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In Fütterungs- und Verdauungsversuchen mit Hammeln und Milchkühen wurden die Futterwerteigenschaften von Nebenprodukten aus modernen Verfahren wie der Zucker-Bioethanol- und Rapsmethylesterproduktion beurteilt. Durch die Fütterung von Milchkühen im Hochleistungsbereich mit 5,2 kg TM Roggenpressschlempe je Kuh und Tag wurde der Sojaextraktionsschrotverbrauch um 50 % gesenkt. Die im Hammelversuch ermittelten NEL-Gehalte für Roggenpressschlempe liegen zwischen 5,3 bis 5,5 MJ NEL je kg TM. In Verdauungsversuchen mit Milchkühen ergab sich für Lipicafett ein NEL-Gehalt von 18,4 MJ NEL/kg. Der Einsatz von 300 g Rohglyzerin je Kuh und Tag führte zu einer geringfügigen Erhöhung der Futteraufnahme von 0,4 kg TM je Kuh und Tag. Nach der Pansenbeutelmethode ermittelt, besitzt Roggenpressschlempe einen UDP-Anteil von 43 % und Weizentrockenschlempe von 25 %. Für Sojaextraktionsschrot, Rapsextraktionsschrot und Rapskuchen wurden nach dieser Methode UDP-Anteile von 39 %, 41 % bzw. 19 % ermittelt.

Seit dem 01.01.2010 ist die elektronische Kennzeichnung von Schafen und Ziegen, die nach dem 31.12.2009 geboren wurden, gesetzlich vorgeschrieben. In einem Forschungsprojekt wurde die Überstimmung von Datenträgern, Lesegeräten und Managementprogrammen verschiedener Hersteller in ausgewählten sächsischen Betrieben untersucht. Die Funktionsfähigkeit der automatisierten Kopplung zwischen Managementprogramm und elektronischer Kennzeichnung konnte nachgewiesen werden. Eine Schlüsselfunktion bei der Umsetzung von elektronischer Kennzeichnung und dem Einsatz von Managementprogrammen in der Schafhaltung nehmen die Lesegeräte ein. Der Bericht beschreibt Praxiserfahrungen bei Nutzung verschiedener Systeme sowie den Handlungsbedarf hinsichtlich Service und technischer Weiterentwicklung.

Mit der Zucht auf höhere Fruchtbarkeit bei Sauen erhöhen sich die Wurfgröße und gleichzeitig die Ferkelverluste. Damit ab 12 bis 13 lebend geborenen Ferkeln die Verluste nicht exponential ansteigen, muss die Verfahrenstechnik angepasst werden. In Versuchen wurden viele Aspekte etablierter Verfahrenstechnik daraufhin überprüft. Der Schlüssel für niedrige Verlustraten liegt bei optimal vorbereiteten Geburten sowie einer verbesserten Haltungstechnik. So liegt z. B. die optimale Oberflächentemperatur von Ferkelnestern in der ersten Säugewoche bei 38 °C bis knapp über 39 °C, jedoch nicht darüber. Für ältere Ferkel reichen 36 °C. Für die Ferkelnestakzeptanz noch wichtiger ist die Sicherstellung konstanter, vor allem im Sommer nicht zu hoher Raumtemperaturen im Abferkelstall von 21 °C bis 23 °C. Während Zusatzstoffe (Probiotika, Präbiotika, Vitamine in Kombination mit und ohne Antibiotika) für Saugferkel keine Vorteile brachten, führte u. a. der Einsatz eines energiereichen Spezialergänzungsfuttermittels mit Lachsöl und sogenannter ‚funktioneller Lignocellulose’ für die Sauen zu einer Verbesserung des Geburtsverlaufs. In großen Würfen senkt die Beifütterung von Ammenmilch oder Ferkeljogurt ab dem zweiten Lebenstag die Verlustrate und erhöht den Verzehr von festem Beifutter.

Veterinary Medicine does not have a history in the social sciences and is therefore a fascinating field of study. Despite the growth of education research in the veterinary schools, the social and relational aspects of veterinary training and practice are under-examined, and could have profound effects on the ability of students to make a successful transition into qualified work. This thesis explored the development of occupational identity in veterinary students and newly-qualified veterinary surgeons, using narrative interview techniques and organisational policy analysis. From interviewees’ stories, a clear distinction could be drawn between the majority, who were vocationally-motivated, and a smaller group who were drawn to a veterinary career by the high academic standards required. All identified several influences on their own professional identity development: role models, the need to perform as competent and confident, and presenting an approved personality type in order to gain access to the practical experience required during training. The predominant story arc is that of becoming increasingly ‘vetlike’ as they progress through the course. Animal welfare is a substantial silence in the organisational discourse of veterinary medicine. The discourse analysis revealed the overwhelming presentation of the elite academic nature of the profession, at the expense of any mention of animal care or welfare, or acknowledgement of vocational motivation. A compelling collective responsibility was also identifiable in terms of upholding a professional reputation and its high standards. A strong occupational history contributes to this, leading to a very bonded occupational group. The idea of veterinary medicine not being a nine-to-five job is expressed in policy and resonated very strongly with interview participants. However, there exists a very clear, organisationally-sanctioned, officially-approved attitude towards veterinary life and work, allowing very little deviation. This has the subsequent effect that tolerance of weakness, unhappiness, or complaint is low; so that members are forced to either internalise their unhappiness or leave the profession entirely. Veterinary medicine is perceived as a career with high job satisfaction and a positive public image. However, awareness is increasing of worryingly high levels of mental illness, stress, unhappiness and dissatisfaction with their work among the veterinary workforce. This thesis suggests that one factor that could underlie this is a mismatch between a new entrant’s ideas of what a vet is and does, and the reality of a working life in veterinary practice. From the conclusions presented in this thesis - in particular the finding that, as a profession, veterinary medicine strives to distance itself from an animal care or animal welfare focus - I suggest that it is the confused messages received as part of the process of socialisation during training that could connect to many of the problems facing the modern entrant to the veterinary profession. This research specifically focused on the development of occupational identity in veterinary students and newly-qualified veterinary surgeons in the UK and is the only current work to examine the processes, presentation and experiences of veterinary training in this comparative manner. As a relatively new, and very interdisciplinary, field of study, the capacity for future work in veterinary social sciences is considerable, with much to be learnt from allied fields as well as further explorations of just what makes veterinary medicine unique, and such a valuable source of social inquiry given the significance of pets and livestock to the lives of a nation of animal lovers. This is potentially a very rich field.

Two studies of growth and development in sheep were undertaken, one at Edinburgh, the other in Iceland, between 1977 and 1979. The main objectives were twofold: (1) to examine the 'normal' pattern of growth and development, in relation to presently acknowledged growth principles; and (2) to evaluate genetic and sexual influences, with special emphasis on the effects of conformation on growth and carcass characteristics. Two breeds of sheep were involved; at Edinburgh, the Scottish Blackface, and in Iceland, the Iceland sheep. Common to both experi?ments was the comparison of different genotypes of the same breed, distinct in external body form. These had been created by continuous selection, over 20 - 25 years, the sole criterion in Edinburgh being live weight corrected cannon bone length, while in Iceland, other criteria of conformation were included in addition to cannon bone length. Both experiments involved the serial slaughter and full anatomical dissection of lambs from the time of birth to weights approaching maturity. At Edinburgh, controlled individual feeding was involved after weaning, whereas in Iceland, most lambs were slaugh?tered off pasture. The data have been analysed in several different ways, including, for relative growth, the use of Huxley's allometric equation, the computation of relative weight increases, based on the weight at birth, and the comparison of percentage proportions at different weights or ages. Significant differential growth patterns were demonstrated at all levels of the anatomy. Frequent changes in these made the application of Huxley's formula unsafe over extended periods of growth. The devel?opmental orders of the various body organs, parts or tissues were, in the main, consistent with present ideas. However, some questions were raised, particularly regarding certain aspects of skeletal and muscular development, and these are discussed in light of the present findings. Sexual differences were clearly apparent, both in absolute and relative terms. The males grew faster than the females and were later maturing, as indicated particularly by delayed fat deposition. With respect to carcass proportions, masculinity was expressed in superior development of the neck and thorax arising from all constituent tissues. By contrast, the females were better developed in the hind quarter, which gave them an advantage in muscle weight distribution over the normal range iti slaughter age. While genotype differences in live weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were inconclusive, significant effects were demonstrated on the relative development of the different body parts and tissues at any given age or weight. In Iceland, the selection for a short cannon bone and compact body form had grossly reduced skeletal weight, increased muscular thickness, the muscle: bone ratio and the proportion of back muscles, at the cost of neck and thorax muscles, and brought forward fat deposition, resulting in earlier attainment of marketable condition. The Edinburgh selection was less effective in altering carcass shape or composition, due to the break-down of intraskeletal proportions, the greatest selection effects being exerted on the lower limb bones and gradually diminishing in approaching the body trunk. The practical implications of these findings are discussed, and it is concluded, that breeding can effectively alter the animal's constitution, both as regards the tissue composition and the area to area distribution of the carcass.

A series of experiments have been conducted which examined the function of roughage in the diet of the early-weaned calf and determined the optimum specifications relating to roughage inclusion in the diet. Evaluation of the conventional voluntary roughage feeding system indi?cated an unacceptable degree of variation in performance and intake characteristics which was decreased by the feeding of a complete pellet diet containing chopped roughage (20 mm). Feeding a complete diet also encouraged the earlier development of rumen function, resulting in enhanced feed intakes with associated increased liveweight gains. The principal advantage of complete diet feeding was associated with its physiological effect in the rumen, where the feeding of a predeter?mined roughage:concentrate ratio encouraged an expeditious rise in rumen pH status. Rumen buffering capacity of individual diets accounted for as much of the variation in feed intake as the energy content of the diet. The presence of roughage also enhanced the efficiency of feed utilisation (protein and energy) of the concentrate fraction. Slaughter studies indicated that complete diets, which gave rise to higher ruminal levels of butyric acid, inspired a rumen fermentation pattern more conducive to rumen papillary growth. The optimum dietary crude fibre specification for maximising liveweight gain was 150 g per kg, which detailed levels of roughage inclusion of 220 g per kg straw and 300 g per kg hay; there was only a slight advantage to the use of hay as a roughage source rather than straw. The results suggest that the particle size of roughage should not be less than 8 mm when fed in a complete pellet diet to calves.

The results of two experiments designed to examine the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the liveweight growth and carcass composition of cross-bred lambs are reported. In the first experiment, data were available for the progeny of Dorset Down, lie de France, Oldenburg, Oxford, Suffolk and Texel sires out of Border Leicester * Scottish Blackface and ABRO Dam Line (5 strains) x Scottish Blackface ewes. Analyses were made for (a) growth traits to 12 weeks for 2585 lambs, the progeny of 102 sires; (b) growth traits to slaughter at fixed weights of 35 kg and 40 kg for 1884 lambs (79 sires); and (c) half carcass dissection traits for 956 lambs (65 sires. Sire breed, year, sex, rearing type, ewe age and other environ?mental factors significantly affected liveweight growth traits, percentage carcass composition and the distribution of dissectible lean tissue and subcutaneous fat between eight standard joints. Paternal half-sib estimates of the heritability of liveweight growth rates to slaughter were low (0.10 ? 0.06). Moderate heritability estimates were recorded for percentage lean in the carcass (0.41 ? 0.13), lean tissue and subcutaneous fat distribution. Estimates of the genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits are also presented. In the second experiment the range of sire breeds was extended/to include the Southdown and Cotswold. Data for 511 lambs, the progeny of 4 to 8 sires/breed and serially slaughtered at 13, 17, 21,25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 51 and approximately 63 weeks of age, were analysed using the allometric equation. Analyses of the growth of dissectible carcass' tissues relative to age, liveweight and side weight, of dissectible subcutaneous, intermuscular and kidney knob and channel fat relative to lean tissue weight, and of lean tissue relative to bone weight, are reported. In general, the effects of breed, year, ewe age, rearing type and sex upon differential growth patterns were not significant (P > 0.05). However, significant (P < 0.05) effects of sire breed and of environmental factors on intercepts are reported.

1. The literature review initially describes foetal and placental growth and development. The following two sections present the effects of nutrition before mating and in early pregnancy, concentrating mainly on the effect on ovulation and lambing rate, and identify the lack of information on the effect on foetal lamb growth and birth weight. 2. Aspects of nutrition, particularly during mid and late pregnancy are reviewed. The close relationship between energy and protein nutrition is recognised in relation to foetal growth. 3. Finally, an account of nutritional effects on lactation is given and again emphasising the role protein and energy have to play. Methods of assessing milk yield are also described. 4. The first experiment provided information on differences in maternal body composition, early foetal and placental growth and development brought about by high and low planes of feeding for ten weeks before mating and up till 90 days of gestation. The foetus weights were not different, but placenta and cotyledon weights were heavier ( p < 0.05) for better nourished ewes. Liveweights of ewes differed by 27 kg, but energy contents differed by 479 MJ, or poorly fed ewes had half the reserves of well fed ewes. 5. The second experiment provided information on changes in body composition as a result of high and low levels of nutrition before mating. Ewes received different amounts of protein and energy in late pregnancy. fiaternal body changes as well as thegrowth of foetuses and placentae were followed throughout this period. As in the first experiment the changes in energy were greater than would have been predicted from liveweight changes. Maternal composition was largely affected by treatment before mating. Lambs from ewes on high protein levels were approximately 1 kg heavier than lambs from ewes on low protein irrespective of energy level. Little effect was observed on the placenta as a result of treatment, but it increased in weight between 90 and 14-2 days of gestation. 6. The third experiment provided information on the effect of increasing increments of fishmeal inclusion in the concentrate ration on ewe weight, milk yield and lamb birth weight and growth rate. The milk yield and growth rate recording ceased after four weeks of lactation. There was a significant difference of about 2 kg in the weight of twin lambs from ewes receiving concentrates with 0.15 and 0.2 fishmeal compared with those receiving barley alone. By weaning, after grazing on pasture, no differences in lamb weight were evident. 7. The results are discussed, in the light of current research information and in relation to commercial practice.