bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carcass composition of lambs including a method of assessment using tritiated water in vivo
Authors: Davies D. A. R. , Owen J. B. , Cuthbertson A. , Read J. L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwenty-four Suffolk cross lambs, the progeny of three sires, were reared artificially under standardized conditions and slaughtered at 40 kg live weight.The tritiated water technique as a means of estimating carcass composition in vivo was evaluated and carcass composition was established using both physical dissection and chemical analysis. Live-weight gain of the lambs from weaning was 389 g/day but the carcasses were lean. Dissected fat, lean and bone percentages were 20·5, 58·4 and 18·9 respectively. Differences between progeny groups were non-significant.Fat percentage was the most variable body component, although lower than in many other reported studies. The CV for dissected fat was 15·2% and for chemically analysed fat 15·9%. The correlation between estimates for the two methods was high (r = 0·90) despite there being quantities of other constituents in the dissected fat. It was not possible to demonstrate any relationship between reciprocal of tritiated water count and fat percentage or any other measurement of the composition of the whole carcass. Other measurements made on the live animal, such as fasted live weight and ultrasonic determinations of fat thickness and area of m. longissimus dor si were also not related to carcass composition.It is concluded that neither tritiated water count nor any of the other measurements of the live animal would be sufficiently accurate to be of value in performance testing.
A note on the performance of Assaf male lambs reared intensively on an all-concentrate diet with herring meal or toasted soya bean meal as the main protein source
Authors: Folman Y. , Eyal E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThirty-five Assaf intact male lambs were divided into three groups and offered an all-concentrate pelleted diet based on barley and maize and supplemented with either toasted soya bean meal, herring meal or toasted soya bean meal plus methionine to contain 20% crude protein. The live-weight gains to a slaughter weight of 57 kg were 425, 440 and 394 g/day, and the feed conversion ratios were 3·12, 3·07 and 3·38 kg dry matter/kg gain, respectively. It is concluded that, with toasted soya bean meal as the protein supplement, it is possible to obtain high growth rates that do not diifer significantly from those obtained with herring meal.
A retrospective analysis of culling in a large AI stud
Authors: Hinks C. J. M. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYOf 335 British Friesian bulls at AI centres progeny tested during the period 1960–65, 19% were retained for further use in the programme following selection.A time trend towards more intense selection was observed, from an initial selection rate of 1 in 3 to a final rate of 1 in 7. This appeared to involve increased culling for both daughter type and daughter production.At all stages of the programme approximately 50% of the selection practised was directed towards attributes other than milk yield.A comparison of the mean contemporary comparison (c.c.) values of the selected bulls with the values obtained following selection solely for milk yield indicated that the inclusion of daughter type as a criterion of selection reduced the c.c. value of the stud by approximately 33%.A drastic reduction in the c.c. value of the selected bulls was observed to coincide with the appearance of subsequent groups of daughters in the sire proofs.
The flock-mating of progestagen-synchronized ewes. 1. The influence of ram-to-ewe ratio upon mating behaviour and lambing performance
Authors: Bryant M. J. , Tomkins T. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYSixteen Suffolk rams, 8 previously assessed as High libido and 8 as Medium libido, were mated to groups of 6, 12,18 and 30 ewes whose oestrous cycles had been synchronized using progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges.Observations over a 3-day mating period indicated that no differences occurred in mating behaviour between High and Medium libido rams. As number of ewes per ram increased, the rams achieved a greater mean total number of mounts and services, but mated a smaller mean percentage of ewes. Also the time taken and the number of services required to mate with all ewes served increased substantially.As the number of ewes per ram increased the ewes had, on average, to wait longer for their first service and were served less often. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in the ratio of ewes lambing to ewes served.
Estimation in vivo of the chemical composition of the bodies of mature cows
Authors: Wright I. A. , Russel A. J. F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA number of possible indices of body composition (live weight, skeletal size, total body water as estimated by deuterium oxide dilution, blood and red cell volumes as estimated by Evans Blue dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eye-muscle area, and body condition scoring) was examined using 73 non-pregnant, non-lactating, mature cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, British Friesian, Galloway and Luing genotypes, ranging in body condition score from 0·75 to 4·5. Direct measurements of body composition in terms of water, fat, protein and ash were made following slaughter.Live weight, deuterium oxide dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eyemuscle area, and body condition score were all considered to be potentially useful predictors of body composition. Combinations of techniques offered better predictions than did any single index. Using a combination of measurements it was possible to predict body fat and protein with a residual s.d. of 13·1 kg and 3·15 kg respectively. Breed differences in the partition of fat among the main adipose tissue depots necessitated the development of specific prediction equations for body fat based on condition score and subcutaneous fat depth for different breeds. Equations remain to be developed for predicting body composition in cows in different physiological states.
Environmental and genetic causes of variation in production traits of Damascus goats. 2. Goat productivity
Authors: Mavrogenis A. P. , Constantinou A. , Louca A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTData on 1474 lactation records obtained from 1972 to 1978 were used to study environmental and genetic influences on production characters in the Damascus goat. Year and month of kidding had a significant effect on 90- and 150-day milk production after weaning, lactation length and litter weight at weaning (P < 0·01), but no influence on litter weight at birth. Milk production after weaning was not related to litter weight at birth or at weaning. Age of goat at kidding had a significant quadratic effect on milk production, and litter weight at birth and at weaning. No such effects were found for lactation length.Estimates of heritability, from paternal half-sib correlations, for 90- and 150-day milk production were similar (0·29 (s.e. 0·14)). The genetic correlation between 90- and 150-day milk yield (0·92 (s.e. 0·03)) was high, indicating that part and whole lactation yields are influenced by the same genes. The phenotypic correlations among milk yield traits and lactation length were also high and positive.
A note on sodium bentonite as an additive to grower pig diets
Authors: Taverner M. R. , Campbell R. G. , Biden R. S. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn pigs growing from 20 to 70 kg live weight, the addition of 40 g sodium bentonite to each kg diet was without significant effect on growth performance under ad libitum and restricted feeding regimes. Sodium bentonite appeared to be indigestible and inert, as dry-matter digestibilities were reduced from 0·87 to 0·85 and 0·83 by the addition of 20 and 40 g sodium bentonite per kg diet respectively.
An integration of mathematical models for feeding and lactation with reproductive performance of the dairy cow
Authors: Goodall E. A. , McMurray C. H. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA mathematical model based on the energy requirements of the dairy cow and the lactation model of Wood was constructed to determine the effect on net returns over concentrates of different calving intervals for different weeks of the year under different feeding management conditions. The model was computerized, and this enabled an investigation of the effect on net returns of varying silage metabolizable energy levels and different nutritional management systems. The importance of the modelling approach in examining a range of interacting factors simultaneously is highlighted. To illustrate this approach, results are presented here with 1981 prices for milk, concentrates and calves kept constant over a period of 4 years and also, to validate this approach, using actual prices paid over the period 1976 to 1981.
A comparison of Canadian Holstein × British Friesian and British Friesian steers for beef production. 2. Carcass characteristics
Authors: Baber P. L. , Rowlinson P. , Willis M. B. , Chalmers A. J. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA comparison was undertaken of 85 Holstein × Friesian (HF) and 84 Friesian (F) steer carcasses that had been produced on three production systems. These were: intensive barley beef (BB); grass/cereal 18 month; and 24 month forage system. On each system, HF steers were heavier at slaughter (over all systems, 476·5 v. 453·3 kg ***) and had a lower killing-out proportion (512 v. 521 g/kg ***), which resulted in higher carcass weights (243·5 v. 235·9 kg **). Steers were slaughtered on reaching a standard degree of finish (equivalent to European Economic Community fat-class 3), provided that they had attained a minimum live weight. There were no significant differences in carcass fat class (3·23 v. 3·35) but HF had poorer carcass conformation classification (2·62 v. 3·21 ***). Of the HF carcasses, 60·4% were rejected on conformation for Beef Premium Scheme payments and only 29·0% of the F carcasses were rejected (P < 0·001): a considerable and unmerited financial penalty. Objective carcass measurements showed HF to have longer sides (1257 v. 1233 mm ***), longer legs (812 v. 790 mm ***) and deeper forequarters (420 v. 402 mm ***). These differences remained when dressed carcass weight and sample-joint fat proportion were taken as covariates. Comparison of the weight-adjusted carcasses showed the HF to have reduced rump (P < 0·001) and loin thickness (P < 0·05). No other consistent effects were seen for carcass measurements, subjective scores or colour attributes. Dissection of the 7th t o 9th rib joint, as a predictor of carcass composition, revealed no significant overall differences in proportions (g/kg) of muscle (571 v. 567), bone (219 v. 219) or fat (206 v. 212). The implications of carcass value of the above findings are discussed.
Effects of the dietary inclusion of copper sulphate, avoparcin and carbadox/sulphadimidine supplements on the performance of pigs weaned at 25 days
Authors: Patterson D. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo experiments, involving 144 and 168 pigs weaned at 22 to 31 days, to investigate the response to inclusion of copper (CuSO4.5H2O), copper plus carbadox/sulphadimidine or copper plus avoparcin supplements in starter and grower diets were made. The carbadox and sulphadimidine levels were 50 and 100 mg/kg diet respectively in both diets. Avoparcin was included at 40 mg/kg in the starter diets and 20 mg/kg in the grower diets. In the first experiment the levels of copper were either 180 or 340 mg/kg in the starter diets and either 90 or 270 mg/kg in the grower diets. In the second experiment the levels were either 20 or 180 mg/kg in the starter diets and either 10 or 180 mg/kg in the grower diets.In the starter period of the first experiment, supplementation with carbadox/sulphadimidine or avoparcin proportionately increased the rate of growth by 0·41 and 0·07 respectively in relation to supplementation with 340 mg copper per kg diet (P < 0·05). Neither supplement improved growth rate in the grower period. In the second experiment there were no significant differences in growth rate. However the rates of growth in both the starter and grower periods were higher in pigs receiving carbadox/sulphadimidine than in those receiving avoparcin, while these in turn grew slightly faster than those receiving copper only.Taking into account the costs of the supplements the inclusion of the carbadox/sulphadimidine supplement produced an economic benefit compared with the other treatments.
A note on the accuracy of the New Zealand Hennessy Grading Probe and the Danish Fat-O-Meater in measuring fat and muscle thickness in pig carcasses
Authors: Fortin A. , Jones S. D. M. , Haworth C. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo hundred and twenty-four pig carcasses were used to compare the Hennessy Grading Probe and the Fat-O-Meater in their accuracy for measuring fat and muscle thickness (m. longissimus). Accuracy was defined in terms of precision and bias. The precision (relationship between repeated measurements) of the two probes in measuring fat and muscle thickness varied with the probing locations. When differences were detected, the higher precision was found with the Fat-O-Meater. The mean bias in measuring fat thickness was negative for the Hennessy Grading Probe (P< 0·01); however, for the Fat-O-Meater, no mean bias was detected. Furthermore, the extent and the direction of the bias in measuring fat over the range of fat thickness studied varied with the probe and the probing location.
A note on the effects of variations in food intake on nitrogen retention in control and selection lines of Large White pigs
Authors: Henderson Ruth , Whittemore C. T. , Ellis M. , Smith W. C. , Laird R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTFifty-three 7-day nitrogen balances were made using 13 control (C) and 15 selection line (S) Large White boars. Six feeding treatments were imposed, ranging from a Jevel estimated to maintain weight to a level aimed at inducing a fast growth rate from giving food twice daily to appetite for 30 min. Nitrogen retention did not differ significantly, but C boars retained slightly more than S boars at the lowest food intake, while S boars retained Slightly more than C boars at higher food intakes. The slopes of the regression of nitrogen retention against food intake for growth was steeper for S than for C boars (P > 0·05). It is concluded that great care should be taken in using metabolism experiment results to predict changes in body composition.
Effects of Zeranol® implants and dietary supplement on growth rate, endocrine status and blood metabolite levels of growing lambs at pasture
Authors: Rhind S. M. , Zygoyiannis D. , Doney J. M. , Leslie I. D. , Hart I. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn a 2 × 2 factorial experiment, the effect of implants of the growth promoter Zeranol, with and without supplementary food, on the growth rate, blood metabolite and hormone profiles of lambs finished at pasture was examined. For lambs fed no supplement, Zeranol implants increased growth rates from 166 to 185 g/day (s.e. of difference = 11·4) whereas for animals fed supplement the response to Zeranol was much greater, the growth rates being 167 and 234 g/day (s.e. of difference = 12·8). Supplement given to lambs not treated with Zeranol replaced a proportion of the herbage intake while, in lambs given supplement and treated with Zeranol, herbage intake was greatly increased (P< 0·001). Plasma glucose and urea concentrations were not affected by treatment but non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were depressed and albumin levels increased by Zeranol implants, while supplementary food caused reductions in plasma NEFA and urea concentrations. It is suggested that Zeranol treatment and supplementary food acted synergistically through changes in insulin and growth hormone concentrations to induce a much larger increase in growth rate in the treated animals given supplementary food than in those given either Zeranol or supplement alone. The response to Zeranol may also have been altered by differences in thyroid hormone status associated with supplementary food.
Effect of nutrient density, presence of fish meal and method of feeding of unmedicated diets on early-weaned pigs
Authors: Pike I. H. , Curran M. K. , Edge M. , Harvey Anne 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn two experiments, the first with 96 pigs from 5 weeks of age and the second with 384 pigs from 3 weeks of age, high nutrient dense diets (HND) or conventional diets (CONV) were given with (50 g/kg diet) or without fish meal, up to slaughter at 90 kg live weight. Diets were unmedicated. In both experiments pigs were given food according to scales which equalized digestible energy intakes for the HND and the CONV diets. In experiment 1 pigs were individually fed; in experiment 2 group feeding was practised with pens of 16 pigs either floor or trough fed.There was no mortality in experiment 1, but the mortality was high in experiment 2, particularly amongst those pigs receiving the CONV diet without fish meal. In experiment 1, in the first 56 days, inclusion of fish meal in the CONV and HND diets significantly improved growth rate but food conversion efficiency was significantly improved in the CONV diet only. Overall, up to slaughter, growth rate and food conversion efficiency were significantly poorer in pigs given the CONV diet without fish meal (cf. the three other diets) but the HND diets were significantly better than the CONV diet with fish meal. In experiment 2, overall there were no significant differences in performance between floor- and trough- feeding methods, CONV diets without fish meal gave significantly poorer growth rates in the first 56 days and overall than the other three diets, between which there were no significant differences. In both periods, for food conversion efficiency, fish meal inclusion was without significant effect in the HND diets but significantly improved the CONV diets, both of which were significantly inferior to the HND diets.
A note on the occurrence of isolated melanin pigmented fibres in the white fleece wool of Corriedale sheep
Authors: Fleet M. R. , Stafford J. E. , Dolling C. H. S. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe occurrence of melanin pigmented wool fibres in the skirted white fleece wool from 1-year-old Corriedale ewes, having either least (group 1), most (group 3) or an intermediate level (group 2) of black nose skin pigmentation, was investigated. Thirteen of the 87 fleeces analysed had the equivalent of 10 to 389 isolated pigmented fibres per 100 g of scoured wool. The mean diameter of the pigmented fibres was similar to that of the fleece specimens analysed and they occurred singly or in small groups within individual staples. Large numbers of isolated pigmented fibres in fleeces were widely distributed, and constitute a serious problem of identification by visual inspection. Fibre darkness and the number of fleeces found with pigmented wool fibres were two measurements which showed a significant association (P < 0·001 and P < 0·05, respectively) with nose skin pigment group. With one exception from group 2 the results support the suggestion that the usual selection for dark nose skin in this breed may be antagonistic to selection for a white fleece. The pigmented lengths of fibres were found to be independent of nose skin pigment group.
The effect of ammonium acetate on the yield and composition of milk from heifers
Authors: Kay M. , Walker T. , McKiddie G. 
Published: September 2010

1. Two experiments are described in which the effects of ammonium acetate on the yield and composition of the milk from heifers given (1) a fat-depressing diet consisting mainly of cereals or (2) a normal diet of silage and sugar beet pulp for maintenance and rationed concentrates according to yield.2. In the first experiment acetate increased the content of butterfat in the milk from 2·76 to 3·12. This difference was almost significant (P < 0·1). There was no significant effect of acetate on the total solids content of the milk.3. In the second experiment acetate very slightly depressed the total solids and the butterfat content of the milk.4. In Experiment 1 there was no significant difference between treatments i n the pH of rumen liquor, or in its concentration of total steam volatile fatty acids, but the proportions of acetic and isobutyric acids were higher on the acetate treatment.5. In Experiment 2 there were no differences in the relative proportions of the fatty acids although the total steam volatile fatty acid concentration was higher on the acetate treatment.
Pre-slaughter social activity of young bulls relating to the occurrence of dark-cutting beef
Authors: Franc C. , Bartoš L. , Hanyš Z. , Tomeš Z. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwenty bulls of three different breeds were tethered individually from 5 months until slaughter at 21 months. On the day of slaughter, the bulls were divided into groups of five animals, transported and then released in a pen. The first bull of the group was slaughtered 60 or 110 min after regrouping. Subsequent bulls were slaughtered individually at 50-min intervals. Social interactions among the bulls were recorded. Muscle pH, light reflectance values and water-holding capacity were measured in samples of m. longissimus dorsi. These characteristics showed correlations with the amount of non-agonistic social activity in which a bull had been involved before slaughter. The characteristics were also correlated with the number of agonistic interactions. Whether a bull was behaving as a dominant or a submissive animal did not influence the incidence of dark-cutting meat as judged by pH values. On the other hand, light reflectance values and water-holding capacity were correlated with the number of passive agonistic interactions (i.e. how many times a bull was attacked) and considerably less with the number of active interactions (number of attacks by the bull). The incidence of butting was not significantly related to muscle characteristics but mounting was significantly correlated with them.The study indicates that dark-cutting beef is primarily caused by physically exhausting activities such as mounting, and further modified by stress-inducing social interactions.