British Society Of Animal Production Research Articles

Review Of The Main Welfare Risks Related To Electrical Stunning Of Small Ruminants (Ovine And Caprine Species)

EFSA commissioned a comprehensive review of the welfare aspects of electrical stunning methods for small ruminants with an emphasize on low ampere stunning to establish the state of the art in the field and to assess whether scientific studies would address criteria outlined in an EFSA guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions regarding animal protection at the time of killing (EFSA Journal 2013;11(12):3486). The review was not formulated as a systematic review with a focused question instead the review followed the approach to assessing the literature described by the EFSA guidance. The key databases searched were: Science Citation Index (1900-2014), CAB Abstracts (1910-2014) and Medline (1990-2014). Key conferences proceedings and the bibliographies of review articles were manually searched. The search yielded 1599 records. 706 duplicate records were removed and 894 records assessed for relevance. Relevant studies reported electronic stunning of small ruminants and outcomes associated with onset and duration of unconsciousness. Eighteen papers reported electrical approaches to stunning in sheep. No goats were studied. None of the papers reported all of the parameters detailed in the EFSA guidance (EFSA, 2013) and a risk of bias assessment was not conducted. No studies reported the appearance of the electrodes. When the frequency (Hz) applied to the animal was reported, it was not specified whether this represented a minimum or maximum frequency. Only one study explicitly reported an effect size for amperes. The study suggested that the odds of a poor stun were higher for amperes of 0.6 (odds ratio (OD) of 6.27 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.98-20.7) and 0.8 (OR of 24.4 with 95% CI of 6.98-85.2) when compared to a poor stun at 1.25 ampere. © European Food Safety Authority, 2015

Prediction of beef carcass composition and tissue distribution using ultrasound scanning

1 page, 1 table.-- Contributed to: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science (Belfast, UK, 12-14 April, 2010).

Accuracy of virtual partial dissection by computed tomography as predictor of beef carcass composition

1 page, 1 table.-- Contributed to: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science or the Agricultural Research Forum (Belfast, UK, 12-14 April 2010).

Prediction of beef carcass and selected primal subcutaneous fat yields using data from images captured on-line in abattoir

1 page, 1 table.--Contributed to: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science or the Agricultural Research Forum (Belfast, UK, 12-14 April, 2010).

Predicting beef cut composition and meat quality traits by spiral computed tomography

1 page, 1 table.-- Contributed to: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science or the Agricultural Research Forum (Belfast, UK, 12-14 April, 2010).

Fertility in dairy cows: bridging the gaps

Dairy cattle are an integral part of agriculture worldwide, providing many products in addition to milk for the human population. The efficient production of these products is of utmost importance and high reproductive performance is absolutely crucial to this. In September 1999, Dr Michael Diskin led a committee (Dr Joseph M. Sreenan, Prof James Roche, Prof Maurice Boland and Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan) to organize an extremely successful and informative occasional meeting ‘Fertility in the High-Producing Dairy Cow’, jointly with the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) in Galway, Ireland, to address the important issue of declining reproductive performance in dairy cattle. The full papers were later published in an occasional publication by BSAS (2001). As discussed by Dr John Robinson in the conference summary, ‘ydelegates, after a starting point of uncertainty about how to deal with the problem [infertility], came away very well informed scientifically and, if perhaps with varying views as to the best way forward, more aware of the multidisciplinary research and development approach now being used to investigate it’. Dr Robinson concluded his summary by stating ‘Reversing this relentless decline in dairy cow fertility, while simultaneously sustaining high yields, is not going to be easyyyit is a challenge that will require great interchange of information and ideas between science, practice, research and development. The establishment of contacts and beginning of such interchange has been initiated during this [Galway, 1999] meeting and it is essential that this is sustained.’ Now, exactly 8 years later, it seemed time for those representatives from all disciplines involved in attempting to improve dairy cattle fertility to reconvene. Since 1999, the continued and well-documented decline in dairy cow fertility worldwide (Royal et al., 2000; Lucy, 2001; Mayne et al., 2002; Washburn et al., 2002; Lopez-Gatius, 2003; Swedish Dairy Association, 2005) has prompted new research into diverse aspects of dairy cow reproduction. To name but a few areas and publications, these include aspects such as genetics (Royal et al., 2002a and 2002b; Berry et al., 2003; Haile-Mariam et al., 2003; Philipsson and Lindhe, 2003; Wall et al., 2003; Holmberg and AnderssonEklund, 2006; Weigel, 2006; Hayhurst et al., 2007; Petersson et al., 2007; Veerkamp and Beerda, 2007), nutrition (Kadokawa and Martin, 2006; Robinson et al., 2006; Chagas et al., 2007; Friggens and Newbold, 2007; Wathes et al., 2007) Economics (Vargas et al., 2002; Esslemont, 2003; Santarossa et al., 2004; McGuirk et al., 2007), veterinary interventions and management (Refsdal, 2000; Roche et al., 2000; Sheldon et al., 2004; Bertoni et al., 2006; Diskin et al., 2006; Drillich et al., 2006; Mansell et al., 2006; Mee, 2007; Valergakis et al., 2007). It has also prompted the development of new technology and applications in the field. The purpose of this conference and subsequent publications is to provide an update on these activities since 1999 and to provide a forum for ‘bridging the gaps’ between the different disciplines involved. Invited and submitted theatre and poster sessions included new, up and coming presenters in addition to keynote speakers from across the globe, recognized as international experts in their field. As was the case at the 1999 meeting, the content is of direct interest to scientists, university lecturers, veterinarians, farm advisors and technical representatives working within the dairy industry as well as many dairy farmers. The following papers are a collection of research published at the conference. Dobson et al. (2008) highlight the factors predisposing to lowered fertility and disrupted oestrus in order to review ‘Why it is getting more difficult to successfully AI dairy cows’. The review by Morris and Diskin (2008), considers the current knowledge on embryo growth, development and survival in the cow and how these may be influenced by changes in uterine function and the concentration of systemic progesterone. Leroy et al. (2008), continues the investigations into the embryo reviewing a number of possible mechanisms linking negative energy balance to oocyte quality. Furthermore, in the event an embryo is formed after fertilization, the paper investigates whether the quality of early life is impaired. Interestingly, the prenatal environment is known to have a large impact not only

Livestock and water in developing countries with an emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa

Projected increased demand for food in developing countries over the next 30 years implies a correspondingly great need for additional agricultural water unless integrated research and development can achieve much higher water-use efficiencies. Without appropriate innovations in water management, poor access, quality and supply will continue to constrain food production. A global consortium recently completed the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management and Agriculture (CA 2007) and identified many options for overcoming water-related constraints to sustainable food production in developing countries. Historically, research and development of water resources has neglected the potential benefits and impacts of livestock. Apart from drinking water, livestock professionals have not given adequate attention to the use of and impact of domestic animals on water and related environmental health. In the absence of good science, popular literature is often highly critical of livestock production because of its perceived excess depletion of vital water resources. The CA uniquely attempted to address this issue (Peden 2007). This paper summarizes the CA’s findings about livestock for the benefit of the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) and the wider livestock research community.

Farm Animals and Biodiversity

Grazing animals cause major alterations to vegetation structure and botanical composition through their selective grazing, trampling and excretal deposition (Hester et al., 2005). Through these effects they modify habitats and thus the populations of invertebrates and other organisms at higher trophic levels. Herbivores are thus key drivers of ecosystem function and nutrient dynamics within grazed plant communities. Changes in grazing intensity and the species mix of grazing livestock can therefore have important implications for resulting biodiversity. Ongoing reform of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will lead to a shift in the way financial support for livestock is distributed and hence to changes in grazing management practices. Farmers will increasingly receive financial support subject to cross-compliance with various environmental conditions and for delivery of specific environmental and social objectives. In some areas, livestock are likely to be increasingly viewed as tools for habitat management rather than solely as producers of food and other commodities.Against this backdrop of policy change the British Society of Animal Science and the British Ecological Society organized a joint symposium at the BSAS Annual Meeting in April 2005 on the links between farm animals and biodiversity. Four papers from this symposium are presented as mini-reviews in the current issue of Animal Science.David Oglethorpe set the policy context in his review of the environmental implications of CAP reform (Oglethorpe, 2005). His paper highlighted the likely changes in the livestock sector that will ensue including a polarization of agriculture into intensive producers versus environmental managers, increasing extensification in the uplands and some substitution of beef with sheep. Jerry Tallowin then presented a review of the impact of grazing management on grassland biodiversity (Tallowin et al., 2005). His paper showed that lenient grazing pressure by cattle in species-rich grassland was sufficient to maintain botanical diversity but did not enhance it over a 5-year period. For species-poor grassland, grazing management could alter sward structure but, in the absence of seed sources, botanical diversity was resistant to change. There is obviously much research still be done in this area to support the development of suitable agri-environment measures under Pillar 2 support mechanisms. David Buckingham went on to consider the extent to which grassland management might influence habitat quality for farmland birds (Buckingham and Peach, 2005). His paper showed that the exacting requirements of declining granivorous birds pose the greatest challenges while the needs of soil invertebrate feeding species are more easily met under agri-environmental schemes. In the final paper by Bruno Martin, the influence of pasture diversity on cheese quality was the theme (Martin et al., 2005). This paper reviewed recent work, primarily from France, which has examined the links between the diet of grazing animals and the sensory characteristics of various Protected Designation of Origin cheeses. The review highlighted the sometimes subtle, but none the less important influence of the grazing environment on food quality.The purpose of the symposium was to draw together animal scientists, conservation biologists, ecologists and socio-economists to consider the changing rôle of farm livestock within the new ‘decoupled’ economic environment. Judging by the popularity of the symposium and the vibrant nature of the discussion that followed each paper, there are plenty of issues still to consider and the hope is that some of the contacts made at the meeting will yield fruitful collaborations in the future.

Intermediary Metabolism in the Dairy Cow

Current feed evaluation systems for ruminants include very simple models of intermediary metabolism – either single, static coefficients or simple equations to describe the efficiency with which the energy and nitrogen available for absorption are converted into milk and meat. For example, the revised UK system ‘Feed into milk’ defines a fixed efficiency of utilization of metabolizable protein (MP) for milk production of 0·68 (Thomas, 2004). Such a simple ‘efficiency’ coefficient is the tip of the tip of a rather large iceberg, representing the metabolism of the end-products of digestion between the point of their absorption into the animal and their use for the synthesis of milk and meat. The complex biochemistry of metabolism in the tissues of the gut (the portal-drained viscera, PDV), the liver and other internal organs, the adipose tissue, muscle and mammary gland: all reduced (a term used nonpejoratively) to single coefficients or simple equations. Simple and very useful – up to a point.A Working Party established by the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) Technical Committee on Responses to Nutrients wrote, in 1998, ‘The present state of knowledge on the nutritional and hormonal interactions “in intermediary metabolism” is considerably inferior to the knowledge which exists with respect to the processes of ruminal and intestinal digestion, and thus to develop a satisfactory model of metabolism requires research not only in model construction but also in the physiology and biochemistry of animals.’ (AFRC, 1998). Perhaps contrary to the common perception of a contracting research base in farm animal science, the required research in physiology and biochemistry is continuing, research which is summarized and put in context by two review articles in this issue of Animal Science.Kristensen (2005) focuses on a key aspect of the ‘energy economy’ of the cow: the metabolism of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the tissues of the digestive tract and the liver. Using novel techniques, Kristensen and colleagues have re-examined (and overturned?) one of the key paradigms of ruminant physiology, that a large proportion of the VFA generated by fermentation in the rumen is metabolised during absorption.Researchers from Canada and the UK are untangling factors affecting the partitioning of absorbed amino acids between use for protein synthesis and catabolism and this topic is reviewed by Lapierre et al. (2005). This paper emphasizes the important concept that ‘efficiency of utilization’ of absorbed amino acids is as much a function of demand (in the lactating cow, principally from the mammary gland) as it is of supply.The statement from AFRC (1998), quoted above, demands two activities, physiological research and model construction. These authors continue: ‘It is likely, however, that the best progress will be achieved if both types of research are undertaken in parallel.’ In a third review article in this volume, Hanigan (2005) summarizes the ‘state of the art’ in the simulation of PDV and hepatic metabolism, demonstrating how a computer model is a quantitative library in which to store new knowledge as well as a driver of future research.All three papers are based on presentations given to the 2004 annual meeting of the British Society of Animal Science. They demonstrate ‘the current state of the art’ for these important topics in ruminant physiology, offering a below the water-line look at these rather large and often forbidding icebergs. The reviews should serve as a valuable summary for those already working in this field of research, a concise and convenient introduction for those entering the field, and a window onto the future of practical systems for predicting the responses of dairy cows to the feedingstuffs they are offered.

Intermediary Metabolism in the Dairy Cow

Grazing animals cause major alterations to vegetation structure and botanical composition through their selective grazing, trampling and excretal deposition (Hester et al., 2005). Through these effects they modify habitats and thus the populations of invertebrates and other organisms at higher trophic levels. Herbivores are thus key drivers of ecosystem function and nutrient dynamics within grazed plant communities. Changes in grazing intensity and the species mix of grazing livestock can therefore have important implications for resulting biodiversity. Ongoing reform of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will lead to a shift in the way financial support for livestock is distributed and hence to changes in grazing management practices. Farmers will increasingly receive financial support subject to cross-compliance with various environmental conditions and for delivery of specific environmental and social objectives. In some areas, livestock are likely to be increasingly viewed as tools for habitat management rather than solely as producers of food and other commodities. Against this backdrop of policy change the British Society of Animal Science and the British Ecological Society organized a joint symposium at the BSAS Annual Meeting in April 2005 on the links between farm animals and biodiversity. Four papers from this symposium are presented as mini-reviews in the current issue of Animal Science. David Oglethorpe set the policy context in his review of the environmental implications of CAP reform (Oglethorpe, 2005). His paper highlighted the likely changes in the livestock sector that will ensue including a polarization of agriculture into intensive producers versus environmental managers, increasing extensification in the uplands and some substitution of beef with sheep. Jerry Tallowin then presented a review of the impact of grazing management on grassland biodiversity (Tallowin et al., 2005). His paper showed that lenient grazing pressure by cattle in species-rich grassland was sufficient to maintain botanical diversity but did not enhance it over a 5-year period. For species-poor grassland, grazing management could alter sward structure but, in the absence of seed sources, botanical diversity was resistant to change. There is obviously much research still be done in this area to support the development of suitable agri-environment measures under Pillar 2 support mechanisms. David Buckingham went on to consider the extent to which grassland management might influence habitat quality for farmland birds (Buckingham and Peach, 2005). His paper showed that the exacting requirements of declining granivorous birds pose the greatest challenges while the needs of soil invertebrate feeding species are more easily met under agri-environmental schemes. In the final paper by Bruno Martin, the influence of pasture diversity on cheese quality was the theme (Martin et al., 2005). This paper reviewed recent work, primarily from France, which has examined the links between the diet of grazing animals and the sensory characteristics of various Protected Designation of Origin cheeses. The review highlighted the sometimes subtle, but none the less important influence of the grazing environment on food quality. The purpose of the symposium was to draw together animal scientists, conservation biologists, ecologists and socio-economists to consider the changing role of farm livestock within the new ‘decoupled’ economic environment. Judging by the popularity of the symposium and the vibrant nature of the discussion that followed each paper, there are plenty of issues still to consider and the hope is that some of the contacts made at the meeting will yield fruitful collaborations in the future.

BSAS Ethical Policy British Society of Animal Science Ethical guidelines for research in animal science

Animal science research is important in relation to our understanding of animals, their function and performance, and their relationships with their social and physical environments. Animal science research covers a wide range of disciplines and so can lead to the use of a variety of experimental techniques on animals for many different purposes. This has the potential to lead to a multitude of diverse ethical issues. Members of the British Society of Animal Science and authors of papers submitted to the Society for publication come from countries around the world and therefore are subject to differences in legislative requirements and recommendations regarding animal experimentation. These legal requirements, along with the ethical implications of the research must be fully considered before any experimental work is undertaken.

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 112th meeting of the British Society of Animal Science, Scarborough, 18-20 March 1996

An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 111th meeting of the British Society of Animal Science, Scarborough, 20–22 March 1995

An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.

Report of the 1994 braude scholarship to the british society of animal science: improving reproductive performance in pigs

In recent years, the emphasis on reproductive performance in pigs has increased, although the favourable impact of improving reproductive performance on the overall efficiency of production has long been recognised. There is widespread agreement that increasing the number of pigs per sow per year should be a major objective of the pig industry, particularly as limits in fat reduction are approached. The 1994 British Society of Animal Science Braude Scholarship was used to investigate current research in the area of swine reproduction and identify particular areas of concern as perceived by the North American pig industry. The main objectives of the scholarship were to (1) present a paper at the Fifth World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (2) visit research establishments in the USA to discuss current research projects in pigs, with particular emphasis on genetic variation in reproduction traits and (3) visit major pig breeding companies in the USA to discuss the application of research results in modern pig breeding programmes and the required future research.

Report of the 1994 braude scholarship to the british society of animal science: improving reproductive performance in pigs

In recent years, the emphasis on reproductive performance in pigs has increased, although the favourable impact of improving reproductive performance on the overall efficiency of production has long been recognised. There is widespread agreement that increasing the number of pigs per sow per year should be a major objective of the pig industry, particularly as limits in fat reduction are approached. The 1994 British Society of Animal Science Braude Scholarship was used to investigate current research in the area of swine reproduction and identify particular areas of concern as perceived by the North American pig industry. The main objectives of the scholarship were to (1) present a paper at the Fifth World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (2) visit research establishments in the USA to discuss current research projects in pigs, with particular emphasis on genetic variation in reproduction traits and (3) visit major pig breeding companies in the USA to discuss the application of research results in modern pig breeding programmes and the required future research.

Hammond Memorial Lecture 1994 Growth and development of the scientific qualities of the British Society of Animal Production

I am very honoured to be invited to give this Lecture. I knew John Hammond well, and am personally in his debt for the many kindnesses and considerations he extended to me early on in my career. He was, in more ways than one, a giant of a man, and it is most fitting that this Society should honour his memory by inviting special lectures in his honour, and especially on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the British Society of Animal Production (BSAP) in 1944.

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 109th meeting of the British Society of Animal Production, Scarborough, 21-23 March 1994

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 109th meeting of the British Society of Animal Production, Scarborough, 21-23 March 1994

Comparative studies of diet selection by Churro and Merino genotypes grazing on a hill shrub community

2 pages, 3 tables.--Contributed to: Livestock Production and Land Use in Hills and Uplands. Occasional Publication No. 18. British Society of Animal Production (Edimburgo, Reino Unido).

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 107th meeting of the British Society of Animal Production, Scarborough, 15–17 March 1993

An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production: titles and abstracts of papers for presentation at the 104th meeting of the British Society of Animal Production, Scarborough, 23–25 March 1992

An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.