bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of sward surface height on herbage intake and performance of lactating ewes lambed in winter and continuously stocked on pasture
Authors: Morris S. T. , McCutcheon S. N. , Parker W. J. , Blair H. T. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThirty-six 4-year-old Border Leicester × Romney (BR), Poll Dorset × BR (PBR) and Suffolk × BR (SBR) ewes balanced for litter size were assigned, 6 days after the mid-point of lambing (29 June 1989), to one of three sward surface height (SSH) treatments replicated twice (six ewes/1 ha paddock). The mean SSH during the 54 days of the trial were 2·6, 4·4 and 7·8 cm. Herbage organic matter intake (OMI) was measured using intraruminal chromium controlled release capsules during weeks 3, 4, 7 and 8 of lactation. Ewe OMI was not influenced by SSH during week 3 of lactation. During weeks 4 and 7 of lactation, ewe OMI increased with SSH up to a SSH of 7·8 cm. In week 8 of lactation there was no significant difference in OMI between ewes grazing the 4·4 or 7·8 cm SSH treatments, suggesting maximum intake at this stage of lactation is reached at 4·4 cm SSH. A maximum OMI of 2·6±0·1 and 3·0±0·1 kg OM/ewe per day (P< 0·05) was reached in week 4 of lactation on the 4·4and 7·8 cm SSH treatments, respectively. Ewes grazing the 2·6 cm swards had a relatively constant OMI throughout the experiment (range 1·8±0·1 to 2·0±0·1 kg OM/ewe per day). However, these ewes lost 10·5 kg of liveweight while those on the 4·4 and 7·8 cm SSH treatments maintained a constant liveweight. Sward surface height had no effect on ewe midside wool growth rate or mean fibre diameter (measured at day 60 of lactation) or on lamb liveweight gain. Ewe breed cross had no effect on ewe OMI or midside wool growth. Lambs reared by SBR ewes were heavier (20·4±0·5 kg) at day 60 of lactation than lambs reared by PBR (18·7±0·6 kg) or BR (18·4±0·6 kg) ewes (P< 0·05). These results suggest that for Winter(June)-lambing ewes in good condition a SSH of 4·0 cm under continuous stocking should ensure near to maximum ewe and lamb performance. However, ewes in good body condition at lambing stocked on a SSH down to 3 cm will rear lambs to acceptable weaning weights but at the expense of ewe liveweight loss and possible long-term carry-over effects on future productionif compensatory weight gains are not achieved during the spring pasture growth period.
The health and performance of the grazing animal in relation to fertilizer nitrogen usage. II. Weaned lambs
Authors: Large R. V. , Speeding C. R. W. 
Published: March 2009

1. Experiments were carried out in 1961 and 1962 to study the effect of high levels of nitrogenous fertilizer on the health and performance of early weaned lambs. The lambs were artificially reared and grazed in a ‘worm-free’ area. In 1961, levels of Nitro-chalk were applied at 22 and 110 kg. N/hectare/month and in 1962 an intermediate level of 66 kg. N/hectare/month was added; the actual totals applied per hectare were 220,660 and 1100 kg. to treatments N1, N2 and N3 respectively. All nitrogen treatments were carried out with and without irrigation (applied to maintain a soil moisture deficit of less than 2.5 cm.).2. Lambs were introduced to the experimental plots when 8-10 weeks of age and grazed in rotation a series of four paddocks on each treatment; a low grazing pressure was maintained at all times.
An experiment measuring effects of N, P and K fertilizers on yield and N, P and K contents of grazed grass
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. , Williams R. J. B. 
Published: March 2009

1. An experiment was started in 1959 to measure effects on grazed permanent grass of ammonium sulphate, calcium nitrate, superphosphate and muriate of potash; yields and N, P and K contents of the herbage were measured from 1961 to 1964.2. Applying 1.5 cwt. N/acre per year (in four bi-monthly doses) consistently increased yields. The first and fourth cuttings yielded less with 3.0 cwt. N/acre per year (also in four bi-monthly doses) than with 1.5 cwt. N/acre, but the second and third cuttings yielded more; the total additional yield from 3.0 cwt. N was small. Yields were increased equally by ammonium sulphate (providing that lime was also applied) and calcium nitrate.3. Yields were increased more by P than by K; the increase from P was greater when N was also applied.
Influence of tree growth on spray chemical deposits on peach leaves
Authors: Hogmire H. W. , Wimmer M. J. , Crim V. L. , Welker R. M. , Wentz E. , Smith R. R. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA 50–fold increase in peach tree growth over a 98-day spraying season resulted in a 64 and 96% reduction in nigrosine dye deposit in the periphery and centre of the tree, respectively. Drift from spraying of adjacent rows made a significant contribution (18–39%) to the total chemical deposit in the tree periphery in four of six applications. Drift between rows was not a factor in centre tree deposit, except for a 38% contribution in the initial application. A variable reduced application rate of methyl parathion, calculated using a regression equation, resulted in a more uniform deposit throughout the season than a full application rate, providing comparable control of Oriental fruit moth withc. 50% less insecticide.
Factors affecting birth weights of Awassi lambs
Authors: Juma K. H. , Faraj M. 
Published: March 2009

The Awassi flock raised at the Abu-Ghraib Experiment Station over the years 1960-64 produced 923 single and 88 twin births. The environmental factors affecting birth weight, and the repeatability of birth weight were investigated.Sex of lamb, type of birth, weight of dam, time and year of lambing were found to have significant effects on the birth weight of Awassi lambs. Male and single lambs were heavier at birth than female and twin lambs respectively. Ewes weighing between 126 and 135 lb. produced the heaviest lambs at birth. Lambs born earlier and later in the lambing season were heavier than lambs dropped in midseason.
Teat-seeking activity in new-born lambs: the effects of cold
Authors: Alexander G. , Williams D. 
Published: March 2009

Behaviour of lambs was studied in three separate physiological states resulting from planned exposure to cold, i.e. energy reserves depleted, discomfort during the experience of cold, and hypothermia.When lambs were observed under mild conditions, prior depletion of about 20 % of the energy reserves, due to exposure to cold conditions for 4 hr., was without marked effect on teat-seeking activity. However, when the lambs were observed under cold, wet conditions, there was a marked depression of this activity. The activity in lambs which had been kept warm to conserve energy also tended to be depressed under conditions of discomfort due to cold.
Grazed pasture parameters. I. Pasture dry-matter production and availability in a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows
Authors: Campbell A.G. 
Published: March 2009

1. Net pasture dry matter production and available pasture dry matter were measured over 3 years in a small-scale replica of the study of the effects of dairy cow grazing management and stocking rate reported by McMeekan & Walshe (1963).2. The four treatments were(i) Controlled rotational grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(ii) Controlled rotational grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).(iii) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(iv) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).3. The pasture measurement technique employed measured net pasture production (gains through new growth minus losses from all sources). It is argued that this parameter, rather than absolute pasture production, governs the changes in the dry matter feed supply to the grazing animal.
Grazed pasture parameters. III. Relationships of pasture and animal parameters in, and general discussion of a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows
Authors: Campbell A. G. 
Published: March 2009

1. Pasture parameters have been correlated with animal production parameters from a trial in which two management systems (‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ grazing), each at two stocking rates (0.95 and 1.19 cows/acre), were compared.2. Per acre butterfat production was positively related to percentage utilization of available D.M., but negatively related to yield of available D.M.3. Per cow butterfat production was significantly and positively correlated with yield of available D.M. in the two months after calving (August and September) and in the penultimate month of lacta-tion (April), but this correlation was not significant in other months.4. It is concluded that management system was as important as stocking rate in increasing the utilization of pasture and animal production from pasture.
Experiments on the direct, cumulative and residual effects of town refuse manures and sewage sludge at Rothamsted and other centres 1940–1947
Authors: Garner H. V. 
Published: March 2009

Several town-refuse manures were compared with farmyard manure at Rothamsted and five other places between 1940 and 1947. The organic manures were used at 8 and 16 tons/acre with and without fertilizer nitrogen and potash. Direct and residual effects were measured on agricultural and horticultural crops.All organic manures improved yields in the year of application, FYM most and consistently. The average percentage increases in yield produced by the pulverized refuses tested, in relation to the increase from an equal weight of FYM, were: sugar beet 22, mangolds 83, carrots, 85, potatoes 51. The corresponding figures for screened dust were: sugar beet 40, mangolds 28, carrots 41; the dust slightly depressed potato yields. Averaging all sixteen experiments on root crops, the pulverized refuses had 64% of the first-year effect of FYM and the screened dust 25%.
Stem and root characteristics associated with lodging resistance in four winter wheat cultivars
Authors: Crook M. J. , Ennos A. R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe effects of root and shoot characteristics on the lodging resistance of four cultivars of winter wheat were investigated by combining results from a field trial (set up at Manchester University's Experimental Grounds, Jodrell Bank, in mid-September 1991) with morphological and mechanical measurements on their stems and anchorage systems. Cultivars showed contrasting lodging resistance: Widgeon was most susceptible, followed by Galahad, Riband and Hereward which, alone, did not lodge. Lodging resistance was not related to the strength and stiffness of the stems, which were usually adequate to withstand the forces to which they were subjected. Most plants instead failed in their root system which rotated through the soil. Resistance was associated with short and light stems (and hence on the force applied to the plants by wind and gravity) and with high values of the anchorage strength of the root system (and hence on the force resisting lodging). Lodging occurred during grain filling when the ears were heaviest and when the soil was wet. The anchorage strength of a plant depended on two characteristics of the root system: the bending strength and the angle of spread of the basal coronal roots. Plants with stronger, more widely spread coronal roots produced larger soil cones during anchorage failure and resisted larger forces. Future breeding for lodging resistance, therefore, should continue to select for plants with shorter stems and with stiffer, more widely spread, coronal roots.
Effects of straw incorporation on the yield, nitrogen fertilizer and insecticide requirements of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris)
Authors: Allison M. F. , Jaggard K. W. , Last P. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIncorporation of large amounts of straw (8–15 t/ha dry matter) into the soil had no effect on the incidence of soil pests and diseases or sugarbeet seedling population densities in experiments performed over three seasons (1984/85 to 1986/87) in Suffolk. Straw incorporation had no effect on sugar yield at the recommended rate of nitrogen fertilizer application, but the sugar yield and nitrogen uptake were reduced in one year by the incorporation of straw when the rate of applied nitrogen was low. It is probable that incorporating straw reduced the amount of nitrogen leached over the winter; however, the longer-term implications of straw incorporation remain to be assessed.
Effect of Haemonchus contortus on productivity of ewes, lambs and weaners in a semi-arid environment
Authors: Cobon D. H. , O'Sullivan B. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYLactating ewes, ewes that had lambed but subsequently lost their lambs (dry) and weaners were either artificially infested with 2000–3000 third-stage Haemonchus contortus larvae (parasitized) or drenched with levamisole (treated) and run under extensive grazing conditions in north-west Queensland. Worm egg counts in parasitized lactating, dry and weaner sheep ranged from 860–2830 eggs per gram of faeces. These levels of infestation significantly (P < 0·01) reduced liveweight gain of all three sheep classes, milk yield of ewes and wool growth of weaners compared to their treated counterparts. The lower milk yield of the parasitized ewes significantly (P < 0·01) reduced lamb growth rate. Survival of lambs to weaning was 26% higher in the treated group. The experiments showed that moderate levels of H. contortus, that did not produce clinical signs of infestation, reduce productivity of sheep in this semi-arid environment.
Factors affecting body weight at birth and at 90 days of age in pure-bred and cross-bred cattle in a tropical environment
Authors: Willis M. B. , Wood P. D. P. , Kaspar A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYLive weights of 8764 calves born in seven herds in Cuba during the years 1966–8 were measured at birth and at approximately 3 months of age. Over 2600 were pure bred: Zebu (2002), Santa Gertrudis (435) and Charolais (212); the remainder were crossbred Holstein x Zebu (4955) and Brown Swiss x Zebu (1160).Year, season of birth, herd and sex were associated with variation in mean birth weight in all breeds and crosses except Charolais in which no seasonal effect was apparent and in Brown Swiss x Zebu cross-breeds in which herd and sex effects were absent.At 90 days there was a general tendency for calves born in late spring and summer to be heavier than those bom at other times. By this age, herd variation had subsided among Brown Swiss x Zebu cross-breds, and variation due to sex had ceased to be important among Charolais calves.Estimates of heritability of birth weight ranged from 0·09 in Holstein crosses to 0·62 in Brown Swiss crosses, and of weight at 90 days from 0·05 in Brown Swiss crosses to 0·44 in the Charolais breed. Phenotypic correlations between birth and 90 days weights were of the order of + 0·25 while genetic correlations were positive for pure breeds and negative for cross-breeds.
Leys and soil organic matter:III. The accumulation of macro-organic matter in the soil under different swards
Authors: Garwood E. A. , Clement C. R. , Williams T. E. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYMacro-organic matter (roots and partially decomposed plant debris retained on a 0·25 mm mesh sieve) was measured in soils under various swards. Under a grazed perennial ryegrass/white clover sward, sown on arable land, macro-organic matter in the top 15 cm of soil rose steadily in the first 8 years to 15·8 t/ha, but subsequently declined. Under arable cropping there was great variation with crop and season. Under grass, most of the macro-organic matter accumulated in the top 2 cm of soil, particularly during the first 3 or 4 years. More macro-organic matter was found under perennial ryegrass/white clover than under cocksfoot/white clover swards.After 3 years under grass macro-organic matter accounted for 10% of the total soil carbon, and represented about half the increase in soil carbon.Half, or less, of the nitrogen which accumulated in soil under grass was in the macroorganic matter fraction. The differences between swards which received no N fertilizer and those which received 940 kg/ha over 3 years was small, 16–40 kg N/ha respectively for cut and frequently grazed swards. The ratio of C:N in macro-organic matter under different swards averaged 22:1.
Culture and fertilization of sheep ovarian oocytes:III. Evidence on fertilization in the sheep oviduct based on pronucleate and cleaved eggs
Authors: Quirke J. F. , Gordon I. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYFour hundred and fifteen oocytes cultured in growth medium for 24·5–28·5 h were transferred to the oviducts of 23 oestrous ewes. Twenty ewes were bred prior to transfer; three remained unbred as a control. After intervals of 24–73 h oocytes were recovered. In 179 oocytes from 19 bred recipients, 19 pronucleateand 26 cleaved eggs were recovered; one apparent 4-cell egg was found in 37 oocytes recovered from unbred ewes.
The effect of breed on the composition of blood
Authors: Heyns H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe blood of 12 Afrikaner cows and their calves and 12 Friesland cows and their calves were analysed for 12 constituents to study the effect of breed on the composition. Breed had a significant effect on the composition of blood. The haemoglobin, erythrocyte, alkaline phosphatase, potassium and calcium content of the blood of the Afrikaner cows were statistically significantly higher, and the glucose and globulin significantly lower, than those of Friesland cows. In respect of the calves, differences were statistically significant for haemoglobin, erythrocytes, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, calcium, albumin and non-protein nitrogen.
Statistical evaluation of drainage treatments in simple field trials with special reference to former opencast coal mining land
Authors: Scullion J. , Mohammed A. R. A. , Ramshaw G. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYDrainage trials frequently lack any statistical evaluation of treatment differences, often because of practical difficulties in setting up randomized field experiments. Also, where detailed moisture measurements are carried out the usefulness of such data is small in relation to the workload involved. Procedures are described here which seek to rectify, in part, the above limitations.Routine drain and surface condition data were analysed. Parallel regression analysis was used to compare drainage response patterns based on linear relationships between rainfall and peak drain flow. A point scoring system allowed treatment effects on surface conditions to be evaluated by x2analysis.Artificial drainage seeks to simulate naturally free-draining conditions. In line with this objective, soil moisture contents in the field, on a ‘Field Capacity Day’ (Stewart & Adams, 1968), were related to those at a standard (– 10 KPa) moisture tension typical of free-draining reference sites. Effectiveness of drainage performance was indicated by proximity of field and reference tension moisture contents.Worked examples of each of the above procedures are provided. The procedures were found to be both sensitive and complementary. The value of the overall approach and its application under more normal agricultural conditions are discussed.
Effects of inflorescence removal on seed yield performance of field beans (Vicia faba) under different shading treatments
Authors: Aufhammer W. , Götz-Lee I. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYEffects of inflorescence removal under different plant densities and degrees of shading on seed yield of field beans (Vicia fabaL.) were investigated. Two indeterminate cultivars were used in field experiments for two seasons (1985 and 1986). The hierarchy within the generative storage system of field bean plants was manipulated by removal of inflorescences at various growth stages and nodes.Removal of the inflorescences of nodes 1–3 (counted from the base upwards) caused about 30% loss of seed yield potential compared with the control but compensatory increases in seed yield were found, differing with plant density and duration of shading. Under favourable growing conditions (no shading, 20 plants/m2), overcompensation occurred, giving a mean seed yield up to 40% more than in controls.Removal of all inflorescences above the ninth flowering node did not significantly reduce seed yield as plants completely compensated for the restriction on yield imposed.
Effect of timing of injection with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin on fixed-time artificial insemination of seasonally anoestrous ewes
Authors: Fukui Y. , Akaike M. , Anzai H. , Ono H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYEffect of timing of pregnant mares's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) injection combined with a progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponge on fixed-time artificial insemination with fresh, undiluted semen during the nonbreeding season was investigated. PMSG injection 2 days before sponge removal (group A) caused significantly earlier oestrus than injection at the time of sponge removal (group B). Lambing percentages in a total of 320 ewes after fixed-time insemination at 36 h (64·1%) and 48 h (47·2%) in group A, and 48 h (59·5%) and 60 h (39·5%) in group B were not significantly different from those resulting from ‘at oestrus’ insemination (500% and 511% in groups A and B, respectively). The present results indicate that the optimum time for fixed insemination may depend upon the time of PMSG injection associated with progestagen treatment.
Nitrogen immobilization in decomposing litter contributes to productivity decline in ageing pastures of green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume)
Authors: Robbins G. B. , Bushell J. J. , McKeon G. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe extent and rate of N release from nylon bags containing green panic (Panicum maximumvar.trichoglume)litter was measured for up to 319 days (long-term studies) in 1978/79 and 1979/80 in Gayndah, Australia. Dry matter (DM) decomposition rates were measured in 41 periods of 39 days and related to environmental variables and initial litter N concentrations (short-term study).About half of litter DM decomposed during the long-term studies, while N concentration in the remaining litter increased from an initial average of 0–57 % N, to 0–95 % N. Net release of N from bags began when its concentration in the residue increased to c.0–65% N (or when the C:N ratio decreased to 75:1). Only a net 20–30 % of the initial N was released for potential plant uptake by the end of the study. The short-term study showed that DM decomposition was rapid and independent of pasture age. Decomposition rate increased with soil moisture and average daily temperature but was unaffected by initial litter N concentration. Release of N from decomposing litter was slow, despite rapid DM decomposition. It was concluded that a major cause of declining productivity in sown grass pastures is the immobilization of N in decomposing grass litter.