Journal of Animal Science

Weir, W., C.;Jones, L., G.;Meyer, James, H.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.1915pmid: N/A

Summary Chemical composition, digestibility by sheep, and yield of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients per acre were obtained by a series of studies on irrigated alfalfa. In the first study, alfalfa was cut at 21-, 28-, 35- and 42-day intervals for 24 and 25 weeks after the removal of the first cutting. The largest amount of digestible protein was produced by the four-week cutting interval and the most total digestible nutrients by the five-week cutting interval. Plant vigor, as measured by crown and root weights and production and weediness of the first crop the following year, was reduced by the three- and four-week cutting intervals. In the second study, second cutting alfalfa from a different field was harvested by stage of maturity at pre-bud, 1% bud, 62% bud, 11% bloom, 46% bloom and 96% bloom. Digestibility data were obtained for each stage of maturity. To study the yield of alfalfa cut by stage of maturity, a trial was conducted for 4 years in which alfalfa was cut at the pre-bud, bud, 1/10 bloom and ½ bloom stage for 3 years and then all plots cut at the same stage in the fourth year to measure the after effects of the three previous year's treatment. During the 3 years of differential treatment, the greatest dry matter yield was produced by the alfalfa cut at the bloom stages. The greatest protein yield was by that cut at the 1/10 bloom stage. In the fourth season when all alfalfa was cut at the same stage, there was no significant difference in yield despite the difference in treatment during the previous three seasons. When the average annual yield during the three seasons of cutting by stage of maturity is multiplied by the digestibility results from the digestion trial on alfalfa cut by stage of maturity, the largest yield of total digestible nutrients came from the alfalfa cut at the 1/10 bloom stage and the largest yield of digestible protein from the alfalfa cut at the bud stage. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 The authors wish to express their appreciation for technical assistance to A. R. Terrill and J. L. Hull of the Department of Animal Husbandry. 3 Department of Animal Husbandry. 4 Department of Agronomy.

Young, D., C.;Foote, R., H.;Turkheimer, A., R.;Hafs, H., D.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19120xpmid: N/A

Summary The turbidometric method for estimating sperm concentration in ram and bull semen was adapted to boar semen using a Cenco-Sheard-Sanford Photelometer. Correlations of 0.95 or higher were obtained between hemocytometer counts of sperm concentration and Photelometer readings expressed as 2 — log of the Photelometer reading. Semen dilution rates of 1:9 and 1:19 gave readings, most of which were within the more sensitive range on the Photelometer scale. No significant differences were found between the average sperm counts made by the hemocytometer, or between transmittancy values of samples taken from the top and the bottom of the ejaculate on day 0 and day 1. The regression equations for estimating sperm concentration (Ŷ) in millions per ml. in boar semen were, for the 1:9 dilution rate, Ŷ=862.1X−72.4, and for the 1:19 dilution rate, Ŷ=1328.9X−21.0, where X equals 2 — log of the Photelometer reading. As with ram and bull semen this photelometric procedure saves considerable time in evaluating boar semen. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors acknowledge with sincere thanks John Dunn, Stanley Van Nederynen, and George Kiger for aid in handling the boars, Mrs. Marlene Sauer, Mrs. Susan Mott, Mrs. Mabel Young, and Mrs. Sally Shipman for aid in summarizing the data, and R. W. Bratton for aid in preparing the manuscript. 2 Department of Animal Husbandry.

Henrickson, R., L.;Odell, G., V.;Costello, W., J.;Reuber, H., W.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19126xpmid: N/A

Summary Evidence is presented on the fate of chlorpromazine hydrochloride and chlorpromazine sulfoxide in the bovine. An intravenous injection of 0.19 mg./lb. live weight was not sufficient to produce tranquility; 0.25 mg./lb. visibly depressed docile animals. For more easily excited range stock, a dosage of 0.4 mg./lb. was required. Approximately 11 to 12% of the injected dose was lost in the urine during the first 24-hours after injection. The urine contained hemoglobin, indicating red blood cell hemolysis. Tissue was damaged at the site of intramuscular injections. Small quantities of residual chlorpromazine hydrochloride were found in the fat, brain, heart, lung and kidney of those animals receiving 0.4 mg./lb. body weight when slaughtered 8 hours after injection. Animals held for 72 hours had no detectable residual compound in any of the tissues. No residual form of the drug was found in any of the lean tissues, regardless of dose level. When chlorpromazine hydrochloride was purposely introduced into the muscle, it was bound in the tissue. Once in this form it was not lost during the normal cooler holding period. Heat was not an adequate means of destroying the drug once it became a tissue contaminant. This content is only available as a PDF.

Carman, G., M.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19134xpmid: N/A

Summary In a series of field trials no cases of fly strike occurred in lambs previously jetted over the dock and breech regions with 0.5% and 0.3% solutions of aldrin or dieldrin during the years 1954, 1955 and 1956 at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. The number infested in the control groups was markedly reduced as compared to previous years, probably due to the gravid female flies contacting treated individuals and being killed prior to completing egg laying. All lambs in all groups had previously been sprayed with DDT to control external parasites. The treatment is a simple, cheap, and effective method of preventing blowfly strike in sheep and lambs in the area tested. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 Assistance in gathering the data and applying treatments was given by R. H. Holt, J. Arcand, and J. Cavanagh, members of the filed staff, sheep section, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

Hodge, D., E.;Plumlee, M., P.;Beeson, W., M.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19138xpmid: N/A

Summary Four sets of identical twin beef calves were fed for a period of 146 days on a growing-fattening ration to determine the effect of different levels of dietary arsanilic acid on performance. One twin of each set was fed either 50, 150, 250 or 350 mg. of arsanilic acid daily. Growth rate was not affected by the daily feeding of 50 or 150 mg. of arsanilic acid but was reduced at the 250 and 350 mg. levels 0.16 and 0.33 lb. daily, respectively. Appetite was reduced slightly by the 150, 250 and 350 mg. levels and increased a similar amount by the 50 mg. level. The most significant change in feed efficiency was the decrease resulting from feeding 350 mg. of arsanilic acid. Transit shrink was reduced by all four levels of arsanilic acid. The carcass grades were one-third of a grade higher for the calves fed 50, 150 and 250 mg. of arsanilic acid over their twin controls, but one grade lower for the twin fed 350 mg. The liver, kidney and rumen wall contained the greatest amounts of arsenic, and the amount increased with the dietary increases of arsanilic acid up to 250 mg per day. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors are grateful to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Illinois, for furnishing the arsanilic acid used in this study and to L. B. Overby (Abbott Laboratories) who made the tissue arsenic analyses reported herein. 2 Contribution from the Department of Animal Science, Journal Paper No. 1369.

McLaren, G., A.;Anderson, G., C.;Welch, J., A.;Campbell, C., D.;Smith, G., S.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19144xpmid: N/A

Summary Various aspects of nitrogen metabolism of lambs were considered in an attempt to ascertain the nature of the effect of DES and length of preliminary period on the retention of absorbed nitrogen. DES was without effect on the excretion of metabolic fecal nitrogen, endogenous urinary nitrogen, creatine, or allantoin. The mean metabolic fecal nitrogen corrected for undigested fiber nitrogen was 0.435±0.023 gm. N per 100 gm. dry matter intake. The mean endogenous urinary nitrogen value was 34.0±0.08 mg. N per kg. body weight. The mean excretion values for creatine and allantoin expressed as mg. N per kg. body weight per day were 8.4 and 11.4, respectively. DES did not significantly influence plasma FBI values of lambs on high or low nitrogen rations. The pattern of blood ammonia and urea nitrogen levels, urinary excretion of biuret, plasma PBI values and associated digestion and nitrogen metabolism data make it appear that DES and time influence the retention of absorbed nitrogen through direct action on the tissues to promote better utilization of non-protein nitrogen. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Published with the approval of the Director of the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station as Scientific Paper No. 603 from the Departments of Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition, and of Animal Husbandry.

Davison, Kenneth, L.;Woods,, Walter

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19154xpmid: N/A

Summary Two digestibility studies were conducted with lambs to determine the effects of corn oil and fatty acids upon the digestibility of a ration containing 46% corn cobs. Studies were conducted in vitro to determine the effects of various fatty acids (C2–C18) and glycerol upon the digestion of cellulose by rumen microorganisms. In the digestibility studies involving 42 lambs, 5% corn oil, 5% of a mixture of fatty acids, 1% lauric acid, 5% stearic acid, and 5% oleic acid significantly decreased the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and cellulose and significantly increased the digestibility of ether extract. All but lauric acid significantly decreased digestibility of ash. In studies conducted in vitro, butyric acid, valeric acid, and glycerol significantly increased cellulose digestion. Acetic and caproic acids had no effect at the level used. The saturated fatty acids from C8 to C18 had a significant depressing effect upon cellulose digestion by rumen bacteria. Oleic and linoleic acids significantly decreased cellulose digestion. This content is only available as a PDF.

Garrett, W., N.;Bond, T., E.;Kelly, C., F.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19160xpmid: N/A

Summary Supplementing natural air movement with fans during two summers in the Imperial Valley of California (average daily temperatures were near 90° F.) indicated the following: No significant increases in animal productivity could be attributed to increased air velocity when shade was available to animals in wire or cable corrals. Fans significantly lowered rectal temperature, surface temperature,and respiration rate when no shade was available, and did not affect these parameters when the animals had shade. Water intake per pound of dry matter consumed was lowered by shade and by the combination of shade and a fan. Wire corrals provided a more comfortable summer environment than wooden corrals. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Cooperative project between the University of California and the U.S.D.A. The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Herdsmen, Phil Trask and Delbert Gaskin. 3 Department of Animal Husbandry, El Centra. 4 Agricultural Engineer, U.S.D.A., Davis. 5 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Davis.

Noland, P., R.;Scott, K., W.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19167xpmid: N/A

Summary During two seasons corn-soybean oil meal type rations were self-fed to crossbred weanling pigs at three different protein levels, 12%, 16%, and 20% at each of three energy levels, 950, 1050, and 1200 Calories (Fraps Productive Energy values) per pound. Ground rice hulls and stabilized animal fat were used to adjust the energy to the desired levels. There was a highly significant seasonal effect on rate of gain, summer gains being the faster. All of the ration differences revealed by statistical analysis were during the period from weaning to 75 lb. During this period the linear component of the protein effect was highly significant. Analysis of the gains from both tests revealed no statistically significant difference between the gains of pigs fed the 950- and 1050-Calorie rations. During the period from 40 to 75 lb. there was a significant (P<.01) protein × energy interaction. Rations with Calorie:protein ratios of from 49 to 75 produced the fastest gains during the early part of the feeding trials (40–125 lb.). Later a Calorie:protein ratio of 100 resulted in the most rapid gains. Increasing levels of energy intake resulted in more efficient gains and lower daily feed intake. Carcasses from pigs fed the 1200-Calorie rations were fatter than those from pigs fed the 950- or 1050-Calorie rations. Pigs fed the 16 or 20% protein rations produced longer carcasses (P<.01) with a greater yield of primal cuts as compared to pigs fed the 12% protein ration. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Published with the approval of the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

Comstock, R., E.

doi: 10.2527/jas1960.19175xpmid: N/A

Abstract This talk will include first a brief survey of the slate and outlook in swine breeding and then an outline and discussion of means for future progress. Some of you will think a part of it far-fetched. However, those of you who are concerned over swine improvement—and I assume that means all of you—will wish to reflect a little on even those portions. Let's start with a quick look backward. What has happened in the last century that is pertinent to present-day swine breeding and our understanding of its problems? My list is as follows: Formation of the standard pure breeds and the registry associations designed to promote the breeds and guard their integrity. Mendel's work, its rediscovery and the following expansion of our knowledge in genetics. Obviously important has been the development of a body of population and quantitative genetic theory and the accumulation of now quite extensive information on genetic parameters and on responses to selection in various species. Recognition of the value of crossbreeding in market hog production. Renewed activity in breed formation (Minnesota No. 1, Montana No. 1, Beltsville No. 1, etc.) and the founding of the Inbred Livestock Registry Association. A shift of emphasis to economic trait criteria of selection. Objective analyses of selection and its effects in work of the Regional Swine Breeding Laboratory and other agencies. Demonstration that backfat depth of the live hog can be measured easily and with reasonable accuracy. This content is only available as a PDF.