The production of offspring in fallow deer (Dama dama) is clearly expensive, the price of which is often manifest in the future fertility of the dam. Compounded by the physiological effects of gestation and lactation on doe body condition score (BCS), declining pasture quality and availability is a feature of the breeding season, affecting reproductive performance in farmed fallow deer in Australia. It has been demonstrated for a range of ruminants that restricted maternal nutrition and low BCS during the pre-mating period may reduce the chances of conception, retard conceptus development and reduce the metabolic capacity of the dam to absorb nutritional stress in later pregnancy (Robinson et al. 1999). The aim of this study was to determine if restricted feed intake in early gestation affected conceptus development.
Work has previously been carried out used a Bruker IFS66 FT-IR spectrometer with an FRA106 Raman module emitting at 1064 nm wavelength. Changes in band intensity with gradual shifts in wavenumber were witnessed in the spectra (see Figure 1), however, these spectra were acquired over 30 minutes and the exact time of changes could not be accounted for. Experiments are currently underway using a Renishaw InVia Raman spectrometer emitting at 785 nm wavelength. Quality spectra can be acquired in less than 1 minute and spectral change scan be captured immediately.
The primary aim of this project was to determine the relevance of extended lactation to Victorian dairyfarmers, identifying the characteristics of those likely to be interested in the technology, and the type of information they require. This information was used to determine key questions and knowledge gaps for future scientific research and extension programs in extended lactation. Information was obtained from dairy farmers in 3 group discussions and 250 Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI). A structured questionnaire formed the basis of the CATI interviews. One in 10 respondents had implemented an extended lactation system with an average of 18.4% of their milking herd. The proportion interested in adopting an extended lactation system was 30%, increasing to 48% if calving inductions were prohibited. Potential future adopters were most likely to be split or batch calvers with large herds and high staff numbers. They were also the most likely to feed a heavy rate of concentrates (>1.5 t/cow), herd test and use management computer software. Of all cows currently in respondent herds, 56% were managed by dairy farmers who were either current or potential adopters of an extended lactation system. Benefits of an extended lactation system were perceived to include greater and more consistent production, consistent income, improved conception rates, improved cow health, fewer cows culled, and improved profitability. Disadvantages of the system were perceived to include higher feed costs, negative impacts on lifestyle (less opportunities to take holidays), difficult to manage and negative impacts on the physical condition of the farm. In addition, 3 group discussions were conducted with dairy service providers to determine their beliefs and perceptions of extended lactation technology. Service providers are key sources of information for dairy farmers. The studies identified that future scientific research, development and extension would need to provide information about the effect of an extended lactation system on: the economic feasibility of the system, nutritional requirements, cow health, production, conception rates, workloads and farm management strategies.
Infrasoft NIRS3 software was used to construct the predictive calibration equations from the diet/faecal pairs for DMD and CP content in the total diet and DMD in the dietary forage component, with modified Partial Least Squares regressions (MPLS). There were high correlations between predicted and actual values for all parameters (Table 1), with acceptable associated errors, and these results are consistent with other published FNIRS work (Table 2). With further appropriate diet/faecal pairs included in the calibration equations the standard errors would likely be reduced, as the current number of independent diet faecal pairs (65) is less than satisfactory for an independent calibration set. Existing equations developed exclusively on forage diets (Coates 2000) provided acceptable predictions for the unsupplemented hay diets but not for total diet quality when the ration included supplements. The advancements in the FNIRS techniques provided through our study include reliable prediction of the quality of the forage selected and that of the total consumed diet, even in the presence of high supplement intakes. This markedly increases the versatility of this predictive tool for commercial grazing enterprises. This research has been partly funded by MLA and ARC. Table 1 MPLS correlation coefficients and error terms for NIRS predicted and actual values of IVVDMD (%) and CP content (%) of the total diet and IVTDMD (%) of the forage component only R 2 SE of calibration (SEC) SE of cross validation Range
The presence of positive genetic correlations between Net Feed Intake (NFI) and live animal fatness traits implies that continued selection against NFI (for improved feed efficiency) could be accompanied by a reduction in fatness. Findings are inconclusive on the correlation between NFI and intramuscular (or marbling) fat. The greatest potential financial benefits from lowering feed intake accrue in the feedlot sector, so selection for lower NFI should be carried out in conjunction with careful monitoring of live animal and carcase fatness traits. The genetic correlations are low, and divergent selection for NFI has demonstrated that adequate levels of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat can be maintained while lowering NFI. Industry testing for NFI has identified a number of sires superior for each of these traits.
Five pens in 2 south east Queensland commercial feedlots (A and B) were used to determine relationships between climatic conditions and behavioural patterns of cattle. Standing or lying at the feed bunk or at the water trough were recorded from the 8th January to the 27th March. In Feedlot A, more cattle were standing when morning observations were used than in Feedlot B, while in Feedlot B there were more animals in standing behaviour during afternoon observation. Behavioural patterns such as standing at the feed bunk or standing at the water trough in Feedlot B were related to weather conditions. However, in Feedlot A, standing at the feed bunk did not show any relationship to weather conditions and the relationship between weather conditions and standing at the water trough was not as strong as in Feedlot B. Evaluation of behavioural patterns in a feedlot can be used as an aid to assess heat stress in feedlot cattle. However, this should be done on an individual feedlot basis.
A study was conducted to determine growth responses in hoggets grazing drought affected Mitchell grass pastures in western Queensland, and fed different supplements. Eighteen paddocks, each of 6 ha, were stratified into 3 replicates. These were severely drought affected, dry, rank pastures consisting mainly of stalk with some dry leaf (7.4 MJ metabolisable energy (ME)/kg; 4.3% crude protein (CP)) and approximately 1.75 t DM/ha. One hundred and eight hogget Merino wethers (approximately 18 months old), weighing 39 kg (s.d. ± 5.0), were stratified by initial liveweight and randomly allocated to paddocks. The nutrient composition of grains was aimed to supply 10 MJ ME/d as the upper level of supplementation for each treatment. Supplement treatments (ME (MJ/kg DM), CP (%) and planned maximum supplement levels (g/h/d)), were as follows: 1) corn (12.3, 9.1, 815), 2) lupins (11.5, 31.1, 870), 3) cottonseed (12.9, 20.4, 775), 4) sorghum (12.2, 8.1, 820); 5), sorghum (12.2, 8.1, 820). All supplements were fed on the ground except for sorghum in treatment 5, which was fed in troughs. Treatment 6 was dry pasture only (control). The corn and sorghum were treated with urea (0.8%) and sulphate of ammonia (0.2%) in water to increase their CP to 12%. Sheep were weighed and gradually introduced to the grains in the paddock commencing 28 October 2003. The grain was fed daily in increasing amounts during the first 14 days, and then increased every second day. Amounts of supplement offered were adjusted based on amount left uneaten. Animals were weighed prior to feeding each week over a 10-week period, with final weights recorded on 5 January 2004. Linear growth rates (ADG) were estimated by fitted spline analysis.
High environmental temperatures during sea travel from Western Australia to the Middles East are associated with instances of elevated atmospheric ammonia (Stacey 2001). Diets that are currently used for live export can result in a urinary pH of around 8.0. Lime (calcium oxide), which is often used as a binder in export pellets, has the potential to form calcium hydroxide upon hydration and, thus, increase urinary pH. Hendricks et al. (1997) have demonstrated that addition of acid salts, such as calcium chloride or ammonium chloride, to diets can be used successfully to decrease ammonia emissions from pig facilities. In addition, it is well known in the dairy industry that acidic salts can be used to reduce urine pH. This experiment evaluated the best combination of pellet binders, such as lime and gypsum, with acid salts, such as calcium chloride or ammonium chloride, to decrease urinary pH in cattle.
Previous studies in Bos indicus cattle have shown favorable genetic correlations between measures of temperament and meat quality traits (Reverter et al. 2003). Relationships in Bos taurus cattle are uncertain. Correlations between temperament and feedlot performance have also been demonstrated, while effects on performance under grazing are unknown. Reports on phenotypic relationships between temperament and growth have been inconsistent, with some showing no significant correlation (Graham et al. 2001). Within an ongoing Beef CRC project (Wilkins et al. 2002), we measured flight times in several cohorts of steers and examined correlations with growth rates and meat quality.
Milk obtained from cows on 2 subtropical dairy feeding systems were compared for their suitability for Cheddar cheese manufacture. Cheeses were made in a small-scale cheesemaking plant capable of making 2 blocks (about 2 kg each) of Cheddar cheese concurrently. Its repeatability was tested over 10 separate cheesemaking days with no significant differences being found between the 2 vats in cheesemaking parameters or cheese characteristics. In the feeding trial, 16 pairs of Holstein–Friesian cows were used in 2 feeding systems (M1, rain-grown tropical grass pastures and oats; and M5, a feedlot, based on maize/barley silage and lucerne hay) over 2 seasons (spring and autumn corresponding to early and late lactation, respectively). Total dry matter, crude protein (kg/cow.day) and metabolisable energy (MJ/cow.day) intakes were 17, 2.7, and 187 for M1 and 24, 4, 260 for M5, respectively. M5 cows produced higher milk yields and milk with higher protein and casein levels than the M1 cows, but the total solids and fat levels were similar (P > 0.05) for both M1 and M5 cows. The yield and yield efficiency of cheese produced from the 2 feeding systems were also not significantly different. The results suggest that intensive tropical pasture systems can produce milk suitable for Cheddar cheese manufacture when cows are supplemented with a high energy concentrate. Season and stage of lactation had a much greater effect than feeding system on milk and cheesemaking characteristics with autumn (late lactation) milk having higher protein and fat contents and producing higher cheese yields.
Urinary pH in ruminants is normally neutral to slightly alkaline. Nitrogenous constituents of urine are influenced by pH, e.g. urea, the main nitrogenous compound in urine, is degraded by bacteria to a mixture of ammonium ions and ammonia gas. At normal pH (>7), the chemical equilibrium favours volatilisation of ammonia gas. In this paper, we focus on long haul voyages in the live export industry where atmospheric ammonia is generally 15 ppm or less on vessels used for live export (Stacey 2001). These concentrations do not present any respiratory or occupational health problems. However, high temperature and humidity can result in the rapid breakdown of effluent by bacteria with increases in ammonia gas to higher concentrations in some areas of some vessels (Stacey 2001). A complicating factor is that the live export industry uses pelleted diets that can result in a urinary pH of approximately 8. One of the major influences on urinary pH is lime (calcium oxide) which is commonly incorporated at 1-2% as a binder in export pellets. Lime has the potential to form calcium hydroxide upon hydration and, hence, increase urinary pH.
1. SERS of C60 and C70 in hydrosols As is known, C60 and C70 are insoluble to water, we first dissolved the C60 and C70 molecules in pyridine resolvent, then made use of the pyridine molecule as an intermediate to connect and fix the C60 and C70 molecules to the surface of the golden crystal nanoparticle, thus high-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra (fig.1 and fig.2) with enhancement factors of 8× 10 and 6×10 were obtained, respectively. Not only was the number of vibrational modes greatly increased, but also were the significant Raman bands splitted as well as frequencies up and down, respectively, arising from symmetry lowering and selection rule relaxing of C60 and C70 induced by the gold surface. The splittings of the Raman modes is consistent with the calculation based on group theory. Comparison of SERS spectra with normal Raman spectra of solid C60 and C70 indicates that these molecules absorb on gold nanoparticales by one of their pentagonal faces.
The dissolution characteristic and the bioavailability of a poorly water soluble drug is a strong function of its molecular state. It has been suggested that the relative humidity has a strong effect on the stability of the drug morphology. It is therefore important to understand the effect of different environmental parameters on the properties of pharmaceutical formulations in the pharmaceutical industry. Such knowledge would facilitate new formula/manufacturing process designs for more effective and reliable drugs.
A total of 6 flocks were used to determine the potential of sheep coats for use during the dry and dusty period prior to shearing (4 flocks) or for 12 months (2 flocks) of the year to improve wool quality. Coats significantly (P 0.05) changed by the use of coats. Use of coats improved (P 0.05) alter the other parameters of wool top measured. The margin gained from improved wool quality and shorter periods of coat usage is likely to make sheep coats viable for a wider range of wool types than has been previously considered for coating.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of a series of n-aminobenzoic acids (n-ABA, n=P, M and O) adsorbed on the silver nano-particles were studied, respectively, in the silver colloidal solution and on the dried silver-coated filter paper. Significant changes were found from two SERS spectra of PABA but MABA or OABA. The probable reasons are given. SERS technology is a powerful utility in studying the surface characteristic of the substrates and the surface configuration of the adsorbates. Thus, it is fairly significant with the SERS technology to detect the adsorptive behavior of the molecules with representative configuration, to acquire the factors influencing the molecules’ adsorptive behavior and to grasp the general adsorptive law of representative molecules adsorbed on the surfaces of silver nano-particles. In our former study [1], it has been found that the SERS spectrum of p-hydroxybenzoic acids adsorbed on the silver nano-particles in colloidal solution is fairly different from that on dried filter paper. In our study now, the similar methods are employed and significant changes are also found in two SERS spectra of PABA but MABA or OABA, which is derived from the different adsorptive behavior of the same molecules on the different substrate. The SERS spectra of PABA, MABA and OABA on two substrates are respectively shown in Fig.1~3 and the vibrational mode assignments refer to references [2~8]. From Fig.1 it can be seen obviously that two SERS spectra of PABA are different. In Fig.1(b), the appearance of the middle broad peak at 1378cm belonged to ís(CO2 ) and the strong peak at 858cm ascribed to âs (CO2 ) suggest that the carboxyls of PABA molecules interact directly with the silver surface and the bond of C-CO2 is perpendicular to it. The strong enhancement of 1537cm peak ascribed to í(CC) of benzene, 1144cm peak attributed to â(C-H) and 411cm peak of benzene in-plane breathing all indicate that the plane of benzene ring is perpendicular to the silver surface. So PABA molecules in silver colloid stand perpendicularly on the silver surface through carboxyls. While in Fig.1(c), the strong enhancement of 1453cm peak and the significant redshift of 1602cm which are all ascribed to í(CC) indicate that the benzene rings probably participate the interaction between PABA molecules and silver surfaces. The relatively weakening of 1370cm peak of ís(CO2 ) and 858cm peak of âs(CO2 ) shows that the carboxyls of PABA molecules still interact with silver surface but the bond of C-CO2 is not perpendicular to it. The appearance of broad peak at 980cm, which is probably derived from the interaction of amino group with silver surface, and the relatively broadened and redshifted peak at 1137cm which is attributed to both â(C-H) and âas(NH2) indicate that the amino groups of PABA molecules interact directly with the silver surface. So PABA molecules on silver-coated filter paper are probably lie flat on the silver surface through carboxyl and amino groups. From Fig.2 we can see that two SERS spectra of Fig.1 The Raman spectrum of solid PABA (a) and the SERS spectra of PABA in the silver colloidal solution (b) and on the silver-coated filter paper (c). 287 MABA molecules on two substrates are very similar except the background in high wavelength due to the filter paper. The appearance of peak at 1381cm assigned to ís(COO) and the absence of peak near 850cm assigned to âs(CO2 ) indicate that carboxyls interact directly with silver surface but C-CO2 bond is not perpendicular to the silver surface. The strong enhancement of 1000cm peak attributed to benzene breathing suggests that the plane of benzene is perpendicular to silver surface. The broad peak at 519cm corresponding to ãs(NH2) shows that the amino groups probably adsorb derectly on silver surface. So MABA molecules probably adsorb on the surface of silver nano-particles by side through carboxyl and amino groups on two substrates. From Fig.3 we can see that two SERS spectra of OABA molecules on two substrates are very similar except the relatively intensity of a few peaks. In Fig.3(b), 1392cm peak of ías(CO2 ) and 853cm peak of âs(CO2 ) indicate OABA molecules also adsorb on silver surface through carboxyls. The appearance of other out-of plane mode peaks show that OABA molecules probably tilt on silver. The relatively intensities of 1611, 1582, 1392, 853 and 850cm peaks in Fig.3(b) are different from those in Fig.3(c), which are probably due to the different orientations of OABA molecules. So OABA molecules tilt on silver surface through carboxyls and in silver colloid its plane tends to be perpendicular to silver surface but on silver-coated filter paper tends to be parallel. In conclusion, significant changes were found from two SERS spectra thus the molecules’ adsorptive behavior of PABA but MABA or OABA, suggesting that the surface characteristic of the substrate and the surface configuration of the adsorbate could exert a great influence on the adsorptive behavior. Acknowledgments: The authors are grateful for the support to this research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing.
