Feed and water supplementation with powdered hydrolyzable tannins from chestnut represents a valuable alternative strategy to antibiotics in animal nutrition. In this study, we evaluated the effects and safety of a water-soluble form of chestnut tannin (WST) in an in vitro model of chicken small intestinal epithelial cells (CSIEC). A chicken cell culture was established, and WST in concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% were tested for cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, metabolic activity, production of reactive oxygen species, intracellular antioxidative potential, genotoxicity, and influence on the epithelia cell cycle. The tested concentrations showed a significant (P < 0.05) greater proliferative effect on CSIEC than the control medium (maximal proliferation at 0.1% WST as determined by optical density measurements). The 0.2% concentration of WST was cytotoxic, causing significantly higher (P < 0.05) nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production but with no short-term genotox-icity. Although increasing the concentration caused a decline in the metabolism of challenged cells (the lowest at 0.1% WST), metabolic activity remained higher than that in control cells. The antioxidant potential was 75% better and significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the 0.1% WST cultured cells compared to control. In conclusion, the cultured CSIEC are useful tools in basic and clinical research for the study of intestinal physiology, as they retain physiological and biochemical properties and epithelial morphology close to the original tissue and, in many ways, reflect the in vivo state. Our results indicate that WST exert a beneficial effect on intestinal epithelia, since they: i) stimulate proliferation of enterocytes; ii) increase antioxidative potential; iii) have no genotoxic effect; and iv) do not affect cellular metabolism. Our results reinforce the importance of WST as promising candidates for further evaluation and use in commercial broiler farm production.

Brus, M., J. DolinŠeK, A. CenCiČ and D. ŠkorJAnc, 2013. effect of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood tannins and organic acids on growth performance and faecal microbiota of pigs from 23 to 127 days of age. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 19: 841-847 The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) tannin and/or organic acids in diets for pigs on their growth performance and the faecal microbial composition from 23 to 127 days of age. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (control (c)), the basal diet added organic acids (oA), and the basal diet added organic acids plus tannin (oA+T). Animals were weighed on days 23, 82 and 127. Pigs fed the oA and oA+T diets showed during the grower period significantly higher daily gain (ADG)(P<0.05), improved feed conversion ratio(FCR) (P<0.05) and lower levels of E. coli (P<0.05) compared with C pigs. From 82-127 days only the pigs fed the OA+T diet significantly diminished (P<0.05) the total count of E. coli. (5.21 ± 0.24 vs. 4.86 ± 0.28 vs. 4.24 ± 0.28 log10cfu/g; respectively for c, oA and oA+T; P<0.05), elevated the total count of Lactic acid bacteria (6.85 ± 0.10 vs. 7.15 ± 0.49 vs. 7.95 ± 0.50 log10cfu/g; respectively for C, OA and OA+T; P<0.05)and significantly increased ADG (P<0.05) (687 ± 23 vs. 712 ± 11 vs. 766 ± 12 g/day; respectively for C, OA and OA+T; P<0.05). The results from the present study indicate that the supplementation of chestnut wood tannins and organic acids can improve the growth performance in period from 82-127 days mainly by reducing harmful E. coli counts and by increasing counts of beneficial Lactic acid bacteria.

Summary Th e eff ect of linseed supplementation on carcass, meat quality and fatty acid profi le of fat tissue was studied. No diff erences in carcass and meat quality traits were observed, the exception being drip loss that was lower in pigs supplemented with linseed. As regards fatty acids, linseed supplementation led to the increased content of unsaturated, polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids and decreased content of saturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio in the subcutaneous and intramuscular fat of pigs.

Purpose: If measurements of the increased total count of somatic cells in the individual udder quarter or in the whole udder could be determined with electric conductivity by means of the microprocessor-controlled device Mastitron LF 3000 enough precisely to predict the presence of subclinical mastitis. Design/methodology/approach: The occurrence of increased count of somatic cells in milk was found out group by group by the method of measuring the electric conductivity of milk. For the milk conductivity the average measurement from all four udder quarters was taken into account. The population of 102 lactating cows (Black and white, Simmental and Brown Swiss breed) on seven farms fore three summer months was observed. Findings: It was established that higher average electric conductivity than 6.5 mS/cm confirmed in 80% also the increased count of somatic cells in milk. When evaluating the differences between the quarters exceeding 1 mS/cm also a higher total count of somatic cells was confirmed in 73.7%. Moreover, statistically significant relation (P<0.01) between the CMT test and the ECM was found out so it can be claimed that the two methods do not exclude themselves mutually. Research limitations/implications: It was found that the reliability of the ECM in our case was 80% depending to a large extent on the milk composition which changed depending on the stage of lactation, type of feed and general health condition of animals. For a more reliable, accurate and faster implementation of the ECM method further researches will be necessary. Practical implications: Though the ECM method of determination of the subclinical mastitis of the milchcows is well established in the world, it is not yet known well enough in the Slovene practice as a method of diagnosing the subclinical mastitis. Originality/value: It was found that the results of our research in production circumstances were comparable with the indications of the maker and foreign researchers.

Purpose: The paper compares the effect of five different direct seeding methods to the conventional tillage on the emerging and yield of silage corn (Zea may L.) in two different pedo-ecological conditions of Slovenia. Design/methodology/approach: A randomly selected 4x6 block designed field test was carried out; gliphosat treatment 1 week before seeding (V1), mowing+focus ultra on the whole plot 3 weeks later (V2), mowing+focus ultra in bands 3 weeks later (V3), mowing+focus ultra in bands 3 weeks later+mowing the inter-row after emergence (V4), conventional tillage (V5), focus ultra on the whole plot 3 weeks after seeding (V6). Findings: The highest emergence was on parcels with treatment V5; 98.99 % in Norsinci and 82.75 % in Pohorski dvor. The (V1) treatment influenced lowest emergence in Norsinci (82.48 %) and Pohorski dvor (63.25 %). The number of emerged seedlings affected the highest yield of fresh silage on V5 (50.590 kg ha-1 - Nosinci and 45.661 kg ha-1 - Pohorski dvor) and dry matter (20.228 kg/ha). However, there was no difference to V1 and V4. The penetrometer measurements showed the highest soil resistance (119.78 N cm-2) in Norsinci on V3 and (185.31 N cm-2) in Pohorski dvor on V4. Research limitations/implications: The experiment presented herein can be applied under similar pedoclimatical condition. Practical implications: Alternative seeding methods can reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emission by decreasing the number of passes on the field. Originality/value: By implementing the findings from our experiments a high intensity of soil engagement and inversion of the soil by using of mouldboard plough can be omitted on the majority of sandy and silty-loam soils. On that way the energy saving-method can make an effective contribution to farmers’ economy.

Purpose: The main target is to produce as much biogas as possible with highest possible biomethane content from crops representing the principal fuel for driving the gas motors and electric generators and, consequently, production of electricity. Design/methodology/approach: The biogas production was measured by a mini digester according to the German standard DIN 38414, Part 8. It was effected in the mesophilic temperature range. The biogas production from six different energy crops and pig slurry was measured in the laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In six trial fields the monocultures such as maize, sorghum, amaranth, sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke and sugar beet were grown. Findings: The highest biomethane production was achieved with the sunflower substrate (283 Nl/kgVS), followed by the sorghum substrate (188 Nl/kgVS) and maize (187 Nl/kgVS). The amaranth substrate produced 225 Nl/kgVS and the Jerusalem artichoke 115 Nl/kgVS. The least amount of biomethane was produced from the sugar beet (95 Nl/kgVS). Research limitations/implications: The basic structure of the laboratory device is welded from stainless steel (inox) and is limited by the following dimensions: 2500 mm length, 1000 mm height and 350 mm width. The device consists of twelve units of fermentors ensuring four tests simultaneously with three replications and assuring high accuracy of results. Practical implications: The test fermentors serve to test the biogas production from different energy crops and other materials of organic origin. The results reached serve to plan the electricity production in the biogas production plant. Originality/value: The mini digesters simulated in laboratory the actual state from the biogas production plant. Anaerobic fermentation was introduced and the biogas to be processed into electricity was produced.

For establishing the body mass of living animals it is possible to use various mechanical and digital weighing devices. An alternative possibility was researched by using measuring implements. We were testing over 30 fattened animals. During experiment the bulls were weighed by electronic weighing device EC 2000. The trunk length (d) and the chest size (o) were measured simultaneously. The bode mass (7) was calculated according to the equation: T = o x d / 50. It was,found out that the body mass of 240 - 290 kg calves was established with the accuracy between 0.44 kg and 2 kg by calculating on the basis of measurements without the weighing device. The results showed that the calculation is very accurate with certain body mass, when the animal's frame is of rectangular shape and the body structure in the front and the rear part is almost equally deep. The measurements of the chest size were not precise enough in all development stages. Therefore also the trunk size in the middle of the bode and the size in the rear part should be included into the equation for increasing the reliability of tire estimates. Introduction of those new points of measurements will improve the accuracy of calculation of the body mass also for the animals which phonotypical feature is in cylindrical shape during the period of growth.

Estimating the live weight of bulls by measurement of body dimensions with thermography and thermal image analysis was studied during progeny testing of the Simmental breed. The experimental group of bulls was measured seven times every 60 days from housing at the average age of 139 days (181kg) till slaughtering (449 days, 594kg). Each bull was weighed, manually measured and captured by the thermal camera. This device, together with the image analysis algorithm, proved to be a successful tool for estimating the wither height (Wh) and hip height (Hh) during all seven age classes. The SEE values for Wh decreased significantly during all weighing from 5.49cm at day 139 to 1.11cm at day 449 and from 4.99 to 1.76cm for Hh, respectively. Two linear models for estimating current body weight at different ages were also developed on the basis of the long-term herd data of the Wh (BW1) and Hh (BW2) measurements. A statistically significant relationship (P<0.05) was found for all seven age classes, whereby the Radj2 was varying with the age from 0.11 to 0.66 (BW1) and from 0.15 to 0.74 (BW2). Since the SEE values increased a little from 24.96kg at day 139 to 33.59kg at last weighing for the BW1 and from 21.76 to 32.69kg for the BW2, both models expressed high accuracies. Therefore the thermal camera shows to be a useful tool in estimating live BW, which is of significant importance in reducing stress during progeny testing and beef production.

The paper presents the construction for anaerobic digestion and measuring biogas production with fermenters. Anaerobic digestion is a system that harnesses natural process to treat waste, produce biogas that can be converted to heat and electricity and anaerobic digestate, a soil improving material. The experiment is made according to DIN 38 414, part 8. The quality and amount of biogas production (methane) is observed. The basic structure is made of stainless steel, on which other components are fixed. Some experiments with different energy plants are made.

For establishing the body mass of live animals it is possible to use various mechanical, digital and video devices.The experimental group of 30 bulls was measured five times every 60 days from housing at the average age of 139 days (181 kg) till slaughtering (449 days, 594 kg).During experiment the bulls were weighed by electronic weighing device EC 2000, the trunk length (d) and the chest size (o) were measured simultaneously and captured by the thermal camera.The results showed that the calculation is very accurate within certain body mass, when the animal's frame is of rectangular shape and the body structure in the front and the rear part is almost equally deep.For image analysis at different ages also two linear models for estimating current body weight were developed on the basis of the long term herd data.Therefore the thermal camera shows to be a useful tool among all.

AbstrAct Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to presents two sowing machines for interval sowing, differing in the mode of operation. We were interested in adequacy of sowing at different working speeds of the pneumatic vacuum sowing machine OLT and the pneumatic pressure sowing machine Aeromat - Becker for sowing sugar beet. The goal of the paper is to find out the optimum working speed for the individual sowing machine. Design/methodology/approach: : In completely identical conditions at different speeds of sowing two sowing machines which are most widely used in Slovenia were tested. Findings: We measured and calculated the parameters such as working efficiency, depth of sowing, inter - row distance and distance between seeds in the sowing row. Research limitations/implications: For successful sowing it is necessary to know adequacy of the soil for sowing, technical properties of the sowing machine and biotechnical characteristics of the seed. Cultivation of sugar beet depends primarily on expert and technically correct sowing. For growth and normal development of plants the distance between seeds in the sowing row is the most important parameter.