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Genetic Parameter Estimates For Reproductive Traits Of Male And Female Littermate Swine, R. O. Bates, D. S. Buchanan, R. K. Johnson, R. P. Wetteman, R. W. Fent, L. K. Hutchens

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Reproductive traits of purebred and crossbred pigs produced in a four-breed diallel mating system using the Duroc, Landrace, Spotted and Yorkshire breeds were collected for five consecutive farrowing seasons (two farrowing seasons/year) beginning in fall 1976. Paternal half-sib heritabilities and genetic correlations for testicular traits (120 boars from 36 sires), serum testosterone (TE) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations before and after treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 131 boars from 37 sires) and breeding performance traits (151 boars from 38 sires) were estimated. Heritability estimates were generally small to moderate except for sperm/gram testis (SGT), LH concentrations before (LH0) and …

"1985 (Twenty-Eighth) Fall Occurrence Report," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1986) 54(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

Two hundred eighty-five species (plus the possibility that the Empidonax species was one not listed) from eleven "full-time" locations and eight "spot check" locations are listed in this report. Comparable figures for previous years are 278 from 12 locations in 1984, 262 from 10 locations in 1983, and 269 from 10 locations in 1982.

The information is presented in a rough west (left) to east (right) order, with locations of about the same longitude listed with the northernmost first. Two dates indicate the first and last records for the period.

Efficacy Of A Carbon Monoxide Gas Cartridge Against Field Rodents, Deng Zhi, Zhao Wu Chang

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Efficacy data of a gas cartridge are reported. The gas cartridge contains 50 g of potassium nitrate (27.5 g, 55%) mixed with sawdust (22.5 g, 45%). When ignited, it generates large amounts of carbon monoxide (avg. 23.46%) and carbon dioxide (avg. 26.26%). A mimic field trial was carried out on a winter day. The air temperature averaged 1.2°C, ranging from -3.3°C to +5°C. Sixteen adult albino rats were killed within 3 minutes exposure in a man-made burrow system, 200 cm long, with an inside diameter of 8 cm.

Field trials were conducted in different parts of China, and there were …

Results Of Eight Years' Examination Of The Habitats Of Residual Urban Norway Rat Populations After Eradication, Daniel Bajomi, Katalin Sasvari

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

In Budapest (population 2 million) 33 out of 100 buildings were rat-infested in the early seventies. Thus general deratization was decreed to cover the whole of the city in 1971 to 1972. As a result of the global eradication method applied, the rate of rat-infested premises could be reduced below 0.5% annually. After control the sparsely occurring rats could freely choose any of the habitats released for settling. The habitats of Budapest most preferred by Norway rats are presented after a wide-ranging investigation carried out over 8 years. Our examination data support and in some cases reveal the requirements of …

Protection With Vexar Cylinders From Damage By Meadow Voles Of Tree And Shrub Seedlings In Northeastern Alberta, Ronald W. Pauls

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Vast areas of land will require reclamation and reforestation following oil sands development in northeastern Alberta. Greenhouse-grown tree and shrub seedlings used in reforestation may be clipped or girdled by meadow voles, especially during periods of high population density. The impact of partial girdling, the most common form of damage, varies among species. Reduced survival rates in seedlings girdled over as little as 50% of their circumference and reduced growth rates in seedlings girdled over as little as 25% of their circumference, have been noted. Plastic mesh cylinders (tradename Vexar) have proven effective in preventing seedling damage and durable in …

Development And Validation Of A Dynamic Model Of Growth And Quality For Cool Season Grasses, W. F. Brown, Lowell E. Moser, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A daily time step model simulating growth and quality of cool season grasses was developed and validated for smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) under varying environmental and management conditions. Growth predictions are based upon genetic potential, environmental temperature, leaf area, soil moisture, and nitrogen fertilization rate. Daily potential growth rate is a composite of two functions—one relating grass species maximum growth rate to minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures for plant growth, and another relating daily minimum and maximum air temperatures to time. Multipliers are developed for available leaf area, moisture, and nitrogen, and the minimum of these values modifies …

"Book Reviews," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1986) 54(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

From Laurel Hill to Siler's Bog: The Walking Adventure of a Naturalist. John K. Torres, 228 pp., 6.25 x 8.25, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C. Flexibound, $12.95.

Bird Conservation 2, Stanley A. Temple, editor, 182 pp., 6 x 9, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wis. No index, $17.50 cloth, $12.95± paper.

Aviary Birds in Color, Frank Woolham, 176 pp., 6 x 7.75, Blandford Press, UK, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, paperbound, $7.95.

"Notes," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1986) 54(1).

Nebraska Bird Review

CORRECTION TO CRESCENT LAKE ITEMS. Mark J. Heisinger's name was misspelled in the Crescent Lake items in the December issue -- NBR 53, pages 53 and 80 (twice), and Kevin J. Brennan was misspelled the first time mentioned on page 72.

HERON ROOKERY. When South Sioux City pilot Gene Martin flew over an area of mature cottonwoods along the Missouri River, near Homer, Neb., on 15 June 1985 he spotted about 30 heron nests in the tree tops. This was near the Thurston Co. line. The following morning Art Huser, of Sioux City, Iowa, and I located the rookery from …

Nebraska Bird Review (March 1986) 54(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Treasurer's Report.................2

1985 Christmas Count.................3

1985 (Twenty-eighth) Fall Occurrence Report .................7

Notes .................16

Hybrid Blue bird Update.................26

Book Reviews .................27

Common Black-headed Gull in Nebraska.................28

Approximating Prediction Error Variances For Multiple Trait Sire Evaluations, S. A. Greenhalgh, R. L. Quaas, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The coefficient matrix for multiple trait (milk, fat, and protein) mixed model equations may be too large to obtain prediction error variances from inverse elements. The commonly used reciprocals of diagonal elements may not be accurate approximations when sire relationships or multiple traits are included since much information is contained in off-diagonal elements. Approximations incorporating increased information from coefficient matrix were compared with actual prediction error variances for multiple trait evaluations for milk, fat, protein, and dollar value (relationships included) of 229 Ayrshire and 248 Brown Swiss bulls. Six approximations were selection index using number of daughter records, inverses of …

Genetic Change In Milk Yield Estimated From Simultaneous Genetic Evaluation Of Bulls And Cows, L. Dale Van Vleck, R. A. Westell, J. C. Schneider

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Genetic trend for milk yield in the artificially sired Holstein population in the northeastern United States was estimated from solutions for simultaneous genetic evaluations of bulls and cows for an animal model using mixed model equations and including all known relationships among the population by years of birth of 1960 to 1980 (1978 for bulls). First lactation milk records of 1,074,971 artificially sired cows sired by 6000 bulls in 20,065 herds were used. Averages of estimated genetic value by year of birth were similar from solutions after 10, 20, and 30 rounds of iteration of the mixed model equations. The …

Two New Species Of Dyscinetus From The West Indies And South America (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Dyscinetus imitator is described as new from Grand Cayman Island, West Indies, and D. ornaticaudus is described as new from Colombia.

The Probe, Issue 60 - February 1986

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
FEBRUARY, 1986
National Wool Grower’s Convention
Animal Rights
Toxic Collar
Trapping Figures
Red Fox and Ducks
Letters to Ye Ed
The Coyote
Master Trapper of the Year
What do Coyotes Eat?
Do-it-Yourself Skunk Control
Killer Beavers
Audubon Society

Wpa News 11 (1986), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (February 1986), number 11

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Development Of The Concept Of Inferential Validity, David Moshman, Bridget A. Franks

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

An argument is valid if its conclusion necessarily follows from its premises, regardless of whether the premises and conclusion are empirically true or false. This research tested the hypothesis that understanding validity of inference (including its differentiation from empirical truth) is a relatively late development. Students in Experiment 1 were asked to sort sets of deductive arguments. None of the fourth graders used validity as a basis for distinguishing arguments, while 45% of the seventh graders and 85% of the college students did so. Experiments 2 and 3 explored whether the dramatic age difference could be narrowed by (a) varying …

Regulation Of Gonadotropin Secretion In The Male: Effect Of An Aromatization Inhibitor In Estradiol-Implanted, Orchidectomized Dogs, C. Awoniyi, T. Hasson, V. Chandrashekar, R. E. Falvo, B. D. Schanbacher

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Testosterone is aromatized to estradiol in both peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. Various authors have suggested that this conversion in the male may be prerequisite for the regulation of gonadotropin secretion by testosterone. Previously, it was reported that inhibition of central nervous system aromatase caused a significant increase in plasma LH in the presence of physiologic testosterone levels (Winter et a!, 1983). In order to confirm whether aminoglutethimide, the aromatase inhibitor used in our previous study, either blocked aromatization, or the action of estradiol, the following study was conducted. Fifteen male mongrel dogs were equally divided into three …

4. Future Directions For Educational Achievement And Ability Testing, Nancy S. Cole

The Future of Testing

Forecasting future directions is at best a risky business. Few can claim to see with confidence the shape of things to come. In addition, the issues related to the future directions of educational achievement and ability testing are broad and numerous. They range from such important, but difficult to forecast, areas as the national mood toward education and educational accountability, legislation and the political arena, and court rulings to theoretical and technological advances. However, instead of providing a survey of possible futures resulting from these diverse and numerous potential influences, this chapter focuses on two areas of overriding importance in …

Breed Use And Crossbreeding In Goat Production, Maurice Shelton

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

A large portion of the world's 400+ million head of goats cannot be identified as belonging to a specific breed or well defined genetic type. A common definition of a breed might be group of animals which are reasonably distinct and true breeding, can be identified by a name or term and which have an association to maintain and promote the breed. Of the latter requirement is dropped there would still be hundreds of breeds or genotypes of goats on a world basis. Certainly time, space and information available does not permit attempting to treat all of these in this …

Breeding Objectives And Selection Traits For Extensive Beef Cattle Production In The Tropics, D. J. S. Hetzel, G. W. Seifert

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Breeding objectives are largely determined by market requirements. In the tropics the overall breeding objective can be considered in terms of growth, reproductive rate, carcass quality, adaption and temperament. Growth rate is a simple efficient selection trait. Reasons why potential increases in mature size are not as disadvantageous as in temperate areas are discussed. Reproductive performance has been less important in harsh than benign environments because of the later age of turnoff and higher drought risk of fertile cows. Current market trends towards younger slaughter stock highlight the need to identify marker traits in bulls for cow fertility. Adaptive traits …

Comparison Of Five Dam Breeds Under Two Nutritional Environments, C. E. Thompson, S. G. Woods, S. E. Meadows

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Crossbreeding has become an accepted practice for beef cattle production. Hybrid vigor or heterosis of crosses among breed of English origin, such as Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn have been well documented. Crosses utilizing breeds of European and dairy breeding have not been well documented for beef production, particularly in the Southeastern part of the United States. As most of the Southeastern U.S. is heavily involved in one-calf programs an evaluation of crossbreds involving the use of British, European and dairy breeding is needed. This study is a portion of a comprehensive research project evaluating the performance of 5 dam breed …

Comparison Of Reproduction Ability Of The So Called "World" Fertile Breed Of Sheep In Large And Small Concentrations, Bora Cumlivski

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

To ascertain reproductional abilities of the following imported fertile breeds: Romanov/from USSR/, Finnish/Finland/, Eastfriesian/GDR/ reared and kept in Large and small concentrations.

Development Of A New Synthetic Prolific Kine Of Sheep (Inra 401), L. Tchamitchian, C. Lefevre, C. Brunel, B. Bibe, G. Ricordeau

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

After a first comparison of various prolific breeds crossed with Barrichonne du Cherre (BC), successive generations of Romanov × BC crossbreds were studied on experimental flock, in a second comparison. There was no difference among generations F-1 to F-4 regarding essential factors of numeric productivity in ewes. The INRA 401 dam line originated in the resulting population, which has appeared to be stable in main production traits. Since 1980, it has been subjected to a closed flock selection for prolificacy and milk production. Meanwhile, rams have been used on farms for intra-flock replacement of F-1 ewes. There is no difference …

Economic Evaluation Of Breeding Objectives For Milk And Beef Production In Tropical Environments, F. E. Madalena

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

The influence of some elements of tropical milk production systems on breeding objectives is discussed. Expansion of demand for milk and meat should be expected from increased population and income growth. Relative commercial value of milk fat may be strongly influenced by government policies regulating to proportion of liquid milk consumed. Calf production is an integral part of cow performance under the common practices of hand milking and suckling. Milk letdown may be an important trait for milking in modern dairy parlours. Experimental economic evaluations have referred mainly to comparisons of breeds and crosses, indicating that European × zebu crosses …

Empirical Validation Of The Dominance Model For Beef Cattle, D. D. Kress, D. E. Doornbos, D. C. Anderson

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Data from 770 records of Hereford, 25% Simmental - 75% Hereford, 50% Simmental - 50% Hereford and 75% Simmental - 25% Hereford cows were used to evaluate whether breed group means for maternal traits agreed with expectations based on the dominance model. Cows were managed consistent with practices for western range environments. Cow breed group was significant for 17 of the 18 traits studied. The measure of goodness of fit of the breed group means to the dominance model was the R² value associated with the linear regression of breed group means on proportion of Simmental for the first …

Evaluation And Utilization Of Tropical Breeds For Efficient Beef Production In The Tropics: Challenges And Opportunities, Assefaw Tewolde

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Crossbreeding results between tropical breeds and European beef breeds as well as within breed (mainly Zebu) genetic variability for some economically important traits is reviewed. Heterosis of between 9% to 11% has been reported for preweaning growth rate, 2% to 11% for postweaning and carcass traits as well as up to 15% for reproduction related traits in crosses involving Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle. Maximum heterosis was observed in crosses involving Zebu and Criollo cattle, both well adapted to the tropics. Within breed genetic parameter estimates under tropical conditions are still scanty. Based on the production environment and after …

Evaluation Of Beef Cattle Industry Breeding Programs, Keith Hammond

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

A critical evaluation of existing beef cattle breeding programs should include such criteria as: definition of desired genetic changes in performance, breeding value estimation procedures used and accuracy of selection criteria, intensity of selection applied, use of additive differences between breeds and of non-additive variation, maintenance of genetic variability, realised genetic trends and return on investment. Each major production- marketing environment should be treated and correct account take of the industry structure. Such a study would undoubtedly highlight any inadequacies in the essential information. To extend the study to adequately cover all major beef industries would be an enormous task. …

Evaluation Of Crossbreeding Systems For Preweaning Traits In Beef Cattle, M. D. Macneil, L. V. Cundiff, K. E. Gregory, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Data from a four-generation crossbreeding experiment with Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn cattle were analyzed. Individual, maternal, and grand-maternal additive and heteroic effects on the composite trait of calf weight weaned per cow exposed to breeding and its component traits were evaluated. The parameter estimates were than used to project performance at equilibrium under rotation crossbreeding. The average of two-breed cross rotations is expected to increase calf weight weaned per cow exposed by 18 percent above the average of the three straight breeds. The three-breed cross rotation is expected to increase calf weight weaned per cow exposed by 23 percent above …

Evaluation Of Dairy Cattle Breeding Programs: Specialized Milk Production, L. D. Van Vleck

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Milk recording, artificial insemination and computers have given the dairy cattle industry and effective combination of tools for genetic improvement. Selection theory (Robertson and Rendel, 1950) indicates that annual gains of 1.5 to 2.0% of the mean should be possible.

The dairy industry is also fortunate that one trait, milk production (used as a general term for yield of milk, fat and protein), is of primary importance. Another advantage is that no intermediate optimum for milk production is obvious--more and more seems to be profitable--in contrast to the situation for most traits of most livestock.

With these advantages for making …

Breeding Beef Germ Plasm Composites To Fit Special Environments, Gary Conley

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

A long term breeding program has been designed to take advantage of the heterosis available in a six breed composite while developing a cow which can reproduce on crop residue. A controlled natural selection method has been developed for those reproductive traits which did not lend themselves to objective measurement. Reproductive efficiency and feed conversion will always be desirable traits in beef cattle. Intensive selection pressures were applied to the above traits during the initial generations of crossing to form the composite. Culling rates of 70% were used in the initial and backcross generations. The effectiveness of selection has been …

Feed Intake Specifications In Defining Breeding Objectives, D. R. Notter

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production: 3rd (1986)

Development of selection objectives for beef cattle requires consideration of the available feed resources. In production systems with access to liberal quantities of harvested feeds of relatively high quality, selection to improve economic efficiency will normally favor animals with high genetic potentials for the primary production traits. However, these highly productive types may also have relatively high maintenance requirements and be less efficient when nutrient restrictions prevent expression of genetic differences in appetite. This, important genotype × environment interactions may be observed. In range environments, animals may be restricted in the amount of forage that can be harvested. These restrictions …