Higher Net Energy Research Articles

The Impact of Enhancing Diet Quality or Dietary Supplementation of Flavor and Multi-Enzymes on Primiparous Lactating Sows.

Simple SummaryInsufficient energy and nutrient ingestion of primiparous lactating sows causes excess body weight loss and oxidative stress and compromises piglet growth. Two strategies to enhance the daily intake of dietary energy and nutrients were compared with a standard lactation diet to understand the potential modes of action. We found that feeding on either high-quality or flavor plus multi-enzyme diets both improved sow feed digestibility and consequently increased the growth of piglets. In addition, the flavor plus multi-enzyme diet also improved the antioxidant capacity and health of sows. The data suggest that dietary supplementation with flavor and multi-enzymes may be more promising than a high-quality diet from a health and economic perspective like enhancing utilization of cereal byproducts and thus reducing expenditure of corn and soybeans.This study was aimed to explore how a high-quality diet or a flavor plus multi-enzyme diet affects the feed intake, nutrient digestibility and antioxidation capacity of lactating sows and the growth of their progeny. Thirty primiparous sows were randomly assigned to three treatments from d 2 of lactation until weaning (d 21): control (CON), with a basal diet; high quality (HQ), with 200 kcal/kg higher net energy than CON; or the CON diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg flavor and 100 mg/kg multi-enzymes (F + E). Sows fed with the HQ or F + E diets improved piglets’ live weight (p < 0.05) and average daily weight gain (p < 0.10), litter weight gain (p < 0.10) and piglet growth to milk yield ratio (p < 0.10). Compared with CON, the HQ and F + E groups increased the digestibility of ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fiber, crude fiber and phosphorus (p < 0.10), and the HQ group also increased dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and energy intake (p < 0.05). Compared with CON, the F + E group decreased serum urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05) and enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, but it decreased malondialdehyde in milk supernatant (p < 0.05).

Designing energy cum carbon-efficient environmentally clean production system for achieving green economy in agriculture

The conventional agricultural production systems are facing multiple challenges of yield plateauing, low farm profitability, energy intensiveness, unemployment, and environmental unsustainability. Hence, four production scenarios viz., integrated organic management, integrated crop management, conservation agriculture, and conventional system and three cropping system viz., maize-mustard, maize + cowpea-mustard, and pigeon pea-wheat were tested to examine their energy, carbon, and economic feasibility for the development of environmentally clean production system. The integrated crop management system recorded significantly higher system productivity (12621 kg ha−1), net energy (471632 MJ ha−1), and economic returns (US$ 2079 ha−1). However, the integrated organic management system resulted in the highest energy productivity (0.83 kg MJ−1), eco-efficiency (0.18 US$ MJ−1ha−1), carbon economic efficiency (2.47 US$ ha−1CO2-eq), and carbon sustainability index (37.5), and the lowest greenhouse gas intensity (0.06 kg grain kg−1CO2eq). Among the cropping systems, maize + cowpea-mustard produced 32.6% higher net energy and 31.1% higher energy use efficiency over the maize-mustard system, respectively. However, the pigeonpea –wheat system recorded the highest carbon economic efficiency (1.41 US$ kg−1 CO2eq), and carbon sustainability index (24.4). The greenhouse gases intensity was positively (+) correlated with specific energy but negatively (-) correlated with carbon ecological efficiency, C-gain, and carbon sustainability index. Thus, the study suggested that the intensified cropping is profitable and environmentally clean systems either in integrated crop management or in integrated organic management scenarios.

Energy and carbon budgeting of the pearl millet-wheat cropping system for environmentally sustainable agricultural land use planning in the rainfed semi-arid agro-ecosystem of Aravalli foothills

Improvements in energy-use efficiency and carbon footprint reduction are critical for the sustainability of agricultural systems. The present study was aimed at evaluating the suitability of pearl millet-wheat cropping system as an environmentally sustainable land use option in the rainfed semi-arid ecosystem of the Aravalli foothills, India. The socio-economic survey was done in five land management units (LMUs) to collect real-world data using stratified random sampling technique. The results showed high yields of pearl millet and wheat (2.5 t ha−1 and 4.5 t ha−1) with high net return (1424 US $ ha−1) under large holdings of LMU5. The mean total energy consumed in the system was 32265 MJ ha−1, wherein non-renewable and renewable energy sources contributed 77% and 23%, respectively. Large holdings of LMU5 produced significantly high net energy return (243989 MJ ha−1), energy-use efficiency (9.8), carbon efficiency (11.9), and carbon sustainability index (10.9). The carbon footprint was high under marginal and small holdings, which necessitates soil and water conservation measures to achieve high yields. In the pearl millet-wheat system, energy-smart and carbon-efficient approaches of crop cultivation need to be popularized to attain sustainable productivity in the semi-arid ecosystem.

Effect of Changes in Dietary Net Energy Concentration on Growth Performance, Fat Deposition, Skatole Production, and Intestinal Morphology in Immunocastrated Male Pigs.

Nutritional requirements of heavy immunocastrated (IM) pigs and therefore appropriate feeding strategies have not yet been determined. Thus, the effects of changes in dietary net energy (NE) content were studied in 41 IM pigs, fed ad libitum diets with low, medium, and high NE content (LNE, MNE, and HNE diets, with 8.5, 9.3, and 10.0 MJ NE/kg, respectively), from 84 days of age until slaughter at an average age of 172 days and an average body weight of 122.5 kg. In the period from 143 to 170 days of age, there was a tendency for a greater NE intake (p = 0.08) in pigs fed the HNE diet along with greater (p < 0.01) backfat gain. Dietary treatment affected carcass composition, as lower backfat thickness (p = 0.01) and lower area of fat over the longissimus muscle (p = 0.05) were observed in the LNE and MNE pigs. In addition, greater lean meat content (p = 0.04) was observed in the LNE pigs. Reducing the NE of the diet by replacement of cereals and soybean meal with high-fiber ingredients resulted in lower indole production in the ascending colon (p < 0.01) and greater skatole production (p < 0.01) in the cecum. Greater villus area, width, height and perimeter, crypt depth, and thickness of the intestinal mucosa in the jejunum, ileum, ascending colon, and descending colon were found in the LNE group (p < 0.01) than in the HNE group, while those in the MNE group was intermediate. Cell proliferation was not affected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). The present results show that a reduction in dietary NE concentration lowers lipid deposition, without affecting performance or energy efficiency in IM pigs. This technique provides an advantage in terms of improved leanness, without affecting growth rate in IM pigs after immunization, which is particularly important when the backfat thickness is a determinant of carcass value and IM pigs are fattened to higher weights (e.g., in heavy pig production) or when a longer delay between immunization and slaughter is practiced.

Prey diversity constrains the adaptive potential of predator foraging traits

Predators are generally under selective pressure to get better at foraging, leading to steeper functional responses and stronger predator–prey interactions. Yet strong interactions can de‐stabilize food webs, and most interactions across ecological communities are thought to be weak. This conflict between evolutionary and community expectations for the strength of predator–prey interactions represents a fundamental gap in our understanding of how the evolution of foraging plays out in food webs. Here we help to resolve the conflict by showing analytically that the expectation for the evolution of steeper functional responses is relaxed in communities with diverse prey types. We simulate communities with varying prey richness and show that increasing prey richness can indeed constrain the adaptive potential of predator foraging traits, but that at low prey richness predators can evolve to have a stronger interaction with prey that have high net energy yields. Our results also indicate that handling time plays a role in determining whether predators may evolve to have a stronger interaction with abundant prey, suggesting that the evolution of keystone predator modules in food webs is most likely when handling times are negligible. Our results also provide a new mechanism predicting more diffuse interactions in diverse tropical communities relative to more species‐poor communities at higher latitudes.

Biodiesel production from camelina oil: Present status and future perspectives

AbstractCamelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an oilseed crop with favorable potentials for biodiesel production, such as the high plant yield, high oil content in the seed, high net energy ratio, and low oil production cost. This review paper deals with the present state and perspectives of biodiesel production from camelina oil. First, important issues of camelina seed pretreatment and biodiesel production are reviewed. Emphasis is given to different biodiesel technologies that have been used so far worldwide, the economic assessment of the camelina oil biodiesel (COB) production, the camelina‐based biorefineries for the integrated biodiesel production, the COB life cycle analysis, and impact human health and ecosystem. Finally, the perspectives of COB production from the techno‐economic and especially genetic engineering points of view are discussed.

Resource-saving early potato cultivation technology

To obtain environmentally friendly early production of potatoes, the use of a technological method in the cultivation technology - light germination was studied. The cultivation technology is standard, except for the studied technique. There is a varietal reaction to reception, responds well to germination of the Luck and Bullfinch varieties. In the variant with germination, the total costs increase, but in the cost structure there is a decrease in the costs of expensive fertilizers and seeds. The cost of machinery and agricultural production does not rise much. implements in connection with additional work related to the light germination, where it is necessary to take out the planting material from the storage. These costs are not significant and the reception provides a high net energy income, high coefficients, as well as a low energy cost, which allows you to save energy resources when growing early potatoes and get maximum income. There is an increase in net energy income by 5.9 … 31.9%, energy cost coefficients by 6.3 … 32.8%, as well as a decrease in cost by 0.09 … 0.33 GJ•t−1 of tubers.

Lipid extraction from some seaweeds and evaluation of its biodiesel production

The present study evaluated the efficiency of seaweeds collected from Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria, Egypt, as a feedstock for biodiesel. A total of 15 macroalgal species were collected overall in the four seasons. The highest seasonal biomass production of 652.1 and 626.3 g m −2 was recorded with Chaetomorpha linum and Ulva compressa in autumn and spring, respectively. While the highest annual biomass production was detected in Ulva fasciata (1056.8 g m −2 ). Lipid content varied among species, with the highest value of 14.66% and 9.94% dw in U. fasciata and U. compressa during spring, which resulted in the highest annual lipid productivity of 67.4 and 63.3 g m −2 , respectively. Palmitic acid (C16:0) showed the highest value among all fatty acids (1.12–19.62 mg g− 1 dw) in all studied species. The biodiesel characteristics of all algae species tested are in agreement with the values of international standards. Overall, the present study recommended U. compressa and U. fasciata as a promising biodiesel feedstock due to the relatively higher lipid productivity and FAMEs characteristics that comply with the international standards and high net energy output that reached 1.24 and 1.30 GJ ton −1 , respectively. • Chaetomorpha linum and Ulva compressa recorded the highest seasonal biomass production. • Possible exploring of 15 macroalgae as biodiesel feedstock species. • Palmitic acid (C16:0) showed the highest proportion in all studied seaweed species. • Ulva compressa and Ulva fasciata are a promising biodiesel feedstock.

Energy use pattern of diversified cropping systems under different nutrient and crop residue management practices in Eastern Indo-Gangetic plain

Aim: Assessment of energy input output relationship, greenhouse gases emission and carbon footprint of diversified jute-rice cropping systems under different nutrients and crop residue management practices. Methodology: The inventory was prepared for all inputs required for crop cultivation and outputs of crops in cropping systems. These inputs and outputs were converted into energy by multiplying with energy equivalent coefficient and CO2 emission coefficient following standard procedure. Results: Jute-rice-baby corn cropping system recorded significantly higher net energy (324 GJ ha-1) and energy use efficiency (8.02). Among different nutrient and crop management (NCRM) practices, significantly higher energy output (336.9 GJ ha-1) and net energy (291.4 GJ ha-1) recorded 100% NPK with crop residue. The highest carbon footprint recorded with rice-rice (0.44 kg COe kg-1 economic yield) and the lowestwith jute-rice-pea (0.29 kg COe kg-1 economic yield) cropping system. Among different NCRM practices, higher carbon footprint was (0.38 kg COe kg-1 economic yield) recorded with 100% NPK with crop residue. Interpretation: The energy efficient and low input required cropping systems which include legume crops like garden pea and mungbean should be considered for cultivation for diversifying the existing rice-rice cropping system in Eastern India.

Dietary energy level, feeder space, and group size on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing barrows and gilts.

To benefit from feeding low net energy (NE) diets, growing-finishing pigs must be able to increase feed intake to compensate for lower caloric density, but this might be difficult in pens with a high stocking density. Access to the feeder, trough space, and(or) floor area may limit voluntary feed intake. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationships among dietary NE level, feeder space, group size, sex, and interactions in growing-finishing pigs. In a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, 1,920 pigs (33 kg) housed in 96 fully slatted floor pens (6.1 × 2.4 m) with 2 or 3 feeder spaces, and 18 or 22 barrows or gilts per pen, were fed either low (9.2 MJ/kg) or high (9.85 MJ/kg) NE diets over 5 growth phases (Grower 1: day [d] 0 to 20, Grower 2: d 21 to 41, Grower 3: d 42 to 62, Finisher 1: d 63 to 80, Finisher 2: d 81 to slaughter). Pen body weight (BW) and average daily feed disappearance (ADFD) were measured for each growth phase, biweekly from the start of shipping and at slaughter. Warm carcasses were weighed and graded (Destron). For the entire trial, pigs fed low versus (vs.) high NE diets had 0.119 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) ADFD, but 0.556 MJ/d lower (P < 0.050) average daily caloric disappearance (ADCD), and 0.017 kg/kg lower (P < 0.001) gain-to-feed (G:F). Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs had 0.062 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) ADFD, 0.730 MJ/d greater (P < 0.010) ADCD, and 0.029 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) average daily weight gain (ADWG). Pigs in pens with 3 vs. 2 feeding spaces had 0.051 kg/d greater (P < 0.010) ADFD, 0.511 MJ/d greater (P = 0.050) ADCD but 0.004 kg/kg lower (P < 0.050) G:F. Pigs fed low vs. high NE diets had 0.6 kg lower (P < 0.050) carcass weight and 0.9 mm lower (P < 0.050) loin depth. Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs took 2.8 days less (P < 0.001) to reach 130 kg slaughter BW. Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs had a 0.4 %-point decrease (P < 0.050) in dressing percentage. Feeding low vs. high NE diets reduced (P < 0.001) feed cost by Can$21.87/tonne, $3.34/pig, $0.03/kg gain, and increased (P < 0.05) gross income subtracting feed cost by $1.82/pig. Housing 18 vs. 22 pigs per pen increased (P < 0.010) ISFC by $1.98 per pig. Lack of interactions between NE level, feeder space, and group size for ADFD indicate that low NE diets can be fed to pigs even if they have lower than recommended floor area allowance during part of the finishing phase.

Metabolic Disturbances in Rat Sublines with Constitutionally Altered Serotonin Homeostasis.

Central and peripheral serotonin (5HT) have opposing functions in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Both increasing 5HT signaling in the brain and decreasing 5HT signaling in the periphery have been proposed as potential treatments for obesity. This study investigates the relationship between constitutionally high or low 5HT activity and systemic net energy balance. Two sublines of rats with high and low whole-body 5HT tone, obtained by selective breeding for platelet 5HT parameters, were examined for fat accumulation in different white adipose tissue (WAT) depots, glucose/insulin tolerance, blood metabolic parameters, and expression of various metabolic genes. High-5HT animals, unlike their low-5HT counterparts, developed widespread intra-abdominal obesity associated with glucose and insulin intolerance, which worsened with age. They also had elevated blood glucose and lipid parameters but showed no significant changes in circulating leptin, resistin, and adipsin levels. Surprisingly, adiponectin levels were increased in plasma but reduced in the WAT of high-5HT rats. A limited number of metabolic genes belonging to different functional classes showed differential expression in WAT of high-5HT compared to low-5HT rats. Overall, a constitutive increase in 5HT tone is associated with a positive energy balance acting through subtle dysregulation of a broad spectrum of metabolic pathways.

Valorization of pineapple peel and poultry manure for clean energy generation

AbstractThe quest for renewable energy generation is fast increasing globally due to environmental degradation by fossil fuels. The energy production from the anaerobic codigestion of pineapple peels (PPs) and poultry manure (PM) was assessed in the present study. Prior to digestion, the PPs were pretreated using a strong acid (sulfuric acid) and a low‐cost mild alkali hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) which was prepared via the adjustment of the pH of H2O2 to 11.5 by adding solution of 5 M NaOH. The physicochemical and structural parameters of the biomass, as well as microbial composition, were evaluated by using standard methodologies, while all structural changes to the biomass after pretreatment were determined using the Fourier transform infrared spectra. The application of alkaline H2O2 pretreatment removed 71.34% of lignin, reduced hemicellulose by 61%, but increased the cellulose content by 39%. The alkaline pretreated pineapple peel (Al‐P PP) was able to produce about 91% more biogas than the acid pretreated pineapple peel (Ac‐P PP) and 36% more than the two untreated biomass samples. The results of the economic assessment of pretreatment also showed that investment into the use of H2O2 for pretreatment is economically feasible with high net thermal and electrical energy gain, while that of acid pretreatment results in loses. Therefore, alkaline pretreatment application to PPs prior to digestion is hereby solicited in the biotechnological conversion of PPs/wastes for biogas and quality digestate which can be used as biofertilizers or soil enhancers especially in those regions where pineapple production is enormous.

Biorefinery of genetically modified soybean as biodiesel with sustainable production system in Indonesia: A review

Fossil energy consumption in Indonesia is high every year, and this can cause an imbalance between demand and the availability of available fuel. Besides, fossil fuels are also classified as non-renewable fuels, so that the availability of fuel can be used up if exploited continuously. High diesel consumption makes it necessary to search for other energy sources that can be used to meet diesel needs in Indonesia. Alternative diesel replacement that can be used is biodiesel fuel from soybeans. One of the disadvantages of using soy as a biodiesel feedstock is its low oil content. An alternative that can be done is by using genetically modified (GM) soybeans that have higher oil content. The biorefinery approach can also be carried out as an effort to make biodiesel production sustainable, both economically and environmentally. GM soybean can be assembled through several stages, which are selection of varieties, assembly of GM soybean, and then testing and licensing. After that, soybeans can be used and utilized in the Indonesian market. The biodiesel production system from GM soybeans using a biorefinery approach is carried out by utilizing residues during production into other products so that it can be an additional income, and reduce the impact of environmental pollution. A high net energy balance ratio (NER) in some biodiesel production from soybeans makes biodiesel production from soybeans can be said to be renewable and economically sustainable. Biodiesel production from GM soybeans with the concept of biorefinery has the opportunity to become a sustainable industry, both economically and environmentally.

A comparative study of irrigation techniques for energy flow and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in wheat agroecosystems under contrasting environments in south of Iran

The agriculture sector in general and irrigation, in particular, can be a major emitter of greenhouse gases and can contribute to global climate change. Most studies dealing with the evaluation of irrigation planning worldwide have not taken this aspect of irrigation into account, while it is of paramount importance to attach environmental assessment of irrigation programs, in particular their impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to any policy-making and development efforts for planning irrigation strategies. The present study aims at describing the energy flow and GHG emissions in wheat agroecosystems under different irrigation systems in Southern Iran. Three irrigation systems, including furrow irrigation (FI), sprinkler irrigation (SI) and drip irrigation (DI) were studied in two contrasting environments with regard to pedo-climatic conditions. The results indicated that environment and irrigation system remarkably affected energy input, energy output and GHG emissions. The highest energy input was observed in DI (75.59 GJ ha−1) followed by FI (62.67 GJ ha−1) and SI systems (49.81 GJ ha−1). In DI system, the main energy consumption item belonged to polyethylene (PE) pipelines (about one-third of total input energy), while in other two irrigation systems diesel fuel consumption was the main component of energy consumption (32.77% and 36.2% in FI and SI systems, respectively). Changing the irrigation method from furrow to sprinkler and drip reduced water requirement by 43.7% and 39.6% and electricity consumption by 36.5% and 25.2%, respectively. The highest output energy (averaged over both environments) was observed in DI system (154.52 GJ ha−1), although it was not considerably different from SI system (151.41 GJ ha−1). The environment that had more suitable environmental condition and longer growing season for wheat growth showed higher output energy (167.87 GJ ha−1) compared to a less favorable environment (125.57 GJ ha−1). Pressurized irrigation systems had priority over traditional irrigation practices in terms of energy efficiencies and global warming potential (GWP) and were more environment-friendly. SI system had the highest net energy and energy use efficiency (3.02 and 0.111 kg MJ−1, respectively). Averaged over both environments, the highest direct energy, indirect energy, renewable energy and non-renewable energy consumptions were observed in FI (34.47 GJ ha−1), DI (49.26 GJ ha−1), FI (8.91 GJ ha−1) and DI (68.48 GJ ha−1) systems, respectively. Our results indicated that the total GWP on a hectare basis could be decreased by changing the irrigation system from FI (10886.1 kg CO2eq ha−1) to pressurized irrigation systems (8945.7 kg CO2eq ha−1 and 8049.7 kg CO2eq ha−1 for DI and SI system, respectively). In contrast to previous studies (which have mainly focused on methods of irrigation other than sprinkler), sprinkler irrigation was superior in these regards when compared to drip irrigation. The present study helps decision-makers to grasp a better understanding of the linkage between various methods of irrigation and the subsequent impact on GHG emissions, which is a prerequisite to any planning effort for future irrigation strategies at national and international levels.

123 President Oral Presentation Pick: Identification of correlated metabolomic and microbiomic responses that connect dietary energy level with pig growth

Abstract Corn, soybean meal, DDGS and extracted lipids are common staple ingredients in swine feed. Purpose-based proportioning of these ingredients in the formulation can achieve distinct levels of net energy (NE) and amino acids (AA), as well as fiber and micronutrients, in feed. In this study, diets were formulated using a 2 × 2 factorial design on NE and AA, in which the diet with high AA (HAA) had more soybean meal than the diet with low AA (LAA), while the diet with high NE (HNE) had more choice white grease and less DDGS than the diet with low net energy (LNE). Total 160 pigs (4 pigs/pen) were fed for 90 days under a three-phase feeding program. In each phase, 4 groups of pigs (10 pens/group) were fed four respective diets of HNE+HAA, HNE+LAA, LNE+HAA, and LNE+LAA. On day 90, body weights were recorded to calculate ADG, and cecal digesta were collected for LC-MS-based metabolomic analysis and 16S RNA sequencing-based microbiomic analysis. The one-way ANOWA of ADG data showed that ADG was increased by NE (p &amp;lt; 0.05), but not by AA. Multivariate analysis (MVA) of metabolomics and microbiomics data also showed that NE, but not AA, caused apparent changes in the metabolome and microbiome of cecal digesta. The metabolites and microbes connecting NE level with ADG, including citrulline, hexadecenoic acid, Bacteroides stercoris, and Ruminococcus bromii, were identified through examining the markers that separate HNE and LNE feedings in the MVA models of cecal metabolome and microbiome as well as the markers that were significantly correlated with ADG in the Pearson correlation analysis. Overall, the results from this study revealed specific metabolomic and microbiomic changes associated with dietary NE level and growth performance, which could serve as a foundation for further analysis on the metabolic and prebiotic functions of feed ingredients.

75 Effects of dietary energy and lysine concentration on feed intake and productive performance of lean growing pigs

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to determine the response of growing pigs to different standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) and net energy (NE) levels. A total of 1,248 crossbred boars and gilts (Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White)), with an initial body weight of 19.9±4.0 kg, were individually blocked in 3 categories. Pigs were distributed in 96 pens (13 pigs/pen). The experiment consisted on a 2 x 2 factorial design with 2 SID Lys (1.20 vs. 1.00 %) and 2 NE levels (2,550 vs. 2,350 kcal/kg), fed for 26 days. Data was analyzed with a two-way ANOVA. No significant interaction was observed between SID Lys and NE. Increasing SID Lys improved ADG (0.721 vs 0.679 kg/d, p&amp;lt; 0.001) and FCR (1.56 vs. 1.65 kg/kg, p&amp;lt; 0.001). Increasing NE had no impact on ADG (0.706 vs. 0.695 kg/d, p=0.100) but improved FCR (1.58 vs. 1.63 kg/kg, p&amp;lt; 0.001) as a result of reduction in ADFI (1.10 vs. 1.15 kg/d, p&amp;lt; 0.001). Therefore, energy intake increased when increasing the energy content of the diet (2799 vs. 2697 kcal NE/d, p&amp;lt; 0.001) and SID Lys intake was reduced (12.2 vs. 12.8 g/d, p&amp;lt; 0.001). In addition, FCR expressed as energy per kg gain was reduced when increasing SID Lys (3.81 vs. 4.04 Mcal NE/kg gain, p&amp;lt; 0.001) whereas increased when increasing NE density (4.02 vs. 3.82 Mcal NE/kg gain, p&amp;lt; 0.001). Differential analysis for small, medium and large pigs showed an interaction between SID Lys and NE in ADG of small pigs during the first 14 days (p=0.028). Pigs fed high lysine and low energy diet had a greater ADG than the ones in the high SID Lys and NE treatment (0.636 vs 0.595 kg/d, p=0.028). In conclusion, growing pigs showed 1) greater ADG when increasing SID Lys above 1.00% 2) no impact of energy level on growth.

Implications of Energy Intensity Ratio for Carbon Dioxide Emissions in China

Industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are mainly derived from fossil energy use, which is composed of procedures involving extraction of energy from the natural system as well as its exchange and consumption in the social system. However, recent research on low-carbon transitions considers the cost of energy commodities from a separate perspective—a biophysical or monetary perspective. We introduce the energy intensity ratio (EIR), which is a novelty perspective combining biophysical and monetary metrics to estimate the cost of energy commodities in the low-carbon energy transitions. This combination is essential, since the feedback of energy into the biophysical system will influence the performance of energy in the economic system and vice versa. Based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), we developed the EIR-LMDI method to explain the changes in CO2 emissions. The changes in CO2 emissions caused by the EIR are the net energy effect. In China, the net energy effect kept CO2 emissions at a compound annual growth rate of 6.15% during 2007–2018. Especially after 2014, the net energy effect has been the largest driver of the increase in CO2 emissions. During the study period, high net energy usually indicated high CO2 emissions. Coal is the most important energy commodity and dominates the net energy effect; the least volatile component is the EIR of natural gas. The EIR affects CO2 emissions by the price crowding-out effect and the scale expansion effect, which make the process of low-carbon transition uncertain. The results illuminate that policymakers should monitor the net energy effect to prevent it from offsetting efforts to reduce energy intensity.

Performance of air-based photovoltaic thermal collector with fully and partially covered photovoltaic module

The objective of the present study is to explore the performance of air-based photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector to generate both thermal and electrical energy. Outdoor tests are performed by varying the PV coverage areas (25–100%) and by using two different types of absorber (wavy and plain) under the climatic condition of North-East India. Mass flow rate of air is varied between 0.01 and 0.04 kg s−1. Results indicate that high overall energy performance has been achieved at a 25% PV coverage area while the high net electrical energy and overall exergy have been observed at a 100% PV coverage area for both the PV/T collectors. Further, wavy absorber plate based PV/T collector provides upto 2.7% lower PV panel temperature and 4.5% higher outlet air temperature as compared to traditional PV/T collector. Moreover, a partially covered PV/T collector with a wavy absorber plate has achieved marginally higher net electrical energy and 3.5% overall exergy efficiency than that of the plain absorber plate. However, a partially covered PV/T collector with a wavy plate has achieved an 11.2% higher overall thermal efficiency than the partially covered PV/T collector with a plain plate.

Central place foraging in a human‐dominated landscape: how do common cranes select feeding sites?

Human infrastructure and disturbance play an important role when animals select resources in human‐modified landscapes. Theory predicts that animals trade food intake against costs of movement or disturbance to optimize net energy gain and fitness, but other necessary resources may also constrain the decisions, e.g. when animals repeatedly need to return to a central location, such as a nest, waterhole or night roost. Central place foraging theory states that the probability of occurrence of an animal decreases with the distance to the central location while selectivity for food items or foraging sites providing high net energy gain should increase with distance. We studied foraging patterns of common cranes Grus grus feeding in an agricultural landscape adjacent to a wetland to which they return for night roost. We used availability of spilled grains on harvested fields and distance to human settlement as proxy for site quality (i.e. increased likelihood of increased net energy gain with increased food availability and less disturbance). As predicted by theory, our results clearly show that cranes were more likely (more than twice as high resource selection function scores) to select foraging sites close to roosts. However, contrary to predictions, the selection of high quality sites in terms of high food availability decreased with distance to roost sites. Nevertheless, our results indicate that cranes were more likely to select sites with low risk of human disturbance far from roost sites, and were more tolerant to disturbance close to roost sites. How different species respond to the local and environmental conditions will increase the understanding of the species’ resource requirement, and also where in the landscape to prioritize conservation or management actions (e.g. mitigation of human disturbance and crop damage prevention to sustain agricultural production).

Management factors associated with perinatal lamb mortality in Prince Edward Island flocks

The objective of this observational cohort study was to identify management factors associated with lamb mortality risk for sheep flocks in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Data were collected from 50 lambing groups from 36 sheep flocks during 3 farm visits before, during and after the lambing seasons in 2014−15. Variables of interest included flock management practices, ewe health indicators, ewe nutrition, litter size and lamb birth weight. Principal component analysis was performed and resulting component scores were used for further analysis using a mixed Poisson regression model with lamb mortality risk as the outcome. The median group-level lamb mortality in the first 8 weeks of life was 10.0 % (0 %–30.3 %), with 25 groups having lamb mortality greater than 10 %, which is considered higher than the standard productivity goal. Four principal component scores were retained in the final model identifying generalized factors associated with lamb mortality: 1) flock factors, 2) forage factors, 3) lamb health factors, and 4) general health factors. Specifically, the following management factors were indirectly through the 4 principal components associated with lower lamb mortality: using goal setting; having a strong working relationship with a veterinarian; seeking veterinary advice for animal treatment; using benzimidazole-class anthelmintics; feeding forage with high crude protein, digestible energy, and net energy for maintenance and low acid detergent fiber to late-gestation ewes; applying visual lamb identification methods; using anti-coccidial prophylactic medication to lambs; administering clostridial vaccines to lambs; avoiding separation of hypothermic lambs from their dams; and treatment/prevention of neurological and/or wasting disease. Although this study is exploratory, and confirmation is required, the results should help sheep farmers and researchers direct attention to management variables that could reduce lamb mortality in sheep flocks.