Financial benefit from the eradication of swine dysentery

Swine dysentery was eradicated from a 270 sow herd by using medication in conjunction with cleaning and disinfection, without reducing the herd size. The feed conversion efficiency, cost per kg liveweight gain and veterinary costs in the herd were compared with similar Meat and Livestock Commission recorded herds before swine dysentery entered the farm, while it was present and after its eradication. During the four years when the disease was endemic in the herd the feed conversion efficiency deteriorated by 0.58, equivalent to 7.31 pounds per pig, the cost per kg liveweight gain was 15 per cent higher and the costs of veterinary care and medicines were 1.38 pounds per pig greater. Although there were pigs with clinical swine dysentery in the herd during the four year period, the poor production figures were attributed mainly to subclinical disease. The cost of eradicating the disease was more than 20,000 pounds but this sum was recouped within 12 months by the improved production and reduced drug usage. The chances of success of such a programme have been estimated to be between 54 and 90 per cent.     

Efficiency of utilisations of food energy by female growing minks

The efficiency of utilisation of food energy by female growing minks, from weaning to adult age, was studied. The food given, pelleted according to an original technology, has the following chemical composition on a DM basis: 87.0% organic matter, 37.1% crude protein, 11.7% crude fat, 2.6% crude fiber, 35.6% nitrogen-free extractives and 13.0 per cent ash. Young minks had a feed intake, in relation to body weight, warying from 11.6 g to 58.6 g DM/d. Maximum feed intake related to kg0.75 was recorded at 700 g body weight (approximately 98 g DM/kg0.65). Digestibility of the given food expressed in DE, averaged 87.7 +/- 1.2%, while metabolizability, 82.3 +/- 1.1%. Total heat production related to the intaked gross energy, was 48.0 +/- 3.0%, and the retained energy, 34.3 +/- 4.0 per cent. The net efficiency of the metabolizable energy used for maintenance and production could not be accurately determined. However, taking to account the calculated values required for maintenance, of 649 kJ/kg0.75 in 300 to 600 g young minks, and of 607 kJ/kg0.75 in 600 to 1100 g young minks and also the maintenance efficiency, Km = 0.75, the coefficient for ME utilisation in protein and fat synthesis, of 0.50 and 0.75, respectively, it was able to determine the average ME efficiency used as net energy for maintenance and production: 70%. The highest values of nictemeral metabolism were recorded in the evening, and the lowest ones, at noon; the difference between the maximal and the minimal value did not exceed 6 per cent.     

桑园条桑收获与片叶收获的产量和效益比较

对5个栽培桑品种(杂交组合)的桑园进行全年片叶收获和全年条桑收获试验,研究不同收获形式对桑园产量、桑叶生产成本、生产效率和经济效益的影响。与全年条桑收获桑园相比,全年片叶收获桑园每公顷产叶量可增加11955~14985 kg,增产率达26.12%~33.63%,每公顷枝叶量增加27915~37 830 kg,增产率达29.78%~44.97%;全年条桑收获形式虽然桑叶收获的劳动工效比片叶收获提高96.77%~136.00%,但其桑园产叶量较片叶收获形式下降了20.86%~25.16%,要取得与片叶收获桑园同等的桑叶产量,需增加26.12%~33.63%的桑园面积,最终使桑园总成本费用与片叶收获桑园没有显著差异,不能有效降低桑叶成本。测算结果表明,5个栽培桑品种的桑园采用两种收获形式的桑叶成本平均为0.42元/kg;全年片叶收获桑园比条桑收获桑园每公顷增产蚕茧797~999 kg,新增产值13430~16844元,新增纯收入10625~13 325元。分析认为,推广条桑收获技术需要采取措施减少条桑收获后光能损失和桑树生长的停滞时间,才能达到高产高效的目标。     

Utilisation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) for egg production

1. The performance of White Leghorn laying hens on diets providing pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) at 300 and 600 g/kg to replace maize, part per part, or "maize mix" isoenergetically and isonitrogenously in the first experiment and at 600 g/kg diet to replace maize in toto, part per part, in the second experiment were examined. In the first experiment, 3 groups of 12 laying hens were placed on each of the 5 dietary treatments for 3 x 28 d, whereas in the second experiment, each of the two diets was offered to 10 groups of 15 laying hens for 6 x 28 d. 2. Inclusion of pearl millet in the diet at the expense of maize, part per part, did not significantly influence hen-day egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency and body weight in either experiment. Incorporation of pearl millet isoenergetically at the expense of "maize mix" at any level, i.e. 300 g or 600 g/kg (Experiment 1), also did not influence hen-day egg production but at the end of periods 2 and 3 did result in decreased feed intakes with consequent improvements in feed efficiency. 3. Egg weight in general showed a tendency to improve with diets providing pearl millet at 600 g/kg. 4. Profits from egg sales over feed cost were directly proportional to the inclusion of pearl millet in the diet either at the expense of maize, part per part, or "maize mix" isoenergetically.     

Gluconeogenesis from propionate produced in the colon of the horse

The production of propionate has been measured in the large colon of two ponies fitted with cannulas and fed on a standard diet of hay or hay and wheat bran. A continuous infusion of 14C-labelled sodium propionate was made into a cannula in the right ventral colon and samples of ingesta were obtained from another cannula near the end of the right dorsal colon. A simultaneous intravenous infusion of [2-3H]-labelled glucose was made to measure total glucose entry. Colonic propionate production on the hay diet was 146 (range 110-176) mg/h per kg body weight and, on the hay and bran, 195 (range 130-273) mg/h per kg body weight. Mean total glucose production for the two diets was 120 (range 98-143) and 92 (range 79-116) mg/h per kg body weight, respectively. The results obtained indicate that 50% of the glucose was synthesized from propionate produced in the colon in ponies on the hay diet and 61% in ponies on the hay and bran diet.     

氮肥用量对披碱草属牧草种子产量和氮肥利用效率的影响

氮素是禾本科植物生长和发育所必需的大量元素之一,但过量施用氮肥不仅造成环境污染,而且增加生产成本、降低收益。基于青藏高原地区披碱草属牧草种子需求量大、产量较低的现状,本研究以同德短芒披碱草、青牧1号老芒麦2个披碱草属牧草品种为试验材料,设置0、45、90、135、180和225 kg N·hm^-2等6个氮肥施用水平,研究分析了施氮量对披碱草属牧草种子生产和氮肥利用效率的影响,以期为披碱草属牧草种子生产提供理论依据。结果表明,施氮可促进披碱草属牧草生长,能够显著提高其株高、分蘖数等牧草营养生产性状,同时可提高种子产量及单位面积生殖枝数、每穗小穗数、每穗种子数和种子千粒重等产量组分;且随着施氮量的增加,各生长性能指标呈现先增加后降低或趋于稳定的变化趋势。随着施氮量的增加,除青牧1号老芒麦氮肥利用效率先增加后降低外,2个品种氮肥农学利用率和偏生产力逐渐降低。本研究中,同德短芒披碱草和青牧1号老芒麦的种子产量分别为712～1661 kg·hm^-2和701～1626 kg·hm^-2。从节约成本角度考虑,在川西北高寒地区开展披碱草属...     

Determination of effective dosage of GH-releasing factor for blood GH responses in mithun (Bos frontalis)

A study was undertaken to determine the effective dosage of GH-releasing hormone (GRF) required to produce blood GH response in mithun (Bos frontalis), a semi-wild ruminant species. For the purpose, 12 mithuns averaging 11.5 months of age and 146 kg body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to receive GRF (n = 12), administered at 0 (normal saline), 5, 10 and 20 mug per 100 kg BW. Blood samples were collected prior to and after GRF administration at -60, -45, -30, -15, -10, -5, 0 min and 5, 10, 15, 30 and thereafter, at 15-min interval up to 8 h post-GRF were assayed for plasma GH. For all the dosages, the pre-treatment GH concentrations and corresponding area under GH response curve (AUC) were similar (p > 0.05). The post-GRF plasma GH responses to different dosages of GRF viz. 5, 10 and 20 mug per 100 kg BW and corresponding AUCs were higher (p < 0.05) than those recorded in normal saline-treated controls. The GH responses to 10 and 20 mug GRF per 100 kg BW and corresponding AUCs were higher (p < 0.05) than those registered in mithuns administered with 5 mug GRF per 100 kg BW. Interestingly, post-GRF concentration of plasma GH and AUCs were not different for 10 and 20 mug GRF per 100 kg BW dosages. In all animals treated with GRF, a peak of GH was registered within 10 to 20 min post-GRF. Following 5 mug GRF per 100 kg BW, GH concentrations were maintained at higher level for 90 min post-GRF and thereafter became similar to that of controls and it was 435 min for 10 and 20 mug GRF per 100 kg BW dosages. In conclusion, our results suggest that 10 mug GRF per 100 kg BW is the dosage, which can be used for augmentation of mithun production.     

抗寒桑品种龙桑一号育成

桑树新品种龙桑一号具有抗寒性强,抗桑细菌病、褐斑病能力强的特性。在黑龙江省产叶量比对照种秋雨桑高10—31％,养蚕试验中春季万蚕收茧量增10％,秋季增25％。国家品种鉴定中,单位面积产叶量、产茧量、茧层量分别高于对照种15％、30％、31％。养蚕试验成绩:万蚕茧层量、五龄100公斤桑产茧量,万蚕产丝量,五龄100公斤桑产丝量,分别增12％、13％、11％、14％。     

The effect on wool production of changes in management designed to increase output of lamb from hill land in the United Kingdom

A system of management designed to increase the economic efficiency of the production of weaned lamb from hill land through the use of pasture improvement and controlled grazing has resulted in considerable increases in the outputs of both lamb and wool. In two examples quoted the weight of weaned lamb produced increased by 51 and 94%; these changes were accompanied by increases in wool output of 31 and 84%, respectively. The additional outputs of both products are attributable to a combination of increased numbers of ewes and higher levels of individual animal performance.The increase in output of wool which may be expected from changes in management directed at increasing lamb production is relatively small, ranging from 4.6 to 6.5 kg per 100 kg increase in weaned lamb in the Scottish Blackface to 11.6 kg per 100 kg increase in weaned lamb in the South Country Cheviot. Evidence is presented to show that the magnitude of the increase in wool production is likely to be determined genetically by the response to improved nutrition of both lamb and wool production.     

Vitamin E requirements of laying hens

In 5 experiments with 1,296 laying hybrids at the age of 22-73 weeks producing eggs for consumption a varied supplementation of between 0 and 20 mg vitamin E per kg of a semisynthetic ration was tested. The vitamin E content of the basal ration was less than 1 mg per kg feed. The quotas of selenium and unsaturated fatty acids in the feed were taken into consideration. Vitamin E and Se supplements did not influence, feed intake, laying, performance, feed efficiency/100 g egg development of body weight and mortality. The supplementation of 14% vitamin-E-free sunflower oil caused a significant decrease of the laying performance by 15%. There was no relation between the humoral immune reaction and vitamin E supply. The peroxide value of the abdominal fat and the activities of the creatine phosphokinase, the aspartate and alanine amino transferase in the blood serum were not directionally changed by the vitamin E, Se and oil supplements. There were no significant relations between the vitamin E content of the feed and that of the yolk and the yolk sac of the chicken. A vitamin E requirement of less than 1 mg and a requirement norm, including a safety margin, of 5 mg per kg feed was derived from the results for laying hens for egg production. A supplement of synthetic vitamin E to laying hen feed is thus not necessary.     

肉用种母鸡的烟酸需要量

选３０周龄Ａｒｂｏｒ Ａｃｒｅ种母鸡８０只，设５个处理，每处理１６只鸡。各处理在饲喂相同基础日粮条件下，分别添加烟酸０、１５、３０、６０和１２０ｍｇ／ｋｇ。试验期１２周。于试验开始后的第４、８、１２周进行３次孵化试验。试验结果表明，日粮酸添加量在１５ｍｇ／ｋｇ以上的各处理，种母鸡产蛋量均高于对照组，当烟酸量提高到３０－６０ｍｇ／ｋｇ时，饲料产蛋效率达到较高水平，但不同日粮烟酸水平对孵化率可以反映种     

Requirement of the hen for sulphur‐containing amino acids

1. The sulphur amino acid requirements of White Leghorn‐type laying hens were determined in two 52‐week experiments using diets based on maize and soyabean meal providing from 5.0 to 6.5 g sulphur amino acids/kg, 12.35 MJ ME/kg and 8.6 to 8.8 g lysine/kg. There were six replicates of 15 individually‐caged hens each per treatment.

2. A requirement of approximately 775 to 800 mg sulphur amino acids /hen d, of which about 390 to 440 mg was methionine, was found for a maximum of 80 to 83 eggs/100 hen d. There were indications that the requirement for maximum egg production was less than that for maximum efficiency of food utilisation.

3. Diets containing 138 g protein/kg supplemented with methionine and lysine supported production and food utilisation as effectively as a diet containing 167 g protein/kg.     

Does body size of dairy cows,at constant ratio of maintenance to production requirements,affect productivity in a pasture‐based production system?

This study compared productivity of dairy cows with different body weight (BW), but a constant ratio of maintenance to production requirements in their first lactation, in a pasture-based production system with spring calving. Two herds, Herd L (13 and 14 large cows in 2003 and 2004 respectively; average BW after calving, 721 kg) and Herd S (16 small cows in both years; 606 kg) [Correction added after online publication 14 January 2011: 16 small cows in both years; 621 kg was changed to 16 small cows in both years; 606 kg], all in their second or following lactations, were each allocated 6 ha of pasture and rotationally grazed on 10 parallel paddocks with equal herbage offer and nutritional values. Winter hay, harvested from the same pastures, was offered ad libitum in the indoor periods in a tied stall barn. Each herd received, per lactation and year, approximately 2000 kg dry matter (DM) of concentrates and of fodder beets, equally distributed to every individual. Indoors, the L-cows ingested more DM than the S-cows (18.7 vs. 16.3 kg DM/cow per day; p < 0.01), but DM intake per 100 kg of metabolic BW was similar (13.0 vs. 13.1 kg DM/cow per day). Estimates based on the n-alkane technique gave similar results on pasture (17.9 vs. 15.5 kg DM/cow per day; p < 0.001). Roughage intakes per 100 kg of metabolic BW, at 13.5 kg DM/cow per day, were similar. Mean annual yield of energy-corrected milk (ECM)/ha was slightly higher for the S-herd than the L-herd (13,026 vs. 12,284 kg) but was associated with a higher stocking rate (on average +20%) for the S-herd. Feed conversion efficiency (1.2 vs. 1.3 kg ECM/kg DM intake) and overall milk production efficiency (45.3 vs. 47.3 kg ECM/kg metabolic BW) were similar in L- and S-cows. Thus, both dairy cow types were equally efficient in utilising pasture-based forage.     

行距和肥力对川草2号老芒麦生产性能的作用

在田间试验条件下,采用裂区设计方法,研究了不同追肥、不同行距和不同基肥对川草2号老芒麦Elymus sibiricus cv.chuancao No.2生产性能的影响.结果表明:分蘖-拔节期追施120kg/hm2复合肥可提高老芒麦生产性能;60cm行距时老芒麦种子产量最高达1 485kg/hm2,30 cm行距时老芒麦产量最高达10 70 kg/hm2;施180kg/hm2复合肥较施15t/hm2牛粪更有利于老芒麦种子生产.     

Nutrient dependence of energy preservation requirements in rats. 2. Effect of the protein level of feed and the environmental temperature on the energy preservation requirement and heat production in fully-grown rats

The influence of protein in exchange for carbohydrates on the energy maintenance requirement was studied with nearly fully-grown rats at ambient temperatures between 33 and 21 degrees C. The levels of the crude protein content were 10, 25, 40 and 70%. At an ambient temperature of 33 and 30 degrees C energy maintenance requirement increased with the growing protein content in the feed. At a temperature of 30 degrees C the following values of energy maintenance requirement were measured in the sequence of the protein levels mentioned: 330 +/- 11, 347 +/- 18, 360 +/- 15 and 399 +/- 15 kJ metabolizable energy/kg live weight 0.75 X d. The occurring changes largely coincide with the expected values calculated from the efficiency of the ATP synthesis in the oxidative catabolization of protein and carbohydrates. At ambient temperatures of less than 30 degrees C, thermogenous effects after the exchange of protein versus carbohydrates could only be observed partly or not. 30 degrees C in feeding on the maintenance level and 33 degrees C in the state of hunger are estimated as the lower critical temperatures. Below the critical temperatures down to 24 degrees C heat production increased less per 1 degree C temperature decrease both in hungry and fed rats than in the temperature range between 24 and 21 degrees C. By the decrease of the ambient temperature from 24 to 21 degrees C the heat production of the hungry or fed rats increased by 39 or 33 kJ/degrees C X kg live weight 0.75 X d.     

Preweaning Productivity of Suckling Goats and Sheep in Guadeloupe (FWI) under Intensive Reproductive Rate and Grazing Management

In Guadeloupe, small ruminants are reared for meat production under pasture conditions. Intensive rotative grazing systems (irrigated, fertilized and high-stocked tropical pastures) allow satisfactory levels of production but generate high post-grazing residues. Experiments were designed to control these. A system in which residuals were mown (RM) was tested in comparison to the control system (residuals remained, RR). The same design was carried out over two years with Creole goats and Martinik sheep. An accelerated reproductive rate (3 parturitions over 2 years) was carried out. Systems were compared at three parturition seasons per year (dry, intermediate and rainy seasons). Each group was composed of 20 goats (36.0+/-2.5 kg) or 20 ewes (46.8+/-2.4 kg). The systems exhibited high levels of productivity in both species compared to other results in the tropics: more than 50 and 30 offspring born alive per hectare and per reproductive season for the goat and ewe flocks, respectively. The annual production at birth was 110 kg kids/ha per year and 133 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 21% more). Corresponding values at weaning were 630 kg kids/ha per year and 785 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 25% more). The RM system produced 10% more than the RR system in Creole goats, while it produced 35% more in Martinik sheep. Seasonal effects and other factors of variation are discussed.     

北京地区猪生长和繁殖性状边际效益的研究

本研究旨在估计北京地区猪生长和繁殖性状的边际效益.以差额法和系统分析法为基础建立农场模型,模拟商品猪群的生产过程,采集了北京地区多个具有代表性的猪场的数据,确定北京地区猪6个生长和繁殖性状的边际效益为:窝产活仔数(头)20.5元、达100kg体质量日龄(d)-0.3元、肥育期日增体质量(g·d-1)0.04元、饲料转化效率(kg·kg-1)-186.4元、胴体背膘厚(mm) 15元、母猪繁殖寿命(胎)1.8元.结果表明,市场价格的变化对性状边际效益的影响很大.     

Effect of microbial phytase on production performance of White Leghorn layers fed on a diet low in non-phytate phosphorus

1. An experiment with 150 White Leghorn layers was conducted to examine the effect of microbial phytase supplementation of low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diets on egg production, eggshell quality, bone mineralisation and retention of nutrients at 32-48 weeks of age. 2. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 g NPP/kg diet with the two lowest NPP (1.2 and 1.8) supplemented with microbial phytase (Biofeed Phytase, India) at 500 FTU per kg diet. Each diet was offered ad libitum to 5 replicates of 5 layers throughout the experiment. 3. Body weight gain was reduced significantly in the layers fed on the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet as compared to those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg. Addition of phytase to the 1.2 g/kg diet significantly enhanced the body weight and was comparable with those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg NPP. 4. No additional advantage resulted from enhancing the NPP levels beyond 1.8 g/kg or adding phytase to a diet containing 1.8 g/kg NPP. 5. Hen d egg production, food intake, food efficiency, shell weight, shell thickness, shell strength and tibia strength followed the same trends as above. However, adding phytase to the 1.8 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced tibia ash. Egg weight, specific gravity and Haugh units were influenced by neither NPP concentration nor phytase supplementation. 6. Adding phytase to the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus retention. 7. It was concluded that addition of 500 FTU of microbial phytase/kg diet can allow the reduction of NPP content to 1.2g/kg in the layer diet, eliminate inorganic phosphorus supplementation and results in significant reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion without affecting the production performance of layers.     

Effect of birth weight on efficiency of beef production.

The large 'lean beef' breeds are vulnerable to calving difficulties and losses. Dystocia is related to high birth weight. Data recorded from evaluation experiments show that the birth weight of the 'lean beef' taurus crossbreeds was high (39+/-2.1 kg). Indicus beef genotypes were selected with the birth weight (29+/-1.9 kg) significantly lower (P is less than 0.01) without a depression in the final yield of beef. To increase efficiency of beef production the lower birth weight factor needs be incorporated into genotypes for high viability and growth. Profitability depends on output per dam, in relation to inputs, on a herd basis. Hence, progress may depend on the application of such changes of genotype.     

Fly ash, basic slag and Glenbrook slag toxicity in cattle

In case studies of two herds of dairy cattle, a herd of 270 Friesian cows and heifers and a herd of 256 Jersey cows and heifers experienced high death rates and a protracted course of illness when fly ash was broadcast as a fertiliser over the farms at a rate of about 1 tonne per hectare. The onset of weakness, lassitude and diarrhoea in the cattle first appeared within 4-5 days and both fertility and milk fat production fell off dramatically. In the following 7 months, 51 animals died in the Friesian herd and a similar death rate and performance losses occurred in the Jersey herd. Emaciation and hepatic fibrosis were consistently reported from autopsies. Heavy metal poisoning was eliminated from the possible diagnosis. The slags and fly ash used as fertiliser had several features in common. They contained 29-40% calcium as calcium oxide, 15-35 grams of iron per kg, they were all extremely alkaline and concentrations of lead and arsenic were low. The effect of adding fly ash to rumen contents in vitro was to raise the pH to greater than 7.2, at which point fermentation was markedly-reduced.