Influence of variations in biological and economical parameters on beef production net returns

Net returns were defined as a function of the monetary returns (revenue) generated by the outputs less the monetary costs generated by the variable inputs. Outputs included total weaning weights of steers and heifers, weight of cull cows and weight of open heifers. Inputs included both feed and nonfeed costs. The net returns equation was incorporated as the objective function in a linear programming model. By maximizing the objective function, the breeding system that generated the highest net returns could be identified considering certain resource constraints. Breeding systems included purebred Herefords; small rotational dual purpose (SR), utilizing the breeds Angus, Pinzgauer, Gelbvieh and Tarentaise; large rotational (LR), a three-way rotational cross with the breeds Charolais, Simmental and Maine-Anjou; and Angus-sired terminal (AL) utilizing Angus as the sire breed and LR heifers as the maternal breed. Large rotational generally produced the greatest net returns, followed by SR and either AL or HE, depending on specific resource constraints (limited feed supply or herd size), calving rates, management systems, environment, beef to feed price ratios and purchased or farm-produced (inexpensive) feed utilized. Only under the conditions of a herd size constraint and farm-produced feed did AL exceed SR in net returns. Hereford had larger net returns than LR only when the two breeding systems were evaluated in an environment assumed to be reproductively stressful to LR. Ranking of breeding systems were dependent on specific conditions and indicated that one must consider each resource constraint and environment in which cattle are expected to produce before making breeding system recommendations.     

Establishment of an attenuated strain of bovine respiratory syncytial virus for live virus vaccine

To develop a live virus vaccine for the prevention of bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) virus infection in calves, an attempt was made to produce an attenuated virus. The RS-52 strain of BRS virus, isolated from the nasal secretions of a naturally infected calf, was subjected to serial passages in adult hamster lung established (HAL) cells at 30 degrees C and the attenuated rs-52 strain as a live virus vaccine was established. The rs-52 strain multiplied better at 30 degrees C than at 34 or 37 degrees C in HAL cells. The differences in the highest virus titers of this strain between the culture temperature of 30 degrees C and that of 34 or 37 degrees C were more than 2.25 log TCID50. Colostrum-deprived newborn calves and 2 approximately 4 months old calves inoculated with the rs-52 strain manifested no abnormal clinical sings at all. However, all inoculated calves produced serum neutralization antibody. When the colostrum-deprived newborn calves immunized with the rs-52 strain were challenged with the virulent NMK7 strain of BRS virus, they exhibited no pyrexia or other abnormal clinical signs at all. An attempt was made to recover the virus from nasal secretions of these calves, but in vain. On the other hand, a nonimmunized control colostrum-deprived newborn calf developed slight fever, mild cough, and slight serous nasal discharge after challenge exposure. The virus was recovered from nasal secretions of this calf. From these results, it was considered that the rs-52 strain could be used as an attenuated live virus vaccine for prevention of BRS virus infection.     

Effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on fermentation of amino acids, bermudagrass and starch by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (Amaferm) on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of coastal bermudagrass, soluble starch and amino acids. Mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media for either 24 h (Amaferm alone, soluble starch, amino acids) or 48 h (bermudagrass). Amaferm was added to the incubation bottles (n = 4) at concentrations of 0, .4 or 1.0 g/liter. When mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated with only Amaferm, the 1.0 g/liter concentration increased the production of hydrogen (H2; P less than .001), methane (CH4; P less than .01), acetate (P less than .05), butyrate (P less than .01), total VFA (P less than .05) and NH3 (P less than .05). Addition of both levels of Amaferm to soluble-starch fermentations tended to enhance the production of H2 (P less than .11), CH4 (P less than .15), acetate (P less than .29) and total VFA (P less than .19); propionate production was increased (P less than .10) by 1.0 g/liter Amaferm, resulting in a decrease (P less than .05) in the acetate:propionate ratio. Fermentation of amino acids plus 1.0 g/liter Amaferm enhanced the production of acetate (P less than .05), propionate (P less than .05), valerate (P less than .01) and total VFA (P less than .10) and decreased the acetate:propionate ratio (P less than .05). In addition, NH3 production tended (P less than .19) to increase with both levels of Amaferm. When bermudagrass was the substrate, few changes in fermentation products were observed with Amaferm treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Canine cyclic hematopoiesis: blood gas and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid studies

Cyclic hematopoiesis in gray Collies was first described in 1967. These dogs are anemic in comparison with the healthy littermates, and their erythropoiesis is abnormal. Although the basic disorder appears to be an as yet unidentified abnormality of hematopoietic progenitor cells, an inherent difference in responses to blood gas control mechanisms remains as a possible cause. In a study of these mechanisms in dogs with cyclic hematopoiesis, the P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid concentrations were increased. Differences in pH, PCO2, PO2, and oxygen saturation were not observed.     

Lead poisoning and canine distemper

Clinical signs of lead poisoning are rather nonspecific and have often been confused with those of canine distemper. Described is a case of canine distemper which on clinical examination, haematology and biochemical test (U-ALA) indicated intoxication with lead. The case demonstrates the value of taking blood samples for the purpose of estimation of lead level in suspect cases of lead poisoning.     

A SURVEY OF CLINICAL MASTITIS IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND DAIRY HERDS

SUMMARY A survey of clinical mastitis in 26 South-East Queensland dairy herds supplying more than 300,000 litres of milk annually, revealed a quarter incidence of 2.6% with a cow incidence of 9% over a 3-month period. Secretion samples from cows yielded Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp and other bacteria in 38.5%, 12.5%, 6.6%, 3.4%, 2.6%. 0.6% and 2.0% of cases respectively. Samples from 38% of the cases were culturally negative while at least 38% of the clinical quarters had shown a previous clinical episode of mastitis. There was a significant association (P < 0.025) between herd and the likelihood of a negative culture result on samples from clinical cases. Twenty-one percent of cases occurred in the first month of lactation and 10.3% in the first week. There was a significant association (P < 0.005) between the age of cow and the stage of lactation in which clinical cases occurred in that cows in the 2 to 5 year age group were more likely to suffer attacks in the earlier part of lactation. There was a highly significant relationship (P < 0.005) between cow age group and the proportion of affected quarters and it was calculated that the change with each year of age was a 55% increase over the previous year. Forty-five percent of the isolates of S. aureus were resistant to penicillin.     

Chicken anemia agent: an electron microscopic study

Particles of chicken anemia agent (CAA) negatively stained with uranyl acetate were found to be 26.5 nm in diameter. The surface detail evident on the particles indicated that the virus capsid was composed of 32 structural subunits arranged as in a class P = 3 icosahedron with a triangulation number of 3. Using mouse monoclonal antibodies to CAA and a gold-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG, CAA-specific structures were observed by thin-section electron microscopy in infected MDCC-MSB1 cells and in thymic lymphocytes from experimentally infected chicks. These consisted of electron-dense, granular, non-membrane-bound nuclear inclusions, which were often ring-shaped, and cytoplasmic accumulations of microtubules. Aggregates of virus-like particles were sometimes observed in the nuclei of infected MDCC-MSB1 cells. The nucleolar involvement that is characteristic of the morphogenesis of parvoviruses was not observed with CAA.