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Vocal Learning In Grey Parrots (Psittacus Erithacus): Effects Of Social Interaction, Reference, And Context, Irene M. Pepperberg

Sentience Collection

For many passerines, the extent,timing, and even presence of allospecific vocal learning can be influenced by the form of input that is received. Little data exist, however, on vocal learning in parrots (Psittacidae). I have previously proposed that such vocal learning proceeds most readily when input is (1) referential, (2) contextually applicable, and (3) interactive. The referential aspect demonstrates the meaning of the code to be taught, the contextual aspect demonstrates the use that can be made of the information contained in the code, and the interactive aspect provides explicit training that is constantly adjusted to the level of the …

Numerical Competence In An African Gray Parrot (Psittacus Erithacus), Irene M. Pepperberg

Sentience Collection

An African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Alex, trained to label vocally collections of 1-6 simultaneously presented homogeneous objects, correctly identified, without further training, quantities of targeted subsets in heterogeneous collections. For each test trial Alex was shown different collections of 4 groups of items that varied in 2 colors and 2 object categories (e.g., blue and red keys and trucks) and was asked to label the number of items uniquely defined by the conjunction of 1 color and 1 object category (e.g., "How many blue key?"). The collections were designed to provide maximal confounds (or distractions) and thus replicate the …

Other On-Station Activities For Wool Pastoralists, Mark Stevens

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The impact of low wool prices has been most severe on specialist wool growers who have little scope for diversification, particularly those in the pastoral area.

Although there are limited opportunities for new enterprises on all pastoral stations, individual pastoralists are examining other on-station activities to determine which ones might be suitable. In doing so, they are evaluating:

• location (proximity to a major highway or population centre);

• natural attractions (coast, gorges, river, wildflowers);

• natural resources (native fauna and flora); and

• water supply (quantity and reliability of good quality water).

Appropriate Methionine:Lysine Ratio For The Segregated Early-Weaned Pig (1994), K Q. Owen, B T. Richert, K G. Friesen, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 350 crossbred pigs (9.0 ± 2 d old and 8.4 lb +f- 2.5 BW) was used to determine the appropriate methionine: lysine ratio in diets for the segregated early-weaned pig. Two lysine levels (1.8 and 1.4%) and five methionine levels within each lysine level were used in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. Methionine: lysine ratios ranged from 21.5 to 33.5 %. From d 0 to 21 postweaning, all diets contained 25%dried whey, 12% lactose, 7.5% spray dried porcine plasma, 6.0% select menhaden fish meal, and 1.75% spray-dried blood meal. The basal diets containing 1.4 and 1.8% …

Processing Procedures And Feeding Systems For Sorghum-Based Diets Given To Lactating Sows (1994), I H. Kim, Joe D. Hancock, L L. Burnham, G A. Kennedy, David A. Nichols, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One-hundred twenty nine primiparous sows were used to determine the effects of alternative processing procedures and feeding systems on the nutritional value of sorghum grain-based diets for lactating sows. Treatments were a ground sorghum control, steam- flaked sorghum and extruded sorghum fed in meal form, or the ground sorghum control given as pellets or gruel (1: 1 ratio of water and feed on a volume:volume basis). Average daily feed intake was greater for sows fed pelleted and gruel forms compared to sow fed the diets with steam-flaked and extruded sorghum. However, no differences occurred in sow weight or backfat losses …

The Effects Of Added Salt In The Phase Ii Starter Pig Diet (1994), C A. Kerr, B T. Richert, J R. Bergstrom, W B. Nessmith, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, Jim L. Nelssen, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 178 pigs (initially 10.5 Ib and 19 d of age) was used to compare the effects of added salt in the Phase II (d 14 to 28 postweaning) diet. Pigs were alloted by sex and inital weight and placed in pens containing either nine or 10 pigs. All pigs were fed the same Phase I diet for the first 14 d postweaning. The Phase I diet contained 20% dried whey, 7.5% spry-dried porcine plasma (SDPP), and 1.75% spray-dried blood meal (SDBM) and was formulated to contain 1.5% lysine and .42% methionine. On day 14, pigs were assigned …

Level Of Urea In High Grain Diets: Finishing Steer Performance (1994), C.T. Milton, Robert T. Brandt Jr.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eighty-eight medium-framed crossbred steers (731 lb) were used to identify the optimal level of urea in finishing diets for growth and carcass traits. Diets contained no urea or .5, 1.0, or 1.5% urea (dry matter basis) and no other supplemental protein. Feed efficiency and gain were improved substantially by the first increment of urea (.5%), with little or no improvement from subsequent urea additions. Pooled across level, urea improved feed efficiency by 5.6% and gain by 8.9%, whereas dry matter intake declined 3.3% compared to controls. Regression analysis indicated that the optimal level of urea for gain and feed efficiency …

Roasting And Extruding Affect Ileal Digestibility Of Nutrients From Soybeans In Growing And Finishing Pigs (1994), I H. Kim, M S. Kang, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eight crossbred barrows (initial body wt of 90 lb and 180 lb for four growing and four finishing pigs, respectively) were fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum and used in 36-d metabolism experiments (4 x 4 Latin squares) to determine the effects of roasting and extruding full-fat soybeans on nutrient utilization. Treatments were 1) soybean meal, 2) roasted soybeans, 3) extruded soybeans, and 4) soybeans extruded with an extrusion enhancer (sodium sulfite). The soybean meal and soybeans were mill-run. The control diet was cornstarch-based, with .9% lysine, .65% Ca, and .55% P for the growing pigs and .75% lysine, …

Diversification In The Woolbelt, John Allen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The productivity and diversification initiative for wool growers incorporates two leves of diversification.

Greatest emphasis is placed on industry wide increases in cropping intensity and in the range of crop types grown.

The second level involves non-traditional, alternative enterprises, each offering prospects for expansion of a limited number of wool growing businesses, suited to particular parts of the woolbelt.

The alternative enterprises include floriculture, aquaculture, export hay, farm tourism, commercial timber, horticulture and new animal industries.

The Effect Of Copper Sulfate And Zinc Oxide In A Drench On The Gain And Health Of Newly Arrived Calves (1994), F.K. Brazle, Gerald L. Stokka

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred and fifty-four, newly arrived, bull calves averaging 295 lb were either drenched with a copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) solution or water at arrival. The Cu-Zn drench did not affect gains during a 56-day trial. Additionally, no differences occurred in morbidity or the number of antibiotic treatments required per animal.

The Use Of Growth Models To Evaluate The Changing Response To Digestible Lysine In High-Lean Growth Gilts (1994), K G. Friesen, A P. Schinckel, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Conventional response criteria for amino acid research include mean live weight gain and tissue accretion rates over a given weight interval. However, these methods fail to characterize the changing response of tissue accretion to dietary amino acids as body weight increases. For this reason, growth modeling was used to characterize the response to digestible lysine in two experiments (114 gilts each) from 80 to 160 lb and 160 to 300 lb, respectively. Corn-soybean meal diets were formulated to assure that lysine (.54 to 1.04% and .54 to .94% digestible lysine for Exp 1 and 2, respectively) was the first limiting …

Heritabilities And Genetic Correlations For Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, And Yearling Weight In Polled Hereford Cattle (1994), J.B. Glaze, R.R. Schalles

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Performance data from a Polled Hereford herd selected for feed conversion were used in the calculation of heritabilities and genetic correlations for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), and yearling weight (YWT). Direct heritabilities for BWT, WWT, and YWT were .31, .16, and .25, respectively. Corresponding maternal heritabilities for BWT, WWT and YWT were .04, .01, and .18, respectively. With the exception of the correlation between WWT and YWT (.98), the other genetic correlations were low to moderate, ranging from -.27 to .12.

Nursery Growth Performance Of Intact Males And Barrows (1994), M M. Rantanen, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 100 weanling pigs with an average initial body wt of 11.8 lb and average age of 17 d was used in a 38-d growth assay to determine the effect of castration on growth performance of nursery pigs. All pigs were fed the same Phase I, II, and III diets formulated to 1.6, 1.4, and 1.35% lysine, respectively. Data indicated no differences in growth performance between intact males and barrows in the first 38 d postweaning (12 to 48 lb).; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 17, 1994

Level Of Urea In High Grain Diets: Nutrient Digestibility, Microbial Protein Production, And Rumen Metabolism (1994), C.T. Milton, Robert T. Brandt Jr.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Four ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (1228 lb) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to evaluate the effects of dietary urea level on nutrient digestion, microbial protein production, and rumen metabolism of steers fed a rolled corn diet without urea or with .5, 1.0, or 1.5% urea (dry matter basis) and no other supplemental protein. Rumen digestibilities increased 33% for organic matter and 25% for starch with the first increment (.5%) of urea, but little or no improvement occurred with subsequent urea additions. Apparent rumen nitrogen digestibility decreased linearly, whereas total tract and true ruminal nitrogen …

Payout Characteristics Of Anabolic Agents From Synovex®, Finaplix®, And Revalor® Implants In Finishing Yearling Steers (1994), P.S. Hickman, Robert T. Brandt Jr., D.M. Henricks, J. Ernest Minton, Jeffrey S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forty, individually fed, yearling steers (750 lbs) were used to measure payout characteristics of different trenbolone acetate-containing implants and to correlate those characteristics to growth response. Treatments were 1) control, 2) Synovex-S®, 3) Finaplix-S®, 4) Synovex® plus Finaplix, and 5) Revalor®. Steers were fed a 12% crude protein, corn-based, finishing diet for 112 days. Compared to Revalor, which had a fairly constant payout over time, the combination of Synovex plus Finaplix resulted in higher blood levels of estradiol and trenbolone acetate (TBA) up to 56 days, followed by a relatively rapid decline to 112 days. Despite elevated levels of TBA …

The Effect Of Mass Treatment With Micotil® At Arrival On The Health And Performance Of Long-Hauled Calves (1994), F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-hauled calves (n=170 were either mass-medicated with Micotil® or served as controls. Micotil reduced mortality (1.2 vs 8.1%) and morbidity (59.7 vs 75.5%), but it did not improve ADG.

Effect Of Grain Content On The Nutritive Value Of Whole-Plant Corn Silage (1994), R.N. Jr. Sonon, B.S. Dalke, D.L. Holthaus, L. Pfaff, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of grain content on the nutritive value of corn silage. Whole-plant silage dry matter (DM) increased, whereas neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents decreased as the level of grain increased from 0 to 65% in the reconstituted, whole-plant, corn silages. Using sheep as a model, voluntary DM intake and DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility increased, but crude protein (CP) and ADF digestibilities decreased linearly as grain content increased from 0 to 52.5%. Our results indicate that the optimum level of grain in whole-plant corn silage to maximize …

Effects Of Sorghum Hybrid And Grain Supplementation On The Utilization Of Silage-Based Rations For Growing Cattle (1994), B.S. Dalke, K.K. Bolsen, R.N. Jr. Sonon, D.L. Holthaus, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three whole-plant sorghum silages, each with or without 25% added rolled grain sorghum were fed to six medium-framed, ruminally cannulated steers in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. The grain sorghum silage rations (DeKalb 42Y) had the highest DM, OM, and ADF digestibilities; the late-season forage sorghum silage rations (DeKalb FS 25E), the lowest. Digestibility of NDF tended to be highest for the grain sorghum silage, but starch digestibilities were not affected by sorghum hybrid. Ruminal ammonia, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA concentrations were highest for the grain sorghum silage rations. Grain supplementation increased DM and OM digestibilities …

Relationships Between Lignin Content And Fermentability Of Intact And Chemically Treated Big Bluestem Fiber (1994), R.C. Cochran, G. Towne, Evan C. Titgemeyer, K. C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An accurate assessment of forage quality is required to allow prediction of animal performance. One of the most commonly used methods of forage evaluation is to measure lignin content, with more heavily lignified materials being considered less digestible. Two measures of lignin, acid detergent lignin (ADL) and acetyl bromide lignin (ABL), were assessed with regard to their ability to predict forage digestibility. Big bluestem forage samples were collected from three ungrazed, annually burned pastures at 38, 58, and 97 days postburn. These times were selected to represent a broad range of forage quality. Cell wall material was treated chemically by: …

Factors Influencing First-Service Conception And Overall Pregnancy Rates In Commercial Beef Heifers (1994), S.D. Utter, P.L. Houghton, L.R. Corah, D.D. Simms, M.F. Spire, M.D. Butine

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Commercial beef heifers (n=1863) from 16 different sources were used to evaluate the influence of management practices and biological traits on first-service conception and overall pregnancy rates. Frame score, initial weight, overall ADG, body condition score, reproductive tract score, source, AI technician, and AI sire significantly influenced first-service conception. Overall pregnancy rates were influenced by frame score, body weight, and ADG.

Effects Of Interaction Between Zinc Oxide And Copper Sulfate On Starter Pig Performance (1994), J W. Smith Ii, B T. Richert, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of supplementing starter pig diets with zinc oxide and (or) copper sulfate on starter pig performance. In experiment 1, two hundred forty pigs were used in a 28-day growth assay. Four dietary treatments were used: 1) control (165 ppm zinc and 16.5 ppm copper), 2) 3,000 ppm zinc, 3) 250 ppm copper, and 4) 3,000 ppm zinc + 250 ppm copper. The pigs were blocked by weight and allotted to each of the four dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design with 9, 10, or 11 pigs per pen and …

Sodium Sulfite And Extrusion Affect The Nutritional Value Of Soybean Products For Nursery Pigs (1994), L L. Burnham, I H. Kim, Terry L. Gugle, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 150 weanling pigs (14.2 lb avg body wt) was used in a 28-d growth assay to determine the effects of using sodium sulfite as an extrusion enhancer for soy products. Treatments were: 1) soybean meal (SBM), 2) SBM + sodium sulfite, 3) extruded SBM, 4) SBM extruded with sodium sulfite, 5) extruded whole soybeans, and 6) whole soybeans extruded with sodium sulfite. For d 0 to 14, pigs fed SBM had greater average daily feed intake (ADFD, although they had poorer efficiency of gain (F/G) than pigs fed the extruded soy products. Also, pigs fed sodium sulfite …

Dietary Lysine Requirements Of Segregated Early-Weaned Pigs (1994), K Q. Owen, B T. Richert, K G. Friesen, J W. Smith Ii, J R. Bergstrom, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, Steven S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 320 (160 barrows and 160 gilts) 14- to 18-d-old pigs (initially 10.2 ± 2.2 lb) was used to determine the optimal level of dietary lysine needed for the segregated early-weaned pig. Two diet formulation methods were used with six dietary lysine levels within each formulation method, resulting in a 2 X 6 factorial arrangement of treatments. The first formulation method consisted of a basal diet that contained 1.95% lysine. Increasing levels of cornstarch replaced L-lysine to achieve the other five dietary treatments (1.2, 1.35, 1.50, 1.65, and 1.80% dietary lysine). All other amino acids in each diet …

Influence Of Diet Complexity And Weaning Age On Carcass Characteristics And Growth Performance From Weaning To Market (1994), T Signer, K Q. Owen, R M. Musser, J W. Smith Ii, B T. Richert, Steven S. Dritz, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 180 barrows (initially 7.4 or 11.9 lb and 9 or 19 d of age) was used in a growth assay to determine the influence of two weaning ages and three diet complexity sequences on growth performance and carcass characteristics. The growth performance of pigs used in this trial was excellent, as shown by the range of average age at 240 lb from 144 to 149.7 d. Growth performance was similar regardless of weaning age. Thus, when health status and environment are similar, pigs weaned at 19 d of age can attain a weight of 240 Ib at …

Calculating Feed Costs With Alternative Lysine Diets For High-Lean Growth Gilts (1994), K G. Friesen, Michael A. Boland, A P. Schinckel, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data from two experiments were used to determine the feed cost per I of lean gain for high-lean growth gilts fed various digestible lysine levels (.54 to 1.04%). The cost for producing 1 lb of lean increased as live weight increased from 75 to 160 lb (Exp 1) and from 160 to 300 lb (Exp 2). However, in Exp I, the cost per lb of lean gain was minimized for gilts fed 1.04 and .94% digestible lysine (1.25 and 1.15% total lysine, respectively) from 75 to 90 lb and from 90 to 160 lb, respectively. These data are similar to …

Among-Breed Estimates Of Heritability For Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, And Mature Cow Weight (1994), K.M. Andries, R.R. Schalles, D.E. Franke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data from a rotational crossbreeding study was used to calculate among-breed heritabilities of birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), and mature cow weight at 5 years of age. The among-breed estimates were higher than previous within-breed estimates because of the inclusion of genetic differences between breeds. Maternal effects for BWT and WWT also were calculated. These estimates allow for comparisons among breeds and for the eventual calculation of EPDs for hybrid cattle.

Restricting Calf Presence Without Suckling Shortens Postpartum Interval To First Ovulation (1994), D.P. Hoffman, Jeffrey S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The suckling interaction between a cow and her calf is one of the factors that maintains a cow in postpartum anestrus (the period between calving and the beginning of first estrous cycle). Anestrus continues if the cow perceives that her calf is attempting to nurse, even when the mammary glands have been denervated or removed. Cross-fostering of an alien calf to a cow fails to maintain postpartum anestrus, indicating that cow-calf recognition is also a factor. We restricted calves so they could nuzzle the cow's head and neck but could not suckle. Compared with weaning calves 1 wk postpartum, restriction …

Puberty And Breeding Performance Of Beef Heifers Developed At Different Rates Of Gain (1994), J. Ernest Minton, Robert T. Brandt Jr., C.M. Coughlin, R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crossbred heifers (546 lb initial body weight) were developed in drylot and limit-fed a corn, corn silage diet to gain .5 (n = 14), 1.0 (n = 15), 1.5 (n = 14), or 2.0 lb/d (n = 15) from Dec. 7, 1992 until the onset of the breeding season, May 3, 1993. Actual daily gains averaged 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.1 lb/d, respectively. Age at puberty was not affected by feeding treatment. At the onset of the breeding season, nutritional treatment had a linear effect on body condition score, ribeye fat thickness (both P<.01), and reproductive tract score (P<.05), all increasing with increasing rate of gain. Nutritional treatment had a quadratic effect on pelvic area (P<.05), which averaged 190.6, 201.6, 206.5, and 205.3 cm2 for heifers fed to gain .5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 lb/d, respectively. At the conclusion of the development period, estrus was synchronized, and heifers were inseminated artificially at estrus for 45 days and, if open, mated naturally for another 17 d. Overall pregnancy rates were similar among heifers fed to gain .5, 1.0, and 1.5 lb/d (92.9, 93.3, and 92.9%, respectively), and all tended to be greater (P<.09) than the rate for heifers fed to gain 2.0 lb/d (66.7%). In summary, NRC recommendations underestimated gain of limit-fed heifers at lower predicted rates of gain. Thus, even though heifers fed to gain only .5 lb/d had lower body condition scores and reproductive tract scores at the onset of the breeding season, their actual body weight gains (1.0 lb/d) were sufficient for normal onset of puberty and subsequent conception. In addition, heifers fed to achieve relatively high rates of gain (2.0 lb/d) during development may have had impaired fertility.

Effect Of Lactic Acid Sprays On Shelf Life And Microbiological Safety Of Beef Subprimals (1994), R.K. Prasai, L.E. Mease, L.R. Vogt, Donald H. Kropf, Daniel Y.C. Fung, Curtis L. Kastner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Beef loins were sprayed with 1.5% lactic acid either before or after vacuum storage, both before and after vacuum storage, and before vacuum packaging followed by a water spray after storage. We stored treated loins at either 30EF or 36EF for up to 126 days in vacuum packages. Nonsprayed or nonstored loins served as controls. Total aerobic plate counts (APCs) and tests for presence/absence of two important foodborne pathogens, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, were conducted during storage. Acid spraying prior to vacuum packaging was more effective in reducing bacterial contamination than spraying after storage. However, counts were reduced (P<.05) for only 28 days of storage. Most loins stored at 30EF had lower APCs than those stored at 36EF. Salmonella was not detected in any samples. Twenty-eight percent of nonacid treated and 4 percent of acid-treated loins were positive for Listeria spp. with L. monocytogenes found from one nonacid-treated loin. No change in visual color was observed in acid-treated loins. Appropriate timing of acid s praying in combination with lower storage temperature can improve the keeping quality and microbial safety of meat.

Use Of Oxyrase® Enzyme To Enhance Recovery Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 From Culture Media And Ground Beef (1994), H. Thippareddi, K. Kone, Randall K. Phebus, Daniel Y.C. Fung, Curtis L. Kastner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that has caused great concern in the meat and food industry during the last few years because of several, well-publicized, disease outbreaks, including the incident at the Jackin- the-Box fast food chain in Seattle, Washington. The organism can cause severe sickness and even death in certain population groups. To better assure meat safety, federal meat inspection is focusing on developing rapid methods to detect this disease agent and others. Oxyrase is a commercially available enzyme that can accelerate the growth of some bacteria. Current techniques for isolation and culturing of E. coli O157:H7 from …