bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspects of intertidal ecology with reference to conservation of Scottish seashores
Authors: Wilkinson Martin 
Published: June 2019

SynopsisSome of the more basic features of intertidal rocky shore communities are reviewed in order to point out the biological variability of this habitat type. This means that biological survey of them could be very detailed or could alternatively be based on physical features combined with basic community data. A previous conservation survey of Northern Ireland has shown that habitats and their communities can be classified without as much data as is customarily collected in transect surveys. In the Scottish context there is a particular variety of shores meriting conservation on the west coast sealochs. So far no intertidal effects of fish fanning have been demonstrated on them. Seaweed harvesting is localised although it may need control in the longer term. It is suggested that a change in the approach to protect areas might enable such habitats to be given protection without necessarily pursuing all the biological survey possible in such diverse habitats. East coast shores and those of the Solway area are less well-known but merit further study.
The conservation of marine mammals in Scottish waters
Authors: Thompson Paul M. 
Published: June 2019

SynopsisScottish coastal waters contain populations of both common and grey seals. In addition, the area is used by at least thirteen cetacean species. National and international agreements are in place which aim to protect these species. However, limited data on the ecology of marine mammals and on the threats which their populations face has prevented the implementation of an effective conservation strategy for marine mammals.This paper reviews current information on the distribution, abundance and population dynamics of seals and cetaceans in Scottish waters. It then outlines the nature and likely extent of threats to these species from human impacts such as incidental killing, disturbance, pollution. Finally, conservation and management objectives for Scottish marine mammal populations are discussed, particularly in relation to international treaties which require the U.K. to provide adequate protection measures.
Marine fouling
Authors: Sell David 
Published: June 2019

SynopsisA comparison of macrofouling assemblages on offshore structures in the North Sea has revealed some similarity in their general characteristics, with a predominance in climax communities of relatively few species, such as the plumose anemone Metridium senile (L.) and the soft coral Alcyonium digitatum L., covering large proportions of the substratum. Specific geographical differences in community composition, diversity and successional development have been identified, however, and these are discussed in relation to environmental conditions and larval dispersal. In practical terms, the conservation of offshore fouling communities depends upon the fates of structures supporting these assemblages. Since the U.K.'s approach to platform decommissioning could ultimately involve the in situ toppling of structures in sea depths greater than 100 m, there would appear to be little threat to the long-term existence of offshore habitats for deep-water fouling assemblages. Moreover, an abundance of largely uninvestigated habitats for fouling organisms exists on submerged wrecks and other man-made structures. Thus, there appears to be no basis for a conservation requirement in relation to the fouling communities on fixed structures in the North Sea.
Direct intrauterine versus cervical insemination:- effects on egg recovery and fertilization in superovulated ewes
Authors: Robinson J. J. , Wallace J. M. , Aitken R. P. 
Published: June 2019

The problem of partial or complete failure of fertilization following cervical insemination in superovulated ewes submitted for embryo transfer can largely be overcome by depositing semen directly into the uterine lumen. However this technique, when carried out by mid-line laparotomy in superovulated ewes is associated with a significant reduction in ovum recovery (Trounson & Moore, 1974; Boland & Gordon, 1978). Although the recent introduction of laparoscopic intrauterine (IU) insemination has now removed the need for major surgery when inseminating superovulated ewes its use in non-superovulated ewes often results in a slight depression in litter size (McKelvey, Robinson, Aitken & Henderson, 1985). Such results imply that it too may reduce embryo recovery rates. Indeed our initial experience with the widespread use of the laparoscopic technique to inseminate superovulated ewes, although devoid of proper conventionally-inseminated controls, gave disappointingly low values for embryo recovery.The present study was carried out therefore to determine the effect of direct intrauterine versus natural cervical insemination on egg recovery and fertilization rates in ewes superovulated using porcine FSH or PMSG and GnRH.
Genetic estimates for growth and carcass traits of pigs from closed herds on restricted feeding
Authors: Haley C.S. , Gu Y. , Thompson R. 
Published: June 2019

The major components of economic performance in pigs - growth rate, feed conversion ratio and carcass merit - have been the targets of selection for a number of years in the closed herds of breeding companies. Over the past 20 years substantial progress has been made for these traits. Declining fatness in closed herds may lead to a decline in the genetic variation for growth and carcass traits, and thus reduced opportunities for selection. This could arise either as genetic variation is exhausted in closed lines, or as physiological selection limits are approached. In this study genetic variation in closed lines with a history of selection for growth and carcass traits was investigated.The data were collected from two closed lines between 1979 and 1985 by the Cotswold Pig Development Company Ltd. The two lines were housed on a single farm in the same environment and had a history of selection based upon an index of growth rate and fat depths. There were 167 sires with 4722 male and 5386 female progeny in line A, a synthetic breed based largely upon the Landrace breed, and 164 sires with 4160 male and 3887 female progeny in line B, derived from the Large White breed.
Phenotypic and genetic variation for ovulation rate in Cambridge sheep
Authors: Hanrahan J.P. 
Published: June 2019

The Cambridge is a highly prolific composite breed derived mainly from the Clun Forest (53%) and Finnish Landrace (25%) breeds with minor contributions from ten other breeds (Owen et al 1980; Owen, 1982). Ovulation rate in Cambridge ewes is characterised by high variability (range 2-13; CV = 0.55) and high repeatability (r = 0.86) between years (Hanrahan and Owen, 1985). These observations suggest the segregation of a gene with a large effect on ovulation rate. Further investigations of variation in ovulation rate have been undertaken based on a small flock of Cambridge ewes and crossbred progeny of six Cambridge rams.Based on a single measurement of ovulation rate in October, 1983 on Cambridge ewes in the flock of University College of North Wales (UCNW) nine ewes were selected and imported to Ireland, together with four ram lambs, in August, 1984. The ewes chosen were those with the highest ovulation rate of those available (mean = 7.9) and the ram lambs were selected from dams with the highest ovulation rate (mean = 7.0). One additional ram lamb was purchased in 1985 from a private breeder in Northern Ireland who had purchased the parents from the UCNW flock.
The effect of compound level and silage quality on the performance of October calving dairy cows
Authors: Davies O D 
Published: June 2019

With the introduction of milk quotas, a greater emphasis was placed on reducing input costs in milk production systems. This has led to a reduction in compound feed usage and a greater dependance on home produced forage. The objective of this trial was to examine the effects upon silage intake, milk yield, milk quality and cow performance of feeding a flat rate of 3 or 6 kg of a 160 g/kg crude protein, cereal based compound feed to October calving Friesian dairy cows receiving ad libitum grass silage harvested either during mid May or early June.In each of two years, forty multiparous, October calving Friesian dairy cows were used in a 2 x 2 factorial design experiment to examine the effects of feeding two levels of compound feed as a supplement to grass silage harvested at two cutting dates.In each year silage was made from primary growths of late flowering perennial ryegrass swards harvested from the same fields either during mid May (H) or about fourteen days later in early June (L). The herbage was cut using a disc mower/conditioner, and left in the swath for about 24 hours prior to harvesting with a precision chop forage harvester.
‘1992 - Implications for the UK dairy industry’
Authors: Jones David 
Published: June 2019

The paper examines the implications of the completion of the EEC Single Internal Market by 1992 for the UK Dairy Industry. Four areas of change are considered, namely; physical, monetary, technical and cultural.The paper deals with the development of trade in milk and dairy products since the UK's accession to the European Community and contemplates the changes to trade patterns that might develop post 1992.
Protection of proteins from degradation in the rumen by heating in the presence of sugars
Authors: Wallace R. J. 
Published: June 2019

Heat and aldehyde treatments have been widely used to protect proteins from degradation in the rumen, and conditions that lead to an undegradable, but still digestible, product (bypass protein; BP) have been determined. The problem with these treatments is that the conditions that are used are quite severe, and damage to amino acids, particularly lysine, occurs. Excessive treatment can also yield an indigestible product. Recently, an alternative method involving the heating of soybean meal under milder conditions (150°C, 1 h) in the presence of glucose, fructose, xylose or lactose (non-enzymatic browning) was shown to yield a product high in UDP, but in which the lysine was predicted to remain available to the host animal [1-3].In the present experiments, casein was used as a homogeneous model substrate to investigate how wide a range of conditions can be used for effective treatment of proteins with sugars. Although casein is atypical in that it is one of the most rapidly degraded proteins available, the results point to a versatility in the sugar treatment process that will enable different sugars to be used according to the type of process available. Preliminary experiments with soybean meal suggested that an effective way of optimising this effect may be to encapsulate the protein supplement with a sugar-protein mix.
A comparison of near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy with three in vitro digestibility methods to predict digestibility in vivo in cereal straws
Authors: Givens D I , Everington Jeannie M , Baker C K 
Published: June 2019

There have been many attempts to use the measurement of cell wall fractions to predict the digestibility in vivo of untreated and alkali treated straws (see far example Sundstøl et al, 1978; Reid and Ørskov, 1987). All these attempts have shown this approach to have very low predictive ability for straws. Accordingly extensive use has been made of digestibility measurements in vitro using either rumen fluid (eg Sundstøl et al, 1978) or cellulase type enzymes (eg Jewell et al, 1986).Whilst in vitro methods appear to be useful predictors of digestibility in straws, they are slow and relatively expensive. The work reported here has compared their predictive power with that of near infra-red reflectance spectroscopy (NIR).A total of 123 cereal straws were used. These included 54 wheat, 43 barley and 4 oat straws all untreated and the 9 wheat, 9 barley and 4 oat straws oven-treated with ammonia previously described by Mason et al (1988).
Lamb performance on swedes supplemented with barley or soya bean meal
Authors: Dingwall W.S. , Vipond J.E. , Brown H.E. , Hunter E.A. 
Published: June 2019

Supplementation of finishing lambs fed swedes in situ has been traditionally achieved with cereals or 14% CP compound feeds. Crowing of winter cereals has reduced the availability of protein-rich grass runbacks and on most farms where lambs are consuming mainly swede bulbs there is likely to be a daily deficit of RDP of around 16 g RDP/day (0.15 of total requirement). Recent MLURI work (Milne pers comm) indicates that the normal RDP:ME ratio of ruminant diets of 7.8:1 may be inadequate in the unusual conditions of high rumen turnover rates and rapid fermentation associated with root feeding. Rowett feed evaluation work indicates higher ME values for swedes than previous estimates increasing energy:protein imbalance.This trial had two objectives; to study response to supplementation of swedes with soya bean meal compared to barley and to study whether holding lambs for 3 months inside on a straw based diet prior to finishing was an effective alternative to holding lambs on autumn grass outside. The potential advantages of this alternative are reduced competition for autumn grass between breeding ewes and finishing stock and better utilisation of sheep housing and arable by-products.
A Comparison of naked oats and barley in a silage-based diet for dairy cows
Authors: Martin P.A. , Roberts D.J. 
Published: June 2019

Of the cereals grown in the UK oats, and especially the recently developed naked oats, contain relatively large amounts of C18 fatty acids. Consistent with this, in a series of change-over type experiments substitution of oats or naked oats for barley in dairy cows’ rations reduced the proportion of saturated fatty acids and increased that of monounsaturated fatty acids in milk fat (Martin & Thomas, 1988a, b). These results indicated the inclusion of oats in cows’ diets to be a means of increasing the appeal of milk and milk products to the health-conscious consumer. The present experiment was conducted to assess the likely potential for dietary manipulation of milk fat composition using naked oats under commercial farming conditions.Thirty-two Friesian cows and heifers were used in a continuous design feeding trial which extended from week 3 to week 18 of lactation. The animals were paired on the basis of calving date, lactation number and pre-trial milk yield and, within pairs, were allocated at random to one of two diets.
The Effect of two different protein sources in the diet upon the incidence and prevalance of lameness in dairy cattle
Authors: Logue D N , Lawson A , Roberts D J , Hunter E A 
Published: June 2019

The importance of lameness in dairy cattle in UK in terms of its economic consequences and welfare considerations is well documented (Russel and others, 1982). While such epidemiological work has identified factors of importance in the aetiology of the various conditions associated with lameness it has been less successful in apportioning their relative importance, particularly for those conditions affecting the hoof. A series of experiments has been conducted at the West of Scotland College over the period 1983 to 1989 mainly investigating the relationship of nutrition and lameness. In one of these Manson and Leaver (1988) found a significant difference in the prevalence of lameness between two groups of cattle fed complete diets containing either 16.1 or 19.8% crude protein. They also found a significant increase in mean locomotion score (LS) and commented that further studies were needed to understand the dietary processes by which the hoof of the cow was predisposed to such problems.The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of the type of protein source in the concentrate upon the locomotion of the cows, the incidence and prevalence of lameness and finally on hoof hardness, shape, growth and wear.
Prediction of voluntary Intake of grass silage by growing cattle using ridge regression
Authors: Rook A. J. , Gill M. , Dhanoa M. S. 
Published: June 2019

Due to collinearity among the independent varlates, intake prediction models based on least squares multiple regression are likely to predict poorly with independent data. In addition, the regression coefficients are sensitive to small changes in the estimation data and tend not to reflect causal relationships expected from the results of controlled experimentation. Ridge regression (Hoerl and Kennard, 1970) allows the estimation of new coefficients for the independent variables which overcome these effects of collinearity. In order to assess the usefulness of the method for Intake prediction, ordinary least squares (OLS) models, obtained using backward elimination of variables, and ridge regression models were constructed from the same data and then tested with independent data.Estimation data consisted of results of experiments of IGAP, Hurley and Greenmount College of Agriculture in which growing cattle were individually fed grass silage ad-libitum with or without supplementary feeds. Two subsets of the estimation data were used. Subset A included 395 animals and 36 silages; subset B included 192 animals and 16 silages and was for Hurley data only.
Prediction of voluntary intake of conserved forages by cattle and sheep from degradability characteristics determined using synthetic fibre bags in sheep
Authors: Miller E.L. , Oddoye E.O.K. 
Published: June 2019

Hovell et al. (1986) proposed that degradation characteristics of forages, as measured in nylon bags, may have useful application in predicting voluntary intakes. They reported intakes of four hays by sheep were more closely related to the potential degradability of forage dry matter (DM) than to in vivo The present work was undertaken to examine these relationships with forages and with both young growing cattle and sheep.Seven forages were prepared with the objective of providing material wide range of voluntary intake. The forages were:(i)WS, wheat straw(ii)AWS, round-baled WS wrapped in 4 layers of overlapping plastic sheet (Silawrap; Volac Ltd), injected with 32% aqueous ammonia at the rate of 40kg/1000kg DM(iii)H1, first cut ryegrass hay(iv)H2, second cut ryegrass hay from the same field as (iii)(v)S2, 50% DM silage, baled and wrapped with Silawrap, prepared from the same crop as H2(vi)ES2, the same crop as S2 sprayed with a mixed enzyme preparation (Deezyme, Finnish Sugar Company Ltd.) at 0.81/tonne immediately before baling and wrapping with Silawrap(vii)AS2, S2 treated with aqueous ammonia in the wrapped bale as for AWS. All forages were fed in the long form except WS which was coarsely chopped through a straw chopper without any retaining screen into approximately 7cm lengths.
Long-term performance and body composition of sows given differing levels of feed intake during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Lee Pauline A , Close W H , Wood J 
Published: June 2019

The present experiment was designed to investigate the influence of variations in energy intake during both pregnancy and lactation on changes in body weight, backfat and body composition of the sow after four parities and the extent to which these may have influenced overall sow productivity.The experiment has been designed in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement involving two levels of feeding during both pregnancy and lactation. The feeding levels in pregnancy were planned to produce net maternal body weight gains of 30kg (H) and 10kg (L). At each of these, two feeding regimes were applied during a 3 week lactation, one being at a conventional level (H) and the other 25% below this (L). The experiment thus involved four groups of animals given different levels of feeding during both pregnancy and lactation, designated: High-High (HH), High-Low (HL), Low-High (LH), Low-Low (LL). No creep feed was provided to the piglets during the suckling period. At the start of the experiment the gilts weighed 115kg live weight with a backfat thickness at the P2 position of 18mm. They remained on the same treatment throughout four parities and were slaughtered after weaning their fourth litters when the carcasses were retained for analysis. Data are presented from 66 sows; 17(HH), 17(HL), 16(LH), 16(LL).
Farrowing site preference by sows
Authors: Arey D S , Petchey A M , Fowler V R 
Published: June 2019

At farrowing time, sows are normally confined in barren environments which prevent the performance of normal behaviour patterns. It has been argued that both the sows welfare and productivity may suffer as a result of these conditions, (Vestergaard and Hansen, 1984). Investigations into the feasibility of an alternative system in which the sows are not restricted have therefore been initiated. The main objective of the present study was to establish design criteria for voluntary accessed farrowing pens which will attract sows by providing them with their preferred environmental requirements.Previous observations, not reported here, were made of the pre-farrowing behaviour of sows housed individually in large pens which contained a deep sand floor and a straw dispenser. All the sows showed nest building behaviour which culminated in the production of a recognisable nest. Typically they had the following characteristics: a shallow depression; a straw lining and a nest rim which formed a low barrier around the nest. The experiments described here were designed to establish the preferences of the peri-parturient sow for preformed lying areas which incorporated these features.
The Response of silage-fed scottish blackface lambs to different levels of energy and protein supplementation with or without a store period
Authors: Povey Gillian M. , Webster G.M. , Weekes T.E.C. 
Published: June 2019

In the past, the use of silage-based diets for finishing lambs indoors has met with limited success. Good quality silage is required to maximize voluntary intake but liveweight gains on silage alone are still generally low (Reed, 1979). While cereal supplements have been shown to improve lamb performance at the expense of silage intake, additional protein may have a stimulatory effect on both (Yilala and Bryant, 1985). This trial was therefore designed to investigate the performance responses of silage-fed hill lambs to increasing levels of whole barley and fishmeal supplementation and to examine the effect of a store period on these responses.Two hundred and forty Scottish Blackface wether lambs, 5 months of age with a liveweight of 26.5 ± 0.18 kg (mean ± s.e.), which had all been reared as singles, were selected for the trial. On housing in September all lambs were kept under artificial lighting conditions of 14th light : 10h dark to remove the confounding effect of daylength.
A system for store lamb finishing from roots involving the slimming of overfat lambs and ad libitum concentrate feeding of underfinished lambs
Authors: Waterhouse A , Roger Louise C 
Published: June 2019

Traditional systems of finishing store lambs from roots are unpredictable and inflexible. Lamb genotype, sex and initial weight significantly affect potential performance and target weights for slaughter at currently fashionable levels of fat cover. Lamb performance can easily be affected by climate. Frequently, producers fail to match crop resources to lamb grazing due to the unpredictable finishing rates. Planning of sales especially to meet marketing contracts is also difficult. Problems are most significant with hill breed lambs and smaller crossbred lambs both which need considerable gains to achieve slaughter condition and weight. With heavy ‘forward’ stores overfat lambs can be a problem.Careful management, appropriate supplementation and regular handling all help to reduce problems but in many situations where labour and handling facilities are limited these inputs also increase costs and difficulties.