bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moist wheat distillers grains for grass silage fed beef cattle
Authors: Rowlinson P , Marsh S P , Taylor W
Published: November 2021

Brewery and distillery co-products such as Brewers Grains and Draff have long been recognised as effective forage replacers within cattle rations. Recently the value of these feeds as concentrate replacers has been demonstrated (Hyslop and Roberts 1990, Forbes and Johnson 1990) with 4kg of concentrates being typically replaced by 16kg of Brewers Grains or Draff within dairy cow rations.

Moist wheat distillers grains (Supergrains) contain higher levels of dry matter, energy and protein compared to Brewers Grains or Draff. At the single distillery producing the co-product, the main raw material used is wheat with a small quantity of malting barley to assist in the enzyme conversion of starch. The cereals and yeast used in the process pass through the entire fermentation and distillation process with the material left after the spirit has been distilled off being concentrated by centrifugation to form Supergrains with a dry matter (g/kg), metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM) and crude protent content (g/kg DM) of 260, 14.0 and 320 respectively..The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of replacing concentrates with Supergrains with bulls fed ad libitum grass silage.
An investigation of the effect of initial milk yield level on the response to sward height and concentrate supplementation in grazing dairy cows
Authors: Pulido R. , Leaver J.D.
Published: November 2021

The increase of milk yield potential of dairy cows raises a number of questions relating to their management at pasture where the intake potential might be limiting. The interaction of initial milk yield (IMY), sward availability (SH) and level of concentrate supplementation (CI) is largely unknown.

Two experiments of 42 and 24 days in spring and midsummer were carried out with 45 and 27 Holstein Friesian cows respectively. In spring, five IMY groups (range 16.9 to 35.5 kg/day) and in midsummer three IMY groups (range 22.2 to 31.8 kg/day) were used. In both periods, three compressed sward height(3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 9 cm) and three CI (0, 3 and 6 kg/day, with 160 g CP/kg DM, 12.8 MJ ME/kg DM) were used. The grazing area consisted of 7.9 ha of perennial ryegrass which was set stocked. The herbage intake (HDMI) was estimated indirectly from individual cow performance. Grazing time (GT) was recorded for each cow on 24 hour observations. Multiple regression analyses were carried out relating the dependent variables herbage intake, grazing behaviour and milk production to the independent variables (IMY, SH, CI).
Limitations in digestible methionine in the intestine (MetDI) for milk protein secretion in dairy cows fed a ration based on grass silage
Authors: Chilliard Y. , Rouel J. , Ollier A. , Bony J. , Tanan K. , Sloan B.K.
Published: November 2021

The interest for increasing post-ruminal methionine supplies for dairy cows fed maize silage based rations has been clearly demonstrated (Sloan 1992). Theoretically grass silage based rations are also deficient in methionine in most dietary situations. Expressed as a percentage of PDIE (protein digestible in the small intestine when energy is limiting microbial protein synthesis in the rumen) the metDI value for grass silage approximates 1.95 compared to 1.97 for maize silage.

This trial was conducted, to verify, if in practice, methionine alone could limit milk protein secretion in dairy cows fed grass silage based rations.
Behaviour of pigs and sheep during road transport
Authors: Bradshaw R.H. , Hall S.J.G. , Broom D.M.
Published: November 2021

It is well known that transportation exposes livestock to stress which impairs welfare and affects productivity. Recent studies in pigs have investigated mortality during transport (Warriss & Brown 1994) and effects of loading density (Lambooy & Engel 1991) on welfare. Recent investigations in sheep have focused on the effects of handling and transport on bruising (Jarvis & Cockram 1994). Little attention has been focused on specific welfare guidelines which take into account the requirements of particular species. In the present study we compared the behavioural and physiological responses of pigs and sheep during road transport with a view to establishing whether guidelines of welfare should be species specific.
The effects of nutrition on reproductive performance, lactation and carcass quality of once bred gilts
Authors: Stewart A H , Edwards S A , Fowler V R
Published: November 2021

The once bred gilt system of production has a number of benefits in terms of feed efficiency and welfare, however the system relies on the production of a quality carcass and acceptable reproductive performance. Previous studies have indicated that welfare might be improved if gilts were ad-libitum fed a diet containing 60% Sugar beet pulp (Stewart et al 1993). There was a suggestion however that reproductive physiology may be put at risk using such a diet. The objective of this experiment was to identify differences in reproductive performance using two different energy sources in gestation and to manipulate nutrition during lactation to study the effect on carcass quality.
Effect of dietary fat level on lipoprotein composition in different breeds of pigs
Authors: Domenech M.P. , Barroeta A.C. , Sala R. , Codony R.
Published: November 2021

Blood cholesterol concentration is associated positively with the incidence of atherosclerosis. Dietary, genetic and environmental factors may play an important role in the development of high serum cholesterol level (Grundy, 1986), specially the quality and quantity of dietary fat. Human and porcine lipoprotein metabolism is very similar, then pig has been established as a suitable animal in which determine relationship between nutrition and atherogenesis (Pond, 1986).

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an experimental diet supplemented with an 8% of added fat (27.67% saturated, 34.90% monounsaturated and 37.43% of polyunsaturated fatty acids) on lipoprotein composition in four different breeds of pigs.
Effect of length of the sticking wound on the rate of blood loss and the time to loss of brain responsiveness in pigs
Authors: Anil M.H. , McKinstry J.L. , Whittington P.E. , Wotton S.B.
Published: November 2021

A project was undertaken to investigate the causes of inadequate sticking encountered during a MAFF commissioned survey of pig abattoirs (Anil and McKinstry, 1993). The results of the investigation identified the length of the sticking (exsanguination) wound as the major contributor to the problem. Experimental abattoir trials conducted on slaughter pigs comparing two sticking lengths indicated that the rate of bleed out was delayed after performing short sticking wounds (Anil, 1994). To demonstrate whether or not short sticking cuts could delay the onset of brain death the effect of short and long sticking wounds on the time to loss of visually evoked responses (VERs) were examined in anaesthetised pigs.
Assessment of distress experienced by witnessing slaughter in pigs
Authors: Anil M.H. , McKinstry J.L. , Field M. , Bracke M. , Rodway R.G.
Published: November 2021

The question of whether witnessing slaughter can cause distress has already been addressed in sheep and no scientific evidence was produced to suggest distress (Anil et al, 1989). Other work in mice and deer have also failed to demonstrate distress during the con specifics being killed (Bracke, 1993). It was not clear as to how this affected pigs as they may have been more or less sensitive to watching the slaughter act. Because trying to get stunned animals out of sight can often result in unduly prolonged stunning to sticking intervals which lead to recovery from stunning in commercial slaughterhouses this topic had direct relevance to the welfare of slaughter pigs. A survey ol pig abattoirs in England and Wales has already confirmed the problem (Anil and McKinstry, 1993). Average stunning to sticking interval was shown to be 31 seconds during the survey (ideal interval should be 15 seconds). The aim of this study was to show whether or not pigs would be distressed by watching the slaughter of their con specifics.
An assessment of pig welfare in very large groups of weaned pigs from outdoor systems
Authors: Xalabarder A. , Roden J.A. , English P.R. , McPherson O. , Head A.
Published: November 2021

A common method of housing newly weaned pigs from outdoor systems involves very large groups in straw-bedded pens. Concerns regarding pig welfare on these systems have been expressed in relation to excessive group size, the risk of hypothermia (no supplementary heating), disease challenge and the competition to which smaller piglets are subjected. Accordingly, indices of welfare (health, mortality, behaviour, growth rate and feed efficiency) were monitored in 2 large groups of newly weaned pigs.
The effects of enrichment on welfare, production and meat quality of the pig
Authors: Beattie V.E. , Walker N. , Farmer L.J. , Sneddont I.A.
Published: November 2021

Enriching the housing of growing pigs by creating an environment which is responsive can stimulate behaviour patterns similar to that of pigs in semi-natural conditions (Beattie 1994, Simonsen 1990). These changes in behaviour in conjunction with the absence of tail-biting and ear chewing in enriched environments (Beattie, Sneddon & Walker 1993) are indicators of improved welfare (Signoret 1983).

This study investigated the effect of enrichment on welfare, production performance and eating quality of the resultant pork. Welfare was assessed using behavioural measures.
An investigation into the heart rate of dairy cattle during the milking process
Authors: Day J.E.L. , Jones A.R.
Published: November 2021

Studies concerning farm animals are increasingly using heart rate (HR) as a welfare indicator because it is thought to be affected during the situations which an animal perceives as ‘stressful’. However, many studies are based on insufficient fundamental information and a limited understanding of the methodology. It has been established that an animal can respond to short-term ‘stressful’situations by rapidly releasing adrenaline which increases heart rate, heart output and blood pressure, and potentially prepares an animal for the ‘fight or flight’ response. However, it is self evident that heart rate is also affected by factors other than the release of adrenaline. Indeed, other studies and reviews (Baldock and Sibly, 1990 ; Fraser and Broom, 1990) have commented on the need to remove, primarily, behaviour as a confounding variable in studies using heart rate as a welfare indicator. Therefore, it is essential that the correct protocol is followed if heart rate is to be used as an unconfounded, objective indicator of welfare. Thus, the aim of the following study was to observe the effect of specific environmental occurrences on the HR of dairy cattle during the milking process, whilst illustrating a method of extracting heart rate data which could be used as a welfare indicator.
Effect of handling and transport on bruising in sheep sent directly from farms to slaughter
Authors: Jarvis A M , Cockram M S
Published: November 2021

Bruising of sheep results in economic loss to the meat industry and is one indicator of welfare problems associated with pre-slaughter management. This study relates potentially traumatic handling and behavioural events (wool-pull, tail-pull, fall, hit structure, riding, head-butt, other) during loading on farms, unloading and handling at a slaughterhouse, the initial 3 h in the lairage, and conditions during transport, to the occurrence of carcase bruising of 79 groups of sheep (n=2509) transported direct from farms to one of two commercial slaughterhouses.
Diet selection by cattle offered a choice between clean or slurry-contaminated swards: effects of application method and time since application
Authors: Laws J. A. , Rook A. J. , Pain B. F.
Published: November 2021

Slurry spreading is normally restricted to grassland designated for cutting because of a risk of rejection of contaminated herbage by grazing cattle. Spreading on both cut and grazed areas would allow greater flexibility in time and rate of application and reduce the risk of water pollution. Shallow injection, a technique in which slurry is pumped into slots cut into the sward to a depth of ca. 60mm, reduces herbage contamination so may allow earlier subsequent use for grazing without detriment to animal intake.
The effects of genotype and management on lactation persistency in dairy cows
Authors: McGuirk B J , Woolliams J A , Olori V
Published: November 2021

The MOET open herd operated by Genus is an open-nucleus breeding programme, designed to identify superior families and individual females. The herd of 250 cows was established over the period 1987-1990, with embryos from high genetic merit dams in North America. Subsequently, replacement heifers have been bred both from donors selected within the nucleus herd, and from external donors. The herd is milked three times a day, and fed a high-quality complete diet, to maximise production and so facilitate selection. Average NMR 305 day production figures for 440 heifers were 8995 kg, at 3.88% and 3.41% protein. A relatively high proportion of the herd is kept open for embryo production, with 40% of these heifers milking beyond 400 days and 13% for over 500 days. Data from the MOET project are currently being used to model production up to and beyond 305 days, and to establish correlations between performance in early and extended lactations and between lactation length and subsequent performance. These results will be discussed in the context of options for calving interval available to high production-high genetic potential Holstein Friesian herds.
The role of exploration and feeding motivation in the causation of tail-biting in growing pigs.
Authors: Day J. E. L. , Kyriazakis I. , Lawrence A. B.
Published: November 2021

Growing pigs are observed to spend a considerable amount of time chewing substrates in their environment (e.g. Jensen et al., 1993). This behaviour has been exposed to scientific investigation on many occasions because of its link to the serious welfare problem of tail-biting (see Fraser, 1987). However, there is still no motivational explanation which adequately describes the causation of chewing because it is unclear if the behaviour reflects feeding motivation, exploratory motivation, or a combination of both (Day et al., 1995). Therefore, this aim of this paper was to test the hypothesis that the initial exploratory chewing of a novel substrate may identify nutritional properties which could, if appropriate, reinforce feeding motivation and subsequent foraging behaviour.
Stoichiometry of in vitro fermentation of pure substrates with particular emphasis on methane production, using the cumulative gas production technique
Authors: Moss Angela R. , O'Callaghan Karen C.
Published: November 2021

There is a need to be able to measure the methane producing potential of a range of feedstuffs under different rumen conditions in order to predict more accurately the amount of methane produced per animal. In vitro techniques using rumen fluid as an innoculum can be considered as models of in vivo rumen digestion and have been applied to estimate digestibility of feedstuffs. The in vitro gas production technique (Menke et. al., 1979) can be used successfully to estimate this but there has been limited attempts to use it to estimate the methane producing potential of feedstuffs. The objective was to assess the potential of the technique to do this.

Three pure substrates, glucose (G), pectin (P) and cellulose (C) (lg) were pre-wetted in 94ml of medium D (Theodorou et. al., 1994). inoculated with strained rumen fluid (from wether sheep. 10ml) and incubated without agitation for 72h at 39Â°C.
Environmental effects of intensive systems of animal production on the lowlands
Authors: Atkinson D , Watson C A
Published: November 2021

The financial contribution made by Government to the agricultural industry results in the views of the general public on farming practices being of major importance. Environmental issues remain high upon the public agenda and have recently been re-emphasised by two Government publications “People Prosperity and Partnership” and Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report”. It remains important therefore that the design of any animal production system should take account of environmental effects and seek to achieve an acceptable balance between financial returns and environmental costs. The development of such a strategy requires information on: - the main environmental characteristics which are influenced by animal production - the extent to which environmental impact might be modified by change in fanning practice - the probable changes in farming systems over the foreseeable future which are likely to influence the environment. Assessments of these factors will require information at both detailed and systems level. These issues are discussed using information from a number of systems trials.
Factors affecting the odour characteristics of pigmeat
Authors: Wood J.D. , Fisher A.V. , Nute G.R. , Whittington F.M. , Hoste S.
Published: November 2021

The recent increase in slaughter weights and a wider range of genotypes in the UK might be increasing the risk of abnormal odours and flavours due to taints. This study investigated the role of skatole in the control of pigmeat odour characteristics and examined differences between genotypes based on the Large White - Landrace type or including some Meishan genes.

Twenty-four pigs were slaughtered at each of 100,110, 120 and 130 kg live weight comprising 6 entire male and 6 female progeny from Manor Hybrid (MH) or Manor Meishan (MM) gilts, both crossed with Large White boars. The animals were grouped together in a straw yard at 39 kg live weight and given a diet containing 13.8 MJDE and 11g lysine per kg.
Controlling reproduction to meet future market requirements
Authors: Lowman B G
Published: November 2021

The profitability of suckled calf production is closely linked to the number and value of calves weaned. Hence, herd fertility is a crucial measure of efficiency. For the commercial suckled calf producer fertility can be defined as the production of a viable, quality calf when required. While there are many factors influencing herd/individual conception rates, three of the most important are time, nutrition and calving difficulties.

Conception rates to first oestrus post-partum are low, particularly where post-partum anoestrus periods are short. This effect can be clearly seen in trials monitoring over 1500 suckler cows where fertility was depressed if the interval between calving and mating was less than 30 days, ie the calving period extended over 50 days. Where however the post-partum anoestrus period is extended the depression in conception rate to first oestrus is less marked.
The relationship between digestibility or energy losses as methane and metabolisable energy content of whole crop wheat
Authors: Adesogan A.T. , Owen E. , Givens D.I.
Published: November 2021

Estimates of the metabolisable energy (ME) content of whole crop wheat (WCW) derived using measured energy losses as methane (ELMm) are lacking due to the cost of measuring ELMm. Published ME values of WCW are largely calculated using predicted energy losses as methane (ELMp, Blaxter and Clapperton, 1965) or digestible organic matter content (DOMD) in vivo. However, there appears to be no published information about the accuracy with which DOMD in vivo or ELMp predicts the ME content of WCW. Therefore, this study assessed the validity of such ME predictions by comparing them with ME contents calculated using ELMm.
Energy balance of lactating cows given diets of grass silage and whole crop wheat
Authors: S.B.Cammell  , J.D.Sutton  , D.J.Humphries  , R.H.Phipps  , D.E.Beever
Published: November 2021

A previous experiment (Sutton, Abdalla, Phipps, Cammell and Humphries, 1995) showed that low digestibility is a major cause of the poor utilisation of urea-treated whole crop wheat (WCW) by lactating cows. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine energy balance in more detail by means of indirect calorimetry.

Four multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were offered diets based on spring wheat (cv Axona), harvested on 11 August at 603 g dry matter (DM)/kg and preserved with 20 or 40 g urea/kgDM (WCW-20, WCW-40), and first-cut perennial ryegrass silage (GS). For GS, WCW-20 and WCW-40 respectively, DM was 213, 801 and 712 g/kg; crude protein (CP) 124, 163 and 171 g/kg DM; ammonia-N 3.1, 4.6 and 7.6 g/kg DM; pH 3.9, 6.7 and 7.2. The cows were offered four diets in a 4 X 4 latin square with 4-week periods starting 10 weeks after calving. In week 4 of each period urine and faeces were collected for 6 days and gas exchange was measured for 3 days in respiration chambers.
Protein supplementation of silage for ewes in late pregnancy
Authors: Vipond J.E. , Lewis M. , Povey G.M.
Published: November 2021

Ewes fed good quality grass silage need low levels (0.4-0.6 kg/d) of concentrate supplement to satisfy energy requirements in late pregnancy. However, the UK Metabolisable Protein (MP) system predicts that using a low level of a typical 180 g/kg crude protein (CP) compound will result in an undersupply of MP and therefore a higher digestible undegradable protein (DUP) content of compounds is required. Although the benefits of supplying additional DUP to lactating ewes are well established there is little or no experimental evidence to support the practice of supplementing silage based diets with supplementary DUP. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the response to supplementary DUP in silage based diets.

One hundred and twenty five scanned Scotch Mule ewes were synchronised, mated to Texel rams and allocated to 5 treatments balanced for liveweight, condition score, litter size, and parity. Five supplements were formulated to supply varying amounts of DUP and eRDP.
Effects of maternal uterine environment and genotype on gestation length, lambing ease and growth characteristics of lambs
Authors: Dwyer C.M. , Lawrence A.B. , Brown H.E. , Simm G.
Published: November 2021

Perinatal lamb mortality remains a major welfare and economic concern for the sheep farming industry. The vitality and teat-seeking abilities of the newborn lamb are fundamental to its survival and are likely to be greatly influenced by its physical characteristics and ease of birth. The following experiment used embryo-transfer techniques to distinguish between maternal and foetal genotype and environmental factors affecting gestation length, lambing ease and postnatal growth in two breeds of sheep with differing ewe and lamb liveweights.

Thirty-eight Scottish Blackface (BF; mean liveweight (Â±s.e.m.) at lambing=54.25 kg Â±1.03) and 41 Suffolk ewes (S; 80.33 kg Â± 1.52) were given single purebred embryos obtained from 17 donor ewes and 10 sires. Embryos were transferred between ewes in a balanced design such that the following combinations were obtained: 18 BF ewes with BF lambs; 20 BF ewes with S lambs; 20 S ewes with BF lambs; 21 S ewes with S lambs.
Manipulating the fatty acid composition of ruminant meats
Authors: Enser M
Published: November 2021

Ruminant adipose tissue differs from that of monogastric species in having a high proportion of saturated fatty acids which gives it a high melting point. This difference results from the hydrogenating action of bacteria in the rumen which convert a high proportion of the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of forage and cereals into saturated fatty acids or unsaturated fatty acids with fewer double bonds, some of which are in the trans configuration. Although the ruminant is well adapted to this pattern of fatty acids for humans the consumption of such fat is nutritionally undesirable and in the case of lamb fat, organoleptically unsatisfactory since the lipid may congeal in the mouth. Any procedures to manipulate the fatty acid composition of ruminant lipids must reduce or avoid the. hydrogenation in the rumen.
The Effect of Feeding Different Sources and Levels of Oil on the Fatty Acid Composition of Bovine Milk
Authors: Mansbridge R J , Blake J S
Published: November 2021

Medical authorities are increasingly recommending a reduction in the proportion of dietary energy derived from saturated fats (COMA). Milk processors are keen to identify new milk products for niche markets, and the production of 'healthier' milk may be required in the future. Dairy products are a major source of saturated fat in the diet and the work reported here examines the effect of feeding different sources of dietary oil on the fatty acid composition of bovine milk.

In a 4 × 2 factorial experiment 96 Holstein cows were offered complete diets containing one of four oil sources, a calcium soap of palm fatty acid distillate(C), naked oats (O), pressure cooked whole soybeans (S) and partially oil extracted rapeseed (R), at two supplement to grass silage ratios (0.48:0.52 (low) or 0.70:0.30 (high)) in weeks 4 to 13 post calving.
Dairy rations based on mixtures of grass silage and maize silage: responses to supplemental rumen fermentable starch and rumen degradable protein
Authors: Newbold J.R. , Morris H.W. , Haggis N.G.
Published: November 2021

Compared with most grass silages, maize silage has a low ratio of rumen degradable protein: fermentable energy. Unlike grass silage, maize silage contains rumen fermentable starch. These differences imply that a different regimen of supplemental nutrients is required to optimise cow performance on rations containing maize silage compared with rations based on grass silage. The objective of this study was to define responses of dairy cows fed rations based on maize silage to supplements of rumen fermentable starch (RFS) and effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP).
Effect of jugular vein essential amino acid infusion on milk production in dairy cattle
Authors: Crompton L A , Lomax M A , Reynolds C K , Backwell F R C , Bequette B J , Sutton J D , Beever D E , MacRae J C
Published: November 2021

Milk protein concentration can be influenced by dietary manipulation, but the efficiency of amino acid transfer into milk and the predictability of the response are both poor. Previous reports from this research group have demonstrated that milk protein concentration can be repeatedly increased in response to vascular infusions of essential amino acids (EAA) in animals fed on a low crude protein (CP) diet (140 g CP/kg DM) in mid-lactation (Metcalf et al., 1996). The present study was designed to compare milk protein content responses to vascular EAA infusion in animals fed a high protein diet (180 g CP/kg DM) at peak lactation.
The response of dairy cows to intravascular administration of two mixtures of amino acids
Authors: Metcalf J A , Crompton L A , Backwell F R C , Bequette B J , Lomax M A , Sutton J D , MacRae J C , Beever D E
Published: November 2021

Previous work by this group (Metcalf et al 1996) has shown that milk protein concentration can be increased by jugular infusion of different mixtures of amino acids (AA). The current experiment was designed in part to investigate which groups of AA had the greatest effect in stimulating milk protein content.
Estimation of genetic parameters in a Suffolk sheep group breeding scheme
Authors: Araghi M. , Curran M.K. , Pollott G.E.
Published: November 2021

In 1989, ten Suffolk breeders co-operated to establish a nucleus flock at Wye College. The group is known as the Wye Suffolk Improvement Group (WSIG). The members each contributed 5-10 pedigree ewes to use as the initial nucleus flock. Eighty-nine ewes were delivered to the College by the various participants. The objective of this study was to obtain estimates of the heritabilities of live animal traits, used to improve carcass traits, and phenotypic and genotypic correlation estimates between them in the Suffolk lambs in the south of England.
An evaluation of cows preferences for silages differing in fermentation and intake characteristics when offered concentrates varying in energy source
Authors: Keady T.W.J. , Mayne C.S.
Published: November 2021

There is ample evidence to show that the intake characteristics of silages harvested from the same sward can differ due to variations in digestibility and fermentation characteristics as influenced by additive treatment. In these studies animals were allocated to specific silages and had no choice of diets. More recently, Keady and Murphy (1994) have reported that cows have the ability to select their preferred silage within minutes, by either sight or smell, when offered access to a range of contrasting grass silages ad libitum and unsupplemented. The present study was designed to evaluate cows preferences for silages differing in fermentation and intake characteristics when offered concentrates varying in energy source.
Effect of supplementation in Belgian Blue bulls finished at grass : animal performance, carcass and meat characteristics
Authors: Istasse L. , Clinquart A. , Dufrasne I. , Hornick J.L. , Van Eenaeme C.
Published: November 2021

In Belgium, beef meat is traditionally produced with growing fattening bulls kept indoors and fed concentrate. Alternatives exist to this technic. Dufirasne et al. (1995) showed that young bulls may spend one season on pasture before a finishing period indoors. It has been reported recently that the finishing of young Belgian Blue bulls at grass did not provide carcasses with the required qualities (Hornick at al., 1995). The supplementation at grass has been suggested as an alternative. The aim of the present experiment was to study the effects of supplementation of bulls finished at grass on animal performance, carcass and meat characteristics.
An assessment of the effect of feed freshness on intake and performance of suckling and weaned pigs
Authors: Kavanagh S. , Lynch P.B. , Caffrey P.J. , Henry W.D.
Published: November 2021

While there is little information in the literature on the effect of feed freshness on acceptability, feeds containing oxidised or rancid fats are thought to be unpalatable. Both free fatty acid level and peroxide level have been used as measures of fat quality and suitability for feeding especially to young animals. Neither is now considered a reliable predictor of animal performance (Carpenter, 1968). Connolly et al. (1970) found that pig performance was unaffected by high levels of peroxide in the diet or prolonged storage and concluded that it is doubtful if toxicity from lipid peroxides would arise in practical feeding. The aim of this study was the examine the effect of feed freshness on intake and growth of suckling and weaned pigs, using free fatty acid and peroxide levels as indicators of freshness.
The prediction of digestible energy content of feedstuffs for growing pigs through knowledge of chemical composition
Authors: Longland A.C. , Bray S.P. , Low A.G.
Published: November 2021

Equations based on the chemical composition of feedstuffs have traditionally been used to predict the energy value of cereal-based diets for pigs. However, the dietary fibre fraction is the greatest source of variation in predicting energy value and it is recognised that the predictive power of equations could be improved by the use of more detailed chemical analysis of the fibre fraction, as opposed to using more traditional gravimetric techniques which do not define specific chemical entities. The potentially fermentable fraction of dietary fibre is the non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) portion and there are methods available to allow the routine measurement of total NSP and its constituent monomers. In this study we investigated the effect of including total NSP and its major constituent monomers as independent variables in data sets for step-wise regression analysis in addition to more traditional measurements of fibre content on the accuracy of equations designed to predict the energy value of feedstuffs for pigs.
Influence of Dietary Fatty Acid and Î±-Tocopherol Supply on Tissue Fatty Acid Profiles, Î±-Tocopherol Content and Lipid Oxidation in Pigs
Authors: Onibi G.E. , Scaife J.R. , Fowler V.R. , Murray I.
Published: November 2021

Unsaturated fatty acids especially n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are recognised as important components of a healthy human diets and increased intake has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (BNF, 1992). These fatty acids are susceptible to oxidation and lipid oxidation in meat may adversely affect meat quality and safety. However, tissue Î±-tocopherol (AT) may reduce oxidative changes. In this study, the effect of increased dietary supply of AT and unsaturated fatty acids on tissue AT content, fatty acid profiles and oxidative stability of pig muscle lipid was assessed.
Relationship between pigmeat toughness and the calpain proteolytic system
Authors: Sensky P.L. , Parr T. , Brown S.N. , Bardsley R.G. , Buttery P.J. , Wood J.D.
Published: November 2021

Variability in the rate of postmortem meat tenderisation occurs in the carcasses of pigs, even those of similar genotype raised under common conditions (Koohmaraie et al, 1995). Recent work has shown that administration of synthetic (β-agonists enhances muscle growth, reduces tenderisation and increases the activity of calpastatin, the natural inhibitor of the proteolytic enzymes Î¼-calpain and m-calpain, after slaughter (Kretchmar et al., 1990, Parr et al., 1992). Therefore, it is possible that part of the above variability may be related to levels of natural β-agonists, i.e. adrenaline. In this study the relationship between pigmeat toughness and the calpain proteolytic system has been investigated, using adrenaline infusion in an attempt to perturb the calpain system and create a wide range of meat qualities.
The effect of ERDP:FME ratio and DUP supply from concentrates on the performance of lactating ewes offered grazed grass
Authors: Wilkinson R.G. , Sinclair L.A. , Powles J. , Minter C.M.
Published: November 2021

Fresh grass is a highly variable product, which is generally characterised as having a high crude protein content, with a high rate and extent of degradation in the rumen. For lactating ruminants, this may result in an effective rumen degradable protein: fermentable metabolisable energy (ERDP:FME) ratio in excess of the optimum requirement for microbial growth, leading to inefficient nitrogen utilisation and high levels of urinary nitrogen excretion. One method of improving the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation is the use of supplements. An appropriate supplement should optimise ERDP and FME supply to the rumen and provide sufficient metabolisable protein (MP) to balance animal requirements. The objective of the experiment was to investigate the response of lactating ewes offered grazed grass to variations in ERDP:FME ratio and digestible undegradable protein (DUP) supply from concentrate supplements.
Use of choice-feeding methodology to determine the optimum dietary protein concentration for intensively-reared lambs
Authors: Newbold J.R. , Morris H.W. , Haggis N.G.
Published: November 2021

Feeding lambs a single ration, with a fixed protein:energy ratio, from weaning until slaughter will incur inefficiencies of protein utilisation if protein requirements (relative to energy requirements) vary with stage of growth. Kyriazakis and Oldham (1992) have demonstrated the ability of sheep to select systematically between diets of low and high protein content. The objective of this experiment was to use a choice-feeding methodology to identify optimum dietary protein concentrations at different stages of lamb growth.

Eighty Suffolk cross-bred lambs were weaned at 6 weeks of age, blocked by sex and then live weight and allocated at random (within block) amongst 16 pens. Pens were allocated at random to one of two dietary regimens: SINGLE (concentrate containing 200g CP/kg as-fed) or CHOICE (free choice between concentrates containing 170 or 230g CP/kg as-fed).
Treated sugarcane bagasse for maintenance of sheep in Brazil
Authors: Abdalla A.L. , Vitti D.M.S.S. , del Mastro N.L. , Bueno M.S.
Published: November 2021

Several treatments for increasing digestibility of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) have been studied in Brazil for many years (Abdalla et al., 1990). Despite some improvements in in situ digestibility obtained with steam and pressure treatments, the SCB has not performed well when given to cattle (Mello Junior, et al., 1989). More recently, irradiation and ammonia has been tested in studies to improve the digestibility of SCB, rice and corn straw, rice and soybean hulls and others rough feed. The purpose of the present experiment was aimed to determine the intake, body weight changes, wool production and microbial synthesis in sheep fed with grass hay (Cynodon dactilon) or SCB treated with 600kGy of radiation and ammonia (20g/kg dry matter (DM)).
A comparison of feed blocks or compound supplementary feeding systems for twin-bearing ewes during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Chapple D. G. , Wheeler K. P. A. , Marsh S. P.
Published: November 2021

The feeding of ewes in late pregnancy is critically important because this is a period of high foetal growth rate. Feed blocks have been used to replace compound feeds in both hill and upland flocks but there is limited information available on block-feeding to lowland flocks.

To evaluate the replacement of trough-feeding with self-help feed blocks, for housed ewes fed good quality grass silage during late pregnancy, and to lactating ewes at grass.
The effect of selenium supplementation on fresh and frozen ram semen
Authors: Anderson Jennifer M.L. , Axford R.F.E. , Ap Dewi I.
Published: November 2021

Previous research conducted on bulls, rats and man have shown that selenium-deficient animals produce less viable semen than animals of an adequate status, because the tail of the spermatozoa is a seleno-flagellate (Slaweta et al., 1988). Furthermore, the fertilising ability of ram spermatozoa is reduced in liquid nitrogen as the semen quality is affected by osmolality and the freezing and thawing process (Colas and Guerin, 1981). In a small experiment, the effect of selenium supplementation on low-selenium rams was tested to ascertain the quality and viability of fresh ram semen and the post-thaw recovery and fertilising ability of frozen semen.
The incidence of elevated progestrone at the time of insemination in Suffolk ewes bred in August
Authors: Dingwall W S , McKelvey W A C , Gebbie F E , Robinson J J
Published: November 2021

The development of laparoscopic intrauterine insemination for sheep has been essential for the implementation of national Sire Reference Schemes in the UK (McKelvey and Simm, 1995). Whilst conception rate to artificial insemination (AI) has averaged 60-70% in most participating flocks, a number of flocks have experienced a proportion of their ewes returning to anoestrus following AI. This phenomenon restricts the implementation of sire reference schemes and it has been proposed that die causal factor could be the presence of a persistent corpus luteum at the time of insemination.
Effects of handling dairy goat replacements in early life on behaviour when first entering the milking parlour
Authors: Dedman K.M. , Bryant M.J.
Published: November 2021

The handling of animals by their keepers, particularly in early life, has been shown to influence the subsequent behaviour and performance of various domestic farm species (Lyons, Price and Moberg, 1988; Hemsworth and Barnett, 1992). When production systems require animals to be handled frequently and in situations where their collaboration is essential, such as dairying, then the animals' placidity and tractability becomes essential. The aim of the experiment was to establish if handling goat kids for a few weeks after birth would influence behaviour when they were subsequently milked.
Leg injuries of piglets reared in different types of weaner accommodation
Authors: Kelly H.R.C. , Bruce J.M. , Edwards S.A. , Fowler V.R. , English P.R.
Published: November 2021

Lyons et al (1995) compared Straw-Flow(R) with other systems for growing pigs. The present study examined its suitability for the early-weaned pig. Welfare of early-weaned pigs was compared in Straw-Flow, deep straw and flatdeck pens using various indicators, including productivity, foot injuries and adventitious bursitis of the hock. These systems were chosen to represent the variety of housing in use on farms.
A method of enrichment for intensive housing of growing pigs
Authors: Beattie V.E. , Walker N. , Sneddon I.A.
Published: November 2021

Enriching the environment of growing pigs increase substrate directed behaviour and reduces harmful social behaviour directed at penmates (Horrell, 1992). The object of this study was to find out if a simple enrichment method using substrate which allowed rooting behaviour in an intensive housing system would be sufficient to maintain patterns of behaviour observed when pens were enriched more fully (Beattie, Walker and Sneddon, 1995).

In a comparative study which examined the effect of having access to mushroom compost in an otherwise barren environment there were three treatments and six replicates. The three treatments were (1) control barren pen, (2) empty horizontal rack 1800 mm x 600 mm with 30 mm2grid size suspended above pigs' heads and (3) mushroom compost on rack as in treatment 2. Pigs released particles of compost by nosing the metal grid from below while standing or sitting. All pens had a 2500 mm x 1250 mm fibre cement board on slats under rack or in equivalent position in treatment 1.
Travel sickness and welfare of pigs during road transport: effects of mixing and duration of journey
Authors: Bradshaw R. H. , Parrott R. F. , Forsling M. L. , Goode J. A. , Lloyd D. M. , Rodway R. G. , Broom D. M.
Published: November 2021

Pigs are usually transported during the course of their life and various behavioural and physiological effects of the transportation process have been reported (e.g. Bradshaw et al., 1995)., Most research has been directed to examining the effects of the physical environment (e.g. Randall, 1993), simple behavioural time budgets (e.g. Bradshaw et al., 1995) and levels of 'stress' hormones in the blood before and after a journey (e.g. Geers et al., 1994). Two situations are described in this paper. The first investigated behavioural and salivary Cortisol responses of pigs to road transport when loaded in small familiar social groups or when loaded and mixed with other unfamiliar pigs. The second used catheterised animals to examine the hormonal response (Cortisol, beta-endorphin and lysine vasopressin) of pigs sampled during a long distance (8 h) road journey.
Responses of pigs to social and non-social challenges in the abattoir
Authors: Geverink N.A. , Bradshaw R.H. , Lambooy E. , Broom D.M.
Published: November 2021

Conditions at die abattoir are such that pigs are exposed to social stress (mixing with unfamiliar pigs) and non-social stress (rough handling). Individual differences in behavioural responses to stress in pigs have been well documented (Hessing et al., 1994; Jensen, 1994; Mendl et al., 1992) and can result in considerable variation in their ability to cope. In this experiment, we studied whether individual differences in behaviour and physiology in home pen conditions are related to subsequent reactions during periods of transport, driving and mixing.
A comparison of the in vitro fermentation of four feeds by inocula from bovine rumen digesta and equine caecal digesta, using the pressure transducer technique
Authors: Lowman R.S. , Theodorou M.K. , Longland A.C. , Cuddeford D.
Published: November 2021

It is generally believed that ruminants are better able to degrade highly fibrous feeds than equines. To determine if this is due to differences between the microflora of the rumen and the equine hind-gut, oatfeed (OF), naked oats (NO), soya hulls (SH) and unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SB) were incubated with inocula prepared from bovine rumen digesta or equine caecal digesta.

OF, NO, SH, and SB were ground to pass through a 1 mm mesh screen and incubated for 72 hours, at 39Â°C with inocula prepared from either rumen (R) or caecal (C) digesta. Rumen digesta was obtained from three hay-fed, ruminally - fistulated Hereford x Friesian steers, and caecal digesta from three hay-fed, caecally -fistulated, Welsh-cross ponies. Gas production throughout the incubation was measured using the pressure transducer technique (Theodorou et al, 1994). After the incubation, VFA production was measured and residue weights were calculated for each feedstuff.
A comparison between equine faeces and caecal digesta as sources of inoculum for in vitro fermentation studies using the pressure transducer technique
Authors: Lowman R.S. , Theodorou M.K. , Longland A.C. , Cuddeford D.
Published: November 2021

Several studies have shown high correlations between in vtvo and in vitro degradation of fibrous feeds when preparations from either rumen fluid or ruminant faeces have been used as the inocula for the in vitro studies (El Shaer et al., 1987; Akhter et al., 1994 & 1995; Harris et al., 1995). Use of an inoculum prepared from faecal material is attractive, for unlike that obtained from rumen fluid, it precludes the need to prepare and maintain fistulated donor animals. This study investigated the use of pony faeces, as an alternative to pony caecal digesta, as a source of micro-organisms for in vitro feed degradability studies.
Relationship between in vitro gas production and near infrared reflectance spectra of gliricidia provenances
Authors: Lister S.J. , Dhanoa M.S. , Stewart J.L. , Gill M.
Published: November 2021

The chemical composition of tropical forages is generally more complex than that of temperate forages, yet the need for simple methods to predict nutritive value is greater. Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) spectra could provide a possible solution. NIR has been used to predict both in vitro and in vivo digestibility (Murray, 1993). Direct calibration with in vivo parameters is ideal, but factors such as different types of forages, animals and management conditions have to be taken into consideration. The gas production technique, which may be considered as an in vitro counterpart of the dacron bag technique, provides information relating to the fermentable fractions and kinetics of a forage and these parameters can be related to the NIR spectra. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NIR spectra and cumulative gas production and derived parameters in tree leaves.
Hemicellulases from the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus - their potential application in pretreatment of animal feed
Authors: Kalogiannis S. , Owen E. , Beever D.E. , Bhat M.K.
Published: November 2021

Cellulose and hemicellulose are major components of forages for ruminants, and their partial degradation by chemical (e.g. NaOH, NH4OH) or biological (e.g. enzymes) means prior to feeding may improve both digestibility and feed intake. To identify suitable enzymes for forage treatment, it is necessary to establish their respective pH and temperature optima as well as their stability. In this study Thermoascus aurantiacus, a thermophilic fungus associated with rotting wood and self heated hay, was investigated as a source of stable hemicellulolytic enzymes.
Improving the prediction of rumen volatile fatty acids in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Bannink A. , France J. , Dijkstra J.
Published: November 2021

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) constitute the largest fraction of metabolizable energy absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cows. The molar proportion of individual VFA is important because individual VFA have a different fate in intermediary metabolism. However, rumen models predict the VFA molar proportions inaccurately from feed characteristics (Dijkstra, 1993). To investigate what model elements are responsible for this inaccuracy, modified descriptions of several elements were tested and sensitivity of VFA predictions was determined. This simulation study aims to identify model elements whose improved description can contribute to a more accurate prediction of VFA molar proportions.