Wetting and the physiological responses of grain-fed cattle in a heated environment

A controlled crossover experimental design was used to determine the effect of altered water sprinkling duration on heifers subjected to heat stress conditions. Heifers were subjected to 3 days of thermoneutral conditions followed by 3 days of hot conditions accompanied by water sprinkling between 1300 and 1500 h (HOT1-3). Then on the following 2 days (HOT4-5), environmental conditions remained similar, but 3 heifers were sprinkled between 1200 and 1600 h ( WET) and 3 were not sprinkled (NONWET). This was followed by a 1-day period (HOT6) in which environmental conditions and sprinkling regimen were similar to HOT1-3. Rectal temperature (RT) was collected hourly, and respiration rate (RR) was monitored every 2 h on HOT Days 2, 4, 5, and 6. Dry matter intake and rate of eating were also determined. Sprinkling reduced RR and RT (P < 0.01) of all heifers during HOT1-3. During HOT4-5, WET heifers had lower (P < 0.05) RT than NONWET from 1300 to 700 h and lower RR from 1400 to 2000 h. Dry matter intake of NONWET heifers was reduced by 30.6% (P < 0.05) during HOT4-5 and by 51.2% on HOT6. On HOT4-5 the dry matter intakes of WET heifers were similar to intakes under thermoneutral conditions. During HOT6, RT was again reduced following sprinkling in all heifers. Comparison of RT and RR of NONWET and WET heifers on HOT1-3 v. HOT6 revealed that under similar environmental conditions, NONWET heifers had increased RT, partially due to carry-over from HOT4-5. However, NONWET heifers had 40% lower feed intake but tended to have lower RR on HOT6 v. HOT1-3. Only RR of WET heifers was greater on HOT6, possibly a result of switching from a 4-h back to a 2-h sprinkling period, while maintaining a 62% greater intake (5.80 v. 3.58 kg/day) than NONWET heifers during this time. Results suggest that inconsistent cooling regimens may increase the susceptibility of cattle to heat stress and elicit different physiological and metabolic responses.

Monensin supplementation of lactating cows fed tropical grasses and cane molasses or grain

Effects of monensin (Mon) on performance of Holstein-Friesian cows fed tropical grasses and cane molasses (M) or cereal grain were examined in three experiments. In experiment I (incomplete 4 x 4 Latin square), three rumen-fistulated cows [188 I I days in milk (DIM)] were fed mixed diets based on rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide) bay where M was substituted for wheat grain (W) at rates of 0 (MO), 125 (M 125) or 250 (M250) g/kg dry matter (DM). A fourth diet contained M250 plus 0.02 g Mon/kg DM (M250 + Mon). Substituting M for W tended (P < 0.10) to decrease the ratio of rumen molar proportions of acetate+butyrate (Bu):propionate (Pr) (4.3 versus 3.8 and 4.0 for M0, M125 and M250, respectively). There were no treatment effects (P> 0.10) on intake, organic matter digestibility, milk production or liveweight (LW) change. In experiment 2, 48 cows (173 &PLUSMN; 28.3 DIM) grazing kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum cv. common) pastures and supplemented with maize silage and a grain-based concentrate were offered either M (2.6 kg DM/(cow day)) or barley grain (B) (2.7 kg DM/(cow day)). Within each supplement type, half were fed 0 or 320 mg of Mon/(cow day). There were Mon x supplement interactions (Mon x S; P < 0.05) on the rumen molar proportion of Pr and Bu at 15:00 h, with B + Mon having the highest value for Pr (0.259 mmol/mmol) and lowest value for Bu (0.121 mmol/mmol). A Mon x S effect (P < 0.05) on milk fat content was noted with Mon causing a lower value regardless of energy source (31 and 36 g/l versus 40 and 38 g/l for B + Mon, M + Mon, B - Mon and M - Mon, respectively). As a main effect, M as opposed to B, reduced yields of milk (P < 0.05; 16.21/(cow day) versus 18.01/(cow day)) and protein (P < 0.05; 479 g/(cow day) versus 538 g/(cow day)). Monensin reduced milk fat yield (P < 0.05; 669 g/(cow day) versus 562 g/(cow day)), raised milk protein concentration (P < 0.05; 31 g/l versus 29 g/l) and caused LW gain rather than loss (P < 0.05; +0.06 kg/(cow day) versus -0.30 kg/(cow day)). No treatment effects on pasture intake were noted. In experiment 3, 48 cows (91 &PLUSMN; 16.1 DIM) grazing kikuyu pasture and supplemented with grain-based concentrate, sugar cane silage and 2.7 kg DM(cow day) of M were supplemented with either 0 or 320 mg Mon/(cow day). Monensin reduced (P < 0.05) milk fat content (33 g/l versus 30 g/l) and tended (P < 0.10) to reduce milk protein content (29 g/l versus 28 g/l). No effects of Mon on other milk production parameters, LW change or pasture intake were noted. Feeding monensin to mid-lactation Holstein-Friesian cows offered diets based on tropical grasses, and cane molasses or grain, improves rumen fermentation efficiency, thereby improving energy efficiency resulting in higher LW gain. Monensin had no effect on milk yield, but reduced milk fat concentration.

Testicular development of Zebu bulls after chronic treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

The objective was to compare testis characteristics of Zebu bulls treated with the GnRH agonist, deslorelin, at different times and for different durations during their development. An additional objective was to determine the usefulness of a stain for the transcription factor GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA-4) as a specific marker for Sertoli cell nuclei in cattle. Bulls (54) were allocated to nine groups (n = 6) and received s.c. deslorelin implants as follows: G1 = from birth to 3 mo of age; G2 = from 3 to 6 mo; G3 = from 6 to 9 mo; G4 = from 9 to 12 mo; G5 = from birth to 15 mo; G6 = from 3 to 15 mo; G7 = from 6 to 15 mo; G8 = from 12 to 15 mo; and G9 (control) = no implant. Bulls were castrated at 19 mo of age. Paraffin sections (10 mu m) were subjected to quantitative morphometry and GATA-4 immunohistochemistry. At castration, all bulls in the control group (6/6) had attained puberty (scrotal circumference ! 28 cm), whereas a smaller proportion (P < 0.05) had reached puberty in G2 (2/5) and G6 (1/ 6). Bulls in G2 and G6 also had a lesser (P < 0.05) testis weight compared with the control group. Total volume of seminiferous epithelium and total daily sperm production in G2 and G6 were only half that observed in the control group. Spermatids were observed in less than 50% of seminiferous tubules in G2, G6, and G7 compared with 82% in the control group (P < 0.05). Staining for GATA-4 was specific for and abundant in the Sertoli cell nucleus in both pre- and postpubertal bulls, and no other cell nucleus inside the seminiferous tubule was positive for GATA-4. Total number of Sertoli cells was not affected by treatment (P = 0.45), but nuclear volume was smaller in G2 and G6 (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. In conclusion, treatment of Zebu bulls with deslorelin had no apparent beneficial effect on testis development and delayed puberty when treatment was initiated at 3 mo of age. Staining for GATA-4 was a useful method for identifying and quantifying Sertoli cell nuclei in both pre- and postpubertal bulls.

Impacts of feeding system and season on milk composition and Cheddar cheese yield in a subtropical environment

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.

A comparison of the excretion rate of endogenous purine derivatives in the urine of Bos indicus and Bos taurus steers

Estimates of microbial crude protein (MCP) production by ruminants, using a method based on the excretion of purine derivatives in urine, require an estimate of the excretion of endogenous purine derivatives (PD) by the animal. Current methods allocate a single value to all cattle. An experiment was carried out to compare the endogenous PD excretion in Bos taurus and high-content B. indicus ( hereafter, B. indicus) cattle. Five Holstein - Friesian ( B. taurus) and 5 Brahman (> 75% B. indicus) steers ( mean liveweight 326 +/- 3.0 kg) were used in a fasting study. Steers were fed a low-quality buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris; 59.4 g crude protein/kg dry matter) hay at estimated maintenance requirements for 19 days, after which hay intake was incrementally reduced for 2 days and the steers were fasted for 7 days. The excretion of PD in urine was measured daily for the last 6 days of the fasting period and the mean represented the daily endogenous PD excretion. Excretion of endogenous PD in the urine of B. indicus steers was less than half that of the B. taurus steers ( 190 mu mol/kg W-0.75. day v. 414 mu mol/kg W-0.75. day; combined s.e. 37.2 mu mol/kg W-0.75. day; P< 0.001). It was concluded that the use of a single value for endogenous PD excretion is inappropriate for use in MCP estimations and that subspecies-specific values would improve precision.

Extent and economic effect of heat loads on dairy cattle production in Australia

Objective To investigate the extent of heat load problems, caused by the combination of excessive temperature and humidity, in Holstein-Friesian cows in Australia. Also, to outline how milk production losses and consequent costs from this can be estimated and minimised. Procedures Long-term meteorological data for Australia were analysed to determine the distribution of hot conditions over space and time. Fifteen dairy production regions were identified for higher-resolution data analysis. Both the raw meteorological data and their integration into a temperature-humidity thermal index were compiled onto a computer program. This mapping software displays the distribution of climatic patterns, both Australia-wide and within the selected dairying regions. Graphical displays of the variation in historical records for 200 locations in the 15 dairying regions are also available. As a separate study, production data from research stations, on-farm trials and milk factory records were statistically analysed and correlated with the climatic indices, to estimate production losses due to hot conditions. Results Both milk yields and milk constituents declined with increases in the temperature-humidity index. The onset and rate of this decline are dependent on a number of factors, including location, level of production, adaptation, and management regime. These results have been integrated into a farm-level economic analysis for managers of dairy properties. Conclusion By considering the historical patterns of hot conditions over time and space, along with expected production losses, managers of dairy farms can now conduct an economic evaluation of investment strategies to alleviate heat loads. These strategies include the provision of sprinklers, shade structures, or combinations of these.

'I like this interview; I get cakes and cats!':the effect of prior relationships on interview talk

Research interviews are a form of interaction jointly constructed by the interviewer and interviewee, what Silverman (2001: 104) calls 'interview-as-local-accomplishment'. From this perspective, interviews are an interpretative practice in which what is said is inextricably tied to where it is said, how it is said and, importantly, to whom it is said (Holstein and Gubrium, 2004). The relationship between interviewer and interviewee, then, is fundamental in research interviews. But what happens when the relationship between interviewer and interviewee is not only that of researcher-informant but also involves other roles such as colleague and friend? In this article we will show how prior relationships are invoked and made relevant by both parties during educational research interviews and how these prior relationships therefore contribute to the 'generation' (Baker, 2004: 163) of interview data. © 2010 The Author(s).

Ocorrência de leite instável na região semiárida do Rio Grande do Norte e sua correlação com a qualidade do leite

The unstable non acid milk (UNAM) is characterized by coagulation in the alcohol test and wanted acidity (14-18°D). Among Brazilian regions, the South and Southeast have the highest occurrence of LINA, which has been causing problems for both producers and for industries, due to the disposal or undervaluation of milk. In the Northeast there are few studies that indicate their occurrence and quality. The objective of this study was to identify the occurrence of unstable non-acid milk in the west and central mesoregions of Rio Grande do Norte, determine their physicochemical characteristics, test alcoholic graduations and evaluate their correlation with the quality of milk. 176 raw milk samples were analyzed in the period from September to December /2014 from 23 APASA’s cooling tanks, located in 7 cities of west and central mesoregions RN. The samples were collected in duplicate, one sample used for alcohol testing at 68, 72 and 76%, measurement of pH, acidity, electrical conductivity and boiling proof, made in LABOLEITE / UFRN; and the other sample containing Bronopol® preservative, was sent to the APCBRH (Cattle Breeders Association Paranaense Holstein) laboratory in Curitiba-PR, which were analyzed fat, protein, total solids, lactose, casein, urea nitrogen and somatic cell count. The test alcohol samples disapproved 31.82%, of which 30% proved to be non-acid, and 30% had high acidity. The samples were divided into three classes: Stable Milk, UNAM and acid milk. 3% Tukey test was used for comparison of stable milk components and UNAM and there was no significant difference between them. Both classes obtained averages within the standard required by IN 62. The average value of electric conductivity was 4.84 mS/cm for stable milk, 4.55 mS/cm for unstable and acid milk and 4.53 mS/cm for non-acid unstable milk. The electrical conductivity was positively correlated with alcohol stability of milk and negative correlation with acidity and pH. Could not observe direct relationship between the electrical conductivity and the somatic cell count.The boiling test was negative for all samples UNAM. It can be concluded that the incidence of UNAM in the studied region is low, although the predisposing factors such as heat stress, drought and nutritional deficiency. In conclusion, the UNAM has quality similar to stable milk, conform the norms required by Agriculture Ministry, and with adequate thermal stability, which proves that there is no reason to reject this milk by industry.

(Figure 1) Distribution of 137Cs and 134Cs vs. age in sediments of the Großer Plöner See, north Germany

137Cs and 134Cs as compounds of the radioactive release from the reactor catastrophy of Chernobyl on the 26.04.1986 were deposited into sediments of lakes in Schleswig-Holstein (Germany). Three years later, in autumn 1989, a sediment core was taken from the Großer Plöner See and the distribution of both caesium isotopes was determined. The radiocaesium profiles were dated by 210Pb. The radiocaesium nuclides from Chernobyl diffused into sediment layers which were deposited decades before the catastrophy. The activity of 137Cs from Chernobyl was higher than from the nuclear bomb fallout.

(Table 2) Concentration of heavy metals and organic carbon, and 210Pb activity of sediments near Büsum, eastern Wadden Sea

A 3.38 m long sediment core raised from the tidal flat sediments of the 'Blauortsand' in the Wadden Sea northwest of Büsum (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) was analysed in order to investigate long term changes in sediment pollution with Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd. Comparison with the topographic maps since 1952 and 210Pb activity allowed a general dating of the sediment succession in the core. The heavy metal concentrations including 210Pb of the < 20 µm grain-size fraction in thick sediment slices below 1.30 m indicated background niveaus. Their values increased and reached modern levels in the upper sediment layers of the core above 1 m. The increments for Pb, Cu, Zn was 1 to 3 fold and Cd up to 11 fold since the second half of the 19th century. More investigations are needed to quantify the geographical extent and history of the contaminations shown in this pilot study.

(Appendix) Petrographic record from excavation profiles in Old-Luebeck (Liubice), north Germany

Die Frage einer Küstensenkung spielt seit Jahrzehnten bei der geologischen Erforschung des norddeutschen und niederländischen Flachlandes eine große Rolle. Der Schwerpunkt der bisherigen Arbeiten lag im südlichen Nordseeraum. Gerade dieses Gebiet bereitet aber wegen seines Aufbaues aus jungen, teilweise stark setzungsfähigen Gesteinen, des von Ort zu Ort und im Laufe der Zeit unterschiedlichen Einflusses der Gezeiten sowie wegen mancher anderer Bedingungen sehr große methodische Schwierigkeiten. Deshalb überrascht es nicht, daß die einzelnen Untersuchungen noch in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten für die verschiedenen Abschnitte zu sehr abweichenden Folgerungen kamen, so daß die heute bekannten Einzeltatsachen nur ein recht widerspruchsvolles Gesamtbild ergeben. Da eine Klärung der Probleme durch eine Neubearbeitung an der Nordsee zunächst wenig erfolgversprechend erscheint, wird die Aufmerksamkeit unvermeidlich auf die Verhältnisse im südwestlichen Ostseeraum gelenkt. Hier bestehen in mancher Hinsicht einfachere Bedingungen, die eine derartige Untersuchung begünstigen. Vor allem die Nachbarschaft des skandinavischen Hebungsgebietes am gleichen Wasserbecken, die sehr geringen Gezeitenwirkungen und die hier weit verbreiteten Sandschüttungen bieten bessere Vergleichsmöglichkeiten und schalten viele Fehlerquellen aus. In der voliegenden Arbeit wurden die litorinazeitlichen und die nachlitorinazeitlichen Vertikalbewegungen des Landes und die eustatischen Schwankungen des Wasserstandes im südwestlichen Ostseeraum mit geologisch-morphologischen Methoden und durch die Auswertung von Lage und Verbreitung ur- und frühgeschichtlicher Funde sowie unter Auswertung von pollenanalytisch datierten Bohrprofilen und Pegelaufzeichnungen untersucht.

Distribution of microorganisms in recent sediments of Kiel Bay

Die angewandte Mikropaläontologie bestimmt heute im wesentlichen das Alter eines Gesteins mit Hilfe von Faunenvergesellschaftungen. Aus der Zusammensetzung der Fauna, aus dem Einsatz oder Fehlen bestimmter Gattungen und Arten, aus den Mineralien, die das Gestein aufbauen, aus dem ganzen Bild, das eine aus einem Gestein herausgeschlämmte Fauna dem Bearbeiter gibt, läßt sich das Alter dieses Gesteins festlegen. Will man aber verschiedene Bohrungen, vor allem auch räumlich weit voneinander getrennter Gebiete, miteinander parallelisieren, so liegt das Kernproblem der Mikropaläontologie in der Frage, ob es sich bei verschiedenen Faunen tatsächlich um Alters- oder nur um Faziesunterschiede handelt. Da die Grundlagen der mikropaläontologischen Arbeitsweise zum weitaus größten Teil auf den Ergebnissen von Untersuchungen fossiler Faunen beruhen, müssen zu ihrer Unterbauung Untersuchungen an recentem Material folgen. Besonders spielt das Ineinandergreifen mariner und brackischer Sedimente in der angewandten Mikropaläontologie eine große Rolle. Auf Grund der Tatsache, daß ein großer Teil von Gattungen und Arten der Foraminiferen an der Wende Kreide/Tertiär ausstirbt und neue an ihre Stelle treten, stellt Glässner (1948) die Behauptung auf, daß die aktualistisch gewonnenen Ergebnisse für vortertiäre Faunen nur eine geringe Bedeutung besitzen. Auch seien vortertiäre, brackische Foraminiferen nicht bekannt (Glässner 1948, S. 191). Hiltermann (1948) konnte aber bereits im nordwestdeutschen Malm brackische, d. h. in Brackwasser eindringende Foraminiferen nachweisen. Auf jeden Fall behalten aktualistische Unterlagen ihren Wert für das Tertiär und Quartär. Die Faunen, die in recenten, brackischen Sedimenten nebeneinander auftreten, sind in einem Bohrprofil in einem Gestein übereinander zu erwarten. Gelingt es, die Beziehungen einer recenten Fauna zu ihrer Umwelt zu klären, dann können umgekehrt aus fossilen, ihnen gleichen oder ähnlichen Faunen Rückschlüsse auf die Entstehungsbedingungen von Gesteinen gezogen werden. Unter Umständen können der Verlauf einer Transgression, Küstennähe, die Höhe des Salzgehaltes des Meerwassers, die vorherrschenden Temperaturen u. a., aus ihnen abgelesen werden. Die Ostsee ist ein klassisches Brackwassergebiet der Erde. Ihr westlicher Teil, die Kieler Bucht, wurde erst in jüngster geologischer Zeit vom Meer überflutet. Nach Tapfer (1940) begann hier die flandrische Transgression erst etwa um 7500 v. d. Zw. mit dem Erreichen des heutigen Meeresniveaus. Seit dieser Zeit erst entstehen neue Küstenformen, wird der Meeresboden umgelagert und bilden sich marine und brackische Absätze in diesem Gebiet.