bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the lean content of lamb carcasses of different breed types
Authors: Kempster A. J. , Avis P. R. D , Cuthbertson A. , Harrington G. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYCarcass data for 424 castrated male lambs, comprising seven breed-type groups, were used toevaluate a series of linear measurements, subjective scores and the lean content of sample joints as predictors of percentage lean in carcass. The groups represented the main types of British lamb and mean carcass weights ranged from 12·8 kg (Welsh Mountain) to 20·8 kg (Lowland Longwool). Lambswere selected from commercial abattoirs to cover the ranges of fatness and conformation normally found in practice within each group. The pooled within-group S.D. for percentage lean was 3·70 and theoverall S.D. (ignoring groups) was 3·96.Predictors were compared in terms of precision and the stability of their prediction equations. Of the characteristics measured on the intact carcass, subjective scoring of external fatness gave the most precise prediction both within groups and overall (R.S.D.within = 2·82, B.S.D.overall = 3·17). Fat thickness over the eye muscle (0) was the best predictor among those taken on the quartered carcass (R.S.D.within = 2·76, R.S.D.overall =3·00). The most precise individual predictors were percentage lean in the best end neck and shoulder joints (R.S.D.within = 1·51 and 1·59 respectively). Among pairs of predictors not involving dissection, the combination of C and percentage kidney knob and channel fat in the side gave the most precise prediction (R.S.D.within = 2.51, R.S.D.overall = 2·68). The stability of the prediction equations between groups tended to increase with the precision of the predictors. Among the more precise predictors, the equation for percentage lean in the leg was a notable exception, being particularly variable from one group to another.
A note on the difference between blood urea of buffalo and cow calves
Authors: Mehra Usha R. , Nath K. , Ranjhan S. K. , Chetal Urmila 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThree buffalo calves and four Holstein x Hariana cross-bred calves of 4–6 months of age were fed for 21 weeks either on a normal protein ration according to National Research Council (1966) standard or 25% below or above it. The scheme of feeding was as follows:Blood urea was determined every week from 6th to 21st week except in 10th, 14th and 15th week. When the animals attained the age of 15–17 months, their blood urea was again determined.Blood urea of buffalo calves was found to be significantly higher than that of cow calves under similar conditions of feeding from 4 to 11 months of age. This difference disappeared at 15–17 months of age. Probable causes for this difference between species are discussed. Blood urea in both species tended to increase on high protein and decrease on low protein rations.
Effect of sodium on the growth of and ion uptake by barley, sugar beet and broad beans
Authors: Hamid A. , Talibudeen O. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effect of soil salinity (ECerange 2–9 mmhos/cm) on the growth of and ion uptake by barley, sugar beet and broad beans (crops increasingly sensitive to salinity) was investigated in a glasshouse experiment.Barley and sugar-beet yields benefited from the added Na in the soil but broad beans were always adversely affected. Changes in growth and ion uptake are discussed in terms of Na:K synergism and antagonism.Sodium:potassium antagonism was observed in barley just after germination, and in sugar beet throughout growth, but not in barley at other growth stages nor in broad beans. Greater Na uptake promoted increases in dry-matter yields of all plant parts with barley and sugar beet, indicating that Na played a specific role in their metabolism. In sugar-beet roots, sugar concentrations and dry-matter yields increased with added Na by half as much more than without added Na, suggesting that Na is an essential nutrient.We conclude from our experiments that the effects of salinity caused by Na salts when water is not limiting, is related not only to plant species but also to their stages of growth.
Fertility of young Cashmere goats after laparoscopic insemination
Authors: Ritar A. J. , Ball P. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYMaiden 18-month-old Cashmere does (JV=254) were inseminated laparoscopically with frozenthawed semen after treatment with Controlled Internal Drug Release devices and pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) in the breeding season of 1989 in Tasmania. Kidding rates(does kidded/inseminated) were not statistically different after the insemination of 1, 5 or 25 × 106 motile spermatozoa (50·0, 55·8 and 56·4%), andfor semen frozen by the pellet or straw methods (56·8 and 50·8%). The fertility results suggest that the critical threshold may not have been reached at 1 × 106 frozen-thawed motile spermatozoa.
Seasonal variation in semen characteristics of Friesian bulls in Iraq
Authors: Dessouky F. , Juma K. H. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA total of 1659 ejaculates was collected from four Friesian bulls imported from Europe and ten of their offspring born in Iraq while in regular artificial service at the Abu-Ghraib Experiment Station. The work covered a period from 1 January 1965 to 30 June 1967.The five semen characteristics, volume, density, mass activity, individual motility and pH were studied and the influence of age of bull and season on these characters was investigated. The relationships between the characters were also investigated.Deterioration was observed in volume of ejaculate, density, mass activity and individual motility in the Iraqi Friesians. Influence of season on all semen characters lacked significance with the exception of mass motility in the European Friesian bulls (P < 0·05). Highly significant positive correlations were found between most of the characters studied.
The mineral composition of hay and silage grown in Scotland in relation to the A.R.C. standards for the mineral requirements of dairy cattle
Authors: Hemingway R. G. , MacPherson A. , Duthie Alison K. , Brown Nora A. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySamples of hays (132) and silages (146) were analysed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and manganese. Assessments were made of their ability to supply minerals to cattle in accordance with the A.R.C. (1965) minimal requirements.The concentrations of all these minerals were greater in silage than in hay. The proportions of the hay samples which in 20 lb of dry matter, provided inadequate amounts of minerals to maintain cattle of 1100 lb live weight were 4% (Ca), 98% (P),21% (Mg), 90% (Cu) and 39% (Mn). In a similar manner 15 lb of silage dry matter proved inadequate to a comparable degree. For the samples examined 4% (Ca), 99% (P), 19% (Mg), 62% (Cu) and 15% (Mn) did not meet the proposed standards.Data are presented to indicate the amounts by which a variety of cattle diets based on hay and silage fail to meet the A.R.C. (1965) minimal requirements in respect of calcium and phosphorus intakes for milk yields up to 4 gal.
Some aspects of body temperature regulation in sheep
Authors: Webster M. E. D. , Johnson K. G. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySkin temperatures, deep body temperatures and respiratory rates have been measured in Southdown and Merino sheep following feeding, and during infra-red irradiation, rumen infusions of hot and cold water, and cold exposure induced by shearing. The increases in respiratory rate and skin temperatures induced by infra-red heating and the heat increment of feeding were reversed by addition of iced water to the rumen and were suppressed by shearing. These responses could not be systematically related to particular body temperatures in the sheep and appeared to be continuously variable rather than ‘all-or-none’ phenomena. Considerable overlap was observed between respiratory and vasomotor mechanisms of thermoregulation. Measurements of the surface area and weight of ears and legs showed that these regions contribute approximately 23% of the surface area and 8% of the body weight in Merino sheep. Calculations suggested that up to 70% of the additional heat produced in the 2 h after feeding in sheep may be stored in the tissues through increase in mean body temperature. Sheep kept in short wool throughout the winter appeared to establish a new thermoregulatory ‘set-point’ associated with lower rectal temperatures than those in sheep with a full fleece.
The nutritive value ofPanicum maximum(guinea grass). III. Factors affecting voluntary intake by cattle and water buffaloes
Authors: Johnson W. L. , Hardison W. A. , Ordoveza A. L. , Castillo L. S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryDry-matter intake (D.M.I.) fromPanicum maximum(guinea grass) was studied in digestibility trials with Holstein and water buffalo bulls and in a feeding trial with lactating cows.Differences in voluntary D.M.I. per unit body weight0·73between the Holsteins and water buffaloes were not significant. Average D.M.I. for all bulls in all main trials was 2·16 kg per 100 kg B.W. Average D.M.I. by the lactating cows was 2·08 kg per 100 kg B.W., for all practical purposes the same as for the bulls.D.M.I. was not related to stage of maturity or season of harvest of the guinea grass. Intakes of digestible protein, T.D.N., and digestible energy in different seasons and at different growth stages were related to the percentage of those nutrients in the grass.Correlation coefficients were 0·68 between D.M.I. and B.W.0·73, 0·59 between D.M.I. and T.D.N. content, and 0·58 between D.M.I. and crude protein content, D.M.I. was not closely related to dry-matter content (r= 0·30) or crude fibre content (r= 0–01) of the guinea grass.
Breeding for increased nodule tissue in white clover (Trifolium repens L.)
Authors: Jones D. Gareth , Burrows A. C. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe results of progeny tests of families of F1 and F2 selections derived from S 100 white clover are reported. The selection criterion was a high total nodule mass per plant coupled with an effective symbiosis with a known effective strain of Rhizobium trifolii. Selection for increased nodule volume produced a correlated increase in nodule number. F1 and F2 had significantly higher means than S 100 but F2 was not significantly higher than F1.Scores for nodule mass showed a significant increase in F1 and a smaller but insignificant increase in F2. An estimate of the efficiency of nitrogen fixation on a unit-nodule basis indicated that as nodule size increased efficiency decreased.
Co-ordination of stem elongation and Zadoks growth stages with leaf emergence in wheat and barley
Authors: Kirby E. J. M. , Appleyard M. , Simpson N. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYLeaf emergence, apex development stage, internode length and Zadoks principal growth stage 3 were measured over 3 years at several sites.Internode elongation and Zadoks score were strongly related to the number of emerged culm leaves. The final length of the most basal internode was very variable and contributed to variation in the relationship between Zadoks stage 30 and the number of emerged culm leaves. Variation in the length of the basal internode was related to the final number of culm leaves. Most plants had six culm leaves but the number of leaves was affected by sowing date. In an experiment where sowings were made from September to March, stem elongation and Zadoks stage 30 started at a later stage of apex development in later sowings.Recognition and prediction of culm elongation and number of emerged culm leaves is important for the application of growth regulator and fungicides. Combined with functions to predict the rate of leaf emergence and final number of leaves, the relationships described in this paper may enable Zadoks principal growth stage 3 and number of emerged culm leaves to be predicted.
Effect of lα-hydroxycholecalciferol on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in sheep given high or low calcium diets
Authors: Braithwaite G. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe relationship between calcium and phosphorus metabolism in wether sheep given high or low Ca diets, with or without 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-0H-D3) has been studied by a mineral balance and radioactive technique.Ca absorption was not related to Ca intake but was stimulated by 1α-OH-D3. More Ca was absorbed by treated animals from the high Ca diet than from the low diet and all the extra Ca absorbed was retained, increased retention being brought about largely by an increase in the rate of bone accretion.P absorption was increased to approximately the same extent from both diets suggesting that stimulation was due to the 1 α-0H-D3treatment rather than increased Ca absorption. Whereas the extra P absorbed from the high Ca diet was retained, together with Ca, in bone and soft tissues, that absorbed from the low Ca diet was largely excreted in the urine. It is suggested that this difference in P retention reflects a difference in availability of Ca for retention in bone and P retention was in fact found to be directly related to Ca retention.The roles of secretion of P into the gut, absorption of P from the gut and urinary excretion of P are discussed in relation to P homoeostasis.As absorption of P from the intestine and loss of P to bone, soft tissues and urine increased, so endogenous faecal loss decreased until it reached a value of approximately 35 mg/day per kg body weight when it remained constant. It is suggested that this value may represent the inevitable loss of endogenous P in the faeces from a hay and concentrates diet and that this minimum value may have a bearing on the calculation of P requirements.
Effect of amendments and saline irrigation water on soil properties and yields of rice and wheat in a highly sodic soil
Authors: Dubey S. K. , Mondal R. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA field experiment at Gudha Experimental Farm, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India, in 1983/84 evaluated the effect of gypsum (12·5 t/ha, 50% of gypsum requirement of soil), pyrite (10·2 t/ha, equivalent to gypsum on a sulphur basis), farmyard manure (FYM) (30 t/ha), gypsum + FYM, pyrite + FYM and a control, with saline (ECiW 4·0 dS/m) and non-saline (0·4 dS/m) irrigation water on soil properties and yields of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a highly sodic soil (pH 10·5, 96% exchangeable sodium). Application of these amendments enhanced the yield of both crops significantly, irrespective of the quality of the irrigation water used. Soil properties and crop yields were improved in the following order: control < FYM < pyrite < gypsum < pyrite + FYM < gypsum + FYM. Irrigation with saline water resulted in significantly higher yields of both crops than irrigation with non-saline water. Decreases in soil pH and exchangeable sodium and increases in exchangeable Ca + Mg and infiltration rate were greater after rice than wheat in the rotation, particularly when non-saline water was used.
Observations on the reproductive activity of tropical sheep in relation to the photoperiod
Authors: Symington R. B. , Oliver J. 
Published: March 2009

A study has been made of the effect of a progressive increase in the hours of light each day on the sexual activity of German Merino, Persian Blackhead and indigenous ‘Native’ ewes.Incidence of oestrous tended to be greater in ewes subjected to extended daylight than in ewes subjected to the natural photoperiod. This was particularly true during the latter stages of the study. Duration of oestrus was unaffected by the extended daylight but varied temporarily in both groups of ewes. The effect of extended daylight on duration of the oestrous cycle and on the incidence of oestrous cycles of normal or abnormal duration was not marked and differed between breeds. Extension of daylight to 19 hr. each day apparently did not prevent reproduction since several light-treated ewes inadvertently conceived, gave birth to and reared a healthy lamb after a gestation period of normal length.
Yields of maize, sorghum varieties and sorghum hybrids in the East African Lowlands
Authors: Doggett H. , Jowett D. 
Published: March 2009

1. Sorghum is capable of giving substantial yields under dry conditions where maize fails.2. Sorghum can consistently out-yield maize in some areas under conditions of apparently adequate or excessive rainfall.3. Low soil nutrient status, and/or poor soil water relations, interacting with the amount of rainfall were probably responsible for the low maize yields where precipitation in the growing season exceeded 15 in.4. Some hybrids originating in the U.S.A. may be of immediate value in dry areas of East Africa. Such hybrids are generally susceptible to bird damage and are more susceptible to Atherigona indica infuscate than local material. Hazera 726 shows less susceptibility to both these pests and is recommended for dry areas.
The value of liquid digested sewage sludge. I. The effect of liquid sewage sludge on growth and composition of grass-clover swards in South-east England
Authors: Coker E. G. 
Published: March 2009

During the period 1959-62 liquid digested sludge was applied to grass to supply nitrogen at rates similar to those normally recommended to farmers. The responses were compared to those produced by equivalent inorganic fertilizers.Liquid digested sludge gave as large an increase in dry matter as equivalent fertilizers. At the low rate of application the mean dry matter increase was 15.2 lb./lb. of applied nitrogen, and at the high rate the mean response was 11.0 lb. dry matter per lb. of nitrogen.On one site, all treatments reduced the clover percentage, the high rate more than the low rate. Sludge treatments reduced the clover percentages less than equivalent inorganic fertilizers.
Crop production and water-use. I. A model for estimating crop water-use with limited data
Authors: Wright E. , Carr M. K. V. , Hamer P. J. C. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAn attempt was made to re-assess the results of irrigation experiments carried out in the UK during the last 30–40 years in order to develop functional relationships between crop yield and actual wateruse. It was first necessary to develop a model, based on relatively simple functions, which could be used to predict actual water-use (evaporation and transpiration). The derivation of this model, known as WATYIELD, is reported here, whilst its application and validation for sugarbeet and for potatoes are described in subsequent papers. Simple functions relate components of evaporation to the proportion of the incoming solar radiation intercepted by the crop canopy, reference crop evapotranspiration, the precipitation and irrigation amounts and the soil water deficit. Transpiration is also related to soil hydraulic characteristics, rooting density and potential evaporation rate.
Comparison of two varieties of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) for milk production, when fed as silage and when grazed
Authors: Wilman D. , Walters R. J. K. , Baker D. H. , Williams S. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYTwo varieties of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), Tribune and RvP, were cut in each of 2 years, ensiled and individually fed, ad libitum, to dairy cows. In one year, two rates of supplementary concentrate feeding were compared and, in the other year, two types of concentrate and a silage-only diet. Tribune silage was more digestible, in vitro, and was lower in neutral detergent fibre and fibrosity index than RvP silage. There was no difference between the varieties, however, in the cows’ intake of silage. On the silage-only diet, the cows fed Tribune produced a higher yield of milk solids than did those fed RvP; on the other diets, there was no significant difference between varieties in the yield or composition of milk.The same two varieties were compared when grazed by herds of dairy cows in spring, summer and autumn of the first harvest year on six farms and in the second harvest year on four of the farms. Tribune persisted much better than RvP, in numbers of plants and tillers/m2 and in ground cover, and the herbage was more digestible than that of RvP. Milk yield/cow was c. 0·6 kg per day higher when grazing Tribune than when grazing RvP.
Predicting the emergence of potato sprouts
Authors: Firman D. M. , O'Brien P. J. , Allen E. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYSprout emergence in the potato variety Estima was investigated in controlled environment and field experiments. The effects of temperature, physiological age, planting date and soil moisture were examined in controlled environments and the results were compared with the emergence of physiologically young and old seed in field experiments with different soil types, planting dates and planting depths.Elongation of sprouts could be described by a lag period of slow growth followed by a period of rapid linear growth. The lag period was shorter with increase in temperature up to 20 °C and sprout length at planting up to c. 10 mm. The lag period was slightly reduced by warming seed at 10 °C before planting, compared with planting seed directly from cold storage. The rate of linear growth increased with temperature up to 20 °C but was similar for young and old seed at different planting dates. The rate of growth was lower in dry soil than in soil near to field capacity, particularly at high temperatures.The observed date of emergence in the field was usually later than predicted, particularly with shallow planting, but prediction was improved by accounting for soil moisture. The use of this model should give more accurate estimation of emergence for farm operations and crop growth models than existing equations.
Partitioning losses of nitrogen fertilizer between leaching and denitrification
Authors: Addiscott T. M. , Powlson D. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYWhen 15N is used to trace the fate of N fertilizer applied in spring to winter wheat crops, some is not recovered in the crop or the soil and has to be presumed lost. In 13 experiments made from 1980 to 1983 on three widely differing soils, these losses ranged from 1 to 35%. We partitioned them between leaching and denitrification by using models to estimate the loss by leaching, talcing into account the N absorbed by the crops, and subtracting this loss from the total loss to obtain the apparent percentage loss by denitrification, LDN. An analysis of variance showed that LDN increased significantly with the quantity of N applied, so the study considered LDN values for a standard N application of 150 kg/ha subsequently. Regressions showed that LDN was better related to the wetness of the soil during the 3 weeks after fertilizer application than to the corresponding amount of rain, as would be expected for denitrification. Values of LDN could not, however, be satisfactorily related to soil temperature, probably because the range of temperatures was too narrow. The apparent losses by denitrification were, on average, nearly twice as large as those by leaching, but the ratio varied greatly between experiments.
The health and performance of the grazing animal in relation to fertilizer nitrogen usage. I. Calves
Authors: Hodgson J. , Spedding C. R. W. 
Published: March 2009

1. An experiment was carried out in 1961 and 1962 to test the effect of the application of high levels of fertilizer N to S 23 ryegrass swards on the health and performance of grazing calves. A uniform application of 47 kg. P and 75 kg. K/ha. was used in each year. Nitro-chalk was applied at monthly intervals from February to September, at rates equivalent to 22.4 kg. (Nl) and 112 kg. (N3) per hectare in 1961; in 1962 an intermediate rate (N2) of 67.2 kg./ha./month was also used. The total quantities of N applied per hectare in 1961 were 185 and 1042 kg. and in 1962, 192, 576 and 961 kg.2. Male calves, 2-6 months old when introduced to the experiment, grazed in rotation round a series of four paddocks on each treatment. In 1961 Friesian, Aberdeen Angus cross and Shorthorn twin calves were used; in 1962 all the calves were unrelated Friesians.