Influence of performance testing on reproductive performance of beef bulls

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
J. W. Wilton ◽  
M. R. McMorris
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Test Program ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Subsequent Fertility ◽  
Beef Bulls ◽  
Calving Season

The fertility of beef bulls which completed performance test in the Ontario Bull Test Program was measured by classification of success as breeders according to surveys of consignors to test, by classification of satisfaction in surveys of users of tested bulls and by measurement of calf crop percentages and birth dates of progeny relative to herdmates in the Ontario Beef Herd Improvement Program. Consignors classified 3.0% of the 2556 bulls with completed information as unsuccessful breeders. Users rated 61.5% of the 411 bulls with information from the participant survey as very satisfactory and 4.5% as very unsatisfactory. The effects of end of test weight, gain index, backfat and scrotal circumference on calf crop percentage (cows calving relative to cows exposed), percent of calves born in the first 3 wk of the calving season, percent of calves born in the first 12 wk and satisfaction score were generally small and nonsignificant as tested within breed for 122 Angus, 451 Charolais, 632 Hereford, 575 Limousin and 501 Simmental bulls. In general, gain on test and end-of-test measurements were not found to have any association with subsequent fertility of bulls tested. There was no evidence that increased scrotal circumferences were associated with increased measures of productive performance nor that increased fatness, within the range included in the Ontario Bull Test Program, decreased reproductive performance. Key words: Fertility, genetic evaluation, scrotal circumference, backfat

Performance Testing of Coal Fired Power Plants

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane E. Powers ◽  
William C. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Cycle Performance ◽  
Test Program

With the renewed interest in the construction of coal-fired power plants in the United States, there has also been an increased interest in the methodology used to calculate/determine the overall performance of a coal fired power plant. This methodology is detailed in the ASME PTC 46 (1996) Code, which provides an excellent framework for determining the power output and heat rate of coal fired power plants. Unfortunately, the power industry has been slow to adopt this methodology, in part because of the lack of some details in the Code regarding the planning needed to design a performance test program for the determination of coal fired power plant performance. This paper will expand on the ASME PTC 46 (1996) Code by discussing key concepts that need to be addressed when planning an overall plant performance test of a coal fired power plant. The most difficult aspect of calculating coal fired power plant performance is integrating the calculation of boiler performance with the calculation of turbine cycle performance and other balance of plant aspects. If proper planning of the performance test is not performed, the integration of boiler and turbine data will result in a test result that does not accurately reflect the true performance of the overall plant. This planning must start very early in the development of the test program, and be implemented in all stages of the test program design. This paper will address the necessary planning of the test program, including: • Determination of Actual Plant Performance. • Selection of a Test Goal. • Development of the Basic Correction Algorithm. • Designing a Plant Model. • Development of Correction Curves. • Operation of the Power Plant during the Test. All nomenclature in this paper utilizes the ASME PTC 46 definitions for the calculation and correction of plant performance.

RELATIONSHIPS OF SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE WITH BODY WEIGHT AND BACKFAT THICKNESS IN MULTIBREED SYNTHETIC POPULATIONS OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 1049-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. SHARMA ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Simple Correlation ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Synthetic Populations ◽  
Breed Group ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Beef Bulls

Relationships of scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (FT) as measured from scanograms were studied. A total of 935 observations on growing multibreed synthetic beef bulls on a postweaning performance test were available from a commercial herd for this study. Significant breed group, period and group × period interaction effects were noted on SC, BW and FT. BW and SC increased significantly during the test in all breed groups, while FT showed no change in three breed groups. Repeatability pooled across groups for SC was estimated as 0.72; 0.66 after adjusting for BW. Significant correlations were noticed between SC and BW within each breed group. Partial correlations between SC and BW at constant FT were not different from gross correlations. Linear regression coefficients of SC on BW were significant in all groups and showed heterogeneity among groups but not between periods within groups. Adjustments of SC for BW should, therefore, be breed group specific. BW alone accounted for considerable variation in SC, from 38 to 76%. Simple correlation coefficients between SC and FT were low and significant in only two groups. A significant but low positive relationship was noted between SC and FT at constant BW in a group fed a high-concentrate diet during the postweaning gain period, but there was no relationship in four other groups. Results indicated that the method of adjusting SC for FT as an indirect way of adjusting for scrotal fat was not satisfactory. Key words: Bulls, scrotal circumference, growth

Fertility aspects in yearling beef bulls grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Schuenemann ◽  
J. L. Edwards ◽  
F. M. Hopkins ◽  
N. R. Rohrbach ◽  
H. S. Adair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Normal Sperm ◽  
Endocrine Profiles ◽  
Beef Bulls

During a 2-year study, yearling beef bulls were used to determine the effects of grazing on endophyte-infected tall fescue on endocrine profiles, semen quality and fertilisation potential. Bulls were allotted to graze tall fescue pastures infected with Neotyphodium coenophialum (E+; n = 20 per year) or Jesup/MaxQTM (Pennington Seed, Atlanta, GA, USA; NTE; n = 10 per year). Bulls were grouped by scrotal circumference (SC), bodyweight (BW), breed composites and age to graze tall fescue pastures from mid-November until the end of June (within each year). Blood samples, BW, SC and rectal temperatures (RT) were collected every 14 days. Semen was collected from bulls every 60 days by electroejaculation and evaluated for motility and morphology. The developmental competence of oocytes fertilised in vitro with semen from respective treatments was determined. Bulls grazing E+ pastures had decreased BW gain (P < 0.01), increased overall RT (P < 0.01) and decreased prolactin (P < 0.01) compared with animals grazing NTE pastures. Neither percentage of normal sperm morphology nor motility differed between bulls grazed on the two pasture types. Semen from E+ bulls demonstrated decreased cleavage rates (P = 0.02) compared with semen from NTE bulls. However, development of cleaved embryos to the eight-cell and blastocyst stages did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, semen from bulls grazing E+ tall fescue resulted in decreased cleavage rates in vitro, which may lower reproductive performance owing to reduced fertilisation ability.

ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENTS OF BEEF BULLS IN PERFORMANCE-TESTING PROGRAMS

1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. WILTON ◽  
T. D. BURGESS ◽  
T. R. BATRA
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
A Value ◽  
Ultrasonic Measurements ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Beef Bulls ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Fat thickness and longissimus muscle area were measured ultrasonically on 229 beef bulls on performance test. Charolais bulls were leaner than Hereford and Angus at both start and end of test and grew more quickly. Rate of gain on test was not related to initial age, weight or fat thickness, with partial correlations of.00,.22, and −.01, respectively, for Charolais, and.08,.06, and −.05, respectively, for Hereford. Rate of gain on test was not highly related to final fat thickness and longissimus muscle area nor to changes in fatness and muscle area during test, correlations with rate of gain being.14,.21,.06, and.02, respectively, for Charolais, and.15,.23,.22, and.12 for Hereford. Predicted retail yield gains per day on test were very closely related to liveweight gains on test, with correlations of.99 for both Charolais and Hereford. Fat thickness measurements do not appear to have any value if used to predict retail yield per day, but might have a value in identifying beef bulls that exceed acceptable fat thickness by the end of test.

HERITABILITY OF SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE IN ONE- AND TWO-YEAR-OLD BULLS OF DIFFERENT BEEF BREEDS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. COULTER ◽  
G. C. KOZUB ◽  
D. R. C. BAILEY ◽  
R. J. MAPLETOFT ◽  
W. F. CATES
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Testicular Size ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
Beef Bulls

Over an 8-yr interval, (1975–1982) scrotal circumference (SC) was measured on 4557 1-yr-old beef bulls from 1796 sires and eight breeds. Measurements were taken upon completion of a 140-d growth performance test. During the period 1977–1983, SC was measured on 7835 2-yr-old beef bulls from 2570 sires and six breeds. Two-year-old bulls were measured during reproductive examinations at spring bull sales. All SC measurements were adjusted for fixed effects of location-year and age, and heritability estimates were calculated within-breed using a paternal half-sib analysis. Heritability estimates for the SC trait in Angus, Charolais, horned Hereford, polled Hereford, Shorthorn, Simmental, Limousin and Maine-Anjou breeds in 1-yr-old bulls were 0.22 ± 0.20, 0.46 ± 0.14, 0.89 ± 0.17, 0.83 ± 0.26, 1.01 ± 0.31, 0.63 ± 0.19, 0.94 ± 0.29 and 0.59 ± 0.22. Heritability estimates for SC in 2-yr-old bulls of the first six breeds were 0.00 ± 0.21, 0.60 ± 0.25, 0.57 ± 0.07, 0.65 ± 0.10, 0.69 ± 0.34 and 0.20 ± 0.24. Owing to the small number of sires or sons within sires for some breed-age groups and the exclusion of some sources of variation in the statistical model, the estimates of heritability may not be precise and should be used to indicate approximate levels of heritability for a particular breed. Key words: Heritability, testicular size, scrotal circumference, beef bulls

A comparison of production traits and welfare implications between horned and polled beef bulls

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Stookey ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Welfare Implications ◽  
Beef Bulls ◽  
Selected Traits ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain

Data from two record of performance test stations (ROP) were used to compare selected traits of polled and horned bulls. The University of Saskatchewan (SASK) ROP test station provided data on 578 Charolais (CH) and 375 Hereford (HE) bulls from 1985 to 1992, while the Alberta (ALTA) Hereford ROP station provided data on 1485 HE bulls from 1985 to 1993. Polled and horned CH bulls from SASK showed similar (P > 0.05) on-test average daily gain (ADG), while polled HE bulls from SASK showed significantly higher (P < 0.03) ADG than their horned counterparts (1.41 ± 0.01 and 1.36 ± 0.02, respectively). Polled CH bulls were 11.4% fatter than horned bulls at the end of the test (P < 0.01). No significant differences in ADG, weight per day of age (WPDA) or scrotal circumference (SC) were observed between polled and homed HE bulls in ALTA. These results show no disadvantage for polled bulls compared to horned for ADG, WPDA, adjusted SC and adjusted yearling weight. From a welfare perspective, it may be advantageous to use polled bulls to circumvent the need for dehorning. Key words: Polled horned bulls ADG test station

SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS: RELATIONSHIP TO PAIRED TESTES WEIGHT, EFFECT OF BREED, AND PREDICTABILITY

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. COULTER ◽  
D. G. KELLER
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Testis Weight ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Weight Effect ◽  
Beef Bulls

The relationship between paired testes weight (PTW) and scrotal circumference (SC) was examined in 335, 1- and 2-yr-old Hereford and Angus bulls. Measurements were taken within 15 days of each other. The equation best describing these data is Y = − 722.28 + 36.53X (r = 0.95; SE = ± 57.6), where Y is PTW (including epididymides) in grams and X is SC in centimeters. Comparable equations having age in days or body weight in kilograms as the independent variable are Y = 70.46 + 0.76X (r = 0.80; SE = ± 108.2), and Y = 74.37 + 1.00X (r = 0.80; SE = ± 107.6), respectively. Differences in SC due to breed were examined in 3063, 1-yr-old beef bulls of nine breeds completing 140-day growth-performance tests. Data were adjusted for location-year and body weight for all breeds except Herefords, where age was also included. The average SC ± SE by breed were Simmental 37.7 ± 0.2 cm, Aberdeen Angus 35.6 ± 0.1 cm, Maine-Anjou 35.4 ± 0.2 cm, Charolais 34.7 ± 0.1 cm, horned Hereford 34.6 ± 0.1 cm, Shorthorn 34.2 ± 0.2 cm, polled Hereford 34.0 ± 0.2 cm, Blonde d'Aquitaine 32.4 ± 0.5 cm, and Limousin 32.1 ± 0.3 cm. Predictability of SC measurements at the end of growth performance tests from those taken at various times during the test varied from 0.44–0.68 at or near the beginning of the test period to 0.88–0.94 at 1 mo before the end. Although all correlations were highly significant (P < 0.01), only measurements taken within 1 mo of completing the growth-performance test were sufficiently predictable for culling 1-yr-old bulls. Correlation coefficients calculated between SC in 1-yr-old bulls and SC and PTW when they were 2 yr old were 0.76 and 0.65 (P < 0.01). These values suggest that SC in young beef bulls is a useful predictor of PTW. Also, this study showed that testis size of 1-yr-old bulls differed among breeds and that SC of 1-yr-old bulls can be used as an aid to select herd sires likely to have above-average testicular size, thereby increasing the probability of impregnating more females when under heavy breeding pressure. Key words; beef bulls, testis weight, predictability, breed

scholarly journals Effects of Agricultural Byproducts in Ration on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Saidi Rams

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Megahed ◽  
A.-H. M. Etman
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Sugar Cane Bagasse ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Agricultural Byproducts ◽  
Subsequent Fertility ◽  
Testicular Size ◽  
Group 1

The influence of selected agricultural byproducts supplementation to feed rations on the ram's body gain, reproductive performance, and subsequent fertility were investigated. Forty Saidi rams were divided into 4 groups (n = 10). Group 1 (control) was fed 500 g/head/day concentrate feed mixtures (CFM) plus wheat straw ad libitum. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed 500 g/head/day CFM plus corn cobs or sugar cane tops or sugar cane bagasse (these roughages were treated with 1% urea), respectively. Serum testosterone, glucose and total cholesterol levels were determined and semen evaluations were carried out every 15 days. Testicular size, scrotal circumference and body weight were recorded each month. At the end of the experiment, 12 rams were allowed to mount 114 healthy ewes to evaluate the pregnancy rate for each group. The results have shown that the body weight, daily body gain, testicular size and scrotal circumference increased (p < 0.01) in the treated groups as compared to controls with advancing age. At the end of the experiment (90 days), testicular size and scrotal circumference increased (p < 0.01) in the treated groups as compared with the control. The testosterone level (ng/ml) in treated groups increased (2.18 ± 0.31 ng/ml in group 2; 2.35 ± 0.24 ng/ml in group 3, and 1.97 ± 0.16 ng/ml in group 4) significantly (p < 0.01) as compared with group 1 (1.76 ± 0.09 ng/ml). Moreover, supplementation of treated agricultural byproducts had a significant improving effects on the semen quality. The semen volume increased, along with individual motility and live sperm percentages. Pregnancy rate in this study indicated that rams of groups 2, 3 and 4 yielded a higher pregnancy rate (83.33%, 86.67% and 81.48%, respectively) than group 1 (74.07%). Agricultural byproducts such as corn cobs, sugar cane tops and sugar cane bagasse treated with 1% urea had a beneficial effect on the daily body gain and improved the reproductive performance and subsequent fertility of Saidi rams, compared to wheat straw.

Evaluation of Asphalt Mixture Performance Using Cracking and Durability Tests at a Full-Scale Pavement Facility

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110218
Author(s):  
Amir Golalipour ◽  
Varun Veginati ◽  
David J. Mensching
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Asphalt Mixture ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Cyclic Fatigue ◽  
Intermediate Temperature ◽  
Index Test ◽  
Reclaimed Asphalt ◽  
Indirect Tensile

In the asphalt materials community, the most critical research need is centered around a paradigm shift in mixture design from the volumetric process of the previous 20-plus years to an optimization procedure based on laboratory-measured mechanical properties that should lead to an increase in long-term pavement performance. This study is focused on advancing the state of understanding with respect to the value of intermediate temperature cracking tests, which may be included in a balanced mix design. The materials included are plant-mixed, laboratory-compacted specimens reheated from the 2013 Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF) study on reclaimed asphalt pavement/reclaimed asphalt shingle (RAP/RAS) materials. Six commonly discussed intermediate temperature (cracking and durability) performance testing (i.e., Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester [AMPT] Cyclic Fatigue, Cantabro, Illinois Flexibility Index Test [I-FIT], Indirect Tensile Cracking [ITC, also known as IDEAL-CT], Indirect Tensile Nflex, and Texas Overlay Test) were selected for use in this study based on input from stakeholders. Test results were analyzed to compare differences between the cracking tests. In addition, statistical analyses were conducted to assess the separation among materials (lanes) for each performance test. Cyclic fatigue and IDEAL-CT tests showed the most promising results. The ranking from these two tests’ index parameters matched closely with ALF field performance. Furthermore, both showed reasonable variability of test data and they were successful in differentiating between different materials.

Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates for scrotal circumference and semen traits in young beef bulls

1987 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Gipson ◽  
D.W. Vogt ◽  
M.R. Ellersieck ◽  
J.W. Massey
Keyword(s):  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Phenotypic Parameter ◽  
Beef Bulls
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document