bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of feeding frequency on the growth and efficiency of food utilization of ruminants: an analysis of published results
Authors: Gibson J. P. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAn analysis of published data on the effects of feeding frequency on cattle gave the following results. On average, increasing feeding frequency increased average daily gain by 16·2±4·8%. The efficiency of growth was increased by 18·7±60·%, indicating that improvements in average daily gain were due largely to improvements in efficiency of food utilization. Much of the improvement in average daily gain and efficiency of food utilization was attributable to increasing feeding frequency from one or two meals per day to four, but there was some evidence of further improvement at higher feeding frequencies.In terms of experimentation it was concluded that, in general, nutritional or genetic comparisons of growth and efficiency should be carried out with a strict control of feeding frequency. In terms of animal production it was concluded that cattle should be fed at least four times daily to ensure maximum food efficiency for growth.The magnitude of the response of average daily gain to feeding frequency was dependent on several experimental variables. In particular, the response appeared to be greater when the level of average daily gain was low and when the level of concentrates was high. The variables examined seemed unable to account wholly for the differences in response found in different experiments. Predicting the magnitude of the response under defined experimental conditions therefore remains extremely difficult.Although rather more limited, results with sheep supported the conclusions drawn from the results with cattle.
Reproductive performance in purebred and crossbred commercial rabbits
Authors: Partridge G. G. , Foley S. , Corrigall W. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe reproductive performance of does of New Zealand White (N) and Californian (C) strains of rabbit was compared with that of the two reciprocal crosses, C × N and N × C (sire × dam). Both types of crossbred doe showed a reproductive performance superior to the purebred strains, having both a higher conception rate and mean litter size at birth. C × N, N × C, N and C does reared on average 6·6, 7·4, 5·0 and 4·9 pups to weaning age respectively. Expressed in terms of an estimated annual production of weanlings the N × C does produced nearly twice as many progeny to 4 weeks of age as the purebreds N and C (37 pups cf. 21 and 19 pups respectively). Total losses prior to weaning were approximately 25% in all breeds, largely from stillbirths, and subsequent chilling and/or starvation in the nest (36% and 38% of diagnosed deaths respectively). Other contributory factors are discussed.
A note on the dry-matter intake of Jersey cows
Authors: Brigstocke T. D. A. , Lindeman M. A. , Cuthbert N. H. , Wilson P. N. , Cole J. P. L. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA trial was made on a farm using seven newly calved Jersey cows to compare the actual dry-matter intake with that predicted by three commonly used multiple-regression equations. Daily average milk yields during the first 9 weeks of lactation were recorded and peaked at 27·8 kg per cow (s.e. 1·35) in week 7 of lactation. The daily dry-matter intake recorded was 19·2 kg dry matter per cow (s.e. 0·77), compared with the multiple-regression equations, which gave estimated intakes of 13·3, 16·7 and 12·5 kg/day respectively. Prediction was improved by the use of fat-corrected milk, and by taking account of source effects, such as location and the management of the herd (18·5 kg dry matter per day). A further observation trial with the same herd after 250 days from the start of their lactation indicated that the equations still underestimated the intake potential of the Jersey cow at this later stage.
Effect of degradability of protein supplements on voluntary intake and nitrogen retention in young cattle fed grass silage
Authors: Gill Margaret , England P. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTGrass silage was offered ad libitum to twelve 4-month-old British Friesian steers in an incomplete Latin-square experiment. The silage was given either alone or supplemented isonitrogenously with 50 g fish meal or 63 g groundnut meal per kg silage dry matter.Both protein supplements significantly increased the intakes of dry matter and organic matter by an amount about equivalent to the (calculated) contribution of the supplement (P < 0·05); they also increased the intakes of digestible organic matter and nitrogen (P < 0·001) but with no significant difference between supplements. Protein supplementation had no effect on the intake of indigestible organic matter.The digestibility coefficients of dry matter and of organic matter were significantly increased by supplementation (P < 0·05) as were the digestibility coefficients of gross energy and of nitrogen (P < 0·001). Nitrogen retention was also increased from 1·4 to 8·2 g/day (P < 0·001), with no significant difference between supplements.
Estimation of rates of outflow of protein supplement from the rumen by determining the rate of excretion of chromium-treated protein supplements in faeces
Authors: Elimam M. E. , Ørskov E. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to study the possibility of using marker concentration in faeces to estimate rumen outflow of Cr-treated protein supplements and the liquid phase (PEG). There were no significant differences in the outflow of each marker from the rumen when determined directly from rumen or indirectly from faeces, suggesting that faeces could be used to measure the outflow from the rumen without the need for surgical preparation of the animals. The outflow rate of the liquid phase was considerably faster than Cr-treated protein supplements.
The effect of concentrate level on the intake of hays by ewes in late pregnancy
Authors: Orr R. J. , Treacher T. T. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn two experiments, ewes carrying two, three or four foetuses were offered restricted amounts of concentrates in the range 0 to 1050 g fresh weight per day and hay ad libitum from day 105 of pregnancy until lambing. The replacement rates of concentrates for forage were similar for both Teeswater × Dalesbred and Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes in experiment 1 (mean −0·63) when the ewes were offered hay which had an organic matter digestibility (OMD) in vitro of 0·56. There was no significant effect of number of foetuses carried on hay intake. As pregnancy progressed, hay intake increased slightly when hay alone was given and decreased at the higher levels of concentrates.In experiment 2, hay intake by Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes was significantly higher when hay of higher digestibility was offered (0·52, 0·69 and 0·84 OMD) and decreased when higher levels of concentrates were given. Ewes carrying two foetuses ate more than ewes with three or four foetuses particularly when hay was offered as the sole food. Generally, hay intake decreased as pregnancy progressed and this was more evident when concentrates were offered.A predictive equation is given to enable hay intake to be derived from hay digestibility, concentrate level, ewe live weight, number of foetuses carried and week of pregnancy.
A note on the concentrations of plasma oestradiol-17β and progesterone around the time of puberty in heifers
Authors: Glencross R. G. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn heifers, plasma progesterone levels were low (<0·3μg/l) from the 59th to about the 15th day before puberty (defined as the day when oestrus was first detectable by the fern pattern of dried cervical mucus). Plasma oestradiol-17β levels varied randomly within the range 1 to 4 ng/l over the same period, but then showed three peaks of about 6, 9 and 4 ng/l, respectively 8 days before puberty, on the day of puberty and 4 days later. The pre-pubertal oestradiol-17p peak was followed by a short period of elevated progesterone levels. Whether this oestradiol-17β peak induced ovulation is uncertain; it is however clear that a corpus luteum of normal life-span was not formed. The oestradiol-17β peaks on the day of puberty and 4 days later, when progesterone levels were rising rapidly, were typical both in magnitude and duration of those occurring before and after ovulation in post-pubertal oestrous cycles.
A note on efficacy of complete v. partial boar exposure on puberty attainment in the gilt
Authors: Deligeorgis S. G. , Lunney D. C. , English P. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSixty-three Large White ♂ × (Landrace ♂ × Large White ♀) ♀ gilts were allocated to one of three treatments as follows: (i) boar contact for 20 h/day; (ii) boar influence through a mesh pen division for 20 h/day; and (iii) control, which had no boar exposure.The experiment started when gilts averaged 156 days of age, and continued until either puberty was detected or the age of 210 days was reached. Analysis revealed significant differences between groups for proportion of gilts reaching puberty (0·76, 0·38 and 0·19), the interval from stimulation to-puberty (10·4, 34·1 and 36·7 days) and age at puberty (167·9, 192·2 and 191·2 days) respectively.
The effect of milk substitute concentration upon the intake, digestion and growth of calves
Authors: Ternouth J. H. , Stobo I. J. F. , Roy J. H. B. , Beattie A. W. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA total of 40 individually-penned British Friesian male calves were offered milk substitutes ad libitum from 2 days until 12 weeks of age. Ten milks were reconstitued from either liquid or spray-dried skim milk and a fat-filled (500 g fat per kg) powder and contained 80, 110, 140, 170 or 200 g dry matter (DM) per kg liquid. A further six calves were used in a randomized-block experiment to measure the digestibility, absorption and retention of the diets containing 80, 140 and 200 g DM per kg.There are no significant differences in the intake, growth rate, digestibility, absorption or retention between calves given milk substitutes reconstituted from liquid or spray-dried skim milk.At all ages, as the DM concentration of the milks increased, liquid intake decreased but DM intake and live-weight gain increased. The mean live-weight gain was 0·99, 1·13, 1·16, 1·28 and 1·27 kg/day for calves given the milk substitute diet at concentrations of 80, 110, 140, 170 and 200 g DM per kg, respectively. The DM intake to live-weight ratios were constant at all ages when live weight was expressed to the power of 0·61.No significant adverse effect of the diets was evident from the fortnightly monitoring of jugular blood samples for packed cell volume and concentrations of glucose, urea-N, Na, total protein, albumin, globulin and haemoglobin; nor from faecal consistency, rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate.There was no indication that age affected digestibility, except that digestive efficiency was reduced in calves with diarrhoea, particularly at 2 to 4 weeks of age; nor that dietary concentration influenced digestion or absorption. The true absorption of N, Ca and P from the milk diets was high with mean coefficients of 0·99, 1·01 and 0·95 respectively. The main endogenous losses of N and P occurred through the urine and of Ca through the faeces.
The live-weight gain and dry-matter and water intakes of calves offered milk substitute diets at high concentrations
Authors: Ternouth J. H. , Stobo I. J. F. , Roy J. H. B. , Beattie A. W. 
Published: September 2010

Thirty-two British Friesian calves were individually offered milk substitutes ad libitum twice daily for 12 weeks. The milks were reconstituted to contain 170, 200, 230 or 260 g dry matter (DM) per kg, using spray-dried skim milk powder and homogenized fat-filled powder containing 500 g fat per kg. Drinking water was available ad libitum at all times. The last two blocks of four calves were used to measure the digestibility, absorption and retention of the constituents of the diets at 2, 6 and 11 weeks of age.The DM intakes of the calves given the four diets were variable but generally increased with increasing DM concentration, mean values being 61·5, 59·5, 66·0 and 73·3 g DM per kg M0.75. As the calves increased in age, their intakes decreased from 67·3 g DM per kg M0.75 at 2 weeks of age to 61·1 g DM per kg M0.75 at 8 weeks of age.The higher DM concentrations and intakes were associated with the higher rates of weight gain; the mean live weights at 12 weeks of age being 121·8, 123·9, 135·3 and 141·6 kg for the calves offered milks reconstituted at 170, 200, 230 and 260 g DM per kg respectively.The concentration of the DM had no effect upon the coefficients of digestion or absorption nor on the retention of energy, protein, calcium or phosphorus. The digestibility of protein increased, whilst the absorption and retention of Ca and P declined with age.Intake of drinking water did not change with age, but was higher for calves given the milk containing 260 g DM per kg than for those given the other three concentrations. The total water intakes were similar for the calves given milks containing 200, 230 and 260 g DM per kg.The linear relationship of DM intake to DM concentration of the milk substitute suggested a lower level of intake in the present experiment, than was observed in a previous experiment (Ternouth, Stobo, Roy and Beattie, 1985b) when the milk concentrations were lower and drinking water was not available. When the concentrations of the DM were re-calculated to take into account the quantity of drinking water consumed, the relationships between DM intake and adjusted DM concentration for the two experiments were similar.
Prediction of energy status in first lactation dairy heifers
Authors: Ducker M. J. , Haggett Rosemary A. , Fisher W. J. , Morant S. V. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTData from a large controlled experiment to investigate the effect of level of nutrition on reproductive performance were used to assess the value of production and blood measures as indicators of energy status in lactating dairy heifers. Live-weight change showed the strongest and most consistent relationship to mean energy balance (the difference between metabolizable energy intake and that used for milk production and maintenance) (P< 0·01 toP< 0·001). Body-condition score at a particular time was more closely related to mean energy balance in the preceding 4-week period (P< 0·05) than current energy balance. There was also a lag in the relationship between energy balance and live-weight change and mean body-condition score. Ultrasonic back fat measurements were significantly correlated with both loin and tailhead body-condition score (P< 0·001) but were more strongly related to mean energy balance in the preceding period (P< 0·05 toP< 0·001) than the body-condition scores.Blood samples were taken from all heifers 2 weeks before calving and 1, 5, 9, 13 and 18 weeks after calving and were analysed for 13 constituents. Concentrations of blood metabolites did not show consistently strong correlations with mean energy balance. The only blood metabolite to be measurably affected by the nutritional treatments applied in lactation was β-hydroxybutyrate.At best, combinations of production measures and blood metabolites were only able to predict the mean daily energy balance with a 95% confidence interval of ±20 MJ for an individual animal although this confidence interval was reduced to ±3 MJ for 100 animals.
Retention of copper in the liver of sheep genetically selected for high and low concentrations of copper in plasma
Authors: Woolliams J. A. , Wiener G. , Woolliams Carol , Suttle N. F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe extent to which genetic selection to change the concentration of copper (Cu) in plasma also affected the retention of Cu in the liver was assessed in three experiments. In each, the concentration of Cu was measured in samples of liver (taken by biopsy) and of plasma from female sheep of lines selected from a Scottish Blackface × Welsh Mountain population (which had previously been interbred for several generations) for high and low plasma Cu levels (high line and low line) and from purebred Scottish Blackface and Welsh Mountain females.The concentration of Cu in the liver and plasma was found to be consistently greater in high-line and Welsh Mountain than in low-line and Scottish Blackface females (P< 0·01) in the first experiment in which grazing animals were sampled at both 6 and 10 months of age and in the second, where sampling' was at 6 months only. Mean Cu concentrations in the liver ranged from 13 to 115 mg/kg dry matter (DM) and the correlations with those in plasma varied from 0·28 to 0·53 (allP< 0·05) and was highest when the concentration of Cu in the liver was lowest. The correlation between the concentrations of Cu in liver at different ages was 0·57 (P< 0·05).In the third experiment, 10-month-old high- and low-line females were given complete diets containing either 5, 10, 22 or 28 mg Cu per kg DM for 12 weeks. Liver samples were obtained at the beginning and end of this period and blood samples were taken every 3 weeks. The concentration of Cu in the liver was greater in high- than in low-line sheep on all diets and increased linearly with the Cu concentration of the diet but at a greater rate in the high line. At the end, the high line had significantly greater concentrations of Cu in plasma on the 5 and 10 mg Cu per kg DM diets.The experiments showed that high-line females retained more Cu in the liver than low-line females. It is most likely that this was caused by a positive genetic correlation between concentration of Cu in plasma and the efficiency of absorption of Cu.
Growth, food intake and development in broiler cockerels raised to maturity
Authors: Prescott Nicola J. , Wathes C. M. , Kirkwood J. K. , Perry G. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe food intake, growth and development of Ross broiler cockerels were recorded from 1 day old to maturity. At regular intervals, the body composition of these birds was determined and the eviscerated carcasses were chemically analysed. Allometric relationships of component weights and live weight were examined. Historical comparisons with fowl reared during the last 60 years did not reveal any significant changes in the pattern of development, despite faster absolute growth rates and heavier mature weights.
A note on the ability of three portable ultrasonic probes to predict backfat thickness in cattle
Authors: Eveleigh C. S. , Thwaites C. J. , Hassab P. B. , Paton D. G. , Smith R. J. , Upton W. H. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThree portable ultrasonic probes (Scanoprobe, Meritronics and Krautkramer), each used by the one experienced operator, were found to be superior to the visual and tactile assessments of two experienced judges in predicting carcass backfat depth (range 4 to 20 mm) in 132 live steers. Residual standard deviations for the three probe/operator combinations were 2·01, 2·16 and 2·77 mm respectively; those for the judges were 2·96 and 3·09 mm. Combining ultrasonic estimates by multiple regression improved slightly the accuracy of prediction (residual s.d. = 1·87 mm), the level of which was comparable to that previously reported for scanning ultrasonic instruments used on pigs.
A note on the acceptance of several types of cereal grain by young sheep with and without prior experience of wheat
Authors: Mottershead B. E. , Lynch J. J. , Elwin R. L. , Green G. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSixteen sheep which had previously eaten wheat only (eaters) were offered wheat, barley, oats and maize separately in a Latin-square design with two sheep per cell and two replicates of the Latin square. Another 16 sheep which had never previously been offered wheat (non-eaters) were offered the same cereal grains in two more Latin squares with two sheep per cell.The total intake of wheat for the eaters was significantly greater than for the other cereal grains (P < 0·01) and it took 7 to 9 days for other cereals to be eaten. There was virtually no consumption of cereal grains by the non-eaters until days 10 to 12 when some wheat but little other cereal was being eaten.The results indicate that sheep learn to eat each type of cereal grain separately but if they know how to eat wheat they learn to eat other cereal grains more rapidly.
Inheritance of linear type traits in dairy cattle and correlations with milk production
Authors: Meyer Karin , Brotherstone Susan , Hill W. G. , Edwards Maureen R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTRecords on 18 939 Friesian-Holstein cows classified for 16 linear-type traits and total score in first lactation by the British Friesian Cattle Society and similarly on 13 192 cows in second lactation were analysed to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations among the linear traits. These comprised progeny of 542 and 477 young sires, respectively, together with older sires included to increase connections. Correlations of type with milk production traits and correlations between type in first and second lactations were estimated from subsets (of about one-half) of the data. Effects due to proportion of Holstein in the sires were removed.Heritabilities of the linear traits were similar in first and second lactations, ranging from under 0·15 for one of the leg traits to about 0·5 for stature. Genetic correlations between traits in first and second lactation were generally over 0·75, whereas phenotypic correlations for most traits ranged from 0·3 to 0·6. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among the linear traits were generally low, except for those involving size.Phenotypic correlations between linear traits and milk yield and composition were all small, none exceeding 0·3. Genetic correlations were generally almost as small: taking first and second lactations together, the only consistent non-negligible correlations with yield were for angularity (+0·3), fore-udder attachment (–0·2) and udder depth (–0·4). The linear traits are not useful predictors of yield.
Voluntary food intake in a limited time of lambs and calves given diets containing rapeseed meal from different types and varieties of rape, and rapeseed meal treated to reduce the glucosinolate concentration
Authors: Stedman J. A. , Hill R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe voluntary food intake in a limited period, 30 or 60 min after morning and afternoon feeds, and during 24 h, by lambs and calves given diets containing rapeseed meal (RSM) or soya bean meal (SBM) as the only protein supplement was determined. Four rapeseed meals were compared, one from seed of British-grown winter Brassica napus varieties (BRSM), and the others from seeds of the varieties Tower (TRSM) and Loras (LRSM), or from seeds of Canadian spring sown varieties (Canola; CRSM). The effects on food intake of treating BRSM with heat and ammonia, steam, steam and ammonia, or calcium hydroxide and ammonia were also determined.In lambs, intakes in a limited period of BRSM and CRSM were significantly lower than that of SBM, and there were no differences between intakes of BRSM and CRSM. In calves, intake in a limited period of BRSM was significantly lower than intake of SBM, TRSM and LRSM: those of TRSM and LRSM were lower, but not significantly so, than that of SBM. Treatment of BRSM with steam, steam and ammonia or calcium hydroxide and ammonia, increased food intake significantly but by small amounts: intakes of the treated meal diets were markedly lower than that of the control SBM diet. The glucosinolate concentration of untreated RSM influenced intake in calves but not in lambs. The effects of treatment of RSM on intake were not closely related to changes in glucosinolate concentration.