bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of ad lib feeding on the efficiency of energy utilization in growing and lactating cattle
Authors: Tolkamp B.J. , Ketelaars J.J.M.H. 
Published: June 2019

Recently, we have proposed a new theory of feed intake regulation in ruminants (Ketelaars and Tolkamp, 1992a,b; Tolkamp and Ketelaars, 1992). This theory attributes great significance to the efficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) utilization for feed intake regulation. In brief, we assume that feed intake behaviour of ruminants aims at maximizing the ratio of net energy intake (representing the benefits of feeding) relative to oxygen consumption (representing the metabolic costs of feeding). Starting from this assumption, we have shown that knowledge of the efficiency of ME utilization obtained under conditions of restricted feeding can be used successfully to predict voluntary intake (Tolkamp and Ketelaars, 1992).If, indeed, voluntary feed intake and the efficiency of ME utilization are so intimately related, the question comes up what the effect of ad lib feeding is on the overall efficiency of ME utilization (total net energy intake, NEI, as a fraction of ME intake, MEI). This paper investigates this question by means of model calculations for growing and lactating cattle according to the UK energy evaluation system.
Relationships between observable oestrous behaviour and the number of heifers in oestrus
Authors: Pullar D , Collins C.A 
Published: June 2019

The accurate detection of oestrus in beef and dairy cows prior to AI or embryo transfer (ET) is essential if optimal pregnancy rates are to be acheived. In dairy cows under normal husbandry conditions only 55% of normally cycling animals are correctly detected in oestrus and inseminated at the appropriate time (Esslemont and Bryant 1976). The use of pedometers, changes in milk yield, milk progesterone and trained sniffer dogs are all methods which can significantly improve the oestrus detection and hence pregnancy rates acheived by AI (Phillips and Schofield, 1988: McLeod, Foulkes, Williams and Weller, 1991; Jezierski, 1988) . However, oestrus detection by visual monitoring is still the most widely used method of detection.To ensure high pregnancy rates from AI or ET when visual oestrus detection methods are used the form and range of behaviours which cattle perform needs to be understood. There are a wide range of oestrus behaviour patterns displayed both within and between individual cows so deciding on the correct time for AI or ET depends on interpreting the available evidence. This paper reports the behaviour of maiden heifers during natural oestrus and following a pharmacologically induced oestrus (designed to synchronise the time of oestrus for a number of heifers). By understanding the range of oestrus behaviour patterns guidelines can be established for observation methods and the interpretation of oestrus behaviour. This should enable the prediction of the optimum times for AI or ET. A corresponding improvement in the number of pregnancies should be acheived.
Superovulation in the ewe: the effects of source of gonadotrophin, season, breed and age
Authors: Fernie K. , Dingwall W.S. , McKelvey W.A.C. , FitzSimons J. 
Published: June 2019

The potential rate of genetic improvement which can be achieved in sheep through the use of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) is limited by the great variation in the response of ewes to superovulation treatments. Factors which have been shown to influence natural ovulation rate in the ewe include season, breed, age and the administration of exogenous gonadotrophins from different sources. The following study was conducted to examine the effects of these factors on the response of ewes to superovulation treatments, with a view to increasing the mean ovulation rate and to concurrently decrease the between-ewe variability.During the course of 4 experiments a total of 170 ewes (Suffolk and Texel) were treated with 45mg progestagen-impregnated intravaginal pessaries (Chronogest: Intervet Laboratories Ltd.) for a period of 12 days. Sixteen ewes had no further treatment and were used as controls. The remaining 154 ewes, were treated with one of two exogenous gonadotropin preparations on days 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the progestagen treatment period (day 0 = pessary insertion). One group (n = 76) was treated with a porcine pituitary extract (pFSH) and the second (n = 78) with a highly purified ovine FSH (Ovagen: Immuno-Chemical Products).
The effects of handling on stress parameters before religious slaughter in sheep and cattle
Authors: M.H.Anil  , Yesildere T. , Çoteliöglu Ü. , Nazli B. 
Published: June 2019

Religious slaughter methods which preclude the use of preslaughter stunning have been subject to controversy for many years. Three fundamental questions have been raised and need clarification: Does the preceeding handling of the animal cause undue stress, is the sticking wound during cutting and afterwards painful, and how long does it take before permanent insensibility is reached. This study has attempted to answer the first question about the stress of handling cattle and sheep prior to religious slaughter. Eight slaughter sheep previously fitted with jugular vein catheters for blood sampling were used. The first sample was taken in the holding pen and animals were transported to the University's slaughterhall (approx. 500m). The legs of sheep were tied together for restraint on arrival. A second sample was taken immediately prior to religious slaughter which was performed within 2 minutes. A third sample was taken from the exsanguinated blood from the wound made with a gash stick
The Effect of Slaughter Handling System on Levels of Stress Indicators in Pig Serum
Authors: Weeding C.M. , Guise H.J. , Hunter E.J. , Penny R.H.C. 
Published: June 2019

This experiment was conducted under commercial conditions to establish the response of various blood parameters to handling in the period immediately prior to slaughter under a variety of conditions.Pigs from four farms were slaughtered at two abattoirs, each with two slaughter handling systems. Pigs at abattoir one were electrically stunned (low voltage, 110v) either in a floor pen (FPl) holding five pigs or in a single pig conveyor restrainer (RR). Pigs were driven in groups of 25 thrQugh a straight race 1.5m wide to FPl. The race system leading to RR consisted of a collection pen holding 25 pigs. This pen was stepped in two places and led to a 10m single file race which fed the restrainer. Abattoir two also had a floor pen system (FP2) with low voltage (11Ov) stunning, and a CO2 dip-lift system (CO2). FP2 was fed by a single file race 7m long with a 90° curve within the first 2m. The CO2 stunner was fed by a circular collection pen 3m in diameter, with a rotating gate moving pigs into a double race 3m long which supplied the dip-lift unit.
The Effect of Cubicle Mats on the Behaviour, Health and Productivity of Dairy cows.
Authors: Ball P J H , McEwan E E A , Offer J E 
Published: June 2019

The use of cubicle mats for dairy cows has been promoted on the basis that they encourage cubicle occupancy, thus improving hygiene, and reduce the incidence and severity of udder and leg injuries. It has also been suggested that cows are less stressed so that fertility and production performance is improved, thus increasing profitability. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of synthetic cubicle mats (Cow Comfort, Wigan) on dairy cattle behaviour, health and productivity.The first study used 33 cows offered a choice of 24 matted cubicles and 24 unmatted cubicles arranged in alternating groups of four. The cows were observed every half hour for 24 hours and their location (in or out of cubicles) and behaviour (standing or lying and whether ruminating) recorded. The second was a changeover experiment in which two groups of 28 cows were housed for two periods, each of at least two months, on either matted or concrete cubicles. In each period cow location and behaviour was recorded half hourly for a 24 hour duration. The 1·19 X 2·17 metre cubicles had Dutch Comfort divisions and all were bedded with sawdust. Cow health, reproductive performance and lameness were monitored throughout.
The Use of Time-budgets in the Assessment of Animal Welfare in the Horse; “Are Changes in Time-budgeting indicative of changes in Welfare?”
Authors: Marsden M.D. 
Published: June 2019

Based upon the concept of ethological need, changes in time-budgeting from the baseline of that of feral conspecifics are considered to be detrimental to welfare. However, it is argued that domestication changes innate abilities and expectations, and that changes in behaviour may be appropriate adaptations to changes in environment. These opposing ideas present a difficulty in the use of time-budgets in the assessment of animal welfare.This paper shows how experimentation can aid the interpretation of changes in behaviour seen in horses kept in a variety of environments, and so validate the use of time-budgets in the assessment of welfare.Six 24 hour time budgets were compiled for 4 Thoroughbred geldings, aged 12-19, 15 - 16·5 hh, weighing 490 - 600 kg. They were kept in a variety of environments; (i) at pasture (approx. 7000 m2/head) (ii) in loose boxes (14 m2/head) fed hay ad libitum, (iii) in stalls (6 m2/head) fed hay ad libitum, (iv) in stalls fed hay to maintenance (v) in stalls fed pelleted hay to maintenance and (vi) in stalls fed alfalfa-maize cobs to maintenance, for one month at a time, in random order.
The effects of food level and a foraging device on the behaviour of sows
Authors: Young Robert J. , Lawrence Alistair B. 
Published: June 2019

Economic and production reasons dictate that the breeding stock of domestic pigs are normally fed a food ration less than their ad libitum intake (Whittemore 1987), and commercial levels of food restriction have been shown using operant conditioning to result in sustained feeding motivation (Lawrence et al 1988). However, operant conditioning procedures can be criticised on the basis that they impose artificial conditions on the animal.The practice of food restriction with dry sows has been directly linked to the performance of stereotypic behaviour (Appleby and Lawrence 1987) which maybe interpreted as an indicator of poor welfare (Mason 1991). Stereotypies in sows have often been associated with physically restrictive housing such as stalls and tethers. However, stereotypies can also develop in loose housed sows if they are also food restricted (Terlouw et al 1991). The performance of stereotypies may then reflect underlying feeding motivation and the subsequent potentiation foraging behaviour (Hughes and Duncan 1988). Stereotypies may arise where restrictive housing in some way interferes with the expression of that foraging behaviour perhaps by modifying or channelling complex and variable foraging behaviour into more simple and often repeated forms (Lawrence and Terlouw, in press.
Effect of body condition and breeding history on the reproductive performance of twenty month old female breeding sheep
Authors: Mitchell Linda M , King Margaret E 
Published: June 2019

Ovulation rate in the ewe is positively related to body condition score (Gunn, Doney and Smith, 1979). For optimum performance it has been recommended that ewes should be in body condition score 3.5 at mating (MLC. 1981). However excessive fatness (body condition score 3.5 and above) has been associated with a reduction in lambing performance as a consequence of increased embryo mortality (Rhind, Gunn, Doney and Leslie. 1984).Previous studies at the Scottish Agricultural College-Aberdeen (King and Mitchell. 1990) have demonstrated superior reproductive performance for twenty month old female breeding sheep (gimmers) which have bred successfully as ewe lambs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of body condition and breeding history (bred or unbred at eight months of age) on fecundity.
Whole-crop barley as a supplementary feed for dairy cows grazing at two sward heights
Authors: Hargreaves A. , Leaver J.D. 
Published: June 2019

In previous research grazing dairy cows showed no response to whole-crop barley silage (WCB) cut at different stages of growth, but the crop yield and quality, and DM losses were optimised at 350 to 450 g DM/Kg (early to hard dough) (Hargreaves and Leaver, 1992). However tha effect of herbage availability on the response to WCB supplementation is not known, therefore the objective of this study was to examine this effect during mid to late summer.Winter barley (var. Puffin) was harvested on 16th July at 380 g DM/Kg (soft dough) and a yield of 14 t DM/ha. The chopped material was stored in a bunker silo.
Rate of growth and timing of growth and moulting of secondary fibre in Siberian and Icelandic X Feral goats fed high and low levels of dietary protein
Authors: Rhind S M , McMillan S R 
Published: June 2019

The weight of secondary fibre (including fibre ˂18µ diameter (cashmere)) produced by goats differs greatly between genotypes. The reasons for such differences are unknown but may include differences in rate of growth, duration of the period of growth, the number of secondary hair follicles and fibre diameter.Studies of the effect of dietary protein level on secondary fibre production have so far indicated that there is little potential for nutritional manipulation of fibre yield. However, these studies have been confined to breeds which have relatively low yields of fibre.
The effects of urea treatment, urea supplementation and coarse milling on the nutrient intake of sheep fed barley straw.
Authors: Termanini A. , Goodchild A. , Treacher T. , Rihawi S. , Owen E. 
Published: June 2019

Farmers in the Middle East have traditionally chopped cereal straw during threshing to produce tibn for feeding to sheep. They say this reduces feed selection and waste, and have recently developed hammer mills with large screens to make a similar product from combine-harvested straw. Some nutritional advisers have recommended urea or ammonia treatment of straw as an alternative to (or in addition to) this. These processes improve digestibility and nitrogen content. The nitrogen content of the ration may also be improved by supplementation using a smaller quantity of urea (Greenhalgh 1984).Coarse milling is said to allow particles to flow rapidly from the rumen, to reduce rumen fermentation and to increase the quantity of nutrients digested in the small intestine. Part of the fibre that escapes the rumen is fermented in the large intestine. But because digestion of the microbial protein formed in the large intestine is less efficient than in the rumen, coarse milling is likely to increase animals’ protein requirements.
An Assessment of Source of Supplemental Dietary Fat During Early Gestation on Fetal Survival and Fetal Measurements in Swine
Authors: Lindemann M.D. , Rigau A.P. , Kornegay E.T. , Harper A.F. 
Published: June 2019

The greatest loss in litter size occurs prior to farrowing. That loss is the embryonic or fetal death loss; this is normally 25-40% of the number of eggs ovulated in swine. Recently a report from Canada (Fengler et al., 1990) demonstrated an improvement in embryo survival of about 14% with the dietary supplementation of oils in early gestation. The Canadian research supplemented the diet at a rate of 4% with either safflower oil or olive oil. The assumption tested and discussed was related to the role of linoleic acid (C 18:2w6) in swine diets. Linoleic acid is thought to be the only essential fatty acid needed by swine and it can be found in large amounts in many fats and oils.Interestingly, in the analysis of the fatty acid composition of the embryos, the only significant difference in the embryonic fatty acid content was an increase in the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (C 22:6w3) in embryos from those sows fed diets supplemented with oil. Docosahexanoic acid is not found in plant oils; however, through a series of metabolic reactions swine can manufacture this fatty acid from another fatty acid - linolenic acid (C 18:3w3). There are three good sources of linolenic acid from plant origin; those sources are linseed oil (from flax), canola oil (from rapeseed or canola) and soyabean oil. The positive results which they observed then may have been due to trace amounts of linolenic acid in the oils which they evaluated.
Vertical ‘reach’ capacity of sheep and goats fed through barriers
Authors: Muhikambele V.R.M. , Owen E. , Owen J.E. 
Published: June 2019

A previous study with sheep and goats (Muhikambele, Owen & Owen, 1992), measured horizontal reach for food offered through barriers on platforms at 0, 25, 50 or 75 cm above ground. At 75 cm, some animals were unable to reach the food, and in the other animals, reach length was reduced compared to reach at lower platform-heights.The present study measured reach in a vertical plane. The information, together with that from the previous study, is aimed at modelling ‘reach’ in sheep and goats, with the overall objective of designing mangers for small-ruminant, stall-feeding systems.
Ingestive behaviour of cows grazing grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation
Authors: Rook A. J. , Huckle C. A. , Penning P. D. , Wilkins R. J. 
Published: June 2019

Huckle, Rook and Wilkins (1993) have reported elsewhere in this meeting the production responses of cows grazing grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation. In order to understand these responses more fully the ingestive behaviour of the animals was studied in detail.Multlparous Holstein-Friesian cows with a mean calving date of 21 March were continuously stocked on mixed grass-clover swards. The cows were blocked by calving date, parity and milk yield in week two of lactation and randomly allocated to one of six treatments, 0 (U) or 4 kg (3.44 kg DM) (S) concentrate supplementation (180 g CP/kg DM, 12.8 MJ ME/kg DM) with swards maintained at 4, 6 or 8 cm compressed (rising plate) sward height by adjusting the grazed area. In order to avoid the possibility of social facilitation occurring between supplemented and unsupplemented animals, two paddocks were maintained at each sward height with the concentrate treatments alternating daily between the paddocks at each height. Jaw movements were recorded automatically over a 24 hour period for a different cow on each treatment for each of 6 days between 15 and 25 June 1992, using the apparatus described by Huckle, Clements and Penning (1989).
Relationships Between Social Dominance and Feeding Behaviour in Lactating Heifers During Periods of Heavy Competition
Authors: Kenwright A.D. , Forbes J.M. 
Published: June 2019

Previous research has shown that social dominance in dairy herds can be measured using replacements of one cow by another at feed stations (Rutter et al,1987). When there is competition for feed or space, the motivation to engage in physical and non-physical agonistic interactions will be stronger than if resources are freely available. When resources are limited, social dominance becomes very important and high ranking animals have priority.This becomes especially important after cows are returned from milking and/or when fresh feed is added when the number of cows is far greater than the number of feeding spaces (Campling and Morgan, 1981). This experiment aimed to further investigate the way in which social interaction between cows affects the feeding behaviour, particularly at times of peak feeding activity.
The generation of non-ruminant transgenic animals with cellulolytic capacity.
Authors: Hall J. , Ali S. , Azim Surani M. , Hazlewood G.P. , Clark A.J. , Simons J.P. , Hirst B.H. , Gilbert H.J. 
Published: June 2019

In non-ruminant livestock the energy which can be derived from dietary cellulose and xylan is limited by the inefficient microbial fermentation of these polymers in the hind-gut. Furthermore, in poultry, cereal-derived plant structural polysaccharides impair normal digestive function through the formation of gel-like structures that trap nutrients which are therefore unavailable to the animal. The nutrition of non-ruminant livestock could be significantly improved by the depolymerization of plant structural polysaccharides, through the introduction of cellulase activity in the small intestines of these animals. This report describes the generation of transgenic animals with the capacity to express and secrete a functional endoglucanase from the exocrine pancreas.The gene encoding endoglucanase E (celE) from Clostridium thermocellum was fused to the exocrine pancreas specific enhancer of the elastase I gene and the (β-globin polyadenylation signal, and used to create 14 lines of transgenic mice. A range of tissues were assayed for cellulase activity, using β-glucan and 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-cellobioside as substrates. The pancreas was also subjected to immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
Studies on sorted x and y enriched populations of bull spermatozoa
Authors: Miller N.G.A. , Howes E.A. , Cran D.G. , Johnson L.A. 
Published: June 2019

There have been many attempts to separate X- and Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa on the basis of surface charge or density (Schröder, 1941; Bhattacharya et at., 1966; Engelman et al., 1988; Blottner et al., 1992). These have not met with universally accepted success. More recently, sorting has been achieved using the flow cytometer (FACS) to discriminate between the very small differences (3-4%) in DNA content of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa (Johnson et al., 1989; Cran et al., 1993). However, the spermatozoa must be ‘flat headed’ e.g. rabbit, chinchilla, horse, pig, cattle and sheep.The flow cytometer (fitted with a U.V. laser) was adapted to accept a bevelled inlet tube. This gave us a ‘ribbon-like’ profile of the sample stream which forced the spermatozoa into a specific orientation.Semen was collected from healthy bulls of proven fertility and within 1/2 hr. was diluted to 1 x 107 per ml. and stained with Hoechst 33342 (5-10/μm) for 1 hr. at 35°C. Only those spermatozoa emerging from the 70μ nozzle that were edge-on to the 90° detector were selected as X or Y by the 0° detector. Gated intact spermatozoa were positioned into individual drops and then charged positive or negative for later deflection and collection into tubes containing egg yolk medium.
Prospects for mapping bovine genes affecting disease and production.
Authors: Simpson SP , Williams JL 
Published: June 2019

A map of the bovine genome will be an important tool for identifying genes causing congenital defects, and those controlling disease susceptibility and production traits in both beef and dairy cattle. Over 300 genes have already been mapped and a low resolution map should be available within two years. We are actively involved in the EC funded European Bovine Genome Mapping Group. To date our work has involved the development of markers and studies of experimental designs, two necessary precursors of a large scale bovine genome mapping project. In this article we briefly describe ongoing projects underpinning and improving the prospects for mapping bovine genes affecting disease and production.For a linkage map of the bovine genome to be of use, the markers should display high levels of polymorphism. The most common markers on the map of the human genome are restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), however these are usually diallelic, often with one allele at high frequency. We have been concentrating our efforts on the production of a relatively new class of marker, the micro-satellite.