bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of molassed sugar beet feed either ensiled or fed separately with big bale grass silage on silage quality and performance of male castrate sheep
Authors: Rouzbehan Y , Galbraith H , Topps J H , Weddell J R , Fenlon D R , Perrott J G 
Published: June 2019

There is an increasing interest in the production of grass silage in big bales. As with the making of silage in clamps, there is scope for considerable loss of effluent which results in a reduction in nutritive value of silage in addition to possible effects on environmental pollution.Molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF) has been used as an absorbent in the production of clamp silage. Additional benefits may accrue from an improved silage fermentation as a consequence of the presence of readily fermentable carbohydrate in molasses contained in MSBF. In turn, an improvement in fermentation may lead to better intake and utilization of the silage by ruminant animals.This project was carried out to assess the effect of inclusion of MSBF, at two different levels, with grass at ensiling on the nutritive value of big-bale silage and on animal performance. The results on animal performance were compared with those obtained from offering a similar amount of MSBF pellets as a supplement to silage given alone.
Comparison of date palm leaves with barley straw for friesian and holstein cows given a high concentrate diet in kuwait
Authors: Bahman A M , Topps J H 
Published: June 2019

In Kuwait there is a high demand for forage and roughage to meet the livestock needs for the production of milk and meat. Kuwait dairymen are obliged to feed their animals a diet with high concentrate and low roughage content for economic reasons, i.e. the unit cost of roughage is greater than that of concentrates due to a government policy of subsidising imported concentrates, but not roughages. There is a need to find a locally produced source of roughage to encourage higher levels of inclusion and to reduce feed costs.This experiment was designed to compare the effects of feeding locally produced date palm leaves rather than imported barley straw to Friesian and Holstein cows given a high concentrate diet.
Exponential smoothing parameters when batch sizes are unequal
Authors: Simpson SP , Cook GL , Walters JR 
Published: June 2019

Performance testing at central test stations and on farm testing are primarily used to select superior breeding stock. Since there may be environmental differences between batches, contemporary comparisons are often used in which each pig's performance is compared with its group's mean.When batch sizes are small, the accuracy of selection can be improved by using an exponentially smoothed average for the contemporary mean of the form where xt is the exponentially smoothed average, the mean of the present batch and po the smoothing parameter.When batch sizes are variable, too much emphasis is placed on the current mean when the batch is smaller than average, and conversely for batches larger than average, there is too little emphasis on the current mean. Two alternative smoothing parameters are proposed which take into account variation in batch sizes. The accuracy with which pigs of superior genetic merit could be identified using the conventional and the alternative smoothing parameters was investigated by simulating batches of pigs and calculating the proportion of pigs correctly identified as being of superior genetic merit.
Integration of grazing and whole-crop wheat for calves in spring
Authors: Castejon M. , Leaver J.D. 
Published: June 2019

Feeding urea treated whole crop wheat (WCW) to calves in the spring as an alternative to grazing has the potential advantage of releasing grassland for silage or for cropping. The higher yield/ha of whole crop wheat compared with grass makes this feasible.The objective of this experiment was to examine the intake and performance of calves in the spring, on conventional grazing, on whole crop wheat and on a combination of the two.
Relationship between dietary protein, mohair fibre and carcass characteristics and fatty acid composition of angora goats
Authors: Galbraith H , Baloyi J J , Scaife J R 
Published: June 2019

There is a developing interest in the use of fibre-producing goats in the United Kingdom. Information on nutritional requirements under UK conditions and for different genotypes of goats is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate further the role of dietary protein in determining the yield and quality of (a) mohair Fibre and (b) meat with emphasis on fat composition in Angora goats.Ten Texan cross male castrate Angora goats aged about 10 months and weighing 21.6 kg initially were used. They were individually penned and allocated to good quality diets containing (per kg dry matter (DM)) approximately 10 MJ metabolisable energy and either 110 (LP) or 178 (HP) g crude protein. The diets were restricted to intakes of 37 g/kg liveweight (LW) and the study lasted for 70 days. The goats were weighed weekly and food intake was recorded daily. Blood samples were collected pre-feeding by jugular venepuncture at approximately 0900 hrs on day 0, 35 and 70 and at 07.30,09.00,10.30,12.00 and 13.00 hrs on day 63.
Effect of body condition on ovarian sensitivity to exogenous FSH in ewes in which endogenous gonadotrophin secretion is suppressed
Authors: McMillen S.R. , Rhind S.M. , McNeilly A.S. 
Published: June 2019

The results of previous experiments indicate that the effect of body condition (BC) on ovulation rate is mediated through changes in the number of large, potentially ovulatory, ovarian follicles. However, these differences in follicle populations were not associated with consistent differences in gonadotrophin profiles. It was therefore postulated that effects of level of BC on follicle development and ovulation rate are due to differential ovarian sensitivity of FSH.Two groups of 20 Scottish Blackface ewes were fed differentially so that they achieved mean (±s.e.m.) body condition scores of 1.78±0.017 (Low; L) and 2.94±0.031 (High; H) by 2 weeks before sample collection. They were then fed to maintain these body conditions throughout the remainder of the experiment. Four weeks before study, Alzet minipumps (Charles Rivers UK Ltd.) containing GnRH agonist (buserilin; Hoechst AG; Frankfurt, F.R.G.) were inserted, subcutaneously, in all ewes. This treatment partially suppresses FSH secretion and totally inhibits LH pulses so that growth of ovarian follicles >2.5 mm in diameter is inhibited.
The biological basis of animals’ responses to man
Authors: Hemsworth P. H. 
Published: June 2019

With the exception of the immediate family, many humans interact more with domesticated animals than they do with other humans. These interactions are often frequent and intense and consequently complex and strong social relationships can be formed between humans and domesticated animals. Results of recent research on the interactions between humans and farm animals indicate some surprising and substantial consequences for the animals and the objective of this paper is to review some of this recent research, particularly that concerned with the biological basis of the response of farm animals to humans. The results of recent research by my colleagues and I, particularly on commercial pigs, will be utilized heavily in this paper.In intensive animal production the animal frequently has to respond to the presence of humans and to handling by humans. One of the main motivations of the animal which will determine the animal's response to humans is fear. Although there is debate concerning the concept and measurement of fear, we have adopted a functional approach in studying the behavioural responses of farm animals to humans.
Effects of feeding low levels of high protein concentrates differing in protein source on milk production of dairy cows
Authors: Fitzgerald S. , Murphy J. 
Published: June 2019

Studies reported by Mayne (1990) and Slater (1989) have shown that the yield of milk achieved by feeding a low level of a high protein concentrate with a good quality silage fed to appetite was comparable to that obtained by feeding higher levels of a conventional concentrate containing a normal level of protein (160-180g CP/kg). These results would indicate that there is considerable scope to reduce concentrate feeding levels and reduce feed costs when good quality grass silage is available. However, in previous studies at this centre (Murphy, 1987) very low levels (2.4 kg/d) of high protein concentrates (400-450 g CP/kg) fed with a good quality grass silage reduced milk production compared with a moderate level (6 kg/d) of a normal protein concentrate (160-180 g CP/kg).The present study was carried out to clarify the position and to establish the benefit of including a source of undegradable protein, e.g. maize distillers grains or fishmcal in place of soyabcanmeal in the prolein concentrate.
Evaluation of crestar for synchronising oestrus in maiden heifers used as embryo transfer recipients
Authors: Tregaskes L D , Broadbent P J , Dolman D F , Grimmer S P 
Published: June 2019

Progesterone or progestogens can be administered either intravaginally or via ear implants. The ear implant Synchromate B (SMB) has been used widely in the USA and Europe. SMB (Ceva laboratories) utilises a 6mg norgestomet ear implant with an intramuscular injection of 5mg oestradiol valerate and 3mg norgestomet. Crestar (Intervet, UK) is a similar regime but the ear implant contains 3mg norgestomet. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of Crestar as a synchronising agent for potential recipients in an embryo transfer programme.A total of 334 Hereford x British Friesian maiden heifers, housed in straw bedded pens were allocated at random to be synchronised using either a PRID (Sanofi) plus prostaglandin; or a Crestar (Intervet, UK) regime. Equal numbers of heifers received each treatment.
Effects of temperature and feeding level on growth and feed efficiency of farmed rainbow trout
Authors: McCavana K. , McCracken K.J. 
Published: June 2019

Feeding level is a major factor in maximising feed efficiency and reducing effluent pollution in fish farming. In previous studies on stocking density, feeding levels used in normal commercial practice were employed. The results tended to suggest that these levels were too high for maximum feed efficiency. Consequently a series of trials was undertaken at different times of year to study the effect of feeding level, at a range of water temperatures, on growth and feed efficiency.Three 21 d trials were conducted in early winter, spring and late summer, to avail of different water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations. Four different feeding levels (22, 19, 16 and 13 g/kg bodyweight) were used in each trial. Trials one and two had three replicates of the four levels and trial three had two replicates. Identical adjacent ponds (18 m3) were used in each trial and were randomised for feeding level. Initial weights were 30, 50 and 20 g in trials one, two and three respectively.
The use of fibre length measurements and patch sample weights as predictors of yield and down weight in a population of cashmere goats
Authors: Roger L C , Waterhouse A , Scanlan S 
Published: June 2019

The coat of the cashmere goat is made up of two components: a valuable down (cashmere) and the outer guard hair. Industrial processing is required in order to separate them. Yield is defined as the weight of down as a fraction of total fleece weight. An accurate assessment of yield or down weight is essential in order to determine the relative merit of an animal.Yield is expensive to determine objectively in the laboratory, and a yield figure is also required if down weight is to be calculated directly from fleece weight. Several Australasian studies have shown good correlations between calculated down weight and down length measured on the animal, and a relationship between yield and cashmere and guard hair lengths has also been demonstrated (Winter at al, 1985). However there is no published information on these relationships derived from Australasian or Siberian cross ferals bred in the UK.The weight of a sample patch of fibre shorn from a measured area on the animal’s midside has been used as a predictor of fleece weight, either to predict the full fleece weight later in the season or when, for practical reasons, fleece weight cannot be obtained (Russel and Bishop, 1990). This experiment investigated these relationships in a group of cashmere goats.
Feeding motivation of sows fed a sugarbeet pulp diet
Authors: Brouns F , Edwards S A , English P R 
Published: June 2019

Voluntary food intake of dry sows fed ad libitum diets containing high levels of unmolassed sugarbeet pulp (SBP) was low in comparison to those fed other high fibre diets (Brouns et al., 1991). It is not known whether this is caused by a taste aversion, or whether physical/metabolic effects during digestion restrict intake. In this experiment the feeding motivation of sows fed SBP diets was determined by measuring their rate of feeding.Twelve multiparous pregnant sows housed in straw bedded pens, but individually fed in feeding stalls, were used for this experiment. The sows were allocated between two treatments according to their measured rate of eating when given a standard diet on 2 pretrial days. Treatments were 2.3 kg of a diet containing 500g/kg SBP or 2.0 kg of a barley-based diet (C) (Table 1) providing the same total DE. Both diets were fed once a day in pelleted form. Any refusals were recorded to calculate intake.
The effects of maxgrass treatment of bale silage on the performance of beef cattle
Authors: Weddell J R 
Published: June 2019

Studies with beef cattle (Kennedy and Carson, 1991) and dairy cattle (Chamberlain et al, 1990) have shown responses in dry matter intake of silage and animal performance through applying Maxgrass silage additive to unwilted herbage ensiled in clamps. Maxgrass (BP Chemicals Ltd) contains (weight/volume) 68% ammonium hexamethanoate, 11% ammonium hexapropanoate and 2% octanoic acid.Research at Aberdeen has shown the benefits of using both inoculant (Weddell, 1990a) and formic acid based (Weddell, 1990b) additives on big bale silage which now constitutes around 15% of the total silage dry matter ensiled in the UK. The present study compared the effects on silage composition, animal performance and storage losses of Maxgrass treated with untreated big bale silage.Second cut perennial ryegrass herbage was wilted to a mean DM content of 230 g/kg then baled by fixed chamber baler. Mean water soluble carbohydrate was 100 g/kg DM. Alternate groups of six bales were left untreated or treated with Maxgrass silage additive at 7.4 1/tonne wilted grass.
Effects of the chemical composition of silage and of supplementary concentrates on rumen fermentation in sheep
Authors: Martin P.A. , Chamberlain D.G. , Robertson S. 
Published: June 2019

Extent of fermentation in the silo can, through effects on silage composition, have important consequences for milk yield and composition. However, a poor understanding of the relationships between the chemical composition and digestion characteristics of silage, and of the implications for nutrient supply, makes it difficult to predict performance and to formulate concentrates to complement silages of different types. The 2 experiments presented here were conducted to determine rumen fermentation patterns for a range of silages, representative of restricted or enhanced fermentation in the silo, when supplemented with concentrates containing a high proportion of either starch or digestible fibre.In each experiment 8 rumen-fistulated sheep were used to compare 8 silages, each given with 2 concentrates. Each experiment was conducted as four 4x4 Latin squares, with 2 silages given with each concentrate in a single square. Silages 1-12 were prepared from perennial ryegrass swards, harvested within 2-5h of cutting, precision-chopped to a length of approximately 20 mm, and ensiled in bunker silos of 60- or 300-tonne capacity.
The genetics of lean meat estimators in a suffolk sire referencing scheme
Authors: Pollott G.E. , Guy D.R. 
Published: June 2019

The use of ultra-sound scanning to estimate fat and muscle dimensions in live sheep is increasing in Britain. When used in the appropriate recording and genetic schemes these measurements, in conjunction with other information, can be used to estimate body composition in the live animal. Pollott and Guy (1992) have outlined the background and organisation of a sire-referencing scheme in the Suffolk breed, in Britain.The use of BLUP techniques in this scheme requires the use of appropriate genetic parameters derived using the same model as that used for BLUP estimations. Computer programs utilising the Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) technique with the individual animal model have recently become available for use with on-farm recorded data (Meyer, 1989,1991). Data from the Suffolk Sire-Referencing Scheme Ltd (SSRS) were analysed, using DFREML procedures, to estimate the genetic parameters of the lean meat estimators used in the scheme.
An evaluation of the Duroc breed as a component of cross-breeding programmes: 2: Meat quality traits
Authors: Warkup C C , Lowe D B , Warriss P D 
Published: June 2019

There has been substantial interest in the possible increased usage of the Duroc by the British pig industry. This followed several reports which indicated improved meat quality traits and advantages for Duroc cross females in sow productivity. An evaluation of productivity, carcase and meat quality traits of Duroc crosses was carried out as the second trial at the Stotfold Pig Development Unit.Large White x Landrace, Duroc x Landrace and Duroc x Large White females were mated to either Large White, Duroc x Large White or Duroc males to produce slaughter generation pigs. Sibling same sex pairs of entire males, castrated males and females were reared on either ad libitum or restricted feeding regimens to slaughter weights targeted to produce carcases of 55 kg, 65 kg and 85 kg.
The proximate and flavanol contents of some fodder tree leaves
Authors: Acamovic T , Gurung H B , Stewart C S 
Published: June 2019

The cultivation and uses of trees is important and varied in many areas of the world. The benefits include soil improvement and stabilisation, shade for other plants, provision of wood and fodder for ruminant animals.Tree leaves are important sources of micro- and macro-nutrients for ruminants in many parts of the world including Nepal and Portugal especially when other plant fodders are scarce (Topps, 1992). Thus improvements in livestock production may benefit from an increased and/or selective use of tree fodders. The proximate composition and tannin (flavanol) content of plants including tree leaves, considerably influences the nutritive value (Goodchild & McMeniman, 1991; Kumar & Vaithiyanathan, 1990; Longstaff, et al.,1991; Makkar et al 1991).
Differences in heart rate response at feeding between stall housed and group housed sows
Authors: Marchant J.N. , A.R.Rudd  
Published: June 2019

The scientific assessment of farm animal welfare requires an amalgam of different measures of both physiology and behaviour. Behavioural measures are relatively easy to obtain but non-invasive measures of internal physiology are somewhat harder to achieve. An increase in the use of applied physiology in training regimes of human athletes, has led to an improved technology of heart rate monitors, making the measurement of heart rates painless and easy to record.The objective of this experiment was to use a human heart rate monitor to investigate differences in heart rate response at feeding between sows housed in three different dry sow housing conditions. Schouten et al (1991) have demonstrated differences in heart rate response at feeding between loose-housed and tethered sows. In the study reported here, stall-housed sows were compared with sows housed in small groups and sows housed in a large group with an Electronic Feeder System (EFS).
Effect of silage type and supplementation with sucrose or lactic acid on rumen fermentation in dairy cows
Authors: Doherty J G , Mayne C S 
Published: June 2019

Recent studies have shown increased silage intake and improved milk fat concentration in dairy cows offered restricted compared to extensively fermented silages (Chamberlain et al., 1990; Mayne 1992). Changes in milk composition may be related to increased intake per se and/or alterations in rumen fermentation parameters. A study was therefore undertaken to examine the effects of silage fermentation type, dry matter intake and the addition of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) or lactic acid on rumen fermentation parameters in dairy cows.Two direct cut grass silages were prepared using either an inoculant (Ecosyl, 3 1/t, ICI. pic) or Maxgrass (BP Chemicals, 6 1/t). Five silage only treatments were offered to four ruminally fistulated dairy cows in a five period, partially balanced, changeover design experiment. Each period was of 4 weeks duration. Treatment 1: Inoculant treated silage (I), 2: Maxgrass silage (M), 3: Maxgrass ad-libitum (MAL), 4: Inoculant + sucrose (500 g/day) (IS), 5: Maxgrass + lactic acid (200 ml/day) (ML).
The effect of breed on the relationship between food composition and the efficiency of protein utilisation in young pigs
Authors: Dotas D , Kyriazakis I , Anderson D H , Emmans G C 
Published: June 2019

It has been suggested (Kyriazakis and Emmans, 1992a, b) that the material efficiency with which the pig can retain protein (ep), is directly proportional to the energy:protein ratio of the diet (R), so that ep = k.R. This hypothesis accounts for the finding that the rate of protein deposition can sometimes be increased by increasing the energy supply at a constant rate of protein supply.It is also possible that the constant of proportionality, k, is a genetic variable, although it was proposed, partly for the sake of simplicity, that there would be no genetic effects on the value of k. To test the propositions: (i) that ep is proportional to R, and (ii) that k does not differ between genotypes, an experiment was designed and carried out on two pig breeds which were expected to be very different from each other.
Influence of urea treatment of straw amd of type of protein supplement on the milk production of cows fed maize silage and straw
Authors: Sylvester T. , Leaver J.D. 
Published: June 2019

The widespread availability of large amounts of cereal straw has led to a growing interest in its use in ruminant livestock although it has a low content of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen. Treatment and/or supplementation of nitrogen, energy and minerals are necessary for optimal utilization of straw.The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of different sources of nitrogen supplements offered with straw-based diets on the milk yield and milk constituents of dairy cattle and digestibility of diets.
The effects of feeding a polymer gel to dairy cows in early lactation
Authors: Garnsworthy P.C. 
Published: June 2019

A polymer of acrylic acid has been used continuously on a number of dairy farms throughout the UK for the past five years. The polymer is fed as a gel and absorbs 100 times its own weight of water. Commercial farmers report that the polymer allows them to reduce concentrate allowances whilst maintaining milk yields. The results of an experiment with grazing cows in late lactation were reported to this meeting in 1988. It was found that the polymer did not affect milk yield but caused a significant increase in the rate at which cows laid down body reserves.There is a lack of experimental evidence to support the commercial findings for cows in early lactation and little information on the mode of action. The main experiment reported here was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding a polymer gel to dairy cows in early lactation and in vitro studies were performed to investigate the mode of action.