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Canned Hunts--Canned Cruelty

Close Up Reports

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Urea On The Conformation And Chain Flexibility Of Chitosan Molecules With Various Degree Of Deacetylation, Rong Huei Chen, Jeun Hwang Lin, Toshiro Tsaih

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

Chitosans with various degrees of deacetylation (DD) were prepared from red shrimp (Solenocera prominentis). DD of chitosan was determined by infrared spectrum. The effect of urea on the conformation and chain flexibility of chitosan molecules with various DD was studied. The results show: 1) The intrinsic viscosities of chitosan solutions containing 4 M urea were higher than those without urea addition. It indicated the chitosan molecules in solutions containing urea have higher hydrodynamic volume than that without urea. It may due to urea increasing the intramolecular hydrogen bond formation. 2) The persistence lengths of chitosan molecules were longer in solutions …

Surviving Disasters

Close Up Reports

No abstract provided.

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).

Awassi Fat Tails : A Chance For Premium Exports, Fiona Sunderman, Michael Johns

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

Most prople have heard of the Awassi, even if they have never seen one. This unique breed of fat tail sheep, imported into Astralia in 1987, was released from quarantine for commercial development nearly 12 months ago. Its supporters believe Awassis could form the basis of a high-value export industry while replacing imports. Developments over the next few years will test its potential and should result in the Awassi playing an important role in an increasingly diversified Australian farming scene.

Ai : Artificial Insemination Of Sheep, David Windsor

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

Artificial insemination (Al) is used widely in the dairy and beef industries and often performed by farmers themselves. By contrast, sheep breeders generally require assistance from vets when frozen semen is to be used. However, recent experiments with frozen semen are indicating that do-it-yourself Al may soon become a reality.

Lupin Stubbles : Getting The Best With Weaner Sheep, Keith Croker, Colin Mcdonald, Jeremy Allen

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

Sweet lupins are now grown on about a million hectares in Western Australia each year. If half of the State's seven million weaners were grazed as recommended on half of the lupin stubbles, it could generate about $15 million from reduced supplementary feeding, greater wool production and other advantages. But correct management is important, particularly knowing when to take weaners out. Research by the Department over the last five years is now indicating how this should be done.

Beef Farms : Thriving Profits To Expensive Lifestyles, Bevan Kingdon, Greg Sawyer

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

Low wool prices in the last few years have stimulated interest in beef production in many areas of the State. Market sales at $500 and above for vealers sound attractive, but profitability of farms varies greatly. A BeefFarm Survey conducted by the Department of Agriculture has some interesting preliminary findings. Based on fairly modest returns for the operator's time, some farms are actually losing rather than making money on their beef enterprise, although potential profits are sizeable with good management. Interestingly, the biggest farms are not always the most efficient.

New Lamb Marketing Opportunities, Tim Marshall

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

The changes to the future operations of the Western Australian Meat Marketing Corporation will provide increased opportunities for prime lamb producers.

In summary, these changes are the removal of acquisition from the domestic market while retaining it for lambs destined for export, and the establishment of the Corporation as a single desk seller on the export market.

This should result in increased domestic consumption of lamb, less reliance on lower priced export markets, a change in the type of lamb produced, and a reduction of imports of lamb from the Eastern States.

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 …

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.

Estrus And Early Pregnancy In Sows Weaned At Less Than 11 Or More Than 23 Days: Effects Of Vitamin A And Gonadotropin Treatments (1994), S Tonn, P Groothius, B Boese, R Blair, Duane L. Davis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The problem of reduced reproductive performance in sows weaned at 5 to 11 days (early weaned) after farrowing was assessed by comparing estrous and embryonic traits in these sows and others weaned at 23 to 31 days postpartum. The effects of treatment of both groups of sows with PG600 and vitamin A also were studied. PG600 increased the number of sows in estrus regardless of weaning age and reduced the interval from weaning to estrus for early-weaned sows. Both vitamin A and PG600 tended to increase the number of embryos recovered at 11.5 days after the onset of estrus.; Swine …

Strategies For Small Dairy Farmers To Be Profitable And Competitive In The Future (1994), B. Cropp

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Profitable dairying will not become any easier in the future. Farm level milk prices will continue to be volatile. The government will not provide additional price or income support to dairies. Long-run milk prices will be either flat or perhaps even trending slightly lower. Average annual milk prices will be in the range of $12.00 to $13.25 per hundredweight. Dairy producers must be able to generate adequate net income at these milk price levels. Smaller dairy operators need to find means of being cost competitive with the larger operators. Without question, smaller producers can be profitable in the decade ahead …

Roughage Levels And Comparison Of Mixed Rations Vs Self-Feeders In Whole Shelled Corn Finishing Programs, C.T. Milton, Robert T. Brandt Jr., S.A. Shuey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two trials were conducted to evaluate roughage levels in whole shelled-corn finishing diets and to compare use of self-feeders to a total mixed ration in a whole corn program. In trial 1, steers were fed whole corn diets alone or with 4 or 8% roughage or a rolled corn diet with 8% roughage. Increasing the roughage level increased dry matter in take, feed required per unit of gain, and carcass weight and finish, and reduced the incidence of liver abscesses. Despite better feed efficiency and lower costs of gain, reducing the dietary roughage level reduced profitability because of lighter slaughter …

Effect Of Morning Vs Evening Feeding Of Limit-Fed Holsteins During Summer Months, Robert T. Brandt Jr., Christopher D. Reinhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Thirty-eight Holstein steers (avg 339 lb) were grouped into four weight blocks, with two pens per block. Within each block, cattle in one pen were fed at 8:00 a.m. and those in the other at 8:00 p.m. All cattle were limit-fed to achieve a programmed rat e of gain of 2.2 lbs/d using NRC net energy equations. The trial lasted from July 13 through September 6, 1993. With the same quantity of feed, cattle fed in the evening gained 18% faster than cattle fed in the morning (P<.02) resulting in better feed efficiency for the evening-fed cattle (P<.06). Average high temperature for the 56-day period was 88F, average low temperature was 69 ÌŠF, average relative humidity was 73%, and average wind speed was 1.8 mph. Feed tended to be consumed within a 3-hour period, regardless of time of feeding. Because the effective ambient temperature frequently rose above the upper critical temperature for cattle (77 ÌŠF), animals needed to expend energy to dissipate excess heat. These results indicate that cattle limit-fed during the summer may utilize metabolizable energy more efficiently if allowed to ferment the bulk of their feed during the cooler hours of the evening.

The Effect Of Feeding Different Levels Of Aureomycin® In A Mineral Mixture To Stocker Cattle Grazing Native Grass, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two hundred and forty-three mixed breed steers were allotted to four treatments with two pastures per treatment. Treatments consisted of a free-choice mineral supplement alone or with Aureomycin® added to provide 150, 300, or 450 mg/hd/day. Gain was similar for all four treatments. The percentage of cattle with eye problems was reduced in pastures where 150 and 450 mg of Aureomycin were consumed daily; however, the incidence in the 300 mg/hd/day group was as high as in the control group.

Implanting Suckling Heifer Calves: Growth And Subsequent Performance, D.D. Simms

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 361, suckling, heifer calves was used over a 2-year period to assess the effects of implanting with either Ralgro® or Synovex-C® on growth and subsequent performance as replacement females. Both implants increased (P<.01 ) weaning weights over that of controls, with the weight increase being retained by yearlings. Pelvic area also was increased at 1 year of age by both implants, with Synovex-C producing larger (P<.01) pelvic areas than Ralgro. However, just prior to calving, body weight and pelvic area were similar among treatments. Uterine scores, cycling activity prior to breeding, percentage exhibiting estrus, and pregnancy percentage were similar for all treatments. Implanting tended to reduce first-service conception rates. Synovex-C implanted heifers calved later (P<.05) than Ralgro-implanted heifers and, consequently, their calves tended to be lighter at weaning. Levels of calving difficulty we r e similar for all treatments. In summary, implanting suckling heifer calves at 2-4 months of age will increase growth rate, but this research indicates some potential for reduction in reproductive performance.

Agronomic Traits And Growing Cattle Performance For Whole-Plant Corn And Forage And Grain Sorghum Silages, B.S. Dalke, R.N. Jr. Sonon, D.L. Holthaus, L. Pfaff, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Agronomic and cattle performance traits were measured for the following silages produced in 1992: irrigated Pioneer 3377 corn, ensiled with or without Biotal® silage inoculant; DeKalb 42Y grain sorghum; and Cargill 200F, Pioneer 947, DeKalb FS-5 and FS-25E, and Northrup King (NK) 300 forage sorghums. All sorghums were grown under dryland conditions. The irrigated corn had the highest whole-plant dry matter (DM) and grain yields, and NK 300 and DeKalb FS-5 had the highest whole-plant DM yields among the sorghums. NK 300 also had the highest grain yield among the sorghums; DeKalb FS-5 and FS-25E had the lowest. Steers fed …

Evaluation Of The Potential Of Supplements To Substitute For Range Forage, S.D. Stafford, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, J.O. Fritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Thirteen, ruminally fistulated, Angus x Hereford, yearling steers were used to evaluate the effect of feeding different types and amounts of supplements on t h e likelihood of observing a substitution of supplement for range forage. Steers had ad libitum access to low-quality range forage and were fed a supplement comprised of sorghum grain (SG) and soybean meal (SBM ) that contained 18% CP (SG/SBM 18%), a SG/SBM supplement that contained 36% CP (SG/SBM 36%), long-stem alfalfa hay (18% CP), or alfalfa-pellets (18% CP) in amounts that provided .05, .10, and .15 % BW o f CP/day. In general, supplementation …

Relationships Between Lignin Content And Fermentability Of Intact And Chemically Treated Big Bluestem Fiber, 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, 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.

Breed Effects And Retained Heterosis For Growth, Carcass, And Meat Traits In Advanced Generations Of Composite Populations Of Beef Cattle, K.E. Gregory, L.V. Cundiff, R.M. Koch, M. Koohmaraie, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Retained heterosis for growth, carcass, and meat traits was estimated in F3 generation steer progeny in three composite populations finished on two levels of dietary energy density (2.82 MCal ME and 3.07 MCal ME, and 11.5 % CP) and serially slaughtered at four endpoints at intervals of 20 to 22 days. Breed effects were evaluated in the nine parental breeds of Red Poll (RP), Hereford (H), Angus (A), Limousin (L), Braunvieh (B), Pinzgauer (P), Gelbvieh (G) , Simmental (S), and Charolais (C) that contributed to the three "˜composite' populations. MARC-I was l/4 B, l/4 C, l/4 L, l/8 H, and …

Alcohol- And Water-Extracted Soy Protein Concentrates For Early-Weaned Pigs (1994), L L. Burnham, M R. Cabrera, I H. Kim, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 72 weanling pigs (average initial wt of 7 lb and 10 d of age) was used in a 38-d growth assay to determine the nutritional value of alcohol- and water-extracted soy protein concentrates. Pigs were sorted by sex, weight, and ancestry and assigned to 12 pens with six pigs/pen. The soy preparations were fed in a nursery regimen with Phase I (d 0 to 10), Phase II (d 10 to 24), and Phase III (d 24 to 38) diets. Pigs and feeders were weighed at initiation and conclusion of each phase, with fecal samples collected on d …

The Effects Of Increasing Dietary Lysine In The Phase Iii Starter Diet On Growth Performance Of Segregated Early-Weaned Pigs (1994), K Q. Owen, J R. Bergstrom, K G. Friesen, J W. Smith Ii, B T. Richert, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred forty-four high-health, high-lean growth barrows were used to determine the dietary lysine requirement to maximize growth performance from 40 to 75 lb. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block, with blocks established on initial weight. Prior to the start of the study, pigs were fed a common Phase II diet (1.4% lysine) for 14 d. After the 14 d acclimation period, pigs were allotted to each of six dietary treatments, ranging from .75 to 1.25% digestible lysine (.91 to 1.49% total dietary lysine). Pigs were housed in pens of four, with six replicate pens per treatment. …

Influence Of Dietary Methionine On Body Weight Gain And Composition In High-Lean Growth Gilts Fed From 100 To 240 Lb (1994), K G. Friesen, K Q. Owen, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, John A. Unruh

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred-fourteen high-lean growth gilts (initial wt of 100 lb) were used to determine the level of digestible methionine required to optimize growth performance and carcass characteristics from 100 to 240 lb. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with blocks based on initial BW. Three pigs per pen and six pens per treatment were used. Gilts were fed a corn and soybean meal-based diet containing .21, .24, .27, .30, .33, or .36% digestible methionine (.25 to .425% total methionine) in both the grower and finisher periods. The grower diet (fed from 100 to 165 lb) was formulated …

Comparison Of Lactation Diets Containing Various Protein Sources On Sow And Litter Performance (1994), Steven S. Dritz, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 188 lactating sows was used in Exp. 1 to determine the influence of a complex lactation diet containing oats, linseed meal, and alfalfa meal compared with a corn-soybean meal diet on sow and litter performance. No differences in sow and litter performance were observed. Therefore, a simple corn-soybean meal diet was adequate 10 maximize sow productivity. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows by parity was also examined in Exp. 1. The ADFI of parity 1 sows was considerably lower than that of parity 3 sows, but litter weaning weights were similar. Thus, lactation diet formulation should …

Kansas State University Swine Enterprise Record Summary (1994), B T. Richert, Michael R. Langemeier, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Approximately 15 swine operations are enrolled in the 1993 to 1994 Kansas Swine Enterprise Record Program provided by Kansas State University. This program evaluates biological and economic performance and is part of a cooperative record-keeping project with extension personnel and swine producers in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Records are summarized every 6 months, and the corresponding data are pooled to form state and regional averages. This summary includes the combined data for the 38 farrow-to-finish operations in the three-state region. The semi-annual data represent the first 6 months of 1994, whereas the annual data are for the 12-month period …

Mix Time Affects Diet Uniformity And Growth Performance Of Nursery And Finishing Pigs (1994), S L. Traylor, Keith C. Behnke, C R. Stark, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of mix time on diet uniformity and growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. For Exp. 1, 120 weanling pigs (average initial body wt of 12.1 lb) were used in a 27-d growth assay. The same Phase I diet (pelleted) was fed to all pigs for 7 d postweaning, then the pigs were switched to Phase II diet treatments for d 7 to 27. Treatments were mixing times of 0, .5, 2, and 4 min per 1,000 lb batch of complete feed in a double-ribbon mixer. From d 7 to 27, ADG …

Effect Of Chelated Trace Minerals On Nursery Pig Growth Performance (1994), B T. Richert, L J. Kats, D E. Nuzback, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 442 weanling pigs (initial age and wt of 22 d and 14.4 lb, respectively) was used on a commercial farm in northeast Kansas to evaluate growth performance with diets containing a chelated trace mineral premix or an inorganic trace mineral premix. Minerals evaluated in the premixes provided 16.5 ppm Cu, 165 ppm Fe, 40 ppm Mn, and 165 ppm Zn. For the inorganic trace mineral treatment, the mineral sources were copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide, and zinc oxide. The chelated trace mineral premix had the following fractions of these minerals provided as amino acid chelates: 109.7% …

Influence Of Oats And Oat Products In Phase I And Ii Diets On Growth Performance Of Weanling Pigs (1994), M M. Rantanen, M R. Cabrera, L L. Burnham, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritional value of oats and oat products in diets of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 115 weanling pigs (avg initial body wt of 12.4 lb and avg age of 19 d) were used in a 38-d growth assay. Treatments were 1) a corn-soybean meal-based control, 2) ground oats, 3) oat groats, and 4) oat flour. Phase I diets were formulated to 1.55% lysine, and at d 10 postweaning the pigs were switched to a Phase II diets formulated to 1.3% lysine. At d 24 postweaning, all pigs were changed to a sorghum-based Phase …