Agribusiness Commons^™

The Effect Of Stress On Livestock And Meat Quality Prior To And During Slaughter, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

The effects of stress on cattle, pigs and sheep prior to slaughter are reviewed. Long-term preslaughter stress, such as fighting, cold weather, fasting and transit, which occurs 12 to 48 hours prior to slaughter depletes muscle glycogen, resulting in meat which has a higher pH, darker color, and is drier. Short-term acute stress, such as excitement or fighting immediately prior to slaughter, produced lactic acid from the breakdown of glycogen. This results in meat which has a lower pH, lighter color, reduced water binding capacity, and is possibly tougher. Psychological stressors, such as excitement and fighting, will often have a …

Problems With Kosher Slaughter, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

Ritual slaughter to produce kosher meat is rooted in the teachings and writings of the Talmud. However, the preslaughter handling features of modern systems, particularly the shackling and hoisting of large steers, contravene the basic message of humaneness included in the teachings. The throat-cutting of a live, conscious animal is relatively pain-free, provided that certain precautions are followed, but U.S. kosher plants need to install newly developed conveyor-restrainer systems to eliminate the abuses of shackling and hoisting. Conveyor-restrainer systems for large and small animals are discussed.

Grain Transportation Problems In Nebraska: Causes And Cures [Proceedings Of The Nebraska Grain Transportation Seminar], Dale G. Anderson, Dean Linsenmeyer, Michael S. Turner

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

The Nebraska feed grain and soybean harvest of 1979 was one which will not soon be forgotten by those who participated in its production and marketing. Yields and production broke all previous records. Record export demands for the crop placed record service requirements on transportation and handling systems. Record movements of grain from farms to elevators and to inland and export terminals were reported. At the same time, complaints of inadequate capacity to store and transport the grain were perhaps also of all-time record proportions. Corn and milo accumulated in open piles on farms and at country collection points. Problems …

Grain Crop Variety Trials Western Australia 1978-1979, H. M. Fisher, G. B. Crosbie

Grain and other field crops research reports

The regional crop variety testing programme conducted by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture covers the final two stages of a four stage process of evaluating locally produced crossbreds and introduced material comprising:-

Plant Breeder Trials

Stage 1: Initial small plot yield tests on early generation material - 1 to 3 sites. Stage 2: Small plot yield tests on selected material (F5 derived) - 3 to 4 sites.

Regional Testing Programme

Stage 3: Large scale preliminary trials - 9 to 10 sites. Stage 4: Large scale final yield trials - 40 to 50 sites.

The basis of the regional programme …

Department Expands Market Information Service, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Following recent expansion, the Department of Agriculture's Market Information Service now provides an impressive array of services, and more are on the way.

Economic Impact Of Railroad Branch-Line Abandonments: Results Of A Southcentral Nebraska Case Study, Dale G. Anderson, Floyd D. Gaibler, Mary Berglund

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Some 249 miles of Nebraska rail line have been abandoned since 1963; another 310 miles are in contention at abandonment proceedings. The abandonment of these and other lines could have serious economic implications for grain elevators, farmers, and rural communities.

Track abandonment is occurring during a time of rapid expansion in the grain industry. U. S. corn and grain sorghum production increased more than 40 percent during the decade ending in 1973. Exports of these commodities increased 157 percent during the same period. Increases in grain production and exports, along with a shorter harvest season, are placing great strains on …

The Effect Of Straw On The Behaviour Of Sows In Tether Stalls, D. Fraser

Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection

The behaviour of sows in tether stalls with and without straw was studied in two experiments. Sows lay down more when 1 kg of straw was provided daily, especially when it was chopped and mixed wet with the food (dietary effect). Sows without straw performed a variety of stereotyped oral and other activities which were greatly reduced by the provision of loose straw that could be chewed and manipulated throughout the day (recreational effect). Sows were frequently seen standing or sitting motionless with the head drooping, probably in a state of drowsiness. This behaviour was virtually eliminated by full straw …

Mp25 The Problem Of Freight Car Supply, John Richard Felton

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

As early as 1907 the Interstate Commerce Commission held extensive hearings on freight car shortages. At frequent intervals ever since, Congress and the commission have addressed themselves to the problem of freight car supply with considerable vigor but meager results. Allegations of an inadequate supply of freight cars have been widespread in recent years. The decline in the number of freight cars is easy to document: between 1959 and 1968, the number of cars used in grain transport (boxcars and covered hopper cars) declined by 26%. If, however, consideration is given to changes in car capacity and car miles …