Ultrasonic, needle, and carcass measurements for predicting chemical composition of lamb carcasses

Three groups (n = 147) of New Zealand mixed breed lambs averaging 170 d of age and 31.7 kg in weight were killed after a diet of pasture to determine whether the total depth of soft tissues over the 12th rib 11 cm from the dorsal midline (GR) could be measured in live lambs with sufficient accuracy to warrant its use as a selection tool for breeding flock replacements. Relationships among live and carcass measurements and carcass chemical composition also were determined. An ultrasonic measurement of GR in the live lambs was a more accurate predictor of carcass GR (r = .87) and percentage carcass fat (r = .80) than was a measurement of GR made with a needle (r = .80 and .67, respectively). Both measurements were sufficiently accurate to permit culling of over-fat lambs from breeding flock replacement prospects. The best single indicator of percentage carcass fat (r = .87) was a shoulder fat measurement, followed closely by carcass GR (r = .85). Both were superior to USDA yield grade for estimating carcass chemical composition in these young, lightweight lambs. These two measurements also were most highly related to percentage carcass protein (r = -.78 and r = -.77, respectively). These results indicate possibilities for improving the method of evaluating the composition of U. S. lamb carcasses.     

The effects of persecution on age of breeding and territory occupation in golden eagles in Scotland

Several studies have documented negative effects of persecution by humans on the population dynamics of large birds of prey. Several areas have seen a reduction in persecution in modern times, but the demography of large raptors still makes these birds vulnerable to such effects. In a GIS analysis, utilising data collected during two national censuses of the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos in Scotland and contemporary data on the distribution of poisoning incidents (a common method of raptor persecution in Scotland), we show that persecution was associated with a reduction in the age of first breeding, territory vacancies, and the use of territories by non-breeding immatures. Persecution was therefore reducing adult survival and distribution and was probably creating ecological traps that attract mobile immatures, increasing subadult mortality in birds that may originate from persecution-free areas. Mapping a form of land management unique to moors managed for red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus shooting, where most poisoning occurs, we also show similar associations between golden eagle demography and grouse moor management. As such, persecution may be having a major impact on the golden eagle population of Scotland, since it occurs over a wide area and at least in some areas has continued unchecked over many decades.     

Development of Globodera rostochiensis pathotype Ro1 in resistant and susceptible cultivars of potato1

Studies on the development of Globodera rostochiensis in potato cultivars with different levels of resistance have shown that both males and females of the nematode complete their whole cycle of development in susceptible cv. Svitanok Kyivskii in 61 days. In resistant cv. Vodograi, only males complete their development. Development of females is interrupted at the third larval instar, and mature females do not appear.     

Binding of Salmonella strains to immobilized intestinal mucosal preparations from broiler chickens.

The binding kinetics of radiolabeled Salmonella california 1989/O (mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin-positive [MSHA+]) to immobilized mucus or enterocytes isolated from broiler ceca and inhibition of binding by D-mannose and sodium metaperiodate were characteristic of adherence of mannose-sensitive type 1 fimbriae of bacteria to eukaryotic mannose-containing receptors. Binding by radiolabeled strains 1989/O (in the presence of D-mannose) and S. typhimurium S 7471 N (MSHA-, non-fimbriated) indicated non-specific binding that was characterized by less binding to enterocytes and mucus and lack of inhibition by carbohydrates or prior treatment with sodium metaperiodate. Inhibition of non-specific binding to enterocytes by pretreatment with various enzymes or by the presence of tetramethylurea or p-nitrophenol (known to disrupt hydrophobic interactions) indicate involvement of multiple sites and hydrophobic bonding. Strain-specific outer-membrane preparations inhibited non-specific binding to a greater extent than did lipopolysaccharide, Escherichia coli outer-membrane preparations, or bovine serum albumin.