bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value for milk production of artificially dried forages as cobs and pellets
Authors: Milne J. A. , Thomson E. F. , Campling R. C. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwo experiments were conducted to compare the milk-producing value of dried forages in the form of cobs and pellets as replacements for a standard dairy concentrate. Four levels (0·33, 0·44, 0·55 and 0·66 kg/kg milk) of dried forage or standard dairy concentrate were offered in addition to a basal ration of 6 kg hay and 2 kg standard dairy concentrate. In both experiments the rate of eating by the cows of cobs was significantly slower (P<0·05) than that of pellets. No significant difference was found between the cobs and pellets in either experiment in their value for milk production. In Experiment 2 the standard dairy concentrate had a non-significantly higher (P>0·05) milk-producing value than the dried lucerne. Level of feeding had a significant positive effect on the milk yield (P< 0·001) of cows offered the dried grass and lucerne and on the milk solids- not-fat content (P<0·05) and live weight (P<0·01) of cows offered the dried grass, lucerne and standard dairy concentrate.
Rearing of dairy cattle 8. Relationships of dietary energy intake, changes in live weight, body condition and fertility
Authors: Baishya N. , Morant S. V. , Pope G. S. , Leaver J. D. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn each of 2 years, two groups of 25 British Friesian heifers were given, respectively, a moderate- and a low-energy diet for a 12-week period. Mean live-weight gains of 0·25 kg/day and 0·45 kg/day were recorded for the moderate-energy diet, and losses of 0·22 kg/day and 013 kg/day for the low-energy diet. Heifers were inseminated artificially at oestrus at approximately the mid-point of the 12-week period, this oestrus being the next observed after synchronized oestrus, which followed luteolysis induced by cloprostenol injections. With few exceptions, heifers that gained weight were in good or medium condition at insemination and those that lost weight were in medium or poor condition.Highest pregnancy rate (0·78) was recorded for heifers that gained weight and were in medium condition at insemination. For heifers losing weight, pregnancy rate dropped to 0·46 (P < 0·05) due to reproductive failure occurring before the 25th day after insemination. Only in heifers in poor body condition was there a significantly higher proportion failing to ovulate normally (P < 0·001). Among heifers gaining weight, those failing to become pregnant to the first insemination were approximately lOOg/kg heavier than the pregnant ones (P<0·05).Irrespective of gain or loss of weight, and of body condition at insemination, embryo losses did not occur later than the 25th day after insemination, except that five heifers that showed oestrus when pregnant (according to plasma progesterone levels) and were reinseminated then showed evidence of embryo loss.
A note on the response of growing rabbits to varying levels of sodium hydroxide-treated straw
Authors: Lindeman M. A. , Brigstocke T. D. A. , Wilson P. N. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo trials were conducted at the BOCM Silcock Development Unit at Stoke Mandeville. The first trial evaluated the response on doe and progeny, from mating to 8 weeks after parturition, of rabbit compound diets containing 0, 100, 200 and 300 g sodium hydroxide-treated straw per kg. Performance data showed no detrimental effect of inclusion levels up to 300 g sodium hydroxide-treated straw per kg despite its high sodium concentration.A second trial was made to ascertain whether these findings were due to the treated straw itself or to increasing sodium concentrations. A standard rabbit compound diet containing 2·5 g sodium per kg was compared with diets containing either 5·0 or 10·0 g sodium per kg, and with experimental compound diets containing either 80 g sodium hydroxide-treated straw or 80 g untreated straw per kg and both containing 2·5 g sodium per kg. Peak food conversion was estimated to occur at a dietary sodium concentration of 4·6g/kg, although the slope of the dose response curve was not statistically significant at the P ≤ level.The results indicate that compound diets containing up to 80 to lOOg sodium hydroxide-treated straw per kg may be fed to rabbits and that inclusion of levels of up to 300 g sodium hydroxide-treated straw per kg are not detrimental to performance. On the other hand, an inclusion of 80 g untreated ground straw per kg in compound diets for rabbits had a growth-depressing effect.
The effects of carbadox on the performance and carcass characteristics of early-weaned pigs given high- and low-protein diets
Authors: Campbell R. G. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThirty-six male pigs weaned at 28 days of age were used to study the effects of methyl-3-(2- quinoxalinylmethylene) carbazate-N1, N4-dioxide (carbadox) in high- and low-protein diets on the performance of pigs growing between 7 and 32 kg live weight, and on carcass characteristics at the latter weight.The inclusion of carbadox (55 mg/kg) in a high-protein diet containing 195 g crude protein per kg and 10·2 g lysine per kg had no effect on performance or on carcass characteristics. Pigs offered the high-protein diets grew more rapidly, had a lower food conversion ratio and were leaner at 32 kg live weight than those offered a lowprotein diet containing 146g crude protein per kg and 6·0 g lysine per kg. Supplementation of the low-protein diet with lysine (4·2 g/kg) had no effect on performance or carcass characteristics but the inclusion of carbadox in the low-protein diet increased growth performance and reduced carcass backfat measurements at 32 kg. However, the performance was inferior, and the backfat thickness greater, compared with the high-protein diets. On the other hand, supplementation of the low-protein diet with lysine plus carbadox raised growth performance and reduced carcass backfat measurements to the levels exhibited on the high protein diets.
Effects of cereal and protein supplements to swedes (Brassica napus) on intake and performance of pregnant and lactating ewes kept indoors
Authors: Vipond J. E. , Hunter E. A. , King Margaret E. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIndividually penned Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn and Suffolk × Scottish Halfbred ewes were used to study the effects of supplementing diets based on ad libitum swedes. Supplementing a pregnancy diet of ad libitum swedes plus 225 g of hay with 454 g of a barley/soya bean meal supplement per day had no effect on swede intake or ewe performance in terms of the birth weight and survival of lambs born. Level of swede intake during late pregnancy was constant.In early lactation, ewes offered ad libitum swedes plus 225 g hay per day were supplemented with 454 g of either barley or soya bean meal daily. Soya bean meal supplementation resulted in a 014 increase in swede intake to give a daily intake of 113g dry matter per kgM 0·7·5 and a total live-weight gain of 218kg in early lactation compared with a loss of 2·53 kg by barley-supplemented ewes. Lamb daily gain increased by 54g per day. The results are discussed in relation to trends towards the housing of ewes and current feeding practices for lactating ewes.
The effect of change and level of nutrition on the reproductive performance of group-fed dairy heifers
Authors: Ducker M. J. , Yarrow N. , Morant S. V. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTOne hundred and sixty Friesian heifers were allocated to two groups 8 or 9 weeks before artificial insemination and group-fed to gain live weight at 0·8 or 0·3 kg/day. Half the heifers of each group were moved to the other group 2 weeks before first insemination. All heifers received two intramuscular injections of prostaglandin (cloprostenol) 11 days apart, followed by inseminations at 72 and 96 h after the second injection.The feeding regimes applied did not significantly affect the fertility of groups of heifers as measured by pregnancy rates to fixed-time or all inseminations. There were significant differences between pregnant and nonpregnant heifers within groups where changes in feeding levels were imposed (P<0·1 to P<0·01). Heifers whose growth rate was most severely checked, or whose body condition deteriorated relative to others in the group, were less fertile. For heifers changed from the low to the high plane of nutrition, those experiencing the greater increase in growth rate and body condition were more fertile than others.No relationship was found between live-weight change, plasma glucose concentrations and fertility. In a second trial 158 Friesian heifers received two injections of cloprostenol 11 days apart, followed by inseminations at 72 and 96 h after the second injection. After the fixed-time inseminations the heifers were divided into two groups and were group-fed to gain live weight at 0·8 and 04 kg per head per day. Although the mean live-weight gain of the high group was significantly higher than that of the lower group (P<0·001), the overall pregnancy rates were not significantly different.
The influence of winter nutrition, grazing system and stocking rate on the performance of spring-calving Hereford × Friesian cows and their calves 1. Winter nutrition
Authors: Baker R. D. , Le Du Y. L. P. , Barker J. M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn three experiments the effects of giving Hereford × Friesian cows 61 to 64 MJ/day of metabolizable energy in the last 8 weeks of pregnancy, followed by either 49 to 56 (L) or 85 to 100 (H) MJ/day for the first 8 weeks of lactation, were determined. A further comparison was made in experiment 3, in which energy intakes were restricted to 46 and 64 MJ/day (M) in the two periods respectively. The L and M groups had a similar average weight loss of approximately 55 kg over winter whereas the H groups maintained their weight. The L and M treatments had a negligible effect on milk production at 3 weeks post calving but they caused a significant depression at 6 weeks in experiments 2 and 3. Milk energy and protein concentrations were reduced in all three experiments. Calf growth was similar on both treatments in experiment 1 but was 9 to 13% lower in experiments 2 and 3 for the L and M groups compared with the H group. Reproductive performance was not significantly affected. There was a substantial increase in milk production for all groups on turnout to grazing. This was greater for the L and M groups so that their summer milk production was almost equal to that of the H group. Cows from L and M groups gained more weight at pasture. By the end of the trials cows and calves from all treatments had similar weights except in experiment 3, when cows from the L and M treatments were still lighter than those from the H treatment.
The effect of daylength on the growth of lambs 4. Daylength extension to 20h under practical conditions
Authors: Jones R. , Forbes J. M. , Slade C. F. R. , Appleton M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT1. Four experiments were performed to study the effects on the growth of lambs of extending natural daylength to 20 h with dim artificial light, under management conditions similar to those on commercial farms.2. Thirty-six female lambs aged 6 months were given a concentrate ration at a restricted level in groups of nine; there was significantly faster live-weight gain in the two groups that received extra light but no effect on carcass weight or linear measurements.3. Forty-eight castrated male lambs were fed either ad libitum or at a restricted level on a concentrate diet; half were given additional light. Feeding ad libitum gave faster growth than restricted feeding but there were no significant effects of daylength.4. One hundred and fourteen lambs of mixed sex were offered silage ad libitum plus one of three concentrate supplements at an average of 0·25 kg per head per day. Half were exposed to 20·h daylength from mid-October until slaughter in mid-January. There were no effects of light treatment on growth or carcass weights.5. The fourth experiment was a repeat of the third and again there were no effects of extended daylength.6. It is concluded that this method of controlling daylength is not appropriate for commercial use.
A note on the effect of monensin supplementation on growth and food utilization in young calves
Authors: Ben-Asher A. , Ilan D. , Levy M. , Holzer Z. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe effect of monensin supplementation on suckling male dairy calves was studied on a commercial farm. Twenty-eight calves were given monensin supplements from the age of 1 week and compared with a similar group not given monensin. During a 52-day suckling period, the supplemented calves gained 0·12 faster, with little difference in the conversion ratio of metabolizable energy into live weight. During the subsequent 42 days, there was no difference in daily gain, but the supplemented animals were 0·064 more efficient in the conversion of metabolizable energy into live weight.
Growth and estimated heat balance of pigs raised under different housing conditions during summer in southern australia
Authors: Stone B. A. , Heap P. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT1. An experiment was carried out to describe growth rate, efficiency and thermal balance of pigs accommodated in three different housing conditions during summer in southern Australia.2. Housed pigs grew at a similar rate to those in an outside pen with a wallow and shelter (418g/day compared with 404g/day respectively; P > 0·05), and both groups utilized food with similar efficiency (food conversion ratios of 3·07 and 3·14 respectively; P > 005). A group accommodated in an outside pen with a wallow but no shelter grew at a significantly slower rate (347g/day; Z <001) with a lower efficiency of food conversion (3·35; P < 005) than either of the other two groups. At slaughter, pigs housed outside without shelter showed a significantly higher dressing proportion (0·749; P < 005) and had less backfat (11·6mm; P < 0·05) than the inside group (0·723 and 13·4mm respectively).3. Estimated heat storages at 12.00 h of pigs housed inside and outside without shelter were respectively, and approximately, 50 and 18·5 × greater than in those pigs housed outside with shelter.
The use of a danscanner ultrasonic machine to predict the body composition of Hereford bulls
Authors: Alliston J. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTUltrasonic measurements, using a Danscanner, were taken of the m longissimus dorsi and overlying fat at the 10th and 13th ribs, and 3rd lumbar vertebra, of 50 Hereford bulls with ages ranging from 400 to 600 days, just prior to slaughter and side dissection.The analysis adjusted the data for live weight and day of slaughter, and the precision of carcass lean and fat prediction was examined. The standard deviations of total fat and lean in the carcass at constant live weight were 40 and 33 g/kg respectively.The best single measurement of fat depth for predicting fat proportion was fat depth taken 125 mm from the midline at the 13th rib (residual s.d. = 21·8g/kg). The best combined predictors of both total fat and lean proportions in the side were fat depth 125 mm from the midline at the 13th rib, fat depth 75 mm from the midline at the 3rd lumbar vertebra, and fat area at the 10th and 13th ribs, and 3rd lumbar vertebra, with residual s.d. of 20·5 and 19·6 g/kg for fat and lean proportions respectively.The results confirm that ultrasonic scanning is now able to give a useful indication of the body composition of live cattle.
Breed and environmental factors affecting the reconception of indigenous beef cows in Botswana
Authors: Buck N. G. , Light D. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe breeding records of 2710 lactating cows, of the Africander (1208), Tswana (542) and Tuli (960) breeds, were analysed to examine the effects of breed and environment on reconception. The reconception rate of Africander cows (0·56) was significantly lower than that of Tswana and Tuli cows (0·80 and 0·81 respectively) (P<0·01). The environmental effects of ranch, calving year, calving period and age/parity all had significant effects on reconception (P<0·01). Interactions between breed and the other main effects were all significant.The Africander is considered to be a breed of lower fertility than the other two Sanga breeds, the Tswana and Tuli, in Botswana. The results are discussed with respect to determining management interventions to improve cow reproductive performance.
The electronic prediction of commercial yield and lean content in pig carcasses
Authors: Jones S. D. M. , Haworth C. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTOne hundred and fourteen pig carcasses were measured within 1 h of slaughter for fat thickness at three locations using the SFK Fat-O-Meater. The three fat thickness locations were the last rib and 3rd and 4th last ribs measured 70 mm from the dorsal mid-line over the m. longissimus, and the lumbar fat thickness which was recorded on the anterior face of the m. glutens medius on the dorsal mid-line of the split carcass. Lean depth measurements were also recorded at the last rib and 3rd and 4th last ribs for all carcasses. After overnight chilling the leanness of each carcass was estimated using an EMME SA-1 machine. The carcasses were then separated into the major tissues. The weight of trimmed North American commercial joints (standard of 6 mm subcutaneous fat) and their lean content were best predicted by half carcass weight (residual s.d. = 0·78 and 1·23 kg respectively), whereas the EMME machine readings alone had low precision (residual s.d. = 1·51 and 1·41 kg respectively). The proportion of North American commercial joints in a carcass and their lean content were best predicted by lumbar fat (residual s.d. = 16·5 and 25·8 g/kg). The digital readout of lean content provided by the EMME machine appeared to be more related to carcass weight than lean weight, as residual s.d. for regressions increased when the overall sample was divided into two weight classes. Multiple regression equations indicated that half carcass weight and fat thickness measurements gave the best precision to predict joint and lean weights, whereas fat thickness and lean depth measurements gave the best prediction of carcass joint and lean proportions.
Influence of nutrition on pre-partum plasma levels of progesterone and total oestrogens and post-partum plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in suckling cows
Authors: Gauthier D. , Terqui M. , Mauleon P. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo groups of suckling Charolais cows were fed at different levels of nutrition from 70 days before the estimated date of calving until 45 days after calving, to study the effects of reduced dietary intake on pre-partum plasma levels of progesterone and total oestrogens (conjugated + unconjugated) and post-partum plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Eight control cows received a ration containing the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique's recommendations for all nutrients, while 10 cows received a restricted diet which supplied approximately three-quarters of the recommended amounts for energy and nitrogen.The mean weight of the two groups of cows was similar at the beginning of the experiment but the restricted group had a significantly lower weight just before calving than the control group (678 v. 766 kg; P < 0·05).After calving, cows ont he low diet had a weight loss of 600 g/day, while those on the control diet gained 300 g/day. During the last 45 days of pregnancy underfeeding did not significantly affect oestrogen levels, but progesterone levels increased proportionally by 0·24 (P < 0·01).During the first 45 days of lactation underfeeding decreased the number of cows showing oestrus (0/10 v. 4/8) and significantly decreased both luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels at 5, 15 and 30 days post partum.Furthermore, the correlation between mean daily gain (0 to 45 days post partum) and luteinizing hormone concentration on day 30 was highly significant (r = 0·58; P < 0·01; no. = 19). These results suggest that the delay of the first post-partum ovulation in the underfed cow is due to low gonadotropin levels.
Physiological attributes as possible selection criteria for milk production 3. Plasma hormone concentrations and metabolite and hormonal responses to changes in energy equilibrium
Authors: Land R. B. , Carr W. R. , Hart I. C. , Osmond T. J. , Thompson R. , Tilikaratne N. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTPlasma hormone concentrations and metabolite responses to changes in energy equilibrium were measured in experiments designed to compare a) Hereford × Friesian with Friesian calves and b) Friesian calves sired by bulls with a high level of Improved Contemporary Comparison with those sired by bulls of a low level. The concentration of thyroxine and triiodothyronine tended to be greater in calves of higher dairy merit. The concentration of growth hormone was largely unrelated to dairy merit in the circumstances studied. The concentration of insulin was greater in Hereford × Friesian than in Friesian calves following feeding and following the injection of propionate. Responses to the injection of insulin and of growth hormone (as measured by changes in the plasma concentration of urea nitrogen, free fatty acids, glucose or the other hormone) were little affected by the level of Improved Contemporary Comparison of a calfs sire.It was concluded that the thyroid system and the response of insulin to perturbation of energy balance may provide criteria of genetic merit for milk production which are neither age- nor sex-limited.
Optimal mature size of angus cows for maximum cow productivity
Authors: Stewart T. S. , Martin T. G. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTLifetime maternal performance records of 113 Angus cows born over a 12-year period were used to estimate the relationship between cow size characters, mature size (A) and maturation rate (K), and lifetime maternal performance characters, years in the herd (YH), number of calves (NC), total calf weight (TW), average calf weight at weaning (AW) and calf weight per year in herd (kg/year). Pertinent reproductive management of the herd was: heifers were mated to calve as 2-year-olds; any heifer failing to calve or any cow failing to wean a calf a second time was culled; all matings were to purebred Angus sires. Mean cow mature size was 487 ± 5 kg with a maturation rate of 0·058 ± 0·001. Means for maternal characters were: YH, 7·4 ± 0·4; NC, 6·4 ± 0·3; TW, 1283 ± 71; AW, 200 + 1·8; and kg/year, 173 ±5·1. The correlations between maternal characters and A and K, respectively, were: YH, −0·21, 0·15; NC, −0·21, 0·15; TW, −0·16, 0·12; AW, 0·20, −0·15; and kg/year, 0·05, −004. The regression of maternal characters on mature size was quadratic in every instance with optimal cow size for each character being: YH, 468; NC, 465; TW, 471; AW, 493; and kg/year, 475. The optimal cow size for average weight of calf weaned was 18 to 25 kg heavier than the optimal size for those characters associated with fertility. Relationships between maturation rate and maternal performance were not statistically significant.
A note on synchronization of oestrus in post-partum cows with prostaglandin F2α and a progesterone-releasing device
Authors: Beal W. E. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSuckling post-partum cows treated for oestrous synchronization exhibited oestrus and became pregnant earlier in the mating period than untreated cows. Combined treatment with a progesterone-releasing device and prostaglandin F2α synchronized oestrus in a greater proportion of the cows than treatment with prostaglandin Fα alone (P < 0·01). The combined treatment appeared to induce ovarian activity in post-partum anoestrous cows that were approaching their first ovulation.