Karaalp, M.; Genc, N.

In this study, the antioxidant effect of dietary supplementation with bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves (LN) to a conventional diet on fatty acid content and oxidatif stability of breast meat was studied. For that purpose, a total number of 60 Japanese quails aged 56-d were fed diets supplemented with 0 (LN0), 2 (LN2) and 4 g (LN4) leaves/kg of feed, respectively. Quails were housed individually in cages during ten weeks. Fatty acid composition was determined for fresh breast meat. Malondialdehyde (MDA) values were determined in breast meat samples stored at +4°C (2, 5 and 8 d) and at -20°C (3 and 6 mo). Supplementation of LN had no effect on any fatty acid content of meat. However, addition of LN lowered (P<0.01) MDA content of the refrigerated meat samples only at 8 d. On the other hand, supplementation with LN had no significant effect on reducing the MDA values of meat samples during the other stored times. Besides, the amount of MDA increased (P<0.01) in all of the refrigerated and frozen meat samples with time. The results of this study demonstrated that supplementation of LN could reduce MDA content of refrigerated meat samples only at 8 d.

Yolcu, H.; Serin, Y.; Tan, M.

Lucerne and smooth bromegrass are commonly cultivated in irrigated and dry lands in intercropping systems in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of seeding patterns (mixed, alternative and cross-seeding patterns), nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha-1) and phosphorus fertilizer (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) rates on dry matter yields, botanical composition and crude protein yield of lucerne-smooth bromegrass mixture in an intercropping system. The experiment was established in 2001 and data were collected in dry matter yield and legume ratio for four years (2002-2005) and in crude protein yield for two years (2002-2003). The results showed that the highest dry matter yield was produced by a alternative seeding pattern. However, the highest legume ratio and crude protein yield was produced by mixtures sown in cross seeding pattern. Nitrogen fertilizer application decreased legume ratio but increased crude protein yield. Phosphorus fertilizer application had no effect on dry matter yield, legume ratio or crude protein yield of the lucerne-smooth bromegrass mixtures.

Bayram, B.; Yanar, M.; Akbulut, O.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of average daily gain and age at first calving on the reproductive and milk production traits of Brown Swiss (BS) a.d Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle. For this purpose, daily gains and ages at first calving were divided into two groups which were below the average called as the "slow" or "early" groups and above the average named as "moderate" or "late" groups respectively. BS heifers in the moderate group reached the first insemination age and first calving age 103.7 and 101.7 days earlier (P>0.01) than these in the slow group respectively. The corresponding values for HF heifers were 37.8 and 29.5 days respectively and were not significant. While the average daily gain had negative effects on reproduction traits following the first calving, the daily gain of BS had no effect on the milk production traits in all parities. HF heifers in the moderate group had higher (P>0.05) actual (585 kg) and 305 days milk yield (324 kg) in the second parity. Early calving in both breeds resulted in a significant (P>0.05) reduction in the actual and 305-days milk yield in the first parity. Early calving caused a significant decrease (P>0.05) in the actual milk yield, 305-days milk yield, actual milk fat and 305-days milk fat yield of BS cows in the first parity. Either early or late calving in BS didn't affect on milk traits in second and third parities. The early calving in HF lowered significantly (P>0.05) the actual and 305-days milk yield in first lactation. However, late calving in HF resulted in lower actual milk yield, 305-days milk yield, actual milk fat yield and 305-days milk fat yield in third parity.