Stream Flow and Afforestation of Water Catchments

Trees in catchment areas are believed to affect the supply ofwater to reservoirs. Increased flooding has been noticed whereextensive modern drainage has been practised. Stream-flow measurementswere recorded over a short period in the headwaters of the Conwayin autumn 1967 and run-off from a recently planted area wasinitially faster than from closed woodland and very much fasterthan from an unplanted (and undrained) site.     

Vitamin A concentrations in commercial foods for dogs and cats

The vitamin A concentration was determined in 89 Australian brands of commercial foods for dogs and cats. It was found that 8% of the dog foods and 14% of the cat foods had concentrations of vitamin A below the minimum recommended 1.1 mg/kg dry matter (dm) for dogs and 1.8 mg/kg dm for pregnant or lactating cats. Canned and fish-labelled cat foods were the only varieties with less than the minimum recommended concentration of Vitamin A, of which 71% were the same brand. The minimum recommended concentration of vitamin A was exceeded in all canned dog food tested. Concentrations of vitamin A in dry (ca. 6% moisture) dog and cat foods and semi-moist dog foods (ca. 23% moisture) never exceeded 10 mg vitamin A/kg dm. In contrast, canned pet foods stated to contain liver or kidney showed vitamin A concentrations from 13 to 284 mg/kg dm.     

2011-2012年冬季中国鄱阳湖越冬鹤类的数量和分布(英文)

鄱阳湖是中国和东亚十分重要的鹤类越冬地。我们于2011/2012冬季对在鄱阳湖越冬的鹤类进行了两次调查,分别为2011年12月18–19日和2012年2月18–19日。本次调查覆盖了整个鄱阳湖区以及邻近的赛城湖和赤湖,共计调查了85个子湖泊,记录了4种鹤类。12月份的调查计数了4577只白鹤(Grus leucogeranus)(主要在蚌湖、沙湖和大湖池)、302只白头鹤(G.monachus)、885只白枕鹤(G.vipio)和8408只灰鹤(G.grus)(主要在鄱阳湖区中部)。2月份的调查计数了3335只白鹤(主要在鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区及其邻近地区)、110只白头鹤(主要在鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区及其邻近地区)、283只白枕鹤(86%在蚌湖)和2205只灰鹤(主要在都昌和南矶山一带)。12月份计数的白鹤数量比2月份高1000多只。由于调查期间白鹤的大中群体都集中在相邻的子湖泊,因此很难排除重复计数;在1996–2009期间多年统计的白鹤平均数量是3019只(最低为1996年的2345只,最高为2002年的4004只),因此我们估计鄱阳湖的白鹤越冬种群大约为3800–4000只。对于白鹤全球种群数量的估测有待于更多的调查和监测。我们的调查同时也显示白枕鹤种群在近年来的持续下降和灰鹤种群的增长。     

The prevalence and anatomical distribution of equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark

Reasons for performing study: The prevalence (up to 93% in Thoroughbred racehorses) and severity of equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) have been correlated with the type of training and associated management practices. However, there have been few reports to confirm these findings in nonracehorses in Europe. Objectives: To describe the prevalence, anatomical distribution, severity and number of gastric ulceration lesions in a population of Danish pleasure horses; and to investigate differences for groups based on age, breed type and workload. Methods: A total of 201 horses not in active race‐training, age 7 months‐27 years, were evaluated, representing 23 different stables from all 5 regions of Denmark. These horses were considered to be healthy by the owner and not on veterinary treatment for EGUS. Endoscopically observed ulcer lesion scores were based on the number present (0–4) and severity (0–5). The presence or absence of ulcers in the glandular and/or nonglandular regions of the stomach was recorded and which site the most severe ulcers were found. Results: The prevalence of EGUS severity score ≥2 was 53%. The most severe lesions were commonly observed at the margo plicatus. Although older horses were not more likely to be affected by clinically significant EGUS they were more likely to have lesions in both the glandular and nonglandular regions. Differences in location of EGUS lesions were identified in different age groups, breed types and in horses exposed to different levels of work. Conclusion and potential relevance: This study confirms that gastric ulceration can be prevalent in a group of apparently clinically normal horses, not in intensive work. Further investigation of reasons for differences in EGUS location between different populations may aid toward the development of novel preventive measures.     

Non-infectious factors affecting the presentation of dairy cows to artificial insemination and the result of mating in south western Victoria

The records kept by 4 artificial breeding centres in south western Victoria were examined and analysed by multiple regression analysis to determine whether daily fluctuations in the number of dairy cows presented for insemination, and daily, monthly and annual fluctuations in the result of first service, were associated with either climatic conditions or nutritional factors assessed as the availability of conserved hay and oats as feed supplements in the district. Over a 122 day observation period from July to October 1974, the number of cows presented daily for insemination was negatively correlated with daily rainfall total (p less than 0.01), wind speed (p less than 0.001) and barometric pressure (p less than 0.05). When the mean value for barometric pressure was used in the regression equation, rainfall totals and wind speeds above zero were associated with a mean reduction of 13.8% in the number of cows presented daily for insemination. The daily percentages of cows not resubmitted for service within 60 days of first service (non-return rates) were unrelated to climatic conditions and to the number of cows presented for insemination. The monthly non-return rate had a negative correlation (p less than 0.001) with the cost of oats but was not related to corresponding climatic changes. Annual non-return rate fluctuations were negatively correlated with the cost of oats (p less than 0.001) and with the July to October rainfall total (p less than 0.01). It is suggested that the correlation of non-return rate with the July to October total rainfall was due to an effect of rainfall total on the nutritional value of the pasture.