• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.289-292
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• 1997

A grazing trial was carried out to determine the effects of different grass/legume pastures on forage production, legume proportion, nutritive value, and animal performance. The pasture mixtures were mainly orchardgrass (OG) + ladino clover (T1), OG + alfalfa (T2), perennial ryegrass + alfalfa (T3), and grass alone mainly OG (T4). The pastures were rotationally grazed 7 times with heifers which had an initial liveweight of about 243 kg in 1991 and 1992. The average plant height at each grazing was 32.4 cm. The annual dry matter yield ranged from 9.19 MT in T4 to 9.61 MT/ha in T3, but no significant difference among different mixture combinations was found. The proportion of ladino clover in T1 mixtures rapidly increased from 21% to 68% during the grazing season. However, the proportion of alfalfa in T2 and T3 ranged from 12% to 23%. The contents of crude protein and calcium, respectively, in the forages were highest in T1 (23.2%, 0.68%) and lowest in T4 (18.5%, 0.13%), while crude fiber content showed the opposite trends. Liveweight gain was greatest on T1 (1.073 kg) and lowest on T4 (643 kg). It was concluded that pasture mixtures containing legume (ladino clover) can increase forage nutritive value and animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.723-731
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• 2013

This study provides a comparative analysis of the effects of pre-slaughter penetrative and non-penetrative stunning and post-slaughter stunning on meat quality attributes in longissimus lumborum (LL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles in heifers. Ten animals were assigned to each of four treatment groups: i) animals were subjected to conventional Halal slaughter (a clean incision through the structures at the front of the upper neck - the trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins) and post-cut penetrating mechanical stun within 10 to 20 s of the neck cut (Unstunned; US); ii) high power non-penetrating mechanical stunning followed by the neck cut (HPNP); iii) low power non-penetrating mechanical stunning followed by the neck cut (LPNP); and iv) penetrative stunning using a captive bolt pistol followed by the neck cut (P). For each carcass, muscle samples were removed within 45 min of slaughter, portioned and analysed for pH, cooking loss, water holding capacity (WHC), tenderness (WBS), lipid oxidation (TBARS) and color, over a two week storage period. Stunning did not affect pH and cooking loss. Significant differences in water holding capacity, tenderness, lipid oxidation and color were present at different storage time points. HPNP stunning resulted in lower WHC and color values, particularly lightness ($L^*$), higher TBARS values and peak force values compared with those stunned using LPNP, P and US. These adverse effects on quality were mostly encountered in the ST muscle. In conclusion, the meat quality achieved using P, LPNP and US treatments was comparable, and no treatment stood out as considerably better than another.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1387-1392
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• 2018

Objective: In a nucleus breeding scheme, the sire of dam's pathway plays an important role in producing genetic improvement. Selection proportion is the key parameter for predicting selection intensity, through truncating the normal distribution. Semen sexing using flow cytometry reduces the number of vials of sperm that can be obtained from a proved bull. In addition, a lower fertility of this kind of sperm is expected because of the lower sperm dosage in sex sorted semen. Both of these factors could affect the selection proportion in the sire of dam's pathway ($p_{SD}$). Methods: In the current study, through a deterministic simulation, effect of utilizing sex sorted semen on selection ($p_{SD}$) was investigated in three different strategies including 1: continuous use of sex sorted semen in heifers (CS), 2: the use of sex sorted semen for the first two (S2) and 3: the first (S1) inseminations followed by conventional semen. Results: Results indicated that the use of sex sorted semen has a negative impact on the sire of dams (SD) pathway due to increase in selection proportion. Consequently selection intensity was decreased by 10.24 to 20.57, 6.38 to 8.87 and 3.76 to 6.25 percent in the CS, S2, and S1 strategies, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the low effect of sexed semen on genetic improvement in dam pathways, it is necessary to consider the joint effect of using sex sorted semen on the sire and dams pathway to estimate about the real effect of sexed semen on genetic improvement in a nucleus breeding scheme.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.1090-1097
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• 2001

Nine tons of fresh rice straw from early-maturing varieties was ensiled with 50 g urea $kg^{-1}$ DM straw in plastic bags immediately after threshing. Five months after storage, preserved straw was used to partially replace elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumach) for lactating cows. Eight crossbred Holstein lactating cows (75% of Holstein blood) in their second to fourth lactation and in mid-lactation were arranged in a balanced design with two squares consisting of $4\;periods{\times}4\;treatments$ (100% grass ad lib. as a control; 75% grass+urea treated fresh rice straw (UTrFRS) ad lib.; 50% grass+UTrFRS ad lib.; 25% grass+UTrFRS ad libitum) in one square. A concentrate supplement was given at a rate of 400 g per day per kg of milk produced. Samples of fresh straw taken in the field and UTrFRS and elephant grass taken at feeding time were evaluated in a degradation trial with 3 fistulated heifers (undefined blood ratio of crossbred of Sindhi and local yellow cattle). Straw preserved for 5-9 months was in nearly all cases of good quality. Crude protein (CP) content was increased 2.1 fold and 48 h dry matter loss (DML) was 20% higher compared to dry straw. Elephant grass cultivated intensively was low in DM content and 10% higher in 48 h DML compared to UTrFRS. Dry matter intake (DMI) was higher for the mixture of UtrFRS and Elephant grass, and highest when one-third of the roughage was UTrFRS. Higher DMI of mixed roughage diets was probably due to the low DM content of elephant grass in the sole grass roughage diet. Increasing substitution of elephant grass with UTrFRS up to 75% of the roughage component increased milk fat content and had no effect on milk yield and other milk composition parameters. Feeding UTrFRS, partially replacing elephant grass in the diets of lactating cows in the dry season can reduce the cost of roughage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.441-448
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• 1994

Postweaning performance data were obtained on 187 group fed purebred Angus calves from 12 selected sires (six high and six low feed conversion sires) in 1985 and 1986. The objective of this portion of the study was to develop prediction equations for feed conversion from a stepwise regression analysis. Variables measured were on-test weight (ONTSTWT), on-test age (ONTSTAG), five weights by 28-d periods, seven linear body measurements: heart girth (HG), hip height (HH), head width (HDW), head length (HDL), muzzle circumference (MC), length between hooks and pins (HOPIN) and length between shoulder and hooks (SHHO), and backfat thickness (BF). Stepwise regressions for maintenance adjusted feed conversion (ADJFC) and unadjusted feed conversion (UNADFC) over the first 140 d of the test, and total feed conversion (FC) until progeny reached 8.89 mm of back fat were obtained separately by conversion groups and sexes and for combined feed conversion groups and sexes. In general, weights were more important than linear body measurements in prediction of feed utilization. To some extent this was expected as weight is related directly to gain which is a component of feed conversion. Weight at 112 d was the most important variable in prediction of feed conversion when data from both feed conversion groups and sexes were combined. Weights at 84 and 140 d were important variables in prediction of UNADFC and FC, respectively, of bulls. ONTSTWT and weight at 140 d had the highest standardized partial regression coefficients for UNADFC and ADJFC, respectively, of heifers. Results indicated that linear measurements, such as MC, HDL and HOPIN, are useful in prediction of feed conversion when feed in takes are unavailable.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.614-620
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• 1997

Pedigree data were used to predict the performance of 1,166 imported Americas Brahman breeder cattle, composed of 104 bulls and 1,062 heifers with an average age of 24.4 months (range of 17 to 40 months). A total of 13 full sib, 10 maternal half sib, and 228 paternal half sib groups were identified, each with average group size of 2.08, 2.00, and 4.49, respectively. Only 758 (64.9% of total) imported cattle were found to have at least one ancestor with expected progeny differences (EPDs) reported in the Spring 1995 Brahman Sire Summary. Moderate average accuracy values of .71, .69, .52, and .52 for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and maternal milk, respectively, were noted for EPDs of the ancestors. Prediction equations were derived by multiple regression analysis of available EPDs of sire, paternal grand sire, and maternal grand sire. Based on pedigree indexes that involve various combinations of available ancestral information, the average predicted EPDs (lbs) for imported cattle were $1.76{\pm}0.54$, $14.93{\pm}4.86$, $25.10{\pm}9.50$, and $5.86{\pm}2.08$ for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and maternal milk, respectively. Significant correlations (p < .05) were also found between sire and son EPDs (+.27) for yearling weight; and between sire and paternal grand sire EPDs for birth weight (+.34), weaning weight (+.51), yearling weight (+.49), and maternal milk (+.55).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 1994

Six heifers each of $F_1$, $F_2$, $F_3$, $F_4$ H. Friesian $\times$ Sahjwal halfbreds and pure Sahiwal with overall average initial age and live weight of $315.6{\pm}134.8 days$ and $143.8{\pm}48.5kg$, respectively were used for this study. The under trial animals were fed according to N.R.C. (1978). The overall average age at maturity, first conception and first calving was $563.8{\pm}116.8$, $675.8{\pm}135.6$ and $956.8{\pm}149.8days$ with live weights as $302.2{\pm}58.6$, $342.6{\pm}41.5$ and $433.9{\pm}38.1kg$, respectively. The overall 305 days and total milk yield for 1st lactation was $2,729.0{\pm}669.3$ and $2,992.7{\pm}377.5litre$ while the FCM (at 4%) was $2,934.2{\pm}410.8litre$. The lactation length was $336.6{\pm}69.6days$. The fat and solids not fat contents were $4.5{\pm}0.2$ and $8.2{\pm}0.3percent$, respectively. The milk production in Sahiwal cows was significantly lower than crossbred cows. The services per conception were $2.5{\pm}1.3$. The overall per head per day consumption of DM, TCP and ME was $10.9{\pm}1.2kg$, $1,399{\pm}199gm$ and $22.6{\pm}2.4 M.Cal.$, respectively. The overall milk producing efficiency for the production of one litre of FCM was $1.12{\pm}0.15kg$ of DM, $142.2{\pm}17.76gm$ of TCP and $2.31{\pm}0.27M.Cal.$ of energy while the feeding cost was Rs. $1.46{\pm}0.22$ per litre of FCM produced. The feeding cost per litre FCM was significantly higher in Sahiwal and $F_2$ than in other genetic groups.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2008

This study compared the pregnancy rates of Korean native donor cattle after either a timed artificial insemination (TAI) or embryo transfer (TET) following the synchronization of ovulation using a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device together with estradiol benzoate (EB) and prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$). Fifty five cows and 8 heifers which had been previously used for embryo production were assigned to two treatments: (1) Thirty-two cattle received a CIDR device and 2 mg EB (Day 0), 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection at the time of CIDR removal on Day 7, and 1 mg EB injection on Day 8. All of the cattle received a TAI 30 h (Day 9) after the second EB injection (TAI group). (2) Thirty-one cattle received the same hormonal treatments as in the TAI group. The cattle with corpus luteum (CL) received a TET on Day 16 using frozen-thawed embryos (TET group). Ultrasonographic observations demonstrated that the proportion of cattle with synchronized ovulation on Day 10 and the concomitant formation of new CL on Day 13 did not differ between groups (p>0.05); the overall mean rates were 65.1 and 73.0%, respectively. The conception and pregnancy rates did not differ (p>0.05) between the TAI (12.5% and 12.5%) and TET groups (13.0% and 9.7%), respectively. We conclude that the pregnancy rate following TAI or TET in Korean native donor cattle was poor, which might be due in part to a poor synchrony of ovulation and concomitant CL formation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 1995

Three fistulated nonlactating Holstein cows were used to examine the change in ruminal characteristics when fed diets of 100% corn silage, 50% corn silage + 50% wet brewers' grain(WBG) and 100% WBG, and also twenty Holstein heifers averaging 156 $\PM$ 3.2kg BW were randomly assingned to determine the adequate feeding level of concentrate with the following treatments ; Only WBG, concentrate to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of BW under feeding WBG ad libitum. Tne main results were as follows : I. Ruminal pH was minimized 3 hrs after feeding and then gradually increased. The mean ruminal pH was highest in feeding only WBG (6.72) and lowest in only corn silage(6.0) 2. Ruminal $NH_3$-N concentration was maximized 1 hr after feeding and then gradually decreased regardless of diets, n7e average ruminal $NH_3$-N content was highest in diet of 100% WBG(12.9 rngldl) and lowest in 100% corn silage(5.9 mg/dl) 3. Acetic acid percent among VFA was highest when WBG replaced 50% corn silage and acetic to propionic acid ratio was higher in order of feeding only corn silage, 50% corn silage + 50% WBG and only WBG. 4. Ruminal bacteria and protozoa number in diet of 50% corn silage + 50% WBG were 8.14 $\times$ > $10^5$ and 1.45 $\times$ $10^5$, respectively, which were most of all treatments. 5. Daily gain and feed efficiency of Holstein heifer in feeding concentrate to 0.5% of BW and forage hay to about 20% of total DM intake when fed free WBG were better

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 1986

The results from a survery on the reproduction of a, pp.oximately 500 dairy cows raised in four different farming areas including Cheju city, Jochun, Hallim and Sung-up are summarized as follows; 1. At the occurrence of first estrus, the average age of the heifers was 15.1 months (330 Kg/B.W.), and at first conception 18.0 months (354Kg/B.W.). There was no regional differences. 2. The average interval of the estrous cycle was 20.4 days. And the repetition of esturs after unsuccessful insemination occurred on an average of 1.6 times, especially 2.0 times in the herds of the Jochun district. 3. The ages at the first calving were similar to the data recorded for the domestic mainland's herds at 27.1 months. But some regional differences were recognized within the four districts: i.e. 28.6 (Cheju city), 27.4(Jochun), 27.1(Hallim) and 25.3 months (Sung-up). There was no significant differences in sex ratio of newborns at 50.4%(♂) and 49.6%(♀). 4. The intervals of esturs recurrence and the following conception after calving were 80.0 and 95.8 days respectively. In the followsing conception intervals after cavling, 90.6-97.4 days were average for the herds of Cheju city and Jochun districts, 62.4-69.7 days for those of Hallim and Sung-up districts. 5. The average gestation period was 279.8 days, and was almost identical in the four districts. 6. The calving intervals was 377.7 days in average, and it was shorter than the data recorded for the domestic mainland's herds. Also it was reduce gradually according to the calving frequency.