In breeding programs, robustness of animals and uniformity of end product can be improved by exploiting genetic variation in residual variance. Residual variance can be defined as environmental variance after accounting for all identifiable effects. The aims of this study were to estimate genetic variance in residual variance of body weight, and to estimate genetic correlations between body weight itself and its residual variance and between female and male residual variance for broilers. The data sets comprised 26 972 female and 24 407 male body weight records. Variance components were estimated with ASREML. Estimates of the heritability of residual variance were in the range 0.029 (s.e. = 0.003) to 0.047 (s.e. = 0.004). The genetic coefficients of variation were high, between 0.35 and 0.57. Heritabilities were higher in females than in males. Accounting for heterogeneous residual variance increased the heritabilities for body weight as well. Genetic correlations between body weight and its residual variance were −0.41 (s.e. = 0.032) and −0.45 (s.e. = 0.040), respectively, in females and males. The genetic correlation between female and male residual variance was 0.11 (s.e. = 0.089), indicating that female and male residual variance are different traits. Results indicate good opportunities to simultaneously increase the mean and improve uniformity of body weight of broilers by selection.

Pseudorabies has become endemic and represents a widespread problem for pig production in the world, causing great economic losses associated with reproductive failure and neonatal mortality in the pig industry. Most diseases are the results of mutations of functional genes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the coding regions of the mediators of pro-inflammatory responses or other candidate genes in pigs could indicate their potential involvement in susceptibility or resistance to PrV (pseudorabies virus) infection. There have been no previous association studies with candidate host genes that may influence PrV phenotypic traits. In order to perform association studies to identify genes contributing to PrV phenotypes, the genotypes of five SNPs from four genes (IL10, CXCL12, BAT2 and EHMT2) were determined for 178 sow samples using a high throughput microarray-based methodology. PrV antibodies were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine whether there was an association between antibody levels and particular genotypes. The association between SNP genotypes and the PrV antibody levels were analysed using the Duncan method of one-way ANOVA procedure using the SAS (Statistical Analysis Systems) software package. The results showed that the glycoprotein E-ELISA antibody level of pigs with genotypes 11(AA) and 12(AG) was significantly higher than in pigs with genotype 22(GG) (P < 0.05) of SNP in the gene EHMT2-SNP2. The SNP of EHMT2 may be an effective potential tool to identify susceptible and resistant animals when used in conjunction with traditional selection methods.

Validation of economic indexes under a controlled experimental environment, can aid in their acceptance and use as breeding tools to increase herd profitability. The objective of this study was to compare intake, growth and carcass traits in bull and steer progeny of high and low ranking sires, for genetic merit in an economic index. The Beef Carcass Index (BCI; expressed in euro (€) and based on weaning weight, feed intake, carcass weight, carcass conformation and fat scores) was generated by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation as a tool to compare animals on genetic merit for the expected profitability of their progeny at slaughter. A total of 107 male suckler herd progeny, from 22 late-maturing ‘continental’ beef sires of high (n = 11) or low (n = 11) BCI were compared under either a bull or steer production system, and slaughtered at approximately 16 and 24 months of age, respectively. All progeny were purchased after weaning at approximately 6 to 8 months of age. Dry matter (DM) intake and live-weight gain in steer progeny offered grazed grass or grass silage alone, did not differ between the two genetic groups. Similarly, DM intake and feed efficiency did not differ between genetic groups during an ad libitum concentrate-finishing period on either production system. Carcasses of progeny of high BCI sires were 14 kg heavier (P < 0.05) than those of low BCI sires. In a series of regression analyses, increasing sire BCI resulted in increases in carcass weight (P < 0.01) and carcass conformation (P = 0.051) scores, and decreases in carcass fat (P < 0.001) scores, but had no effect on weaning weight or DM intake of the progeny. Each unit increase in sire expected progeny difference led to an increase in progeny weaning weight, DM intake, carcass weight, carcass conformation score and carcass fat score of 1.0 (s.e. = 0.53) kg, 1.1 (s.e. = 0.32) kg, 1.3 (s.e. = 0.31) kg, 0.9 (s.e. = 0.32; scale 1 to 15) and 1.0 (s.e. = 0.25; scale 1 to 15), respectively, none of which differed from the theoretical expectation of unity. The expected difference in profitability at slaughter between progeny of the high and low BCI sires was €42, whereas the observed phenotypic profit differential of the progeny was €53 in favour of the high BCI sires. Results from this study indicate that the BCI is a useful tool in the selection of genetically superior sires, and that actual progeny performance under the conditions of this study is within expectations for both bull and steer beef production systems.

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of pelleting on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients according to the dietary fibre (DF) level in growing pigs (experiment 1) and in adult sows (experiment 2). Four diets based on wheat, barley, maize and soybean meal and supplemented with increased contents of a mixture of wheat bran, maize bran, soybean hulls and sugar beet pulp (116, 192, 268 and 344 g NDF/kg dry matter (DM) in diets 1 to 4) were tested. In experiment 1, 32 growing pigs (62 kg average BW), in two replicates and according to a factorial design, were fed one of the four diets, either as mash or as pellets. The digestibility of energy, organic matter (OM) and all nutrients decreased with DF increasing for both feed forms; the reduction was about 1% for each 1% NDF increase in the diet (P < 0.001). Pelleting improved moderately the digestibility of energy and OM (+1.5% and +1.0%, respectively; P < 0.05) in connection with greater DF (+5%; P < 0.05) and fat digestibility (+25%). Thus, pelleting improved the digestible energy content of diets on average by 0.3 MJ/kg of feed DM (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, four adult dry sows (235 kg average BW) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed the four diets used in experiment 1 as pellets. The digestibility of energy, OM and macronutrients also decreased with DF increase (P < 0.001; −0.4% per 1% increase of dietary NDF for energy) while the digestibility of DF (i.e. crude fibre (CF) or ADF) increased (P < 0.001) or remained at a high level. In conclusion, increasing DF in diets decreases the digestibility of nutrients and energy in pigs and in sows. Although positive, the pelleting impact is minor on the energy and nutrients digestibility of fibre-rich diets in growing pigs, even in high-DF diets.

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities for and genetic correlations among different pathogen-specific mastitis traits. The traits were unspecific mastitis, which is all mastitis treatments regardless of the causative pathogen as well as mastitis caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis. Also groups of pathogens were investigated, Gram-negative v. Gram-positive and contagious v. environmental pathogens. Data from 168 158 Danish Holstein cows calving first time between 1998 and 2006 were used in the analyses. Variances and covariances were estimated using uni- and bivariate threshold models via Gibbs sampling. Posterior means of heritabilities of pathogen-specific mastitis were lower than the heritability of unspecific mastitis, ranging from 0.035 to 0.076 for S. aureus and S. uberis, respectively. The heritabilities of groups of pathogen ranged from 0.053 to 0.087. Genetic correlations among the pathogen-specific mastitis traits ranged from 0.45 to 0.77. These estimates tended to be lowest for bacteria eliciting very different immune responses, which can be considered as the overall pleiotropic effect of genes affecting resistance to a specific pathogen, and highest for bacteria sharing characteristics regarding immune response. The genetic correlations between the groups of pathogens were high, 0.73 and 0.83. Results showed that the pathogen-specific traits used in this study should be considered as different traits. Genetic evaluation for pathogen-specific mastitis resistance may be beneficial despite lower heritabilities than unspecific mastitis because a pathogen-specific mastitis trait is a direct measure of an udder infection, and because the cost of a mastitis case caused by different pathogens has been shown to differ greatly. Sampling bias may be present because there were not pathogen information on all mastitis treatments and because some farms do not record pathogen information. Therefore, improved recording of pathogen information and mastitis treatments in general is critical for a successful genetic evaluation of udder health. Also, economic values have to be specified for each pathogen-specific trait separately.

A multi-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters among lactation somatic cell score (SCS) and udder-type traits in South African Jersey cattle, through restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures. Data comprised records on 18 321 Jersey cows in 470 herds, collected through the National Milk Recording Scheme from 1996 to 2002. Average SCS in the first three lactations (SCS1, SCS2 and SCS3) were considered as different traits and the udder-type traits were fore udder attachment (FUA), rear udder height (RUH), rear udder width (RUW), udder cleft (UC), udder depth (UD), fore teat placement (FTP), rear teat placement (RTP) and fore teat length (FTL). Heritability estimates for the respective lactation SCS were 0.07 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.02. Udder-type traits had heritability estimates ranging from 0.14 ± 0.01 for UD to 0.30 ± 0.02 for FTL. Genetic correlations between SCS and udder-type traits ranged from −0.003 ± 0.07 between FUA and SCS3 to −0.50 ± 0.07 between UD and SCS3. Slow genetic progress is expected when selection is applied independently on SCS and udder-type traits, due to the generally low heritabilities. Tightly attached shallow udders with narrowly placed rear teats are associated with low SCS in the Jersey population.

An experiment (3 × 4 factorial arrangement) was conducted to investigate the interaction between different levels of lactose (60 v. 150 v. 250 g/kg) and seaweed extract (0 v. 1 v. 2 v. 4 g/kg) containing both laminarin and fucoidan derived from Laminaria spp. on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weanling pigs. In all, 384 piglets (24 days of age, 7.5 kg (s.d. 1 kg) live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and were assigned to one of 12 dietary treatments (eight replicates per treatment). Piglets were offered diets containing either low (60 g/kg), medium (150 g/kg) or high (250 g/kg) lactose levels with one of the following levels of seaweed extract additive: (1) 0 g/kg, (2) 1 g/kg, (3) 2 g/kg or (4) 4 g/kg seaweed extract. The pigs were offered the diets ad libitum for 21 days post weaning. There was a significant lactose × seaweed extract interaction (P < 0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) during the experimental period (days 0 to 21). At the low and medium levels of lactose, there was an increase in ADG as the level of seaweed extract increased to 2 g/kg (P < 0.05). However, at the high level of lactose there was no further response in ADG as the level of seaweed extract increased above 1 g/kg. There was a significant lactose × seaweed extract interaction during the experimental period (days 0 to 21) (P < 0.05) on the food conversion ratio (FCR). At the low level of lactose, there was a significant improvement in FCR as the levels of seaweed extract increased to 4 g/kg (P < 0.01). At the medium level of lactose, there was a significant improvement in FCR as seaweed extract increased to 2 g/kg. However, there was no significant effect of seaweed extract on FCR at the high levels of lactose (P > 0.05). There was a linear increase in average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the experimental period (days 0 to 21) (P < 0.05) as levels of seaweed extract increased. There was a linear increase in ash digestibility (P < 0.01) during the experimental period (days 0 to 21) as the level of lactose increased. There was a quadratic decrease (P < 0.01) in nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fibre digestibility as the levels of lactose increased. In conclusion, pigs responded differently to the inclusion levels of seaweed extract at each level of lactose supplementation. The inclusion of a laminarin–fucoidan extract in piglet diets may alleviate the use for high-lactose diets (>60 g/kg) and would also alleviate some of the common problems that occur post weaning.

Lysine is usually taken up in excess by the mammary gland (MG) relative to milk protein output, allowing for mammary synthesis of non-essential (NE) amino acids (AA) from Lys-N. It is unclear whether this NEAA synthesis from Lys is obligate or whether more efficient use of Lys can be made under limiting conditions. Six multi-catheterized dairy cows received a basal diet low in protein plus an abomasal infusion of AA (560 g/day) with or without Lys (50.3 g/day), in a crossover design with 7-day periods. On day 7, all cows received a 7.5-h jugular infusion of [2-15N]lysine. Six blood samples were collected from arterial, portal, hepatic and mammary vessels at 45 min intervals. In addition, cows were milked at 6 and 7 h with the milk casein plus arterial and mammary plasma collected at 7 h analyzed for AA enrichment. Milk protein concentration and casein yield tended (P < 0.10) to decrease with Lys deletion, while Lys secretion in milk protein was lowered (P < 0.05). The addition of Lys in the AA mixture increased the net portal absorption of Lys by the amount infused, suggesting limited oxidation of this extra supply by the gut. Net liver flux of Lys was unaltered by treatment and, therefore, net splanchnic release of Lys reflected closely the amounts absorbed. For both treatments, however, post-liver supply was greater than mammary uptake, which exceeded milk output. Nonetheless, while Lys deletion decreased mammary uptake by 10.1 mmol/h, Lys in milk protein secretion was reduced by only 3.9 mmol/h. On a net basis, there was no evidence of the additional uptake of any other measured AA during the Lys deletion. The mammary uptake to output ratio of Lys decreased from 1.37 to 1.12, but still showed an excess with Lys deletion. The total amount of 15N in milk protein did not change with treatment but the distribution into AA was altered. In conditions that simulated normal feeding (Lys infused), 83% of the 15N was present as Lys, with Glx, Asx, Ser and Ala harvesting, respectively, 6.8%, 2.4%, 2.1% and 1.0%. With Lys depletion, N-transfers from Lys to other AA within the MG were still present, but rates were considerably lower. This would suggest that part, at least, of Lys catabolism in the MG is either needed or cannot be prevented completely, even at low supply of Lys. Such catabolism will provide N to support the synthesis of NEAA.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of malic acid (MA) supplementation on rumen fermentation, urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PDs) and whole gastro-intestinal tract feed digestibility in steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers (465 ± 13 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were: control (without MA), LMA (MA-low), MMA (MA-medium) and HMA (MA-high) with 0.0, 7.8, 15.6 and 23.4 g MA per kg dry matter (DM), respectively. Diets consisted of corn stover and concentrate (60/40, DM basis). DM intake was approximately 9 kg per day, which was 90% of ad libitum intake including 5.4 kg corn stover and 3.6 kg concentrate. Ruminal pH (range of 6.91 to 6.56), ratio of acetate to propionate (range of 3.88 to 3.25), ammonia N (range of 9.03 to 6.42 mg/100 ml) and lactate (range of 91.25 to 76.31 mg/100 ml) decreased linearly as MA supplementation increased, whereas total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (range of 55.68 to 61.49 mM) linearly (P < 0.05) increased with increase in MA supplementation. In situ ruminal neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) degradation of corn stover was improved but the crude protein (CP) degradability of concentrate mix was decreased with increasing the dose of MA. Urinary excretion of PDs was quadratically (P < 0.01) changed with altering MA supplementation (67.88, 72.74, 75.81 and 73.78 mmol/day for control, LMA, MMA and HMA, respectively). Similarly, digestibilities of DM, organic matter (OM), NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the total tract were also quadratically increased with increasing MA, and no differences in terms of CP and ether extract digestibility were observed. The results indicate that MA supplementation has the potential to improve rumen fermentation and feed digestion in beef cattle. The MA stimulates the digestive microorganisms or enzymes in a quadratic response. In the experimental conditions of this trial, the optimum MA dose was 15.6 g MA per kg DM.

In all, 18 multiparous and 19 primiparous Holstein dairy cows were used in a completely randomized design with restrictions to evaluate the effects of feeding propylene glycol (PG) as a dry product, via two delivery methods, on production and blood parameters. PG treatments were administered from parturition through 21 days postpartum. Treatments were: (i) control, no PG; (ii) top dress, 162.5 g PG/day by top dressing onto the total mixed ration (TMR) and; (iii) mixing, 162.5 g PG/day as a part of the TMR by incorporating it into the TMR. PG used was a dry product which contained 65% pure PG and 35% silicon dioxide as the dry carrier. Coccygeal blood was sampled on 4, 7, 14 and 21 days in milk (±1.50 pooled s.d.). Supplementation of dry PG by top dressing onto, or incorporating into, the TMR had no effects on average dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, serum insulin, serum and plasma metabolites and milk ketones. Concentrations of urine ketones tended (P = 0.10) to be reduced by PG supplementation from 41.5 to 15.2 mg/dl. Supplementation of PG tended (P = 0.07) to decrease the incidence for subclinical ketosis from 39% to 24% and 13% for cows fed a TMR supplemented with no dry PG, with dry PG as a top dress and dry PG as a part of the TMR, respectively. It is concluded that supplementing PG as a dry product via incorporating into the TMR is as effective as when used as a top dress, based on the efficacies of both delivery methods to numerically reduce urine ketones concentrations and, therefore, the incidence for subclinical ketosis during the first 21 days of lactation. However, it should be noted that the number of cows used in the current study was minimal, and more cows are needed to confirm the efficacy of supplementing PG as a dry product on reducing the prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows during the first month of lactation.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of plane of nutrition in early pregnancy (EP) and mid-pregnancy (MP), on the productive performance of 1- and 2-year-old ewes and their offspring. Over 2 successive years, between days 0 and 39 after synchronized mating (EP), 1- (n = 117) and 2- (n = 52) year-old ewes were allowed 60% (low, L-EP), 100% (medium, M-EP) or 200% (high, H-EP) of requirements for maintenance (M). Between days 40 and 90 (MP), 1-year-old ewes were allowed 140% (M-MP) or 200% (H-MP), while 2-year-old ewes were allowed 80% (M-MP) or 140% (H-MP) of their M requirement. After day 90, all ewes were fed to meet requirements for late pregnancy. Increasing the plane of nutrition between days 0 and 39 resulted in increases in live weight (LW) (P < 0.001) and body condition score (BCS) (P < 0.001) during the EP period (H-EP > M-EP > L-EP), differences that in 1-year-old ewes were sustained to lambing (P < 0.05). On day 42 of gestation H-EP ewes had lower plasma progesterone concentrations than L-EP or M-EP ewes in 1- (P < 0.01) and 2- (P < 0.001) year olds. This was concomitant with diet H-EP tending to reduce the number of lambs born per ewe in both age groups (P = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively). Foetuses from 1-year-old L-EP ewes had smaller cranial (P < 0.01) and abdominal (P < 0.05) diameters at day 53 of gestation, with H-EP lambs tending to be heaviest at birth (P = 0.07). Similar findings were recorded for 2-year-old ewes. One-year-old ewes offered diet L-EP presented negative maternal behaviours more frequently (P < 0.05), while the incidence of lamb mortality at 6 weeks tended to be greater for L-EP lambs (P = 0.07). In MP, 1-year-old ewes offered diet M-MP were associated with foetuses with bigger abdominal diameters at day 78 (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in lamb weight or size at term (P > 0.05). These ewes exhibited more positive maternal behaviours (e.g. increased grooming frequency and duration; P < 0.05) than ewes offered diet H-MP, and their offspring were more successful in suckling (P < 0.05). Results suggest that in young ewes, a temporary nutrient restriction in EP resulted in increased prolificacy. However, ewes and their offspring were lighter at birth and ewe maternal behaviour was poorer, resulting in increased lamb mortality. In MP, a medium plane of nutrition offered to 1-year-old ewes led to improved maternal and offspring behaviour.

The feeding value of forage mixtures from permanent and temporary multi-species grasslands cannot always be precisely defined. Indeed, the digestibility and feed intake of a combination of forages can differ from the balanced median values calculated from forages considered separately. In order to present an overview of the associative effects between forages on digestion and intake, a literature study was carried out. The associative effects can be studied in a complementary way in vitro to test digestive interactions of a large number of mixtures and to carry out explanatory experiments, and in vivo to investigate intake and digestion at the whole animal scale. We identified three main situations in which interactions between forages can lead to associative effects on intake and digestion: (i) increased intake that can be observed with grass and legume association can be explained by fast digestion of the soluble fraction of legumes, and a higher rate of particle breakdown and passage through the rumen, (ii) increased digestion when a poor forage is supplemented by a high nitrogen content plant can be explained by stimulation of the microbial activity and (iii) modification of digestive processes in the rumen, including proteolysis and methane production when certain bioactive secondary metabolites such as tannins, saponins or polyphenol oxidase are present. According to the type and concentration of these compounds in the diet, the effects can be favourable or unfavourable on intake and digestive parameters. Reported associative effects between forages show a large variability among studies. This reflects the complexity and multiplicity of nutritional situations affecting intake and the rumen function in a given animal. In order to provide more reliable information, further accumulation of data combining in vitro and in vivo studies is required. A better understanding of the associative effects between forages could help to optimise feed use efficiency, resulting in greater productivity, a reduction of the environmental impact of animal emissions and more sustainable animal production.

An experimental design aiming at analysing the consequences of genetic selection from 1977 to 1998–2000 on the evolution of stress-responsive systems in the French Large White (LW) and Landrace (LR) pig populations was conducted by INRA and IFIP-Institut du Porc. Large White sows were inseminated with semen from LW boars born in 1977 (frozen semen) or in 1998 and their second-generation offspring were station-tested. Landrace sows were inseminated with semen from LR boars born in 1977 (frozen semen) or in 1999 to 2000, and their progeny was station-tested. Urinary concentration of stress hormones (cortisol and catecholamines) and traits related to carcass composition (estimated carcass lean content (ECLC) and global adiposity) and meat quality (pH 24 h) were measured. For the two populations, selection carried out since 1977 led to an increase in ECLC and a decrease in carcass adiposity. Between 1977 and 1998 to 2000, urinary concentrations of stress hormones were unchanged in the LR breed, but were decreased in the LW breed. Moreover, for the animals generated from LW boars born in 1977 and in 1998, urinary cortisol levels were negatively correlated with ECLC. Therefore, in the LW breed, selection carried out for higher ECLC resulted in a decrease in cortisol production, as well as a reduction of catecholamine production that may be responsible for the lower ultimate pH of meat. Therefore, selection carried out for increased carcass lean content led, in this breed, to large modifications in the functioning of the stress-responsive systems, thereby influencing a large range of physiological regulations and technical properties such as carcass composition and meat pH, which remained however in the normal range for acceptable meat quality.

Two metabolism trials (experiments 1 and 2) were conducted to examine the effect of the organic S compound, sodium 3-mercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid (MPS) on feed intake, fiber digestibility, rumen fermentation and abundance of cellulolytic rumen microorganisms in cattle fed low S (<0.11%) roughages. Urea was provided in all treatments to compensate for the N deficiency (<0.6%) in the roughages. In experiment 1, steers (333 ± 9.5 kg liveweight) were fed Angleton grass (Dicanthium aristatum) supplemented with S in equivalent amounts as either MPS (6.0 g/day) or sodium sulfate (9.56 g/day). Supplementation of Angelton grass with either sulfate or MPS resulted in an apparent increase in flow of rumen microbial protein from the rumen. Sulfur supplementation did not significantly change whole tract dry matter digestibility or intake, even though sulfate and MPS supplementation was associated with an increase in the relative abundance of the fibrolytic bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes and anaerobic rumen fungi. Ruminal sulfide levels were significantly higher in the sulfate treatment, which indicated that the bioavailability of the two S atoms in the MPS molecule may be low in the rumen. Based on this observation, experiment 2 was conducted in which twice the amount of S was provided in the form of MPS (8.0 g/day) compared with sodium sulfate (6.6 g/day) to heifers (275 ± 9 kg liveweight) fed rice straw. Supplementation with MPS compared with sulfate in experiment 2 resulted in an increase in concentration of total volatile fatty acids, and ammonia utilization without a change in feed intake or whole tract fiber digestibility even though S and N were above requirement for growing cattle in both these treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementation of an S deficient low-quality roughage diet with either MPS or sodium sulfate, in conjunction with urea N, improved rumen fermentation, which was reflected in an increase in urinary purine excretion. However, MPS appeared to have a greater effect on stimulating short-chain fatty acid production and ammonia utilization when provided at higher concentrations than sulfate. Thus, the metabolism of MPS in the rumen needs to be investigated further in comparison with inorganic forms of S as it may prove to be more effective in stimulating fermentation of roughage diets.

The objective of this study was to further the understanding of the effects of dietary protein and energy supplements on growth, performance, feed intake and grass forage digestibility in growing meat goat wethers. In Experiment 1, an 18% CP complete goat pellet was offered alone (control diet, C) or added (+), or not, as supplement to three grass hays (coastal bermudagrass, CB; Tifton 85 bermudagrass, T; and sorghum-Sudan grass hay, SS), to Boer-cross wethers (n = 72). The resulting seven diets were offered ad libitum. In Experiment 2, four wether goats in metabolism crates were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed a SS basal diet ad libitum with treatments consisting of no supplement, supplemental urea (200 mg/kg BW daily), supplemental dextrose (0.2% BW daily), or urea + dextrose (200 mg/kg BW daily and 0.2% BW daily, respectively). In Experiment 1, average daily gain (ADG) were −3.8, −5.0 and −6.6 g/day for goats consuming CB, T and SS, respectively, and 69.2, 61.6 and 58.1 g/day for supplemented CB (CB+), T (T+) and SS (SS+), respectively, as compared to 245.8 g/day for ad libitum access to C. Supplementation in Experiment 1 increased (P < 0.01) ADG for all hays when compared to hay-only diets. In Experiment 2, protein and energy supplementation increased (P < 0.01) nitrogen retention but did not impact diet digestibility. The beneficial effects of supplements in Experiment 1 and the increase in nitrogen retention in Experiment 2 cannot be explained by improvements in ruminal fiber utilization, but could be due to post-ruminal nutrient supply and/or increased ruminal microbial protein synthesis.

Twenty-four lactating Holstein dairy cows (12 first lactation and 12 multiparous; day in milk = 11 ± 5 days) were allotted to a randomised complete block design in a 2 × 3 factorial with four replicates per treatment to evaluate the effects of two methods of alfalfa feeding (dry and reconstituted to achieve a theoretical dry matter (DM) content of 350 g/kg) and three geometric mean (GM) particle sizes of alfalfa (9.13, 4.51 and 1.20 mm) on performance of dairy cows for a period of 28 days. Diets were offered for ad libitum intake as total mixed rations (TMR). The GM particle size, its standard deviation, and the values of physical effectiveness factor of alfalfa and TMR decreased as alfalfa particle size decreased. Reduction of particle size and reconstitution of alfalfa increased the bulk density and the functional specific gravity of alfalfa and rations. Reduction of particle size decreased insoluble dry matter, water-holding capacity, and hydration rate of alfalfa. As particle size decreased, the amount of physically effective NDF in the ration (g/kg) decreased but the daily intake of physically effective NDF (kg/day) increased. Reduction of particle size and reconstitution increased dry matter intake (DMI) and ruminal passage rate, but reduced NDF and ash digestibilities, ruminal pH, N-NH3, milk fat, total chewing activity, rumination and eating time, total and ruminal mean retention time, and time delay of marker. Increased functional specific gravity, from reduced forage particle size and the reconstitution of alfalfa, was the most important factor influencing DMI, milk composition, and chewing activity.

The effects of a quantitative feed restriction on the digestive physiology of the young rabbit remain largely unclear. Several digestive functions were thus analysed in the rabbit after weaning, using a monofactorial design that produces a linear reduction of the intake, from ad libitum (AL group) to 80%, 70% and 60% of AL (I80, I70 and I60). The restriction programme was applied by giving a daily meal during 21 days after weaning (34 days), and then a 4-day transition period was managed where the feed intake was fixed at 80% of the AL group, before to be fed ad libitum till 69 days of age. The young rabbit quickly adapted to the restriction programme, since within 4 days after weaning they ate totally their ration within 6–7 h after the feed distribution at 8:00, while AL animals consumed 75% of their feed between 15:00 and 8:00. From 55 to 59 days old, rabbits of I70 and I60 groups reached the intake of the I80 group within 1 day, and then the feed intake of restricted animals increased progressively without over-eating. From 54 to 69 days old, the intake of the four groups did not differ and averaged 143.7 g/day per rabbit. During restriction, the live weight and the weight gain decreased linearly with the restriction level. From 55 to 69 days, the weight gain increased linearly according to the restriction level previously applied, but the final weight of restricted rabbits remained lower than AL ones (−3%, −5% and −7%, respectively, for I80, I70 and I60). After 7 days of restriction, the digestibility was not significantly affected by the restriction level, except for crude protein that presented a slightly higher (+1.5 unit, P = 0.05) coefficient in I70 and I60 groups. The mean retention time (MRT) of particles increased by 50% for restricted animals (mean: 26.2 h for I80 and I60) compared to the AL ones, while that of the liquid phase (three times longer than the particles) was linearly and moderately increased with restriction (+20% between AL and I60). In restricted groups, the caecal pH was lower (−0.3 unit, P < 0.05) and could be related to their higher volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (+16 mmol/l compared to AL, P < 0.05). The fermentation pattern, ammonia concentration and the caecal bacterial fibrolytic activity remained similar among treatments, although the butyrate proportion tended to be higher in restricted animals. Impact of feed restriction on performances and digestive health is reported in the second part of this study.

A standardised methodology is required for classification of starchy diets. One important question is what feeding status is optimal to describe glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to the respective starchy diet. Four horses were fed, in a randomised order, four different feeding protocols relative to offering hay before or after cracked corn (CC): (i) ad libitum hay for 12 h before feeding CC and ad libitum hay after CC intake for 9 h (+CC+), (ii) ad libitum hay for 12 h before feeding CC and no hay after CC intake for 9 h (+CC−), (iii) feed restriction for 12 h before feeding CC and ad libitum hay after CC intake for 9 h (−CC+) and (iv) 1.2 kg hay/100 kg body weight (BW) per day, divided into two equal portions and offered at 0900 h and 1900 h, feed restriction for 12 h before feeding CC and no hay after CC intake for 9 h (−CC−). CC intake was adjusted to a starch intake of 2 g/kg BW. The different hay offerings did not affect basal plasma glucose and insulin levels. A significant rise in plasma glucose and insulin was found after CC intake for all diets. The highest peak glucose levels were analysed for −CC+, and the lowest glucose peaks were found for +CC− (diet P < 0.05). The highest insulin peaks were monitored for −CC+ (31.27 ± 18.19 μU/ml) and lower peaks for +CC− (13.36 ± 2.93 μU/ml) (diet P < 0.05). Insulin for −CC− and +CC− returned to resting values about 300 min after CC feeding. For +CC+ and −CC+, insulin levels were still above resting levels 510 min after CC intake (diet P < 0.05). The present data suggest that feed restriction for 12 h before feeding the starchy diet and no further roughage intake during blood sampling period provide the best-defined conditions.

PIGCAS (Attitudes, practices and state of the art regarding piglet castration in Europe) is to our knowledge the first project that has focused on castration practice across European countries (European Union minus Bulgaria, Malta and Romania, plus Norway and Switzerland). About 250 million pigs are slaughtered in Europe each year. Of the 125 million male pigs, approximately 20% are left entire, less than 3% are castrated with anaesthesia and the rest is castrated without anaesthesia. The study identified large variations in castration procedures, both within and between countries. In females, castration is very rare, but is practiced without anaesthesia in special breeds/production systems in some of the southern countries.