Academic literature on the topic 'Bees Feeding and feeds'

Providing bees with benign and sufficient protein feeds is the key to successful beekeeping. Protein feed significantly affects on certain functions of individuals and the vital activity and productivity of the bee colonies. So, as a result of increased consumption of protein feed during the first days of life the supply of proteins in the body significantly increases in young bees, hypopharyngeal glands and other organs become developed, which provides the ability to perform various tasks depending on age and living conditions. Older bees consume protein for tissue renewal with new cells and metabolic processes. Bees raised on low protein feeds become physiologically defective and do not live long. In conditions of protein starvation, brood rearing stops and bees throw larvae out of their cells. The article presents the results of studying the effect of using soy flour and its processed products in bee feeding on the essential amino acids content in their body. It was found that the use of soy peptone in bee feeding contributes to a greater accumulation of essential amino acids in the bees body in different periods of their development, in compared to soy milk, defatted soy flour and roasted soy flour which indicates a higher efficiency of its use as partial substitutes for protein feeds.

In the presented work, the issue of the use of protein feeds with biologically active additives to increase the nutritional value of artificial feeds is considered. This approach makes it possible to introduce various sources of protein, amino acids, vitamins into the bee feed, as well as enzymes to relieve the load on the bee's body for digesting substances, growth-stimulating drugs based on organic acids, etc. Experiments conducted in 2018 on feeding candi bees to the composition, which included isolated soy protein, apple cider vinegar, showed the following results. In the control group, bees actively ate top dressing, however, in some bee families, the presence of yellowish-brown liquid excrement was noted, which indicated the presence of nosematosis. Bees from the experimental groups also actively consumed candi, but with the addition of soy isolate and apple cider vinegar, while the frames were clean, there were no spots of diarrhea and podmore. The Federal Scientific Center of Beekeeping is conducting research on the development of various formulations of feedings for honey bees. For the approbation of carbohydrate feeds with the inclusion of enzyme compositions in them, appropriate studies were conducted. 3 experimental groups were formed on the principle of pairs of analogues. The control group received sugar syrup, the first – inverted syrup, and the second group - inverted syrup enriched with flower pollen fermentolysate. Feeding of the presented feedings had an impact on the flight activity of bee colonies. Thus, the control group had the lowest flight activity. In the experimental groups, the flight activity of bee colonies was higher. In addition to the flight activity of bee colonies, the average daily egg production of queens was studied. In the control group, the average daily egg production of the uterus was at the level of 550 eggs. In the first experimental group, the uterine egg production was 9.10% higher compared to the control, and in the second group by 20.0%.

The study of effectiveness of the use of protein feeding bees was carried out in the conditions of the apiary ALLC “Volodymyr” in village Shershni Tyvriv district of Vinnytsia oblast. According to the principle of analogous groups were selected bee colonies for the formation of experimental groups. Protein feed was moistened with 50% sugar syrup and filled in the honeycomb. According to the experimental scheme during the preparatory period the bee colonies of the experimental groups II, III and IV were fed a feed mixture in an amount of 25 g per day. According to the experimental scheme during the main period bee colonies were fed a feed mixture of 70 g per day. Accounting of bees brood on the set dates was carried out at the expense of a grid frame every 12 days. Commercial honey was determined by weighing after pumping from each bee colonies separately. Forage honey was determined by weighing the honeycomb and then subtracting the conditional mass of the honeycomb. During the experimental Ukrainian breed bee colonies were involved which they were kept in long hive. Care and maintenance for bee colonies were the same. It was studied the effectiveness of using combined protein feeds in bee feeding. It is proved that in the spring during the harvesting honey use protein feeds (defatted soya flour with soy peptides and pollen) for feeding bees has a positive effect on the brood rearing by bee colonies and the production of honey and wax in the following sequence: defatted soya flour and pollen (50 % + 50 %) defatted soya flour and soy peptides (50 % + 50 %) defatted soya flour (100 %).

The feeding of lowland sheep on straw-based systems during pregnancy was developed at ADAS Rosemaund during the last decade (Davies and Chappie 1995). Results showed that ewe and lamb performance were satisfactory, providing adequate compound supplementation was fed. Whole barley and soya bean meal has been the standard ration, but feeds based on high protein molassed sugar beet feed (Probeet Trident Feed) and maize distiller's dark grains could improve palatability and be easier to feed. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on ewe and lamb performance of feeding sugar beet feeds and maize distiller's dark grains to pregnant ewes on a straw-based feeding system.

The feeding of lowland sheep on straw-based systems during pregnancy was developed at ADAS Rosemaund during the last decade (Davies and Chappie 1995). Results showed that ewe and lamb performance were satisfactory, providing adequate compound supplementation was fed. Whole barley and soya bean meal has been the standard ration, but feeds based on high protein molassed sugar beet feed (Probeet Trident Feed) and maize distiller's dark grains could improve palatability and be easier to feed. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on ewe and lamb performance of feeding sugar beet feeds and maize distiller's dark grains to pregnant ewes on a straw-based feeding system.

Нoney bees (Apis mellifera L., 1758) perform a global plant pollination function. For normal development, bee colonies need to meet their nutritional needs. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of artificial bee feeding to increase their flight activity on pollinating fruit crops. To achieve this goal, a scheme for the use of artificial feeding was developed and the optimal set of feeds was selected as well as the influence of artificial feeding on an increase of colony strength and the flight activity of bees was investigated. The study was conducted in a private orchard in 2020. For feeding of bees used: candy in February (1 kg 5 times with an interval of 6 days); sugar syrup both in March (300 g 6 times with an interval of 3 days) and in April (100 g on the first day of flowering), also for bee training for pollination in April, the second experimental group was fed geranium-flavored syrup (1 %); protein mixture in March (500 g 3 times with an interval of 6 days). It has been experimentally proven that the use of artificial feeding is necessary for effective pollination in April. Those bee colonies that have been fed since the beginning of February have made a cleaning flight three days earlier and at a lower temperature (+8…+10 C) while the control colonies do not increase the required number of bees for effective pollination of fruit crops (first decade of April). The complex carbohydrate-protein feeding of bee colonies according to the developed scheme increases the strength of bee colonies by 5–21 % and increases the number of brood cells by 15.4 %. The effectiveness of bee feeding on orchard pollination is confirmed by an increase in their flight activity by 44–47 % during the flowering of cherries, sweet cherries, and pears and by 26–35 % during the flowering of apple trees. The use of flavored syrup allows increasing the flight activity of bees by 6–12 % compared to non-flavored syrup the day after feeding.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of prelacteal feeding among mothers ofPakistan and to find out the various concepts behind this practice and fundamentally to establishthe association of prelacteal feeding with breastfeeding outcomes. Background: In Pakistan,many efforts have been done to emphasize the nutritional importance and adequacy of breastmilk for the newborns. Despite such efforts, it has been witnessed on multiple occasions thatprior to the commencement of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeds are introduced by the mothers totheir young ones. Prelacteal feed (PLF) are food supplements that are given to newborns orally.Design: Qualitative, descriptive, cross sectional Survey. Setting: The Lady Dufferin Hospital(LDH) and Jinnah Medical College hospital (JMCH). Methods: Study includes 400 Mothersincluding young mothers and data was collected with use of a pre-assessed authenticatedquestionnaire. Results: A large group of, both educated and uneducated, mothers knew aboutPLF administration (90.5%). Out of these, 70% mothers routinely give prelacteal feeds, withreadymade ghutti and honey being the most widely used supplements, 19.5% and 37.2%respectively .However their reasons for doing so differed significantly. Family tradition (27.8%)and religious credence (21.8%) are the most popular reasons for practicing prelacteal feeding.The other minor reasons are breast milk insufficiency, prevention of dehydration, hypoglycaemia,preparation of the gastrointestinal tract for digestion and to quench thirst. However, majorityof the subjects were aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and 99% mothers breastfed theirchildren. Conclusions: Regardless of the fact that mothers understand the significance ofbreast milk, most mothers routinely and unnecessarily give prelacteal feeds. Therefore, mothersshould be discouraged for the unsafely administration of prelacteal feeds and re-emphasizedabout the importance and nutritional adequecy of breastfeeding.

Intensively finished beef cattle have traditionally been fed rations based on rolled mineralised barley with a protein supplement such as soya bean or rapeseed meal. Since feed accounts for 75-85% of the variable costs of intensive beef production systems (MLC 1999) the use of alternative feeds that have a lower cost per unit of energy are worthy of investigation. The objective of this trial was to evaluate feeding pressed sugar beet pulp ensiled with dried maize distillers grains (Praize, Trident Feeds) on the performance of fast finishing continental cross weaned suckled bulls.

There are small number of tables that show digestibility and energy contents of compound feeds produced by feed factory in different regions of Turkey. Thus, in this paper, four different compound feed types (dairy cattle, beef cattle, calf and lamb growing feeds), totalling 78 compound feeds were analysed to determine their feeding value, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) digestibility and energy content (digestible energy (DE), metabolisable energy (ME) and net energy for lactation (NEL). As a result of this study, the crude fiber (CF) levels were higher than standard values in calf and lamb compound feeds and beef cattle compound feeds; however, in the dairy cattle and calf and lamb compound feeds, the crude protein (CP) values were lower than standard values. These findings are considered highly important for the region’s animal feeding. According to our results, the compound feeds for dairy cattle and lamb being used for ruminant nutrition in Diyarbakir Province of Turkey were found to have low nutrient qualities; however, in the calf feed both the metabolisable energy level and nutrient quantities were low.

Feeding lowland sheep on straw-based systems during pregnancy (Davies and Chapple 1995) has shown that ewe and lamb performance can be satisfactory, providing adequate compound supplementation was fed. Whole barley and soya bean meal has been the standard ration. Experiments with March-lambing ewes (Chapple et al., 1997) has shown that feeds based on molassed sugar beet feed and maize distillers dark grains can replace a barley/soya supplement. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on ewe and lamb performance of feeding sugar beet feeds with higher levels of distillers grains to January-lambing ewes on straw-based and big-bale silage systems during pregnancy and early lactation.

In the community of Tunshi San Nicols of the Licto parish in the Province of Chimborazo, an evaluation was done on the effect of an energetic supplementary feeding of bees (Italian-mestizas) during the dry season (September 23 to February 20). These supplements consisted of carrot juice (T1), orange juice (T2) and sugar cane juice (T3). These supplements were also compared to a control group (T0). The experimental units consisted of 16 standard beehives distributed randomly with the 4 treatments and 4 repetitions of each treatment. The results showed that sugar cane juice (T3) obtained the best results in the consumption of the supplementary feeding because it was the only treatment where its consumption increased as the nectar sources in the zone decreased. At the end of the evaluation, 17,312.50 ml. of sugar cane juice were consumed. On the other hand, only 1,486.25 ml. of carrot juice were consumed, which was the least amount out of all of the treatments. Similarly, sugar cane juice presented the least weight loss, with 1.050 kg. per beehive. In addition, sugar cane juice also presented the greatest number of breeding frames (6.950 frames per beehive), as well as the best benefit/cost index (1.15) at the end of the study.

Linseed meal (LSM) was fed to ovariectomized ewes exposed to estradiol 17-? (E2) implants over time, and LSM was supplemented to beef cows during late gestation and early lactation to evaluate the estrogenic potential of the phytoestrogen secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) found in LSM. Forty-eight ovariectomized ewes were fed a diet containing 12.5% LSM for 0, 1, 7, or 14 d and implanted with estradiol-17? (E2) for 0, 6, or 24 h before tissue collection. Uterine cellular proliferation, vascularity, and the expression of the angiogenic factors and their receptors were recorded. There was an interaction of LSM and E2 on uterine mass (P = 0.05). At 24 h of E2 exposure, proliferation was reduced (P < 0.001) when ewes were fed for 14 d compared to being fed 0 or 1 days. There was a LSM x E2 interaction (P ? 0.03) on VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) and hasicfihrohlast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) decreasing by 24 h E2 exposure. Exposure of LSM and E2 may impact the estrogenic response of sensitive tissue. Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of supplementing beef cows with LSM during late gestation or early lactation on calf growth and development. In Experiment 1, multiparous cows received either LSM or a control (CON) supplement (approximately 10% diet dry matter) for the last 60 d of gestation. Offspring weights, ADG, heifer age at puberty, conception percentage and steer carcass characteristics were recorded. In Experiment 2, multiparous cows received LSM or CON supplements (approximately 10% diet dry matter) during the first 60 d of lactation, and only heifer calf development performance was observed and recorded. Heifer calf weight, average daily gain, and attainment of puberty were assessed. For both experiments, birth weight, weaning weight and ADG were not affected (P > 0.31) by LSM supplementation. While final body weights were heavier (P = 0.04) for steer calves in Experiment 1, there was no effect (P = 0.09) of supplementation on carcass characteristics. In Experiment 1 and 2, attainment of puberty in heifer calves was not influenced (P > 0.58) by supplement type. Linseed meal supplementation during late gestation or early lactation does not appear to have a negative impact on calf growth, onset of puberty in heifer calves, or steer carcass quality, implicating that it may make a good supplement choice in cattle.

Thesis (PhD (Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is generally accepted that feed intake and growth (gain) are the most important economic components when calculating profitability in a growth test or feedlot. Feeding cost of animals is a major determinant of profitability in livestock production enterprises. Genetic selection to improve feed efficiency aims to reduce the cost of feeding in beef cattle production and thereby improve profitability. The objective of this study was to define a clear selection objective to enable South African beef breeders and especially the feedlot industry to select for post-weaning growth or feedlot performance and to identify factors influencing profitability in a feedlot environment. Because of the recording of individual feed intake and weight gain values in the South African Agricultural Research Councils' centralized growth tests, it was also possible to calculate a phenotypic value for feedlot profitability (R-value) for each bull tested in a centralized growth test. (Co)variances, using multitrait as well as random regression models, for and between feedlot profitability, weaning weight and other production, reproduction and efficiency traits were estimated. Residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as efficiency traits were also compared to growth (average daily gain (ADG), weaning weight (WW) and shoulder height (SHD)), reproductive (scrotum circumference (SCR)) and profitability (feedlot profitability) traits measured in growth tests of young Bonsmara bulls. Consequently, a single post-weaning growth selection index value based on the economic and breeding values of different selection criteria related to feedlot profitability was composed. (Co)variance components, heritabilities and genetic correlations for and between initial weight (lW), final weight (FW), total feed intake (FI) and shoulder height (SHD) were estimated through the use of multitrait restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures. These breeding values (EBV s) were then used in a selection index to calculate a single economical value for each animal. This economical value is an indication of the gross profitability value or gross test value (GTV) of the animal in a post-weaning growth test. The heritability estimate of 0.36 for R-value, obtained from the multitrait analysis, shows that this trait is genetically inherited and that it can be selected for. The heritability for R-value obtained from the single trait random regression model varied between 0.57 and 0.62. The genetic correlations between the R-value and the other traits, obtained from the multitrait analysis, varied from negligible to high. The heritability estimated for FCR was 0.34 and for RFl 0.31 with a genetic correlation estimate of 0.75 between the traits. The estimated genetic correlation between profitability (R-value) and FCR and RFl were -0.92 and -0.59, respectively. The genetic correlation estimate of -0.92 between FCR and R-value is largely due to the part-whole relationship between these two traits. This is also shown in their genetic trends. The genetic correlations and expected correlated responses between RFl and FCR with R-value suggest that indirect selection for R-value through the direct selection for FCR and/or RFl will result in slower genetic progress in Rvalue than direct selection for R-value. However, where the R-value cannot be calculated and/or where direct selection for R-value is not possible, it would be better to select indirectly for R-value through the use of FCR rather than RF!. Consequently, a regression equation was developed (with an R2 of 0.82) to estimate a feed intake value for all performance-tested Bonsmara bulls which were group fed and whose feed intakes were unknown. These predicted feed intake values made it possible to calculate a feedlot or post-weaning growth profitability value (R-value) for all tested bulls even where individual feed intakes were unknown. Subsequently, an R-value for each bull was calculated in a favourable economic environment (FEE), an average economic environment (AEE) and in an unfavourable economic environment (VEE). The high Pearson and Spearman correlations between the EBV s based on AEE and the other two environments suggested that the average economic environment could be used to calculate EBVs for R-value or feedlot growth profitability. It is therefore not necessary to change the carcass, weaner or feed price on a regular basis to account for possible re-rankings based on R-value EBVs. Heritabilities for lW, FW, Fl and SHD were 0.41, 0.40, 0.33 and 0.51, respectively. The highest genetic correlations between these traits were the 0.78 (between lW and FW) and 0.70 (between Fl and FW). GTV values varied between -R192.l7 and R231.38, with an average of R9.31. The Pearson correlations between EBVs (for production and efficiency traits) and GTV range from -0.51 to 0.68. The lowest correlation (closest to zero) was 0.26 between the Kleiber ratio (KLB) and GTV. Correlations of 0.68 and -0.51 were estimated between average daily gain (ADG) and GTV and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and GTV, respectively. The heritabilities of the different traits included in the selection index suggest that it is possible to select for a GTV. The selection index can benefit feedlotting In selecting offspring of bulls with high GTV values to maximize profitability. The Pearson and Spearman correlations between the R-value EBVs and the index values (GTV) were very high (0.97). This high correlation of 97% indicates that it is not important which method is used to calculate a genetic post-weaning growth of feedlot profitability value. The selection index value is, however, more simplified than the feedlot profitability with less assumption. Therefore, it is recommended that the post-weaning selection index value be used as a selection objective in breeding programmes to improve post-weaning growth profitability rather than the more complex feedlot profitability value.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'N GENETIESE ANALIESE VAN DIE BIOLOGIESE EN EKONOMIESE DOELTREFFENTHEID VAN NASPEENSE GROEI IN VLEISBEESTE IN DIE VOERKRAAL: Dit word algemeen aanvaar dat voerinname en groei die twee ekonomies mees belangrike komponente in die berekening van 'n naspeense groei- of voerkraalwinsgewindheidswaarde is. Voerkostes is 'n bepalende faktor van winsgewindheid in enige lewendehawe boerderypraktyk. Seleksie om voerdoeltreffendheid te verbeter, verminder dus die voerkostes in vleisbeesproduksie en gevolglik 'n verhoging in die winsgewindheid. Die doelwit van die studie was om faktore te identifiseer wat 'n invloed op winsgewindheid in die voerkraaiomgewing het asook om 'n duidelike seleksiedoelwit te formuleer wat die Suid- Afrikaanse vleisbeesteiers en veral die voerkraalbedryf instaat sal kan stelom vir naspeense groeidoeltreffendheid ofvoerkraalwinsgewindheid te selekteer. As gevolg van die aantekening en rekordhouding van weeklikse individuele voennnames en gewigstoenames van alle prestasiegetoetsde bulle, in 'n gesentraliseerde groeitoets deur die Suid- Afrikaanse Landbou Navorsingsraad getoets, was dit moontlik om vir elk van hierdie bulle 'n fenotipiese voerkraalwinsgewindheidswaarde (R-waarde) te kon bereken. (Ko)variansies is vir en tussen voerkraalwinsgewindheid, speengewig en ander produksie-, reproduksie- en doeltreffendheidseienskappe bereken deur van meereienskap en ewekansige regressie modelle gebruik te maak. Twee doeltreffendheidseienskappe naamlik residuele voerinname (RFI) en voeromsetverhouding (FCR) is ook met groei (gemiddelde daaglikse toename (ADG), speengewig (WW) en skouerhoogte (SHD)), reproduksie (skrotumomvang (SCR)) en winsgewindheidseienskappe (voerkraalwinsgewindheid (R-waarde)) vergelyk, om sodoende te bepaal watter een die mees geskikte eienskap is om indirek vir voerkraalwinsgewindheid of groei, gebaseer op teeltwaardes en ekonomiese waardes vir die verskillende eienskappe, wat 'n invloed op naspeense groei winsgewindheid het, gestruktueer. (Ko)variansiekomponente, oorerflikhede en genetiese korrelasies vir en tussen begingewig (lW), eindgewig (FW), voerinname (FI) en skouerhoogte (SHD) is bereken deur van 'n meereienskap (REML) ontleding gebruik te maak. Hierdie teelwaardes (EBVs) is vervolgens in 'n seleksie-indeks gebruik om 'n enkele ekonomies of voerkraal-winsgewindheids seleksie-indekswaarde (GTV) vir elke dier te bereken. Hierdie ekonomiese waarde is 'n aanduiding van die bruto winsgewindheidswaarde ofbruto toetswaarde (GTV) van die dier in 'n naspeentoets. Die oorerflikheid, vanuit die meereienskapontleding vir R-waarde beraam, was 0.36. Hierdie oorerflikheid dui daarop dat die eienskap oorerflik is en dat dit wel moontlik is om daarvoor te selekteer. Die ooreflikhede van R-waarde, voorspel vanuit die enkeleienskap ewekansige regressieontleding varieer tussen 0.57 en 0.62. Die genetiese korrelasie tussen R-waarde en ander eienskappe, vanuit die meereienskap ontleding beraam, varieer tussen weglaatbaar klein tot hoog. Die oorerflikheid van FeR was 0.34 en van RFI 0.31 met 'n genetiese korrelasie van 0.75 tussen die twee eienskappe. Die genetiese korrelasie tussen R-waarde en FeR, en R-waarde en RFI was onderskeidelik -0.92 en -0.59. Die rede vir die hoë negatiewe genetiese korrelasie tussen R-waarde en FeR van -0.92 is omdat dieselfde komponente in die berekening van die twee eienskappe gebruik is. Dit word ook in die genetiese tendense weerspeël. Die genetiese korrelasies en verwagte gekorreleerde responsies tussen R-waarde en FeR, en tussen R-waarde en RFI dui daarop dat stadiger genetiese vordering verkry sal word in R-waarde deur direkte seleksie vir beide FeR en RFI as wat verkry sal word deur die direkte seleksie vir R-waarde. Wanneer 'n R-waarde egter nie bereken kan word nie of waar dit nie moontlik is om direk vir R-waarde te selekteer nie, sal vinniger genetiese vordering in R-waarde gemaak word deur die direkte seleksie vir FeR as vir RF!. 'n Regressievergelyking is geformuleer (met 'n R2 van 0.82) om vir alle prestasiegetoetsde bulle, waar bulle in 'n groep gevoer is en individuele voerinnames onbekend is, 'n voerinnamewaarde te voorspel. Hierdie voorspelde voerinnames maak dit moontlik om vir elke prestasiegetoetsde bul ,'n naspeengroei- of voerkraalwinswaarde (R-waarde) te bereken, al is hulle individuele voerinnames onbekend. Vervolgens is drie verskillende R-waarde vir vleisproduksie vir elke bul bereken naamlik, in 'n gunstige ekonomiese omgewing (FEE), 'n gemiddelde ekonomiese omgewing (AEE) en 'n ongunstige ekonomiese omgewing (VEE). Die hoë Pearson en Spearman korrelasies tussen die EBVs vir R-waarde, bereken in die AEE en die EBVs in die ander twee ekonomiese omgewings, dui daarop dat die AEE gebruik kan word om EBVs vir naspeense groeiof voerkraalwins te bereken. Dit is dus nie nodig om op 'n gereelde grondslag die karkasprys, lewendige speenkalfprys of die voerprys te verander nie. Oorerflikhede, vanuit die meereienskap ontledings VIr lW, FW, FI en SHD verkry, was onderskeidelik 0.41, 0.40, 0.33 en 0.51. Die hoogste genetiese korrelasies tussen die eienskappe was 0.78 tussen lW en FW en 0.70 tussen FI en FW. GTV indekswaardes varieer tussen -Rl92.17 en R231.38 met 'n gemiddelde waarde van R9.31. Die Pearson korrelasies tussen die EBVs van produksie- en doeltreffenheidseienskappe en GTV het tussen -0.51 en 0.68 gevarieer. Die korrelasie naaste aan zero, van 0.26, was die korrelasie tussen GTV en die Kleiber-verhouding. Die korrelasies tussen GTV en ADG, en GTV en FeR was onderskeidelik 0.68 en -0.51. Die oorerflikhede van die verskillende eienskappe wat in die seleksie-indeks ingesluit is, dui daarop dat die indekswaarde weloorerflik is en dat seleksie hiervoor wel moontlik is. Hierdie indekswaarde kan deur die voerkraaiindustrie gebruik word om nageslag van diere met hoë GTV waardes te selekteer om sodoende maksimum wins uit die voerkraai te genereer. Die Pearson en Spearman korrelasies tussen R-waarde EBVs en die indekswaardes (GTV) was besonder hoog (0.97). Hierdie hoë korrelasie dui daarop dat dit geen verskil sal maak watter een van die twee metodes gebruik word in die berekeninge van 'n naspeense groei- of voerkraalwinswaarde nie. Die seleksie-indeks metode is egter minder gekompliseerd met minder aannames as in die geval van die rekeningkundige fenotipiese benadering (R-waarde). As gevolg hiervan, word die naspeense seleksie-indeks waardes (GTV) aanbeveel om te gebruik as 'n teeldoelwit in telingsprogramme om naspeense groei- of voerkraaiwins geneties te verbeter, eerder as die meer gekompliseerde fenotipiese voerkraaiwins (R-waardes) metode.

Sugar intake is linked to developmental programming of obesity and diabetes. We hypothesized that supplementing ground beef in place of sugar during pregnancy would reduce fetal and offspring developmental programming. Gestating sows were fed 1 of 4 isocaloric supplements: control, ground beef, granulated sugar, or beef plus sugar. In the fetal study supplements were fed from d 40 to 110 of gestation and in the offspring study from d 40 until weaning. Gene expression differences in fetal liver and muscle were observed for IGF2 (P = 0.04), FBPase (P = 0.03), and IGF2R (P = 0.02). Differences were also seen in offspring back fat (sex by day interaction, P = 0.01), longissimus dorsi muscle area (treatment by sex, P = 0.001), body weight (sex, P = 0.0006; sex by day interaction, P < 0.0001), and plasma insulin concentrations (treatment by sex, P = 0.0002).
North Dakota Beef Commission
Topigs Norsvin
North Dakota. State Board of Agricultural Research and Education

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the essential amino acid requirements of beef cattle under feedlot conditions through evaluation of the duodenal and whole empty body essential amino acid compositions. To define the ideal protein required for growth, the whole empty body essential amino acid compositions of 8 beef steers (Simmental and Hereford crosses) was investigated. The amino acid composition of the components (carcass, metabolic organs and residual fraction), was pooled relative to their respective mass and protein contribution, resulting in the calculated whole empty body amino acid composition: arginine 6.81; histidine 2.69; isoleucine 4.02; leucine 6.96; lysine 7.43; methionine 2.01; phenylalanine 4.03; threonine 4.01; valine 5.30; tryptophan 0.82. Variations in profiles were found between scientific reports, either indicating that ratios change with growth and implants or possibly through genotype. The present study's body amino acid ratios were used to estimate dietary amino acid requirements through evaluation of the duodenal essential amino acid compositions from three different maize based feedlot diets. Although there was a general increase in the biological value of protein after rumen fermentation, the duodenal essential amino acids in comparison with the whole empty body recorded deficient/unbalanced profiles of essential amino acids for growth. The chemical scores suggested that the first-to-thirdlimiting amino acids in the duodenal digesta of beef cattle, that received three different commercially available feedlot diets, were: histidine, lysine, methionine/arginine (Diet 1), histidine, arginine, lysine (Diet 2) and arginine, methionine, histidine (Diet 3). Thedisproportionate duodenal amino acid concentrations obtained from the three diets, emphasise the necessity to enhance the intestinal delivery of amino acid profiles through different undegradable protein sources, with the objective to maximise protein utilisation and obtain the genetic potential for optimal growth in feedlot cattle. When amino acid requirements and flows to the duodenum were simulated using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein system (CNCPS), predictions indicated that lysine amino acid flow was limiting the metabolizable allowable average daily gain in Diet 1 and 3. Predicted profiles indicated that the order of limitation was: lysine, arginine, histidine (Diet 1), lysine, arginine, histidine, methionine (Diet 2) and lysine, arginine, histidine (Diet 3). The predicted profiles were in accordance with observed duodenal values, except for methionine that was observed limiting in Diet 1 and 3; however, the sequence and extent of limitation varied. Results indicate that prediction models have potential in predicting requirements; however there are still limitations for use to accurately define requirements for particular EAA's. From the present study, it is clear that the protein accretion was constrained by quantity and/or disproportionality of amino acids available for absorption. Further research should therefore be directed towards obtaining a more desirable array of amino acids to the lower digestive tract that is digestible, absorbable and an economically viable option for the feedlot operator.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aminosuurbehoeftes van Voerkraalbeeste Volgens die Duodenale en Totale Lee Liggaam Essensiele Aminosuur Profiel: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die essensiele aminosuur vereistes van vleisbeeste onder voerkraal toestande te bepaal deur die evaluering van die duodenale en totale lee liggaam essensiele aminosuursamesteilings. Om die idea Ie proteiene wat vir groei benodig word te definieer, is 'n ondersoek ingestel na die totale lee liggaam essensiele aminosuursamesteilings van 8 vleisbees osse (Simmetailer en Hereford kruise). Die aminosuursamesteiling van die komponente (karkas, metaboliese organe en residuele fraksie), se massa en proteien bydrae is gebruik om die totale lee liggaam aminosuursamestelling 5005 volg te bereken: arginien 6.81; histidien 2.69; isoleusien 4.02; leusien 6.96; lisien 7.43; metionien 2.01; fenielalanien 4.03; treonien 4.01; valien 5.3; triptofaan 0.82. Variasies in profiele tussen wetenskaplike verslae is gevind. Dit dui daarop dat groei en inplantings of moontlik genotipe 'n invloed op profiele kan he. Die huidige studie se liggaam aminosuurverhoudings is gebruik om die dieet aminosuurbehoeftes te skat deur evaluering van die duodenale essensiele aminosuursamesteilings van drie verskiilende mielie-gebaseerde voerkraal diete. Alhoewel daar 'n algemene toe name in die biologiese waarde van die proteien na rumen fermentasie was, het die duodenale essensiele aminosure in vergelyking met die totale lee liggaam, ongebalanseerde profiele van essensiele aminosure vir groei getoon. Die chemiese teilings toon aan dat die eerste-tot-derde-beperkende aminosure in die duodenale inhoud van vleisbeeste wat drie verskillende kommersieel beskikbare voerkraal diete ontvang het, soos volg is: histidien, lisien, metionieniarginien (Dieet 1), histidien, arginien, lisien (Dieet 2) en arginien, metionien, histidien (Dieet 3). Die ongebalanseerde aminosuur konsentrasies wat in die duodenum van die drie dlete verkry is, beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid om die intestinale lewering van aminosuurprofiele te verbeter deur verskillende nie-degradeerbare proteien bronne te voer. Die doelwit moet wees om proteien verbruik te optimaliseer en daardeur die genetiese potensiaal vir optimale groei in voerkraalbeeste te bereik. Met die simulering van aminosuurbehoeftes en vloei na die duodenum van die drie standaard voerkraal diete met behulp van die "Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System" (CNCPS), het voorspellings gewys dat lisien aminosuurvloei die metaboliseerbare toelaatbare gemiddelde daaglikse toename in Dieet 1 en 3 beperk het. Voorspelde profiele wys dat die volgorde van beperking soos volg sou wees: lisien, arginien, histidien (Dieet 1), lisien, arginien, histidien, metionien (Dieet 2)' en lisien arginien, histidien (Dieet 3). Die voorspelde profiele was in ooreenstemming met die waargeneemde duodenale waardes, behalwe vir metionien wat beperkend was in Dieet 1 en 3; die volgorde en mate van beperking was egter verskillend. Resultate wys dat voorspellingsmodelle die potensiaal het om behoeftes te voorspel. Vir die akkurate definisie van behoeftes vir spesifieke essensiele aminosuure is daar egter nog beperkinge. Uit die huidige studie, is dit duidelik dat protetenneerleqqinq deur die hoeveelheid en/of oneweredigheid van geabsorbeerde aminosure beperk is. Verdere navorsing moet dus fokus op die verkryging van In meer geskikte profiel van aminosure wat verteerbaar, opneembaar en 'n ekonomiese lewensvatbare opsie vir die voerkraalbestuurder is.

Diets were based on steam-flaked milo and contained chopped alfalfa hay in the control diet. At the 65% concentrate level, cottonseed hulls or chopped wheat straw replaced half the alfalfa hay. At the 90% concentrate level, roughage sources were chopped alfalfa hay, cottonseed hulls, or wheat straw. Six growing steers and three mature, rumen-cannulated steers per concentrate level were used in separate Latin square experiments. Total tract digestion coefficients, particulate passage rates, liquid turnover rates, and rumination time were measured in the intact steers. In situ digestion, rumen pH, and rumen dry matter distribution were evaluated in the cannulated steers. Competition between rates of passage and digestion were used to calculate apparent extent of ruminal digestion (AED). At the 65% concentrate level, total tract digestion coefficients for the wheat straw vs alfalfa hay diet were not different, apparently due to increased milo and alfalfa hay neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion in the wheat straw diet. Milo and alfalfa hay AED for NDF were higher (P<.10). Dietary AED for DM, NDF, and cell solubles were highest (P<.05) for the alfalfa hay diet. Differences between diets were minimal, indicating roughage source in 90% concentrate diets does not substantially influence milo digestion or passage as it does in 65% concentrate diets.

Total tract digestion coefficients for dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), passage rates for grain and roughage components of diets and liquid turnover were measured for 65 and 90% concentrate diets in separate 4 x 4 Latin square experiments using intact growing steers. Kinetics of in situ digestion for DM and NDF in diet ingredients, rumen pH, volume and DM distribution were determined in mature, rumen cannulated steers. Rates of passage and digestion were combined to calculate apparent extent of ruminal digestion (AERD) for diet ingredients. Diets were based on steam flaked milo. The control roughage was chopped alfalfa hay (AH). In 65% concentrate diets, chopped wheat straw (WS), bermudagrass straw (BS) or cottonseed hulls (CSH) replaced 50% of the AH. In 90% concentrate diets, all of the AH was replaced by WS, BS or CSH. Total tract starch digestion was not influenced by source of roughage at either concentrate level. In 65% concentrate diets, total tract digestion of DM and NDF was not adversely affected by substitution of WS for 50% of the AH. Digestion of these fractions was lower (P<.05) for BS and CSH diets, but the severity of depression was greatest (P<.05) for the CSH diet. Reduced digestibility of the CSH diet was attributed to lower digestibility of CSH in comparison with AH. Although WS and BS were also less digestible than AH, their inclusion in the diet improved (P<.05) AERD of DM and NDF from milo and AH. Improved AERD for NDF appeared to be related to the raft-forming properties of WS and BS, and their ability to maintain rumen pH in a more desirable range for NDF digestion. In 90% concentrate diets, effects of roughage source on utilization of milo were minimal. Total tract digestion of DM and NDF was lower (P<.05) for WS, BS and CSH diets than for the AH diet, because of dilution of the more digestible AH by these roughages. Wheat straw had a tendency to moderate ruminal pH and consequently might be more useful in high concentrate diets than roughages such as CSH and BS.

Abstract This chapter discusses the nutrient requirements; feed formulation; feed composition of clovers, grasses, lucerne, concentrates, grains, feed supplements and feed additives; feed processing and feeding of rabbits.

Abstract In this chapter the feeding behaviour and digestive physiology, digestive tract function-intrinsic and microbial digestion; functions and anatomy of the digestive tract in animals are discussed.

Abstract This chapter describes the effects of feeding programmes (including feed quality, feed supplements and feed additives) on the reproductive performance, beef and milk production and quality and environmental impact in organic cattle farming systems.

Abstract This chapter describes some recommendations for improving animal welfare, breed selection, feed quality, beef and milk production and quality and reducing environmental impacts in organic cattle farming systems.

Abstract This chapter explores the nutritional composition of insects and the potential benefits and drawbacks for their inclusion into pet, poultry, pig, ruminant and aquatic animal feeds. Six species are most commonly described for use in animal feed, namely black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) larvae and prepupae, yellow mealworm (YM; Tenebrio molitor) larvae, superworm (SW; Zophobas morio) larvae, lesser mealworm (LM; Alphitobius diaperinus) larvae, house fly (HF; Musca domestica) larvae and house crickets (HC; Acheta domesticus). The nutritional composition, variability observed due to manipulation of feed source, age, developmental stage and suitability for inclusion into animal feed are compared.

Abstract This chapter describes how cropping systems can be used to supplement feeds to increase dairy and poultry yields. It completes the concept of on-farm integration of crop, livestock and natural resources technologies necessary for sustainable intensification on smallholder farms. The different processes that utilize different feed sources to produce better-quality feed rations for dairy cows and poultry are also discussed.

Studies have been conducted on the use of surepny oilcake obtained from different varieties of Brassica rapa L., in the feeding of broiler chickens. The safe norms of its inclusion in the composition of balanced compound feeds have been determined. The enrichment of experimental compound feed with enzyme preparations increases the economic performance of broiler chickens. The oilcake surepny obtained from the seeds of the Brassica rapa L, selection of the All-Russion Williams Fodder Research Institute confirms the effectiveness of cultivation and the negative effect on broiler chickens.

In the Federal Scientific Center "VIK im. V. R. Williams” conducted research on the evaluation of new varieties of spring and winter colza Zarya and Nadezhda when growing broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 cross. The control group received compound feed without rapeseed seeds. The first and second experimental groups included 7.5% by weight of mixed fodder native rapeseed seeds of Zarya and Nadezhda varieties, which were used to replace part of soybean meal and sunflower oil. The content of nutrients in mixed feed complied with the regulatory requirements. The oil was balanced in composition: a large amount of monounsaturated, low-saturated fatty acids, a moderate amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been established that compound feeds with rapeseed seeds do not negatively affect the live weight gain of experimental broiler chickens. On the 39th day, the live weight of chickens in the control, in the first and second experimental groups was 2.250, 2.245 and 2.256 g, respectively. The significance of the difference in this indicator with the control group has not been established (P > 0.05). In the study of blood serum in chickens of the first experimental group, an increased level of bilirubin and the enzyme glutamyltransferase was revealed, which indicates stagnation of bile in the bile ducts (P > 0.01). The efficiency of growing poultry using rapeseed seeds was higher than in the control, which is associated with a decrease in feed costs for obtaining meat products and a lower cost of experimental feed.

The article presents an analysis of a comprehensive study of the growth and development indicators of rainbow trout grown on granulated feeds using a plankton microalgae suspension concentrate Chlorella vulgaris (GKO) as a bioadditive. The possibility of using the studied biopreparation in the feeding ration of trout as an active additive with an immunocorrecting effect has been proven. The use of a Chlorella suspension at a concentration of 10 ml / kg increases the survival and resistance of trout jewels, as well as the general strengthening of the immune background of the fish organism.

The fate of transgenic DNA (tDNA) and protein of feeds from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) in animals has been an important topic since their commercialization in 1996. Several studies have investigated about risks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of tDNA and proteins to bacteria or animal cells/tissues, however, the reported data is at times controversial. Earlier reports showed that tDNA fragments or protein derived from GM plants have not been detected in tissues, fluids, or edible products of farm animals. Other researchers have come out to demonstrate that there is the possibility of small fragments leaking out into the animal tissues, fluids and organs. This motivated us to update our knowledge about these concerns. Therefore, this review aimed at assessing the likely transfer and accumulation of tDNA/ proteins from transgenic feeds to animal (ruminants and non-ruminants) samples through evaluating the available experimental scientific published studies. This study has found out that the tDNA or protein is not completely degraded during feed processing and digestion in the Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT). In large ruminants (Cattle), tDNA fragments/protein have been detected in the GIT digesta, ruminal fluid and feces. In small ruminants (Goats), traces of tDNA/proteins have been detected in the GIT digesta, blood, milk, liver, kidney, heart and muscle. In pigs, they have been detected in blood, spleen, liver kidney and in the GIT digesta. In poultry, traces have been seen in blood, liver and GIT digesta but not in meat and Eggs. Regardless of some studies that have shown the transfer of tDNA/protein fragments to animal samples, we cannot base on these few studies to give a piece of general evidence about their transfer into tissues/fluids and organs of livestock animals. However, this study clearly shows possible transfer, hence intensive and authentic research on GM crops should be done before they are allowed for commercial use, studying issues like the fate of tDNA or proteins and the effect of feeding GM feeds to livestock.

The fate of transgenic DNA (tDNA) and protein from feed derived from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) in animals has been a major issue since their commercialization in 1996. Several studies have investigated the risks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of tDNA and protein to bacteria or animal cells/tissues, but some of the reported data are controversial. Previous reports showed that tDNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants could not be detected in tissues, fluids, or edible products from livestock. Other researchers have shown that there is a possibility of small fragments entering animal tissues, fluids and organs. This motivated us to update our knowledge about these concerns. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the probable transfer and accumulation of tDNA/proteins from transgenic feeds in animal samples (ruminant and non-ruminant) by evaluating the available experimental studies published scientifically. This study found that the tDNA/protein is not completely degraded during feed processing and digestion in Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT). In large ruminants (cattle), tDNA fragments/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, rumen fluid, and faeces. In small ruminants (goats), traces of tDNA/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, blood, milk, liver, kidney, heart and muscle. In pigs, they were detected in blood, spleen, liver, kidney, and GIT digesta. In poultry, traces were detected in blood, liver and GIT digesta but not in meat and eggs. Notwithstanding some studies that have shown transfer of tDNA/protein fragments in animal samples, we cannot rely on these few studies to give general evidence for transfer into tissues/fluids and organs of farm animals. However, this study clearly shows that transfer is possible. Therefore, intensive and authentic research should be conducted on GM plants before they are approved for commercial use, investigating issues such as the fate of tDNA or proteins and the effects of feeding GM feed to livestock.

Spinning process for the medium- and small-lot production of axisymmetric components has many advantages, such as smaller deformation force, simpler tool-and-die design, and lower investment in equipment, over conventional forming processes. It has been widely used in aerospace, energy and defense industry. This paper presents a 3-D elastoplastic finite element (FE) model for the simulation of the shear spinning process, in order to study deformation behaviour and design proper process parameters for the spinning process. The proposed model has the following characteristics: i) a shell element is used to mesh the contact pairs between the workpiece (a metal blank) and the tool sets (a pressing roller and a mandrel); ii) the offset thickness of the shell element is considered during contact treatment; iii) the movement of the roller and the fixing of the central blank and mandrel are treated as the boundary condition; iv) relative movement between the roller and the blank is treated as a spiral feeding process. FEM simulations for shear spinning with aluminum have been implemented, using a dynamic explicit scheme, on ANSYS/LS-DYNA software. Spinning force, thickness distribution and stress distribution have been studied under various roller feeds and inclined angles of mandrel. The simulation results have provided good confirmation with the experiments.

Pastures are a major low cost source of feed in beef cattle. Their sustainable use and management affect to the economic performance of farms and to their conservation as a natural resource. Pastures are the subject of agronomic, zoos engineering and economic research, which report negative trends in their territorial scope, composition and productivity as a whole. In beef cattle breeding, the long-term goal is to use high-productivity pastures, which will increase the yield of meat from them, because poor pastures require feeding the cattle with other feed, which reduces profitability. The purpose of this paper is to offer a sustainable pasture management model incorporating agro-technical and organizational activities in beef cattle farms that can increase their economic effectiveness.

One of the major issues for the development of the livestock sector in Sri Lanka is the unavailability of quality animal feeds. Thus, this study was carried out to prepare value-added silages using fruit peels for feeding livestock. Silage has been prepared using pineapple (Ananas comosus) and papaya (Carica papaya) fruit peels obtained from a fruit processing factory in Sri Lanka. Ensiling was done either in fruit peels only or in different combinations of fruit peels and chopped Hybrid Napier (CO-3 Pennisetum perpureum × Pennisetum americarnum) grass. The experimental design was a completely Randomized Design having ten treatments (T1 to T10) with two replicates per each. The treatments were T1 Papaya 100%, T2 Pineapple 100%, T3 Grass 100 %, T4 Pineapple 75%+ Papaya 25%, T5 Pineapple 50%+ Papaya 50%, T6 Pineapple 25%+ Papaya 75%, T7 Pineapple 20%+Papaya 70%+ Grass 10%, T8 Pineapple 30%+ Papaya 50%+ Grass 20%, T9 Pineapple 70%+ Papaya 20%+ Grass 10%, and T10 Pineapple 50%+ Papaya 30%+ Grass 20%. The fruit peels and grass were dried under shade, chopped, and mixed according to the different treatments. After 21days, representative silage samples from each treatment were analyzed for nutrient content, colour, odour, pH, and Ammonium Nitrogen (NH3N) content. The colour of all silages ranged from olive green to orange. All the treatments had a fruity smell. The pH values ranged from 3.41 to 4.04 in all treatments. The highest (p<0.05) crude protein (CP) content was in T3, and the lowest (p<0.05) was observed in T4 and T5. The highest (p<0.05) acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents were in T3, T8, and T10, and the lowest (p<0.05) was in T5 and T6. The highest (p<0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content was in T9 (44.00±0.02%) and the lowest (p<0.05) in T2. The NH3N was not present in any of the treatments. Based on CP, ADF, and NDF contents, T1, T7, T8, T9, and T10 were selected for further studies with animals to select the best treatment.

The FAO has projected a doubling in world demand for seafood during the 21 ed from aquaculture of marine fish and shrimps fed primarily on fishmeal-based aquafeeds. However, current practices of high intensity monoculture of shrimp in coastal ponds and fish in offshore pens have been strongly criticized as being ecologically and socially unsustainable. This view derives from un- checked eutrophication of coastal marine ecosystems from fish farm effluents, and the destruction of coastal estuarine ecosystems by shrimp farm constructions, plus aquaculture’s reliance on wild-caught small fish - which are excellent food for humans, but instead are rendered into fishmeal and fish oil for formulating aquafeeds. Fishmeal-sparing and waste- reduction aquafeeds can only delay the time when fed aquaculture product are priced out of affordability for most consumers. Additionally, replacement of fishmeal protein and fish oil by terrestrial plant sources such as soybean meal and oil directly raises food costs for human communities in developing nations. New formulations incorporating sustainably-produced marine algal proteins and oils are growing in acceptance as viable and practical alternatives. This BARD collaborative research project investigated a sustainable water-sparing spray/drip culture method for producing high-protein marine macrophyte meals for incorporation into marine shrimp and fish diets. The spray culture work was conducted at laboratory-scale in the USA (UCSD-SIO) using selected Gracilariaand Ulvastrains isolated and supplied by UCONN, and outdoors at pilot-scale in Israel (IOLR-NCM) using local strains of Ulvasp., and nitrogen/phosphorus-enriched fish farm effluent to fertilize the spray cultures and produce seaweed biomass and meals containing up to 27% raw protein (dry weight content). Auburn University (USA) in consultation with TAMUS (USA) used the IOLR meals to formulate diets and conduct marine shrimp feeding trials, which resulted in mixed outcomes, indicating further work was needed to chemically identify and remove anti-nutritional elements present in the IOLR-produced seaweed meals.

Feed inputs represent the largest variable cost of producing meat and milk from ruminant animals. Thus, strategies that improve the efficiency of feed utilization are needed to improve the global competitiveness of Israeli and U.S. cattle industries, and mitigate their environmental impact through reductions in nutrient excretions and greenhouse gas emissions. Implementation of innovative technologies that will enhance genetic merit for feed efficiency is arguably one of the most cost-effective strategies to meet future demands for animal-protein foods in an environmentally sustainable manner. While considerable genetic variation in feed efficiency exist within cattle populations, the expense of measuring individual-animal feed intake has precluded implementation of selection programs that target this trait. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a trait that quantifies between-animal variation in feed intake beyond that expected to meet energy requirements for maintenance and production, with efficient animals being those that eat less than expected for a given size and level of production. There remains a critical need to understand the biological drivers for genetic variation in RFI to facilitate development of effective selection programs in the future. Therefore, the aim of this project was to determine the biological basis for phenotypic variation in RFI of growing and lactating cattle, and discover metabolic biomarkers of RFI for early and more cost-effective selection of cattle for feed efficiency. Objectives were to: (1) Characterize the phenotypic relationships between RFI and production traits (growth or lactation), (2) Quantify inter-animal variation in residual HP, (3) Determine if divergent RFIphenotypes differ in HP, residual HP, recovered energy and digestibility, and (4) Determine if divergent RFI phenotypes differ in physical activity, feeding behavior traits, serum hormones and metabolites and hepatic mitochondrial traits. The major research findings from this project to date include: In lactating dairy cattle, substantial phenotypic variation in RFI was demonstrated as cows classified as having low RMEI consumed 17% less MEI than high-RMEI cows despite having similar body size and lactation productivity. Further, between-animal variation in RMEI was found to moderately associated with differences in RHP demonstrating that maintenance energy requirements contribute to observed differences in RFI. Quantifying energetic efficiency of dairy cows using RHP revealed that substantial changes occur as week of lactation advances—thus it will be critical to measure RMEI at a standardized stage of lactation. Finally, to determine RMEI in lactating dairy cows, individual DMI and production data should be collected for a minimum of 6 wk. We demonstrated that a favorably association exists between RFI in growing heifers and efficiency of forage utilization in pregnant cows. Therefore, results indicate that female progeny from parents selected for low RFI during postweaning development will also be efficient as mature females, which has positive implications for both dairy and beef cattle industries. Results from the beef cattle studies further extend our knowledge regarding the biological drivers of phenotypic variation in RFI of growing animals, and demonstrate that significant differences in feeding behavioral patterns, digestibility and heart rate exist between animals with divergent RFI. Feeding behavior traits may be an effective biomarker trait for RFI in beef and dairy cattle. There are differences in mitochondrial acceptor control and respiratory control ratios between calves with divergent RFI suggesting that variation in mitochondrial metabolism may be visible at the genome level. Multiple genes associated with mitochondrial energy processes are altered by RFI phenotype and some of these genes are associated with mitochondrial energy expenditure and major cellular pathways involved in regulation of immune responses and energy metabolism.

The hypothalamic melanocortin system plays a central role in the regulation of food consumption and energy homeostasis in mammals. Accordingly, our working hypothesis in this project was that genetic editing of the mc4r gene, encoding Melanocortin Receptor 4 (MC4R), will enhance food consumption, feed efficiency and growth in fish. To test this hypothesis and to assess the utility of mc4r editing for the enhancement of feed efficiency and growth in fish, the following objectives were set: Test the effect of the mc4r-null allele on feeding behavior, growth, metabolism and survival in zebrafish. Generate mc4r-null alleles in tilapia and examine the consequences for growth and survival, feed efficiency and body composition. Generate and examine the effect of naturally-occurring mc4r alleles found in swordfish on feeding behavior, growth and survival in zebrafish. Define the MC4R-mediated and MC4R-independent effects of AgRP by crossing mc4r- null strains with fish lacking AgRP neurons or the agrpgene. Our results in zebrafish did not support our hypothesis. While knockout of the agrpgene or genetic ablation of hypothalamic AgRP neurons led to reduced food intake in zebrafish larvae, knockout (KO) of the mc4r gene not only did not increase the rate of food intake but even reduced it. Since Melanocortin Receptor 3 (MC3R) has also been proposed to be involved in hypothalamic control of food intake, we also tested the effectofmc3r gene KO. Again, contrary to our hypothesis, the rate of food intake decreased. The next step was to generate a double mutant lucking both functional MC3R and MC4R. Again, the double KO exhibited reduced food intake. Thus, the only manipulation within the melanocortin system that affected food intake in consistent with the expected role of the system was seen in zebrafish larvae upon agrpKO. Interestingly, despite the apparent reduced food intake in the larval stage, these fish grow to be of the same size as wildtype fish at the adult stage. Altogether, it seems that there is a compensatory mechanism that overrides the effect of genetic manipulations of the melanocortin system in zebrafish. Under Aim 3, we introduced the Xna1, XnB1l, and XnB2A mutations from the Xiphophorus MC4R alleles into the zebrafish MC4R gene. We hypothesized that these MC4R mutations would act as dominant negative alleles to increase growth by suppressing endogenous MC4R activity. When we examined the activity of the three mutant alleles, we were unable to document any inhibition of a co-transfected wild type MC4R allele, hence we did not introduce these alleles into zebrafish. Since teleost fish possess two agrpgenes we also tested the effect of KO of the agrp2 gene and ablation of the AgRP2 cells. We found that the AgRP2 system does not affect food consumption but may rather be involved in modulating the stress response. To try to apply genetic editing in farmed fish species we turned to tilapia. Injection of exogenous AgRP in adult tilapia induced significant changes in the expression of pituitary hormones. Genetic editing in tilapia is far more complicated than in zebrafish. Nevertheless, we managed to generate one mutant fish carrying a mutation in mc4r. That individual died before reaching sexual maturity. Thus, our attempt to generate an mc4r-mutant tilapia line was almost successful and indicate out non-obvious capability to generate mutant tilapia.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses pose a severe risk to the food chain. The IAPV (Israeli acute paralysis virus) was correlated with CCD, a particular case of colony collapse. Honey bees severely infected with IAPV show shivering wings that progress to paralysis and subsequent death. Bee viruses, including IAPV, are widely present in honey bee colonies but often there are no pathological symptoms. Infestation of the beehive with Varroa mites or exposure to stress factors leads to significant increase in viral titers and fatal infections. We hypothesized that the honey bee is regulating/controlling IAPV and viral infections in asymptomatic infections and this control is broken through "stress" leading to acute infections and/or CCD. Our aims were: 1. To discover genetic changes in IAPV that may affect tissue tropism in the host, and/or virus infectivity and pathogenicity. 2. To elucidate mechanisms used by the host to regulate/ manage the IAPV-infection in vivo and in vitro. To achieve the above objectives we first studied stress-induced virus activation. Our data indicated that some pesticides, including myclobutanil, chlorothalonil and fluvalinate, result in amplified viral titers when bees are exposed at sub lethal levels by a single feeding. Analysis of the level of immune-related bee genes indicated that CCD-colonies exhibit altered and weaker immune responses than healthy colonies. Given the important role of viral RNA interference (RNAi) in combating viral infections we investigated if CCD-colonies were able to elicit this particular antiviral response. Deep-sequencing analysis of samples from CCD-colonies from US and Israel revealed high frequency of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) perfectly matching IAPV, Kashmir bee virus and Deformed wing virus genomes. Israeli colonies showed high titers of IAPV and a conserved RNAi pattern of targeting the viral genome .Our findings were further supported by analysis of samples from colonies experimentally infected with IAPV. Following for the first time the dynamics of IAPV infection in a group of CCD colonies that we rescued from collapse, we found that IAPV conserves its potential to act as one lethal, infectious factor and that its continuous replication in CCD colonies deeply affects their health and survival. Ours is the first report on the dominant role of IAPV in CCD-colonies outside from the US under natural conditions. We concluded that CCD-colonies do exhibit a regular siRNA response that is specific against predominant viruses associated with colony losses and other immune pathways may account for their weak immune response towards virus infection. Our findings: 1. Reveal that preventive measures should be taken by the beekeepers to avoid insecticide-based stress induction of viral infections as well as to manage CCD colonies as a source of highly infectious viruses such as IAPV. 2. Contribute to identify honey bee mechanisms involved in managing viral infections.

Many organizations and programs have begun to provide services and support to AIDS-orphaned children in East and southern Africa. Typical program components include the provision of school fees and supplies, supplementary feeding, home-visiting programs in which community members visit and assist affected children, and vocational training. However, few of these programs have been formally evaluated for impact. This paper reports on baseline findings from a study of two programs for AIDS-affected children and their families implemented by PLAN International in the Luwero and Tororo districts of Uganda. One program, referred to as orphan support, provides educational, health, and nutritional assistance as well as other services to orphans. The second program, known as succession planning, reaches AIDS-affected children earlier, by helping HIV-positive parents prepare for their children’s future through counseling, will writing, appointing guardians, and other measures.