Butterfat Losses in Buttermilk from Commercial Churnings
Abstract The effect of churning procedures on fat losses in the buttermilk at two creameries in south Alberta was studied. Seasonal fluctuations were found to exist. Losses ranged from 0.72% to 3.00% with averages of 1.11 and 1.57% at the two plants. The temperature of the buttermilk at time of draining was quite important, 59°F being the maximum permissible to prevent greatly increased losses. A churning time of 45 to 60 minutes appeared to give minimum fat losses although churning times below 45 minutes showed a greater tendency to high losses than did those in excess of 60 minutes. Overloading of the churn greatly increased fat losses.
The Relation of Certain Semen-quality Tests to Breeding Efficiency and Characteristics of Semen from Low-fertility Bulls Before and After Hormone Injection
Summary Laboratory tests for semen quality including concentration, motility, fructolysis index, percentage dead sperm, and percentage abnormal sperm were investigated for their relationship to breeding efficiency. The two latter tests were most closely correlated to fertility, as measured by 30-60 day non-returns. A deficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone appears as one of the factors involved in the production of low-quality semen by certain related bulls. The luteinizing hormone and testosterone appeared to be secreted in normal amounts in these bulls. Factors other than the above are indicated to have been involved in poor-quality semen production by three inbred Holstein bulls.
Investigations on the rôle of organic matter in plant nutrition
1. As the result of decomposition of green manure in a swamp soil, the coarse fractions (including coarse and fine sand) of the surface layer (first 3 inches) decreased by 11·2 per cent. while the fine ones (silt+clay) increased by 9·8 per cent. in the course of 43 days. The effect was less pronounced in the manured soil maintained at 60 per cent. saturation, while no alteration was to be noticed in the case of the unmanured specimens. 2. Treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid prior to dispersion had no appreciable effect on the estimates of mechanical composition obtained in the different cases. Loss in solution was also comparatively small. 3. The silica-sesquioxide ratio increased slightly as the result of decomposition of green manure in swamp soil. The composition of the fine fractions was also altered, the total percentages of the oxides of iron, aluminium and silicon increasing from 90·5 to 99·3 in the course of 71 days. 4. The practical significance of the above and related observations has been discussed.