ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 15-25

UDK 636.1.082

EFFECT OF FROZEN SEMEN THAWING TEMPERATURES ON STALLION SPERMATOZOA MOTILITY

Vidmantas Pileckas, Jonas Kutra, Algirdas Urbšys, Artūras Šiukščius, Rasa Nainienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

Rapid semen thawing regimes are currently applied in order to avoid the repeated negative effect of hypertonic medium on the quality of frozen stallion spermatozoa. The final semen thawing temperature should not exceed 40°С. The use of semen thawed up to 5°С results in more simple and efficient mare insemination in cool environment and uninsulated buildings. The highest sperm motility was 3.0±0.9 and 3.0±0.0 points after semen thawing at 38 (control) - 40°С, respectively. After 1 h incubation at 38±0.5°С, the highest sperm motility – 0.8±0.24 points – was registered in the control group. The sperm motility was higher for the semen thawed up to temperature higher than 5°С, and therefore the exposure in the thawing bath should be chosen taking into consideration the ambient temperature.
Keywords: stallion semen, deep-freezing, thawing temperatures

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 26-36

UDK 636.4.082

CROSSING OF LITHUANIAN INDIGENOUS PIGS WITH LARGE WHITE BOARS

Violeta Razmaitė, Rūta Šveistienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

A study was conducted to determine the efficiency of two-way Lithuanian indigenous x Large White commercial crossing of pigs. Lithuanian indigenous sows in the experimental group were inseminated with the semen of Large White boars and those in the control group were mated with Lithuanian indigenous boars. Sows in the experimental group had lower means of total born and born alive crossbred piglets than sows in the control group but the differences were insignificant. All crossbred piglets were white but 53% of crossbreds inherited a distinctive morphological feature of Lithuanian indigenous pigs – a pair of wattle. Mean of weight at birth was similar in both groups but crossbred piglet grew most intensively. At 21 days and 2 months of age crossbred piglets weighed respectively 0.3 (P < 0.050) and 0.9 kg (P < 0.050) more than purebreds. Station testing showed that crossbreds gained 100 kg weight 9.7 days (P < 0.025) earlier than purebreds while the differences in daily gain were statistically insignificant. Crossing Lithuanian indigenous pigs with Large White boars has increased the dressing percentage by 3.2%. The length of the carcasses was 3.0 cm (P < 0.001) higher in crossbred pigs. Backfat thickness of crossbreds was from 6.6 mm (P < 0.001) behind the last rib to 9.3 mm (P < 0.001) at 6-7 rib lower and loin lean area 9.2 cm2 (P < 0.001) higher in comparison with purebred pigs. Crossing of Lithuanian indigenous pigs resulted not only in higher means of carcass quality but also in considerably higher number of more lean carcasses. 49.9% of carcasses from crossbred pigs had backfat thickness at 6-7 rib lower than 25 mm, while there were no carcasses at all from purebred Lithuanian indigenous pigs with such low backfat thickness.
Key words: crossing, pigs, breed, carcass, backfat thickness

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 37-46

UDK 636.4.082

CROSSING OF LITHUANIAN INDIGENOUS PIGS WITH LARGE WHITE BOARS

Violeta Razmaitė, Rūta Šveistienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

A study was conducted to determine the efficiency of two-way Lithuanian indigenous x Large White commercial crossing of pigs. Lithuanian indigenous sows in the experimental group were inseminated with the semen of Large White boars and those in the control group were mated with Lithuanian indigenous boars. Sows in the experimental group had lower means of total born and born alive crossbred piglets than sows in the control group but the differences were insignificant. All crossbred piglets were white but 53% of crossbreds inherited a distinctive morphological feature of Lithuanian indigenous pigs – a pair of wattle. Mean of weight at birth was similar in both groups but crossbred piglet grew most intensively. At 21 days and 2 months of age crossbred piglets weighed respectively 0.3 (P < 0.050) and 0.9 kg (P < 0.050) more than purebreds. Station testing showed that crossbreds gained 100 kg weight 9.7 days (P < 0.025) earlier than purebreds while the differences in daily gain were statistically insignificant. Crossing Lithuanian indigenous pigs with Large White boars has increased the dressing percentage by 3.2%. The length of the carcasses was 3.0 cm (P < 0.001) higher in crossbred pigs. Backfat thickness of crossbreds was from 6.6 mm (P < 0.001) behind the last rib to 9.3 mm (P < 0.001) at 6-7 rib lower and loin lean area 9.2 cm2 (P < 0.001) higher in comparison with purebred pigs. Crossing of Lithuanian indigenous pigs resulted not only in higher means of carcass quality but also in considerably higher number of more lean carcasses. 49.9% of carcasses from crossbred pigs had backfat thickness at 6-7 rib lower than 25 mm, while there were no carcasses at all from purebred Lithuanian indigenous pigs with such low backfat thickness.
Key words: crossing, pigs, breed, carcass, backfat thickness

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 47-53

UDK 636.3.082.637.11

THE INFLUENCE OF LITHUANIAN LOCAL COARSEWOOLED SHEEP FERTILITY ON THE PRODUCTION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MILK

Birutė Zapasnikienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

In 2004-2005, a study was carried out at the LVA Institute of Animal Science to determine the influence of the litter size on the yield and chemical composition of milk of local coarsewooled sheep that are preserved at the Institute. Ewes that had dropped triples were most productive (35.75 kg in 20 lactation days) and those with a single lamb least productive (16.81 kg). The analysis of the milk of local sheep indicated its high fat content (8.86%), protein content (6,65%) and caloricity (121,69 kcal/100 g). The highest fat content (9,54%) was determined in the milk of ewes that had dropped triples and the milk of ewes nursing twins had the highest content of dry matter (21.47%), protein (7.92%) and calories (127.75 kcal/100 g). The milk of ewes that had dropped a single lamb had the lowest fat content (7.04%), energy value (102.95 kcal/100 g) and dry matter content (17.37%), but it had the highest content of lactose (5.20%). The differences between the groups were significant.
Key words: sheep, milk production, fertility, chemical composition of sheep milk

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 54-64

UDK [633.322+633.2]:581.19

FORAGE QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WHITE CLOVER VARIETIES

Algirdas Sprainaitis

Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture,
Instituto St. 1, LT-58344 Akademija, Kėdainiai distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

Field experiments with white clover varieties were conducted at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture during the period 1998-2004. In terms of dry matter yield, the white clover variety 'Dotnuviai' was found to be the most productive (10.11 t ha-1) of all the tested varieties, the standard variety 'Sūduviai' yielded 8.83 tha-1 , and the varieties 'Bitūnai', 'Holev' and 'Nanouk' significantly lagged behind. The most even yield distribution within the growing season was identified for the clover varieties 'Ramona' and 'Riesling', whereas 'Atoliai', 'Nemuniai', 'Milo' and ‘Riesling' were distinguished for increased competitive power in mixtures (28.4-47.6 %). In terms of nutritional value, the dry matter of all the tested white clover varieties was found to contain a sufficient amount of crude protein (17.7-20.6 %), slightly too little fibre (16.6-20.2 %), as well as high digestibility in vitro (83.6-88.3 %). Protein content in dry matter did not depend on the variety (r=0.27±0.15), and the stability of protein within one month’s period protected a mixed sward from ageing. The varieties 'Ramona' and 'Ross' accumulated perniciously high contents of cianogenic glucosides (more than 50 mg/100 g dry matter). The clover variety 'Sūduviai' grown in a mixture with grasses had a higher content of protein by 5.2-8.1 percentage units compared with pure grasses not fertilized with nitrogen, and the dry matter digestibility was better by 9.9-22.6 %. It is expedient to focus white clover breeding for increased dry matter yield, competitive power, persistence, resistance to adverse growing factors.
Key words: white clover, perennial grasses, varieties, dry matter yield, chemical composition

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 65-71

UDK 636.2.084

EFFICIENCY OF PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF MILK PROTEIN WITH YEAST PROTEIN IN THE DIETS OF CALVES

Liudas Jonaitis

Joniškis Agricultural School,
Upytės str. 67, LT-84152 Joniškis, Lithuania, el. paštas: jzum@takas.lt

SUMMARY

In 2002-2003, two analogous groups each of seven Lithuanian Red calves were used in a feeding trial. Calves in both groups were offered a certain amount of whole milk and hay, silage and compound feed ad libitum. The control calves were given 520 kg whole milk (18 kg milk protein), while the experimental calves were given only 260 kg whole milk (9 kg milk protein). The shortage of 9 kg milk protein was compensated with fodder yeast protein. Such milk protein replacement had no significant influence on the growth of calves from birth till 6 months of age. The daily gains of the control and experimental calves were, respectively, 838 and 778 g (P > 0.2). The price of feeds (as fed) per tonne of weight gain was, respectively, 3920.35 and 2931.53 LTL or 25.2% lower for the experimental group in calves.
Keywords: calf, growth, milk and yeast protein, price

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 72-81

UDK 636.2.084

GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS OF FATTENING BULLS OFFERED TRENCH OR BIG BALE SILAGES

Vilma Vrotniakienė, Jonas Jatkauskas

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

In 2002-2003, a trial of 143 days involving two groups(n=6 per group) of fattening bulls was carried out at the Institute of Animal Science to determine the growth rate, carcass quality and chemical composition of meat of bulls fed silage, which was made using different technologies - trench and big bales. Daily weight gains of bulls fed silage made in big bales were by 2.51% higher in comparison with silage made in a trench. The yield of carcass including abdominal cavity fat and muscling score did not differ between the groups. The silage made using different technologies had no significant influence on the composition of ground meat or M. longissimus dorsi. Feeding of silage made in big bales has increased water binding capacity by 0.76% and protein value index by 0.59 units, and decreased cooking losses of meat by 1.00%, P<0.05.
Key words: silage, trench, big bale, muscling score, carcass

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 82-93

UDK 636.4.084

EFFECTS OF THE MULTIENZYME COMPOSITION ON THE GROWTH AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF PIGS FED DIETS WITH INCREASED LEVELS OF TRITICALE

Violeta Juškienė, Jūratė Norvilienė, Raimondas Leikus

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

In 2004, feeding trial with fattening pigs were carried out at the LVA Institute of Animal Science to determine the effect of multienzyme composition (α-amylase70 U/g; units per gram, β-glucanase 700 U/g, xylanase 1800 U/g, protease 0,8 U/g) in the feed with a high content of triticale (60-70%) on the growth of pigs, conversion and digestibility of feeds.
The trials indicated that mixing in 0.05% multienzyme composition into the compound feed containing 60-70% of triticale resulted in 11.0% (P<0.05) higher daily weight gain, 7% higher feed conversion and 9 days shorter growing period of pigs. Lower amount (0.035%) of multienzyme composition had no significant influence on the growth of pigs.
Pigs fed diets with triticale with 0.035% of multienzyme composition digested fat better by 19.7% (P<0.05). Pig feeding on a higher amount of triticale with 0.05% multienzyme composition supplementation protein, fat and fibre digestibilities were respectively, higher.
Supplementation of 60-70% triticale diets with 0.035 and 0.05% multienzyme composition lowered the cost of feedstuffs per kg gain by, respectively, 1.6 and 43%.
Keywords: triticale, multienzyme composition, growth of pigs, feed digestibility

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2005, 46, p. 94-104

UDK 636.5.083.084

INFLUENCE SOME RAISING TECHNOLOGIES ON GEESE ONTOGENY

Sigitas Janušonis, Robertas Juodka, Audronė Benediktavičiūtė–Kiškienė, Violeta Razmaitė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

SUMMARY

Three groups of local Vištines geese each of 50 goslings born on the same day were used in the trial until 8 weeks of age. Group 1 was raised according to commercial production technology, group 2 according to grazing technology and group 3 according to extensive raising technology. The growth and development of the goslings raised by grazing was the highest and their total daily gain amounted to 65 g. These goslings were kept in confinement until two weeks of age in compliance with all animal hygiene standards. The goslings were fed complete feeds of industrial production. Grazing of goslings started at the age of two weeks with the free access to complete feeds of 20% protein content and 2850 kcal metabolizable energy until 4 weeks of age. Later, beginning from week 5, protein content of the feed was 17-18% and caloricity 2750 kcal of metabolizable energy. The feed was composed of local ingredients (wheat, barley, peas, beans) and 20% protein-vitamin premix. The average weight of goslings at the age of 8 weeks was 3746 g. The lowest growth intensity was determined for goslings raised according to commercial production technology when they were kept in confinement for 8 weeks and fed commercial mixed feeds. The average weight was only 3320 g at the age of eight weeks.
Key words: goslings, raising technologies, feeds