bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of the Swiss Franc Real Exchange Rate
Authors: Griffoli Tommaso Mancini , Meyer Christoph , Natal Jean-Marc , Zanetti Attilio
Published: January 2018

We conduct an empirical investigation of the determinants of the Swiss franc real exchange rate. Theory and related empirical papers suggest various specific factors as potential determinants We select some of these factors, and test their significance and magnitude in affecting the course of the CHF real exchange rate. Results stemming from a co-integration approach point to terms of trade and relative government spending as the most significant explanatory variables. Balassa-Samuelson effects do not play any significant role. Our results also confirm that this kind of empirical approach is sensitive to the choice of explanatory variables, panel countries and sample periods.
Putin's and Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union: A hybrid half-economics and half-political “Janus Bifrons”
Authors: Sergi Bruno S.
Published: January 2018

The Eurasian Economic Union is an institution formalized in January 2015 for the purpose of regional economic integration; it includes five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, and may include Mongolia and Tajikistan in the future. With a GDP of $1.59 trillion in 2015, an industrial production of $1.3 trillion in 2014, and population of almost 200 million as of 2016, the EEAU could represent a geopolitical success that supports both Putin's ambitious political agenda and the Union's economic prospects. Although the efforts of this Union are ongoing and long-term success is not certain, the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union can be considered a hybrid half-economics and half-political “Janus Bifrons” that serves as a powerful illustration of what Putin envisions for the post-Soviet space. Despite promising steps so far, more should be done toward the achievement of economic development and balanced opportunity for all Eurasian countries. Russia's longstanding role within the Union, as well as its power and political motivations, are all considerations that must be accounted for.
Wine Competitions: Reevaluating the Gold Standard
Authors: Bitter Christopher
Published: January 2018

Competition medals are one of the most readily available sources of expert opinion to wine consumers, yet the “expertise” of competition judges and efficacy of medals have been questioned in the literature. This paper reevaluates the relevance of gold medals using data from ten competitions and scores from two leading wine publications. The analysis begins by exploring differences in gold medal award rates across competitions while holding wine quality constant through paired comparisons, which are found to be substantial. Next, the relevance of gold medals as indicators of wine quality is assessed, using the average scores from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator as surrogates for quality. By itself, knowledge that a wine is a gold medal winner appears to have little relevance, as these wines do not score significantly higher than other medal winners. However, evidence suggests that golds from some competitions may be more relevant than others. (JEL Classifications: L15, L66)
Birth and death of oceanic basins: geodynamic processes from rifting to continental collision in Mediterranean and circum-Mediterranean orogens
Authors: CAPPONI G. , FESTA A. , REBAY G.
Published: January 2018

The study of the evolution of ocean basins from birth to death is crucial for the understanding of the geodynamic evolution of orogenic systems. Exhumed ophiolite-bearing orogenic belts represent significant fossil analogues of different types of modern oceanic basins, allowing detailed multiscale and multidisciplinary investigations. Such investigations are highly important to our understanding of the ancient and modern geodynamic processes connected to the different stages of complete tectonic evolution, from rifting to subduction, collision and exhumation.
Social anxiety disorder: looking back and moving forward
Authors: Hyett Matthew P. , McEvoy Peter M.
Published: January 2018

Fifty years have passed since social anxiety disorder (SAD) was first differentiated from other phobias. In the years since research has largely aligned with the zeitgeist of categorical classificatory frameworks, and has spanned identifying causes, maintenance factors and innovative interventions. Despite significant advances in the field, the capacity to conceptualise SAD as an independent entity is limited given the heterogeneity and dimensionality of diagnostic criteria, high rates of comorbidity, and non-specificity of aetiological mechanisms, maintaining factors and approaches to treatment. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative was developed in an effort to overcome the inherent limitations posed by descriptive diagnostic systems – particularly in terms of reliability and validity – and in doing so seeks to facilitate research into underlying pathophysiological and behavioural mechanisms that cut across traditional diagnostic boundaries. The RDoC framework is furnished with a ‘matrix’, which in essence corresponds to a set of research principles that attempt to reconcile neuroscience and psychopathology. This review outlines a rationale for integrating SAD research with the RDoC approach, and offers examples of how future studies may wish to frame hypotheses and design experiments as the field moves towards classifying dimensions of psychopathology through a mechanistic understanding of underlying neurobiological and behavioural processes.
Effect of Atrazine on Soybean Tolerance to Metribuzin
Authors: Ladlie James S. , Meggitt William F. , Penner Donald
Published: January 2018

Atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine] at 0.14 kg/ha and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5(4H)one] at 0.56 kg/ha applied under field conditions interacted synergistically to reduce soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Harsoy-63′] growth. In the greenhouse, a number of combinations with atrazine at 0.07 kg/ha or greater and metribuzin at 0.56 kg/ha and greater interacted synergistically to reduce soybean fresh and dry weights 30 days after planting. Over a soil pH range of 4.6, 5.6, and 6.7, atrazine–metribuzin interactions were more apparent as the soil pH values increased. Atrazine at 10-5and 10-6M concentration in the sand culture nutrient solution during the early growth of ‘Swift’ soybean seedlings decreased14C-metribuzin uptake and movement into the 12-day-old soybean shoots during the 12-hr treatment period. However, 10-7M atrazine increased14C-metribuzin in the shoot by increasing stomatal aperture and subsequent transpiration. Conditions favoring the synergistic interaction were low atrazine residue levels which increase soybean transpiration, high metribuzin rates, and high soil pH levels.
Purple Moonflower: Emergence, Growth, Reproduction
Authors: Chandler J.M. , Munson R.L. , Vaughan C.E.
Published: January 2018

Purple moonflower's (Ipomoea turbinata Lagasca y Segura) vegetative growth and seed maturation were characterized in noncompetitive field studies. Seedling emergence of 50% or greater of mature scarified seed occurred to a soil depth of 12 cm. At vegetative maturity a typical plant produced 11 primary, 50 secondary, 94 tertiary, and 7 quaternary runners having a total length of 185 m. The average number of leaves per plant was 1,120. Maximum seed size, seed wet weight, occurrence of first mottled seed, and first capacity to germinate occurred 20 days after anthesis in immature seed that were removed from the seed pod. Maximum germination occurred at 26 days after anthesis. Seed moisture content (dry weight basis) reached 8.5%, seed had formed an impermeable seed coat, and physiological maturity (defined as maximum dry weight) occurred 34 days after anthesis. The total number of purple moonflower seed produced per plant averaged 9350. The major mechanism of seed dormancy was impermeability of seed coats.
Soil Sample Variation and Herbicide Incorporation Uniformity
Authors: Wauchope R.D. , Chandler J.M. , Savage K.E.
Published: January 2018

Copper sulfate (CuSO4· 5H20) was used as a tracer to determine soil sample variation and the effects of incorporation and seedbed preparation practices on the horizontal distribution of broadcast herbicide sprays. A Dubbs very fine sandy loam soil was sprayed with 14.1 kg/ha copper (as CuSO4solution) and 19 mm diameter soil core samples were taken to a depth of 15 cm after spraying, after single or double disk-harrow incorporation, and after incorporation followed by bedding and row leveling. Cores were systematically located along and across the center two rows of the plots and numbered according to position. Soil cores were weighed, extracted with 0.05 M Na2EDTA and the extract was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. For all samples, cores had a range of copper between 50 and 1000 μg, with a coefficient of variation of 47%. Disk-harrow incorporation decreased the copper found in the center of the harrow path by nearly 50%. Bedding followed by row leveling did not change the tracer content of cores but decreased soil core densities. Disk-harrow incorporation may redistribute a herbicide that is initially applied evenly, producing areas of poor weed control and/or crop damage. This observation was confirmed in a field bioassay using trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) and wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ‘Coker 6815′).
Lactofen Increases Glyphosate-Stimulated Shikimate Production in Little Mallow (Malva parviflora)
Authors: Wells Barbara H. , Appleby Arnold P.
Published: January 2018

Low rates of diphenylether herbicides were previously shown to increase efficacy of glyphosate. Experiments were conducted to determine effect of lactofen on uptake of glyphosate and movement into tissues distal from the treatment area as measured by shikimate accumulation. As expected, glyphosate caused shikimate to accumulate, and sublethal rates of lactofen increased this effect. Cuticle abrasion had no effect on activity of glyphosate, alone or with lactofen, suggesting that the influence of lactofen was not in aiding penetration into the leaf.
Efficacy and Economics of Herbicides for Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Control in No-till Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Donald William W. , Prato Tony
Published: January 2018

The objective of this field research was to compare relative effectiveness and profitability of alternative herbicides applied to the same plots for four consecutive years for controlling and reducing dense Canada thistle infestations in no-till spring wheat. Chlorsulfuron at 30 g ai ha−1plus nonionic surfactant or clopyralid plus 2,4-D at 70 plus 280 g ae ha−1, respectively, applied annually for 4 yr controlled Canada thistle and was more effective for gradually reducing Canada thistle stands than 2,4-D at 560 g ae ha−1, MCPA plus bromoxynil at 280 plus 280 g ae ha−1, or tribenuron at 20 g ai ha−1. Chlorsulfuron and clopyralid plus 2,4-D also controlled Canada thistle ≥ 90% earlier (by 2 yr) than other treatments. Stochastic dominance analysis, a form of economic analysis, predicted that either chlorsulfuron or clopyralid plus 2,4-D would be preferred by farmers to the untreated check, MCPA plus bromoxynil, or 2,4-D treatments. Chlorsulfuron also would be preferred to clopyralid plus 2,4-D by risk-neutral farmers, whereas clopyralid plus 2,4-D would be preferred to chlorsulfuron by highly risk-averse farmers, those who are most likely to pick only consistently effective herbicides.
Histology of Infection of Hydrilla verticillata by Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: Joye Gary F. , Paul Rex N.
Published: January 2018

Infection of Hydrilla verticillata by Macrophomina phaseolina was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sprigs of plants in petri plates were inoculated with suspensions of fungal hyphae. Samples of inoculated and noninoculated plants were taken over time. Fungal cells attached to lower epidermal cell walls but not the upper epidermal cell walls of leaves. In less than 40 h, penetration through the cell wall was completed and colonization of host cells was observed. Penetration of upper epidermis was limited to the cell wall adjacent to a lower epidermal cell. No penetration was observed through the outer cell wall of upper epidermis. Inhibition of penetration through the outer cell wall of the upper epidermis may be attributable to an osmiophilic layer below the cell wall. Disruption of the host cell walls and subsequent host cell death was preceded by massive colonization of the host by this pathogen.
Absorption and Translocation of Herbicides with Lipid Compounds
Authors: Nalewaja John D. , Skrzypczak Grzegorz A. , Gillespie Greg R.
Published: January 2018

Absorption and translocation of14C following14C-fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoic acid} butyl ester and14C-sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} application to oats (Avena sativaL. ‘Lyon’) was greater when the herbicides were applied with oleic acid, linoleic acid, or fatty acid methyl esters compared to various triglycerides. The methyl esters of stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids enhanced14C absorption and translocation when applied with14C-fluazifop and14C-sethoxydim, except that the methyl ester of stearic acid did not enhance14C absorption and translocation when applied with14C-sethoxydim. The absorption and translocation of14C following the application of14C-CGA-82725 {(±)-2-[4-(3,5-dichloro-2-pyridyloxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid)-2-propynylester},14C-diclofop {(±)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoic acid},14C-fluazifop, and14C-sethoxydim were generally enhanced equally or greater by the methyl ester of sunflower (Helianthus annumL.) oil than by petroleum oil additive or once refined sunflower oil. Methylated sunflower oil was equally or more effective as an additive than petroleum oil in enhancing grass control with fluazifop and sethoxydim in a field experiment.
Red Rice (Oryza sativa) and Junglerice (Echinochloa colonum) Control in Solid-Seeded Soybeans (Glycine max)
Authors: Griffin James L. , Harger Thomas R.
Published: January 2018

Red rice (Oryza sativaL. # ORYSA) control in soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] was 93% or more with shallow-incorporated alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] at 3.9 kg ai/ha, metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] at 2.8 kg ai/ha, and trifluralin [2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine] at 1.7 kg ai/ha. Junglerice [Echinochloa colonum(L.) Link. # ECHCO] control was 80% with alachlor but 90% or more with metolachlor and trifluralin when applied at the same rates. Sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} at 560, fluazifop {(±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid} at 280, haloxyfop {2-[4-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanoic acid} at 140, and mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] amino] phenyl] acetamide} plus bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4 (3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] at 140 plus 840 g ai/ha applied postemergence on two- to four-leaf red rice provided at least 87% control. Junglerice control with these treatments was 85% or more with the exception of fluazifop and mefluidide plus bentazon.
Neo-Tudor and its Enemies
Authors: Stamp Gavin
Published: January 2018

Has any architecture – even the concrete ‘shoe boxes’ of the 1960s – received such consistent abuse as the neo-Tudor of the first half of the twentieth century – especially in its middle-class, suburban manifestations (Fig. 1)? ‘The abominable Tudoristic villa of the By-pass road’, ‘The worst bogus Tudor housing estates’, and ‘Those repellent, jerry-built, sham-Tudor houses that disfigure England’ are some contemporary judgements. And as far as that enthusiast for the modern, Anthony Bertram, in his 1935 book,The House: A Machine for Living In, was concerned:

The man who builds a bogus Tudoresque villa or castellates his suburban home is committing a crime against truth and tradition: he is denying the history of progress, denying his own age and insulting the very thing he pretends to imitate by misusing it.
Changes in Milk Components Through Breeding
Authors: Swanson G.I.T. , Mrode R.A. , Winters M.S.
Published: January 2018

In view of the major changes taking place concerning the buying and selling of milk and milk products this is an appropriate time to consider ways and means to manipulate milk components. The replacement of the Milk Marketing Boards by voluntary co-operatives and the potential changes in the pricing of milk together with changes in consumer demand raises questions over breeding objectives in relation to the emphasis on milk, fat and protein.

The total cow population in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1992 was 4.38 million of which 2.68 million were dairy cows. Prior to 1984 when quotas were introduced cow numbers remained relatively static over a period of 25 years. Since 1984 cow numbers have decreased steadily from 3.3 million to 2.68 million. The major dairy breeds together with their average yields and composition are shown in Table 1.
Nutritional regulation of milk constituent synthesis and its manipulation
Authors: Beever D E , Lobley G.E. , Lomax M.A. , MacRae J.C. , Sutton J.D.
Published: January 2018

Several important reasons have contributed to the current interest in manipulating the composition of cows milk, particularly the ratio of milk protein to fat. Current market forces are still influenced with the introduction of production quotas on milk volume which occurred in the mid 80's. This led to a payment scheme based on the sale of milk solids, whilst the more recent introduction of a quota on milk fat sales has provided a major disincentive to overproduce milk fat and specifically milk with a high fat content. Most recently, the pricing structure of milk was changed, with the reward for lactose being removed and replaced by an increased price differential between protein and fat. Thus to the dairy farmer, other than those producing Channel Island milk, increasing the protein content of milk appears the only option with which to increase the ex-farm gate value of the product. At the same time, consumer choice continues to have a major impact on the demand for milk and milk products and the increasing sales of semi-skimmed milk is one consequence of the Nation's concern regarding over-consumption of fats, especially those of animal origin.
Genotype with feeding regime interaction in pigs
Authors: Cameron N.D. , Curran M.K.
Published: January 2018

This paper examined a genotype with feeding regime interaction by performance testing pigs, selected for lean growth on ad-libitum or restricted feeding, on both the normal and the alternative feeding regime.

Large White (LW) and Landrace (LR) pigs from divergent selection lines were for four generations for lean growth either on an ad-libitum (LGA) or a restricted (LGS) feeding regime. In each selection group, there were high, low and control lines, which consisted of 10 sires and 20 dams. On average, 3 boars and 3 gilts were tested per litter, with one boar and one gilt per litter tested on the alternative feeding regime. On ad-libitum feeding, there were 181 LGA and 94 LGS LW pigs and 162 LGA and 67 LGS LR pigs. On restricted feeding, 92 LGA and 212 LGS LW and 53 LGA and 135 LGS LR pigs were tested.

Performance test. The performance test was over a fixed weight range of 30±3 kg to 85±5 kg for ad-libitum fed pigs and for a fixed time of 84 days for restricted fed pigs. Restricted feeding was equal to 0.75 g/g of daily food intake of ad-libitum fed pigs. All pigs were individually penned and fed a high energy (13.8 MJ DE/kg DM) and high protein (210 g/kg DM crude protein) pelleted ration.
Peptide utilisation by the mammary gland of lactating goats.
Authors: Backwellf F.R.C. , Bequettet B J. , Metcalf J.A. , Wray-Cahen D. , Crompton L. , Beever D.E. , Lobleyt G.E. , MacRae J.C. , France J.
Published: January 2018

During lactation the ruminant mammary gland removes relatively large quantities of circulating amino acids (AA) to meet the requirements for milk protein synthesis but arterio-venous uptake studies in dairy cows (1) have indicated that the uptake of certain AA may be insufficient to account for their output as milk protein. The apparent deficit may be accounted for by the use of AA supplied to the gland as small peptides or proteins. A dual-labelled tracer approach involving infusion of [13C]-labelled peptides into the external pudic artery which supplies blood directly to the mammary gland demonstrated that dipeptide-bound AA can be utilised as direct precursors for milk casein synthesis in lactating dairy goats (2). However, previous studies using vascular infusion of [13C]-labelled free AA (3) have provided equivocal data on involvement of non-labelled extra-mammary derived peptides/proteinsin vivoin the biosynthesis of milk protein.
The Effects of Dry Sow Housing Conditions on Bone Strength and Muscle Conformation
Authors: Marchant J.N. , Broom D.M.
Published: January 2018

Lameness is the second commonest cause of culling in breeding sows after reproductive failure and can occur as a result of physical injury, infection or inherent leg weakness. Lameness incidence may be affected by both genetic and environmental factors, and is especially prevalent in confined systems such as stalls and tethers, which restrict the amount of exercise that the sows can perform. Confinement, with a corresponding lack of exercise, has been shown to affect bone strength in poultry but this weakness has not been documented in other species housed in confinement. The objectives of this experiment were to compare bone strength and muscle conformation in sows housed in two different dry sow systems.

A total of 18 non-pregnant Large White X Landrace sows of similar age, parity and genetic stock, were studied in two different dry sows systems: 1) permanent stalls (n=8) and 2) a large group with Electronic Sow Feeder system (n=10). All sows were weighed and following slaughter by pentabarbitone injection, the left thoracic and pelvic limbs were dissected and five forelimb and nine hindlimb locomotory muscles were removed and weighed. The muscles were chosen partly on the basis of perceived importance for locomotion and partly on the basis of ease of identification and removal. A proportional muscle weight was then calculated by dividing individual muscle weight (in grams) by total body weight (in kilograms). This removed any differences in muscle weight due purely to differences in total body weight between systems. The left humerus and femur were also removed, and were broken by a three-point bend test using an Instron Universal Tester.
Evidence that Feeding Motivation Alone cannot Explain Oral Stereotypy in Sows
Authors: Haskell Marie , Tcrlouw E.M.Claudia , Lawrence Alistair B. , Erhard Hans W.
Published: January 2018

There has been much debate on the causes of stereotypy, but the motivational bases of these abnormal behaviours have yet to be fully understood. In the case of oral stereotypies in sows, there is evidence that the motivation to perform feeding behaviour may be involved. Restrictively-fed sows are highly food-motivated for large periods of the day. It has been shown that high-fed gilts perform stereotypies at a lower rate than low-fed gilts indicating that the level of feeding is important (Terlouw et al., 1991). Oral stereotypies in sows occur largely within a specific time after the daily food ration has been consumed. In sows housed in barren pens stereotypy is expressed as excessive drinking or chewing bars or chains, while sows housed on straw will nose and chew the bedding excessively in the same time period after feeding (Burbidge et al, 1993). The behaviour patterns are similar to those used in normal food-searching behaviour, but occur in the absence of reward. It has been suggested that oral stereotypy is the result of the appetitive phase of foraging entering a closed loop of repetition as the normal goal, attainment of more food, cannot be achieved (Hughes & Duncan, 1988). Two experiments were designed to examine the behavioural response to size and frequency of food rewards and they represent the first in a series of experiments which investigate the bases of stereotypies.
The Effect of Routine Handling of Pigs on Behaviour and Subsequent Meat Quality
Authors: Abbott T.A. , Hunter E.J. , Guise H.J. , Penny R.H.C.
Published: January 2018

Many finishing pigs have little experience of handling, especially during the final management stage before slaughter. Earlier work (Weeding et al 1993) suggested that certain farms, producing pigs which were more difficult-to-handle than others, had a tendency towards dark, firm and dry meat (DFD). The effect of routine movement on behaviour during pre-slaughter handling and subsequent meat quality was evaluated using groups of finishing pigs.

Forty pens of pigs (17-19 pigs per pen) from two similar, fully-slatted finishing houses were involved. When pigs reached 16 weeks of age, pens were randomly allocated to treatment or control. Pigs in control pens were not moved before transport to the abattoir.
The Effect of Feeding Barley Fractions on Viscosity and Non-Starch Polysaccharide Levels in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Petersen S.T. , Wiseman J. , Bedford M.
Published: January 2018

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which have been linked to antinutritional activity through elevated viscosity of intestinal contents may be found in greater amounts in certain regions of the cereal grain specifically the endosperm cell wall (Forrest & Wainwright 1977; Mulder, Hotten et al 1991).

The current series of experiments was designed to investigate whether different levels of barley fractions contained within standard diets would influence the viscosity of broiler digesta and to examine the NSP content of the fractions and digesta supernatants.
Impact of EC reforms on animal production systems: The ruminant sector viewpoint
Authors: Lowman B G
Published: January 2018

The 1991 reform of the EC Common Agricultural Policy was designed to be acceptable to a successful GATT agreement with EC bureaucrats having an understanding of the GATT objectives, with the start of the recent GATT round beginning in 1986. Hence, the objective of both pieces of legislation is similar - to encourage free trade by reducing support of product prices through removing import quotas, export subsidies etc. As a consequence CAP has transferred open ended support for product price to a support of limited numbers of production units through cow and sheep quotas. It is therefore expected that product prices will fall closer to world market prices, particularly for products in surplus in the EC such as beef. Precise market specifications will therefore impinge directly on producers in terms of price and encourage the development of specific production systems to meet these specific markets, eg ultra light Mediterranean market.
Ruminants and their affects on pollution in Denmark
Authors: Kristensen Erik Steen , Kristensen Ib Sillebak , Halberg Niels
Published: January 2018

Ruminant production systems can have a negative effect on the environment within three main areas 1) loss of nutrients to aquatic environment, 2) loss of nutrient to the aerial environment and 3) contribution to the global increase in temperature (green house effect).

In Denmark area 1) is considered as a very serious problem in particular NO3-leaching from the agricultural land. Within area 2) the loss of NH3 from ruminant production is considered as a major problem. Concerning the green house effect (area 3)) the loss of N20, C02 and CH4 are considered as a problem in connection to ruminant production.
Comparison of MOET in Texel ewe lambs and yearling ewes
Authors: Wolf B.T. , McDougall I.
Published: January 2018

Combined multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) from ewe lambs could significantly increase the rate of genetic progress in sheep improvement programmes (Smith, 1986). The benefits arise from a combination of an increased number of progeny from superior females and a reduction in the generation interval. Maximum success requires that the procedures are carried out in ewe lambs at six to seven months of age to produce offspring when the donors are one year old. Previous studies suggest that embryo quality and survival rates are naturally lower in ewe lambs and are likely to limit the success of MOET in this class of animal (Quirke and Hanrahan, 1977; McMillan and McDonald, 1985). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of recently developed superovulatory procedures for application to ewe lambs.
Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer in Hill Ewes: Effects of Mating System on Embryo Quality, and its Relationship With Pregnancy Rates
Authors: Haresign W. , Merrell B. , Richards R.I.W.A.
Published: January 2018

A breed improvement programme has been initiated at both ADAS Redesdale (Scottish Blackface) and ADAS Pwllpeiran (Welsh Mountain) to improve carcass conformation of hill ewes. At each site a nucleus flock of 60 ewes has been established and this is being replicated using multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). The project provides an opportunity to investigate factors affecting the success of MOET under field conditions with an unusually large population of animals maintained under a common management and environment at each site. The current results relate to the effect of mating system on embryo quality, and the relationships between embryo quality and embryo survival.
Peptide uptake from the gastrointestinal tract of sheep
Authors: Hipólito-Reis M. R. , MacRae J. C. , Backwell F. R. C.
Published: January 2018

It is known that uptake of di- and tripeptides by distinct peptide transport systems is an important biological process by which amino acids are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (Rubino et al 1971; Webb and Bergman, 1991). However, until recently it was generally accepted that absorbed peptides had to be completely hydrolysed in to free amino acids within the enterocyte (Krzysik and Adibi, 1977) prior to their transport into the circulation. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that, in ruminant species at least, a substantial proportion of the total amino acid uptake from the gastrointestinal tract may be in the form of peptides (Webb, 1990; Seal and Parker, 1991; Webb and Bergman, 1991) and that a large part of this absorption may occur across the stomach region (i.e. rumen and omasum) (Webb, 1990). Consequently, the present study was designed to assess the uptake of amino acids in the form of low molecular weight peptides across the gastrointestinal tract of growing lambs.
In vitrorumen microbial degradation of a selection oilseeds and legume seeds under consecutive batch culture (CBC)
Authors: Ismartoyo  , Stewart C.S. , Acamovic T.
Published: January 2018

Brassica seeds and other oil seeds are high in protein and oil and are potentially good protein and energy supplements for ruminants. However, antinutrients present in these seeds, including glucosinolates, tannins, gossypol and others, limit their use especially in the diets of monogastric animals. Ruminants appear to be less susceptible because of rumen microbial action which may degrade some of the antinutrients. It is well known that high fat intakes by ruminants adversely affect microbial function and in a feeding experiment in which rape seed oil was incorporated in the diet of bulls, a depression in rumen fermentation and a reduction in apparent cell wall digestibility was found (Tesfa, 1993). Similarly, tropical legume seeds such as Lablab seed (Lablab purpureus), Narbon seed (Vicia narbonensis), Mungbean seed (Vigna spp.) and Cowpea seed (Vigna unguiculata) have high crude protein and low fiber contents and are likely to be valuable as concentrate feedstuffs. However, a number of antinutrients known to be present in legume seeds such as lectins, protease inhibitors, cyanogenic glycosides and amino acids such as canavanine and mimosine are considered to inhibit the growth of animals fed these seeds.In vitrodegradability trials of oil seeds and legume seeds have not been carried out and there is inadequate information on the nutritive value of these seeds for ruminants. The studies reported were designed to investigatein vitromicrobial degradation of dry matter of ground seeds and their influence on gas production under CBC.
Effect of hindgut fermentation on urinary excretion of purine derivatives
Authors: Surra J.E.C. , Guada J.A. , Balcells J. , Castrillo C.
Published: January 2018

Urinary excretion of allantoin or total purine derivatives (PD) may constitute a valuable index of rumen microbial production in sheep (Chen et al.1990; Balcells et al. 1991) provided the urinary recovery of absorbed purines is constant. Purine losses through saliva account for less than 10 % of the non-urinary losses as suggested by the low salivary concentrations of allantoin and uric acid (Surra et al. 1993). In addition to salivary secretion, a significant amount of blood PD may be directly excreted into the gut, as suggested by the fate of the uric acid and guanine infused, respectively, into the blood of humans (Sorensen, 1960) and pigs (Simmonds et al.1973). However little is known about these potential losses in ruminants and how they might be affected by variations in intestinal fermentation consequent to the site of digestion promoted by different feeding conditions.

The aim of this experiment was to elucidate wether variations in hindgut fermentation may affect the urinary excretion of purine derivatives.

The experiment was performed on four adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes (35 ±0.4 kg) fitted with permanent catheters in both duodenum and caecum and receiving 700 g DM/d of alfalfa hay. Treatments attempted to induce variations in hindgut fermentation and PD concentration and consisted in a continuous infusion (2 l/d) of saline solution as control or either 3 g/d of RNA, 100 g/d of starch, or 200 g/d of cellulose dissolved in water up to 21. All infusates were given via caecum in a complete randomized cross over design, except cellulose which was infused into the duodenum due to frequent clogging of the caecal catheter.
Effect of Rumen Fill on Voluntary Intake by Steers
Authors: Akingbade A.A. , Hovell F.D.DeB.
Published: January 2018

Rumen capacity can constrain the voluntary intake of roughages. Few published experiments have combined manipulation of rumen digesta volumes with measurements of intake, eating behaviour, and rumen volume and outflow. All these measurements were made in the experiment reported here.

Three Holstein steers (680-750kg) with large rumen canulae were used. They were given hay ad libitum (degradation characteristics a = 35.2, b = 45.6, c = 0.0397 when degradation (P) in ‘t’ hours is given by P = a + b(l-e-ct). The hay was ‘chopped’ to lengths of about 40-60mm and supplemented with urea, sodium sulphate, minerals & vitamins. There were seven periods of five days. Periods 1, 3, 5 & 7 were controls, and periods 2, 4 & 6 treatment (3x3 latin square). As treatments the reticulo-rumen was totally emptied once daily, and the digesta weighed, sampled, and A) 1.15 (add), B) 0.75 (remove), or C) 1.00 (replace) returned to the rumen (digesta from B was used to add to A). Daily DM intake and excretion, feeding behaviour, and digesta flow (pulse dose of PEG on the last day of all seven periods) measured. Digesta was manipulated at 11.30h, the process taking less than an hour. Treatment effects were analysed as differences from the means of the controls proceeding and succeeding the appropriate treatment. These differences (‘change’ or ‘Δ’ values) were analysed as 3 x 3 latin squares, with period and animal effects included in the residual variance.
Effect of slurry application on the microflora of grass and silage
Authors: Davies D.R. , Merry R.J.
Published: January 2018

The spreading of slurry and other livestock wastes onto grassland is used as a means of recycling nutrients. Often these areas of grassland are subsequently used for silage production and there has been concern that the timing of slurry application may influence the outcome of the silage fermentation (O'Kiely et al. 1993). The application of slurry alters the microbial flora of the herbage and some of those added bacteria are associated with poor silage fermentations (Ostling and Lindgren, 1991).

The objective of the experiment was to examine the effect of the timing of a high level of slurry application to grassland on survival of enterobacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Clostridia on the herbage, and subsequent effects on it's fermentation during ensilage.
Effects of adding a Lactobacillus Plantarum inoculant to grass ensiled at different dry matter concentrations and offered to beef cattle
Authors: O'Kiely P.
Published: January 2018

Silage fermentation is progressively restricted as the extent of pre-wilting increases (O'Kiely et_al., 1988). The magnitude of the improvement in silage nutritive value in response to a lactic acid bacteria inoculant could be related to the extent of the fermentation in the untreated silage. The objective of this experiment was to determine if the response in silage nutritive value to a Lactobacillus plantarum inoculant was similar at different levels of dry matter (DM) concentration.
An evaluation of cows preferences and rate of intake of silages differing in fermentation characteristics
Authors: Keady T. W. J. , Murphy J. J.
Published: January 2018

There are plenty of examples in the literature of silages harvested from the same sward being different due to additive-treatment, digestibility, fermentation quality, etc. and resulting in different dry matter intakes. In these studies the treatments were imposed with the animals having no choice of diet. However, little evidence exists as to which silage or mixture of silages the animal would eat if given free access to a number of treatments. Therefore the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of different silage fermentations firstly on the preference of dairy animals for a particular silage and secondly on the rate of silage intake.
The effects of adding molassed sugar beet pulp on the nutritive Value of silage
Authors: O'Doherty J.V. , Callan J.J. , Quinn P.J. , Crosby T.F.
Published: January 2018

In recent years there has been increasing interest in adding concentrate feedstuffs at ensiling for a number of reasons. Firstly, from a management point of view, it can be an easy method of feeding a concentrate supplement and secondly feedstuffs may have some absorbent capacity and thus reduce effluent production. However, it is important that the feeding value of the material added is retained during the ensiling process and that the silage preserves well. The objective of this experiment was to assess the nutritive value of silage made by adding dried molassed sugar beet pulp to grass at ensiling, when fed to castrated sheep.
Feeding of urea treated whole-crop wheat in grass silage based rations for growing beef cattle
Authors: Raza S.H. , Rowlinson P.
Published: January 2018

Many feeding , economic and managemental problems have been observed to be associated with the silage feeding (Wilkinson, 1990) e.g.;

1) The high cost of production, losses during storage and damage to the walls and floors of silos.

2) Variation in feed characteristics due to multicut.

3) Effluent and pollution problems.

4) The unpredictable feeding value and tendency to enhance milk fat but not milk protein in lactating animals.

All these factors have forced animal scientists to look for suitable alternatives to grass silage . Whole crop cereals have drawn the attention of workers as a substitute for grass silage due to the following advantages ;

1) The number of cuts and the harvesting cost can be reduced .

2) A high dry matter yield of crop can be obtained with modest application of fertiliser and no effluent problem.

3) The early harvesting of the crop gives more time for the entry of the following crop.

4) More predictable nutritive value , high grain content ( approaching 50 % ) of the total crop yield .
Sesbania Leaves as Sole Feed for Growing Black Bengal Boats
Authors: Shahjaiai Md , Khan K J , Akbar M A , Tareque A M M , Galbraith H
Published: January 2018

Sesbania, a tropical legume browse, provides green foliage high in crude protein and low in crude fibre (Sen, Ray and Ranjhan, 1978). In Bangladesh two varieties of sesbania, Sesbania aculeata and a recently introduced African Sesbania rostrata are largely cultivated for green manuring in agricultural fields during kharif season. The leaves of sesbania may be used as good source of protein to supplement protein-poor roughages in ruminants diets. However, there is an extreme paucity of information on its nutritional value for goats. An attempt was therefore made to study the effect of feeding sesbania leaves as sole feed on growth performance and nutrient utilization in growing Black Bengal goats.

Nine Black Bengal male castrated goats aged about 5 months and weighing 9.0 kg on average initially were used in a 56 day study.The goats were housed individually in a slatted floor and were introduced to the experimental feed over a period of 2 weeks.The animals were allocated at random to one of three dietary treatments in a randomised block design according to live weight.The control group A given road-side grass and the groups B and C offered green leaves of Sesbania aculeata and Sesbania rostrata, respectively.
Performance of post-weaned piglets when offered choice of diet
Authors: Dams G , Edwards B , Tibbie S , Toplis P , Close W H
Published: January 2018

There is evidence to suggest that individual pigs can differentiate and choose successfully between diets on the basis of their nutrient composition and change the proportion of the diet consumed to meet their changing nutritional requirements. Choice feeding may therefore provide an effective means of meeting the differing nutritional requirements of individual animals within a group and offers considerable productivity, dietary, managemental, welfare and environmental advantages. The present trial was therefore developed to establish the ability of young piglets to select their diet in the 5-week period following weaning and to examine the potential of choice feeding as a method of feeding piglets under commercial conditions.
Use of the choke-feeding system to enhance the health and performance of early weaned piglets fed low-cost diets
Authors: Gill B. P. , Robledo M. , English P. R. , Sanchez-Serrano A. P.
Published: January 2018

Milk based diets remain one of the most successful means of introducing early-weaned piglets to solid food. However, the increased costs of dried milk by-products has stimulated the trend towards later weaning and the use of cheaper diets based on vegetable proteins. Such diets are often associated with digestive disturbance and reduced performance which necessitate the use of anti-microbial growth promoters.

In this study, we examined the scope for using the choice-feeding system to enhance the health and performance of early weaned piglets fed low-cost diets by offering them free-access to feed ingredients which may be selected when there is a need to correct digestive disturbance.
A comparison of the performance and behaviour of growing pigs housed in straw yards or fully-slatted pens
Authors: Guy J.H. , Rowlinson P. , Chadwick J.P. , Ellis M.
Published: January 2018

With increasing concern over animal welfare, straw yards are being re-evaluated as a less-intensive system of rearing pigs. Typically they may comprise an open span building with minimal environmental control and deep straw bedding for the thermal and behavioural needs of the animals. This contrasts with many intensive buildings which would have some degree of climatic control and fully-slatted concrete floors with no bedding of any kind. The aim of this experiment was to compare the performance and behaviour of growing-finishing pigs in straw yards with a fully-slatted building. The two systems are outlined in Table 1.
The growth of three Greek dairy breeds of lamb to three slaughter weights as affected by different levels of nutrition
Authors: Zygoyiannisl D. , Stamatarisl C. , Katsaounis N. , Friggens N. , Emmans G.
Published: January 2018

Lamb producers in the Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) of the European Community appear, for different reasons, to be constrained by the economic value of the indigenous small-sized sheep breeds. The trial reported here forms part of a collaborative project whose overall aim is to improve the quality and marketability of sheep meat produced in the LFAs. The objective of this trial was to measure the growth and body composition of entire male lambs of 3 Greek dairy breeds from early weaning to 3 slaughter weights chosen to be of potential commercial interest.

In all 108 ram lambs were used with equal numbers from the 3 breeds: Karagouniko (K), Serres (S) and Boutsiko (B). The lambs were weaned at about 8 weeks of age onto one of 3 levels of concentrate allowance called H, M and L with ad libitum access to alfalfa hay. The concentrate contained 175 g crude protein and 11.0 MJ ME/kg as fed. The concentrate allowances were calculated on incremental time-based scales which were related to the ad libitum intake of each of the breeds as observed in a previous experiment. The highest allowance was intended to be at about 0.80 of the ad libitum intake previously seen. Allowance L was 1/3 and level M 2/3 of H. Lambs were housed in individual pens on sawdust. Liveweight and hay intake were recorded once per week; there were no overall refusals of concentrate between start and slaughter. Lambs were slaughtered at 23. 28 or 33 kg irrespective of breed and carcasses stored for compositional evaluation.
The effects of rearing nutrition on reproductive performance in red deer hinds
Authors: Chappie D.G. , Davies M.H. , Wade A.P.
Published: January 2018

Female deer have a long productive life but there is little information available on what effect pattern of growth from weaning to puberty have on subsequent reproductive performance. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of a high level of nutrition for hind calves during their first winter on their potential life time productivity.

Sixty red deer hind calves born in May/June 1991 were weaned in mid September and on 3 October 1991 the hind calves were weighed and randomised into two treatments:

1. Ad lib silage plus appropriate level of compound supplement, from 4-10 months of age, to achieve moderate growth rate, and a bodyweight of 75-80kg by 16 months of age (M).

2. Ad lib all-compound ration, from 4-10 months of age, to achieve high growth rates (H).

The hinds were housed in pens measuring 4m x 5m in a randomised block design with three pen replicates of 10 calves per treatment. Precision chopped high quality silage (ME=10.6) was fed ad libitum in swing-over troughs to treatment M. A supplementary compound ration of 125g whole barley and 75g soya bean meal per hind was fed until 23 December and subsequently increased to 32Sg barley and 75g soya bean meal per hind. The all-compound ration to treatment H consisted of 80% whole barley and 20% soya bean meal (ME=13.3) and was fed twice daily.
Effect of dietary supplements based on urea or whitefish meal on growth and fleece characteristics of siberian and australasian Crossbred cashmere goats
Authors: Galbraith H. , Shahjalal Md. , Topps J.H.
Published: January 2018

The growing need to diversify animal agriculture in the UK has increased interest in the production of fibre and meat from goats. Previous studies (e.g. Shahjalal, Galbraith & Topps 1992, Anim. Prod. 541, 405–412; Deaville & Galbraith 1992, Anim. Fd. Sci. Technol. 38, 127–133) have suggested that protein supplementation can influence growth rate and fibre characteristics of Angora goats. The aim of the work reported here was to provide more detailed infirmation on the effect of level of protein supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield and fibre characteristics of British crossbred Cashmere goats.