East Friesland Research Articles

Community-based participatory research in population-based health surveys - a case example from East Friesland (Germany)

Abstract Background The ongoing community-based participatory research (CBPR) project is based on a representative cross-sectional study on health and well-being in a rural region of Germany (n = 655). Methods We use a wide array of participatory methods to involve the general public, politicians and experts such as conferences open to the public including the use of the Mentimeter app, e-participation via an online-forum, working groups on topics identified by the public, a Delphi survey elicit expert opinions and focus groups to get deeper knowledge on key aspects. Results The results confirm the interest the public has in understanding better scientific research in the field of public health. The diversity of people (most notably age, social background) is a challenge in reaching out to people. Presenting statistical data to non-experts requires the researchers to re-think ways of presenting data, therefore basic knowledge on data research has to be taught. Usage of the tools such as the Mentimeter app offers a low-threshold for empowering people to take part in participatory conferences. Conclusions Sustainability is of utmost importance for participatory research. The population not only has the need but deserves timely information on results. Key challenges are communication, building trust and implementing sustainable CBPR projects. CBPR helps in building mutual trust, knowledge and science - public co-operations. Conferences open to the public that are tailored to the public`s needs and competences show the great interest people have in scientific knowledge generated through population-based surveys. By participatory research, Public Health Science can contribute to society, empower the general public. Key messages There is an existing interest in CBPR by the general public. It can be assumed that promoting CBPR in a sustainable manner will increase that interest. The diversity of participants is a challenge as well as communicating scientific data to non-experts.

Well-being and Health among adolescents living in a rural area in Northern Germany (East Friesland) - Result of the WOGE study

Abstract Background Relationship of wellbeing of adolescent and community determinants in rural areas are mainly unknown. The aims of this study is 1) to provide data on wellbeing of adolescents in a rural area, 2) to analyses the association of sociodemographic variables and satisfaction with their community with adolescents` wellbeing. Methods We conducted a representative cross-sectional study (June 2018 - May 2019) in a rural catchment area including adolescents aged 14-18 years. We included socio-demographics (age, gender, education status), and time spent with parents in our study. Additionally, we measured wellbeing with the Ryff wellbeing scale (42 Items) and satisfaction with the community with a self-developed scale (21 Items). Data were analysed with uni- and multivariate linear regression models. Results A total of n = 157 adolescents (n = 82 girls/n=73 boys, age mean=16.7 years) participated in this families health study. The majority (97%/n=152) lived with their parents, and 70% (n = 110) had siblings. Among them were n = 146 adolescents (93%) who are in school-based education, and n = 11 (7%) are under work training education. Overall, adolescents reported high well-being scores (mean=166.78, SD = 32.8, 95%CI=161.24-172.19) and high satisfaction with their community (mean=13.67, SD = 1.63, 95%CI=13.45-14.03). Surprisingly, adolescents loved to spend time with their parents. Multivariate analyses suggest no significant associations of age (p-value=0,565), gender (p-value=0.961), education status (p-value=0.271) with well-being. However, community satisfaction is associated with well-being (p-value=0,006). Conclusions Sociodemographic variables were not associated with adolescents' satisfaction but with well-being in this rural community. A potential explanation might be that adolescents rely on their families rather than the wider community. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of family relations in explaining the high well-being of this population.

Growth and Flowering of Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfrieland' in Response to Reduced Irrigation1

Abstract Reduced irrigation (RI) can conserve water and control plant growth; however, the timing of RI applications can impact plant growth and flowering. The goal of this research was to quantify growth of Salvia nemorosa L. ‘Ostfrieland' (East Friesland) in response to RI. A soil-moisture sensor automated irrigation system was used to apply four irrigation treatments: RI and well-watered (WW) controls (20% and 38% substrate water content) and two combination treatments to apply RI for either the first two weeks (20% followed by 38%, RIWW ) or final four weeks (38% followed by 20%, WWRI ) of the six-week study. Flower number, height, compactness, and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) were not different across treatments. Average flower stem length was greater for the WW and RIWW treatments than for the RI treatment. Shoot dry weight was less for the RI treatment compared to the WW and RIWW treatments, respectively]. Cumulative irrigation volume was lowest for the RI treatment and highest for the RIWW treatment. Visually, plants in the RIWW treatment had an open, floppy habit that would likely negatively impact sales in a retail setting. Plants in the RI treatment were smaller, but visually appealing. Index words: soil moisture sensor, plant production, herbaceous perennial, container plants. Species used in this study: ‘Ostfrieland' salvia (Salvia nemorosa L.).

Reconstruction of the winter weather in east Friesland at the turn of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (1594–1612)

Historical climatology research dealing with the pre-instrumental period has rarely been able to include the weather on a daily scale. Other than for specific, extremely well-documented events, reconstructions only concern longer-term weather patterns (monthly, seasonal or annual). Yet at the end of the sixteenth century, David Fabricius recorded the weather, day after day, in his notebooks. In the middle of the Little Ice Age, he was a pastor in east Friesland (currently in the northwest of Germany) and a meteorology enthusiast. This documentary source is one of the richest available for reconstructing the weather at a time before measuring instruments gave systematic readings. Fabricius observed the weather and noted in his diary some terms that were more or less objective (such as cloudy, rain, snow) whilst others were more subjective (such as hot, warm, beautiful weather). We are therefore obliged, in this paper, to propose quantitative climatic reconstructions produced by “making do” with these notes about the weather as Fabricius perceived it. Our paper is focused on the reconstruction of winter weather (December, January and February) during the period covered by Fabricius’ notebook (1594–1612). Thanks to this notebook, it is possible to discern reasonably accurately the number of days of frost and snow and also to suggest a summary of winter weather types according to the number of days of precipitation. We compare Fabricius’ observations with other climatic reconstructions in Europe and also look at whether blockage phases, able to generate advection of cold air, happened frequently, this being one of the possibilities that could explain the cooling in Europe during the Little Ice Age.

Calvin and the confessions of the Reformation

This article discusses the complicated question of the connection between Calvin and the confessions of the Presbyterian Reformed tradition. Firstly, a contrast is drawn to the question of the connection between Luther and the Lutheran confessions. It is noted that here a closed canon of Lutheran confessions exists, and Luther himself wrote three of the documents. On the other hand, there is no closed canon of Reformed confessions. However, there is a broad consensus concerning which Reformed confessions from the 16th century are classical. In this article a synopsis is provided of this list, and it is discovered that Calvin himself only wrote one of the classical Reformed confessional documents, although he influenced some others. The article then continues to discuss Calvin’s own contribution, his Catechism of 1542/1545. The historical context of writing in which this Catechism is sketched, its use in Geneva is described, and the outline of the Catechism is mentioned. The article continues to discuss why Calvin thought there was a need for a catechism, and why he wrote it in Latin and sent it to East Friesland. In conclusion the author explains why he has discussed Calvin’s Catechism, instead of focusing on the English Confession of 1556.

Effects of alfalfa haylage harvesting systems on dry matter intake and feeding behaviour of East Friesland ewes in late pregnancy

Three haylages were produced from the same regrowth of an alfalfa sward by cutting the grass using a mower conditioner and wilted for 24 h. The product was d...

A Tribute to Eberhard F. Mammen, M.D. (1930–2008)

It was with profound sadness we learned that the world had lost a pioneer in the field of blood coagulation with the passing of Eberhard F. Mammen (Fig. [1]) on July 1, 2008. He was born in 1930 in Carolinesiel, East Friesland, Germany, a quaint town by the North Sea. He is survived by his wife, Hanna, his children, Hens Heinrich, Dirk Steffen, Rolf Eberhard, and Susanne Marie, and by his grandchildren, Erich, Steffen, Erika, Alyssa, Sean, Claire, and Deirdre.

Restoring Christ's Church: John a Lasco and the Forma ac ratio (review)

Reviewed by: Restoring Christ's Church: John a Lasco and the Forma ac ratio Diarmaid Macculloch Restoring Christ's Church: John a Lasco and the Forma ac ratio. By Michael S. Springer. [St. Andrews Studies in Reformation History.] (Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate. 2007. Pp. xii, 177. $99.95.) Johannes à Lasco, as international humanists and Protestant communities knew him in their efforts to cope with the pronunciation of the Polish surname Łaski, was one of the most interesting defectors from the pre Reformation clerical elite. Nephew of a namesake who had been Primate of Poland, he was in younger days a student, admirer, and eventual financial supporter of Erasmus; after years of creative exile in England and Germany, he became at last the man most likely to turn Poland toward a future of Reformed Protestantism. When he died in 1560, no one among Polish Protestants was capable of taking on his unifying role, and Poland's Protestant moment passed within a century. Circumstances combined everywhere in his career to rob him of the chance to mold the long-term futures of the various churches in which he was involved; yet out of his experience as superintendent of the "Stranger Church" of French and Dutch refugees in the London of Edward VI, he published in 1555 an important template for a Reformed Church polity, his Forma ac ratio tota ecclesiastici ministerii, in peregrinorum, potissimum vero Germanorum Ecclesia (The structure and complete system of the ecclesiastical ministry in the Stranger Church, particularly the Dutch Church). The work dealt with what à Lasco regarded as the three marks of the true Church: true preaching of the Gospel, right administration of the sacraments, and discipline, and this feature of his book was significant in itself. Whereas John Calvin (against his mentor Martin Bucer) only looked for two marks, true preaching and true sacraments, à Lasco's addition of discipline was widely [End Page 586] adopted among Reformed theologians; this may be reckoned the most significant long-term effect of the Forma. The book offered an alternative Reformed model to that of Geneva in other ways: one element in its setting out a fourfold pattern of ministry was a single superintendent, in a remolding of episcopacy (à Lasco fulfilled this role first in East Friesland, then in London). In counterpoint to the superintendency, à Lasco envisaged the election of ministers and the exercise of congregational discipline as involving more active participation from the laity than Calvin found appropriate. Springer traces such influences in his penultimate chapter: first among various refugee congregations in Germany during the brief but formative exile from Queen Mary Tudor's England, then in à Lasco's former superintendency charge of Emden. As far as Emden is concerned, Springer argues that the consequent ecclesiastical structures provided enough strength to resist Lutheran takeover in Emden and assert the town's autonomy against a Lutheranizing territorial ruler. The Polish Reformed Church also looked to his work, though conditions of Polish society meant that lay activism was restricted to the (admittedly large) caste of gentry or Szlachta. Most interesting were the early influences in the Scottish Church, which, like à Lasco, made discipline a third mark of the Church, and in its early years tried to establish an effective Reformed superintendency. But in Scotland, as among the French Huguenots, early interest in the ecclesiology of the Forma gave way to patterns set in Geneva. À Lasco's eucharistic theology, inclining more to the perspectives on eucharistic symbol adopted by Zurich theologians than those of Calvin and Beza, proved widely congenial, but that is probably as much thanks to Zurich as to him. Springer's text still feels quite close to the doctoral thesis that was its origin. It is unhappily replete with inconsistencies of usage, misspellings of proper names, place-names, and titles, some of them repeated—and it is a pity that it does not reproduce Polish diacriticals. This is not the only recent volume from the respected St. Andrews Studies series to be badly underedited. Students of the period should read it in conjunction with Judith Becker's study with similar scope, Gemeindeordnung und Kirchenzucht: Johannes a Lascos Kirchenordnung für London (1555) und die reformierte Konfessionsbildung (Leiden, 2007). Diarmaid Macculloch St...

NORTH AFRICAN PIRACY, THE HANOVERIAN CARRYING TRADE, AND THE BRITISH STATE, 1728–1828

Recent interest in the early-modern British composite state has neglected Hanover, despite evidence of frequent and informal co-operation between the countries in foreign affairs. This article explores one aspect of diplomacy with particular import for the British–Hanoverian union, British policy in North Africa, and finds a greater degree of integration in trade policy than has been hitherto recognized. Britain's government came to recognize and treat Hanoverians in Morocco as British subjects during the eighteenth century, a policy which was expanded to the rest of North Africa and elsewhere after the acquisition of the maritime state of East Friesland at the Congress of Vienna increased the Hanoverian government's commercial responsibilities beyond its ability to cope. British policy did not reflect a consensus, and it was criticized by some who regarded Hanover as an entirely foreign state beyond the purview of the British government. But British sponsorship of Hanoverian trade prevailed over such dissent until the union's end, so that Britain's experience of composite statehood lasted until 1837.

Pattern of milk production of East Friesland and Scottish Blackface ewes and associated blood metabolite and hormone profiles

AbstractPatterns of milk production and circulating blood metabolite and hormone concentrations were determined throughout a 14-week lactation in groups of 10 twin-rearing East Friesland EF) and Scottish Blackface (SBF) ewes. All ewes were offered, ad libitum, a pelleted diet throughout the experiment and milk yields were measured weekly. Pooled blood samples (six samples, 20-min intervals), collected before feeding, on 1 day of each week, were assayed for plasma glucose, non-esterfied fatty acids, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB), albumin, total protein, insulin, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, prolactin, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). At weeks 2, 4,10, and 14, samples were collected at 20-min intervals for 8 h and assayed individually for plasma insulin, GH, cortisol, and prolactin. Mean daily intakes and milk yields of ewes were similar in the two breeds. Mean pre-feeding concentrations of most blood metabolites during the experiment were also similar in ewes of the two breeds but SBF ewes had higher plasma concentrations of 3-OHB (0·67 v. 0·43 mmol/l; P < 0·01) and total protein (73·2 v. 66·4 g/l; P < 0·001). SBF ewes had higher overall mean concentrations of insulin (9·53 v. 4·36 mU/l; P < 0·001), cortisol (7·59 v. 573 μg/l; P < 0·05), prolactin (457·1 v. 316·1 μg/l; P < 0·05), and T3(1.32 v. 1·12 μg/l; P < 0·001). GH and T4profiles were similar in the two breeds. Following the daily introduction of fresh food, there were significant increases in concentration of insulin (P < 0·001) and cortisol (P < 0·01) while there was a decrease in mean concentrations of GH (P < 0·001) and prolactin (P < 0·01). There were significant interactions between breed and feeding effects on insulin, GH, cortisol and prolactin concentrations. Patterns of milk production in ewes of these breeds were associated with changes in insulimGH ratios both before and after feeding which may be of a causal nature.

Seasonal variation in voluntary food intake and post-weaning growth in lambs: a comparison of genotypes

ABSTRACTVoluntary food intake (VFI) was measured daily and live weight (LW) was measured weekly in a total of 39 growing lambs of six genotypes given a similar complete chopped-straw based diet in experiments in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The six genotypes and the years of study were: Scottish Blackface (BF), 1983 and 1988; Suffolk × (Border Leicester × BF) (BL × BF), Suffolk × (East Friesland × Cheviot) (EF × NCC), Suffolk × (East Friesland × BF) (EF × BF), 1985; Welsh mountain (WM) and Beulah (BH), 1985. Measurements were made on lambs penned individually within 6 weeks of weaning at 5 to 6 months of age through to slaughter in the following spring. During this period there was an increase in LW and VFI associated with growth. Regression lines were fitted to LW and weekly means of daily VFI against week for each individual. Analysis of deviations about these lines showed a decline in VFI in BF lambs around December and to a lesser e×tent in BL × BF from December to January. The decline in VFI in BF was observed in two different years. A negative deviation from the normal rate of increase in LW was also apparent although it was much less marked and present in EF × NCC lambs as well as BF and BF × NCC. Any such variability of seasonal cycles between genotypes of growing lamb would influence the e×tent to which nutrition and growth may be manipulated. This should be considered when choosing a feeding or growth regime for a particular genotype, or vice versa.

Carcass composition in lambs of Greek dairy breeds of sheep

ABSTRACTNine male and nine female lambs each from the Karagouniko (K), Chios (C) and East Friesland (F) breeds were weaned at a mean age of 50 days and were killed over a commercial range of live weight from 16 to 44 kg (carcass weights 6 to 22 kg).Carcass weight was linearly related to fasted live weight prior to slaughter (r = 0·994). There were significant but small differences between breeds in mean weight of lungs, pelt and internal fat. The carcass components of bone, muscle and fat tissues were related to carcass weight by linear or quadratic regression. Adjusted to mean carcass weight, the mean weight of bone did not differ between breeds (2·82 kg, s.e. = 0·056 at 12·8 kg carcass). The K and C lambs had significantly less muscle than the F lambs (6·77, 6·63 and 8·20 kg, respectively, s.e.d. = 0·094) and more fat (2·87, 2·95 and 1·29 kg, respectively, s.e.d. = 0·017) when compared at mean carcass weight. The breed differences were significant over the whole range whether compared at equal weight or at an equal proportion of estimated mature weight. At the same proportion of carcass fat, corresponding to the United Kingdom market average (250 g/kg) the calculated carcass weights were 16, 17 and 30 kg, respectively, for K, C and F lambs.It is concluded that the Friesland breed differs from many others in the proportions of muscle or fat at corresponding carcass weights but this difference is not a general characteristic of dairy sheep. Comparison of breeds at defined proportions of carcass components, as determined by market standards, can be effectively achieved by serial slaughter over a suitable weight range.

Effects of recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs from three breeds

ABSTRACTPurebred lambs from three breeds (East Friesland, Oxford and Texel) were fed to appetite and treated with recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin (BST) at 0·05, 0·10 or 0·20 mg/kg per day or a placebo between 19 and 27 weeks of age.BST maintained growth over the later stages of treatment but did not affect average daily live-weight gain over the whole treatment period. Food intake was decreased and food conversion efficiency was improved by BST treatment. However, carcass weight and killing-out proportion were decreased by BST treatment in all breeds. Consistent breed differences were observed. Oxford lambs had higher live weights and carcass weights than the other breeds but no breed × treatment interactions were apparent. Ultrasonic backfat depth (mean of measurements at 13th rib and 3rd lumbar vertebra) was reduced by BST treatment in the Oxford (the fattest) and Texel lambs but not in the East Frieslands (the leanest). Ultrasonic muscle depth was not affected by BST; East Friesland lambs had considerably smaller muscle depth than the other breeds.In the loin joint, BST decreased fat cover and subcutaneous fat proportion and increased longissimus dorsi proportion. There were also marked breed differences with Oxfords fatter than the other breeds. BST treatment did not affect any of the meat quality indicators but some differences between breeds were apparent in ultimate pH and colour of the muscle. Fatty acid composition of the subcutaneous fat was affected by breed but not by BST. East Friesland lambs had higher concentrations of unsaturated and branched chain fatty acids than the other breeds.A mammogenic response (increased mammary development and some secretory activity) to BST was observed in some female East Friesland and Texel lambs but not in Oxford lambs.

Melatonin advances and condenses the onset of seasonal breeding in Greek dairy ewes

ABSTRACTThe effects of melatonin, administered during anoestrus, on the time of onset of oestrus and on conception rate were investigated in two trials carried out on mature ewes of three indigenous and one imported breed. The ewes lambed between December and February, their lambs were weaned in March and they were hand milked twice daily until September.In the first trial, 12 Chios and 12 Serres ewes were dosed, orally, for 60 days from 19 April with 3 mg melatonin (M) in 10 ml ethanol and water (1: 4 v/v). A similar number of Chios and Serres type ewes in the same flock were nominated as untreated controls (C). Vasectomized rams were used to detect oestrus from 1 May and detected ewes were immediately mated to entire rams of their own breed. The mean dates of first oestrus in Chios ewes were 4 July (s.e. 1·7 days) and 23 July (s.e. 5·4 days) (P < 0·01) for treated and control ewes respectively. Spread of first oestrus was 19 and 61 days, respectively (P < 0·01). Conception rate and ovulation rate were both higher in M (0·90 and 2·3, respectively) than in C (0·55 and 1·8, respectively) but the differences were not statistically significant. The corresponding results in the Serres ewes were 8 July (s.e. 1·6 days) and 31 July (s.e. 6·8 days) (P < 0·01) for date of first oestrus, 19 and 69 days (P < 0·01) for spread of first oestrus, 0·75 and 0·50 (P > 0·05) for conception rate and 1·8 and 1·2 ( P > 0·05) for ovulation rate.In the second trial, 12 Karagouniko and 12 East Friesland ewes received a single subcutaneous implant of melatonin (Regulin®) on 5 June and a further 12 ewes of each breed were untreated controls. The procedure was as given for trial 1. The mean date of first oestrus was advanced by melatonin in both Karagouniko ewes (25 July (s.e. 3·91 days) v. 11 August (s.e. 6·7 days); P < 0·05) and Friesland ewes (28 July (s.e. 3·2 days) v. 24 August (s.e. 7·3 days); P < 0·01). Spread of oestrus was reduced (43 v. 68 days in Karagouniko, P < 0·05 and 22 v. 87 days in Friesland ewes, P < 0·01). Conception rate of melatonin-treated ewes was higher (0·60 v. 0·45; P > 0·05) in both breeds. Ovulation rate was higher in melatonin-treated Karagouniko ewes (1·8 v. 1·3; P > 0·05 but, in the Friesland breed melatonin-treated ewes had a lower ovulation rate (2·8 v. 3·7; P > 0·05).In both trials, melatonin treatment significantly advanced and condensed the dates of first oestrus. Conception rate was consistently increased over all groups (P < 0·05) and there was a tendency towards a higher ovulation rate.

Antilipogenic but not lipolytic effects of recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin treatment on ovine adipose tissue; variation with genetic type

1. 1. Lambs from three breeds (East Friesland, Oxford and Texel) were treated with recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin (BST) at 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 mg/kg per day and fat metabolism assessed in subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy samples. 2. 2. BST treatment decreased adipose cell volume, fatty acid synthesis and acylglycerol glycerol synthesis but did not alter lipolytic rates (basal or noradrenaline-stimulated). 3. 3. Genetic type influenced metabolism in a number of ways, most notably East Friesland lambs had lower fatty acid esterification rates and responded poorly to BST in terms of reduced lipogenesis as compared to the Oxford and Texel lambs. 4. 4. Blood urea concentration was decreased by BST treatment suggesting increased nitrogen retention. 5. 5. These results emphasise the role of somatotropin as an inhibitor of adipose tissue lipogenesis but cast further doubt on a physiological role in regulating lipolysis.

The struggle for an Orthodox Church: Calvinists and Anabaptists in East Friesland 1554-1578

The struggle for an Orthodox Church: Calvinists and Anabaptists in East Friesland 1554-1578

Effect of breed and sex on the deposition of branched-chain fatty acids in lamb fat

The presence of high concentrations of branched-chain fatty acids in lamb fat results in soft discoloured tissue and objectionable flavours and odours. However, the factors regulating their synthesis and deposition are Incompletely understood. In some studies, but not others, excessive deposition is associated with high cereal diets. Their concentrations may be higher in rams than wethers and there is circumstantial evidence for differences between breeds. We have Investigated their concentration in ewe and ram lambs of three breeds: East Friesland, Oxford and Texel.Ten lambs of each breed and sex, born in March, were fed to appetite twice daily a concentrate (barley 683 g/kg, crude protein 170 g/kg DM ME 12.1 MJ/kg D.M) with hay available ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered together, by conventional procedures, at 27 weeks of age (± 4 days) and the hind loin was removed and dissected. The subcutaneous fat was analysed for fatty acid composition by capillary gas-liquid chromatography on Chrompack CP Sil 88 and CP wax 57 CB.

Carcase Composition of Lambs from Greek Dairy Breeds of Sheep

There are many locally-named breeds in Greece, all of which are derived from Zackel or Tsigai types in various combinations. One of the most numerous is the Karagouniko, described as a medium-sized, hardy breed of Zackel origin, probably with some introduction of a fat-tail breed. A ewe in good body condition weighs about 60 kg. In most regions there is little consistent breeding policy except to improve milk production and fecundity of the local breed by crossbreeding to the semi-indigenous Chios or, less commonly, the imported East Friesland. The Chios is reputed to be derived from a Turkish fat-tail breed crossed with ingenous sheep of Zackel and/or Tsigai origin. Adult ewes in good condition weigh around 65 kg.The traditional marketing period for lambs is December to Easter and 80% are sold off milk at an age of 30 to 50 days and a carcase weight (including head) of 5 to 9 kg. Despite the highest, number of sheep per head of population in the EEC, some 16% of consumption is imported, usually in the 13 to 15 kg carcase range. The consumer discriminates against fat but there is no recognised standards of assessment or grading.

Growth rate and carcase composition of Border Leicester x Scottish Blackface, East Frlesland x Blackface and East Friesland x North Country Cheviot Lambs

The East Friesland breed, developed as a dairy sheep, has a potentially useful role as a sire of first-cross breeding ewes from hill breeds of sheep. Advantages have been shown in terms of reproductive and lactation performance (Doney et al, 1983, Gunn, 1986) but the carcase conformation may reduce the acceptability of first-cross castrated male (wether) lambs. The characteristics of lambs derived from dairy-type breeds may be suitable for the heavy, lean carcase market (Butler-Hogg et al, 1985). The present study was undertaken as a pilot investigation of the potential growth rate and carcase composition of wether lambs over a range of live weights. East Friesland X Blackface (EFB) wethers were compared with a similar group of Border Leicester X Blackface (BLB) and a smaller group of East Friesland X North Country Cheviot (EFC) wethers.

The effect of breed of sire on the urinary excretion of phosphorus and magnesium in lambs

ABSTRACTSeventy-eight lambs, 9 weeks of age, the offspring of sires of the Scottish Blackface, East Friesland, Finnish Landrace, Suffolk and Texel breeds mated to Scottish Blackface females, as a common maternal breed, were given a barley-fish meal diet containing 1-6 g magnesium and 5·9 g phosphorus per kg dry matter for 13 weeks. Urinary excretion of Mg and P was estimated from the ratio of Mg or P to creatinine in spot samples of urine. A relationship between creatinine excretion and live weight was obtained using total urine excretion from a sample of 20 lambs, two of each sex from each sire breed group. Good agreement was found between the actual and predicted urinary excretion of minerals by the 20 lambs on three occasions.The effect of sire breed on urinary excretion of P was significant (P < 0·05) and the breed types ranked, in descending order of excretion rate, Texel, Blackface, East Friesland, Finnish Landrace and Suffolk, with a four-fold difference in excretion rate between Texel and Suffolk. This difference in urinary excretion of P was taken as evidence of breed differences in efficiency of absorption of dietary P.Urinary excretion of Mg was correlated with the intake of Mg. The mean estimated efficiency of absorption of dietary Mg varied, over the three occasions, from 0·42 to 0·50 and from 0·39 to 0·45 for total collections and for spot samples of urine respectively. Individual variation in the estimated efficiency of absorption within sires was not significant whereas that between sires was significant (P < 0·05). Heritability was estimated to be 0·62 (s.e. 0·30).