bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of body condition score at calving and suckling frequency on post-partum interval in suckler cows
Authors: Diskin M. G. , Grealy M. , Sreenan J. M.
Published: June 2019

The interval from calving to first oestrus (post-partum interval) is an important determinant of reproductive efficiency in suckler cows. While this interval is influenced by a range of factors including cow age, breed, presence of bull, cow-calf interactions and disease, the most important factors are suckling (frequency / number of calves) and nutrition (pre- and post-partum nutrient intake, body condition at calving and during early lactation). The mechanisms by which these factors, either independently or interactively, affect the length of the anoestrous period are unclear. Similarly, the time post-partum at which suckling exerts its effect on resumption of cyclicity is unknown. The effects of body condition score at calving and of changing the frequency of suckling on the length of the post-partum interval were determined. Preliminary results are presented.
The effect of extended photoperiod on performance, behaviour and prolactin levels of finishing dairy bred steers and heifers
Authors: Johnson P N , Forbes J M , Phillips C J C , Arab Talal Mustapha , Bettany S M
Published: June 2019

Previous studies have shown that bovine performance can be improved by manipulating photoperiod. This may be an acceptable alternative to the use of exogenous hormones but responses have been inconsistent. The objective of this trial was to determine the response of finishing cattle to extended photoperiod.

Sixty-four Hereford x Friesian steers and 48 Charolais x Friesian heifers were finished in consecutive years over the winter housing period under either natural daylength (Control) or daylength extended to 16 hours (16 hour). Lights were installed to provide 16 hour animals with 400 lux at animal eye level. A photocell and timeswitch combination ensured that lights were switched on if natural light levels were below this level between 04.00 and 20.00 GMT. Animals were penned in groups of eight and silage was weighed in daily to each pen. Animals were weighed fortnightly and feed conversion ratios calculated. Prolactin assays were carried out on blood samples taken monthly from 10 animals per treatment. Steer and heifer behaviour was monitored over 24 hours on three occasions.
The effects of plane of nutrition and slaughter weight on performance and carcass composition of beef cattle
Authors: Steen R.W.J.
Published: June 2019

Current consumer demand for leaner beef necessitates a reduction in the fat content of a major proportion of beef carcasses. Recent studies have shown that a greater reduction in carcass fat content can be achieved when plane of nutrition is reduced by reducing the quantity of food given rather than reducing the energy content of a diet given ad litibum. An experiment lias been carried out to examine the effects of restricting food intake during the finishing period on the performance and carcass composition of beef cattle.

Two hundred and ten 12 month old Friesian (F), Limousen x F and Belgian Blue x F bulls, steers and heifers, which had been reared under uniform management and nutrition were used. They were purchased directly from dairy farms between mid October and mid December, at approximately two weeks of age, were artificially reared and were put to pasture from late April until early October.
Rumen in vitro techniques for the investigation of rumen probiosis. Jerry Hughes Memorial Scholarship for 1991
Authors: Huntington J.A.
Published: June 2019

Recent research has shown that supplemention of beef cattle diets with small quantities (10-20 g/d) of yeast culture can lead to increased liveweight gain and improved feed conversion efficiency (Hughes 1988, Edwards 1991). Supplementation of dairy cow diets has led to reduced weight loss in early lactation, increased milk yield and an improved milk composition (Williams et al 1989). Improved animal performance has usually been associated with increased dry matter intake. The precise mode of action of yeast culture in ruminants is, as yet, unknown. There is evidence that yeast culture increases cellulolytic (Harrison et al 1988) and total rumen bacterial numbers (Edwards 1991). This may lead to increased rates of fibre digestion and increased microbial protein production. A number of in sacco studies have shown increased degradation of substrates at rumen incubation times of 24 hours or less (Williams 1989, Chademana and Offer 1990).
Short periods of continuous light can both advance and delay spawning in the rainbow trout
Authors: Randall C.F. , Bromage N.R. , Symes J.
Published: June 2019

The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a seasonally-breeding teleost which typically spawns for a 6-8 week period each year. The consequent seasonality of egg production restricts the profitability of fish farming; year groups of fish all reach marketable size at the same time and farm facilities are either over or under utilised depending on the time of year. Since these problems can be avoided by the production of out-of-season eggs, techniques designed to modify the time of spawning offer considerable commercial advantage. Of the photoperiod regimes available to modify spawning time those utilising continuous light (LL) are particularly attractive because neither time control or blackout are required. However, year-long exposure to LL can produce erratic spawning. This study examines the ability of short (⩽2 months) periods of LL to advance and delay maturation in the rainbow trout.
Diurnal food intake patterns of broiler chickens offered a choice of feed varying in protein content
Authors: Shariatmadari F. , Forbes J.M.
Published: June 2019

The ability of broiler chickens to regulate protein intake when given a choice of high- and low-protein feeds has been demonstrated (Shariatmadari and Forbes, 1990). However, it is not know whether birds take several meals from one feed and then several from the other, or whether both feeds are taken in mixed meals. Therefore, to determine how protein intake regulation operates on a meal-to-meal basis, the meal patterns of broiler chickens were automatically recorded when they were offered two feeds of different protein content.
Responses of Matebele goats of Zimbabwe to feeding level: Lactation
Authors: Majele Sibanda L. , Bryant M.J. , Ndlovu L.R.
Published: June 2019

Under conventional husbandry conditions, kid mortality of Matabele goats is highest in the dry season when feed is scarce. The aim of this experiment was to determine maternal and kid responses to feeding levels during lactation.

The work was carried out at the Thuli Breeding Station, in Matebeleland, south western Zimbabwe. Forty-two Matebele goats that were fed differentially (H, M and L levels) pre-partum, were fed at either HL (1 ME MJ/W0.75) or LL (0.60 ME MJ/W0.75) as from the second week of lactation until week 15. All the does had single kids. The allocation to lactation treatments was balanced for pre-partum feeding levels. Maize grain, lucerne hay and veld hay were offered at 0.2, 0.24 and 0.56 of the total ME per treatment. Drinking water and an iodized mineral lick were available to all goats ad libitum. Feed intake was measured daily. The does and kids were weighed weekly; does were also body condition scored (on a scale of 1-10) at each weighing. The does were hand-milked weekly after separation of the kids for 4 hours (0900-1300). The milk was weighed and a sub-sample preserved for subsequent chemical analysis.
Milk Production, vitamin and immunological status of cashmere does and kids differing in prepartum housing date and buck genotype
Authors: Galbraith H , Bell J , Scaife J R , Acamovic T , Macdonald D C , Roger L C
Published: June 2019

There is considerable interest in the production of Cashmere fibre by goats in the UK. Cashmere is a fine fibre produced by goats of many genotypes and crossbreeding programmes involving animals imported from overseas countries and indigenous goats have recently been established.

Further information is required on the production and physiological characteristics of goats produced in these programmes. The objective of the present study was to determine milk production, vitamin and immunological status of goats as affected by prepartum housing date and buck genotype.
Body composition and performance of autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during lactation: food intake, milk constituent output and live weight
Authors: Sutton J.D , Aston K. , Beever D.E , Fisher W.J.
Published: June 2019

The importance of measuring partition between body and milk in dairy cows and identifying the factors underlying it has long been recognised. However accurate measurements of partition In the body are few because of the difficulty and expense of the techniques.

The purpose of the present experiment was to measure the effects in autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows given grass silage ad libitum of amount of concentrate and stage of lactation on body composition by direct (Gibb et al 1992a, b) and Indirect (Kings et al 1992) techniques, adipose tissue metabolism (Walsh et al 1992) and milk production. In a related trial, energy balance was measured in other cows by Indirect calorimetry (Cammell et al 1992).

This report covers silage Intake, milk production and live-weight change. Communications on the associated studies are given in the Proceedings of this Meeting.
Body composition and performance of autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during lactation: metabolic activityin vitroof subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Walsh A. , Sutton J. D. , Beever D. E.
Published: June 2019

In early lactation dairy cows use stored body fat to provide an additional source of energy to support milk production and these reserves are replaced when energy requirements for milk synthesis are reduced. The extent to which body fat is mobilized depends on the nutritional state of the animal and its genetic potential. These changes are accompanied by substantial alterations in the intermediary metabolism of adipose tissue. The aim of this work was to investigate the timing and magnitude of changes in synthetic and lipolytic pathways in adipose tissue from dairy cows during a lactation cycle and at three levels of energy intake.

Fifty four cows were fed grass silagead libitumand a concentrate ration at 3(L), 6(M) or 9(H) kg DM/day (Sutton et al 1992). An initial group of six cows was slaughtered at 2 to 4 dayspost partum(week 0) followed by two cows from each treatment at weeks 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 19, 24 and 29.
The Effect of Pattern of Feeding on the Freezing Point Depression of Milk
Authors: Barclay Ivy , Roberts D J
Published: June 2019

The average freezing point of milk from dairy cows is -543m°H. A lower freezing point depression (FPD) is equated with extraneous water having been added to the milk. The validity of the test relies on the basic assumption that the natural variation in the freezing point of milk is small. Milk with a FPD of -530m°H is legally acceptable in the UK. However, average milk ex-farm has a FPD of -545m°H, encouraging those seeking higher milk quality to suggest a more stringent legal minimum. This experiment investigated the effects of feeding on FPD.
The responses of lactating dairy cows to feeding of high molasses levels
Authors: Yan T. , Roberts D. J.
Published: June 2019

Molasses has been fed to dairy cows for about a century. Extensive studies have shown that its energy value is worth from 75 to 100% that of maize when up to 10% of molasses is fed in a complete diet and high molasses inclusion in the diet can be detrimental to the responses of the animals. Nevertheless, the maximum inclusion rate of molasses in a diet that cows can tolerate has still been unclear. Few publications are available to describle the responses of cows to very high molasses feeding. This is a question, however, that both farmers and advisers are concious of. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects on milk yield and composition, feed intake, liveweight gain and health of lactating cows fed on very high levels of molasses, in comparision with those fed a relatively low level.

Fifteen British Friesian late lactation cows (168 ± 6 days calved) all in second lactation or more were randomly allocated to a 3 x 3 changeover experiment with 21 day periods. The cattle were fed individually through Broadbent Calan Gates ad libitum on a complete diet of silage plus a liquid supplement including molaferm 20 (a mixture of 80% cane molasses with 20% condensed molasses solubles supplied by United Molasses Ltd.), soyabean meal and fish meal.
The effect of level and source of starch and method of processing cereals on milk production of dairy cows
Authors: O'Mara Frank , Murphy J. J. , Rath Myles
Published: June 2019

Rumen fermentation patterns are influenced by the quantity of starch in the diet and by the extent of digestion of the starch in the rumen. The extent of digestion of starch in the rumen can be influenced both by the source of starch (e.g. maize starch less digested than wheat starch) and by the method of processing the grain (starch from ground grain more digestible in the rumen than starch from NaOH treated grain). The objectives of this experiment were to compare the performance of dairy cows (a) fed different sources of starch (wheat and maize) and (b) fed wheat either ground or treated with NaOH, compared to a low starch control diet.
The influence of varying levels of concentrate and type and level of supplementary feed on dairy cow performance
Authors: Rowlinson P. , Milner B. , Armstrong D.G. , Oldham J.D , Marsden S.
Published: June 2019

Although many cows receive both commercial dairy compound feeds and straights, there is little scientific documentation of the effects of these dietary combinations on silage Intake and dairy cow performance. The objectives of the trial were to investigate the effect on cow performance or varying the level or compound and type and level of supplementary feed.
Effect of Protein Realimentation on Lactational Performance in Rats:
Authors: Pine A.P. , Jessop N.S. , Oldham J.D.
Published: June 2019

Previous research in our laboratory has shown that lactating rats given low protein diets will readily mobilise approximately 20% of body protein to sustain lactational performance. However in such females lactational performance falls markedly around day 6 of lactation and remains at this low level for the remainder of lactation. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate whether this decline in lactational performance coincided with the exhaustion of labile protein reserves, and secondly whether such protein depleted females could reestablish effective lactation in mid lactation when given an increased supply of dietary protein.

Sixty six multiparous Sprague-Dawley rats were mated individually with a proven male breeder, mating being confirmed through the presence of vaginal plugs, then transferred to solid bottomed plastic cages for the remainder of the experiment.
Influence of variety and site of cultivation on the nutritive value of rapeseed meal for growing pigs
Authors: Lambert R.J. , Ellis M. , Smithard R. , Davis M.
Published: June 2019

Glucosinolate levels are thought to be the major factor limiting the use of rapeseed meals in pig diets. The greatest differences In glucoslnolate content between samples of rapeseed appear to be attributable to variety and site of cultivation. A growing pig feeding trial was set up to Investigate varietal and site differences in the nutritive value of different rapeseed meals.

Rapeseed of the double low varieties Tapidor, Cobra, Libravo and Ariana were obtained from each of two sites (High Mowthorpe EHF, North Yorkshire and Bridgets EHF, Hampshire) where agronomic practices at both sites were very similar. These materials were solvent extracted to yield eight rapeseed meals of commercial type.
Time taken by growing pigs to consume meals from different varieties of rapeseed
Authors: Lambert R.J. , Hawkins C.G. , Ellis M.
Published: June 2019

The presence of tannins, sinapins, saponins and glucosinolates in rapeseed meal are known to have antinutritional effects. They may also act as anticonsumptional factors by rendering the meal bitter-tasting and pungent. The principal cause of low palatability of rapeseed meal diets has generally been considered to be the glucosinolates. A feeding trial with growing pigs provided the opportunity to look at the consumption time of diets containing meal from different varieties of double low rapeseed as an Indication of relative palatability. The time taken to eat one kilogram of food was adopted as a simple measure of palatability based on the assumption that if a diet was unpalatable it would be eaten more slowly than one which was relatively more palatable.
Performance of Growing/Finishing Pigs Fed Diets based on Manitou (6-Row Barley)
Authors: Hardy B , Benford K
Published: June 2019

It is common practice for feed barley to be purchased on sample specific weight. It can be argued that this historic measurement may give a misleading indication of its energy and feeding value. If this were to be true, then 6-row barleys which have a number of agronomic advantages, including high yields, could be discriminated against when compared to the more common 2-row barleys. Manitou is such a 6-row barley, which has out-yielded the best performing 2-row varieties by 6% in England (NIAB Recommended List 1991), and by 28% in Scotland (Scotland Agricultural Colleges Recommended List 1991). Trials were undertaken to compare Manitou and Marinka (2-row barley) at similar thousand grain weights (TGW), but different specific weights (sp.wt), with growing and finishing pigs.
Effects of environmental enrichment on growing pigs
Authors: Ian Horrell
Published: June 2019

Increasing public concern has developed, in recent years, over the welfare of animals in agriculture. One aspect of this is the impact of the barren environments typical of commercial pig production systems, with bare concrete walls and floors, simple rectilinear layout and no objects to manipulate other than troughs and water nipples. The sensory impoverishment inherent in this severely limits the range of experience and behaviours open to pigs and may prevent the display of certain basic ‘behavioural needs’. Possible consequences include boredom, frustration, stress and diversion of energy to destructive activities like aggression.
Enzyme supplementation of wheat, barley or sugar beet pulp based diets for early weaned piglets: effects on performance and faecal nutrient digestibility
Authors: Mellange J , Inborr J , Gill B P
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to examine if enzyme supplementation could improve the performance of early weaned piglets by increasing nutrient digestibility of diets in which energy content was reduced by replacing wheat with barley or sugar beet pulp.

The following diets were supplemented with (+) and without (-) stabilised multi-enzyme premixes (E1, E2 and E3 respectively): diet W containing 706g/kg wheat and formulated to supply 14 MJ DE/kg, diets B and SBP in which DE was reduced to 13.25 MJ/kg by completely replacing wheat with barley or 185g/kg sugar beet pulp respectively. All diets were formulated to provide 150g/kg of apparent ileally digestible ideal protein, giving a crude protein concentration of about 217g/kg. Soya bean (200g/kg) and fish meal (75g/kg) were added at equal levels to all diets. Main enzyme activities in E1 were xylanase (T . longibrachiatum), amylase (B. subtilis) and pectinase (A. niger), in E2 beta-glucanase (T. longibrachiatum), xylanase (T. longibrachiatum) and amylase (B.subtilis) and in E3 beta-glucanase (T. longibrachiatum), amylase (B. subtilis) and pectinase (A. niger). The feeds were pelleted (3mm).
Reproductive performance of sons mixed into dynamic groups in early pregnancy
Authors: Simmins P.H.
Published: June 2019

Housing sows in dynamic groups may increase stress compared with housing them in stable groups. The majority of producers with dynamic systems introduce their sows into the group after mating. This could result in an unsettled environment throughout the implantation phase in early pregnancy and consequently impair reproductive performance. An experiment was designed to test this hypothesis using commercially-managed sows.
The effect of dietary electrolyte balance on the performance of growing pigs
Authors: Cole D J A , Wiseman J , Davies Jenny , Partridge G , Reeve A
Published: June 2019

The work was conducted to study the effect of varying the electrolyte balance in the diet on growth performance of post-weaning pigs. Dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) was calculated from:-

dEB (mEq) = (Na +K-C1)

The values for each element were calculated from:-

A diet was designed to comprise barley 262.5, wheat 225.5, cooked maize 200, soya bean meal 66, white fish meal 125, dried slrim milk 100, mineral/vitamin/amino acid supplement 5 and electrolyte mixture 16g/kg. The dietary specifications were 14.27 MJ DE, 223g crude protein, 24.2 crude fibre, 24.4g oil (acid ether extract), 54.7g ash, 13.7g lysine, 3.7g methionine and 8.6g threonine/kg.

The electrolyte mixture was initially solely anhydrous calcium chloride which was gradually replaced by sodium bicarbonate. Eight dietary treatments were calculated to contain dEB (mEq/kg) values of -114.5, -54.3, 14.5, 89.2, 155.1, 224.4, 296.1 and 365.0. Diets were offered an a scale calculated to be 0.85 of ad libitum.
Effect of added dietary nitrogen from different sources on intake and digestibility by pregnant gilts of diets containing unmolassed sugarbeet pulp
Authors: Abreu E , Brouns F , Edwards S A , Fowler V R , Smart R I
Published: June 2019

Previous experiments indicated that protein level in the diet might affect intake and apparent digestibility of diets containing high levels of unmolassed sugarbeet pulp (SBP). As utilisation of dietary fibre depends on fermentation by the microflora in the gastro-intestinal tract, availability of nitrogen to the microflora could be important. It is generally assumed that most fermentation occurs in the hlndgut, although with SBP, fermentation does occur in the ileum. Therefore the source as well as level of dietary nitrogen might be important.

Four maize based diets were formulated to contain the same amount (600g/kg) of SBP (Table 1). The control diet (C) contained no added nitrogen rich material (dietary N 15 g/kg). In the other diets the N concentration was doubled by adding either soyabean meal (S), white fishmeal (F), or urea (U).

In a pre-trial period, voluntary food intake (VFI) of 17 individually housed gilts fed ad libitum on diet C was determined. The gilts were allocated to the treatments on the basis of this VFI, 5 gilts on diet C, 4 on each of S, F, and U. The diets were fed ad libitum from a hopper during a 3 week period in late gestation. After one week of adaptation, VFI was measured daily. On the last 5 days of the period, faecal samples were collected for overall apparent digestibility measurements using chromic oxide as inert marker (5 g/kg diet). Liveweight and backfat thickness of the gilts were determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment.
Voluntary intake and digestibility of distillery products for dry sows
Authors: Edwards S A , Marconnet C , Taylor A G , Cadenhead A
Published: June 2019

Distillery products which are high in fibre have traditionally been fed only to ruminants, but might provide a cost effective feed for dry sows. If such bulky materials could be fed ad libitum, animal welfare might be enhanced by prolonging feeding time and providing the sows with a greater feeling of satiety in comparison with concentrate diets. To investigate such possibilities, voluntary intake and digestibility were determined with dry sows for three distillery products:

The three distillery products investigated were:

1) malt draff (MD), the barley residue remaining after starch extraction

2) maize curne gold (CG), evaporated spent wash plus maize cereal residue

3) wheat supergrains (SG), centrifuged spent wash plus wheat residue

Each material was offered ad libitum to three pens of 6 dry sows, initially in conjunction with 0.5 kg/sow/day of a balancer meal. The balancer meal contained barley (890 kg/t), limestone (100 kg/t) and a vitamin/trace element supplement at 4 times the normal inclusion rate (10 kg/t). Sows were grouped according to service date and allocated to the experimental treatments in early pregnancy. They were housed in straw bedded pens with individual stalls for feeding of the supplement. Voluntary intake, liveweight and backfat change were monitored over a minimum period of 9 weeks. Sows which failed to maintain acceptable body condition on this regime were given additional ground barley as the experiment progressed.
Dominance hierarchies in sows and the consequence for liveweight gain in competitive and non-competitive feeding systems
Authors: Brouns F , MacMenemy F , Edwards S A
Published: June 2019

In commercial situations dry sows are fed a relatively small amount of food once or twice a day. In group feeding systems this can cause a lot of aggression at feeding time and result in an unequal distribution of food between sows when dominant sows prevent subdominant sows from eating. Ad libitum feeding of a suitable diet may be one way to overcome these problems.

Four groups of 12 multiparous sows were housed in deep straw pens (2.9 m2/sow). They were allocated to one of two feeding treatments involving high or low competition for food. Groups on the high competition (HC) treatment were floor-fed once a day 3.0 kg/sow of a barley-soyabean meal diet in pelleted (8 mm) form. Groups on the low competition (LC) treatment received ad libitum a diet containing 60% unmolassed sugarbeet pulp from a 3-space hopper. The composition of the diets is shown in table 1.

Groups were allocated to treatment after service. Feed intake was recorded regularly, liveweight and backfat thickness were measured every fortnight over a 10 week period.
Effects of unmolassed sugarbeet pulp on regulation of voluntary food intake in pigs
Authors: Brouns F , Edwards S A , English P R
Published: June 2019

The large appetite of dry sows generally leads to an excessive nutrient intake when they are fed ad libitum. A previous experiment showed that only a diet with high levels (650g/kg) of unmolassed sugarbeet pulp (SBP) was able to reduce voluntary food intake (VFI) to an acceptable level when several high fibre diets were fed ad libitum to dry sows. This paper reports the results of 2 experiments designed to investigate which parameters affect VFI of diets containing high levels of SBP.

In the first experiment, 4 diets with increasing levels of SBP (400, 500, 580, and 650 g/kg; diet 40, 50, 58, and 65 resp.) were formulated by substituting SBP for barley, giving a similar crude protein concentration, but allowing the DE to decrease with increasing SBP level. To a fifth diet (diet oil) containing 650 g/kg SBP extra vegetable oil was added to increase the DE to the same level as in diet 40. The diets were fed ad libitum to 40 sows, 8 sows on each diet, during a 3 week period in late gestation.
The effect of different additives on proteolysis during ensilage of ryegrass
Authors: Williams A P , Merry R J , Tweed J K S , Leemans D K
Published: June 2019

Proteolysis during ensilage results in a reduction in the nutritive value of the crop due to the degradation of protein to peptides, amino acids and ammonia. Williams et al. (1990) characterised these nitrogenous constituents in ryegrass silages prepared with no additive or with formic acid or an enzyme additive. Although all the silages appeared well fermented neither of the additives reduced proteolysis. The present study was designed to follow changes in the microbiological as well as the chemical composition of ryegrass silages made without or with a wider range of additives thought likely to reduce proteolysis and to control it in different ways.

Perennial ryegrass was ensiled in laboratory silos (1 kg fresh matter), either untreated (U) or treated with formic acid (F) (ADD-F, BP Chemicals, UK; 3.3 1/tonne), aliphatic carboxylic acids (A) (Maxgrass, BP Chemicals, UK; 6.0 1/tonne), 1.75M Na diethyl dithiocarbamate (D) (BDH, UK; 6.0 1/tonne) or an inoculant (I) (Live System, Genus Animal Health, UK; 3.01/tonne at 106 Lactobacillus plantarum cells/g fresh matter (FM). Triplicate silos for each treatment were opened after storage for periods of 1, 2, 4, 14, 60 and 90d.
An evaluation of the concentrate sparing effect of four silage additives
Authors: Mayne C S
Published: June 2019

Recent research at this Institute has shown marked improvements in animal performance following the use of bacterial inoculants as silage additives (Gordon, 1989 and Mayne, 1990). Other studies with additives based on antimicrobial carboxylic salts (Maxgrass - BP Chemicals) have also shown large improvements in animal performance relative to untreated silage (Chamberlain et al, 1990). However with constraints on milk output in the form of milk quotas, it is important to investigate the potential “concentrate sparing” effect of these differing silage additives, whilst producing a constant yield of milk constituents.

Five silages with a range of fermentation characteristics were produced by ensiling first regrowth herbage either untreated (C) or treated with four differing silage additives including: an inoculant of lactic acid bacteria (I); an inoculant of lactic acid bacteria plus enzymes (I+E); formic acid applied at 2.54 litres/t grass (FA) and antimicrobial carboxylic acids applied at 5.95 litres/t grass (CA).
The effect of silage additive and concentrate supplementation on lamb silage intake and performance
Authors: Flores G. , Cropper M.R. , Arraez A.G.
Published: June 2019

Silage has substituted hay as the major conserved herbage in Galicia due to the well-known nutritional benefits of the former. However, the heavy spring rainfall has caused widespread problems in silage conservation quality. Consequently, silage additives are used increasingly and the benefits of formic acid under difficult ensiling conditions have been recognised. Recently, biological fermentation enhancers have become available but there is little knowledge of their usefulness under local conditions. Moreover, since silage is not generally used in sheep production systems in Galicia, an experiment was designed with the twin objective of determining the effectiveness of two silage additives whilst testing the suitability of silage for the finishing of spring-born lambs during the dry summer.

Using a double-chop silage harvester with additive applicator, three 15-tonne clamp silages were made from a predominantly ryegrass permanent pasture on 25 April 1991 during persistent rainfall (c.6.5 litres/m2/day) . Silage C (control) had no additive; silage F received 3.2 litres of 85% formic acid/tonne fresh herbage (FH); and silage B had l0g Sil-Add/t FH (Alltech Inc.). Sil-Add consists of lactic acid producing bacteria, an enzyme complex and an anticlostridial factor.
Effect of flat bate feeding in late pregnancy on colostrum and lamb production of prolific ewes
Authors: Pattinson S.E. , Davies D.A.R. , Winter A.C.
Published: June 2019

In the final 2 weeks of pregnancy there is a large increase in the protein requirement of the ewe for udder growth and colostrum production (Robinson, 1985). Ewe dry matter (DM) intakes fall during late pregnancy (Forbes, 1970) so meeting the theoretical requirements at this stage can be difficult.

The trial was designed to compare the effect of providing the required protein on a flat-rate or a ‘step-up’ feeding system on lamb and colostrum production.

Sixty-two Cambridge ewes aged 1 to 9 years and scanned as carrying 2 to 6 lambs were used. Ewes were housed and sheared approximately 2 months pre-partum and fed a complete diet at a restricted level and hay ad libitum until the commencement of the trial at 4 weeks pre-partum.
The effect of ambient temperature on feed intake and diet selection in growing lambs
Authors: Cropper M.R. , Poppi D.P.
Published: June 2019

Lambs are known to change their feed intake in relation to environmental temperature (Blaxter, 1962). However, their ability to select a non-limiting diet, when free-choice fed, has only been investigated in a thermoneutral environment (Cropper, 1987). The aim of this experiment was to test the idea that, at low and high ambient temperature, (a) feed intake would increase in the cold and decrease in the hot, relative to a thermoneutral control, and that (b) the protein content of the diet selected would be lower and higher respectively.
An evaluation of pure-bred and cross-bred dairy ewes in a commercial sheep milking operation
Authors: Brown N J , English P R , Roden J A , Burgess G
Published: June 2019

Sheep milk and its products are regaining popularity with approximately 15,000 sheep currently being milked in the UK. Extreme dairy type ewes such as the Friesland are expensive compared to commercial genotypes and the crossing of dairy type sires with commercial ewes to produce cross-bred daughters for milking offers an alternative route of entry into milking sheep. An investigation was carried out on a commercial unit in Aberdeenshire milking around 150 ewes to assess the relative suitability and performance of pure-bred and cross-bred dairy ewes under commercial conditions.

The study involved first lactation ewes, 5 Friesland x Scotch Halfbreds being compared with 5 pure-bred Frieslands. The ewes lambed at 15 months of age between 20 and 27 May and the ewes were grazed on ryegrass/white clover swards. Ewes nursed their lambs for four weeks after lambing and machine milking started on day 29 of lactation. Milk yield was recorded weekly while milk fat and protein were measured at two weekly intervals.
Effect of breed on lipid metabolism in growing-fattening bulls 2. fatty acid composition in the carcasses
Authors: Clinquart A. , Van Eenaeme C. , Istasse L. , Korsak N. , Baldwin P. , Bienfait J.M.
Published: June 2019

The incidence of human coronary heart disease has been correlated with the serum cholesterol level and a high consumption of saturated fat. Furthermore the cholesterol level can be raised by shorter chain fatty acids (Rose, 1990). It was therefore interesting to compare breeds extreme in terms of fatness. The adipose tissue proportion of the Belgian Blue double muscled type (BBDM) is low while that in Holstein is high, the Belgian Blue dual purpose (BBDP) type being intermediate. The present experiment was designed to investigate how large difference in degree of fatness can be associated with differences in fatty acid composition.

Four bulls of the 3 breeds were used in a fattening trial. Their initial weight was 340 kg. Biopsy samples were taken from the Longitimus Dorsi (LD) at weeks 5 and 16 of the fattening period. They were slaughtered after 145 days. The 7-8-9 ribs and perirenal fat (PR) were removed at slaughter. Intramuscular (M) and intermuscular (IM) fats of the LD were obtained after dissection of the 7-8-9 ribs.
The influence of changes in dietary oil content on the fatty acid profile of backfat in pigs
Authors: Wiseman J. , Agunbiade J.A. , Cole D.J.A.
Published: June 2019

The fatty add profile of pig fat has profound effects upon both the eating and keeping quality of pig meat. Fatty adds within carcass fat may arise from two discrete sources, being de novo synthesis and direct deposition from fatty acids present In the diet. The relative contribution of these two routes, together with the fatty acid profile of dietary fat, will Influence the chemical composition of carcass fat. It is well established that diets containing high levels of unsaturated fatty acids will result in softer and oilier carcass fat and It Is often considered inappropriate to feed such diets during the finishing phase of pig growth. However the speed with which carcass fat reflects a change in dietary fat has not been quantified. The objective of the current trial was to measure the rate of change in fatty acid profile of carcass fat of finishing pigs following major changes in dietary fat.
A comparison of the carcass and meat quality characteristics of piemontese - and charolais-cross cattle at the same subcutaneous fat proportion
Authors: Fisher A.V. , Nute G.R. , Davies M.H.
Published: June 2019

Since the early 1980's there has been a growing interest in the Italian Piemontese breed as a crossing sire breed for use on dairy cows in the United Kingdom. Early interest was centred on ease of calving, growth performance and carcass yields but more recently there have been claims that the Piemontese breed produces meat which ranks highly for tenderness. The aim of this study was to evaluate carcass and meat qualities of Piemontese - sired cattle out of the British dairy herd by comparing these characteristics with similar and contemporaneous Charolais - sired cattle.
Effect of cow breed type and winter feeding level on performance of spring calving suckler cows and their progeny
Authors: Drennan M.J. , Diskin M.G.
Published: June 2019

Winter feed restriction of cows is a method frequently used to reduce production costs in spring calving suckler herds. In Ireland and the UK the main source of suckler dams is the dairy herd. Traditionlly, Hereford and Aberdeen Angus were the crosses most readily available from this source but supplies of Continental (Limousin, Charolais, Simmental) crosses have increased in recent years. This paper reports the effects of winter feeding level during the first four pregnancy/early lactation periods for Hereford x Friesian (HF) and Limousin x Friesian (LF) dams on performance of cows and their progeny.
The feeding of untreated or treated cereal straw and grass silage in combination to growing cattle
Authors: Raza S.H. , Rowlinson P.
Published: June 2019

Grass silage is a major constituent of the diet of ruminants but a reduction in voluntary feed intake has been observed by many workers (e.g. Osboum 1967, Taylor 1967) when compared with hay feeding. This reduction in feed intake is often accompenied by decreased production (e.g. live weight gain). The exact reasons for this reduction have not yet been confirmed but the low pH of silage is considered to be one of the many reasons because it prevents the animal eating large amounts of silage with problems. If animals are also getting concentrate with the silage, the situation may become worse as the animal has to face an enormous task of buffering so that blood pH can be maintained. Animals can produce saliva to buffer the low pH of silage and the acids produced by rumen fermentation. Thus feeds which stimulate saliva production such as straw, can help the animal (Webster 1988). Although straw is not highly digestible, due to lignification, after treatment with NaOH its digestibility can be improved and it could have a role in buffering acidic silage and the acid produced in the rumen, as well as stimulating saliva production. For this purpose a study was planned to investigate the use of straw (treated or untreated) in the diets of growing beef animals.
Feeding sorghum stover to Ethiopian, yearling cattle: effects of amount of stover offered and cottonseed cake supplement on intake and growth
Authors: Osafo E L K , Owen E , Said A N , Gill M , McAllan A B , Sherrington J
Published: June 2019

The experiment forms part of a study to investigate methods of improving the use of sorghum stover as a feed for ruminants in Ethiopia. A previous experiment (Osafo, Owen, Said, Gill and McAllan, 1991) showed that intake and growth of cattle were improved when the amount of sorghum stover offered was increased from 25 to 50 g dry matter [DM] per kg weight [M] daily [d], and when the stover was offered unchopped rather than chopped. The present experiment investigated the intake and growth responses of yearling cattle to increasing the amount of stover offered, and to supplementing with cottonseed cake.
Response of beef steers to diets based on big-bale silage supplemented with molassed sugar beet feed and two levels of fishmeal
Authors: Rouzbehan Y , Topps J H , Galbraith H , Rooke J A
Published: June 2019

Earlier work (Rouzbehan et al, 1991) has shown that supplementation of baled silage with molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF, 60 g/kg fresh weight) improved live weight gain (LUG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in sheep. It has been established that the protein in silage is not utilised as effectively by beef cattle as the protein in non-fermented forages (Thomas, 1982). Responses in the performance and carcass composition of finishing steers and heifers when silage-based diets have been supplemented with protein have proved to be variable. This trial was therefore carried out to examine the effects of feeding two levels of a protein supplement, fishmeal, in addition to MSBF, on the performance of beef steers fed big-bale silage ad libitum and to assess the nutritional value of such supplementation.
Intake of forage and of molasses blocks by zebu bulls offered fresh forage during the day or night
Authors: Ayala A. J. , Quijano G. A.
Published: June 2019

Grazing management systems for cattle in the tropics are variable due to environmental, social or economic conditions. Grazing may be during day light, at night or for 24 hours. The efficiency of animal performance is dependant upon how the animal can respond to different managements. In this work a simulation of three grazing management systems was attempted by offering forage at different times in order to study the intake of forage and of supplement (molasses block) when access to forage was restricted, but supplement was available continuously.
A new genetic evaluation system for pedigree beef cattle in great britain
Authors: Bryan J.G.E. , Wray N.R. , Crump R. , Nicholson D.G. , Thompson R.
Published: June 2019

The need to speed up the rate of genetic progress in beef cattle, particularly in economically significant traits such as growth and carcase merit has always been recognised by the Meat and Livestock Commission. This is achieved through the Beefbreeder Pedigree Recording Service which records over 1,000 pedigree herds in Great Britain. Traditionally, analysis of performance records from pedigree herds has been carried out using within herd contemporary comparisons.

Average pedigree beef herd size in Great Britain is typically less than 20 cows which limits accuracy and scope for genetic improvement when making within herd selection decisions.
Effects of Abomasal Infusions of Casein, Soya-Protein Isolate and a Water-Extract of Fish Meal on the Utilization of Nitrogen in Dairy Cows Receiving a Silage-Based Diet
Authors: Choung Jai-Jun , Chamberlain David G.
Published: June 2019

When different protein sources are infused direct into the abomasum of the dairy cow, the pattern of utilization of the amino acid-N supplied might be expected to be influenced by the amino acid composition of the infused protein. This suggestion was examined in a nitrogen-balance study with lactating cows.
Effect of hay cell-wall characteristics on its rumen retention time in sheep
Authors: Carro M.D. , Lopez S. , Gonzalez J.S. , Ovejero F.J.
Published: June 2019

The utilization of forage for ruminants is associated with prolonged retention times within the digestive tract, especially when they are consumed at low levels of intake. The nutritive value of forage is influenced by both the rate at which it is degraded in the rumen and the rate of its physical removal from the rumen. These two parameters are associated with the cell wall constituents of the forage, since its cell content is rapidly fermented in the rumen and hence does not occupy space for a long.

The purpose of the present expedients was to establish the relationships between the cell wall chacacterisitcs (composition and rumen degradation) of some hays and its retention time in the rumen.
Evaluation of feed proteins for ruminants by solubility and electrophoresis
Authors: Chaudhry A.S. , Webster A.J.F. , Marsden S.
Published: June 2019

The extent of uncertainties associated with most of the existing protein evaluation systems for ruminants necessitates the need for some alternative investigations. Recently Newbold and Rust (1990) have demonstrated a close relationship between rumen proteolysis and protein fractions of soybean meal. Such relationship may be helpful in describing different feed proteins in terms of their ability to supply amino acid N to ruminant tissues. Present experiments were, therefore, conducted to examine the feasibility of using parameters such as protein size, type and structure, determined by solubility and electrophoresis for the evaluation of a variety of feed proteins.
Purine derivatives excretion and urinary nitrogen losses as influenced by the source of dietary carbohydrates supplementation
Authors: Balcells J. , Fondevila M. , Guada J.A. , Carriedo J. A.
Published: June 2019

Utilization of low quality roughages is limited fundamentally by the low energy cont and low DM intake when fed to the ruminant animal. Supplementation with concentrates can al improved energy supply although their inclusion can lead to a negative effect upon rough intake and ruminal cellulolitic activity. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives, urea and may constitute a suitable index to detect possible effects on rumen fermentation.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of changes in rumen fermentat: upon urinary excretion of these compounds induced by dietary supplementation of straw v differents sources of carbohydrates.

Twelve Rasa Aragonesa ewes (44±0.45 Kg) were fed “ad libitum” with urea-supplemer barley straw and allocated at random to 3 groups of 4 animals. Each group was supplemented barley grain, sugar beet pulp and grass hay, respectively, at 4 levels of supplementation (: 300, 450 and 600 g/d) in a 4 x 4 latin square design. Each 42-d experimental period compr: 35 days of adjustment period followed by a 7 days measurement period.
The effect of supplementing ammonia-treated straw with sugar beet pulp or barley on rumen kinetics and microbial protein production
Authors: Abdulrazak S. A. , Chen X. B. , Ørskov E. R.
Published: June 2019

Data reported in the literature indicate that the efficiency of microbial protein production to ruminants vary considerably, i.e. 14-49 g microbial N/kg digestible organic matter apparently fermented in the rumen (ARC, 1984). This variation could be due to the effects of several factors, e.g. different types of feeds, rumen digesta outflow rate. The present experiment was conducted to examine whether there were differences between types of carbohydrate feedstuffs, e.g. ammonia-treated straw, barley and sugar beet pulp, as energy sources for the synthesis of microbial protein in sheep.

Four Blackface x Suffolk wethers (body weight 39-42 kg) fitted with a rumen cannula were used. The animals were housed in metabolic cages and were offered 800 g/day of ammonia-treated straw (control) with or without supplementation with sugar beet pulp or barley at 20%, and 40% on fresh weight basis (SBP20, SBP40, B20 and B40 respectively). A 4 x 5 latin square design was used. The control diet also contained 20 g urea, 20 g casein, 3.4 g Na2SO4 and 10 g mineral & vitamin mixture per kg DM. Its N and ash contents were 25.6 and 74.1 g/kg DM respectively.
The use of near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy (nirs) for the evaluation of forages. The application to undried silage
Authors: Baker C W , Givens D I
Published: June 2019

NIRS is now a familiar tool in the assessment of forage and feedingstuff quality. Recently NIRS has been applied to the direct prediction of in vivo organic matter digestibility (OMD) of grass silages (Barber et al 1990) and cereal straws (Givens et al 1991).

The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) has been using NIRS to predict the in vivo OMD of oven dried silages on a routine basis since 1989, and it has proved to be reliable, accurate and rapid. In addition to OMD, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF), are routinely predicted by NIRS, leaving pH, ammonia, dry matter and ash still to be determined by wet chemistry methods.