bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infertility and neonatal mortality in the sow. IV. Further observations and conclusions
Authors: Pomeroy R. W. 
Published: March 2009

During the course of the main investigation the following observations were made on some other aspects of reproduction in the sow.An examination of the reproductive tract of sows killed at slaughterhouses in East Anglia showed a high percentage of cystic abnormalities in the ovaries (Perry & Pomeroy, 1956). However, the sample of sows necessarily excluded any gilts, so an examination has been made of the incidence of ovarian abnormalities in post-pubertal gilts at two bacon factories. The ovaries of 273 gilts were examined and divided into (a) ovaries containing corpora lutea, (b) ovaries not containing corpora lutea. These were then further classified as normal or abnormal. The chief criteria of abnormality were the presence of cystic follicles, i.e. of greater than ovulatory size (10 mm. in diameter) or cystic corpora lutea, i.e. large flabby corpora lutea with hollow centres. Gilts with numerous haemorrhagic follicles in the ovaries were also classified as abnormal, but it is quite possible that this condition is a common occurrence in gilts just before puberty. However, rather than underestimate the incidence of abnormalities these ovaries were classified as abnormal.
Investigations on the root nodule bacteria of leguminous plants. XVII. Continued investigations on the effect of air content of the medium on the development and function of the nodule
Authors: Virtanen Artturi I. , Hausen Synnöve v. 
Published: March 2009

The effect of the air content of the medium on the development and function of the nodule was studied with sterile cultures of peas inoculated with their appropriate strain of nodule bacteria.In water cultures the plant grows well without added nitrogen, even though all nodules are submerged, if air is bubbled through the medium during the period of growth. Abundant nodulation occurs also in nonaerated liquid cultures; the nodules, however, are much smaller than in aerated cultures, and the plant grows poorly. Subsequent aeration of such cultures results in a distinct increase in the size of the nodules and improvement in the growth of the plant.Nodulation is completely prevented by passing a stream of gaseous N through the medium. That oxygen is indispensable for the function of the nodules is shown also by the fact that the peas grow excellently on added nitrogen in non-aerated cultures.
Studies in the absorption and excretion of certain minerals by poultry. III. The influence of different levels of dietary calcium upon the retention of calcium, phosphorus, carbonate and chloride
Authors: Tyler Cyril 
Published: March 2009

1. The daily retention of calcium, carbonate, phosphorus and chloride was studied using four birds and changing the calcium carbonate content of the ration every 5 days for 15 days.2. It was shown that high calcium diets result in a much lower retention of calcium and thin-shelled eggs are produced.3. Retention of calcium was higher in the laying than in the non-laying bird when calcium carbonate was fed.4. High calcium diets depressed the retention of phosphorus, and in one case the retention was negative, even when no eggs were laid. Laying birds gave negative values for retention because of the heavy phosphorus excretion associated with egg laying.5. High calcium diets also depressed the retention of chloride, and on occasion led to negative retention values.
Pollination studies with highly-inbred lines of winter beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Toynbee-Clarke Gillian 
Published: March 2009

SummaryPollination treatments were carried out on highly inbred lines of winter beans over a period of four years.Tripping produced an inferior seed-set compared with all treatments involving emasculation and hand pollination with either cross or self-pollen. It is suggested that with highly inbred lines the stigmatic surface requires some form of scarification to improve the seed-set. Most lines showed no preference for cross or self-pollen, and there was no evidence of self-incompatibility. Bud and mature flower pollination gave an improved seed-set over tripping in all lines.One inbred line gave a high seed-set in all pollination treatments. Results from another line were consistent with a short period of ovule receptiveness.Using data obtained from three experiments, two self-pollination treatments were used to screen breeding lines for their suitability as components of synthetic varieties. Significant differences in seed-set were found between the lines.
Complete diets given ad libitum to dairy cows—the effect of the level of inclusion of milled straw
Authors: Owen J. B. , Miller E. L. , Bridge P. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYComplete diets were given ad libitum to dairy cows over a whole lactation in order to study the voluntary intake of food, lactation performance and efficiency of feed conversion. The effect of including four levels 16, 24, 32 and 40 % of coarsely milled barley straw in the loose mix was studied for diets based mainly on barley or on sugar beet pulp, using a double 4 × 4 Latin square design.The results confirmed that cows can perform normally when given complete diets for extended periods. Dry matter and digestible energy intake was depressed at the higher levels of straw inclusion and milk butterfat content at the lowest level. The net efficiency of conversion of metabolizable energy (M.E.) into milk was higher at the higher levels of straw. It is concluded that complete diets for the self-feeding of dairy cows should contain a minimum of about 24 % of coarsely milled straw and that estimated metabolizable energy intake and production were depressed by including straw at higher levels.
The interaction between nitrogen and water in the growth of grass swards: II. Leaf area index and net assimilation rate
Authors: D'aoust M. J. , Tayler R. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effect of nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation treatments on the leaf-area index (L) and net assimilation rate (E) of a monthly cut sward of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multifolium) is considered.Response to nitrogen was due to increase in both L and E, whereas response to irrigation was largely due to increase in L.The data show little evidence of a seasonal decline in E. This may have been due to the mid-season replacement of old tillers by new, and by the encouragement to new leaf production caused by periodic harvesting.
Statistical research on the digestibility in the cow: III. Carbohydrates
Authors: Paquay R. , Baere R. De , Lousse A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe results obtained for the digestibility of the carbohydrates with 116 different rations fed to 242 non-pregnant dry cows and 96 lactating cows were studied.Except for some roughages, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, and starch digestibility is always very high. Reducing-sugars digestibility is related to starch content and starch digestibility to crude-fibre content.Pentosans and crude-fibre digestibility is related to dry-matter intake and to starch, pentosans and crude-fibre content. When the ration contains less than 12% protein, a significant correlation coefficient also exists between crude-fibre digestibility and protein content. But pentosans and crude-fibre digestibility depends above all on the nature of the feeds and on the stage of maturity of the forage.
Effect of straw bedding, crude protein content of cereals and of latitude in balancing daily rations of growing pigs
Authors: Braude R. , Lerman P. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYResults of a co-ordinated trial carried out at twenty centres indicated that performance of growing pigs (20–90 kg) was not affected by straw bedding in pens, or by small differences in the protein content of barley meal which was used as the main cereal in the diet. Also, no adverse effects were observed when cereals only were fed in the morning and an appropriately balanced compound mixture was fed in the afternoon.
Milk-fed calves: 3. The milk intake, herbage intake and performance of suckled calves
Authors: Le Du Y. L. P. , Baker R. D. , Barker J. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYTwo trials were conducted to measure the herbage intake of South Devon cross calves suckling Hereford × Friesian cows and to test the validity of applying the relationships established between milk and herbage intake and milk intake and live-weight gain for artificially fed calves to suckled calves. In Expt 1 the milk and herbage intakes of eight calves were monitored. Their average milk consumption was 2250 kg and their growth rate was 1·14 kg/day. Both milk consumption and growth rate were higher than those recorded in other studies with artificially-reared calves. Nevertheless, it was possible to predict the herbage intake and growth rate of the calves from the relationship previously established for artificially reared calves. The nutrition of cows in Expt 2 was manipulated to induce changes in milk production and the consequent effect on the herbage intake of their calves assessed. Milk consumption was at a lower level and herbage intakes fell within the expected range. Herbage intake also responded to changes in the milk production of the cows. The observed herbage intakes and live-weight gains were similar to those predicted from previously established relationships with artificially fed calves.
Retardation of hypocotyl growth by prior heat stress in seedlings of cowpea, melon and tomato
Authors: Onwueme I. C. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySeeds of cowpea, melon, and tomato were planted in moist soil and subjected to a heat stress of 45 °C for 10 h on the day of sowing (day 0), 1 day after sowing or 2 days after sowing. The heat stress subsequently resulted in retarded hypocotyl elongation for all the crops, but the greatest retardation was due to heat stress applied on day 1 for cowpea, day 2 for melon, and day 0 for tomato. The growth-retarding effect of heat stress was associated with a delay, by 1 day, of the maximum rate of elongation of the seedlings.
Seasonal variation in oestrogenic activity, coumestrol and formononetin content of white clover
Authors: Saba N. , Drane Hilary M. , Hebert C. Nancy , Holdsworth R. J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe oestrogenic activity, coumestrol and formononetin content of white clover collected during the months May to December 1970 and 1971 was assayed in mice. The results showed considerable variations in oestrogenic activity which did not seem to be associated with a specific time of year or quantitatively related to the coumestrol content of the pasture.
Rumen fermentation studies on two contrasting diets. 1. Some characteristics of the in vivo fermentation, with special reference to the composition of the gas phase, oxidation/reduction state and volatile fatty acid proportions
Authors: Barry T. N. , Thompson A. , Armstrong D. G. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryRumen fermentation characteristics were studied using sheep fitted with rumen cannulae. Diets of 100% hay and 20% hay:80% cooked flaked maize (concentrate diet) were fed at the maintenance level of energy intake as two equal portions per day. Both the gas and liquid phases of the rumen were continuously sampled over 33-h periods.Concentrations of O2 and N2 in rumen gas inoreased during feeding, whilst concentrations of CO2 and CH4 decreased. Thereafter the concentrations of both CO2 and CH4 rapidly increased. The CO2: CH4 ratio increased rapidly following feeding; it declined to baseline levels 2–4 h after feeding the hay diet, but with the concentrate diet the decline took longer. O2 concentration declined rapidly following feeding and was stable within the range 1–3% for long periods. At no stage was O2 absent from the rumen gas phase. H2 comprised 100–1500 μ1/1 and 100–6000 μ1/1 of the gas phase in sheep fed the hay or concentrate diets respectively and its concentration increased very rapidly with the onset of eating. CO concentration varied between 2 and 16 μ1/1 in the rumen gas of hay-fed animals and was not related to time after feeding. In concentrate-fed animals CO comprised 0—130 μ1/1 of rumen gas and increased very slowly after feeding.Eh and rH values ranged between —150 and —260 mV and 8·0 and 5·0 units respectively for rumen contents from animals fed the two diets. A diurnal cycle was evident, with the most oxidizing state being attained just before feeding, and the most reducing state just after feeding. The diurnal cycles were better denned by rH than by Eh. The magnitude of the decrease in rH (and pH) during feeding was greater for animals fed the concentrate than the hay diet. At no stage during feeding did Eh or rH change towards more oxidizing conditions. Changes in the concentration of H2 in rumen gas were related to changes in the rH of rumen contents.VFA molar proportions showed no changes during the 24-h cycle with hay-fed animals but showed erratic variation with concentrate-fed animals. When two sheep fed the concentrate diet were sampled daily for 21 days, it was shown that VFA molar proportions were not constant.It was concluded that the gas phase of the rumen was never completely O2-free, and that whilst a stable rumen fermentation existed in sheep fed the hay diet the fermentation appeared to be continuously changing in the concentrate-fed sheep, and on this last mentioned diet abnormal values for rumen gas composition and VFA proportions were produced from time to time.
Response of perennial and Italian ryegrass cultivars to temperature and soil water potential
Authors: Keatinge J. D. H. , Garrett M. K. , Stewart R. H. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe rate of leaf extension (LER) in swards of perennial and Italian ryegrass was examined in relation to daily mean air temperature. Cultivars studied were an Italian, an Italian-perennial hybrid, a tetraploid perennial and diploid perennial cultivars in three maturity groups. A range of response to temperature was apparent. The Italian, the hybrid and the tetraploid perennial cultivar showed higher LER values than those of the diploid perennials. Amongst perennial cultivars the tetraploid cv. Reveille was shown to have a lower rate of photorespiration than the diploid cv. Gremie. These data are discussed in relation to the use of daily temperature observations in predicting leaf growth.
A note on the effect of different amounts of NaOH application on digestibility by cattle of barley, oats, wheat and maize
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Barnes B. J. , Lukins B. A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe effect of different amounts of NaOH sprayed on whole grain on their digestibility by cattle was examined for barley, oats, maize and wheat. For all cereals the digestibility of fibre, dry matter and organic matter (OM) increased with increasing application of NaOH solution but responses were small at the highest levels used. The digestibility of OM was increased from 61 to 83% for barley, from 61 to 76% for oats, from 83 to 89% for maize and from 79 to 92% for wheat. The optimum amount of NaOH required differed between cereals, being about 3·0–3·5% for barley, 4·5–5·0% for oats, and 2·5–3·0% for maize and wheats. With oats, wheat and maize the digestibility was apparently increased more with NaOH treatment than by physical processing.
The growth and yield of winter cereals after direct drilling, shallow cultivation and ploughing on non-calcareous clay soils, 1974–8
Authors: Cannell R. Q. , Ellis F. B. , Christian D. G. , Graham J. P. , Douglas J. T. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe effects of direct drilling, shallow cultivation and ploughing on the growth of winter cereals (wheat and oats) are reported for the first 4 years of long-term experiments on two non-calcareous clay soils (stagnogleys), representative of soils occupying a large proportion of the cereal growing area of the U.K. These 4 years have been characterized by extreme contrasts in rainfall and wetness of the soil.On a Lawford series soil, with 35% clay, although the treatments affected average grain yields none of the differences was large. With additional nitrogen fertilizer, the yield after direct drilling was significantly heavier by 6% than after ploughing. On the Denchworth series, with 50% clay, 4 year average yields were also similar after direct drilling and ploughing, but in individual years the treatments had large effects. In two wet years grain yields after direct drilling were 89 and 82% of those after ploughing, but in another year they exceeded by 16% those after ploughing, where lodging had restricted grain filling. In the unusually dry season of 1975–6 yields of winter wheat after direct drilling exceeded those after ploughing (by 14 and 6% on the Lawford and Denchworth soils respectively) and this was attributed to greater availability of water and deeper rooting in the spring. In a year of heavy wheat yields (1977–8) about 10t/ha was achieved on both soils irrespective of the method of cultivation. In this year, after prolonged wet soil conditions in winter, the response to additional nitrogen fertilizer was greater after direct drilling and shallow cultivation than after ploughing.The concentration of nitrogen in the crops tended to be smaller throughout the growing season after direct drilling than after ploughing, especially on the Denchworth soil in the wettest season. The method of cultivation had no effect on the uptake of either phosphorus or potassium except on the heavier soil in the wettest year, when potassium uptake was restricted after direct drilling.The results are discussed in relation to information on soil conditions and root growth also being obtained in these experiments.
Some factors affecting voluntary food intake in buffaloes. 3. Effect of concentrate feeding on intake of roughages fed to lactating buffaloes
Authors: Taparia A. L. , Sharma V. V. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThree experiments, each with six lactating Mehsana-Surti buffaloes, were conducted to investigate the effect of supplementary feeding of concentrates on intake of basal rations of berseem hay, maize silage or wheat straw and on the total intake of feeds in 3 × 3 latin square designs.In the berseem hay experiment, concentrate feeding at 16·8 or 26·1% of hay drymatter intake (DMI) resulted in a decrease of hay DMI by 0·77 and 0·65 kg/kg concentrate D.M., respectively. Intake of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) of buffaloes receiving concentrates in addition to hay were not different from those receiving hay alone. The possibility of some chemical factor limiting feed intake has been indicated for these rations in buffaloes. Supplementary feeding had a little effect on milk production.In the maize silage experiment, concentrate feeding at 14·5 and 27·7% of the silage DMI resulted in a similar increase of total DMI, thereby increasing the TDN intake and DCP intake. Appreciable increases in milk yield and solids-not-fat (SNF) content due to supplementation were noted, although milk-fat content tended to be low.Voluntary intake of rations comprising wheat straw fed free choice with three levels of concentrates at 28·7, 48·0 and 68·8 % of straw DMI was studied in the third experiment. Concentrate supplementation had little effect on straw DMI with the result that intakes of total D.M., TDN and DCP on the medium and high proportions of supplements were higher than those on the low proportion. The milk yield, of buffaloes receiving medium and high proportions of concentrates with wheat straw increased significantly over those receiving the low proportion of concentrates. The SNF and milk-fat contents were similar on all the three treatments. The implication of physical factors limiting intake is discussed in the case of maize silage and wheat straw diets.The lactating buffaloes failed to maintain their weights on either sole berseem hay or sole maize silage rations. Supplementary feeding helped buffaloes to register small weight gains on hay rations and substantial gains on silage rations. The buffaloes on wheat straw fed with three proportions of concentrates tended to put on a little weight. Multiple regression using pooled data of Expts 1 and 3 showed that the partial regression coefficient of metabolic body weight (kgW0·76) on TDN intake was not significant but that of 6% fat-corrected milk on TDN intake was, suggesting a close relationship between milk yield and food intake.
The effect of some factors on growth, development and yield of winter wheat
Authors: Holmes J. C. , Tahir W. M. 
Published: March 2009

1. The effect of three factors (nitrogen level, time of nitrogen application and weed control) and their interactions on three different plant densities of winter wheat have been measured. Data concerning the growth, development and yield have been examined.2. Plant populations of 104,000, 155,000 and 281,000 per acre produced on the average of all treatments 21·3, 22·4 and 23·2 cwt. grain per acre, respectively.3. An increase in nitrogen fertilizer to the 2 cwt. sulphate of ammonia per acre level increased the grain yield of all populations. This response followed an increase in the number of tillers and an increase in the percentage of tillers producing ears. There was no significant interaction between nitrogen level and plant density. The nitrogen content of the grain increased with nitrogen level.4. Time of nitrogen application did not affect the grain yield, although it did cause considerable differences in the growth and development of the plants. There was no significant interaction betweentime of application and plant density. The late application of nitrogen produced a lower yield of straw and a higher nitrogen content in the grain.5. Weed control increased the grain yield of all plant populations, this increase following an increase in the number of ears per plant. There was a significant interaction between weed control and plant density. Weed control raised the yield of the low plant population by 3·9 cwt. per acre compared with 0·9 and 2·0 cwt. for the medium and high populations. Weed control also increased the nitrogen content of the grain.6. The only other interaction concerning grain yield which was significant was that of weed control with time of nitrogen application. Weed control increased the yield of the early and late applications but inexplicably reduced the yield of the intermediate date.7. It is concluded (a) that the experiment provided no evidence that the yield of a thin stand of winter wheat can be increased further by altering normal nitrogen fertilizer application or by altering the time of application of the fertilizer; (b) that for good results weed control is essential where the plant population is low.
The nutritive ratio/crude-protein relationships in ruminant and non-ruminant digestion
Authors: Glover J. , Duthie D. W. 
Published: March 2009

In both ruminant and non-ruminant digestion, the nutritive ratio of a feed is shown to be very significantly related to the crude-protein content of that feed.This confirms that there is a relationship between the total crude protein and digestible protein in a ruminant feed, and strongly suggests that there should also be a relationship between these two components in non-ruminant feeds.
Diagnosis of multiple pregnancy in ewes on a field scale
Authors: Rizzoli D. J. , Winfield C. G. , Howard T. J. , Englund I. K. J. , Goding J. R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA radiography unit was developed with which two technicians and two assistants were able to diagnose number of foetuses in 400–600 ewes per day on farms. Diagnoses made between 100 and 120 days of gestation in flocks where weekly mating records were made were 95–98% accurate as judged by lambing records. In most flocks more than 90% of twin pregnancies were correctly diagnosed. Agreement between diagnoses and lambing records was reduced when weekly mating records were not available. The radiographic examination had no detrimental effects on ewes or lambs.