Effect of fertilisation with selenium on plasma selenium in Belgian Blue suckling cows and heifers: first results

in Land use systems in grassland dominated regions, Book of abstracts of 20th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (2004)

Effects of the calving number on animal performance, carcass and meat composition in finishing Belgian Blue double-muscled culled females

in Livestock Production Science (2004), 87(2-3), 161-169

In a 2-year experiment, 66 Belgian Blue (BB) double-muscled culled females have been divided in three groups according to the calving number (heifers-H, cows culled after two calvings-C2 or four calvings ... [more ▼]

In a 2-year experiment, 66 Belgian Blue (BB) double-muscled culled females have been divided in three groups according to the calving number (heifers-H, cows culled after two calvings-C2 or four calvings-C4) and finished on a maize silage-based diet in order to compare animal performance and evolution of carcass and meat characteristics with age. Four females per group were slaughtered on day 0 to assess carcass and meat characteristics of lean animals. The initial and final live weights, the carcass weight and the daily food intake increased with advancing age, while the live weight gain and feed efficiency decreased. The H presented the higher killing-out and muscle proportions and the lower adipose tissue proportion. Their meat was less dark and less red than that of older cows. The lowest protein content and the highest fat content in meat dry matter were found in the C2. In the three groups, the carcass and meat became fatter with finishing process. The amplitude of fat deposition was the highest in C2. It can be concluded that the performance of BB culled females vary with age. The carcass and meat characteristics differ mainly between H and cows, few differences appearing between cows. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Effect of reducing energy supply during the finishing of Belgian Blue double-muscled cull cows

in Animal Science (2004), 79(Part 3), 469-482

A 4-year experiment has been conducted on finishing Belgian Blue cull cows of double-muscled type in order to study the effects of diets containing adequate levels of metabolizable protein, but either ... [more ▼]

A 4-year experiment has been conducted on finishing Belgian Blue cull cows of double-muscled type in order to study the effects of diets containing adequate levels of metabolizable protein, but either normal (NENP), low (LENP) or medium (MENP) levels of metabolizable energy, on animal performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and plasma metabolites and hormones. The LENP diet was offered during the whole (LENP group) or second half of the finishing (NENP-LENP groups), and the MENP diet during the whole finishing (MENP group). The degree of fatness required for the slaughter of animals from NENP groups was close to 4.5 (scale from 0 (very lean) to 5 (very fat)). In each underfed group, the slaughter of the animals was synchronized to that of NENP cows, by degressive degree of fatness. The same duration of finishing was thus obtained for all groups. The experimental feeding strategies reduced the amounts of fat deposited in the carcass and the meat while muscle deposition was remarkably preserved. The proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in intramuscular fat were also decreased while their proportions increased in plasma free fatty acids. Plasma insulin levels were also reduced and those of IGF-1 were, surprisingly, maintained. The low energy diet promoted thus the settlement of a discrete lipolytic state while high levels of IGF-1 preserved muscle deposition. This feeding strategy should be evaluated in other breeds of cattle. [less ▲]

Diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy in sheep: reality and perspectives

in Productions Animales (2003), 16(2), 79-90

The present review aims at presenting different methods for pregnancy diagnosis. Since these methods are to be used in the herds, precocity, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy to predict pregnant and non ... [more ▼]

The present review aims at presenting different methods for pregnancy diagnosis. Since these methods are to be used in the herds, precocity, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy to predict pregnant and non-pregnant ewes, and the possibility to determine fetal numbers are carefully analysed. The progesterone assay is accurate as early as day 17th after fecundation; but the fertilization day must be precisely known. The pregnancy specific or associated glycoproteins (PSPB/PAG) assay is highly sensitive and specific at day 22 in blood and at day 32 in milk samples. However, this assay does not allow to predict the fetal number. The ultrasonography B-mode used on 30 days of gestation gives very good or excellent performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity depending on the practitioner. The method is also able to predict the real time fetal number. [less ▲]

Real-time ultrasound measurements in fattening bulls from three different breeds

in Book of absracts of the 54th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2003)

Bilan azoté et nitrates dans le sol d'une prairie pâturée par des vaches allaitantes et fertilisée avec du compost de bovin, du lisier de porc ou de l'engrais minéral

in 10èmes Rencontres autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2003)

Comparaison of three supplements high in linseeds or linseed oil in dairy cows

in Book of absracts of the 54th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2003)

Complémentation en céréales d'une ration à niveau énergétique faible en fin de période d'engraissement chez la vache de réforme Blanc-Bleu belge

in 10ème Rencontre autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants (2003)

Advantages of survival analysis in the evolution of reproductive performance in cattle

in Book of abstracts of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2002)

Soil nitrates in pastures rotationally grazed by cows: relation with urea in milk and blood plasma

in Proccedings of 19th European Grassland Federation General Meeting (2002)