Appendix 13 -Impact of improved reproduction in northern Australian cow herds

Summary Using expert opinion, Breedcow herd models representing ABARES statistical regions across north Australia were constructed and from this an estimated weaning rate of 67% was derived. Beef CRC outputs, especially variations in EBV for age at puberty and PPAI in both Brahmans and tropical composites, coupled with preliminary modelling of potential response rates to selection, suggest that reducing both by approximately 30 days in continuously-mated Brahmans and 14 days in seasonally-mated composites was feasible over a 10-year period. The expected change was a 5% increase in pregnancy rate, except in herds where pregnancy rates are already high. Effects on mortality rates or individual animal values were unpredictable. This change was modelled using Breedcow, along with an increase in replacement bull values of $500-1,000 and a one-third reduction in bull to female mating ratios. In herds with base pregnancy rates of 80$2/weaner; cattle sales by ~6%; average gross margins per cow and AE by ~$6 and ~$7, respectively. With a $500 bull premium, the gross margins were a further$1-2 higher; ie, overall bull costs did not increase on average. A 33% adoption rate in herds with weaning rates less than 70% is expected to increase annual beef business margins by ~$12-15M per year in north Australia; this extends to a predicted regional annual economic impact of ~$40M, depending on premiums paid for high-fertility bulls. Abbreviations and acronyms use

Suicide after leaving the UK armed forces -A cohort study

Background Few studies have examined suicide risk in individuals once they have left the military. We aimed to investigate the rate, timing, and risk factors for suicide in all those who had left the UK Armed Forces (1996-2005). Methods and Findings We carried out a cohort study of ex-Armed Forces personnel by linking national databases of discharged personnel and suicide deaths (which included deaths receiving either a suicide or undetermined verdict). Comparisons were made with both general and serving populations. During the study period 233, 803 individuals left the Armed Forces and 224 died by suicide. Although the overall rate of suicide was not greater than that in the general population, the risk of suicide in men aged 24 y and younger who had left the Armed Forces was approximately two to three times higher than the risk for the same age groups in the general and serving populations (age-specific rate ratios ranging from 170 to 290). The risk of suicide for men aged 30-49 y was lower than that in the general population. The risk was persistent but may have been at its highest in the first 2 y following discharge. The risk of suicide was greatest in males, those who had served in the Army, those with a short length of service, and those of lower rank. The rate of contact with specialist mental health was lowest in the age groups at greatest risk of suicide (14% for those aged under 20 y, 20% for those aged 20-24 y). Conclusions Young men who leave the UK Armed Forces were at increased risk of suicide. This may reflect preservice vulnerabilities rather than factors related to service experiences or discharge. Preventive strategies might include practical and psychological preparation for discharge and encouraging appropriate help-seeking behaviour once individuals have left the services

Cent scientifiques répliquent à SEA (Suppression des Expériences sur l’Animal vivant) et dénoncent sa désinformation

La lutte contre la maltraitance animale est sans conteste une cause moralement juste. Mais elle ne justifie en rien la désinformation à laquelle certaines associations qui s’en réclament ont recours pour remettre en question l’usage de l’expérimentation animale en recherche

The structure of a cattle stud determined using a medium density single nucleotide polymorphism array

Genetic progress depends on accurate knowledge of the genetic composition of a population or herd including level of inbreeding and parentage. However, in many circumstances, such as at an individual property level, the relationships between animals may be unknown, or at best, only partly known. In this study, we used DNA from 938 animals and genotypes from ~54 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to determine the genetic structure of a stud from Central Queensland. Animals on the study were bred using multi-sire mating in mobs of composite tropically adapted cattle of the Senepol, Belmont and Bonsmara breeds. Following genotyping using an array of 54 000 SNP, we were able to separate animals into breed groups using principal components and show that ~400 SNP were sufficient to separate animals into stable groups if the sample was genetically diverse. However, precise principal component values were only achieved when a few thousand SNP were used. We characterised the pedigree relationships between individuals using a genome relationship matrix. At least 3000 SNP were required to calculate accurate relationship coefficients between individuals. Around 19% of paired comparisons between animals showed similarity equivalent to sharing a great-grandparent or 1/64 shared ancestry. Approximately 8% of the individuals showed more than 10% inbreeding. To demonstrate the utility of calculating the relationship coefficients, we counted the tick burden on each animal at more than one time and then calculated the heritability of tick burden of h2 = 0.46 (±0.08). There was no significant genetic difference in tick burden between Belmont and Bonsmara cattle compared with Senepol on this property once a genetic relationship matrix was included to account for co-ancestry of individuals

Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle

Hip height, body condition, subcutaneous fat, eye muscle area, percentage Bos taurus, fetal age and diet digestibility data were collected at 17372 assessments on 2181 Brahman and tropical composite (average 28% Brahman) female cattle aged between 0.5 and 7.5 years of age at five sites across Queensland. The study validated the subtraction of previously published estimates of gravid uterine weight to correct liveweight to the non-pregnant status. Hip height and liveweight were linearly related (Brahman: P < 0.001, R2 ≤ 58%; tropical composite P < 0.001, R2 ≤ 67%). Liveweight varied by 12-14% per body condition score (5-point scale) as cows differed from moderate condition (P < 0.01). Parallel effects were also found due to subcutaneous rump fat depth and eye muscle area, which were highly correlated with each other and body condition score (r ≤ 0.7-0.8). Liveweight differed from average by 1.65-1.66% per mm of rump fat depth and 0.71-0.76% per cm2 of eye muscle area (P < 0.01). Estimated dry matter digestibility of pasture consumed had no consistent effect in predicting liveweight and was therefore excluded from final models. A method developed to estimate full liveweight of post-weaning age female beef cattle from the other measures taken predicted liveweight to within 10 and 23% of that recorded for 65 and 95% of cases, respectively. For a 95% chance of predicted group average liveweight (body condition score used) being within 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1% of actual group average liveweight required 23, 36, 62, 137 and 521 females, respectively, if precision and accuracy of measurements matches that used in the research. Non-pregnant Bos taurus female cattle were calculated to be 10-40% heavier than Brahmans at the same hip height and body condition, indicating a substantial conformational difference. The liveweight prediction method was applied to a validation population of 83 unrelated groups of cattle weighed in extensive commercial situations on 119 days over 18 months (20917 assessments). Liveweight prediction in the validation population exceeded average recorded liveweight for weigh groups by an average of 19 kg (∼6%) demonstrating the difficulty of achieving accurate and precise animal measurements under extensive commercial grazing conditions

Diel nectar secretion rhythm in squash (Cucurbita pepo) and its relation with pollinator activity

Most studies of foraging behavior in bees have been performed under artificial conditions. One highly neglected area is the daily nectar secretion rhythm in flowers including how nectar properties may vary with time of day. As a first step in understanding the connections between forager behavior and nectar presentation under more natural conditions, we examined nectar secretion patterns in flowers of the squash Cucurbita pepo. Under greenhouse conditions, squash flowers exhibit consistent diel changes in nectar volume and concentration through anthesis. These temporal patterns are robust, persisting under field conditions as well as simulated drought conditions in the greenhouse. In the presence of active pollinators, diel patterns are evident but with highly variable, severely reduced volumes. The potential consequences of these factors for pollinator behavior are discussed