bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of pattern of daily feeding of pregnant sows on apparent digestibility
Authors: Frape D. L. , Hocken R. W. 
Published: September 2010

Three trials with pregnant sows tied in stalls have been conducted to measure the effects on ration digestibility: (a) of a pelleted compound given once or twice per day, (b) of half the daily ration fed as barley at a separate time from the pelleted concentrate and (c) when the order during the day in which the barley and concentrate were fed was reversed.Giving pelleted complete rations twice as opposed to once per day led to slight improvements in the apparent digestibility of dietary dry matter, grpss energy, crude fibre and phosphorus. When half the daily ration was given as crushed barley in the morning the apparent digestibility of phosphorus was slightly higher than it was when barley was given in the afternoon. Nevertheless the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was greater for the complete mixture given twice per day. All these effects were statistically significant.
Responses of British Friesian steers with or without implants of oestradiol-17β to undegradable dietary protein
Authors: Newbold J. R. , Garnsworthy P. C. , Buttery P. J. , Cole D. J. A. , Haresign W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe ability of the protein nutrition scheme proposed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC, 1980, 1984) to predict responses to protein supply was examined in two experiments. In experiment 1, groups of nine British Friesian steers implanted with oestradiol-17β and nine non-implanted steers were fed from 133 to 300 kg live weight on each of four all-concentrate diets (metabolizable energy (ME) = 12 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)) containing ratios of soya-bean meal and formaldehyde-treated soya-bean meal such that undegradable protein (UDP) concentration was 19, 25, 32 or 42 g/kg DM. Rumen degradable protein (RDP) concentration was relatively constant (111 to 116 g/kg DM). Implantation did not affect DM intake (DMI, g/kg M0·75). Both live-weight gain (LWG) and food conversion efficiency (FCE) (LWG/DMI) were greater (P < 0·05) for the implanted cattle (LWG = 1·41 (s.e. 0·04) kg/day; FCE = 0·24 (s.e. 0·02)) than for the non-implanted cattle (LWG = 1·23 (s.e. 0·05) kg/day; FCE = 0·22 (s.e. 0·02)). There were no dietary effects on either DMI or FCE. In the non-implanted steers, UDP did not affect LWG but, for the implanted steers, there were positive, linear responses in LWG to both UDP concentration (P = 0·048) and UDP intake (P = 0·026). In experiment 2, groups of eight implanted steers were fed from 132 to 300 kg live weight on each of six diets (ME = 12 MJ/kg DM, soya-bean meal and formaldehyde-treated soya-bean meal as chief protein sources) supplying 17, 26, 34, 39, 54 and 82 g UDP per kg DM and concentrations of RDP up to 1·5 times ARC recommendations. There was no effect of UDP on either DMI or FCE but positive, linear responses in LWG to both UDP concentration (P = 0·019) and UDP intake (P = 0·010). In both experiments, mean DMI exceeded that predicted by ARC (1980) (P < 0·05). LWG predicted by the ME system and the ARC protein scheme was not significantly different from observed LWG for non-implanted steers, but was an underestimate of observed LWG for implanted steers (P = 0·002 in experiment 1, P < 0·001 in experiment 2). Observed responses in LWG to UDP concentration were also poorly predicted (regressions of observed on predicted LWG: experiment 1, r2 = 0·12, residual s.d. = 0·126; experiment 2, r2 = 0·004, residual s.d. = 0·119). It was concluded that oestradiol-17p has significant effects on responses in LWG to UDP, which are not predicted by the current ARC (1980, 1984) protein nutrition scheme.
Milk production from diets of silage and dried forage. 3. Effect of formalin-treated ryegrass silage of high digestibility givenad libitumwith and without urea
Authors: Tayler J. C. , Aston K. , Daley S. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT1. Young adult and adult lactating British Friesian female cattle (heifers and cows) were individually fedad libitumon perennial ryegrass silage (F) made with an additive of formic acid (3·41 of 85% acid/t fresh grass) or on a silage (FF) made from the same crop with an additive of 9·01/t of a mixture of equal volumes of formic acid and formalin (35% w/w solution of formaldehyde). Silage F was supplemented with a concentrate containing 50% dried grass and 50% barley at a low (L) or high (H) level of feeding; silage FF was supplemented with the same concentrate at the lower level only, either with urea at 2·0% of the silage DM (FFLU) or without urea (FFL).2. Silage F had a lower pH (P< 0·001) and contained more lactic, acetic and total fermentation acids (P><0·001). The DOMDin vivoof the diet was lower (by up to 3 units) for treatment FFL than for the other treatments (P<0·05 in weeks 17 and 18).3. Over weeks 4 to 18 of lactation the mean dry-matter intakes (DMI) of silage on treatments FL and FFL were similar, but silage DMI was 12 to 13% greater on treatment FFLU than on FL or FFL (P<0·05). Digestible OM intake was greater with FFLU than with FFL (P<0·01) and with FL (P<0·05).4. Milk yields did not differ significantly between treatments and metabolic blood profiles were normal.
Approximating invariant densities of metastable systems
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-TOKMAN CECILIA , HUNT BRIAN R. , WRIGHT PAUL 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe consider a piecewise smooth expanding map on an interval which has two invariant subsets of positive Lebesgue measure and exactly two ergodic absolutely continuous invariant probability measures (ACIMs). When this system is perturbed slightly to make the invariant sets merge, we describe how the unique ACIM of the perturbed map can be approximated by a convex combination of the two initial ergodic ACIMs. The result is generalized to the case of finitely many invariant components.
When technology speaks language: an evaluation of course management systems used in a language learning context
Authors: Yu Wen-Kai , Sun Yu-Chih , Chang Yu-Jung 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn light of the growing popularity of the use of computer management systems (CMSs) in higher education today, this study critically evaluates CMS adoption through a content-specific lens. By employing a mixed-method approach, the study examines college teachers’ and students’ experiences and perceptions of CMS adoption for language learning and teaching purposes. The findings show that despite the users’ perceived advantages of using CMSs in language courses, the systems’ lack of content-area specificity undermines many of the potential benefits. The study calls for better-rounded professional training to assist language teachers in integrating CMS functions strategically into their disciplinary pedagogy and incorporating multimedia language resources selectively to maximize the benefit of CMSs. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the importance of developing content-specific CMSs with functions tailored toward pedagogical needs in different contexts.
Nutrient apparent digestibility and the performance of growing fattening pigs as affected by incremental additions of fat to starch or non-starch polysaccharides
Authors: Bakker G. C. M. , Jongbloed R. , Verstegen M. W. A. , Jongbloed A. W. , Bosch M. W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn a factorial design, animal fat was added incrementally (0, 35, 70 and 105 g/kg) to maize starch (M) or to two sources of fermentable carbohydrates (260 g purified cellulose (C) per kg or 270 g soya-bean hulls (S) per kg). The 12 experimental diets were formulated by replacing maize starch in the control diet with fat, cellulose and soya-bean hulls of equivalent estimated net energy. Ninety-six castrated males were given these diets according to net energy. Apparent digestibilities of crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract were measured and were compared with those expected from the separate ingredients. Net energy conversion ratio (nECR) was also measured. Results showed that in the C and the S diets prediction of the apparent digestibility of nutrients was worse than in the M diets (significant effect of source of carbohydrate). Prediction of apparent digestibility of crude protein and crude lipid improved as the added fat increased (significant effect of amount of fat), except in the C and S diets where for digestible crude lipid the 70 g added fat per kg gave the worst prediction (significant effect of the interaction). The net energy calculated from the experimental data on apparent digestibility was proportionately between 0·83 and 0·98 of that calculated from the expected data. The pigs on the C and S treatments showed a significant lower nECR when calculated from the expected apparent digestibility coefficients, but not when calculated from those which were measured. At the highest fat addition, the nECR was poorest. It is concluded that the amounts of digestible components in compound foods cannot always be obtained from those in the separate ingredients.
Effects of food level on performance and behaviour of sows in a dynamic group-housing system with electronic feeding
Authors: Spoolder H. A. M. , Burbidge J. A. , Edwards S. A. , Lawrence A. B. , Simmins P. H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractEvidence from studies of group-housed sows in unbedded systems indicates that hunger may be a cause of increased aggression between animals. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of food level on performance, aggression and skin damage in a deep-straw system. Sixteen groups offive gilts were introduced over 8 months to one of two dynamic groups in a deep-straw yard (2·35 m2per sow) receiving different food levels from an electronic sow-feeding system: high (H: 3·0 kg and 38 MJ/day) and low (L: 1·6 kg and 20 MJ/day). Seventy second-parity sows were returned to the same treatments in the same subgroups. The behaviour of the animals was recorded throughout both pregnancies using a time sampling technique. Severity of skin damage was recorded as a number from 0 to 4 for each of nine areas, the average of which being the ‘damage score’. The total number of animals in each dynamic group was maintained at around 30, through the use of additional sows. As expected, H sows were heavier than L sows but no effect offood treatment was found on litter size or performance. L sows were more active (Lv.H; standing: 41v.31% of total observation time respectively, F114 = 7·65,P< 0·05) and showed more straw manipulation than H sows (Lv.H: 17v.10% respectively, F 3 34 = 18·4,P< 0·001). No differences between treatments were found either in number of aggressive interactions (Lv.H: 3·6v.3·8 interactions per sow per observation day, F, u = 0·82, P > 0·05), or in damage score (Lv.H: 0·24v.0·28; Flu = 0·27; P > 0·05).However, introduction of new animals did influence aggression, with sows being more involved in aggressive interactions on the day they were introduced, than on other sow's introduction days and on no introduction days (Tukey,P< 0·05). Average skin lesions per experimental sow were also higher in the days immediately following introduction. It can be concluded that in a sequential feeding system with plentiful straw, aggression is not influenced by the level offeeding. In these systems, the major factor giving rise to aggression is the introduction of new sows to the resident group.
Predicting changes in food energy requirements due to genetic changes in growth and body composition of growing ruminants
Authors: Amer P. , Emmans G. C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIncorporation of food intake into breeding objectives for ruminants is often difficult because the relevant genetic parameters are unavailable. A non-statistical approach to estimating the genetic relationships between food costs and genetic changes in growth and body composition traits was therefore developed.Equations which predict additional food requirements associated with genetic changes in growth and body composition traits are derived from an interspecies growth model. In the growth model, a genotype is mainly described according to its expected mature weights of protein, lipid and a composition trait of interest in the empty body under non-limiting conditions. Other model parameters describe the expected growth of the animal in a specific environment.An example is shown for beef cattle in the United Kingdom, where increases in carcass weight by 1 kg and carcass subcutaneous fat proportion by 0·01 result in increases in food costs by £0·97 and £7·34 respectively for a production system where animals are given an intensive silage/concentrate diet, are slaughtered at 305 kg and have a commercial fat grade 4L. A strong dependence of the results on the type of production system, especially the degree of maturity in protein at slaughter, is demonstrated.The model is easily adapted to other breeds and ruminant species. The approach is recommended for incorporating food intake into breeding objectives for ruminants in situations where reliable estimates of the necessary genetic parameters for a more conventional specification of the breeding objective are unavailable.
Effects of a maximum permissible journey time (31 h) on physiological responses of fleeced and shorn sheep to transport, with observations on behaviour during a short (1 h) rest-stop
Authors: Parrott R. F. , Hall S. J. G. , Lloyd D. M. , Goode J. A. , Broom D. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractConcern for the welfare of export lambs during long-distance road transport has prompted much research and a recommended change in procedure. The latter envisages an absolute maximum journey time of 31 h and includes a rest-stop (minimum duration 1 h) for feeding and watering. In the present experiment, the physiological and behavioural responses to this new protocol have been investigated in fleeced and shorn lambs (no. = 10 per group) provided with venous catheters and heart rate monitors. The two groups were loaded on a vehicle into separate adjacent pens and driven for 14 h; then unloaded into a lairage, where their behaviour was recorded. After 1 h they were reloaded and driven for a further 15·5 h, finally arriving at a slaughterhouse where carcass condition was evaluated. Blood samples collected at 30- or 60-min intervals by experimenters travelling with the animals were analysed to determine haematocrit, plasma osmolality, plasma concentrations of glucose, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), and the stress-responsive hormones, cortisol, prolactin, adrenaline and noradrenaline. The results showed that haematocrit increased after loading although the general trend during transport, as with osmolality, was a decline (P< 0·05). No significant changes in plasma glucose were detected but CPK increased in fleeced lambs after loading (P< 0·05). Cortisol release was stimulated by loading, especially in fleeced sheep (P< 0·001) but returned to home pen values within 6 h; heart rates changed in a similar manner. Transport did not markedly affect prolactin release although concentrations were consistently greater in fleeced sheep (P< 0·001). Noradrenaline, however, tended to be higher in shorn animals (P< 0·05). In lairage, both groups readily consumed hay, and especially concentrates, but the shorn lambs spent more time eating (P< 0·001). None of the shorn sheep, and only a few fleeced animals, drank water. There was no evidence for differences in weight loss between the two groups during the experiment and carcass quality at slaughter was within the normal expected range. The implications of these, and other related studies, for future transport policy are discussed, with particular reference to rest-stop duration and handling procedures.
Developing breeding objectives for beef cattle production 2. Biological and economic values of growth and carcass traits in Japan
Authors: Hirooka H. , Groen A. F. , Hillers J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA deterministic bio-economic model simulating beef production during the life cycle of a cow and her offspring was used to estimate biological and economic values of daily gain, marbling score, birth weight, weaning weight and mature weight for three production systems (cow-calf, feedlot and integrated) and alternative production circumstances in Japan. Biological efficiency (live-weight basis and lean-weight basis) and economic efficiency (returns over costs) were regarded as breeding objectives. Alternatives included reducing the maximum number of reproductive cycles, marketing by constant slaughter weight (BASE), constant age or constant carcass fat content, lighter slaughter weight and doubling food prices. Biological efficiency on a live-weight basis for the cow-calf system was most influenced by increasing weaning weight; for the feedlot and integrated system, increasing daily gain had the largest influence. For biological efficiency of lean production, increasing daily gain and mature weight had the largest influence in the feedlot and integrated systems, respectively. For economic efficiency, increasing weaning weight was most beneficial in the cow-calf system and increasing marbling score was most beneficial in the feedlot and integrated systems. Economic values of daily gain and weaning weight decreased markedly with increasing genetic levels of these traits. Marketing by age decreased the biological values of daily gain but increased the economic value of daily gain. Marketing at a constant carcass fat content decreased biological values of mature weight but increased the economic value of mature weight. Decreasing slaughter weight provided negative economic values of daily gain and weaning weight. Economic values were reduced when food prices were doubled.
Effects on maternal and foetal traits of feeding supplement to grazing pregnant ewes
Authors: Frutos P. , Buratovich O. , Giràldez F. J. , Mantecòn A. R. , Wright I. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThirty single-bearing Merino ewes were used to examine the effect of feeding supplement, from 91 to 140 days of gestation, on changes in chemical composition of the ewes, on the relationships with live weight and body condition score and on the foetus. Ewes grazed a perennial ryegrass pasture and were offered either no supplement or 500 g per head per day of a concentrate supplement from days 30 to 90 and (or) from days 91 to 140 of pregnancy. Maternal carcass and non-carcass components, uterine wall, foetus and placenta plus cotyledons were chemically analysed. Live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) on day 140 were both affected by supplementation during late pregnancy, mobilization of protein and fat being lower in animals receiving supplement. BCS accounted for more variation than LW in the carcass fat depot. Because this depot was the most important source of energy from days 91 to 140 of gestation, this suggests that BCS is a useful estimator of mobilization of maternal fat reserves during this stage of pregnancy. The ability to mobilize reserves and protect foetal growth by Merino ewes in southern Europe, where large fluctuations in grass growth rate exposes them to considerable undernutrition as pregnancy proceeds, was confirmed in this experiment. However, when the nutritional regime is extreme, supplementary feeding to the ewes is recommended, in order to make the whole system economically profitable.
Comparison of laparoscopic and transcervical insemination with frozen semen in Sarda dairy ewes
Authors: Cappai P. , Sanna S. R. , Branca A. , Fraghì A. , Bomboi G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractLaparoscopic insemination with frozen-thawed semen is currently used for planned matings in the Sarda breeding programme. In order to find a fast and less intrusive artificial insemination (AI) method that could replace laparoscopic insemination, a field comparison of laparoscopic and transcervical techniques was carried out on 200 mature Sarda ewes. After AI, ewes were assigned to teaser and fertile rams for 2 months. Return rates and cumulative (AI + natural mating) lambing rates were recorded over three subsequent 23-day periods. Lambing rates to AI were significantly different (P < 0·01), and were 62% and 7% respectively for laparoscopic and transcervical AI. Cumulative lambing rates after two further 23-day periods of natural mating were no longer significantly different (P > 0·05) and reached 82% and 74% respectively. Ewes with body condition scores at AI higher than 2·75 showed better overall reproductive performance, but not higher pregnancy rate to AI. Plasma cortisol concentrations, sampled twice, before and after AI, were higher (P < 0·01) in the last sample, suggesting a stress response to insemination. Cortisol levels after AI were lower (P < 0·01) for ewes submitted to transcervical rather than laparoscopic insemination (P < 0·01). However, cortisol levels after AI were no greater than those recorded when ewes were restrained in a milking yoke different from that usually employed. Laparoscopic AI was confirmed as the most suitable technique for insemination offrozen semen in the Sarda breeding scheme.
Comparative digestibility and digesta flow kinetics in two breeds of sheep
Authors: Ranilla M. J. , López S. , Giráldez F. J. , Valdés C. , Carro M. D. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA study was conducted to compare apparent digestibility and digesta flow kinetics in the whole digestive tract in two breeds of sheep (Churra and Merino) offered alfalfa hay at about maintenance. Ten mature sheep (five Churra and five Merino) each fitted with a rumen cannula were used in the study. Apparent digestibility was determined by total faecal collection. Liquid (Co-EDTA) and solid (Cr-mordanted fibre) markers were used to estimate rumen volumes and digesta flows. There were no significant differences between Churra and Merino sheep either in dry-matter or fibre apparent digestibility (P > 0·05). Liquid and solid passage rates did not differ between breeds and the estimated total mean retention times were similar for both genotypes. The volume of liquid in the rumen was proportionately 0·14 greater in Churra than in Merino sheep, although the difference was not significant. Estimated saliva secretion was greater in Churra (11·6 (s.e. 0·77) I/day) than in Merino sheep (10·5 (s.e. 0·72) I/day) but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Solid contents of the rumen did not differ between breeds. Rumen particle density was lowest at 2 h after feeding and remained stable at other sampling times, with no significant differences between breeds. There were no significant differences between breeds in the urinary excretion of total purine derivatives but urinary excretion of allantoin and microbial nitrogen supply tended to be higher in Merino than in Churra sheep (P < 0·20). This was attributed to the smaller rumen pool size of Merino (8·0 (s.e. 0·62) kg) compared with Churra sheep (9·2 (s.e. 0·63) kg). The study indicated that there were no apparent breed differences between Churra and Merino sheep in digestibility and digesta passage when they were given a good-quality forage at a low level of intake.