Forage yield of Urochloa brizantha [(Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D.] cv. Insurgente at different cutting heights

Objective: Evaluate the forage yield of Urochloa brizantha cv. Insurgente at differentcutting heights.Design/ methodology/ approach: the experiment was carried out at the Universidaddel Papaloapan, Loma Bonita, Oaxaca, Mexico. Four cutting heights were evaluated (5,10, 15, and 20 cm) during the rainy, norther, and dry seasons. The experiment followeda randomized block design with four replicates. We evaluated plant height (PH), greenmatter yield (GMY), dry matter yield (DMY), growth rate (GR), and morphologicalcomponents, such as leaf yield (LY), sheath yield (SY), and stem yield (StY).Results: the cutting height and season interaction was significant for all the evaluatedvariables (P?0.01). The highest PH (42 cm) was obtained with a cutting height of 20 cmduring the rainy season. The highest GMY and DMY (2,484 and 606 kg ha -1 ,respectively) were obtained with cutting heights of 15 cm during the rainy season. Thesevalues were similar (P>0.05) to those obtained at 20 cm (2,410 and 582 kg ha -1 ,respectively). The highest LY, SY, and StY values were obtained with cutting heights of15 and 20 cm during the rainy season. The highest GR (31 kg MS ha -1 day -1 ) wasobserved during the rainy season, regardless of cutting height.Findings/ conclusions: for each of the evaluated seasons, cutting heights of 15 and 20cm resulted in the highest forage yields of U. brizantha cv. Insurgente.

LINEAR MEASURMENT IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) AND WAD X RED SOKOTO GOATS

Performance record of 76 West African Dwarf (WAD) and WAD X Red Sokoto (RS) kid were compared for efficiency of growth in skeletal dimensions. Genotype (P<0.01) affected all the measurement studied. Halfbred kids were superior in all body parts from birth till 150 day of age. Maternal effect did not contribute to better performance among the halfbred kids, although, it influence varied from 5-33% at different stages of growth in favour of the halfbreds. Season of birth (p>0.05) affected all measurement studied at birth except shoulder width. However, at 90 days and 150 days of age, seasonal influence became significant (p<0.05) on shoulder width and non significant for all other body measurements. At birth, kids born in dry season (October-April) had superior body length, shoulder width and leg length, but those born in the rainy season had superior hearth girth. Genotype x season interaction affected shoulder width significantly (p<0.01) at birth. While sex and type of birth did not significantly influence body measurement at any age.

Effect of season on Ejaculate Quality of three phenotypes of Nigerian Local Cocks

Twenty four (24) adult Nigerian local cocks comprising 8 normal, 8 frizzle and 8 naked-neck were subjected to two ejaculations per week for seven weeks in each season (early rain, lale rain, early dry and late dry seasons) using the massage technique. Ejaculates were subjected to both physical and chemical evaluations. Results showed a significant (P<0.01) seasonal effects between phenotypes in reaction time. In all the seasons, naked-neck and frizzle cocks had higher (P<0.01) ejaculate volume, sperm motility and total sperm than normal cocks. A highly significant (P<0.01) phenotype by season interaction was observed with naked-neck producing better quality ejaculates during the dry season when compared to other phenotypes. Significant (P<0.05) differences were noted in the percent abnormal sperm among the seasons. There were no significant season by phenotype interactions (P>0.05) in most of the chemical parameters (Na+1, K+1, Ca2+, Mg2+, and total protein) evaluated. However, a gradual increase in seminal protein was observed among the phenotypes with a peak during late dry season. The cations (particularly sodium, potassium and calcium) and chloride constituents of ejaculates were significantly lower during the late dry season than at most other seasons. From these results it was concluded that the naked-neck and frizzle cocks appear superior to the normal cocks in semen output and quality under the humid tropical environment.

Effects of genotype and season on the productive performance of commercial egg-type chickens in the derived savanna zone in Nigeria

Twelve (12) month production records of two commercial egg-type chickens, Nera Black (NB) and Isa Brown (IB) reared on a commercial farm in Ilora, Oyo State, Nigeria were analysed to assess effects of season and genotype on their performance. The production record was sorted according to the two recognized major seasons: wet (April-September) and dry (October-March) in the study area. Besides, the each major season was further partitioned into two sub-seasons namely: early rainy season (ERS: April-June), late rainy season (LRS: July-September), early dry season (EDS: October-December) and late dry season (LDS: January-March). Results of data analysis showed that genotype had no significant effect (P>0.05) on all the performance indices. Conversely, season significantly (P<0.05) affected all the performance parameters evaluated and hens performed better in wet seasons compared with dry months. There was significant (P<0.05) genotype by season interaction effect on egg production but not (P>0.05) for other productive parameters. IB strain performed better in wet season most especially in LRS while NB hens had better performance in dry season. Results from this study indicated that regardless of the season, the two egg strains should be employed for commercial egg production but adequate measure should be taken to combat the adverse effect of thermal stress on the welfare and performance of layers in the study area most especially in LDS months. Discrepancies in genotype by season interaction suggest genetic basis to differences in performances and physiological abilities of the investigated egg-strains to cope with stresses emanating from change in season.

The Football Association Injury and Illness Surveillance Study: The Incidence, Burden and Severity of Injuries and Illness in Men’s and Women’s International Football

Objectives To determine the incidence and characteristics of injury and illness in English men’s and women’s senior and youth international football. Methods Time-loss injuries and illnesses, alongside match and training exposure, were collected across 8 seasons (2012–2020) in youth (U15, U16, U17, U18, U19) and senior (U20, U21, U23, senior) English men’s and women’s international teams. Analysis of incidence, burden, and severity of injury and illness was completed. Sex-specific comparisons were made between the senior and youth groups, and across the 8 seasons of data collection. Results In men’s international football, 535 injuries were recorded (216 senior; 319 youth) during 73,326 h of exposure. Overall, match injury incidence (31.1 ± 10.8 injuries/1000 h) and burden (454.0 ± 195.9 d absent/1000 h) were greater than training injury incidence (4.0 ± 1.0 injuries/1000 h) and burden (51.0 ± 21.8 d absent/1000 h) (both P < 0.001). In women’s international football, 503 injuries were recorded (senior: 177; youth: 326) during 80,766 h of exposure and match injury incidence (27.6 ± 11.3 injuries/1000 h) and burden (506.7 ± 350.2 days absent/1000 h) were greater than training injury incidence (5.1 ± 1.8 injuries/1000 h) and burden (87.6 ± 32.8 days absent/1000 h) (both P < 0.001). In women’s international football, a group × season interaction was observed for training injury incidence (P = 0.021), with the senior group recording a greater training injury incidence during the 2015–2016 season compared to the youth group (14.4 vs 5.7 injuries/1000 h; P = 0.022). There was no difference in injury severity between match and training for men’s (P = 0.965) and women’s (P = 0.064) international football. Conclusions The findings provide a comprehensive examination of injury and illness in English men’s and women’s senior and youth international football. Practitioners will be able to benchmark their team’s injury and illness incidence and characteristics to the match-play and training information provided in the present study.

Stalk-Juice Quality Traits of Sweet Sorghum as Affected by Season in Sudan

An experiment was conducted in Shambat (2012-2013) during the summer and winter seasons to study the stalk-juice quality parameters of 29 exotic and local sweet sorghum varieties as affected by season. The objectives were to provide basic data attributing to syrup and sugar (jaggery) production in the Sudan. The materials were arranged in RCB design. Data were collected on brix, pol (sucrose %), reducing sugars, total sugars, purity and pH. The single and combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among varieties for all traits studied. The variety x season interaction was significant for all traits other than total sugars %, implying the need for considering the variety choice in each season. The results of juice quality parameters were mostly within the range reported in the literature. The exotic materials excelled the local ones in brix, pol%, total sugars% and purity. The exotic varieties: N100, Red-X, Hastings and N110 as well as the local Ankolib selections: AnkNyala and Ank36 were identified as having juice quality traits suitable for syrup production. The exotic varieties: BlueRibbon, KansasCollies and Brawley were identified for sugar (jaggery) production. It was concluded that interaction of variety x season and yield parameters for juice, grain and stover should be considered when determining the choice of the variety. Future research should focus on developing multi-purpose varieties capable for concurrent production of syrup/sugar, grain and stover.

Factores ambientales asociados con los días no-productivos de cerdas en el trópico mexicano

Objectives. To estimate the lifetime non-productive days (NPD), lifetime proportion of NPD (%NPD) and non-productive days per sow per year (NPD/Y), and to determine the effect of herd and sow level factors on the traits here studied in three pig farms in the Mexican tropics. Materials and methods. Data from 6703 sows from three commercial farms were used. The model that described the traits studied comprise the fixed effects of farm, year and season of first farrowing, age at first parity, reasons of removal of sows, year x season interaction and the residual error. Results. The means for lifetime NPD, %NPD and NPD/Y were 64 days, 12.0% and 39.3 days, respectively. All fixed factors had significant effects (p<0.01) on the characteristics evaluated. Sows having their first parity at an old age and sows culled because of reproductive reasons had the highest lifetime NPD. In addition, sows culled at first parity had lower lifetime NPD and higher %NPD than sows culled in subsequent farrowing. Conclusions. The early culling of sows increased the percentage of non-productive days, which in turn is expected to reduce the profit of farms.

196 Udder and teat score changes with advancing age in crossbred beef cows and heifers

Udder suspension and teat scores assess mammary organ conformation at calving. Study objectives were to evaluate udder and teat score changes with advancing age in crossbred beef cattle. Fall- (n = 436) and spring-calving (n = 394) Bos taurus crossbred primiparous heifers (n = 87) and multiparous cows (n = 743) in Prairie, MS were assigned udder (1 to 9 scale: 1 = very pendulous, 9 = very tight) and teat (1 to 9 scale: 1 = very large, 9 = very small) scores with 24 h of parturition. Effects of calving season (FALL: August through October; SPRING: February through April) and age (HEIFER: &lt; 3 yr; YOUNG: 3 to 5 yr; MID: 6 to 10 yr; OLD: &gt; 10 yr) and their interaction on annual change in teat and udder scores were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS. Udder score change was not affected by season (P = 0.92) or age x season interaction (P = 0.37) but was influenced by age (P &lt; 0.01). Udder score annual decrease was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for HEIFER (-1.4 ± 0.3) than YOUNG (-0.3 ± 0.2), MID (-0.3 ± 0.2) or OLD (-0.3 ± 0.4). Likewise, teat score change was not affected by season (P = 0.50) or age x season interaction (P = 0.26) but was influenced by age (P &lt; 0.01). Teat score annual decrease was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for HEIFER (-1.5 ± 0.3) than YOUNG (-0.5 ± 0.2) or MID (-0.4 ± 0.2) but not different (P = 0.14) from OLD (-0.8 ± 0.3). Teat score change was not different (P = 0.23) among YOUNG, MID, and OLD. Results suggest that udder and teat scores change the subsequent year at a more rapid rate in heifers than in cows up to 10 yr of age.

Crude protein content in Urochloa cultivars (Syn. Brachiaria) in exclusive pasture system or consorciated with Macrotyloma axillare cv. Guatá

The objective of this study was to evaluate the crude protein content of Urochloa spp.cultivars (U. brizantha cv Marandu and U. decunbens cv. Basilisk), within a consortium systemwith Macrotyloma axillare cv Guatá. The experimental design was a completely randomized design,with four replications, in a factorial scheme (2 x 2), at which two types of grass (U. decumbensand U. brizantha) and two pasture types were studied (intercropped or exclusively fertilized with 60kg of nitrogen/ha) with repeated measures in time (samplings at two seasons of the year: February(summer) and August (winter)). Subsequently, samples were collected from a 2 m long PVC bar atfour points in each picket, and the forage cut close to the ground, with costal mowing coupled with0.5 m length hedge trimmer, each sample of 0.5 x 2.0 m, totalizing 1m2. The sampled material wasidentified, weighed and sent for analysis of crude protein to assess the contribution of leguminousin grass protein content. No significant differences were found when the type of grass versus type ofpasture interaction for the crude protein variable was met; however, significant differences were foundwhen evaluating the type of grass versus season interaction, at which the highest levels were foundwithin the month of February (summer), the same occurring for the interaction type of pasture versusseason of the year. It was concluded there were increases in crude protein content for U. decumbenscv. Basilisk and U. brizantha cv. Marandu when in consortium with M. axillare cv. Guatá in thesummer season.Keywords: Biological nitrogen. Forage. Forage quality. Leguminous.