Life Sciences Commons^™

Pig Husbandry Research In Western Australia, N W. Godfrey

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

IN the past it has not been possible to undertake research work with pigs on any appreciable scale in Western Australia.

A small herd has been maintained at Denmark Research Station for some years as a demonstration side-line unit, run in conjunction with the dairy herd.

A number of very useful trials have been carried out with the Denmark herd, but its size has limited the comprehensiveness of the type of research work that could be undertaken.

Practical Disease Prevention In The Pig Herd, R B. Richards

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

DISEASES cause loss in pig production through mortality, poor growth rate and reduced food conversion efficiency.

The cost of drugs and expert advice causes further economic loss, and the dangers to public health and to other livestock in a community are serious and often-neglected considerations.

Breeding Better Pigs, B M. Goss

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

IN the past, pig breeders have tended to select animals on physical characteristics, many of which have little or no relevance to economy of production.

Selection techniques now available open up the possibility of improved pig production efficiency.

Meteorological Factors Controlling The Emergence Of The Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Scaphiopus Holbrooki Holbrookii Harlan, Larry Judy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Scaphiopus holbrooki holbrookii, the Eastern Spadefoot, can exist in an area for many years before it is detected. Its apparent scarcity can be explained by its secretive, fossorial habitat, protective coloration, and nocturnal behavior. Spadefoots are present at the surface locally in small numbers on any one night. They emerge only when conditions are optimum. One authority has suggested that temperature, moisture, and barometric pressure exert control over emergence.

It was the purpose of this research to discover the most important meterorological parameters and investigate how they control the behavior of Scaphiopus.

Initially the response, emergence to breed was distinguished …

Sorghum Grain, Urea Or Soybean Meal As A Protein Source In All-Concentrate Cattle Finishing Rations, G.A. Greathouse, R.W. Swanson, E.F. Smith, L.I. Smart, B.E. Brent

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Results of previous similar research have been reported in Kansas Agicu1tural Experiment Station Bulletins 483, 493, 507, and 518. Trials at several research centers and here have shown that roughage may be satisfactorily omitted from finishing rations for cattle often, reducing feed required per pound of gain. Cattle nay be finished on all-grain diets with only mineral and vitamin supplements when the grain has sufficient protein.

Identical Twin Cows On Winter Bluestem Pasture Used To Measure The Value Of Supplemental Feed And Of Vitamin A, G.A. Greathouse, R.W. Swanson, E.F. Smith

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two pairs of identical twin heifer calves were grazed together on bluestem pasture from 1961 until 1968. During the two winters, 1961-63 each ones daily supplement was 1 pound of ground sorghum grain, 1 pound of soybean oil meal, 20,000 I.U. of Vitamin A and 0.05 lb. of dicalcium phosphate. Salt was always available. The third winter {l963-64}, as bred two year olds, one of each pair was randomly selected to continue receiving the winter supplement, the other to receive only salt and bluestem pasture. They were pastured together, and those fed were separated each morning during the winter to …

An Evaluation Of Heatmount Detectors In Beef Cattle Under Range Conditions, A.R. Singh, G.H. Kiracofe, R.R. Schalles

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kamar heatmount detectors were used last spring on 45 Polled Hereford cows 3 to 12 years old. Bulls ran with the cows. Most cows became pregnant, which lessened observations as the breeding season progressed. Detectors were placed on rumps with adhesive according to directions. Generally, the front edge of the detector was farther to the rear on heavier cattle than on lighter cattle.First observation was May 28, 1968. Observations then were made weekly for 9 weeks, by checking for presence or absence of detectors. All cows that lost detectors or had the detector activated were palpated rectally to determine if …

Effects Of Winter Nutrition Level On Cow And Calf Performance, R.R. Schalles, C.L. Drake, G. Kiracofe

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Cow and calf performance under four winter nutritional levels was evaluated, using 61 purebred Polled and high grade Hereford cows randomly allotted to obtain approximately equal pregnant and open cows in each group. The cows were 1.0 be 4.5 years old, except for two older ones. Average calving date was mid April. Forty-five live calves were born. They were weighed within 24 hours after birth and at monthly intervals from June to November calf was born dead. Cows were weighed each month and rotated among four native bluestem pastures during the entire year. All calves were graded and weaned at …

Carcass Evaluation Procedures Compared (1969), Donald H. Kropf, J L. Bergkamp, J N. Berroth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study compared various methods of evaluating carcasses. Data from 57 barrows on feeding trials for a barrow contest at the 1968 Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson were used.The barrows went on test weighing approximately 50 pounds each and were taken off feed individually at 200- 220 pounds, held off feed over night and slaughtered at the Kansas State University Meats Laboratory. Live weight was determined immediately before slaughter and carcass weight, after a 24-hour chill. Cutting time ranged from 24 to 120 hours post-mortem.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, September 25, 1969

Two Causes Of Reduced Profit From Pigs, G A L Ward

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

LOSS of condition in a pig affects profits more severely than slow rate of growth.

Two common symptoms, scouring and itching, cause weight loss and are followed by a period of reduced weight gain.

Simple And Complex Pig Starters Compared (1969), B A. Koch, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Baby pigs have the ability to grow rapidly and efficiently. Creep rations at an early age enhance their potential. Most commercial creep rations contain feedstuffs to increase palatability and acceptability. Are these ingredients necessary or will rather simple starters produce similar gains? Five starters were compared, varying from a simple corn-milo- soybean meal ration to a ration containing several palatability aiding ingredients--from 10 days of age to weaning at 28-35 days; and from 6 weeks to 10 weeks of age.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, September 25, 1969

Ddvp (Shell Dichlorvos) For Weanling Pigs (1969), B A. Koch, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Recent reports indicate that a low level (25 parts per million of active ingredient) of 2,2 dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) increases growth of weanling pigs. The trial reported here was designed to measure such response in pigs from Dichlorvos-fed sows and also in pigs from sows not receiving Dichlorvos during late pregnancy.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, September 25, 1969

Nutritive Value Of Forages As Affected By Soil And Climatic Differences, F.G. Clary, B.E. Brent, D. Richardson, Evans E. Banbury, C.W. Spaeth, A.B. Erhart, D.W. Arnett, Fred W. Boren, H.B. Perry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Wintering and finishing performances of beef steers have been compared at Colby, Garden City, Manhattan and Mound Valley. When feeds were grown locally, cattle at Garden City and Colby outperformed those at Manhattan and Mound Valley (Bulletin 507, 1967). Since all cattle were of the same origin, differences were credited to the climate and/ or feed composition. In 1968-9 (trials 5 and 6), cattle were fed at all locations on feed produced at Garden City. During the wintering phase in trial 5, cattle at Colby and Garden City significantly outgained those at Mound Valley (P<.0l). Performance at Manhattan was intermediate. In trial 6, table 18, during wintering, steers at Manhattan gained faster (P<.01) than those at Colby or Garden City but not those at Mound Valley. Finishing gains did not differ significantly in either trial. Results of the last two tests being more uniform than results of the previous four indicates some of the differences are from the site where the feed is produced.

Different Methods Of Managing Bluestem Pastures, E.F. Smith, Clenton E. Owensby, B.W. Swanson, J.D. Mckendrick

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This experiment was to determine the effect of increased early summer stocking and burning on cattle performance, productivity of pastures and range condition as determined by plant population changes. Early stocking at twice the normal rate for the first half the growing season was tried hoping for more gain per acre and cattle ready for dry lot finishing at midsummer. If grass recovers the last half of the season, it could be "mined" the first half when highest in nutritive value.

Protein Synthesis In The Rumen: Ruminal Urease Inhibition By Acetohydroxamic Acid, A. Adepoju, F. Portela, B.E. Brent

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When urea is fed to ruminants, it is immediately converted to ammonia by an enzyme, urease. The ammonia usually becomes available faster than rumen bacteria can convert it to protein. Studies were reported last year (Bulletin 518) on attempts to slow down, or inhibit urease with acetohydroxamic acid. This year effects of acetohydroxamic acid on rumen ammonia, and volatile fatty acid levels in both sheep and cattle have been studied. In both, rumen ammonia was depressed for about 4 hours after feeding, and rumen fluid urea levels were increased, showing that urease was inhibited. Ammonia data for the steers showed …

Swine Fever And African Swine Fever, V W. Smith

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

PIGS may become infected by viruses which also cause disease in other animals (for instance foot-and-mouth disease) but there are two virus diseases worthy of special mention because they cause clinical disease in pigs only.

The Western Australian Pig Industry, P Mcnamara

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

A look at the pig industry in Western Austrailia.

Housing Pigs, P Mcnamara

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

THERE are many designs for pig houses and much will depend on individual circumstances which is best in any particular case.

Disposal Of Effluent From Piggeries, P Mcnamara

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

ONE of the major problems associated with an intensive piggery is the disposal of the effluent; the nearer the piggery is to urban areas, the greater the problem.

Profitable Bacon Production In A Small Herd, B M. Goss

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

PIG HERDS are tending to become larger and more specialised, but it is still possible for the small herd of less than 20 sows to absorb by-products and spare labour very profitably.

These advantages can be lost if the scale is larger.

Home Mixing Or Purchased Feeds?, P Mcnamara

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

FEED is the largest single cost in pig production, so any saving which can be made will be of major importance.

Low-Level Antibiotics In Growing-Finishing Swine Rations (1969), B A. Koch, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The new K-State facilities for growing-finishing swine seemed ideal to re-evaluate various antibiotics as low-level feed additives. The first trial reported here was with the first pigs fed in the new barn. They also were the first farrowed in the new farrowing house, and the first raised in the new nursery. The trials were designed to: (1) compare rations with and without an antibiotic at a low level, (2) various antibiotics and combinations of antibiotics and (3) to determine the need for extra feeder space.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, September 25, 1969

Lysine Supplementation For Growing-Finishing Swine Rations (1969), B A. Koch, Robert H. Hines

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The protein level and protein quality of swine rations consisting primarily of grain can be changed by adding either protein like soybean meal or individual amino acids like lysine. Protein requirements are based on individual amino acids that compose the protein. Amino acid most lacking in grain proteins is lysine, so lysine is the most limiting amino acid in growing-finishing rations made up primarily of grain. Feeding trials reported here were designed to: (1) compare corn and sorghum grain, (2) determine the value of 0.1% of lysine added to the ration, (3) compare performance of barrows and gilts and (4) …

Influence Of Feeding Practices And Season Of Birth On Calf Performance, A.R. Singh, R.R. Schalles, W.H. Smith, F.B. Kessler

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The ability of beef cows to produce heavy, vigorous and good quality calves every year is one of their most important economic traits. Feeding practices have been reported to influence average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weight. We evaluated creep-feeding, noncreep-feeding, season of birth, and other factors that affect preweaning performance of calves. At the Fort Hays Branch Experiment Station, Hays, Kansas, purebred sires had been used many generations in the grade Hereford herd. Calves, born in both spring and fall, were randomly allotted to creep-fed and noncreep-fed groups every year. Cows and calves grazed native pastures.

Effect Of Weaning Ration On Reproductive Phenomena In Beef Cows On Range, G.H. Kiracofe, R.R. Schalles, G.B. Marion

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Data are available to indicate proper wintering rations for beef cows under dry lot conditions, but few are available under range management for Kansas. This is our first attempt to determine adequate winter rations for reproductive efficiency in Kansas and to notice reproductive inefficiencies for future study.

All-In-One High Energy Sorghum Silage Compared With And Without Antibiotic And Conventional High Energy Sorghum Silage For Feedlot Steers, L.I. Smart, C.L. Drake

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research done here in 1967 and 1968 indicated that adding a complete supplement to forage as it was ensiled gave results equal to using soybean meal at the time of feeding. The research continued to improve the complete silage. Previous work indicated that low levels of antibiotics increased bacterial growth and improved cellulose digestion in vitro. Therefore, two levels of antibiotics were tested in all-in-one silage ensiled and fed during 1968 and 1969.

Cow Weight And Preweaning Performance Of Calves, A.R. Singh, R.R. Schalles, W.H. Smith, F.B. Kessler

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The influence of cow weight at parturition and during the lactation on preweaning performance of calves was evaluated. Hereford cattle at the Fort Hays Branch Experiment Station were used. Purebred sires had been used many generations in the herd that produced the calves. The calves were born January through April. Cows and calves grazed native pastures without creep feed. Heifers were bred to produce first calves when about three years old. All male calves were castrated by one month of age. Calves were weighed and identified within 24 hours after birth and were again weighed at weaning. They were weaned …

The Value Of Dehydrated Alfalfa And Delayed Grain Fed To Young Cows On Winter Bluestem, B.W. Swanson, E.F. Smith, D. Richardson, C.L. Drake

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This test was to compared the following three winter treatments for young cows on bluestem pasture. Treatment 1 -- One pound of soybean oil meal and 2 pounds of ground sorghum grain per head daily during the entire winter feeding period. Treatment 2 -- One and a half pounds of soybean meal fed per heifer daily until 50 days before the feeding season ended, then ground sorghum grain was fed. The same total amount of sorghum grain as fed under treatment 1 throughout the winter was concentrated during the last 50 days with the soybean oil meal discontinued when grain …

History Of The State Vermin Barrier Fences, Formerly Known As Rabbit Proof Fences, J S. Crawford

Research Reports

There is evidence of rabbits arriving in Australia as far back as 1788, and it is well known that others were liberated on islands around the coast, including some off the coast of Western Australia. However, they remained localised and it is now generally accepted that the rabbits which did spread originated from a small shipment of the wild type brought on the Clipper “Lightning” in 1859. They were released on “Barwon Park”, the property of Thomas Austin, near Geelong in Victoria, and within three years, had reached pest proportions

Effect Of Pre-Slaughter Withdrawal From Feed On Cattle Fasted For Varying Lengths Of Time, T. Carr, Dell M. Allen, P. Phar, R. Cox

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feedstuffs pass through cattle in approximately four days; however, steam-flaked rations may have a faster rate of passage. How much value do cattle derive from feed fed the last few days prior to slaughter, particularly cattle taken directly from feedlot to slaughter plant? Cattle that have been shrunk kill more easily than those with full intestinal tracts. Perhaps withdrawing cattle from feed 1, 2, or 3 days before they are slaughtered would economically benefit both feeder and slaughterer.