Influence of Soil Moisture Zones on Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Populations in Furrow Irrigated Rice.

Water conservation is an important factor for production of rice in the United States because of declining aquifer levels, but little research has been done to evaluate insect management in rice systems integrating water conservation practices. Rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, is an important insect pest of rice in the U.S. Rice water weevil is a semiaquatic species that relies on flooded conditions to complete larval development, so water conservation practices are likely to impact their pest status. The study was conducted across the Mississippi River alluvial floodplain to compare rice water weevil population densities in different zones of a furrow irrigated rice field to a conventionally flooded rice field. All locations were sampled at 3, 4, and 5 wk after the initial irrigation. Larval densities were greatest in the lower end of furrow irrigated fields and in the adjacent flooded rice field compared with the upper and middle sections that did not hold standing water when averaged across three sample dates. Also, rice water weevil densities were greater during week five than week three. In terms of rice yields, the top third of furrow irrigated rice fields, the section that remained mostly dry, produced lower rough rice yields than all other sections and the flooded field. These results suggest that rice water weevil populations can be lower in a furrow irrigated rice system. As a result, more research is needed to determine whether a spatial management plan can be developed based on soil moisture zones in furrow irrigated rice.

Evaluation of Flood Removal in Combination with Insecticide Seed Treatment for Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larval Management in Rice.

An experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS during 2017 and 2018 to determine whether removal of the flood is an economical method of control for rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. This experiment compared a continuous flood production system to draining a rice field completely and reestablishing a flood for the remainder of the growing season. In addition, two insecticide seed treatments, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole, were compared with an untreated control within each system. Rice water weevil densities were measured prior to draining at 3 wk after flood and again after the flood was reestablished in drained plots. Rice water weevil densities were greater in 2017 than 2018. Chlorantraniliprole at the predrainage and postdrainage sample timing reduced larval numbers compared with the untreated control. The plots where water was removed until soil cracking then re-flooded had significantly lower weevil populations than plots that were continuously flooded during 2018 only. Draining of plots resulted in lower yields in 2018, but not in 2017. Additionally, both of the insecticide seed treatments resulted in greater yields and economic returns than the untreated control. Draining of flooded rice when rice water weevil larvae were present did not provide a consistent benefit, and may result in yield and economic penalties. Insecticide seed treatments consistently provided greater yield benefits in flooded rice. Based on these results, draining of flooded rice is not recommended to manage rice water weevil and insecticide seed treatments should be used to minimize economic losses.

Application of Polyacrylamide (PAM) through Lay-Flat Polyethylene Tubing: Effects on Infiltration, Erosion, N and P Transport, and Corn Yield.

Polyacrylamides (PAMs), when applied as a soil amendment, purportedly improve soil infiltration, decrease erosion, and reduce offsite agrochemical transport. The effect of PAM on infiltration, erosion, agrochemical transport, and crop yield when applied in furrow to mid-southern US production systems has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess PAM effects on infiltration, erosion, corn ( L.) grain yield, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) transport when applied at 10 mg L through lay-flat polyethylene tubing. A 2-yr field study was conducted at the Mississippi State Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS, on a Dundee silt loam and a Forestdale silty clay loam. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications of each treatment: irrigated plus no PAM (control) and irrigated plus PAM at 10 mg L. Each irrigation event delivered 102 mm of water at 18.9 L m per furrow, and runoff was captured in a holding tank on the lower end of each plot. Pooled over year and soil texture, PAM increased infiltration and corn grain yield by 6% ( ≤ 0.0398). Polyacrylamide effects on the offsite transport of sediment and N and P were inconsistent, varying across year and soil texture. Results indicate that PAM improves infiltration and corn grain yield on silt loam and silty clay loam textured soils; however, further research is required before PAM can be recommended as a best management practice for mitigating erosion and offsite agrochemical transport in mid-southern production systems.

Genetic parameters for carcass and ultrasound traits in Hereford and admixed Simmental beef cattle: Accuracy of evaluating carcass traits.

Genetic parameters are required to evaluate carcass merit using correlated real-time ultrasound (RTU) measurements. Many registered bulls and heifers are measured using RTU before consideration for selection as parents, whereas few animals are recorded for carcass traits and those are often crossbred steers. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters required for evaluating carcass merit in the American Hereford Association (AHA) and the American Simmental Association (ASA) using multivariate models and to assess accuracy of carcass trait estimated breeding values (EBV) for selection candidates. All available carcass data including carcass weight (CWT), fat thickness (FAT), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and marbling score (MRB) were provided by the AHA and the ASA along with RTU data including fat thickness (UFAT), longissimus muscle area (ULMA), and percentage of intramuscular fat (UIMF). Carcass data comprised 6,054 AHA and 9,056 ASA cattle, while RTU data in comparable numbers from close relatives comprised 6,074 AHA and 7,753 ASA cattle. Pedigrees included 33,226 AHA and 37,665 ASA animals. Fixed effects for carcass and RTU data included contemporary group, age at scan/slaughter, and major breed percentages. Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were applied to all the carcass and RTU measurements, along with birth weight to account for selection, fitting 8-trait multivariate models separately for each breed association. Heritability estimates for AHA and ASA carcass traits were 0.41 ± 0.04 and 0.25 ± 0.03 for FAT, 0.47 ± 0.04 and 0.32 ± 0.03 for LMA, 0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.43 ± 0.04 for MRB, 0.51 ± 0.04 and 0.34 ± 0.03 for CWT, and for RTU traits were 0.29 ± 0.04 and 0.37 ± 0.03 for UFAT, 0.31 ± 0.04 and 0.44 ± 0.03 for ULMA, and 0.45 ± 0.04 and 0.42 ± 0.03 for UIMF. Genetic correlations for AHA and ASA analyses between FAT and UFAT were 0.74 ± 0.08 and 0.28 ± 0.13, between LMA and ULMA were 0.81 ± 0.07 and 0.57 ± 0.10, and between MRB and UIMF were 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.73 ± 0.07. Predictions of carcass merit using RTU measurements in Hereford cattle would be more reliable for FAT and LMA than MRB, but the reverse would be true for admixed Simmental cattle. Genetic correlations for MRB in AHA and for FAT and LMA in ASA are less than currently assumed in their national evaluations. Collection of greater numbers of carcass measurements would improve the accuracy of genetic evaluations for carcass traits in both breeds.

The Vaccination of 35,000 Dogs in 20 Working Days Using Combined Static Point and Door-to-Door Methods in Blantyre, Malawi.

An estimated 60,000 people die of rabies annually. The vast majority of cases of human rabies develop following a bite from an infected dog. Rabies can be controlled in both human and canine populations through widespread vaccination of dogs. Rabies is particularly problematic in Malawi, costing the country an estimated 13 million USD and 484 human deaths annually, with an increasing paediatric incidence in Blantyre City. Consequently, the aim of this study was to vaccinate a minimum of 75% of all the dogs within Blantyre city during a one month period. Blantyre's 25 administrative wards were divided into 204 working zones. For initial planning, a mean human:dog ratio from the literature enabled estimation of dog population size and dog surveys were then performed in 29 working zones in order to assess dog distribution by land type. Vaccination was conducted at static point stations at weekends, at a total of 44 sites, with each operating for an average of 1.3 days. On Monday to Wednesday, door-to-door vaccination sessions were undertaken in the areas surrounding the preceding static point stations. 23,442 dogs were vaccinated at static point stations and 11,774 dogs were vaccinated during door-to-door vaccinations. At the end of the 20 day vaccination programme, an assessment of vaccination coverage through door-to-door surveys found that of 10,919 dogs observed, 8,661 were vaccinated resulting in a vaccination coverage of 79.3% (95%CI 78.6-80.1%). The estimated human:dog ratio for Blantyre city was 18.1:1. Mobile technology facilitated the collection of data as well as efficient direction and coordination of vaccination teams in near real time. This study demonstrates the feasibility of vaccinating large numbers of dogs at a high vaccination coverage, over a short time period in a large African city.

Evaluation of Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) , Economic Injury Levels in Mid-South Reproductive Stage Soybean.

Field experiments were conducted in Starkville and Stoneville, MS; Marianna, AR; Winnsboro, LA; and Jackson, TN, during 2012 and 2014 to evaluate the relationship of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), larval density and yield and the relationship between the percentage of damaged pods and yield in Mid-South soybean systems. Corn earworm moths were infested into field cages at R2 for 5-11 d to achieve a range of larval densities within each plot. Larval density was estimated at 14 d after infestation. Total pods and damaged pods were determined at 19 days after infestation to obtain the percentage of damaged pods. Plots were harvested at the end of each growing season and yield recorded. Data were subjected to regression analysis, and the relationship between larval density and yield and the relationship between the percentage of damaged pods and yield both can be described by a linear relationship. Each increase of one larvae per row-m resulted in a yield loss of 45.4 kg/ha. Similarly, each increase of 1% damaged pods resulted in a yield loss of 29.4 kg/ha. From these data, economic injury levels were developed for a range of crop values and control costs. These data suggest that current corn earworm threshold use in the Mid-South should be reduced.

Orbital apex disorders: a case series.

Orbital apex syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterized by ophthalmoplegia, proptosis, ptosis, hypoesthesia of the forehead, and vision loss. It may be classified as part of a group of orbital apex disorders that includes superior orbital fissure syndrome and cavernous sinus syndrome. Superior orbital fissure syndrome presents similarly to orbital apex syndrome without optic nerve impairment. Cavernous sinus syndrome includes hypoesthesia of the cheek and lower eyelid in addition to the signs seen in orbital apex syndrome. While historically described separately, these three disorders share similar causes, diagnostic course, and management strategies. The purpose of this study was to report three cases of orbital apex disorders treated recently and to review the literature related to these conditions. Inflammatory and vascular disorders, neoplasm, infection, and trauma are potential causes of orbital apex disorders. Management is directed at the causative process. The cases described represent a rare but important group of conditions seen by the maxillofacial surgeon. A review of the clinical presentation, etiology, and management of these conditions may prompt timely recognition and treatment.

The Impact of Simulated Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Damage in Indeterminate Soybean.

Field experiments were conducted in Starkville and Stoneville, MS, during 2012 and 2013 to evaluate fruit removal level and timing on soybean growth, crop maturity, and yield. Fruit removal treatments consisted of 0, 50, and 100% of all fruit removed at specified growth stages (R2, R3, R4, and R5.5). Plant heights were determined at least biweekly from the time damage was imposed until R7. The impact of fruit removal level and timing on crop maturity was determined by estimating the percentage of naturally abscised leaves at 137 days after planting (DAP) when control plots were ∼10-15 d from harvest and the percentage of nonsenesced main stems at 139 DAP. There was no significant impact of fruit removal timing or fruit removal level on plant height or canopy width. Significant delays in crop maturity were observed when fruit removal was imposed at the R5.5 growth stage. Significant reductions in yield and crop value were observed as early as R3 and R4 when 100% of fruit was removed. Both fruit removal levels at R5.5 resulted in a significant reduction in yield and crop value compared with the nontreated control. Indeterminate soybeans appear to have the ability to compensate for some fruit loss during the early to middle reproductive growth stages without delaying maturity. However, severe fruit loss causes increasingly more yield loss as the plant approached maturity. Thresholds and economic injury levels therefore need to be adjusted accordingly to account for the dynamic nature of yield losses and crop maturity delays.

Systematic review of preoperative mandibular canal position as it relates to postoperative neurosensory disturbance following the sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

The purpose of this study was to review the current literature for the relationship between the preoperative position of the mandibular canal on three-dimensional (3D) radiographic imaging and postoperative neurosensory disturbance (NSD) following a sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database for articles published from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2013. Studies that included preoperative 3D imaging and assessment of NSD after surgery were reviewed. Study sample characteristics and results were extracted. Of the 69 articles identified, seven met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was no standardization for measuring the canal position or for evaluating NSD. General consensus was that the less space between the mandibular canal and the outer border of the buccal cortex the more frequent the occurrence of NSD. Increased bone density also appeared to contribute to a higher incidence of NSD. Utilization of 3D images to locate and measure the position of the mandibular canal is not standardized. Advances in 3D imaging and evaluation tools allow for new methodologies to be developed. Early attempts are informative, but additional studies are needed to verify the relationship between the location of the nerve and NSD following surgery.

New constraint on the existence of the µ+ → e+ γ decay.

The analysis of a combined data set, totaling 3.6 × 10(14) stopped muons on target, in the search for the lepton flavor violating decay µ(+) → e(+)γ is presented. The data collected by the MEG experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institut show no excess of events compared to background expectations and yield a new upper limit on the branching ratio of this decay of 5.7 × 10(-13) (90% confidence level). This represents a four times more stringent limit than the previous world best limit set by MEG.

Hot topic: performance of bovine high-density genotyping platforms in Holsteins and Jerseys.

Two high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays have recently become available for bovine genomic analyses, the Illumina High-Density Bovine BeadChip Array (777,962 SNP) and the Affymetrix Axiom Genome-Wide BOS 1 Array (648,874 SNP). These products each have unique design and chemistry attributes, and the extent of marker overlap and their potential utility for quantitative trait loci fine mapping, detection of copy number variation, and multibreed genomic selection are of significant interest to the cattle community. This is the first study to compare the performance of these 2 arrays. Deoxyribonucleic acid samples from 16 dairy cattle (10 Holstein, 6 Jersey) were used for the comparison. An independent set of DNA samples taken from 46 Jersey cattle and 18 Holstein cattle were used to ascertain the amount of SNP variation accounted by the 16 experimental samples. Data were analyzed with SVS7 software (Golden Helix Inc., Bozeman, MT) to remove SNP having a call rate less than 90%, and linkage disequilibrium pruning was used to remove linked SNP (r² ≥ 0.9). Maximum, average, and median gaps were calculated for each analysis based on genomic position of SNP on the bovine UMD3.1 genome assembly. All samples were successfully genotyped (≥ 98% SNP genotyped) with both platforms. The average number of genotyped SNP in the Illumina platform was 775,681 and 637,249 for the Affymetrix platform. Based on genomic position, a total of 107,896 SNP were shared between the 2 platforms; however, based on genotype concordance, only 96,031 SNP had complete concordance at these loci. Both Affymetrix BOS 1 and Illumina BovineHD genotyping platforms are well designed and provide high-quality genotypes and similar coverage of informative SNP. Despite fewer total SNP on BOS 1, 19% more SNP remained after linkage disequilibrium pruning, resulting in a smaller gap size (5.2 vs. 6.9 kb) in Holstein and Jersey samples relative to BovineHD. However, only 224,115 Illumina and 241,038 Affymetrix SNP remained following removal of SNP with a minor allele frequency of zero in Holstein and Jersey samples, resulting in an average gap size of 11,887 bp and 11,018 bp, respectively. Combining the 354,348 informative (r² ≥ 0.9), polymorphic (minor allele frequency ≥ 0), unique SNP data from both platforms decreased the average gap size to 7,560 bp. Genome-wide copy number variant analyses were performed using intensity files from both platforms. The BovineHD platform provided an advantage to the copy number variant data compared with the BOS 1 because of the larger number of SNP, higher intensity signals, and lower background effects. The combined use of both platforms significantly improved coverage over either platform alone and decreased the gap size between SNP, providing a valuable tool for fine mapping quantitative trait loci and multibreed animal evaluation.

New limit on the lepton-flavor-violating decay µ+→e+γ.

We present a new result based on an analysis of the data collected by the MEG detector at the Paul Scherrer Institut in 2009 and 2010, in search of the lepton-flavor-violating decay µ(+)e(+)γ. The likelihood analysis of the combined data sample, which corresponds to a total of 1.8×10(14) muon decays, gives a 90% C.L. upper limit of 2.4×10(-12) on the branching ratio of the µ(+)→e(+)γ decay, constituting the most stringent limit on the existence of this decay to date.

Assessment of inbreeding depression in a Guzerat dairy herd: effects of individual increase in inbreeding coefficients on production and reproduction.

Influences of inbreeding on daily milk yield (DMY), age at first calving (AFC), and calving intervals (CI) were determined on a highly inbred zebu dairy subpopulation of the Guzerat breed. Variance components were estimated using animal models in single-trait analyses. Two approaches were employed to estimate inbreeding depression: using individual increase in inbreeding coefficients or using inbreeding coefficients as possible covariates included in the statistical models. The pedigree file included 9,915 animals, of which 9,055 were inbred, with an average inbreeding coefficient of 15.2%. The maximum inbreeding coefficient observed was 49.45%, and the average inbreeding for the females still in the herd during the analysis was 26.42%. Heritability estimates were 0.27 for DMY and 0.38 for AFC. The genetic variance ratio estimated with the random regression model for CI ranged around 0.10. Increased inbreeding caused poorer performance in DMY, AFC, and CI. However, some of the cows with the highest milk yield were among the highly inbred animals in this subpopulation. Individual increase in inbreeding used as a covariate in the statistical models accounted for inbreeding depression while avoiding overestimation that may result when fitting inbreeding coefficients.

The utility of publicly reported cancer treatment wait time information for patients and health care providers.

AIMS: To determine the utility of web-based radiation wait time information for patients and health care providers in decision-making. To revise the information using a simulated laboratory environment and to re-evaluate the new web-based information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online 'pop-up' survey on the Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) website measured user satisfaction. Qualitative data were gathered through patient focus groups and physician interviews. On the basis of the analysis, the website was revised and usability testing conducted. The information was re-evaluated by end-users through survey methodology. RESULTS: The majority accessing the wait time website were patients and family members. The modal age of use of the website was 31-50 years. Patients found the information more helpful after redesign than health professionals, but both found the language less easy to understand, highlighting the need to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the website. Patients did not identify themselves as consumers of wait time information. Their expectation was that physicians would determine the urgency for treatment and would ensure timely access to care. Physicians reported that they did not use the CCO website on wait times and would not use the data for decision-making. Referrals were based on urgency of care and usual referral patterns. Referral patterns did not shift to centres with shorter wait times. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study did not confirm the usefulness of the web-based wait time information for patients and physicians as a resource on how to obtain timely access to radiation treatment. Patients relied on their physician to manage their access to treatment according to the urgency of their clinical condition. Physicians preferred their established referral process rather than referring their patients to centres with shorter wait times. As patients become more computer savvy, it will be interesting to see if they increasingly become consumers of web-based wait time information.

Producing and using genetic evaluations in the United States beef industry of today.

The overall motivation for the development of an information system for beef cattle improvement is the belief that knowledge of breeding values and heterosis effects allows one to determine the consequences of alternative selection and mating options. With this information, livestock managers can easily shift populations in a desirable direction. The foundation principles for establishing a sound breeding program, including the prediction of animal performance for economically relevant traits and their incorporation into a single index of aggregate economic merit, have been well established over the last half century. Rather than this goal-based approach, the industry adopted a data-driven approach to the production of genetic evaluations that has been characterized by an overemphasis on the evaluation of productive traits, notably BW at various ages, with inadequate regard for other economically important traits, such as reproduction, animal health, and feed requirements. Production of evaluations is breed association centered, and this has delayed the introduction of national across-breed evaluations for all breeds and crosses of cattle. The computational aspects of producing evaluations are now migrating from land-grant universities to breed associations, but not yet to a single entity. The introduction of genomic information in the form of high-density SNP panels will introduce threats, challenges, and new opportunities for the production of evaluations, and represents the largest force to alter the structure of the beef improvement industry since the advent of AI. The use of evaluations has, until recently, stopped short of the provision of index merit as a basis for selection. Accordingly, the value propositions associated with annual improvement or the selection of alternative sires has not been well communicated. Technology, along with economic and other issues related to stakeholder acceptance, will collectively determine the future nature of the industry in terms of the production and use of evaluations.

Milestones in beef cattle genetic evaluation.

National beef cattle genetic evaluation programs have evolved in the United States over the last 35 yr to create important tools that are part of sustainable breeding programs. The history of national beef cattle genetic evaluation programs has lessons to offer the next generation of researchers as new approaches in molecular genetics and decision support are developed. Through a series of complex and intricate pressures from technology and organizational challenges, national cattle evaluation programs continue to grow in importance and impact. Development of enabling technologies and the interface of the disciplines of computer science, numerical methods, statistics, and quantitative genetics have created an example of how academics, government, and industry can work together to create more effective solutions to technical problems. The advent of mixed model procedures was complemented by a series of breakthrough discoveries that made what was previously considered intractable a reality. The creation of modern genetic evaluation procedures has followed a path characterized by a steady and constant approach to identification and solution for each technical problem encountered. At its core, the driving force for the evolution has been the need to constantly improve the accuracy of the predictions of genetic merit for breeding stock, especially young animals. Sensible approaches, such as the principle of economically relevant traits, were developed that created the rules to be followed as the programs grew. However, the current systems are far from complete or perfect. Modern genetic evaluation programs have a long way to go, and a great deal of improvement in the accuracy of prediction is still possible. But the greatest challenge remains: the need to understand that genetic predictions are only parameters for decision support procedures and not an end in themselves.

Are opportunities for vitamin A supplementation being utilised at primary health-care clinics in the Western Cape Province of South Africa?

OBJECTIVES: To determine missed opportunities and problems relating to implementation of the Vitamin A Supplementation Programme in urban and rural regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted at primary health-care (PHC) clinics in Cape Metropole, an urban region, and West Coast Winelands, a rural region, of the Western Cape. A purposive sample of clinics where more than 30 children were seen per day was drawn from 10 of the 11 districts in the Cape Metropole region and the two districts of the West Coast Winelands region. The number of children selected from each district was weighted in terms of population size for the two regions. At each clinic visited, the first five to 10 children seen on a day, and meeting the inclusion criteria for vitamin A supplementation (VAS) based on the vitamin A provincial policy guidelines, were selected. These included children with low birth weight (LBW), growth faltering, underweight and severe undernutrition, recurrent diarrhoea and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), tuberculosis, measles, HIV/AIDS and eye signs of vitamin A deficiency. Clinic records were reviewed following consultation with the PHC nurse to identify if the child required vitamin A, exit interviews were conducted with mothers/caregivers, and Road to Health Charts (RTHCs) were reviewed. At the end of the study, PHC managers were interviewed to determine if problems could be identified with the Programme. RESULTS: Forty-three of 123 (35%) and 13 of 40 (33%) of the fixed PHC clinics in the Cape Metropole and West Coast Winelands regions were visited, and a total of 300 children (234 from Cape Metropole, 66 from West Coast Winelands) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 24.3 (16.3) months and who met the inclusion criteria for VAS were selected. Of the total sample of children, 198 (66%) had multiple (i.e. more than one) indication and 102 (34%) had a single indication for VAS. There were a total of 617 indications for VAS in the two regions; 238 (39%) for growth faltering, 119 (19%) for underweight, 98 (16%) for LBW, 70 (11%) for LRTI, 51 (8%) for diarrhoea, 21 (3%) for HIV/AIDS and 20 (3%) for tuberculosis. A total of 102 (34%) of the children in the two regions received vitamin A supplements (Cape Metropole 29%; West Coast Winelands 52%). A record was made on the RTHC of 79 (77%) of the children who received VAS (Cape Metropole 76%; West Coast Winelands 79%). Twenty-four per cent of the mothers knew why their child had been given vitamin A (Cape Metropole 29%; West Coast Winelands 12%). Eleven per cent of the mothers had previously heard about the Vitamin A Supplementation Programme (Cape Metropole 12%; West Coast Winelands 6%). More than 81% of PHC managers indicated that health staff had been trained to implement the Vitamin A Supplementation Programme. The main problems identified by health staff in the two regions were lack of vitamin A capsules, inadequate training and difficulties in implementing the Programme. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities to administer vitamin A were underutilised in both regions. Recommendations such as improving mothers' awareness of the benefits of vitamin A and training of PHC nurses were made to the provincial Department of Health and are being implemented to improve the effectiveness of the Programme.

Additive genetic relationships between heifer pregnancy and scrotal circumference in Nellore cattle.

To estimate heritability (h2) for yearling heifer pregnancy and to estimate the genetic correlation between heifer pregnancy and scrotal circumference, 18,145 records of Nellore heifers exposed to breeding at an age of approximately 14 mo and 25,466 records of contemporary young bulls were analyzed. Heifer pregnancy was considered as a categorical trait, with the value 1 (success) assigned to heifers that were pregnant after rectal palpation approximately 60 d after the end of a 90-d breeding season and the value 0 (failure) otherwise. A single-trait animal model for heifer pregnancy and a two-trait animal model including heifer pregnancy and scrotal circumference were used. Contemporary groups were defined in two ways: including (CG2) or not including (CG1) weaning management of the heifer. Heritability estimates obtained by Method R in single-trait analyses were 0.68 +/- 0.09 and 0.61 +/- 0.10 using CG1 and CG2 definitions, respectively. Heritability estimates for two-trait analyses were 0.69 +/- 0.09 (CG1) and 0.63 +/- 0.08 (CG2) for heifer pregnancy and 0.57 +/- 0.03 (both CG) for scrotal circumference. The genetic correlation estimates between the two traits were 0.20 +/- 0.12 (CG1) and 0.20 +/- 0.13 (CG2). Based on the results of this study, EPD for heifer pregnancy can be used to select bulls for the production of precocious daughters and will be more effective than selecting on scrotal circumference EPD in Nellore cattle. However, scrotal circumference can be incorporated in a two-trait analysis to increase the accuracy of prediction for heifer pregnancy EPD for young bulls. Using contemporary group without heifer weaning management gave higher h2 and, for two-trait analysis, converged more quickly.