bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of passive immunization with different doses of anti-testosterone antiserum on the reproductive performance of Scottish Blackface ewes in different levels of body condition at mating
Authors: Rhind S. M. , Morris B. A. , Clayton Jill , Gunn R. G. , Gittus G. , Leslie I. D.
Published: September 2010

The effect of injection of 0, 0·5, 1·0, 1·5, 2·0 or 5·0 × standard doses of anti-testosterone antiserum on the reproductive performance of Scottish Blackface ewes was investigated using a total of 423 ewes with body condition scores ranging from < 2·00 (low) to > 2·75 (high). Increased mean litter sizes and lambing rates were obtained in ewes in all levels of body condition following immunization with a range of antibody doses (P < 0·05). However, it is concluded that there is an intermediate optimum dose, probably approximately 1·5 × standard doses, for ewes of this breed, at a non-synchronized mating. The limiting effect of body condition on reproductive performance could not be completely overcome by increasing the antibody dose. Circulating antibody titres were directly related to the dose administered but there was no direct relationship between circulating titre and reproductive performance.
Relative precision of the tritiated water and slaughter techniques for estimating energy retention in grazing sheep
Authors: Reardon T. F.
Published: September 2010

The errors of the slaughter and tritiated water techniques of estimating energy retention were compared in a group of grazing sheep deprived of feed and water for 48 hr. It was calculated that the mean energy retention of the experimental animals would have had a standard error of 3·64 Mcal if estimated by the slaughter technique, and 1·56 Mcal if estimated by the tritiated water technique. It was concluded that in other experimental groups the precision of the relationship between energy content and live weight is likely to be the most important determinant of the relative precision of the two methods. In neither method would worthwhile gains in precision result from knowledge of the weight of the contents of the alimentary tract.
Physiological adjustment to repeated wind exposure in sheep
Authors: Griffiths J. G. , Doney J. M.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was undertaken to examine the possibility that progressive adjustments in tissue insulation on the trunk might occur following repeated wind cooling. Two sheep were exposed at right angles to an air flow of 12 mph for 6 hr daily on each of 7 consecutive days.

When first exposed to the wind the heat loss from the fleece-covered surfaces increased due to a reduction in insulation and apparently increased vaso-dilatation. After the first day there was a progressive increase in surface vaso-constriction before exposure and a gradual decrease in the extent of the vaso-dilatation during exposure. The results indicate the possibility of centrally-induced peripheral adjustments in blood flow occurring on the trunk of the sheep in response to repeated wind cooling.
The effect of body condition on ovulation rate in the sow
Authors: Hardy B. , Lodge G. A.
Published: September 2010

Twenty-four sows from three nutritional regimes imposed until weaning of their third litters were used to investigate the influence of weight and body condition on ovulation rate.

For low-, medium- and high-plane sows respectively, mean corpora lutea numbers at 3 to 6 days post coitus were 13·8±0·78, 16·4±0·87 and 15·2±1·01 (not significantly different); conception rates at first service were 50, 87·5 and 100% percentages prenatal mortality were 36·1±7·95, 67·2±7·26 and 41·7±7·26, and mean numbers of pigs born alive were 9·0±1·19, 5·2±1·09 and 8·8±1·09.

Pooled data indicated no significant effect of body weight but a significant effect of weight loss during the preceding lactation on ovulation rate (P<0–01).
A note on the effect of variation in crude protein level in diets for bacon pigs
Authors: Cole D. J. A. , Luscombe J. R.
Published: September 2010

Three treatments involving isocaloric diets with the same levels of lysine and methionine but different crude protein levels were imposed on pigs from 50 to 200 lb live weight. Significant treatment differences were obtained only during the period from 50 to 120 lb live weight when pigs on the 17% protein diet (barley+soya bean meal+white fish meal) had the fastest growth rates and best food conversion efficiencies and pigs on the 11% protein diet (barley only) were the poorest. Pigs fed barley alone also had the fattest carcasses.
Effects of nutrition in late pregnancy on subsequent milk production in Ewes
Authors: Treacher T. T.
Published: September 2010

1. Scottish Half-bred ewes carrying twin foetuses were fed individually to make live-weight gains in the last six weeks of pregnancy of (1) 20%, (2) 10% and (3) 0% of their live weight in week 14 of pregnancy. In lactation the ewes were fed ad libitum. The lambs were removed 12 to 16 hr after parturition and the ewes were machine-milked twice daily for the first six weeks of lactation.

2. Total birth weights per ewe of twin lambs from the treatments were (1) 10·10 kg, (2) 9·44 kg and (3) 8·18 kg and differed significantly.

3. The level and pattern of voluntary intake in lactation did not differ significantly between the treatments. Total dry-matter intakes in the six weeks of lactation were (1) 121·9 kg (2) 105·9 kg and (3) 109·5 kg.

4. The pregnancy treatments affected the level of milk production and the shape of lactation curves. The total yields in the first six weeks of lactation were (1) 58·8 kg, (2) 43·5 kg and (3) 26·9 kg. Higher contents of fat and protein and the lower content of lactose in the milk from treatment-3 ewes on days 1 and 3 of lactation indicated a slower onset of lactation in these ewes. Between days 7 and 35 of lactation the contents of fat and SNF were lowest on treatment 3 but the differences were not significant.

5. The live-weight changes in lactation, which were in inverse order to the gains in late pregnancy, were (1) 3·4 kg, (2) 5·5 kg and (3) 9·5 kg.
Some effects of including differently processed barley in the diet of the growing pig: 1. Growth rate, food conversion efficiency, digestibility and rate of passage through the gut
Authors: Lawrence T. L. J.
Published: September 2010

1. An experiment was conducted in which the effects on growth rate, food conversion efficiency, digestibility and rate of passage through the gut of diets containing 85% of differently processed barley, fed to growing pigs, were studied. Five different processing treatments were compared with the inclusion of the grain in the whole (unground) form (diet W). The processing treatments were: grinding through (1·56 mm), (4·68 mm) and (9·36 mm) screens (diets O, T and S respectively); cold rolling (diet R) and coarse crimping (diet C).

2. Differences in growth rate and food conversion efficiency between diets O, T, S and R were small and not significant with a slight overall superiority evidenced for diet R over the other three. Compared with these results those of diets C and W were inferior, significantly so for both diets in growth rate but for diet W only in food conversion efficiency. Diet C was superior to diet W in both of these parameters (significantly so for growth rate).

3. The overall digestibility of diet W was significantly poorer and the rate of passage through the gut faster than for any of the other diets. Diet O was retained in the gut significantly longer than any of the other diets and gave the highest coefficient of apparent digestibility for both the ether extract and crude fibre fractions of the diet.
A note on the relation between scrotal wool cover and fertility in Merino rams
Authors: Rathore A. K.
Published: September 2010

Mating trials were conducted to test the fertility of rams having a range of scrotal wool cover. These revealed that rams with heavier scrotal wool cover had reduced fertility in comparison with those having lighter scrotal wool cover.
A note on the effect of tylosin and a combination of diethylstilbestrol and methyltestosterone on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs
Authors: Wahlstrom Richard C.
Published: September 2010

Ninety pigs were divided into two replicated groups, randomly allotted to three treatments: (1) control, (2) 2 g of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 2 g of methyltestosterone (MT) per ton and (3) 2 g DES + 2 g MT + 10 g tylosin per ton. Rate of gain was not affected by treatment; however, pigs fed the treated rations consumed less feed and were more efficient in feed conversion. Carcasses of pigs fed DES + MT or DES + MT + tylosin had significantly less backfat and a slightly higher percentage of ham and loin, and of lean cuts.
Photoperiodism in the ewe. 3. The effects of various patterns of increasing daylength on the onset of anoestrus in Clun Forest ewes
Authors: Ducker M. J. , Bowman J. C.
Published: September 2010

In light-proofed buildings experiments were conducted with six groups each of ten Clun Forest ewes to determine whether the onset of anoestrus was affected by the absolute size of increase in the case of an abrupt increase in daylength, and by the rate of increase in the case of a given total increase in daylength. The mean number of days from the onset of the light treatments to the cessation of oestrus (the reaction interval) for ewes receiving gradual increases in daylength of 3·5, 7·2 or 10·9 min per day from 23 December were 79·8, 84·1 and 75·7 days respectively. The reaction interval for ewes receiving abrupt increases in daylength of 3·75, 7·75 or 11·75 hr on 23 December were 86·3, 76·5 and 61·5 days respectively. A control group of ten ewes at pasture on natural daylength had a reaction interval of 93·6 days.

The results show that increasing daylength largely controls the mean date of onset of aneostrus in Clun Forest ewes. The greater the increase in daylength the sooner the onset of anoestrus occurs.

The observations on vaginal smears indicate that photoperiodic changes, whilst affecting the oestrous status of the ewe, may have no effect on ovulation.
The mating behaviour and semen characteristics of Finnish Landrace and Scottish Blackface rams
Authors: Land R. B.
Published: September 2010

Four Finnish Landrace and four Scottish Blackface rams were exposed at 21-day intervals over a period of 19 months to two ovariectomized ewes, which had been induced to show oestrus. The behaviour of each ram was observed for 10 minutes with each ewe. Over the period of the experiment the Finnish Landrace rams consistently mounted the ewes more often than did the Blackfaces and in this respect in particular the reproductive behaviour of the males of these breeds was found to be positively correlated with that of the females of their breed.

Initially, however, the Finnish Landrace rams mated more ewes than did the Blackfaces, but from the time that all rams became sexually active it was impossible to differentiate between the ability of the two groups of rams to mate the ewes presented to them. Semen collections from each ram were attempted by the use of an artificial vagina, again at three-weekly intervals. The motility, density and proportion of live sperm did not differ between the two groups of rams.

The average number of mounts accredited to each ram during the test increased from around 5 in the summer to around 35 in the autumn.
The use of moist barley in diets for growing pigs
Authors: Livingstone R. M. , Livingston D. M. S.
Published: September 2010

A total of 156 pigs of the Large White breed were used in a series of four experiments to test the suitability of barley which had been stored with a high moisture content as an ingredient in the diets of growing pigs. Barleys with mean moisture contents of 26·3%, 28·1% and 21·2% and a range from 19·6% to 30·5%, from three successive harvests were used.

In all the trials there was evidence that the use of moist barley in diets for growing pigs had an adverse effect on live-weight gain and feed conversion ratio, the effect being independent of whether feed intakes were equated on the basis of the dry-matter content of the diets. In one of the experiments performance was depressed to the extent of causing changes in carcass characteristics. The performance of pigs given rolled barley was similar to that of others given ground barley.
The voluntary intake by cattle of four silages differing in dry matter content
Authors: Jackson N. , Forbes T. J.
Published: September 2010

Herbage from the same timothy/meadow fescue/white clover sward was ensiled at four different dry matter contents. The resulting silages had dry matter contents of 19·0, 27·3, 32·3 and 43·2%, the dry matter content increasing with the length of the wilting period. An experiment was carried out to determine the voluntary intake of the silages. Each silage was given to 7 animals individually, the mean live weight of these being 334 kg.

Although the silages made from wilted herbage were lower in digestibility than that made from unwilted herbage, wilting increased dry matter intake and metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The mean daily intakes of digestible organic matter were 53·0, 58·1, 59·6 and 59·6 g/kgW0·73, for silages of increasing dry matter content. The corresponding ME intakes, expressed as a multiple of the ME requirement for maintenance, were 1·17, 1·29, 1·30 and 1·28. The percentage of acetic acid in the silage dry matter was significantly (r= −0·56) and linearly related to voluntary intake. The relationship between lactic acid concentration and voluntary intake was significantly curvilinear (r= 0·48).
A note on the relation between weights of alimentary tract contents, body fat and the uterus in Blackface ewes
Authors: Foot Janet Z. , Greenhalgh J. F. D.
Published: September 2010

The relation between the weight of the alimentary tract contents and the weights of body fat and the uterus was examined in 23 Blackface ewes. Six ewes were not pregnant, five had single foetuses and 12 had twins. The pregnant ewes were slaughtered three or four days before their expected lambing date. There was a negative relation between uterine weight or body fat weight and the weight of alimentary tract contents. The effect of uterine weight was small and not significant when only the pregnant animals were considered. It was unlikely that physical restriction of the alimentary tract by the uterus played more than a minor role in limiting voluntary food intake under the conditions of this experiment.
The development of solid food intake in calves. 2. Studies on the volume of rumen fluid, determined by an indirect method
Authors: Hodgson J.
Published: September 2010

1. Two experiments are described in which polyethylene glycol was used to estimate the volume of fluid in the rumen of calves weaned at an early age from milk substitute on to diets of dried grass.

2. The limitations of the technique in relation to studies on voluntary food intake are discussed.

3. Linear relationships were observed between the volume of rumen fluid and the consumption of solid food within each of three diets, as solid food intake increased after weaning.

4. In one experiment, the concentration of dry matter in the rumen contents increased by 50% over the first 3 weeks after weaning. There was no significant change with time after weaning in the pH or the digestive efficiency, measured in vitro, of samples of rumen contents.

5. The times spent eating and ruminating increased rapidly after weaning on both a long and a pelleted diet, but then remained relatively constant despite continued increases in solid food intake. Eating and ruminating times were much greater for the long than for the pelleted diet.
Intensive beef production. 12. Replacement of concentrates with chopped dried grass
Authors: Kay M. , Massie R. , MacDearmid A.
Published: September 2010

1. A growth trial was carried out using 24 British Friesian steers given diets containing (1) 100%, (2) 60%, (3) 40% and (4) 0% concentrates and chopped dried grass up to 100%.

2. Daily dry-matter intake was significantly lower for steers on Treatment 1 than for steers on the other three treatments.

3. Rate of live-weight gain declined from 1·18 to 0·88 kg/day and carcass gain from 625 to 430 g/day between steers on Treatments 1 and 4.

4. Killing-out percentage dropped from 55·3% (1) to 51·9% (4) and the 8th-10th rib from steers on Treatments 3 and 4 contained significantly more crude protein and less ether-extractable matter than ribs from steers on Treatments 1 and 2.
A note on the haem pigment concentration of lamb as influenced by age and sex
Authors: Ledward D. A. , Shorthose W. R.
Published: September 2010

Myoglobin and haemoglobin concentrations were determined in the m. longissimus dorsi of 133 Dorset Horn × Corriedale lambs, varying in age from 98 to 310 days, and killed at a live weight of 32 kg. Analysis of the data showed that age, over the period studied, was not a critical factor in determining the myoglobin concentration within the muscle. The average pigment level in the muscle of ewes was some 20% greater than in ‘cryptorchids’ and approximately 10% greater than in wethers. Haemoglobin was found to represent about 40% of the total haem pigment.
The genetic and financial consequences of selection amongst dairy bulls in artificial insemination
Authors: Hinks C. J. M.
Published: September 2010

A numerical model of male and female replacement processes in a dairy cattle population was constructed in order to describe the long-term genetic and financial consequences of selection amongst bulls in AI.

Changes with time in the relative contribution of different generations of offspring to the total genetic improvement of the population were described. It was shown that the genetic change resulting from a single selection process amongst the males eventually approaches an equilibrium many years after selection is practised. Owing to the delays involved in the progeny test, individual males made no genetic contribution for a period of 10 years and a small but constant contribution thereafter.

The costs of bull testing and selection, and the monetary benefits obtained from it, were estimated. Current selection procedures proved to be highly profitable at prevailing market prices. Capital invested in the testing programme was recovered within 2 to 5 years of the first offspring calving.

The effect of changes in milk prices and feeding costs on monetary returns was examined. It was concluded that sire testing programmes are likely to prove unprofitable only under extremely adverse economic conditions.
Milk substitute intake of artificially reared lambs during the first days of life as affected by time of removal from the dam and frequency of feeding
Authors: Bryant M. J. , Owen E.
Published: September 2010

Forty-eight Suffolk × Clun lambs were used in an experiment to investigate the effects of two times of removal from the dam and two feeding frequencies upon milk intake over the first 4 days on an artificial rearing system.

Lambs removed at birth consumed significantly more milk replacer at feeding periods up to 32 hr after removal than lambs removed at 24 hr after birth. Removal at birth also significantly increased voluntary milk intake between feeding periods for up to 32 hr and from 64 to 80 hr after removal.

Feeding the lambs during a 16-hr period in a 4, 4, 8 hr sequence instead of 8, 8 hr intervals significantly improved milk intake at feeding periods.
A note on studies on heat tolerance in Awassi sheep
Authors: Juma K. H. , Gharib F. H. , Eliya J.
Published: September 2010

Body temperature and respiratory rate were investigated during the hottest months of the year in five docked and five undocked fattailed Awassi rams, together with the effect of month and docking on these physiological variables.

Month had significant effects on both variables in the two groups. Diurnal variation in rectal temperature was significant in both groups.

Docked rams maintained significantly lower rectal temperatures and respiratory rates than their controls.
A note on the association of haemoglobin types with ewe and ram fertility and lamb mortality in Indian sheep
Authors: Arora C. L. , Acharya R. M. , Kakar S. N.
Published: September 2010

Haemoglobin types of two Indian breeds of sheep were related to ram and ewe fertility and lamb mortality. Rams with Hb B type had a significantly higher number of lambs born to ewes mated to them. Ewe fertility and lamb mortality were better, but not significantly so, in animals with Hb B type.
A possible indicator muscle for the fibre content and growth characteristics of porcine muscle
Authors: Stickland N. C. , Goldspink G.
Published: September 2010

Fibre number and fibre size were measured in theflexor digiti V brevismuscle and other muscles in pigs of different breeds. A large variation in fibre number (200%) was found among the breeds. However, the fibre number in theflexor digiti V breviswas closely correlated with fibre number of other muscles in the same animal. Fibre number and size measurements were also carried out on animals at different ages taken from a relatively pure breed of pig. Fibre size was found to increase to differing extents in different muscles, although the increase in theflexor digiti V breviswas almost the same as in thelongissimus dorsi. Fibre number did not change during growth. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that theflexor digiti V brevisis a suitable indicator muscle for genetic experiments.
The effect of level and pattern of energy intake during late pregnancy on the performance of housed Scottish Blackface ewes
Authors: McClelland T. H. , Forbes T. J.
Published: September 2010

Sixty Scottish Blackface ewes were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment in which two levels of metabolizable energy (ME) were given during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. In two treatments 1600 and 2000 kcal M E were given daily over the total period while in the remaining treatments daily ME intakes were 1200 and 1600 kcal ME during the first 3 weeks of the feeding period and 2000 and 2400 kcal ME during the last 3 weeks. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intakes were constant at approximately 30 g per head daily in the constant energy treatments and 15 and 45 g per head daily in the first and second periods respectively for the low-high energy treatments.

Energy intake had no statistically significant effect on lamb birth weight nor on ewe net body-weight change (change from the start of the experimental feeding period to immediately post partum). Ewes on low-high energy intakes had a significantly lower net body-weight loss than did ewes on constant energy intakes. Pattern of feeding had no significant effect on lamb birth weights. Negative nitrogen balances were found during the first feeding period where the daily DCP intake was approximately 15 g per head.
Apparent heterozygote excess at the amylase I locus in cattle
Authors: Spooner R. L. , Mazumder N. K. , Griffin T. K. , Kingwill R. G. , Wijeratne W. V. S. , Wilson C. D.
Published: September 2010

The amylase (Am I) genotypes have been determined in sera from 834 cows comprising 562 Friesians, 77 Ayrshires, 106 Guernseys, 62 Jerseys and 27 crossbred cows. All of these cows had completed their third lactation and many were much older. There was a highly significant excess of heterozygotes at the Am I locus. This excess of heterozygotes was highest in high-yielding Friesian herds and there was a significant correlation between percentage heterozygotes and herd yield in the Friesians.
Milk and herbage intakes by grazing lambs born to Merino ewes and sired by Merino, Border Leicester, Corriedale, Dorset Horn and Southdown rams
Authors: Langlands J. P.
Published: September 2010

Estimates were made of milk and herbage intakes and growth rates of male lambs born to Merino ewes which had been mated to Merino, Border Leicester, Corriedale, Dorset Horn or Southdown rams. The lambs were castrated and with the ewes grazed grass-clover pastures at two stocking rates.

Crossbred lambs consumed more milk and more grass, and grew more rapidly than Merino lambs. The greatest intakes and growth rates were attained by progeny of Border Leicester and Dorset Horn sires; Corriedale and Southdown crosses also grew more rapidly than Merinos.

Lambs at the high stocking rate received slightly more milk and consumed less grass than those grazed at the low stocking rate. The growth rates of groups were similar.
An association between the concentration of copper in whole blood and haemoglobin type in sheep
Authors: Wiener Gerald , Hall J. G. , Hayter Susan
Published: September 2010

In a genetically diverse flock of about 320 sheep a significant association has been found between the concentration of copper in whole blood and the haemoglobin type.

Sheep were bled on four occasions over a period of 1 year, with the flock mean concentration of copper varying between 53 and 96 fig per 100 ml whole blood. The copper concentrations in whole blood from sheep of haemoglobin type B exceeded those from sheep of type A by 9, 16, 15 and 15 fig per 100 ml on the four occasions respectively. The copper concentrations from sheep of type AB were 8, 11, 7 and 7 μg higher than those from type A.

Differences in the frequency of the three haemoglobin phenotypes accounted for part of the breed variation in copper concentration previously observed in the same flock, but even when that effect was allowed for, highly significant breed variation remained. When plasma instead of whole blood was examined in two other flocks from which breed variation in plasma copper concentration had been reported no association was found between the plasma copper concentration and haemoglobin type.
Cold-induced inhibition of thermal panting in shorn sheep. 2. Effect of previous acclimatization to cold
Authors: Slee J.
Published: September 2010

1. Short cold exposures (2 hr at 18° or 8°C) were used to delay or block panting during subsequent heat stress in shorn Merino and Scottish Blackface sheep. The effect of previous acclimatization to cold upon the block to thermal panting was studied.

2. After acclimatization the block was reduced, but less in Merinos than in Blackfaces. In Blackfaces, the reduction effect was inconsistent after short periods of acclimatization, but became significant after prolonged (3 weeks) acclimatization.

3. Acclimatization produced elevations in heart rate and body temperature implying increased heat production. Variation in block reduction between breeds and between individuals was related to these presumed changes in heat production. Sheep with highly elevated metabolic rates showed complete block prevention. 4. After cold exposure ceased, elevated heat production disappeared within 8 days and the block returned.

5. It was concluded that elevated heat production resulting from acclimatization caused block prevention partly because increased heat storage cancelled the heat debt otherwise incurred during blocking treatment and partly because the increased requirement for heat dissipation overruled the respiratory centre block.
The response of lactating sows and their litters to different dietary energy allowances. 1. Milk yield and composition, reproductive performance of sows and growth rate of litters
Authors: O'Grady J. F. , Elsley F. W. H. , MacPherson R. M. , McDonald I.
Published: September 2010

Twenty-four gilts were used at each of two centres in an experiment designed to examine the effects of dietary energy intake during lactation on yield and composition of sows' milk and the growth of their litters. Gestation feed intake was standardized at 2 kg per day supplying 6·28 Meal digestible energy (DE) and 280 g crude protein. The energy levels fed during lactation ranged from 12·2 to 18·25 Meal DE per day for gilts, 12·9 to 19·6 Meal DE per day for second parity and from 13·2 to 20·25 Meal DE per day for third parity sows. Daily crude protein intake and amino acid balance ofthe protein were kept constant.

In the first lactation milk yield and composition and growth of litters were not influenced by dietary energy intake. In the second lactation milk yield was depressed by lower energy intakes and this was reflected in litter weights at 21 though not at 42 days. In the third lactation lower energy intakes seriously depressed milk yield and daily output of milk nutrients. On the lowest level of energy, milk yield was 32% lower at day 24 and 20% lower at day 41 of lactation than on the highest energy level. The corresponding depressions in litter weights were 17·2 and 13·5% at 21 and 42 days respectively.
Reproduction in the gilt 1. The influence of age and weight at puberty on ovulation rate and embryo survival in the gilt
Authors: Hughes P. E. , Cole D. J. A.
Published: September 2010

Fifty-three Landrace × (Landrace × Large White) young female pigs (gilts) were fed ad libitum from selection at 20 kg live weight until mating at the second oestrous period. All gilts were subjected to a change of environment at 55 kg live weight, and the male was introduced daily from 64 kg live weight. Gilts were mated twice at second heat, and slaughtered on the 20th day of gestation. There was a range in age at puberty from 135 to 235 days (mean 178·9 ± 3·4 days), and in weight at puberty from 70 to 125 kg (mean 90·5 ±2·3 kg), indicating that there is a potential in some animals, at least, to attain sexual maturity at a very young age. Neither gilt age norweight at puberty significantly affected ovulation rate at second oestrus, conception rate or embryo survival during the first 20 days of gestation.

Gilts sired by one boar reached puberty significantly earlier (P < 0·05) than did the offspring of three other boars.
A note on the value of molasses and tapioca as energy supplements to forage for growing steers
Authors: Ahmed F. A. , Kay M.
Published: September 2010

The intake and digestibility of diets containing dried grass supplemented with either molasses or tapioca was studied with 12 Friesian steers in two experiments, using a Latin square design. Three periods were used, each containing 3 weeks preliminary followed by a 10-day collection period. In both experiments long, artificially dried grass was given to appetite (treatment A). The other treatments in Experiment 1 were 25% molasses plus 75% dried grass (B) and 50% molasses plus 50% dried grass (C). In Experiment 2 the treatments were 21% tapioca plus 79% dried grass (D) and 42% tapioca plus 58% dried grass (E). There was no significant difference in dry matter or organic matter intake between the diets, though the intakes in both experiments tended to be lower when the dried grass was supplemented with either molasses or tapioca than when it was given alone. Nor were there any significant differences in the digestibility of dry matter or organic matter between the diets in either experiment. In both experiments the digestibility of crude fibre was significantly lower (P<0·05) when either molasses or tapioca was given with the dried grass than when the grass was offered alone.
A note on the density of bovine limb bones
Authors: Fursey G. A. J.
Published: September 2010

The densities of about 1000 limb bones, excised from 110 carcasses of four breeds of cattle ranging in age from 6 to 36 months, were measured by the method of weighing in water. The density of individual bones varied considerably ranging from 1·24 to 1·71 gcm-3Some of this variation was due to differences between the various bone types within a limb, the cannon bones being more dense than the tibia and radius/ulna which in turn were more dense than either the humerus or femur. Age and breed also influenced density; the older the animal the more dense were its bones and the bones of Jersey cattle were more dense than those of Herefords of the same age. These findings conflict with an assumption that has been made hither to in theoretical analyses of the densitometric method of estimating the composition of carcasses, where skeletal density has been generally taken as constant.
Fertility differences between groups of sires relative to the stage of oestrus at the time of insemination
Authors: MacMillan K. L. , Watson J. D.
Published: September 2010

Records for 6012 inseminations of cows were analysed to determine the effect of the stage of oestrus at the time of insemination on conception rates for three groups of sires. All inseminations were completed between 8.30 hr and 11.30 hr using 2·5 million total spermatozoa in 0·5 ml of ‘Caprogen’ extender containing catalase. The designation of the stage of oestrus was based on the milking or milkings relative to the time of insemination at which each cow was observed in oestrus. Data from cows returning to service less than 18 days after insemination were excluded.

The average conception rates (18 to 49 day% non-return rate) for the three groups of sires were 72·9% (7 sires of above average fertility), 70·5% (5 sires of average fertility), and 68·3% (6 sires of below average fertility). With inseminations in early oestrus, the comparable results were 74·3, 62·7 and 58·4% respectively. In contrast, the results for the three groups of sires with post-oestrous inseminations were 73·3, 71·13 and 73·8% respectively.

The average interval from insemination to ovulation and fertilization is related to the stage of oestrus at insemination. This interval was the major factor contributing to the fertility differences between the groups of sires included in this experiment. These differences were also reflected in the percentage and distribution of normal (18 to 24 day) return intervals.
Determination of age of lamb carcasses from pelvic ossification
Authors: Kirton A. H. , O'Hara P. J. , Cairney I. M. , Bishop W. H. , Nottingham P. M.
Published: September 2010

In a study involving over 300 pelves from lambs of known age at slaughter it was shown that time of ossification was poorly related to age of lamb. The youngest lamb with an ossified pelvis was a female aged 22·4 weeks and at the other end of the scale a third of a group of 45-week-old castrated male lamb pelves were not ossified. Female lamb pelves ossified earlier than castrated male lamb pelves. Carcasses with ossified pelves at a given age tended to be heavier than those with pelves not ossified and pelves of well-fed lambs probably ossified before those of poorly fed lambs. The results indicate that the suggested Codex method for a carcass classification or grading system for dividing lamb carcasses into those under and those over 6 mo of age at slaughter was not accurate. The reason for wanting such a classification is also questioned.
The relative incidence and effect of bovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle
Authors: Frisch J. E.
Published: September 2010

Data on incidence and severity of infection with bovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis and proportion of eye margin pigmentation were collected over 3 years in a mixed herd of Hereford × Shorthorn (HS), Africander x HS, Brahman x HS, grade Africanders and purebred Brahmans. Both sexes were scored at 3 and 8 mo but only females were scored at 15 mo. At all ages, the incidence of infection was greatest in the HS and lowest in the Brahmans in which no infections were recorded. The severity of infection and proportion of bilateral infections were also greatest in the HS animals.

Infected animals were lighter at all ages than comparable uninfected animals. HS females which showed signs of infection at each age were 22·8 kg lighter at 15 mo than those which had never shown signs of being infected. The magnitude of the weight difference was directly related to the severity of infection.

In the HS breed, both the incidence and severity of infection were related to the proportion of eye margin pigmentation. At 15 mo, 68% of HS females with full eye margin pigmentation were infected compared to 96% of comparable unpigmented animals. At 15 mo infected HS females with full eye margin pigmentation were heavier than unpigmented contemporaries. It was concluded that the lower weight of infected animals was primarily the result of the disease rather than vice versa.
Sodium hydroxide treatment of barley straw; effect of volume and concentration of solution on digestibility and intake by sheep
Authors: Jayasuriya M. C. N. , Owen Emyr
Published: September 2010

1. Four experiments have been carried out to determine the effect of treatment of spring-sown barley straw (var. Deba Abed) with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and subsequent neutralization with hydrochloric acid (HCl) on its digestibility and intake by sheep.

2. In Experiment 1, chopped straw was mixed with 4·5 or 9·0 g NaOH in 200 or 800 ml water/100 g, straw, and after 24 hr neutralized with HCl and left for a further 24 hr before being offered to castrated male sheep (wethers) in a maintenance diet containing 35% concentrates. Organic-matter digestibility of straw significantly increased, by 8 and 11 percentage units respectively, after treatment with 200 ml solution containing 4·5 and 9·0 g NaOH. Volume of solution did not affect digestibility.

3. In Experiment 2, straw treated as in Experiment 1 was given ad libitum. The highest intake was for straw treated with 200 ml solution containing 4·5 g NaOH/100 g straw, treatment with 9·0 g NaOH giving a significantly lower intake but higher than that of untreated straw.

4. In Experiment 3, the in vitro digestibility of milled straw, treated as in Experiments 1 and 4, increased with increasing volumes of solution up to 120 ml/100 g straw, but the response to successive increments of NaOH declined progressively.

5. In Experiment 4 chopped straw was mixed with 4·5, 6·75 or 9·0 g NaOH in 30, 60 or 120 ml water/100 g straw and offered as in Experiment 1. Treatments significantly increased straw digestibility, by 8 to 16 percentage units. Increasing the volume of water from 30 to 60 ml significantly improved digestibility, by 5 percentage units at the two lower levels of NaOH. The response to an increase in the level of NaOH was less, and inconsistent. In vitro and in vivo digestibilities were significantly correlated, but it is concluded that the in vitro technique used overestimates the digestibility of treated straw.
Influence of taste-modifiers on taste responses of pygmy goats
Authors: Mehren M. J. , Church D. C.
Published: September 2010

The taste responses of pygmy goats to addition of gymnemic acid (GymA), inosinic acid (InoA), or monosodium glutamate (MSG) t o sucrose or quinine monohydrochloride (QHC1) solutions were studied. Addition of 20, 40 or 100 p.p.m. GymA to 25 % sucrose (aversive) solution caused the goats to show strong preference responses. Addition of GymA to a 30 % sucrose solution did not change the response from strong rejection. Addition of GymA to 1000 p.p.m. QHC1 did not change the strong rejection response, but additions of 10, 20, 60, 80 or 100 p.p.m. GymA to a 200 p.p.m. QHC1 solution changed the response from rejection to non-discrimination or weak preference.

Addition of 50 to 500 p.p.m. InoA to 0·08 % sucrose solution did not change the response from non-discrimination; InoA added to a 6·25 p.p.m. QHC1 solution, changed the response from non-discrimination to rejection at 50 p.p.m. and to strong rejection at 250 p.p.m. When MSG was added to 0·08% sucrose solution, the response remained non-discriminatory until 500 p.p.m. MSG was reached; this elicited a weak rejection. MSG (5, 50, or 500 p.p.m.) added to 10 % sucrose solution, changed the response from moderate preference o t non-discrimination. With 30 % sucrose solution the response was changed from weak rejection to non-discrimination by addition of 5 or 50 p.p.m. MSG but reverted to weak rejection at 250 p.p.m. MSG and to non-discrimination at 500 p.p.m. MSG. The addition of 5 to 250 p.p.m. MSG to 100 p.p.m. QHC1 solution changed the taste response from moderate rejection to non-discrimination; 500 p.p.m. resulted in slight rejection. Addition of 5 to 500 p.p.m. MSG to 6·25 p.p.m. QHC1 solution did not change the response from non-discrimination.
A note on muscle pH1 values in commercial pig carcasses
Authors: Smith W. C. , Wilson A. , Burr A. C. , Clark J. B. K.
Published: September 2010

Over an 8-week period pH measurements were taken in the longis-simus dorsi muscle of 17 157 bacon-weight carcasses at 45 min post mortem (pH1 ) in one abattoir. The overall least squares mean pHt was 6·38 and 9·9% of carcasses had pHt values of 5·9 or less. Neither sex, type of dam, breed nor testing background of sire of the carcasses examined had a significant effect on muscle pHj or the incidence of values below p H 6·0. Although first-grade carcasses had a higher incidence of low pHj values relative to those in the other grades, it was of no practical significance. Carcasses of homebred pigs had a higher incidence of muscle pHt values of 5·9 and below (2%) compared with those from pigs initially purchased as weaners. There was a marked producer effect on muscle pHj and the incidence of values below pH 6·0.
Effect of sampling errors on efficiency of selection indices. 2. Use of information on associated traits for improvement of a single important trait
Authors: Sales Jill , Hill W. G.
Published: September 2010

An analysis is undertaken of the effect of errors in estimates of parameters on the response to selection for an economically important trait (trait 1) when one or more additional traits are added in a selection index. The detailed analysis is confined to one additional trait (trait 2) which contributes useful information unless the genetic and phenotypic regressions of trait 1 on trait 2 are equal.

If there are errors in parameter estimates the extra response obtained by including trait 2 will usually be over-predicted. When trait 2 actually contributes no useful information the predicted benefit equals the real loss in efficiency from its inclusion.

The loss in efficiency from poor estimation of parameters, whether or not the second trait makes a contribution, is roughly one-quarter of the squared coefficient of variation of a heritability estimate of trait 1 in the same experiment.
Fat distribution in steer carcasses of different breeds and crosses. 1. Distribution between depots
Authors: Kempster A. J. , Cuthbertson A. , Harrington G.
Published: September 2010

Dissection data from 643 carcasses of castrated male cattle (steers) of 15 breed-type × feeding system groups were used to examine the distribution of total fat (TF) between subcutaneous (SF), intermuscular (IF), kidney knob and channel (KKCF) and cod fat depots. The breed-type groups, which were from cereal or grass/cereal feeding systems, included Ayrshire, Simmental × Ayrshire, British Friesian and Friesian crosses with Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, South Devon and Simmental. Means for percentage TF in side ranged from 21·4 to 36·2 with a pooled within group SD of 3·87.

The growth of each depot relative to TF was examined using the allometric equation. Significant but not large differences existed between groups for the growth coefficients of SF and IF while the coefficients for KKCF differed widely among groups. The coefficient for SF was greater than that for IF in every group (pooled within-group b values±SE were 1·20±·02 and 0·87±0·01 respectively).

At constant TF weight, carcasses from Ayrshire and Ayrshire crosses tended to contain less SF and more IF+KKC F than those from Friesian and beef breed × Friesian. Important differences in distribution were recorded between the various beef breed × Friesian groups. The proportion of SF was lower for cattle fed on grass/cereal diets than for cattle of the same breed type fed on cereal diets.

The differences in fat distribution led to substantial bias for some groups when the percentages of IF and TF in the side were predicted from percentage SF. The bias was less when both KKCF and SF were used as predictors.
The supplementation of maize silage for an autumn-calving dairy herd
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Cramp D. G.
Published: September 2010

Thirty-nine British Friesian lactating cows were used to study the effects on milk production of supplementation of maize silage offered ad libitum during two 3-hr periods each day. During weeks 11 to 24 of lactation a comparison was made of (i) no supplement, (ii) 183 g/day of a mixture (2: 1) of urea: urea phosphate, (iii) 5 kg/day of barley plus 183 g/day of the urea: urea phosphate mixture, (iv) 7 kg/day of dried grass and (v) 10 kg/day of dried grass. The corresponding treatment mean values were: milk yield (kg/day), 10·0, 9·9, 13·4, 15·1, 16·8; fat content (%), 3·43, 3·80, 3·98, 3·92, 3·61; solids-not-fat content (%), 7·95, 8·03, 8·45, 8·51, 8·49; energy intake (MJ/day), 71·2, 76·9, 130·3, 132·7, 138·6; intake of dry matter as maize silage (kg/cow per day), 7·1, 7·7, 8·3, 7·7, 6·5. With the exception of fat content, the differences between treatments 1 and 2 were not significant but the values for these two treatments were significantly lower than those for the other three treatments.
Milk production from diets of silage and dried forage. 1. Effects of methods of processing dried grass and of including barley in the supplementation of grass silage given ad libitum
Authors: Tayler J. C. , Aston K.
Published: September 2010

1. Young adult and adult British Friesian female cattle (heifers and cows) which were lactating were individually fed on diets of grass silage ad libitum with supplements of dried grass, dried grass/barley or barley/groundnut in two randomized block experiments.

2. In Experiment I, equal quantities of dry matter (DM) as dried grass in the form of a wafer (W), cob (C) or pellet (P) were given with the silage during weeks 8 to 18 of lactation, to three groups of 12 heifers. Silage DM intakes were respectively 14·2, 14·3 and 15·8 ± 0·43 g/kg live weight per day (P<0·05). Milk yields were 14·0, 15·6, 16·7 ± 0·35 kg/day (P< 0·001). Milk composition and live-weight change did not differ significantly.

3. In Experiment II, five treatment groups of heifers and cows were offered silage with equal amounts of a supplement of either dried grass pellets (treatment 1) or dried grass/barley in the ratios of 2: 1 (treatment 2), 1: 2 (treatment 3), or a barley/groundnut supplement (treatment 4). In treatment 5 the cattle received the same supplement as in treatment 4, but at a 10% higher level. Silage DM intakes for treatments 1 to 5 during lactation weeks 6 to 22 were 8·64, 8·94, 7·96, 6·96, 7·63 kg/day (1, 2>4, P<0·01; 2>5, P<0·05). The intake of digestible organic matter, milk yields and live-weight changes over the whole experimental period were not influenced significantly by treatments 1 to 4, but in treatment 5 the milk was significantly higher in fat, protein and energy content than in treatments 1 to 4. Blood composition was normal and did not differ markedly between treatments.
Growth and carcass characteristics of purebred and crossbred cattle with special reference to their carcass lean:bone ratios
Authors: Broadbent P. J. , Ball C. , Dodsworth T. L.
Published: September 2010

1. Three pure breeds, Aberdeen-Angus (AA), Ayrshire (AYR) and British Friesian (FR), and three crossbreds, Aberdeen-Angus × Ayrshire (AA × AYR), Aberdeen-Angus × British Friesian (AA × FR) and British Friesian × Ayrshire (FR × AYR) were studied. Each breed type was represented by 12 male castrates which were the progeny of at least seven sires in each case.

2. The purebred cattle of dairy type (FR and AYR) were faster growing (P < 0·001), heavier at slaughter (P < 0·001) and produced heavier carcasses (P < 0·001) than the pure beef breed. There were no significant differences between the breeds in the lean contents of their carcasses and there was no indication of any systematic breed effect on the distribution of lean within the carcass. The AA had carcasses with a higher fat content (P < 0·05), a lower bone content (P < 0·001) and a higher lean:bone ratio (P < 0·001) than the FR and AYR.

3. In general the values for performance and carcass data of the crosses between the three purebreeds fall mid-way between their parent values or do not differ significantly from this value. The hypothesis that crossbred cattle produce carcasses with higher muscle: bone ratios than purebred cattle is refuted by these data.