bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects on food intake, rumen development and live weight of calves of replacing barley with sugar beet-citrus pulp in a starter diet
Authors: Williams P. E. V. , Fallon R. J. , Innes G. M. , Garthwaite P. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn three experiments the effects of replacing barley with citrus or unmolassed beet pulp in starter diets for calves was examined. In experiment 1, 40 Friesian bull calves were offered to appetite from 14 to 91 days of age one of four complete pelleted diets, each of which contained 200 g ground straw per kg and n i which the ratio of barley to pulp (citrus and beet pulp in the ratio 1:1) was 100:0 (A); 67:33 (B); 33:67 (C) and 0:100 (D). All diets contained 12·1 MJ metabolizable energy and 187 g crude protein per kg dry matter (DM). Milk replacer containing 200 g fat per kg was offered once daily (0·44 kg/day) until day 49 when the calves were abruptly weaned. Up to weaning (days 14 to 49) and after weaning (days 50 to 91) intake of DM was significantly increased by replacing barley with pulp (P< 0·05). Intakes (kg DM per day) of diets A, B, C and D were 0·31, 0·44, 0·51 and 0·50 before weaning and 2·07, 2·08, 2·23 and 2·38 after weaning. Weight gains (kg/day) of calves given pulp tended to be higher before weaning (0·44v.0·58 for Av.mean of B, C and D) but lower after weaning (0·73v.0·68) than of calves given the cereal-based diet. In experiment 2, 65 calves were given diets similar to A and C except that the pulp was supplied totally by unmolassed beet pulp, they were given only 0·35 kg milk replacer per day and weaned on day 35. The results were similar to those obtained in experiment 1; between days 14 to 84 intake was higher (P< 0·05) and there was a tendency for weight gain to be higher in calves given the diet containing pulp. The DM digestibility of the diets decreased significantly with inclusion of pulp (P< 0·05); digestibility of nitrogen was severely depressed but there was an increase in digestibility of acid-detergent fibre. Growth rate was possibly restricted by the availability of nitrogen in diets containing pulp.
A note on the effect of scrotal wool cover on morphological changes in ram spermatozoa due to heat stress
Authors: Rathore Ashok K. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYVariation in scrotal wool cover influenced the percentage of abnormal cells in the semen of rams exposed in the hot room. The percentage of abnormal cells was highest in the rams with maximum wool cover on their scrota, intermediate in those with scrota completely devoid of wool cover and minimum in those with intermediate (2 to 3 cm) scrotal wool cover.
A note on the effect of weaning age on lamb production
Authors: Sharafeldin M. A. , Ramadan I. A. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYAt birth, the Barki lambs used in this experiment were randomly allocated to three groups which numbered 133, 126 and 154 lambs of both sexes weaned at the ages of 10 weeks (Group I), 12 weeks (Group II) and 16 weeks (Group III) respectively.The most pronounced differences between the three groups of lambs in their body weights took place at the age from 4 to 6 months. Group II lambs performed as well as or even slightly better than the other two groups, which leads to the conclusion that as far as the body weight of lambs is concerned there is no need to extend their suckling period more than 12 weeks.The three groups of lambs varied little in their mortality rates from 2·5 to 12 months of age.
Resistance to body cooling in male and female sheep, and the effects of previous exposure to chronic cold, acute cold and repeated short cold shocks
Authors: Slee J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwenty-eight female and 26 uncastrated male Scottish Blackface sheep were shorn and subjected to two acute cold exposures one week apart. Between exposures and for one week before the first exposure the sheep were kept either at +30°C (thermoneutral), or at +8°C (subcriticai), or at + 30°C with daily short cold shocks. Food intakes were restricted.Females showed significantly greater resistance to body cooling than males during both acute exposures.Both males and females showed acclimatization (increased resistance to body cooling) as a result of the first acute exposure.Exposure to +8°C for one week did not produce significant acclimatization. Exposure to +8°C for two weeks tended, in females only, to increase acclimatization above that resulting from the first acute exposure.Daily short cold shocks reduced cold resistance and inhibited acclimatization in females, but had little effect in males.The male sheep lost significantly more weight during treatment and became thinner than the females. It was suggested that this, and their low cold resistance, might be related to a lesser ability of males to store fat as a subsequent source of energy.
The Use of Chromic Oxide in the Measurement of Individual Feed Intake in Cattle Fed on Silage and Barley
Authors: Wilkinson J. M. , Prescott J. H. D. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. Three experiments are reported in which chromic oxide, administered as a component of shredded paper at 09·00 and 16·30 hr daily, was used in the estimation of the faecal output of steers fed on silage and barley.2. Four Friesian steers of 160 kg live weight were used in experiment 1. They were fed on grass silage ad libitum with controlled allowances of concentrate supplement. ‘Absolute’ recovery of Cr2O3 in total collections was 85–91%, though it was apparent that some faeces may have been lost from the total collections. ‘Relative’ recovery in grab samples was 97%.3. Diurnal variation in Cr2O3 excretion was investigated in experiment 2 with four yearling Friesian steers. Faeces were sampled in three 24-hr periods at each natural defaecation. A significant and consistent diurnal variation was observed, with the lowest concentration of Cr2O3 occurring during the night. Concurrent grab samples taken at 09.15 and 17.00 hr over four days gave estimates of cr2O3 in the faeces which were 16·27% higher than the mean concentration for the three 24-hr sampling periods.4. Day-to-day variation in the Cr2O3 content of grab samples was examined in experiment 3 with eight yearling Friesian steers. Four steers received 3·63 kg/head per day of barley supplement and four received 1·81 kg. Both groups were offered silage of 25% dry matter ad libitum. Faeces were sampled per rectum twice daily at 09.15 and 17.00 hr over four-day sampling periods. The degree of day-to-day variation was small and tended to be random.
The effect of cobalt supplementation, as an oral drench or pasture treatment, on the growth of lambs
Authors: Griffiths J. R. , Bennett R. J. , Bush R. M. R. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYIn a trial to investigate an ill-thrift problem in lambs on an Exmoor farm frequent oral drenching with cobalt sulphate was compared with pasture spraying. There were two groups of twin lambs reared respectively on sprayed and unsprayed pasture. One partner from each twin set was drenched with cobalt sulphate every two weeks. There were no significant differences in live-weight gain up to weaning time. Thereafter there was little difference in the progress of the twins on sprayed pasture. On the unsprayed pasture, however, the drenched lambs had gained an average of 9 lb live weight more than their partners over a period of 15 weeks but were still about 7 lb lighter than the lambs on sprayed pasture.Blood vitamin B12 concentration, assayed with Lactobacillus leichmannii, was not well correlated with the treatment of the groups and all values were above commonly accepted critical levels.
Some effects of including differently processed barley in the diet of the growing pig: 2. In vivo gastric pH changes
Authors: Lawrence T. L. J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. In vivo gastric pH changes were studied, in 6 pigs fitted with permanent gastric cannulae, under ‘basal conditions’ (i.e. when no food was given) and when diets containing 85% of differently processed barley were given either twice daily or at frequent intervals of time in an attempt to simulate ad libitum feeding systems. Before inclusion in the diet the 85% of barley had either received no processing (i.e. was given as the whole grain) or had been processed in one of the five following ways: (a) ground through a (1·56 mm) screen (b) ground through a (4·68 mm) screen (c) ground through a (9·36 mm) screen (d) coarsely crimped (e) cold rolled.2. Relative to the ‘basal’ determinations the systems of feeding which gave food at frequent intervals of time induced higher overall mean pH values than did those which gave food twice daily, while between the six differently processed diets those containing the smaller particles of barley tended to give higher overall mean pH values than did those containing the coarser particles.3. The validity of the results is discussed in the context of the techniques used and some possible implications in terms of animal health are briefly discussed.
Further studies on the voluntary food intake of Bos Indicus, Bos Taurus and crossbred cattle
Authors: Ledger H. P. , Rogerson A. , Freeman G. H. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. The voluntary dry-matter intake, water intake and rate of live-weight gain of indigenous, exotic and crossbred cattle on low- and medium-roughage diets have been compared under similar conditions of management.2. At similar live weights and on similar diets exotic cattle usually have a higher food intake than indigenous animals.3. When roughage was freely available the voluntary dry-matter intake of both types of cattle increased.4. Water intake was closely related to dry-matter intake and varied with the nature of the diet. The ratio of water to dry-matter intake was not affected by live weight and varied only slightly between the different types of cattle.5. Exotic cattle were generally more efficient than indigenous cattle of comparable live weight in converting food into live-weight gain; crossbred animals were intermediate. It is suggested that this largely reflects their higher intake of food relative to their maintenance requirement.6. One group of indigenous animals that were initially mature but under weight gained weight as quickly, and converted their food as efficiently, as did exotic animals.
Effects of air temperature on body temperatures and sensible heat loss of Friesian and Jersey calves at 12 and 76 days of age
Authors: Holmes C. W. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. Measurements have been made of sensible heat flow, body temperature and some hair coat characteristics, at 10 different air temperatures, on each of 24 Friesian and Jersey calves aged 12 and 76 days.2. Minimum values for thermal conductance of the trunk tissues were 29·5 and 37·3 kcal/m2.hr per °C for the 12-day-old Friesian and Jersey calves respectively; corresponding values for the 76-day-old calves were 22·5 and 19·9 kcal/m2.hr per °C.3. Weight of hair per m2 surface area was greater for Friesian calves and for younger calves; Friesian calves had longer hair and deeper coats. Coat depth increased at low temperatures in all calves.4. The air temperatures at which the ears became vasoconstricted were 18·8 and 21·8°C for the 12-day-old Friesian and Jersey calves respectively; the corresponding values for the 76-day-old calves were 10·1 and 17·8°C. Vasoconstriction occurred in the back legs at a lower air temperature than in the ears or on the trunk surface.5. The intake of dry matter as fresh grass was 1·15 kg/day for Friesians and 0·72 kg/day for Jerseys, aged 76 days; the Friesians weighed 74 kg and the Jerseys 59 kg at this age.
A note on the effect of Broken Mouth on the performance of Scottish Blackface hill ewes
Authors: Gunn R. G. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYOn a hill farm, 376 Scottish Blackface ewes with all permanent incisor teeth present (whole mouth) at 53 months of age were compared with 118 ewes having one or more of these teeth missing (broken mouth). By 46 months, ewes becoming or already broken-mouthed were significantly lighter in weight and although at their third lambing they gave birth to the same number and weights of lambs as whole-mouthed ewes, their twin lambs were significantly lighter in weight from about three weeks of age onward. At their fourth lambing, broken-mouthed ewes produced and reared significantly fewer lambs and of lighter weight than their whole-mouthed contemporaries. Grazing of turnips increased the incidence of ewes with broken mouths.
A note on the apparent digestibility of energy and protein in dried poultry excreta
Authors: Lowman B. G. , Knight D. W. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe nutritional value of dried poultry excreta was investigated by determining the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, energy and copper in five diets containing 0 to 100% of this feed. Dried poultry excreta supplied 20·21% apparently digestible crude protein and approximately 1·57 or 1·74 Mcal of metabolizable energy per kg dry matter.The copper in dried poultry excreta was found to be less digestible than the copper in barley. It is concluded that, as far as copper levels are concerned, dried poultry excreta are safe for ruminants, and are a source ofcheap protein. More detailed work is needed to determine the metabolizable energy of the material accurately.
Factors affecting accuracy in the evaluation of progeny tests of growth rate in cattle
Authors: Wood P. D. P. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwo progeny tests for beef, one using 452 calves brought centrally to a test centre, the other using 768 calves commercially fattened on 81 farms, were compared to isolate environmental sources of variation. It was concluded that appreciable reduction of error variance ensued from the use of a growth curve, the maintenance of pen identity, and the removal of variation due to pens and months of birth. The fixed effects model underlying the experimental design on the centre yielded relatively robust estimates of variance components.
Studies on protein utilization by ewes during lactation
Authors: Robinson J. J. , Forbes T. J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYA total of 64 Border Leicester × Greyface ewes were offered eight diets comprising four levels of digestible crude protein and two levels of metabolizable energy (ME) intake during gestation. After parturition the ewes on each gestation treatment were offered a high or low level of ME intake at a constant level of crude protein intake. Nitrogen balances were carried out on all ewes during weeks three and four of lactation.Digestibility coefficients and output of nitrogen in the milk measured during the lactation balance periods were not significantly affected by the gestation treatments. Body nitrogen balance during lactation was significantly affected by the level of protein offered during gestation.Empirical equations relating digestible crude protein intake and ME intake to milk nitrogen production and body nitrogen balance indicated that a digestible crude protein intake of 7·9 g/kg W0·75 per day and a ME intake of 220 kcals/kg W0·75 per day resulted in the production of 0·70 g milk nitrogen per kg W0·75 or approximately 100 g of milk per kg W0·75. The corresponding level of body nitrogen retention was 0·162 g/kg W0·75 per day and showed no consistent trend due to level of protein intake during gestation.
A note on the estimation by simulation technique of the optimal colostrum dose and feeding time at first feeding after the calf's birth
Authors: Kruse V. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYComputer simulations using parameters based on results from experiments showed that by chance a certain frequency of hypo-gammaglobulinaemia would always occur. This was due to variations in birth weight, concentration of immunoglobulin in the ingested colostrum, amount of colostrum offered, and age at first feeding. It was not necessarily associated with an absorption block as sometimes postulated. The probability of an individual getting hypogammaglobulinaemia can be minimized by early feeding of a large quantity of colostrum at the first feeding after birth.
The voluntary intake and utilization of roughage–concentrate diets by sheep. 2. Barley and soya bean meal supplementation of hay diets
Authors: Crabtree J. R. , Williams G. L. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThree levels of soya bean meal (0%, 25% and 50% of the intake of hay dry matter) combined with three levels of pelleted barley (0%, 50% and 100% of the intake of hay dry matter) in a factorial arrangement of treatments were offered to Welsh Mountain ewe lambs receiving hay ad libitum for 14 weeks.When barley was not given, soya bean meal added at 25% of the hay intake increased hay voluntary intake from 287 g/day to 412 g/day but hay intake was depressed to 339 g/day by a further increase in the level of soya bean meal. When barley was given, soya bean meal did not affect hay intake. With one exception, an increase in barley reduced hay intake, with the result that there were no differences between treatments in the digestible energy intakes of lambs receiving barley at each level of soya bean meal. In general, it was found that an increase in the concentrate allowance (barley + soya bean) reduced hay intake, whereas an increase in the crude protein content of the concentrate increased hay intake. The relationship between live-weight change, metabolizable energy intake and live weight was examined by regression analysis. Although live weight and voluntary intake were unrelated at the start of the experiment, a positive relationship emerged as the experiment progressed.
Crossbreeding beef cattle in Western Uganda 3. Genetic analysis of body weight
Authors: Trail J. C. M. , Sacker G. D. , Fisher I. L. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYGenetic influences on body weights, taken at three-monthly intervals from birth to two years, were measured in the progeny of Angus, Boran and Red Poll bulls mated to Ankole, Boran and local Zebu cows. At two years old, progeny of Angus and Red Poll sires were 9% heavier than progeny of Boran sires. Progeny of Boran dams were 15% heavier than progeny of Zebu dams and 8% heavier than progeny of Ankole dams at two years. Differential performance by progeny of Ankole dams in different years suggested that genetic × environment interaction might be of some importance, and indicated the necessity of testing breed types over several years. Low and variable heritability estimates of weight-for-age up to two years old, and significant hybrid vigour effects on weight, indicated that in this environment, exploitation of hybrid vigour could be of great importance. Repeatability estimates for calf pre-weaning weights averaged 0·42.
Crossbreeding beef cattle in Western Uganda 6. A note on hybrid vigour in Red Poll–Boran crosses
Authors: Sacker G. D. , Trail J. C. M. , Fisher I. L. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYHybrid vigour effects were measured on weights at birth and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, in crosses between Red Poll and Boran cattle. Means of crossbred weights were superior to means of purebred weights by 9·7% at birth and by 26·4% to 29·7% at 3–12 months. Boran cows had superior mothering ability to Red Poll cows, judged by the early growth of reciprocal cross calves, and lost less body weight over a nine-month lactation period.
Population study of abortion in cattle with special reference to genetic factors
Authors: Wijeratne W. V. S. , Stewart D. L. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe incidence of abortions over a period of eight years was studied in 107 393 progeny of 100 bulls belonging to five dairy and three beef breeds of cattle. The calving records related to the first four artificial inseminations on females with fresh or frozen semen.The average frequency of abortion was 2·12%. Differences in rates of abortion between the breeds of sire were statistically significant although this may be confounded with the breed of dam. The highest incidence was from matings by bulls of the Channel Island breeds and the least from matings to Ayrshire bulls.The rates of abortion increased with the number of inseminations necessary for conception.There was a slightly higher incidence of abortions among twin births than among singles.
A note on non-genetic factors affecting body weights of Bikaneri sheep (Magra strain)
Authors: Chopra S. C. , Acharya R. M. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe least squares analysis on birth, weaning, 6-month and yearling weights in Magra lambs showed that years of lambing, age and weight of dam at lambing and sex of lamb significantly affected all the body weights except the age of dam which did not significantly affect 6-month and yearling weights. Adjustment of these weights for significant effect will be necessary in obtaining estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters.
The long-term suppression of heat in cattle with implants of melengestrol acetate
Authors: Roche J. F. , Crowley J. P. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe effectiveness of silastic rubber implants impregnated with melengestrol acetate (MGA) to suppress heat in heifers being finished for beef was tested. Nine uniparous females received MGA implants, nine received 0·5 mg MGA orally and eight similar non-treated animals served as controls for a 110-day experimental period. Based on occurrence ofheat and ovarian examination during treatment and at slaughter, the silastic implants were effective in suppressing heat throughout the experimental period. The animals with implants also had a significantly higher rate of daily gain than the controls (P<0·1). In a second experiment the implants were effective in suppressing heat but the increase in daily gain did not reach significance. Silastic implants of MGA are effective for the long-term suppression of oestrus in finishing heifers and their effective life span is sufficiently long for use under commercial farming conditions.
A note on the effect of time of weaning and weight at slaughter on feed utilization of intensively fed lambs
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Fraser C. , Gill J. C. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYFifty-four Suffolk × North Country Cheviot lambs were weaned at either 25, 33 or 41 days of age and slaughtered at either 35, 45 or 55 kg live weight.Increasing the age at weaning reduced the growth check, increased creep feed consumption and decreased food required for fattening. For each kg increase in weight at slaughter there was an increase of 0·035 kg in dry matter required per kg gain. The female lambs had lower growth rates, lower efficiency of food utilization and a higher killing-out percentage than male lambs.For the most efficient utilization of food, lambs should be weaned at about 33 days of age.
Effects of shelter, exposure and level of feeding over winter on the productivity of Welsh Mountain ewes and lambs
Authors: Robinson W. I. , Brown W. , Lucas I. A. M. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYPregnant Welsh Mountain ewes were kept over winter on a hill. All were penned individually, either in a shed or out of doors. In Experiments 1 and 2 different levels of digestible organic matter (DOM) were given in each environment and in Experiment 3 only a single level was offered. In Experiment 2 all ewes were grazed together after lambing; in Experiment 3 some from each treatment were moved to a shed after lambing and their milk yields recorded between 10 and 15 days later.In a fourth experiment on low land, pregnant ewes were either housed or kept in an exposed or a sheltered paddock. All were grazed together after lambing.The results indicated that the requirement of indoors penned sheep to maintain body weight and produce a single lamb is 9·5 g DOM/kg live weight per 24 hr at 16 weeks pre-partum, rising to 15·0 g DOM/kg live weight per 24 hr at 1 week pre-partum. A 10% weight loss during pregnancy would be expected in ewes receiving 75 to 80 % of these requirements. Low intakes during pregnancy reduced wool growth and lamb birth weights.Outdoor exposure reduced pre-partum ewe weight by about 1·5 kg, and so was equivalent to a 10% reduction in daily DOM intake. The magnitude of this effect was not changed significantly by level of feeding. Exposure did not affect wool growth and its influence on lamb birth weight and growth was variable.