Comparison of Various Animal Protein Sources for Growth, Feed Efficiency, and Body Composition of Juvenile Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

A laboratory study was conducted to compare different animal protein sources in diets containing 32% protein for channel catfish Ictalurus punrtatus . The experimental diets were practical-type diets and formulated to meet or exceed all known nutrient requirements for channel catfish. Twenty juvenile channel catfish (initial weight: 6.4 g/fish) were stocked into each of 25 110-L flow-through aquaria (five aquaria/treatment). Fish were fed twice daily to approximate satiation for 9 wk. Fish in each aquarium were counted and weighed collectively every 3 wk. No significant differences were observed in feed consumption, weight gain, feed efficiency, survival, percentages visceral fat and fillet yield, or proximate composition of fillets among channel catfish fed diets containing either 5% menhaden fish meal, meat and bone/blood meal, catfish by-product meal, poultry by-product meal, or hydrolyzed feather meal with supplemental lysine. The data indicate that these animal protein sources can be used interchangeably in diets for channel catfish without affecting fish growth, feed efficiency, or body composition.     

An evaluation of adrenal mass and adrenal cholesterol as measures of adrenal activity

1. The effects of twice daily injections of corticotrophin (1 IU/kg body weight) or restriction of food intake to 75% of normal on body mass, adrenal mass and adrenal cholesterol were determined on chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. 2. Only the birds subjected to restricted feeding showed a reduced growth rate. 3. There was no adrenal hypertrophy in birds receiving corticotrophin but in the restricted group there was transient hypertrophy at 2 weeks. 4. Depletion of adrenal cholesterol was noted only in the birds receiving corticotrophin. 5. It is concluded that neither depletion of cholesterol nor hypertrophy is an inevitable consequence of enhanced adrenal cortical activity.     

Ulysses radio and plasma wave observations in the jupiter environment

The Unified Radio and Plasma Wave (URAP) experiment has produced new observations of the Jupiter environment, owing to the unique capabilities of the instrument and the traversal of high Jovian latitudes. Broad-band continuum radio emission from Jupiter and in situ plasma waves have proved valuable in delineating the magnetospheric boundaries. Simultaneous measurements of electric and magnetic wave fields have yielded new evidence of whistler-mode radiation within the magnetosphere. Observations of aurorallike hiss provided evidence of a Jovian cusp. The source direction and polarization capabilities of URAP have demonstrated that the outer region of the lo plasma torus supported at least five separate radio sources that reoccurred during successive rotations with a measurable corotation lag. Thermal noise measurements of the lo torus densities yielded values in the densest portion that are similar to models suggested on the basis of Voyager observations of 13 years ago. The URAP measurements also suggest complex beaming and polarization characteristics of Jovian radio components. In addition, a new class of kilometer-wavelength striated Jovian bursts has been observed.     

Efficacy of zinc phosphide baits to control voles in alfalfa - an enclosure study

The efficacy of broadcasting zinc phosphide (Zn₃P₂) grain baits as an acute rodenticide to control graytailed voles (Microtus canicaudus) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was assessed. A total of 428 voles was distributed within 18, 0.2-ha enclosures having a 2+ year stand of plants. Single, pre-bait (0.0% Zn₃P₂) and test-/control-(2.0/0.0% Zn₃P₂) bait broadcasts (11.2 kg ha⁻¹) were applied within enclosures 18 and 20 days following final vole distribution. At 14 days later, a trap-out of the surviving voles was conducted. Only 5.6% of those distributed in Zn₃P₂-baited enclosures were recaptured; whereas, 70.1% of those placed in control-baited enclosures were retrapped. Analyses of variance for proportions of voles and total voles captured within enclosures yielded significant main effects for rodenticide. Program CAPTURE estimates also confirmed significant decreases in vole populations in Zn₃P₂-baited enclosures. Daily carcass searches yielded 25 and 5 vole carcasses, respectively, in the Zn₃P₂ and control enclosures during the bait-exposure period. Three non-target carcasses were found within enclosures during this period: one Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) and two vagrant shrews (Sorex vagrans). Results demonstrate the efficacy and low hazards to non-target passerines of a single Zn₃P₂ baiting to control vole populations in alfalfa.     

A framework for integrating the terrestrial carbon stock of estates in institutional carbon management plans

Many institutions have substantial landholdings, but few consider soil carbon preservation and augmentation in their carbon management plans. A methodical framework was developed to analyse terrestrial carbon stocks (soil and tree biomass) for credible carbon offsetting strategies in institutional land. This approach was demonstrated at two farms (805 hectares) managed by Newcastle University. Soil carbon for three depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm) and above-ground tree biomass were quantified. These data provided a terrestrial carbon baseline to evaluate future land management options and effects. Historical land-use records enabled the following comparisons: (1) agricultural land vs. woodland; (2) arable land vs. permanent grassland; (3) organic vs. conventional farming; (4) coniferous vs. broadleaved woodland; and (5) recent vs. long-established woodland. Carbon storage (kg/m²) varied with land usage and woodland type and age, but only agricultural land vs. woodland, and for agriculture, arable land vs. permanent grassland, significantly affected the 0–90 cm soil carbon. At the university-managed farms, current terrestrial carbon stocks were 103,620 tonnes in total (98,050 tonnes from the 0–90 cm soil and 5,569 tonnes from tree biomass). These terrestrial carbon stocks were equivalent to sixteen years of the current carbon emissions of Newcastle University (6,406 tonnes CO₂ equivalents-C per year). Using strategies for alternative land management, Newcastle University could over 40 years offset up to 3,221 tonnes of carbon per year, or 50% of its carbon emissions at the current rate. The methodological framework developed in this study will enable institutions having large landholdings to rationally consider their estates in future soil carbon management schemes.     

Unsuccessful treatment of a horse with mandibular granulomatous osteomyelitis due to Halicephalobus gingivalis

An 8-year-old horse was presented with a submandibular swelling. Biopsy of the lesion indicated granulomatous osteomyelitis due to Halicephalobus gingivalis. In the absence of evidence of involvement of the central nervous system at the time of diagnosis, the horse was treated with ivermectin. Unfortunately, the horse did not survive.     

Predation of lowbush blueberry insect pests by ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the laboratory

Agriculture relies on ecosystem services, such as biological control of pests, for economic success and sustainability. Commercially managed lowbush blueberries are an important crop in eastern North America, but pest control by natural enemies has not been well studied. In this paper we address questions about consumption of two blueberry pests by ground beetles (Carabidae) that are common in blueberry fields. In the first experiment, a Poecilus l. lucublandus, Carabus nemoralis, or Pterostichus mutus beetle was placed with two blueberry spanworm larvae, Itame argillacearia, in a simple (cup only or cup + soil) or more complex (cup + soil + blueberry sprigs) treatment arena. In most cases, probability of spanworm consumption reached 100 % in simple arenas by the end of the experiment (48 h) but was 25–50 % lower in more complex arenas. In a second experiment, a male or female Pterostichus melanarius or Harpalus rufipes beetle was placed in a plastic container with saturated or dry soil into which mature blueberry maggots, Rhagoletis mendax, dropped from blueberries to pupate. Approximately 40–80 and 35 % fewer pupae were recovered when a P. melanarius and H. rufipes beetle was present, respectively, but soil moisture and beetle sex were not significant factors. Our results demonstrate that ground beetles can prey upon important blueberry pests, but suggest that consumption may be influenced by microhabitat structure.     

Resistance to moxidectin and abamectin in naturally acquired Ostertagia circumcincta infections in sheep

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of resistance to macrocylic lactone (ML) anthelmintics by Ostertagia circumcincta in lambs on a sheep and cattle property in the North Island of New Zea- land.

METHODS: Thirty lambs were randomly allocated to one of five equal-sized groups, consisting of an untreated control and four treatment groups. The treatments, which were administered at the manufacturer's recommended dose rates, included oral moxidectin, oral abamectin (both at 0.2 mg/kg), an albendazole-levamisole combination, and an albendazole-levamisole-ivermectin combination. Post mortem worm counts were undertaken 7 days after treatment to determine the efficacy of each anthelmintic.

RESULTS: The albendazole-levamisole and albendazole-levam-isole-ivermectin combinations both reduced O. circumcincta burdens to zero whereas for moxidectin and abamectin efficacies of only 72% and 29%, respectively, were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrated the occurrence of resistance to MLs by O. circumcincta. Although this is not the first occasion where resistance to this anthelmintic family has been detected in this parasite in sheep in New Zealand, it is the first instance that resistance to either moxidectin or abamectin has been reported.