The value of incorporating carcass trait phenotypes in terminal sire selection indexes to improve carcass weight and quality of heavy lambs

Genetic selection for carcass traits is paramount to maximize the profitability and long‐term sustainability of any meat‐producing livestock species. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficiency of indicator traits for the genetic improvement of lamb carcass traits and to determine the value of including carcass traits into terminal sire selection indexes for the Canadian sheep industry. The carcass traits included hot carcass weight (HCW), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR) and average carcass conformation score (AVGCONF), and were measured on heavy lambs (slaughter age less than 365 days and HCW greater than 16.3 kg) in commercial abattoirs. Growth traits were found to be moderately efficient indicator traits for the genetic improvement of HCW but selection on ultrasound traits was necessary to substantially improve the carcass quality traits (FATGR and AVGCONF). Economic selection indexes were designed by adding various combinations of carcass traits into the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System terminal indexes. Records measured on individuals and progeny were assumed to be the sources of information for live animal and carcass traits, respectively. The changes in index accuracy, efficiency and expected correlated response were used to assess the value of their inclusion. HCW was found to have a large economic value, and its inclusion into terminal selection indexes was expected to substantially increase their accuracy (0.08–0.12 points) and efficiency (20%–30%). However, further including FATGR (measured 110 mm from the carcass midline over the 12th rib) and AVGCONF had little impact on the accuracy (≤0.03) and efficiency (1%–7%) of the proposed indexes. Thus, the inclusion of carcass traits into the existing terminal selection indexes could be beneficial for the genetic improvement of HCW, but further research is needed to determine optimal methods of increasing carcass fatness and muscularity.     

Protein and energy concentrations of meat meal and meat and bone meal fed to pigs based on in vitro assays

The objective of this study was to develop equations for estimating ileal digestible crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of meat meal (MM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) as feed ingredients for pigs based on in vitro assays. Test ingredients were 4 sources of MM and 3 sources of MBM. Ash and CP contents of the ingredients ranged from 3.8% to 33.1% and 46.8% to 82.9% (as-is basis), respectively. In vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of CP was determined and ileal digestible CP content was calculated by multiplying CP content by IVID of CP. In vitro total tract disappearance (IVTTD) of dry matter (DM) was determined and ME was calculated using gross energy, CP contents, and IVTTD of DM. The IVID of CP and IVTTD of DM ranged from 77.2% to 88.7% and from 82.7% to 92.4%, respectively. Calculated ileal digestible CP and ME contents ranged from 37.8% to 73.5% DM and 2,405 to 3,905 kcal/kg DM, respectively. Ash contents were negatively correlated (P < 0.001) with CP (r = −0.99), in vitro ileal digestible CP (r = −0.97), gross energy (r = −1.00), in vitro digestible energy (r = −0.97), and adjusted ME (r = −0.97). The most fitting equations for ileal digestible CP and adjusted ME were: ileal digestible CP (% DM) = 11.91 − 0.90 × Ash (% DM) + 0.74 × IVID of CP (%) (R² = 0.99) and adjusted ME (kcal/kg DM) = 130.85 − 50.90 × ash (% DM) + 47.06 × IVTTD of DM (%) (R² = 0.99). To validate the accuracy of the prediction equations for ME, mean bias and linear bias were determined using a regression analysis. Calculated ME values of MM and MBM were in a good agreement with data obtained from animal experiments based on a statistically insignificant bias in the models. In conclusion, ME concentrations of MM and MBM as swine feed ingredients can be calculated using ash concentration and in vitro disappearance of dry matter.     

In vitro rumen fermentation and digestibility of buffaloes as influenced by grape pomace powder and urea treated rice straw supplementation

This study aimed to investigate the effect of grape pomace powder levels and roughage sources on gas kinetics, digestibility and fermentation of swamp buffaloes by using in vitro techniques. The experimental design was a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Factor A was two sources of roughage (untreated rice straw, RS, and 3% urea treated rice straw, UTRS) and factor B was four levels of grape pomace powder (GPP) supplementation (0, 2, 4, 6% of substrate) on a dry matter basis. Results revealed that GPP supplementation at 2, 4 and 6% of substrate influenced gas kinetics. Cumulative gas production tended to be lower in the supplemented group. In vitro true digestibility was higher in the GPP supplementation at 2% with UTRS while microbial mass was higher in the supplemented groups. Supplementation of GPP significantly increased the total volatile fatty acids, especially propionate. Calculated methane production was subsequently decreased in the supplemented groups. Bacterial population was higher while protozoal population was lower by GPP supplementation. It could be concluded that supplementation of GPP at 2% of the substrate with UTRS improved in vitro true digestibility, rumen fermentation end‐products as well as reducing methane production.     

农业推广方法选择研究——以陕西省三原县为例

本文以陕西省三原县为例,采用典型调查方法,运用问卷调查、农户访问等资料搜集手段,研究各种因素对农业推广方法选择的影响.研究结果表明:推广对象的经济状况、采用创新的不同阶段以及推广对象的文化程度等都影响到农业推广方法的选择,而要最大限度地提高推广效果需要综合采用多种农业推广方法.     

The efficacy of a single chain recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) in mares: induction of ovulation, hormone profiles, and inter-ovulatory intervals

The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) in shortening the time to ovulation in cycling mares and to determine the effects of treatment on endogenous hormones and inter-ovulatory intervals. In study 1, mares of light horse breeds (3–20 years) were treated with either a vehicle, various doses of reLH, or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Cycling mares were examined by palpation and ultrasound per rectum daily or every 12 h from the time of treatment to ovulation. In studies 2 and 3, jugular blood samples were collected daily or every 12 h from the time of treatment to ovulation for analysis of LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol-17β (E₂), and progesterone (P₄) by radioimmunoassays (RIA). Increasing doses of reLH (0.3, 0.6, 0.75, and 0.9 mg) showed increasing effectiveness at inducing ovulation within 48 h of treatment. Treatments with the 0.75 and 0.9 mg doses of reLH resulted in 90% and 80% ovulation rates, which were similar to hCG treatment (85.7%). Except for the early rise in LH after treatment with 0.5, 0.65, and 1.0 mg of reLH, hormone profiles appeared to be similar between control and treated cycles. Inter-ovulatory intervals were similar between control and treatment cycles. In conclusion, reLH is a reliable and effective ovulatory agent that does not significantly alter endogenous hormone profiles or affect inter-ovulatory intervals.     

不同粒度猫尾草对羔羊体外发酵特性和微生物数量的影响

通过Rusitec-s体外发酵系统研究不同粒度猫尾草对羔羊体外发酵参数与微生物数量的影响,选取6种不同粒度(1.00、2.36、3.35、4.75、8.00和12.50 mm)的猫尾草作为试验饲粮的纤维来源,按照猫尾草的粒度将试验分为6个处理组,每个处理4个重复,利用Rusitec-s型人工瘤胃模拟装置进行48 h体外发酵,测定养分降解率、发酵参数及发酵液中6种微生物菌群的拷贝数。结果表明：与其他处理组相比,2.36 mm组显著提高了体外中性洗涤纤维降解率(IVNDFD)、丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸摩尔比和溶纤维丁酸弧菌(B. f)数量(P<0.05),且显著降低总产甲烷菌(TMe)数量(P<0.05)。总菌(TB)与氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度、乙酸摩尔比呈正相关(R²=0.84,P=0.038;R²=0.88,P=0.021);B. f数量与丙酸摩尔比呈正相关(R²=0.82,P=0.045),且与pH呈负相关(R²=-0.98,P=0.001);TMe数量与体外粗蛋白质降解率(IVCP...     

Decision Making for Vendor Selection With AHP and Random Disposal of DEA

The vendor selection directly relatives to the procurement quality and influences the competition of the corporation in the supply chains. It is important and practical to study the vendor selection method. The measuring criteria and the method for vendor selection are analyzed. The authors put forward an new method which is combined with both the advantage of analytic hierarchy process (AHP ) and random disposal of data envelopment analysis ( DEA) for vendor selection. It introduces a random variable which solves the disadvantage of the weigh value in DEA which convert subjective estimation to objective opinion in the course of the vendor selecting. The method can improve the reliability of the vendor selection.     

观赏羽衣甘蓝的离体繁殖

以花蕾为外植体，离体繁殖羽衣甘蓝８个杂各一代材料。培养基为（ｍｇ／Ｌ）：ＭＳ＋ＢＡ１－２＋ＮＡＡ０．１－０．２＋ＩＡＡ０．５＋（或不加）ＧＡ３０．３＋３％蔗糖。平均１８％－６７％的接咎花蕾产生不定芽；药有３０％的不定芽发育成完整植物。培养物的严重褐化和再生植物的普遍玻璃质化是影响植株成活的主要因素。培养基中加入活性炭和青霉素，并给以强光照射，可提高植株成活率。     

小麦轮回选择的初步实践

利用太谷核不育小麦,开展以抗锈和矮秆丰产为主要目标的轮回选择,选择压分别为5.6%和4.7%.抗锈群通过一轮混合选择,条锈病反应型0—1级的抗病株率和严重度25%以下的轻病株率较基础群体分别提高12.5%和5.1%.矮秆丰产群采用两种轮选方案.经两轮选择看出,改良半姐妹法其群体的株高比基础群体明显降低6.2厘米,其余性状有向选择目标集中的趋势;混合选择法其群体除穗粒数外,其余性状进展趋势与上相同.