Using deterministic methods, rates of genetic gain (Δ G) and inbreeding (Δ F) were compared between pure line selection (PLS) and combined crossbred purebred selection (CCPS), for the sire line of a three-way crossbreeding scheme. Purebred performance and crossbred performance were treated as genetically correlated traits assuming the infinitesimal model. Breeding schemes were compared at a fixed total number of purebred selection candidates, i.e. including crossbred information did not affect the size of the purebred nucleus. Selection was by truncation on estimated breeding values for crossbred performance. Rates of genetic gain were predicted using a pseudo-BLUP selection index. Rates of inbreeding were predicted using recently developed methods based on long-term genetic contributions. Results showed that changing from PLS to CCPS may increase ΔF by a factor of 2·14. In particular with high heritabilities and low purebred-crossbred genetic correlations, CCPS requires a larger number of parents than PLS, to avoid excessive ΔF. The superiority of CCPS over PLS was judged by comparing ΔG from both selection strategies at the same ΔF. At the same ΔF, CCPS was superior to PLS and the superiority of CCPS was only moderately reduced compared with the situation without a restriction on ΔF. This paper shows that the longterm genetic contribution theory can be used to balance ΔF and ΔG in animal breeding schemes within very limited computing time.

In extensive pastoral systems, where mating cannot be controlled, the breeding strategies of intermingling owner flocks interact. We present a method to evaluate a breeding programme in extensive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) management which can also be applied to other pastoral production systems. Our main objective was to evaluate the method by applying sensitivity analyses. The method included a gene flow model with maternal effects. The potential response Rp was defined as the response that could be achieved in a closed nucleus with a given selection procedure. The value of Rp was derived from the gene flow from dams to daughters, selection differentials, and the realized difference between subpopulations. We studied a population structure having two subpopulations, only one of which had been subjected to selection. Random mating between subpopulations and a common male pool were assumed. A reference case was defined using reindeer data from the literature. After 9 years of continued selection among progeny the estimate of Rp was 7·0 times higher than the realized subpopulation difference. We analysed deviations of Rp from the reference case caused by different female age structures between subpopulations. We also analysed the sensitivity of maternal effects. The method proved insensitive to differences in female age structure between subpopulations but was sensitive to the relative contribution of maternal effects to progeny performance.

Censoring of records is a problem in the prediction of breeding values for longevity, because breeding values are required before actual lifespan is known. In this study we investigated the use of random regression models to analyse survival data, because this method combines some of the advantages of a multitrait approach and the more sophisticated proportional hazards models. A model was derived for the binary representation of survival data and links with proportional hazards models and generalized linear models are shown. Variance components and breeding values were predicted using a linear approximation, including time-dependent fixed effects and random regression coefficients. Production records in lactations 1 to 5 were available on 24741 cows in the UK, all having had the opportunity to survive five lactations. The random regression model contained a linear regression on milk yield within herd (no. = 1417) by lactation number (no. = 4), Holstein percentage and year-month of calving effect (no. = 72). The additive animal genetic effects were modelled using orthogonal polynomials of order 1 to 4 with random coefficients and the error terms were fitted for each lactation separately, either correlated or not. Variance components from the full (i.e. uncensored) data set, were used to predict breeding values for survival in each lactation from both uncensored and randomly censored data. In the uncensored data, estimates of heritabilities for culling probability in each lactation ranged from 0·02 to 0·04. Breeding values for lifespan (calculated from the survival breeding values) had a range of 2·4 to 3·6 lactations and a standard deviation of 0·25. Correlations between predicted breeding values for 129 bulls, each with more than 30 daughters, from the various data sets ranged from 0·81 to 0·99 and were insensitive to the model used. It is concluded that random regression analysis models used for test-day records analysis of milk yield, might also be of use in the analysis of censored survival data.

The contribution of the leucine/valine substitution at amino acid position 127 in the bovine growth hormone (GH) protein to variation in carcass traits was studied. The data included 109 Polish Friesian bulls slaughtered at 15 months of age. The traits measured were carcass gain, weights of meat, bones, intermuscular and subcutaneous fat in the carcass and meat, bones and fat in valuable cuts (fore and best ribs, sirloin, round of beef and shoulder). The bulls’ GH genotype was determined using the PCR-RFLP technique. The frequencies of leucine (Leu) and valine (Val) alleles were 0·64 and 0·36, respectively. The GH concentration was determined in serial blood plasma samples collected every 15 min starting from 15 min before to 135 min after intravenous administration of 0·15 µg thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) per kg live weight. Response GH variables were: baseline (the mean of samples collected at –15 and 0 min), peak (the sample taken at 15 min post injection of TRH) and disappearance rate (calculated as peak minus the sample at 60 min, divided by time interval 45 min). Mixed animal models were used for the statistical analysis. Differences were found between the Leu/Leu and the Val/Val genotypes for carcass gain and weight of meat in the carcass (P ≤ 0·05). Moreover, differences in the size of the GH peak between the two homozygotes approached significance (P ≤ 0·10). The effect of GH genotype accounted for a moderate part of the phenotypic variance in the carcass traits, corresponding to a reduction in the residual variance of ≤ 5·25% when included in the model, whereas the corresponding value for the effect of GH genotype on the variation in GH release was lower, ≤ 1·77%. In conclusion, the Leu/Val polymorphism seems to be associated with carcass traits in dairy bulls, although the effect was relatively small when compared with the effects of season and background genome.

Milk yields of 66 nursing does recorded in Zaria, Nigeria were used to characterize the lactation curve and study the influencing factors in Red Sokoto goats. Lactation curve parameters obtained by fitting the model: Yt = atbe –ct were subjected to statistical analysis, using herd, season, parity, litter size and litter composition of dams.

The results indicate that the lactation curve of these goats was characterized by milk production increasing in early lactation, attaining a peak at approximately 2 to 5 weeks post partum and thereafter declining slowly to the end of lactation. The observed total yield, peak yield, peak day and the estimated persistency defined as c–( b + 1) was 79·3 kg, 1·2 kg, 20·5 and 143·2, respectively. Parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ were strongly but negatively correlated ( r = –0·53; P < 0·01). The curve parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ differed by herd and season ( P < 0·05); and parity only affected ( P < 0·01) parameter ‘ a‘. None of the factors significantly influenced parameter ‘ b‘ ( P > 0·05).

The significant herd and season effects may have practical implications in determining optimal feeding management and season of breeding to maximize total lactation yield.

Merino yearling records from 1988 to 1992 birth years in ultrafine wool selection and random control flocks at Tara Hills High Country Station, New Zealand were analysed for live weight, fleece weight and wool characteristics. Estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits using REML methods are presented. Heritabilities (h2) of birth, weaning, autumn, spring and summer live weights and greasy and clean fleece weights were estimated as being 0·35, 0·34, 0·44, 0·43, 0·49, 0·24 and 0·28 respectively; while h2 of yield, fibre diameter, coefficient of variation in fibre diameter, staple crimp, staple length, staple strength, position of break, resistance to compression, bulk, CIE Y and CIE Y-Z were estimated to be 0·58, 0·59, 0·60, 0·45, 0·71, 0·13, 0·18, 0·46, 0·38, 0·38 and 0·42 respectively. Genetic correlations were found to be high among the live weights but low to moderate among fleece weight and wool characteristics. Heritability estimates of fibre diameter, fibre diameter variation and staple length were found to be higher in New Zealand fine wool Merinos than most of those reported in the literature. The results indicate that selection for reduced fibre diameter will have little effect on other major production traits such as live weight and fleece weight.

Previous studies examining the effect of age on gilt reproduction have generally failed to discriminate between chronological (i.e. days) and physiological age (i.e. number of oestrous cycles experienced) and the importance of each factor remains unclear in the pig. The present investigation tested the hypothesis that the physiological age at which gilts are bred in a dynamic service system (DSS) affects their reproductive behaviour and performance. A hundred and ninety gilts were randomly allocated between two treatments. They were introduced into the service pens of a DSS to be bred at the same age (215 days) but either at second (2H; no. = 96) or third (3H;no. = 94) post-pubertal heat period. The sexual behaviour of half of them was continuously recorded over a 13-week period and reproductive data from all the gilts were collected. Gilts of 2H treatment were significantly heavier at entry into the service pens (123 v. 119 kg; P < 0·05) than 3H gilts, but there was no significant difference in their backfat thickness. Treatment failed to affect the quality and frequency of mating attempts (MAs) gilts received or oestrus duration. Conception rate to first oestrus in the DSS (82%) was not affected by treatment. Litter size and number of piglets born alive was similar for 3H and 2H gilts (12·0 v. 11·7, s.e.d. 0·40 and 11·5 v. 11·0, s.e.d. 0·4 respectively; all P > 0·05). It is concluded that the reproductive behaviour and performance of gilts that had experienced either two or three oestrous cycles prior to mating at a constant age does not differ significantly in a DSS. More studies are needed in order to clarify the possible interactive influence of repeated and frequent services, which are common in a DSS, on gilt reproduction.

Estimates of genetic parameters for beef production traits were obtained for Piemontese cattle. Data were from 988 young bulls station-tested from 1989 till 1998. Bulls entered the station at 6 to 8 weeks of age and, after an adaptation period of 3 months, were tested for growth, live fleshiness and bone thinness. Length of test was 196 days. Growth traits considered were gain at farm, gain during the adaptation period, gain on test and total gain at the station. Six different fleshiness traits and bone thinness were scored on live animals at the end of the test using a linear system. Live evaluations of fleshiness were adjusted for the weight at scoring in order to provide an assessment of conformation independent of body size. Genetic parameters were estimated using animal models. Heritability of live-weight gain ranged from 0·20 in the adaptation period to 0·60 for total gain at the station. Genetic correlations between gains at station in different periods were high (from 0·63 to 0·97). Residual correlation between gain during the adaptation period and gain during test was negative, probably due to the occurrence of compensatory growth of the animals.

Live fleshiness traits and bone thinness were of moderate to high heritability (from 0·34 to 0·55) and highly correlated indicating that heavy muscled bulls also have thin bones. Accuracy of breeding values and therefore response to selection were improved by multiple trait analysis of the live fleshiness traits and bone thinness. Overall weight gain at the station had a moderate negative genetic correlation with all live fleshiness traits and bone thinness (from –0·11 to –0·39).

The objectives of this study were to establish what changes in posture by sows carried a high risk of piglet crushing in a group farrowing system during early lactation and also to determine what factors influenced the risk of crushing during lying down. A total of 24 Large White ✕ Landrace sows were studied during the first 7 days of lactation in a group farrowing system. Cross-fostering was not carried out so as not to influence behaviour. Dead piglets were removed and cause of death ascertained from external observation and post-mortem examination. Sow and piglet behaviour was video-recorded continuously. A total of 268 piglets were born alive, with 67 liveborn piglets subsequently dying during the 7-day experimental period, 50 as a result of crushing. A total of 7425 posture changes were analysed and 11 types of posture change were identified, the most dangerous being lying down from standing and those involving swapping sides, or rolling over, whilst lying.

Dangerous events during lying down were more likely to occur (1) in the first 24 h after farrowing, (2) when the sow lay down in the middle of the pen, (3) when the sow lay down without carrying out much piglet-directed pre-lying behaviour and (4) when the piglets were spread out but near to the sow. The amount of pre-lying behaviour decreased over time and crushing mortality also decreased. The results confirm that the piglets are most vulnerable to crushing during the first 24 h of life, when they are spending much of their time near the udder and have relatively poor mobility. Co-ordination of behaviour between the sow and her litter is important to reduce the risk of crushing. It is also important that the design of open farrowing systems incorporates knowledge about how crushing deaths occur in order to improve piglet welfare.

This investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of vegetable oil and its composition on fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation in pig muscle. Pigs were given the following diets from 50 kg to slaughter (90 kg): a control diet with no added fat (NF) or diets containing 20 g/kg of sunflower (SUN), olive (OL) or sunflower + linseed (SUN + LIN) oils. Meat from pigs given the SUN + LIN diet showed the highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) from day 3 of refrigerated storage to the end of the experiment (P < 0·05). The OL group showed the lowest TBARS after 9 days of storage (P < 0·05). Pigs on NF showed intermediate values that were generally closer to those recorded for pigs given the SUN + LIN than the OL diet. By day 9, there was no statistical difference between the NF and the SUN + LIN group. The SUN group also showed intermediate TBARS throughout storage, with no statistical differences compared with the NF group. After 9 days of storage the lowest CIELAB a* value, corresponded to the SUN + LIN group and the highest to the OL group. These results indicate similar behaviour to that of lipid oxidation. Meat samples from pigs given the diet not enriched with fat showed greater drip loss than those given the remaining diets (P < 0·05) while there was no significant effect of dietary fat source on water-holding capacity. The inclusion of oils rich in linoleic fatty acids in pig diets modifies muscle fatty acid composition but susceptibility to lipid oxidation does not appear to be increased with respect to that occurring in pigs given diets with no added fat.

Fattening performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated in 202 lambs sired by D’man (D), Timahdite (T) and terminal sires of the Ile-de-France (IF), Lacaune (L), and Mérinos Précoce (MP) breeds. Previous results had suggested that the three latter improved breeds had relatively similar growth and carcass performance in crossbreeding. They were, therefore, pooled in this study into one meat group breed (M) to facilitate comparisons between the five genotypes of interest: two purebreds (T, D), two single crosses (D ✕ T (DT), M ✕ T), and one three-breed cross (M ✕ DT). Results showed important improvements of performance in crossbred lambs especially those sired by meat breed rams. M ✕ T and M ✕ DT lambs grew fastest (238 and 256 g/day, respectively) and showed the best food conversion ratio. D purebred lambs realized the lowest fattening gains (196 g/day) while, T and D ✕ T lambs were intermediate (209 and 218 g/day, respectively). The D lambs deposited relatively more internal fat and relatively less subcutaneous backfat, and their carcasses had the lowest conformation score and smallest longissimus muscle area (11·23 cm2). The carcasses of M ✕ T and M ✕ DT crossbred lambs had larger longissimus muscle areas 13·97 and 13·88 cm2, respectively, thicker subcutaneous fat cover and better conformation scores than other genotypes. The effects of M as a terminal sire breed were favourable for the majority of fattening and carcass characteristics. The absence of differences between M ✕ T and M ✕ DT genotypes on post-weaning growth, food conversion ratio and on objective and subjective measurements of carcass conformation indicated that the infusion of 25% of D genes in M ✕ DT lambs did not affect post-weaning growth and carcass traits. The results on the use of M sires and DT dams, which have above average reproductive rates, in M ✕ DT crossbreeding indicate that a two-stage crossbreeding system could enhance the quantity and the quality of meat sheep production in Morocco.

In order to avoid the decrease in the numbers of wild red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, observed in several areas, the most appropiate solution is to repopulate using animals from game farms. The nesting place chosen by 30 pairs of red-legged partridge in captivity was studied. There were five different nest types combined in groups of three in 30 cages. Type A nest: made with natural bush plants tied together at one end and placed invertedly forming a cone. Type B: made with the same natural bush plants as the previous type but placed over an internal wire structure and having preformed entrances. Type C: a wooden structure in the form of a roof with two slopes. Type D: similar to the type C but on one of the laterals the opaque material only covers the upper half, and a plastic mesh covers the lower half. Type E: a wooden square box covered with an inclined plank of opaque and waterproof material. Our study shows that the type A nest received significantly (P < 0·05) more eggs than the others, possibly because this type of nest allowed for better vigilance and a better sense of protection for the animals. Type E nest was the second most preferred. In this type, the partridge was able to monitor the surroundings through the space between the walls and the roof and this space could be used as an escape route. From a production and industrial perspective, type E has some advantages over type A, being easy to build, clean and disinfect, and allowing the birds to see through the nest.

This study investigated the effects of flock, sex and leg shape scores (assessed in the live animal) on the carcass yield, conformation and composition of purebred Texel lambs. Two flocks were managed in a common environment. The first (Lean Index flock) had a 6-year history of selection for lean tissue growth rate using an index of live weight and ultrasonic muscle and fat depths measured at 20 weeks of age. The second (Conformation flock) had recently been established by mating rams of extreme conformation selected from the UK Texel population with ewes in the Lean Index flock. Lambs were evaluated at a mean age of 139 days at the end of an 11-week performance test in which they were reared indoors on a concentrate diet. Prior to slaughter, the lambs were assessed for conformation of the hind leg (leg shape score). Mean live weights and ultrasonic fat depths did not differ significantly between flocks or leg shape scores but ultrasonic muscle depths were highest in the high leg shape score (27·9, 27·7 and 30·1 mm in low, medium and high scores, s.e.d. 0·55). At constant slaughter weight, the lean weight in the side was 0·4 kg higher in the Conformation flock and 0·3 kg higher in lambs of high v. low leg shape score (P < 0·001) with no significant differences in other tissue weights. Consequently, lean: bone ratio and lean proportions in both the live weight and carcass were higher in the Conformation flock and in lambs of high leg shape score. Lambs of high leg shape score had better carcass conformation scores (14·1, 12·9 and 11·9, for high, medium and low scores respectively, s.e.d. 0·30), shorter side length and higher values for all muscularity traits. Lean tissue distribution in major joints and individual muscles did not differ between flocks but the mean proportion of total lean in the higher priced cuts was higher (553·1 v. 543·9 g/kg, s.e.d. 3·26) for lambs of high v. low leg shape score. Males were 6·5 kg heavier than females at scanning (P < 0·001), had lower ultrasonic fat depths (2·8 v. 3·2 mm; P < 0·01) but did not differ in ultrasonic muscle depths. At equal slaughter age, males produced 1 kg more lean tissue and had a higher proportion of lean in the side than females (665·2 v. 638·9 g/kg) but did not differ in lean proportion in the live weight, carcass conformation and muscularity scores. Females carried a higher proportion of total lean in the higher priced cuts (555·6 v. 541·8 g/kg; P < 0·01) and in some individual muscles. It was concluded that there is important variation within the Texel breed in lean yield at constant live weight and that this is likely associated with differences between strain and conformation type.

The extent and amount of heterogeneous phenotypic variance for milk yield in the Uruguayan Holstein population were evaluated and a simple method of accounting for heterogeneity was developed. Lactation records (159 169) collected between 1989 and 1998 by two recording schemes were used to form 8955 herd-year-season-parity-lactation length contemporary groups. A log-linear model was used to identify factors affecting heterogeneity of phenotypic variance. The model included effects of production level, contemporary group size, recording scheme, herd, season of calving, parity number, calving year period and length of lactation and accounted for 50% of the variation in log variances. Estimates from this model were used in a Bayesian manner, to obtain posterior mean estimates of within-contemporary-group variances, which were then used to standardize records to a baseline variance. Effects of the adjustment were assessed by comparing coefficients of variation before and after correction, by correlation and regression between mean and standard deviations, and by using Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves. The adjustment procedure reduced heteroscedasticity primarily by decreasing the frequency of low-variance contemporary groups. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients indicated that the largest impact of the standardization procedure was related to the size of the contemporary group. Some differences in the effect of the correction were found between recording schemes. The method for adjusting records is simple and easy to adapt to current genetic evaluation procedures.

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary choline requirement of juvenile grass shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Purified basal diets were formulated using vitamin-free casein (containing 370 mg choline per kg) as the protein source. Graded levels (0, 300, 600, 1000, 2000, 4000, 7000, and 10 000 mg choline per kg diet) of choline chloride were added to the basal diet, resulting in eight dietary treatments in the experiment. Each diet was given to three replicate groups of shrimp initially averaging 1·18 (s.d. 0·01) g for 8 weeks. Weight gain was highest in shrimp given the diets supplemented with 7000 and 4000 mg choline per kg diet, followed by the groups given 2000 mg/kg, then 1000 and 600 mg/kg, and finally 300 mg/kg and the unsupplemented control group (P < 0·05). Shrimp given diets supplemented with 7000 and 4000 mg choline per kg diet had significantly higher food efficiency and survival than those given diet with 300 mg choline per kg or the control diet. Higher body crude protein and choline concentrations were recorded in shrimp given diets supplemented with 4000 and 7000 mg choline per kg diet than shrimp given diets with ≤600 mg choline/kg and ≤2000 mg choline per kg, respectively. Analysis by polynomial regression of weight gain and body choline concentration for P. monodon gave a maximum at about 6000 mg/kg. Taking into account the choline concentration of the unsupplemented basal diet, the optimal dietary choline requirement for growing P. monodon is about 6200 mg/kg.

An experiment was conducted to determine if growth rate, as affected by level of feeding, during a 10-or 20-week period prior to slaughter could influence the tenderness and palatability of beef from young (approx. 14 months old at the start of experiment) steers. Steers, comprising 18 Aberdeen Angus (AA), 18 Charolais (CH) and 18 Holstein (HO) purebreds, were allocated, within genotype, to one of three levels of feeding: (a) moderate ((M/M) 750 kJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day per kg M0·75), (b) high ((H/H) 1050 kJ ME per day per kg M0·75) both for 20 weeks; or (c) moderate for the first 10 weeks followed by high for the remaining 10 weeks (M/H). The steers were slaughtered at a fixed age (approx. 19 months old) and samples of m. longissimus lumborum (from all three genotypes) m. vastus lateralis and m. biceps femoris (from AA and CH only) separated, vacuum packed and stored at 2ºC for both 7 and 14 days before freezing. These cuts were subsequently assessed by a 12 member taste panel and texture analysis performed using Volodkevitch-type jaws.

Growth rates during the final 10 weeks of the experimental period differed between dietary regimen (M/M = 0·87; M/H = 1·25; and H/H = 1·02 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·08; P < 0·001). Steers offered the M/M level of feeding grew more slowly (0·97 kg/day) than those offered the M/H and H/H level of feeding (1·20 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·06; P < 0·001) over the entire 20 week experimental period. In spite of these differences in growth rate, there were no consistent effects on beef tenderness and general palatability. Mean growth rates for CH, HO and AA steers were 1·21, 1·13 and 1·03 kg/day (s.e.d. = 0·06; P < 0·05). Beef samples from AA steers consistently scored better for various sensory attributes than those from CH and HO steers; this may have been due, in part, to level of carcass fatness and rate of carcass cooling post mortem. Accounting for factors such as genotype within the experimental design and slaughtering animals at a relatively constant age reduced the variance associated with each sensory attribute to 0·6 of that observed in commercial practice. The data suggest that there is little opportunity to improve beef eating quality by increasing growth rate by dietary means in steers provided that moderate levels of gain (equivalent to the UK average) are maintained.

In a comparative study which examined the effect of having access to mushroom compost in an otherwise barren environment there were three treatments and six replicates. The three treatments were (T1) control barren pen providing 0·7 m2 per pig with fully slatted floor, (T2) empty horizontal rack suspended above the pigs’ heads and (T3) mushroom compost on rack as in treatment 2. Pigs released particles of compost from the rack by nosing the metal grid from below. Almost twice as many pigs with access to mushroom compost (T3) nosed the rack (P < 0·001) and the ground below the rack (P < 0·001) as pigs which had a rack with no mushroom compost (T2). Fewer pigs with mushroom compost were involved in behaviours directed at penmates such as nosing, biting and chewing penmates than pigs in treatments 1 and 2 (P < 0·001). In addition fewer pigs in T3 were involved in feeding behaviour than in T1 and T2 (P < 0·05). Percentages of tail-bitten animals which had to be removed were 11 and 24 for T1 and T2 respectively while T3 had < 1% removed because of tail biting (P < 0·05). Apparent food intake was higher (P < 0·05) and food conversion ratio tended to be poorer in T1 (P = 0·1). It is suggested that pigs will redirect rooting behaviour towards penmates and the feeder in the absence of any rooting substrate. Adding substrate to commercial finishing pens reduces this redirection of behaviour and improves welfare by minimizing injury through tail biting.

Eighteen purebred steers of three genotypes, Aberdeen Angus (AA), Charolais (CH) and Holstein (HO), were divided within genotype into three groups of six animals and offered one of three different levels of feeding either moderate (M/M) or high (H/H) both for 20 weeks or moderate for the first 10 weeks followed by high for the remaining 10 weeks (M/H). Growth rates during the final 10 weeks of the experimental period differed between dietary regimen (M/M = 0·87; M/H = 1·25; and H/H = 1·02 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·08; P < 0·001). Over the entire 20 week experimental period animals offered the M/M level of feeding grew more slowly (0·97 kg/day) than those offered the M/H and H/H level of feeding (1·20 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·06; P < 0·001). Mean growth rates for CH, HO and AA steers were 1·21, 1·13 and 1·03 kg/day (s.e.d. = 0·06; P < 0·05). The animals were all slaughtered at a fixed age of 18 months, according to the Meat and Livestock Commission Blueprint for beef and, 48 h post mortem, samples of m. longissimus lumborum (LL) and m. vastus lateralis (VL) were removed for analyses.

Muscle fibres were classified histochemically, according to their contractile and metabolic properties, and muscle fibre size was measured. Fibre type frequency was calculated and, in LL, the total fibre number of the muscle was estimated. There was little impact of feeding level, or consequentially growth rate, on muscle fibre frequency and size. The effects seen were confined mainly to LL where there were significant differences between the M/M and H/ H groups with respect to fast twitch glycolytic fibres (mean % frequency (M/M = 40·1 and H/H = 44·3; s.e.d. = 1·4; P < 0·01); mean % area (M/M = 51·9 and H/H 56·0; s.e.d. = 1·5; P < 0·05)) and apparent total fibre number (M/ M = 35·0; and H/H = 41·9 ✕ 104; s.e.d. = 1·7; P < 0·05) which were greater in H/H than in M/M groups. However, in both LL and VL the predominant differences were related to genotype; in particular, overall fibre size was smallest in CH, while slow oxidative (SO; type I) fibre area was highest in AA. For LL, analysis across all animals showed a positive relationship between SO area, % area, % frequency and overall acceptability of meat at 14 days as evaluated by a trained sensory panel. No such relationship was observed for VL. The data suggest that in this study manipulation of feeding level has only a small impact on muscle fibre characteristics and that the differences between genotype and muscle type may be more important in determining the variability of overall acceptability than growth rate.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of expander processing of food for growing and finishing pigs. Experiment 1 examined the effects of expander processing on the nutritive value of a cereal-based diet and a pea-based diet for pigs while experiment 2 determined the effects of extrusion and expansion of the peas component of the diet on the nutritive value. In experiment 1, growth performance, carcass characteristics (no. = 12) and nutrient digestibility (no. = 4) were determined in pigs offered individually food containing a cereal diet (T1), a complete cereal diet that had been expander processed (T2), a 400 g/kg peas diet (T3) or a complete 400 g/kg peas diet that had been expander processed (T4). The expanded diets were processed at 105°C for 5 s at 35 bar pressure. In experiment 2, productive performance and nutrient digestibility were determined in pigs (no. = 12) offered individually diets including a control cereal diet (no peas) (TT1), a 400 g/kg raw peas diet (TT2), a 400 g/kg expander processed peas diet (TT3) or a 400 g/kg extruded peas diet (TT4). The pea portions of the diets were extruded at 130°C for 30 s and expanded at 130°C for 10 s at 42 bar pressure. In experiment 1, the inclusion of peas in the diet reduced (P < 0·001) the digestibility of the organic matter (OM) (0·871 v. 0·893, s.e. 0·003), protein (0·867 v. 0·907, s.e. 0·004) and energy (0·857 v. 0·880, s.e. 0·003). Expansion had no effect on the nutrient digestibility of the diets, however, it did increase (P < 0·05) the digestible energy content of the cereal diet. The inclusion of peas in the diet reduced (P < 0·05) daily gain (0·929 v. 0·999, s.e. 0·024 kg/day) and increased (P < 0·001) food conversion ratio (FCR) (2·31 v. 2·16, s.e. 0·029) from 34 kg to slaughter. Expansion had no effect on daily gain or FCR. In experiment 2, OM digestibilities of 0·891, 0·872, 0·882 and 0·885 (s.e. 0·0042) (P < 0·01), protein digestibilities of 0·905, 0·879, 0·874 and 0·877 (s.e. 0·0069) (P < 0·001) and gross energy digestibilities of 0·875, 0·861, 0·870 and 0·875 (s.e. 0·005) (P < 0·05) were recorded for TT1 to TT4 respectively. Gains (kg/day) of 0·981, 0·927, 0·940, and 1·016 (s.e. 0·036) (P < 0·05) and FCR of 2·17, 2·32, 2·28 and 2·18 (s.e. 0·037) (P < 0·05) were recorded for TT1 to TT4 respectively. In conclusion, expansion had no effect on the nutritive value of food for pigs.