bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Threshold for incorporation of cardiovasculary favourable fatty acids in pork tissue : implications for meat and meat products
Authors: Van Oeckel M.J. , Wamants N.
Published: November 2021

Pork has always been blamed to be too rich in (saturated) fat and consequently as being an unhealthy food. However, pork contains actually lesser fat, a considerable amount of cardiovasculary neutral monosaturated fatty acids and the level of polyunsaturated (possibly omega-3) fatty acids (PUFA) can be easily increased by the feed (Koch et al. 1968). The question raises what will happen with the (sensory) quality of pork rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids as these may induce poor consistency of backfat, yellow discolorations of the fat and off-flavours in meat (products) due to rancidity. Hence the objective of this study was to investigate the PUFA threshold for PUFA incorporations in pig tissue. According to Fischer et al. (1991) PUFA may vary from 15 to 21 g PUFA/kg feed, depending on the use of the pork (resp. cured and fresh meat). Houben and Krol (1983) and Wood (1983) recommend max. 15% PUFA in backfat.
Changes in pain threshold during pregnancy and parturition in the sow and the involvement of opioids
Authors: Jarvis S. , McLean K. A. , Calvert S. , Chirnside J. , Deans L. , Lawrence A. B. , Molony V.
Published: November 2021

Endogenous opioids are known to inhibit oxytocin release from the neurohypopysis (Bicknell et al, 1982). This mechanism has been suggested to be involved in the timing of parturition and delivery of young (Leng et al, 1985). Environmental disturbance in the rat (Leng et al, 1988) and pig (Lawrence et al, 1992) during parturition resulted in a naloxone reversible increase in birth interval, and an increase in plasma oxytocin concentration after naloxone treatment suggesting stress-induced opioid inhibition of oxytocin. Pain, which is associated with parturition, results in increased opioid activity and may be involved in the inhibition of oxytocin. Pregnancy-induced analgesia has been shown in the human (Whipple et al, 1990) and the rat (Gintzler, 1980), with the latter suggesting involvement of an opioid mechanism. This study aimed to determine whether an increase in pain threshold occurred over pregnancy and parturition in the pig and whether this was opioid-mediated.
Suckler Beef Production; Where do we go now?
Authors: Fuller R J
Published: November 2021

Most suckled calf producers depend on various CAP premium schemes to achieve profitability. Some must continue to look at ways of improving the performance of our suckler herds. One area that has been neglected and under-researched is suckler cow type and breeds. The Holstein has had an influence on suckler cow conformation particularly when they are sired by Aberdeen Angus or Hereford bulls. Both these breeds go for size using poorly fleshed Canadian bloodlines.

There is debate on whether suckler producers should breed their own replacements. In fact many are doing just that, but how successful is it? Is reproductive and whole herd performance suffering? Many farmers will have 'gut' feelings but we really do not know the answers. This massive gap in our knowledge deserves serious research.
Future suckler beef production systems
Authors: Drennan M.J.
Published: November 2021

A feature of EU beef production following the introduction of milk quotas in 1984 has been the decrease in calf supplies from the dairy herd and increased supplies from the suckler herd. As a result, suckler cows have increased from 20% of the cow herd in 1984 to 32% in 1993. Corresponding increases for Ireland were 21 to 42% and for the UK 29% to 39%.

A major concern has been the decline in beef consumption in recent years (Food and Drink Information Service 1994). Although total meat consumption per capita in the EU 12 increased from 80.2 kg in 1987 to 82.6 kg in 1993 beef consumption declined from 17.0 to 15.1 kg over the same period. While price may have been a contributing factor to the decline, other factors are also involved. These factors can collectively be described as meat quality. Quality factors which are measurable include leaness, tenderness, flavour and colour.
The effect of cereal carbohydrate supplementation on intake, rumen fermentation characteristics and digestibility in steers fed on grass silage
Authors: Kim H.J. , Maeng W.J. , Park H. , Neville M.A. , Evans R.T. , McAllan A.B. , Scollan N.D.
Published: November 2021

Synchronising the availability of energy and nitrogen to the rumen microbes is considered to be important for enhancing output of microbial protein from the rumen. This is particularly relevant to diets based on grass silage (Chamberlain and Choung, 1995). In the rumen ammonia, is rapidly released from the substantial content of non-protein nitrogen compounds in grass silage and this requires a similarly rapid release of energy in the rumen to ensure efficient capture of ammonia. Different sources of carbohydrate may enhance rumen function to varying degrees. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various carbohydrate sources on intake, rumen fermentation characteristics and digestibility in steers fed on grass silage.
The effect of synchronising the supply of energy and protein to the rumen on the short and long-term diet selection of sheep
Authors: Kyriazakis I. , Anderson D.H. , Lewis M. , Oldham J.D. , Papachristou T.G. , Stegeman T.
Published: November 2021

An experiment was carried out to investigate the hypothesis that the diet selection of ruminant animals from two foods of different rapidly rumen degradable protein contents could be affected by the differences in the rate of synchrony between carbohydrate fermentation and degradation of protein in the rumen. The diet selection of the animals was measured both in the 'long-term' (daily) and 'short-term' (2h intervals within the day).

Twelve rumen fistulated mature female sheep (liveweight 59.1 kg) were used. Four foods (A,B,C and D) with the same ME (9.6 MJ/kg fresh food) and similar, high metab/sable protein contents were made into pellets. Two of the foods were based on a rapidly fermentable carbohydrate source (barley, A and B foods) and the other two on a slowly fermentable carbohydrate source (plain sugar beet pulp, C and D foods). Within each source one food (A or C) had a low (70) and the other a high (140 g/kg) concentration of effective rumen degradable content (RDP).
The influence of system of production on the performance and meat quality of entire, castrated and female lambs
Authors: Webster G. M. , Masters Gillian A. , Anderson Jennifer M. L. , Ellis M. , Avery P. J.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this experiment was to quantify the seasonal variations in lamb meat quality and identify the contributory factors associated with the various production systems used in the UK. The approach taken was therefore largely a systems one, with the various production systems used in the project mimicking those typical of the British sheep industry supplying lambs onto the market from April to January.

Material and methods 504 spring-born lambs [equal numbers of entire male (E), castrated male (C) and female (F)] which were the twin-reared progeny of Mule ewes (Bluefaced Leicester x Swaledale) and Suffolk rams were allocated to one of 7 finishing systems (n=72 per system). These were combinations of 4 diets and 4 slaughter periods (at 2 monthly intervals between June 1992 and January 1993) in an incomplete factorial design: concentrates (CS1), grass (GRI, GR2), silage (SL2, SL3) and roots (RT3, RT4); all but the grass diet were fed indoors.
Effect of wheat processing and enzyme supplementation of weaner diets on piglet performance and gut health
Authors: Gill B. P. , Garcia S. , Hillman K. H. , Schulze H.
Published: November 2021

Cooked cereals in weaner diets are considered to enhance digestion, gut health and intake. However, studies (McCone et al., 1991; Lynch et al., 1992) have shown adverse effects of cooked wheat on performance. The nutritional significance of cooking may include: (1) increased antinutritive effects of non-starch polysacharrides (NSP), (2) formation of retrograded starch (RS) which is resistant to Î±-amylase but is available for microbial fermentation (Englyst and Cummings, 1987) and (3) reduced protein quality due to heat damage. In this study, the aim was to obtain further understanding of this response to cooked wheat by evaluating the effects of different processing methods and feed enzyme supplementation on performance and indicators of gut health.
The Influence of a dietary supplement of a dried yeast culture on milk yield and composition in dairy cows on grass silage
Authors: Rowlinson P. , Marsh S.P. , Tufnell C. , Taylor W.
Published: November 2021

There is considerable interest in the effect of dietary supplementation with probiotics or yeast cultures on diary cow performance. Yeast cultures such as Diamond V 'XP' are produced by growing selected yeast strains on a semi-solid medium under stressed conditions, which are then dried. Yeast cultures are now used by a majority of the high yielding herds in North America (McCullough 1995). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding 'XP' Yeast to a moderate-high yielding (X, 6800kg) herd of dairy cows fed a typical UK diet based on grass silage.

72 recently calved Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were allocated to one of two dietary treatments on which they remained throughout 150 days of winter feeding. Both groups received ad libitum grass silage which had a Dry Matter of 224 g/Kg, an estimated ME of 10.8 MJ/Kg DM and a Crude Protein (CP) of 156 g/Kg DM.
The effect of quality and level of protein on the performance of dairy cattle of differing genetic merits
Authors: Carrick I.M. , Patterson D.C. , Gordon F.J. , Mayne C.S.
Published: November 2021

Providing adequate protein nutrition for high yielding dairy cows is essential if their milk production potential is to be achieved. However, oversupply of protein has detrimental effects on biological efficiency as well as having a negative impact on the environment due to greater excretion of nitrogen in animal wastes. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the response to protein concentration and degradability in the diet by dairy cows of differing genetic merit (GM).
Sodium reduces somatic cell counts in the milk of dairy cows
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Chiy C.P. , Arney D.
Published: November 2021

The grazing dairy cow is at risk of sodium (Na) deficiency because of the large output of Na in the milk and low sodium concentration in forages (Chiy and Phillips, 1995). During mastitis plasma containing Na, Cl, immunoglobulins and other blood proteins leaks into the mammary gland and secretion declines, thereby reducing K and lactose concentrations in the milk (Schar and Funk, 1986). The Na content of mastitic milk is usually increased by 150-300%, which helps to limit the growth of bacteria, such as Streptococci, that are sensitive to the Na concentration of their growth medium (Skarvdova, 1989). Such an increase in Na output could easily create a negative Na balance and, as the cow has negligible reserves of this mineral, effective control of the intramammary infection may depend on adequate Na status (Janota-Bassalik et al., 1985).
The use of electronic pedometers in determining activity to predict oestrus in dairy cattle
Authors: Belgasem B.M. , Rowlinson P.
Published: November 2021

It is well documented that cows exhibit an increase in physical activity around the time of oestrus (Kiddy, 1977). Pedometers are receiving a great deal of attention to automate and record the cow activity data. Some previous field studies indicate that pedometers are superior to casual observations (Kiddy, 1977 and Redden et al, 1993). However, others show limited success due to a large number of false positive identifications (Moore and Spahr, 1991). The aim of the experiment was to investigate the possibility of using twice daily pedometer readings in determining activity to predict oestrus in dairy cattle under UK management.
The use of GNRH to control follicular development in cows
Authors: Peters A.R. , Ward S.J. , Gordon P.J. , Mann G.E.
Published: November 2021

Fertility after prostaglandin (PG) may be compromised by the variability in timing of oestrus and ovulation, which are in turn influenced by the ovarian follicular status at the time of injection. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment in the luteal phase a few days before PG can reprogramme and thus synchronise preovulatory follicle development (Wolfenson et al., 1994). A second GnRH treatment can then be given after PG, to further improve the synchrony of ovulation (Pursley et al., 1995). The present experiment was carried out to test the effect of this combined GnRH - PG - GnRH regime on ovarian function and steroid hormone production in dairy cows.
Changes in hair growth characteristics in response to an increase in dietary zinc up to 4.5 times maintenance from three different commercially available sources in the dog
Authors: Lowe J.A. , Wiseman J , Nash V
Published: November 2021

Zinc (Zn) is reported to influence the coat and skin condition of many animals including the dog (Van Dem Broek and Thoday, 1986). Recent studies indicate that in addition to the zinc concentration, the form in which dietary zinc is supplied influences the animal's zinc status (Power, Cashman and Flynn 1994) and coat (Lowe, Wiseman and Cole, 1994). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of dietary zinc supply on the dimensions, weight, and zinc content of hair as these criteria are considered indicative of coat condition.
The use of body measurements to estimate live weight in the camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Simpkin S.P. , Atkins D.J. , Evans J.O. , Rowlinson P.
Published: November 2021

The camel is an important source of meat and milk in arid and semi-arid lands but estimates of its productivity show considerable variation. The anatomy of the camel and its nomadic management existence, make it difficult to obtain accurate live weights using standard techniques. Formulae for estimating the live weight of camels in various countries have been published using thoracic girth, abdominal girth, shoulder height, or a combination of all three measurements. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of biometrical measurement to estimate the live weight of camels of different ages and breeds in Kenya and to compare the results with those of other researchers.
Studies on milk yield and calf suckling behaviour in Kenyan camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Simpkin S.P. , Rowlinson P.
Published: November 2021

Estimates of camel lactation yields in the literature vary from less than 1000kg to more than 12000 kg, with mean daily yields from 0.1 to 35kg (Simpkin 1985). Suckling or milking frequency and strength of the milk letdown reflex are just two of many factors that affect milk secretion rate in camels. Most of the 18 million camels in the world are kept in nomadic pastoral herds where estimation of milk yield is particularly difficult and the large variation in reported camel milk yields could be attributed to the methodology used to estimate yields. A literature survey shows most articles are based on infrequent observations on small numbers of animals over a short period of lactation and fail to state the experimental conditions or whether figures represent milk offtake for human consumption or total milk yield.
The use of Mendelian indices for balancing genetic response and inbreeding
Authors: Grundy B , Luo Z W , Villanueva B , Woolliams J A
Published: November 2021

The difficulty in designing an optimal breeding programme arises from a conflict between improvement in genetic gain and increase in inbreeding since selection procedures which increase genetic progress are usually associated with increased rates of inbreeding. Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) has optimal properties regarding the expected genetic gain after one generation of selection. However, since full genetic relationships are accounted for, selected animals are likely to be more related, leading to a higher rate of inbreeding and a larger decrease in genetic variance than less accurate methods.
Effects of supranutritional vitamin E on meat quality in dairy cross steers fed grass silage and concentrates
Authors: Vega L. , Enser M. , Richardson R.I. , Wood J.D.
Published: November 2021

Vitamin E is the major lipid soluble antioxidant in animals and post mortem it continues to inhibit the oxidation of lipids, which causes rancidity, and the oxidation of myoglobin to metmyoglobin which results in a brown discoloration of the meat. Feeding vitamin E in amounts greater than those needed for normal growth and reproduction of the animal raises the vitamin levels of the tissues and increases the shelf life of meat by delaying the onset of oxidative deterioration (Schaefer et al., 1995). We have investigated the effectiveness of supplemental vitamin E given to beef cattle fed grass silage, since grass and conserved grass contain relatively high levels of endogenous vitamin E. Meat quality was assessed not only by physical and chemical methods but also by taste panel to determine whether high levels of vitamin E affected cooked meat flavour which requires limited lipid oxidation for its development.
The effect of restricted suckling and non-suckling systems on dairy cow and calf behaviour
Authors: Margerison J. K. , Phillips C. J. C. , Preston T. R.
Published: November 2021

Artificial rearing necessitates stressful cow-calf separation (Lefcourt and Elsasser, 1995; Hopster et al, 1995) and precipitates cross-suckling (Lidfors, 1993). Thus, suckling systems may improve the welfare of cows and calves, by alleviating 'stressful' cows-calf separation and satiating suckling motivation. The aim of this experiment was to compare behaviour in cows and calves in restricted suckling and non-suckling systems.

Thirty six multiparous dairy cows and calves were divided at 4 days postpartum into three groups. The treatment groups were; non-suckled (NS) cows with calves artificially reared (AR), cows suckled by their own calf (RSM) and cows suckled by a foster calf (RSF). Suckling took place for 15 minutes following mechanical milking only.
The effect of freezing and thawing grass silage on chemical composition and liveweight gain, intake, rumen fermentation characteristics and digestibility in steers
Authors: Kim H.J. , Kim E.J. , Maeng W.J. , Neville M.A. , Evans R.T. , McAllan A.B. , Scollan N.D.
Published: November 2021

In many research situations it is useful to store silage frozen for use in future experiments. However, previous studies using fresh grass have demonstrated that freezing and thawing induces changes in the chemical composition of the herbage (Beever et al., 1974; MacRae et al., 1975). Of particular importance are the reductions in nitrogen and increases in carbohydrate solubility. The situation with grass silage is uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of freezing and thawing grass silage on intake, liveweight gain, rumen parameters and digestibility in steers.
Effect of creep feed intake on weaning weight of piglets
Authors: Kavanagh S. , Lynch P.B. , Caffrey P.J. , Henry W.D.
Published: November 2021

The benefits of creep feeding in a 3 - 4 week weaning system is uncertain. Sow milk yield peaks at 3 - 4 weeks postpartum and the need for supplementary feed to maintain growth rates of suckling pigs is minimal. The objective of this study was to quantify creep feed intake by suckling pigs and to assess the effect of creep feeding on piglet growth and weight at weaning when weaned at 26.0 (s.e. 0.6) days of age.

The results reported here were obtained by combining data from 296 litters of suckling pigs on 5 creep feeding trials. The five trials involved comparison of diets and management systems as follows: (A) effect of quality of creep feed (high quality starter diet vs medium quality starter diet vs a pelleted cooked cereal); (B) comparison of meal and pelleted diets; (C) the effect of form (reconstituted calf milk replacer - 20 % dry matter vs solid pellet vs peat primer offered with a solid pellet); (D) effect of feed freshness (fresh creep vs 30 day old creep vs 60 day old creep feed); (E) effect of creep feeding piglets on pre-weaning performance.
Rapeseed glucosinolates: metabolic and toxic effects in weaned pigs
Authors: Gill B.P. , Brooks P.N.
Published: November 2021

Previous studies on glucosinolate (GS) toxicity have focused on progoitrin since it is the most abundant GS in single-low varieties of oilseed rape. Progoitrin levels have been greatly reduced in new double-low varieties, but levels of indole GS (glucobrassicin and 4-hydroxy glucobrassicin) have remained relatively static and represent a much higher proportion of total residual levels. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the metabolic and toxic effects of rapeseed differing in indole GS and progoitrin concentration.
The effects of dietary fibre and puberty induction method on ovarian activity of gilts
Authors: Glasgow V L , Stewart A H , Edwards S A
Published: November 2021

In commercial systems it is highly desirable that gilts are synchronised into a predictable first heat. The use of PMSG/hCG injections (PG 600) has met with some success inducing a synchronised fertile oestrus and slightly increased ovulation rate (Schilling and Cerne, 1972) in gilts and anoestrus sows. Diets containing a high proportion of dietary fibre may influence litter size in gilts (Stewart et al, 1995). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a high level of dietary fibre on oestrus expression and ovulation rate of gilts synchronised with exogenous gonadotrophins (PG600) or given daily boar stimulus.
The effect of feeding varying levels of barley and dried molassed sugar beet feed compared to a commercial creep on the performance of intensively reared Iambs
Authors: Minter C.M. , Perrott G. , Legendre E.
Published: November 2021

Feed is the major cost of indoor lamb production, it accounts for up to Â£12/lamb reared (MLC, 1994) which is equivalent to 23% of the output value. Most intensively produced lambs are fed expensive specially formulated lamb creep diets. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect varying the proportions of the starch (barley, WB) and digestible fibre (dried molassed sugar beet feed; SBF) and a protein pellet compared to a commercial lamb creep (LC) on lamb physical and financial performance.

180 early weaned lambs, (weaned at 6 weeks of age), weighing on average 17.5 kg liveweight were allocated to one of six treatments; 0% SBF, 20% SBF, 40% SBF, 60% SBF, 80% SBF and LC. Each diet contained 20% protein balancer pellets with the remainder being whole barley. The LC diet was offered alone.
The effect of castration and ewe proximity on the behaviour, growth, carcass composition and meat quality of male lambs reared outdoors
Authors: Anderson Jennifer M.L. , Webster G.M.
Published: November 2021

This trial sought to increase the knowledge of the changes in the endocrine status of male sheep as they mature, and to link this with sexual and agonistic behaviour when they are reared in the presence or absence of females from weaning.

80 twin-reared Suffolk x Mule lambs were selected at birth. 32 of the male lambs were castrated (C) and 32 were left entire (E); there were 16 female lambs (F). The ewes were stocked at a rate of 20 ewes per hectare. The lambs were weaned at 12 weeks of age in late June, when they were separated into two groups. The first group (+F) comprised 16 entire males, 16 castrated males and 16 females that were run together until the end of July. Thereafter, raddled vasectomized rams were run with the ewe lambs to show when the first oestrous cycles occurred.
The absence of any effect of constant long or short photoperiod on growth, sexual development and behaviour of male lambs from birth to 9 months of age
Authors: Anderson Jennifer M.L. , Webster G.M.
Published: November 2021

Testosterone levels are generally higher in entire male sheep when photoperiod is short as this coincides with the mating period and oestrous cycles of the female. This may increase management problems of entire male sheep through augmented agonistic and sexual behaviour. By delaying puberty in the entire male lamb, management problems may be avoided, while retaining the full benefits of some testosterone secretion to promote growth and leanness. This experiment was initiated to examine the possibility that lamb growth will be enhanced under either constant long or constant short photoperiod without increased behavioural problems.

At birth (mean birth date 19 March 1994 Â± 3 days), 24 twin male lambs were assigned as pairs to either long (L) or short (S) photoperiod treatments alternately. One lamb from each pair was left entire (E) and the other lamb was castrated (C) at 12 hours of age using elastrator bands.
A comparison of methods of characterising feeds for the prediction of daily liveweight gains in ewe lambs
Authors: Rymer C. , Redman S.
Published: November 2021

A variety of in vitro methods have been developed to characterise feeds. For routine analysis, any such method needs to be relatively rapid, cheap and reproducible, as well as providing data that may enable the accurate prediction of animal performance (Graham, 1993). The objective of this experiment was to determine which of a number of methods of feed characterisation best predicted the observed daily liveweight gain of ewe lambs fed those feeds.

The feeds used in this experiment were grass silage, (GS), molassed sugarbeet feed (MSBF), citrus pulp (CIT), wheat distillers' grains (WDG) and fishmeal (FM). Forty ewe lambs were randomly allocated between four groups and fed GS (0.7 kg DM/d) supplemented with either MSBF/FM, MSBF/WDG, CIT/WDG or CIT/FM.
Dietary restrictions and growth, efficiency and carcass characteristics of Suffolk ewe Iambs
Authors: Lewis R.M. , Emmans G.C. , Simm G.
Published: November 2021

Lamb consumption has fallen steadily over the past 40 years, partly due to the consumer's belief that it is an over-fat meat. In general, there are two approaches to solving this problem of excess fat. Firstly, to identify and breed from sheep that are genetically leaner. Secondly, to modify the feeding strategy to produce a leaner product. If an interaction between the genotype - either breeds or lines within breeds - and diet exists, establishing methods for linking selection and feeding programmes becomes a priority. In the first year of a programme investigating genotype by dietary interactions in sheep, the effect of non-limiting and limiting foods on growth rate, feed efficiency and body composition in ewe lambs from a line of Suffolk sheep was evaluated indoors.
Influence of Dipeptide Structure on Hydrolysis by Rumen Fluid and Blood of Sheep
Authors: Mesgaran M D , Parker D S
Published: November 2021

The ruminal digestion of protein results in the production of peptides (3) which are an intermediate step in the conversion of ingested protein to ammonia. Low molecular weight peptides can also act as substrate for tissue metabolism (2). While it has been shown that low molecular weight peptides are present in ruminant blood (4), their hydrolysis rate has not been investigated. The following in vitro study was conducted to investigate the disappearance rate from blood and rumen fluid of sheep of two different dipeptides; glycylproline and glycylphenylalanine.
Effect of intravenous histidine or histidine peptide infusion on milk protein yield in lactating goats with an induced histidine deficiency
Authors: Backwell F.R.C. , Bequette B.J. , Crompton L.A. , Reynolds C.K. , Beever D.E. , MacRae J.C.
Published: November 2021

Studies involving infusion of stable isotope labelled peptides have shown that the mammary gland has the ability to utilise peptide-derived AA for milk protein synthesis (Backwell et al., 1994a) and that peptides may be involved in the supply of phenylalanine to the mammary gland in vivo (Backwell et al., 1994b). The aim of the present experiment was to compare milk production responses to systemic (jugular vein) provision of histidine as free AA or as a peptide (glycyl-histidine) in lactating dairy goats with an induced histidine deficiency.
The effect of dietary fat on methane production in sheep and cattle
Authors: Newbold C. J. , Moss A. R. , Mollinson G. S.
Published: November 2021

Increasing concern over the role of greenhouse gases in global warming has led to a renewed interest in models for predicting methane production in ruminants. We have previously shown that data generated in sheep may be of limited use in predicting the effect of diet on absolute methane production by cattle (Newbold et al., 1995). However, sheep may still be a viable model for evaluating methods of reducing methane production by cattle. As dietary lipids may inhibit ruminal methanogenesis (Moss, 1993), we have now compared the effect of coconut and linseed oil on methane production by both sheep and cattle.
Response to superovulation in Scottish Blackface ewes during seasonal anoestrus
Authors: Dunne L D , Robinson J J , Broadbent P J , McEvoy T G , Dolman D F
Published: November 2021

A major limitation to the success of genetic improvement programmes using multiple ovulation and embryo transfer is the failure to generate sufficient viable embryos per donor ewe to maintain selection intensities and sustain a low generation interval. Seasonal anoestrus imposes a biological constraint on embryo production in many breeds of sheep. The objective of this study was to investigate the response to superovulation during seasonal anoestrus (April - May) in Scottish Blackface ewes.
The effect of the presence of heart-rate monitors on the behaviour of group housed sows
Authors: Baynes P.J. , Graham K. , Hunter E.J. , Guise H.J. , Penny R.H.C.
Published: November 2021

Heart rate has been successfully recorded in sheep, deer and pigs (Baldock and Sibly, (1986) Price, Sibly and Davies, (1993) Webster et al, 1995). This work has shown that resting heart rate can increase in stressful situations. Being able to record heart rates of group-housed sows would complement behavioural observations, if it could be shown that the presence of the monitor did not alter group behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess in a group of active sows, the effect of the presence of a heart rate monitor on behaviour.
The effect of drinking trough space allowance on the behaviour and performance of growing pigs
Authors: L M McDonald  , J Crane  , A H Stewart  , S A Edwards  , P R English
Published: November 2021

In the U.K., an increasing number of farmers are housing growing-finishing pigs in large straw-bedded courts. While this method of housing is cost effective and has positive welfare perceptions there may be increased competition for the basic necessities such as food and water. This study was conducted to determine the effect of drinking trough space allowance on a number of performance and behavioural parameters when pigs are housed in large groups on straw.
Prediction of the non-fermentable energy fraction of grass silage using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)
Authors: Deaville E. R. , Givens D. I.
Published: November 2021

The new metabolisable protein system (AFRC, 1992) introduces the requirement to distinguish between the energy in feeds which is fermentable (available for microbial growth) and that which is non-fermentable (available to the host animal; NFE). Fermented forages such as grass silage (GS) may contain substantial amounts of fermentation acids (FA) (volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid (LA)) and therefore, contain a considerable proportion of NFE. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) as a rapid method for predicting the FAs in fresh (undried) GS.
Pre-incubation of microbes for use in the Pressure Transducer Technique (PTT) of feed evaluation - effect of basal feed composition
Authors: Harris D M
Published: November 2021

The use of the Pressure Transducer Technique (PTT) to evaluate feed degradation as described by Theodorou et al (1994) recognises the presence of a lag phase (1-2h) after introducing the microbial innocula to the feed under investigation. Previous work has shown that this can be reduced by incubating the microbes with a basal feed for 24h prior to the addition of a test feed. This work considered the effect of the composition of this basal feed.

Four basal mixtures, Grass silage/conc(G), Hay/cone (H), Maize silage/conc: (M), Whole crop wheat/caustic wheat/cone (W) were prepared plus two mixtures based on purified nutrients to give high Starch (St) and high Cellulose (Ce) contents. 20ml strained, homogenised bovine rumen liquor was added to bottles containing 180ml of media and 1.5g DM of each basal mixture. After 24h of vented incubation at 39Â°C 1g DM of test feed, (either barley grain or straw both milled to 1 mm) was added and gas production measured at decreasing frequencies over the next 72h. Cumulative gas production at 72h were calculated (Table 1).
Effect of heat treatment of fishmeal on ruminal degradation, protein solubility and methionine sulphoxide content
Authors: Chen X.B. , Demiraj J. L. , Scislowski P.W.D. , Aksnes A.
Published: November 2021

One of the factors that determines the nutritive value of fishmeal as a protein concentrate for ruminants is its ruminal degradability, which varies with processing methods. It is possible that this variation could be related to the chemical modification of the amino acids/protein or to the change in protein solubility during the industrial processing. The objective of this work was to examine the effect of heat treatment of fishmeal on its ruminal degradability, protein solubility and the oxidation state of methionine.
Inter-laboratory variation in feedstuff evaluation of two contrasting maize silage samples
Authors: Beever D.E. , Cammell S.B. , Edmonds S.
Published: November 2021

The importance of feedstuff evaluation as part of ration formulation is recognised by UK farmers, with the number of silage samples analysed increasing annually. These can be undertaken by the UK advisory services or feed companies, with several commercial laboratories offering similar services. However, as discussed by Beever [1993], there is concern over the authenticity of some estimates of feeding value, in relation to the analytical techniques used, the lack of agreed standardised procedures, and the apparent variation in results which exists between laboratories. This study examined the extent of this variation when 2 maize silage samples were independently analysed by 9 different laboratories, and compared laboratory based estimates of metabolisable energy [ME] contents with those derived by feeding the same diets to lactating cows.
Effects of synchronising the rate of energy and nitrogen supply to the rumen in diets with two rates of carbohydrate release on growth and metabolism of male lambs
Authors: Witt M.W. , Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G. , Buttery P.J.
Published: November 2021

Formulation of diets that are synchronous for hourly energy and nitrogen (N) release in the rumen has been shown to increase the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (MPS) in the rumen (Sinclair et al. 1995). However diets formulated to be synchronous for hourly release of energy and N did not improve the whole body N efficiency of male lambs (Witt et al. 19%) but there were indications of possible differences in energy metabolism between animals offered synchronous or asynchronous diets. The objectives of the experiment were to measure the effects of synchronising hourly energy and N release in the rumen in diets with two rates of energy release on growth, aspects of whole body metabolism and carcass traits in male lambs.
The effects of supplying additional metabolisable energy as either silage or concentrates on the performance of, and energy retention by lambs
Authors: Steen R.W.J. , Johnston S.D.
Published: November 2021

In a number of studies with beef cattle, diets composed mainly or entirely of grass silage have sustained lower growth rates and have resulted in a greater proportion of fat in the gain than high-concentrate diets offered at the same level of energy intake. However these have involved replacement of silage by concentrates in the diet and there would appear to be no comparative information on responses to adding silage or concentrates to a mixed diet. It is also not clear to what extent the lower growth rates sustained by silage are due to the higher energy content of the gain in animals given silage or to lower efficiency of utilization of metabolisable energy. A comparative slaughter experiment has been carried out to examine responses to the addition of silage or concentrates to the diet of lambs.
The addition of lactose to the diets of dairy cows fed protected fats
Authors: Allison R.D. , Garnsworthy P.C.
Published: November 2021

Rumen inert fats are often included in dairy rations to increase the metabolisable energy (ME) supply whilst maintaining rumen function. Protected fat supplements have been shown to increase milk yields and fat content but with an associated and undesirable reduction in protein content. A reduced intake of rumen available energy (FME) may limit the microbial protein yield and so reduce the supply of amino acids to the mammary gland. Lactose supplements have been shown to increase the flow of microbial protein to the intestines (Chamberlain et al, 1993) and to reduce the effect of protected fats on milk protein content during early lactation (Garnsworthy, 1996). A trial was conducted to determine whether lactose supplementation could reduce the effects of protected fats on milk protein content during mid lactation.
Association between Somatic Cell Count progeny tests in the United States of America (USA), The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK)
Authors: Mrode R A , Swanson G J T
Published: November 2021

Mastitis remains a costly health problem to dairy farmers despite a significant reduction in both clinical and sub-clinical mastitis over the last 25 years. This reduction has been due predominantly to the success of management control programmes. The continuing losses have raised the interest in breeding as a means to reduce mastitis incidence. Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) have been used since 1977 as an indirect means of monitoring mastitis within dairy herds. Since 1991 an optional individual cell count service has been offered by Milk Recording Organisations in the UK. The result is that 0.80 of recorded cows have SCC records. The Animal Data Centre has analysed the SCC data to establish genetic parameters and produced preliminary evaluations on bulls and cows (Mrode et al, 1996). As a forerunner to launching SCC evaluations it is important to determine whether SCC evaluations in the UK agree with similar evaluations overseas.
A comparison of offering a high level of concentrates through an out-of-parlour feeder or within a complete diet using high merit cows
Authors: Patterson D.C. , Yan T. , Gordon F.J.
Published: November 2021

The genetic merit of the UK dairy herd is increasing rapidly. With cows of higher milk yield potential and higher nutrient requirements, the level of concentrate feeding is likely to increase. Previous studies have shown little benefit with complete diet feeding with cows of medium genetic merit at moderate levels of concentrate feeding (Agnew and Mayne, 1992; Agnew, Mayne and Doherty, 1996). The objective of the present study was to compare offering a high level of concentrates (mean 11.1 kg DM/day) to high genetic merit cows, either separately from the silage using an out-of-parlour (OP) feeder or within a complete diet (CD) system).
The effect of forage: concentrate ratio in the diet of beef cattle on the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 series fatty acids in beef
Authors: Steen R.W.J. , Porter M.G.
Published: November 2021

Diets containing high concentrations of fish oils (which have high concentrations of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3)) or linseed oil (which has a high concentration of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ∝ linolenic acid (18:3n-3)) have been shown to decrease blood lipid concentrations compared to diets containing high concentrations of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Recent evidence also suggests that a reduction in the n-6:n-3 ratio of fatty acids in the human diet is likely to reduce thrombogenesis and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In view of the importance of n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio in food the effect of forage:concentrate ratio in the diet of beef cattle on n-6:n-3 ratio in beef has been examined.
Effect of dietary linseed and fish oil on the composition of phospholipid fatty acids, eating quality and cooked flavour volatiles of beefLongissimus lumborummuscle
Authors: Enser M. , Kurt E , Nute G.R. , Wood J.D. , Mottram D.S. , Elmore S. , Scollan N.D.
Published: November 2021

The reaction of thermal oxidation products of phospholipid fatty acids with other meat components is an important source of cooked meat flavour and odour (Mottram and Edwards, 1983) and preferences for meat from forage or concentrate finished beef have been attributed to differences in the feed fatty acids (Melton, 1990). Therefore modifying lipids to meet human dietary recommendations to raise the P:S and n-3:n-6 ratios of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is likely to affect meat quality. We have investigated the effect on eating quality, flavour volatiles and phospholipid fatty acid composition of feeding steers linseed, which is high in α-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3), and fish oil containing EPA (20:5 n-3) and DHA (22:6 n-3).
Tissue specific differences in insulin receptor characteristics in the mature bovine animal
Authors: McGrattan P.D. , Wylie A.R.G. , Steen R.W.J. , Nelson J.
Published: November 2021

Insulin is believed to play a key role in the partitioning of nutrients towards fat and protein deposition. The biological effects of insulin are a function of plasma insulin concentration, insulin-receptor concentration and the affinity of the receptor. The number and affinity of insulin receptors on adipocytes differs between genetically lean and obese pigs (Camara and Mourot, 1996) while receptor number, but not affinity, was shown to differ in a variety of bovine muscles (Boge et al., 1995). The objective of the current work was to determine if insulin receptor affinity and number vary between the principal target tissues (i.e. liver, muscle and adipose tissue) in the bovine animal.

Five Charolais-cross steers were offered grass silage ad libitum from 18 months of age until slaughter, at 701± 22.9 kg, at a commercial abattoir. Samples of liver [L], of two skeletal muscles [Ml, M3] and of subcutaneous [S], omental [0]and renal [R] fats were taken as soon as possible after slaughter (typically <30min for L, M3, S and O and <45min for Mland R), wrapped and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen prior to storage at -70 °. Insulin receptors were partially purified by solubilising tissues in 1% Triton X-100 for 24 hours at 4 °C followed by centrifugation (100000 x g, lh, 4°) and affinity chromatography of the supernatants on 0.5 ml wheatgerm agglutinin Sepharose 6MB columns. Bound receptors were eluted from the column with 0.3M N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Receptor binding was assessed using a tracer amount of A-14 125I-insulin (∼35 pM) and increasing concentrations of unlabelled insulin (0-10 μM) in a total volume of 150 μl of pH 7.4 buffer as described by Magri et al (1990).
Age-related changes of growth hormone secretion and somatotroph function in Japanese Black Steers
Authors: Matsuzaki M. , Tsuneishi E. , Takada R. , Kaji Y. , Shiba N. , Hara S. , Ozutsumi K. , Yamaguchi T.
Published: November 2021

Growth hormone (GH) is a vital component for the regulation of animal growth. The circulating levels of GH decrease with age in bull calves (McAndrews et al., 1993) and in steers (Verde and Trenkle, 1987), and are higher in large Simmental steers than in small Angus steers (Grigsby and Trenkle, 1986). Japanese Black cattle, known as Wagyu, is early-matured and small frame size, and has an ability to deposit the high amount of intramuscular fat. The present study was conducted to clarify the age-related changes of GH secretion and somatotroph function in Japanese Black steers, since the information about endocrine profiles of Japanese Black cattle has been scantly.
Proanthocyanidin (PA) content of Calliandra leaves and the effect of polyethylene glycol and pH on complexes formed between Calliandra tannins and Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
Authors: Salawu M.B. , Acamovic T. , Stewart C.S. , Hovell F.D.DeB.
Published: November 2021

Calliandra is a proteinaceous leguminous browse for ruminants. Its PA content may however reduce its nutritive value. The negative effects of PA can be reduced by treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Tannin-protein complexes are stable at pH values up to the isoelectric point of the individual protein, and may dissociate at lower or higher pH values. The aim of the study was to determine the PA concentration of Calliandra, and to evaluate the effect of PEG and pH on the formation of complexes between BSA and compounds from Calliandra extracted with aqueous methanol.

Leaves (containing the leaflets and petioles) were harvested from Kenya Agricultural Research Institute regional research center, Embu, in the central highlands of Kenya. Leaves were oven dried (50 °C for 48 h) and were milled (1 mm aperture). The top 30 and lower 30 cm leaves were harvested from 2.5 year old plants.
Effects of variety, fertilizer nitrogen and sowing date on in vitro digestibility and botanical fractions of oat straw
Authors: Islam M.R. , Owen E. , Givens D.I. , Moss A.R.
Published: November 2021

Islam et al. (1996) reported effects of variety, fertilizer nitrogen (N) and sowing date on the botanical fractions of straw from oats grown at one site in NE England (ADAS High Mowthorpe). The present study investigated the effect of the same factors on straw quality from oats grown at a site in the SW Midlands (ADAS Rosemaund). Treatment effects on both botanical fractions and in vitro digestibility were measured, and the relationships between botanical composition and in vitro digestibility were investigated.
Upgrading wheat straw with urea at a tropical temperature: effects of urea concentration and amount of solution on in vitro digestibility and pH
Authors: Haq I.U. , Owen E.
Published: November 2021

Extension literature on upgrading straws in the tropics (e.g. Schiere and Ibrahim, 1989) advocates applying 1 kg of 40 g/kg urea solution per kg air dry straw and storing under plastic for 4 weeks. Surprisingly, there is little published information on responses to urea solution concentration and amounts to be applied in order to improve digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and maintain alkaline pH to enable preservation of treated straw. The present experiment aimed at providing such information as part of a study to assess the potential of animal or human urines for upgrading straw and bearing in mind that urines contain a range of urea concentrations.
Gene expression of glucose transporter in sow mammary gland is correlated to milk yield
Authors: Miller H. M. , Dixon W. T. , Foxcroft G. R. , Aherne F. X.
Published: November 2021

It is considered that the rate of glucose uptake by the mammary gland is the main regulator of lactose synthesis (Threadgold and Kuhn, 1984) and hence the main factor determining milk production (Faulkner and Peaker, 1987). GLUT1 is the only glucose transporter that has been found in lactating mammary tissue (Burnol et al, 1990). The aim of this experiment was to determine whether GLUT1 mRNA could be detected in sow mammary tissue, to investigate how abundance of GLUT 1 mRNA in mammary tissue changed between late gestation, early lactation and established lactation, and to establish whether this was correlated with milk output and/or feed intake.