells for assaying the neutralising capacity of antibodies to pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin
Authors: Kuran M. , Hutchinson J.S.M. , Broadbent P.J.
Published: November 2021

Superovulatory stimulation of cattle with PMSG causes a second wave of ovarian follicular development (Saeed et al., 1989) accompanied by high concentration of oestradiol in peripheral blood (Alfuraiji et al., 1990) due to its long half life. This effect of PMSG is thought to create an unfavourable steroid environment for early embryonic development. Antibodies to PMSG (APMSG) can be used to remove PMSG from the peripheral blood of PMSG-stimulated cattle after the initial multiple follicular development and rise of oestradiol, and hence, to increases the number of transferable embryos. It has been shown that APMSG neutralises the effect of PMSG and increase the number of transferable embryos when administered relative to the preovulatory LH surge in PMSG-stimulated cattle (Alfuraiji et al., 1993). The beneficial effect of APMSG can not be realised in practice, however, because detection of the preovulatory LH surge is difficult. Therefore, using APMSG in a PMSG superovulation procedure requires further investigation to understand the mode of action of APMSG. The latter could be studied in vitro in a much more controllable way than in vivo. Furthermore, an in vitro method would allow us to test the neutralising capacity of different antibody preparations to PMSG.
Pregnancy diagnosis using bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in purebred beef heifers mated at a first or second synchronised oestrus
Authors: Sinclair K.D. , Broadbent P.J. , Gebbie F.E. , Dolman D.F. , Beckers J-F.
Published: November 2021

The isolation of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (bPAG) from foetal cotyledons (Zoli, Beckers, Closset, Wouters-Ballman, Falmagne and Ectors, 1991) and the subsequent development of a radioimmunoassay for the detection of bPAG in the peripheral circulation of cows (Zoli, Guilbault, Delahaut, Ortiz and Beckers, 1992) could provide a simple and rapid means of accurately diagnosing pregnancy early in gestation. This study reports on the efficacy of using plasma bPAG concentrations as a means of pregnancy diagnosis in purebred beef heifers mated at a first or second synchronised oestrus compared to failure to return to oestrus and transrectal ultrasonography.
The effects of physical treatment of barley and rapeseed meal in dairy cows given grass silage
Authors: Huhtanen P. , Heikkila T.
Published: November 2021

It is well established that increasing the protein concentration of supplements increases milk yield in cows given grass silage-based diets. The responses are attributed to improved diet digestibility, increased silage dry matter (DM) intake and supply of amino acids from the small intestine. However, physical and chemical treatments of protein supplements used to decrease ruminal protein degradability have produced variable responses in animal production. Another alternative to increase amino acid supply is the processing of the grain supplements, which could affect both the energy availability and protein degradability in the rumen. Kassem et al. (1987) showed some improvements in milk production when barley was treated with a formaldehyde reagent. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of physical treatments to reduce ruminal protein degradability of barley and rapeseed meal (RSM) on milk production in cows fed grass silage ad libitum.
Alternative nutritional strategies to increase milk yield in dairy cows: a modelling approach
Authors: Newbold J.R.
Published: November 2021

When the ratio between Metabolisable Protein (MP) and Metabolisable Energy (ME) is optimal for a given level
of milk output (not constrained by genotype, management or other nutritional factors), further increases in milk output can be obtained by two strategies:

Strategy 1. Increased supply of ME and MP (maintaining optimal MP:ME), or

Strategy 2. Oversupply of MP (ie MP:ME > optimum)

Possible mechanisms underlying Strategy 2 include use of amino acids for gluconeogenesis or oxidation
(Oldham, 1994), mobilisation of body energy reserves or, where forage is available ad libitum, increased forage intake (Newbold, 1994). For the purpose of this study, supply of MP above the theoretical optimum was assumed to increase milk protein yield only via the mechanism of increased forage intake.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic (cost of ration) and environmental (overall efficiency of N use) consequences of increasing milk yield by these two strategies.
An evaluation of a protected trace mineral supplement (carbosan copper) for beef cattle
Authors: Kirby P.S. , Chapple D.G.
Published: November 2021

Incidence maps show bovine hypocupraemia to be a widespread problem in the cattle-populated regions of the United Kingdom. Absolute copper defciency, molybdenum-, sulphur- and iron-induced hypocupraemia have been demonstrated on commercial farms and there are specific areas with a high incidence of hypocupraemia, particularly in parts of Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Somerset, County Down and Londonderry.

Molybdenum- and sulphur-induced copper deficiency is probably mediated through thiomolybdates formed in the rumen, which then react with copper and particulate matter to form highly stable compounds that cannot be digested and absorbed. The consequential loss in physical and financial performance can be high. Hence, a protected source of copper, which by-passes the rumen, could offer an effective method of improving performance.

The purpose of this experiment was to compare the efficacy of copper sulphate sequestered to a polysaccharide coating (Carbosan Copper, Quali Tech Inc Chaska, Minnesota, USA) with conventional copper sulphate using finishing beef cattle on a grass silage-based diet.
Voluntary intake, digestibility and rate of passage of a hay and a silage fed to horses and to cattle
Authors: McLean B. , Afzalzadeh A. , Bates L. , Mayes R.W. , Hovell F.D.DeB.
Published: November 2021

It is well established that the intake and digestibility of roughages by ruminants is positively correlated with rate of passage (ARC, 1980), presumably to enable as complete a microbial degradation of the poorer roughages as possible. On the other hand hind gut fermenters such as horses have been thought to have adopted the alternative strategy of using a high rate of passage to ‘cream’ off the rapidly degradable material of poor quality roughages so as to maintain adequate nutrient intakes. Surprisingly, there are remarkably few actual comparisons between ruminants and hindgut fermenters in the literature. Traditionally dried roughages (hay) and cereal and ‘by-product concentrates’ have been used as horse feeds (grains, brans sugar beet pulp). Recently there has been more interest in the use of silages with horses (eg Smoulders and Hobiers, 1988). However the information as to the utilisation of silages by horses is limited.
Effect of wilting silage on intake and growth of weaned suckler bulls
Authors: Pullar D , Givens D I
Published: November 2021

It is widely accepted that the fermentation characteristics of grass silages will affect the voluntary intake of animals offered silage. Relationships between voluntary silage intake and various parameters measurable in silage have beei demonstrated and they provide, with varying degrees of accuracy, methods of predicting voluntary silage intake. The objective of this study was to compare the voluntary intake and animal performance supported by two grass silages with similar ME contents but differing FME: ME ratios.
The effect of protected methionine and lysine on milk production and composition on grass-silage based diets
Authors: Younge B.A. , Murphy J.J. , Rath M. , Sloan B.K.
Published: November 2021

Methionine and lysine have been shown to be the two amino acids most limiting for milk protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows. Many studies have shown positive effects of adding protected forms of methionine to cows on maize silage-based diets supplemented with soyabean meal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on milk production and composition of adding protected methionine and lysine to cows fed a grass silage diet.

24 Autumn-calved cows (2nd lactation or greater) were blocked into groups of 4 based on calving date and milk yield in the immediate pre-experimental week. Cows within each group were subjected to each of the following 4 treatments in a latin square design: (1) 7 kg of by-product concentrate per day (C), (2) C plus 4.8 g digestible methionine per day (3) C plus 4.8 g digestible methionine and 6.2 g digestible lysine per day (4) 7 kg of barley-soya concentrate + 7.7 g digestible methionine per day. Each period lasted 4 weeks and data from weeks 3 and 4 were used to compare treatment effects. The amino acids were supplied in a rumen protected form (SmartamineTM, RPAN Technology) and all figures relate to estimated intestinally digestible amino acids based on the French system of calculating digestible lysine and methionine. The cows received primary growth unwilted grass silage ad libitum (Oven Dry Matter 189 g/kg, in-vitro DMD 714 g/kg DM, Crude protein 160 g/kg DM, pH 3.9).
Feeding increased ratios of ileal digestible methionine to lysine on the performance of lean genotype pigs between 25 and 50 kg liveweight given low protein diets
Authors: Braund J. P. , Simmins P. H. , Weigel J. , Maillard R.
Published: November 2021

Reducing the protein content of commercial diets in Europe would reduce environmental nitrogen pollution. It has been demonstrated that this could be achieved by employing crystalline amino acid supplementation (e.g. Chavel and Granier, 1994; Fuller et al, 1979a, b). Accurate information on the true ileal digestible amino acid requirements of the modern lean genotype pig is necessary in order to ensure optimal production at low protein intakes. The objective of this study was to identify the optimum ileal digestible methionine:lysine (met:lys) ratio to achieve maximal growth and food conversion efficiency of the lean genotype pig given low protein diets.
Partitioning of dietary protein in the meishan synthetic and european white breeds of pig during lactation
Authors: Sinclair A G , Edwards S A , Hoste S , McCartney A , Fowler V R
Published: November 2021

Litter size of commercial European sow lines, can be increased by the introduction of genes from the highly prolific, but obese Meishan. At present there is little information on the feed requirements of the “Meishan” during lactation. It is likely that these requirements are different to those of commercial lean white sows, due to differences in fat reserves. In European lean genotypes “thin” sows at parturition have lost significantly less backfat during lactation than sows which are fat at parturition (Yang et al, 1989). There may also be different relationships between nutrition, body composition change and performance in different breeds. It was predicted that the M might need a higher protein to energy ratio, to complement catabolism of their higher levels of body fat reserves.
Nutrition-reproduction interactions in large white X landrace and chinese meishan gilts
Authors: Pickard A.R. , Ashworth C.J.
Published: November 2021

The mechanisms by which the prolific Chinese Meishan pig achieves its reproductive advantage of greater Utter size at birth, when compared with control breeds, have not yet been identified. Breed differences in feed intake and/or metabolism might contribute to the enhanced embryo survival observed in the Meishan, however, little is known about the feed or energy requirements of this breed. This study was designed to monitor feed intake and metabolism in Meishan and control (Large White x Landrace) gilts, and to relate these to their reproductive characteristics.
Ad libitum feeding of group housed Meishan synthetic sows during pregnancy
Authors: Berry R J , Edwards S A , McCartney A
Published: November 2021

The future abolition of stall and tether systems has meant that, increasingly, producers are opting for group housing systems. Generally sows are fed a restricted concentrate ration during pregnancy at levels which do not induce satiety, leading to increased feeding motivation and competition between penmates for food. Feed competition can lead to compromised production in less dominant individuals. A possible solution would be to feed ad libituma lower energy diet which would restrict voluntary food intake (VFI) so that large undesirable weight gains would not be encountered. Brouns.(1993) found that diets containing 60% unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) were capable of restricting intake to match energy requirements. Recently there has been heightened interest in the use of prolific strains of Chinese pigs such as the Meishan to develop commercial crossbreeds. Chinese breeds are reported to be capable of utilising dietary fibre to a greater extent than European breeds which would make the Meishan a more suitable option for an ad libhigh fibre feed system.
Relationships between foetal fluid insulin-like growth factor-one levels and foetal growth following reciprocal embryo transfer between meishan and landrace x large white gilts
Authors: Ashworth C. J. , Atkinson T.
Published: November 2021

There is increasing evidence that foetal growth rate and birthweight have a major influence on subsequent offspring viability. Using reciprocal transfer of day 4 or 5 embryos between Meishan (MS) and Landrace x Large White (LxLW) gilts we have previously demonstrated that, regardless of the breed of the donor gilt, foetuses carried by MS mothers were significantly lighter, shorter and contained within smaller allantoic sacs on Day 30 after oestrus than foetuses carried by LxLW mothers (Ashworth et al., 1990). These results suggested that Meishan mothers may be able to limit foetal growth, although the mechanisms involved were unknown. In the present study, amniotic and allantoic fluids collected from these embryo transfer recipients were analysed to determine levels of insulin-like growth factor-one (IGF-1), which has been shown to be an endocrine regulator of foetal growth (Harding et al., 1994).
A comparison of performance and behaviour of Meishan crossbred sows and piglets in crate and multisuckling systems
Authors: Wattanakul W. , Stewart A H , Edwards S A , English P R , Marr A
Published: November 2021

The farrowing crate has been designed to prevent crushing of newborn piglets but restricts sow movement throughout lactation with the result of sow problems such as stereotypies and leg weakness. To improve the sows' and piglets' welfare and meet the requirements of commercial production, the combination of individual farrowing crates, to control the piglet mortality in the first stage, with group housed multisuckling systems to restore the social environment of the sow have been investigated (Petchy, Dodsworth and English, 1978; Bryant, Rowlinson and Steen, 1983; Andersson and Andreasson, 1992; Sinclair, 1993). The change of environment can, however, lead to problems of the sows fighting on the day of mixing and possible increase in piglet mortality by crushing (Andersson and Andreasson, 1992, Sinclair, 1993). The use of a multisuckling system with Meishan crossbreds may utilise the benefits of docile temperament, enhance pig welfare and meet the economic requirements of commercial production.
Arterial blood supply to the head of red deer
Authors: Callaghan G.E. , Anil M.H. , McKinstry J.L. , Fisher A.V.
Published: November 2021

Continuation of arterial blood supply to the head following slaughter of certain ruminant meat animal species can lead to delays in loss of sensibility and present welfare problems. This sometimes occurs in cattle due to an anastomosis linking the vertebral arteries to the carotid rete. The arterial supply to the head of the ox was found to differ from that of the sheep. In the ox the vertebral arteries can supply blood to the carotid rete via the basi-occipital plexus (Baldwin and Bell, 1963). This additional anastomosis means that there is still a potential blood supply to the head after the carotids have been severed by neck sticking Anil et al, 1995). Blood clots on the severed carotid arteries following neck sticking can occur in up to 40% of cases to varying degrees and sometimes lead to occlusions for a number of reasons. This phenomenon of carotid occlusion means the occipital-vertebral anastomosis and the vertebral-carotid rete anastomosis take on more importance when neck sticking is used. This is especially true for religious slaughter and neck sticking where electrical stunning is used. It is not clear whether such an anastomosis exists in the head of red deer. The traditional and still legal method of slaughter of farmed deer is by head shot in the field, however, there has been an increase in the number of deer being culled in abattoirs. In addition, there have been recent suggestions that religious slaughter without stunning may be initiated in the U.K. abattoirs. This possibility and and the increased number of abattoirs slaughtering deer have prompted this study to look at the arterial blood supply in the head of the deer. This increase combined with the problems of arterial supply found in cattle has prompted this study.
Response of weaned pigs to choice feeding of a complete diet
Authors: Lawlor P.G. , Lynch P.B. , Caffrey P.J. , Henry W.D. , Harrington D.
Published: November 2021

Choice feeding of complete feeds offers the potential for a more gradual transition to feeds of lower specification as the pig grows. This may result in more efficient production as the pig consumes a blend of nutrients which provides the optimum match to its nutrient requirement for growth. The objective of this study was to compare performance of weaned pigs fed a sequence of commercial feeds with pigs allowed consume these diets free choice.

Two experiments were carried out using pigs weaned at 22-26 days of age, penned in groups of 16 and fed the test diets for a 26 day period from weaning. The test diets were commercial starter, link and weaner feeds, marketed as suitable for pigs of 3-8kg, 8-15kg and 15-30kg respectively. Each group had two self feeders, 0.75m long with one diet in each. After the 26 day trial period all pigs received a common grower diet (barley, wheat, soyabean meal, fishmeal, DE: 14.4 MJ/kg, lysine: 1.19%) to about 36kg liveweight
The rationale for extended lactations in dairy cows
Authors: Knight C H
Published: November 2021

State of the art milk production encourages an intensive system of maximising peak milk yield and minimising calving interval, epitomized by the 40 kg peak daily production and 10,000 kg 305 d lactation yield of a well bred, well fed Holstein. Given good management, milk yield typically declines at approximately 2% per week. It requires only a simple calculation to show, therefore, that this same cow would still be yielding around 20 kg of milk daily at 2 months before calving. The dilemma for the farmer is whether to dry her off or not, and if he is sensible he will probably do so. However, if he is really clever he will then change his rebreeding policy!
The responses of high and medium merit dairy cows to diets differing in grass silage: concentrate ratios, during early lactation
Authors: Ferris C.P. , Gordon F.J. , Patterson D.C. , Mayne C.S.
Published: November 2021

The genetic merit of the UK dairy herd is increasing rapidly and this trend is likely to continue for the forseeable future. With cows of higher milk yield potential and higher nutrient requirements, feeding systems developed in the past with medium genetic merit animals, may now need to be adapted to meet the needs of high genetic merit animals if nutrition x genotype interactions exist. This would be particularly true to increasing proportion of concentrates in grass silage based diets. This study was undertaken to compare the milk yield responses of high and medium merit dairy cows.
Effects of feeding lactose with protected fat and protein on milk production of cows in mid lactation
Authors: Garnsworthy P.C.
Published: November 2021

Protected fats are very useful for increasing the energy concentration of diets fed to high-yielding dairy cows without adverse effects on rumen fermentation. However, in previous studies, it has been found that although high-fat diets usually increase yields of milk and milk constituents, they can lead to a depression in milk protein content. This can be partially overcome by increasing the supply of fermentable carbohydrates, using lactose, thereby increasing microbial protein yield (Garnsworthy, 1996), or by increasing undegradable protein supply (Garnsworthy, unpublished). The objective of this experiment was to study the response of cows in mid lactation to a product containing protected fat and protein (MegaPro, Volac International) fed with or without lactose.
Preferential choice of diets differing in protein content by pigs divergently selected for lean growth rate
Authors: Cameron N.D.
Published: November 2021

Performance testing several genotypes on one diet may impose nutritional constraints on the genetic merit for growth of particular genotypes. Use of the diet choice procedure may remove nutritional constraints on growth, if pigs can “choose” the appropriate combination of the diets to attain the growth determined by the animal's genotype. In a genetic improvement framework, the diet choice procedure could be used to identify animals of high genetic merit for a given selection objective.

There were 120 Large White pigs from the high, low and control lines, which had been selected for lean growth rate for seven generations in the Edinburgh lean growth selection experiment. In each selection line, there were 10 full-sib groups of four pigs. Pigs were performance tested from 30 to 85 kg, with individual penning and ad-libitum feeding. Within each full-sib group, one pig was allocated to each of the high (HP : 220 g crude protein (CP)/kg) or low (LP : 120 g CP/kg) protein diets.