bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of shearing on housed autumn store lambs
Authors: Kirk J.A. , Alsop S.E. 
Published: June 2019

In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the housing of sheep in the United Kingdom. This has taken place primarily pre-lambing and to a lesser extent for the finishing of lambs.Drinan and Ferguson (1981) found significantly faster growth rates and heavier carcass weights from lambs shorn 10-12 weeks prior to slaughter. Younis et al. (1977) and Salmon and Owen (1981) found increases in voluntary feed intakes and improved rates of liveweight gain in shorn as compared to unshorn lambs. Food conversion ratios have been found to improve in some trials but not others.The effects of shearing store lambs that were being finished indoors was investigated using 24 April born Suffolk X Mule lambs housed in individual pens from the 17 October 1985. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Group A and B were shorn at housing; Group C was left fully fleeced. Five weeks after the start of the trial Group B was shorn for a second time. The lambs were fed ad-libitum on a silage-based complete ration containing 6.1 MJ NE/kg. of Dry Matter.
Efficacy of a controlled release intraruminal device containing Albendazole against helminth infections in cattle
Authors: S.L. Bell  , K.W. Perry  , P. Rowlinson  
Published: June 2019

The importance of subclinical parasitic gastroenteritis (PCE) in terms of reduced productivity has recently been recognised, and this has caused attention to be focussed on prevention of infection as opposed to cure. The process of strategic treatment with anthelmintics and movement to fresh grazing proposed by Michel (1969), has been superseded by the need for preventative measures based solely upon anthelmintic control, rather than strict grazing rotation, and in response to this demand several systems have been developed.In this trial the efficacy of a controlled release bolus containing albendazole, Captec, (Smith Kline Animal Health, Ltd., CSIRO) against gastro-intestinal nematode infections in first season calves was evaluated, the nematode challenge being monitored using untreated control calves.2 groups of 20 heifer calves of approximately 9 months of age at turnout, were grazed from May to October on separate, adjacent paddocks obtained by splitting a single field which had been grazed by cattle the previous autumn. The allocation of calves to each group was such that the mean liveweight and range of liveweights within each group were similar. At turnout each calf in group A received a Captec bolus, group B being untreated controls. Total numbers and species of infective larvae present on the pasture were monitored throughout the grazing period. The calves were weighed and samples were regularly collected for the determination of faecal egg output, serum pepsinogen and plasma gastrin concentration. Post mortem worm burdens were assessed in 7 calves per group on day 100 after turnout, and again in 3 calves per group 1 week after housing.
Ovarian follicular populations, steroidogenic capacity and physiological status in post-partum suckling beef cows in high and low body condition
Authors: Prado R. , Rhind S.M. , Wright I.A. , Russel A.J.F. , McMillen S.M. , Smith A.I. , McNeilly A.S. 
Published: June 2019

Recent evidence indicates that body condition at calving has an important effect on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period in beef cows being longer in cows calving in low body condition (Richards et al, 1986, Wright et al, 1987). It is known that body condition affects baseline concentrations of LH (Rutter and Randel, 1984) and LH pulse frequency (Wright et al, 1987). However, the effect of body condition on ovarian follicles has not been studied.An experiment was designed to examine the effect of body condition score (BCS) at calving on follicle populations, follicular steroidogenic capacity, follicular histology and patterns of gonadotropin release at two different stages of the post-partum period (5 and 9 weeks after calving) in suckling beef cows.Thirty-eight suckling Blue-Grey cows with a mean live-weight of 567 ± 9.4 kg and mean BCS of 3.0 ± 0.05 at 110 days before calving to a synchronized insemination were differentially fed so that they achieved BCS of 2.83 ± 0.05 and 2.30 ± 0.05 for cows on a high (H) and low (L) plane of nutrition, respectively. After calving cows were fed a live-weight maintenance ration according to individual requirements. Cows of each BCS were ovariectomized at either 5 (w5) or 9 (w9) weeks after calving and follicles > 3mm in diameter were dissected from the ovaries and incubated for 2 h in culture medium (Medium 199) at 37°C. Follicles were then kept in Bouin's solution until histological examination. Follicle incubates were assayed for progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol. Blood samples were taken 2 days before ovariectomy for 10 h every 15 minutes and were later assayed for LH (all the samples) and FSH (every third sample).
The effect of a high rate of application of formic acid during ensilage of ryegrass on silage dry matter intake of sheep and cattle
Authors: Henderson A R , Anderson D H , Neilson D , Hunter E A , Phillips P 
Published: June 2019

A study of the intake potential of a range of well-preserved silages offered to lambs over several years showed that, of the many parameters considered, those with the greatest positive effect on DM intake were sugars in the grass as ensiled, residual sugars and protein nitrogen in the silage, with ethanol concentration in the silage having a negative effect (Henderson, Anderson and Phillips, 1984). In the experiments reported here ADD-F (85 per cent formic acid) from BP Chemicals International was applied to ryegrass at a rate sufficient to conserve much of the sugar (WSC) in the silage by inhibiting the growth of the micro-organisms on the grass. The initial lowering of the pH should also inhibit the activity of the plant enzymes, conserve protein nitrogen (PN) in the silage and prevent extensive deamination.In 1986 first-cut perennial ryegrass, and in 1987 Italian/perennial ryegrass, was ensiled direct-cut, untreated or treated with 5 1 ADD-F/t grass in 100t capacity clamp silos. The grass was cut with a mower and lifted with a precision-chop forage harvester. The acid was pumped onto the grass through a dribble bar sited over the pick-up drum.
Effect of ensilage method on storage dry matter loss and feeding value of malt distillers grains (draff)
Authors: Hyslop J J , Offer N W , Barber G D 
Published: June 2019

Operation of whisky distilling plants throughout the year produces considerable quantities of by-products malt distillers grains (draff) during the summer months. Draff is traditionally used as a ruminant feedstuff with the greatest demand being in winter. Competitive prices during summer make draff a very attractive buy and summer purchase, with subsequent storage on the farm for winter feeding is now a widely accepted, practice. However,, there is little information about the consequencies of long term draff storage or a detailed evaluation of different ensilage methods. This investigation examined the effects of three different storage methods on dry matter losses in the silo, and evaluated the recovered feedstuff using young steers.Storage methods - Each storage method was examined in duplicated sleeper walled silos, each containing approximately 6 tonnes of draff. The silos were roofed and had individual effluent tanks. For method 1 draff was tipped into the pits and a top sheet was held in place by an incomplete surface covering of sandbags.
Effect of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (Amaferm) on fermentation in the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec)
Authors: Frumholtz P. P. , Newbold C. J. , Wallace R. J. 
Published: June 2019

Probiotics (microbial preparations and their growth media) are of increasing interest as feed additives for both ruminant and non-ruminant livestock. Amaferm is a fermentation extract prepared from cultures of the fungus Aspergillus oryzae which, when included in the diet of dairy cows, increases the yield of milk and buttermilk (Harris et al. , 1983). These improvements have been associated with changes in rumen fermentation (Weidmeier et al., 1987). The present study describes the use of the rumen simulation technique Rusitec (Czerkawski and Breckenridge, 1977) to investigate the effects of increasing doses of Amaferm on the stoichiometry of rumen fermentation in vitro.Amaferm was added at 0, 25 and 250 mg/d to duplicate Rusitec vessels and at 1 g/d to a single vessel, receiving 10 g/d of a mixed diet of hay, barley, molasses, fishmeal and vitamins/minerals (500, 299-5, 100, 91 and 9.5 g/kg DM respectively). Vessels were initially inoculated from animals receiving the same diet. Artificial saliva was continuously infused into the vessels (total volume 850 ml, dilution rate 0.88/d) and feed bags were changed daily such that each bag was incubated for 48 h. Samples were taken at the time of feeding after 15 d adaptation to Amaferm.Amaferm had no influence on total VFA concentrations but there was a shift towards an increased proportion of butyrate as the level of addition increased. Ammonia production was also stimulated by the addition of Amaferm, with the concentration in the vessel receiving 1 g/d being almost twice that found in the control vessels. There was no effect on dry matter disappearance after 48 h. The concentration of methane in the gas collected from the head space of the vessels was decreased by Amaferm, with the maximum decrease (17%) being seen at the level of 250 mg/d.
Rumen Probiosis: effects of addition of yeast culture (viable yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) plus growth medium) on patterns of rumen fermentation
Authors: Williams P. E. V. , Innes G. M. 
Published: June 2019

The use of brewery by-products which contain varying quantities of live and dead yeast cells as nitrogen supplements in diets for ruminants is well documented.There have been several recent reports of micro-organisms, previously considered as being totally aerobic, multiplying and exhibiting growth in the rumen and in rumen simulators and conferring beneficial effects on cellulolysis and growth or productive capacity of the animal. Dawson (1987) reported that certain strains of yeast (Saccharomyces cerivisae) multiplied when introduced into the rumen. Although at some point extensive lysis occurs with extrusion of the cell contents (Bruning and Yokoyama, 1988). The present experiment was carried out to assess the effects of including yeast culture (YS) (Saccharomyces cerevisae, plus growth medium: 5x106 organisms/g) in diets for ruminants. The responses in terms of effects on rumen metabolism were monitored in three cannulated steers.The aim of the experiment was to determine the effects on the rumen metabolism and the degradability of a forage using the nylon bag technique (Ørskov and McDonald, 1970) when yeast culture was added to two contrasting diets and given to young steers. The diets were either a high forage diet of hay or a mixture of forage plus concentrate given in such a manner as to induce a negative associative effect.
Influence of dietary tetronasin on microbial nitrogen metabolism in rumen fluid from cattle
Authors: J. Newbold C. , J. Wallace R. , McKain N. 
Published: June 2019

Tetronasin (ICI 139603) is an ionophore which improves feed efficiency in ruminants (Bartle et al., 1988). Its nutritional effects are at least partly derived from its influence on nitrogen and energy metabolism in the rumen. The mode of action of tetronasin is therefore similar to monensin and although it is more potent than monensin, it has a similar spectrum of antimicrobial activity (Newbold et al., 1988). The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the inclusion of tetronasin in the diet on the ability of the resultant microbial population in the rumen to degrade casein, peptides and amino acids.Thirty castrate Friesian & Hereford crosses were fed a diet of barley, ammonia treated straw, soya bean meal, molasses and mineral/vitamin mix (62.5, 20, 12.5, 2.5 and 2.5% of dry matter respectively) ad lib, with the animals being split into three treatment groups, each of ten animals, receiving 0, 6, and 10 mg tetronasin/kg of total diet. Rumen samples were taken by stomach tube from all animals 42 and 84 d after the start of the trial. Samples were strained through two layers of muslin before use.
Nitrogen retention in growing lambs fed pelleted diets diluted with cereal straw
Authors: Castrillo C. , Balcells J. , Guada J.A. , Fondevilla M. 
Published: June 2019

There is evidence that in growing lambs, net nitrogen requirements are affected by breed, sex, weight and level of feeding but little is known about the effect of dietary concentration. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the effect of feeding straw diluted diets on nitrogen retention in Rasa Aragonesa lambs from weaning to slaughter.Eight male lambs, 40-45 days old and 12.3 ± 0.47 kg live weight, were allocated to one of two pelleted diets containing 6 (C) or 23 (D) percent of barley straw and barley, soya bean meal and fish meal to give a crude protein content of 193 (C) and 186 (D) g/ kg dry matter. Both diets were fed ad libitum and nitrogen balances were carried out at 14, 21 and 29 kg live weight. For diet C at the last weight only the balance of two lambs was recorded.The results are shown in table 1. Although the digestible organic matter (DOM) content was higher (P ≤ 0.005) for diet C (690 g/kg DM) than for diet D (606 g/kg DM), DOM intake was not significantly affected by dietary dilution. Nitrogen retention was higher at the lowest live weight for both diets and decreased at each live weight with dietary dilution (P ≤ 0.005). No significant period x diet interaction was found.
The effect of system of harvesting grass for silage on in-field and in-silo losses and milk output per hectare
Authors: Small J. , Gordon F.J. 
Published: June 2019

There has been considerable research into individual components of harvesting systems in terms of their effects on nutritive value and animal performance. However few studies have examined total harvesting systems, involving in-field and in-silo losses, nutritive value of the product and the effects on animal output per hectare. The present study was set up to examine these effects.Four systems of harvesting grass for silage were compared over each of 3 harvests during 1984. The systems were: single chop flail harvester direct cutting (SCD); double chop flail harvester direct cutting (DCD); mown with a rotary mower and picked up with a precision chop harvester either immediately (PCD) or after wilting until the dry matter concentration had increased by approximately 100 g kg-1 (PCW). The field wilting periods for PCW were 48, 48 and 24 hrs for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd harvests respectively.
The response of January/February calving british friesian cows to level of protein supplementation
Authors: Reeve A , Baker R D , Hodson R G 
Published: June 2019

There has been much recent debate about the protein requirements of lactatinq dairy cows, and this issue has been heightened by a general reduction in concentrate feeding in response to the imposition of milk quotas. Furthermore, the value of silage as a source of protein has been questioned widely. The objective of the present trial was to determine the effect of increasing supplementary protein on the performance of cows with ad libitum access to high quality grass silage.The trial, using January/February calving British Frieslan cows in second or subsequent lactations, was performed at Ravenscroft Hall Farm, Middlewich, Cheshire. Four groups of 15 cows were offered either 3 or 6 kg/head/day of cereal/soya/fishmeal based compound feeds containing either 214 (L) or 403 (H) g CP/kg DM, and high quality grass silage ad libitum.
The Comparative Effectiveness of Urea and Ammonia For Improving The Nutritive Value of Straw
Authors: Sherwood R.P. , Owen E. 
Published: June 2019

Treatment of straw with sodium hydroxide or ammonia to improve its nutritive value to ruminants is now well established. However, these chemicals are corrosive and not ideal for use on farms. Urea has been proposed in recent years as an ammonia precursor for the treatment of straw. Urea is a safe (non-corrosive) chemical to handle in both the solid and aqueous form, and could be applied to straw by the farmer himself without the need for specialized contractors. The aim of the work reported was to determine whether urea is an effective alternative to ammonia for the treatment of straw.In two preliminary trials treated straws were evaluated by determining digestibility in vitro (Tilley and Terry 1963). The first trial showed that for optimum improvement in digestibility, at least 70g urea/kg straw dry matter (DM), and a moisture content of approximately 500g/kg, were required.
Carcass compositional changes in beef cattle during the grazing season
Authors: Hinks C E , Hunter E A , Lowman B G , Neilson D R 
Published: June 2019

Information relating to the carcass composition of grass-fattened beef cattle in the UK is not only limited in extent, but is also frequently uni-dimensional, in that the quantitative changes in carcass composition with time cannot be readily assessed. Furthermore, the methods used in selecting animals for slaughter (the visual appraisal of condition) introduces a source of non-random variation that cannot be removed with statistical confidence.The primary objective of the analysis reported here, therefore, was to evaluate the effects of time on carcass composition and thereby provide information upon which objective production strategies could be based.48 fattening steers and heifers (16-19 months old and 355 kg liveweight) of two contrasting breed types (Charolais x Hereford x Friesian and Hereford x Friesian) were summer grazed at a stocking rate of 5 animals per hectare. The animals were randomly allocated (at the start of the grazing season) to three slaughter points covering a 12 week period from early July to early October. The commercial saleable meat yield of the left side of each animal was measured together with compositional data from rib sample joints.
Growth and Carcass Composition of Implanted and Non-Implanted Heifers and Steers Reared Together
Authors: Keane M. G. , Drennan M. J. 
Published: June 2019

The national cow herd consists of 1.64m dairy and 0.43m beef cows. They produce a total of 1.76m reared calves annually. Of these 0.42m heifers go as herd replacements, leaving 0.46m heifers and 0.88m males available for beef production. There is a 2:l ratio of males to femaies in the population of calves available for beef production. Also, there are few straightbred dairy heifer calves available and the mean birth date of heifer calves for beef production is later than that cf males. The objectives of the present experiment were (i) to compare the performance and carcass composition of non-implanted and implanted heifers and steers and (ii) to compare the carcass composition of serially slaughtered non-implanted and implanted heifers.Sixty tour (48 female and 16 male) Spring born Hereford x Friesian calves (initial live-weight 45 kg) were purchased and reared on milk replacer and concentrates. After 81 days they were blocked on weight and assigned from within sex type to 8 treatment groups.
Effect of oestradiol -17β implantation on responses of Frieslan steers to dietary UDP concentration
Authors: Newbold J.R. , Buttery P.J. , Cole O.J.A. , Garnsworthy P.C. , Haresign W. 
Published: June 2019

An experiment was designed to assess the effect of altered growth potential (oestradiol status) on the response of intensively-reared steers to variations in UDP concentration. Observed growth responses were compared with those predicted by current protein evaluation schemes (ARC, 1980, 1984).Nine steers implanted with oestradiol -17β (‘Compudose 365’, Elanco Ltd) and nine non-implanted steers were fed on each of four diets from approximately 130 to 300 kg liveweight. The all-concentrate, iso-energetic diets used supplied a constant level of RDP slightly above that recommended by ARC (1980) and levels of UDP both above and below ARC (1980) recommendations (Table 1).Dry matter intake was recorded daily and liveweight weekly. The metabolisable energy system (MAFF, 1984) and the ARC (1980, 1984) protein evaluation system were applied to the feed intake and diet composition results recorded during the experiment in order to generate predictions of growth rate for each treatment which could then be compared with the observed growth rate.
Estimated halothane gene frequency in eight British pig breeding companies
Authors: Southwood O.I. , Curran M.K. , Simpson S.P. , Webb A.J. 
Published: June 2019

Eight breeding companies contributed foundation stock for a joint experiment on lean growth at the Animal Breeding Research Organisation (ABRO) and Wye College. All animals were test-mated to halothane positive (HP) reactors and incidences of HP reaction among progeny were used to estimate the frequency of the halothane gene (n) in the original herds. Estimated incidences of HP were compared with those observed in an earlier 1979 survey.260 British Landrace (LR) were test-mated to HP (expected nn) LR at Wye, and 186 Large White (LW), including 18 boars standing at national AI centres, were test-mated to HP LR, Pietrain-Hampshire or LR x (LW x Norwegian Landrace) at ABRO.Offspring were given a 4-minute halothane test at an average age of 50 days in LW and 76 days in LR. Numbers tested and incidences of reaction are shown in Table 1. Herds are coded ‘A’ to ‘I’ for anonymity. Purebred LR in herds A, C, D, E, H and I were halothane testec in advance and only halothane negatives (HN) were supplied for test-mating.
The evaluation of selection in a crossing ram breed to improve litter size in sheep.
Authors: Hoste S. , Smith C. 
Published: June 2019

Five genotypes were compared as sires of crossbred ewes from Scottish Blackface dams. These included Border Leicester (BL), New Zealand Romney (R) (from two group breeding schemes where selection had emphasized litter size), and three lines from the composite A.B.R.O. Damline (DL). Selection of the male and female lambs in the purebred DL flock was:
a)for an average of 5.5 years on a Ewe Index of eight week litter weight (Martin and Smith, 1980).b)for an average of 3.5 years on a Testis index, combining testis size (adjusted for body weight) and Ewe Index of eight week litter weight both components receiving approximately equal weight andc)a random bred control.These five genotypes (two rams per genotype per year for five years) were group mated (sires of individual ewes were not known) with Scottish Blackface ewes on an upland farm in Ayrshire.
Response to selection in welsh mountain sheep
Authors: Guy D R , Croston D , Jones D- W , Williams G L , Cameron N D 
Published: June 2019

In 1976, ten members of the Welsh Mountain Breed Society, established Camda Cynwyd Ltd as a co-operative society. The stated aim is to breed slightly bigger Welsh Mountain ewes that lamb easily and rear heavier lambs whilst retaining the hardiness and other beneficial traits of the breed.A nucleus flock of 150 ewes was created in 1976 with the more productive ewes out of each member's MLC recorded flock. Camda hired facilities for keeping and recording the nucleus flock at the ABRO hill farm, Rhydglafes, North Wales for six years. Anticipating the disposal of the ABRO farm by the AFRC in 1984, a lease was obtained on a 340 acre hill farm at Cernioge Mawr, Pentrefoeias, and the flock transferred there during the summer and autumn of 1982. Each year, fifty high performance, mature ewes (immigrants) were introduced to the nucleus from members flocks, until 1984 when it was closed.