Carcass characteristics and meat quality of Holstein-Friesian × Hereford cattle of different sex categories and slaughter ages

When dairy cattle production predominates, the quantity and quality of beef can be increased through commercial crossing of beef bulls with dairy cows and creating herds for the purpose of beef production. This experiment was conducted to compare carcass traits in young bulls and steers, produced by crossing Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows with Hereford (HH) bulls and slaughtered at 15 and 18 months of age. One half of 32 young bulls were castrated at 2 or 3 weeks of age. Starting at 7 months of age, they received grass silage supplemented with concentrates. At the end of the fattening period, the animals were slaughtered, carcass quality and the quality of meat from m. longissimus thoracis were evaluated. It was found that unlike steers, bulls can be slaughtered at a later age because their carcass traits improved over time and carcass fat content increased only insignificantly. Meat from steers had higher intramuscular fat content (1.20 and 2.35 % in bulls and steers slaughtered at 15 months of age, respectively; 1.89 and 3.79 % in bulls and steers slaughtered at 18 months of age, respectively), it was tenderer and juicier than meat from bulls, and its sensory quality improved with age. The intramuscular fat (IMF) of steers was characterized by a more desirable n-6 ∕ n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio, whereas the IMF of bulls had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and n-3 PUFAs. Beef from steers is a good choice for consumers who appreciate high-quality meat. The results of this study may encourage producers to raise steers for beef

Lancet

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the second cycle of the CONCORD programme established global surveillance of cancer survival as a metric of the effectiveness of health systems and to inform global policy on cancer control. CONCORD-3 updates the worldwide surveillance of cancer survival to 2014. METHODS: CONCORD-3 includes individual records for 37.5 million patients diagnosed with cancer during the 15-year period 2000-14. Data were provided by 322 population-based cancer registries in 71 countries and territories, 47 of which provided data with 100% population coverage. The study includes 18 cancers or groups of cancers: oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, lung, breast (women), cervix, ovary, prostate, and melanoma of the skin in adults, and brain tumours, leukaemias, and lymphomas in both adults and children. Standardised quality control procedures were applied; errors were rectified by the registry concerned. We estimated 5-year net survival. Estimates were age-standardised with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. FINDINGS: For most cancers, 5-year net survival remains among the highest in the world in the USA and Canada, in Australia and New Zealand, and in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. For many cancers, Denmark is closing the survival gap with the other Nordic countries. Survival trends are generally increasing, even for some of the more lethal cancers: in some countries, survival has increased by up to 5% for cancers of the liver, pancreas, and lung. For women diagnosed during 2010-14, 5-year survival for breast cancer is now 89.5% in Australia and 90.2% in the USA, but international differences remain very wide, with levels as low as 66.1% in India. For gastrointestinal cancers, the highest levels of 5-year survival are seen in southeast Asia: in South Korea for cancers of the stomach (68.9%), colon (71.8%), and rectum (71.1%); in Japan for oesophageal cancer (36.0%); and in Taiwan for liver cancer (27.9%). By contrast, in the same world region, survival is generally lower than elsewhere for melanoma of the skin (59.9% in South Korea, 52.1% in Taiwan, and 49.6% in China), and for both lymphoid malignancies (52.5%, 50.5%, and 38.3%) and myeloid malignancies (45.9%, 33.4%, and 24.8%). For children diagnosed during 2010-14, 5-year survival for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ranged from 49.8% in Ecuador to 95.2% in Finland. 5-year survival from brain tumours in children is higher than for adults but the global range is very wide (from 28.9% in Brazil to nearly 80% in Sweden and Denmark). INTERPRETATION: The CONCORD programme enables timely comparisons of the overall effectiveness of health systems in providing care for 18 cancers that collectively represent 75% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide every year. It contributes to the evidence base for global policy on cancer control. Since 2017, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has used findings from the CONCORD programme as the official benchmark of cancer survival, among their indicators of the quality of health care in 48 countries worldwide. Governments must recognise population-based cancer registries as key policy tools that can be used to evaluate both the impact of cancer prevention strategies and the effectiveness of health systems for all patients diagnosed with cancer. FUNDING: American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Swiss Re; Swiss Cancer Research foundation; Swiss Cancer League; Institut National du Cancer; La Ligue Contre le Cancer; Rossy Family Foundation; US National Cancer Institute; and the Susan G Komen Foundation

Effect of various additives on the chemical composition, fermentation parameters and apparent digestibility of Virginia fanpetals silage in sheep

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various additives (straw, grass, molasses, dried sugar beet pulp – pellets, inoculant, organic acids) on the quality and fermentation profile of Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita L.) silage. Silage samples were assayed for the content of dry matter – DM, crude ash, crude protein – CP, water soluble carbohydrates – WSC, neutral detergent fiber – NDF, acid detergent fiber – ADF and acid detergent lignin – ADL as well as pH and the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid. Silage quality was evaluated according to the DLG Key. Apparent digestibility was determined in sheep, and the digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, NDF, organic matter – OM and digestible OM were calculated. The tested additives increased DM, decreased ADL content (P≤0.01), and reduced WSC utilization (P≤0.05, P≤0.01) in silages. Only sugar beet pulp decreased the content of NDF and ADF (P≤0.01). All silages had similar pH values (4.01 - 4.10). The analyzed silages were characterized by intense lactic acid fermentation, which was inhibited only by the grass additive (P≤0.01). All additives suppressed acetic acid fermentation (P≤0.05, P≤0.01). Grass and sugar beet pulp significantly decreased the concentration of butyric acid (P≤0.01). The addition of grass decreased CP digestibility (from 92.1% in the control silage to 89.3%), whereas the addition of a bacterial inoculant (P≤0.01) and a blend of organic acids (P≤0.05) increased CP digestibility to 93.8% and 92.8%, respectively. The addition of grass and sugar beet pulp increased the coefficient of NDF digestibility by 6 percentage points relative to 60.9% in the control silage. The addition of the inoculant and organic acids decreased NDF digestibility to 56.0% and 50.5%, respectively. Dried sugar beet pulp was the most effective additive, which positively affected the chemical composition, fermentation profile and apparent digestibility of Sida silage

Wpływ magnezu na jakość mięsa świń

Over the recent years, there has been an increasing interest in improving pork quality, which at present often fails consumer requirements. Nutritional regime is one of the key environmental factors affecting fattening results, slaughter value and meat quality. The technological and organoleptic properties of pork can be modified through feeding. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the effect of diet composition on meat quality. Consumers prefer lean pork with a bright reddish-pink color, and they object to muscles that are too pale or too dark. An excess amount of meat juice in the package is also considered unacceptable. The role of vitamins, minerals and feed additives in animal nutrition is an important consideration. Animal production efficiency is dependent upon an adequate supply of nutrients and minerals. Nutrient availability from feedstuffs is a principal factor in improving animal productivity and health as well as meat quality. Organic forms of minerals have been proven to have high bioavailability. Since the magnesium content of standard diets satisfies the needs of animals, pigs are usually not provided with supplemental magnesium. However, research results show that magnesium compounds have a beneficial influence on selected aspects of pig production. Dietary magnesium supplementation positively affects the behavior of animals, decreases their stress sensitivity and improves pork quality by enhancing meat color, reducing drip loss and increasing acidity.W ostatnich latach dużo uwagi poświęca się jakości mięsa wieprzowego, która w opinii wielu konsumentów jest niska i nie odpowiada ich wymaganiom. Żywienie zwierząt jest jednym z najważniejszych czynników środowiskowych, który ma wpływ na efektywność tuczu, wartość rzeźną i jakość mięsa. W przypadku trzody chlewnej istnieje możliwość modyfikowania zasadniczych cech jakości technologicznej i organoleptycznej mięsa poprzez żywienie. Obecnie prowadzi się wiele badań związanych z wpływem składników pokarmowych na jakość uzyskanego mięsa. Nabywca wybierając opakowanie mięsa kulinarnego preferuje porcje z dużą zawartością chudej tkanki mięśniowej, o typowej dla wieprzowiny różowoczerwonej barwie. Nie akceptowane są porcje mięsa o barwie zbyt jasnej lub zbyt ciemnej oraz mięso z dużą ilością wycieku soku mięsnego. Analizując wpływ żywienia na jakość mięsa, często zwraca się uwagę na rolę witamin i składników mineralnych, a także niektórych dodatków paszowych. Prawidłowe zaopatrzenie organizmu w składniki mineralne jest jednym z podstawowych czynników decydujących o efektywności produkcji zwierzęcej. Ważnym problemem jest dostępność składników mineralnych. Decyduje ona o wynikach produkcyjnych, zdrowotności zwierząt, ma również wpływ na jakość mięsa. W ostatnich latach w wielu badaniach wykazano wysoką biodostępność tzw. organicznych połączeń składników mineralnych. Zawartość magnezu w typowych dawkach pokarmowych jest wystarczająca do pokrycia potrzeb świń. Mając na uwadze powyższe informacje, magnez nie jest zwykle dodawany do mieszanek paszowych dla świń. W piśmiennictwie naukowym znajduje się jednak wiele informacji o korzystnym wpływie dodatku związków magnezu na niektóre aspekty produkcyjne trzody chlewnej. Stosowanie dodatku magnezu w mieszankach dla świń może korzystnie oddziaływać na zachowanie świń, wrażliwość na stres i jakość mięsa, poprzez poprawę barwy, zmniejszenie wycieku soku mięsnego, podwyższenie kwasowości

Effect of milk production season on profile of fatty acids in milk fat

Badano wpływ sezonu produkcji mleka na zawartość kwasów tłuszczowych w tłuszczu mlekowym. Materiałem badanym był tłuszcz mlekowy pozyskany metodą ekstrakcyjną z niepasteryzowanej 30 % śmietanki. Próbki do badań pobierano 12 razy w miesiącu przez cały rok. Profil kwasów tłuszczowych w tłuszczu mleka określano metodą chromatografii gazowej. Przeprowadzone badania wskazują, że sezon produkcji mleka wywiera istotny wpływ na profil kwasów tłuszczowych tłuszczu mlekowego oraz proporcje kwasów tłuszczowych nienasyconych (UFA, w tym MUFA i PUFA) do nasyconych (SFA) oraz zawartość kwasów tłuszczowych o działaniu hipocholesterolemicznym (DFA) i hipercholesterolemicznym (OFA).The study comprised a research into the effect of milk production season on the content of fatty acids in milk fat. The study material consisted of milk fat isolated from a 30 % non-pasteurized sweet cream using an extraction method. The samples for analyses were taken 12 times per month during one year. The profile of fatty acids in milk fat was determined using a gas chromatography. The research performed shows that the milk production season significantly impacts both the profile of fatty acids in milk fat and the ratios of unsaturated (UFA, in it MUFA and PUFA) to saturated (SFA) fatty acids, as well as the content of hypocholesterolemic (DFA) and hypercholesterolemic acids (OFA)