Effects of supplementing fish oil in the drinking water of dairy cows on production performance and milk fatty acid composition

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing fish oil (FO) in the drinking water of dairy cows on production performance and milk fatty acid composition. Sixteen multiparous Holstein dairy cows (741 +/- 84 kg of BW; 60 +/- 2.3 d in milk, mean +/- SD) housed in a tie-stall facility were used in the study. The study was conducted as a completely randomized design with repeated measurements. The cows were blocked by days in milk and allocated to 1 of 2 treatments: 10 g of menhaden FO/kg of DM top-dressed on the total mixed ration (FOT), and 2 g of menhaden FO/L delivered in the drinking water (FOW). The trial lasted for 5 wk: a 1-wk pretreatment adjustment period and 4 wk of treatment. The animals were fed and milked twice daily (feeding at 0830 and 1300; milking at 0500 and 1500) and had unlimited access to water. Dry matter intake (21.3 kg/d for FOT vs. 22.7 +/- 0.74 kg/d for FOW), milk yield (38.2 kg/d for FOT vs. 39.5 +/- 1.9 kg/d for FOW), and water intake (101 L/d for FOT vs. 107 +/- 4.4 L/d for FOW) were not affected by treatment. The mode of delivery of FO had no effect on milk fat percentage, but milk fat percentage declined linearly with time. The fatty acid contents of 7:0; 8:0; 9:0; 10:0; 12:0 in the milk of FOT cows were lower than for FOW cows, whereas 18:1 trans-12; 18:1 trans-13 and 14; 18:1 trans-16; and trans-9, trans-11 plus trans-10, trans-12 CLA were greater for FOT than for FOW. The contents of 24:1 in the milk of FOW cows were 48% greater than for FOT cows, although the concentrations were low in both groups. There was a tendency for the contents of 14:0 and 22:5n-6 to be greater in FOW cows than FOT cows and for the contents of iso-18:0 to be lower for FOW cows than for FOT cows. Although it appears that the amount of FO added in the study did not bypass the rumen as hypothesized, these results suggest that drinking water can be an alternative for supplementing FO to dairy cows without decreasing feed or water intake relative to cows fed FO in the diet.     

大豆油脂肪酸钙制备工艺优化研究

为寻求制备大豆油脂肪酸钙的优化工艺,在复分解法初步研究基础上,采用三因素二次回归正交旋转组合设计,进行了大豆油脂肪酸钙制备工艺参数优化研究,建立了产品得率(Y)与复分解反应温度(X1)、用水量(X2)、超盐量(X3)之间关系的回归方程,即Y=91.48287+1.13938X1+1.82739X2+1.69316X3-1.77741X12-1.91710X22-1.52456X32+0.84250X1X2。从模型推知,当复分解反应温度为64.57℃、用水量为油重的7.58倍、超盐量为12.78%时,得率得到最大值92.74%。验证结果与模型值相符。     

Transport of fatty acids within plasma lipoproteins in lactating and non‐lactating cows fed on fish oil and hydrogenated palm oil

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of dietary fish oil (FO) and a blend of FO and hydrogenated palm oil (FOPO) on transport of fatty acids (FA) within plasma lipoproteins in lactating and non‐lactating cows. Two trials were conducted (one with lactating and another with non‐lactating dairy cows) in two 3 × 3 Latin squares that included three periods of 21 days. Dietary treatments for lactating cows consisted of a basal diet (Control; no fat supplement), and fat‐supplemented diets containing FO (500 g/day/cow) and FOPO (250 FO + 250 g/day/cow hydrogenated palm oil). For non‐lactating cows, dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (Control; no fat supplement), and fat‐supplemented diets containing FO (170 g/day/cow) and FOPO (85 FO + 85 hydrogenated palm oil g/day/cow). In lactating cows, compared with control and FOPO, FO increased C16:0, C18:3 cis‐9, 12, 15, C18:2 cis‐9, trans‐11 and total saturated and polyunsaturated FA in plasma and increased C16:0, C18:2 cis‐9, trans‐11, total polyunsaturated and total polyunsaturated n‐6 in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), whereas in non‐lactating cows, compared with control and FOPO, FO increased C16:0, C18:1 trans‐11, C18:2 trans‐9, 12, C18:2 cis‐9, trans‐11, C20:5 n‐3 and total saturated and polyunsaturated FA in plasma; C16:0, C18:1 trans‐11, C18:1 cis‐9, C18:2 trans‐9, 12, C20:5 n‐3 and total monounsaturated FA in HDL; and C18:1 trans‐6‐8, C18:1 trans‐9, C18:1 trans‐10, C18:1 trans‐11, C18:3 cis‐9, 12, 15 and C20:5 n‐3 in low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). FO increased C20:5 n‐3 in plasma and lipoproteins in non‐lactating cows and increased C18:3 cis‐9, 12, 15 in plasma (in lactating cows) and LDL (in non‐lactating cows). We concluded from results of this study that in bovine plasma, the LDL fraction appears to be the main lipoprotein transporting C18:1 trans isomers and is more responsive than other lipoprotein fractions to variation in supply of dietary lipids.     

Usefulness of subjective ovine milk scores: I. Associations with range ewe characteristics and lamb production

Range ewes are commonly evaluated for milking ability by producers to determine the ewe's ability to rear lamb(s). The U.S. Sheep Experiment Station has subjectively scored (low, average, high) a ewe's milking ability within 24 h of lambing for many years. The relationship of subjective milk scores with lamb production was investigated using lambing records of Columbia (n = 1,731), Polypay (n = 1,129), Rambouillet (n = 1,704), and Targhee (n = 1,638) ewes. The incidence of high milk scores increased from less than 10% at first parity to 29 to 40% at second and greater parities. At maturity, Columbia ewes (38%) had the highest percentage of high milk scores. A positive association existed between ewe BW and her milk score at third and later parities. Ewes with high milk scores gave birth to heavier lambs (P < 0.05), whereas ewes with low milk scores were associated with lighter (P < 0.05) lambs at birth. Ewes with low milk scores weaned less (P < 0.05) total weight than ewes with better milk scores across all age groups for all breeds. Lighter weaned litter weights from ewes with low milk scores were linked to lighter birth weights and fewer weaned lambs. Differences for litter weight weaned between ewes with average and high milk scores were generally observed at 2 and 3 yr of age, when litter weights were heavier among ewes with high milk scores (P < 0.05) for all breeds. Between the ages of 1 and 3 yr, Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewes with an average milk score weaned heavier (P < 0.05) litters (average differences of 10, 9, 13, and 12%, respectively) than ewes with low milk scores. For all breeds at all ages, individual lamb weaning weights were heavier (P < 0.05) when they were reared by ewes with high milk scores compared to lambs reared by ewes with low milk scores. Results suggest that milk score is an economically important trait in these four breeds and should be considered in management and breeding objectives; at a minimum, the incidence of low milk scores should be kept as small as possible.     

Effects of blend of canola oil and palm oil on nutrient intake and digestibility,growth performance,rumen fermentation and fatty acids in goats

The study examined the effects of blend of 80% canola oil and 20% palm oil (BCPO) on nutrient intake and digestibility, growth performance, rumen fermentation and fatty acids (FA) in goats. Twenty‐four Boer bucks were randomly assigned to diets containing 0, 4 and 8% BCPO on a dry matter basis, fed for 100 days and slaughtered. Diet did not affect feed efficiency, growth performance, intake and digestibility of all nutrients except ether extract. Intakes and digestibilities of ether extract, unsaturated fatty acids (FA) and total FA were higher (P < 0.05) while digestibility of C18:0 was lower (P < 0.05) in oil‐fed goats than the control goats. Total volatile FA, acetate, butyrate, acetate/propionate ratio and methane decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing BCPO but propionate, NH₃‐N and rumen pH did not differ between diets. Ruminal concentration of C18:0, n‐3 FA and total FA increased (P < 0.05) while C12:0, C14:0, C15:0 and n‐6 FA decreased with increasing BCPO. Analysis of the FA composition of Triceps brachii muscle showed that concentrations of C16:0, C14:0 and C18:2n‐6 were lower (P < 0.05) while C18:1n‐9, C18:3n‐3 and C20:5n‐3 were higher in oil‐fed goats compared with control goats. Dietary BCPO altered muscle lipids without having detrimental effects on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance in goats.     

Effects of peripartum biotin supplementation of dairy cows on milk production and milk composition with emphasis on fatty acids profile

Forty Holstein dairy cows receiving a 38% concentrate diet based on maize silage were assigned to either a control group, either a biotin group, receiving 20 mg of biotin per day from 15 days before expected calving date and for 120 days after calving. Milk production was measured daily, milk fat content, protein content, urea and somatic cell counts were determined weekly from week 2 to week 17 of lactation. The profile of milk fatty acids was determined at weeks 3 and 10. Plasma glucose and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate were determined before calving and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 of lactation.

Biotin supplementation resulted in an increased milk production in multiparous cows during weeks 2 to 6, but the effect was no more significant between 7 and 17 weeks of lactation. Milk protein percent was decreased by 0.1% in multiparous cows. Milk fat content was not affected by biotin, and milk fat daily production tended to increase during early lactation. In milk fat, biotin supplementation tended to decrease the proportion of fatty acids with less than 16 carbons at week 3, but the daily amount was not affected. Biotin tended to decrease biohydrogenation intermediates, increased C16:1 at week 3, and tended to increase cis-9 C18:1 at weeks 3 and 10. After 7 weeks of lactation, biotin tended to increase blood beta-hydroxybutyrate in multiparous cows with values remaining in a normal range, and decreased plasma glucose in primiparous cows. These modifications of plasma parameters, milk protein content and profile of milk fatty acids could be due to a higher lipid mobilisation from adipose tissue driven by the increased milk production.     

Effect of supplementation of soy sauce oil and Ca salts of fatty acids on rumen fermentation,milk production and conjugated linoleic acid in milk of dairy cows

Eight cows were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation of soy sauce oil (SO) or Ca salts of fatty acids (FA) on rumen fermentation and milk production. The control diet (CO) consisted mainly of hay, corn silage and a concentrate. In the experimental diets, 400 g/day per cow of SO or FA (soybean oil and rapeseed oil) was supplemented to the CO diet. Experimental period for the three treatments was 14 days, and milk samples were taken during the last 2 days and rumen sample was taken on the last day. Dry matter intake was not affected by the treatments. The number of rumen protozoa at 0 h increased by SO and FA diets. Total volatile fatty acids at 2 h after feeding of SO diet was decreased compared to CO. The milk composition yield did not differ among treatments, although the percentages of fat and protein were decreased by SO and FA diets. The proportions of C8–C16 fatty acids in milk fat decreased, and those of C18 increased by SO and FA diets. The proportion of cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat by SO and FA diets increased by 120% and 135%, respectively. In spite of the slight suppression of rumen fermentation by SO diet, negative effects on feed intake and milk production were not detected.     

Influence of breed, number of suckling lambs, and stage of lactation on ewe milk production and lamb growth under range conditions

Milk production and lamb growth were characterized in 118 multiparous, 3- to 7-yr-old Rambouillet, Columbia, Polypay, and Suffolk ewes under spring sage range and high mountain meadow grazing from 28 to 98 d postpartum. Daily milk yield as measured by the lamb suckling weight differential technique did not differ (P greater than .05) among breeds, although milk production of Suffolk ewes tended to be higher than that of the other three breeds. Within the Rambouillet, Columbia, and Polypay breeds, total estimated yield of ewes with twins was 13 to 17% higher than that of ewes with singles, whereas in the Suffolk breed, suckling twins increased total milk yield 61% over that of ewes with singles. Twin lambs induced a larger differential in dam milk production in late lactation (70 to 98 d) than in earlier lactation (28 to 70 d). Number of lambs did not influence milk protein, Ca, or P content (P greater than .05). Fat levels in colostrum and 4-d milk were elevated 14 and 20%, respectively, in ewes suckling twins compared with ewes suckling singles. Under range conditions, Suffolk ewes suckling single or twin lambs lost more BW (12 and 21% of 4-d postpartum body weight, respectively) than Rambouillet (4 and 7%), Columbia (5 and 8%), or Polypay (8 and 8%) ewes. Correlation coefficients of milk production and lamb growth rate were positive and significant (P less than .05) up to 56 d of age. Growth rate was less closely associated with milk production for twin than for single lambs.     

Digestion and deposition of individual fatty acids in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil

The apparent digestibility and deposition in carcass of individual dietary fatty acids (FA) were determined in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil. The beef tallow was rich in saturated FA (SFA) and the sunflower oil had a high content of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). A total of 39 barrows was used. The experimental diets contained 5% (w/w) of the variable fat source and were fed ad libitum . The dietary fat type had no effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance, even though the apparent digestibilities of crude fat and crude protein were higher (p < 0.05) in the animals fed sunflower oil. The pigs fed the sunflower oil diet showed higher apparent digestibilities (p < 0.05) of the sum of SFA, monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and PUFA, but had a lower digestibility (p < 0.05) of stearic acid. The intakes of individual digestible FA were derived feed intake data, FA contents of the diets and the digestibility of individual FA. For the entire feeding period of 13 weeks, the ratio of deposition in carcass to intake of digestible FA was increased (p < 0.05) for palmitic and stearic acid in the pigs fed sunflower oil, but the ratios for oleic acid and linoleic acid were decreased (p < 0.001). In the pigs fed sunflower oil instead of beef tallow, the deposition:intake ratio was raised for the SFA (p < 0.001), but diminished for the MUFA (p < 0.05). The calculated minimum de novo synthesis of SFA was increased (p < 0.05) and that of MUFA decreased (p < 0.05) in the pigs fed sunflower oil. It is concluded that the feeding of a diet with sunflower oil instead of beef tallow improved apparent digestibility of SFA, MUFA and PUFA, increased the deposition:digestible intake ratio for SFA, but lowered that for MUFA and PUFA.     

两种不同营养水平的代乳粉对羔羊生长性能的影响

试验选用18只10日龄公羔，随即分成A、B、C三组，A组哺喂1号（低营养水平）代乳粉，B组哺喂2号（高营养水平）代乳粉，C组随母羊自然哺乳，每隔10d测定一次体重、体尺，进行了60d的饲养试验，结果表明：30日龄前，特别是10～20日龄阶段，自然哺乳组日增重达到154g／d，而代乳粉组平均日增重仅仅76．9g／d，试验组与对照组差异极显著（P〈0．01）；20日龄时，A、B、C三组体高增加分别为2．4％、6．50％、7．36％，A、B两组分别与C组差异极显著（P〈0．01）；体长A、B两组与C组差异显著（P〈0．05）：但随着日龄的增加，消化道逐渐健全，羔羊越来越习惯于吸允代乳粉，消化吸收能力加强，尤其到试验后期（41—60d），B组表现明显的生长优势，不同日龄体重、阶段平均日增重、体高、体长、胸围、管围都明显高于A组和C组。     

The effect of including argane by-products (meal and pulp) in dairy ewe diet on milk quality and production,and lamb growth performance

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this work was to study the effect of the incorporation of argane by-products (meal and pulp) in ewe’s diet on the production and...     

Effects of linseed oil and palm oil on growth performance,tibia fatty acid and biomarkers of bone metabolism in broilers

1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary fat sources on growth performance, tibia fatty acids and biomarkers of bone metabolism in broilers.

2. One-d-old commercial Arbor Acres broilers were fed with a maize–soya bean basal diet for 42 d, supplemented with oils according to the following 5 treatments: lard (lard group); linseed oil (linseed oil group); palm oil (palm oil group); linseed oil + palm oil (60:40 or 40:60 w/w, LP-1 group and LP-2 group, respectively).

3. No significant differences in weight gain, feed intake and gain/feed ratio were observed between the lard and linseed oil groups. Birds fed on palm oil had significantly greater weight gain and feed intake than those fed on lard or linseed oil. Growth performance in LP-1 and LP-2 was significantly greater than that of single-oil groups.

4. Tibia growth and bone characteristics were not influenced by supplementation with lard, linseed oil, or palm oil alone, but broilers fed on a mixture of fats had significantly greater tibia weight and length compared to broilers fed on linseed oil. Bone mineral density in tibia was significantly increased in LP-1 and LP-2 groups.

5. Supplementation of linseed oil alone or in combination with palm oil enhanced apparent digestibility of calcium, reduced serum calcium and increased tibia calcium concentrations. Moreover, supplementation with linseed oil alone or in combination with palm oil had a positive effect on biomarkers of bone growth.

6. The combination of linseed and palm oils was beneficial for growth performance, tibia growth and biomarkers of bone metabolism.     

Effects of ewe breed and management system on efficiency of lamb production: II. Lamb growth, survival and carcass characteristics

Lamb growth, survival and carcass characteristics were compared for progeny of either 1/2-Suffolk, 1/2-Rambouillet (Western) ewes or 1/2-Suffolk, 1/4-Rambouillet, 1/4-Finnsheep (1/4-Finn) ewes produced over 3 yr in three different management systems. System 1 lambs were born in late fall and fed to slaughter on a concentrate diet. System 2 lambs were born in January and February and grazed pure stands of alfalfa or ladino clover after weaning. System 3 lambs were born in March and April and remained with their dams on native bluegrass-white clover pasture throughout the grazing season. Lambs were slaughtered as males reached 55 kg and as females reached 50 kg. One-half of the males in System 1 were left intact; all males in Systems 2 and 3 were castrated. Lamb survival did not differ among systems. Lambs from yearling 1/4-Finn ewes had higher survival rates than lambs from yearling Western ewes, but at older ewe ages, progeny of the ewe groups did not differ in survival. Lambs in System 1 grew fastest (mean lifetime gains of 310 +/- 4 g/d) and were youngest at slaughter (156 +/- 3 d), and lambs in System 3 were oldest at slaughter (234 +/- 2 d). System 2 lambs differed considerably among years in growth rate and slaughter age (mean slaughter ages of 191, 230 and 193 d across years), primarily in response to differences in rainfall. Lifetime gains and slaughter ages of lambs did not differ between ewe breeds. Ram lambs grew 15% faster than wethers and were leaner. Differences among systems in carcass traits were small. System 1 lambs tended to be fattest and System 2 lambs leanest. Progeny of 1/4-Finn ewes had higher subjective scores for carcass fatness (e.g., feathering, flank fatness) and conformation but did not differ from progeny of Western ewes in objective measures of fatness (e.g., backfat, yield grade).     

Conjugated fatty acids and methane production by rumen microbes when incubated with linseed oil alone or mixed with fish oil and/or malate

We hypothesized that manipulating metabolism with fish oil and malate as a hydrogen acceptor would affect the biohydrogenation process of α‐linolenic acid by rumen microbes. This study was to examine the effect of fish oil and/or malate on the production of conjugated fatty acids and methane (CH₄) by rumen microbes when incubated with linseed oil. Linseed oil (LO), LO with fish oil (LO‐FO), LO with malate (LO‐MA), or LO with fish oil and malate (LO‐FO‐MA) was added to diluted rumen fluid, respectively. The LO‐MA and LO‐FO‐MA increased pH and propionate concentration compared to the other treatments. LO‐MA and LO‐FO‐MA reduced CH₄ production compared to LO. LO‐MA and LO‐FO‐MA increased the contents of c9,t11‐conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and c9,t11,c15‐conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) compared to LO. The content of malate was rapidly reduced while that of lactate was reduced in LO‐MA and LO‐FO‐MA from 3 h incubation time. The fold change of the quantity of methanogen related to total bacteria was decreased at both 3 h and 6 h incubation times in all treatments compared to the control. Overall data indicate that supplementation of combined malate and/or fish oil when incubated with linseed oil, could depress methane generation and increase production of propionate, CLA and CLnA under the conditions of the current in vitro study.     

Effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein in late pregnancy on ewe colostrums production and lamb output to weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein (DUP) in diet during late pregnancy on colostrum production, lamb survival and growth. For 3 weeks prior to lambing, 41 Afshari ewes were assigned at random to three dietary treatments, namely a control (CDUP), moderate (MDUP) and high (HDUP) DUP group. The ewes (n = 14) in CDUP group were fed a protein maintenance level for pregnant ewes [83 g metabolizable protein (MP)/kg dry matter (DM)], while ewes in the MDUP (n = 13) and HDUP (n = 14) groups were fed diets provided 14% (94.7 g MP/kg DM) and 24% (104.3 g MP/kg DM) MP in excess of these requirements respectively, which this increment was coming from DUP (DUP/MP ratio 43.8; 51.0% and 57.6% respectively). All diets were isoenergetic (12 MJ ME/kg DM). All ewes received the same lactation diet after lambing. Ewes in HDUP tend to produce more colostrums (p < 0.1) and had higher protein, fat, and solids non-fat content (p < 0.05) in colostrums during the first 24 h after lambing. MDUP group had higher colostrum yield compared to CDUP (p < 0.1). The changes in body weight and body condition score of ewes were similar for all diets but placenta weight was higher in MDUP group (p < 0.05) than for HDUP and CDUP ewes. Lamb body weight at weaning was higher for males compared to females (p < 0.05), but was not different between treatments. HDUP ewes had higher blood glucose concentration in the pre-lambing period than other treatments (p < 0.05). In this period, increasing the level of DUP in diet increased the content of blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.05). It was concluded that increasing the DUP content of diet for 3 weeks prior to lambing above the standard requirements resulted in an increase in colostrums production but had no effect on lamb outcome to weaning.     

Effects of ewe breed and management system on efficiency of lamb production: I. Ewe productivity

Performance of 1/2-Suffolk, 1/2-Rambouillet (Western) and 1/2-Suffolk, 1/4-Rambouillet, 1/4-Finnsheep (1/4-Finn) ewes was compared in three different lamb production systems over 3 yr. System 1 (56 ewes) involved late fall lambing over 84 d. System 2 (51 ewes) involved January and February lambing for 60 d. System 3 (47 ewes) involved March and April lambing for 45 d. Pregnancy rates for yearling ewes were lower in System 1 in yr 1 (50.7% vs 87.4% for Systems 2 and 3) but differed little among systems for older ewes or in remaining years. Average pregnancy rates for 2-yr-old and older ewes were 89.5, 94.0 and 85.7% for Systems 1, 2 and 3, respectively. When the pregnancy rate was adjusted to a 45-d lambing season, means for older ewes were 78.6, 89.5 and 85.7% for System 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Ewe breeds did not differ in their pregnancy rates. Prolificacy (lambs born per ewe lambing) was higher for 1/4-Finn ewes (1.83 +/- .06 vs 1.55 +/- .07) and was higher in System 3 (1.86 +/- .06) than in Systems 1 (1.60 +/- .07) or 2 (1.63 +/- .05). Body weight at breeding in postyearling ewes was less in System 3 (64.3 kg); than in Systems 1 or 2 (average of 73.1 kg). Breeds did not differ in weight at 1 or 2 yr of age, but Western ewes were 2.1 +/- 1.1 kg heavier as 3-yr-olds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of ewe breed and management system on efficiency of lamb production: III. Meat characteristics

Effects of management system, ewe breed, sex, and legume grazing on cooking and sensory characteristics and shear force of lamb meat were estimated from data collected on animals produced in three management systems. System 1 lambs were born in late fall and fed to slaughter on a concentrate diet. System 2 lambs were born in January and February and grazed pure stands of alfalfa or ladino clover after weaning. System 3 lambs were born in March and April and remained with their dams on native bluegrass-white clover pasture throughout the grazing season. Lambs were progeny of either 1/2-Suffolk, 1/2-Rambouillet ewes or 1/2-Suffolk, 1/4-Finnsheep, 1/4-Rambouillet or Dorset ewes and were sired by Suffolk rams. Lambs were slaughtered at 50 (females) to 55 kg (males). One-half of the males in System 1 were left intact; all males in Systems 2 and 3 were castrated. Mean age at slaughter was 156, 204, and 234 d for lambs in Systems 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Cooked weight of loin chops averaged 68.5% of uncooked weight and did not differ among systems. Shear force was greatest for System 1 lambs and least for System 3 lambs in yr 1, but systems did not differ in shear performance in yr 2. System differences in tenderness favored System 3 lambs. Although mean flavor intensity was least for System 2 lambs, the frequency of high-intensity, potentially objectionable flavors was highest for these lambs and especially for those grazing alfalfa. In general, however, sensory characteristics did not differ greatly among production systems, and correlation analysis revealed little potential to use carcass traits to predict meat characteristics.     

Effects of feeding ewe colostrum, cow colostrum or ewe milk replacer on plasma glucose in newborn lambs

The plasma concentration of glucose was monitored for six hours in lambs fed either ewe colostrum, cow colostrum or milk replacer by stomach tube at one hour of age. The feeding of ewe colostrum resulted in an elevation of the mean (+/- se) plasma glucose concentration from 2 . 6 +/- 0 . 3 mmol/litre before feeding to 7 . 3 +/- 0 . 92 mmol/litre three hours after feeding and this elevation was maintained. A similar rise was observed in the lambs fed cow colostrum but this was of shorter duration. A marked hyperglycaemia was observed after the feeding of milk replacer with a maximum value of 23 . 4 +/- 1 . 33 mmol/litre three hours after feeding. The practical implications of these results are discussed.