bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of procedures for estimating microbial contamination of feed residues in the in situ bag procedure of measuring protein degradation in the rumen of sheep
Authors: Avornyo F.K. , Miller E.L.
Published: June 2019

Feed residue following in situ incubation can be contaminated with rumen microbes, thereby underestimating feed protein degradation in the rumen. Three methods, namely labelling with 35S, measuring cytosine (C) as an internal microbial marker and dissolving the contaminating microbes in neutral detergent (ND) solution, were compared with the aim of choosing the method that best estimated microbial contamination.

The in situ protein degradations of grass hay and molassed sugarbeet pulp (mSBP) were studied. Incubation times were 0, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h, with each incubation time replicated six times (3 sheep x 2 days). Each sheep received 1 kg of 60:40 hay:concentrate per day offered at two hourly intervals. Liquid- (LAM) and solid-associated microbes (SAM) were obtained according to the methods by Mathers & Aitchison (1981) and Whitehouse et al. (1994), respectively. Sulphur35 labelling was as described by Mathers & Aitchison (1981).
Effect of feeding level and substitution of barley grain by citrus pulp in ammonia-treated straw diets on digestibility and microbial synthesis efficiency in sheep
Authors: Barrios-Urdaneta A. , Castrillo C. , Fondevila M. , Vicente F.
Published: June 2019

Because of its high pectin content, citrus pulp provides with readily fermentable energy for rumen microbial synthesis and promotes a more favourable environment for fibre digestion than starch supplements (Barrios et al., 1996). However, we are unaware of data comparing efficiency of microbial synthesis with cereals or citrus pulp. This work compares digestibility and efficiency of microbial synthesis of mixed straw diets with increasing substitution of barley by citrus pulp, at two feeding levels.

Diets included equal parts of ammoniated barley straw (10.5 g N/kg DM) and a concentrate made up by different ratios of barley (18.2 g N/kg DM) and citrus pulp (11.1 g N/kg DM), namely M1 (100:0), M2 (66:33), M3 (33:66) and M4 (0:100).
An examination of the effect of concentrate energy source on rumen fermentation characteristics of dairy cattle offered grass silages of differing intake characteristics
Authors: Keady T.W.J. , Mayne C.S. , Fitzpatrick D A
Published: June 2019

Recent dairy cow production studies (Keady et al, 1998a, b) have indicated that energy source (starch v fibre) in the concentrate did not alter silage intake or milk yield of lactating dairy cattle offered a range of grass silages. However in both studies increasing the level of starch in the concentrate increased milk protein concentration and tended to decrease milk fat concentration. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on rumen fermentation characteristics of dairy cattle offered three grass silages.

Three silages were produced from predominantly perennial ryegrass swards after 39 day regrowth intervals. Silages A and C were ensiled from primary regrowths treated with an inoculant while silage B was ensiled from a secondary regrowth untreated. Silage A was wilted for 24 hours prior to ensiling while silages B and C were ensiled direct. Two concentrates, 0s and 100s were formulated to contain different starch concentrations but similar concentrations of crude protein, metabolisable energy, digestible undegradable protein and effective rumen degradable protein.
Influence of Genetic Merit on 305-day Milk Production of Dairy Cattle on Commercial Farms at Three Levels of Feeding
Authors: Wicks H.C.F. , Leaver J.D.
Published: June 2019

The objective was to estimate the influence of genetic merit on milk production at different levels of concentrate feeding. The presence of an interaction between genetic merit and level of feeding would mean that cows with a high potential for milk production are unable to express their potential under all conditions. Oldham and Simm, (1998) showed there was a significant interaction between level of concentrate feeding and PTAf+p under experimental conditions, and that the milk yield response to genetic merit increased with increased concentrate feeding. The current work estimated the value of genetic merit (PIN95 and PTAf+p) on 305-day milk production traits of dairy cattle on commercial farms, where farms were categorised by the level of concentrate (Cg) fed.
The effect of sugar-beet pulp on the nutritive value of high-temperature dried alfalfa for ponies
Authors: Murray J. M. D. , Moore-Colyer M. J. S , Longland A. C. , Dunnett C.
Published: June 2019

Feeding horses high levels of cereal starch can result in diet-related azoturia, laminitis and colic, whereas high fibre, forage-based diets do not generally elicit these conditions. Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop fibrous feeds with increased digestibilities, permitting horses with high energy demands to be sustained on greater forage: cereal starch ratios. High temperature dried (HT) alfalfa has been fed to horses for a number of years and it is common practise to combine this with sugar beet pulp (SB) another nutritious fibrous feed for horses. Synergistic effects of SB when added to fibre-based diets have been observed in other species in vivo (Longland et al., 1994) whereby the digestibility of graminaceous feeds has been increased. However, such effects have been little examined in horses fed a leguminous-forage diet. The aim of this study therefore, was to determine if SB enhanced the digestibility of alfalfa, a forage legume that is increasingly being fed to equines in the UK.
Appetency and preference in horses offered lucerne or chalk as a source of calcium
Authors: de Behr V. , Daron D. , Cabaraux J.F. , Dufrasne I. , Istasse L.
Published: June 2019

Lucerne and chalk are sources of calcium used to supplement horses diets. The voluntary ingestion of lucerne varies with its form (Cuddeford, 1994). The objectives of this study were to compare the appetency for different sources of calcium, measured by kinetic of ingestion and selection behaviour (sorting, refusal) and to evaluate the effect of those different sources of calcium supplements on the preference of diets offered as a simultaneous choice. The sources of calcium studied were chalk and dehydrated lucerne presented in three forms: 6 mm diameter pellets, 18 mm diameter pellets and ground.
Recombinant leptin mutants and leptin binding proteins aimed to block leptin action in vivo
Authors: Gertler A. , Sandowski Y. , Raver N.
Published: June 2019

Obese protein (OB) also known as leptin serves as a protein signal secreted from adipose tissue and acts on a central nervous system that regulate ingestive behavior and energy balance (Campfield, 2000). The sequence of various leptins from 10 mammalian species was compiled and the 3D structure of human leptin mutant W100E was elucidated (Zhang et al., 1997). We have prepared recombinant leptins of sheep, chicken, cow and pig. Mammalian and chicken leptins are respectively 146 and 145 amino acid containing proteins found in circulation. Leptin in blood is found in both free and bound form; the main binding protein is the extracellular domain (ECD) of leptin receptor (Liu et al., 1997). One of the established functions of leptin, is its attenuating effect on the expression of NPY and other neuropeptides in hypothalamus that subsequently leads to decreased food intake (Campfield, 2000). Therefore it seems logical that blocking leptin receptors that are responsible for transferring it through the blood-brain barrier or for its action in hypothalamus will lead to increase in food intake. Leptin receptor belongs to cytokine receptor superfamily. Its ECD consists of ∷ 800 amino acids but it was suggested that only the cytokine homology subdomain II (CHD) consisting of ∷ 200 amino acids is responsible for binding (Fong et al., 1997). The objective of the present work is to prepare recombinant proteins aimed to block leptin action. We suggest two approaches (a) preparation of leptin antagonists capable of binding but not homodimerizing leptin receptors and (b) subcloning and preparing CHD II of leptin receptor responsible for binding of the hormone.
Comparison of deterministic and stochastic methods of calculating identity-by-descent matrices using multiple markers
Authors: Sørensen A.C. , Pong-Wong R. , Windig J.J. , Woolliams J.A.
Published: June 2019

Identity-by-descent (IBD) matrices are used for a number of practical applications, e.g. QTL-detection, marker assisted selection in breeding schemes (MAS), refining of covariances among relatives, and MAS for maintaining genetic variation. The calculation of IBD matrices can be made using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). However, this is a computationally expensive method. Therefore, a simple deterministic method (Det) has been developed (Pong-Wonget al., 2001). The objective of this study is to evaluate this deterministic method relative to MCMC for the precision of the matrices and their performance in interval mapping and MAS.
Benefits from marker assisted selection with optimised contributions and prior information on the QTL effect
Authors: Villanueva B. , Pong-Wong R. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: June 2019

Studies investigating the value of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) for increasing genetic gain have compared responses from MAS and conventional schemes obtained with standard truncation selection and have ignored rates of inbreeding, DF (e.g. Ruane and Colleau, 1995). On the other hand, research comparing schemes at the same ΔF using optimised selection (Villanueva et al. 1999) has assumed that the effect of the QTL is known without error. This study extends the optimisation methods to include selection on genetic markers rather than on the QTL itself.
Enzymes in Poultry Diets
Authors: Acamovic T.
Published: June 2019

Poultry diets and production Poultry diets in northern Europe are composed of relatively high quality ingredients, consisting primarily of wheat and soyabean meal with smaller quantities of barley, peas, beans, rapeseed meal and sunflower meals. The cereal component is usually from the less expensive residual material from human use and as a result the quality of the ingredients tend to vary in nutritional value. The major cost of production of poultry resides with the diet (around 60-70%). Thus, strategies that reduce dietary costs, and increase the efficiency of utilisation of nutrients have important implications in the production of poultry. The major types of poultry production in Europe consists of chicken, turkey and laying hens (6.2Mt chicken meat, 1.8Mt turkey meat, 5.1Mt eggs, from a total of 33.9Mt of meat). Thus poultry products, including eggs, accounts for about 39% of meat products and therefore assumes significant financial importance (FAO, 2002).
Social learning and facilitation of operant key-pecking by domestic hens
Authors: Sherwin C.M. , Heyes C.M. , Nicol C.J.
Published: June 2019

It has been suggested that feather pecking becomes widespread in groups of birds because it is socially learnt. However, a bird pecking the feathers of another seldom gains obvious extrinsic reinforcement for this behaviour (the feather is not always eaten, or material pecked from the plumage). Two aspects of social learning that have received little attention are whether reinforcement of the bird performing the behaviour (the demonstrator) is required for the watching bird (the observer) to learn, and in addition, whether single or multiple exposures to the behaviour are required. In two experiments we used a model behaviour - operant key pecking - to examine the effects of reinforcement of demonstrators (experiment 1) and the effectiveness of repeated demonstrations (experiment 2) on social learning by domestic hens.
Exploration of somatotropic axis, leptin, insulin and blood biochemical parameters in ewes naturally affected with scrapie
Authors: Gayrard V. , Picard-Hagen N. , Viguié C. , Delavaud C. , loutam P.L. , Chilhard Y.
Published: June 2019

Scrapie is an ovine sub-acute transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) caused by unconventional transmissible agents. In several species, TSE are associated to major endocrinopathy, such as hyperinsulinemia and hypercorticism (Carp et al, 1990, Gayrard et al, 2000). Cachexia is commonly observed in the clinical phase of the prion disease. Our objective was to investigate if scrapie is associated to alterations of GH axis, leptin, insulin and metabolic parameters. In addition, central adrenergic system being affected in TSE (Braun et al, 1999), we investigated a possible alteration of α2-adrenergic control of GH axis associated to the prion disease.
Replacement of water by liquid whey and its influence on performance of Holstein steers
Authors: Bayat A.R , Valizadeh R. , Nasserian A.A.
Published: June 2019

Liquid whey as a by-product of dairy industry is produced in a large quantity in Iran. Feeding fresh whey to livestock is an economical and applicable method of it,s utilization in the country. This experiment was designed in order to evaluate the effects of using liquid whey instead of drinking water in Holstein steers.
Maternal nitrogen balance of dairy cows during late gestation
Authors: Jaurena G. , Moorby J. M. , Fisher W. J. , Davies D. W. R.
Published: June 2019

Previous results have shown that during late gestation even under conditions of live weight (LW) gain, maternal body protein can be in negative balance due to the highly demanding gravid uterus and udder. It has also been claimed that current feeding standards underpredict dry cow nitrogen (N) requirement. Considering that it is not possible to measure maternal body N status independently of the requirements of the conceptus and the udder, estimation of conceptus and udder N requirements by mathematical models can help to predict maternal N requirement. The aim of this study was to assess cow N requirement during late gestation by predicting maternal N balance through a mathematical model. Previous results related with this study were presented in Jaurena et al, (2001).
The effect of dilution rates and freezing methods on post-thawing motility of Baluchi ram spermatozoa
Authors: Ahangari Y.J. , Nowrozi M. , Soleimani A.
Published: June 2019

For the effective use of Artificial insemination technique in sheep industry, investigation on the methods of ram semen dilution and freezing is necessary. Ahangari (1992) showed that various rates of dilution from 1:1 to 1:4 did not affect p>0.05 post thawing survival of Cambridge ram spermatozoa. Fiser et al (1987) achieved a 73% c.f. 67% pregnancy rate using thawed semen, previously frozen to -100 and -79 respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two rates of dilution of semen and two methods of freezing on post-thawing motility of ram spermatozoa.
In vitro gas production of foliage and fruits of forage trees with and without added PEG
Authors: Ruiz R. Pinto , Sandoval Castro CA , Avilés L. Ramírez
Published: June 2019

In Chiapas, México, natural vegetation is often used for grazing cattle. Local knowledge identify several plants and fruits as been consumed by cattle, But few information is available on their nutritive value. The objective of the present work was to assess the potential nutritive value and biological activity of tannins in 14 materials by means of the in vitro gas production technique.
Nutritive value of Agaricus bisporus mushroom spent wheat straw as ruminant feed
Authors: Fazaeli H. , Talebian Masoodi A.R.
Published: June 2019

Since last decades, much interest has been evidenced for bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials such as production of edible mushroom. In Iran, the mushroom industry has been expanded during the last 20 years and currently more than 50000 tons of mushroom compost is produced annually by aerobic fermentation system. The compost remained after cropping of mushroom constitutes a potential pollutant and its disposal increases the production cost. This waste material is usually rich of microorganisms and extra cellular enzymes (Ball and Jacksa, 1995) and contains a high level of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and trace elements and more degradable than the original straw in the rumen (Zadrazil, 1997). However, there are limited information regarding the nutritive value and utilisation of the mushroom spent straw in animal nutrition. This experiment was conducted to study the nutritive value and acceptability of the Agaricus bisporus mushroom spent wheat straw, obtained from bag system mushroom growing in sheep nutrition.
Effect of removing pigs from a pen at slaughter weight on the growth performance of the remaining animals
Authors: DeDecker J. M. , Ellis M. , Wolter B. F. , Corrigan B. P. , Curtis S. E.
Published: June 2019

When emptying finishing barns, it is common practice on U.S. operations to dispatch pigs over a two- to three-week period with the heaviest animals being selected first. However, there has been little research carried out under commercial conditions on the effect of removing pigs from a pen at slaughter weight on the performance of the remaining animals. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of removing the heaviest 30% of animals from a pen on the subsequent growth performance of the remaining pigs.
Conjugated linoleic acid and trans C18:1 in muscle and adipose tissue of lambs fed supplements containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Enser M. , Wachira A.M. , Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G , Hallett K.G. , Wood J.D.
Published: June 2019

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) occur in the milk and tissues of ruminants. Although cis-9, trans-11 CLA is an intermediate in the biohydrogenation of linoleic acid in the rumen, duodenal flows of CLA are very low (Scollan et al, 2001) and most CLA appears to be synthesised in tissues from trans-11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid) (Griinari et al, 2000). Trans C18:1 isomers are also produced in the rumen and their amounts are increased when the levels of dietary unsaturated fatty acids are raised. We have investigated the relationship of tissue levels of CLA and trans C18:1 in three breeds of lambs fed supplements of linseed or fish oil to increase trans C18:1.
An analysis of the dual purpose cattle (B. taurus x B. indicus) lactation curve
Authors: Magaña-Sevilla H. , Sandoval-Castro CA
Published: June 2019

The shape of the lactation curve (description of milk production through lactation) which is relevant in order to predict past, current and future lactations. Curves type I show fast increment during early lactation, followed by a slow decline. However, continuous decreasing curves, named type II (Landete-Castillejos and Gallego, 2000) are frequent in tropical diary cattle, maybe due to low nutritional status (Contreras and Rincon, 1979). Curves type II could not be accurately described by Wood (1967) model. In addition, Wood’s model do not describe the inner processes in the udder. Recently, Pollot (2000) presented a mechanistic model, with 3 components and an inherent biological meaning on its parameters. The objective of the present work was to compare the ability of Wood (1967) and Pollot (2000) models to describe dual purpose cattle lactation curves and provide a first description and analysis of the B. taurus x B. indicus typical lactation curve using Pollot’s (2000) model.
Response of early lactation dairy cows to the inclusion of the liver technology product ABN-LiFT in the total mixed ration
Authors: Middlemass C A , Minter C M , Marsden M
Published: June 2019

Through the dry period to early lactation the cow goes through a dramatic change in her metabolism. To supply the high energy requirement in early lactation fat supply from the diet and body mobilisation increases substantially. As a result, the liver accumulates fat, the rate of detoxification slows down, ammonia accumulates and there’s a reduced supply of fat, glucose and protein to the udder. This trial was designed to evaluate the response of dairy cows to product called ABN-LiFT a proprietary mixture of B-group vitamins and methyl group donors (rumen protected choline, niacin, vitamin B12, biotin, folic acid and thiamine) designed to reduce the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver and accelerate VLDL export.
The effects of feeding propylene glycol to ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation
Authors: Handford D. , Percival J. , Wilde D. , Mackenzie A.M.
Published: June 2019

The pregnant uterus has a requirement for glucose that rises rapidly towards the end of pregnancy (Robinson et al., 1977). Despite this, the dry matter (DM) intake of the ewe is often depressed during this period causing excessive mobilisation of adipose tissue and an increased concentration of plasma ketones. Propylene glycol resists fermentation in the rumen and following absorption is converted to glucose and glycogen (Andrews, 1982). There is little data available on how in feed inclusion of propylene glycol affects the productivity and energy metabolism of late pregnant and lactating ewes.
The effect of biotin supplementation on the mechanical properties of the hoof horn and lameness in dairy cows
Authors: Winkler B. , Margerison J. K.
Published: June 2019

Biotin plays a critical role in the differentiation of epidermal tissue, in the fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Qualitative and quantitative changes in the synthesis of keratin filaments, interruption of the co-ordination from keratinisation until cornification and intercellular cementing substance of poor quality occur in the hoof horn of biotin deficient calves (Mulling et al., 1999). The addition of supplementary biotin in diets has been found to significantly increase hoof hardness and reduce lameness of cows (Schmid, 1995; Fitzgerald et al., 2000). The aim of this experiment was to compare changes in locomotion score and lesion score with the results of mechanical testing of the sole and white line horn in cows supplemented and not supplemented with biotin.
The presence of a familiar odourant increases social affiliation when pairs of unfamiliar chicks are tested in a novel environment
Authors: Jones R.B. , Redman P.
Published: June 2019

Chickens can differentiate between cagemates and strangers and they are often exposed to unfamiliar birds in novel environments under modern farming practice; this can lead to xenophobia, aggression and distress (Rajecki et al., 1976; Jones, 1996). Chickens form olfactory memories and regulate their behaviour in response to naturally occurring and artificial odours (Jones & Roper, 1997). The presence of a familiar odourant (vanillin) increased social dispersal and feeding when familiar pairs of chicks from the same cage were tested in a novel environment (Jones et al., 2001); suggesting that familiar odourants can be reassuring. Here, we asked if the presence of a familiar odour (vanillin) would increase social affiliation when two unfamiliar pairs of chicks were placed in a novel test arena.
Influence of salt application on biting by growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Tsourgiannis C.A. , Robertson J.F. , Fowler V.R.
Published: June 2019

In intensively kept fattening pigs, biting is a vice complex of fairly common occurrence, of widespread distribution, of some economic importance but of obscure aetiology. It has been suggested that in any one particular outbreak of biting there may be more than one aetiological factor at work and that the behaviour may only occur when the sum of the individual effects of these factors goes beyond a certain critical (undefined) level (Ewbank, 1973). Factors such as: sub-optimal space allowance, temperature control, air movement, nutrients, palatability of feed, access to feed and water, can stimulate this kind of behaviour. Salt (NaCl) is an essential mineral and its rate of inclusion in diets has been implicated in the development and expression of biting behaviour. It is possible that heightened appetite for salt could make pigs particularly attracted to pen-mates with injured tails (Fraser, 1987). Although pigs require only about 0.2% NaCl in the diet for maximum weight gain, NaCl is often provided at 0.5% of the diet for growing pigs, and it has been suggested that an increase to 0.75% or 1% can reduce the incidence of biting. This paper investigates the influence of salt application on biting by growing-finishing pigs under an intensive indoor pig production system. An amount of extra salt was provided to the pigs and behavioural observations (biting, drinking, lying and standing) were recorded.
Does the experience of the stock-person alter the behaviour of the ewe during handling and management?
Authors: Notman A.B. , Hill J. , Savage-Roberts C.
Published: June 2019

The recent trend within the Agricultural Livestock Industry away from employing permanent staff to utilising casual staff as a result of a decline in profitability may have implications for the welfare of livestock. This factor has not been examined in detail even though there are a number of studies concerned with the role of the stockperson (for example, Duncan and Fraser, 1993). From the limited number of studies performed, it is likely that the interaction between the stock-person and the animal is negative as adverse behavioural patterns are identifiable, even if the stock-person is experienced. The study reported compares the behaviour of ewes being managed by an experienced stock-person or by students undergoing training.
Immunonutrition: the nutritional control of acquired immunity to parasites
Authors: Kyriazakis Ilias , Houdijk Jos , Coop Bob
Published: June 2019

How do animal hosts control worms? When an animal ingests an infective form of a gastrointestinal helminth (roundworm) from pasture, it can contain the infection by limiting the establishment, growth rate, fecundity and persistence of the parasite. This containment is achieved through the direct and indirect actions of the immune response. A helminth-specific immune response is, by and large, a local one and is achieved by an increase in the number of effector cells and the concentration of effector substances (such as specific immunoglobulins, proteases and mucin) in the gastrointestinal mucosa and lumen. The delivery of some of the effector substances is achieved through plasma leakage, part of which is irretrievably lost As these responses require nutrients for their expression and replenishment, it is not unreasonable to expect that host nutrition has the potential to affect the immune responses when nutrient resources are scarce. In this presentation we concentrate on the consequences of nutrition on the acquired immunity to parasites. Host nutrition can also affect innate immunity by, for example, making the gastrointestinal environment more hostile to parasites, but such effects will not be considered any further here.
Integrating livestock with the environment in upland systems
Authors: Wright I.A. , Gordon I.J.
Published: June 2019

Livestock systems in hill and upland areas of the UK are characterised by extensive grazing, mainly by sheep and beef cattle. These areas also represent some of the most valued semi-natural habitats and landscapes in the country, with many areas being the subject to any number of a range of types of designation. This paper explores how, within upland systems, livestock can be integrated with their environment to achieve both agricultural and environmental objectives.
Ethical issues in animal biotechnology
Authors: Sandøe P. , Christiansen S. B. , Lassen J.
Published: June 2019

During the 20th century scientists have made genuine progress in explaining and modifying usefully the processes of life. The main leap forward was, of course, the rediscovery of Mendelian genetics at the beginning of the century. Since the 1930s this theory has been put to use in an ever more efficient and systematic way, particularly in breeding domestic animals with desired traits. Thus the animal breeder can now plan how he wants future generations of domestic animals to be, knowing that the plans will work.
Genetic improvements of beef cattle – the farmer/practitoner
Authors: Fuller R
Published: June 2019

JSR Farms at Givendale runs a commercial cross-bred suckler herd of 100 cows alongside a pedigree Charolais herd of 110 cows. The Charolais breeding programme is focused on improving the output from the cross-bred herd by using BLUP to select sires with superior genetic merit for production traits. Breeding stock with high EBV’s for growth and carcase traits are selected for re-breeding and attention is also paid to 200 day milk EBV’s and to controlling the level of calving difficulty. Home-bred replacement heifers are selected with Beef Values ranked in the top 10% of the National breed and the stud of reference sires used in the programme have Beef Values in the top 1% of the breed.
Meat Quality
Authors: Wood Jeff
Published: June 2019

Two terms characterise the carcass and meat: carcass quality and meat quality. The former describes the yield of meat and the ratio of lean to fat and the farmer is paid for it, more directly in pigs. Meat quality describes the appearance and taste of meat and although these also vary and are arguably more important to consumers than yield, the industry does not obviously recognise this variation in terms of price differentials. Reasons for this include the difficulty of deciding where in the production-processing chain quality variation is introduced and the lack of reliable, easily-used measuring systems.
Predicting the effects of body fatness on food intake and performance of sheep
Authors: Tolkamp B. J. , M. Yearsley J. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: June 2019

Food intake (FI) can be predicted on the basis of variables that describe food quality and the animal. Live weight (LW) is usually the only variable that is used to describe the animal. Animal fatness, as estimated by condition score (CS), can affect FI at a given LW. Body lipid produces signals (leptin) that affect energy intake and energy expenditure. If fatness acts on intake via its effect on energy expenditure, the effects of body lipid content on food intake can be incorporated into an existing intake model. Our objectives were to construct and test models that predict effects of fatness on intake and performance, using data obtained with ewe lambs to parameterise and test the models.
Novel adaptive research process for Africa’s livestock producers
Authors: Pound B. , Adolph B. , Manzi J. , Agobe F. , Olege D.
Published: June 2019

There is general agreement on the need to develop appropriate technologies that respond to farmers’ needs and opportunities. However, much research output is dominated by technical considerations, and often does not include key information that farmers need in order to make informed decisions on uptake. Such information includes: economic viability, risks, resources required, local availability of inputs, mechanisms for realising the benefits of technologies at a group level, and the availability and characteristics of markets. Some of the information needed by farmers is tacit and highly contextual, such as managing social organisation. In that case users require advice on how to generate the relevant knowledge for themselves, e.g. through experimentation or interaction (such as contacting potential buyers for their produce, or experimenting with different ways of sharing assets).
Tannins: an environmentally friendly method of controlling intestinal parasites in ruminants in the tropics and subtropics?
Authors: Max R. A. , Kimambo A. E. , Kassuku A. A. , Mtenga L. A. , Buttery P. J.
Published: June 2019

Infections caused by the infestation of the gastrointestinal tract with parasitic nematodes are among important factors responsible for poor productivity of livestock including small ruminants. These infections cause significant losses in terms of poor growth, reduced reproductive performance and mortality. Nematode control is routinely by the use of synthetic chemical anthelmintics. However, over-dependency and even misuse of these anthelmintics has resulted in the emergence and spread of nematode populations that are resistant to these pharmaceutical agents. This has led to increases in the cost of control through higher dosages and frequency of treatments. Moreover, anthelmintics are expensive and so not affordable to many resource-poor farmers in the developing countries. There is, therefore, a need to search for cheap and sustainable nematode control alternatives. One such alternative could be the use of plants and plant products with anthelmintic activities. The use of naturally ocouring tannins is one such approach.
Estimation of genetic variation in A9-desaturase enzyme activity in dairy cows
Authors: Royal M.D. , Garnsworthy P.C.
Published: June 2019

The ▵9-desaturase enzyme adds a cis-9 double bond to fatty acids in adipose and mammary tissue. In the mammary gland, this reaction converts C14:0 to C14:1, C16:0 to C16:1, C18:0 to cis-9 C18:1 (oleic acid), and trans- 11 C18:1(vaccenic acid) to cis-9, trans- 11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Oleic acid is of interest in human nutrition as a component of the “Mediterranean diet” and CLA has been shown to have numerous health benefits. Conversion of vaccenic acid to CLA in the mammary gland accounts for 75-80% of CLA found in milk (Lock and Garnsworthy, 2002), but activity of the Δ9-desaturase enzyme varies among individual cows irrespective of dietary manipulations (Lock and Garnsworthy, 2003), suggesting that it may have a genetic component. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic variation in Δ9-desaturase activity in dairy cows using milk fatty acid profiles.
The effects of grazing on spider assemblages in upland heather moorland
Authors: Paterson L. , Sanderson R. A. , Rushton S. P.
Published: June 2019

Invertebrates are of particular interest on heather moorlands because of their rapid response to small scale habitat changes. Spiders constitute a variable proportion of the diet of heather moorland bird, mammal and reptile species. Furthermore, spiders may be an important indicator of habitat change resulting from management practices, especially those that exert a large- scale spatial impact, e.g. grazing. The component families and species of spider assemblages indicate, through their differing preference for web attachments and web structure, the vegetation density, height and structure (Marc et al., 1999). This effect may be especially pronounced where continued grazing at a particular stocking rate results in characteristic patterns in the vegetation structure. Species and family specific hunting strategies determine prey type and so the presence of some spider species may indicate the presence of a preferred prey species. This study aims to investigate the effect of grazing with sheep alone or in combination with cattle grazing on an upland heather moorland in the north of England.
The effect of reducing alfalfa hay cut length on TMR particle size distribution, rumen pH and chewing activity of cows in early lactation using Penn State Particles Separator(PSPS)
Authors: Khezri A. , Nikkhah A. , Shahneh A. Zare , Fooladi M. H.
Published: June 2019

The ability of a ration to meet the nutritional needs of a high yielding dairy cow requires understanding of both the chemical and physical characteristics of the ration (NRC, 2001). Having the proper particle size distribution (2 to 8 percent of the particles on the upper sieve, 30 to 50 percent on the middle and lower sieves, and no more than 20 percent on the bottom pan) of feeds is an important part of ration formulation. Chopping the crop at the proper length produces forages that can be combined to achieve the desired particle length in a TMR. The dairy cow’s need for increasingly higher levels of energy have led to diets relatively high in concentrates. However, cows still require adequate fibre in the ration to function properly (Allen, 2000). Adequate forage particle length is necessary for proper rumen function and reduced forage particle size has been shown to decrease the time spent chewing and cause a trend toward decreased rumen pH. When cows spend less time chewing, they produce less saliva, which is needed to buffer the rumen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of reducing alfalfa hay length of cut on TMR particle size distribution, rumen pH and chewing activity using penn state particles separator.
Influence of different types of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems
Authors: Scott K. , Taylor L. , P.Gill B. , Edwards S. A.
Published: June 2019

It is generally accepted that environmental enrichment improves the welfare of growing pigs through the provision of substrates for exploratory and manipulatory behaviour. EC Directive 2001/93 and The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 state that pigs must have permanent access to materials to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities, and give as examples straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost and peat. However, the use of particulate rooting materials in slatted systems can cause difficulties for slurry management and it is important to establish whether alternative enrichment forms, such as hanging objects, can be equally effective. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of environmental enrichment with either hanging manipulable toys or rootable substrates on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two contrasting housing systems.
Using sociometric methods and feeder order to assess social position in early finishing pigs
Authors: Genever E. , Webb C. R. , Broom D. M.
Published: June 2019

Competition resulting in high social status and maintenance of that status within farmed pigs may have both welfare and economic consequences. Aggressive behaviours, associated with the establishment and maintenance of a dominance hierarchy, may cause poor welfare and skin damage reducing the value of pigs at slaughter. In order to investigate the impact of social status on welfare we first need to establish the status of individuals relative to their peers. In this paper we compare two alternative indicators of pig rank, namely: (i) aggressive interactions between individuals - the occurrence of aggressive behaviour from pig A to pig B is often assumed to imply social dominance of pig A over pig B; and (ii) the order in which pigs stand at the feeder - an advantage of attaining high social status in many populations is priority of access to food. Social rank of individuals based on observed aggressive behaviour can only be assigned once evidence for a linear or quasi-linear hierarchy has been established (Langbein and Puppe, 2004). In a population with a purely hierarchical structure we expect all triads of individuals to be transitive, that is A→B, B→C implies A→C. For observational studies it is unlikely that interactions between all individuals will be observed. Here we present a novel methodology by which we can assess the linearity of the dominance structure that is not affected by missing or null interactions between individuals. By conducting a census of all types of triad in a social network we can assess whether the subset of interactions observed provide evidence of a linear or quasi-linear hierarchy. Transitive triads provide evidence of linear hierarchy whilst intransitive triads, such as A→B, B→C, C→A, contradict the presence of a linear hierarchy.
Characterisation of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from pig liver and testis in relation to boar taint
Authors: Nicolau-Solano S. I. , Whittington F. M. , Wood J. D. , Doran E.
Published: June 2019

Boar taint is a major meat quality defect, which affects about 10% of entire male pigs. It is due to an excessive accumulation of skatole and androstenone in adipose tissue. One of the reasons for accumulation of these compounds is a low rate of their metabolism. Androstenone is metabolised in liver via the enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD). This enzyme is well characterised in the testis, where it participates in the synthesis of steroids, while its properties in liver are unknown. The aim of the present study was to characterise and compare properties of HSD from pig liver versus pig testis when metabolising androstenone.
Comparison of the relative expression of caspase isoforms across muscle types
Authors: Kemp C. M. , Parr T. , Bardsley R. G. , Buttery P. J.
Published: June 2019

Toughness is a determinant of meat quality and a common cause of unacceptability in meat products. Calpain proteases are believed to be involved in meat tenderisation by post mortem degradation of myofibrillar proteins (Sensky et al., 2001). However other proteases are likely to contribute to the proteolysis involved in meat-conditioning (Sentandreu et al., 2002). Caspases are proteases involved in protein degradation in apoptosis. Like calpains caspases are activated early in pathological events associated with hypoxia/ischaemia, which is not dissimilar to the hypoxic conditions in muscle after slaughter. Caspases specifically cleave a number of proteins that are also targeted by calpains during post mortem proteolysis and also degrade the calpain-specific inhibitor calpastatin. The caspase system has a hierarchy of initiating isoforms (such as caspases 8 and 12) which activate effector caspases (such as 3 and 7) that cleave specific substrates. Caspases are regulated by inhibitors such as apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC). Our hypothesis is that caspase activity may contribute to early post mortem proteolysis and tenderisation, similar to the calpain system. The aim of this study was to characterise the caspase system in various porcine skeletal muscles.
The use of linear programming to investigate the impact of changes in feed price and milk value on gross margin of Taiwanese dairy farms
Authors: Chang P. , Rowlinson P. , Cain P.
Published: June 2019

The Taiwanese government assists their dairy industry by supporting domestic prices through a combination of import restrictions, price support, government purchasing and subsidised disposal of surpluses. As a result, dairy production in Taiwan is insulated from international price trends. However, these dairy assistance policies can not protect the domestic price after Taiwan joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the end of 2001. To access the impact of an open market, linear programming (LP) is applied to model the influence of changing feed price and milk value on dairy farm profitability.
Genetic analysis of lactation milk yield and age at first calving for Holstein heifers in Khorasan province of Iran
Authors: Farhangfar H. , Naeemipour H. , Rowlinson P.
Published: June 2019

The main aim of animal breeding programmes is to increase productivity and profitability of farm livestock through genetically improving the economic merit of farm livestock (Smith, 1998). This can be achieved by increasing the mean value of a population for one or several economically important traits by the genetic improvement of the animals in this population. In dairy cow husbandry, many traits of economic importance such as lactation milk yield and reproductive traits have long been of interests for breeders to increase profitability of dairy farms. Age at first calving is economically important because it determines when an animal begins its productive life and therefore could influence the lifetime productivity of an animal. Also, age at first calving can be considered as a measure of heifer fertility performance associated with reproductive efficiency. The main objective of the present research is to analyse genetic aspects of lactation milk yield and age at first calving for Holstein heifers in Khorasan province of Iran.
Comparison of genetic response and inbreeding coefficient when the MOET technique and different proportions of proven and young bull semen were used in dairy herds
Authors: Aminafshar M. , Shahrebabak M. Moradi , Sanjabi M. , Lavvaf A.
Published: June 2019

Breeding schemes with multiple ovulation and embryo transfer opens up a possibility to enhance genetic improvement through intense female selection and short generation intervals. The potential improvement in genetic response may increase when elite cows produce a number of embryos, instead of one calf per year. Also different ratio of proven bull and young bull semen may be used to inseminate cows in the herd. The objective of this project has been to investigate genetic response and coefficient of inbreeding, when elite cows produce number of embryos during a year, instead of reproducing one calf per year. Also genetic response and inbreeding coefficient were estimated when different ratio of proven bull and young bull semen were used to inseminate cows in the herd.
Effect of two contrasting ryegrass varieties and their management on the performance of finishing lambs
Authors: Marley C. L. , Fisher W. J. , Davies D. W. R. , Moorby J. M. , MacRae J. C. , Theodorou M. K.
Published: June 2019

Perennial ryegrass varieties bred to express high water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations have been shown to improve liveweight gain in pre-weaned lambs of grazing ewes (Lee et al., 2001) compared to conventional ryegrass. Studies have shown that the largest differential in WSC between ryegrass varieties bred for high WSC concentrations and control ryegrasses occurs 5-6 weeks after the plant is allowed to re-grow following cutting or grazing (Miller et al., 2001). Therefore, the benefits, in terms of lamb performance, of using these grasses with high WSC concentrations may be best achieved when they are rotationally rather than continuously grazed. The aim of this experiment was to compare lambs rotationally or continuously grazing either a ryegrass variety bred for high WSC concentrations or a control ryegrass.
Sheep production in Spanish dry mountain areas: 3. The effect of fattening system on carcass traits, fat and muscle colour and meat texture in light lambs of Churra Tensina breed
Authors: Ripoll G. , Sanz A. , Alvarez J. , Joy M. , Delfa R. , Albertí P.
Published: June 2019

The lambs production system in the South-European countries is characterised by producing light carcasses (< 13 kg) of young animals, less than 90 days old, and fed with the ewe milk and supplemented with concentrates. However, there is an increasing concern on the study of forage production system in growing lambs as a consequence of the interest in diversifying products and producing healthy and safe meat. When forage is included in the fattening diet a reduction of average daily gain is observed and carcasses have a lower degree of fatness, in comparison to the drylot system. The modification in the traditional type of carcass must be evaluated in order to assure that the final product meets the consumer demands. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the lambs fattening system on the carcass characteristics and meat quality especially on the instrumental analysis traits as colour and texture.
The effect of β-glucanase supplementation on the apparent metabolizable energy and nutrient digestibilities of different barley cultivars for young broiler chickens
Authors: Moghaddam H. Nassiri , Mesgaran M. Danesh , Shakouri M. D.
Published: June 2019

Despite of high production of barley in Iran, its use in poultry diets is limited due to low energy content and problems such as sticky droppings. Barley cultivars have different nutritive value for broilers (Villamide, et al., 1997) and enzyme application may affect barley cultivar based diets differently. β-glucanase supplementation of barley based diets can eliminate β-glucan, the main anti-nutritional factor of barley, and improve nutrient digestibilities and apparent metabolizable energy. The objective of this trial is to study the β-glucanase effect on nutrient digestibilities and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) of different barley cultivar based diets.