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.     

兴安盟地区旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种生产性能和饲用价值比较

为筛选兴安盟地区旱作条件下适宜引进栽培的优良苜蓿品种,在兴安盟乌兰浩特市呼和马场种植11个苜蓿(Medicago sativa)品种,通过连续2年观测参试品种的越冬率、株高、产量、茎叶比及营养成分等指标,对旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种的生产性能和饲用价值进行灰色关联分析。结果表明:图牧2号、敖汉苜蓿和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的平均越冬率较高;SK3010、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿和敖汉苜蓿在株高、生长速度和干草产量方面表现较好;图牧2号的茎叶比均最大,其次是呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、SK3010和敖汉苜蓿;WL168HQ、斯普雷德和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的粗蛋白质含量均高于18%;巨能2和斯贝德的粗纤维含量较高;WL168HQ、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、WL343HQ、SK3010和WL319HQ的粗灰分含量均高于10%。对11个苜蓿品种的越冬率、产量特性和饲用品质进行灰色关联分析表明,呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿的综合表现最优,适合在该地区种植推广。     

计算机视觉技术在智慧羊场中的研究进展

智慧羊场具有科学化、标准化管理的优点,是羊场转型发展的趋势。计算机视觉技术是人工智能的核心,可以实现非接触性、自动化、实时监测羊的个体信息。本文总结并分析了计算机视觉在羊场的个体识别方法、行为识别方法、体尺与体重估测、疾病监测的研究现状,并指出计算机视觉在智慧羊场的进一步发展趋势。 [关键词] 计算机视觉|智慧羊场|个体识别|行为识别|体尺与体重估测|疾病监测     

培肥措施对旱地农田土壤CO2排放和碳库管理指数的影响

阐明长期有机物料施肥下土壤CO₂排放特征及其影响机制以及碳库管理指数对黄土高原旱作农业区固碳减排及施肥模式选择的影响尤为重要。基于2012年设置在陇中黄土高原旱作区的长期定位试验,通过不施肥（CK）、氮肥（NF）、有机肥（OM）、秸秆（ST）、有机肥结合无机肥（OMNF）5个处理,测定并计算了2018年不同施肥措施下全年土壤CO₂排放、作物碳排放效率和碳库管理指数的变化,并运用结构方程模型分析了0~30 cm土壤温度、水分、微生物量碳氮、易氧化有机碳、蔗糖酶、脲酶与土壤CO₂排放速率的关系。结果表明：1）与不施肥相比,秸秆、有机结合无机肥和有机肥处理使生育期土壤CO₂排放平均速率提高了42.72%、30.82%和29.79%,秸秆、有机肥处理分别使生育期土壤CO₂排放量显著提高36.35%、32.45%（P<0.05）,有机结合无机肥处理使碳排放效率显著降低41.10%（P<0.05）;2）有机物料处理均能显著提高0~5 cm土层易氧化有机碳、微生物量碳氮、蔗糖酶活性和碳库管理指数,相比不施肥和氮肥处理,有机结合无机肥处理分别使0~30 cm土壤碳库管理指数提高127.41%,99.33%（P<0.05）;3）结构方程模型表明,环境因子对土壤CO₂排放速率的总解释度为53%,对土壤CO₂排放速率总效应较大的影响因素包括土壤温度（2.36）、微生物量碳（1.59）和土壤水分（1.18）,且均间接地影响着土壤CO₂排放速率,土壤温度促进了微生物量碳和蔗糖酶活性的提高,微生物量碳促进了微生物量氮和易氧化有机碳的增加。综合来看,有机结合无机肥处理可以提升土壤碳库管理指数,保持微生物活性,增加作物产量,降低土壤碳排放效率,是陇中黄土高原旱作农业区比较适宜的农田培肥措施。     

高产棉花太阳辐射能利用率及干物质分配规律研究

通过对1988～1989年高产棉花栽培试验结果进行分析发现,棉花的太阳辐射利用率在叶面积系数小于2.0时随叶面积系数的增加而线性增加,大于2.0时增加变缓。从生育时间看,7月中旬前太阳辐射利用率指数上升,7月中旬至8月底相对稳定在1.2～1.4克/兆焦左右,9月以后又不同程度线性下降。生长季内子棉太阳辐射经济效率1988和1989年分别为0.14和0.15克/兆焦。收获指数与最大叶面积系数呈显著负相关;盛花期之前棉株各器官之间的同伸关系或明显,盛花期后器官的生长相互间无明显的确定性关系。如能调节密度与叶面积系数的关系,使得既提高5～6月的辐射能利用率,同时使7～8月叶面积系数维持在3.0～3.5的适宜范围内,9～10月群体又不早衰,则有利于获得高产。     

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Soil aggregate (SA) can be formed and stabilized when soil organic matter (SOM) is decomposed in the soil. However, the relationships between the SA dynamics and SOM with different decomposition rates have not been clarified. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the addition of polysaccharides to soil on SA formation and stability. A Japanese tropical soil was incubated for 99 d at 30 °C in a dark environment following the addition of 0.5% (w/w) starch or cellulose. The decomposition rates of the amendments, and SA formation and stability were evaluated by measuring soil respiration rates, and distribution fractions of soil aggregate sizes and mean weight diameter (MWD) of SA, respectively. The cumulative soil respirations with all treatments rapidly increased until Day 12 of the incubation. The initial slope of the cumulative soil respiration in the soil with starch was significantly higher than that in the soil with cellulose. In either soil with starch or cellulose, the fractions of macro-aggregates (>1000 μm in diameter) significantly increased, respectively, compared with control soil. However, the fractions of meso-aggregates (250–1000 μm) and nano-aggregate (<20 μm) in the soil with starch significantly decreased, while those fractions in the soil with cellulose fluctuated until Day 6. The MWDs reached the maximum on Day 6, indicating the SA formation in the soils with starch or cellulose. The increasing rate of the SA formation in the starch-amended soil was greatly higher than that in the cellulose-amended soil. After Day 6, the MWDs in the soils with either polysaccharide decreased with similar trends with no significant differences between treatments, indicating similar stability of the SA in both treatments. This study showed that the different decomposability of the organic amendments might influence the SA formation differently, but not the SA stability.     

基于PSR模型的兰州市土地生态安全时空差异评价

研究了兰州市2006~2013年土地生态安全的时空差异。主要依据PSR模型建立评价指标体系,运用熵权法与综合评价法对不同时期兰州市及各县区土地生态安全状况进行分析。结果表明:(1)兰州市土地生态安全由2006年的"恶劣"状态转变为2013年的"良好"状态;(2)土地生态压力指数从0.176下降为0.145,土地生态状态与土地生态响应指数分别从0.063、0.160提升到0.295、0.290;(3)区域内空间分布差异较为明显,土地生态状态改善与响应增强主要集中在土地生态压力过大的地方。据此可知,兰州市土地生态结构和功能基本完善,已步入良好阶段,但是各县区土地生态空间分布差异较大。     

The long-term effects of fire regime on primary production of montane grasslands in South Africa

Natural grasslands deliver essential ecosystem services through plant production, which enhances water supply, nutrient cycling, soil retention and greenhouse gas mitigation. Although the condition of montane grasslands for provision of ecosystem services is maintained by regular annual or biennial burning, controversy exists over the impact of different frequencies and seasons of burning on grassland productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of different burning regimes on primary production and quality of the montane grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. There were no significant differences in the mean standing live mass between 30 years of annual winter and biennial spring burning. However, in unburnt areas productivity was 20% lower (118.2?g m?2) than in regularly burnt grassland (144.7–154.5?g m?2). Crude protein did not vary between the annual winter and biennial spring treatments (95–113?kg ha?1), but was significantly lower in unburned areas (45?kg ha^?1). However, an infrequent fire in a protected area caused a temporary spike in crude protein (16%) compared with regular burning (5–10%), which can benefit wildlife. We conclude that montane grasslands can be burnt annually or biennially in the dormant season to promote long-term productivity.     

Vachellia karroo leaf meal: a promising non-conventional feed resource for improving goat production in low-input farming systems of Southern Africa

Among a vast number of forage trees, Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) remains one of the most widely distributed indigenous plant legumes in Southern Africa. The plant possesses some striking attributes, such as rapid growth rate, drought tolerance, adaptation to alkaline and acidic sterile soils, and resistance to a variety of edaphic and temperature changes. In past years V. karroo was recognised to be a major threat to rangeland productivity owing to its invasive nature. Research interest has shifted from its eradication as an unwanted plant to its utilisation as a feed resource for livestock. Extensive utilisation of V. karroo is mainly hindered by the presence of tannins and spines. Prospects to lessen the adverse effects of the anti-nutritional influences are now recognised. Vachellia karroo possesses desirable fatty acid profiles, and high protein and mineral contents that can improve animal performance. Presently, the use of V. karroo for goat production in communal areas is restricted owing to limited evidence for its nutritional value as animal feed. The present review, therefore, seeks to demonstrate the utility potential of V. karroo to improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, chevon quality, meat fatty acid profiles and as a natural anti-helminth for goats raised under an extensive system of production.     

抗旱保水剂在岗坡旱地甘薯上的应用试验

为提高冀南地区岗坡旱地农作物产量,应用抗旱保水剂在甘薯上进行了试验。结果表明,施用抗旱保水剂可提高甘薯幼苗成活率,促进甘薯生长,增产增收,以45kg/hm2用量效果最好。