EAAP

Livestock Production Science 67 (2000) 155–204www.elsevier.com/ locate / livprodsci

In this issue (page numbers)

Report on 51st Annual Meeting of EAAP, The Hague, 2000 (155)Future EAAP Annual Meetings (156)

Study Commission Programme for EAAP 2002, Cairo (158)Update of Study Commission Programme for EAAP 2001, Budapest (159)

Book of Abstracts (161)EAAP Notices: President and Council (161)

Scholarships for EAAP Budapest, 2001 (163)Reports from EAAP Working Groups (164)

EAAP Awards (166)Best Papers by Young Scientists at EAAP 2000 (174)

EAAP Scholars at The Hague, 2000 (175)In Memoriam (175)

Personal News (177)Reports of EAAP Study Commissions (178)

Reports on Satellite Symposia at EAAP 2000 (189)Reports of other Scientific Meetings (192)

Book Reviews (193)Training Courses (201)

Forthcoming Scientific Conferences (201)

Editor: John Hodges, Lofererfeld 16, A-5730 Mittersill, Austria. Fax: 1 43-6562-54814; e-mail: [email protected]

December 2000 Number 39

51st ANNUAL MEETING OF EAAP, THE future EAAP meetings. The physical venue was wellHAGUE, 2000 placed with functional facilities placed in convenient

locations. The weather was kind throughout and theThe 51st EAAP Annual Meeting was held from organization and Dutch hospitality superb.

21–24 August 2000 in The Hague, The Netherlands In addition to the usual EAAP Study Commissionwith the special theme ‘‘Interaction between Re- Sessions there were two special events: An Openingsearch and Innovation’’. The meeting was part of the Session on the ‘‘Interaction between Science and2000 Joint Celebration Millennium Meeting of Innovation’’ with speakers from Europe and the USAEAAP/ASAS/ADSA. Participants from both sides of and a Plenary Round Table on ‘‘Science Competencethe Atlantic acclaimed the meeting as a great suc- in the Agricultural /Food Chain’’. The two plenarycess. The Meeting offered several innovative and papers given at the Opening Ceremony ‘‘Governancecreative ideas which may become regular features of of innovation in animal production: New roles for

0301-6226/00/$ – see front matter 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.PI I : S0301-6226( 00 )00238-4

156 J. Hodges / Livestock Production Science 67 (2000) 155 –204

science, business and the public sector’’ and ‘‘Sci- The Annual Meeting is organized by the Agricul-entific information transfer as a source for new tural Science Section of the Hungarian Academy ofproducts to society’’ will be published in Livestock Sciences, Association of Hungarian Animal Breed-Production Science. ers, National Institute for Agricultural Quality Con-

There were five Satellite Symposia prior to the trol and the Research Institute for Animal BreedingEAAP Meeting: Gas production: Fermentation kinet- and Nutrition under the patronage of the Hungarianics for feed evaluation and to assess microbial Minister of Agriculture.activity; Robotic milking: the future is here; Prepar- The EAAP Annual Meeting will be held at theing and presenting scientific papers; Biology of Centre of Information Technology of the Budapestlactation in farm animals; Use of information and University of Technology and Economics (BUTE).communication technology (ICT) in teaching and The Centre is located on the Buda side of the

´ ´learning in animal sciences. Reports follow in this Danube near the Lagymanyosi Bridge and is wellnewsletter (pages 189–191). equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure a

In addition special meetings were held: Farm successful meeting. Hotels are easily accessible byAnimal Genetic Resources; Scientific Programme public transport. The events will include a WelcomeCommittee; LPS Editorial Board; Council Meetings, Cocktail, Opening Ceremony, Welcome Party andJoint meetings of the Board with the Scientific Gala Dinner to which all registered participants andProgramme Committee and the General Assembly. accompanying persons are invited.

A successful Mid-Conference Tour was held A Programme for Accompanying Persons willtogether with a Conference Party. Accompanying be offered including trips north and south on thePersons enjoyed special visits to locations in other Danube to famous historic cities, guided tours ofparts of The Netherlands. Poster Presentations were Budapest with visits to the Parliament to see thesuccessfully organized with refreshments. Hungarian Royal Regalia and to the Castle for a

The participants congratulate and thank the lead- fashion show.ers, organizations and sponsors for an excellent The twin towns of Buda and Pest face each otherEAAP Annual Meeting. across the Danube River and are linked by numerous

graceful bridges. Budapest is a warm-hearted citywith a rich artistic, architectural and cultural history.

FUTURE EAAP ANNUAL MEETINGS The city has existed since Roman times and isfamous for its thermal springs and spas which are

2001. The 52nd EAAP Annual Meeting, will be used today. Budapest may be reached by air, train,held in Budapest, Hungary from 26 to 29 August road or ship and is well supplied with public2001. The new format of the EAAP Annual Meeting transport.will be introduced for the first time. Satellite Symposia will be held prior to the

Meeting on: Endangered Native Animal Breeds;The Study Commission Programme is given in Preparing and Presenting Scientific Papers; TeachingEAAP News No. 36, page 60 in LPS 62 (December of Animal Production Sciences in Central and East-1999) and Programme Updates may be found on ern European Countries. After the meeting the 2ndpages 159 –161 in this EAAP News. International Workshop on Mammary Gland Bio-

technology will be held. Details of these Satellite´Hungarian scientists, particularly Professor Artur Symposia may be found in the Calendar of Forth-

Horn, were prominent in discussions leading to the coming Scientific Conferences at the end of thisformation of EAAP in 1949 and Hungary provided Newsletter (pages 202–203). There will also be anone of the two most influential and longest serving Interbull-EAAP Joint Meeting. and the Contact

´ ´Secretaries-General of EAAP, Dr. Kristof Kallay. Group on Central and Eastern Europe will meet.´Professor A. Horn and Dr. Kallay now reside with A Pre-Meeting One-Day Tour will be held on

their wives in Budapest. Hungary has hosted two Saturday 25 August to Eger. Two Post-Meetingprevious EAAP Annual Meetings in 1970 and 1986. Tours will be held; to The Lake Balaton (30 August

J. Hodges / Livestock Production Science 67 (2000) 155 –204 157

to 1 September) and Northern Hungary (30–31 Pers, PO Box 42, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, TheAugust). Netherlands. Tel.: 1 31-317-476-516. Fax: 1 31-

A Ph.D. Course will be offered after the end of 317-426-044. Email: [email protected] EAAP Meeting on Computation of Random and Web: www.wageningenpers.nl /eaap/ (see page 161).Fixed Effects in Animal Breeding with the PestPackage (see page 201). 2002. The 53rd EAAP Annual Meeting will be

Scholarships will be awarded to young scientists held from 1 to 4 September 2002 in Cairo, Egypt.of maximum age 30. Previous holders of scholar- This is the first time that the EAAP Annual Meetingships cannot reapply for three years. There is a will be held outside Europe.maximum of two scholarships per country. Applica- Egypt is a land of ancient and modern culturestions should be made through the EAAP Member with a population of 13 million. Greater CairoCountry. Details of applying for Scholarships may be includes two parts: Cairo and Giza on each side offound on page 163. the Nile river. In Giza are the Great Pyramids, the

Sphinx, the Step Pyramid of Sakkara and the SolarRegistration Fees: Bark. The scientific programme will include all

recent trends in science while the programme forAccompanying Persons will include visits to Phara-

Participant: EURO 550 (625). Accompanyingonic, Coptic and Islamic museums. There will be

person EURO 280 (350).Post-Conference Tours to famous places of interestincluding Upper Egypt by boat and air where the

Accommodation is available at a wide variety ofancient Pharoah culture flourished, to Hurghada for

hotels with prices ranging from EURO 205 to 18 perswimming in the Red Sea and to resorts on the

night for single room.Mediterranean coast.

Contact addresses are as follows:The Study Commission Programme may be found

Organizing Committee, c /o Research Instituteon page 158.

for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Her-Information: Professor Ashraf H. Barkawi, De-

´ ´ceghalom, Gesztenyes ut 1., Budapest. Tel.: 1 36-partment of Animal Production, Faculty of Agri-

23-319-133, ext 225. Fax: 1 36-23-319-133, extculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. Tel.:

120. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.atk.hu /1 202-569-4049. Fax: 1 202-568-3188. Email:

eaap2001/[email protected] or cise@main-

Official Congress Agency, AgroEurope Organiz-scc.cairo.eun.eg. Home page: esap.org.eg

¨ ¨ ¨ing Bureau Llc., H-2100 Godollo, Pf.8. Tel.: 1 36-28-432-987/988. Fax: 1 36-28-432-988. Email:[email protected]. 2003. The 54th EAAP Annual Meeting will be

Hotel Reservations, Pannonia Tourist Service, held in 2003 in Italy.´ ´ ´Rakoczi ut. 9. H-1088 Budapest. Tel.: 1 36-1-338-

4225/266-8281. Fax: 1 36-1-338-4258/266-1261.Email: pannonia congress [email protected] 2004. The 55th EAAP Annual Meeting will be

] ]Book of Abstracts for EAAP2001, Wageningen held in 2004 in Israel.

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STUDY COMMISSION PROGRAMME FOR EAAP 2002, CAIRO

Study Commissions Session I Session II Session III Session IV Session V Session VI

Genetics (G) Nutrient Regulation of Genetic Resources Free Communications Business meeting Selection TransgenicsGene Expression and and Ph* 1 GN* 1 G 1 Ph 1 P Free Communications Adaptation Longitudinal Data in

Animal Genetics (P)Animal Nutrition (N) Nutrient Regulation of Physiological Adaptation Metabolic Costs of Business meeting Optimising the use Drug Use, Drug resistance

Gene Expression to Harsh Environments the Immune System and of Forages in and Alternatives to AntibioticsN* 1 G 1 Ph 1 P Monogastric N* 1 Ph 1 P Free Communcations Animal Production M* 1 N 1 P

RuminantPh 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 H

Animal Management Livestock Farming Systems Animal Handling and Animal Factors in Business meeting Farm Animal Health Drug Use, Drug Resistanceand Health (M) in Harsh Environments Transportation–Welfare Pollution Control and Maintenance in Harsh and Alternatives to Antibiotics

(with LSWG, MEDWG) Issues Free Communcations Environments M* 1 N 1 PC* 1 M 1 S M* 1 C 1 S

Animal Physiology Nutrient Regulation of Physiological Adaptation Metabolic Costs of Business meeting Thermo-Regulation Transgenics*(Ph) Gene Expression to Harsh Environments the Immune System and Ph* 1 G

N* 1 G 1 Ph 1 P – Monogastric N* 1 Ph 1 P Free Communcations– RuminantPh * 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 H

Cattle Production (C) Livestock Farming Systems Physiological Adaptation Role of Crossbreeding Business meeting Farm Animal Health New Developments inin Harsh Environments to Harsh Environments in Dairy and Beef and Maintenance in Buffalo Production(with LSWG, MEDWG) – Monogastric Cattle Free Communications Harsh EnvironmentsC* 1 M 1 S – Ruminant M* 1 C 1 S

Ph * 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 HSheep and Goat Livestock Farming Systems Physiological Adaptation Meat Marketing Business meeting Farm Animal Health Multi-Purpose SheepProduction (S) in Harsh Environments to Harsh Environments and Maintenance in and Goats

(with LSWG, MEDWG) – Monogastric Free Communications Harsh EnvironmentsC* 1 M 1 S – Ruminant M* 1 C 1 S

Ph * 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 HPig Production (P) Nutrient Regulation of Physiological Adaptation Metabolic Costs Business meeting Information Systems in Drug Use, Drug resistance

Gene Expression to Harsh Environments of the and Animal production and Alternatives to AntibioticsN* 1 G 1 Ph 1 P – Monogastric Immune System Free Communcations M* 1 N 1 P/Free

– Ruminant N* 1 Ph 1 P Communications (P)Ph* 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 H

Horse Production (H) Horse Production in Egypt Physiological Adaptation Selection of Arabian Business meeting Use of draught animals Adaptability of sport horsesto Harsh Environments and Anglo-arabian and in arid farming systems to stressful conditions– Monogastric Horses in Different Free Communcations– Ruminant Ecological ZonesPh* 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 H/Free Communcations (P)

* 5 Organising Commission.P 5 Parallel Session.


EAAP BUDAPEST, 2001 – 52ND ANNUAL but also in plants and in microbiology. The newperspectives which are open should be displayed.MEETING STUDY COMMISSION

Regulatory aspects and risk assessment will alsoPROGRAMME UPDATEbe addressed.

Session 3. This joint session is entitled: ‘Meat andThe following notes are provided by the Presidentsmilk safety’. The session will deal with the impact ofof the Study Commissions to supplement the originalfoodborne diseases in the community. Practicalprogramme which may be found in EAAP News No.examples of cases involving veterinary public health36, page 60 in LPS 62 (December 1999). Authorswill be shown. Emphasis will be put on the preven-are requested to submit the title and abstract of theirtive measures taken along the food chain. Methodspresentation exclusively in digital format as anand results will be shown.attachment.

Session 4. Free communication session.Session 5 and session 6. The two sessions willGenetics Commission Update

have epidemiology and economics as key-words.President: Dr. Johan van Arendonk. Email: One of them is joint with OIE (Office [email protected] des Epizooties), and it will focus on spreading

diseases like swine fever. Good scientific papersespecially those related to risk assessment, to GISThere are growing concerns on effects of long(Geographic Information Systems) and to modellingterm selection and in particular the consequences forare expected. The next session will try to evaluatefitness. In response to this, a session on ‘‘Geneticthe financial consequences of disease and low per-analysis of animal health and its relation withformance. Obviously a most important point. Toproduction traits’’ will be organised at the nextmany people the consequences of diseases are re-EAAP Annual meeting in Budapest in August 2001.stricted to notifiable major diseases. The reality isOther topics for the Budapest meeting are ‘‘Globali-very different and nowadays performance is ham-zation of cattle breeding and utilisation of local genepered by commonplace and trite health disorders.resources’’ and ‘‘Integrating molecular genetics and

physiology (joint with Physiology)’’. In addition,there will be three free communication session to

Cattle Commission Updateensure that participants get sufficient opportunities topresent recent research findings at the meeting.These contribution will be organized into sessions by President: Dr. Sergio Gigli. Email: [email protected] single co-ordinator. On behalf of the geneticscommission I invite you all to attend and again we Offered contributions are invited in the followinghope that you will submit good contributions which areas:form the basis for the attractive meeting.

Public perception of animal products and pro-Animal Management and Health Update duction methods. Chairman: C. Thomas (UK)

President: Professor F. Madec. Email: f.madec@This session will consider aspects such as welfare,ploufragen.afssa.fr

environmental pressures (pollution and landscapeand habitat) and the role of ‘alternative’ systems

Session 1. In connection with the commission on such as organic and biodynamic. The advantage tophysiology, we will try to clarify the mechanisms of be gained from linking animal products with distinctadaptation of farm animals to housing. geographical origins will be discussed. Views of

Session 2. Our second session is devoted to retailers and consumers will be sought to add to the‘GMO’s in the food chain’, a sensitive issue. The debate. Safety of meat and milk will be considered inscientific aspects will be considered. The principle, a separate joint session organised by the Commissionand practical examples should be given in animals for Management and Health.


Session II (P)Sustaining progress in restructuring of livestockLean growth and turnover rate of slaughter pigssystems in Central and Eastern Europe. Chair-as influenced by genetics, nutrition and feedingman: E. Kalm (D)technology. Chairman: J. Krieter (GFR)

The session run jointly with the Working GroupsThe overall objective of pig production is toon Central and Eastern Europe and Livestock Sys-

provide high grading pork at low costs, producedtems follows up previous initiatives in this areawith methods accepted by the consumers. Improve-which have concentrated on the statistics of change.ment of feed efficiency by substituting fat for lean isWe now wish to examine novel whole systemsmall because feed intake capacity is the limitingapproaches to tackling the problems. These systemsfactor for a maximum lean deposition over a specificneed to meet high quality standards required bytime period. At a given fatness level, efficiency ofinternational markets but also to capitalise on theproduction could be increased through faster leangeographical and social advantages of the regionsgrowth (reduction in total maintenance costs). Theand the countries.challenge for further improvements in efficiency ofpork production relies therefore on the accordance of

Free Communications. Chairman: S. Gigli (I) daily lean deposition and daily feed intake. Thescope of the session will be to describe lean growth

A new initiative will be introduced in Hungary. and turnover rate in the context of growth and feedAll the free communications sessions will be run at intake pattern in relation to the efficiency of pro-the same time. This will allow Commissions to duction from a genetic and nutritional point of view.rationalise animal breeding and nutrition papers and For details contact: [email protected] across Commissions.

Session III (M* 1 N 1 C 1 S 1 P 1 CEEC CG)Pig Commission Update Special Theme Session 2. The safety of meat and

milk. Chairman: M. Tielen (NL)´ ´President: Jose A. Fernandez. Email:

[email protected] This session is the second of a series of three atthe Annual Meeting regarding product safety andCall for contributions to the Annual Meeting,consumer acceptability. The contributions from in-Budapest, 2001. Voluntary contributions, which fit tovited speakers will dealt with the impact of foodany of the topics below, will be welcome.borne diseases in the community including practicalexamples. Special attention will be paid to meat andSession I (C* 1 S 1 P 1 H)milk as vectors of pathogens for farm animals on theSpecial Theme Session 1. Public perception ofone side, and to the virtues of animal products asanimal products and production methods. Chair-food for humans on the other side. Finally, measuresman: C. Thomas (UK)and means to ensure safety and wholesomeness ofmeat and milk will be highlighted. For details

This session is the first of a series of three at the contact: [email protected] Meeting regarding product safety and con-sumer acceptability. How is public perception of

Session IV (P)animal products formed? What are the influentialFree Communications and Business Meeting.factors? This session will attempt to analyse the

´Chairman: J.A. Fernandez (DK)influence of animal welfare, environmental load,production system as well as quality assurance

Session V (P)schemes and traceability on consumer’s reactions.New developments in progeny testing of breedingFor further information contact: C.Thomas@pigs. Chairman: M. Brandt (GFR)au.sac.ac.uk.


The aim of the session is to give an overview of which served as a valuable guide during as well ascurrent testing schemes and any new developments. I after the meeting in The Hague. The production ofwould like to aim for developments of traditional the book of abstracts has only been possible throughtraits under different environments like field results the involvement of a large number of people ininstead of station tests to overcome GxE-Interactions particular the organizing committee of The Hagueand also on new traits in testing like using IGF- meeting, the secretariat in Rome, the contact personsresults from weaners, new conformation traits or of the study commission and Mike Jacobs fromtraits like longevity and any other development. A Wageningen Pers. I want to thank all people for theirthird 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 ofcrossbreeding system. Here the traits included and these were rejected based on scientific quality and/orthe organisation of data flow is of special interest. the large number of contributions from a single

institute. The later procedure was discussed andSession VI (Ph* 1 P) agreed upon by the Scientific Advisory CommissionReproduction technology in the pig. Chairman: (SAC) during the meeting in Budapest earlier thisB. 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, 2001are mainly used to increase genetic gain of thepopulation. However, in pig production, the main We have made some significant improvements oninterest for the use of these technologies lay in the electronic submission as a result of which the paperpossibilities to introduce new genetic material in a abstract form is no longer needed. There will be aclosed pig populations all over the world with low one page leaflet with details on the scientific programrisks of disease transport. This session is devoted to as well as ways to submit an abstract. The abstractthe current stage of these reproductive technologies. form is available on the internet from were theUpdates will be presented on the results of surgical authors are able to download the electronic abstractand non-surgical embryo transfers, the current stage form (http: / /www.wageningenpers.nl /eaap). Theof in vitro production of embryos, the use of sexed deadline for submission of abstracts for the 2001semen and deep uterine insemination techniques. meeting in Budapest is March 1, 2001 to:

[email protected].

Further information can be obtained by contact-Johan van Arendonking:Editor-in-Chief of Book of Abstracts

´Jose A. Fernandez Wageningen, The NetherlandsDanish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ResearchCentre Foulum, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele. Tel.:1 45-8999-1374. Fax: 1 45-8999-1525. EAAP NOTICES: PRESIDENT ANDHomepage: HTTP: / /www.agrsci.dk /hef / jaf COUNCIL

Remarks by Retiring President, Prince Phillip zuSolms-Lich

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 2000At the General Assembly in The Hague, the

The production of the book of abstracts No. 6 for Retiring President Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lichthe 2000 Meeting in The Hague has run according to expressed his thanks to the Assembly and thenexpectations and has resulted in a good document addressed his special thanks to the Presidents of


Study Commissions and a number of officers with continues as Director of Research. He has served aswhom 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 forJean 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 theVigne, 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 onfor Animal Production took office at the end of the the EAAP Council. The five outgoing Council44th 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 retiringPresident of EAAP. Professor Aumaitre is the 9th Counsellors for their input and service and expressedPresident of the Association and the second President the hope that they will always be available andfrom 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 Counsellorsthe Association, who became the first President of who took up their office at the end of the GeneralEAAP 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 Ribeirosociation 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 overmanagement 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 byentific co-operation. He authored more than 300 ´Professor Galvez-Morros (Spain).scientific and technical publications in internationaland national referred reviews. He is a member of theFrench Association of Animal Production, the BritishSociety of Animal Science, the International Pig Honorary member of EAAPVeterinary Society, the French Veterinary Academyand the Rumanian Academy for Agriculture and Professor Alessandro Nardone, ItalyForestry, and is correspondent of the FrenchAcademy of Agriculture. The EAAP Council has pleasure in inviting

Professor Aumaitre studied at Grignon from Professor Alessandro Nardone to be an Honorary1957–1960 and graduated in Biochemistry from the Member of EAAP invited to Council Meetings. HereParis 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 13Agronomique (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 theof the Department of Monogastrics (1985–1994) and academic year 1962. In 1963 he graduated from the


‘‘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 theFrench Institute of Agriculture (INRA) in 1970. He Prince Phillip zu Solms-Lichlectured part-time on animal production at the Uni- President, EAAPversity of Naples until 1983 and was DirectorGeneral of the Italian Association of Animal Pro-duction (AIA) from 1971–1986. Since then he has SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE EAAP MEETINGbeen Professor and Director of the Institute for IN BUDAPEST, 2001Animal Genetics at the University of Viterbo, Italy.

Special acknowledgement. EAAP wishes to ac-In addition, he had held leading positions inknowledge with gratitude the decision of the Swissvarious national and international organisations andCommittee for EAAP 1999 to allocate CHF 10,000worked for national and international commissionsfor EAAP Scholarships. The continued support offor evaluation and nomination. Neither the ItalianH. Wilhelm Schaumann Stiftung Scholarship andPresident nor the Minister of Agriculture were ablethe Wageningen Pers Scholarship are also ac-to do without his assistance within their scientificknowledged.boards.

Professor Nardone is co-editor of numerous jour-All member organization of EAAP may proposenals. His field of knowledge goes from animal

young scientists of maximum age 30 years, asproduction, economy of animal production and ani-scholarship candidates for the EAAP Annual Meetingmal genetics to molecular genetics as witnessed byin Budapest, Hungary in August 2001. Previousmore than 100 publications. He was honoured by thewinners may not apply again for three years. Anational ‘‘Premio Marcora per la Ricerca’’, themaximum of two scholarships per country can be‘‘Merit Agricole de France’’ and the Honorarygranted. Prospective applicants should inform their¨Membership in the ‘‘Deutsche Gesellschaft furrelevant 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 Romedent of the International Committee for Recordingfor each candidate a letter describing the candidatethe Productivity of Milk Animals, the predecessorand giving: name, address, telephone and fax num-organisation of ICAR, from 1985–1988 he was Vice-bers, date of birth, official title, short description ofPresident of the Cattle Commission and Member ofthe scientific work and main publications of thethe Council since 1988. Then from 1990 – 1996 heapplicant. The name and address of each candidate’swas our President.employing institution is also needed.Due to his exceptional personal efforts even on a

This submission should be accompanied by fiveday-to-day basis, our organisation by-passed somecopies of the full text of the paper, in one of thevery adverse problems. In addition, he was par-Associations working languages (English, French orticularly engaged in favour of the Working GroupsGerman), which the candidate wishes to present at a‘‘Mediterranean area’’ and ‘‘Livestock Farming Sys-Study Commission. The paper should not exceed fivetems’’ and in the preservation of genetic resources.pages including tables and references. The title of theAfter the revolutionary events in 1989/1990 he waspaper should be relevant to the themes of the Studyco-founder of the Working Group for Central andCommissions in Budapest. In addition, the submis-Eastern European countries.sion should include a COPY of the original abstractToday, in the background of the support of theform, properly completed in accordance with instruc-Italian Government and the Italian Breeders totions. Also the estimated round trip travel costs toEAAP there is today in my humble opinion one mainand from Budapest should be included (APEX/stu-name: Alessandro Nardone. Professor Nardone, thedent /economy class or 2nd class rail ticket), plusCouncil is not able and not willing to do withoutbank account details for the candidate.your experience and your valuable assistance. So we


Before 1 March 2001 (deadline), the applicant Intervet International B.V., P.O. Box 31, 5830 AAmust send the original ‘cameraready’ abstract Boxmeer, The Netherlandsform and two copies of the intended paper directly Tel.: 1 31.485.587851. Fax: 1 31.485.587491to the publisher of the abstracts ([email protected]), Wageningen Pers, Postbus 42,6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. The format

Report of the Academic Curriculum Workingfor these papers should conform to the instructionsGroupfound on page 161.

By 30 April 2001, EAAP Rome Secretariat willAt its meeting in The Hague, the group firstinform the candidate of the result of the examination

thanked the organizers of the two events:by the Board of Examiners. By 31 May 1998, inThe first The workshop entitled ‘‘How to preparecommon with the authors of other abstracts, the

a scientific paper’’ was held for the third timeselected scholars will be told the modalities ofenabling a further 28 young colleagues to benefit.presentation by the appropriate Study CommissionThey gave the symposium very high commendation.Presidents.The Workshop was supported financially by Elsevierto whom thanks are due. The material of theWorkshop has now been prepared as a new publi-REPORTS FROM EAAP WORKING GROUPScation. 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 ofdents 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 todiscussion document on the possible future of take place in Budapest in 2001 on Saturday Augustaquaculture 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 information of a small representative working group of Cairo. The Egyptian colleagues propose that therelevant individuals, and then assessing the needs of Symposium ‘‘Use of information and communicationthe 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 theassociations 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 symposiumwith other aquaculture societies /associations and/or entitled ‘‘Teaching Animal Production Science intrying to integrate some over-lapping aquaculture Central and Eastern Countries’’ being planned withtopics 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 institutession 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. WilliamEnright: E-mail: [email protected]

Professor J.-L. Tisserand´ ´Etablissement National d’Enseignement SuperieurWilliam J. EnrightAgronomique de DijonTechnical Manager, Pharmaceuticals, Aquatic(ENESAD), Dijon, FranceAnimal Health Division


Report of the Alternative Production Working Livestock Production ScienceGroup

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 weretopics the group is interested in was set up. It submitted, it seems possible to plan to publish 6concerns: issues in 2001. The refusal rate and publication times

Animal species: rabbits, dromedaries, ostriches have been similar to those of the year before. Theand bees, which are not taken into account by the Jubilee History of EAAP written by John HodgesEAAP Commissions, but also, buffaloes, the running and those articles published in the last two issues arepig and the donkey, in relationship with Commis- now available in LPS home page. We warmly thanksions. 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 Newswith space management, but also of fur animals andanimal work, and, in particular, sheep dogs in Thanks to John Hodges’ efforts we are regularlyconnection 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 Abstractsary 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 excellent2001 in Budapest a half-day meeting on the impor- quality and includes 748 abstracts. Concerning nexttance 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, undertwo 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 dromedarywill be dealt with at the meetings of the Physiology

EAAP Scientific Publication Seriesand Management and Health Commissions.

In 2003 in Italy, the Sheep and Goat CommissionÚnder the responsibility of Professor Pal Rafai, six

may introduce a topic related to sheep dogs. We needbooks were published last year, including number

the help of all interested colleagues to ensure the100. This gave us an opportunity to improve our

success of these projects. I am counting on you.presentation and, in particular, our cover. For thisyear six new issues are being prepared.

At this time as I leave the responsibility of theEAAP Publication Steering Committee, I would likeProfessor J.-L. Tisserand

´to wish much success to my successor, Professor Pal´ Établissement National d’Enseignement SuperieurRafai whose competence will, I am sure, allow for aAgronomique de Dijonnew growth of our publications, and I wish to(ENESAD), Dijon, Franceexpress 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´ Établissement National d’Enseignement Superieur

Thanks to the efforts and skills of all, our publi- Agronomique de Dijoncations have become better this year. (ENESAD), Dijon, France


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 theestablishment of the environmental laboratory at theHungarian Veterinary University, which was the first´Professor Dr. Pal Rafai, Hungaryof its kind in Central and Eastern Europe and hasdirected the research in it until the present from 1966The EAAP Council take pleasure in awarding theincluding the establishment of the second more´Leroy Fellowship for 2000 to Professor Dr. Paladvanced laboratory in 1973.Rafai, Hungary on the basis of his scientific work

Using the technical facilities of these laboratoriesand contributions to EAAP. Pal Rafai was born inhe reported basic information on the environmentalBudapest on 11 July 1940. He graduated from thephysiology and endocrinology of baby and growingBudapest University of Veterinary Science in 1963.pigs. Later he studied the effect of supra-optimalAfter serving for some months as veterinary prac-ambient temperatures on the health of production andtitioner he was invited to the Department of Animalfattening pigs, which laid foundation for his PhDHygiene to teach environmental physiology andthesis.veterinary preventive medicine, where he has worked

He conducted early studies in the seventies on theever since. He has climbed the university ladder andadrenocortical activity of weaned pigs and reportedwas elected Head of the Department in 1990.fundamental data on the effects of adverse environ-At the beginning of his scientific career he studiedmental factors on adrenocortical activity, humoraland cellular immune response of pigs. The ultimategoal of these researches aimed at gaining data forbetter understanding of the multifactorial (manage-ment related) pig diseases. In this line he conductedan early investigation on the role of (first inorganic,later organically bound) selenium compounds onhealth of pigs and their resistance against swinedysentery. In collaboration he also studied, andreported original data on the connection betweenadverse environmental factors and manifestation onMycoplasma pneumonia in pigs.

Adverse effects of Fusarium toxins on health andproduction of livestock and poultry was recognisedvery early in Hungary. Professor Rafai established amycotoxin laboratory in his Department and con-ducted basic research on the effects oftrychothecenes in pigs, duck, geese and domesticpoultry. The results of these research laid foundationfor setting policy of controlling and diminishing theadverse effects of Fusarium toxins and were utilisedin setting maximum permissible concentrations ofthese toxins for different categories of farm animalsand poultry in the Hungarian Feed Codex.

For the last couple of years he has been engagedin establishing quality assurance programmes for thepig industry. In close collaboration with other institu-

´Professor Dr. Pal Rafai, Hungary tions he established the system of auditing the


welfare issues and production safety at the level of From 1959 to 1961 he studied (post-doctoral) atprimary producers and elaborated a slaughterhouse the Institut National Agronomique in Paris under theveterinary surveillance system for monitoring the late Professor A.M. Leroy and it is through him thatseverity 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 Animal1996) very active as President of the Commission on Nutrition and Feeding at Ankara University then fullAnimal Management and Health, which he co-ordi- Professor in the University’s Department of Animalnated most efficiently. At the very beginning of his Sciences were he also served for several years asterm he successfully re-tailored the strategy of the head of the Department. In 1986 he went to AthensCommission, regarding policy changes and new University in Georgia (USA) were he specialized inpriorities 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 ofthemes of the 30 sessions which he organised during Zootechnics and Animal Nutrition of the Universityhis six years of service as President of the Commis- of Ankara, was an early member of EAAP (15sion interested the usual participants of the EAAP October 1952), but it was only in 1978 when Kamil

ˇmeetings and drew many newcomers to these meet- Dogan was elected Secretary of the Turkish branchings. 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 15regional 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 strongInternational Society for Animal Hygiene and close leadership in the development of two major EAAPcollaboration 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 ofcation 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 oflectures 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 ofParis – Grignon, in 1980.

In 1994, until the completion of 50 years ofˇ ˇProfessor 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-

ˇproposing Professor Kamil Dogan of Turkey for the sible for the establishment of an important chemical2000 Distinguished Service Award. analysis laboratory and a modern poultry experimen-

ˇKamil Dogan (Kamil bey for his friends) was born tal unit. He meaningfully sustained the developmentin Amasya, Turkey in 1926. He received his under- of the University’s Agricultural Library by donatinggraduate training at the Agricultural Faculty of the more than 2000 books. Appreciated by his studentsUniversity of Ankara in 1949 where he also started he is the recipient of an impressive number ofworking 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-

thEvaluation. bey’s motto. We are honoured at this 50 anniver-


ˇProfessor Kamil Dogan

sary of his service to our profession to wish him and Professor Roger Hansetˆ`his wife Ayten, good health, au revoir et a bientot.

The Council of EAAP has great pleasure inJean Boyazoglu, Executive Vice President of proposing Professor Roger Hanset of Belgium for theEAAP 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


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. Their1965. He was very early attracted to Animal Ge- complete study also interestingly showed later thatnetics and became a professor in that discipline in each of them can be traced back to one rather precise1968 at the Veterinary Faculty of Liege University. mutational event. This is a clear testimony to newThere he lived a long and very prolific career in useful quantitative genetic variation arising in theresearch, 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 forthe 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 givenin 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.


Roger Hanset is known for his principal publi- Academy of Medicine of Belgium, and has thecation 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 toBlue in 1995. This recessive gene was called mh. He thank him to-day for his dedication to animal sciencethen went on to collect DNA in order to establish an and international co-operation in that field. He is ainformative pedigree, that allowed the team of living example of a particularly fruitful synergyProfessor Georges to map the mh gene (as well as between breeder and researcher, an attitude he hasthe coat colour gene for roan) in 1995, and to permanently favoured, especially as scientific advisersequence it in 1997, mh then becoming the myostatin to the Belgian Blue Association. This activity hasgene. 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 histhe Belgian Blue cattle, a major gene was first professional life. EAAP is happy to congratulate himhypothesised, named Hal for halothane gene, and for your achievements and also to wish him, and toeventually 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 newLouis Ollivier´genetic type, called Rehal (for resistant to halothane),INRA, Francewhich was taken up by the Belgian pig industry. This

introgression experiment, which is indeed a textbookexample of this genetic process in farm animals, alsoallowed him to clarify the very diverse pleiotropic Professor Dr. Detlef Simoneffects of the halothane gene. An important discov-ery has been made possible recently through the The Council of EAAP has great pleasure instudy of this material. The team of Michel Georges proposing Professor Dr. Detlef Simon for the 2000was indeed able to detect in 1999 a new gene for Distinguished Service Award. Detlef Simon wasmuscular development in the pig, including a par- born 1930 in Southern Germany. Following schoolticularly 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 200publications in various scientific journals, and he hasalso authored a large number of chapters in books.He has been active in many international congressesand particularly as a member of the PermanentInternational Committee for World Congresses onGenetics Applied to Livestock Production from 1974to 1986. We all know his active participation in theEAAP annual meetings, as session chairman, invitedspeaker, author of communications, and also as Vice-President of the Animal Genetics Commission from1988 to 1994.

Roger Hanset has been honoured by severalprestigious distinctions during his career, until hebecame Professor Emeritus in 1993. He was ap-pointed to the Francqui Chair at the University ofGhent in 1983–84. He is a member of the Royal Professor Dr. Detlef Simon


in-depth practice as head of genetics of the private developing countries. Following a meeting held atpoultry breeding organization Lohmann in Cux- the FAO-headquarters in November 1987, EAAPhaven. In 1959 Detlef Simon was been promoted to and FAO came to an arrangement for the creation ofDr. Agr at the TU Munich in Weihenstephan and a global data bank for animal genetic resources basedlater he took post-graduate study at Cornell Universi- in Hannover. This agreement was officially signedty in the USA, and then gained his habilitation in on February 10, 1988 setting up a joint EAAP/FAOMunich-Freising. working group with the main objective of the

Later Detlef Simon was appointed Professor of coordinated management of the proposed global dataGenetics 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 livestockHannover, Germany, and during the last 2 years the species in four languages (German, English, SpanishDean 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 alsostimulus, many very famous research works have its software at the disposal of all countries thatbeen carried out, especially in large-scale breeding wished to develop a national data base and carry outfor 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 betweenand veterinarian sciences, In the meantime, from the FAO and the TiHo, Hannover, the TiHo received1985 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 anspecial mention of his involvement in Germany on important book ‘Genetic Diversity of Europeanthe 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 allfirst concerted international action in the field of the European Breeds (a total of 877 compiled inanimal 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 theOne of the main activities of AGR was organizing joint EAAP/AFO activity had been a success be-regular surveys on the situation of cattle, sheep, goat, cause, among other things, it gave life to thehorse and pig breeding populations in the different establishment of a questionnaire in four languagesEuropean 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 notCommission assigned the task of creating an elec- result in a global data bank being operated intronic 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’ssucceeded in gaining financial support to establish global data bank. This was explicitly acknowledgedthe 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 inthe Genetics Commission organized a session on the Hannover.use of genetic resources for future animal produc- Detlef Simon, you retired officially from yourtion. 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 mottoestablish and manage a global data bank of animal is: retirement is not doing nothing. To your wifegenetic resources to serve both, developed and Elisabeth, your family and to yourself we wish many


years in good health and everybody is hoping that but grew through his Ph.D. work in Uppsala, thethis is not the last time we shall se you at an EAAP sabbatical year in Australia working with Dr. Helenmeeting. Turner and through his energetic inputs to learn from

colleagues and research organisations. He and hiswife Elisabeth are probably the most frequent non-

Eugene WagnerEAAP participants at our annual meetings. He

Ministry of Agricultureworked with INRA, ETH, CSIRO, INTA and FAO.

LuxembourgHe still is one of the most active referees for LPS.

D. Hofmeyr’s career included duties for the SouthAfrican 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 inhas been a dedicated and enthusiastic animal scientist Southern Africa. The progress in South and Southernfor 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 reachingtraining 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 eminentsson. Originally he started work at the Mara Re- scientist with expertise ranging from the farm to thesearch Station where he developed important work Ministry of Agriculture, to the research institutes andon the interaction between genetics and tropical / to the industry. His expertise was built on his Southsubtropical environments; and then moved on to African farming background and on the knowledgeestablish performance and progeny testing schemes of his national and international colleagues. Most offor pigs, sheep and dairy cattle. His work in the all he addresses issues with an open mind sharingMinistry of Agriculture provided him with excellent ideas and experience with all scientists all over thelinkages with research, practice and policy. As world and under all circumstances. Professor JayDirector 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 scientificinfluence on the direction of the research pro- problems which might escape many investigators. Igrammes, 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 theiranimal science research for the Department of Ag- problems in animal production. Together they havericulture. Dr. Hofmeyr has been widely recognised served him and his family, his colleagues and ourfor his expertise in animal breeding and policy animal societies extremely well and have createddevelopment and implementation. Special honours constructive approaches and many achievements.were awarded by the South African Society of The European Association of Animal ProductionAnimal Science, the South African Academy for congratulates you and your wife Elisabeth with thisScience and the German Livestock Breeders As- honour.sociation. He received two honorary Doctorates andholds an honorary Professorship in Genetics at theUniversity of Pretoria.

Dr. Hofmeyr has cherished international contacts Akke J van der Zijppand realised its significance most during the long Professor Animal Production Systemsperiod of the apartheid regime. His expertise was Wageningen Universityrooted in the ecological diversity of South Africa, President WAAP


member of the Scottish Youth International Team atProfessor T.M. Sutherlandage 18 and five years later when he joined theAll-England University Team. In the meantime heThe Council of the EAAP has the great honourhad 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 animalProfessor T.M. Sutherland was given the Distin-husbandry by taking a diploma at Reading Universi-guished Service Award in 1999. As he was unable toty. And having migrated from Scotland to England,attend the EAAP meeting of last year in Zurich, thehe chose to put an even greater distance between himcitation had to be delayed. It is EAAP’s pleasureand his homeland and to cross the Ocean. In 1958,now, in his presence, to pay him the tribute hehe obtained his Ph.D. in Animal Breeding at Iowadeserves.State University, in the well-known graduate schoolProfessor Sutherland, known to many as simplyof Professor Lush, at Ames, Iowa. And he alsoTom, was born in 1931 in Falkirk, near Glasgow,married there in 1956 to Jean Ann Murray. He thenScotland. Born and raised on a Scottish dairy farmwent to Colorado State University (CSU), at Forthe was well prepared to take a B.Sc. in AgricultureCollins, where he became Full Professor of Animalat Glasgow University. But having done all types ofSciences, and where he taught Animal Breeding andfarm work, he was also prepared to become aGenetics until 1983.brilliant football player, which he did first as a

Professor T.M. Sutherland


During his teaching and research career at CSU, about the genetic regulation of growth and bodyhe showed his interest in international agriculture in composition, using the laboratory mouse as anmany 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 andAfrica, South America and Europe. His interest in guest lectures – clearly show the diversity of hisinternational affairs also led him to take several interests. If mice, beef cattle, sheep and pigs were hisleaves. Among others, he took advantage of an NIH favourite species, he also made incursions intoResearch 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 wentUSAID for examining the feasibility of establishing on with the Distinguished Teacher Award of ASASa degree program in Agriculture in the University of in 1975 and the Distinguished Service Award ofLesotho. And then, in 1983, he was appointed the CSU in 1981. Tom has also been made Doctor ofDean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sci- Science by four American Universities and Doctor ofences 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 Serviceworld have experienced, as he was held hostage in Award, EAAP intends to pay a tribute to hisLebanon for more than 6 years: June 9, 1985 to outstanding contributions in the field of animalNovember 18, 1991. This story, which was also that production and to his long time connections toof his wife Jean, who stayed in Lebanon during the international agriculture. But in doing so, EAAP isentire captivity of Tom, has been beautifully ac- also aware of being celebrating a ‘‘true Americancounted in the book they wrote together: ‘‘At Your hero’’, in the words of President George Bush. TomOwn Risk, An American Chronicle of Crisis and was wholly dedicated to educating young people ofCaptivity in the Middle East’’. This book, widely all countries and religions. Captivity became part ofacclaimed throughout the world, is in itself a brilliant that work, as he writes in his book’s preface, and heachievement that the authors have good reasons to be never complained. We are all grateful to him for theproud 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 withrisk of offending their modesty, the story may be this Award.seen as Homer’s Odyssey enacted again: WhileTom-Ulysses was escaping from one danger to the Louis Olliviernext, as he stayed in 14 different locations in INRA, FranceLebanon, not seeing the sun for 2354 days, Jean-Penelope kept entertaining hope for herself as well as BEST PAPER PRESENTATIONS BY YOUNGfor their three daughters remained in the US. When SCIENTISTS, EAAP ANNUAL MEETING,Tom regained freedom, they both went back to Fort THE HAGUE, AUGUST 2000Collins. Tom then became Professor Emeritus andenjoyed a new life as Professional Speaker and Cattle Commission

¨Consultant in International Affairs and Agriculture. Anette Bruckmann, GermanyTom’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


¨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 NetherlandsNet absorption of fluid in uninfected and ETEC-

IN MEMORIAMinfected 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 manyA 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 topicwhich was closest to his heart, forging links between

Management & Health Commission research and practice in animal nutrition. Sadly heLeonie Ruis-Heutinck, The Netherlands died, suddenly, of a heat attack at his home inEffects 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, energeticinquisitive and dynamic.

Sheep and Goat Commission Geoff was always forceful and critical in hisO. Andreoletti, France scientific discussion. He had a tigerish determinationLaboratory tools for scrapie diagnosis to distil from the plethora of available scientific

information the useful nuggets which could be usedPig Commission in practice. Whilst his critical approach could some-

R. Lizardo, Portugal times be intimidating (he would never suffer poorModeling 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 hisinteractions with scientists of all ages and levels of

Horse Commission eminence. He was willing to challenge anyone on theK. Visser, The Netherlands basis of their ideas but always with an enthusiasticDo 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 professionalismrelied on enthusiasm and rigour – not formality. Hewas a real friend to many.

Geoff graduated from Reading University in 1945EAAP SCHOLARS 2000 – THE HAGUE with a degree in Agricultural Chemistry and then

worked for a short time as a research assistant at theBelgium V. de Behr School of Agriculture in Cambridge. When theEgypt W.A.I. Mekkawy National Agricultural Advisory Service was formedHungary A. Kerti in the UK in 1946 he joined it as a NutritionFrance V. Dodelin Chemist. This was the role he developed throughoutGreece 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 whatPortugal A.M. Ramos had then come to be called the UK Agricultural

´Slovakia P. Polak Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) withinTunisia S. Kriaa the structure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries


and Food. This post was based in London where detailed, analytical way, he was able to point out toGeoff interacted with the policy and political inter- all of us interested in this area just how manyests of MAFF as well as sustaining his very active similarities, and how few differences, there areinvolvement 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 meetingsbegan work as a private consultant in animal nutri- and whenever he was present there was no doubt thattion, an activity which he continued right up to his he would be actively involved with sharp anddeath. intelligent questioning, both in public and in private.

In the UK, Geoff was responsible directly, or He was President of the British Society for Animalindirectly, 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 withenergy system for ruminants was put into practice Geoff would never have regarded him as anythingin 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 theMetabolisable Protein System for Ruminants in University of Reading and just a couple of years agothe 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. Heknown as ‘‘AFRC 1993 Energy and Protein was absolutely delighted in discussion to refer toRequirements of Ruminants’’.) himself as a young postgraduate and applied himself

to his studies in an exemplary manner. This perhapsOn 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, someonesystem 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 afor energy rationing to ruminants which applied in delight to work with Geoff Alderman and learn fromvarious parts of Europe at that time. This produced him and I know that I am not alone in havingan important publication in Livestock Production enormous respect for his ability to crystallise theScience 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 turnEuropean countries were not able to agree on a science into practice and also how to encourage thatunified approach to energy rationing systems for vital quality of critical discussion which encouragesruminants. the rigorous development of ideas. His practical

Having developed energy feeding systems to the scientific contribution was hugely relevant to EAAPpoint 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 exampleinvolved in the UK and within EAAP in promoting which he set.discussion and some rationalisation of the differentapproaches to ruminant protein systems which have Dr. J. D. Oldham, Presidentbeen developed in different countries. In his usual EAAP Nutrition Commission


Institute, whose Director at the time was Sir KennethDr. Santiago Martin Rillo, SpainBlaxter, who taught us bioenergetics. In this wayJohn Topps opened for us the expertise of manyDr. Santiago Martin Rillo of INIA Madrid Spaineminent scientists in the field of animal nutrition.died on 2 October 2000 after a long illness which heJohn Topps was an honorary Associate of the Rowettbattled for many months. It is very difficult for me toInstitute from 1969.describe the sense of loss and the sorrow which I and

He taught over 100 M.Sc. students, half of themmany colleagues in EAAP feel. Santiago Martinfrom overseas. Thus his knowledge and also hisRillo shared many paths: as a teacher in Zaragoza,spirit and ideas have spread all over the world toresearch worker in INIA, in the EAAP Pig Commis-Universities, Research Institutes and Extension Ser-sion, organizer of international meetings and invices. He has always continued to be available to hispublications – 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 theManagement Information Systems at the EAAPRoyal Society of Chemists he deepened knowledgeAnnual Meeting in Madrid in September 1992.on animal biochemistry, metabolism, physiology andSantiago was an enthusiastic contributor to sciencenutrition, having one foot in the laboratory and theand in spreading science through education throughother in the extension services and industry. He wasEAAP, in the development of the Veterinary Schoolespecially concerned with livestock production inMadrid and in the world of science generally.developing countries. John Topps had a great senseSantiago will be remembered especially for hisof humour and interests in sports, gardening andwarm welcome, his openness to everybody, his wishAfrican history. He will be remembered by histo contribute to the success of all his ventures and tostudents as a scientist of great calibre, an inspiredthe success of his country. He was a man of greatteacher, charismatic advisor, a researcher of greatenthusiasm, faith and humanity. He was a fineinsight and above all a person who cared deeply forhusband and father with courage in the face ofothers.adversity. We have lost a friend prematurely.

´Aime Aumaitre, PresidentPantelis E. ZoiopoulosEAAPAssociate Professor of Animal ScienceUniversity of Ioannina, Greece

Professor John H. Topps, UK

Professor John Topps died on 8 January 2000 at PERSONAL NEWSthe age of 70. He was born in Hampshire, UK and

¨Professor Dr. Niklaus Kunzi, Switzerlandwas brought up on a small farm near Portsmouth. Hegraduated from London University with both B.Sc.

¨The Council of the Deutsche Gesellschaft furand 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 MembershipUniversity of Rhodesia. In the mid-1960s he returned¨to Professor Dr. Niklaus Kunzi, ETH Zurich. Theto the UK and ran the M.Sc. course in Animal

ceremony took place during the Annual GeneralNutrition 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 thetry and Biochemistry in the Aberdeen School ofHonorary Membership because of his scientificAgriculture and was awarded the D.Sc. by thecontribution to cattle breeding, his close contact toUniversity. After his retirement in the early 1990s hethe industry and his contribution to internationalwent 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 myPresident of EAAP and as the organiser of the 50thsupervisor in the M.Sc. course which he had createdAnnual Meeting of EAAP in Zurich 1999.and which ran in association with the nearby Rowett


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 isIsrael was honoured with the prestigious presentation Emeritus Research Scientist having worked withof the J.L. Lush Award (Genetics) in the spring of Agriculture Canada throughout his career. He has2000. 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 dairycommencement in August 2000. Professor Soller is science.well known in EAAP and world-wide for hispioneering work in both quantitative and genomicgenetics. EAAP send him their sincere congratula-tions. REPORTS OF EAAP STUDY COMMISSIONS

Commission on Animal GeneticsProfessor Jean Boyazoglu

The President of the Republic of Portugal has We look back at a very good and interestingawarded to Professor Jean Boyazoglu the Order of meeting in The Hague. The scientific quality of theCommander of the National Order of Portugal, Class presentations was very good. Papers were mostlyAgriculture, Commerce and Industry. The award was well presented and resulted in good discussionsmade on 28 July 2000 in Lisbon, Portugal in the during as well as after the sessions. There was aname of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Develop- large number of very interesting posters and the jointment 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 molecularsor Boyazoglu as a scientist and administrator inter- genetics were discussed. A number of QTL affectingnationally with special reference to his concern, important traits were reported during this meetingexperience and interest in animal production in less which is an important step towards application offavourable conditions of the Mediterranean Basin molecular genetic tools in breeding schemes. Theand elsewhere. invited speakers provided an excellent overview of

the developments in the area of functional genomicsNew President of International Dairy Federation which will have a large impact of research in the

coming years. The joint session with Cattle and PigsAt 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 toFrance, was elected president of the IDF for four be learned from evolutionary genetics. Animals haveyears. Dr. Jachnik is Head of Professional and the ability to adapt to new environments and thisInternational Relations at the French Dairy Pro- characteristic has a genetic component. Some verycessors’ 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 secondThe new Chairman of Interbull is Dr. Jean-Claudeterm 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. OtherAsko 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; ReinhardReents, Germany; Enrico Santus, Italy; Brian Van Johan van Arendonk, PresidentDoormaal, Canada, Hans Wilmink, The Netherlands. Genetics Commission


discussion it was noted that modification throughCommission on Animal Nutritionprocessing instead of manipulating the animal mightbe more acceptable to consumers. However, bothThree Joint Sessions were held in The Hague withprocessing and the genetic improvement take muchthe Commissions on Horse Production (III), Animalmore time than being acceptable from the develop-Physiology, Management and Health (IV) and Pigment in the market. Dr. Boland underlined theproduction (VI). All sessions had good attendancediscrepancy between the consumers’ wish to haveand interesting papers.lower fat in milk, whereas farmers want more fat,because they are paid for the fat. It was stated thatSession I: ‘‘Free communications and emergingthe sensory improvement of milk has probably beenissues’’overlooked, as the taste of milk still is the same.Chairperson: Dr. T. ZebrowskaAnother aspect was that more social knowledgeshould be used to inform the consumer in a betterPapers were presented on: the nutritive value ofway about the production process and the propertiesgenetically modified corn silage with no significantof animal products. At the end it was concludeddifferences detected; lysine: energy ratio for highhowever, that it would be impossible to continue asperformance of growing pigs; the effect of branched-single disciplines to meet the consumer or marketchain amino acids and tryptophan on performance ofdemand and questions. In animal science we need topiglets; 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 anducts’’health aspects’’Chairman: Dr. S. KorverChairman: Dr. J. Oldham

This session was related to the theme of the EAAPIn this Joint Session with the Commissions onMeeting. Four invited speakers demonstrated the

Animal Physiology, Animal Nutrition and Manage-interesting developments in the food chain, wherement and Health Dr. D. Bauman (‘‘Genetic andconsumers and retailers induce an increasing in-environmental influences on the regulation of nu-fluence by the demands from their side and causetrient partition in cows’’) demonstrated develop-effects on research and producers. Dr. K.G. Grunertments in the performance of dairy cows, which in apresented results of an investigation of ‘‘Consumer-century went up to average annual yields of 15,000led product development on milk and meat prod-kg per cow. These developments were to a largeucts’’. Dr. H. Rulquin reviewed ‘‘Effects via dairyextent correlated with the differences between ani-nutrition on the composition and properties of themals in nutrient partitioning. Increased digestibilitymilk’’. Interest was especially focused on the doseor nutrient absorption and partial efficiency of nu-response effects to modify milk composition. Hetrient utilisation had only minor influences. The roleconcluded that the present challenge of ruminantof various factors, including somatotropin, in thenutritionists is to elaborate tools, which enableco-ordination of biological processes and the regulat-precise control of the well-known effects. Dr. M.ing of nutrients required for milk synthesis wasBoland showed some examples of ‘‘Designer milksidentified. Dr. J.E. Pryce presented ‘‘Fertility in thefor the new millennium’’. In his opinion healthhigh producing dairy cow’’ and the observed un-products are in the most exciting new area forfavourable genetic correlation between milk yieldmilk-based products. These include minerals (cal-and reproductive measures. That antagonism couldcium), peptides derived from milk protein (ACEnot be elucidated by physiological reasons. It wasinhibitor peptide) and lipid components (conjugatedshown that many factors maybe involved in additionlinoleic acid). Dr. B. Urlings reviewed the presentto the genetic effects, such as nutrition, physiologyknowledge of ‘‘Designer made meat in pigs’’. In the


and management of dairy cattle. Dr. K.L. Ingvartsen presented: effect of starch level in the diet forreviewed 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-finishingtissue reserves, which is central for some of the pigs; enzyme supplementation and heat processing asmetabolic disorders and infections. Dr. V. Brocard methods to improve nutritional value of wheat inpresented ’Feeding management of high yielding diets for early-weaned pigs; inclusion of naturalcows’ and showed the expectations of two strategies: plants extracts in a diet for post-weaning pigs and itsOne was to maximise the individual cow’s potential, effect on faecal digestibility; protein and energybut with quite high risk of production diseases. A availability from grass and grass /clover swardssecond strategy was to reduce the concentrate per kg during the growing season; effect of substitution ofof milk, reduce the N-level to 90 g of PDI/kg DM, soybean meal and wheat bran with corn gluten mealreduce 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 farmshowed a reduced disease frequency with the secondstrategy. Session VI: ‘‘The gastro-intestinal tract of the pig

Short papers were presented on the effects of as influenced by chemical and physical dietaryinsulin on milk yield and composition, feed intake properties’’during early and mid-lactation; on the relation be- Chairman: Dr. Z. Mroztween milk yield, energy status and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal function; on the oxidative and Three invited speakers reviewed the subject frommetabolic 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 younginadequate feeding and management results in no pig: Structure and function and the relationships withresponse to BST; adverse environments require diet’’ and Dr. M. Gutscher on ‘‘Food components asdifferent genetic potentials; reduction of mastitis by regulatory signals for gut mucosal cell turnover inhigher 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 intakenegative 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 duringin higher milk yield in Sweden than Denmark, perfusion of ETEC-infected small intestinal segmentsprobably 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 digestibilitythe complex problems of the high yielding dairy cow and small intestine morphology and function infrom the point of view of physiology and nutrition as weaned piglets; mucin type in relation to growthwell as the welfare and the management of reproduc- after an E. coli K88 challenge in piglets; effect oftion and health of these cows. diet composition on energy balances in weaner pigs.

This session showed the importance of havingSession V: ‘‘Free communications’’ knowledge on the structure and functions of theChairperson: 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.


In the Business Meeting the programme for the reliable and uniform databases in Europe and hisrd53 Annual Meeting in Cairo 2002 was discussed. A contribution to the EAAP Working Group.

variety of subjects was identified and some hadpriority for the region and country where the Meet-

Electionsing will be held. Topics are listed in the Preliminaryprogramme 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 inworking 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 forview of EU-Directorate XII the Project had to be

re-election due to his retirement from the Researchfinished already last year, without execution of the

Institute in Rostock Dr. J.E. Lindberg from Swedenlast 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 Commissionas a tool to minimise the amount of undesirable

on Animal Nutrition expressed appreciation for thesubstances and products in feed materials. In this

work Dr. Y. van der Honing has done for thisway 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, Presidentwas undertaken by a first meeting in Copenhagen, Commission on Animal NutritionJune 2000, to establish the Ad Hoc Intergovernmen-tal Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding in theFramework of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Animal PhysiologyCommission.

The earlier attempts by INFIC (International Net- The Commission on Animal Physiology held fourwork on Feed Information Centres) to contribute to a titled sessions (three joint sessions and one on itssafer and sustainable animal production world-wide own), a free communication session and a businessby providing reliable and up to date information on meeting. The programme of the Commission wasfeeds 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 onform regional Networks, of which the European Pig Production, was devoted to ‘‘Factors affectingENFIC was an example, failed to get the governmen- mammary gland development and milk production intal support required. With the increasing international the sow’’. The development of the mammary glandsconcern about feed / food safety and against this in gilts was outlined and data elucidating the effectbackground the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex of hormones, especially prolactin, and nutrition onTaskforce on Animal Feeding may have a better mammary development were presented. Mammarychance to achieve better food and feed safety on a development during lactation was also covered. Inglobal scale and hopefully indeed can contribute this period mammary growth in sows is extensivesubstantially to a safe and sustainable animal husban- and closely related to milk production. Severaldry 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 pigletnot 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 CommissionBenedictus for all his efforts in the development of on Cattle production, was entitled: ‘‘Milking tech-


nologies, mammary gland function and udder Dr. Michel Bonneau, Presidenthealth’’. The sessions dealt with biological aspects of Dr. Kristen Sejrsen, Secretaryrelevance for the quickly rising use of automated Commission on Animal Physiologymilking systems in Europe. In such systems cows aremilked more frequently than with traditional milking,but the intervals between milkings may vary for the Commission on Animal Management and Healthindividual cow and gland. In automated milkingsystems 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 theconcern in relation to robotic milking is the conse- Commission together with a circle of efficient andquences for udder health and milk quality. All these dedicated people worked hard to ensure a goodtopics 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 relatedrole of leptin in farm animals’’. The recent discovery to animal health and welfare. Three sessions wereof 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 firstto a large number of investigations on the importance considered. How can we measure health, how can weof the adipose tissue for energy storage, feed intake measure welfare ? These issues fit within the scopeand reproduction. These topics were covered with of epidemiology despite the fact these words are notreference to farm animals. The development of often used. We had ten oral presentations from sixspecies-specific assays has been a major limitation to countries, in the session chaired by H. Blokhuisprogress in knowledge in ruminants. In the session it (NL). One came from the US, in connection to thewas reported that reliable assays now have been joint venture with ASAS (John McGlone, Texasdeveloped and investigations describing the effect of Tech. Univ.). From the papers and the discussions, itstage of development, level of nutrition and photo- became clear that the measurement of both healthperiod 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 physicalintegration of physiology, nutrition, management and injuries and clinical expression of pain are signs ofhealth aspects’’, will be found in the report from the poor welfare. But on the other hand, how are we toCommission 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 couldis mostly focused on reproduction. The sessions at fall within this problem. It was concluded that anthe 2002 meeting in Cairo will mostly be devoted to adequate assessment of health and welfare has to bethe 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 the2002 includes five nominated sessions, of which four parameters? How to give them the right weight? Nowill be held jointly with the Commissions on Animal answer could be given to these questions. HoweverGenetics, Animal Nutrition, Cattle, Sheep, Pig and in terms of welfare assessment, new perspectivesHorse 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 inentist was awarded to J. Kiers (Wageningen Uni- discussion on the welfare of farm animals despite theversity, The Netherlands) for his paper on ‘‘Net current state of insufficient knowledge in the field ofabsorption of fluid in uninfected and ETEC-infected measurement.piglet small intestine: effect of osmolality’’. There In a second session chaired by D. Ekkel (NL), thewas no change in the composition of the board of the process control of animal health and welfare wasCommission. studied. An important part dealt with quality assur-


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 pigsof Minnesota) joined us and talked about the role of as with poultry a holistic approach, including seriouspreharvest food safety. Examples were reported of epidemiological studies, is needed before starting toHACCP application in dairy cattle and in pigs. Most set-up appropriate regulation . . . unfortunately, thisof 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 preparedmeasures to prevention through a constructive advice for the Congress, based on several contributions. Thetowards the provision of a more appropriate environ- book is entitled: ‘‘Improving health and welfare inment 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 tosaid 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 pollutiontheir 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 showingchaired by B. Wechsler (CH). We had again excellent the real interest of the participants. Following thepapers and both pig and poultry productions were Congress, it is intended to prepare a document on thestudied. 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 thethe criteria which have to be taken into account. Nutrition and Physiology Commissions (see report ofThen 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 interestingpigs were shown. The consequences in terms of papers were presented and different topics related toproduction costs were also considered. Depending on animal health were discussed. The relevance ofthe starting stage of the farm and the final option, the blood parameters in health and welfare evaluationproduction cost can considerably increase. Obviously was assessed. Among others, the predictive value ofthe 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 numerouson 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 ‘‘congresshens. 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 theDifferent alternative systems are currently under board needed some clarification. In 2001 we willstudy 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 theFrance. During the entire session an interesting Board, F. Madec, Commission President expresseddebate took place. The crucial points were dealt with his sincere thanks to the Dutch organisers of EAAPincluding the consequences for human health. In 2000 and to the chairpersons. The programme forsome alternative housing systems especially for Budapest was presented and the participants werelaying hens the level of dust is particularly high. asked to stimulate contribution and to interact withHow far the public could judged it acceptable that the chairpersons. In Budapest our programme willthe 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 willthere 24 hours a day in such outrageously bad take account of the geographical localisation of theconditions? Furthermore what are the consequences congress (Cairo, Egypt). Finally we congratulated


Professor P. Rafai (H), Past President of the Com- by examining the interaction between components inmission, on the Leroy Fellowship Award. the system.

During the business meeting it was noted that the Prior to the meeting, Abele Kuipers (NL) hadnew 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 withManagement and Health Commission has been in- over 200 delegates attending. The discussion on thisvolved in the constitution of the group and will also subject was continued in the main meeting in thebe involved in the life of the group. The inaugural Session on Milking Machine Technologies. This willmeeting was held in The Hague with Jim Flanagan, be reported by the Physiology Commission but thereChairman of the EAAP Scientific Advisory Commit- are several important issues emerging. It is clear thattee 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 positivesearch Station for Cattle, Sheep and Horse Husban- contribution to animal health and welfare in thatdry, Lelystad (NL) was awarded the Best Young in-line technologies may give early warning ofScientist Paper for: ‘‘Effects of floor type and floor problems, well before these can be detected by aarea on behaviour and carpal joint lesions in beef human operator. During the mid conference visit to abulls’’. biodynamic farm there was an opportunity to view a

unit in operation. There are clear issues emerging notin relation to the milking technology itself but ratherDr. F. Madec, Presidentto the extent that milk production systems andCommission on Animal Management and Healthmilking routine can be adapted (and at what cost) tomaximise the benefit from robotic milking tech-nologies. In addition there are potential social bene-Commission on Cattle Productionfits in reducing the drudgery of milking and inallowing farmers to have alternative employment.The meeting in The Hague had a theme ofRobotic milking could well be the saviour of theInnovation in Animal Science. The Cattle Commis-medium size family farm in Europe and as suchsion followed this theme in a joint session with thepreserving fragile rural communities.Physiology Commission on Milking Machine tech-

Approaches to international comparisons of ge-nology and in a single session on Innovation innetic merit in beef cattle were considered by DrTransferring Research into Practice. In many waysPullar (UK). Cattle breeding is becoming an interna-this latter session was a continuation of the plenarytional 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 thereed that the time is now right to consider thetraditional approach to technology transfer. Dr. Jig-potential for international exchange of beef cattlegens emphasised that the ‘top down’ transfer did notdata leading to an international evaluation. Criticallywork whereas there was increasing evidence that athis depends on the genetic links between countries.participatory approach was more successful. Ensur-There are sufficient data in some breeds and not ining that livestock producers had ownership of aothers. There is a clear need here for both the Cattleresearch programme was key not only to effectiveCommission and ICAR together to work togethertransfer but also to aligning the research to the truewith country organisations to ensure standardisationneeds of the end users. She challenged the audienceof bull identification and to encourage breed societiesto discuss with each other how this approach couldto adopt an across country strategy.benefit their research. Dr van Bruchem also

The Free Communications session attracted goodquestioned the reductionist approach to research andquality papers that were well presented by youngerpostulated that we needed to emphasise an integra-scientists. Particularly noteworthy were presentationstive holistic programme. In this respect there wasby Dr van Os (NL) on carcass quality, Dr Auchtungevidence that more progress was likely to be made in(USA) on using hormone levels to predict growththe area of reducing pollution from livestock systems


rate. The prize for the best presentation however is Sheep Society described the growth and developmentawarded to Dr Bruckman (D) for an interesting study of his organisation from a straightforward registrar ofon reproductive performance in males. there is births to a modern society which embraces breedclearly an age dependant decline in fertility, which improvement programmes, marketing and sales. Thewill 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 carcaseconsidered 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 totalhave an overriding effect but this session did not of 10 papers was presented which looked at specificunfortunately tackle the fundamental issues. This issues of high performing females in a number ofsubject will need to be revisited. countries but notably Spain, France, Sardinia and

Israel. Dr Eugarte described how the Awassi andNew Officers of the Cattle Commission Assaf breeds had been imported in some numbers

into Spain since 1971 and had been preferred to theNew 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 anGigli (I) as the new President, Carla Lazzaroni (I) to important role in milk production for cheese inwork with Duncan Pullar as Secretary of the Com- Spain. In contrast the French industry had estimatedmission 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 performancePresidents. 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 andtheir support over the 12 years that I have been Dr Barillet highlighted the impressive gain in milkinvolved with the Commission, first as Secretary and yield which had been achieved in the Laucaunethen as President. breed in 40 years. This had enabled the local

indigenous sheep breed to remain linked to the localCled Thomas, President cheese production providing a strong commercialCommission for Cattle Production and marketing advantage. Three further main papers

followed, one from Dr Sanna on the SardinianCommission on Sheep and Goat Production situation where a synthetic line had been successfully

developed to replace the indigenous breeds, a secondstThe 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 Gootwinebut a number of delegates who attended from the which considered the introduction of the BoroolaUnited 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 severalrange 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 subjectinfluence 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 wasfrom the Netherlands. Three main papers described organised and chaired by the Commission Vicethe influence of the Texel breed on sheep production President, Professor Teixeira from Portugal. For thein 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 majorityone of the largest in the world and Mr Steven of these eight papers were presented by youngMaclean the Chief Executive of the British Texel scientists. Posters were summarised by the session


chairman in groups according to their content which the Commission programmes have run smoothlygenerated good discussion. throughout my term of office.

The fourth session on the Eradication and controlof TSEs in small ruminants was organised and David Croston, Presidentchaired by Dr Elsen from France. Although we only Sheep and Goat Commissionhad three main papers, they provided a frameworkfor detailed discussion and debate. Each paper was Commission on Pig Productionprepared by specialist groups, the first by Dr Hoekconsidered 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 bypresented by the chairman considered the genetics of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences andscrapie 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 scientificthe 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 andOver 50 delegates participated in the discussion function of the gastro-intestinal tract in the perinatalgenerated 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, thesmall 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 maintainingThree main speakers presented papers, the first from the integrity of the pig and their responses toFrance by Dr Julien described the central role of potential harmful materials on the one side and toidentification 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 andFrench situation. digestive secretions. The last session of the sym-

At its business meeting, the Commission elected posium was devoted to the intestinal microflora, itsDr Roman Niznikowski from the Warsaw Agricultur- effects on the digestive processes and its interactionsal University, Poland as its new Vice president to with dietary components. A symposium proceedingreplace Dr Sandor Kukovics. Our thanks go to Dr is currently being printed. For further informationKukovics for his support and commitment to the contact [email protected] 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 governmentalin Session four. This is my final report as Commis- and non-governmental institutions, FAO sub regionalsion President. May I take this opportunity to thank office for CEEC and EAAP (the Contact Group foreveryone in the Commission for their help and Central and Eastern Europe). The Workshop, whichsupport. 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 Europesor Kurt Peters, Dr Jose Folch, Dr Markus with particular attention to Eastern Europe, potentialSchneeberger and Dr Loys Bodin who have ensured and constraints in the production of protein sources.


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 willother things, improvements in the production of local commence their term after the business meeting insources of protein feeds, rational utilisation of avail- Budapest. Professor Caspar Wenk will take over asable resources, introduction of new protein feed the President of the Commission. Dr. Pieter W. Knapsources, formulation of appropriate diets in order to (Germany) and Dr. Stephen Chadd (U.K.) willmeet 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. Theenvironment. 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 ‘‘Modellingfuture. For details contact Dr. C. Fevrier (fevrier@ fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in thest-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 ProductionNo. 100 (Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, the Nether-lands) containing the Proceedings of the Joint Ses- Report of the Commission on Horse Productionsion in Zurich regarding ‘‘Quality of meat and fat inpigs as affected by genetics and nutrition’’. The topic The Commission on Horse Production organisedis comprehensively covered by six reviews and 36 five sessions of which one session was a joint sessionoriginal 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 asjoint 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 offormation (2000): 21, no. 1, 27N–32N. Selection in Racehorses chaired by B. Langlois (F)

stThe 51 Annual Meeting of the EAAP in The followed the overall theme of the conference on theHague, was a Special Millennial Celebration. The interaction between research and innovation. HorseCommission 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 decadesinnovation’’ 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 areDr. L. den Hartog – comprised five reviews dealing still under further development and improvement forwith research and developments of genetics and sport and racing horses. Parallel molecular geneticsbreeding, nutrition, health and welfare and the past, tests have been further developed for horse and breedpresent and future impact on pig production. Further- identification and parentage control. In the 1970s andmore, in addition to three joint sessions (reported 80s blood typing tests were regarded as effectiveelsewhere), 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 polymorphismsin thematic groups comprising breeding, growth, such as microsatellites have been widely accepted formeat quality, reproduction and nutrition. The majori- parentage control. More recently several initiativesty of the contributions to these sessions were pre- have started to bring direct light on the horsesented at a special poster session on Monday even- genome. The construction of the genomic map, DNAing. This presentation format seems quite successful libraries and gene sequencing are being developed toand should be adopted as a fast procedure for the identify genes of interest in horse breeding. Thisfuture. approach has been proven to be effective on simple


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 thesyndrome) 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. TheThe power of genome screening combined with equestrian sport is the fifth most important sport incomparative mapping and inter-species analogies the Netherlands. Approximately 400.000 persons arewill certainly allow a better understanding of more riding a horse, 12.000 persons are working in thecomplex 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 byspecies 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, andavailable. 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 thehorses and populations more adapted to breeders Dutch Warmblood horse population, again selectiondemand. strategies against osteochondrosis were emphasised.

The session on Management and Nutrition of Also papers in relation to sperm production, semenYoung 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 Stationeffects 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 150directly selected for although horses with good horses and ponies is available. Housing facilitiesperformance 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 Ministrymeasured 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 thescore 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 Silvestrellito 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 herit was concluded that copper may play a role in presentation on Do subjective ratings of ridersgenetically predisposed animals. Another important correlate with objective scores from behaviouralfactor 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 thehorses. It was found that the type of housing has activities in relation to the enquiry. First preliminarysome effect on feed intake and exercise patterns. results were presented. It can clearly be concludedAlso some muscle and skeleton enzymes are affected that there is growing international exchange ofwhich could be important in relation to longevity of genetic horse material (mainly stallions or theirhorses. semen) increasing need for exchanging pedigree and


performance data increasing need to exchange and Symposium on Robotic Milkingunderstand testing and evaluation systems. In future,the Interstallion working group will meet more Automatic milking systems (AMS) have beenregularly. The next meeting will be in spring 2001. promised by futurists for some time, and it nowOne session at the annual meeting of EAAP in appears that they are a reality. Their growing andBudapest 2001 will be dedicated to the activities of now widespread use on private dairy farms for thethe Interstallion working group. last several years confirms that for at least Europe,

AMS are an important part of the future. At themoment, the most exciting developments in EuropeProfessor Dr. Erich Bruns, Presidentare related to what farmers and their advisors areCommission on Horse Productionlearning about practical AMS use.

Private Dutch dairy farmers have used roboticautomated milking systems since 1992. Over 600REPORTS ON SATELLITE SYMPOSIA ATfarms are using a milking robot now, most of themEAAP 2000, THE HAGUEin north-western European countries. But also some

Preparing and Presenting Scientific Papers farms in North America and Japan are introducing anautomatic milking system. Automatic milking fits

The Third Elsevier /EAAP Workshop on ‘‘Prepar- particularly in those areas with limited or expensiveing and Presenting Scientific Papers’’ was given at labour. Many of the technical engineering problems,

stthe 51 EAAP Meeting at The Hague on 19 August especially those related to automatic location and2000. The workshop covered techniques for writing attachment of teat cups, have been resolved over thescientific papers and for oral and poster presenta- last decades. The equipment works reliably. With thetions. It attracted 18 young scientists from 13 widespread adoption of robotic milking by privatecountries. farmers, new problems have emerged, however.

The Workshop was very well received by the This international symposium was held inparticipants. 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 Institute1–5 (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 countriesemphasized that the knowledge and awareness they heard 25 presentations, viewed over 35 scientificachieved during the workshop will be beneficial for poster presentations, visited private dairy farms usingtheir 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 withMichael Grossman) and published recently by Not- more freedom, but, on the other hand, he will betingham University Press (order from www.nup. more dependent on equipment. This makes a fast andcom). 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 milkingagain at EAAP 2001 in Budapest and at EAAP 2002 frequency of their cows, this should not be thein Cairo. leading principle. Optimal use should be directed at

milking as many kg of milk per robot per day. Wheninstalling an AMS on the dairy farm, adjustments inBirgitta Malmforscooling are often underestimated. Because of the lowPhil Garnsworthymilk flow per hour, traditional, direct cooled, bulkMichael Grossman


tanks do not work adequately with AMS. Several information system needs to help the dairy farmer tooptions to adjust the cooling system (use of a buffer take decisions on his farm, while taking a largetank, instant cooling, ice bank cooling and adjusted number of aspects (welfare, production, milkingdirect cooling) to the demands of automatic milking frequency, capacity, economics and grazing) intowere discussed. account.

The quality of the milk produced with AMS needs In summary: robotic milking is reality, it gives theattention. 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 researchwithin 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 onthe 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 thequality of the produced milk, attention was given to Robotic Milking Symposium is also available forpreventing the delivery of abnormal milk. The main order. The proceedings is over 300 pages and is andetection method of abnormal milk currently avail- excellent reference for anyone who is considering anable 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.htmlbiosensors will most probably become available, forinstance to measure NAGase, an enzyme that has a Albert Meijering and Henk Hogeveenpredictive 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- landsing intervals was seen. The effects of this variationon 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 Activitystress when compared to traditional milking. Fromthat point of view there was no fear of decreased The symposium was held at the Wageningenanimal welfare. However, combination of robotic International Conference Centre in Wageningen, formilking 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 Britishgrazing 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) withinautomatically 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 anwelfare and also for public acceptance. There is interactive environment in which to discuss the rolehardly any knowledge on the conditions for public and future potential of the in vitro gas productionacceptance 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 ofautomatic milking system have more and more need the GIT microflora, as well as other wide-rangingfor individual cow data. From these data, the applications. The format of the symposium washerdsman 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 areinformation is insufficient. A good management interested in learning more about its potential.


The symposium was split into three main themes: came out of this talk, related to the relationshipbetween gas production and microbial protein syn-

• The methodology of gas production, and mathe- thesis, and the importance of always referring backmatical 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 theeach session, to allow questions and comments of use of gas production to evaluate tannin-containingboth 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 ofProfessor 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 theof some of the shortcomings, pitfalls, and advantages method involves using standard substrates with aof the methodology, particularly in relation to feed range of microbial populations, to detect differencesevaluation. Not only did she include work from other in the whole microbial populations. Applications forgroups, she was also able to illustrate her points with this were mainly centred on the use of prebiotics inexamples 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 fromfor the rest of the meeting, as we did tend to return the tract where the microbial population had beento 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 ofmuch further than simply describing the profiles, but potential applications, including the detection of feedcan 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 duodenalobtained 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 chairedshort presentations covered a wide range of aspects by Professor Pell, which covered many aspects of theof the methodology, ranging from more uses of technique, particularly ‘‘where we should go frommathematical modelling (Dr. J. Dijkstra & Dr. H. here’’. Professor Pell gave everyone present thevan Laar), to stoichiometry of the gas /VFA relation- challenge of how to spend a large research grant toship (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 willtion ‘‘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.uksubstrate degradability measurements: opportunitiesand limitations’’. The most important themes which Barbara Williams & Eddie Deavillea


REPORTS OF OTHER SCIENTIFIC the pace of the recovery of animal production andchanges in farm structures. The recovery of poultryMEETINGSand, partly, pig production in a number of countries

Workshop on Protein Feed for Animal Production resulted in an increased demand for protein feedin Europe which was covered partly by domestic productionRennes, France, 30 June–01 July 2000 and, mainly, by imports. Participants from Central

and Eastern European countries (CEEC) reported onThe 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 specific01 July 2000 was attended by 29 participants from products such as pumpkin seed cakes, attempts to14 countries. The Workshop was organized by increase local production of non-modified soybeansINRA, France and supported by the French gov- and on technologies for better utilisation of proteinsernmental 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 theBretagne, 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 100Contact 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 demandin Europe with particular attention to Eastern for protein feed would increase at the global level. InEurope, potential and constraints in production of the European Union the demand for protein feedprotein sources for animal feed and characteristics of could stagnate or even decline due to the saturationhigh protein feeds. In addition, a visit to experimen- of markets with animal products, regulations aimedtal 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 ofanimal 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 simultaneousintensification of animal production including the supply of essential amino acids).establishment of industrial production systems in The expected growth in the animal production inpoultry and hog farming increased requirements for CEE countries will be accompanied by an increasedand the use of protein feeds in animal nutrition. The demand for protein feed. It is expected that theincreased demand for protein feeds was met by increased demand would have different patterns fromintensification of the local production of protein rich the pre-transition situation and that it would beplants, 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 structurescover less then one third of feed protein require- and the establishment of the great number of smallments. subsistence farms and the prevailing shortages of

In the seventies, the European Commission laun- protein feeds in CEEC, participants agreed on theched a plan aimed at increasing self-sufficiency in need for the development of national protein feedfeed proteins. Economic incentives, subsidies and strategies. These strategies should be based on theintensified research carried out under the plane available technical knowledge local protein feedresulted in an increase in production of indigenous resources and production potentials as well as on thefeed protein sources, such as rape seed, sunflower, access to the imported protein feeds. They should bepeas, 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 andficiency 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 useeach country facing specific problems which reflect of protein feeds in the animal production.


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 Rennesments 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 theproduction and use of traditional oil seeds. Professor Franc Habe, Slovenia

The Workshop agreed that the future research Chairman, Contact Group on Central and Easternshould cover, inter alia, improvements in production Europeof local sources of protein feeds, rational utilisationof available resources, introduction of new proteinfeed sources (e.g. some new varieties and cereal BOOK REVIEWSspecies), formulation of appropriate diets so as tomeet 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, Mainment (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 oftraditional protein feed plants as well as studies on A splendid, compact book. I wish it had beentheir processing and the use in the formulation of available when I was a student. It should be requireddiets. 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 orbecoming a general research orientation primarily who talks in public for others to see and hear. Theaimed at determining the most efficient way in thrust is specially towards better presentation ofconverting plant material in the animal products, scientific information.protecting the environment and at developing the The book has been written by the three peoplesustainable 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 atprivate funding of the research in the field of protein the EAAP Annual Meetings. The participants rate thefeeds, 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 thefor 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 anthe 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 doestechnological and other problems requiring solutions not give rules because writing and making publicthrough intensified research. They underlined the presentations are very individual affairs. The bookimportance of the international research co-operation establishes principles and identifies common errorsin the field of protein feeds and invited the EAAP which will enable the author / speaker to relax intoNutrition Commission to include themes relevant to his or her subject and thus to make better contactprotein feed in its programmes, as appropriate. They with the audience. The book commands respectalso 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 othersimproved production and utilisation of protein feed with poor visual-aids, disorganized facts, incoherent,resources. disconnected statements or boring presentations of


subjects of great interest and value. It is tragedy for This book is suitable for final year undergraduateall – hearers and speaker alike when the message is and first year postgraduate students of quantitativenot 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 animalsand speaking, highlights the importance of knowing in the context of genetic improvement in an animalwhat one wants to say and then how best to express breeding programme. Information on an animal andit. 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 theare 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 economiclanguage. Having English as a first language by no values of traits. The methodology is developed frommeans 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 differentbooks which addressed the same subject years ago. I sources of information and illustrates their use withdo 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 isgiven a copy to each of my graduate students and included in the book, to help reinforce the ideas andwould have kept a few copies on my shelf to lend to provide some practical experience in the predictionundergraduates when they start to write and to talk in of genetic merit. The text is aimed at final yearpublic. For one thing it might have saved me from undergraduate and first year postgraduate students ofhaving 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 quantitativemake 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 andof 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 andbeen noticeably absent. This book should be required MOET; Simultaneous prediction of breeding valuesreading for all students whose degrees or professions for several animals; Prediction of breeding valueswill involve presenting scientific results in writing or and environmental effects; Multivariate breedingorally. The topic is so important and the book so value prediction; Breeding values with a gene ofcompetent, 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). WageningenProfessor John HodgesPers, Mansholtlaan 10–12, 6700 AA Wageningen,EAAP & Livestock Production ScienceThe Netherlands. ISBN 90-74134-43-2. 350pp.HB. NLG175.

Selection indices and prediction of genetic meritin animal breeding (1997). N.D. Cameron. Com- In spite of the puzzling cover photo the reader willmonwealth 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 last169 6. 203pp. £22.50 ($40). 20–25 years in terms of litter size, number of litters


weaned per year and litter weight at weaning. The tively) were written for a narrow sector of scientistsmodern sow kept in intensive housing conditions has and experts of animal nutrition, chapters 12 and 13been selected for producing progenies of high lean (Nutritional strategy and reproduction; Lactationaland 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 thebreeding for leanness and high reproductive per- thermal requirements of the lactating sow (chapterformance has provoked extended investigations on 15) points out the well known difference betweenthe biology of the modern sow. The seventeen thermal demands of the sow and piglets and answerschapters, all written by known experts, provide an how to solve the dilemma. Chapter 16 dwells onexcellent 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 lactatingof chapters is well founded by the first two chapters, sow. The last, voluminous chapter summarises all wewhich give valuable information on the composition know about the behaviour of sow and piglets in theand 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 readerthat influence the utilisation of colostrum and milk may rightly expect this volume to covers the mostare surveyed. Interesting questions are answered important aspects of keeping and managing lactatingsuch as: Is sows milk optimum for maximising piglet sows. However, the reviewer can not withhold hisgrowth? How deficient in protein is sows milk? The view, that this valuable piece of work would haverole of piglets in determining the milk production been more complete with two more chapters, oneand intake is also discussed. Effects of substances dealing with the housing condition of the lactatingand growth factors present in sows colostrum and sow, the other one with the periparturient diseasesmilk are also dealt with. Chapters four and five complex. Improvement in editorial style would havesummarise the metabolic precursors for milk syn- enhanced the book further. For example: frequentthesis and the genetic influences on milk quality, overlapping of topics among chapters for instance onrespectively. The next three chapters deal with the milk composition and influences on feed intake. Alsoenergetic 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 gladlymilk 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 isdisclosed on the nutritional effects during lactation Pal Rafai, Professor and Head of the Departmentand during the interval from weaning to oestrus. of Animal HygieneAmong others, factors affecting the voluntary feed Budapest University of Veterinary Science, Hun-intake, nutritional control of reproduction, genotype garydifferences are discussed. C.T. Whittemore demon-strated in the next chapter that the influence of Workshop on Developing Breeding Strategies forpregnancy feeding on lactation performance and Lower Input Animal Production Environmentssubsequent rebreeding can be profound. The direct (2000). S. Galal, J. Boyazoglu & K. Hammondeffects through the influence of pregnancy feeding on (Eds.). Published by International Committee forsow body weight, litter size and piglet birth weight Animal Recording (ICAR), Villa, Ragno, Viaare less important than the indirect effects upon milk Nomentana 134. Rome, Italy. ICAR Technicalyield, mediated through the need for a lactational Series No. 3. 570pp.reserve. While chapters 10 and 14 (Nitrogen intakeand metabolism during pregnancy and lactation; The Food and Agriculture Organisation of theModelling metabolism of the lactating sow, respec- United Nations and ICAR, as well as supporting


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 ofcentury – that of developing and sustaining useful these proceedings will be the 27 case studies ofbreeding strategies in low-input environments, espe- animal breeding projects in practice, for the mostcially 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 failurewhich should go some way towards avoiding past become clearly visible. The bold, if sometimesmistakes, 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 itare part of a process towards producing guidelines might have been done better. And the severalfor action in the use of Animal Genetic Resources. accounts showing a good start in using geneticFor those who wish to be ahead of the game, reading resources to better effect point to the still wide gapthese 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-makingsetting out the technical issues for genetic improve- should be required to answer at least one examment programmes (but with main emphasis on question on how he or she would proceed in theruminants). The first of these deals with the require- absence of an animal recording system or thements for breeding goal definition. Even for those infrastructure for AI and good communications. Thewho may find the mathematics and calculations case studies themselves deal with varied situationsdaunting, 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 andof inadequate attention to the breeding goals. The pigs – in deprived or harsh situations. A descriptionthree 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 publishedstructures, 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, ifaddresses the utilisation of exotic breeds. It is good slightly stilted, background view from FAO to theto see set out clearly the questions that need to be development of breeding strategies for lower inputasked and answered concerning the use of potentially animal production environments.high-yielding, but non-adapted, exotic stock in lessfavoured situations. The decision tree format is Dr Gerald Wiener, formerly Deputy Directorsplendid – even if, through hasty editing, one tree is Animal Breeding Research Organisationmissing 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 Tropicalpromote the use of exotics without a clear strategy of Veterinary Medicinewhere to go after producing first crosses. It isregrettable, however, that adequate consideration is CESMAS Conference on equine sports medicinenot given, in these papers, to the potential benefits of and science (1998). Cordoba, Spain, 24–26 Aprilusing 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


sessions of the First Conference on Equine Sports paper on the application of surface electromyographyMedicine and Science. Three chapters contain de- during physical exercise is primarily of scientifictailed review lectures and short papers (2–7 pages value. The aetiology and pathogenesis of distal splintlong). 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. ThisAmerica, Australia, Europe and Asia with infor- title brings together various topics. There aremation on acupuncture. kinematic studies in order to analyse the gait of

1. Internal medicine and effects on exercise. dressage performance by quantifying observationsRespiratory disease (small airway disease included) which judges cannot see because of the poor tempo-and the appropriate blood variables for diagnosing ral resolution of the human eye. Velocity, stride(sub)clinical diseases are summarized. For everyday length, tempo, diagonal distance tracking distancepractice the Standardised Exercise Test (SET) is and suspension were measured in collected trot,proposed. 35–40% of racehorses do not perform at working trot, medium trot, extended trot. Videoexpected levels because of sub-clinical respiratory image analysis can be used also to investigate theproblems. The difficulty of diagnosis is well dis- stride length during endurance race competitions.cussed and also some therapeutic guidelines are Monitoring the physiological traits is important whengiven. Some interesting topics of the chapter are increasing the aerobic and anaerobic capacitieslisted: arterial blood-gases and acid balance, circulat- which can be achieved both by endurance and sprinting concentration of beta-endorphin, ACTH and training. The cardiac capacity could be an earlycortisol after jumping, the surface video-elec- selection criterion of young French trotters, thetromyography technique for investigation of neck anaerobic threshold velocity seems to be moremuscle activity and echocardiographic diagnosis, the dependent on training conditions. A simple lunginguse of furosemide on the exercise induced pulmonary or riding test can provide a good estimate of thehaemorrhage, clinical efficacy of suxibuzone and heart rate to monitor horses under field conditionsphenylbutazone in the treatment of musculoskeletal using a Polar PEH200 heart rate monitor. Forinflammatory disorders and gastrointestinal toler- determination of the aerobic /anaerobic threshold inance, the role of spleen on osmotic fragility of equines the use of modified lactate minimum speedcirculating red cells. The comparison of the bio- (LMS) protocol is proposed under field conditions.chemical profile in the blood serum of warm blooded The control of lactate is better than a heart rateand cold blooded horses, the parathyroid hormone running speed derived parameter for the diagnosis oflevels increase after exercise in horses. performance level of Standard bred horses.

2. Diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic 4. Some other interesting topics. The use andproblems. The cause and integrated diagnosis of abuse of nutritional ergogenic aids like psychologicalbackpain in horses by radiographic and ultrasound is factors, improved equipment, pharmacologicalof interest to veterinarians working with sport horses. agents, physiological improvements, nutritional sup-Acupuncture as a possible treatment is illustrated plements. A favourable effect of the application ofwith good figures. The relationship between back glycose or electrolyte solutions could be observedproblems and muscle disorders, prevention and after exercise. Effects of chelated minerals weretherapy is also useful in practice. The most frequent similar to those of inorganic minerals in the first yearproblem in everyday work with horses is lameness. of trotter foals. Feeding too much phosphorus,The following topics deal with this problem. Treat- selenium and methionine can have a detrimentalment and rehabilitation of superficial digital flexor effect on the quality and growth of the hoof horn andtendonitis; podotrochlear syndrome; radiological as- cause lameness and poor performance. The propor-sessment and correction; use of a full rolling motion tion of different muscle fibres and their oxidativeshoe; pulsatile magnetic field treatment; prognosis of capacity and metabolic properties of young horsesequine laminitis. Ultrasonography and MRI corre- were also investigated in training for jumpinglated well in investigation of shoulder lameness. The competition. The immunohistochemistry identifica-


tion of muscle fibres is more adequate than the There is a critical evaluation of chelated sources oftraditional myofibrilar ATPase histochemistry. Dif- trace elements and their claimed enhanced availabili-ferent blood parameters of Polish horses prepared for ty. However, the most important development inthe Olympic Games in Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta non-ruminant mineral nutrition of the last decade haswere compared. been somewhat underexposed, i.e. the effect of

The book presents an enormous amount of valu- supplementation of the diet with microbial phytaseable scientific detail which will be of value and on phytate hydrolysis. Phytase does not only affectinterest to all concerned with the health and per- phosphorus absorption, as is discussed only fragmen-formance of sport horses. tarily, but it also substantially affects the absorption

of most divalent minerals. These effects have been´Professor Imre Bodo almost ignored.

Hungarian Veterinary University The book is well written and easy to read forBudapest, Hungary everyone having some basic knowledge of nutrition.

In general, this book is of high quality. The majorThe mineral nutrition of livestock, 3rd Edition strength of it is in combining expertise in mineral(1999). E.J. Underwood (deceased) & N.F. Suttle. nutrition and animal health. The aim of the book isCAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. ISBN the same as that of the second edition, i.e. meeting0-85199-128-9. 614pp. HB. the needs of undergraduate and graduate students of

nutrition in colleges of agricultural science, animalThis new third edition of ‘‘The mineral nutrition husbandry and veterinary science, of teachers and

of livestock’’ adheres to the framework laid down in research workers in animal nutrition, of agriculturalthe second edition by E. Underwood in 1981. It is and veterinary extension officers in developed asnow completely and thoroughly revised by Dr. well as developing regions of the world and ofSuttle. This does not mean just a reshuffling of the progressive livestock producers, wherever situated,text as can be easily shown by the size of the book who wish to apply modern scientific knowledge ofthat increased from 237 to 614 pages. The book mineral nutrition to their own enterprises. Althoughbegins with three general chapters on the physiologi- this objective seems to be very ambitious, for allcal basis of mineral requirements, the natural mineral groups mentioned this book can be used as a modernsources and the detection and correction of mineral book of reference, which is very valuable in animaldeficiencies and (to a lesser extent) excesses in nutrition and veterinary (research) practice.animals. Subsequently, in Chapters four to 18 thevarious minerals are dealt with, either apart or as a Dr. Paul A. Kemmegroup of elements. These chapters describe the Mineral Nutritionist Monogastricsdietary sources, the metabolism, the biochemical ID TNO Animal Nutrition, P.O. Box 65functions in the animal body, the biochemical, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlandsphysical and histological indices of disordered me- E-mail [email protected] (i.e. mainly inadequacy), clinical mani-festations, diagnosis, prevention and control of the Production diseases in farm animals (1999). Th.disorders, the requirements and the toxicity of the Wensing (Ed.). Proc. 10th International Confer-mineral. The final chapter describes the design of ence, 1998. Wageningen Pers, Marijkeweg 40,supplementation trials that assess mineral depriva- 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands. ISBNtion. 90-74134-60-2. 390pp. Paperback.

Compared to the second edition, calcium andphosphorus are now in two separate chapters, there is Animal disease by definition is a status when thea new chapter on sulphur, one on occasionally production of the affected animal(s) /herd lags behindbeneficial elements such as chromium and there is a the genetic predisposition. This definition is par-new chapter on essentially toxic elements. Many ticularly valid for production diseases, where, manyrecent research topics have been added in this work. times, the presence of the disease is exclusively


indicated by the decline of production. Production facilitate these developments together with fun-disease is a term which is roughly equivalent with damental changes in enrolment procedures are also‘‘management related disease’’, ‘‘man-made dis- covered.ease’’, ‘‘disease of complex aetiology’’, ‘‘multifac- The effect of trace elements and minerals on thetorial disease’’ etc. Coping with these disease com- development of production diseases is covered byplexes requires the implementation of herd health one key-note lecture (Martens, H. et al., Germany)programmes. and by 27 contributed presentations. The keynote

It is generally accepted that the delicate balance lecture focused on the interactions and antagonism ofbetween production physiology/defence mechanisms sodium, potassium and magnesium in ruminants. Theof farm animals and environmental stressors pro- abstracts of the contributed papers dealt with almostvided by, for example, improper nutrition (deficit / all aspects of trace element and mineral supple-surplus / toxic agents), housing systems, infections mentation from questions of acid-base balance to theetc. can be easily overthrown, which in turn leads to effects of selenium, iron, copper, and other elementsthe establishment of bacterial infections by oppor- on range of (patho-)physiological functions.tunistic agents, or to emerging reproductive failures The reviewer is convinced that one of the mostor other production diseases. It is also generally valuable part of these proceedings is the interactionsbelieved that the higher the production of an animal between management conditions and immune sys-the bigger its sensitivity to such production diseases. tems of farm animals. The three major lecturesThese problems are complicated with welfare issues, overview the most important items in the field suchproblems of higher education especially with regard as periparturient immunosuppression in dairy cowsto the role of veterinarians in the forthcoming with special reference to the effects of lactation anddecades and with the rapid changes in the livestock factors of nutrition (Kehrli, M.E. et al., U.S.A.),production sector in terms of housing systems, organic chromium and immunity in cattle (Burton,sustainability, economic surrounding of production J.L., U.S.A.) and infection, inflammation, stress andetc. It follows that coping and control require an the acute phase proteins in pigs (Gruys, E. et al., Theinterdisciplinary approach in practice, teaching and Netherlands). The paper of Kehrli et al. covers suchresearch. field as: immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of

Outstanding pioneers of this field have started mastitis; causes of periparturient immunosuppres-organising conferences on the production diseases sion; prospects for nutritional immunomodulation toand the proceedings reviewed here are the 10th in a prevent disease; and does lactation contribute tosequence held in town which gave birth to research periparturient immunosuppression? The effect ofinto production diseases: Utrecht from 24–28 Au- chromium on the immune system is also excellentlygust, 1998. reviewed. The authors stated: chromium is one of the

The conference was attended by about 120 sci- minerals that likely becomes deficient in husbandry-entists working on the field of large animal science. stressed cattle, therefore careful supplementation ofThe full text of the keynote lectures and abstracts of daily rations of dairy cattle with (organic)chromiumthe scientific presentations are given. Research ab- compound(s) is promising. The experiences that havestracts are clustered around ten main subjects intro- been accumulated in the field of research of acuteduced by keynote lectures. The main subjects also phase proteins in pigs is excellently reviewed with ancover poultry and miscellaneous researches. emphasis on that the acute phase index (a combina-

Two keynote lectures and one contributed paper tion of slowly reacting positive and negative acutedealt with veterinary academic education on this phase variables) might be valuable tool in monitoringtopic. J.P. Nordhuizen and J.H.M. Verheijden in the health status at the farm and at the meat plant.giving keynote presentations disclosed plans by the The symposium covered many other relevantUtrecht Veterinary Faculty for medium and long term fields from which I briefly mention several. Therestructuring of the veterinary curriculum to multilateral connections between nutrition and re-strengthen preventative health care of farm animals. production are dealt with five main papers and tenRestructuring the disciplinary clinical departments to short communications. The connection between re-


production and nutrition was introduced by De- Five authors give an overview on the literature ofcuypere, E. et al. (Belgium) with a paper entitled: A the most important physiological parameters formechanistic approach for understanding nutritional investigating healthy sport and race horses. Theand selection effects on reproductive functioning. objective of the book is to encourage specialists toThis introductory paper was followed by other two use biochemical and physiological variables in prac-keynote lectures (Kruip, Th.A.M. et al., The Nether- tice to get more information on the performancelands: Investigation into the mechanisms of reducing ability and the training status of the athletic horse.the fertility of high yielding cows; Ashworth, C.J., They contribute to measurement technologies andUK: Nutrition and reproduction in pigs). The indicate the most significant and limiting values. Onescenario was completed with 16 short communica- of the most important points of view through thetions. Relation between energy metabolism and whole book is the distinction between results ob-production diseases represented another core item. tained in exercise and training. The measurement andThis part of the discussion was introduced by Young, sampling must be within controlled conditions inJ.W. et al. (U.S.A.) with a keynote lecture: Potential both cases. The four main aspects – or chapters offor control of fatty liver in early lactating dairy cows the book are summarized.by glucagon. Altogether 27 short communications 1. Biochemical variables of energy metabolismwere presented on this subject. in blood or plasma (Arno Lindner). The lactate

Further themes were: Animal husbandry biotech- level seems to be the best indicator. It is morenology and animal welfare; Epidemiology and pro- difficult to interpret the level of glucose as theduction reproduction diseases excellently introduced indicator of training effects. However, the free fattyby Schukken, Y.H. et al. (The Netherlands) with a acids and alanine seem not to give a sensitivepaper: Production diseases in farm animals epi- diagnosis for training status or to evaluate trainingdemiology and a holistic approach. The environmen- effect. The author gives good recommendations fortal aspects of animal production and the milk pro- the Standardized Exercise Test (SET).duction and disease of the mammary gland were 2. Endocrinological variables in blood or plas-covered with introductory and contributed papers. ma (Adriana Ferlazzo and Esterina Fazio). AnThe rest of the volume dealt with poultry science and overview is given on the sympatico-adrenal system,miscellaneous matters (16 presentations). the hypophysis-adrenocortical system and the hypo-

The success of this volume is guaranteed by the physis-thyroid system. The response to exercise andkeynote lectures which without exception excellently the response to training are discussed separately.cover the relevant fields of production diseases of Hopefully through the measurement of plasma cor-farm animals. Most of the contributed papers fit well tisol level of horses, the plasma hormone evaluationwith the core items and convey thought-provoking could contribute to measuring the more subtle ac-new information. It is unfortunate that the volume tions of hormones in conditioning the mental attitudefollows the time schedule of the symposium, instead to learning and to competitiveness.

´ ´of arranging the relevant short contributions around 3. Muscle variable (Jose Lopez Rivero). Thekeynote lecture topics. chapter contains an introduction to the anatomy of

muscles. The different types of muscle fibres and thePal Rafai, Professor and Head of the Department muscle fibre diversity is discussed in depth. Theof Animal Hygiene regulation of gene expression in skeletal muscle andBudapest University of Veterinary Science the scientific basis of contractile activity of musclesHungary is described in detail. The response to exercise and

the response to training are well discussed. GreatPerformance diagnosis of horses (1997). E. Bar- advances have been made in understanding therey, E. Fazio, A. Ferlazzo, A. Lindner & J.-L. skeletal muscle fibre types though the process of

´Lopez Rivero (Eds.). Wageningen Pers, Wagening- taking sequential biopsies. The individual differencesen, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-74134-48-3. 96pp. in horses are attributed to the main genetic effect andNLG71. an average non-genetic effect (training, nutrition).


Muscle biopsy may be a useful help for estimating • Meeting marketing requirements for quality inperformance ability and adaptation to training and ruminant carcasses and meats will be held fromfatigue in horses. Scientific work is now directed 15 to 26 January 2001 in Zaragoza.towards molecular biology. • World Trade Organization and its impact upon

4. Locomotion variables (Eric Barrey). The international agro-food marketing will be heldanatomy and microanatomy of different muscle from 5 to 9 February 2001 in Zaragoza.fibres (fast glycotic or type IIB, fast oxidative, • Statistical principles in livestock production ex-glycolitic or type IIA and slow oxidative type I) are periments: towards a better understanding andgiven in detail. The molecular basis of myofibre application of modern methods will be held fromdiversity is also mentioned. When studying the 19 to 23 February 2001 in Zaragoza.response to exercise and training a great deal of • Use of molecular techniques in animal breeding

´scientific effort is now directed towards molecular will be held from 5 to 16 March 2001 in Leon,biology. The use of PCR techniques in DNA re- Spain.search offers the prospect of optimizing training and • The economics of natural resources will be heldfeeding regimes by assessing the changes in gene from 12–23 March 2001 in Zaragoza.expression. • Aquaculture fish breeding will be held from 2 to 6

This book is based upon important scientific April 2001 in Zaragoza.references, about 350 are listed, and the deep knowl- • Optimizing the use of local conventional andedge of the authors, making the book very suitable unconventional feed resources in Mediterraneanfor both theoretical and practical use. arid and semi-arid areas will be held from 14 to

25 May 2001 in Cairo, Egypt.• Mediterranean offshore mariculture will be held

´Professor Dr. Imre Bodofrom 28 May to 1 June 2001 in Zaragoza.

Hungarian School of Veterinary Sciences • Electronic commerce. Impact and future trends inBudapest

agro-food marketing will be held from 11 to 15June 2001 in Zaragoza.

Barneveld College, The NetherlandsTRAINING COURSESThe following course is offered. All courses

include theory and practical aspects of managementEAAP Annual Meeting 2001, Budapest, Hungaryand technical operations, with study visits and aresuited to beginners and mid-career specialists inA Ph.D. Course on ‘‘Computation of Random andproduction, extension and management. Information:Fixed Effects in Animal Breeding with the PestDept. International Studies, PO Box 64, 3770 ABPackage’’ will be offered from Thursday 30 AugustBarneveld, The Netherlands. Tel.: 1 31-342-414881.to Wednesday 5 September 2000. Information: Dr.

´ ´ Fax: 1 31-342-492813. E-mail:Komlosi Istvan, University of Debrecen. Faculty of¨ ¨ ´ ´ [email protected], H-4032 Debrecen, Boszormenyi ut 138,

International six month course.Hungary. Tel.: 1 36-52-508-438. Fax: 1 36-52-413-Animal feed training programme, 26 February385. Email: [email protected]

2001–25 May 2001.CIHEAM/IAMZ Courses

FORTHCOMING SCIENTIFICThe following courses are offered by CIHEAM´ CONFERENCESand IAMZ. Information: Instituto Agronomico

´Mediterraneo de Zaragoza, Apartado 202-50080JANUARY 2001Zaragoza, Spain. Tel.: 1 34-976-716000. Fax: 1 34-

World Congress of Environmental Law and976-716001. E-mail: [email protected] Web:´Policy will be held at San Jose, Costa Rica from 8http: / /www.iamz.ciheam.org


to 12 January 2001, organized by the Mexican Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. This is a joint meetingAcademy of Environmental Law. Information: with FASS. Information: Tel.: 1 1-301-571-1875.Email: [email protected] and Fax: 1 1-301-571-1837. Email: [email protected] ojeda [email protected]

] ]Website: www.greenchannel.com/ iceac in Spanish AUGUST 2001section & http: / /www.mailcity.lycos.com 52nd Annual Meeting of EAAP will be held in

Budapest, Hungary from 26–29 August 2001. In-formation from: Organizing Committee, c /o Re-APRIL 2001search Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition,Improving the Quality of Livestock Products. A

´ ´H-2053 Herceghalom, Gesztenyes ut 1., Budapest.Satellite Symposium to the British Society for Ani-Tel.: 1 36-23-319-133, ext 225. Fax: 1 36-23-319-mal Science Annual Meeting will be held in April133, ext 120. Email: [email protected]. Web:2001 in York, UK. Information: Jeff Wood at Tel.:www.atk.hu /eaap2001/Official Congress Agency,1 44-117-928-9293.AgroEurope Organizing Bureau Llc., H-2100

¨ ¨ ¨Godollo, Pf.8. Tel.: 1 36-28-432-987/988. Fax:JUNE 2001 1 36-28-432-988. Email: [email protected]

6th International Conference on Pig Reproduc- Satellite Symposium No. 1 EAAP Annual Meet-tion will be held from 3–6 June 2001 at the ing 2001, Budapest. Endangered Native AnimalUniversity of Missouri, Columbia, USA. Informa- Breeds will be held from 21–24 August 2001 attion: Dr. Randall S. Prather, Dept. of Animal Sci- University of Debrecen, Hungary. Information: Dr.ences, 162 Animal Sciences Centre, University of ´ ´ ´Laszlo Radnoczi, Secretary Dagene, National Insti-Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211-5300. tute for Agricultural Quality Control. Tel.: 1 36-1-Email: [email protected] 2123-127 ext 2217. Fax: 1 36-1-2125-502. Email:

First Joint Meeting of University Departments [email protected] Animal Sciences of the Balkan Countries will Elsevier /EAAP Workshop on Preparing andbe held from 6 to 8 June 2001 at Tekirdag, Turkey. Presenting Scientific Papers will be held on Satur-Information: Meeting Secretariat, Trakya University, day 25 August 2001 at the BUTE Centre of In-Department of Animal Science, 59100 Tekirdag, ´ ´formation Technology, H-1111 Budapest, PazmanyTurkey. Tel / fax: 1 90-282-2931-479. Email: animal ´ ´ ´Peter setany 1/D. Information: Dr. Phil [email protected] worthy, University of Nottingham, UK. Fax:

What Price Cheap Food? A Workshop will be 1 44-115-951-6060. Email: phil.garnsworthy@held in at the John McIntyre Centre, Pollock Halls, nottingham.ac.ukEdinburgh, UK from 25–26 June 2001. Information: Satellite Symposium No. 2 EAAP Annual Meet-British Society for Animal Science, PO Box 3, ing 2001, Budapest: Teaching of Animal ProductionPenicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0RZ, UK. Tel.: 1 44- Sciences in Central and Eastern European Countries131-445-4508. Fax: 1 44-131-535-3120. Email: will be held on Saturday 25 August 2001 at [email protected]. http: / /www.bsas.org.uk BUTE Centre of Information Technology, H-1111

´ ´ ´ ´ ´Budapest, Pazmany Peter setany 1/D. Information:JULY 2001 ProfessorJ-L. Tisserand, ENESAD BP 87999, F-

Wildlife Health and Management in Austral- 21079 Dijon Cedex, France. Tel.: 1 33-380-772752.iasia Conference will be held from 2 to 6 July 2001 Fax: 133-380-772747. Email: [email protected] Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia. Information: Dr. Second International Satellite Workshop EAAPLarry Vogelnest, Taronga Zoo, PO Box 20, Mosman Annual Meeting 2001, Budapest: MammaryNSW 2088 Australia. Fax: 1 61-2-9978-4516. Gland Biotechnology will be held 30–31 August

¨Email: [email protected] 2001 in Budapest. Information: Bosze Zsuzsanna,¨ ¨ ¨American Society of Animal Science Annual Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, H-2100 Godollo,

¨ ´ ´Meeting will be held from 24–28 July 2001 in Szentgyotgyi A setany 4, Hungary. Tel.: 1 36-28-


430600/252. Fax: 1 36-28-430647. Email: fare Considerations in Livestock Handling [email protected] tems will be held in Poland. In October 2001.

Interbull /EAAP Joint Meeting 2001 will be held Information: Tadbeusz Kuczynski. Email:at the EAAP Annual Meeting, Budapest from 29–30 [email protected] 2001 at the BUTE Centre of Information

´ ´ ´Technology, H-1111 Budapest, Pazmany Peter APRIL 2002´ ´setany 1/D. Information: Interbull Centre, Dept. of 6th International Livestock Farming Systems

Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish Agricul- Symposium will be held at Telese Terme,tural University, Box 7023, S-750 07 Uppsala, Benevento, Italy from 4–7 April 2002. Information:Sweden. Tel.: 1 46-18-67-19-74. Fax: 1 46-18-67- Ms. Rachel Lombardi, ConSDABI Azienda Casal-26-48. Email: [email protected] or dianni, 82020 Circello, Bn, Italy. Email:[email protected] [email protected]. Tel.: 1 39-824-938211/

34th International Congress of Physiological 13. Fax: 1 39-824-938213.Sciences will be held from 26 to 31 August 2001 in World Merino Conference will be held in Buda-Christchurch, New Zealand. Information: Conference pest, Hungary from 29 April–1 May 2002. Infor-Company, PO Box 90-940, Auckland, New Zealand. mation: Hungarian Sheep Breeders’ Association,Tel.: 1 64-9-360-1240. Fax: 1 64-9-360-1242. Budapest PO Box 365, H-1242, Hungary. Tel.:Email: [email protected]. http: / /www.iups2001.org.nz 1 36-1-312-2846. Fax: 1 36-1-311-5648. Email:

[email protected]. www.majusz.huSEPTEMBER 2001

Integrated Management Systems for Livestock MAY 2002Production. A joint meeting of the British Society The 33rd Session of ICAR (International Com-for Animal Science and the Institution of Agricul- mittee on Animal Recording) and the INTERBULLtural Engineers will be held on 11–12 September Meeting will be held from 26–31 May 2002 in2001 at Selwyn College, Cambridge, UK. Infor- Interlaken, Switzerland. Information: ICAR Sec-mation: BSAS, PO Box 3, Penicuik, Midlothian, retariat ASR, Villettemattstrasse 9, CH-Berne 14,EH26 0RZ, UK. Tel.: 1 44-131-445-4508. Fax: Switzerland. Tel.: 1 41-31-381-4201. Fax: 1 41-31-1 44-131-535-3120. Email: [email protected]. 382-0880. Email: [email protected] Homepage:http: / /www.bsas.org.uk or from: Institution of Agri- www.asrbem.ch/ ICAR2000cultural Engineers, West End Road, Silsoe, Bed-fordshire, MK45 4DU, UK. Tel.: 1 44-1525861096. JULY 2002Fax: 1 44-1525861660. Email: [email protected]. Nutrition Society and Food, Plants, Animal andhttp: / /www.iagre.org Man. A joint session of British Society for Animal

Science with the Nutrition Society will be held fromOCTOBER 2001 2–5 July 2002 at Leeds, UK. Information: Mike

Organic Milk and Meat Production from Forbes, Email: [email protected]. A conference organized by the Greek American Society of Animal Science AnnualSociety for Animal Production and the British Meeting will be held from 22–25 July 2002 inSociety for Animal Science will be held on 4 to Quebec, Canada with the Canadian Association for6 October 2001 in Kastri, Athens. Information: Animal Science and the American Dairy ScienceDr. G. Zervas, Agricultural University of Athens, Association.. Information: Tel.: 1 1-301-571-1875.Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Athens, Greece. Tel.: Fax: 1 1-301-571-1837. Email: [email protected] 30-1529-4411. Fax: 1 30-1529-4413. Email:[email protected] or Dr. Ilias Kyriazakis, AUGUST 2002Email: [email protected]. Website: http: 7th World Congress of Genetics Applied to/ /www.bsas.org.uk Livestock Production will be held in Montpellier,

An International Symposium on Animal Wel- France from 19–23 August 2002. Co-ordinators:


´Jean-Michel Elsen and Vincent Ducrocq, Departe- Science and the British Society for Animal Science.´ ´ment de Genetique Animale, INRA, BP 27, 31326 Information BSAS, PO Box 3, Penicuik, Midlothian,

Castanet-Tolosan, France. Information: Email: EH26 0RZ, UK. Tel.: 1 44-131-445-4508. Fax:[email protected] http: / /wcgalp. 1 44-131-535-3120. Email: [email protected] http: / /www.bsas.org.uk

SEPTEMBER 2002 OCTOBER 200353rd EAAP Annual Meeting will be held in IX World Conference on Animal Production

Cairo, Egypt from 1–4 September 2002. Informa- will be held in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul,tion: Professor Ashraf H. Barkawi, Department of Brazil from 26–31 October 2003. Information:

´Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo Professor Jorge Lopez or Professor SergioUniversity, Giza 12613, Egypt. Tel.: 1 202-569- Nicolaiewsky, Av. Bento Goncalves, 7712 CP 776,4049. Fax: 1 202-568-3188. Email: 90.001.970, Agronomia, Porto Alegre, RS, [email protected] or cise@main- Email: [email protected] URL:scc.cairo.eun.eg. Home page: esap.org.eg www.wcap2003.ufrgs.br

The 6th International Symposium on the Nutri-NOVEMBER 2002 tion of Herbivores will be held in October 2003 at

Responding to the Increased Global Demand the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal´for Animal Products. A meeting will be held in Production, University of Yucatan (FMVZ-UADY),

November 2002 at the University Cultural Centre, Mexico. Information: Dr. Juan Carlos Ku Vera,UADY, Merida, Mexico jointly by the Universitad Email: [email protected] or Gabriela Sacramento,Autonoma Yucatan, American Society of Animal Email: [email protected]

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