Life Sciences Commons^™

The Hsus: Helping Animals

Close Up Reports

No abstract provided.

Saving The Dolphins

Close Up Reports

Victories and a new threat

Puppy Mills Exposed

Close Up Reports

Thousands of dogs, unloved, starving, ill-housed; thousands of puppies, shipped like so much merchandise at too young an age; thousands of consumers, unknowingly buying sick dogs: these are the grim truths of the puppy-mill trade.

Getting The Best Out Of Weaner Sheep In The Eastern Wheatbelt, Sally Revell

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

A study of the growth of Merino weaner flocks over summer and autumn in Western Australia 's eastern wheatbelt during 1989 and 1990 has identified efficient weaner management strategies, and provided a basis for future research and extension needs of this area. The average liveweight of several weaner flocks was unexpectedly low at the start of summer. Weaner flocks may need to be supplemented before the start of summer to prevent undue weight loss at this time.

The Wokalup Beef Cattle Selection Experiment, Alan Lymbery, Mick Carrick, Patrick Donnelly

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

The aim of the Department of Agriculture's long-term beef cattle selection experiment at Wokalup is to examine the effects of selection for faster-growing cattle on biological traits that may influence the productivity of a commercial beef herd. Selection lines were established from Hereford and multibreed cattle in 1977. Twelve years of selection have produced an increase in growth rate to weaning of about 120 g per day in both lines. About 40 per cent of this increase is the result of permanent genetic improvement.

We plan to compare these characteristics in cattle from the selection lines with cattle that have …

Reproductive Performance Of Female White-Tailed Deer On Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Thomas A. Nelson

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Aspects of the reproductive biology of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge were investigated by examining the reproductive tracts of 121 deer harvested during the 1985-90 archery seasons. The presence of corpora albicantia in yearlings suggested that 27% of female fawns conceived, producing a mean of 1.0 ova/breeding fawn. Pregnancy rates among yearlings and adults averaged 94% and 97%, respectively. Ovulation rates averaged 1.4 and 2.0 ova/female among yearlings and adults. Some females were ovulating in early-October, but the earliest conceptions occurred during the last week of October. The peak breeding period for yearlings and …

Observations On The Natural History Of The Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus Turcicus (Sauria: Gekkonidae) In Northwest Arkansas, Mark A. Paulissen, Thomas M. Buchanan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, is a small nocturnal lizard introduced into the U.S. A stable population on the campus of Westark Community College in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas represents the northernmost U.S. population presently known. We report data on microhabitat usage, feeding behavior, reproduction, and activity patterns. This gecko is active on the outside of buildings during warm months of the year and occasionally inside buildings during the winter. It is most abundant on buildings with many crevices that are used as daytime retreats. It avoids direct illumination of artificial light and usually perches at heights greater than …

Animal Production From Tagasaste Growing In Deep Sands In A 450 Mm Winter Rainfall Zone, Chris Oldham, Greg Allen, Peter Moore, Bruce Mattinson

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

In 1985, Martindale Pty Ltd, Sir James McCusker's family company, signed a unique research contract with Professor David Lindsay of the University of Western Australia. The aim of the Martindale Research Project was to study ways of increasing farm productivity in the sheep-wheat zone of south-western Australia. A primary focus was the high cost of grain or hay used to fill the autumn feed gap in grazing systems.

However, it was not clear how or if tagasaste might be economically used to replace the grain and/or hay traditionally fed by hand to sheep and cattle in autumn.

New Technique Joins The Fight Against Footrot, Laurie Depiazzi, Mike Palmer, David Pitman

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

The diagnosis of footrot in sheep and goats is not an easy task. Two main techniques are used for diagnosis - inspection of diseased feet on a farm and laboratory testing of bacteria isolated from foot scrapings. The interpretation of the results obtained by these methods requires a good understanding of the various forms of footrot.

A new laboratory technique has halved the time taken to detect those strains of the bacterium, Bacteroides (Dichelobacter) nodosus, that cause each form of the disease.

Survey Of The Damage Caused To Trees By Goats, Steve Gherardi, Dick Mills, Tim Johnson

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

The damage that goats can cause to trees is one of the major problems associated with their farming in the agricultural areas of Australia. It is also considered one of the main hindrances to the development of the goat industry. The Department of Agriculture s Goat Industry Development Unit surveyed mohair and cashmere producers to determine the prevalence of tree damage and its extent and severity; why producers believed goats damaged trees; and how producers minimised or prevented this damage.

The Productivity Of Western Australia's Wheat And Sheep Industry, Tim Coelli, Ross Kingwell

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

A popular economic lament is that Australian industries and workers are not as productive as they should be. Politicians and economic commentators preach the need for productivity improvement and workplace reform, and criticise inefficiency and lack of endeavour. Can such criticism be fairly levelled at farmers and agricultural scientists? What is productivity and how is it measured? What is the productivity of Western Australia's main agricultural industry — wheat and sheep farming? This article addresses these questions and shows that our wheat-sheep industry can be moderately proud of its productivity record

Using Goats To Control Weeds, John Peirce

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

Feral goats are common in the woodland and tall shrubland areas of arid Australia. They survive and reproduce despite regular shooting, capture and droughts. These goats are considered vermin in Western Australia because of their competition with sheep for forage and their reputation as destroyers of vegetation. Research elsewhere, however, has indicated that it is only the uncontrolled grazing by large numbers of goats that causes degradation, in the same way that uncontrolled grazing by sheep can cause erosion. To some people, however, feral goats are a valuable source of income. They have the potential for meat sales, and they …

Phomopsis-Resistant Lupin Stubbles As Feed For Weaner Sheep, Colin Mcdonald, Keith Croker, Jeremy Allen

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

The breeding of sweet, narrow-leafed lupins with increased resistance to Phomopsis leptostromiformis, the fungus that causes lupinosis in sheep, is a breakthrough for the summer nutrition of weaner sheep. The new resistant varieties, Gungurru for the medium (325 to 450 mm) rainfall areas and Yorrel for low rainfall areas (less than 325 mm), were released by the Department of Agriculture in 1988.

This article discusses progress in a four-year project which is examining liveweight and wool production of weaners grazing Gungurru stubbles.

Supplementary Feeding Of Weaner Sheep At Esperance, Julian Gardner, Peter Doyle

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

Cereal grains, particularly barley, have been the usual supplement fed to weaner sheep during summer and autumn along Western Australia's south coast. This area is a major barley producer, and weather-damaged and other feed quality grain have a ready use. High protein lupin seed, and to a lesser extent silage, have gained wide acceptance recently as alternative supplements. This article discusses the results of the first two of a series of supplementary feeding experiments at Esperance Downs Research Station.

The Effect Of Processed Soybeans And Added Energy In Calf Starters On The Growth Of Holstein Calves (1991), P. V. Reddy, J. L. Morrill

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Trial 1, 91 Holstein calves were fed starters containing either soybean meal (SBM), extruded soybeans (ESB), roasted soybeans (RSB), SBM+soy oil (SO), or SBM+rumen inert fat (RIF) from birth to 10 wk of age. There were no differences in overall feed consumption, except that calves fed RSB consumed more than calves fed SBM+SO. There were no significant differences in weight gains, but calves fed SBM+SO tended to gain less. In trial 2, 71 Holstein calves were fed starters containing roasted soybeans from birth to 10 wk of age. Three of the starters contained 18% protein and soybeans roasted at …

Extrusion Processing Of Low-Inhibitor Soybeans Improves Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs Fed Protein-Adequate Diets (1991), A J. Lewis, P G. Reddy, D B. Jones, M A. Giesemann, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred fifty weanling pigs (15.4 lb avg initial wt) were used in a 35-d growth assay to determine the effects of processing method (roasting in a Roast-A-Tron roaster vs extrusion in an Insta-Pro extruder) on nutritional value of soybeans with (+K) and without (-K) gene expression for the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor. Treatments were: 1) soybean meal with added soybean oil; 2) +K roasted; 3) +K extruded; 4) -K roasted; and 5) -K extruded. All diets were corn-based and formulated to 1.25% lysine for d 0 to 14 and 1.10% lysine for d 14 to 35 of the experiment. For …

The Effect Of Supplemental Fat And Lysine On Finishing Pig Performance And Carcass Characteristics (1991), K G. Friesen, R C. Thaler, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred and sixty pigs averaging 127.4 lb were used to determine the benefit of 5% supplemental fat and (or) .20% lysine on growth performance and carcass characteristics. The trial consisted of four treatments: 1) a .61 %, lysine milo-soybean meal control diet; 2) control + 5% fat; 3) control + .20% lysine; 4) control + 5% fat and .20% lysine. Lysine:metabolizable energy ratios were held constant at 1.91: 1 for treatments 1 and 2 and at 2.52: 1 for treatments 3 and 4. Pig weights and feed consumption were recorded every third wk to calculate average daily gain (ADG), …

Trees And Livestock : A Productive Co-Existence, Richard Moore

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

Trees, as part of farming can help to combat land degradation problems and produce a good economic return from timber at the same time. For example, there is now clear evidence that planting trees can help combat salinity by lowering water-table levels. Trees can also substantially improve overall farm productivity by providing shelter for pastures and livestock. The challenge is to find practical and economical methods of integrating trees and farming. A combination of widely-spaced trees and livestock is one promising method. This article describes the benefits of this type of agroforestry to farmers, suitable locations and how to practice …

Veterinary Consultancy Boosts Piggery Profits, Ashley Mercy

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

A pilot Pig Herd Health Management Scheme co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture has stimulated much increased involvement of veterinarians in the Western Australian pig industry. Co-ordinated by Ashley Mercy, principal veterinary officer (epidemiology) horn 1985 to 1989, the scheme demonstrated the value of having regular visits from veterinary consultants and in implementing programs to prevent disease and production problems occurring in herds.

Effects Of Porcine Somatotropin Administration And Its Duration On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Swine Fed To 280 Lb (1991), M E. Johnston, B R. Schricker, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Robert H. Hines, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred eight barrows with an initial weight of 120 lb were utilized to determine the effects of porcine somatotropin (PST) administration period and duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing swine fed to 280 lb. Pigs were injected daily in the extensor muscle of the neck with either a placebo or 4 mg pST. Treatments included: (A) placebo injection from 120 to 280 lb; (B) pST injection from 120 to 280 lb; (C) pST injection from 120 to 230 lb and then placebo injection from 230 to 280 lb; (D) placebo injection from 120 to 230 lb …

Effect Of Replacing Milk Proteins With Wheat Gluten And Soybean Products On Digestibility Of Nutrients And Growth Performance In Nursery Pigs (1991), B T. Richert, J L. Morrill, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of processed wheat gluten for early-weaned pigs. The first experiment involved 72 weanling pigs with an avg age of 20 d and avg wt of 9.2 lb. Six diets were fed to the pigs in individual metabolism cages. Protein sources were casein, flash-dried wheat gluten, spray-dried wheat gluten, two solubilized wheat glutens, and soybean meal. Response criteria were N digestibility, biological value, and N retention. Casein had greater N digestibility, biological value, and N retention than the other protein sources. The wheat gluten products had greater N digestibility than soybean meal. …

Ksu Lean Gain Assessment Program (1991), G L. Keeler, Michael D. Tokach, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

KSU Lean Gain Assessment is a new program developed at Kansas State University to allow producers to assess the actual lean gain of their pigs under normal farm conditions. The procedure is inexpensive and relatively simple and provides information that will assist producers in monitoring their genetic progress. Additionally, farm-specific diets can be formulated to match nutrient levels with the actual genetic potential of pigs on an individual farm.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 21. 1991

Binding Agents For Low-Salt, Low-Fat, Restructured Beef Roasts: Connective Tissue Or Gelatin, P.B. Kenney, Donald H. Kropf, Curtis L. Kastner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Connective tissue, from the outside of three major chuck muscles, was evaluated for binding properties when incorporated either raw or following preheating into precooked, restructured beef. Food-grade gelatin was also evaluated as a binding agent. Adding 10% raw or preheated connective tissue increased (P<.05) instrumentally measured tensile strength and reduced (P<.05) juiciness perception. One percent gelatin reduced (P<.05) cook yields and increased (P<.05) tensile strength but not to the degree of 10% raw or preheated connective tissue. Preheating had minimal effects on improving connective tissue utility. Based on the improvement in bind and cook yields, use of connective tissue as a binder is feasible in manufacturing low-salt, precooked, restructured beef.

Kansas Steer Futurities: An Economic Analysis Of Retained Ownership And A Summary Of Cattle Performance From 1974-1988, D. Simms, J. Mintert, A. Maddux

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The performance, carcass characteristics, and economic data from over 6,200 steers entered in Kansas Steer Futurities from 1974 through 1988 were summarized to evaluate production trends and profitability. The steers' delivery weights, final weights, and frame scores increased over the 14-year period, while daily gain was essentially unchanged. The quality grade, fat thickness, and yield grade all decreased slightly. Ribeye area increased slightly, but ribeye area per unit of carcass remained constant over the years. Based on the delivery weight of the steers, price, normal production relationships, and estimated production costs, we estimate that net returns over cash costs for …

Top Spoilage Losses In Horizontal Silos In Western Kansas, J.T. Dickerson, G. Ashbell, L. Pfaff, K.K. Bolsen, B.E. Brent, J.E. Bradford, R.L. Smith

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The top 3 feet from 30 horizontal silos was sampled at three depths to determine top spoilage losses, using ash content as an internal marker. When compared to face samples, corn and forage sorghum silages exhibited similar additional organic matter (OM) losses in the top 18 inches. In the top 18 inches, covering silage reduced spoilage losses of OM from 41 to 27 percentage units compared to uncovered counterparts. Covering corn silage reduced spoilage losses of OM from 49 to 31 and 9 to 1 percentage units in the top and second 18 inches, respectively. Similar reductions in OM losses …

Effects Of Crop Species On Indigenous Microflora And Of Silage Additives On The Microbial Succession During The Ensiling Process, C. Lin, R.A. Hart, K.K. Bolsen, J.T. Dickerson, B.E. Brent

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study considered the effects of crop species (alfalfa vs. corn) and silage additives on six categories of indigenous microorganisms (those naturally occurring on the crop) important to silage fermentation, and on the microbial succession during the ensiling process. The numbers of streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and molds, lactate-using yeasts, and carbohydrate- fermenting clostridial spores were higher on corn than on alfalfa. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) comprised less than 2% of the total microbial populations on both crops. Alfalfa treated with Biomate® inoculant and the combination of dextrose and Biomate showed higher LAB counts than the control and dextrose treatments …

Influence Of Supplemental Fat And Monensin Plus Tylosin On Performance And Carcass Traits Of Finishing Steers, Robert T. Brandt Jr., J.K. Elliott, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Interactions between supplemental fat (3.5%) and monensin plus tylosin (25 plus 10 g/ton, respectively) on animal performance and carcass traits were evaluated in a 125-d finishing trial. Interactions on feed consumption (P=.07) and feed efficiency (P=.11) suggested that the ionophore response was diminished in the presence of supplemental fat. Steers fed monensin plus tylosin had a lower (P=.005) incidence of liver abscesses whether fat was fed or not, indicating that supplemental fat had no effect on tylosin activity.

Performance Of Mid-Lactating Dairy Cows Fed A Grain Sorghum-Soybean Silage Base Diet (1991), H. Hartadi, L. Harbers, John E. Shirley, K. Bolsen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Whole-plant silage from intercropped grain sorghum and Williams 82 soybean was compared to corn silage in a mixed diet for mid-lactation dairy cows. Cows fed the grain sorghum-soybean silage yielded 45.13 lb and those fed corn silage yielded 44.05 lb of fat (4%)-corrected milk daily. Milk yield, milk fat, and milk lactose percentages were similar between cows fed the two silages. Protein and solids non-fat percentages for the cows fed the corn silage diet were .09 and .06 units greater than those of cows fed the grain sorghum silage. Cows fed the corn silage tended to gain more (+105.8 lb) …

Effect Of Feeding Rumen-Escape Lipid To Postpartum Beef Heifers, C.W. Peters, L.R. Corah, R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feeding .25, .5, or 1 lb/d of rumen-escape lipid in a range supplement to beef heifers after calving resulted in increased calf weight gain and milk production at 70 d postpartum compared to control or feeding 2 lb daily. As level of rumen-escape lipid increased, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides also increased when measured after 14 and 28 d of lipid feeding. The interval from parturition to standing estrus generally was longer as level of rumen-escape lipid increased. It appears that intermediate levels (.25, .5, or 1 lb/d) of rumen escape lipid can enhance milk production and calf weight gain; however, …

Seasonal Performance Of Finishing Steers, J. Mintert, Michael R. Langemeier, Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Analysis of 10 years of closeouts from a western Kansas feedlot demonstrated that steer performance exhibits significant seasonal variation. Steers weighing 700 to 800 lb when placed on feed in September through December had feed conversions roughly 12% higher than those placed in March and April. Although feed conversion varied seasonally, dry matter feed intake varied much less, causing daily gain to mirror feed conversion. Gain was seasonally highest for steers placed in March and April and lowest for those placed in September through December. Cattle feeders should consider these variations in seasonal performance, as they develop profit projections for …