Embryo survival was studied in flocks of 500 Saxon Merino and 500 Border Leicester × Merino ewes introduced to rams in either summer or autumn. The ewes were fed 200, 100 or 25% of a maintenance diet from day 2 to day 16 after mating. Embryo survival was greatest in ewes fed the maintenance diet. There was no suggestion that live weight, face cover or condition score were important factors affecting embryo survival. Embryo survival in the twin ovulating cross-breds was higher than in the twin ovulating Merinos, but there was no significant difference in embryo survival in ewes with single ovulations. Embryo survival in ewes with twin ovulations was significantly higher at the autumn mating than in summer.

The results are presented from a factorial experiment on the effects of genotype (Julia, Inra 200 and Caldera 535), density (4·9, 11·0 and 16·7 plants/m2) and row width (70 and 35 cm) on the quantity and quality of maize produced 136 days after emergence.

The later maturing the variety, the higher was the dry matter yield, but the lower was the dry matter percentage. There was little advantage in favour of the high density when compared with the medium density, while row width did not markedly affect the production character measured. Both density and variety significantly influenced the ripe ear. The dried grain/ear for the low, medium and high densities was 111, 89 and 74 g respectively. However, at the highest density nitrogen content, dry matter digestibility and digestible organic matter in the dry matter were all slightly reduced. With the exception of magnesium, the mineral contents showed similar trends.

Measurements were made on 104 carcasses of Holstein or Holstein cross-bred calves in a commercial slaughterhouse and retail butchers in Monterrey, NL. Measurements were: chilled carcass weight, circumference of side, maximum depth of forequarter (three measurements), length of leg, length of side, and length of forearm. Carcasses were cut and the sum of the weights of round, rump, short loin and rib (all bone in) defined as ‘high-priced cuts’. Multiple regressions were computed for linear, semi-allometric and allometric equations using a CDC 3300 computer.

The linear form of the equation accounted for more of the total variance than either the semi-allometric or allometric forms. In all equations cold carcass weight accounted for the greater part of total variance (98·9, 97·1 and 98·2% respectively for the three equations in the order as mentioned above). The incorporation of circumference of side slightly improved the goodness of fit in all cases as did the inclusion of length of side and length of leg in the semi-allometric form. The particularly high proportion of the total variation attributable to cold carcass weight in the present study was probably due to the sparse fat cover of the calves.