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Item Some aspects of the development of rumen function in dairy calves reared on pasture : a thesis presented at Massey College in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the Victoria University of Wellington(Massey University, 1962) Stewart, John AlexanderEconomy in feeding the ruminant is based on taking full advantage of rumen function. At birth however the rumen is not functional and the very young animal is dependent on a diet which it can digest without aid from microbial fermentation The need for a readily assimilated diet is normally fulfilled by the mothers milk. In the case of naturally reared animals this milk may continue to provide a significant proportion of the nutrients in the diet of the young animal even when rumen function has been established and it is capable of obtaining its nutrient requirements from grazing alone. Recognition of the fact that milk is an ideal food for young animals is reflected in the extended periods of milk feeding which in the past have been characteristic of the rations fed to artificially reared dairy stock. However there may be several disadvantages in such a practice, not the least of which being the amounts of milk and labour involved. In the search for more economical methods of calf rearing, the possibility of weaning at an earlier age has been investigated. Calves have been weaned as early as 3 weeks of age (Preston 1960), and it is known that calves which are provided with high quality pasture may be weaned at about 8 weeks of age without ill effect. [From Introduction]Item Variation in pH, volatile fatty acid concentration and proportions of the individual acids within the rumen of the dairy cow : a thesis ... M. Agr. Sc.(Massey University, 1964) Davey, Arnold Walter FrankAn increased interest in rumen physiology and metabolism has resulted in the accumulation of a mass of data on the subject over the last two decades but information, particularly on quantitative aspects, is far from complete. It is now well established that the main non-nitrogenous end- products of rumen fermentation, the volatile fatty acids (VFA) acetic, propionic and butyric play a major part in the energy metabolism of the ruminant. They provide the major energy source for the animal and the amounts and proportions of the acids absorbed influence the efficiency with which the diet is used for fattening and can affect the milk composition of the lactating cow. Thus a knowledge of the type of fermentation produced is necessary, as a contribution to the assessment of the nutritive value of feedstuffs and the efficiency with which they are converted to animal products. The results obtained by different investigators are seldom strictly comparable as the pattern of rumen fermentation and the concentration and proportions of the VFA s may be considerably modified by factors other than the composition of the diet. Such factors are the level of intake, the feeding regime and sampling techniques adopted. [From Introduction]Item Studies of variation in pH and volatile fatty acid concentration within the reticulum and rumen of a grazing cow : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science(Massey University, 1961) Bryant, Arnold MaxThe ruminant is but one component of the great cycle of energy utilization, a cycle which derives its energy from that of the sun and enables man not only to exist but also to flourish. The complex and comprehensive nature of the cycle does not belittle the role played by ruminants - the conversion of high fibre feedstuff of no direct value to man into a whole array of products, many of which are now considered essential to human nutrition and welfare. Their ability to perform this feat is attributable to the symbiotic relationship which exists between the microorganisms of the rumen and the host animal. This remarkable example of symbiosis has always elicited man's interest even though the interest initially arose from an inherent curiosity rather than a specific need. However, over the last few decades the resources of workers from diverse fields of science have been directed towards an understanding of the activities within the rumen and their importance to the nutrition of the host animal. This upsurge of interest has arisen from the demand for more effiicient agricultural. production which, from the animal side, can be achieved by maximizing the effeciency with which the ingested food material. is converted to the animal products. Inherent in this concept is the prevention and correction of the metabolic disorders which tend to accompany the intense and unnatural exploitation of the ruminant.Item Studies on the nutrition of grazing ruminants : collected papers : thesis submitted to Massey University, New Zealand for the degree of Doctor of Science(Massey University, 1967) Corbett, John LovickThe majority of the world's cattle and sheep obtain most of their feed by grazing, yet studies on housed ruminants and experiments on the growth of grassland herbage that exclude grazing animals outnumber direct investigations of animal production from pasture. Such studies are a legitimate approach towards, and make necessary contributions to, an understanding of the processes involved in pastoral systems, but in themselves they are not sufficient to gain a full appreciation of these processes which entail complex interactions between climate, soil, plant and animal.Item Studies on the flora and fauna of the bovine rumen : a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Massey University of Manawatu(Massey University, 1964) Clarke, Richard Thomas Joyce; Clarke, Richard Thomas JoyceNo abstract.