bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation of farm animal genetic resources – a global view
Authors: Cardellino R.A.
Published: June 2019

Farm animal genetic resources face a double challenge. On the one hand the demand for animal products is increasing in developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that demand for meat will double by 2030 (2000 basis) and demand for milk will more than double in this 30-year period. On the other hand, animal genetic resources are disappearing rapidly worldwide. Over the past 15 years, 300 out of 6000 breeds identified by FAO have become extinct, and 1 to 2 breeds disappear every week. FAO has been requested by its member countries to develop and implement a global strategy for the management of farm animal genetic resources. It is important to conserve local breeds because many of them utilise lower quality feed, are more resilient to climatic stress, are more resistant to local parasites and diseases, and represent a unique source of genes for improving health and performance traits of industrial breeds. It is important also to develop and utilise local breeds that are genetically adapted to their environments. Genotype x environment interactions are important especially where extreme environments are involved. Most of these production environments are harsh, with very limited natural and managerial inputs, and they are not limited to developing countries. Animals genetically adapted to these conditions will be more productive at lower costs. They will support food, agriculture and cultural diversity, and will be effective in achieving local food security objectives. In many countries local communities depend on these adapted genetic resources. Their disappearance or drastic modification, for example by crossbreeding, absorption or replacement by exotic breeds, will have tremendous impacts on these human populations. Most breeds at risk are not supported by any established conservation activity or related policy, and breed extinction rates are increasing.
The public's opinion regarding the impact of equine passports on the industry
Authors: Turnbull S. N. , Abraham D. M.
Published: June 2019

The equine passport legislation is a comparatively new scheme that requires all horses to have a passport by 28th February 2005 (Defra, 2004). The equine passport is thought to have had a major impact on the industry in the United Kingdom, however the extent of this is, as yet, unknown due to the lack of current research. The UK Government hopes that the passport scheme will monitor horses that have been treated with medication and guarantee that they are not slaughtered for human consumption (Frank, 2003, Defra, 2004). Whilst the scheme originated from European food safety legislation (Ellis, 2003), the UK Government believes that there are other benefits attached to the equine passport, such as gaining comprehensive records about the equine population in the UK, which is crucial information required for epidemiological reasons (Mellor et al., 1999). The information will provide a denominator for the assessment of disease rates, and which areas of the country may be under threat.
Computer vision as a tool for monitoring behaviour
Authors: Sergeant D. M. , Forbes J. M. , Boyle R. D.
Published: June 2019

Locomotion is recognized as an important aspect of behaviour and knowledge of the locomotion of broiler chickens is important for their health and welfare (Lewis and Hurnik, 1989). Würbel (1995) suggested that certain behaviours can give an indication of poor welfare and that preference tests may be used to ‘fine tune’ a housing system.
Relative motivations of dairy cows to attend a voluntary automatic milking system
Authors: Prescott N. B. , Mottram T. T. , Webster A. J. F.
Published: June 2019

Voluntary automatic milking is proposed as a system whereby dairy cows can choose to be milked when they want. The aim is to develop a system that can milk and perform all the associated tasks without requiring routine human intervention. (Details of the design and operation can be found in Street et al., 1992.) The system may not be viable unless the cows visit at an appropriate frequency, high enough to generate the 0·10 to 0·15 proportional increase of milk yield from cows milked three or more times per day (e.g. Knight and Wilde, 1993) but not so high as to result in some cows over-using the system. Understanding why cows may want to visit the system is therefore important. The two most important reasons why a cow may attend are likely to be motivation to be milked and motivation to eat. Motivation to be milked may change as lactation progresses. Late lactation cows have been shown to enter a milking parlour later than high yielding cows in one experiment (Rathore, 1982) but not in another (Winter, 1993). Rathore (1982) suggested that motivation to be milked may be generated by the discomfort of a large and distended udder. Motivation to be milked may also be linked to some inherent desire of the cow to suckle and subsequently wean her calf. This may be independent of the amount of milk in her udder and decline during lactation. Therefore motivation to be milked could be generated either from the discomfort of a large and distended udder or by some psychological desire by the cow to suckle a calf generalized to a milking machine. Either way, the strength of motivation to be milked may have implications for how an automatic milking system (AMS) is designed. For example, if cows were highly motivated to be milked and attended at an appropriate frequency, there would be no requirement to provide additional incentives, such as food, to attract cows into the AMS. In addition, if cows choose to be milked more frequently than they are milked in conventional systems (generally twice per day), then this may be a method by which choices can be engineered into an animal’s environment.
The phytoplankton ecology of the Firth of Clyde sea-lochs Striven and Fyne
Authors: Tett P. , Gowen R. , Grantham B. , Jones K. , Miller B. S.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

Lochs Fyne and Striven are deep-silled fjords opening into the northern Firth of Clyde. They receive relatively little freshwater from local runoff, have a relatively low rate of tidal exchange, and undergo periods of deep water stagnation. Both contain fish farms which have lost stock because of phytoplankton blooms. Loch Striven was investigated in detail in 1980. Observations are also reported for 1979 and 1981, and for Loch Fyne from 1980–1982. Most stratification in Striven is due to salinity layering, but most of the freshwater in the loch probably originates in the Clyde Estuary and is associated with high concentrations of nitrate. Typical phytoplankton biomasses in Striven are the same as those in the western seaboard Loch Creran, but maxima exceed those in Creran. In addition to a red tide of Gyrodinium aureolum in September, 1980, three periods of high biomass seem to be a regular feature of the phytoplankton calendar in Striven. The spring increase takes place in March or early April, is dominated by the diatom Skeletonema costalum, and probably depends on the stabilizing effects of reduced near-surface salinities. A summer flourishing of Leptocylindrus danicus and dinoflagellates is also associated with near-surface salinity layering. A late spring bloom of diatoms, dinoflagellates and small flagellates, some ichthyotoxic, appears to be related to the occurrence of thermohaline stratification and near-surface nutrient depletion; on some occasions lochhead upwelling may also have been involved. Insofar as data are available, the ecology of phytoplankton in Loch Fyne appears similar to that in Loch Striven.
Regional atmospheric budgets of S and N fluxes: how well can they be quantified?
Authors: Galloway J. N. , Rodhe H.
Published: June 2019

Synopsis

Regional atmospheric sulphur/nitrogen budgets have been used in several regions of the world to help build up an overview of fluxes, reservoir contents and turnover times, and as a basis for quantitative modelling. However, there are some deficiencies in the regional budget approach. The analysis is of necessity superficial, and can give a false impression of certainty. This paper reviews the regional budgets for sulphur/nitrogen which have been created in various regions of the world, analyses their common findings, addresses the issue of uncertainty, and recommends areas of future research.

Most regional sulphur/nitrogen budgets have been constructed for North America, northern Europe and a few in other parts of Europe. A common finding is that anthropogenic emissions are large relative to natural emissions and that there is substantial international transport. The results of the budget analysis, while having elements of uncertainty, have proved to be valuable both in the synthesis of knowledge, and in their contribution to the increased awareness among policy makers and the public at large about the long-range transport of sulphur/nitrogen emissions.

Unfortunately, there have been few regional budgets for the developing portions of the world. Given the projected increase in population – and per capita S and N emissions for these regions – we encourage a future focus on regional sulphur/nitrogen budgets for the less developed regions of the world.
Synecology – Niche Differentiation
Authors: Ausich William I.
Published: June 2019

Crinozoans and Blastozoans typically occur in very diverse epifaunal suspension feeding communities. In Lower Mississippian rocks of Indiana, as many of 155 benthonic invertebrate species lived in a single community (Ausich, Kammer, & Lane, 1979; Lane, 1973, Ausich & Lane, 1980). How did so many species co-exist? According to current ecological literature each species should have occupied a separate niche. If so, what limiting factors controlled niche differentiation within these communities?
Blastozoa
Authors: Broadhead Thomas W.
Published: June 2019

Blastozoan echinoderms include several classes of stalked echinoderms with a combined stratigraphic range from Lower Cambrian to Upper Permian. Ranges of constituent classes tend to be much shorter, except for the Blastoidea, which are known from the Middle Ordovician (Broadhead, 1980) to the Upper Permian (Breimer & Macurda, 1972).
Bivalve Paleoecology
Authors: Bottjer David J.
Published: June 2019

Bivalves are one of the major macroinvertebrate fossil groups of the Phanerozoic. Bivalves have occupied many aqueous habitats, and in doing this have undergone a steady, relatively unchecked increase in diversity (Figure 1). Thus, bivalves are one of the most useful fossil groups in paleoecology, both for environmental reconstruction as well as for deciphering patterns and processes of evolutionary paleoecology.
The role of maternal psychosocial perceptions in parent-training programs: a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Authors: ALPER Rebecca M. , HURTIG Richard R. , MCGREGOR Karla K.
Published: June 2019

Parent–child interaction is critical for early language and literacy development. Parent training programs have proliferated to support early interactions. However, many environmental and psychosocial factors can impact the quality of parent–child language and literacy interactions as well as training program outcomes. This preliminary randomized controlled trial examined maternal perceived self-efficacy and locus of control during a language and literacy parent training program. Thirty mother–child dyads (mother age 21–40; children 2;6–4;0) were assigned in parallel to the training or control group. The training was efficacious for mothers and children – training-group dyads made significantly greater gains in maternal strategy use, responsivity, and child print awareness than the control group. Gains were maintained one month post-training. Children whose mothers had more external baseline control perceptions identified significantly fewer print targets at baseline and made greater gains than those with more internal control perceptions. Future directions and implications are discussed.
Effect of silage chop length on intake and performance of store lambs
Authors: Fitzgerald S.
Published: June 2019

Results of previous experiments with store lambs have shown that intake of grass silage harvested with a flail chop harvester is quite lew but can be considerably increased if harvested with a precision chop harvester, resulting in much better lamb performance. A series of experiments. (El, E2) were, therefore, carried out to determine the optimum chop length of ryegrass silage as a basic source of winter feed for finishing store lambs.
The effects of exogenous bovine growth hormone and bromocryptine mesilate on mammary development in ewe lambs
Authors: Johnsson I.D. , Hart I.C.
Published: June 2019

High levels of feed and rapid growth before puberty can result in small functional mammary glands and lower milk yields in dairy heifers. One hypothesis suggests this effect may be mediated via changes in the circulating levels of certain metabolic hormones (in particular a reduction in GH), that are known to accompany high levels of food intake, and that may normally exert some mammogenic influence. Preliminary studies indicated that rapid rearing in sheep can result in similar metabolic changes, reductions in prepubertal mammary development and lower first lactation milk yields.
Responses by beef cattle to increases in either silage digestibility or proportion of rolled barley - digestion and calorimetry study
Authors: Beever D.E. , Cammell S.B. , Haines M.J. , Gale D.L. , Thomas C.
Published: June 2019

This study was designed to obtain data on the digestion and nutrient supply of the four silage-based diets used in the comparative slaughter experiment described in the previous paper, with a view to providing a better understanding of some of the production response differences noted by Thomas et al.
The importance of exposure environment and movement in boar-induced precocious puberty in the gilt
Authors: Pearce G. P. , Hughes P. E.
Published: June 2019

Puberty attainment in the gilt has been shown to be stimulated both by contact with a mature boar and by exposure to stressful situations such as relocation and transportation. It is not clear whether the pen housing the boar represents a puberty-inducing stimulus or whether the stimulus of movement enhances the pubertal response to boar contact. This experiment was therefore designed to examine the influence of boar exposure environment and movement on the efficacy of boar-induced precocious puberty attainment in the gilt.
An evaluation of the Hennessy Grading Probe and the SFK Fat-o-Meater for use in pig carcass classification and grading
Authors: Kempster A J , Chadwick J P , Jones D W
Published: June 2019

Fat thickness measurements taken laterally over the M. longissimus in the caudal rib region normally provide a more precise prediction of carcass lean content than other measurements suitable for use in classification and grading schemes. Such measurements are currently taken using the Danish optical probe (intrascope) in the national pig carcass classification scheme operated by MLC.
The inclusion of ammonia-treated straw in pelleted diets for calves
Authors: Thirgood Elizabeth M.A. , Hinks C.E.
Published: June 2019

Experiments have demonstrated the importance of roughage to young calves in stimulating weight gain and feed intake through increased rumen buffering capacity.

Previous studies (Thomas and Hinks) have shown that weight gain and pry Matter intake were optimised with the inclusion of 220g/kg of chopped barley straw. Furthermore, the inclusion of increasing levels of barley straw in the diet were closely associated with increases in rumen pH, possibly linked with increased saliva flow, and marked changes in rumen VFA proportions. In view of the alkaline nature of ammonia-treated straw, linked with improvements in digestibility and crude protein content, further studies have been conducted to determine whether intake and weight gain might be further enhanced with the inclusion of this material in the diet.
The effect of long-term administration of bovine somatotrophin on the performance of dairy heifers during their first lactation
Authors: Butterwick R.F. , Rowlinson P. , Weekes T.E.C. , Parker D.S. , Armstrong D.G.
Published: June 2019

The objectives of the trial were to Investigate the effects of long-term administration of bovine somatotropin (BST) from week 2 and 10 post-partumn on the yields of milk, milk components, body weight, body condition, health and reproductive status during the first lactation of dairy heifers.

19 Friesian dairy cows in their first lactation were allocated at calving to one of 3 treatments: Daily subcutaneous Injection of recomblnantly derived bovine somatotropin (25 mg/d) from either week 2 (BST2;n=6) or week 10 (BST10;n=6) of lactation, or injection of buffer solution from week 2 of lactation (C;n=7). Treatments continued until week 42 of lactation, or until 60 days prior to predicted calving date, if this occurred before week 42 of lactation. Initially cows were housed in cubicles and fed ad libitum individually through calan doors, on a diet of concentrate and grass silage (Table 1) on a 60:40 dry matter ratio. In approximately mid-lactation cows were turned out to grass but continued to receive concentrates according to milk yield and body condition. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk composition twice weekly as were live weight and body condition. Health and reproductive status were monitored over the lactation.
The effects of partial storage-feeding and season of calving on the herbage utilization, production, health and reproductive performance of dairy cows
Authors: Phillips C.J.C.
Published: June 2019

The objective of the trial was to examine the effects of partial storage-feeding (silage fed indoors overnight, grazed herbage during the day) on the herbage utilization, milk production, reproductive performance, and health of spring and autumn-calving dairy cows.
Observations on lean prediction in the pig
Authors: Walters J.R. , Simpson S.P.
Published: June 2019

Consumer demand for lean meat production has meant that prediction of lean meat content of the carcass has become an important part of commercial pig production at many levels. At the production level, precise prediction of lean in the live pig is required to rank accurately selection candidates to ensure rapid genetic progress and to aid management decisions. At the marketing level, classification schemes pay high premiums for leanness. Payment under current classification schemes is based on relatively simple back fat measurements. However, in neither case is there ‘built in’ differentiation for breed or genotype but in the future, grading schemes are likely to place greater emphasis on leanness. The purpose of this study was thus to determine whether lean prediction in the carcass was independent of slaughter weight and genetic type, to identify the best predictors of leanness and to estimate multiple correlation coefficients for predicting lean in the carcass from lean in individual joints. Pigs from four commercial genotypes were performance tested, serially slaughtered between 80kg and 120kg, after which fat depths were recorded and full sides dissected. Various predictors of lean were then compared.
Enterococcus faecium fed as a probiotic in the rearing of purchased calves
Authors: Kay R.M. , Poole P.
Published: June 2019

Probiotics are becoming increasingly advocated as being of benefit to calf rearers as a feed additive to improve the growth rates and health of rearing calves. There are several organisms and mixtures of organisms that are now commercially available which may prove to be a realistic alternative to the widespread use of antibiotic growth promoters. There is a lack of published work by independent researchers on the efficacy of probiotics for rearing calves but a wealth of manufacturers literature. Two experiments at Drayton E.H.F. investigated the use of Enterococcus faecium as a probiotic agent during the rearing period of purchased calves.
The use of oats in diets for dairy cows as a means of reducing the saturated fatty acid content of milk fat
Authors: Martin P.A. , Thomas P.C.
Published: June 2019

It is well established that the proportion of saturated fatty acids in cows milk fat can be reduced by dietary inclusion of fats containing a large proportion of C18 fatty acids. Regardless of the individual C18 acids added to the diet, because unsaturated C18 fatty acids are biohydrogenated in the rumen it is principally the amount of 18:0 absorbed by the animal which is increased. This leads to increased mammary uptake and desaturation of 18:0 and to the secretion in milk of greater amounts of 18:0 and 18:1 fatty acids. Intramammary synthesis of 6:0-16:0 fatty acids is concurrently reduced. Of the cereals grown in the UK, oats contain relatively large amounts of C18 fatty acids. For this reason we have examined the potential of dietary inclusion of oats as a simple and inexpensive means of manipulating milk fat composition. In a previous experiment in which hay-based diets were given replacement of barley with oats reduced the saturated (6:0-18:0) fatty acids in milk fat from 753 to 619 g/kg and increased the monounsaturated fatty acids from 211 to 344 g/kg milk fat.
Depressing Effect of Rumen Distension on Silage Intake of the Lactating Dairy Cow
Authors: Mbanya J.N. , Anil M.H. , Forbes J.M.
Published: June 2019

The numerous factors involved in the control of food intake by ruminants have been reviewed in detail (Baile and Forbes, 1974.). Distension of the rumen is thought to limit the voluntary intake of hay by dry cows (Campling and Balch, 1961) and by lactating cows (Mbanya, Anil and Forbes, 1987). In more recent reports, it is thought that some of these factors which are negative feedback signals combine additively in their effects to induce satiety (Forbes, 1986). Prior to investigating the additive effects of rumen distension to those of other feedback signals on intake of silage by lactating dairy cows, we carried out a preliminary study now reported to establish a response curve to different levels of distension which will enable an appropriate degree of distension to be imposed in future experiments involving combinations of treatments.

Animals and Housing - Five rumen fistulated, non-pregnant Friesian cows in early lactation (mean daily milk yield, 25.2 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design with a row omitted.
Effect of Growth Rate on Mineral Retention and Body Composition of Growing Lambs
Authors: Wan Zahari M , Thompson J K , Scott D
Published: June 2019

The effects of plane of nutrition on the body composition of growing sheep are very apparent when animals are compared at the same age following different nutritional histories. These differences are, however, less obvious when animals of the same breed and sex are compared at the same body weight and at present there is some conjecture whether composition is affected by growth rate. This uncertainty is not limited to fat and protein but includes the bone and ash, fraction and the ash composition.

The primary objective of this trial was to study the effects of different growth rates achieved by feeding different amounts of the same concentrate diet on the composition of empty-body gain and on the retention of minerals by growing lambs. A secondary objective was to examine the effect of adding supplementary calcium carbonate to the basal diet at the fast rate of growth.
Examination of factors affecting litter productivity in pig herds recorded by MLC
Authors: Guy D R
Published: June 2019

1.

The main commercial recording scheme operated for pig producers by the MLC is the Pigplan Recording and Costing Service, currently covering some 1,100 herds. The service records a basic list of herd performance and financial factors, with the processed results forming the basis of MLC field staff on-farm advisory services.

2.

The MLC Sow and Boar Monitoring Service was established in late 1983 using a bureau service with central computer processing. The service is available where it is felt necessary to undertake more detailed individual litter recording in order to identify particular weaknesses in production.

3.

Individual sow and boar details are recorded. Then, starting with the weaning of the last litter, details of all services over a period are submitted regularly. The records of each parity are completed with the submission of farrowing and weaning data. Processed results, in the form of tabulated printout, are provided for forward planning management aids, individual sow and boar summaries, and herd summary performance over a suitable period.

4.

In September 1987, 135 units were actively recording with an average herd size of 200 sows. Over 150,000 litter records have accumulated since the service started, representing some 66,000 sows from a total of 250 herds.
Fat Coated Synthetic Lysine in Diets for Growing Pigs
Authors: Ellis M. , Parker D.S.
Published: June 2019

Synthetic lysine and fat supplements are widely used in diets for growing pigs. However, there is evidence to suggest that free lysine is more rapidly absorbed than protein bound amino acids resulting in reduced growth performance particularly under infrequent feeding regimes. In addition, the incorporation of conventional fat supplements into cereal based diets is problematic particularly where on-farm mixing of feed is carried out. One potential solution to both these problems is to use fat coated synthetic lysine sources which have recently become available and two such materials were evaluated in this study.

Four dietary treatments were compared. These were a control diet (C) with soya bean meal as the protein supplement and diets in which 0.3 of the total lysine was supplied from either synthetic lysine (S) or synthetic lysine coated with a single (SC) or a double layer(DC) of hardened soya oil. All diets were barley based and were formulated to contain the same level of total lysine (0.01) and hardened soya oil.
Sugar beet pulp as a supplement to straw in diets for finishing cattle.
Authors: Thomas S
Published: June 2019

When barley has been used as a supplement to straw in diets for finishing cattle the performance achieved has often been below target. A trial was made to measure whether substitution of sugar beet pulp, a fibrous source of energy, for barley in such diets would Improve performance. Forty-eight Frieslan-type steers weighing 370 kg were offered long, Spring barley straw (variety Doublet) ad libitum. The straw was either untreated or treated with ammonia. Ammonia treatment was carried out in an oven with 3% anhydrous ammonia for 21 hours. Supplementation of the straw was designed to give a daily live weight gain of 1 kg. Animals offered untreated straw received 5.5 kg per head daily of dry matter (DM) from supplementary concentrates whilst those offered ammonia-treated straw received 4.5 kg concentrate DM. Included in the concentrates was 0.23 kg DM from white-fish meal and 0.07 kg of a mineral/vitamin supplement. The animals offered untreated straw also received 0.09 kg per head daily of urea. The remainder of the concentrates consisted of either bruised barley, a mixture of equal parts of DM from bruised barley and dried molassed sugar beet pulp, or sugar beet pulp only.
The effect of a high-strength yeast culture in the diet of early-weaned calves
Authors: Hughes J
Published: June 2019

The use of biological feed additives in animal production systems is becoming widespread, largely in response to consumer pressure and legislation concerning the use of antibiotics and hormone implants. Howewver, published data on their efficacy are limited. Yea-sacc,a high strength yeast culture, is one such product. A yeast-culture is a dry product composed of yeast and the media on which it was grown, dried in such a manner as to preserve the fermenting capacity of the yeast. The yeast used in Yea-sacc is a selected strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the yeast culture is produced using a high density fermentation technique. A trial was conducted to examine the effect of including Yea-sacc in the diet, on the performance of early-weaned calves.
Duodenal Nitrogenous Constituent Flow in Growing Steers Fed Silages Prepared with Formic Acid and Enzyme Additives
Authors: Jacobs J L , McAllan A B
Published: June 2019

The addition to grass during ensiling of enzymes capable of hydrolysing forage polysaccharides has been shown to result in increased fermentation of dry matter within the silo (Jacobs & McAllan, 1987). Thus it appears that the enzymes promoted cellular breakdown within the silo. It is also possible that the enzymes may also have made available greater amounts of structural carbohydrate for utilisation within the rumen. Such an increase in available energy may be reflected in improved microbial activity in the rumen resulting in increased microbial protein synthesis. The present experiment examines the effects of enzyme treated silages on the flow of nitrogenous constituents at the duodenum of growing steers.
Evaluation of avotan* avoparcin for improving milk production of dairy cows in europe
Authors: Parker LD , Smith H , Rock DW
Published: June 2019

Avoparcin is a feed antibiotic growth promoter used widely in Europe for broiler chickens, pigs and beef cattle.

This paper presents the results of 17 trials conducted in the UK (13), France (3) and Germany (1) to determine the efficacy of avoparcln at levels of 50-150mg per head per day for improving milk production of lactatlng dairy cows.
Milk production from sheep and goats
Authors: Mowlem A. , Treacher T.T.
Published: June 2019

As farmers seek alternative enterprises to boost falling incomes, interest is focussed on sheep and goat farming. In recent years the number of sheep and goat dairy units in the United Kingdom has increased. There are now 20-30 sheep milking units accounting for around 6000 ewes and about 150 commercial goat dairy units milking a total of over 12000 goats, with many more part-time units milking small numbers of goats.

The recent increase in the demand for speciality cheese and yoghurt has created good market outlets for sheep and goat milk and milk products. The small size of the animals and the facilities required for them means much less start-up capital is required than for many other livestock systems. It also means the units can be operated by female family labour. The current growth of the industry also means sale of female replacers can make a significant contribution to the income. There is already a well established sheep industry in the UK and milking can be seen as an extension of this.
The effects of level of winter feeding and buffer-feeding during the grazing season on the milk production of January/February calving dairy cows.
Authors: Mayne C.S. , Woodcock S.C.P. , Clements A.J.
Published: June 2019

Buffer-feeding of grazing dairy cows, by allowing cows access to forage for a few hours each day, has been widely advocated as a means of maintaining high animal performance whilst enabling efficient sward utilization. However, in practice, responses to buffer-feeding with January/February calving cows have been extremely variable. The objective of this study was to examine if part of the variability in response could be explained by differences in the level of nutrition during the winter feed period.
Effect of silage feeding system and concentrate composition on the performance of lactating dairy cows.
Authors: Phipps R.H. , Sutton J.D. , Weller R.F.
Published: June 2019

The “low milk fat” syndrome and “off feed” problems have long been associated with the use of rations incorporting a high proportion of starch based concentrate. These problems can be ameliorated by frequent feeding of concentrate, the use of out of parlour feeders or complete diets. Another approach has been to examine alternatives to cereal starch as the major energy source for concentrate supplements. Since few comparisons of concentrates containing a mixture of high quality fibre sources have been reported, the present trial was designed to compare concentrates based on cereal starch with those containing a mixture of high quality fibre sources when given with ad libitum grass silage from calving. An additional aim was to compare individual feeding through Calan Broadbent gates with groups fed forage at a self-feed clamp.
Effect of sward surface height of mixed swards of ryegrass/white clover on the intake and performance by ewes and their twin lambs
Authors: Orr R.J. , Penning P.D. , Parsons A.J. , Treacher T.T.
Published: June 2019

Mixed swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. S23) and white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Huia) were maintained at sward surface heights (SSH) of 3 (GC3), 6 (GC6) and 9 cm (GC9) by continuous variable stocking to examine effects on sward and animal performance. In addition, a pure grass sward of S23 was kept at 6 cm (G6) and fertilized with 14 applications of 30 kg N per ha at fortnightly intervals, beginning on 25 March. The swards were sown in August 1983, cut twice in 1984, in May and June, and then grazed thereafter. Fertilizer was applied to the seedbed at 40 kg N per ha, 20 kg P205 per ha and 20 kg K20 per ha. In March 1984 and 1985, 20 kg per ha each of P205 and K2O were applied to all plots.

Dry sheep grazed the paddocks (0.69 ha) to the required SSH's with grazing starting on 4 April, 9 April, 12 April and 24 April for treatments GC3, G6, GC6 and GC9, respectively. On 24 April, two days after lambing, core groups of 8 Scottish Halfbred ewes with twin lambs were put on the plots. Additional ewes, kept on swards similar to the treatment areas, were used to adjust the stocking rate to maintain the SSH's. These were measured three times each week with 200 readings per plot.
A selection index for lean meat production in sheep
Authors: Simm G. , Dingwall W.S.
Published: June 2019

It is generally accepted that leanness of terminal sire sheep breeds should be increased. However, it is very difficult to define formally a selection goal for these breeds. Put loosely, at a given age, we probably require terminal sires with as much extra lean meat as possible, whilst minimising any increase in fat weight. In the past, selection has been mainly on weight for age, but this may actually increase fatness at the age of selection.

Intuitively we expect some in vivo measurements of carcass composition to help in achieving the selection goal. In practice, in vivo measurements of carcass composition in sheep are often imprecise, though the treatment of the animals can affect the relative precision. Ad libitum feeding on a high energy, high protein feed appears to increase the variation in carcass composition of ram lambs compared to those on a lower plane of nutrition (Simm et al, 1985 compared to Cuthbertson et al, 1983). Under these conditions we were able to predict carcass composition reasonably precisely from live weight and ultrasonic measurements (means and original and residual s.d.s for carcass lean weight: 18.30, 1.60 and l.00 kg and for fat weight 13.74, 2.70 and 0.96 kg).
Comparative Digestibilities of Untreated, Ammonia-Treated and Urea-Treated Barley Straws In Sheep
Authors: Sherwood R.P. , Owen E.
Published: June 2019

Urease enzymes occur naturally in straw and may hydrolyze added urea to form a mixture of ammonia, carbon dioxide, and “ammonium carbonate”.We have previously found the digestible intake of barley straw by sheep to be lower when it is treated with urea than when treated with an isonitrogenous amount of ammonia (Sherwood and Owen, 1986). At ad libitum feeding levels, urea was considerably less effective than ammonia for improving voluntary straw intake, and the improvement in digestibility by urea treatment appeared to be temperature dependent. However, as level of intake is known to influence digestibility (Kiangi et al., 1981), differences in digestibility may have been confounded by differences in level of intake. There was therefore a need to compare the digestibilities of untreated, ammonia-treated and urea-treated straws where levels of intake were identical across treatments.
The effect of variety, type of straw and ammonia treatment on digestibility and growth rate in steers
Authors: Reid G. W. , Ørskov E. R. , Kay M.
Published: June 2019

The gross energy content of cereal straw is almost as high as that of grain, but, because straw is relatively indigestible even to ruminants, much of this energy passes right through the digestive system and so makes no contribution to nutrition. Treatment of straw with alkali (normally ammonia or sodium hydroxide) improves digestibility and thus increases the amounts of energy available to animals. Straw which has been improved in this way is often said to be of similar nutritional value to medium quality hay; but responses in terms of animal performance demonstrate that this is not always so.

It has been observed that the nutritive values of straws of the various cereals and of the varieties within each cereal differ considerably and that, though alkali treatments generally improve the least digestible straws the most, the differences between improved straws may still be large enough to be important. Degradability measurements carried out on large numbers of wheat, barley and oat straws to obtain an indication of nutritive value, confirm this (Tuah et al. 1986), but further evidence was needed using feeding trials with animals to support these findings and demonstrate their practical significance.
The relationship between age at first effective service and numbers born in the gilt litter in purebred pigs
Authors: Mercer J.T.
Published: June 2019

Practical use is made of an increase in the ovulation rate of gilts over the first few oestrous cycles. In large herds it may well be easier to increase the interval between entry into the herd and first service in order to improve the size of the first litter. The present study considers existing herd records, taken from the Easicare management system, in which the relationship between age at first litter and reproductive parameters in the first parity are examined. A total of 3778 gilt litters were involved, mostly Large White or Landrace, from 14 nucleus or multiplication herds. Average age at first litter ranged from 342 to 376 days across herds and total numbers born per litter from 9.03 to 11.27. Within herd variation in age at first service ranged from a standard deviation of 19 days to 40 days, that of litter size being more consistent, ranging from 2.45 to 3.21. The within herd regressions between these traits were generally small, averaging 0.007 piglets per day, and insignificant (p>0.05).
Effect of a protected lipid supplement on milk production and composition in the dairy cow.
Authors: Freeman C.P. , Lindeman M.A. , Thickett W.S. , Kelly N.C.
Published: June 2019

The trials described were designed to examine the effect of a protected lipid supplement (FPl; Unilever pic.) on the production of milk and milk constituents, under a range of feeding conditions. The supplement was protein-based, and had a high content of undegradable, digestible protein (UDP); the composition of the supplement is given in Table 1.
Étude sur les manuscrits d'un texte de Jean Chrysostome: Lettre d'exil à Olympias et à tous les fidèles, incipit: Οἶδα μὲν ὅτι τοῖς παχνχέϱοις
Authors: Malingrey A.-M.
Published: June 2019

Nous étudierons ici la tradition manuscrite, en grec, du texte Οἶδα μὲν ὅτι τοῖς παχνχέϱοις que les catalogues désignent sous la rubrique Quod nemo laeditur.
The Oldest Inventory of St. Nicolas of Bari
Authors: Levy Brooks Emmons
Published: June 2019

The oldest published inventory of the collegial church of St. Nicolas in Bari dates from A. D. 1313, and testifies to the interest taken by Charles II of Anjou in the basilica, hisregia cappella.In 1296 Charles donated to St. Nicolas a number of liturgical ornaments and service-books; in 1304 he required that itsthesaurarius(a canon of the basilica appointed by himself) make periodic inventories in quadruplicate of the objects under his care. As a result, detailed inventories of St. Ncolas' treasure begin in the early fourteenth century and continue, though with considerable lacunae, to the nineteenth. Most of these inventories have been published in whole or in part; they show that the basilica once had a large collection of liturgical objects and codices, particularly in the Angevin period. It is clear from the first inventory that the nucleus of this collection was Charles II's donation, which still forms the most impressive part of St. Nicolas' now depleted treasure; accordingly Charles has been considered the ‘founder’ of the treasury.
Bertram of Metz the Author of ‘Elegantius in iure diuino’ (Summa Coloniensis)?
Authors: Gerbenzon P.
Published: June 2019

In his chronicle of Bloemhof Abbey (Floridus Hortus) in Wittewierum Magister Emo of Huizinge inserts a treatise on simony in which the following passage is to be found:

Item Magister Bertoldus. Si cenobii paupertas sit in tantum, ut aucto numero personarum necesse sit augere patrimonium, ibi statum loci introitum petentibus significare non improbamus. Quidam plus dicunt, etiam taxationes, id est rei precium imponere licere, in hoc casu habentes, qua tueantur hanc suam opinionem, cenobitarum consuetudinem.
Varia ex manuscriptis
Authors: Fransen Gérard
Published: June 2019

Plusieurs voyages d’étude, notamment en Espagne, et le dépouillement des MSS de la Compilatio prima nous permettent de présenter quelques nouvelles découvertes et les réflexions qu'elles ont suscitées. Nous les répartissons sous trois rubriques: Autour d’Yves de Chartres, Décrétales et Questiones. Nos remerciments vont au Consejo Superior de investigaciones científicas de Madrid qui, une fois encore, a subventionné notre séjour en Espagne, et à St. Kuttner, qui a apporté à notre texte de nombreuses précisions.
4. On some Quaternion Integrals
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2019

In my paper on “Green's and other allied theorems” (Trans. R. S. E. 1869–70), I showed that

where P is any scalar function of ρ, and the single integral is extended round any closed curve, while the double integral extends over any surface bounded by the curve, ν being its normal vector.

Writing

this gives at once

of which the scalar and vector parts respectively were, in the paper referred to, shown to be equal.
Introduction to the Paleontological Society Short Course ‘Geobiology of Echinoderms’
Authors: Lane N. Gary
Published: June 2019

It was 17 years ago this month, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia, that the first short course on echinoderms was held. The conveners were Johnny Waters and Tom Broadhead. The Sunday short courses had been started only two years before, in 1978, with the mollusks being the first short course and arthropods the second. Neither of these first two short courses had accompanying printed notes. Thus, we echinodermers were the ones who began this tradition of short course notes that has continued to this day.

Those participants in that 1980 short course who are also on the program today are, in addition to Johnny Waters, a convener of both short courses, Dave Meyer, Jim Sprinkle, Bill Ausich, and Ron Parsley. Many new names and faces have appeared in the study of fossil echinoderms or those who study living echinoderms in such a manner that their work has bearing on the ancient record of these animals.
Paleocommunity and evolutionary ecology of Paleozoic crinoids
Authors: Holterhoff Peter F.
Published: June 2019

Crinoids were a common component of Paleozoic benthic paleocommunities, yet they have been under-utilized in paleoecological analyses. Recent efforts to incorporate disarticulated ossicles into these analyses have greatly increased the robustness of paleoecological patterns noted for the Crinoidea. Analyses of crinoid functional morphology, particularly filtration dynamics, have provided testable hypotheses concerning the distribution of crinoids among benthic environments. These models predict that crinoids with dense-mesh filtration fans should be most common in high energy, shoreward paleoenvironments, whereas open-fan crinoids should be most common in low-energy, offshore paleoenvironments. Review of the Paleozoic fossil record appears to support these general predictions—from the Late Ordovician to the end of the Paleozoic, dense-fan crinoids are most abundant in nearshore paleoenvironments, whereas open-fan crinoids are most abundant offshore.

The partitioning of crinoid diversity through the Paleozoic shifted through time. Beta diversity was highest in the Ordovician, implying that the early diversification of crinoids was focused on partitioning the benthic landscape among taxa. Beta diversity was quite low by the late Paleozoic, however, local and within-habitat alpha diversity was much greater than during the Ordovician. This resulted in generally higher levels of eurytopy in the late Paleozoic compared to the Ordovician. Patterns of faunal disassembly associated with regional extinctions in North America during the Ordovician and Permian underscore the differences in the paleoecology of these crinoid faunas.
Are There Transitional Forms in the Fossil Record?
Authors: Padian Kevin , Angielczyk Kenneth D.
Published: June 2019

The record of the history of life, as preserved in the fossil record, is not complete for reasons related to erosion and deposition, preservation and sampling bias, and approaches to analysis of the information provided by fossils. Incomplete knowledge is not unique to paleontology; the record of extant humans is no better for many questions of human genealogy. The problem is not that there are no or few transitional fossils; it is rather that, given the incompleteness of the fossil record, it is unreasonable to expect to find transitions of forms rather than transitions of features. The use of cladistic analysis largely overcomes this problem methodologically, but does not itself improve the fossil record. However, when the characters of fossil and living taxa are analyzed cladistically, they can tell us not only the sequence of origination of clades, but also how functional, adaptational, physiological, and behavioral transitions took place. In this way, hypotheses about the origins of major groups and major adaptations can be tested by standard scientific methods. In contrast, notions of the ontology of these groups as explained by “Intelligent Design” are vacuous and untestable.
Directly Dating Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: Rasbury E. Troy , Cole Jennifer M.
Published: June 2019

This contribution seeks to provide a summary of radiometric dating techniques that are currently applicable to Phanerozoic sedimentary deposits and therefore relevant to paleontologists. First we overview the assumptions necessary for radiometric dating and introduce isochrons and concordia diagrams as methods for calculating ages and evaluating isotope systematics. We then focus on the four most promising systems: U-Pb dating of carbonates, Re-Os dating of black shales, and U-Pb and Lu-Hf dating of phosphates. We review expected geochemical behavior of daughter and parent isotopes in the context of both marine and terrestrial depositional environments. A critical evaluation of previously published ages and potential directions for future work are provided.
Incorporation of Geologic Cycles in Establishing Geologic Time Scales: Exercise Notes
Authors: Pälike Heiko
Published: June 2019

The main goal is to introduce some of the technical methods of time series analysis and cyclostratigraphy, with the overall focus to enable interested scientists with little experience in time series analysis to “get their hands dirty” while analysing their own data sets. The course notes make use of example data sets, and provide pointers to additional methods and software to conduct the basic steps of analysis of geological data that appear to show evidence of cyclicity. The short course notes presented here were originally developed as teaching material for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge and Stockholm University. The original notes were modified and enhanced, and aim to supplement the presentation during the Paleontological Society Short Course 2006.