bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance and carcass measures of broilers maintained on diets containing Biomin (a symbiotic natural growth promoter) under tropical conditions
Authors: Iyayi E. A. , Ezeokeke C.
Published: June 2019

The need to provide protein at a low cost to consumers in Nigeria, has stimulated continued search for more suitable combination of known nutrients, and for new additives which will increase the efficiency and growth rate and therefore level of production of poultry birds. These widespread efforts have led to the present use of growth promoters (variously called growth permitters, growth enhancers, biostimulators). Growth promoters are antimicrobials, synthetic agents or mixtures of these. They directly or indirectly enhance digestion and hence anabolism. They remove pathological conditions and therefore cause growth promotion. This study reports the use of one of such commercial growth promoters recently introduced into the poultry market in Nigeria on the performance of broilers
Steroid hormones concentration of the preovulatory ovarian follicles of the goose
Authors: Paściak P. , Wojtysiak D.
Published: June 2019

Ovarian follicles are the most important steroids producing structures of the avian ovary. The ovary of a mature goose generally contains 7-9 large preovulatory follicles arranged in a follicular hierarchy, several postovulatory follicles, and numerous small follicles, which have not entered the follicular hierarchy. It has been reported that in avian preovulatory follicles biosynthesis of sex steroid changes during maturation (Gomez et al., 1998; Lee et al., 1998). The cell theory for steroid production suggested that granular layer of preovulatory follicles primarily produce progesterone that are required as substrate for the production of androgen and estradiol by theca layer (Huang et al., 1979). The recently multiple-cell theory of steroidogenic suggest that theca layer can also synthesize progesterone, androgen and estradiol independent of granulosa layer (Nitta et al., 1991).
GM technologies – opportunities and threats of applying GM technology in less developed and developed countries
Authors: Bennett A.
Published: June 2019

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) confidently predict that the demand for meat will increase by 50 percent between 2000 and 2020 and for eggs by 25percent over the same period. They predict that the growth in demand will be greatest for pigs and poultry products. This challenge will be met through increases in production and productivity.

Increases in demand will be driven a combination of population increase and economic growth. The greatest increases will be in the rapidly growing economies of Asia – particularly in India and China. While local production meet much of the growing and diversifying needs of consumers it is also inevitable that international trade in animal products will grow. As the wealth of consumers increase so will their tastes diversify together with their interest in sources of food and choice. BSE and outbreaks of foot and mouth have focused consumer interests on food safety issues and have in part contributed to concerns over the production and use of genetically modified organisms.
Animal fats and human health
Authors: Salter A.M.
Published: June 2019

In 1991 it was recommended that total fat intake in the UK should be reduced to a population average of less that 33% of total daily energy intake and that saturated fatty acids should contribute no more than 10% of total energy (Department of Health, 1991). A further recommendation was that the intake of trans fatty acids should not exceed 2% of total energy. These recommendations were made primarily on the basis of the influence of fatty acids on plasma cholesterol and thereby on the development of cardiovascular disease. While associations of fat intake with other chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity and diabetes have also been suggested, it was felt that there was insufficient evidence to make specific recommendations on the basis of such claims. A reduction in saturated fat intake has remained a central target of public health nutrition within the United Kingdom ever since. Despite concerted efforts, particularly throughout the 1990s., to achieve these targets little progress has been made. In 2000, total fat intake remained at 38% and saturated fatty acid intake at 15% (DEFRA, 2001).
Identification of QTL controlling distress at social separation in cattle
Authors: Gutiérrez-Gil B. , Ball N. , Haskell M. , Williams J.L. , Wiener P.
Published: June 2019

Modern cattle management systems involve animals’ separation from penmates for procedures such as weighing, measuring and blood-sampling. This separation can result in distress in some individuals. Environmental and genetic factors are known to control the variability observed in behavioural responses of different individuals. We carried out a genome scan in a Holstein x Charolais cross population to identify QTL influencing temperament-related traits. One of these tests was the social separation test (SS test), which was designed to measure animals’ fearfulness to social separation (Ball et al., 2002). We present here the results obtained for the traits scored in the SS test performed in the heifers of the second-generation of this population.
Effects of fatty acid sources on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and other fatty acids in dairy milk
Authors: Piamphon Nonthasak , Wachirapakorn Chalong , Wanapat Metha , Nawanukrow Chainarong
Published: June 2019

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is aniticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and antidiabetogenic actives. Research has therefore focused on methods of increasing CLA content in milk fat. Amount of CLA in milk fat was highly related to biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acid of rumen microbes. (Bauman et al., 1999). Linoleic acid (C18:2) were the precursors of CLA synthesis. The CLA was also synthesized in the mammary gland of lactating ruminants, using oleic acid (C18:1) as a precursor and activity of delta 9-desaturase (Griinari and Bauman, 1999). Linoleic acid is high in soybean oil (SO) (54.4%) and tuna oil (TO) (20.3%) while oleic acid is high in pork oil (PO) (43.5%) and groundnut oil (GO) (40.7%). Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to compare the increasing of CLA and fatty acid composition in milk fat form cows fed dietary oils obtained from either animal or plant sources.
Determination of protein digestibility of animal protein feeds under condition of in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zarei Abolfazl , Mirhadi Ahmad , Shivazad Mahmood , Lotfollahian Hoshang
Published: June 2019

Artemia or brine shrimp is a crustacean animal that lives in conditions of high salinity in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. There is great potential for the culture and production of artemia in Iran. Artemia biomass is a good source of protein that can be used in poultry diets (Zarei et al., 2006). The objective of this study was to determine the protein digestibility of different sources of artemia in vitro and in vivo in comparison with fish meal.
Mare age as a selection consideration for sport horse broodmares; a breeder survey
Authors: Whitaker T. C. , Brace C.
Published: June 2019

Selection considerations for mares for breeding are varied. Most breeders consider factors such as performance, pedigree, progeny and conformation very carefully. It has been suggested (Roberts, 1986) that fertility rates may be comparatively poor (under 50% per cycle) in the aged (over 15 years) broodmare. This study (via survey) examined) the factors considered by event horse breeders when selecting mares for breeding and their stated knowledge of reproduction and physiology.
The effect of rider gender on performance at international equine eventing competitions
Authors: Whitaker T. C.
Published: June 2019

Analysis of environmental factors within equine sporting competition is critical to understanding potential effects on performance. If such effects are occurring they need careful consideration within any performance assessment mechanisms that are subsequently undertaken on the data. Such effects may have implications for competitor’s selectors and trainers. Additionally and importantly if the performance data is being related to breeding information, these environmental effects may be playing a significant role in our subsequent judgements and predictions within breed improvement models.
Factors influencing the demand for British bred horses
Authors: Crossman G. K.
Published: June 2019

The Sport Horse breeding industry in Great Britain has been in decline for many years. Once, the British were in the vanguard of the worldwide Sport Horse breeding industry, alongside a buoyant Thoroughbred breeding industry. However, in recent years Sport Horse breeding has floundered, with many competitive dressage and show jumping horses being purchased from overseas. (BHIC / Defra 2005) Research has been carried out to identify trends in Thoroughbred auction sales (Buzby and Jessup 1994, Robbins and Kennedy 2001), and Sport Horse auction sales (Hennessey and Quinn 2006). The British Equestrian Federation (BEF), through British Breeding, commissioned this research firstly to ascertain the demand for British bred horses and identify any trends contained within this demand, and secondly to obtain a snapshot of the current horse buying market place.
Subclinical mastitis changes the patterns of maternal -offspring behaviours in sheep
Authors: Gougoulis D. A. , Kyriazakis I. , Papioannou N. , Papadoupoulous E. , Taitzoglou I. A. , Fthenakis G. C.
Published: June 2019

Previous research has established the development and patterns of sucking behaviour in sheep, as well as factors potentially affecting them. However, in no case the health of the mammary gland of ewes, i.e. possible presence of mastitis, has been taken into account during these studies. In fact, not a single one of all relative research publications has considered examination of mammary secretion samples, to assess mammary health of the experimental ewes. The objective of the present work was to study whether ovine subclinical mastitis potentially influences dam/offspring behaviours during lactation, with a view to standardizing procedures during investigations of these behaviours.
Developing a robustness index for UK dairy cows
Authors: Wall E. , Coffey M. P. , Brotherstone S.
Published: June 2019

Selection for increased milk production may have resulted in the “shift” in nutrient partitioning towards milk production away from maintenance of functional fitness. This has led to the conclusion that dairy cows appear to be less ‘robust’ than in the past. The current national index, £PLI, combines the predicted transmitting ability (PTA) for production and functional traits, multiplied by their relative economic values, with the overall goal of maximising cow profit. Stott et al. (2005) updated economic weights for £PLI, increasing the relative weight on functional traits, but showed that the genetic responses in functional traits were still expected to decline, albeit at a slower rate compared to selection on production alone. The aim of this work is to develop a Robustness Index for UK dairy cattle that halts the predicted genetic decline in health and fertility traits using a restricted index approach.
The effect of energy balance and condition score on early lactation fertility in two genetic lines of Holstein cattle maintained in two contrasting feeding systems
Authors: Pollott G. E. , Coffey M. P.
Published: June 2019

The ability of high-yielding modern dairy cows to perform in the range of systems found on UK dairy farms, and to be profitable and sustainable, needs investigating. As part of a project to study the robustness of such animals, milk-progesterone profiling was used to investigate the reproductive performance of two genotypes of dairy cow on two production systems (Pollott and Coffey, 2006). In this paper differences in fertility between genotypes and systems was investigated using energy balance (EB) and body condition score (CS) as explanatory factors.
Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on uterine endometrial gene expression of enzymes involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis in cattle
Authors: Waters S.M. , Childs S. , Sreenan J.M. , Hennessy A. , Stanton C. , Kenny D.A.
Published: June 2019

The modern high-producing dairy cow is sub-fertile. Early embryo loss, within the first 16 days of gestation, is the greatest contributor to reproductive wastage (Sreenan et al., 2001), though the causes for this are not well understood. Nutrition plays a fundamental role in reproduction and specifically there is emerging evidence that supplemental polyunsaturated dietary fatty acids (PUFA) can increase cow fertility (Thatcher et al., 2006). For example, in-vitro studies suggest that the ω-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be pivotal in the suppression of endometrial prostaglandin F2α synthesis, a critical regulator of luteolysis and hence embryo survival, though the biochemical pathways involved have not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of ω-3 PUFA on mRNA expression of key uterine endometrial genes involved in PGF2α biosynthesis.
Genetic correlations between the cross country, dressage and showjumping phases of eventing competition
Authors: Kearsley C. G. S. , Brotherstone S. , Woolliams J .A.
Published: June 2019

Competition data is widely used in the genetic evaluation of racing (Belhajyahia et al., 2003) and showjumping horses (Reilly et al., 1998). However, its use in the evaluation of eventing horses is rare. In a previous study, we investigated the use of competition results for the evaluation of eventing horses by examining the component parts of eventing competition – dressage, showjumping and cross country (Kearsley, unpublished). The aim of this study is to estimate genetic correlations between the different phases of eventing competition at pre novice and novice level as part of a project to predict breeding values for British sport horses.
Inbreeding and inbreeding depression in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Mc Parland S. , Kearney J.F. , Rath M. , Berry D.P.
Published: June 2019

Inbreeding occurs when related individuals are mated to each other. Inbreeding reduces milk production, and impairs health, fertility and survival; a phenomenon known as inbreeding depression. Smith et al. (1998) reported losses in milk yield of 27 kg per 1% increase in inbreeding in US Holsteins. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of inbreeding in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle and to quantify its effect on milk, fat and protein production and somatic cell count.
Prospects for genetic improvement of milk production traits of Sahiwal cattle in Kenya
Authors: Ilatsia E.D. , Muasya T. K. , Muhuyi W. B. , Kahi A. K.
Published: June 2019

The primary emphasis of the long-term Sahiwal cattle breeding programme is to increase milk yield by selecting cows based on their performance in first three lactations. It is therefore important to have knowledge on the extend of additive genetic variance and genetic parameters for these traits. Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates normally apply directly to the specific population and environment from which the data were collected. In the Sahiwal cattle in Kenya, very little is known about the genetic variation of milk production traits and their genetic relationships. Furthermore, genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates for the Sahiwal cattle based on multivariate animal model are scarce. This paper presents estimates of variance components and genetic parameters for milk production traits using trivariate animal model.
Estimation genetic and phenotypic correlations between weight traits pre and post weaning weight in Baluchi sheep
Authors: Hosseinpour Mashhadi Mojtaba , Aminafshar Mehdi , Tabasi Nafise
Published: June 2019

Baluchi is the most common native breed of sheep in Iran, comprising 30% of the sheep population. This breed is native to the eastern part of the country, which has a dry and hot climate. The animals have had to adapt to the harsh environment. In order to improve efficiency, the performance of the animals for economic traits is used to estimate genetic parameters and selection in some nucleus flocks. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between weight traits have been reported for different breeds. The objective of this investigation is to estimate the genetic parameter and genetic and phenotypic correlations between weight traits.
Creep feed composition did not affect feed intake, growth rate or gut microflora in weaned pigs
Authors: Guy J. H. , Brett M. R. , Edge H. L. , Miller H. M. , Edwards S. A.
Published: June 2019

Although dietary composition for weaned pigs can be altered to promote a beneficial microflora which resists proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, this concept has yet to be applied to the pre-weaning phase. Commercial creep feeds typically are highly digestible and based on milk products and cooked cereals which, in the presence of lactase enzyme activity in the suckling piglet, promote relatively limited microbial fermentation in the gut. The gut flora therefore remains relatively immature and less able to deal with the challenges of weaning and transition to a non-milk diet. Recent studies in weaned piglets have shown how dietary ingredients such as inulin can enhance the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the gut (Wellock et al., 2006), and thus may provide a more stable gut pH and microflora over the weaning transition. Similarly, addition of sodium butyrate to the diet can enhance gut architecture (Miller and Slade, 2006), which could promote development of a more mature gut at weaning if fed prior to this time. The aim of this experiment was to test whether manipulations which have had beneficial effects on enteric conditions in weaned pigs can be used prior to weaning, to promote more favourable gut conditions and thereby reduce the feed intake deficit and growth check associated with the weaning process.
The effect of changing diet in an abrupt, phased or free-choice manner on performance of pigs from wean to finish
Authors: Magowan E. , McCann M.E.E.
Published: June 2019

In commercial pig production, several diets are offered to pigs dependent on their age and/or weight. A common dietary regime includes at least four changes of diet from wean to finish but there is a lack of information in the literature regarding the optimum method of changing diet. A common practice is to abruptly change from one diet to the next, although an abrupt diet change has been reported to cause a disturbance in the gut flora resulting in diarrhoaea, especially in the post-weaning stage (Meyer et al 1974). The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of changing diet in an abrupt, phased or free-choice manner on the performance of pigs from wean to finish.
The effect of dietary short chain fructo-oligosaccharide inclusion on performance and the digesta concentration of skatole in heavy weight finishing pigs
Authors: Salmon E.L.R. , Edwards S.A.
Published: June 2019

As nutrient density requirement decreases with increasing age, finishing pig diets may oversupply nutrients. This can result in excess protein, including the amino acid tryptophan, reaching the large intestine where it can be metabolised by the microbial flora providing a substrate for bacterial skatole production. Skatole can give rise to carcass taint. The use of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), has been proposed to reduce the levels of production and absorption of skatole. One type of NSP, short chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS), has shown to influence the microbial population and reduce skatole production in vivo (Xu et al. 2002). It is thought the reduction in skatole production is due to an increased requirement for amino acids for bacterial cell protein synthesis, combined with changed microbial biota and pH which shifts the microbial metabolism of tryptophan toward indole production. This study explored the effect of a dietary inclusion of scFOS on the production of skatole and performance of a commercial UK genotype taken to heavier slaughter weight.
The effect of low protein diets on fat deposition in pigs
Authors: Stonehouse G. G. , Whittington F. M. , Doran O. , Stewart A. H. , Hazzledine M. J. , Wood J. D.
Published: June 2019

A main aim of modern pig production is to reduce nitrogen excretion to the environment, capturing more of the dietary protein in saleable meat. One way to achieve this is to reduce dietary protein level but this is likely to increase fat deposition, especially in late-developing fat depots. Meat quality will also be affected and these effects will all be influenced by breed type. This study compared three nutritional strategies differing in dietary protein provision in terms of their effects on growth and fat deposition.
Categorisation and analysis of risks affecting the prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle
Authors: Bell N.J. , Bell M.J. , Knowles T.G. , Webster A.J.F.
Published: June 2019

Lameness as a herd problem in dairy cattle typically presents as lesions of the claw horn (CHL); e.g. sole ulcer and white line disease, or as digital dermatitis (DD), an infection of the adjacent skin. The aetiology of these conditions is complex and over 100 potential hazards have been identified involving features of the environment, nutrition, phenotype and physiological state. Strategic plans for control of lameness need to be farm-specific and address the risks attached to these potential hazards on an individual basis. For purposes of analysis however, it is possible to allocate the multiplicity of hazards into functional categories: e.g. external forces acting on the foot, infection and hygiene, foot structure, systemic disorders. This paper examines associations between the severity of proximate risks ascribed to these hazard categories and the prevalence of lameness in first-calving heifers.
The effect of foot lesions on locomotion score and spine posture measured using computerised motion analysis in early lactation Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Blackie N. , Bleach E.C.L , Amory J.R , Nicholls C.R , Scaife J.R
Published: June 2019

Locomotion scoring is an important tool to detect dairy cow lameness. A number of locomotion scoring systems use the posture of the back to identify lame cows (score 3). For example Sprecher et al (1997) suggested the presence of an arched back standing and walking indicates lameness. Flower and Weary (2006) developed this system to score cows while walking where a score 3 cow has a more severely arched back than a score 2 cow. However to date no work has been published characterising the degree of arching of the spine observed in lame animals and its relationship with foot lesions. This is important in the early detection of lameness and could be incorporated into locomotion scoring systems to improve the objectivity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of foot lesions on spine posture of Holstein dairy cows in early lactation by motion analysis.
Effects of level and form of dietary zinc on dairy cow performance and health
Authors: Atkin C. M. , Mackenzie A. M. , Wilde D. , Sinclair L. A.
Published: June 2019

It is well established that zinc is an essential micro-nutrient required to maintain health and performance in dairy cows (Underwood and Suttle, 2004). Cattle diets are traditionally supplemented with inorganic minerals (e.g. zinc oxide), but these may be poorly absorbed, resulting in an economic and environmental cost due to excess minerals being excreted. It is claimed organically bound minerals are able to resist interaction before and at the absorption site in the small intestine (Power, 2006), which may result in a lower dietary inclusion rate being required. The objective of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of an organically bound source of Zn as a replacement for inorganic Zn on dairy cow health and performance when supplemented at and below the recommended level.
Evaluation of Video Image Analysis (VIA) technology to predict meat yield of sheep carcasses online under abattoir conditions
Authors: Rius-Vilarrasa E. , Bunger L. , Matthews K. , Maltin C. , Hinz A , Roehe R
Published: June 2019

Accurate estimates of carcass composition and eating quality are critical to the introduction and the success of a value-based marketing system (VBMS) and to help address increased consumer demands for leaner meat with higher quality. Currently in the UK, carcass composition is assessed by a subjective carcass classification system based on the EUROP conformation system, and a visual assessment of fat cover using a numeric fat score (“MLC Scoring”) (Anderson, 2003). Objective, image analysis based systems to classify carcasses into current classification categories have been studied (Allen and Finnery, 2000) and are in use in the beef industry in the EU. However, the introduction of automatic technologies such as VIA may also have considerable potential for prediction of lean meat yield of the carcass. There is growing interest in the possibility of developing payment criteria which are based on carcass meat yield. Therefore, the present research project investigated the potential of VIA technology to predict meat yield in terms of saleable meat yield (SMY), saleable primal meat yield (SPMY) and the carcass components leg, chump, loin and shoulder in lamb.
Influence of grass and concentrate feeding systems on lipid and colour shelf life of loin steaks from Charolais steers
Authors: Richardson R.I. , Wood J.D. , Ball R. , Nute G.R. , Scollan N.G.
Published: June 2019

Diet has a large impact on the fatty acid composition of muscle lipids in cattle (Scollan et al., 2006). Grass relative to concentrate feeding increases the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) resulting in a low n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio and also increases the concentration of the antioxidant, vitamin E, in the meat. Ruminally protected plant lipids enhance PUFA content very significantly resulting in beneficial P:S and n-6:n-3 ratios, but without extra antioxidant input can lead to lipid oxidation and reduced colour shelf life. This study considered the effects of finishing steers (1) outdoors on grass ± concentrate versus (2) indoors on straw/concentrate ± a protected lipid supplemental with one of two levels of vitamin E on the sensory quality and lipid and colour stability of the loin muscle.
Meat quality and carcass characteristics of Norwegian dairy and Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Kirkland R.M. , Patterson D.C. , Moss B.W. , Keady T.W.J. , Steen R.W.J.
Published: June 2019

Any evaluation of breeds or production systems for beef must consider effects on production, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle are bred for dairy traits only, while Norwegian dairy cattle (NOR) have been selected with some emphasis on beef characteristics. A comparison of production data from bulls of these two breeds has been presented previously (Kirkland et al., 2005). The objective of the present study was to evaluate specific carcass and meat quality parameters of HF and NOR bulls.
The effect of recombinant caspase 3 on porcine myofibrillar proteins
Authors: Kemp CM. , Parr T.
Published: June 2019

Meat tenderisation results from the weakening of the myofibrillar structures and has been attributed to endogenous proteolytic enzymes. It has been proposed that tenderization is a mulitenzymatic system and the process of slaughter and exsanguination would engage muscle cells in a form of cell death (Ouali et al., 2006). Caspases are primarily associated with apoptosis and once activated they target and cleave a number of substrates including components of the Z-disk and costameres. Recent studies have shown that caspases are active in skeletal muscle during the postmortem conditioning period and our preliminary data indicates that there is a relationship between caspase activity and shear force (Kemp et al., 2006). The aim of this study was to investigate whether recombinant caspase 3 was capable of porcine degrading myofibrillar proteins in vitro.
Relationships between mobilisation of body reserves in hill ewes and lamb production to weaning
Authors: Lambe N.R. , Conington J. , McLean K.A. , Bunger L. , Simm G.
Published: June 2019

Previous studies using X-ray computed tomography (CT) of Scottish Blackface hill ewes have shown that carcass fat, internal fat and muscle are depleted during pregnancy and early lactation and deposited during late lactation and the dry period (Lambe et al., 2003a). Muscle weights and proportions throughout the year are positively genetically correlated with total litter weight reared, largely due to increased litter size. Average weights of lambs reared were positively correlated with carcass fat weight or proportion pre-lambing and internal fat weight pre-mating, but negatively correlated with internal fat proportion pre-lambing (Lambe et al., 2005). However, is genetic potential to mobilise and regain increased amounts of tissue during the year positively associated with the ability to produce more and heavier lambs? The aim of this study was to address this question by relating total loss and gain of fat and muscle in ewes during the annual cycle with lamb production traits.
An evaluation of finishing strategies based on forage and concentrate for cull dairy cows
Authors: Minchin W. , Donovan M.O. , Kenny D.A. , Buckley F. , Shalloo L. , Monahan F.J.
Published: June 2019

Replacement rate on farms in Southern Ireland has increased from 16 per cent in 1990 to 27 per cent in 2003 or an increase of 0.8 per cent per year (Evans et al., 2004). Cull cow compromise about 38 per cent of all cattle slaughtered at Irish meat factories. Only 23% of total cows slaughtered in 2005 were killed in the first third of the year, 36% in the middle third and 41% killed in the final third, this indicates that there is an influx of unconditioned dairy cows from the milking herd at the end of the cow’s lactation. In Ireland, the average for all cull cow carcass weights is 282kg. This is considerably less than the average for other EU countries. It is especially low when compared to values in major cull cow markets such as France (343kg). The objective of this study was to evaluate four different finishing treatments for cull dairy cows based on grass silage and concentrate.
Effect of feeding a compound feed with a low starch content on the performance of intensively fed beef cattle
Authors: Marsh S. P. , Brown S. T.
Published: June 2019

The performance of Holstein Friesian bulls on commercial beef farms is highly variable and, on average, falls well short of the generally accepted cereal beef target of a minimum 260kg carcase at around a year old from cattle gaining at least 1.15kg per day from birth to slaughter (Allen and Browne 2005). The carcase weights and daily liveweight gains (DLWG) recorded by bottom 1/3rd and top 1/3rd commercial producers were 266kg and 0.95kg, and 299kg and 1.15kg respectively. It was suggested that many producers restricted concentrate feeds for at least part of the feeding period and included forage, including grazing in some cases. The formulation of the ration fed to the bulls could also have influenced performance. There is limited data on the optimum quantity of starch to include in a ration for intensively fed beef cattle The objective of this experiment was therefore to determine the effect of feeding compounds containing either a high or low level of starch to intensively reared Holstein Friesian bulls.
Effect of feeding frequency on plasma insulin concentration, live weight gain and carcass composition in growing Holstein bull calves
Authors: Towhidi Armin , Khoshsokhan Abbas , Zali Abolfazl , Masoumi Reza
Published: June 2019

Increase of feeding frequency in cattle decreased insulin level and increased plasma glucagon concentration and consequently prevented milk fat reduction during consuming of high concentration rations (Sutton et al. 1986). It is also indicated that feeding of cows for six times per day instead of two times per day decreased insulin, fatty acids and butyrate level and increased GH and glucose concentration (Sutton et al. 1988). These changes may prevent milk fat reduction. Increased propionate concentration can stimulate insulin secretion in ruminants (Jenny et al., 1972). Increased insulin secretion will stimulate glucose and fatty acid absorption and consequently will increase lipogenesis and reduce lipolysis in adipose tissue. In lactating cows, insulin usually decreases fatty acid availability for milk fat synthesis (Foster and McGarry, 2000). Previous studies have shown positive effect of increased feeding frequency on reduction of fat synthesis and deposition in body. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding frequency on insulin secretion, body weight and carcass composition in fattening Holstein bull calves.
Effects of alfalfa hay particle size and cottonseed hulls as nonforage fiber source on chewing activity and rumen pH
Authors: Abdi Benemar H. , Reza Yazdi K. , Nikkhah A.
Published: June 2019

Ration particle size has been observed to affect DMI, chewing activity, rumen pH, milk fat and nutrient digestibility (Yang et al., 2001; Grant et al., 1990). Nonforage fiber sources (NFFS) possess a large amount of NDF that can be used as a forage substitute based on their price and availability. Cottonseed hulls (CSH), a by-product of cotton processing, contain a large proportion of NDF and associated lignin, and have been considered a useful NFFS. It was suggested that physical characteristics of dietary forage can interact with nonforage fiber sources (Grant, 1997). The objectives of this study were to determine effects of CSH as nonforage fiber sources and to investigate interaction between CSH as NFFS and alfalfa particle size on Chewing Activity and rumen pH.
Microbial-N supply and milk yield cows in a silvopastoral system with and without access to the forage tree and energy supplementation during the dry season
Authors: Valdivia V. , Sandoval-Castro C.A. , Otaduy K. , Ku-Vera J.C.
Published: June 2019

Supplementation with legume fodder during the dry season is a strategy to improve animal performance. The results obtained in silvopastoral systems has been explained either by their ingestion of a higher quality grass (Hernandez et al., 2001, Iglesias, 1998) resulting from the inclusion of a legume in the system which provide N for grass growth or due to the intake of the legume itself, which in turn is also of higher quality than grass (Kakengi et al., 2001), and provides a higher microbial-N supply (Karda and Dryden, 2001). The objective of the present work was to discriminate, in a silvopastoral system, the effect of improved grass quality and legume intake (L. leucocephala) on rumen fermentation, microbial N supply, milk yield and composition of dual purpose lactating cows.
Nutrients digestion and milk production of Holstein dairy cows fed various amounts of soybean hulls
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Hamid , Nikkhah Ali , Reza-Yazdi Kamran , Mehrabani-Yeganeh Hassan
Published: June 2019

Feed costs account for large part of the total costs in milk production. Thus, dairy producers attempt to minimize the costs of feeding their herds particularly when milk prices are low. By-product feeds such as soybean hulls, In addition to the potential of providing an economical alternative, can be successfully used as a source of fiber in rations for dairy cattle when forages have poor quality or are in short supply (Firkins, 1997; Weidner and Grant, 1994). Alternatively, replacing cereal grains with SH in diets for dairy cows may contribute to elevated intakes of energy while preventing a disruption of rumen functionality (Ipharraguerre et al., 2003). The objectives of this paper are to evaluate effects of soybean hulls in replacement of alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat bran on performance and total tract apparent nutrients digestibility.
Toxoplasma gondii in sheep: epidemiological clues from wild rabbits and hares
Authors: Mason S. , Smith J. E. , Dubey J. P.
Published: June 2019

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is an important cause of lamb loss. Horizontal transmission to ewes can occur from the parasite’s definitive host, the cat, by the faecal-oral route (Buxton 1990). Vertical (transplacental) transmission to lambs also occurs (Williams et al 2005; Rodger et al 2006). Toxoplasma encysts in brain and muscle where it persists for the lifetime of the sheep. Since Toxoplasma can infect any warm-blooded vertebrate, wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hares (Lepus europeaus) might similarly be infected by the faecal-oral route and they might function as parasite reservoirs, infecting cats by the tissue-oral route. The aim of this study was to determine whether rabbits and hares are informative as sentinel species, revealing the prevalence and strain of Toxoplasma on pasture, such that they could be used as indicators of infection risk to sheep.
Effect of ionophores monensin and lasalocid on performance and carcass characteristics of fattening Arabi lambs
Authors: Dabiri Najafgholi , Heydari Khadigheh , Fayazi Jamal
Published: June 2019

In some part of world for intensive production of fattening of lambs, they are fed with high amount of concentrate. However this pattern of feeding often affect negatively of rumen fermentation (Mould et al., 1983). Ionophores act by interrupting transmembrane movement and intracellular equilibrium of ions in certain classes of bacteria and protozoa that inhibit the gastrointestinal tract (McGuffey et al., 2001). In Ruminants, monensin has shown selective inhibition of ruminal bacteria, lactic and methane producers and stimulation of propionate production by 25% (Matabudul et al., 2001). In lambs, monensin improves weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and depressed the dry matter intake (DMI) (Martini et al., 1996), but lasalocid improve average daily gain (ADG) without depressed the DMI (Swanson et al., 2000). There is limited information about the effect of ionophores on performance of Iranian fattening lambs and particularly no works was done with Arabi lambs. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding monensin and lasalocid on performance and carcass characteristics of fattening Arabi lambs.
Assessment of dairy sheep internal fat depots by real time ultrasound and image analysis
Authors: Silva S. R. , Lourenço A. , Santos V. , Mena E. , Guedes C. M. , Dias-da-Silva A. , Azevedo J. M. T.
Published: June 2019

In sheep production the ability of the animal to retain and mobilize body fat reserves is of considerable importance in determining the sheep productivity or even its survival. The most common way to predict body fat reserves is the body condition score. On the other hand, it is accepted that breeds have a different fat distribution within the body (Taylor et al., 1989). In general, ewes breed for milk production tend to deposit more fat in internal depots and those breed for meat production deposit more fat in the carcass depot (Frutos et al., 1997). This kind of fat distribution can explain the use of an objective and more precise way to predict the internal fat in ewes of the Churra breed, in which the internal fat depots plays an important role. Thus, it is reasonable hypothesize that the internal fat depots are related with muscle and subcutaneous fat measurements. As a result, the study herein reported was undertaken to achieve the relationship between real time ultrasound measurements obtain over thoracic, lumbar and sternum regions to predict the internal fat depots of Churra da Terra Quente (CTQ) milk breed.
The effect of an oral drench trace-element supplementation programme on lamb production in a commercial sheep flock in England
Authors: Padfield E. , Alliston J. , Jones GM
Published: June 2019

In the UK lamb mortality is a major factor limiting profitability of sheep operations ranging from 15-22% from birth to weaning with the majority occurring in the first 24h of life (Teagasc 1991). Lamb survival to some extent is affected by micronutrient status of the ewe pre-lambing, which can be manipulated by dietary supplementation with subsequent effects on vitality and resistance to infections in the lamb (Rook et al. 2004) inadequate dietary supply of micronutrients to the lamb at later growth stages, will affect resistance to nematode and bacterial infections (Suttle and Jones 1989) and hence efficiency of growth to slaughter weight – the second major factor for profitability. The practicalities of management, labour time and concerns of cost-effectiveness, often result in no micronutrient supplementation of the sheep or the use of a drench at critical times in the sheep production cycle as a quick-fix to potential micronutrient deficiencies in sheep. This study was carried out to evaluate a micronutrient drench supplementation programme as a means of improving productivity and profitability of lamb production under commercial conditions.
Reasons and timing of cows leaving herd in dairy cows using survival analysis methodology
Authors: Heravi Moussavi A. , Danesh Mesgaran M. , Dirandeh E. , Pirzadeh Naeini A. , Noorbakhsh R.
Published: June 2019

Cow longevity is highly related to dairy farm profit. Cows are culled for a variety of reasons. The predominant reasons for culling are reproduction (i.e., failure to conceive), health, and low production (Bascom and Young, 1998). Half of the herd removals occur involuntarily and prematurely because of health disorders (Beaudeau et al., 2000). The decision to cull is a complex one. Farmers may consider many individual (such as age, stage of lactation, milk production, health status, and reproductive performance) and economic (such as milk price, the price of culled cows, and the price and availability of replacement heifers) factors when deciding to cull a cow. On the other hand, the risk of culling is not consistent across all stages of lactation. Cows experience the highest risk shortly after calving (Fetrow et al., 2006). Survival analysis allows for a more appropriate management of censored data and time-dependent covariates. Analyses of the reason and timing of culling is needed to predict herd performance. The objective of this study was to study the reasons and timing of cows leaving herd in two large Holstein dairy farms in Iran.
Evaluation of progeny from beef bulls with either a Top 1% or Top 10% Beef Value
Authors: Marsh S P , Vickers M. , Wharton N.
Published: June 2019

In a previous study at Harper Adams University College (Marsh & Pullar 2002) the progeny from bulls with either a high (Top 10% Beef Value [LM29]) or below average Beef Value (Bottom 25% Beef Value [LM7]) were reared through to slaughter on a silage beef system. The calves sired by the Top 10% Beef Value bull recorded significantly higher carcass weights. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the performance of Limousin cross Holstein Friesian calves sired by bulls with either a Top 1% Beef Value or Top 10% Beef Value.
Genetic evaluation of animals with and without using genotypic data of major gene loci
Authors: Aminafshar Mehdi , Hosseinpour Mashhadi Mojtaba , jamsi Laleh
Published: June 2019

Now a days, scientists like to find about association of major genes and quantitative traits. In the first step, breeding value of quantitative trait should be predicted and genotype of animals for special major gene locus should be detected. Then, GLM analyses are used to compare all levels of genotypes and study about their association with quantitative traits. The accuracy of prediction of breeding value may influence the result of analyses. Different models with different accuracy of prediction may be utilized to predict breeding value. In this article, different models, with and without using the Genotypic Data of Major Genes Loci were used in order to identify the better model for genetic evaluation in this situation.
Using Wood’s function to estimate phenotypic correlations among lactation curve parameters in Iranian first lactation buffaloes
Authors: Farhangfar H. , Rowlinson P. , Rahmaninia J.
Published: June 2019

In dairy farm animals, production of milk and its components varies in a curvilinear pattern over the course of the lactation. Knowledge of the lactation curve may provide a worthwhile information source about the pattern of milk production which in turn could be used for herd management decisions. Moreover, inter-relationships among lactation curve parameters could be utilised in applied animal breeding programmes to change more effectively the shape of the lactation. Many studies have been undertaken to apply different mathematical models to obtain more accurate prediction of the shape of the lactation curve among which the incomplete gamma function first proposed by Wood (1967) has been broadly used by previous research workers (Rekaya et al., 2000; Tekerli et al., 2000). The main objective of the present research was to apply Wood’s function for estimating phenotypic correlations among lactation curve parameters in Iranian first lactation buffaloes.
Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for lactation traits of buffaloes in Khuzestan province in Iran
Authors: Edriss Mohammad-Ali , Eskandari Ghafar , Edriss Vahid
Published: June 2019

Buffaloes have important role in Khuzestan agricultural economy in Iran. They are adapted to harsh environmental conditions in the area. They are well resistant against ticks and disease and used to eat low quality feeds. In order to establish a breeding plan, estimation of genetic parameters is necessary. The objective of this study was to explore production and genetic capacity of Khuzestan’ buffalos.
Sequence determination of 16s ribosomal RNA for ruminal ammoniabacters of Holstein cows
Authors: Nassiry Mohammad Reza , Mesgaran Mohsen Danesh , Vakili Ali Reza , Javadmanesh Ali
Published: June 2019

Protein degradation in the rumen often proceeds at a rate which exceeds the ability of the microbial population to utilize the resulting breakdown products. Bacteria are the most active proteolytic organisms in the rumen, and many species of rumen bacteria are known to be proteolytic (Wallaceet al., 1985). The commonly isolated proteolytic bacteria are also able to break down peptides and amino acids, and it was assumed that they were responsible for the ruminal degradation of intact protein through to ammonia. However, studies comparing the specific activities of ammonia production between mixed ruminal bacteria and the well-known proteolytic bacteria noted that no individual bacterium had an activity which could explain the activity of the mixed ruminal culture (Russellet al., 1988). Subsequently, three gram-positive, monensin-sensitive, ammonia hyper producing (HAP) bacteria were isolated from the rumen. The present study reports the sequence of 16sr RNA for ruminal ammoniabacters of Iranian Holstein cows.
In situ dry matter and crude protein degradation kinetics of sunflower meal
Authors: Mohammadabadi Tahereh , Danesh Mesgaran Mohsen , Chaji Morteza
Published: June 2019

The use of by-product in animal nutrition is necessary since it may increase the availability of feed for animal and avoid accumulation that contributes to environmental problems. Sunflower meal is a source of supplemental protein for livestock feeding. The amount of hull or fibre in sunflower meal is the major source of variation in nutrient content of this feed. Methionin concentration in sunflower meal is high compared with other protein sources such as cottonseed meal. Sunflower meal without hulls has high degradability than sunflower meal with hull. This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and in situ dry matter (DM)and crude protein (CP) degradability of three different sources of sunflower meal (high, medium and low fat).