bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of forage:concentrate ratio in the diet on concentrations of IGF-1, insulin, glucagon and volatile fatty acids appearing across the splanchnic tissues of steers
Authors: C.L. Thorp  , A.R.G Wylie  , R.W.J Steen  , J. McEvoy  , C. Shaw
Published: November 2021

Steen (1992) demonstrated that grass silage diets sustained lower carcass lean gain per MJ digestible energy (DE) intake than diets of low forage: concentrate ratios (F:CR), at equal levels of DE intake. Jugular concentrations of IGF-1, insulin and glucagon were significantly elevated in animals offered the latter diets while rumen VFA were unaffected (Thorp et al1994). Both IGF-1 and insulin stimulate protein synthesis (Abdul-Razzaq and Bickerstaffe 1989, Douglas et al1991) and it is generally accepted that insulin and glucagon influence carbohydrate metabolism in the ruminant. Plasma propionate and butyrate stimulate insulin and glucagon secretion (Harmon 1991). This experiment was part of a series designed to investigate the control of lean and fat deposition in beef cattle and aimed to determine concentrations of IGF-1, insulin, glucagon and VFA appearing across the splanchnic tissues.
Marker assisted selection in livestock
Authors: Visscher P.M. , Van der Beek S. , Haley C.S.
Published: November 2021

With the rapid development of genome maps of livestock, many genetic markers are becoming available. These markers usually have no affect on animals in their own right, their value is that they allow the inheritance of sections of chromosome to be followed in suitable pedigrees. How then may genetic markers be used in livestock breeding? It is useful to distinguish the use of markers in selection programmes within breeds and crossbreeding programmes. Furthermore, for both types of breeding programmes there are different kinds of information that can be provided by markers. Genetic markers may be linked to major genes, or in some cases we may have a direct test for a mutation which causes a major difference in animal performance or phenotype. Alternatively, we may have markers which are linked to (unknown) quantitative trait loci (QTLs), i.e. loci which influence traits such as growth, milk yield, carcass quality and litter size.
The welfare requirements of the sow and litter
Authors: Jensen Per
Published: November 2021

The pig is a curious ungulate. It is the only one which builds a nest prior to parturition, gives birth to large litters of altricial young, and does not lick the young after birth, just to mention some oddities. I studied the maternal behaviour of pigs in semi-natural enclosures for seven years (Jensen, 1988; Jensen et al 1993) and the results provide some insights into the specific welfare requirements of the sow and its offspring.

In 30 Swedish Landrace sows, more than 100 farrowings and subsequent mother-young interactions were observed in three enclosures measuring 7,12 and 13 hectares. The animals were fed daily full rations of concentrate and had access to shelters. In addition, series of experiments have been carried out under controlled laboratory conditions to test and validate some of the findings (for example Jensen, 1993).
Potential for increasing the efficiency of Nitrogen and Phosphorus use in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Metcalf J A , Mansbridge R J , Blake J S
Published: November 2021

An important factor in the production of waste Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) by cows is the amount of these elements supplied in the diet. Supplying N and P at levels higher than the requirement for maintenance and production will result in the excess being excreted in faeces and urine causing an increased load of environmental pollutants, with ensuing problems for nitrate concentrations in ground water or P concentrations in surface run off water. Appropriate diet formulation should allow a higher level of nutrient capture as milk or tissue, whilst minimising losses in urine and faeces.
The effects of group rearing and providing fresh cut grass on the incidence of oral stereotypies in young calves
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Lambert R. , Rouse M.
Published: November 2021

The young calf has a strong motivation to suckle, which is not satiated by providing milk in buckets. As a result calves develop oral vices, such as excessive licking, sucking and chewing of objects in their immediate environment. This can include the body parts of other calves, leading to rapid spread of infection in a group of calves (Smits and de Wilt, 1991). Such vices sometimes persist into adulthood, as udder sucking in the female or prepuce sucking and tongue rolling in the male (Albright et al., 1989). Normally the motivation for suckling declines once the calf starts ruminating, and it is therefore important to provide palatable food that is sufficiently fibrous to stimulate rumination (Sambraus et al., 1979). Hay or straw is often provided, but fresh grass could be more palatable and be eaten sooner and in larger quantities. This could allow the calves to be weaned earlier or concentrate allocation to be reduced.
The influence of feeding strategies on the attendance of cows to an automatic milking system, and their effects on lying and feeding behaviour
Authors: Prescott N.B. , Mottram T.T.F. , Webster A.J.F.
Published: November 2021

An automatic milking system (AMS) has the potential to milk cows when the cow chooses. However cows must attend the system at an appropriate frequency. The provision of food in the AMS is a robust, way of luring cows into the system. The system can be arranged such that the cows have to visit the AMS to access food in the exit area the other side. Here they can be fed forage or concentrate. It has been shown that feeding cows forage as a lure can result in modified forage feeding behaviour, and this may be to the detriment of the cows (Winter, 1993, Ketelaar-de-Lauwere, 1992). Feeding concentrate in the exit area may be an alternative design if the level of attendance generated is high enough. Cows can also be fed concentrate in the milking stall of the AMS. The aim of this experiment was to compare die effects of feeding forage or concentrate in the exit area and the effect of feeding or not feeding concentrate in the milking stall on attendances, and lying and feeding behaviour.
Effect of initial milk yield level, sward height and concentrate supplementation level on the performance of set stocked dairy cows in spring
Authors: Pulido R. , Leaver J.D.
Published: November 2021

A major objective in managing high yielding cows at grass is to maximise total DM intake. However, behavioural factors associated with grazing limit herbage intake, and concentrate supplementation is required to sustain yields. In a previous study (Pulido and Leaver, 1985), a level of 6 kg concentrates/day, at a high sward height (7 to 9 cm) failed to prevent high rates of milk yield decline (> 0.19 kg/day). An ad libitum level of concentrates was included in this study to examine the extreme end of the response curve.
Effects of feeding concentrate in the milking stall of an automatic milking system on behaviour and milking characteristics of cows
Authors: Prescott N.B. , Mottram T.T.F. , Webster A.J.F.
Published: November 2021

Automatic milking systems have the option to feed cows as they are being milked. This would be beneficial if it were to keep cows quieter during the teat cup attachment and milking process, and improve yield, flow rate and time taken to milk out via its action on oxytocin as shown by Svennersten and Samuelsson, 1994. Potentially feeding may create dust and encourage vermin, defecation and urination. It may also make the cows more restless (Whipp, 1992). The aim of this experiment was to assess the effects of feeding cows in the milking stall of an automatic milking system on their behaviour and milking characteristics.
The in situ degradation of four concentrate feeds in the caecum of ponies
Authors: Stefansdottir G J , Hyslop J J , Cuddeford D
Published: November 2021

The in situ technique has been used widely to assess the degradation of feeds in the rumen. However, very little information is available on the degradation of feeds in the digestive tract of equids. This experiment examines the degradation of unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP), hay cubes (HC), soya hulls (SH) and a 2:1 mixture of oat hulls:naked oats (OH) in the caecum of ponies.

Four caecally fistulated Welsh cross pony geldings (approx LW 250 kg) were offered ad libitum grass hay (DM: 926, CP: 69; NDF: 649) plus 30 g/h/d of a horse mineral supplement. Two incubation bags (monofilament polyester, 6.5 x 20 cm, 41 um pores, 16 mg/cm2 sample size) containing either USBP or HC were incubated in the caecum for fixed times according to both a forward (0,3,5,16,8,24,48) and reverse (48,24,8,16,5,3,0) incubation sequence.
The effect of incubation sequence on in situ degradation of concentrate feed components in the caecum of ponies
Authors: Hyslop J J , Stefansdottir G J , Cuddeford D
Published: November 2021

Previous work as shown that incubation sequence has no effect on the degradation profile of feeds in the rumen of cattle and sheep. However, compared to the rumen the equine caecum is small, digesta passage rate through it is fast and total digesta volumes can vary widely. Consequently, this experiment examines the effect of bag incubation sequence on degradation co-efficients in situ in the equine caecum.

Four caecally fistulated Welsh cross pony geldings (approx LW 250 kg) were offered ad libitum grass hay (DM: 938, CP: 70; NDF: 728) plus 30 g/h/d of a horse mineral supplement. Duplicate incubation bags (monofilament polyester, 6.5 x 20 cm, 41 um pores, 16 mg/cm2 sample size) containing a commercial horse concentrate (DM: 918, CP:151, NDF: 403) were incubated in the caecum for fixed times according to both a forward (0,3,5,16,8,24,48) or reverse (48,24,8,16,5,3,0) incubation sequence.
The effect of breed and age at slaughter on lamb growth, carcass composition and meat quality
Authors: Mustafa M. I. , Webster G. M. , Chadwick J. P.
Published: November 2021

In the UK there are many different breeds of sheep to suit all conditions and environments. Utilization of a breed is dependant on suitability for the environment, production system and acceptability of the carcass. This experiment was therefore designed to evaluate breed and age effects on performance, carcass composition and eating quality of lambs using a systems approach.

Lambs of five breed types were used, representing the stratification within the industry: Swaledale (SWD), Scottish Blackface (SBF), Mule, (Bluefaced Leicester x SBF; MUL), Suffolk x Mule (SxM) and Suffolk x (Rouge de l' Quest x SBF) (SxR). All lambs were finished off grass which was of subjectively similar quality at ADAS Redesdale and were slaughtered at estimated fat class 2 to 3L. For each breed type, there was 2 or 3 slaughter dates with 2 or 3 breeds being represented on each occasion.
Genetic Evaluations for Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) in United Kingdom Dairy Cattle
Authors: Mrode R. A. , Swanson G. J. T. , Winters M. S.
Published: November 2021

Mastitis is one of the most costly health problems of dairy cattle. Herd average somatic cell counts (SCC) have been measured and used since 1977 as a means of identifying high levels of mastitis in herds. Although good management is an effective means of reducing mastitis the costs and penalties introduced in payment schemes, for high cell counts, has focused attention on breeding to reduce the incidence of mastitis through indirect selection for lower SCC. Optional, individual cow SCC recording commenced in 1991 and approximately 0.80 of all cows are now recorded. This paper presents the results of SCC evaluations for three dairy breeds.
Effects of pasture fertiliser N level and winter diet type on performance, carcass and muscle traits of beef steers
Authors: Keane M.G. , Allen P.
Published: November 2021

Use of high levels of fertiliser N on pasture and silage making can cause environmental pollution through nitrate leaching to ground water and accidental seepage of silage effluent to water courses. The reformed Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union promotes more extensive beef production on grassland to reduce these risks. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the consequences for animal performance and carcass traits of reducing fertiliser N and eliminating silage making in beef production.

Forty eight Charolais x Friesian yearling steers (initial liveweight 358 kg) were allocated to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment at turn-out to pasture in April. The two factors were fertiliser N level (215 (Normal) and 57 (Low) kg/ha) over two consecutive grazing seasons and type of feed (grass silage or by-products) during the intervening winter.
Using beans (vicia faba) in a “barley beef” system for finishing bulls
Authors: Pullar Duncan
Published: November 2021

Simplifying rations and using home grown ingredients can reduce costs of production and, provided productivity is maintained, increase profit. The objective of this experiment was to determine the performance of weaned suckled bull calves on a ration containing field beans (vicia faba), rolled barley, molasses and vitamins and minerals; the ad libitum straw intake was also examined.

Twelve Limousin x (Hereford x Friesian) bull calves, 9 months old, were individually fed through two Callan-Broadbent doors, one for the concentrate ration and the other for chopped straw. Wood shavings were used for bedding. The two treatments, fed ad libitumfor 63 days were, barley/ rapeseed meal (B/RSM) and barley/ beans (B/E) and contained 153 Â± 5.0 and 166 Â± 8.4 g/kg DM CP and 12.6 Â± 0.16 and 12.9 Â± 0.17 MJ ME/ kg DM respectively.
Influence of dietary fatty acids on adipose tissue composition and subsequent eating quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Redshaw M S , Wiseman J , Cole D J A , Wood J D , Enser M , Jagger S
Published: November 2021

It is well established that the fatty acid combustion of adipose issue in pigs (non-ruminants) may be manipulated by changes in the fatty acid profile of the diets. The objective of this program of work was to quantify the responses of adipose depots of finishing pigs to changes in the level and profile of dietary fatty acids and to relate these changes to the sensory quality of meat as determined by taste panel.
The effect of age and energy level on the growth potential of Sangsary male lambs in Iran
Authors: Rouzbehan Y. , Shabani A. , Assadi Moghadam R. , Nik-khah A.
Published: November 2021

Recognition of the importance of the native sheep breeds as one of the main source of meat in Iran has led to several studies on their growth performance. There is little information available on the animal potential of Sangsary sheep, a native Iranian breed. The aim of this trial, therefore, was to assess the growth potential and carcass quality of Sangsary male lambs.

Forty four entire males, 9 month (m.) old, mean initial weight 26.8 (sd 2.5) kg were used. The two diets, which consisted of concentrate and roughage, had a similar protein content (150 g CP/kg DM) and metabofisable energy of either 10.6 MJ/kg DM (diet A) or 9.2 MJ/kg DM (diet B), were each fed ad libitum to 22 lambs. The animals were group penned. At the start and end of the study, the animals were weighed on two consecutive days.
The effects of level of concentrate on eating behaviour, predicted hourly nutrient release in the rumen and performance of ewes fed grass silage
Authors: Sinclair L.A. , Scoffield D.M.
Published: November 2021

Recent work has reported that synchronising the hourly supply of energy and nitrogen to the rumen can improve the efficiency of microbial growth by 12-14% (Sinclair et al., 1995). However, animals when offered an asynchronous feed ad-libitum may alter their pattern of intake to achieve a more synchronous release of nutrients in die rumen. In addition, the provision of concentrates at fixed times may alter the hourly and daily intake of forage and the pattern of release of nutrients in the rumen. In a previous experiment with growing sheep (Sinclair and McQuiston 1995), grass silage was demonstrated to have an asynchronous release of energy and nitrogen in the rumen and mat the provision of concentrates did not alter the pattern of silage intake but increased the degree of synchrony.
The effect of cross-suckling and presence of additional piglets on suckling behaviour and performance
Authors: Wattanakul W. , Stewart A. H. , Edwards S. A. , English P. R.
Published: November 2021

In lactating sows and piglets grouped during the suckling period, performance problems have been identified and associated with disruption of suckling (Wattanakul, 1995). Cross-suckling and an increase in number of piglets at the udder have been recognized (Hatet, 1994). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of these factors on the suckling patterns by manipulating cross-suckling and addition of piglets in individually housed sows.
Effects of single-space feeder design on feeding behaviour and performance of growing pigs
Authors: Nielsen B.L. , Lawrence A.B. , Whittemore C.T.
Published: November 2021

Various types of computerised feed intake recording systems are used by research centres and breeding companies to monitor the individual food intake of pigs kept in groups. Most are single-spaced, allowing only one animal to feed at any one time, and they differ mainly in the design of the entrance and the level of protection offered to the feeding pig. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of single-space feeder entrance design on the performance and feeding behaviour of growing pigs by using designs offering three levels of protection.
Effects of disturbance on spatial memory in pigs: implications for choice testing techniques
Authors: Mendl M. , Laughlin K.
Published: November 2021

Choice tests, which measure animals' preferences for resources, are increasingly used to aid the design of new husbandry systems. However, under farm conditions, these systems are not always used as desired. A possible explanation for this is that laboratory testing and on-farm conditions induce different states of stress or disturbance in animals which, in turn, affect processes underlying their choice behaviour. One important process which underlies choice behaviour is spatial memory. To choose accurately, animals need to learn and remember the location of different resources. Studies of deer and cattle, which involve animals learning the location of different stimuli, have shown that some individuals are unable to learn to avoid apparently aversive restraining crushes (Pollard et al., 1994; Grandin et al., 1994), and that calmer individuals may make more accurate choices (Grandin et al., 1994).
The prediction of digestibility by rumen fluid and enzymatic methods
Authors: Young Peter , O'Mara F. P. , Rath M. , Caffrey P. J.
Published: November 2021

Rumen fluid and cellulase based techniques are widely used to predict the digestibility of compound feeds and their ingredients. Recently gammanase enzymes have been added to some cellulase based techniques (Dowman, 1993; De Boever et al., 1994). Few comparisons of these techniques have involved by-product concentrate ingredients. The objective of this experiment was to compare the ability of three techniques, in vitro rumen fluid (RF), pepsin cellulase gammanase (PCG), and neutral detergent cellulase gammanase (NCDG), to predict the in vivo organic matter digestibility (OMD) of concentrate ingredients.
The use of near infrared spectroscopy on dried samples to predict biological parameters of grass silage
Authors: Park R.S. , Gordon F.J. , Steen R.W.J.
Published: November 2021

The feeding value of grass silage mainly depends on a combination of its intake potential and digestibility. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been successfully used to predict the organic matter digestibility (OMD) of silage (Baker et al., 1994) and Steen et al. (1995) has demonstrated that this technique also offers a much greater potential for the prediction of intake than methods based on wet chemistry. The work reported by Steen et al. (1995) provided a large contemporary sample and data set suitable for exploring the full potential of NIRS for the prediction of both intake and OMD.
Prediction of in vivo digestibility of forages using in vitro techniques: comparison of the two-stage Tilley & Terry method with a gas production method
Authors: Pendong A. , Barbi J.H.T. , Owen E. , Deaville E.R.
Published: November 2021

During the past twenty years the in vitro, two-stage digestibility method of Tilley and Terry (1963) has been widely used to predict the in vivo digestible organic matter content (DOMD) of forage dry matter. Recently in vitro gas production methods have attracted considerable research interest because of their potential to simulate the fermentation kinetics of forages in the rumen. However the potential of gas production methods to assess DOMD, as well as fermentation kinetics, has not been reported.
Rumen degradability of Mongolian pastures: a comparison of in situ and in vitro gas production techniques
Authors: Murray A.H. , Daalkhaijav D. , Wood C.D.
Published: November 2021

In Mongolia animal performance is very much dependent on the quality and quantity of natural grassland available, since certain pastoral animals may obtain as much as 98% of their annual intake from pasture. There have been few studies to date on either in vivo or in vitro degradation of native Mongolian pastures. This paper seeks to investigate the degradation characteristics of native pastures from 2 regions in Mongolia, high mountain and forest steppe. It also investigates the relationship between the in vitro gas production technique and the in sacco technique.
Effect of sample preparation when evaluating feed degradability using dacron bags
Authors: Kim H.J. , Dhanoa M.S. , Maeng W.J. , Neville M.A. , Evans R.T. , McAllan A.B. , Scollan N.D.
Published: November 2021

In dacron bag methodology an important measurement is the wash value component. This component is assumed to be wholly degrabable and forms a major proportion of effective degradability calculations (Cockburn et al., 1993). Grinding of feeds with a high content of solubles or fine particles may result in high initial wash-out values and may affect feed degradability adversely. An experiment, was conducted to assess the effect of grinding on dry matter (DM) degradation of maize and wheat, using the in situ dacron bag technique.
Effect of crop type and processing on the in sacco dry matter degradability of alkali-preserved whole-crop cereals in dairy cows
Authors: Roodsary M.H. , Younger A.
Published: November 2021

Little information is available on the dry matter degradability of whole-crop cereals and their components (Hill and Leaver 1994). In this experiment, the in sacco degradability of the DM of four cereal crops was determined, and the effect of physical alteration of whole-crops and their component parts was investigated.

Winter sown crops of wheat (var.Riband) and barley (var.Marinka) and spring sown crops of wheat (var.Axona) and barley (var.Tyne) were cut at the “hard dough” stage of crop maturity and preserved with urea at 40 g kgDM-1 in plastic silos. The in sacco DM degradability of samples of these crops was determined in two fistulated dairy cows (Jerseys, mean liveweight 450 kg) using the method of Paine, Crawshaw and Barber (1982). The cows were fed alfalfa cubes (16% protein) and meadow grass hay, each at 3 kg d-1, and had continuous access to water.
Effect of crop, and of timing and extent of chopping of whole crop cereals on the performance of growing heifers
Authors: Roodsary M.H. , Younger A.
Published: November 2021

Whole-crop cereals provide both a concentrated supply of energy and a source of roughage for ruminants, but their nutritive value depends on the digestibility of the grain and straw components (Williams et al., 1983). Preservation with urea provides storage stability, a source of N and may also increase the digestibility of the fibrous components (Wilkinson 1990). The effectiveness of preservation, and intake may be influenced by the physical treatment of the crop, and the scale of this effect may differ between crops. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of choice of crop, and of chopping before and after alkali treatment on the dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility of whole-crop cereals, and on the daily liveweight gain of heifers fed on them.
The effects of sodium application to grass or concentrates on dry matter digestibility in sheep
Authors: Chiy P.C. , Mohammed M.O. , Phillips C.J.C.
Published: November 2021

Sodium can increase feed digestibility if a deficiency is rectified by supplementation (Chiy and Phillips, 1991, 1993; Moseley, 1980), but too much can reduce digestibility by creating toxic conditions for rumen microflora. Such conditions may be more exacerbated by adding sodium to concentrates, which are eaten rapidly compared to forage.

Sodium was added either to concentrate (C) or grass (G) at two levels (high.H or low.L) before being fed to 20 Welsh Mountain ewes in metabolism crates. Treatments were applied in a Latin Square design with two week periods, in order to determine the effects on digestibility in comparison with a Control. Ewes were fed 100 g DM concentrate/d, with +0 (Control), 5 (L) or 10 (H) g Na/kg DM added, and fresh cut perennial ryegrass herbage which was soaked in water with 0 (Control), 10 (L) or 20 (H) g NaCl/litre for 15 minutes and then drained for 10 minutes before feeding. Grass contained 183 g CP/kg DM and 297 g MADF/kg DM and 1.7, 4.1 and 7.7 g Na/kg DM for the Control, GL and GH treatments respectively.
Use of an in vitro gas production technique with faeces as inoculant to assess tropical forage quality for equids
Authors: Kirkhope R.T.S. , Lowman R.S.
Published: November 2021

In tropical areas reliable estimation of feedstuff nutritional value often proves difficult. Recording in vitro gas production from feedstuffs, using caecal digesta as a gut microbial source, is a promising new method for analysing digestion kinetics in equids. However, this demands caecal fistulation. Substituting caecal fluid with faeces provides a potential non-invasive alternative.

Naked Oats (NO) and four forages (Grass Pellets (GP), Alfalfa Hay (AH), Oat Straw (OS) and Millet Stover (MS)), of known in-vivo digestibility, were incubated in vitro with either a faecal or a caecal digesta inoculum.
The use of regression techniques on calorimetric data to estimate the metabolisable energy requirements of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Yan T. , Gordon F. J. , Agnew R. E. , Porter M. G. , Patterson D. C.
Published: November 2021

The metabolisable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) can be determined by measuring the fasting metabolism of the non-lactating cow, but this approach cannot encompass any differences in maintenance metabolic rate between lactating and non-lactating animals. The MEm and efficiency of ME use for lactation (k1) can also be estimated by regression of energy outputs against ME intake (MEI). During 1992 to 1995, a total of 221 Holstein/Friesian lactating dairy cows, which were offered grass silage-based diets, were subjected to gaseous exchange measurements in indirect open-circuit respiration calorimeters. The objective of the present study was to use these data to predict the MEm and k1 by a range of regression techniques for lactating dairy cows offered grass silage-based diets.
Nitrogen balance of lactating cows fed grass silage and concentrates containing two levels of dietary protein at three levels of degradability
Authors: Kirby H C , Barbi J H T , Sutton J D , Beever D E
Published: November 2021

The quality of protein supplied from grass silage is poor in relation to it's ability to sustain satisfactory levels of milk production and it is therefore necessary to use protein supplements in order to increase protein supply. However responses at the highest level of inclusion can be marginal with excess nitrogen being excreted and causing an increased environmental threat. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of six different concentrates fed in conjunction with grass silage, supplying two levels of dietary crude protein (CP) at three levels of degradability, on nitrogen partitioning by lactating cows.
Prediction of the food intake of dairy cows. Variation between cows on the same food
Authors: Emmans G. C. , Friggens N. C. , Veerkamp R. F.
Published: November 2021

The aims of this study were (i) to consider the information about cows that may be available for use on commercial farms and which may be useful in predicting intake and (ii) to quantify the variation that will exist between cows even when all of the available information has been used. This information is of fundamental importance to the development of rapidly applicable systems for predicting the intake of dairy cows.
Food intake by dairy cows on total mixed rations of fixed composition
Authors: Friggens N. C. , Emmans G. C. , Oldham J. D. , Kyriazakis I. , Veerkamp R. F. , Chalmers J. S.
Published: November 2021

The accurate prediction of the food intake of cows is a necessary step in the formulation of dairy rations because the formulation to meet requirements will depend on the level of intake. Intake may change as lactation progresses. The way in which intake changes with stage of lactation on foods of different composition is therefore central to intake prediction systems. However, in the vast majority of existing experiments, the influence of stage of lactation on intake is confounded with changes in either the allocation of the ration or the composition of the diet. The results reported here are from the first part of an experiment which was carried out to provide, for the first time, intake data for dairy cows throughout lactation where diet composition remains constant.
Muscle fibre characteristics of pigs selected for components of efficient lean growth rate
Authors: Cameron N.D. , Oksbjerg N. , Henckel P.
Published: November 2021

Responses in muscle fibre characteristics of pigs, due to selection for lean growth, would be of concern to the pig breeding industry, if there were also associated changes in meat and eating quality. The present study evaluated the responses in muscle fibre characteristics to selection for components of efficient lean growth.
Genotype by diet and lactation interactions for yield, dry matter intake, condition score and liveweight in dairy cows
Authors: Chalmers J.S. , Veerkamp R.F. , Parkinson H. , McGinn R. , Simm G. , Oldham J.D.
Published: November 2021

Performance characteristics of high genetic merit cows on different feeding systems are not only important to establish the biological and economic consequences of current genetic selection practices, but can be used also to establish ‘standards’ which will be helpful to people who want to develop breeding, management or feeding strategies for high genetic merit cows. Whereas the performance of high and average genetic merit cows on two different feeding systems has been presented before (Veerkamp et al. 1995), the aim of this study is to define if some of the advantages of high genetic merit cows persist throughout the first three lactations of a cow's lifetime.
The effect of high fibre diet and the provision of straw as a foraging substrate on the development of stereotypic behaviour in group housed sows
Authors: Whittaker X. , Spoolder H.A.M. , Edwards S.A. , Corning S. , Lawrence A.B.
Published: November 2021

Food restriction appears to be a contributory factor in the development of stereotypic behaviour in sows. The sustained feeding motivation following the ingestion of a small meal of concentrated food results in high levels of foraging in the post-prandial period. In the absence of a suitable foraging substrate to facilitate the expression of complex behaviours, foraging may be channelled into a limited number of highly repetitive behavioural sequences (Lawrence and Terlouw 1993). High fibre diets may mitigate the development of such behaviours (Brouns, Edwards and English 1994) by providing increased gut fill in the post-prandial period, thereby reducing foraging motivation and consequently the need for a foraging substrate. The aim of this study was to examine the interactive effects of a high fibre diet and the provision of straw on levels of stereotypic behaviour in sows.
Effects of concentrates on performance of finishing heifers at pasture in autumn
Authors: Drennan M.J. , Moloney A.P. , O'Riordan E.G. , McGee M.
Published: November 2021

The costs associated with indoor finishing, i.e. ensiling grass, storage of silage and slurry, providing animal accommodation and disposal of slurry are substantial. Thus, where possible animals approaching slaughter should be finished at pasture rather than indoors. However, the seasonal decline in grass growth often results in insufficient grass in autumn to attain satisfactory performance with finishing animals. Finishing animals at pasture will involve less ensilage thereby permitting grass to accumulate on pastures as autumn approaches. Such grass could be supplemented with the concentrate allowance normally offered indoors. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect on performance of heifers of offering supplementary concentrates at pasture, and to compare pasture finishing with finishing on grass silage and concentrates.
Effect of milk deprivation during the lactation period on performance and digestive enzyme activities of the piglets following weaning
Authors: Wattanakul W. , Rooke J.A. , Stewart A.H. , Edwards S.A. , English P.R.
Published: November 2021

Piglets from a multisuckling system, which experienced disrupted suckling during the lactation period, had a higher feed intake following weaning and experienced less check in growth compared to weaned piglets from a conventional crate system (Wattanakul et al, 1995). To investigate the mechanisms underlying the improved post weaning performance of these piglets, the role of growth restriction resulting from disruption of suckling was assessed, under standardised environment conditions.
Relationships between blood lipids and backfat thickness in growing pigs
Authors: Loh Teck-Chwen , Lean Ian J. , Dodds Peter F.
Published: November 2021

Adipose triacylglycerol is mobilised during late pregnancy in humans and rats: the liberated fatty acids are incorporated into very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) by the liver and secreted into the blood stream. Similar hypertriacylglycerolaemia was also found in late-pregnant sows (Wright et al, 1995). It has been shown that VLDL can be separated into two subfractions by heparin-affinity chromatography. The proportion of VLDL-subfraction 2 (higher affinity for heparin) from pregnant sows was related to piglet mortality. The purpose of this investigation was to extend the study to seek relationships between fat deposition and plasma lipids, VLDL lipids and VLDL-subfractions in growing pigs. As most of the fat deposited in the adipose tissue of neonatal pigs is derived from the plasma lipoprotein, it seemed likely that the rate of fat deposition would be influenced by the concentration and nature of available lipoprotein in the plasma.
Adhesion of K88ac-positive E. coli to porcine brush borders in the presence of various feed additives
Authors: Jones P.H. , Miller B.G. , Gibson J.
Published: November 2021

Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a common problem in the pig industry. Following weaning, severe diarrhoea may occur due to colonisation of the small intestine by opportunistic pathogens, predominantly E. coli. Many serotypes of E. coli are associated with the disease but organisms with the K88 fimbrial antigen predominate. The K88 antigen enables E. coli to adhere to the mucosal surface of the small intestine thereby facilitating colonisation. Many feed additives are available which reputedly inhibit this binding. The aim of this project was to assess whether a selection of these feed additives could inhibit binding in an in vitro model.
Influence of Dietary Fatty Acids and α-Tocopherol on Lipid Peroxidation in Subcellular Fractions of Muscle from Pigs fed Full-Fat Rapeseed
Authors: Onibi G.E. , Scaife J.R. , Murray I.
Published: November 2021

Biological subcellular membranes (mitochondria and microsome) contain relatively large amounts of phospholipids which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and are readily susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Thus, it is believed that peroxidative changes in meat is initiated at the membrane level. Monahan et al. (1990) have shown that these membranes are particularly rich in α-tocopherol (AT), hence, the effects of increased dietary supply of α-tocopheryl acetate (ATA) and UFA (from full-fat rapeseed; FFR) on AT content, fatty acid profiles and peroxidative changes in porcine mitochondrial and microsomal fractions were studied.
Effect of a blend of propionic and formic acid salts on DM loss during ensiling, fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and aerobic stability of maize silage
Authors: Harrison S. , Phipps R. H. , Owen E. , Nursey I.
Published: November 2021

Due to the development of early maturing maize hybrids tlie area of maize grown for silage in the UK has increased markedly. Although there is an important positive relationship between maize silage DM content and silage intake, which farmers should try and take advantage of, high DM crops are difficult to consolidate and as a result are more susceptible to aerobic instability. As a result farmers are tending to harvest crops earlier to reduce the risk of aerobic instability but in so doing they sacrifice silage intake. The problem of aerobic instability exists not only during the winter feeding period but also when maize silage is used as a buffer feed during the summer. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of a blend of partially neutralised organic acid salts based on propionic and formic acid on the DM loss during ensiling, fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and aerobic stability of maize silage.
A comparison of the effect of tannins or formaldehyde or a mixture of tannins/formic acid or formaldehyde/formic acid on silage composition
Authors: Salawu M.B. , Acamovic T.
Published: November 2021

Extensive enzymic degradation of proteins in grasses during ensiling, as well as the ease with which the remaining proteins are degraded in the rumen is undesirable. Formaldehyde has bacteriostatic properties, and can protect plant proteins from degradation in silage and in the rumen (Henderson, 1993). Tannins form complexes with proteins and may protect silage protein and improve amino acid utilization in ruminants. Earlier results with tannins (Salawu, et al, unpublished data) were promising but inconclusive because of poor fermentation. Silage fermentation can be improved by the use of formic acid (Barry, et al, 1978). The aim of the experiment was to compare the effect of tannins [quebracho tannins (QT) and mimosa tannins (MT)] or formaldehyde (F) or formic acid (FA) or a mixture of tannins/FA or formaldehyde/FA on silage composition.
Effect of duration of hormone supplementation on nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes incubated in vitro in a serum-free environment
Authors: Long R. , Staines M.E. , Edwards S.A. , English P.R. , McEvoy T.G.
Published: November 2021

Of the many procedures employed for in vitro maturation (IVM) of mammalian oocytes, most rely on inclusion of serum in the maturation medium. The presence of serum, however, confounds investigations of the effects of discrete factors (nutrients, hormones, etc.) on oocyte development and could pose an additional problem in terms of exposure of oocytes to pathogens (Bavister, 1995). The present study investigated the extent of nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes in vitro in the absence of serum. Nuclear maturation represents the attainment of meiotic maturity and together with cytoplasmic maturation, which facilitates male pronuclear formation following sperm penetration, is a pre-requisite for normal development following fertilization.
Effect of ammonia infusions on milk production by the dairy cow
Authors: Moorby J.M. , Theobold V.J.
Published: November 2021

Ruminants may absorb large quantities of ammonia resulting from microbial fermentation and incomplete capture of rumen degradable protein (Huntington, 1984, 1987). Detoxification of this ammonia by ureagenesis in the liver involves the use of aspartate, and although this can be derived from ammonia via glutamate, it may be drawn from the general body amino acid pool. If the latter occurs, the availability of amino acids for milk production may be reduced, leading to a reduction in the quantity and/or quality of milk produced. This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of infusing ammonia into the duodenum of dairy cows on the quantity and quality of milk produced.

Four multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows fitted with duodenal cannulae were given one of two experimental treatments based on duodenal infusions in a changeover design with three periods (the last period of a four period design was not completed). Duodenal infusions were chosen to avoid direct effects on rumen parameters.
Post-feeding behaviour in dairy cows given a choice between high and low-DUP concentrates
Authors: Herdan C.L. , Davison E.J. , Lawson R.E. , Forbes J.M.
Published: November 2021

A major cause of low silage intake is that some nutrients become available at different times than others i.e. asynchrony of supply. It is possible that, given a choice between foods with different nutrient profiles, animals will take meals at the times that optimise synchrony of supply. The observations reported here examine this concept where lactating cows were given access to concentrates high and low in digestible undegraded protein (DUP).

Six cows in peak lactation and six cows towards the end of lactation were housed in a straw yard where they were offered grass silage ad libitum. Limited access was given to two concentrate feeders containing differently flavoured compounds one high in DUP (28% total protein) and the other low in DUP (18% total protein). Feeders were monitored and controlled according to the LUCIFIR system (Forbes et al., 1986). The two Out of Parlour Feeders (OPFs) were set to dispense 1kg meals.
Influence of content of nutritionally essential fatty acids on keeping quality of fresh pork
Authors: Darling F. , Wiseman J , Taylor A J
Published: November 2021

Current recommendations for consumers suggest the dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids should be 5:1. Manipulation of fatty acid profile of pig meat is comparatively straightforward, thus production of pork that approaches the ‘optimum’ is realisable. However, associated with this is a significant risk of deterioration in both keeping and eating quality, following oxidative rancidity. The objective of the trial was to manipulate total n-6 (linoleic, C18:2) and n-3 (linolenic, C18:3) levels of adipose tissue fatty acids, whilst keeping the ratio relatively constant at 5:1, giving levels of 180, 150 and 120g C18:2 /kg adipose tissue with concomitant levels of 36, 30 and 24g C18:3 /kg adipose tissue. Pork (lean) was subjected to physical and biochemical assessment.

Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated. Diets 1 to 3 contained progressively less soya bean oil (42.3, 33.9 and 25.6 g/kg) and linseed oil (8.3, 5.0 and 1.7 g/kg) and progressively more maize starch (0, 30.8 and 61.6 g /kg) with ‘himod’ powder as an inert filler (38.3, 19.1, Og/kg) respectively for diets 1, 2 and 3.
Effects of the sow-piglet relationship on the weaning and post-weaning behaviour of piglets
Authors: Webster S. D. , Allen F.
Published: November 2021

The constraints upon the sow-piglet relationship differ markedly between husbandry systems. Within the farrowing crate the sow and the piglets are physically unable to remove themselves from one another. In most outdoor farrowing systems the sow must remove herself from her litter in order to feed and drink and, where piglets are successfully restrained within the farrowing hut, may spend a significant proportion of her time seperated from the litter. Frequently piglets are not successfully restrained and from the first week after farrowing will spend time following the sow. The aim of this experiment was to examine whether the constraints upon the access of the piglets to the sow in the neonatal environment effect the post-weaning behaviour of piglets.
The fasting metabolism by non-pregnant dry dairy cows offered forage diets ad libitum prior to starvation
Authors: Yan T. , Gordon F. J. , Ferris C. P. , Agnew R. E. , Porter M. G. , Patterson D. C.
Published: November 2021

In classical studies estimates of maintenance energy requirements for cattle have been derived from measurements of fasting heat production (FHP) and urinary energy output following a period of restricted nutrition. Using 8 such sets of data, ARC (1980) developed equations to calculate the metabolisable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) for lactating dairy cattle. This approach was further supported by AFRC (1990). However, recent studies using regression techniques at this Institute would suggest that the MEm for lactating dairy cows with access ad libitum to high forage diets is considerably higher than that calculated from AFRC (1990). The objective of the present study was therefore to measure the FHP of dairy cows offered forage diets ad libitum prior to fasting and to establish if this would support the higher MEm for dairy cows obtained using regression techniques .
The degradation of organic matter and crude protein of four botanically diverse feedstuffs in the foregut of ponies as measured by the mobile bag technique
Authors: Moore-Colyer M , Hyslop J , Longland A C , Cuddeford D
Published: November 2021

There is a paucity of information on the digestion and utilisation of feeds by horses. Currently, most diets are formulated according to NRC (1989) recommendations which assume digestibility coefficients: for example, a digestibility coefficient for crude protein of 0.46 is used for animals at maintenance compared with 0.55 for lactating mares. However, if the digestibility of diets is uncertain, then use of such assumed values could result in either the under- or over-supply of nutrients. Furthermore, knowledge of the site of digestion is important. For example, only dietary protein digested and absorbed in the proximal small intestine can be efficiently utilised by the horse and the digestion of carbohydrate in the foregut (in terms of ATP yield) is more efficient than its fermentation in the hind gut. Therefore, in order to formulate diets more precisely, it is important to know a) the site at which dietary components are degraded and b) the extent of this degradation. In the present study mobile bags were used to determine the extent of organic matter disappearance (OMD) and crude protein disappearance (CPD) from four botanically diverse feedstuffs in the foregut of caecally - fistulated ponies.
Ruminal degradability of soya bean meal treated with different doses of tannic acid
Authors: Serrano E. , Safigueroa M. S. , Giráldez J. , Mantecón A.R.
Published: November 2021

It is well known that tannins are able to form complexes with dietary protein that can protect protein against ruminal degradation (Driedger 1972, Mangan 1988). However, level of protection could change with factors such as nature and amount of tannins and physical and chemical conditions in the ruminal fluid. The present experiment was conducted to study the ruminal degradability under different dietary conditions of soya bean meal sprayed witht different amounts of tannic acid.