bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The feeding of calcium lactate to laying hens
Authors: Kent Susan E. , Reid T. F. , Worden Alastair N.
Published: March 2009

1. Three completed series of laying trials involving the incorporation of calcium lactate in the diet are reported.

2. The addition of 1 or 2% calcium lactate to a layers mash results in a significant increase in egg production and/or the efficiency of the ration in terms of numbers of eggs per unit weight of food consumed. This effect has been obtained in birds at the onset of lay and also in birds that have been in lay for some 5 months.

3. The incorporation of 0·5% calcium lactate appears to be inadequate.

4. There is no evidence to date that the effect is attributable to dietary calcium, but the mechanism of action is unexplained.

5. Egg-weight, but not egg-quality, as judged by routine candling, is slightly lowered by feeding calcium lactate.
The digestibility of mash and pellets by chicks
Authors: Bolton W.
Published: March 2009

1. The digestibilities of the protein, oil and carbohydrate by chick in mash and pellets made from this mash have been determined at weekly intervals from 0 to 9 weeks.

2. There was no difference in the chemical composition of the food due to pelleting, not were there any differences in the digestibilities due either to pelleting or the age of the chick.
Cotton crop environment, growth and yield in the Sudan Gezira: I. The Gezira observation plots: experimental design, cultural methods and yield analysis
Authors: Jackson J. E.
Published: March 2009

Analysis of 21 years' cotton yield data from factorial experiments at three sites in the Sudan Gezira established that yields were significantly increased by nitrogenous fertilizer, that close spacing outyielded wide spacing and that variety X1730A (L type) outyielded variety MSDS (a Sakel type). The effect of nitrogen varied depending on variety and spacing and there were also marked variations from year to year in the effects of nitrogen, spacing, variety and some of the interactions. Year-to-year variations in the overall level of yield were very pronounced and accounted for more than half of the total variance at each site. Causes of year to year variation and the mechanism of the treatmenteffects will be discussed in subsequent papers.
The digestibility of fats differing in glyceride structure and their effects on growth performance and carcass composition of bacon pigs
Authors: Davis R. H. , Lewis D.
Published: March 2009

The digestibility of fats differing in glyceride structure has been investigated, the fats used being natural lard, interesterified lard and beef tallow. Natural lard was found to be better digested than interesterified lard which in turn was better digested than beef tallow, the differences being the result of differences in the digestibility of the saturated fatty acids. The digestibility of palmitic acid was found to be dependent upon its positioning within the glyceride molecule, absorption being greatest when it was esterified in the β-position. The positional distribution of stearic acid was thought not to be the factor limiting the extent of its absorption in the given circumstances. The fats did not differ in their effects upon growth performance or carcass composition and differences in the digestibility of the fats were not reflected in the quality of the carcass backfat. It was demonstrated that increasing the nutrient density of diets through the addition of fat, together with careful regulation of nutrient intake, resulted in improved growth performance and carcass composition.
Grain quality in hybrids of Avena sativa L. and A. byzantina C. Koch
Authors: Jenkins G.
Published: March 2009

Results of grain analyses for the content of nitrogen, oil and husk are presented from trials in the F1 and F2 generations of four subject varieties, Condor (Avena sativa), Sierra, Avon and Anita (A. byzantina), nine tester varieties, mainly of north-west European origin and the 36 crosses between them.

Yield of grain crude protein per unit area was positively correlated with grain yield, but nitrogen content of the grain, expressed as a percentage of dry matter, was inversely related to grain yield in both trials. Although the highest values for grain nitrogen content were invariably associated with low grain yields, the highest yielders had average or slightly better than average values for nitrogen content.

Analysis of straw samples from the F2 trial revealed considerable differences between varieties and crosses in the proportion of the total shoot nitrogen (grain + straw) ultimately found in the grain. The proportion of total shoot nitrogen translocated to the grain was positively correlated with the ratio of grain yield to straw yield. High grain yielders took up more nitrogen per unit area from the soil and translocated relatively more nitrogen to the grain from the vegetative tissues than did varieties with low grain yields.

Yields of grain oil were highly positively correlated with yields of grain per unit area but there was no significant regression of oil content on grain yield in either trial. In the F2 trial, oil yield per unit area was positively correlated with oil content of the grain. The variety Avon and its crosses had consistently high oil content.

There was no correlation between yielding ability and husk content of the grain, and some of the highest grain yields were associated with low mean husk contents. High husk content of the grain tended to be associated with stiffer straw.

The results are discussed in relation to improving grain quality in the breeding of new varieties of oats.
Utilization of surplus protein by sheep
Authors: Dror Y. , Bondi A.
Published: March 2009

The utilization of different levels of protein, supplied mainly as soybean meal, was examined by a feeding experiment with sheep. Measurements of the concentrations of N-containing rumen metabolites and of blood urea showed that protein degradation in the rumen and removal of urea by the kidneys were limited when highly increased amounts of protein were ingested.
Accumulation of nitrate in fresh soils after gamma irradiation
Authors: Cawse P. A. , White T.
Published: March 2009

Increases in nitrate have been found in eight out of ten soils irradiated over the range 0·25–2·5 Mrad, with maximum accumulation between 0·25–0·75 Mrad. Oxidation of ammonium added to normal soils was poor at low pH, and showed a highly significant correlation with nitrate produced after 0·25 Mrad. It is suggested that radiation-released ammonium is less limiting to nitrate formation than the original population or activity of nitrifying organisms, which are favoured by alkaline conditions.
A comparison of the rumen fermentation in european and zebu cattle
Authors: Hungate R. E. , Phillips G. D. , Hungate D. P. , MacGregor A.
Published: March 2009

1. Statistics of several measured parameters are reported. They show that fermentation rates of rumen contents from zebu and European-type cattle in East Africa differ due to time of feeding, to individual animals, and to differences between zebu and grade.

2. The fermentation products were determined as acid, CO2and methane. The proportion of methane showed an inverse correlation with the rate of fermentation.

3. The mean fermentation rate showed a trend in the direction expected from the weight gains of the animals.
Factors causing alterations of the level of inorganic phosphorus in the blood of zebu cattle
Authors: Rollinson D. H. L. , Bredon R. M.
Published: March 2009

Studies have been made on calcium and inorganic phosphorus in pasture grass and their relationship to blood levels in Zebu cattle.

Excitement, adrenaline injections and fatigue were investigated as possible causes of variations in the inorganic-phosphorus levels of the blood of Zebu cattle.

Sudden rainfall appeared to cause alterations in the inorganic phosphorus levels of blood. This hypothesis, when tested on two separate batches of cattle on two occasions, showed that there was a highly significant relationship between water intake and the level of inorganic phosphorus of Zebu cattle blood.

Water starvation caused a steady increase in the level of inorganic phosphorus and when water was available for the cattle to drink the inorganic phosphorus level fell rapidly to a subnormal level before returning to normal. These results are discussed in the light of the available literature.
Evaluation of an improved artificial rumen designed for continuous control during prolonged operation
Authors: Davey L. A. , Cheeseman G. C. , Briggs C. A. E.
Published: March 2009

An artificial rumen is described which has been shown to simulate closely conditions in the bovine rumen. Criteria of its validity include quantitative and qualitative bacteriological data, V.F.A. production, pH levels and digestion rates; these were examined with a variety of diets using cows on similar diets as controls. An important feature of the apparatus is the high degree of control which can be exercised over the progress of thein vitroruminal fermentation, permitting experiments of considerable duration.
Ammonia and urea toxicoses in sheep and their relation to dietary nitrogen intake
Authors: Morris J. G. , Payne E.
Published: March 2009

The intravenous (i.v.) infusion of solutions of ammonium salts into sheep produced a toxic condition in which the clinical signs, pathological findings and concentrations of ammonia in the venous blood were comparable with those found in urea poisoning, provided that the urea and ammonia toxicoses were induced over similar time intervals. Our results indicate that urea toxicosis in ruminants is due to the toxic effects of ammonia. Although the clinical signs resulting from the i.v. infusion of ammonium chloride, acetate and hydroxide showed some relationship to the basicity of the compounds, alkalosis did not appear to be a necessary prerequisite for ammonia toxicosis.

The tolerances of sheep to orally administered urea and i.v. infused ammonium salt solutionswere shown to be positively related to dietary nitrogen intake. These results and the observations reported by Payne & Morris (1969) that the concentrations of urea-cycle enzymes per unit of liver tissue were markedly affected by dietary nitrogen intake suggest that supplementation of ruminants grazing low-protein pastures with urea, occurs at a time when their tolerances to an over-dose of urea are minimal.

The i.v. administration of arginine and of y-amino butyric acid plus glucose did not appear to be of practical value in preventing urea poisoning.
Brahman cattle in a temperate environment:I. Live-weight gains and carcass characteristics
Authors: Moran J. B.
Published: March 2009

A study was made of the live-weight gains of four ¾-bred Brahman and four purebred Hereford steers over a 12-month period. At 950 lb live weight each animal was slaughtered, after which the carcass characteristics of the two breed types were compared.

The Herefords showed the highest live-weight gains over the whole year but during autumn, when nutritional levels were poor, the Brahmans had an advantage in average daily gain.

Although both breed types varied greatly in body conformation, there was little appreciable difference in weight distribution of joints on the carcass. A higher dressing percentage was observed in the Brahmans, this being attributed to their smaller alimentary tracts. The Brahmans had a greater carcass muscle and smaller carcass fat content than the Herefords. The necessity for fat trimming of the Hereford carcasses reduced their calculated retail value index to a level below that of the Brahmans in a market which discriminated against excess fat.

Thus it was concluded that even in a temperate climate, Brahman cattle can have a place in improving productive efficiency. Apart from the heterosis developed in crossbreeding, benefits should flow from the Brahmans superiority on poor pastures and the improved production of lean meat on their carcasses.
Body composition in lambs and young sheep and its predictionin vivofrom tritiated water space and body weight
Authors: Searle T. W.
Published: March 2009

Tritiated water (TOH) space was determined in sixty-one sheep of known age (3 days to 18 months). Representative samples of the minced carcass were subsequently analysed to determine body composition (water, fat, protein, ash and energy). The regressions of the weight of the various body components on TOH space and body weight reported here gave equations suitable for prediction. These were similar to equations derived from published results for adults. Combining data on young sheep and adults gave broadly based equations that could be used to predict the body composition of healthy sheep of all ages from 3 days to adults.
The indirect estimation of the digestibility of pasture herbage I. Nitrogen and chromogen as faecal index substances
Authors: Greenhalgh J. F. D. , Corbett J. L.
Published: March 2009

1. In seventeen digestibility trials carried out between May and November, 1957, groups of three steers were fed on fresh herbage, cut mainly from mixed swards. Herbage digestibility and the concentrations in faeces of the index substances nitrogen and chromogen were measured over periods of 5 days. Organic matter digestibility ranged from 61·2 to 78·9%.

2. The relationship between herbage digestibility and faecal nitrogen concentration could not be described satisfactorily by a single regression equation for all trials, and separate equations were calculated for (a) first-growth herbage and (b) aftermath (second and third growths). For a given faecal nitrogen concentration herbage digestibility was about five units higher for first-growth than for aftermath herbage.

3. For the faecalchromogen-digestibilityrelationship the difference between growths was even greater and, again, two equations were required. In most trials the quantity of chromogen excreted was apparently greater than the quantity consumed.

4. The ‘seasonal’ differences in faecal index relationships were caused by the fact that later growths of herbage contained considerably greater concentrations of nitrogen and chromogen than did firstgrowth herbage of the same digestibility. There was also some evidence that the relationships may be affected by the application of nitrogenous fertilizers to the sward.

5. In order to avoid biases in the indirect estimation of herbage digestibility it appears important to use different regressions for different growths. Although such regressions would be restricted in their application they are likely to be more precise than general equations. In these trials both nitrogen and chromogen regressions had low residual standard deviations of ± 1·5 units of digestibility.
Heat production and heat emission of two breeds of sheep
Authors: Armstrong D. G. , Blaxter K. L. , Clapperton J. L. , Graham N. McC. , Wainman F. W.
Published: March 2009

1. Fifty-two experiments were made with two Cheviot and two Blackface wether sheep in which heat production and heat emission were determined at environmental temperatures of 8, 20 and 32° C. Initially the sheep were closely clipped to within 1–2 mm. of the skin and the fleece was then allowed to grow throughout the experiments.

2. At 32° C. fleece length had no effect on heat production. At 20° C. metabolism was elevated until fleece length exceeded 18 mm. At 8° C. metabolism was elevated until the fleece length exceeded 35–40 mm. No differences were found between the two breeds in their heat production at a particular temperature provided fleece length was identical.

3. The sensible loss of heat divided by the temperature gradient from the rectum to the environment (conductance) was linearly related to the logarithm of fleece length, both at environmental temperatures above and below the critical temperature.

4. No differences between the two breeds or between them and Down Cross sheep were found with respect to their conductances when devoid of fleece. The insulation provided by unit length of fleece was the same in all three breeds and crosses. The fleece of the Blackfaces grew at twice the rate of that of the Cheviots so that at a given time after shearing, the Blackfaces were more resistant to concold.

5. Studies of the losses of heat by the vaporization of water and of skin and fleece surface temperatures also showed no differences between breeds.

6. Analysis of the relation between heat concold, ductance and fleece length suggests that vasoconstriction and vasodilation border on all-or-none effects.
Post–lambing maternal behaviour
Authors: Sharafeldin M. A. , Kandeel A. A.
Published: March 2009

A study was carried out on the post-lambing normal and abnormal maternal behaviour of sheep using 237 Barki ewes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of age and their newborn single lambs.

Normal maternal behaviour was observed in 64·5% of the ewes as they immediately recognized their lambs after birth, readily accepted them and started grooming and helping them to suckle. The overall average time-interval from parturition until ewes stood, started cleaning and until lambs started suckling was 2·9 ± 0·5, 4·0 ± 0·8 and 20·5 ± 2·0 min respectively. The 2-year-old ewes and the ewes weighing 30 kg and less took longer to accept and nurse their new-born lambs than older and heavier ones.

Post-lambing abnormal maternal behaviour was observed in 30·4% of the ewes, among which 43·1, 45·8 and 11·1% were classed as fair, poor and very poor mothers respectively. Fair mothers failed to nurse their lambs, poor mothers deserted them and very poor mothers permanently deserted their lambs and were aggressive to them. The post-lambing abnormal maternal behaviour was more frequent among 2-year-old maiden ewes than older ewes.
A comparison between a dploid and a tetraploid ryegrass for milk production
Authors: Castle M. E. , Watson J. N.
Published: March 2009

Two perennial ryegrass swards – one consisting of S. 24, a diploid variety, and the other of Reveille, a tetraploid variety – were compared in a 20-week grazing experiment with 16 Ayrshire cows in 1968 and again with 12 cows in 1969. Each grass sward was grazed at either a high or a low rate of stoeldng and no other feeds were offered to the cows. On average, the amount of herbage dry matter on offer to the cows was slightly greater on the S. 24 than on the Reveille sward but the contents of total soluble sugars and digestible organic matter were significantly higher in the dry matter of the Reveille than in that of the S. 24. The crude protein contents of the herbage dry matter were similar on the two swards. The mean daily milk yields from cows grazing at the high and the low rates of stocking in 1968 were 14·0 and 15·7 kg/cow respectively on the S. 24 sward and 14·7 and 16·1 kg on the Reveille sward. In 1969 the milk yields from these same treatments were 15·4 and 17·2 kg on the S. 24, and 16·5 and 17·7 kg on the Reveille. The fat content of the milk was not significantly affected by the treatments. In both years the solids-not-fat and the crude protein contents of the milk were higher on the Reveille than on the S. 24 sward, but these differences were significant at the low rate of stocking only. The live weight of the cows did not differ significantly between the two swards. The average output of milk per hectare was approximately 4% higher from the Reveille than from the S. 24 sward but the major factor influencing milk production per hectare was the stocking-rate. On average over the 2 years the output of milk per hectare was 36% higher on the high than on the low rate of stocking. It is suggested that in selecting herbage for milk-production purposes attention should be paid to material with a high digestible organic-matter content and a high content of soluble sugars.
The effects of plant density and fertilizer application on yield components in three marrow-stem kale (Brassica oleracea L.) varieties
Authors: Johnston T. D.
Published: March 2009

The effects of crop density and fertilizer application on three varieties of marrowstem kale were investigated. The yield of stem, yield of leaf, components of leaf yield and plant height were studied separately. Varietal differences and effects of density and fertilizer application were significant for all characters, except for the effect of crop density on leaf and stem yield per ha.

Significant variety x treatment interactions occurred for a number of the characters measured. The possible importance of these is discussed.
The nutrition of Zebu cattle Part II. The techniques of digestibility trials with special reference to sampling, preservation and drying of faeces
Authors: Juko C. D. , Bredon R. M. , Marshall B.
Published: March 2009

Some techniques of sampling, preserving, drying and for determination of nitrogen content of faeces were investigated.

It was found that any sample between 100 and 600 g., made up of 10 g. subsamples taken at random, is satisfactory.

Untreated faeces and those preserved by the addition of acetic acid, hydrochloric acid or toluene were dried in a large oven at 80° C. and compared with untreated samples dried at 105° C. for 8 hr. Duplicate samples of those dried at 80° C. were exposed to room temperature for 7 hr. and then dried. When dry-matter and crude-protein contents were compared no significant differences were found between the three groups.
Comparative efficiency of digestion of feeds by ruminants and pigs
Authors: Glover J.
Published: March 2009

An objective, general classification of animal feedingstuffs in terms of their efficiency of use by pigs or ruminants can be made on the basis of earlier analyses of the relationships between the percentage crude protein and crude fibre contents of the dry matter of feeds and the differing digestibilities of c.p. and total nutrients by both classes of animal. It is shown to be in good agreement with the present empirical classification which is based on practical experience.
Estimation of the average total digestible nutrients in pig feeds
Authors: Glover J. , Dougall H. W.
Published: March 2009

In an earlier paper the estimation of the total digestible nutrients (T.d.n.) to be expected in ruminant feedingstuffs has been described (Glover, J. Duthie, D. W. & Dougall, H. W. 1960). In a like manner the average T.d.n. in pig feeds can be estimated. The necessary equations have been obtained in earlier papers (Glover & Duthie, 1958A, b). They are, respectively

where C.p. and C.f. are percentage crude protein and crude fibre, respectively, in the dry matter of the feed, D.c.p. is digestible crude protein and N.r. the nutritive ratio. They can be used directly for the estimation of T.d.n. because by definition T.d.n. is D.c.p.(N.r. + 1); thus the T.d.n. to be expected at different levels of C.p. and C.f. can readily be calculated. Table 1 shows in abbreviated form some of the values that are obtained in the ranges 0–30% C.p. and 0–40% C.f., while Fig. 1 illustrates in detail the effect on T.d.n. of changing C.p. and C.f. levels of the diet. This figure shows clearly the very marked effect of increasing C.f. depressing the digestibility of the total nutrients in pig feeds, a fact which is already well known.
Liver weight and its N and vitamin A contents in piglets from sows fed two levels of protein and food
Authors: Frape D. L. , Wolf K. L. , Wilkinson J. , Chubb L. G.
Published: March 2009

Gestating female pigs received either a low or a high intake per day of diets containing either a low or high protein concentration. A change in the composition of both diets occurred after 2 years, when the protein quality of the high protein diet was improved and the energy content of both diets was increased. Vitamin A determinations were carried out on 245 piglet livers and 32 pairs of kidneys and lungs at birth from 47 sows. The livers, kidneys and lungs of 16 sows were also analysed for vitamin A after approximately 4 years on experiment. Vitamin A was detected at birth with antimony trichloride in the liver of the piglet, but not in the kidney or lung. The sow's kidney was found to contain only small amounts and lung tissue only traces.

A dietary vitamin A level of 4800 i.u./kg during the breeding life of healthy sows, or 8600 i.u./day during gestation, was adequate from the point of view of both a constant storage in piglet livers at birth over eight to ten parities and a relatively high concentration remaining in sow livers after that period. This conclusion is in line with recommendations of the Agricultural Research Council (1966).

As a consequence of differences in both the condition of the sows and in their responses in the two periods, the results for each period are presented separately. In the first 2-year period, when the sows received a relatively low intake of dietary protein during gestation (between 248 and 317 g protein/sow/day), and a low energy intake; that is, when protein was used for energy production, the liver vitamin A storage of the piglet at birth was increased by raising either the daily protein intake during gestation to 352 g, or the food intake from 1·8 to 2·3 kg/sow/day. Liver vitamin A and N concentrations were negatively correlated with liver weight, but increasing dietary protein concentration raised liver weight and its vitamin A content. Liver vitamin A per piglet was not affected by litter size.

A conclusion may not be drawn concerning the contribution of dietary energy to the differences in response between periods, because in addition to dietary changes other differences occurred between periods. Nevertheless, in the second 2-year period, when energy intake during gestation was adequate for normal growth and development, a difference of 150 g in protein intake/sow/day (363 g against 208 g) had no effect on liver weight or its vitamin A content. Furthermore, there was no significant treatment effect on total protein or albumin concentrations in the serum of the sow.
The potential digestibility of cellulose in forage and faeces
Authors: Wilkins B. J.
Published: March 2009

The potential digestibility of cellulose is defined as the maximum digestibility obtainable when the conditions and duration of digestion are not limiting factors. Techniques for measuring potential cellulose digestibility were examined and the relationship between potential cellulose digestibility and in vivo cellulose digestibility was explored for a range of grasses.

Cellulose digestibility was found to reach a maximum value after 5 days incubation in vitro. No further cellulose was digested when the residues from an initial incubation for 6 days were incubated with a second rumen liquor inoculum. The values measured after a single incubation of 6 days duration were similar to cellulose digestibility coefficients measured by the suspension of ground forage samples in nylon bags in the rumen for 6 days. Plant factors appear to limit further digestion and the residue from prolonged digestion in vitro consisted only of lignified and cutinized tissue. Potential cellulose digestibility measured by either of the above techniques was higher than cellulose digestibility in vivo. The difference varied between forages and when the difference was large, the digestibility of cellulose in faeces was high.

It is suggested that measurements of the potential digestibility of cellulose in feed and faeces may be of use in estimating the digestibility of grazed herbage.
Some observations on the distribution and origin of nitrogen in sheep faeces
Authors: Mason V. C.
Published: March 2009

1. Three methods, based on treatment with neutral detergent or acid detergent, or involving ultrasonic disintegration, are described and compared for the direct estimation of undigested dietary nitrogen in individual samples of sheep faeces. Estimates of the true digestibility of the nitrogen in several sheep diets derived from analyses performed with these methods agreed well with each other, and were in accord with published estimates, derived by extrapolation techniques. Two other methods, based on treatment with phenol–acetic acid–water, and lysozyme–trypsin, respectively, were found to be unsuitable for such estimates.

2. The quantitative distribution of nitrogen between undigested dietary residues, bacterial residues, endogenous debris residues and the water soluble fraction was determined chemically. It was concluded that 57–81% of the non-dietary faecal nitrogen was associated with bacterial material.

3. Indirect evidence suggested that most of the bacterial nitrogen in faeces originated in the rumen.
The effect of farmyard manure on the fertilizer requirement of sugar beet
Authors: Draycott A. P.
Published: March 2009

Thirty-eight experiments were made on commercial farms to determine the fertilizer requirement of sugar beet grown with farmyard manure (F.Y.M.). They were in two groups; the first (1961–3), with uniformly applied F.Y.M., tested the value of additional fertilizer—nitrogen, phosphate and potash, with and without agricultural salt (crude sodium chloride). The second (1964–7) tested the value of fertilizer N and agricultural salt with and without F.Y.M.

The average economic optimum dressings of fertilizers with F.Y.M. were 0·6 cwt/acre N, 0·3 cwt/acre P2O5, 0·5 cwt/acre K2O, with agricultural salt which largely replaced the need for potash. Chemical analyses of samples of F.Y.M. used in the second group of experiments gave no reliable guide to the requirement of additional nitrogen or sodium. With adequate P2O5 and K2O, the F.Y.M. increased sugar yield at all except one site, on average equivalent to the increase from 0·3 cwt/acre N. Agricultural salt increased yield economically at most sites except on the silts round the Humber and the Wash. No clear relationship was found between soil analysis for sodium and sugar yield response to agricultural salt, but where the exchangeable soil sodium was less than 25 ppm Na, a response was likely.
Treatment comparisons in grazing trials using the animal as experimental unit
Authors: Conniffe D.
Published: March 2009

Although it is not always valid to regard ‘within herd variation’ as a true measure of experimental error there are occasions when this may be the only feasible measurement. The effect is considered of regarding the animal as the experimental unit on the estimation of the ratio of production of two treatments and an approximate variance for the ratio is obtained. The conditions under which the approximation is valid are considered.
Effects of magnesium on cereals, potatoes and leys grown on the ‘continuous cereals’ site at Woburn
Authors: Bolton J. , Slope D. B.
Published: March 2009

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency and take-all disease occurred during 1967 in wheat grown for the second year in succession on the ‘Classical’ cereal site at Woburn. Magnesium fertilizers, which cured the deficiency symptoms and increased wheat yields in 1968 and 1969, had no effect on take-all. Leaves from crops severely attacked by take-all contained less nitrogen and potassium than leaves from unattacked plants but not less magnesium. In 1969 magnesium fertilizer did not increase yields or affect takeall of spring barley on the site but, in contrast to 1968, increased potato yields. Magnesium fertilizer improved the establishment of clover, especially on soil containing least magnesium.

Soil analyses show a tenfold decline in exchangeable Mg since 1888. Losses were most from soil given ammonium sulphate and more from the site where wheat was long grown than where barley was. Differences in soil magnesium did not explain large differences in yields of potatoes or leys between blocks of the experiments.
Infertile bulls versus steers: I. The influence of level of nutrition on relative growth rate
Authors: Price M. A. , Yeates N. T. M.
Published: March 2009

A partial castration technique is proposed for use in cattle husbandry where bulls are used for slaughter beef, whioh renders the animals sterile apparently without otherwise impairing the expression of their male characteristics.

Fifty such infertile bulls were compared with an equal number of steers in six growth trials under a range of nutritional conditions. In all cases the bulls grew faster than the steers. The results showed that the higher the rate of gain achieved, the greater was the advantage in favour of the bulls from about 1% at under ½ kg/day to over 25% at 1 kg/day). Accordingly, it is suggested that under conditions of good growth rate (in excess of about ¾ kg/day) complete castration is contra-indicated for efficient beef production, and that partial castration might be adopted as a routine management procedure.
Studies on the adaptability of three breeds of sheep to a tropical environment modified by altitude VI. The effect of increased light and injections of vitamin A on semen production and sperm characteristics in tropical rams
Authors: Symington R. B.
Published: March 2009

German Merino, Persian Blackhead and indigenous Native rams were exposed to gradually increasing day-length simulated by use of electric light in the night pen. Between February and June experimental day-length increased from 14 hr. 35 min. to 17 hr. whereas natural day-length fell from 13 hr. 50 min. to 12 hr. An additional trial was superimposed on the main experiment to determine the effect of vitamin A injections on reproductive function and on ability to respond to photoperiodic stimuli.
Studies on the muscles of meat animals I. Differences in composition of beef longissimus dorsi muscles determined by age and anatomical location
Authors: Lawrie R. A.
Published: March 2009

1. The longissimus dorsi muscles of cattle have been analysed for moisture, intramuscular fat (and its iodine number), nitrogen (total, myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic, soluble non-protein and stroma), myoglobin, total soluble phosphorus and ash; ultimate pH and buffering power were also determined.

2. At birth, in the region of the 4th, 5th and 6th lumbar vertebrae, total, myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic and soluble non-protein nitrogens have attained 87, 76, 71 and 25% of their mean adult values, respectively; the concentration of stroma nitrogen diminishes by 50%, between birth and maturity.

3. The mean adult values (fat-free basis) for sarcoplasmic (0·9%) and myofibrillar (1·9%) protein nitrogen, for total nitrogen (3·6%) and for moisture (76·8%) are atained at approximately 5 months, 7–10 months and 18 months of age, respectively; moisture on a whole tissue basis decreases fairly regularly as intramuscular fat increases.
Comparative studies of meat VII. A comparison between Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesian steers on four levels of nutrition
Authors: Callow E. H.
Published: March 2009

1. An investigation concerning the weights twenty-four beef steers (three breeds—Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesians—on four planes nutrition), their grades, weights of organs, carcasses, tissues, etc., together with the chemical composition of their muscular and fatty tissues has been carried out.

2. The resultant data have been used to calculate—mainly by an analysis of variance—the effect of breed and level of nutrition. Only statistically significant differences are dealt with in this summary.
The effects of calcium and phosphorus supplementation on the performance of Scottish Blackface hill ewes, with particular reference to the premature loss of permanent incisor teeth
Authors: Gunn R. G.
Published: March 2009

A subclinical calcium or phosphorus dietary deficiency on many hill pastures and a relationship between this and the premature loss of permanent incisor teeth are postulated. The effects of small individual supplements of calcium (12 g calcium carbonate suspended in water) or phosphorus (13 g monosodium phosphate in solution) supplied three times a week between mid-February and the end of May to Scottish Blackface ewes which grazed reseeded pasture in April and May were compared with those of no mineral supplement and with those of no mineral supplementon hill pastures throughout.

Neither supplement had any significant effect on the number or weights of lambs born or reared on reseeded pastures. Both resulted in significantly greater ewe live-weight gain during the treatment period, in a significant improvement in the firmness and permanence of the incisor teeth, and in significantly higher serum Ca levels during lactation. All effects increased with advancing age.

The use of hill pastures during late pregnancy and early lactation without any mineral supplement could result in significantly poorer ewe live-weight gain during the treatment period depending on season. This was also associated with significantly lighter single lambs at 6 weeks and with slower deterioration of the incisor teeth.

It is suggested that minerals lost from the body during lactation on reseeded pastures are not replaced during the autumn recovery period on hill pastures and that a gradual depletion occurs throughout life, leading possibly to demineralization of the alveolar bone and premature loss of the incisor teeth. It is suggested that this is indicative of a higher mineral requirement for maintenance of the permanent dentition than is necessary for normal acceptable growth andreproductive performance. Mineral content of hill herbage may therefore be too low to supply requirements at the levels of OM intake normal on hill pastures.
Yield of a tall and a dwarf indica rice as affected by fertilizer nitrogen, with and without nitrification inhibitors
Authors: Lakhdive B. A. , Prasad Rajendra
Published: March 2009

Two varieties of irrigated rice N.P. 130 (a tall variety) and Taichung Native-1 (a dwarf variety of indica rice) were compared in 1966 and 1967 when grown with several amounts of sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate. Comparisons of ammonium sulphate treated with ‘N-Serve’ or with ‘AM’ against untreated ammonium sulphate were made.

Applying more than 60–80 kg N/ha did not increase the number of panicles per m with N.P. 130 but lowered the number of spikelets and filled grain percentage. Up to 120 kg N/ha, panicle number and the number of spikelets of Taichung Native-1 increased significantly but the filled grain percentage was not increased; yield of grain responded significantly up to 120 kg N/ha. Taichung Native-1 yielded more grain and less straw than N.P. 130. Increasing the nitrogen applied significantly increased the yield of straw from both varieties.

Ammonium sulphate increased panicle number and reduced the percentage of filled grain compared to sodium nitrate but the increase in panicle number was higher with Taichung Native-1 than with N.P. 130; as a result ammonium sulphate consistently increased the grain yield of Taichung Native-1. When the ammonium sulphate was treated with either inhibitor it gave more grain of Taichung Native-1 than untreated fertilizer; treated fertilizer gave more straw of both varieties.
The non-protein nitrogen composition of grass silages: II. The changes occurring during the storage of silage
Authors: Hughes A. D.
Published: March 2009

The nitrogenous composition of the water soluble fraction of maturing grass silage was investigated in detail. Empirical methods of group analysis demonstrated the complete absence of water soluble proteins, and that the major changes, involving the formation of amino acids and volatile amines, were completed within the first 2 months of ensiling. These methods were unable to account for a high proportion of the soluble nitrogen. Changes occurring within the soluble carbohydrate and volatile fatty acid fractions indicated that while secondary fermentations occurred some 8 months after ensiling they did not have any marked influence on the nitrogenous components.

A detailed analysis of the individual components of the nitrogenous fraction was undertaken using both conventional methods of ion exchange chromatography and techniques developed especially for this purpose (see Hughes, 1969). Selective degradation of the amino acids liberated by the proteolysis of the grass proteins occurred. The volatile basic nitrogen content was comprised of ammonia. The non-volatile amine fraction, which accounted for a considerable proportion of the soluble nitrogen, was mainly composed of putrescine and cadaverine. There was no free histamine and only low concentrations of bound histamine were found. Evidence suggested that these amines were being further metabolized during the storage of the silage.
The concentration of soluble polysaccharides in the rumen contents of sheep fed on hay
Authors: Hobson P. N. , Thompson J. K.
Published: March 2009

On the feeding regimes examined, i.e. hayad libitumrestricted hay and restricted hay with supplementary glucose, the quantities of extracellular water-soluble polysaccharides in rumen liquor were small (3·6–9·0 mg/100 ml) and could have originated from the diet or the saliva as well as from microbes. The polysaccharides extracted with hot water (fraction B) and acetate buffer (fraction C) were also small in amount in the rumen liquor from sheep on any of these diets (less than 56 mg/100 ml) and were composed of rhamnose—containing polysaccharides, starch-like polysaccharides and xylose polymers. Syntheses of these B and C polysaccharides were found with the hay and glucose diet but the quantities involved were small (12·27 mg/100 ml rumen liquor). Degradation of the polysaccharides occurred at 4–6 h after feeding. The consistently high ratios of rhamnose to hexose in the B and C polysaccharides from rumen liquor suggest that these were microbial in origin. Iodine-staining organisms in the rumen liquor were a small proportion of the total and showed no increases after feeding.
Fertilizer and soil P uptake by paddy rice, as affected by soil P level, source and date of application
Authors: Terman G. L. , Allen S. E.
Published: March 2009

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with paddy rice (Oryza sativa L. var. ‘Nato’) grown on Mountview silt loam at its initial low P level and on this soil receiving preplant unlabelled P applications (medium and high soil P levels). Labelled granular CSP (concentrated superphosphate) alone, a 2/1 mixture of CSP and DCP (dicalcium phosphate) and a 1/2 CSP-DCP mixture were evaluated.

Dry-matter yields and tillering increased markedly with amount of applied P on the low P soil, and slightly on the medium P soil; there was no response on the high P soil. Response decreased with decrease in water solubility of the applied P at the low and medium soil P levels. Total uptake of P by rice showed similar trends, except that uptake increased significantly with amount of P applied at the medium soil P level.

Percentages of plant P from the labelled fertilizer and uptake of fertilizer P increased in all situations with amount of applied P, decreased with decrease in water solubility of the applied P, and decreased with increase in soil P level. Uptake of soil P increased markedly with increase in soil P level. Soil labelling was much less satisfactory than fertilizer labelling for evaluating the effectiveness of P in different fertilizers.

A solution of labelled CSP was applied in a second experiment at time of transplanting and 3 or 6 weeks later. On the low P soil, yields, P uptake and tillering increased with rate of applied P but decreased with later date of application. On the medium P soil, yields, tillering and uptake of P by the grain were rather similar among treatments. Uptake of P in the foliage and mature straw, however, increased with later date of application. These results indicate that late-applied P is readily absorbed by rice but is not effective for increasing yields.
Comparative studies on the active transport by excised roots of inbred and hybrid maize
Authors: Ferrari G. , Renosto F.
Published: March 2009

The characteristics of ion active transport by excised roots of hybrid and inbred maize were evaluated in short-term uptake experiments with 35S-labelled sulphate. Hybrids showed a higher transport rate per unit of both dry matter and protein, in comparison with inbred lines.Vmax and Km were quite different for inbreds and hybrids, demonstrating an effect of crossing on the characteristics of the transport system. An effect on the transport system was also shown by better adaptation of the hybrids to low temperatures: the hybrid to inbred transport-rate ratio increased with the temperature decrease.
The effect of grinding and pelleting on the nutritive value of poor quality roughages for sheep
Authors: Wainman F. W. , Blaxter K. L.
Published: March 2009

Analysis of published data relating to the chemical composition of feeds – mostly roughages – before and after grinding and pelleting showed that ash and crude-protein content increased and crude fibre declined. On the assumption that the ash content was unaffected by grinding and pelleting, the crude-protein and crude-lipid content of the original material was shown to be unaffected by the process but the total carbohydrate was depressed. The loss of organic matter on pelleting was 9% and reasons are given for believing that this was due to partial pyrolysis of the carbohydrate.

Calorimetric experiments with a poor quality sainfoin hay and a poor aftermath mixed hay showed that grinding and pelleting increased intake by over 80%, and also increased the metabolizability of the gross energy. The increases were from 37·4 to 40·7% for sainfoin and from 38·2 to 44·4% for the hay. The energy of the pellets was used more efficiently for maintenance in both instances, and with the hay, the efficiency of utilization of its metabolizable energy for production increased from 24·2 to 54·1%. With sainfoin no similar comparison was possible since the sheep given the chopped sainfoin could not achieve positive energy retention. The sainfoin pellets were used for production with an efficiency of 56%. Energy retention in sheep given as much sainfoin as they would consume without refusal increased from – 336 to + 3207 kj/d on pelleting the diet. With hay or hay pellets which were given ad libitumthe corresponding values were + 297 to + 4742 kj/d respectively.
The immediate and long-term value of some magnesium fertilizers for sugar beet
Authors: Draycott A. P. , Durrant M. J.
Published: March 2009

Nine 5-year field experiments between 1964 and 1971 tested the effect of kainit, kieserite, magnesium and calcium limestone, and farmyard manure on yield and magnesium uptake by sugar beet and on exchangeable soil magnesium. The experiments were in the main sugar beet growing areas on soils that contained little (12–24 ppm) exchangeable magnesium. The fertilizers were applied in the year before the first sugar-beet crop and fresh dressings of some were given to other plots each time sugar beet was grown. Kieserite increased sugar yield equally when applied in the sugarbeet seed bed or three years before the sugar beet. Magnesium limestone was effective only when the soil pH was less than 7·0. FYM greatly increased yield but the increase could not be explained entirely by the magnesium it supplied.

On average, applying 100 kg/ha magnesium (as kieserite) to the seed bed increased the magnesium concentration in dried tops and roots by about 0·135 and 0·020% respectively and the total uptake by the crop in August by 9·0 kg/ha. The same treatment applied in the sugar-beet seed bed or 3 or 4 years previously increased exchangeable magnesium in the surface 25 cm of soil by 29·0, 7·6 and 1·8 ppm respectively. Thus much of the fertilizer given to the first sugar-beet crop was lost from the plough layer for the second sugar-beet crop but the yields indicated that some of it was available from depth.

On alkaline soils, when exchangeable soil magnesium in the plough layer is 0–25, 26–50 or > 51 ppm, an initial application of 100, 50 or 0 kg/ha respectively of water-soluble magnesium is needed, applied either in the previous autumn or to the sugarbeet seed bed. If the exchangeable soil magnesium before the following or subsequent sugar-beet crop is 0–15, 16–25 or > 26 ppm, a further application of 100, 50 or 0 kg/ha respectively of magnesium should be given.