Response of suffolk and texel rams to implantation with melatonin

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 ◽  
pp. 15-15
Author(s):  
S.M. Bateman ◽  
W. Haresign
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Sheep Meat ◽  
Testicular Recrudescence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Terminal Sire

There is currently much interest in overcoming the seasonality of sheep meat supplies in the UK and improving carcass quality. Towards that end, much research effort has been devoted to the development of techniques to induce early or out-of-season breeding in the ewe, but little attention has been paid to the male. Rams of most breeds show marked seasonal fluctuations In reproductive performance, with a depression in testis size, libido and semen quantity and quality during the spring and summer months and a period of high fertility in the autumn/winter, coinciding with the breeding season of ewes of the same breed. Problems of subfertllity which are frequently encountered following the use of various techniques to induce out-of-season breeding in the ewe may therefore be attributable, at least in part, to the ram. The choice of terminal sire for early lambing flocks is further compromised because some breeds of ram show later testicular recrudescence than others.

Genetic parameters for live weight, ultrasonic measurements and conformation in Bluefaced Leicester sheep

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 122-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. van Heelsum ◽  
R.M. Lewis ◽  
D.W. Jones ◽  
W. Haresign ◽  
M.H. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Selection Index ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Export Markets ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Sire Breed

Currently fewer than 50% of UK lambs produce carcasses of acceptable quality for the domestic and export markets, which compromises the competitiveness of sheep farming. Carcass quality can be changed by selection, and this is now being taken advantage of in terminal sire breeds and, to a lesser extent, in hill breeds. However, little attention has yet been focused on the crossing breeds, which have relatively poor carcass quality, in spite of the large impact such breeds have on the slaughter generation. Recently, a long-term project began to develop breeding programmes relevant to crossing sire (‘longwool’) breeds. Its objective is to produce a selection index to improve carcass quality without compromising the reproductive performance or maternal ability of these breeds. The Bluefaced Leicester is the most prevalent crossing sire breed with its crossbred (‘Mule’) daughters out of draft hill ewes accounting for 89% of crossbred (longwool x hill) ewes in the UK (Pollot, 1998).

Growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred (Mule) sheep

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 195-195
Author(s):  
A. M. van Heelsum ◽  
R. M. Lewis ◽  
W. Haresign ◽  
D. Jones ◽  
S. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Breeding Programme ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Improvement Programme ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Meat Sector

With increasing emphasis in the meat sector on better and more consistent quality, carcass leanness and conformation is now an important issue for sheep breeders. In 1999, only 47% of all carcasses in the UK met the target specifications for weight, fat and conformation (MLC, 2000), highlighting the potential for improvement. In the current stratified crossbreeding system, crossbred wether lambs are a by-product of the production of dam line ewes for the lowland sector. If their carcass quality is sufficient, they can give a valuable boost to the economics of the breeding programme. Genetic improvement of carcass quality in crossing sire breeds would benefit the crossbred wethers, as well as filter through to the terminal sire cross lambs produced by the crossbred ewes. This work aims to assess the influence of selection index and live conformation score of crossing sires (in this case Bluefaced Leicesters) on growth and carcass quality traits of their crossbred progeny, as a first step towards designing a genetic improvement programme for crossing sire sheep.

Comparative Performance of Two Primiparous Continental Genotypes in a Hill Suckler Herd (1) Reproductive Performance

1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 ◽  
pp. 21-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Keatinge ◽  
K A Christensen ◽  
P A Rowlinson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Uk

The drive for improved carcass quality has encouraged greater use of continental cross suckler dams (MLC,1993), producing three-quarterbred continental progeny. Little information is available on the performance of these types of suckler cow under hill conditions in the UK, but significant genotype by environment interractions have been measured elsewhere (Morris et al, 1993). As a finished animal, the Piemontese cross has shown significant advantages in killing-out proportion and yield of saleable meat (Davies et al, 1992), and some improvements in eating quality (Fisher et al, 1992).The objective of this experiment was to assess the output and reproductive performance of Piemontese cross Holstein/Friesian (PxH/F) and Simmental cross Holstein/Friesian (SxH/F) heifers in an autumn calving suckler herd.

A comparison of the Suffolk and Vendeen breeds when used as terminal sires for crossbred lamb production

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
B G Merrell
Keyword(s):  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Sire Breed

Lamb carcass quality is becoming economically more important. Crossbred lamb production in the UK is based upon the use of terminal sire breeds, chosen for carcass characteristics, mated to crossbred ewes, chosen for maternal attributes. The choice of terminal sire breed represents the most immediate option available to the commercial producer to improve the carcass characteristics of finished lambs. Previous studies (Croston, Guy, Jones, and Kempster, 1983; Cameron and Drury, 1985; Merrell, Webster and Ellis, 1990) have compared several terminal sire breeds, but these have tended to concentrate on the British Down breeds, particularly the Suffolk, and tne numerically more important imported breeds, such as the Texel and Charollais. Vendeen sheep were imported from France in 1981 but little information was available on growth and carcass traits of Vendeen crossbred lambs. A three year experiment compared, within a flock, the performance of the crossbred progeny of Suffolk and Vendeen rams.

A study of factors which influence the job satisfaction of stockpeople on commercial pig farms

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
R C Segundo ◽  
P R English ◽  
G Burgess ◽  
S A Edwards ◽  
O MacPherson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Considerable Influence ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Farm Livestock

The role of stockmanship in relation to the wellbeing of farm animals has been emphasised in the UK Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Farm Livestock (MAFF, 1983). Moreover, previous research work has demonstrated important effects of good and bad stockmanship not only on welfare but also on growth, lactational and reproductive performance of pigs and other farm livestock (Hemsworth et al, 1987). There is a need, therefore, to establish the factors which motivate and demotivate stockpeople since the degree of job satisfaction is likely to have a considerable influence on the attitude and performance of stockpeople and on their empathy with the animals in their care. With this objective in mind, a questionnaire was designed to investigate the aspects which could have an influence on the job satisfaction of the stockpeople involved in pig production.

The effects of nutrition on reproductive performance, lactation and carcass quality of once bred gilts

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 178-178
Author(s):  
A H Stewart ◽  
S A Edwards ◽  
V R Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Sugar Beet Pulp ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Beet Pulp ◽  
Ad Libitum

The once bred gilt system of production has a number of benefits in terms of feed efficiency and welfare, however the system relies on the production of a quality carcass and acceptable reproductive performance. Previous studies have indicated that welfare might be improved if gilts were ad-libitum fed a diet containing 60% Sugar beet pulp (Stewart et al 1993). There was a suggestion however that reproductive physiology may be put at risk using such a diet. The objective of this experiment was to identify differences in reproductive performance using two different energy sources in gestation and to manipulate nutrition during lactation to study the effect on carcass quality.

Effects of selection for production and maternal diet on maiden dairy heifer fertility

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Pryce ◽  
G. Simm ◽  
J. J. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Selection Line ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Maternal Environment ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to investigate reproductive performance and the influence of maternal environment on reproductive performance in two genetic lines of maiden heifers. These were given food and managed in the same way at the Langhill Dairy Cattle Research Centre. The two genetic lines were established in 1973; one has been selected for high combined yield of fat plus protein (selection line; S) and the other has been maintained at around the UK average for genetic merit of yield of fat plus protein (control line; C). Analysis of the reproductive performance of 988 heifers born between 1981 and 1998 showed that S heifers were poorer (all P < 0·05) than C heifers for all reproductive measures: conception at first service (S: 0·64, s.e. 0·02; C: 0·71, s.e. 0·03), interval between first and last service (S: 18·2 days, s.e. 2·2; C: 13·4 days, s.e. 2·2) and number of services per conception (S: 1·49 services, s.e. 0·06; C: 1·39 services, s.e. 0·06). S heifers were also younger at first service than C heifers (474·9 days v. 480·1 days, s.e. 1·9, for S and C respectively; P • 01). Fertility of service sires may have had some influence on these results, but this could not be investigated here, as S heifers were mated only to high merit bulls and C heifers to average merit bulls. However, within genetic line, the yearly downward trend in the average number of services per conception of heifers was significantly different from zero for the S line, but not the C line. There were no statistically significant relationships between conception rates in maiden heifers and their subsequent reproductive performance in first lactation. The effect of maternal environment on the reproductive performance of daughters as maiden heifers was investigated. There were no statistically significant relationships between daughter reproductive performance and dam parity or the feeding system of the dam (either a high or low level of concentrates). Within the limited range of nutritional status of dams during the periods post calving and in early pregnancy, there was no statistically significant effect of maternal nutrition on daughter reproductive performance.

A comparison of the reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian and Norwegian Red dairy cattle on commercial dairy farms over five lactations

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
C P Ferris ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
D J Kilpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Current Fertility ◽  
Breed Selection ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Fertility Traits

Fertility traits have been included within breed selection programmes for the Norwegian Red (NR) dairy cow population in Norway for over thirty years. As a consequence, a 60 day non-return rate to first artificial insemination (AI) of 72.5% was recently calculated for NR cows in Norway (Garmo et al., 2008). In view of this long term breeding programme, and current fertility performance within Norway, there is considerable interest in the NR breed as a means of overcoming the high levels of infertility that currently exist within the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed. However, farming systems within Norway are very different from those within the UK, with herd sizes in particular being much smaller. Thus an experiment was established on 19 commercial dairy farms to compare the fertility performance of cows of the NR and HF breeds.

Consumer panel assessment of eating quality of lamb from the progeny of Suffolk sires with high or low indices for leanness

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
R M Lewis ◽  
G Simm ◽  
S V Murphy ◽  
H E Browm ◽  
C C Warkup
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Terminal Sire

With links between saturated fat in the diet and health, consumers are increasingly favouring leaner meats. Increases in carcass lean weight and lean percentage can be achieved within breeds through selection. Yet fat may enhance post-slaughter processing and cooking of red meat and thus reductions in fat depots could detract from eating quality.In the UK, selection decisions within terminal sire flocks are increasingly being based on a combination of liveweight and ultrasonic measures of fat and muscle depth. The underlying goal in these programmes is to increase the daily rate of lean tissue growth. In most pedigree flocks in terminal sire breeds ram lambs are reared on a high plane of nutrition. Yet most lambs in the UK are reared in extensive production systems. Thus it is important to know whether differences in performance of rams reared under feeding practices typical in pedigree flocks translate into detectable differences among their crossbred progeny in carcass composition and eating quality characteristics under grass finishing. In this study, the objective was to evaluate whether consumers could detect differences in the appearance and eating quality in shoulder joints from extensively reared crossbred lambs sired by Suffolk rams, with high or low lean growth index scores.

Ovarian hormone patterns and subfertility in dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.E. Lamming ◽  
M.D. Royal
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Normal Embryo ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDecreasing levels of fertility of dairy cows are occurring, associated with increased average annual milk yields, increased herd size and a decreased labour investment per animal. To-date, there has been no positive genetic selection in the UK for improved female fertility due to the lack of reliable recording of fertility traits. Selection is further limited by the low heritabilities of traditional fertility measures, which are subject to environmental influences and management decisions and biological restraints such as age and sex. Assessment of the hormone patterns of fertile cows and determination of the atypical patterns exhibited by subfertile animals provides an objective method of identifying the causes and assessing the impact of subfertility and for the development of remedial treatment strategies. This knowledge can then be used to identify potential physiological parameters associated with high fertility which, in future, may be used for sire breeding value estimations to select for more fertile offspring. Regular assessment of the progesterone concentrations in milk provides a non invasive method of determining progesterone patterns. The results of two studies of milk progesterone levels in cows taken between 1975/82 and 1995/98 involving over 3200 lactations have been analysed and compared. They indicate a major increase over this period in the proportion of animals showing atypical milk progesterone patterns before mating from 32 to 44% (P<0.001) associated with less animals inseminated, delays to conception and lower conception rates. There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) over this period in animals calving to first postpartum insemination from 57% to less than 40% a decrease of approximately l%per annum. This may indicate an increase in the level of early embryo mortality. An early post ovulatory progesterone rise to adequate luteal phase levels has been shown essential for normal embryo development with low post ovulatory levels occurring in some cows resulting in lower calving rates. Milk progesterone analysis provides a robust and reliable method of measuring progesterone patterns for identifying subfertile animals, for targeting remedial treatments to improve fertility and for investigations into heritable fertility parameters for future selection programmes.

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