bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of contrasting silages offered in mid and late pregnancy on the performance of breeding ewes
Authors: Chestnutt D. M. B. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTEarly-cut, precision-chopped (EP) and late-cut, flail-harvested (LF) silages were offered ad libitum to breeding ewes during mid and late pregnancy in two experiments. Silages offered in late pregnancy were factorially arranged with silages offered in mid pregnancy giving four silage treatments. Voluntary drymatter intake, ewe weight change, lamb birth weight and blood levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) and non-esterifiable free fatty acids (NEFA) were measured. The intake of LF silage was proportionately 0·61 and 0·72 of that of EP silage in mid and late pregnancy respectively. While type of silage given in mid pregnancy did not affect the mean silage intake in weeks 15 to 20 of pregnancy, the rate of decline in intake was higher and the intake during week 20 of pregnancy was lower following the feeding of EP silage in mid pregnancy. Despite a considerably lower level of body reserves associated with LF silage given in mid pregnancy, there was little effect on levels of 3-OHB or NEFA in late pregnancy or on lamb birth weight.
A comparison of testing schemes for pigs
Authors: Smith Charles 
Published: September 2010

Using extensions to Robertson's (1957) method for finding the optimum test design, factors affecting the improvement from testing were studied. Other than the heritability, the ratio of the number tested (N) to the number required for breeding stock (T) has the largest effect on the improvement expected, the improvement being roughly proportional to the logarithm of this ratio. The type of family and the number in the test group which compose the optimum design, also depend largely on the ratio N/T. Accuracy in evaluation is required when only few animals are selected (N/T high), but small test groups from large families are necessary when large numbers of breeding stock are required (N/T low).Testing schemes differ basically in their selection procedure and only secondarily in their designs. The advantage resulting from the tested animals being themselves selected is in proportion to what part they constitute of the total selected.Another consideration is how the testing is integrated with the population breeding structure. Maximum improvement will be obtained if the testing facilities are restricted to a nucleus group of breeders, and full opportunity for selection is made in their stocks. The increased improvement this providesis accumulated in this nucleus group of herds and gradually passed down to the rest of the herds. Otherwise the improvement will be greatest when each breeder can use sires from families which have performed well in thetesting.
An investigation into self-feed silage practices
Authors: Hodges John , O'Connor L. K. 
Published: September 2010

1. A survey of management practices associated with the self-feeding of silage was carried out on a group of 130 farms during the winter of 1958-9.2. The majority of farmers housed their cows in covered yards and allowed them free access to silage stored in a roofed surface clamp.3. An average of 56 square feet per cow of covered yard and, under free access, 9·7 inches of face width per cow were allowed.4. The average estimated consumption of silage over the whole feeding period was 2·12 cubic feet per cow per day. Where the feeding face was lit at night, the estimated silage consumption was 0·27±0·10 cubic feet per cow per day more than on other farms. There was also a suggestion that on farms where hay and/or straw was fed, the consumption of silage was less than on the remainder.5. Levels of milk production were similar and concentrate feeding were slightly lower than those found in National Milk Recorded and Private Milk Recorded herds.
Carcass length in the bacon pig; its association with vertebrae numbers and prediction from radiographs of the young pig
Authors: King J. W. B. , Roberts R. C. 
Published: September 2010

Vertebrae counts made on 504 Large White and 550 (Wessex × Large White) pigs showed an association with carcass length but not with other carcass traits. For each additional vertebra there was an increase in length of approximately 15 mm.Another group of 313 piglets from 36 litters were X-rayed at around 9 days of age in order to predict their ultimate carcass length. After correction for sex and variations in weight at slaughter it was found that the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae together accounted for 14% of the remaining variation in carcass length. Improved accuracy of prediction, accounting for 29% of the variation was obtained with a multiple regression equation using as independent variables: the skeletal length of the young pig as measured on its radiograph, its weight at birth and X-raying and the number of lumbar vertebrae. From measurements made on the carcass it i s suggested that X-raying of the bacon pig to measure the length of the first four lumbar vertebrae, would, in conjunction with an earlier determination of vertebrae number, enable a much improved prediction of carcass length to be made.The incidence of various vertebral variations is noted and in particular the occurrence of one pig with only six cervical vertebrae.
The effect of hormones on growth rate and carcass quality of fattening lambs and hoggets
Authors: Burgess T. D. , Lamming G. E. 
Published: September 2010

The effects on average daily gain of a 12 mg. implant of diethylstilboestrol has been tested in male suckling lambs and in male hoggets. In both types stilboestrol produced some mammary stimulation. One case of rectal prolapse was encountered in the hoggets. In suckling lambs, treatment did not significantly increase rate of gain nor significantly affect any of several carcass characteristics studied. In hoggets, treatment produced a highly significant increase in rate of gain (33%), a highly significant increase in pelt weight and a highly significant decrease in the percentage of fat in the last rib section. It produced a non-significant increase in muscle and bone in the last rib section. Carcass score and dressing percentage were not significantly affected by treatment.The oral administration of L-thyroxine to suckling female lambs from 30–70 lb. live-weight did not significantly affect the rate of gain or the carcass characteristics studied.
The effect of diethylstilboestrol, hexoestrol and testosterone on the growth rate and carcass quality of fattening beef steers
Authors: Burgess T. D. , Lamming G. E. 
Published: September 2010

The use of the hormones, diethylstilboestrol, hexoestrol and testosterone propionate, as growth stimulants in beef cattle has been studied.The subcutaneous implantation of 60 mg. stilboestrol into steers fattening in yards produced a highly significant increase in rate of gain (65%) and little difference in the yield and quality of the carcass. The implantation of 24 nig. or 36 mg. of diethylstilboestrol or 30 mg. hexoestrol into Friesian bullocks fattening on pasture produced highly significant increases in rates of gain (29%, 48% and 33% respectively). No significant difference was found in the rates of gain produced by these three treatments.The oral administration of 10 mg. diethylstilboestrol per head per day for 168 days or the oral administration of 20 mg. rising to 40 mg. testosterone propionate per head per day for 154 days to dizygotic twin steers on equal feed intake significantly increased rate of gain by 15% and 21% respectively Feed efficiency as measured by the pounds of feed required to produce a pound of gain was significantly improved by both treatments. Carcass yield and carcass quality were not significantly affected by either treatment. No significant differences were found between the two treatments.Examination of the thyroid and adrenal glands of treated and untreated steers revealed no consistent changes in size due to treatment. The gonadotrophin and thyrotrophin content of the anterior pituitary glands of treated and untreated cattle were compared using the male chick bioassay. The results showed that a lower gonadotrophin content was not a factor associated with the extra growth due to treatment, but in two out of three experiments there was some evidence that sex-hormone treatment leads to a mild hyper-thyroidism which, in turn, resulted in a decrease in the thyrotrophin content of the anterior pituitary gland. It was concluded that hyperactivity of the thyroid gland was probably more important in accounting for the extra growth than hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex.
Studies on liquid skim milk for growing pigs. The effect of its abrupt removal from the diet and of supplementation with copper sulphate or amino acids
Authors: Barber R. S. , Braude R. , Hosking Zena D. , Mitchell K. G. 
Published: September 2010

Results of four experiments involving a total of 124 pigs covering the growth period between about 40 and 210 lb. live-weight indicated that:1. The growth rate and efficiency of food utilisation of pigs receiving liquid skim milk up to a maximum of 5¼ pints per head per day, was better than that of pigs receiving a balanced all-meal diet. This was equally so whether the liquid skim milk was fed throughout the growing period or was abruptly removed from the diet at either about 75 lb. or 120 lb. live-weight, provided the all-meal diet fed subsequently contained adequate protein.2. The addition of 0·1% copper sulphate to the meal fed with liquid skim milk significantly improved the growth rate and efficiency of food conversion.3. The addition of 0·2% dl-lysine and 0·1% dl-methionine to the meal fed with liquid skim milk had no effect on the performance of the pigs.4. Withdrawal of a protein supplement from the rations of pigs after they reached about 120 lb. live-weight adversely affected their performance.
The effect of plane of nutrition during rearing on growth, production, reproduction and health of dairy cattle. III. Milk production during the first three lactations
Authors: Crichton J. A. , Aitken J. N. , Boyne A. W. 
Published: September 2010

1. The fat-corrected milk yields and butterfat and solids-not-fat percentages of the milk of heifers reared on the four planes of nutrition described in part 1 of this series are compared, i.e. high high (HH), high low (HL), low low (LL), low high (LH).2. The most significant feature of the F.C.M. yields was the poor performance of the HL group in each lactation. When variability due to differences in lactation length had been eliminated the yields of the HL group in the first and second lactations were found to be significantly lower than those of the other treatment groups.3. In the first lactation the mean B.F. percentages of HH, LH, HL and IX animals were respectively 3·92, 3·85, 3·81 and 3·74. These differences were significant at the 5% level. When the weekly yields and percentages of the HH and LL groups were compared it was found that the difference was almost entirely confined to the first 6 weeks of lactation. In the second and third lactations the mean B.F. percentages of all groups were similar.4. Only in the second lactation were the S.N.F. percentages significantly different between groups. No explanation can be offered.5. A comparison of the live-weight changes of HH and LL animals following successive calvings showed that recovery by the LL animals was most rapid immediately following first parturition and also during the first and second dry periods.6. The plane of nutrition during rearing had no apparent effect on the pattern of change in milk yield and composition between first and third lactations, except that HH animals showed a more uniform rate of fall in S.N.F.% between one lactation and the next compared with the other three groups. Heifer lactations were longer and the milk had higher contents of B.F. and S.N.F. than later lactations.7. The estimated feed costs of the rearing from birth to first calving of the HH, LH, HL and LL animals were markedly different.8. The results are discussed in relation to practice.
Supplementation of bacon pig rations by aureomycin and two levels of copper sulphate
Authors: Bellis D. B. 
Published: September 2010

A trial has been carried out to determine the effects of supplementing bacon pig diets with 125 and 250 ppm. copper (as copper sulphate) and/or aureomycin (14·4 ppm.). A total of 288 pigs were fed ad lib. from 40·100lb., and restricted-fed thereafter to bacon weight (200 1b.). Growth rate was increased by 125 ppm. copper, 250 ppm. copper, and aureomycin during the ad lib. feeding period. The magnitude of the responses was about the same in each case.During the fattening stage from 100 1b. to bacon weight, 125 ppm. copper or aureomycin increased food conversion efficiency; 250 ppm. copper however improved growth rate also. There was probably some additive effect of 125 ppm. copper and aureomycin when fed together, but it is unlikely that such an effect occurred with the higher level of copper and aureomycin.The liver copper content of pigs fed 125 ppm. copper was 3 times higher than that of the controls; 250 ppm. copper increased liver copper storage about 18·fold.The similarity in response of copper and aureomycin feeding to pigs is discussed. It is concluded that, under the conditions of the trial, their mode of action is similar. Under similar conditions in general farm practice there is unlikely to be any economic advantage in supplementing pig diets containing 250 ppm copper with aureomycin; however, the bacterial environment may sometimes be such that additional benefit will be obtained by joint supplementation.
The effect of implanting testosterone alone or with oestradiol on the growth rate and carcass quality of fattening female hoggets
Authors: Shorthose W. R. , Lamming G. E. 
Published: September 2010

Two trials were completed using a total of 135 female hoggets from 5 to 7 months of age. The effect of implanting 15 or 30 mg. testosterone propionate or 2·5 mg. oestradiol benzoate plus 25 mg. testosterone propionate was assessed on average daily gain, slaughter characteristics and carcass yield. In the second trial some additional data were obtained on carcass quality.No significant effect of testosterone with or without oestradiol could be demonstrated on average daily gain, carcass yield, carcass score or the proportion of retail cuts in the carcass. There was some indication that the treatment could yield carcasses with less subcutaneous fat without diminution of eye muscle size.
The nutrition of the early-weaned calf. I. The effect on nitrogen retention of diets containing different levels of groundnut meal
Authors: Whitelaw F. G. , Preston T. R. , Ndumbe R. D. 
Published: September 2010

1. Nitrogen balance studies were made on eight early weaned calves given diets varying in crude protein content from 11·6% to 22·6% in dry matter.2. Nitrogen retention increased significantly as the level of crude protein increased to 19·20%; there was no further increase in nitrogen retention when the level of protein was increased to 22·6%.3. Dry matter digestibility and apparent digestibility of dietary nitrogen rose progressively as the level of crude protein increased.4. The nitrogen retention of calves fed diets adequate in protein was calculated to be 2·88 g. per 100 g. gain in body weight.
The effect of different oestrogens and oestradiol plus progesterone on the growth and carcass characteristics of fattening male hoggets
Authors: Shorthose W. R. , Lamming G. E. 
Published: September 2010

A comparison has been made in five flocks with a total of 473 sheep of the effect of 15 mg. diethylstilboestrol (DES.) as a paste, 15 mg. hexoestrol as an implant, and 5·0 mg. oestradiol benzoate plus 50 mg. progesterone (O.+P.) as two implants, on the growth rate and slaughter characteristics and carcass grading of fattening male hoggets.In those flocks where the plane of nutrition was adequate, all hormone treatments resulted in a significant increase in live-weight gain. During the first 24–40 days, DES. paste resulted in significantly greater daily live-weight gain compared to hexoestrol or O.+P. in two out of five flocks, but over the whole period there were no significant differences between these treatments. In one flock which was on a lower plane of nutrition there were no significant effects of hormone treatment.The hormone treatments resulted in extra carcass weight, extra pelt weight but no change in killing-out percentage or in carcass grade. There were no significant differences between treatments in the slaughter characteristics studied.
A study of the milk yield of three strains of Scottish Blackface ewes in two environments
Authors: Munro Joan 
Published: September 2010

Milk yields of three strains of Scottish Blackface ewes (Lewis, Lanark and Newton Stewart) were recorded over periods of eight weeks on reseeded pasture and on hill pasture. There were no differences in milk yields between strains in the respective environments, but there were significant differences between environments in all three strains.Relationships between udder width and milk yield were investigated in the Lewis and Newton Stewart strains.Analyses of milk samples (taken by hand) showed there were no significant differences in the contents of fat or solids-not-fat. There was evidence that the percentage of fat and solids-not-fat in all groups tended to decrease initially and then to increase gradually as lactation advanced.Live-weights of the ewes were compared and it was shown that the Lewis ewes were characteristically lighter than either of the other strains.On the reseed all lambs were approximately equal in live-weight and condition. On the hill the Lewis lambs were inferior in weight and condition, and it is suggested this reflected the Lewis strain ewes' grazing preferences for higher ground.
Copper sulphate and molasses distillers dried solubles as dietary supplements for growing pigs
Authors: Barber R. S. , Braude R. , Mitchell K. G. 
Published: September 2010

1. Seventy-two individually fed, virus pneumonia-free Large White weaners were used to determine the effect of supplementing diets containing either some animal protein or only vegetable protein with either 0·1% CuSO4.5H2O or 2½% E.C. Feed (molasses distillers dried solubles).2. The marked growth-promoting effect of supplementing a diet containing animal protein with Cu was again confirmed. The response when Cu was added to the all-vegetable diet was significantly less than that on the diet containing some animal protein, the significant improvement in growth rate on the two types of diet being respectively 5·1% and 14·5%.3. The addition of 2½% E.C. Feed to the diet containing some animal protein significantly increased growth rate by 5·1%. This response was significantly less than that obtained from Cu supplementation. The 3·6% increase in mean growth rate when E.C. Feed was added to the all-vegetable diet was not statistically significant.4. Whereas Cu improved the efficiency of food utilisation of the pigs, particularly when added to the diet containing animal protein (a significant improvement of 5·2%), E.C. Feed did not on either type of diet. Both Cu and E.C. Feed similarly increased the rate of food consumption of the pigs on both types of diet.5. There were no differences in the performance of the control pigs given either the unsupplemented diets with animal protein or the corresponding all-vegetable diets.
A comparison of tissue development in Pietrain and Large White pigs from birth to 64 kg live weight. 3. Growth changes in bone distribution
Authors: Davies A. S. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYHalf carcasses of 18 Pietrain and 18 Large White female pigs were dissected into 10 bone units. An allometric analysis of the weights of these units relative to total bone revealed increasing craniocaudal and distoproximal growth gradients. No differences in bone distribution were observed between the two breeds. Because of a difference in muscle distribution, the muscle: bone ratio in the femoral region of the Pietrain was greater than that of the Large White breed.
Energy exchanges of veal calves fed a high-fat milk replacer diet containing different amounts of iron
Authors: Webster A. J. F. , Donnelly H. , Brockway J. M. , Smith J. S. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. A total of 33 energy balance trials was conducted with veal calves offered a high-fat milk replacer diet containing 10, 20, 40 or 100 mg iron/kg DM.2. There were no significant differences in weight gain, food conversion or energy retention between calves receiving 20, 40 or 100 mg iron/kg DM in their diet. Calves receiving only 10 mg iron/kg gained weight and retained energy at significantly lower rates than those in the other groups.3. The metabolic heat production of calves receiving the liquid diet was greater than that of calves given the same amount of gross energy from a barley diet. The recommended air temperature of about 20°C for veal calf houses is therefore unnecessarily high.
The effect of early weaning on the lactation performance of Damascus goats and the growth rate of the kids
Authors: Louca A. , Mavrogenis A. , Lawlor M. J. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryOne hundred and four Damascus goats with their kids were used study the effects of early weaning on the lactation of the goats and the growth rate of the kids. The treatments studied were: 2-day suckling (S2) where the kids were suckled by their dams for 2 days a d then reared artificially on milk replacer; 35-day suckling (S35) where the dams suckled their kids for 35 days; 70-day suckling (S70) where the dams suckled their kids for 70 days.The differences among treatments in 150-day and total milk yield and lactation length were not significant. Conversely, the differences in the yield of milk available for marketing were highly significant. The goats on S2 produced more marketable milk than those on S35 and S70, and the goats on S35 produced more than those on S70. The growth rate of the kids weaned at 35 days of age was significantly lower than that of those weaned at 70 days. The differences between kids reared artificially and those suckled by their dams to 70 days of age were not significant. It was concluded that early weaning does not materially affect lactation performance and that it can increase the milk available for marketing.
Evaluation of crossbred sows for the production of pigs for slaughter
Authors: Fahmy M. H. , Holtmann W. B. , MacIntyre T. M. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryData from 726 male and 765 female pigs (364 litters) from 28 threebreed crosses obtained from mating Poland China boars to gilts and sows from different two-breed-crosses were analysed. The 28 two-breed-crosses were obtained from mating Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (Ld), Lacombe (Lc), Hampshire (H), Duroc (D), Berkshire (B) and Large Black (LB) sows to Ld, Lc, H, D, B, LB and Tamworth (T) boars in an incomplete diallel mating design. The traits studied were age at slaughter (72 kg carcass weight), carcass backfat measurement and an index combining both traits.The youngest pigs to reach slaughter weight were those from LB x D sows (191·3 days) while the oldest were from T x D sows (211·6 days). The pigs with the least depth of backfat were those involving the Hampshire breed (mean 7·28 cm) while those involving the Large Black had the thickest backfat (mean 7·81 cm). In descending order, the five highest ranking crosses based on the index were those from H x Ld, H x Lc, LB x D, Lc x Ld and H x Y sows.