Thermoregulation and performance of British Anglo-Nubian and Saanen goats reared in an intensive system in Trinidad

Anglo-Nubian and Saanen goats were imported into Trinidad and Tobago to form the nucleus of the goat expansion and improvement programme. Thermoregulation and performance of the parent stock and the F1 were evaluated under intensive housing and management. Rectal temperature in the a.m. irrespective of breed or season ranged from 38.5°C to 38.7°C and p.m. ranged from 38.8°C to 39.0°C. After 2 h of exposure outdoors without shade, Saanen parent stock (SAPS) respiration rate (105 br/min) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than Saanen F1 (SAF1, 76 br/min), Anglo-Nubian parent stock (ANSP, 65 br/min) and Anglo-Nubian F1 (ANF1, 51 br/min). Rectal temperature over the same period showed significant differences (p < 0.042) between SAF1 (39.8°C) and SAPS (39.4°C), and ANF1 (39.4°C); the value for ANSP was 39.7°C. Age at first kidding showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between breeds or between the parent stock and the F1 generations, ranging from 638 to 686 days. The ANPS were the most prolific of all groups (p < 0.05); the mean for this group was 1.86 ± 0.07 kids/kidding. Saanen F1 was the least prolific among the group, with mean number of kids at 1.23 (±0.11) kids/kidding. Kidding interval showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the groups, ranging from 319 to 521 days. It was concluded that the Anglo-Nubian appears to be more suitable than the Saanen for the tropical humid environment in Trinidad as indicated by their thermoregulation, prolificacy and kidding interval.     

Growth performance and rumen development in Malabari kids reared under different production systems

Tropical Animal Health and Production - In order to investigate the effect of rearing systems on growth and rumen development in Malabari male kids, 14 pre-weaned Malabari male kids of uniform...     

Reproductive performance in pigs reared under organic conditions compared with conventionally reared pigs

Background

To achieve a competitive reproductive performance in organic pig farming is a major challenge for this farming practise. Practices and research data regarding conventional pig production are not always applicable to organic production, why field studies are needed to identify differences in performance between organic and conventional pig farms in order to identify areas for improvement.

Results

Performance data for one year was collected from 5 organic herds that had more than 30 sows in production and used a computerized recording system, and data from five nearby conventional farms with more than 30 sows and the same recording system were used as a comparison. In total data from 4697 farrowings were analyzed. In the organic pig herds, there were a higher total number of piglets born per litter (p=0.001), a higher number of piglets stillborn per litter (p<0.001), but a tendency (p<0.06) to lower number of weaned pigs per litter and longer nursing period (p<0.001) and farrowing interval (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The reproductive performance was lower in the organic herds and the variation in reproductive performance among the organic herds was larger than among the conventional ones, suggesting options for improvement in the organic herds.     

The effects of breed,season and parity on the reproductive performance of pigs reared under hot and humid environments

Tropical Animal Health and Production - A research aimed at evaluating the reproductive performance of pigs as influenced by breed, season, and parity was carried out. Reproductive performance...     

Streptothricosis in cattle on the coastal plains of Ghana: A comparison of the disease in animals reared under two different management systems

The prevalence of streptothricosis in selected cattle herds under two different management systems was investigated and related to the presence of various factors which the literature suggests may play a role in its development. The disease was more prevalent on farms with traditional management compared to that on farms with improved management.     

Effect of castration on productive performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Iberian pig females reared under intensive management systems

Sixty crossbred (Iberian dam × Duroc sire) females, 80 days of age (17.6 ± 0.13 kg body weight, BW), was used to investigate the effect of castration on productive performance, carcass and meat quality and fatty acid profile of backfat (BF). There were 2 treatments (intact females, IF; castrated females, CF) and 5 replicates of 6 pigs per treatment. Pigs were reared indoor under an intensive production system, ovariectomized at 92 days of age (26.1 ± 0.19 kg BW) and slaughtered at 267 days of age (143.6 ± 6.49 kg BW). Meat samples were taken at longissimus dorsi muscle at the level of the last rib and BF samples were taken at the tail insertion. For the entire experiment (18 to 144 kg BW), IF ate less feed and were more efficient than CF (P < 0.05). Also, IF had less carcass yield (P < 0.01) and fat thickness at the gluteus medius muscle (P < 0.05) and tended to have lower backfat depth (P < 0.10) than CF. However, IF had higher shoulder yield at 2 and at 24 h post mortem (P < 0.05) and after trimmed (P < 0.10) than CF. The pH₂₄ of the semimembranosus muscle tended to be lower for IF than for CF. Also, IF had more moisture (710 vs. 691 g/kg) and less fat (66.4 vs. 91.2 g/kg) in the longissimus dorsi muscle than CF (P < 0.05). Meat from IF was more lightness (higher L value; P < 0.01), redder (higher a value; P < 0.001) and had more intensive color (higher c value; P < 0.001) than meat from CF. Backfat was more saturated in CF than in IF (P < 0.05), mostly because of the higher palmitic acid (P < 0.05) and the lower linolenic acid (P < 0.05) content. We conclude that intact females have better productive performance and shoulder yield but less carcass yield than castrated females and that castration does not improve meat quality. Therefore, when animal welfare, cost of castration, productive performance and carcass and meat quality traits are considered, the use of intact females rather than castrated females is recommended for the production of Iberian pigs reared under intensive management systems.     

人工草地绵羊系统母羊繁殖性能和羔羊育肥试验

分别以考尔木母羊和考尔木公羊杂交羔羊(R×C)、考尔木母羊和罗姆尼公羊杂交羔羊(C×C)为试验对象,在优质人工草地上划区轮牧,进行考尔木母羊繁殖性能和羔羊育肥定期监测试验。结果表明:二系统羔羊初生重和断奶重几乎一样;断奶后,R×C系统羔羊体重比C×C系统高,7月龄出栏体重和1岁龄体重分别为:R×C系统35 5、44 0kg,C×C系统30 7、39 9kg;3月龄(断奶重)羔羊日增重最高,R×C和C×C系统分别为203 3、180g/d。系统间母羊繁殖性能指标基本一样。牧草生长季羔羊育肥效益分别为:R×C系统1925元/hm2、C×C系统1781元/hm2,为原系统(860元/hm2)的2 24、2 0倍。     

The growth performance of the progeny of two swine sire lines reared under different floor space allowances

A total of 736 pigs was used in a study with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to investigate the effects of and interactions between sire line (Line A vs. B), floor space (unrestricted vs. restricted), and gender (barrow vs. gilt) on growth performance, BW, and protein and estimated lipid accretion curves from 40 to 120 kg of BW. Pigs were by eight Line-A and nine Line-B sires mated with PIC C22 dams. Line A was of Pietrain ancestry and Line B was a synthetic line. The unrestricted floor space treatment consisted of small groups (four pigs) with 0.93 m2/pig of floor space for the entire grow-finish period. Pigs in the restricted floor space were in larger groups (12 pigs) with 0.37 and 0.56 m2/pig of floor space for the grower and finisher phases, respectively. Pigs were given ad libitum access to a three-phase dietary program, and one and three nipple waterers were available in the groups of 4 and 12 pigs, respectively. No sire line x floor space interactions were found for any of the traits measured. Line A pigs grew more slowly (50 g/d, P < 0.05), took longer (4.1 d, P < 0.05) to reach harvest weight (120.3 kg), and had similar feed intakes, but a lower gain:feed ratio (2.8%, P < 0.05) than Line B pigs. Line A pigs had greater longissimus muscle depth (P < 0.05) and estimated protein accretion rate (P < 0.05) than Line B pigs, but Line A and Line B pigs had a similar estimated percentage of lipid-free soft tissue. Pigs reared in the restricted floor space grew more slowly (105 g/d, P < 0.05) and consumed less feed (280 g/d, P < 0.05) but had a similar (P > 0.05) gain:feed ratio to pigs reared in the unrestricted floor space. Pigs reared in the unrestricted floor space had greater (P < 0.05) predicted protein and lipid accretion rates throughout the growth period than pigs reared in the restricted floor space. Differences between genders for growth traits and carcass measurements were in agreement with previous research. The differences in growth performance, carcass measures, and compositional growth curves between these two sire lines were similar in the two floor spaces.     

Reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows reared under traditional low input production system in the eastern Himalayas

Reproductive performance of crossbred cows reared under traditional low input production system was assessed. A total number of 160 farmers were surveyed and traditional fodders were evaluated for proximate composition. Total protein, albumin and cholesterol concentrations in blood serum were analyzed. The age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval, calving to first service and calving to conception interval were calculated from records of 261 crossbred dairy cows. The crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract, ether extract and total ash content varied from 7.2 to 13.9, 18.2 to 34.4, 39.1 to 59.2, 2.1 to 4.1 and 7.2 to 17.9%, respectively. The total protein and albumin concentrations in blood serum were 7.6 ± 0.3 and 4.3 ± 0.3 g/dl, respectively. The cholesterol concentration was 221.1 ± 8.2mg/dl. The mean age at first service and age at first calving was 28.6 ± 1.0 and 40.7 ± 1.1months, respectively. The mean values for calving to first service and calving to conception intervals were 182 ± 14.5 and 224 ± 9.0days, respectively. The conception rate was significantly high among the cows that showed typical fern pattern of cervical mucus (56.6%). The conception rate based on 1^st insemination was 44.4%. The incidence of repeat breeders and anestrus among the crossbred cows were 12.8 and 14.1%, respectively.     

德昌县肉兔生产繁殖性能测定与分析

通过设点对肉兔繁殖性能进行调查测定,可以看出德昌县农户肉兔生产的综合繁殖性能比较稳定,养殖水平较高;值得改进的地方在于,加强养殖户的技术培训,提高选种选配技术水平,加强肉兔品种的杂交利用。本县应充分利用生态优势,种植优质高产牧草,种养结合,发展绿色优质肉兔产业。     

Growth performance of pigs fed diets with and without tylosin phosphate supplementation and reared in a biosecure all-in all-out housing system

Three hundred and eighty-four pigs, mean initial live weight of 20.8 kg, were assigned randomly to groups of 24 (12 females, 12 castrated males). Each group was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments consisting of the same commercial barley-based diet, with or without the addition of tylosin phosphate. The barn where the animals were housed operates as an all-in all-out facility, and all pigs arrived on the same day as part of a group of 960 pigs. No new pigs were introduced into the facility during the period of this trial and pigs were sent to market over a 4-week period upon achieving a live weight of 110 kg. The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the trial and when they left the facility for slaughter. Feed consumption and incidence of disease, mortality, or both were recorded daily. At slaughter, carcass backfat depth over the last rib, 6.5 cm ventral to the dorsal midline (P-2 site); loin depth; carcass weight; predicted lean yield; and grade index were recorded. The sow herd supplying pigs to the unit was known to be free of the major swine diseases such as swine influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), necroproliferative enteritis, and ascarids. A strict biosecurity protocol was employed to minimize the risk of introducing disease organisms into the unit. Prior to this study, no subtherapeutic antibiotics had been used in this facility. Tylosin phosphate supplementation had no significant effect on final weight, days on test, total gain, and daily gain. In both treatments, the pigs reached a mean market weight of 110.2 kg within 94.1 days, resulting in daily gains of the order of 950 grams per day. Due to the design of the trial, it was difficult to measure significant feed consumption effects. Feed consumption and conversion appeared to be similar for pigs in both treatment groups. At slaughter, tylosin phosphate supplementation appeared to significantly increase lean muscle content of the carcass as measured by loin muscle depth (P = 0.04). Mortality rates and the number of underweight pigs sent to market were low for this trial. Mortality was similar for both treatments; however, more of the control pigs than of the tylosin phosphate fed pigs were underweight when sent to market. From the results of this study, it appears that pigs of fast growing genotypes fed adequate diets and housed in a biosecure environment do not require dietary tylosin phosphate supplementation in order to maximize growth. There is some indication that tylosin phosphate supplementation may improve lean content of the carcass in pigs housed in such an environment.     

Comparison of performance of F1 Romanov crossbred ewes with wool and hair breeds during spring lambing under intensive and extensive production systems

The objective was to evaluate wool (Dorset and Rambouillet) and hair (Dorper, Katahdin, and White Dorper) breeds for their ability to complement Romanov germplasm in two distinct production systems by estimating direct sire and grandsire effects on lamb growth, survival, and ewe productivity traits. Rams of the five breeds (n = 75) were mated to Romanov ewes (n = 459) over a 3-yr period to produce five types of crossbred lambs (n = 2,739). Sire breed (P > 0.06) did not impact body weight or survival traits of the first-generation crossbred (F1) lambs. The productivity of retained crossbred ewes (n = 830) mated to Suffolk and Texel terminal sires was evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 yr of age in each production system. In the intensive production system, labor and harvested feed were provided for sheep that lambed in March in barns, and ewes were limited to rearing two lambs with additional lambs reared artificially. Ewes in the extensive production system lambed in May on pasture and were responsible for rearing all lambs born with no labor or supplemental feed provided before weaning. A total of 1,962 litters and 4,171 lambs from 2,229 exposures to two terminal sire breeds (Suffolk and Texel) were produced in the experiment. Crossbred ewes in the intensive production system were mated in October, resulting in larger litter sizes than crossbred ewes mated in December for the extensive production system. However, single- and twin-born lamb mortality was similar between the two systems that differed greatly in labor, feed, and facilities. Lambs produced in the intensive system received concentrate feed from an early age and were heavier at 24 wk of age than lambs produced in the extensive system. These outcomes resulted in greater 24-wk litter weight in the intensive than in the extensive system (P < 0.0001). Unexpectedly, the relative performance of crossbred types did not differ importantly between production systems. White Dorper × Romanov crossbred ewes had numerical advantages in productivity in each system; however, differences between ewe types were not significant. In the extensive system, without labor and shelter at lambing or supplemental feed until weaning, 3-yr-old crossbred ewes of all types averaged 1.78 lambs marketed per ewe lambing, and 40% of the ewes that gave birth to triplets weaned their entire litters. These results document that prolific sheep and extensive systems can be successfully combined if appropriate crossbred types are used.     

Impact of on-farm feeding practices on the reproductive indices of pigs reared under educated smallholder system in Imo State,Nigeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to determine the impact of on-site feeding practices on the reproductive indices of pigs reared under educated smallholder system...     

Growth,reproductive, and productive performance of Begait cattle under different herd management systems in northern Ethiopia

The performance of indigenous Begait cattle (498 cows, 284 calves, and 48 heifers) in northern Ethiopia was studied. System of herd management significantly (P?<?0.01) influenced all production traits. Calves in medium-input herds (MIHM) grew faster than those in low-input herds (LIHM), by 232 g/d from birth to 9 months (Gain₁) and by 385 g/d from 9 to 12 months (Gain₂). Cow’s dry period, calving interval (CI), and age at first calving (AFC) were 234, 222, and 343 days shorter for MIHM than for LIHM. Compared with LIHM, cows from MIHM had 74% higher daily milk yield (DMY) and 91% higher lactation milk yield (LMY). Calves born at wet season grew faster by 14 and 10% than those calves born in the dry season at Gain₁ and Gain₂. The subsequent CI of cows calved in the wet season had 77 days shorter, 0.45 kg DMY, and 93 kg LMY increment. The differences between production systems can be attributed to differences in management skills and access to better quality feeds. Technical intervention is needed to ensure provision of balanced rations to exploit the potential productivity of Begait cattle.     

规模化养殖肉鸡泄殖腔拭子弯曲菌分离及PFGE分型分析

为了了解规模化养殖肉鸡弯曲菌的带菌现状,比较2种基础培养基对于粪便标本弯曲菌检出差异,获得菌株菌型特征。本研究选择规模化肉鸡养殖场共300份肉鸡泄殖腔拭子,分别应用Columbia、Karmali 2种基础培养基,采用滤膜过滤法进行弯曲菌的分离培养。结合革兰染色、生化鉴定以及PCR方法对疑似菌落进行弯曲菌菌种鉴定;选择60株空肠弯曲菌进行脉冲场凝胶电泳分析并用BioNumerics软件对脉冲场凝胶电泳结果进行聚类分析。结果显示,300份泄殖腔拭子样品中,弯曲菌的检出率为51.33%(154/300)。空肠弯曲菌、结肠弯曲菌检出率分别为40%(120/300)和14.67%(44/300),空、结肠弯曲菌混合感染的感染率为3.33%(10/300)。检测标本中空肠弯曲菌的感染率显著大于结肠弯曲菌(P0.01)。应用Columbia、Karmali培养基对弯曲菌的检出率分别为41.67%(125/300)、42.67%(128/300),2种基础培养基检出率无显著性差异(P0.05),2种培养基的补充使用样本的检出率增加了15%(45/300)。本次滤膜过滤法同时获得相同培养条件下标本中其他细菌3种,分别为:Cellulosimicrobiumsp.、Microbacteriumsp.、Helicobacter brante,共45株。60株空肠弯曲菌脉冲场凝胶电泳共分为39个带型。结果表明,本研究发现规模化养殖肉鸡中弯曲菌的携带情况较为严重,相同鸡场及不同鸡场分离菌株脉冲场凝胶电泳带型呈多样性特征。滤膜过滤法能够有效检测家禽肛拭子标本中弯曲菌,缩减了因使用选择性抗生素添加剂的成本。本研究没有检出除空肠弯曲菌和结肠弯曲菌外的其他弯曲菌菌种。