No description available.

This thesis examines the potential of nine break crops (bean, carrot, swede, hemp, sugar beet, potato, lupin, oilseed rape and linola), against an oat control crop.  Seven rotational field trails were carried out at five sites across the UK. The most profitable break crops in this study were carrot and potato in terms of direct economic return to the farmer.  Mean annual returns were £5175 and £3668 respectively.  Cereal yields following break crops were found to be more affected by the soil fertility before the break crops were planted, than the actual break crop.  Studies on the nutrient concentration of break crops showed that by the second year of the experiment, over 50% of the break crops were deficient in either N, P or K, with N deficiency being most common.  Subsequent cereal crops mostly had adequate nutrient concentrations. Break crop and cereal yields were more strongly correlated with soil nutrient concentrations at the start of the experiment that previous crop.  Root crops showed a strong N response, sugar beet had a strong Mg response, linola, oilseed rape and oat had strong K responses, and wheat and barley yields were strongly influenced by soil N, P and Cu.  In general soil nutrients decreased over the experiment as did pH and soil organic matter. In general there was an inverse relationship between the crops yield and the crop’s nutrient concentration, so as the yield of a crop increases, the concentration of nutrients in the plant matter, or quality, decrease. The break crops, hemp, linola and carrot generally had positive effects on reducing weed populations during growth and in the subsequent cereal crop compared with the control crop.  In additional these break crops were pest- and disease-free during growth.  Other break crops, such as bean, swede and oilseed rape were shown to suffer from many weed, pest or disease problems, which may limit their potential for inclusion in an organic rotation.

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2000. / Thesis based on four papers, which are included. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

No description available.

The use of hydroponic feeding systems for horses has gained in popularity during recent years. Typically, this feeding system allows for a more efficient use of the whole plant, including the shoot, root, and seed remnants rather than traditional grazing in which only the shoot of the plant is consumed. Vertical systems have practical uses in largely developed areas where traditional forage sources are limited, in arid countries or in areas with severe droughts where forage growth is minimal. Though there is some research on fodder utilization in production animals, there are currently no published data on the effects of fodder in horses. Our study, approved by the Southern Illinois University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (#13-043) utilized eight Quarter Horse mares randomly assigned to one of two diets. Control (CON) horses were offered 2% of their body weight (BW) in hay (DM) and treatment (TRT) horses received 1% of their BW in hay (DM) and 1% of BW in fresh wheat fodder (AF) twice daily. Body weight and hoof temperature data were recorded weekly. Fecal samples were collected weekly and analyzed for pH, NH3, and VFA concentration as well as DM, ash, NDF, ADF, N, CP, and EE. Hay and fodder samples were also collected weekly to monitor nutrient profiles of the two forage types for the duration of the study. Additionally, nutrient profiles from seed to mature (8 d growth) were developed for fodder. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using PROC MIXED of SAS (v. 9.4) and significance was established at P < 0.05. There were no significant differences in body weight, left or right front hoof temperatures between treatments. Fecal pH was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) in the TRT when compared to CON, and isobutyric acid was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in TRT as compared to CON. A comparison of the nutrient values of the two forages demonstrated significantly higher DM, ash, NDF, and ADF (P <0.0001) in hay while N, CP, and EE (P <0.0001) were significantly higher in fodder overall. Daily growth of the fodder decreased DM content (P <0.0001) while ash, NDF, ADF, N, CP, and EE (P <0.0001) increased as the fodder reached maturity. These results indicate that utilizing fodder affects fecal metabolites associated with digestion.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Sverges lantbruksuniversitet, 2001. / Thesis statement in Swedish and English abstract inserted. Based on 4 previously prepared or published papers reprinted here. Includes bibliographical references.

This study investigated the potential benefit of introducing Moringa oleifera (MO) and Leucaena leucocephala (LL) leaves as supplementary feed resource for indigenous goats feeding systems in southern Mozambique. The study started with a description of smallholder goat production systems in three resource-poor districts of Mozambique and subsequently investigated the variation and seasonal fluctuations of natural fodder quality in the Changalane district throughout a year period. Thereafter, the effect of tree forage supplementation on growth and reproductive performance of Landim goats were evaluated by simulating a typical feeding system used in the study area. In study one, a survey was conducted in three villages to collect data on indigenous goats and in smallholder husbandry practices in terms of feeding, health and reproduction management. Information from 45-smallholder goat keepers were recorded using a survey, which was complemented by interviews. Results showed that goats were raised under extensive systems, under free grazing. Tethering was a common management practice, with limited supplementation during the dry season. In general, during the dry season the natural pasture were scarcity and poor in quality and consequently does not sustained the energy and protein requirements of ruminants for maintenance and other functions. In study two, the eight key species that were consumed by the goats (namely Sclerocarya birrea, Spirostachys africana, Dichrostachys cinerea, Flueggea virosa, Acacia nigrescens, Acacia nilotica, Panicum maximum and Morus alba) were collected and analysed. Daily energy intake (4.27 ± 0.17 MJ/kg DM vs 3.71 ± 0.41 MJ/kg DM) and crude protein (CP) intake (92.83 ± 16.05 g DM/head/day vs. 59.38 ± 13.12 g DM/head/day) were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. Daily intake of calcium and phosphorus did not show significant seasonal variations and were below the requirements levels for maintenance of a 20 kg bodyweight goat during the dry season and for the pregnant goat during both seasons. These results showed a need to supplement goats with energy, protein and phosphorus for maintenance, growth and reproduction during the dry season. In study three, the impact of supplementation with LL and MO on the growth and reproduction performance of indigenous goats were evaluated. Fifty-six goats were randomly divided into seven groups, with four castrated males and four females in each group. One group was used as the control group (animals grazing on natural veld without any supplementation), while first three groups were fed with LL and the other three groups with MO tree leaves, respectively. Compared to the control group, both treatments had a significant effect, irrespective of the level of supplementation in terms of overall body weight gain and the final body weight of the bucks. All female reproduction parameters measured for the supplemented groups were superior when compared to the control group. Findings of this study suggest the benefit of using LL and MO tree leaves as supplement for Mozambican goats to overcome the adverse effects of seasonal fluctuations in feed quality on their growth and reproductive performance. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted

The object I purposed to myself was to sift from top to bottom nutrition of the dogs and the main problems that are close to it, to describe it and to make inferences about it. To find what harm commercial food does for the organism of the dog. We discussed about the allergies, bad breath, bad teeth, fatty degeneration, digestive troubles and decisions. The operation was made with reference to the results of the blood test, nutriment analysis, questioning data and communication with kennels and veterinarians. We produced detailed information about what nutriment should we feed our dogs and about the after-effects, that will visit if the dog feeding is incorrect. Summarised data is offered in tables and diagrams. We find that dogs, which are feeding by middle and low class commercial dog food, are often suffering by diseases of the digestive tract. 40 percent of dogs fall ill by allergic reactions, till 45 percent appears lesions of the teeth and gum. Dogs, which were fed by home-made food, were more active, the structure of their coat was very good and the colour was bright, digestive tract was food change resistant. Those dogs had stronger immunity. The blood test showed, that dog’s, which were fed by home-made food, cholesterol was less, than dog’s, which ate commercial dog food. So, if we feed our dogs by a commercial food, the probability to display diseases of some organs (as kidney, liver, blood-vessels) and allergy. We recommend feed our dogs by home-made food, or the... [to full text]

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc Agric (Animal Nutrition))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted