24 research outputs found
Cow serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG1) concentration of five suckler cow breed types and subsequent immune status of their calves
peer-reviewedB. Murphy would like to gratefully
acknowledge receipt of a Walsh Fellowship provided
by Teagasc.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cow breed type on (a) cow
serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG1) concentrations and (b) subsequent calf
serum IgG1 concentration and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units. Five cow breed
types were examined: LF (Limousin × Friesian), LLF (Limousin × (Limousin ×
Friesian)), L (Limousin), C (Charolais) and SLF (Simmental × (Limousin ×
Friesian)). Three blood samples were taken by jugular venipuncture from the cows at
approximately 90, 60 and 30 days pre partum, at parturition and at 15 days or more post
partum and from the calves at 48 (40 to 56) h post partum. Prior to suckling a 20 ml
sample of colostrum was obtained. Milk yield was estimated using the weigh-suckleweigh
technique. The decrease in serum IgG1 concentration in cows between 90 days
pre partum and parturition was greater (P < 0.01) for LF cows than all other breed
types, except SLF. There was no difference between LLF, L, C and SLF cows. There was
no effect of cow breed type on colostrum IgG1 concentration. Milk yield was higher (P
< 0.001) for LF cows than all other breed types, while that of SLF was higher than the
three remaining breed types, which were similar. Calf serum IgG1 concentration and
ZST units were higher (P < 0.01) for the progeny of LF cows than all others except
SLF. There was no difference between the progeny of LLF, L, C and SLF cows. Calf
serum IgG1 was affected by cow breed type and showed a positive relationship with cow
serum IgG1 decreases in late pregnancy
Post-weaning growth, ultrasound and skeletal measurements, muscularity scores and carcass traits and composition of progeny of five beef suckler cow genotypes
peer-reviewedB. Murphy was in receipt of a Walsh Fellowship provided by Teagasc.Post-weaning growth, ultrasound and skeletal measurements, muscularity scores, and carcass traits and composition of the progeny of spring-calving Limousin (L), Charolais (C), Limousin × Holstein-Friesian (LF), Limousin × (Limousin × Holstein-Friesian) (LLF) and Simmental × (Limousin × Holstein-Friesian) (SLF) cow genotypes was determined over 3 years. Bull and heifer progeny were slaughtered at ~460 and ~610 days of age, respectively. Post-weaning growth did not differ significantly between the genotypes. Progeny from LF and SLF cows had the highest (P<0.001) carcass gain per day of age, whereas progeny from L and C cows had the highest (P < 0.01) carcass conformation score and lowest (P < 0.001) fat score. The proportion of meat in the car¬cass was higher (P < 0.001) and bone lower (P < 0.001), and meat to bone ratio higher (P < 0.001) for the progeny of L cows than all other genotypes, which were similar. Carcass fat proportion was similar for progeny of L and C cows and lower (P < 0.001) than LLF and SLF, with LF being intermediate. The progeny from L cows tended to have the greatest proportion of hind-quarter in the carcass. Genotype effects were mini¬mal when the proportion of high-value cuts was expressed relative to weight of meat in the carcass and hind-quarter. In conclusion, there was no effect of cow genotype on the performance of their progeny from weaning to slaughter. However, crossbred cows with good maternal (milk) traits produced progeny with a higher carcass weight per day of age, whereas the purebred continental cows produced progeny with superior carcass classification traits.Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Programm
Performance and feed intake of five beef suckler cow genotypes and pre-weaning growth of their progeny
peer-reviewedThe effect of beef suckler cow genotype on feed intake, performance, milk yield and on pre-weaning growth of their progeny was determined over four lactations. The five cow genotypes examined were Limousin (L), Charolais (C), Limousin × Holstein-Friesian (LF), Limousin × (Limousin × Holstein-Friesian) (LLF) and Simmental × (Limousin × Holstein-Friesian) (SLF). The herd calved in spring and the progeny spent from April until weaning (October/ November) at pasture with their dams. Live weight (kg) at the start of the indoor winter period was greater (P 0.05) between the genotypes but followed a similar trend to grass silage intake. The decrease in live weight over the indoor winter period was greater (P < 0.01) for L and C cows than for LLF and SLF, whereas LF were intermediate. The increase in live weight during the grazing season was greater (P < 0.01) for C cows than all except L, which were intermediate. Calving difficulty score was greater (P < 0.01) for C cows than LLF, L and SLF, whereas LF were intermediate. Birth weight of calves from LF cows was lower (P < 0.001) than C with L being intermediate, but greater than LLF, with SLF being intermediate. Milk yield (kg/day) was higher (P < 0.001) for LF (9.7) and SLF (8.7) cows than the other genotypes (5.5 to 7.0), which did not differ significantly. Pre-weaning live-weight gain was greater (P < 0.001) for progeny of LF cows than all other genotypes except SLF, which in turn were greater than L and C, with LLF being intermediate. In conclusion, calf pre-weaning growth was higher for cow genotypes with higher milk yield, which was also associated with higher cow DM intake.B. Murphy was in receipt of a Walsh Fellowship provided by Teagasc
Changes in yield and composition of barley, wheat and triticale grains harvested during advancing stages of ripening
peer-reviewedThis study involved an evaluation of the changes in grain yield, nutritive value, ensilability
and harvesting losses of intensively managed winter cereals harvested during
the advancing stages of ripening. Five cereal crops (barley cv. Regina and wheat cv.
Madrigal in 2001; barley cv. Regina, wheat cv. Falstaff and triticale cv. Fidelio in 2002)
were assessed. Twenty plots per crop were arranged in a randomised complete block
design, with five times of harvest (four for barley in 2002) and four replicate blocks
per harvest. Dry matter (DM) yields changed relatively little between harvest dates,
but fresh yields declined (P < 0.001) over time due to the moisture loss associated with
ripening. Time-course changes in indices of nutritive value, such as concentrations of
crude protein, starch and ash, and organic matter digestibility, were relatively small
and did not follow a consistent pattern. Ensilability indices, such as DM and watersoluble
carbohydrate concentrations and buffering capacity, indicated that satisfactory
fermentations were likely if such crops were ensiled; buffering capacity, generally
declining with advancing maturity. Harvesting losses were not clearly related to growth
stage at harvest. It is concluded that winter cereal grain (barley, wheat and triticale)
DM yields and quality were relatively constant as ripening progressed from DM concentrations
of around 550 to >800 g/kg.One of the authors (P.S.) was in receipt
of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship
Evaluation of Lolium perenne L. cv. AberDart and AberDove for silage production
peer-reviewedThe objective of this study was to assess the value, for silage production, of intermediateheading
Lolium perenne L. cultivars, AberDart and AberDove (diploid), bred for increased water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations, relative to four control cultivars (Fennema, AberElan and Spelga (diploid), and Greengold (tetraploid)). Cultivars were evaluated for forage dry matter (DM) yield, ground cover and indirect laboratory measures of nutritional value and ensilability over 3 harvest years within intensive silage-production systems. AberDove was the most desirable diploid for silage production producing on average 316 kg/ha higher (2%) DM yield per annum, having a 10 g/kg higher (1%) dry matter digestibility (DMD) and, based primarily on a 6 g/L higher (19%) concentration of WSC expressed in the aqueous extract (WSCAE), offered the greatest potential to produce well preserved silage. Ensiling AberDart compared to the diploid controls offered a slightly greater probability of producing well preserved silage based on a modest increase of 2 g/L (6%) in WSCAE concentration. The dilemma for silage production is that AberDart, on average produced 558 kg/ha less (4%) DM yield per annum but had a greater (1%) DMD of 6 g/kg than the diploid controls. The tetraploid control had, on average, 13 and 8 g/kg higher (2% and 1%, respectively) DMD than AberDart and AberDove, but at a cost of lower ensilability with lower (6% and 21%, respectively) WSCAE values of 2 and 6 g/L. In its favour, the
tetraploid control outyielded AberDart by, on average, 917 kg/ha DM per annum (7%) and produced comparable yields to AberDove. Final ground cover ratings were high (≥ 95%) for all cultivars. Evaluation of nutritional value and ensilability offers further grounds to differentiate and select cultivars for animal production potential.A Teagasc Walsh Fellowship, awarded to P. Conaghan and H. Howard, and the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme (QLK5-CT-2001-0498) supported this research
Characterisation of feedstuffs for ruminants.
End of Project ReportA wide variety of feed ingredients are used in the manufacture of
compound feeds in Ireland. Unprocessed feedstuffs vary from batch
to batch due to differences caused by variety, soils, weather, etc. By
-product feeds may also vary due to the processes from which they
were produced. Accurate information on the nutritive value of feeds
is essential for accurate ration formulation. A series of experiments
was carried out to determine various nutritional characteristics of
concentrate ingredients either locally produced or imported into
Ireland. From these experiments it was concluded that :
* The digestibility values of concentrate ingredients derived in
maintenance-fed sheep are applicable to maintenance-fed
cattle.
* Feed is not utilised as efficiently when the level of feeding is
increased from maintenance to 2 x maintenance.
* The improved feed conversion efficiency in steers offered a
restricted allowance of concentrates cannot be attributed to
a difference in digestibility but can be attributed in part to a
lower rate of fat deposition compared to steers offered ad
libitum concentrates.
* The residue after oil extraction from Camelina sativa could
replace some imported protein-rich feedstuffs in ruminant
rations but to fully achieve this potential, the residual oil
content must be decreased.
* For measurement of ruminal degradability of concentrate
ingredients a wide range of forage to concentrate ratios and
feeding levels can be used.
* It is important to consider the actual outflow rate of
nutrients from the rumen when measuring the feed value of
individual concentrate ingredients as this can have an impact
on the effective degradability and the relative nutritive values
assigned to such ingredients.
* Large variations in ruminal degradation occur within and among feeds. The ruminal degradability of different samples
of any one feed should be measured to determine their
true nutritive value for feeding ruminants.
* Within most concentrate ingredients examined, the variation
in small intestinal digestibility (SID) due to source indicates a
range in the quantity of amino acids supplied to the animal
for productive purposes. The more rapid and cost effective
in vitro technique can be used to screen the SID of
concentrate ingredients.
* Target volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and
proportions may be produced by varying the proportions
of the individual ingredients in a concentrate ration.
* An in vitro procedure allowed VFA production to be
measured across a large range of feeds under standardised
conditions.
* On average, 75% of gas produced during ruminal
fermentation consists of carbon dioxide. The variation in
methane production among individual concentrate
ingredients provides an opportunity to formulate rations to
minimize environmental pollution with methane.European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF
Evaluation and Refinement of the French Protein System (PDI) under Irish Conditions
End of Project ReportThe CP and DM degradability of grazed grass (between April and October, inclusive) and grass silage samples (differing in cut number and treatment) was determined using the in situ technique and the results obtained were used to calculate the PDIE and PDIN values. The degradability data on 12 concentrate ingredients from a previous study (Woods, 2000) were used to estimate PDIE and PDIN values for these feedstuffs. The mean PDIE and PDIN values determined for grass were 81 g/kg and 127 g/kg DM, respectively and for grass silage were 60 g/kg and 94 g/kg DM. Regression analysis resulted in equations to predict the PDIN of samples of grazed grass (PDIN = 3.8 + 0.628 CP) (R²= 0.999) and grass silage (PDIN = 5.9 + 0.605 CP) (R²= 0.997), and the PDIE of grazed grass (PDIE = 181.4 - 0.104 NDF - 0.195 ash - 0.047 OMD) (R²= 0.987) and grass silage (PDIE = 27.7 + 0.083 DMD - 0.147 CP) (R²= 0.812). The PDIE and PDIN values of 11 of the 12 concentrate ingredients were similar to those used in the French Tables but the maize distillers’ grains in this study and those used in France would appear to be quite different products.
The response to PDIE and PDIN in the diet of lactating cows was evaluated and the effect of better balancing the PDIE and PDIN supply on the efficiency of N utilisation was assessed. Twenty autumn calving cows were blocked in a complete Latin Square design and assigned to four different diets varying in PDIN and PDIE content. Each of the four treatments consisted of a concentrate, maize silage and grass silage in the proportions 37:38:25 on a DM basis. There were 4 periods of 4-week duration each. Diet A contained 92 g/kg DM of PDIE and 116 g/kg DM of PDIN. Diet B contained 103 g/kg DM of PDIE and 122 g/kg DM of PDIN. Diet C and D over supplied PDIN at 137 g/kg and 153 g/kg, respectively relative to PDIE at 111 g/kg DM. Dry matter intake increased significantly with the excess dietary PDIN relative to PDIE but there were no significant differences in milk yield and composition. Decreasing the supply of PDIE in the diet (i.e. diet A vs. B) resulted in no significant effect on milk or constituent yields but did significantly reduce the efficiency (kg milk / kg DMI) of milk production. There was also a significant reduction in the efficiency of milk produced per kg DMI with increasing dietary concentrations of PDIN and increasing PDIN: PDIE balance (B>C>D). Increasing the dietary PDIN from 122 to 153 g/kg DMI increased urine N (+54%), faecal N (+11%) and plasma urea concentrations (+75%). The results indicate that the optimum concentration of dietary PDI is approximately 103 g/kg DM for cows producing about 35 kg of milk per day. A better balance between PDIE and PDIN supply improves the efficiency of conversion of DM to milk and dietary protein
The effects of altering milking frequency and/or diet in early lactation on the energy balance, production and reproduction of dairy cows.
End of Project ReportIt has been suggested that negative energy balance (NEB) in the immediate
post-partum period is potentially an important factor in the association
between increasing milk output and declining reproductive performance. The
objective of this project was to design an experimental model that could be
used to impose different degrees of NEB immediately after calving and to
examine the effect of this model on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production,
energy balance (EB), metabolic and reproductive hormonal profiles, the onset
and pattern of post-partum ovarian cyclicity and reproductive physiology
around AI.
Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of milking frequency
and diet on DMI, production, energy balance and blood metabolites and
hormones in the first 4 weeks after calving and subsequent reproduction.
Reducing milking frequency from either thrice or twice daily to once daily
reduced DMI but also reduced milk production. This resulted in a better EB in
once daily milked cows in both experiments, the reduction being significant in
the first. Milk production during the 4-week treatment period was reduced by
23 and 20 percent by reducing milking frequency from thrice to once daily in
experiments 1 and 2, respectively. There was a reduction of approximately 10
percent in the cumulative yield up to week 20 of lactation in experiment 1 and
of approximately 9 percent in total lactation yield in experiment 2. Reducing
milking frequency resulted in increased plasma glucose, insulin and IGF-1
concentrations and reduced non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and beta
hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. Conception rates to first service or
overall pregnancy rates were not different between milking frequency
treatments but once daily milking resulted in a shorter interval to first ovulation
than thrice daily milking, due to a higher proportion of cows on this treatment
ovulating the first post-partum dominant follicle. Increasing the energy density
2
of the diet increased DMI and milk production with no consequent effect on
energy balance.
Logistic regression on the combined data from the two experiments showed
that lower energy intake, greater NEB and lower milk protein content and
were significantly associated with poorer conception to first service. Lower
plasma IGF-1 concentrations in experiment 2 were also associated with a
lower conception rate to first service.
A third experiment which investigated protein concentration in the concentrate
combined with concentrate feeding level post calving (for two groups of cows
in different body condition score at calving) showed no effect of post calving
diet on BCS change.
Overall the results suggest that reducing milking frequency to once per day
during the first 4 weeks of lactation reduces NEB and appears to be a suitable
strategy for altering energy balance at this time. However, the short-term
reduction in milking frequency immediately post partum reduces total lactation
yields. Blood metabolite and hormonal concentrations indicate better energy
balance for cows milked once daily. Increasing dietary energy density or
reducing the protein content of the diet does not appear to be effective in
changing energy balance in early lactation. Decreased NEB in the first 4
weeks post-partum is associated with an improved conception rate to first
service
Beef production from feedstuffs conserved using new technologies to reduce negative environmental impacts
End of project reportMost (ca. 86%) Irish farms make some silage. Besides directly providing feed for livestock, the provision of grass silage within integrated grassland systems makes an important positive contribution to effective grazing management and improved forage utilisation by grazing animals, and to effective feed budgeting by farmers. It can also contribute to maintaining the content of desirable species in pastures, and to livestock not succumbing to parasites at sensitive times of the year. Furthermore, the optimal recycling of nutrients collected from housed livestock can often be best achieved by spreading the manures on the land used for producing the conserved feed. On most Irish farms, grass silage will remain the main conserved forage for feeding to livestock during winter for the foreseeable future. However, on some farms high yields of whole-crop (i.e. grain + straw) cereals such as wheat, barley and triticale, and of forage maize, will be an alternative option provided that losses during harvesting, storage and feedout are minimised and that input costs are restrained. These alternative forages have the potential to reliably support high levels of animal performance while avoiding the production of effluent. Their production and use however will need to advantageously integrate into ruminant production systems. A range of technologies can be employed for crop production and conservation, and for beef production, and the optimal options need to be identified. Beef cattle being finished indoors are offered concentrate feedstuffs at rates that range from modest inputs through to ad libitum access. Such concentrates frequently contain high levels of cereals such as barley or wheat. These cereals are generally between 14% to 18% moisture content and tend to be rolled shortly before being included in coarse rations or are more finely processed prior to pelleting. Farmers thinking of using ‘high-moisture grain’ techniques for preserving and processing cereal grains destined for feeding to beef cattle need to know how the yield, conservation efficiency and feeding value of such grains compares with grains conserved using more conventional techniques. European Union policy strongly encourages a sustainable and multifunctional agriculture. Therefore, in addition to providing European consumers with quality food produced within approved systems, agriculture must also contribute positively to the conservation of natural resources and the upkeep of the rural landscape. Plastics are widely used in agriculture and their post-use fate on farms must not harm the environment - they must be managed to support the enduring sustainability of farming systems. There is an absence of information on the efficacy of some new options for covering and sealing silage with plastic sheeting and tyres, and an absence of an inventory of the use, re-use and post-use fate of plastic film on farms. Irish cattle farmers operate a large number of beef production systems, half of which use dairy bred calves. In the current, continuously changing production and market conditions, new beef systems must be considered. A computer package is required that will allow the rapid, repeatable simulation and assessment of alternate beef production systems using appropriate, standardised procedures. There is thus a need to construct, evaluate and utilise computer models of components of beef production systems and to develop mathematical relationships to link system components into a network that would support their integration into an optimal system model. This will provide a framework to integrate physical and financial on-farm conditions with models for estimating feed supply and animal growth patterns. Cash flow and profit/loss results will be developed. This will help identify optimal systems, indicate the cause of failure of imperfect systems and identify areas where applied research data are currently lacking, or more basic research is required
Genomic analyses identify hundreds of variants associated with age at menarche and support a role for puberty timing in cancer risk
The timing of puberty is a highly polygenic childhood trait that is epidemiologically associated with various adult diseases. Using 1000 Genomes Project-imputed genotype data in up to similar to 370,000 women, we identify 389 independent signals (P <5 x 10(-8)) for age at menarche, a milestone in female pubertal development. In Icelandic data, these signals explain similar to 7.4% of the population variance in age at menarche, corresponding to similar to 25% of the estimated heritability. We implicate similar to 250 genes via coding variation or associated expression, demonstrating significant enrichment in neural tissues. Rare variants near the imprinted genes MKRN3 and DLK1 were identified, exhibiting large effects when paternally inherited. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest causal inverse associations, independent of body mass index (BMI), between puberty timing and risks for breast and endometrial cancers in women and prostate cancer in men. In aggregate, our findings highlight the complexity of the genetic regulation of puberty timing and support causal links with cancer susceptibility