Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 070
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| Year | 1940 |
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128 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN SCOTLAND I}; 1939. THE HANNAH DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. KIRKHILL, AYE. Nutrition.—Reference has been made in previous Reports to the Institute’s investigations into the protein requirements of dairy cows. A general review of this work indicates that the level of protein intake for milk production can be lowered from the previously recognised standard of 06 lb. protein equivalent per 10 lb. milk to between 0'40 and 0'44 1b., pro- vided that proteins of high biological value are included in the ration. As regards the biological value of various proteins, it has been found that in general those of home-produced feeding- stuffs (such as beans, bloodmeal, and fresh, dried or ensiled grass) are superior to those of imported feeding-stuffs, such as oilseeds, meals, and maize products. It has been found that the proteins of autumn herbage have a somewhat IOWer biological value than those of spring and summer herbage. The Importance of Home-Produced Fecding-stufis.—The underlying object of the Institute’s work in this field of animal nutrition has been to determine how far the country’s dairy cattle could be rendered less dependent on imported feeding-studs. One method of achieving this end would be to lower the protein feeding standards, a possibility already referred to in the previous paragraph. A second method would be to introduce new processes for the conservation of materials of relativer high protein content in a form suitable for winter feeding. Among the most hopeful developments in this direction is the conservation of young grass, since grass herbage, if out at an early stage of growth, contains an exceptionally high proportion of protein. The Institute has completed an extensive series of investigations into the two most widely advocated methods of grass conservation— i.e., ensiling and artificial drying. Practical trials have been carried out on a commercial scale into the economic aspects of both methods of conservation. As regards grass drying, the trials have been carried out over a three-year period, and a full account of the results is at present being prepared for publication. As regards ensiling, considerable experience has been gained in regard to the various alternative methods of treatment. During the past season a new design of silo has been given an extensive trial. Field investigations have also been in progress with the obj ct of studying methods by which the supply of home—produced feeding-stuffs might be increased. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Il\' sco'rLAND IN 1939. 129 The Genetics of Dairy Cattlc.—VVork has been in progress during the year under review on the significance of per- sistency of lactation in relation to the inheritance of milk yield. Results to date show that existing methods of describing mathematically the lactation curve have certain drawbacks, and new methods have therefore been explored. The effect of environmental factors has also been found to interfere seriously with the shape of the lactation curve, and therefore with the apparent persistency of milk yield. It is hoped that by the careful analysis of a number of individual curves it will be possible to differentiate the hereditary from the environmental factors, and thus make it possible to reach sound conclusions regarding the mode of inheritance of persistency. Bovine Mastitis.—In co-operation with the Agricultural Research Council, the Institute is undertaking experimental control measures in a large number of typical dairy herds. Side by side with this control work investigations are being eonthiued into the efficacy of various chemo-therapeutic agents, such as acriflavine and enflavine, in destroying the causal erganism, while the value of sulphanilamide compounds is also being tested. Milk Products—The Institute’s work has been largely concerned with problems involved in the production of con- densed and dried milks. Studies have been made of the keeping quality of milk powders under various storage con- ditions, while extensive investigations have also been made into the bacteriological quality of condensed, evaporated, and dried milks at different stages of production and derived from widely varying sources. The various factors which affect the solubility of dried milks have also been elucidated. MAUAULAY INSTITUTE FOR SOIL RESEARCH. CR-AIGIEBUCKLER, ABERDEEN. The work carried out at the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research can be divided into the following main groups: Soil Fertility Investigations and Advisory \Vork ; Soil Surveys and Geological Work ; Forest Soils ; Peat Soils ; Soil Drainage investigations; and Spectrographic \Vork. ISoil Fertility Investigations and Advisory Work—As men- tioned in previous years’ Reports, the Institute undertakes the testing of soils on application from farmers. During the |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 070 |
