Variations in the carotene and vitamin A contents of Queensland butterfat

Butter samples were submitted at fortnightly intervals in 1954 and 1955 from 12 dairying centres, predominantly in south-eastern Queensland. Each sample was representative of cream supplies received at the particular butter factory at the time of sampling. The marked seasonal variations in the total vitamin A potency of butterfat may be related to the stage of lactation and to other factors which affect production in the dairy cow. Variations do not appear to be a function of the level of carotene in the pasture ingested by the grazing animal

Vitamin A in poultry. A survey of liver vitamin A reserves in fowls and their relationship to disease

The results of a survey of the vitamin A reserves in fowls in Queensland are presented. The fowls were those from commercial flocks submitted for diagnosis of various diseases. Liver storage of vitamin A was used as the criterion. Of the 313 fowls examined from 162 commercial flocks, 16 per cent. were vitamin A deficient. This high percentage indicates that vitamin A deficiency is still a major cause of economic loss in commercial flocks in Queensland

Evaluation of meat-and-bone meals in rations for growing chickens. 1. Effect of varying levels of blood and bone

Meat-and-bone meals prepared by blending in various proportions the three ingredients in commercial products, namely blood, soft tissues and bone, were tested in practical rations for growing chickens. All rations were balanced for crude protein, calcium and phosphorus. Chickens were reared for 53 days

Evaluation of meat-and-bone meals in rations for growing chickens. 3. Effect of cooking time in the preparation of meat-and-bone meal and effect of added tallow in poultry rations

A meat-and-bone meal was subjected to processing conditions, classified by the manufacturer as undercooked, normally cooked, and overcooked. A multi-factorial design was used in an experiment to examine the effect of these products on the growth rate and food conversion ratio (FCR) of replicate groups of male and female chickens. Treatments were the three meat-and-bone meals fed with and without additional tallow in two types of rations-broiler-type rations (B rations) containing 7% meat-and-bone meal and rations containing a high level of 26 · 5% meat-and-bone meal (HMB rations). Each type of ration was balanced for crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, and chickens received these rations for 8 weeks

Evaluation of meat-and bone meals in rations for growing chickens. 2. Effect of blood meal as a partial replacement for meat-and-bone meals

Blood meal was examined in two experiments as a partial replacement for meat-and-bone meal in rations fed to chickens from one to eight weeks of age. Two meat-and-bone meals, differing markedly in quality, were tested and blood meal was used in increments of 1 per cent. up to 5 per cent. All rations were balanced for crude protein, calcium and phosphorus

Hepatic vitamin A reserves in drought-stricken cattle

High vitamin A reserves (179-879 μg/ g) were recorded in liver samples from beef cows in a terminal stage of under-nutrition brought on by drought conditions. In these experiments there was a positive correlation between initial and final hepatic vitamin A reserves

Vitamin A in poultry. Effects of vitamin deficiency

The results of two trials to determine the effects of vitamin A deficiency on fowls and on their progeny are presented. The egg production of the vitamin A deficient groups was 23 per cent. lower than that of the vitamin A adequate controls when the deficiency was first established by liver analyses, 57 per cent. lower when lesions of the deficiency were first apparent by field examination, and finally production ceased. Egg production of pullets that were reversed after field evidence of vitamin A deficiency was established returned to normal two weeks after supplementation with vitamin A. Rearing mortality was 71 per cent. in progeny from deficient pullets when reared on a deficient ration, 41 per cent, in progeny from deficient pullets when reared on a sufficient ration, 17 per cent. in progeny from deficient pullets when reared on a heavily supplemented ration (5x sufficient), 25 per cent. in progeny from sufficient pullets when reared on a deficient ration, and 4 per cent. in progeny from sufficient pullets when reared on a sufficient ration. Most deaths occurred towards the end of the first week of life

Drought feeding studies with cattle. 5. The use of sorghum grain as a drought fodder for non-pregnant heifers

Four groups of 10 maiden Hereford heifers, approximately 16 months of age, were group-fed in bare yards for 26 weeks. All groups received crushed sorghum grain, supplemented with 1 per cent. ground limestone, at the rate of 3 lb per head per day. Daily feeding with and without a supplement of 0.5 per cent. sodium chloride added to the grain was compared with twice-weekly and weekly feeding without added salt. This experiment has indicated that 3 lb crushed sorghum grain supplemented with 1 per cent. limestone is a satisfactory drought fodder for maiden heifers confined in small yards

Seasonal fluctuations of hepatic vitamin A reserves in beef cattle grazing unimproved pastures

The hepatic reserves of vitamin A were determined in three groups of beef cows and calves grazing pastures throughout two consecutive years. Group differences in the hepatic reserves of vitamin A in calves were probably an effect of age

Effect of frequency of handling sheep on blood constituents, with special reference to potassium and sodium and the repeatability of the estimates

Of 18 blood constituents, only white cell, lymphocyte and eosinopil counts, plasma sodium, erythrocyte potassium and blood inorganic phosphorus showed significant changes due to frequent v. infrequent handling of Merino sheep. Of these, the blood inorganic phosphorus values showed the greatest change