Kemp NL year. The full scientific program was posted on the

J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 161 The aim of the session is to give an overview of which served as a valuable guide during as well as current testing schemes and any new developments. I after the meeting in The Hague. The production of would like to aim for developments of traditional the book of abstracts has only been possible through traits under different environments like field results the involvement of a large number of people in instead of station tests to overcome GxE-Interactions particular the organizing committee of The Hague and also on new traits in testing like using IGF- meeting, the secretariat in Rome, the contact persons results from weaners, new conformation traits or of the study commission and Mike Jacobs from traits like longevity and any other development. A Wageningen Pers. I want to thank all people for their third area I would like to address is the use of contribution. crossbred data to improve the pure lines in a In total 789 abstracts were submitted and 41 of crossbreeding system. Here the traits included and these were rejected based on scientific quality and or the organisation of data flow is of special interest. the large number of contributions from a single institute. The later procedure was discussed and Session VI Ph 1 P agreed upon by the Scientific Advisory Commission Reproduction technology in the pig. Chairman: SAC during the meeting in Budapest earlier this

B. Kemp NL year. The full scientific program was posted on the

web on July 1, 2000. In pig production there is an increasing interest in potential use of reproductive technologies in prac- tice. In cattle production, reproductive technologies BOOK OF ABSTRACTS, BUDAPEST, 2001 are mainly used to increase genetic gain of the population. However, in pig production, the main We have made some significant improvements on interest for the use of these technologies lay in the electronic submission as a result of which the paper possibilities to introduce new genetic material in a abstract form is no longer needed. There will be a closed pig populations all over the world with low one page leaflet with details on the scientific program risks of disease transport. This session is devoted to as well as ways to submit an abstract. The abstract the current stage of these reproductive technologies. form is available on the internet from were the Updates will be presented on the results of surgical authors are able to download the electronic abstract and non-surgical embryo transfers, the current stage form http: www.wageningenpers.nl eaap. The of in vitro production of embryos, the use of sexed deadline for submission of abstracts for the 2001 semen and deep uterine insemination techniques. meeting in Budapest is March 1, 2001 to: Eaap2001Wageningenpers.nl. Further information can be obtained by contact- Johan van Arendonk ing: Editor-in-Chief of Book of Abstracts ´ Jose A. Fernandez Wageningen, The Netherlands Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele. Tel.: 1 45-8999-1374. Fax: 1 45-8999-1525. EAAP NOTICES: PRESIDENT AND Homepage: HTTP: www.agrsci.dk hef jaf COUNCIL Remarks by Retiring President, Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lich BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 2000 At the General Assembly in The Hague, the The production of the book of abstracts No. 6 for Retiring President Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lich the 2000 Meeting in The Hague has run according to expressed his thanks to the Assembly and then expectations and has resulted in a good document addressed his special thanks to the Presidents of 162 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 Study Commissions and a number of officers with continues as Director of Research. He has served as whom he had worked specially closely during his President of the EAAP Commission on Pig Pro- term of office covering various EAAP activities. He duction. commented that EAAP is most fortunate to have He is an expert for the French Association for Jean Boyazoglu as Executive Vice-President. He also Food Safety and scientific expert at the Health and ´ thanked the Secretariat in Rome mentioning Valerie Consumer Protection Directorate General of the Vigne, Elena Couto, Cesare Mosconi together with European Commission. He has been awarded ´ Milan Zjalic and from time to time, Jean Renaud. Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite and Commandeur du ´ The Retiring President then wished good success Merite Agricole. ´ to his successor, Aime Aumaitre as he took office. New President of EAAP New EAAP Council Members The new President of the European Association This year is the occasion for a major change on for Animal Production took office at the end of the the EAAP Council. The five outgoing Council 44th General Assembly in The Hague on 22 August Members are Drs. Aboul Naga Egypt, Cherekaev ´ 2000. Professor Louis Aime Aumaitre was elected ´ ´ Russia, Galvez Morros Spain, Hetenyi Slovakia for a period of four years. The Retiring President, and Nygaard Denmark. The Retiring President, Prince Phillip zu Solms Lich now becomes the Past Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lich, thanked the retiring President of EAAP. Professor Aumaitre is the 9th Counsellors for their input and service and expressed President of the Association and the second President the hope that they will always be available and from France. The previous President from France actively present at the EAAP Annual Meetings. was Professor A.M. Leroy, one of the founders of The President then welcomed the new Counsellors the Association, who became the first President of who took up their office at the end of the General EAAP when it was founded in 1949. ´ ¨ Assembly in The Hague. They are Drs. Fesus ´ Professor Aime Aumaitre will provide the As- Hungary, Morel Switzerland, Rammalho Ribeiro sociation with his large experience of research in Portugal, Lansverk Norway, Ratheiser Austria, management, nutrition and nutritional physiology Belhadj Tunisia and Dr. M. Yener Turkey who digestion, particularly in the pig species and also in replaces Dr. Belhadj as Auditor and joins Dr. M. monogastric animals, but also in the field of research ´ Bichard. Professor Pal Rafai Hungary takes over management and evaluation. He has also intensive from Professor J.-L. Tisserand France as Co-or- expertise in the management of international sci- dinator of the Publication Committee assisted by entific co-operation. He authored more than 300 ´ Professor Galvez-Morros Spain. scientific and technical publications in international and national referred reviews. He is a member of the French Association of Animal Production, the British Society of Animal Science, the International Pig Honorary member of EAAP Veterinary Society, the French Veterinary Academy and the Rumanian Academy for Agriculture and Professor Alessandro Nardone, Italy Forestry, and is correspondent of the French Academy of Agriculture. The EAAP Council has pleasure in inviting Professor Aumaitre studied at Grignon from Professor Alessandro Nardone to be an Honorary 1957–1960 and graduated in Biochemistry from the Member of EAAP invited to Council Meetings. Here Paris University, since when he has devoted all his follows the citation by Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lich. activities in the Institut National de la Recherche Professor Nardone was born in Naples on 13 Agronomique INRA, first in Jouy en Josas, then in January 1939 where he studied agricultural sciences, Rennes-Saint Gilles were he has been active as Head taking his final degree as the best student of the of the Department of Monogastrics 1985–1994 and academic year 1962. In 1963 he graduated from the J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 163 ‘‘Centre International de Hautes Etudes Ag- ask you to become an Honorary Member of the ´ ´ ´ ronomiques Mediteraneennes – Montpellier’’ and European Association for Animal Production. worked in the department of animal husbandry of the French Institute of Agriculture INRA in 1970. He Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lich lectured part-time on animal production at the Uni- President, EAAP versity of Naples until 1983 and was Director General of the Italian Association of Animal Pro- duction AIA from 1971–1986. Since then he has SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE EAAP MEETING been Professor and Director of the Institute for IN BUDAPEST, 2001 Animal Genetics at the University of Viterbo, Italy. Special acknowledgement . EAAP wishes to ac- In addition, he had held leading positions in knowledge with gratitude the decision of the Swiss various national and international organisations and Committee for EAAP 1999 to allocate CHF 10,000 worked for national and international commissions for EAAP Scholarships . The continued support of for evaluation and nomination. Neither the Italian H . Wilhelm Schaumann Stiftung Scholarship and President nor the Minister of Agriculture were able the Wageningen Pers Scholarship are also ac - to do without his assistance within their scientific knowledged . boards. Professor Nardone is co-editor of numerous jour- All member organization of EAAP may propose nals. His field of knowledge goes from animal young scientists of maximum age 30 years, as production, economy of animal production and ani- scholarship candidates for the EAAP Annual Meeting mal genetics to molecular genetics as witnessed by in Budapest, Hungary in August 2001. Previous more than 100 publications. He was honoured by the winners may not apply again for three years. A national ‘‘Premio Marcora per la Ricerca’’, the maximum of two scholarships per country can be ‘‘Merit Agricole de France’’ and the Honorary granted. Prospective applicants should inform their ¨ Membership in the ‘‘Deutsche Gesellschaft fur relevant National Organization of their wish to be ¨ Zuchtungskunde’’. considered. For our organisation it has to be recorded that Before 1 February 2001, the Member Organiza- from 1970–1978 Professor Nardone was Vice-Presi- tion should send to the EAAP Secretariat in Rome dent of the International Committee for Recording for each candidate a letter describing the candidate the Productivity of Milk Animals, the predecessor and giving: name, address, telephone and fax num- organisation of ICAR, from 1985–1988 he was Vice- bers, date of birth, official title, short description of President of the Cattle Commission and Member of the scientific work and main publications of the the Council since 1988. Then from 1990 – 1996 he applicant. The name and address of each candidate’s was our President. employing institution is also needed. Due to his exceptional personal efforts even on a This submission should be accompanied by five day-to-day basis, our organisation by-passed some copies of the full text of the paper, in one of the very adverse problems. In addition, he was par- Associations working languages English, French or ticularly engaged in favour of the Working Groups German, which the candidate wishes to present at a ‘‘Mediterranean area’’ and ‘‘Livestock Farming Sys- Study Commission. The paper should not exceed five tems’’ and in the preservation of genetic resources. pages including tables and references. The title of the After the revolutionary events in 1989 1990 he was paper should be relevant to the themes of the Study co-founder of the Working Group for Central and Commissions in Budapest. In addition, the submis- Eastern European countries. sion should include a COPY of the original abstract Today, in the background of the support of the form, properly completed in accordance with instruc- Italian Government and the Italian Breeders to tions. Also the estimated round trip travel costs to EAAP there is today in my humble opinion one main and from Budapest should be included APEX stu- name: Alessandro Nardone. Professor Nardone, the dent economy class or 2nd class rail ticket, plus Council is not able and not willing to do without bank account details for the candidate. your experience and your valuable assistance. So we 164 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 Before 1 March 2001 deadline, the applicant Intervet International B.V., P.O. Box 31, 5830 AA must send the original ‘camera  ready’ abstract Boxmeer, The Netherlands form and two copies of the intended paper directly Tel.: 1 31.485.587851. Fax: 1 31.485.587491 to the publisher of the abstracts eaap2001 wageningenpers.nl, Wageningen Pers, Postbus 42, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. The format Report of the Academic Curriculum Working for these papers should conform to the instructions Group found on page 161. By 30 April 2001, EAAP Rome Secretariat will At its meeting in The Hague, the group first inform the candidate of the result of the examination thanked the organizers of the two events: by the Board of Examiners. By 31 May 1998, in The first The workshop entitled ‘‘How to prepare common with the authors of other abstracts, the a scientific paper’’ was held for the third time selected scholars will be told the modalities of enabling a further 28 young colleagues to benefit. presentation by the appropriate Study Commission They gave the symposium very high commendation. Presidents. The Workshop was supported financially by Elsevier to whom thanks are due. The material of the Workshop has now been prepared as a new publi- REPORTS FROM EAAP WORKING GROUPS cation. A report on this Workshop is given on page EAAP Working Group on Aquaculture 189. We would like to thank B. Malmfors, P. Garnsworthy and M.G. Grossman warmly, and for During the Scientific Programme Committee their book which is reviewed on page 163. Meeting and the Session of the Council with Presi- Second is the Symposium entitled: ‘‘The use of dents and Secretaries of Study Commissions, the information and communication technology ICT Chairman of the new EAAP Council Working Group in teaching and learning in animal science’’. on Aquaculture, Dr. William Enright, distributed a The same two events have also been scheduled to discussion document on the possible future of take place in Budapest in 2001 on Saturday August aquaculture within EAAP. 25, both, unfortunately, on the same day. This will Initial actions of Dr. Enright will include the be avoided in the 2002 EAAP Annual Meeting in formation of a small representative working group of Cairo. The Egyptian colleagues propose that the relevant individuals, and then assessing the needs of Symposium ‘‘Use of information and communication the European Mediterranean fish shellfish farmers technology in teaching and learning in animal sci- ` vis-a-vis what other aquaculture-oriented societies ence’’ should be held on a different day from the associations are providing. Depending on the out- Workshop once again. come of this, future plans could include collaborating In Budapest 2001, there will also be a symposium with other aquaculture societies associations and or entitled ‘‘Teaching Animal Production Science in trying to integrate some over-lapping aquaculture Central and Eastern Countries’’ being planned with topics within the discipline commissions at future the help of Professor F. Habe and I. Bodo. EAAP meetings. Finally, it was decided to ask Professor P. Leroy to Any individuals interested in receiving the Discus- complete the list of all higher education institutes sion Document or in contributing to these topics are dealing with animal production in the EAAP coun- invited to make suggestions and comments or vol- tries. unteer to serve in this field. Contact Dr. William Enright: E-mail: william.enrightintervet.com Professor J.-L. Tisserand ´ ´ Etablissement National d’Enseignement Superieur William J. Enright Agronomique de Dijon Technical Manager, Pharmaceuticals, Aquatic ENESAD, Dijon, France Animal Health Division J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 165 Report of the Alternative Production Working Livestock Production Science Group Our scientific publication has produced five vol- 19 colleagues from 13 countries attended the first umes with two special issues. Taking into account meeting of this working group. First, a list of the the number and quality of the articles which were topics the group is interested in was set up. It submitted, it seems possible to plan to publish 6 concerns: issues in 2001. The refusal rate and publication times Animal species: rabbits, dromedaries, ostriches have been similar to those of the year before. The and bees, which are not taken into account by the Jubilee History of EAAP written by John Hodges EAAP Commissions, but also, buffaloes, the running and those articles published in the last two issues are pig and the donkey, in relationship with Commis- now available in LPS home page. We warmly thank sions. K. Plaxton and N. de Jong for this high quality work. Animal production: this is the case, in particular, of game, which seems very important in relationship EAAP News with space management, but also of fur animals and animal work, and, in particular, sheep dogs in Thanks to John Hodges’ efforts we are regularly connection with high mountain pasture management informed of what is happening in our Association. and predators. Concerning our working method, it seems neces- EAAP Book of Abstract sary to work in close relationship with the commis- sions. To start our actions, we plan to organize in Once again this year’s book is of an excellent 2001 in Budapest a half-day meeting on the impor- quality and includes 748 abstracts. Concerning next tance of game in Eastern European countries. year, it has been decided in relationship with the In 2002 in Cairo, our Egyptian colleagues propose Budapest organizing committee to include, under two symposia; the first in relationship with the certain conditions, some advertisements in the ab- CIHEAM on rabbits, and the second on buffaloes, stract book. Many thanks are due to J. Van Arendonk. with the concerned group. Moreover, the dromedary will be dealt with at the meetings of the Physiology EAAP Scientific Publication Series and Management and Health Commissions. In 2003 in Italy, the Sheep and Goat Commission ´ Under the responsibility of Professor Pal Rafai, six may introduce a topic related to sheep dogs. We need books were published last year, including number the help of all interested colleagues to ensure the 100. This gave us an opportunity to improve our success of these projects. I am counting on you. presentation and, in particular, our cover. For this year six new issues are being prepared. At this time as I leave the responsibility of the EAAP Publication Steering Committee, I would like Professor J.-L. Tisserand ´ to wish much success to my successor, Professor Pal ´ ´ Etablissement National d’Enseignement Superieur Rafai whose competence will, I am sure, allow for a Agronomique de Dijon new growth of our publications, and I wish to ENESAD, Dijon, France express my gratitude to all, without forgetting J. ´ Boyazoglu, Valerie Vigne and all the staff in Rome. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Report of the Publication Steering Committee Professor J.-L. Tisserand ´ ´ Etablissement National d’Enseignement Superieur Thanks to the efforts and skills of all, our publi- Agronomique de Dijon cations have become better this year. ENESAD, Dijon, France 166 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 EAAP AWARDS the microclimatic conditions in large-scale pig units, which focused his attention on different aspects of Leroy Fellowship, 2000 environmental physiology. He participated in the establishment of the environmental laboratory at the Hungarian Veterinary University, which was the first ´ Professor Dr. Pa l Rafai, Hungary of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe and has directed the research in it until the present from 1966 The EAAP Council take pleasure in awarding the including the establishment of the second more ´ Leroy Fellowship for 2000 to Professor Dr. Pal advanced laboratory in 1973. Rafai, Hungary on the basis of his scientific work Using the technical facilities of these laboratories and contributions to EAAP. Pal Rafai was born in he reported basic information on the environmental Budapest on 11 July 1940. He graduated from the physiology and endocrinology of baby and growing Budapest University of Veterinary Science in 1963. pigs. Later he studied the effect of supra-optimal After serving for some months as veterinary prac- ambient temperatures on the health of production and titioner he was invited to the Department of Animal fattening pigs, which laid foundation for his PhD Hygiene to teach environmental physiology and thesis. veterinary preventive medicine, where he has worked He conducted early studies in the seventies on the ever since. He has climbed the university ladder and adrenocortical activity of weaned pigs and reported was elected Head of the Department in 1990. fundamental data on the effects of adverse environ- At the beginning of his scientific career he studied mental factors on adrenocortical activity, humoral and cellular immune response of pigs. The ultimate goal of these researches aimed at gaining data for better understanding of the multifactorial manage- ment related pig diseases. In this line he conducted an early investigation on the role of first inorganic, later organically bound selenium compounds on health of pigs and their resistance against swine dysentery. In collaboration he also studied, and reported original data on the connection between adverse environmental factors and manifestation on Mycoplasma pneumonia in pigs. Adverse effects of Fusarium toxins on health and production of livestock and poultry was recognised very early in Hungary. Professor Rafai established a mycotoxin laboratory in his Department and con- ducted basic research on the effects of trychothecenes in pigs, duck, geese and domestic poultry. The results of these research laid foundation for setting policy of controlling and diminishing the adverse effects of Fusarium toxins and were utilised in setting maximum permissible concentrations of these toxins for different categories of farm animals and poultry in the Hungarian Feed Codex. For the last couple of years he has been engaged in establishing quality assurance programmes for the pig industry. In close collaboration with other institu- ´ Professor Dr. Pal Rafai, Hungary tions he established the system of auditing the J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 167 welfare issues and production safety at the level of From 1959 to 1961 he studied post-doctoral at primary producers and elaborated a slaughterhouse the Institut National Agronomique in Paris under the veterinary surveillance system for monitoring the late Professor A.M. Leroy and it is through him that severity and prevalence of the most important man- he first came in contact with EAAP and its activities. agement related pig diseases. During his studies in Paris he attended several EAAP Professor P. Rafai served EAAP for more than a meetings. decade, having been for six years between 1990 and In 1966 he became Associate Professor in Animal 1996 very active as President of the Commission on Nutrition and Feeding at Ankara University then full Animal Management and Health, which he co-ordi- Professor in the University’s Department of Animal nated most efficiently. At the very beginning of his Sciences were he also served for several years as term he successfully re-tailored the strategy of the head of the Department. In 1986 he went to Athens Commission, regarding policy changes and new University in Georgia USA were he specialized in priorities were set for the annual meetings and other the feeding and nutrition aspects of poultry. activities of the Commission. The carefully selected Turkey, and in particular the Institutes of themes of the 30 sessions which he organised during Zootechnics and Animal Nutrition of the University his six years of service as President of the Commis- of Ankara, was an early member of EAAP 15 sion interested the usual participants of the EAAP October 1952, but it was only in 1978 when Kamil ˇ meetings and drew many newcomers to these meet- Dogan was elected Secretary of the Turkish branch ings. At his initiative the Commission has sought of EAAP that Turkish active involvement material- closer collaboration with other international and ized. He coordinated this action for more than 15 regional societies and associations. He was able in years – until his retirement from Ankara University. particular to establish a strong co-operation with the We will in particular remember him for his strong International Society for Animal Hygiene and close leadership in the development of two major EAAP collaboration with the International Society for Ap- Symposia, namely the first Mediterranean Sympos- plied Ethology. ium in 1983 on the ‘‘Production of Sheep and Since 1997 Professor Rafai has been responsible Goats’’ then the 1992 Symposium on the ‘‘Pro- for the scientific co-ordination of the EAAP Publi- duction of Hides, Skins, Wool and Hair’’. A man of cation Series. Besides his organisational work, great diplomatic skills, he can be truly considered, Professor Rafai has earned a fine reputation for his with Greece’s Nicolas Zervas, as the precursors of lectures and addresses at the annual EAAP meetings. the actual EAAP Mediterranean Working Group. He was also the driving force behind the co- operation agreement signed between Ankara Uni- EAAP Distinguished Service Awards, 2000 versity and the Institut National Agronomique of Paris – Grignon, in 1980. In 1994, until the completion of 50 years of ˇ ˇ Professor Kamil Dogan academic service 1999, Professor Dogan was ac- tive at the Agricultural Faculty of Tokat Gaziosman- The Council of EAAP has great pleasure in pasa University were he, in particular, was respon- ˇ proposing Professor Kamil Dogan of Turkey for the sible for the establishment of an important chemical 2000 Distinguished Service Award. analysis laboratory and a modern poultry experimen- ˇ Kamil Dogan Kamil bey for his friends was born tal unit. He meaningfully sustained the development in Amasya, Turkey in 1926. He received his under- of the University’s Agricultural Library by donating graduate training at the Agricultural Faculty of the more than 2000 books. Appreciated by his students University of Ankara in 1949 where he also started he is the recipient of an impressive number of working at the Institute of Agricultural Chemistry in national academic and professional awards. 1953; he received his Ph.D. in 1957 on Feed ‘‘Servir toujours la cause de la science’’ is Kamil- th Evaluation. bey’s motto. We are honoured at this 50 anniver- 168 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 ˇ Professor Kamil Dogan sary of his service to our profession to wish him and Professor Roger Hanset ˆ ` his wife Ayten, good health, au revoir et a bientot. The Council of EAAP has great pleasure in Jean Boyazoglu, Executive Vice President of proposing Professor Roger Hanset of Belgium for the EAAP 2000 Distinguished Service Award. ´ ´ ´ Kristof Kallay, Former Secretary-General of Roger Hanset was born in the village of Pietrain, EAAP in Belgium, a name quite familiar to this audience J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 169 Professor Roger Hanset and particularly to those involved in pig production. genetic entities have in common an extreme develop- He was trained in veterinary medicine, becoming ment of the muscular tissue, that the Belgian market ´ ´ Doctor in 1952 and ‘‘agrege’’ in higher education in was then requesting, and continues to request. Their 1965. He was very early attracted to Animal Ge- complete study also interestingly showed later that netics and became a professor in that discipline in each of them can be traced back to one rather precise 1968 at the Veterinary Faculty of Liege University. mutational event. This is a clear testimony to new There he lived a long and very prolific career in useful quantitative genetic variation arising in the research, teaching and advising. course of time, to be kept in mind when evaluating His scientific career has been deeply influenced by genetic diversity evolution. It is essentially for the emergence and development in Belgium of two dealing with those two phenomena that quantitative ´ important genetic novelties namely the Pietrain pig genetics as well as molecular genetics were given in the early 50s and later the Blanc-Bleu Belge attention and developed within the Animal Genetics Belgian Blue cattle in the 60s and 70s. These two Department that Roger Hanset chaired. 170 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 Roger Hanset is known for his principal publi- Academy of Medicine of Belgium, and has the cation showing the existence of a major gene respon- honour of being ‘‘Grand Officier de l’Ordre de ´ sible for the muscular development of the Belgian Leopold’’. EAAP is particularly proud and happy to Blue in 1995. This recessive gene was called mh. He thank him to-day for his dedication to animal science then went on to collect DNA in order to establish an and international co-operation in that field. He is a informative pedigree, that allowed the team of living example of a particularly fruitful synergy Professor Georges to map the mh gene as well as between breeder and researcher, an attitude he has the coat colour gene for roan in 1995, and to permanently favoured, especially as scientific adviser sequence it in 1997, mh then becoming the myostatin to the Belgian Blue Association. This activity has gene. even be recently intensified through the setting up of ´ Being born in the home town of the Pietrain pig, a thorough genetic monitoring of the breed. he has maintained since his early days a very keen ‘‘From field practice to fundamental science’’ is ´ interest in the Pietrain phenomenon. Here also, as in the motto that has been guiding Roger Hanset in his the Belgian Blue cattle, a major gene was first professional life. EAAP is happy to congratulate him hypothesised, named Hal for halothane gene, and for your achievements and also to wish him, and to eventually identified as the ryanodin receptor gene in his wife Daisy, long and happy years in good health, 1991. Roger Hanset was able to introgress the and continuation of their presences at EAAP meet- normal allele of the halothane locus from the Large ings. ´ White breed into the Pietrain. He thus created a new Louis Ollivier ´ genetic type, called Rehal for resistant to halothane, INRA, France which was taken up by the Belgian pig industry. This introgression experiment, which is indeed a textbook example of this genetic process in farm animals, also allowed him to clarify the very diverse pleiotropic Professor Dr. Detlef Simon effects of the halothane gene. An important discov- ery has been made possible recently through the The Council of EAAP has great pleasure in study of this material. The team of Michel Georges proposing Professor Dr. Detlef Simon for the 2000 was indeed able to detect in 1999 a new gene for Distinguished Service Award. Detlef Simon was muscular development in the pig, including a par- born 1930 in Southern Germany. Following school ticularly intriguing phenomenon of paternal imprint- and university, he became very interested in theoret- ing of this gene. ical and practical poultry science and gained an Roger Hanset is the author of more than 200 publications in various scientific journals, and he has also authored a large number of chapters in books. He has been active in many international congresses and particularly as a member of the Permanent International Committee for World Congresses on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production from 1974 to 1986. We all know his active participation in the EAAP annual meetings, as session chairman, invited speaker, author of communications, and also as Vice- President of the Animal Genetics Commission from 1988 to 1994. Roger Hanset has been honoured by several prestigious distinctions during his career, until he became Professor Emeritus in 1993. He was ap- pointed to the Francqui Chair at the University of Ghent in 1983–84. He is a member of the Royal Professor Dr. Detlef Simon J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 171 in-depth practice as head of genetics of the private developing countries. Following a meeting held at poultry breeding organization Lohmann in Cux- the FAO-headquarters in November 1987, EAAP haven. In 1959 Detlef Simon was been promoted to and FAO came to an arrangement for the creation of Dr. Agr at the TU Munich in Weihenstephan and a global data bank for animal genetic resources based later he took post-graduate study at Cornell Universi- in Hannover. This agreement was officially signed ty in the USA, and then gained his habilitation in on February 10, 1988 setting up a joint EAAP FAO Munich-Freising. working group with the main objective of the Later Detlef Simon was appointed Professor of coordinated management of the proposed global data Genetics at the University of Bonn from 1975 until bank whose administration was put under the re- 1985. Subsequently from 1985 until his retirement in sponsibility of Professor Simon. 1995 he was Head of the Institute for Animal Following this meeting a questionnaire was de- Breeding and Genetics at the Veterinary University of veloped in 1988 for the five main farm livestock Hannover, Germany, and during the last 2 years the species in four languages German, English, Spanish Dean of this eminent University. and French. This questionnaire has ever since been During this time it may be noticed that under his used at the Hannover data base. Hannover put also stimulus, many very famous research works have its software at the disposal of all countries that been carried out, especially in large-scale breeding wished to develop a national data base and carry out for example in Hungary together with numerous the transfer of their data in Hannover. In 1989, original ideas for education and research in breeding following an agreement completed directly between and veterinarian sciences, In the meantime, from the FAO and the TiHo, Hannover, the TiHo received 1985 to 1991 Detlef Simon was Vice-President of the a payment to guarantee the global data bank func- German Society for Animal Science. tioning. In the frame work of this citation, I wish to give In 1993 the European work was published in an special mention of his involvement in Germany on important book ‘Genetic Diversity of European the conservation of rare breeds of domestic animals. Livestock Breeds’ authored by D. Simon and D. He was one of the five persons who spearheaded the Buchenauer, EAAP Publication No. 66: List of all first concerted international action in the field of the European Breeds a total of 877 compiled in animal genetic resources in Europe by setting up a EAAP’s data bank EAAP-ATDB. When the trans- working group of Animal Genetic Resources AGR fer of the data base to Rome was concluded, within the Animal Genetic Commission of EAAP. Professor Simon stated in his final report that the One of the main activities of AGR was organizing joint EAAPAFO activity had been a success be- regular surveys on the situation of cattle, sheep, goat, cause, among other things, it gave life to the horse and pig breeding populations in the different establishment of a questionnaire in four languages European countries. and software for the management of the available Based on a survey carried out in 1985, information data base for other regions of the world. of 553 breeds was collected and the EAAP Genetics Although Professor Simon’s initiatives did not Commission assigned the task of creating an elec- result in a global data bank being operated in tronic data base to the Hannover Veterinary Universi- Hannover, the work of Professor Simon has con- ty. Professor Simon was delegated as Head and also tributed profoundly to the development of FAO’s succeeded in gaining financial support to establish global data bank. This was explicitly acknowledged the data bank in Hannover. by the European Commission in Brussels, who made In 1987, during the 38th EAAP meeting in Lisbon, specific reference to the data base maintained in the Genetics Commission organized a session on the Hannover. use of genetic resources for future animal produc- Detlef Simon, you retired officially from your tion. At that time there was a consensus to study the duties, but you are still interested in many agricultur- possibilities of an FAO EAAP collaboration to al sectors including olive production. Your motto establish and manage a global data bank of animal is: retirement is not doing nothing. To your wife genetic resources to serve both, developed and Elisabeth, your family and to yourself we wish many 172 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 years in good health and everybody is hoping that but grew through his Ph.D. work in Uppsala, the this is not the last time we shall se you at an EAAP sabbatical year in Australia working with Dr. Helen meeting. Turner and through his energetic inputs to learn from colleagues and research organisations. He and his wife Elisabeth are probably the most frequent non- Eugene Wagner EAAP participants at our annual meetings. He Ministry of Agriculture worked with INRA, ETH, CSIRO, INTA and FAO. Luxembourg He still is one of the most active referees for LPS. D. Hofmeyr’s career included duties for the South African Society of Animal Science, for ICAR, for Dr. Jan H. Hofmeyr the WAAP and many others. He chaired the organis- ing committee for the Second All Africa Conference The Council of EAAP has great pleasure in for Livestock Production. proposing Dr. Jan Hofmeyr of South Africa for the His broad expertise and leadership have signifi- 2000 Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Jan Hofmeyr cantly contributed to the work of SARCCUS in has been a dedicated and enthusiastic animal scientist Southern Africa. The progress in South and Southern for all his life, and is still involved in supporting Africa to combat drought, utilise indigenous live- many organisations with his expertise. His original stock and improve animal feeds have far reaching training was in the University of Pretoria, followed effects for the whole continent. by his Ph.D. in Uppsala under Professor Ivar Johan- In conclusion Dr. Hofmeyr represents an eminent sson. Originally he started work at the Mara Re- scientist with expertise ranging from the farm to the search Station where he developed important work Ministry of Agriculture, to the research institutes and on the interaction between genetics and tropical to the industry. His expertise was built on his South subtropical environments; and then moved on to African farming background and on the knowledge establish performance and progeny testing schemes of his national and international colleagues. Most of for pigs, sheep and dairy cattle. His work in the all he addresses issues with an open mind sharing Ministry of Agriculture provided him with excellent ideas and experience with all scientists all over the linkages with research, practice and policy. As world and under all circumstances. Professor Jay Director of the Animal and Dairy Science Research Lush remarked: Dr. Hofmeyr has unusual imagina- Institute at Irene for 22 years he exerted major tion and ingenuity in seeing facets of scientific influence on the direction of the research pro- problems which might escape many investigators. I grammes, on the integration of services for livestock would like to add that Dr. Hofmeyr used his imagi- breeding and developed a national programme for nation and ingenuity to relate to people and their animal science research for the Department of Ag- problems in animal production. Together they have riculture. Dr. Hofmeyr has been widely recognised served him and his family, his colleagues and our for his expertise in animal breeding and policy animal societies extremely well and have created development and implementation. Special honours constructive approaches and many achievements. were awarded by the South African Society of The European Association of Animal Production Animal Science, the South African Academy for congratulates you and your wife Elisabeth with this Science and the German Livestock Breeders As- honour. sociation. He received two honorary Doctorates and holds an honorary Professorship in Genetics at the University of Pretoria. Dr. Hofmeyr has cherished international contacts Akke J van der Zijpp and realised its significance most during the long Professor Animal Production Systems period of the apartheid regime. His expertise was Wageningen University rooted in the ecological diversity of South Africa, President WAAP J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 173 member of the Scottish Youth International Team at Professor T.M. Sutherland age 18 and five years later when he joined the All-England University Team. In the meantime he The Council of the EAAP has the great honour had been approached for entering the famous Glas- and pleasure to propose Professor Thomas Suther- gow Rangers Football Club. He declined the invita- land for the 1999 Distinguished Award Service. tion and chose to pursue his training in animal Professor T.M. Sutherland was given the Distin- husbandry by taking a diploma at Reading Universi- guished Service Award in 1999. As he was unable to ty. And having migrated from Scotland to England, attend the EAAP meeting of last year in Zurich, the he chose to put an even greater distance between him citation had to be delayed. It is EAAP’s pleasure and his homeland and to cross the Ocean. In 1958, now, in his presence, to pay him the tribute he he obtained his Ph.D. in Animal Breeding at Iowa deserves. State University, in the well-known graduate school Professor Sutherland, known to many as simply of Professor Lush, at Ames, Iowa. And he also Tom, was born in 1931 in Falkirk, near Glasgow, married there in 1956 to Jean Ann Murray. He then Scotland. Born and raised on a Scottish dairy farm went to Colorado State University CSU, at Fort he was well prepared to take a B.Sc. in Agriculture Collins, where he became Full Professor of Animal at Glasgow University. But having done all types of Sciences, and where he taught Animal Breeding and farm work, he was also prepared to become a Genetics until 1983. brilliant football player, which he did first as a Professor T.M. Sutherland 174 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 During his teaching and research career at CSU, about the genetic regulation of growth and body he showed his interest in international agriculture in composition, using the laboratory mouse as an many instances. Out of 19 graduate students he experimental model. His numerous publications-arti- advised at CSU, 13 were International Students cles in scientific journals, chapters in textbooks, originating from about as many different countries in communications to Congresses, popular articles and Africa, South America and Europe. His interest in guest lectures – clearly show the diversity of his international affairs also led him to take several interests. If mice, beef cattle, sheep and pigs were his leaves. Among others, he took advantage of an NIH favourite species, he also made incursions into Research Fellowship in 1966 to spend a year at canine genetics and horse reproduction. INRA, Jouy-en-Josas France, where he worked on Professor Tom Sutherland has been awarded sev- the French breeds of cattle and pigs, then in 1976–78 eral honours for his outstanding teaching and re- he became Director of Training at ILCA, Addis search qualities. It began with the ‘‘Top Professor’’ Ababa Ethiopia, and in 1982 he was Consultant to award of the CSU Student Body in 1964, and went USAID for examining the feasibility of establishing on with the Distinguished Teacher Award of ASAS a degree program in Agriculture in the University of in 1975 and the Distinguished Service Award of Lesotho. And then, in 1983, he was appointed the CSU in 1981. Tom has also been made Doctor of Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sci- Science by four American Universities and Doctor of ences at the American University of Beirut. Human Letters by the College of Charleston, South In accepting this new responsibility he was fully Carolina, since his return from Lebanon. He is also a ´ ware of the risk he was taking, given the troubled member of the French Academie d’Agriculture and a ´ situation in Lebanon at that time. There he indeed ‘‘Chevalier du Merite Agricole’’. encountered an ordeal that very few people in the In choosing Tom for its Distinguished Service world have experienced, as he was held hostage in Award, EAAP intends to pay a tribute to his Lebanon for more than 6 years: June 9, 1985 to outstanding contributions in the field of animal November 18, 1991. This story, which was also that production and to his long time connections to of his wife Jean, who stayed in Lebanon during the international agriculture. But in doing so, EAAP is entire captivity of Tom, has been beautifully ac- also aware of being celebrating a ‘‘true American counted in the book they wrote together: ‘‘At Your hero’’, in the words of President George Bush. Tom Own Risk, An American Chronicle of Crisis and was wholly dedicated to educating young people of Captivity in the Middle East’’. This book, widely all countries and religions. Captivity became part of acclaimed throughout the world, is in itself a brilliant that work, as he writes in his book’s preface, and he achievement that the authors have good reasons to be never complained. We are all grateful to him for the proud of. It shows us how long days of suffering human dimension he gave to his hostage experience. may, through a sort of magic transmutation, be This has been a source of inspiration for us all. converted into a fascinating piece of literature. At the EAAP today feels very honoured to present him with risk of offending their modesty, the story may be this Award. seen as Homer’s Odyssey enacted again: While Tom-Ulysses was escaping from one danger to the Louis Ollivier next, as he stayed in 14 different locations in INRA, France Lebanon, not seeing the sun for 2354 days, Jean- Penelope kept entertaining hope for herself as well as BEST PAPER PRESENTATIONS BY YOUNG for their three daughters remained in the US. When SCIENTISTS, EAAP ANNUAL MEETING, Tom regained freedom, they both went back to Fort THE HAGUE, AUGUST 2000 Collins. Tom then became Professor Emeritus and enjoyed a new life as Professional Speaker and Cattle Commission ¨ Consultant in International Affairs and Agriculture. Anette Bruckmann, Germany Tom’s career as a geneticist has been marked by Reproductive hormone concentrations and ejacu- the research he conducted on various animal species late parameters change age-dependently in sires J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 175 ¨ Genetic Commission Turkey A. Onenc¸ – Wageningen Pers Scholar- Mark Henryon, Denmark ship 2000 Genetic variation between growing pigs exists for UK E. Whittemore resistance to clinical and sub-clinical diseases 16 scholars applied for these 2000 Scholarships. Animal Physiology Commission Jeroen Kiers, The Netherlands Net absorption of fluid in uninfected and ETEC- IN MEMORIAM infected piglet small intestine: effect of osmolality Geoffrey Alderman, UK 1924–2000 Nutrition Commission Sandra I.F.C. Rodrigues, The Netherlands Geoffrey Alderman was well known to many A model to predict nutrient supply in cattle fed people in EAAP and I personally had the privilege to elephant grass based Pennisetum purpureum diets work with him over a number of years on the topic which was closest to his heart, forging links between Management Health Commission research and practice in animal nutrition. Sadly he Leonie Ruis-Heutinck, The Netherlands died, suddenly, of a heat attack at his home in Effects of floor type area on behavior and health in Reading, UK in July this year. He was in his 76th fattening bulls year but, right up to the time of his death, energetic inquisitive and dynamic. Sheep and Goat Commission Geoff was always forceful and critical in his O. Andreoletti, France scientific discussion. He had a tigerish determination Laboratory tools for scrapie diagnosis to distil from the plethora of available scientific information the useful nuggets which could be used Pig Commission in practice. Whilst his critical approach could some- R. Lizardo, Portugal times be intimidating he would never suffer poor Modeling fatty acid composition of adipose tissue quality presentations without comment he was also in the growing-finishing pig a true gentleman with a very real interest in his interactions with scientists of all ages and levels of Horse Commission eminence. He was willing to challenge anyone on the K. Visser, The Netherlands basis of their ideas but always with an enthusiastic Do subjective ratings of riders correlate with informality. To me and many others, he always objective scores from behavioral tests? wished to be known as Geoff; his professionalism relied on enthusiasm and rigour – not formality. He was a real friend to many. Geoff graduated from Reading University in 1945 EAAP SCHOLARS 2000 – THE HAGUE with a degree in Agricultural Chemistry and then worked for a short time as a research assistant at the Belgium V. de Behr School of Agriculture in Cambridge. When the Egypt W.A.I. Mekkawy National Agricultural Advisory Service was formed Hungary A. Kerti in the UK in 1946 he joined it as a Nutrition France V. Dodelin Chemist. This was the role he developed throughout Greece C. Milis – H. Wilhelm Schaumann his career. At different stages he spent time in Stiftung Scholarship Cambridge, South Wales and Reading before becom- Morocco M. Chentouf ing, in 1977, the Senior Nutrition Chemist for what Portugal A.M. Ramos had then come to be called the UK Agricultural ´ Slovakia P. Polak Development and Advisory Service ADAS within Tunisia S. Kriaa the structure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries 176 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 and Food. This post was based in London where detailed, analytical way, he was able to point out to Geoff interacted with the policy and political inter- all of us interested in this area just how many ests of MAFF as well as sustaining his very active similarities, and how few differences, there are involvement in the practical application of nutrition amongst these systems. But again a unified, trans- to livestock in the field. European approach has never materialised. Officially he retired in 1984 but he immediately Geoff was a regular attender at EAAP meetings began work as a private consultant in animal nutri- and whenever he was present there was no doubt that tion, an activity which he continued right up to his he would be actively involved with sharp and death. intelligent questioning, both in public and in private. In the UK, Geoff was responsible directly, or He was President of the British Society for Animal indirectly, for many important advances in nutrition Production in 1984 and was similarly active, inquisi- practice. These include: tive and challenging in the arena of BSAP BSAS. His over-riding interest always was the practical • The adoption of the use of D value as a practical application of new findings in science. He enjoyed measure of feeding value of grassland feeds enormously his interactions with ‘academic scien- initiated 40 years ago but still in use. tists’ but did not carry an academic title himself; he • Publication of ADAS ‘‘Bulletin 33’’, ‘‘Energy was neither ‘Dr’ nor ‘Professor’ simply ‘Mr’ Alder- allowances and feeding systems for ruminants’’ man. While this may have been reflected occasion- which was the means by which the metabolisable ally in his own self-image, those who dealt with energy system for ruminants was put into practice Geoff would never have regarded him as anything in the UK. other than a rigorous professional in his chosen area • Establishing the UK’s feed evaluation unit at of the interface between science and practice. Drayton. Shortly after his retirement, however, he was • Development and publication of the UK’s appointed an Honorary Research Fellow at the Metabolisable Protein System for Ruminants in University of Reading and just a couple of years ago the early 1990s. Indeed Geoff Alderman was the registered with the University of Reading as a post- driving force behind the publication widely graduate research student, at the tender age of 73. He known as ‘‘AFRC 1993 Energy and Protein was absolutely delighted in discussion to refer to Requirements of Ruminants’’. himself as a young postgraduate and applied himself to his studies in an exemplary manner. This perhaps On the international front he was involved in 1971 pinpoints the essence of Geoff Alderman – a profes- in the proposals to establish a feed information sional, an enthusiast and, above all else, someone system for FAO and, also in the 1970s, in efforts, keen to learn throughout his life. through EAAP, to rationalise the different systems At a personal level, it was always a privilege and a for energy rationing to ruminants which applied in delight to work with Geoff Alderman and learn from various parts of Europe at that time. This produced him and I know that I am not alone in having an important publication in Livestock Production enormous respect for his ability to crystallise the Science but I think Geoff was always somewhat essence of knowledge into practically useful systems. disappointed that interested parties in the different Geoff’s contribution was both to show how to turn European countries were not able to agree on a science into practice and also how to encourage that unified approach to energy rationing systems for vital quality of critical discussion which encourages ruminants. the rigorous development of ideas. His practical Having developed energy feeding systems to the scientific contribution was hugely relevant to EAAP point of useful application, Geoff’s interests turned and his many friends, whilst mourning his loss, to protein rationing systems and he was energetically should remember and continue to pursue the example involved in the UK and within EAAP in promoting which he set. discussion and some rationalisation of the different approaches to ruminant protein systems which have Dr. J. D. Oldham, President been developed in different countries. In his usual EAAP Nutrition Commission J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 177 Institute, whose Director at the time was Sir Kenneth Dr. Santiago Martin Rillo, Spain Blaxter, who taught us bioenergetics. In this way John Topps opened for us the expertise of many Dr. Santiago Martin Rillo of INIA Madrid Spain eminent scientists in the field of animal nutrition. died on 2 October 2000 after a long illness which he John Topps was an honorary Associate of the Rowett battled for many months. It is very difficult for me to Institute from 1969. describe the sense of loss and the sorrow which I and He taught over 100 M.Sc. students, half of them many colleagues in EAAP feel. Santiago Martin from overseas. Thus his knowledge and also his Rillo shared many paths: as a teacher in Zaragoza, spirit and ideas have spread all over the world to research worker in INIA, in the EAAP Pig Commis- Universities, Research Institutes and Extension Ser- sion, organizer of international meetings and in vices. He has always continued to be available to his publications – for example Santiago was an Orga- former students. nizer and Editor of the Satellite Symposium on Pig As a distinguished chemist and a Fellow of the Management Information Systems at the EAAP Royal Society of Chemists he deepened knowledge Annual Meeting in Madrid in September 1992. on animal biochemistry, metabolism, physiology and Santiago was an enthusiastic contributor to science nutrition, having one foot in the laboratory and the and in spreading science through education through other in the extension services and industry. He was EAAP, in the development of the Veterinary School especially concerned with livestock production in Madrid and in the world of science generally. developing countries. John Topps had a great sense Santiago will be remembered especially for his of humour and interests in sports, gardening and warm welcome, his openness to everybody, his wish African history. He will be remembered by his to contribute to the success of all his ventures and to students as a scientist of great calibre, an inspired the success of his country. He was a man of great teacher, charismatic advisor, a researcher of great enthusiasm, faith and humanity. He was a fine insight and above all a person who cared deeply for husband and father with courage in the face of others. adversity. We have lost a friend prematurely. ´ Aime Aumaitre, President Pantelis E. Zoiopoulos EAAP Associate Professor of Animal Science University of Ioannina, Greece Professor John H. Topps, UK Professor John Topps died on 8 January 2000 at PERSONAL NEWS the age of 70. He was born in Hampshire, UK and ¨ Professor Dr. Niklaus Kunzi, Switzerland was brought up on a small farm near Portsmouth. He graduated from London University with both B.Sc. ¨ The Council of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur and Ph.D. degrees. Initially he worked in Essex for ¨ Zuchtungskunde DGfZ – German Society for Ani- Writtle Agricultural College and then moved to the mal Production awarded an Honorary Membership University of Rhodesia. In the mid-1960s he returned ¨ to Professor Dr. Niklaus Kunzi, ETH Zurich. The to the UK and ran the M.Sc. course in Animal ceremony took place during the Annual General Nutrition at Aberdeen university for ten years. He ¨ Meeting of the DGfZ in Neumunster on 18 Sep- became head of the Division of Agricultural Chemis- ¨ tember 2000. Professor Kunzi was awarded the try and Biochemistry in the Aberdeen School of Honorary Membership because of his scientific Agriculture and was awarded the D.Sc. by the contribution to cattle breeding, his close contact to University. After his retirement in the early 1990s he the industry and his contribution to international went as a Professor to the University of Zimbabwe. co-operation - as President of INTERBULL, as Vice- I met John Topps in 1974 when he was my President of EAAP and as the organiser of the 50th supervisor in the M.Sc. course which he had created Annual Meeting of EAAP in Zurich 1999. and which ran in association with the nearby Rowett 178 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 Professor Dr. Moshe Soller, Israel Third Award of International Dairy Federation Professor Dr. Moshe Soller, who holds the Chair The IDF 2000 Award has been given to Dr. of Genetics in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Douglas B. Emmons of Canada. Dr. Emmons is Israel was honoured with the prestigious presentation Emeritus Research Scientist having worked with of the J.L. Lush Award Genetics in the spring of Agriculture Canada throughout his career. He has 2000. Professor Soller was also awarded an Honor- specialized in cheese technology and he has con- ary Doctorate at Iowa State University at the summer tributed substantially to the advancement of dairy commencement in August 2000. Professor Soller is science. well known in EAAP and world-wide for his pioneering work in both quantitative and genomic genetics. EAAP send him their sincere congratula- tions. REPORTS OF EAAP STUDY COMMISSIONS Commission on Animal Genetics Professor Jean Boyazoglu The President of the Republic of Portugal has We look back at a very good and interesting awarded to Professor Jean Boyazoglu the Order of meeting in The Hague. The scientific quality of the Commander of the National Order of Portugal, Class presentations was very good. Papers were mostly Agriculture, Commerce and Industry. The award was well presented and resulted in good discussions made on 28 July 2000 in Lisbon, Portugal in the during as well as after the sessions. There was a name of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Develop- large number of very interesting posters and the joint ment and Fisheries by Eng. Victor Manuel Coelho poster session on Monday evening was well at- Barros, Secretary of the Ministry. The lengthy tended. citation recognizes the contributions made by Profes- Recent developments in the area of molecular sor Boyazoglu as a scientist and administrator inter- genetics were discussed. A number of QTL affecting nationally with special reference to his concern, important traits were reported during this meeting experience and interest in animal production in less which is an important step towards application of favourable conditions of the Mediterranean Basin molecular genetic tools in breeding schemes. The and elsewhere. invited speakers provided an excellent overview of the developments in the area of functional genomics New President of International Dairy Federation which will have a large impact of research in the coming years. The joint session with Cattle and Pigs At the World Dairy Summit 2000 in Dresden, provided a good overview of the issues of selection Germany in September 2000, Philippe Jachnik, for a wide range of environments with the lessons to France, was elected president of the IDF for four be learned from evolutionary genetics. Animals have years. Dr. Jachnik is Head of Professional and the ability to adapt to new environments and this International Relations at the French Dairy Pro- characteristic has a genetic component. Some very cessors’ Association. interesting papers were presented on validation of genetic theory and models. New Chairman of Interbull During the business meeting in The Hague, An- dreas Hofer Switzerland was elected for his second The new Chairman of Interbull is Dr. Jean-Claude term as secretary of the commission. The commis- Mocquot of France who follows Dr. Brian Wickham, sion further consists of Elzbieta Martyniuk Poland, formerly of New Zealand and now in Ireland. Other Asko Maki-Tanilla Finland, Miguel Toro Spain members of the Interbull Steering Committee are: and myself. Mark Jeffries, New Zealand; Jarmo Juga, Finland; Dorota Krencik, Poland; Rex Powell, USA; Reinhard Reents, Germany; Enrico Santus, Italy; Brian Van Johan van Arendonk, President Doormaal, Canada, Hans Wilmink, The Netherlands. Genetics Commission J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 179 discussion it was noted that modification through Commission on Animal Nutrition processing instead of manipulating the animal might be more acceptable to consumers. However, both Three Joint Sessions were held in The Hague with processing and the genetic improvement take much the Commissions on Horse Production III, Animal more time than being acceptable from the develop- Physiology, Management and Health IV and Pig ment in the market. Dr. Boland underlined the production VI. All sessions had good attendance discrepancy between the consumers’ wish to have and interesting papers. lower fat in milk, whereas farmers want more fat, because they are paid for the fat. It was stated that Session I: ‘‘Free communications and emerging the sensory improvement of milk has probably been issues’’ overlooked, as the taste of milk still is the same. Chairperson: Dr. T. Zebrowska Another aspect was that more social knowledge should be used to inform the consumer in a better Papers were presented on: the nutritive value of way about the production process and the properties genetically modified corn silage with no significant of animal products. At the end it was concluded differences detected; lysine: energy ratio for high however, that it would be impossible to continue as performance of growing pigs; the effect of branched- single disciplines to meet the consumer or market chain amino acids and tryptophan on performance of demand and questions. In animal science we need to piglets; enzyme supplementation of pig rations; bring the disciplines together in the future approach, modelling nutrient supply of cattle by elephant grass- although this is not an easy task. based diets; protein source effects in twin-bearing ewes; cobalt requirement of beef cattle. Session IV: ‘‘High yielding dairy cows: integra- Session II: ‘‘Designer made milk and meat prod- tion of physiology, nutrition, management and ucts’’ health aspects’’ Chairman: Dr. S. Korver Chairman: Dr. J. Oldham This session was related to the theme of the EAAP In this Joint Session with the Commissions on Meeting. Four invited speakers demonstrated the Animal Physiology, Animal Nutrition and Manage- interesting developments in the food chain, where ment and Health Dr. D. Bauman ‘‘Genetic and consumers and retailers induce an increasing in- environmental influences on the regulation of nu- fluence by the demands from their side and cause trient partition in cows’’ demonstrated develop- effects on research and producers. Dr. K.G. Grunert ments in the performance of dairy cows, which in a presented results of an investigation of ‘‘Consumer- century went up to average annual yields of 15,000 led product development on milk and meat prod- kg per cow. These developments were to a large ucts’’. Dr. H. Rulquin reviewed ‘‘Effects via dairy extent correlated with the differences between ani- nutrition on the composition and properties of the mals in nutrient partitioning. Increased digestibility milk’’. Interest was especially focused on the dose or nutrient absorption and partial efficiency of nu- response effects to modify milk composition. He trient utilisation had only minor influences. The role concluded that the present challenge of ruminant of various factors, including somatotropin, in the nutritionists is to elaborate tools, which enable co-ordination of biological processes and the regulat- precise control of the well-known effects. Dr. M. ing of nutrients required for milk synthesis was Boland showed some examples of ‘‘Designer milks identified. Dr. J.E. Pryce presented ‘‘Fertility in the for the new millennium’’. In his opinion health high producing dairy cow’’ and the observed un- products are in the most exciting new area for favourable genetic correlation between milk yield milk-based products. These include minerals cal- and reproductive measures. That antagonism could cium, peptides derived from milk protein ACE not be elucidated by physiological reasons. It was inhibitor peptide and lipid components conjugated shown that many factors maybe involved in addition linoleic acid. Dr. B. Urlings reviewed the present to the genetic effects, such as nutrition, physiology knowledge of ‘‘Designer made meat in pigs’’. In the 180 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 and management of dairy cattle. Dr. K.L. Ingvartsen presented: effect of starch level in the diet for reviewed the ‘‘Relationship between lactational per- lactating sows on live weight, back fat thickness, formance and health in dairy cows’’. Increased milk piglet growth and subsequent reproductive perform- yield and ’metabolic stress’ enlarge the risk of ance; free choice consumption of mineral lick blocks multi-factorial production diseases. Also the review by fattening lambs; effect of enzyme supple- was focused on the excessive mobilisation of body mentation to barley-based diets for growing-finishing tissue reserves, which is central for some of the pigs; enzyme supplementation and heat processing as metabolic disorders and infections. Dr. V. Brocard methods to improve nutritional value of wheat in presented ’Feeding management of high yielding diets for early-weaned pigs; inclusion of natural cows’ and showed the expectations of two strategies: plants extracts in a diet for post-weaning pigs and its One was to maximise the individual cow’s potential, effect on faecal digestibility; protein and energy but with quite high risk of production diseases. A availability from grass and grass clover swards second strategy was to reduce the concentrate per kg during the growing season; effect of substitution of of milk, reduce the N-level to 90 g of PDI kg DM, soybean meal and wheat bran with corn gluten meal reduce the length of the dry period to 6 weeks and and gluten feed on nutrient digestibility and N- body condition at calving should not exceed 3.3. balance of sheep diets. Trials since 1992 in Trevarez experimental farm showed a reduced disease frequency with the second strategy. Session VI: ‘‘The gastro-intestinal tract of the pig Short papers were presented on the effects of as influenced by chemical and physical dietary insulin on milk yield and composition, feed intake properties’’ during early and mid-lactation; on the relation be- Chairman: Dr. Z. Mroz tween milk yield, energy status and hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal function; on the oxidative and Three invited speakers reviewed the subject from metabolic status of high yielding dairy cows in different points of view: Dr H.R. Gaskins on ‘‘Host- different nutritional conditions during the transition microbe interactions at the intestinal epithelium’’, period. The discussion was around various subjects: Dr. J.R. Pluske on ‘‘The small intestine of the young inadequate feeding and management results in no pig: Structure and function and the relationships with response to BST; adverse environments require diet’’ and Dr. M. Gutscher on ‘‘Food components as different genetic potentials; reduction of mastitis by regulatory signals for gut mucosal cell turnover in higher frequency of milking; low N-intake and pigs’’. Short papers concerned the following sub- milking one times a day are other ways to reduce the jects: bulky foods in testing theories of food intake negative energy balance in early lactation; selection regulation in pigs; changes in large intestine micro- for a flatter lactation curve to reduce production bial activity as a result of changes in piglet diet; diseases; application of Total Mixed Rations resulted protective effect of processed soya bean during in higher milk yield in Sweden than Denmark, perfusion of ETEC-infected small intestinal segments probably due to differences in composition and of early-weaned piglets; dietary effect of potassium- quality of these diets. The discussion underlined the diformate on the immune system in pigs; compara- multidisciplinary approach, which is needed to solve tive effects of legume protein sources on digestibility the complex problems of the high yielding dairy cow and small intestine morphology and function in from the point of view of physiology and nutrition as weaned piglets; mucin type in relation to growth well as the welfare and the management of reproduc- after an E. coli K88 challenge in piglets; effect of tion and health of these cows. diet composition on energy balances in weaner pigs. This session showed the importance of having Session V: ‘‘Free communications’’ knowledge on the structure and functions of the Chairperson: Dr. T. Zebrowska gastro-intestinal tract of the pig, in particular the young piglets, to maintain their health and per- In this session seven interesting papers were orally formance. J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 181 In the Business Meeting the programme for the reliable and uniform databases in Europe and his rd 53 Annual Meeting in Cairo 2002 was discussed. A contribution to the EAAP Working Group. variety of subjects was identified and some had priority for the region and country where the Meet- Elections ing will be held. Topics are listed in the Preliminary programme for 2002 in Cairo on page 158. The new Secretary for the period 2001–2003 Dr. Ir. N. Benedictus presented a report of the EAAP- G. Zervas from Greece was elected unanimously in working group on ‘‘Feed Information in Europe’’. place of Dr. Ribeiro, who was elected to the EAAP- The EU-Concerted Action on ‘‘Animal Feed and council. Nutrition’’ was not continued and from the point of Because Dr. Hagemeister was not available for view of EU-Directorate XII the Project had to be re-election due to his retirement from the Research finished already last year, without execution of the Institute in Rostock Dr. J.E. Lindberg from Sweden last phase of it. So it will not result in an electronic was elected Vice-President for the period 2001– Network of Feed Information Centres, as planned in 2003. the Project, but it is proposed to develop a database Dr. J. Oldham, new President of the Commission as a tool to minimise the amount of undesirable on Animal Nutrition expressed appreciation for the substances and products in feed materials. In this work Dr. Y. van der Honing has done for this way it contributes to food safety as laid down in the Commission in the last six years. Whitbook on food safety of the European Commis- sion. In the meantime from the FAO WHO an initiative Dr. Ynze van der Honing, President was undertaken by a first meeting in Copenhagen, Commission on Animal Nutrition June 2000, to establish the Ad Hoc Intergovernmen- tal Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding in the Framework of the FAO WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Animal Physiology Commission. The earlier attempts by INFIC International Net- The Commission on Animal Physiology held four work on Feed Information Centres to contribute to a titled sessions three joint sessions and one on its safer and sustainable animal production world-wide own, a free communication session and a business by providing reliable and up to date information on meeting. The programme of the Commission was feeds and feeding all around the world have been mostly focused on topics related to Lactation. unsuccessful. Also FAO’s advice in the seventies to One session, held jointly with the Commission on form regional Networks, of which the European Pig Production, was devoted to ‘‘Factors affecting ENFIC was an example, failed to get the governmen- mammary gland development and milk production in tal support required. With the increasing international the sow’’. The development of the mammary glands concern about feed food safety and against this in gilts was outlined and data elucidating the effect background the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex of hormones, especially prolactin, and nutrition on Taskforce on Animal Feeding may have a better mammary development were presented. Mammary chance to achieve better food and feed safety on a development during lactation was also covered. In global scale and hopefully indeed can contribute this period mammary growth in sows is extensive substantially to a safe and sustainable animal husban- and closely related to milk production. Several dry world-wide. factors, including location of the gland, stage of It was decided that the EAAP Working Group on lactation, milk removal and nutrition influences ‘‘Feed information in Europe’’ after six years could mammary growth and milk yield measured as piglet not achieve the European Network within and out- growth. Data outlining the role of maternal charac- side the EU-member states and will finish its ac- teristics on milk transfer to the piglets was presented. tivities. Many thanks were expressed to Ir. N. Another session, held jointly with the Commission Benedictus for all his efforts in the development of on Cattle production, was entitled: ‘‘Milking tech- 182 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 nologies, mammary gland function and udder Dr. Michel Bonneau, President health’’. The sessions dealt with biological aspects of Dr. Kristen Sejrsen, Secretary relevance for the quickly rising use of automated Commission on Animal Physiology milking systems in Europe. In such systems cows are milked more frequently than with traditional milking, but the intervals between milkings may vary for the Commission on Animal Management and Health individual cow and gland. In automated milking systems the timing between the milking ejection and Much time last year was devoted to the prepara- the actual milking may be less than optimal. A major tion of our year 2000 meeting. The Board of the concern in relation to robotic milking is the conse- Commission together with a circle of efficient and quences for udder health and milk quality. All these dedicated people worked hard to ensure a good topics were covered based on experimental evidence scientific input from different countries. The out- and observations in the field. come was very successful. The main item, within the A third session was devoted to the ‘‘physiological general theme ‘‘research and innovation’’ was related role of leptin in farm animals’’. The recent discovery to animal health and welfare. Three sessions were of leptin – a hormone secreted by the adipose tissue related to these aspects. in relation to the degree of adiposity – has given rise The delicate question of measurement was first to a large number of investigations on the importance considered. How can we measure health, how can we of the adipose tissue for energy storage, feed intake measure welfare ? These issues fit within the scope and reproduction. These topics were covered with of epidemiology despite the fact these words are not reference to farm animals. The development of often used. We had ten oral presentations from six species-specific assays has been a major limitation to countries, in the session chaired by H. Blokhuis progress in knowledge in ruminants. In the session it NL. One came from the US, in connection to the was reported that reliable assays now have been joint venture with ASAS John McGlone, Texas developed and investigations describing the effect of Tech. Univ.. From the papers and the discussions, it stage of development, level of nutrition and photo- became clear that the measurement of both health period on leptin secretion were presented. and welfare is very difficult to properly assess. On Details on the session ‘‘High Yielding dairy cows, the one hand, there is no doubt that severe physical integration of physiology, nutrition, management and injuries and clinical expression of pain are signs of health aspects’’, will be found in the report from the poor welfare. But on the other hand, how are we to Commission on Animal Nutrition. interpret some behaviours which are expressed with- The programme of the Budapest meeting in 2001 out any other clear clinical signs. Stereotypies could is mostly focused on reproduction. The sessions at fall within this problem. It was concluded that an the 2002 meeting in Cairo will mostly be devoted to adequate assessment of health and welfare has to be the physiology of adaptation of farm animals to used on a group of ‘‘epidemiological indicators’’, stressful environments and an additional session on including but not restricted to behavioural criteria. transgenesis in farm animals. The programme for But this is not the end. How to combine the 2002 includes five nominated sessions, of which four parameters? How to give them the right weight? No will be held jointly with the Commissions on Animal answer could be given to these questions. However Genetics, Animal Nutrition, Cattle, Sheep, Pig and in terms of welfare assessment, new perspectives Horse Production. were outlined through blood parameters. It is really The prize for best presentation by a young sci- surprising that regulations have been set-up or are in entist was awarded to J. Kiers Wageningen Uni- discussion on the welfare of farm animals despite the versity, The Netherlands for his paper on ‘‘Net current state of insufficient knowledge in the field of absorption of fluid in uninfected and ETEC-infected measurement. piglet small intestine: effect of osmolality’’. There In a second session chaired by D. Ekkel NL, the was no change in the composition of the board of the process control of animal health and welfare was Commission. studied. An important part dealt with quality assur- J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 183 ance and the HACCP concept Hazard Analysis of on egg contamination by zoonotic agents like sal- Critical Control Points. T. Blaha from the US Univ. monella in alternative systems. Definitely with pigs of Minnesota joined us and talked about the role of as with poultry a holistic approach, including serious preharvest food safety. Examples were reported of epidemiological studies, is needed before starting to HACCP application in dairy cattle and in pigs. Most set-up appropriate regulation . . . unfortunately, this of the authors agreed that, as far as veterinary is another story . . . and political aspects often pre- profession is concerned, the change from curative vail. Finally it must be said that a book was prepared measures to prevention through a constructive advice for the Congress, based on several contributions. The towards the provision of a more appropriate environ- book is entitled: ‘‘Improving health and welfare in ment is the necessary way to go. The consumer will animal production’’ EAAP Series No. 102, Wagen- less and less accept that on the farms we try to ingen Pers. compensate bad management by drugs. It was also Beside these three sessions we had one devoted to said that the process of meat and milk production is a water quality and livestock production Chairman. chain from stable to table and that people involved M. Benoit, F.. It appeared that although the relation- in each step of the chain have to be conscious of ships between animal production and water pollution their responsibilities. are well documented, the consequences of water The third session was related to animal welfare in pollution on animal health are poorly documented. the so-called ‘‘alternative housing systems’’. It was Along the session we had lively discussions showing chaired by B. Wechsler CH. We had again excellent the real interest of the participants. Following the papers and both pig and poultry productions were Congress, it is intended to prepare a document on the studied. The complexity of a system evaluation was subject of the session. outlined like above for health and welfare. What are In The Hague we also had a joint session with the the criteria which have to be taken into account. Nutrition and Physiology Commissions see report of Then what about there weight evaluation? Different Nutrition Commission. During the free communica- housing systems for lactating sows and for fattening tion session chair: O. Szenci, H. very interesting pigs were shown. The consequences in terms of papers were presented and different topics related to production costs were also considered. Depending on animal health were discussed. The relevance of the starting stage of the farm and the final option, the blood parameters in health and welfare evaluation production cost can considerably increase. Obviously was assessed. Among others, the predictive value of the critical question of ‘‘who is going to pay for it’’, acute-phase proteins was studied in pigs. was raised. The additional one of the consequences Beside the oral presentations we had numerous on international trade followed. The situation of posters. The scientific sessions were very well at- poultry was also discussed particularly that of laying tended especially those related to the ‘‘congress hens. In Sweden, despite the ban on battery cages theme’’. 70 of the laying hens are still kept in cages. During the business meeting the situation of the Different alternative systems are currently under board needed some clarification. In 2001 we will study in this country and elsewhere. The situation of have to nominate new members including a new ‘‘label rouge’’ chickens and eggs was given in President who will take office 2002. On behalf of the France. During the entire session an interesting Board, F. Madec, Commission President expressed debate took place. The crucial points were dealt with his sincere thanks to the Dutch organisers of EAAP including the consequences for human health. In 2000 and to the chairpersons. The programme for some alternative housing systems especially for Budapest was presented and the participants were laying hens the level of dust is particularly high. asked to stimulate contribution and to interact with How far the public could judged it acceptable that the chairpersons. In Budapest our programme will the farmers have to wear masks to protect themselves focus on food safety, epidemiology and economies. in the buildings whereas the poor animals will stay The programme for 2002 was also discussed. It will there 24 hours a day in such outrageously bad take account of the geographical localisation of the conditions? Furthermore what are the consequences congress Cairo, Egypt. Finally we congratulated 184 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 Professor P. Rafai H, Past President of the Com- by examining the interaction between components in mission, on the Leroy Fellowship Award. the system. During the business meeting it was noted that the Prior to the meeting, Abele Kuipers NL had new EAAP Working Group ‘‘Ethics and welfare’’ organised a satellite conference on ‘Robotic Milk- was created and reports to the EAAP Council. The ing’. The interest in this subject was apparent with Management and Health Commission has been in- over 200 delegates attending. The discussion on this volved in the constitution of the group and will also subject was continued in the main meeting in the be involved in the life of the group. The inaugural Session on Milking Machine Technologies. This will meeting was held in The Hague with Jim Flanagan, be reported by the Physiology Commission but there Chairman of the EAAP Scientific Advisory Commit- are several important issues emerging. It is clear that tee as Acting Chair. this technology has now become a practical reality Mrs. Leonie F.M. Ruuis-Heutinck from the Re- and moreover has the potential to make a positive search Station for Cattle, Sheep and Horse Husban- contribution to animal health and welfare in that dry, Lelystad NL was awarded the Best Young in-line technologies may give early warning of Scientist Paper for: ‘‘Effects of floor type and floor problems, well before these can be detected by a area on behaviour and carpal joint lesions in beef human operator. During the mid conference visit to a bulls’’. biodynamic farm there was an opportunity to view a unit in operation. There are clear issues emerging not in relation to the milking technology itself but rather Dr. F. Madec, President to the extent that milk production systems and Commission on Animal Management and Health milking routine can be adapted and at what cost to maximise the benefit from robotic milking tech- nologies. In addition there are potential social bene- Commission on Cattle Production fits in reducing the drudgery of milking and in allowing farmers to have alternative employment. The meeting in The Hague had a theme of Robotic milking could well be the saviour of the Innovation in Animal Science. The Cattle Commis- medium size family farm in Europe and as such sion followed this theme in a joint session with the preserving fragile rural communities. Physiology Commission on Milking Machine tech- Approaches to international comparisons of ge- nology and in a single session on Innovation in netic merit in beef cattle were considered by Dr Transferring Research into Practice. In many ways Pullar UK. Cattle breeding is becoming an interna- this latter session was a continuation of the plenary tional business with much transfer of genetic materi- session. Two excellent presentations from Drs. Jig- al across country boundaries. The Commission ag- gens Swe and van Bruchem NL questioned the reed that the time is now right to consider the traditional approach to technology transfer. Dr. Jig- potential for international exchange of beef cattle gens emphasised that the ‘top down’ transfer did not data leading to an international evaluation. Critically work whereas there was increasing evidence that a this depends on the genetic links between countries. participatory approach was more successful. Ensur- There are sufficient data in some breeds and not in ing that livestock producers had ownership of a others. There is a clear need here for both the Cattle research programme was key not only to effective Commission and ICAR together to work together transfer but also to aligning the research to the true with country organisations to ensure standardisation needs of the end users. She challenged the audience of bull identification and to encourage breed societies to discuss with each other how this approach could to adopt an across country strategy. benefit their research. Dr van Bruchem also The Free Communications session attracted good questioned the reductionist approach to research and quality papers that were well presented by younger postulated that we needed to emphasise an integra- scientists. Particularly noteworthy were presentations tive holistic programme. In this respect there was by Dr van Os NL on carcass quality, Dr Auchtung evidence that more progress was likely to be made in USA on using hormone levels to predict growth the area of reducing pollution from livestock systems J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 185 rate. The prize for the best presentation however is Sheep Society described the growth and development awarded to Dr Bruckman D for an interesting study of his organisation from a straightforward registrar of on reproductive performance in males. there is births to a modern society which embraces breed clearly an age dependant decline in fertility, which improvement programmes, marketing and sales. The will be of major concern to AI organisations. session was complimented by four short papers and Whole system approaches to meat quality were three posters which covered the genetic and carcase considered in the final session. There are clear characteristics of the breed. examples of where the effect of diet, environment, Session two focused on the use of high per- sex and genotype have been taken through to eating formance of ewes and does in dairy production and ˜ quality. It is clear that post slaughter treatment can was chaired by Dr Duni Gabina from Spain. A total have an overriding effect but this session did not of 10 papers was presented which looked at specific unfortunately tackle the fundamental issues. This issues of high performing females in a number of subject will need to be revisited. countries but notably Spain, France, Sardinia and Israel. Dr Eugarte described how the Awassi and New Officers of the Cattle Commission Assaf breeds had been imported in some numbers into Spain since 1971 and had been preferred to the New Commission officers began their terms at the indigenous breeds. Pure-breds and crossbreds now end of The Hague Meeting. These include Sergio numbered several thousand head and they played an Gigli I as the new President, Carla Lazzaroni I to important role in milk production for cheese in work with Duncan Pullar as Secretary of the Com- Spain. In contrast the French industry had estimated mission and Ernst Kalm D and Cristoph Brobner the relative progress which could be achieved Switzerland to join Abele Kuipers NL as Vice- through importation of selected high performance Presidents. sheep or through selection within the indigenous Finally, I would like to thank all my colleagues for breeds. The latter had been their preferred option and their support over the 12 years that I have been Dr Barillet highlighted the impressive gain in milk involved with the Commission, first as Secretary and yield which had been achieved in the Laucaune then as President. breed in 40 years. This had enabled the local indigenous sheep breed to remain linked to the local Cled Thomas, President cheese production providing a strong commercial Commission for Cattle Production and marketing advantage. Three further main papers followed, one from Dr Sanna on the Sardinian Commission on Sheep and Goat Production situation where a synthetic line had been successfully developed to replace the indigenous breeds, a second st The 51 Annual meeting in the Hague 2000 was which reviewed the use of high yielding goats for strongly supported by not only European members milk production and the third from Dr Gootwine but a number of delegates who attended from the which considered the introduction of the Boroola United States, Australia and New Zealand. For the gene into both Awassi and Assaf breeds in Israel. first time we had six scientific sessions on a wide The 5 main papers were complimented with several range of topics. short communications and we are pleased to report The first short two hour session considered the the papers in this valuable session will be the subject influence of the Texel breed on European sheep of a special Livestock Production Science issue. production and was chaired by Dr Albert Visscher The third session with free communications was from the Netherlands. Three main papers described organised and chaired by the Commission Vice the influence of the Texel breed on sheep production President, Professor Teixeira from Portugal. For the in the Netherlands, in the UK and in the rest of first time for some years we included theatre pre- Europe. The population of Texels in the UK is now sentations. It is encouraging to note that the majority one of the largest in the world and Mr Steven of these eight papers were presented by young Maclean the Chief Executive of the British Texel scientists. Posters were summarised by the session 186 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 chairman in groups according to their content which the Commission programmes have run smoothly generated good discussion. throughout my term of office. The fourth session on the Eradication and control of TSEs in small ruminants was organised and David Croston, President chaired by Dr Elsen from France. Although we only Sheep and Goat Commission had three main papers, they provided a framework for detailed discussion and debate. Each paper was Commission on Pig Production prepared by specialist groups, the first by Dr Hoek considered the epidemiology of scrapie, the second The 8th Triennial International Symposium on ´ presented by Dr Andreoletti reviewed the laboratory Digestive Physiology in Pigs was held in Uppsala, tools for scrapie diagnosis and the third paper Sweden from 20 to 22 June 2000. It was hosted by presented by the chairman considered the genetics of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and scrapie susceptibility and selection for resistance. chaired by Professor Jan Erik Lindberg. The Sym- Session five chaired by the Commission president posium, which has been held since 1979, has de- dealt with the overall theme of the EAAP conference veloped into a well-established meeting of interna- in The Hague. Two invited speakers, Dr Thomas for tional researchers with a high level of scientific the USA and Dr Anderson from the UK considered expertise and representing many different disciplines. the role of funding bodies in the modulation and This is reflected in the array of papers presented, interaction between science innovation and practice. which covered events related to the development and Over 50 delegates participated in the discussion function of the gastro-intestinal tract in the perinatal generated by these two excellent speakers. pig including hormonal and dietary modulation of The sixth and final session on identification of growth, digestion and absorption. Furthermore, the small ruminants for management and breeding was sessions dealt with the gastro-intestinal inmunologi- organised and chaired by Dr Perret from France. cal mechanisms that are responsible for maintaining Three main speakers presented papers, the first from the integrity of the pig and their responses to France by Dr Julien described the central role of potential harmful materials on the one side and to identification in France, the second from Dr Ribo potential nutrient providers on the other side. Intrain- described the EU IDEA project and the third from testinal fluxes, metabolism and utilisation of nu- Croston described the position with identification in trients received particular attention along with diet- the UK which contrasted significantly with the ary and animal related factors affecting digestion and French situation. digestive secretions. The last session of the sym- At its business meeting, the Commission elected posium was devoted to the intestinal microflora, its Dr Roman Niznikowski from the Warsaw Agricultur- effects on the digestive processes and its interactions al University, Poland as its new Vice president to with dietary components. A symposium proceeding replace Dr Sandor Kukovics. Our thanks go to Dr is currently being printed. For further information Kukovics for his support and commitment to the contact DPP2000slu.se. Commission over the past 6 years. A workshop on ‘‘Protein Feed for Animal Pro- This year the Commission award to the best duction in Europe‘‘ was held in Rennes, France, 30 ´ Young Scientist goes to O. Andreoletti for his paper June to 1 July 2000. It was organised by INRA, ‘‘Laboratory tools for Scrapie diagnosis’’, presented France and supported by the French governmental in Session four. This is my final report as Commis- and non-governmental institutions, FAO sub regional sion President. May I take this opportunity to thank office for CEEC and EAAP the Contact Group for everyone in the Commission for their help and Central and Eastern Europe. The Workshop, which support. In particular, I would like to thank the was attended by 29 participants from 14 countries, Commission secretaries over the last 6 years, Profes- reviewed the supply of high protein feeds in Europe sor Kurt Peters, Dr Jose Folch, Dr Markus with particular attention to Eastern Europe, potential Schneeberger and Dr Loys Bodin who have ensured and constraints in the production of protein sources. J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 187 At the concluding round table discussion, it was The Business Meeting new elections to the Com- agreed that the future research should cover, among mission Board were carried out. New members will other things, improvements in the production of local commence their term after the business meeting in sources of protein feeds, rational utilisation of avail- Budapest. Professor Caspar Wenk will take over as able resources, introduction of new protein feed the President of the Commission. Dr. Pieter W. Knap sources, formulation of appropriate diets in order to Germany and Dr. Stephen Chadd U.K. will meet the nutritional requirements of various function as Vice-Presidents. Finally, Dr. David Tor- categories of animals as well as to safeguard the ra-llardona Spain was appointed as Secretary. The environment. A publication containing the outcome Young Scientist Award was this year given to Dr. R. of the workshop will be available in the near Lizardo Portugal for his presentation ‘‘Modelling future. For details contact Dr. C. Fevrier fevrier fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in the st-gilles.rennes.inra.fr. growing-finishing pig’’. Selected contributions to sessions of the 1999 ´ ´ EAAP Annual Meeting continue to be published. Jose A. Fernandez, President Thus it is noteworthy to mention EAAP Publication Commission on Pig Production No. 100 Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, the Nether- lands containing the Proceedings of the Joint Ses- Report of the Commission on Horse Production sion in Zurich regarding ‘‘Quality of meat and fat in pigs as affected by genetics and nutrition’’. The topic The Commission on Horse Production organised is comprehensively covered by six reviews and 36 five sessions of which one session was a joint session original reports. In addition, a scientific report sum- with the commission on Animal Nutrition. In total, marising the deliberations and conclusions of the 48 presentations were given either in theatre or as joint session entitled ‘‘Future strategies with regard posters in the sessions for which the Horse Commis- to the use of feed without antibiotics additives in pig sion was responsible. production’’ was published in Pig News and In- The first session on Theory and Practice of formation 2000: 21, no. 1, 27N–32N. Selection in Racehorses chaired by B. Langlois F st The 51 Annual Meeting of the EAAP in The followed the overall theme of the conference on the Hague, was a Special Millennial Celebration. The interaction between research and innovation. Horse Commission on Pig Production contributed to the breeding has been influenced by empirical knowl- general theme ‘‘Interaction between research and edge of breeders over centuries; in the last decades innovation’’ with a full session entitled ‘‘Availability methods of quantitative genetics have been intro- of scientific research results and its effect on pig duced into breeding practice based on the mathemati- production world-wide’’. The session – organised by cal evaluation of performances. Such methods are Dr. L. den Hartog – comprised five reviews dealing still under further development and improvement for with research and developments of genetics and sport and racing horses. Parallel molecular genetics breeding, nutrition, health and welfare and the past, tests have been further developed for horse and breed present and future impact on pig production. Further- identification and parentage control. In the 1970s and more, in addition to three joint sessions reported 80s blood typing tests were regarded as effective elsewhere, the Commission held two Free Com- tools. Meanwhile a new generation of genetic tech- munication sessions containing 71 reports organised nologies involving assays of DNA polymorphisms in thematic groups comprising breeding, growth, such as microsatellites have been widely accepted for meat quality, reproduction and nutrition. The majori- parentage control. More recently several initiatives ty of the contributions to these sessions were pre- have started to bring direct light on the horse sented at a special poster session on Monday even- genome. The construction of the genomic map, DNA ing. This presentation format seems quite successful libraries and gene sequencing are being developed to and should be adopted as a fast procedure for the identify genes of interest in horse breeding. This future. approach has been proven to be effective on simple 188 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 monogenic traits, as direct DNA molecular tests are In the session on Horse Production in the Nether- already available for identifying a few diseases lands the relative economic importance of the horse Severe combined immunodeficiency disease, Hy- industry and the applied equine research was demon- perkalaemic periodic paralysis, Overo lethal white strated. The significance of the horse industry in the syndrome and for two coat colour genes Netherlands is increasing rapidly, especially the Melanocortin I receptor and Endothelin receptor B. function of the horse for sport and leisure. The The power of genome screening combined with equestrian sport is the fifth most important sport in comparative mapping and inter-species analogies the Netherlands. Approximately 400.000 persons are will certainly allow a better understanding of more riding a horse, 12.000 persons are working in the complex genetic traits. While horse genomic research horse sector covering breeding, riding-schools, etc. has been hampered by the peculiar status of this Many private organisations are active covered by species among other farm animals, it has reached a three umbrella organisations, the Breeding Federa- turning point now that key molecular tools are tion, the Dutch Trotting and Racing Association, and available. This progress opens new perspectives of the Dutch Equestrian Sport Federation. Several sci- selection based on molecular tests for healthier entific papers dealt with breeding and selection in the horses and populations more adapted to breeders Dutch Warmblood horse population, again selection demand. strategies against osteochondrosis were emphasised. The session on Management and Nutrition of Also papers in relation to sperm production, semen Young Sport Horses in Relation to their Health was evaluation and embryo transfer were presented. chaired by D. Austbo N who stepped in for G. Special attention was given to applied equine re- Dalin SE. Some papers dealt with nutritional search which is concentrated in the Research Station effects on the health of horses. In general, in horse for Cattle, Sheep and Horse Husbandry in Lelystad. breeding health and longevity of horses are not At this experimental horse farm a stock of 150 directly selected for although horses with good horses and ponies is available. Housing facilities performance should have more progenies than include also two training exercisers and a treadmill. others. In relation to longevity it was found that traits The applied equine research funded by the Ministry measured in young sport horses such as conforma- of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, tion, legs, orthopaedic status, jumping ability and the Dutch breeding and sport organisations and by the score combining dressage and jumping ability are of equine food industry concentrates on fertility, injury, importance. Orthopaedic health had the largest effect prevention, health, nutrition, rearing and training. on longevity. Therefore judging health traits in In the business meeting no elections were held. young horses is relevant. One of the major multifac- The following replacements were confirmed: Secret- torial orthopaedic diseases in horses is osteochon- ary: Dr. Tadeusz Jezierski, Poland replacing Profes- drosis. It was found that the copper status of the sor Habe after EAAP 2000. Vice-President: Dr. A. mare after birth and the copper status of the foal two Verini Supplizi, Italy replacing Professor Silvestrelli to four days and five months after birth did not after EAAP 2000. significantly influence the osteochondrosis status of The Young Scientist Award for the best presenta- the foal at five and nine to eleven months of age. But tion was given to Kathalijne Visser NL for her it was concluded that copper may play a role in presentation on Do subjective ratings of riders genetically predisposed animals. Another important correlate with objective scores from behavioural factor in relation to health and longevity of horses is tests. the type of housing which commonly varies between The ‘‘Interstallion’’ working group, an EAAP single or group housing during the first two years of WBFSH ICAR working group, reported on the horses. It was found that the type of housing has activities in relation to the enquiry. First preliminary some effect on feed intake and exercise patterns. results were presented. It can clearly be concluded Also some muscle and skeleton enzymes are affected that there is growing international exchange of which could be important in relation to longevity of genetic horse material mainly stallions or their horses. semen increasing need for exchanging pedigree and J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 189 performance data increasing need to exchange and Symposium on Robotic Milking understand testing and evaluation systems. In future, the Interstallion working group will meet more Automatic milking systems AMS have been regularly. The next meeting will be in spring 2001. promised by futurists for some time, and it now One session at the annual meeting of EAAP in appears that they are a reality. Their growing and Budapest 2001 will be dedicated to the activities of now widespread use on private dairy farms for the the Interstallion working group. last several years confirms that for at least Europe, AMS are an important part of the future. At the moment, the most exciting developments in Europe Professor Dr. Erich Bruns, President are related to what farmers and their advisors are Commission on Horse Production learning about practical AMS use. Private Dutch dairy farmers have used robotic automated milking systems since 1992. Over 600 REPORTS ON SATELLITE SYMPOSIA AT farms are using a milking robot now, most of them EAAP 2000, THE HAGUE in north-western European countries. But also some Preparing and Presenting Scientific Papers farms in North America and Japan are introducing an automatic milking system. Automatic milking fits The Third Elsevier EAAP Workshop on ‘‘Prepar- particularly in those areas with limited or expensive ing and Presenting Scientific Papers’’ was given at labour. Many of the technical engineering problems, st the 51 EAAP Meeting at The Hague on 19 August especially those related to automatic location and 2000. The workshop covered techniques for writing attachment of teat cups, have been resolved over the scientific papers and for oral and poster presenta- last decades. The equipment works reliably. With the tions. It attracted 18 young scientists from 13 widespread adoption of robotic milking by private countries. farmers, new problems have emerged, however. The Workshop was very well received by the This international symposium was held in participants. Their grading for ‘‘overall impression of Lelystad, The Netherlands prior to the EAAP Meet- the workshop’’ was on average 4.7 on a scale from ing 2000. It was organised by the Research Institute 1–5 5 5 very good. The participants appreciated for Animal Husbandry PV-Lelystad and IMAG- the mix of short lectures and group activities, and Wageningen. Around 275 people from 20 countries emphasized that the knowledge and awareness they heard 25 presentations, viewed over 35 scientific achieved during the workshop will be beneficial for poster presentations, visited private dairy farms using their future writing and presentations. five brands of AMS being marketed and got the A book ‘‘Writing and Presenting Scientific Pa- latest business developments during a business pre- pers’’ has been written by the three instructors of the sentation. workshop Birgitta Malmfors, Phil Garnsworthy Automatic milking provides the dairy farmer with Michael Grossman and published recently by Not- more freedom, but, on the other hand, he will be tingham University Press order from www.nup. more dependent on equipment. This makes a fast and com. The book is useful for students and young accurate service in case of malfunctioning important. scientists, as well as for senior scientists and uni- Much research was directed to implement the milk- versity teachers. A review of the book is in this issue ing robot on the dairy farm as efficient and econ- of EAAP News page 193. omically advantageous as possible. Although many The Elsevier EAAP Workshop will be offered farmers use the milking robot to increase the milking again at EAAP 2001 in Budapest and at EAAP 2002 frequency of their cows, this should not be the in Cairo. leading principle. Optimal use should be directed at milking as many kg of milk per robot per day. When installing an AMS on the dairy farm, adjustments in Birgitta Malmfors cooling are often underestimated. Because of the low Phil Garnsworthy milk flow per hour, traditional, direct cooled, bulk Michael Grossman 190 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 tanks do not work adequately with AMS. Several information system needs to help the dairy farmer to options to adjust the cooling system use of a buffer take decisions on his farm, while taking a large tank, instant cooling, ice bank cooling and adjusted number of aspects welfare, production, milking direct cooling to the demands of automatic milking frequency, capacity, economics and grazing into were discussed. account. The quality of the milk produced with AMS needs In summary: robotic milking is reality, it gives the attention. Reports from various countries showed dairy industry many opportunities, but new chal- that, although the quality of the produced milk was lenges in various fields of dairy farming and research within EU limits, there were negative effects of have emerged. More information about the Sym- automatic milking on the milk quality. Research into posium including paper abstracts, can be found on the background and causes of these effects on milk internet: http: www.pv.wageningen-ur.nl robotic- quality has not yet been carried out. Besides the milking. A bound version of the papers from the quality of the produced milk, attention was given to Robotic Milking Symposium is also available for preventing the delivery of abnormal milk. The main order. The proceedings is over 300 pages and is an detection method of abnormal milk currently avail- excellent reference for anyone who is considering an able is the use of electrical conductivity. By improv- AMS or who advises producers making those deci- ing algorithms, the performance of electrical con- sions: http: www.WagenigenPers.nl bookshop in- ductivity can be improved. However, in the future dex.html biosensors will most probably become available, for instance to measure NAGase, an enzyme that has a Albert Meijering and Henk Hogeveen predictive value for mastitis. Research Institute for Animal Husbandry PV- Another important issue was the variation in Lelystad milking intervals. Since cows have to come to the PO Box 2176, 8203 AD Lelystad, The Nether- milking robot voluntarily, a large variation in milk- lands ing intervals was seen. The effects of this variation on milk yield and udder health are not fully known Satellite Symposium: Gas Production – Fermen- and need more attention in the near future. tation Kinetics for Feed Evaluation and to Assess The use of a milking robot does not give more Microbial Activity stress when compared to traditional milking. From that point of view there was no fear of decreased The symposium was held at the Wageningen animal welfare. However, combination of robotic International Conference Centre in Wageningen, for milking with grazing gave more discussion. Accord- two days before the EAAP meeting in The Hague. ing to some presentations, it is possible to combine The symposium was jointly organized by the British grazing with automatic milking. Other presentations Society of Animal Sciences BSAS, the Wagen- indicated that the introduction of the milking robot ingen Institute of Animal Sciences WIAS within automatically will, almost certainly, lead to a farm Wageningen University, and ID-TNO Animal Nutri- system in which dairy cows will always be kept tion. inside. This might have implications for animal The aim of this symposium was to create an welfare and also for public acceptance. There is interactive environment in which to discuss the role hardly any knowledge on the conditions for public and future potential of the in vitro gas production acceptance of automatic milking. This will be an technique to provide the nutritional parameters re- important subject for the near future. quired in both current and future dynamic systems of Finally it was stressed that the users of an feed evaluation, and in elucidating the function of automatic milking system have more and more need the GIT microflora, as well as other wide-ranging for individual cow data. From these data, the applications. The format of the symposium was herdsman must be able to draw relevant information designed to be of interest to people currently work- for decision making. With the current software, this ing with the technique, and for those who are information is insufficient. A good management interested in learning more about its potential. J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 191 The symposium was split into three main themes: came out of this talk, related to the relationship between gas production and microbial protein syn- • The methodology of gas production, and mathe- thesis, and the importance of always referring back matical modelling of gas profiles. to in vivo data, rather than spending too much effort • Measures of fermentation as an indicator for feed on comparing in vitro techniques with each other. evaluation. The short presentations were mainly focussed on a • Other applications for gas production. wide range of different feeds which had been tested e.g. concentrate feeds – Dr. Fakhri; enzyme-treated One or two invited speaker addressed each theme, feeds – Mr. D. Colombatto; Mediterranean shrubs – followed by short presentations of submitted papers. Dr. A. Buldgen; and wheat grains – Dr. J. Hunting- There were also discussion sessions at the end of ton. There were also presentations describing the each session, to allow questions and comments of use of gas production to evaluate tannin-containing both presentations and the related posters. feeds Dr. H. Makkar. 1. The methodology of gas production, and mathe- 3. Other applications for gas production. Dr. matical modelling. Two invited speakers: Professor Barbara Williams from Wageningen University pre- Alice Pell from Cornell University USA, and sented her work using gas production as a means of Professor Jim France from the University of Reading assessing the microbial activity of the gastro-intesti- UK. Professor Pell gave a comprehensive overview nal microflora, mostly of pigs. This use of the of some of the shortcomings, pitfalls, and advantages method involves using standard substrates with a of the methodology, particularly in relation to feed range of microbial populations, to detect differences evaluation. Not only did she include work from other in the whole microbial populations. Applications for groups, she was also able to illustrate her points with this were mainly centred on the use of prebiotics in examples of results from her own laboratory. This feeds, but had also detected some interesting differ- overview provided a good foundation for discussions ences in relation to animal stress, age, and area from for the rest of the meeting, as we did tend to return the tract where the microbial population had been to some of the issues which she had raised. Professor sampled. Two of the short presentations were gener- France gave a talk, describing ‘‘A non-invasive ally based on the subject of microbial activity, approach to determining extent of degradation in the ranging from the use of synbiotics Mr. G. Biagi, rumen’’. He described how the use of mathematical and a comparison between cow and buffalo rumen ` modelling for gas production curves can be taken fluid Dr. S. Calabro. The rest covered a range of much further than simply describing the profiles, but potential applications, including the detection of feed can then also be used to predict other parameters in interactions Dr. C. Wood, the degradation of pro- the animal. For example, he showed how results tein Dr. J. Myers, and the prediction of duodenal obtained using faeces as an inoculum could be flow of non-ammonia nitrogen Dr. C. Rymer. transformed into a profile using rumen fluid. The The symposium ended with a discussion chaired short presentations covered a wide range of aspects by Professor Pell, which covered many aspects of the of the methodology, ranging from more uses of technique, particularly ‘‘where we should go from mathematical modelling Dr. J. Dijkstra Dr. H. here’’. Professor Pell gave everyone present the van Laar, to stoichiometry of the gas VFA relation- challenge of how to spend a large research grant to ship Dr. H. Makkar. investigate and or improve use of the technique, and 2. Measures of fermentation as an indicator for gave everyone ‘‘homework’’ which they can report ¨ feed evaluation. Dr. Michael Blummel, originally on at the next meeting, which is tentatively planned from Hohenheim University in Germany, but now for 2003. with USDA-ARS in the USA, gave a fine presenta- The proceedings have been published, but will tion ‘‘Predicting the partitioning of fermentation also soon be available at the BSAS website a http: products by combined in vitro gas volume and true www.bsas.org.uk substrate degradability measurements: opportunities and limitations’’. The most important themes which Barbara Williams Eddie Deavillea 192 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 REPORTS OF OTHER SCIENTIFIC the pace of the recovery of animal production and changes in farm structures. The recovery of poultry MEETINGS and, partly, pig production in a number of countries Workshop on Protein Feed for Animal Production resulted in an increased demand for protein feed in Europe which was covered partly by domestic production Rennes, France, 30 June–01 July 2000 and, mainly, by imports. Participants from Central and Eastern European countries CEEC reported on The Workshop on Protein Feed for Animal Pro- variety of situations, such as surplus in protein feed duction in Europe held in Rennes, France, 30 June– and production for export, use of local specific 01 July 2000 was attended by 29 participants from products such as pumpkin seed cakes, attempts to 14 countries. The Workshop was organized by increase local production of non-modified soybeans INRA, France and supported by the French gov- and on technologies for better utilisation of proteins ernmental and non-governmental institutions Minis- available in green forage. try for Science and Technology, INRA Region In view of the existing and expected trends in the Bretagne, Association for Animal Production, FAO animal production sector – 2–3 percent global Sub-regional Office for CEEC and EAAP the annual increase in nineties and the expected 100 Contact Group for Central and Eastern Europe. The percent increase in the next twenty years – particip- Workshop reviewed the supply of high protein feeds ants agreed that the short to medium term demand in Europe with particular attention to Eastern for protein feed would increase at the global level. In Europe, potential and constraints in production of the European Union the demand for protein feed protein sources for animal feed and characteristics of could stagnate or even decline due to the saturation high protein feeds. In addition, a visit to experimen- of markets with animal products, regulations aimed tal plots at Le Rheu was organised. at preventing nitrogen pollution of soil and water and Traditionally, the basic sources of proteins for the technical progress reflected in the introduction of animal production in Europe were bulky feeds new feeding technologies reduction of protein levels pasture, hay, silage, fodder crops and cereals. The in diets of monogastric animals and the simultaneous intensification of animal production including the supply of essential amino acids. establishment of industrial production systems in The expected growth in the animal production in poultry and hog farming increased requirements for CEE countries will be accompanied by an increased and the use of protein feeds in animal nutrition. The demand for protein feed. It is expected that the increased demand for protein feeds was met by increased demand would have different patterns from intensification of the local production of protein rich the pre-transition situation and that it would be plants, increased import of soybean and protein accompanied by the implementation of recent ad- cakes and the use of pure essential amino acids as vances in nutritional science and feeding tech- feed supplements. The home grown protein plants nologies. In view of changes in the farm structures cover less then one third of feed protein require- and the establishment of the great number of small ments. subsistence farms and the prevailing shortages of In the seventies, the European Commission laun- protein feeds in CEEC, participants agreed on the ched a plan aimed at increasing self-sufficiency in need for the development of national protein feed feed proteins. Economic incentives, subsidies and strategies. These strategies should be based on the intensified research carried out under the plane available technical knowledge local protein feed resulted in an increase in production of indigenous resources and production potentials as well as on the feed protein sources, such as rape seed, sunflower, access to the imported protein feeds. They should be peas, Faber beans, lupins. The plan was abandoned a result of joint efforts of nutritionists, feed industry, following the GATT agreement and the self-suf- trade, farmers’ unions and national authorities and ficiency declined from 38 to 30 per cent. should provide farmers with guidelines and advice The situation is Central and Eastern Europe finds on the best protein feed supply and the rational use each country facing specific problems which reflect of protein feeds in the animal production. J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 193 The on-going research programmes in CEE coun- Participants expressed their gratitude to all spon- tries presented at the Workshop included develop- sors of the Workshop and commended INRA Rennes ments of advanced grass preservation methods, intro- fort the excellent organisation, hospitality and func- duction of Triticale as a source of energy and feed tional arrangements for the Workshop. protein, use of specific local products and the production and use of traditional oil seeds. Professor Franc Habe, Slovenia The Workshop agreed that the future research Chairman, Contact Group on Central and Eastern should cover, inter alia, improvements in production Europe of local sources of protein feeds, rational utilisation of available resources, introduction of new protein feed sources e.g. some new varieties and cereal BOOK REVIEWS species, formulation of appropriate diets so as to meet both requirements of various categories of Writing and presenting scientific papers 2000. animals e.g. three instead of two formulations for B. Malmfors, P. Garnsworthy M. Grossman. growing pigs and of the protection of the environ- Nottingham University Press, Manor Farm, Main ment i.e. reduction in protein content and supply of Street, Thrumpton, Nottingham, NG11 0AX, UK. pure essential amino acids. This implies the intensi- ISBN 1-897676-92-1. 133pp. £10. fication of agronomic studies regarding production of traditional protein feed plants as well as studies on A splendid, compact book. I wish it had been their processing and the use in the formulation of available when I was a student. It should be required diets. The first positive experience in the formulation reading for all scientists, academics, researchers and, of diets with the reduced protein content is gradually in fact, for anyone who writes for others to read or becoming a general research orientation primarily who talks in public for others to see and hear. The aimed at determining the most efficient way in thrust is specially towards better presentation of converting plant material in the animal products, scientific information. protecting the environment and at developing the The book has been written by the three people sustainable animal farming systems. who have taught the EAAP Workshop on ‘‘Preparing Participants called for an increase in public and and Presenting Scientific Papers’’ for three years at private funding of the research in the field of protein the EAAP Annual Meetings. The participants rate the feeds, which was considered as a priority area in the Symposium very highly. There is a list of students, animal nutrition. They invited national associations and older academics, waiting to register for the for animal production, farmers’ associations and repeat Symposium at the 2001 EAAP Annual Meet- governmental institutions to monitor developments in ing in Budapest, Hungary. It seems likely to be an the protein feed production and consumption, to annual event for some years. co-ordinate their activities in this field and to signal The book is easy, in fact a pleasure to read. It does technological and other problems requiring solutions not give rules because writing and making public through intensified research. They underlined the presentations are very individual affairs. The book importance of the international research co-operation establishes principles and identifies common errors in the field of protein feeds and invited the EAAP which will enable the author speaker to relax into Nutrition Commission to include themes relevant to his or her subject and thus to make better contact protein feed in its programmes, as appropriate. They with the audience. The book commands respect also recommended the establishment of more func- because it achieves its own objective of clear com- tional bilateral research co-operation between institu- munication – it is an easy, interesting and compel- tions from Western and Eastern part of Europe as ling read. well as the development of the direct links between How many of us have suffered through presenta- farmers’ organisations from EU and CEEC aimed at tions, or been responsible for the suffering of others improved production and utilisation of protein feed with poor visual-aids, disorganized facts, incoherent, resources. disconnected statements or boring presentations of 194 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 subjects of great interest and value. It is tragedy for This book is suitable for final year undergraduate all – hearers and speaker alike when the message is and first year postgraduate students of quantitative not communicated. This book aims to enhance genetics and animal breeding. It describes the meth- communication. It points out the pitfalls in writing odology for predicting the genetic merit of animals and speaking, highlights the importance of knowing in the context of genetic improvement in an animal what one wants to say and then how best to express breeding programme. Information on an animal and it. Each of the authors comes from a different its relatives, on either the characteristic to be im- cultural background Sweden, UK and USA. They proved or from other traits, can be used to predict the are thus able to identify the complexities of writing animal’s genetic merit, taking account of the rela- or speaking in public either in one’s first or second tionships between measurements and the economic language. Having English as a first language by no values of traits. The methodology is developed from means guarantees the ability to communicate – it first principles, without unnecessary detail or com- may even be a disincentive to more thorough editing plexity, and all the required statistical and mathe- and preparation. matical concepts are fully described in the book. The This book is different from the somewhat stilted text discusses the methods for combining different books which addressed the same subject years ago. I sources of information and illustrates their use with do not need to describe the contents in detail. Suffice examples of breeding programmes in cattle, sheep, it to say that it is lively, realistic and straightforward. pigs and poultry. If this book had been available earlier, I would have A series of questions with detailed answers is given a copy to each of my graduate students and included in the book, to help reinforce the ideas and would have kept a few copies on my shelf to lend to provide some practical experience in the prediction undergraduates when they start to write and to talk in of genetic merit. The text is aimed at final year public. For one thing it might have saved me from undergraduate and first year postgraduate students of having to tutor students individually on the same quantitative genetics and animal breeding. Contents: elementary mistakes in communication which we all Introduction to variance; ANOVA in a quantitative make when we start. I can even think of mature genetics framework; Regression and correlation; colleagues, whose work I greatly respect, to whom I Identification of animals of high genetic merit; might give this book for Christmas. Information from relatives; Selection index meth- In conclusion, this book excels in a neglected area odology; Examples of selection objectives and of science. Presenting scientific papers is central to criteria; Factors affecting the rate of genetic im- the scientific enterprise but guidance and advice have provement; Performance testing, progeny testing and been noticeably absent. This book should be required MOET; Simultaneous prediction of breeding values reading for all students whose degrees or professions for several animals; Prediction of breeding values will involve presenting scientific results in writing or and environmental effects; Multivariate breeding orally. The topic is so important and the book so value prediction; Breeding values with a gene of competent, it will quickly attract a grateful reader- large effect; Breeding values for binary traits; Ap- ship of both students, research scientists and teach- pendix: Matrix algebra; Questions; Answers. ers. It is well overdue and well done. The lactating sow 1998. M.W.A. Verstegen, P.J. Moughan S.W. Schrama Eds. Wageningen Professor John Hodges Pers, Mansholtlaan 10–12, 6700 AA Wageningen, EAAP Livestock Production Science The Netherlands. ISBN 90-74134-43-2. 350pp. HB. NLG175. Selection indices and prediction of genetic merit in animal breeding 1997. N.D. Cameron. Com- In spite of the puzzling cover photo the reader will monwealth Agricultural Bureaux International find a valuable volume. The performance of the CABI, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. ISBN 0 85199 breeding sow has increased dramatically over the last 169 6. 203pp. £22.50 40. 20–25 years in terms of litter size, number of litters J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 195 weaned per year and litter weight at weaning. The tively were written for a narrow sector of scientists modern sow kept in intensive housing conditions has and experts of animal nutrition, chapters 12 and 13 been selected for producing progenies of high lean Nutritional strategy and reproduction; Lactational and low fat content in their carcasses and her body effects on the endocrinology of reproduction, respec- also contains much less fat than her predecessors tively also offer real thrills for practitioners includ- some 20 years ago. The possible conflict between ing veterinarians. The chapter dealing with the breeding for leanness and high reproductive per- thermal requirements of the lactating sow chapter formance has provoked extended investigations on 15 points out the well known difference between the biology of the modern sow. The seventeen thermal demands of the sow and piglets and answers chapters, all written by known experts, provide an how to solve the dilemma. Chapter 16 dwells on excellent overview of the related research. effects of litter size, parity, stage of lactation, weight Of the seventeen chapters eight deal with different of the piglets, suckling interval, environmental con- aspects of colostrum and milk production. This series ditions etc. on the milk production of the lactating of chapters is well founded by the first two chapters, sow. The last, voluminous chapter summarises all we which give valuable information on the composition know about the behaviour of sow and piglets in the and on the immunobiological properties of the nursing period. colostrum and milk. Next to these chapters factors On basis of the foregoing, it is clear that the reader that influence the utilisation of colostrum and milk may rightly expect this volume to covers the most are surveyed. Interesting questions are answered important aspects of keeping and managing lactating such as: Is sows milk optimum for maximising piglet sows. However, the reviewer can not withhold his growth? How deficient in protein is sows milk? The view, that this valuable piece of work would have role of piglets in determining the milk production been more complete with two more chapters, one and intake is also discussed. Effects of substances dealing with the housing condition of the lactating and growth factors present in sows colostrum and sow, the other one with the periparturient diseases milk are also dealt with. Chapters four and five complex. Improvement in editorial style would have summarise the metabolic precursors for milk syn- enhanced the book further. For example: frequent thesis and the genetic influences on milk quality, overlapping of topics among chapters for instance on respectively. The next three chapters deal with the milk composition and influences on feed intake. Also energetic efficiency of milk production, the role of some chapters do not have a summary or conclusion. dietary amino acids and the role of dietary fat in the Despite of this comment the reviewer can gladly milk production. recommend this book to both theoretical and practi- From chapter 9 onward the sow herself becomes cal experts interested in the lactating sow. the focus. In chapter nine much good information is disclosed on the nutritional effects during lactation Pal Rafai, Professor and Head of the Department and during the interval from weaning to oestrus. of Animal Hygiene Among others, factors affecting the voluntary feed Budapest University of Veterinary Science, Hun- intake, nutritional control of reproduction, genotype gary differences are discussed. C.T. Whittemore demon- strated in the next chapter that the influence of Workshop on Developing Breeding Strategies for pregnancy feeding on lactation performance and Lower Input Animal Production Environments subsequent rebreeding can be profound. The direct 2000. S. Galal, J. Boyazoglu K. Hammond effects through the influence of pregnancy feeding on Eds.. Published by International Committee for sow body weight, litter size and piglet birth weight Animal Recording ICAR, Villa, Ragno, Via are less important than the indirect effects upon milk Nomentana 134. Rome, Italy. ICAR Technical yield, mediated through the need for a lactational Series No. 3. 570pp. reserve. While chapters 10 and 14 Nitrogen intake and metabolism during pregnancy and lactation; The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the Modelling metabolism of the lactating sow, respec- United Nations and ICAR, as well as supporting 196 J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 organisations, are to be commended for organising ashamedly towards the most sophisticated and de- this workshop which addressed one of the least veloped sector of the animal breeding industry. tractable animal breeding problems of the last half For many, perhaps the most rewarding part of century – that of developing and sustaining useful these proceedings will be the 27 case studies of breeding strategies in low-input environments, espe- animal breeding projects in practice, for the most cially in developing countries. The workshop came part in low-input and developing country settings. up with no magic solutions but provides insights, This is where the recipes for success or failure which should go some way towards avoiding past become clearly visible. The bold, if sometimes mistakes, and wasted investment. depressing, portrayals of wasted opportunities are The workshop and the publication arising from it always balanced by the requirement to answer how it are part of a process towards producing guidelines might have been done better. And the several for action in the use of Animal Genetic Resources. accounts showing a good start in using genetic For those who wish to be ahead of the game, reading resources to better effect point to the still wide gap these proceedings should be rewarding. between theoretical expectations and practical possi- There are five papers from leaders in their fields bilities. Every theoretical geneticist-in-the-making setting out the technical issues for genetic improve- should be required to answer at least one exam ment programmes but with main emphasis on question on how he or she would proceed in the ruminants. The first of these deals with the require- absence of an animal recording system or the ments for breeding goal definition. Even for those infrastructure for AI and good communications. The who may find the mathematics and calculations case studies themselves deal with varied situations daunting, the message is clear and important, as both local and national and cover most species – many a breeding project has failed to deliver because cattle, sheep, goats, yak, rabbits, chickens, ducks and of inadequate attention to the breeding goals. The pigs – in deprived or harsh situations. A description three following papers address breeding structures of the operation of ‘‘Lambplan’’ in Australia pro- for extensive grazing systems with, generally, low vides evidence of progress achievable with the co- inputs. The first of these deals at length and in operation of producers when recording and infra- step-wise fashion with the requirements for straight- structure are adequate. i.e. pure- breeding; the next with crossbreeding An excellent opening paper in the published structures, and the expectations from them, when proceedings summarises the outcome of the work- restricted to indigenous breeds only; and the third shop and an introductory paper provides a useful, if addresses the utilisation of exotic breeds. It is good slightly stilted, background view from FAO to the to see set out clearly the questions that need to be development of breeding strategies for lower input asked and answered concerning the use of potentially animal production environments. high-yielding, but non-adapted, exotic stock in less favoured situations. The decision tree format is Dr Gerald Wiener, formerly Deputy Director splendid – even if, through hasty editing, one tree is Animal Breeding Research Organisation missing and the other leaves the reader going in a now incorporated into Roslin Institute, Edin- continuous loop. Hopefully no geneticist and fewer burgh, U.K. governments or funding agencies will in future also: Edinburgh University, Centre for Tropical promote the use of exotics without a clear strategy of Veterinary Medicine where to go after producing first crosses. It is regrettable, however, that adequate consideration is CESMAS Conference on equine sports medicine not given, in these papers, to the potential benefits of and science 1998. Cordoba, Spain, 24–26 April using F1 males on the indigenous population as a 1998. Arno Lindiver Ed.. Wageningen Pers, stepping stone in genetic improvement. A final Wageningen, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-74134- theme-setting paper provides the mathematical basis 56-4. for economic evaluation of breeding programmes – but, unlike the other papers, its emphasis is un- This book is actually the proceedings of three J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 67 2000 155 –204 197 sessions of the First Conference on Equine Sports paper on the application of surface electromyography Medicine and Science. Three chapters contain de- during physical exercise is primarily of scientific tailed review lectures and short papers 2–7 pages value. The aetiology and pathogenesis of distal splint long. All the short papers are summarized in with a bone fracture and the use of shark cartilage supple- brief ‘‘take home message’’. The 49 authors come mentation are also mentioned. from many different countries and continents, Africa, 3. Feeding and performance evaluation. This America, Australia, Europe and Asia with infor- title brings together various topics. There are mation on acupuncture. kinematic studies in order to analyse the gait of

1. Internal medicine and effects on exercise. dressage performance by quantifying observations