Eight complete cereal-soybean diets were used in the experiment, 4 for young growing pigs (18.8-41.6 kg of body weight) and 4 for fatteners at the first stage of fattening (41.6-77.5 kg of body weight). The composition of diets 1-4 for both age groups was as follows: (1) control – without experimental additives, (2) experimental –with herbal preparation Digestarom, (3) experimental – with salinomycin, (4) experimental – with Digestarom and salinomycin. Diets 2 and 4 for both age groups contained 0.03% of Digestarom. Salinomycin was added to diets 3 and 4 in the proportion of 50 mg per kg of feed for young growing pigs, and 40 mg per kg of feed for fatteners. The diets were made using premixes “Polimiks P” and “Polimiks WT”, containing Digestarom and/or salinomycin, mineral-vitamin supplements and amino-acids. The experiment was performed on 32 crossbred weaners (♀Polish Landrace × ♂Duroc) aged 9 weeks, with initial body weights of 18.8 kg. The animals were selected by the analogue method and divided into 4 feeding groups. They were kept in pairs (castrated male and female), in flat-deck boxes at the first stage of the experiment (4 weeks), and in standard litter boxes at the second stage of the experiment (5 weeks). The level of feed consumption was monitored daily. Very good production results were obtained over the entire experimental period. Differentiated feeding did not affect the growth and feed/gain ratios of pigs. Herbal preparation Digestarom had a significant positive effect on feed consumption, whereas salinomycin reduced its level.

The analysis was made on materials collected in 15 private horse-riding centres in the north-west part of Poland. The most significant influence on the economic efficiency had the costs of fodder, litter (33.8% on average) and payments (28.1%) and incomes coming from work of the horses (82% on average). Though 6 centres out of 15 finished their yearly calculation with no profits, the average profitability index was 135.3% and profit per 1 horse per year was 1 555.62 PLN. In most cases the cause of economic loss was the high number of non-working or young horses in comparision to working horses and private “hotel” horses kept in those farms.

Whole crop maize was harvested in wax to glaze stage of corns’ maturity and ensilaged in microsiloses without additive (control group) and with additive of chemical preservative (mixture of formic, lactic, propionic acids and ammonium propionate) in three dosages: 0.6-0.4-0.2%. In green forage of maize (before conservation) as well as in silages concentration of basic nutrients and minerals was determined and on this basis nutrients losses were calculated. The quality of silages (pH, ammonia concentration in total nitrogen level, share of lactic, butyric and acetic acid in sum of all acids acc. to Flieg-Zimmer scale) was evaluated, also. During maize conservation under laboratory conditions the dry matter losses without additive were 6% and in silage with preservative in dose 0.6 only 1%. In this group the nutrients and minerals losses were lowest, as well as the share of lactic acid increased from 17 (control group) to 63% and ammonium concentration decreased from 8 to 5% N total. The lower dosages of preservative (particular 0.2%) were not so effective.

The goal of research was estimation of effectiveness of dietary preparations: humine-mineral Humokarbowit (HKW) and humuse-mineral-oil Humobentofet (HBF) applied in pigs feeding. The experimental material consisted of 72 fattened pigs, divided into 3 feeding group (24 animal in each) fattened from 26-29 to about 100 kg of live weight. In the all mash feeds for experimental groups applied HKW preparation in amount 5% (group II) and HBF preparation in amount 10% (group III). During / Throughout the fattening period the body mass gain and feed utilization /consumption were controlled. After slaughter the estimation of carcass meatiness with use of ultrasonic apparatus was made. The hematologic tests of blood as well as the composition of fatty acids of backfat were determined. The application of humine preparations reduced of bacterium and fungi numbers in mixtures/ all mash feeds. The fatteners fed with all mash feed with addition of HBF had higher body mass gains by 14.5% or with HKW by 6.2%, in comparison to control animals (group I), at a time in experimental groups the lowest feed consumption/intake was observed. The iron contents in estimated preparations was partially utilized by fatteners what was confirm by hematologic indices of blood. The applied preparations had significant influence on increase of carcass musculature/meatiness and had no influence on composition of fatty acids of backfat.

The studies were carried on 164 calves. The extensity and intensity of the Coccidia infection were determined by means of the Willis-Schlaaf’s and McMaster’s methods. The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. was determined by Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Whereas the Coccidia composition in the examined animals was determined upon the morphological features of the oocysts and the sporulation time. The following four Eimeria species were isolated in E. bovis, E. aubernensis, E. zürni and E. cylindrica. In calves, the overall prevalence Eimeria sp. was 21.34% and Cryptosporidium sp. 6.70%.

The aim of the studies was to get insight into the development of selected haematological and biochemical blood parameters in cows imported from Holland as pregnant heifers; the other aim was an attempt to estimate the effect of the parameters on resulting performance and fertility of the cows. Detailed blood analyses were done on a group of randomly selected 25 pregnant heifers, which next became primiparous cows. Blood was sampled in 3. days from the import as well as after a half-year period presence in the new environment. The primiparous cows demonstrated very low fertility and, what is more, their milk yields did not correspond to those determined genetically. The blood examination revealed that a number of basic biochemical indices, particularly those of mineral components, deviated from the standards.

The purpose of the studies was an attempt to evaluate influence of females’ whelping date on reproduction traits as well as establish factors, which can exert an influence on that trait. The material for the study was represented by data obtained from breeding documentation of a fur-animal breeding farm of standard minks. Twelve generations of animals were taken into consideration. Whelping date informations came from 10 611 litters. Influence of the factors determinated the level of examination reproduction traits were were performed by many-factor analysis of variance by the Low Square Method using procedure of a statistical package SAS [1996]. The factor, which in the highly significant determinated litter size and weaned cubs was female’s whelping date. The highest litter size were from females, which the whealping date was between 111-115 day of a year (4.87 cubs). Noticeable litter size reduced was observed when the whelping date was after 30ty April (from 120 day of a year). The overrunning whelping date also decreased probability of get cubs. The most profitable values of reproduction traits were observed at females, which whelping date was between 111 and 119 day of a year. In the research showed the highly significant determination of the heat ending time, the number of days from the begining to the end of heatting, the age of females and a year of whelping exert an influence on whelping date. When the end of the heat was in the first days of March (from 3rd to 7th) then whelping date was between 114 and 115 day of a year, and then was shifted on the next days of a year. Possibility of the whelping date between 111 and 115 day of a year (guarantee higher litter size) was the highest in the groups of two and three years old females, simultaneously in that classes decreased probability of delivery in periods unfavourably affect on females’ litter size (from 120 to 134 day of a year).

The work aimed at the comparative analysis of animal size and fur quality traits in chinchillas (Chinchilla veligera Mol.) of standard, black velvet and beige colour types. The research included two breeding-farms located in southern Poland. In the period 2001-2002 – 454 animals were estimated. The analysis of variance proved that colour type had statistically significant influence on all the traits except colour purity. Breeding-farm significantly influenced animal size, fur quality, colour purity, fur’s paunch part and total number of scores. The year of licence affected statistically animal size, fur purity, colour type and colour purity. Arithmetic means of fur traits were as following: animal size (in points) – from 3,06 (beige type) to 3.60 (standard); colour type from 1.71 (beige) to 3.47 (standard); colour purity – from 6.57 (black velvet) to 6.76 (beige); fur quality – from 5.00 (beige) to 6.93 (black velvet); fur’s paunch part – from 2.75 (standard) to 2.89 (black velvet); total number of scores – from 19.41 (beige) to 23.25 (standard). Variability coefficients ranged from about 6 to 60%. The highest values were estimated for colour type and animal size and the lowest for total number of scores. Total evaluation reached lower variability due to the fact that the animals of lower values for certain traits balanced it with higher values for other traits. The chinchillas in analysed farms were characterized by high quality of conformation traits. Lower values were obtained by beige type, which proves that improvement of fur quality of this type should aim of intensified breeding work.

18 786 horse jumps made over 665 obstacles at central Polish jumping events were analysed. Number of knock-downs and run-outs with refusals, as well as the total number of jumps over each obstacle were scored. The results indicate that the obstacles’ size, their order in the track and the way in which sunrays lightened them did not influenc the frequency of run-outs. The obstacle kind, colour and the fact if it was single or in combination, were reflected in the number of knock-downs, run-outs and totals. The presence of advertising elements caused a rise of run-out frequency.

The evaluation included conformation traits of 793 calf-bulls with various HF genes proportion born in 1995-1996. The bulls were assigned into 4 groups of animals according to the proportion of HF cattle genes. Growing share of the HF cattle genes in the genotypes of the evaluated bulls significantly influenced an improvement of their conformation traits, which are directly related to dairy performance, i.e. height at rump, general appearance, caliber, and type. .Statistically confirmed correlations occurred between HF cattle genes proportion, and a majority of conformation traits. The highest positive relationship was found for high at rump and milk character (among the linear traits), as well as for type, and caliber, (general merit). The remaining traits were mainly negatively correlated.

The aim of the study was to determine possible relationship between polledness and selected parameters of reproduction and milk performance in goats. In all, the study comprised 466 females belonging to four breeds: Polish White Improved, Dutch White Improved, Saanen, and French Alpine. The following reproduction and milk performance indices were studied: fertility, prolificacy, weaned rate, reproduction performance, milk yield per full lactation and 300-day standardised lactation, fat and protein yield per full lactation and 300-day lactation, fat and protein content, and lactation duration. The analysis demonstrated a significant effect of polledness on the prolificacy of goats, indirectly influencing the level of milk yield, which is strictly related to litter size. The conclusion is that the best results would be achieved from mating polled males to horned males, which in consequence would lead to satisfying levels of reproduction and milk performance indices without a threat of intensified incidence of hermaphroditism.

Die Meinung über Notwendigkeit und Sinn einer hohen Reproduktion einer Kuhherde gehen bei spezialisierten Milchproduktionsbetrieben oft auseinander. Die Positivargumente sind vor allem die Erzielung eines größeren Selektionsfortschrittes in der Herde. Allerdings wird hierbei schnell übersehen, dass mit hoher Reproduktionsrate auch die Kosten der Milcherzeugung schnell ansteigen. Deshalb sind überall dort, wo die Färsenkosten, egal ob beim Zukauf der Färsen oder die eigenen Erzeugungskosten, hoch sind, niedrige Reproduktionsraten anzustreben. Obwohl bei einer Herdenleistung von etwa 5500 kg mit dem Anstieg der Reproduktion auch noch ein deutlicher Leistungszuwachs zu verzeichnen ist (vergleiche Abb. 2), eliminieren die schneller steigenden Kosten diesen Erfolg. Deshalb sollten Milcherzeuger unbedingt Reproduktionsraten um oder unter 30% anstreben.

Somatic cells count (SCC) is a common method of milk quality and udder health status evaluation. Dairy herd of Black-and-White cattle with an average milk yield of ca 10 000 kg per lactation was analysed due to SCC pattern. Significant influence of the year on share of number of test milking with low level of SCC (<40 000 per 1 ml) in cows with low milk yield (<20 kg per day) was stated. Besides, cows with low daily milk yield (<20 kg per day) characterised with higher share of milking with low SCC in the 3-rd lactation when compared to the 1st lactation.