Analysis of pig meat production with respect to different housing systems of pig

The research focused on two production systems of fattening pigs: conventional system (housing on cross - barred floor) and ecological system (housing on deep litter). Favorable climatic conditions for pig meat production, possibilities to produce cheaper food of better quality and great amounts of litter, are a good basis for making ecological pig production widely accepted by family farms. Ecological aspect of such production of pigs, along with its economic analysis will be key factors, which will influence pig producers in their choice of the most suitable technological solution. In comparison to the conventional way of keeping pigs, main advantages of pig housing on deep litter are cheaper building and equipping of pens, better effect on health conditions of pigs, as well as easier manipulating with manure. Following this context, the research objective was to analyze economic indicators of different pig production systems and to compare economic results obtained in conventional and ecological way of pig production. The research aim was to determine economic possibilities and to evaluate results of production systems in question, justifying their economic and social aspects.Economic Analysis, Conventional Production, Ecological Production, Livestock Production/Industries,

Effect of Vitamin E, Lutein, Selenium and Oil Mixture Added to Feed and Cooking Length on Yolk Color and Egg Quality

The aim of this research was to determine the quality of eggs laid by Tetra SL hens fed standard diet (B) or diet supplemented with 100 mg vitamin E/kg+200 mg/kg lutein+0.5 mg/kg selenium+5% oil mixture (BK). The effect of treatment was determined for yolk color values (P0.05). However, the treatment had statistically significant effect (P0.05)

Increase of the Lutein Content in Hens' Eggs

Lutein is a plant pigment that belongs to the xantophyll group of carotenoids. In nature it is widespread (prevalent) in green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens, lettuce) but also in peppers, tangerines, corn and egg yolk. Since it cannot be synthesized in the body it has to be taken with food. In human body lutein is concentrated in the retina and macula lutea and its content in those tissues rises with increased intake through food or supplements. It has antioxidant activity, protects eyes from high-energy blue light and helps in reducing the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Until now, lutein was used in poultry industry mostly for pigmenting broiler's meat and skin and egg yolk and lately there have been more studies whose goal is to increase lutein content in yolk and production of enriched, functional food. Although table egg is not the best source of lutein, studies have shown that its bioavailability in human body is higher from lipid matrix of yolk compared with lutein from vegetable sources or food supplements. The egg is highly nutritious food because it contains high-quality proteins with balanced amino acid composition, essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins necessary for proper functioning of the body and with increased content of lutein it becomes a value-added product. Addition of natural or synthetic sources of lutein in mixtures for laying hens enables the transfer of lutein through hen's metabolism into egg yolk. The increase of lutein content in yolk is noticeable already after one week of feeding the hens with modified mixtures although it takes a longer time for its content to be stabilized. Egg with increased content of lutein in yolk represents quality and accessible source of lutein in human nutrition. Consumption of enriched eggs contributes to increased intake of lutein as well as its accumulation in the human organism

Using 18O/2H, 3H/3He, 85Kr and CFCs to determine mean residence times and water origin in the Grazer and Leibnitzer Feld groundwater bodies (Austria)

Two groundwater bodies, Grazer Feld and Leibnitzer Feld, with surface areas of 166 and 103 km2 respectively are characterised for the first time by measuring the combination of δ18O/δ2H, 3H/3He, 85Kr, CFC-11, CFC-12 and hydrochemistry in 34 monitoring wells in 2009/2010. The timescales of groundwater recharge have been characterised by 131 δ18O measurements of well and surface water sampled on a seasonal basis. Most monitoring wells show a seasonal variation or indicate variable contributions of the main river Mur (0–30%, max. 70%) and/or other rivers having their recharge areas in higher altitudes. Combined δ18O/δ2H-measurements indicate that 65–75% of groundwater recharge in the unusual wet year of 2009 was from precipitation in the summer based on values from the Graz meteorological station. Monitoring wells downstream of gravel pit lakes show a clear evaporation trend. A boron–nitrate differentiation plot shows more frequent boron-rich water in the more urbanised Grazer Feld and more frequent nitrate-rich water in the more agricultural used Leibnitzer Feld indicating that a some of the nitrate load in the Grazer Feld comes from urban sewer water. Several lumped parameter models based on tritium input data from Graz and monthly data from the river Mur (Spielfeld) since 1977 yield a Mean Residence Time (MRT) for the Mur-water itself between 3 and 4 years in this area. Data from δ18O, 3H/3He measurements at the Wagna lysimeter station supports the conclusion that 90% of the groundwaters in the Grazer Feld and 73% in the Leibnitzer Feld have MRTs of 20 m) with relative thicker unsaturated zones. The young MRT of groundwater from two monitoring wells in the Leibnitzer Feld was confirmed by 85Kr-measurements. Most CFC-11 and CFC-12 concentrations in the groundwater exceed the equilibration concentrations of modern concentrations in water and are therefore unsuitable for dating purposes. An enrichment factor up to 100 compared to atmospheric equilibrium concentrations and the obvious correlation of CFC-12 with SO4, Na, Cl and B in the ground waters of the Grazer Feld suggest that waste water in contact with CFC-containing material above and below ground is the source for the contamination. The dominance of very young groundwater (<5 years) indicates a recent origin of the contamination by nitrate and many other components observed in parts of the groundwater bodies. Rapid measures to reduce those sources are needed to mitigate against further deterioration of these waters

ALLOMETRIC GROWTH OF TISSUES IN PIG HAMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of MHS genotype on growth and development of muscle and fatty tissue in pig hams. The investigation was performed on 72 barrows divided into 4 groups according to genotype (NN and Nn) and feeding regime (standard and intensive). The data for analyses were collected by MRT imaging; the coefficients of allometric growth were calculated using simple allometric function. The allometric growth coefficients of muscle and fatty tissue showed that muscle tissue grow proportionally with the increase of live weight (b≈1), while fatty tissue grow faster compared to the live weight increase (b>1). The differences in allometric growth coefficients calculated for muscle and fatty tissues in the hams of investigated pigs were not statistically significant between the feeding groups and between the genotypes either (P>0.05)

Improved understanding of dynamic water and mass budgets of high‐alpine karst systems obtained from studying a well‐defined catchment area

Large areas of Europe, especially in the Alps, are covered by carbonate rocks and in many alpine regions, karst springs are important sources for drinking water supply. Because of their high variability and heterogeneity, the understanding of the hydrogeological functioning of karst aquifers is of particular importance for their protection and utilisation. Climate change and heavy rainfall events are major challenges in managing alpine karst aquifers which possess an enormous potential for future drinking water supply. In this study, we present research from a high‐alpine karst system in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal in Austria, which has a clearly defined catchment and is drained by only one spring system. Results show that (a) the investigated system is a highly dynamic karst aquifer with distinct reactions to rainfall events in discharge and electrical conductivity; (b) the estimated transient atmospheric CO2 sink is about 270 t/a; (c) the calculated carbonate rock denudation rate is between 23 and 47 mm/1000a and (d) the rainfall‐discharge behaviour and the internal flow dynamics can be successfully simulated using the modelling package KarstMod. The modelling results indicate the relevance of matrix storage in determining the discharge behaviour of the spring, particularly during low‐flow periods. This research and the consequent results can contribute and initiate a better understanding and management of alpine karst aquifers considering climate change with more heavy rainfall events and also longer dry periods.The investigated karst system contributes to the transient atmospheric CO2 sink with about 270 t/a. Carbonate denudation rates vary between 23 and 47 mm/1000a. Rainfall‐discharge modelling results indicate the importance of matrix storage particularly during low‐flow periods. imageBundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347FP7 People: Marie‐Curie Actions http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/10001126

FACTORS DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN DIFFERENT PORK QUALITY CONDITIONS

The present study was carried out on 119 randomly chosen carcasses of barrows, slaughtered at approximately 100 kg live weight in three abattoirs form east Croatia. Main meat quality traits were measured: pHi, pHu, CIE-L* and drip loss by compression and bag method. Among investigated drip loss predictors the highest significance was found for WHC and pHu values (p<0.05). Values of pHi and CIE-L* were not statistically significant. Accuracy of classification by discriminant analysis was 58.93% correct in the class with excessive drip loss and 65.08% in the class characterized as non-exudative. Overall discrimination was approximately 62% correct. More variables, value other than 5% as threshold for exudative meat and a larger sample are suggested for the improvement of model accuracy. Two classes of samples were formed by discriminant analysis (exudative and non-exudative). Between the classes significant differences were found for pHu values and WHC (p<0.05). When pHu and WHC class means for exudative group were individually used as criteria for subsequent differentiation into meat quality groups, around 60% and 61% of the samples, respectively, were accurately characterized as exudative or non-exudative