Production factors that influence the hygienic condition of finished beef cattle

A survey was conducted at five UK abattoirs to trace the source of dirty beef cattle and identify factors in the production chain that contributed to their dirtiness. The Meat Hygiene Service Clean Livestock score categories were used and the animals' histories were traced back to their farm of origin. Comprehensive information was collected relating to the farm, transport and lairage phases for 675 cattle from 85 batches. The mean score of the animals on arrival at the abattoir was 1.57, with 2.8 per cent in categories 3 and 4, and none in category 5. Regression analysis, blocking the data by farm of origin, revealed that age, feed type, coat length, clipping, journey distance and time, and abattoir were the six principal factors that affected the scores. Cattle under 20 months of age were cleaner than older cattle. Dry diets resulted in lower scores than wet diets. 'Shorthair' cattle were cleaner than 'medium' or 'longhair' cattle, and cattle which had been clipped were cleaner than unclipped animals. The cattle which had travelled over 150 miles (15 per cent) were dirtier than the others. Within each abattoir there were variations in score between 1 and 4, and the mean scores of the five abattoirs ranged from 1.19 to 1.76. A significant part of this variation could only be accounted for by unmeasured variables such as abattoir management practice, assessors' categorisations and climate.     

Analysis of the factors creating consumer attributes of roasted beef steaks

The aim of the study was to analyze the factors creating consumer attributes of roasted beef steaks of various animals. Eight cuts from 30 carcasses (characterized by various types of animal, conformation and fat class, rib fat thickness, ossification score) were selected. Samples were prepared using the roasting method and consumers rated the tenderness, juiciness, flavor, overall acceptability (rated in a 100‐point scale), and satisfaction (rated from 2 to 5) for analyzed samples. No influence of type of animal, fat class, conformation class or ossification score on the results of consumer analysis was observed. For all analyzed factors, the influence of cut on consumer analysis was observed (the highest values of all consumer attributes were observed for tenderloin ‐ for juiciness significantly higher than for other cuts, for tenderness, flavor and MQ4 comparable only with rump (RMP231), while for overall acceptability and satisfaction – with both rump cuts). For rib fat thickness consumer attributes of roasted beef meat were not linear, but the influence was observed – the highest values of consumer attributes were observed for 13 mm rib fat thickness.     

兰州市乳制品的品质检验分析

通过兰州市售乳制品的调研，对市场销售的主要品牌的消毒牛乳（纯牛乳）和酸牛乳两大类乳制品进行感官、理化、微生物三项指标检测。结果表明兰州市销售的乳制品质量合格率达95%。     

Eliciting the relative importance of risk factors concerning contagious animal diseases using conjoint analysis: a preliminary survey report

Conjoint analysis is a technique well known in marketing research to elicit consumer preferences and opinions. This paper describes the results of an experiment which explores the potential application of conjoint analysis in the field of veterinary epidemiology and economics. In this experiment, the method of conjoint analysis was used to elicit the opinion of experts about the relative importance of risk factors concerning contagious animal diseases. Diseases studied were: African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Swine Vesicular Disease (SVD), Newcastle Disease (NCD) and Avian Influenza (AI). Risk factors included were import of livestock, import of animal products, feeding of swill, tourists, returning livestock trucks and air. The conjoint analysis technique was used to draw up a questionnaire which was handed out during the 7th ISVEE held at Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 19 August 1994. According to the experts approached, the factors ‘import of livestock’ and ‘import of animal products’ were the major sources of risk for all diseases. For ASF, CSF and FMD, the risk factor ‘swill feeding’ ranked third. For FMD and the two poultry diseases NCD and AI, only the risk factor ‘air’ was important. Overall conclusion was that conjoint analysis could be a useful method for eliciting the opinion of experts about risk factors concerning contagious animal diseases. In further research, special attention should be given to the selection of experts and the presentation of the conjoint questions.     

影响天然牧草产量气候因素的多元积分回归分析

利用三江源区兴海县牧业气象站1999～2007年的牧草生长期各时段气温、降水、日照时数和天然牧草产草量观测资料,应用积分回归统计方法,分析了不同时段不同气候因素对天然牧草产量的影响。结果表明,在牧草的返青—展叶（4月中旬～5月下旬）时期,温度对牧草产量的影响呈负效应,降水量呈正效应,而日照从负效应到正效应变化。6月份温度对牧草产量的影响呈正效应,7月份呈负效应,而降水量和日照对牧草产量的影响一直呈正效应。8月中旬至9月上旬,此时温度、光照对牧草产量的影响呈正效应,温度的正效应9月上旬达到最大,降水量8月中下旬为负效应。     

2005年前三季度我国牛肉市场形势分析

一、国内生产稳步快速发展，养殖效置稳定 我国肉牛生产稳步快速发展，养殖效益稳定。据行业统计，前三季度牛存栏14326．37万头．同比增长2．26％：出栏3948．55万头．同比增长6．82％；牛肉产量52624万吨，同比增长6．9％。     

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the transfer side, transfer location, cervix transfer score, type and diameter of corpus luteum (CL) during embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in beef heifers. Progesterone-based synchronization and superovulation protocol were applied to Simmental cows used as donors (n = 168). Uterine flushings were performed on day 7 following artificial insemination. Obtained Code I (excellent or good) and II (fair) quality embryos were transferred to recipient beef heifers (n = 561). During embryo transfer, side of transfer (right or left), transfer location (the cranial or middle third of uterine horn), cervix transfer score (easy, moderate or difficult) and type (CLa, CLb and CLc) and diameter of CL were determined. Pregnancy rates following the transfer of Code I and II embryos were 44.66% and 33.07%, respectively (p < .05). The rates of pregnancy after transfers to the right and left uterine horn were 37% and 42.2%, respectively (p > .05). The pregnancy rates were 41.2%, 34.9% and 30.3% for cervix transfer scores as easy, moderate and difficult, respectively (p > .05). Pregnancy rates after transfer to the cranial third and middle third were 41.06% and 29.67%, respectively (p < .05). According to types of CL, pregnancy rates were 31.7%, 40.4% and 45.3% for CLa, CLb and CLc, respectively (p < .05). Moreover, it was found that as the CL diameter increased, the pregnancy rates increased. As a result, it was concluded that there was no effect of side of transfer and cervix transfer score, but embryo quality, transfer location, type and diameter of CL had significant effects on the pregnancy rate during embryo transfer in beef heifers.     

导致免疫失败的因素分析及相应对策

编者按：秋冬是各种畜禽疫病的高发季节，随着“2005年重大动物疫病防控秋季行动计划”的全面展开，各种化学药物和疫苗的使用效果愈发引人关注。接种疫苗是确保畜禽免受各种动物疫病侵袭的重要手段之一。但在生产实践中，经常会发生免疫后仍然发生相应免疫疾病的现象。这也是广大养殖场（户）所遇到的比较棘手的问题之一。     

2006年上半年牛羊肉市场状况综述

2006年上半年，我国牛羊生产稳步增长，养殖效益稳定；牛羊肉价格第二季度回落，但同比提高；牛羊肉消费水平较低，地区差距大。牛产品出口增加，进口减少，贸易顺差；羊产品进出口均增加，贸易逆差。国际市场上，美国牛羊肉价格均下跌，预计国际牛羊肉生产和贸易都会增加。市场具体状况如下：     

免疫为何失败——谈影响免疫效果的九大因素

近年来，经常听到一些猪场反映搞过防疫的猪发病了，有猪瘟、有传染性胃肠炎等，使人们开始怀疑防疫的效果。我们分析了防疫的整个过程，发现防疫不理想的原因往往是由于工作不细致造成的，因为以下几种情况都会影响免疫效果。     

浅析绿色畜禽产品的市场开发

“忽如一夜春风来”,随着国际上环境意识的增强,人们的消费心理、消费需求发生了显著变化,对绿色畜禽产品的需求和期望日益增长,崇尚自然、追求健康已成为优化市场结构的重要内容和趋势。绿色畜禽产品必将成为国际大市场中攻守皆宜的利器。在当今的国内外市场上,那些     

广布野豌豆裂荚影响因素与裂荚日动态研究

为探明豆科牧草裂荚与环境条件的关系,以及每天的裂荚时间,以广布野豌豆为对象分别进行了晴天和阴天裂荚影响因素与裂荚日动态研究。研究结果表明,晴天时,相对裂荚率与气温、空气相对湿度、荚皮温度和荚皮含水量均呈极显著的相关关系(P＜0.01),阴天时,除裂荚率与荚皮含水量相关关系未达到显著外,其余也均达到极显著或显著的相关水平(P＜0.01或P＜0.05),相对裂荚率与风速无关(P＞0.05);晴天的裂荚率明显大于阴天,每天裂荚高峰期发生在12:00-14:00,而8:00前和18:00后不裂荚。上述结果得出,外界环境中的温度和湿度与裂荚率密切相关,选择8:00前的清晨和18:00后的傍晚,是避免种子损失,收获种子的最佳时间。     

Intrinsic factors of acorns that influence the efficiency of their consumption by Iberian pigs

This paper deals with the efficiency of Iberian pigs when shelling acorns (Quercus ilex fruits) during the free ranging fattening period in the dehesa. The amount of kernel wasted per acorn (18.9 ± 1.2%) presents a high degree of variation influenced by differences in the morphology and size of the acorns. A positive correlation is observed between the weight of the waste kernel and the weight of the whole acorn, and the diameter. However, the percentage of waste correlates negatively with the weight of the kernel and its DM percentage, with the ratio kernel weight/shell weight, and with the percentage of kernel. On the other hand, the percentage of kernel wasted, correlates positively with the percentage of kernel. Oppositely to the traditional knowledge and opinion of farmers, it has been found that the bitterness of the kernel, assessed sensorially by humans, does not influence the amount of kernel wasted. The results indicate that it is possible to make predictions about wastage based on two simple linear regression models: dry kernel wasted = 0.404 × fresh shell weight (R² = 0.898; P = 0.000) and percentage of fresh kernel wasted = 0.893 × percentage of fresh shell (R² = 0.875; P = 0.000). It would be necessary to consider the kernel wastage in acorn conversion rate calculations. Also in the processes of acorn selection for tree repopulation in dehesas for pig finishing it would be convenient to consider the correlations between the characteristics of the acorns and the amount of kernel waste, using the regression models defined.     

Genetic and management factors that influence the susceptibility of cattle to Mycobacterium bovis infection

Genetic variation in the susceptibility of cattle to Mycobacterium bovis infection exists in differences between families and species, but not breeds. Susceptibility to M. bovis infection increases with age of cattle. Natural exposure to M. bovis or environmental mycobacteria may assist in the development of specific immunity, but there is no direct evidence for such immunological priming of tuberculosis resistance in cattle. This has, however, been demonstrated in humans and other animals. Since non-specific mechanisms have a role in protective immunity, developing an effective vaccine will be difficult, even though some protection of other species has been achieved. Immunological suppression in the periparturient period can produce anergic reactors, which may act as a constant source of infection for cattle-to-cattle transmission. Circumstantial evidence suggests that an adequate intake of mineral, vitamin and protein reduces the susceptibility of cattle. Although weather patterns have been implicated in the susceptibility of herds to M. bovis infection, there is insufficient information to determine the risk factors precisely. It is concluded that some reduction in the susceptibility of cattle to M. bovis infection can be achieved by modifications to the management system to minimize risk factors, but that a considerable amount of further research is required.     

A comparison of factors that influence survival in dogs with adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism treated with mitotane or trilostane

Background: Trilostane is a recognized treatment for canine pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH); however, its efficacy in dogs with adrenal‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADH) is unknown. Objectives: To examine factors that might influence survival in the medical management of ADH, with particular emphasis on treatment selection. Animals: Thirty‐seven animals referred to 4 centers over a period of 12 years that had been diagnosed with ADH and treated with either trilostane (22/37), mitotane (13/37), or both (2/37). Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the survival times of 13 dogs treated only with mitotane when compared with 22 dogs treated only with trilostane. The median survival time for animals treated with trilostane was 353 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 95–528 days), whereas it was 102 days (95% CI 43–277 days) for mitotane. Metastatic disease was detected in 8 of 37 dogs. There was a significantly lower probability of survival for dogs with metastatic disease when compared with those without metastatic disease (P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The choice of medical treatment for ADH may not have a major effect on survival times. However, the presence of metastatic disease considerably decreases survival time regardless of the choice of medical treatment.     

锡林郭勒盟生态系统格局演变及驱动因素分析

在自然因素和人类活动的共同作用下,生态系统格局和质量都发生变化,而生态系统格局和质量的变化直接影响生态系统服务和人类福祉。锡林郭勒盟位于内蒙古中部地区,是京津冀地区的重要生态安全屏障,也是主要的畜产品供应地,研究锡林郭勒盟生态格局演变及驱动因素对于构建内蒙古北方生态安全屏障有重要意义。本研究利用遥感影像,通过分析2000和2015年生态系统类型和质量的变化,探讨资源开发、城市化发展、政策实施等多重因素对生态系统格局演变的作用。研究结果表明： 2000-2015年间锡林郭勒盟生态系统质量整体好转,草地生态系统质量中东部地区提高最为明显;草地、灌丛、城镇、裸地、湿地、森林、矿区面积有所增加,农田、沙地、水域面积有所减少;锡林郭勒盟生态系统格局和质量受到人为和自然因素的共同影响,其中,与降水正相关,与温度负相关。GDP与采矿用地显著正相关,退耕还草政策促使农田向草原转移。     

A study of environmental and behavioural factors that may be associated with feline idiopathic cystitis

The cause of cystitis in many cats remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not any environmental or behavioural factors, particularly those that could be considered potentially stressful, were associated with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). The questionnaire-based study involved comparing 31 cats with FIC to 24 cats in the same households that did not have cystitis. They were also compared with a control population of 125 clinically healthy cats. Compared with the live-in controls and the control population, the cats with FIC were significantly more likely to be male, overweight and pedigree. Several stress factors were found to be associated with FIC. The factor that stood out most prominently was living with another cat with which there was conflict. The findings support the hypothesis that stress may be implicated in some cases of FIC.     

2007年元旦前畜产品市场分析及未来走势

2006年第四季度我国畜禽产品的走势如何?将出现哪些变化?笔者就市场中的玉米和畜禽产品的进出口、国内需求情况、猪价走势以及未来畜禽产品市场进行分析,仅供读者参考。1预计2007年中国玉米出口增加到450万tGZHI认为国内2007年玉米期货价格仍延续上涨格局,现货大连玉米价格基本1350￣1400元/t。预期玉米产量增加到1.4亿￣1.43亿t。1.1政府政策调整,出口数量大约600万t,但实际要小。原因是:2006年中国粮食丰产,政府担心导致2007年2-3月玉米价格下跌,为保证玉米种植利益,政府可能公布出口数据大,如600万t,而实际执行数量小,预计约450万t。1.…     

Cross‐sectional study to estimate the prevalence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli on hides of market beef cows at harvest

Cattle hides are an important source of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) carcass contamination at slaughter. Seven EHEC serogroups are adulterants in raw, non‐intact beef: EHEC O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145 and O157. The objective of this study was to estimate the probability for hide contamination with EHEC among US market beef cows at slaughter and to test the effects of season and geographic region on prevalence of hide contamination. Hides (n = 800) of market cows were swabbed at slaughter immediately after exsanguination, prior to hide removal. Cows were sampled from two geographically distinct beef packing plants during four seasons of 2015. Cattle source was categorized by northern or southern region. Samples were tested for EHEC by a molecular screening assay. The effects of region, season and their interaction on the probability of hide contamination by each EHEC serogroup were tested in separate multilevel multivariable logistic regression models, accounting for the random effect of clustering by plant. Statistical significance was set α = .05. Of 800 total samples, at least one EHEC was detected on 630 (79%) hides. Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O26 was detected on 129 (16%) of all hides sampled, EHEC O45 on 437 (55%), EHEC O103 on 289 (36%), EHEC O111 on 189 (24%), EHEC O121 on 140 (18%), EHEC O145 on 171 (21%) and EHEC O157 on 89 (11%). Detection of EHEC O26 and EHEC O121 was associated with season. Season and region were associated with detecting EHEC O45 and EHEC O157. Season‐by‐region interactions were associated with the outcome of detecting EHEC O103, EHEC O111 and EHEC O145. Season, region of origin and the interaction of these factors affect hide contamination of market beef cattle at slaughter by EHEC, and each serogroup responds to these factors uniquely.     

影响动物机体蛋白质周转因素分析

Waterlow等 (1 978)将蛋白质周转 (proteinturnover)定义为在特定的代谢池内蛋白质被更新或替代的代谢过程。这一过程可能是蛋白质合成、降解的结果 ,也可能是同一蛋白质在不同空间分布的转换。蛋白质的合成与降解受诸如激素、营养水平、动物生理状态及其他多种因素的影响。1