Left-side displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows at pasture

The presentation of approximately 40 dairy cows affected with left-side displacement of the abomasum (LDA) per annum in a cattle practice in East Gippsland, Victoria provided an opportunity to conduct a survey and case-control study of the disease in a grazing environment. The study, involving 37 dairy cows at pasture, revealed significant differences from the pattern of the disease occurring in the northern hemisphere where cows in older age groups, of larger frame size, higher production and fed high grain rations are at increased risk. Affected cows were diagnosed over a 10-month period and represented approximately 0.06% of the dairy cow population. Most cases were diagnosed in the early lactation period. Evidence for a genetic predisposition was suggested by the discovery that one sire generated a disproportionately large number (9) of the cows with LDA. Although affected cows were average producers in their herds, being a member of a high-producing herd was a significant risk factor.     

Treatment with vitamins A, D and E did not reduce weight loss in transported cattle

SUMMARY Two field trials using an injectable vitamin A, D and E solution conducted in the pastoral environment of northern Australia are described. It was found that treatment of lighter (< 150 kg) or heavier (> 372 kg) weight cattle did not reduce weight loss during road transport. These findings contradict anecdotal evidence of reduced weight loss during transport with the use of vitamins A, D and E. The lack of scientific basis for their use is discussed.     

Use of enzyme-linked immunoassays for antibody to types C and D botulinum toxins for investigations of botulism in cattle

The development of specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibody to types C and D Clostridium botulinum toxins for investigation of botulism in cattle is described. Partially purified type C and D toxins were used as antigens to develop these ELISAs. Specificity of the ELISAs was evaluated on sera from 333 adult beef and dairy cattle from areas with no history or evidence of botulism in animals or water birds. The test was also evaluated on sera from 41 herds that included herds vaccinated against botulism, confirmed botulism cases and herds from areas where the disease is considered endemic. The ELISAs detected the presence of antibody to botulinum toxins in samples from vaccinated cattle and both convalescent and clinically normal animals from unvaccinated herds with outbreaks of botulism. Antibody was also found in unvaccinated animals from herds in which there had been no diagnosed botulism cases in areas where botulism was considered endemic. Sera from some unvaccinated cattle with high ELISA reactivity was shown to be protective for mice in botulinum toxin neutralisation tests. The use of these tests in investigations of botulism in cattle is discussed.     

Dynamical Signature of the Mott-Hubbard Transition in Ni(S,Se)2

The transition metal chalcogenide Ni(S,Se)2 is one of the few highly correlated, Mott-Hubbard systems without a strong first-order structural distortion that normally cuts off the critical behavior at the metal-insulator transition. The zero-temperature (T) transition was tuned with pressure, and significant deviations were found near the quantum critical point from the usual T1/2 behavior of the conductivity characteristic of electron-electron interactions in the presence of disorder. The transport data for pressure and temperature below 1 kelvin could be collapsed onto a universal scaling curve.     

Phosphorus supplements and fluorosis in cattle—a northern Australian experience

SUMMARY Chronic fluoride toxicosis caused lameness, dental lesions and illthrift in an extensive beef cattle herd in northern Australia. Up to 15% of the herd was lame and the disease forced the culling of large numbers of cows. The source of fluoride was fertiliser-grade monoammonium and diammonlum phosphate fed as part of a mineral supplement. Large quantities of mineral supplement were provided to the cattle because lameness was attributed to phosphorus deficiency, which is endemic in the area. Most lameness developed in the late dry season in the post-lactation phase. Severe lameness was caused by fractured pedal bones.