Trend analysis and prediction of seasonal changes in milk composition from a pasture-based dairy research herd.

The composition of seasonal pasture-produced milk is influenced by stage of lactation, animal genetics, and nutrition, which affects milk nutritional profile and processing characteristics. The objective was to study the effect of lactation stage (early, mid, and late lactation) and diet on milk composition in an Irish spring calving dairy research herd from 2012 to 2020 using principal component and predictive analytics. Crude protein, casein, fat, and solids increased from 2012 to 2020, whereas lactose concentration peaked in 2017, then decreased. Based on seasonal data from 2013 to 2016, forecasting models were successfully created to predict milk composition for 2017 to 2020. The diet of cows in this study is dependent upon grass growth rates across the milk production season, which in turn, are influenced by weather patterns, whereby extreme weather conditions (rainfall and temperature) were correlated with decreasing grass growth and increasing nonprotein nitrogen levels in milk. The study demonstrates a significant change in milk composition since 2012 and highlights the effect that seasonal changes such as weather and grass growth have on milk composition of pasture-based systems. The potential to forecast milk composition at different stages of lactation benefits processers by facilitating the optimization of in-process and supply logistics of dairy products.

Application of machine-learning methods to milk mid-infrared spectra for discrimination of cow milk from pasture or total mixed ration diets.

The prevalence of "grass-fed" labeled food products on the market has increased in recent years, often commanding a premium price. To date, the majority of methods used for the authentication of grass-fed source products are driven by auditing and inspection of farm records. As such, the ability to verify grass-fed source claims to ensure consumer confidence will be important in the future. Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy is widely used in the dairy industry as a rapid method for the routine monitoring of individual herd milk composition and quality. Further harnessing the data from individual spectra offers a promising and readily implementable strategy to authenticate the milk source at both farm and processor levels. Herein, a comprehensive comparison of the robustness, specificity, and accuracy of 11 machine-learning statistical analysis methods were tested for the discrimination of grass-fed versus non-grass-fed milks based on the MIR spectra of 4,320 milk samples collected from cows on pasture or indoor total mixed ration-based feeding systems over a 3-yr period. Linear discriminant analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were demonstrated to offer the greatest level of accuracy for the prediction of cow diet from MIR spectra. Parsimonious strategies for the selection of the most discriminating wavelengths within the spectra are also highlighted.

Restricting dairy cow access time to pasture in autumn: The effects on milk production, grazing behaviour and DM intake of late lactation dairy cows.

Extending the grazing season in pasture based systems of dairy production can increase farm profitability; poor weather and soil conditions can reduce the number of grazing days. The study objectives were to (i) examine the effect of restricted access to pasture in the autumn on the milk production, grazing behaviour and DM intake (DMI) of late lactation spring-calving dairy cows and (ii) establish the effect of alternating restricted and continuous access to pasture on dairy cow production, DMI and grazing behaviour. Cows were randomly assigned to one of four grazing treatments: (i) 22 h (full-time) access to pasture (22H; control); (ii) Two 5-h periods of access to pasture (2×5H); (iii) Two 3-h periods of access to pasture (2×3H); and (iv) alternating between full-time and 3-h access to pasture with no more than three continuous days on any one regime, e.g. Monday - full-time access, Tuesday - 2x3H access, Wednesday - 2x3H access; Thursday - full-time access, etc. (2×3HV). Restricted access to pasture was offered after a.m. and p.m. milking. Swards of similar quality and pregrazing herbage mass were offered. Treatment had no effect on milk yield (13.2 kg/day), milk fat (48.2 g/kg), protein (39.0 g/kg) or lactose content (42.6 g/kg) and milk solid yield (1.15 kg/day). Similarly, there was no effect of treatment on final BW (483 kg) or final BCS (2.66). There was no significant difference in DMI (15.1 kg DM/cow/day) between treatments. There was an effect on daily grazing time, 22H cows (565 min/cow/day) grazed for longest time, however, when the 2x3HV treatment had full-time access to pasture, they had a similar grazing time (543 min/cow/day) to the 22H cows and were similar to the 2x3H treatment on days with restricted access to pasture (357 min/cow/day). The 22H and 2x5H animals had similar grass DMI/min (29.2 g/min), the 2x3HV were higher (33.9 g/min) but were similar to the comparable treatment when offered 2x3H access time (41.6 g/min) and when offered 22H access time (27.7 g/min). The results from this study show how when offered a grass only diet of autumn pasture grazing behaviour can be modified by restricting pasture access time without reducing dairy cow production in late lactation at low production levels. There was also no effect of alternating access time between 22H and 2x3H on milk production and DMI in the 2x3HV treatment. Restricted access time to pasture in autumn may be a strategy which farmers can use to extend the grazing season.

Effect of bovine feeding system (pasture or concentrate) on the oxidative and sensory shelf life of whole milk powder.

Correlating volatile compounds with the sensory attributes of whole milk powder (WMP) is fundamental for appreciating the effect of lipid oxidation (LO) on sensory perception. LO compounds can adversely affect the sensory perception of WMP by imparting rancid, metallic, and painty notes. Whole milk powders derived from milk produced by cows maintained on a pasture diet (grass and grass-clover mix) versus a nonpasture diet [total mixed ration (TMR); concentrates and silage] were stored at room temperature 21°C (ambient storage) and 37°C (accelerated storage) and analyzed for volatile compounds and sensory attributes every 2 mo for a total of 6 mo. Thirteen volatile compounds originating from LO were chosen to track the volatile profile of the WMP during storage. Color, composition, total fatty acid, and free fatty acid profiling were also carried out. Significant variations in the concentrations of 14 fatty acids were observed in WMP based on diet. Concentrations of free fatty acids increased in all sample types during storage. Similar trends in sensory attributes were observed with an increase in painty attributes, corresponding to an increase in hexanal. Buttery/toffee attributes were found to be more closely correlated with TMR WMP. Those WMP derived from pasture diets were found to be more susceptible to LO from a volatile perspective, particularly in relation to aldehyde development, which is likely due to increased concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid found in these samples.

Raman spectroscopy: A rapid method to assess the effects of pasture feeding on the nutritional quality of butter.

The animal diet is a critical variable affecting the composition and functionality of dairy products. As "Grass-Fed" labeling becomes more prominent on the market, rapid and label-free methods for verification of feeding systems are required. This work proposes the use of Raman spectroscopy to study the effects of 3 different experimental cow feeding systems-perennial ryegrass pasture, perennial ryegrass with white clover pasture, and an indoor total mixed ration diet (TMR)-on the nutritional quality of sweet cream butter. The results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis is a promising approach to distinguish butter derived from pasture or conventional TMR feeding systems. A Pearson correlation analysis confirmed high positive correlations between the spectral bin at 1,657 cm-1, ascribed to the stretching vibrations of C=C bonds, and concentrations of α-linolenic acid and conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) in butter, and in general with the concentration of n-3 and n-3+CLA fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the samples. The yellow color indicative of the presence of carotenoids in butter, which has previously been suggested as a biomarker of pasture or "Grass-Fed" feeding, was also positively correlated with the data obtained from the Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy could also be used to accurately predict indicators of the nutritional quality of butter, such as the thrombogenic index, which showed a strong negative correlation with the spectral bin at 3,023 cm-1.

Scenarios to limit environmental nitrogen losses from dairy expansion.

Increased global demand for dairy produce and the abolition of EU milk quotas have resulted in expansion in dairy production across Europe and particularly in Ireland. Simultaneously, there is increasing pressure to reduce the impact of nitrogen (N) losses to air and groundwater on the environment. In order to develop grassland management strategies for grazing systems that meet environmental targets and are economically sustainable, it is imperative that individual mitigation measures for N efficiency are assessed at farm system level. To this end, we developed an excel-based N flow model simulating an Irish grass-based dairy farm, to evaluate the effect of farm management on N efficiency, N losses, production and economic performance. The model was applied to assess the effect of different strategies to achieve the increased production goals on N utilization, N loss pathways and economic performance at farm level. The three strategies investigated included increased milk production through increased grass production, through increased concentrate feeding and by applying a high profit grass-based system. Additionally, three mitigation measures; low ammonia emission slurry application, the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors and the combination of both were applied to the three strategies. Absolute N emissions were higher for all intensification scenarios (up to 124 kg N ha-1) compared to the baseline (80 kg N ha-1) due to increased animal numbers and higher feed and/or fertiliser inputs. However, some intensification strategies showed the potential to reduce the emissions per ton milk produced for some of the N-loss pathways. The model showed that the assessed mitigation measures can play an important role in ameliorating the increased emissions associated with intensification, but may not be adequate to entirely offset absolute increases. Further improvements in farm N use efficiency and alternatives to mineral fertilisers will be required to decouple production from reactive N emissions.

Search for Sterile Neutrinos in MINOS and MINOS+ Using a Two-Detector Fit.

A search for mixing between active neutrinos and light sterile neutrinos has been performed by looking for muon neutrino disappearance in two detectors at baselines of 1.04 and 735 km, using a combined MINOS and MINOS+ exposure of 16.36×10^{20} protons on target. A simultaneous fit to the charged-current muon neutrino and neutral-current neutrino energy spectra in the two detectors yields no evidence for sterile neutrino mixing using a 3+1 model. The most stringent limit to date is set on the mixing parameter sin^{2}θ_{24} for most values of the sterile neutrino mass splitting Δm_{41}^{2}>10^{-4} eV^{2}.

Incorporating white clover (Trifolium repens L.) into perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) swards receiving varying levels of nitrogen fertilizer: Effects on milk and herbage production.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.; clover) can offer a superior nutritional feed compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG) and offers an additional or alternative source (or both) of N for herbage production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of including clover into PRG swards receiving 150 (Cl150) or 250 kg of N/ha (Cl250) compared with a PRG-only sward receiving 250 kg of N/ha (Gr250) on herbage production, milk production, and herbage dry matter intake (DMI) in an intensive grass-based spring calving milk production system over 2 full lactations. A farm systems experiment was established in February 2013, and conducted over 2 grazing seasons [2013 (yr 1) and 2014 (yr 2)]. In February 2013 (yr 1), 42 Holstein-Friesian spring-calving dairy cows, and in February 2014 (yr 2), 57 Holstein-Friesian spring-calving dairy cows were allocated to graze the Cl150, Cl250, and Gr250 swards (n = 14 in yr 1 and n = 19 in yr 2) from February to November, at a stocking rate of 2.74 cows/ha. Herbage DMI was estimated twice in yr 1 (May and September) and 3 times in yr 2 (May, July, and September). Treatment did not have a significant effect on annual herbage production. Sward clover content was greater on the Cl150 treatment than the Cl250 treatment. The cows grazing both clover treatments (Cl250 and Cl150) produced more milk than the cows grazing Gr250 from June until the end of the grazing season. A significant treatment by measurement period interaction was observed on total DMI. In May, the cows on the Cl250 treatment had the greatest DMI. In July, the cows on the clover treatments had greater DMI than those on the Gr250 treatment, whereas in September, the cows on the Cl150 treatment had the lowest DMI. In conclusion, including clover in a PRG sward grazed by spring-calving dairy cows can result in increased animal performance, particularly in the second half of lactation. Reducing N fertilizer application to 150 kg of N/ha on grass-clover swards did not reduce herbage production compared with grass-only swards receiving 250 kg of N/ha. White clover can play an integral role in intensive grazing systems in terms of animal performance and herbage production.

Evaluating the perioperative safety of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for large, non-metastatic renal tumours: a comparative analysis of T1-T2 with T3a tumours.

OBJECTIVE: With increasing surgeon experience, the use of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in large and locally advanced renal tumours (T3a) is gaining favour in urological practice. There are limited studies reporting surgical outcomes in such groups. The aim of this study was to review our experience with LRN in these patients. METHODS: Data was retrospectively collected on 201 consecutive patients who underwent LRN for renal cancer by a single surgeon. Perioperative parameters assessed were age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score (ASA), waist circumference, tumour size, specimen size, histological subtypes, anaesthetic duration, operative approach and technique, surgery duration, blood loss, pre and postoperative renal function, complication rate and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: Of 201 patients undergoing LRN, 43 (21%) patients had T3a tumours (group 2). The remaining 158 (79%) patients had T1 tumours (group1). Mean tumour size in group 2 was 12.2 cm. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was more common in males than females (131/201; 65%). Patients with T3a disease were more likely to have an ASA score of 2 (37/201; 18%). In the majority of patients across both groups, LRN was completed using a 3-port approach (173/201; 86%). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of mean anaesthetic duration, average surgical time, average estimated blood loss, complication rate and mean hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that LRN has equivalent perioperative outcomes and safety in larger and locally advanced renal tumours.

Conceptual models underlying economic analysis of animal health and welfare with the inclusion of three components: people, products and resources.

Infectious animal diseases can spill across farm boundaries, so effective management requires coordinated responses. Costs and benefits from the management of infectious diseases are such that those who make the decisions have weak incentives to act, the levels of goods and services produced from animal agriculture are probably smaller than is socially optimal and resources are likely wasted. This work provides an overview of the existing literature on conceptual economic models in animal disease management, paying particular attention to inadequate incentives to make the required biosecurity efforts. A disease transmission model follows, emphasising policy and management issues which need to be addressed to enhance the benefits that consumers and producers obtain from animal protein markets. The article concludes with comments and suggestions on tackling infectious disease as a public good, and on directions for future research.

Les maladies animales infectieuses se propageant au-delà des limites des exploitations, leur gestion efficace requiert des réponses coordonnées. En raison de la nature même des coûts et des bénéfices induits par la gestion des maladies infectieuses, les personnes qui prennent les décisions ne sont pas nécessairement les plus motivées, ce qui se traduit par un niveau médiocre de production de biens et de services dans les élevages et par un gaspillage des ressources. L'auteur propose une synthèse de la littérature existante sur les modèles économiques théoriques en matière de gestion des maladies animales, en soulignant particulièrement l'inadéquation des incitations en faveur des mesures de biosécurité. Il fournit ensuite un modèle de transmission des maladies et met en exergue les problématiques de stratégie et de gestion à prendre en compte pour améliorer les bénéfices apportés aux consommateurs et aux producteurs par la filière de production de protéines animales. Pour conclure, l'auteur fait quelques commentaires et propositions pour la prise en compte en tant que bien public de la lutte contre les maladies infectieuses ainsi que sur les orientations futures de la recherche.

Dado que las enfermedades animales infecciosas pueden extenderse más allá de las lindes de una explotación agrícola, para combatirlas eficazmente se requieren respuestas coordinadas. Los costos y beneficios vinculados a la gestión de las enfermedades infecciosas son tales que: los responsables de adoptar decisiones se ven poco incentivados; los bienes y servicios resultantes de la actividad agropecuaria son probablemente demasiado escasos; y seguramente se despilfarran recursos. El autor hace un repaso general de la bibliografía existente sobre modelos económicos teóricos de gestión zoosanitaria, prestando especial atención a la endeblez de los incentivos existentes para dedicar los esfuerzos necesarios a las cuestiones de seguridad biológica. Después expone un modelo de transmisión de enfermedades, haciendo hincapié en las cuestiones normativas y de gestión que es preciso abordar para que consumidores y productores se beneficien en mayor medida de los mercados de proteínas animales. A modo de conclusión, el autor formula observaciones y sugerencias sobre la lucha contra las enfermedades infecciosas como bien de interés público y sobre las líneas de investigación que convendría seguir en el futuro.

Constraints on Oscillation Parameters from ν_{e} Appearance and ν_{µ} Disappearance in NOvA.

Results are reported from an improved measurement of ν_{µ}→ν_{e} transitions by the NOvA experiment. Using an exposure equivalent to 6.05×10^{20} protons on target, 33 ν_{e} candidates are observed with a background of 8.2±0.8 (syst.). Combined with the latest NOvA ν_{µ} disappearance data and external constraints from reactor experiments on sin^{2}2θ_{13}, the hypothesis of inverted mass hierarchy with θ_{23} in the lower octant is disfavored at greater than 93% C.L. for all values of δ_{CP}.

Measurement of the Neutrino Mixing Angle θ_{23} in NOvA.

This Letter reports new results on muon neutrino disappearance from NOvA, using a 14 kton detector equivalent exposure of 6.05×10^{20} protons on target from the NuMI beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The measurement probes the muon-tau symmetry hypothesis that requires maximal θ_{23} mixing (θ_{23}=π/4). Assuming the normal mass hierarchy, we find Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.67±0.11)×10^{-3} eV^{2} and sin^{2}θ_{23} at the two statistically degenerate values 0.404_{-0.022}^{+0.030} and 0.624_{-0.030}^{+0.022}, both at the 68% confidence level. Our data disfavor the maximal mixing scenario with 2.6σ significance.

Productivity costs of work loss associated with osteoarthritis in Canada from 2010 to 2031.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and project the productivity costs of work loss (PCWL) associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in Canada using the Population Health Model (POHEM). DESIGN: We integrated an employment module based on 2006 Canadian Census into the previously developed microsimulation model of OA. The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 2.1 with an OA sample aged 25-64 (n = 7067) was used to calibrate the results of the employment module and to estimate the fraction of non-employment associated with OA. Probabilities of non-employment together with attributable fractions were then implemented in POHEM to estimate PCWL associated with OA from 2010 to 2031. RESULTS: Among the OA population, 44.4% and 59.4% of non-employment due to illness was associated with OA for those not working full-year and part-year, respectively. According to POHEM projections, the size of the working age population with OA increased from 1.5 million in 2010 to 1.7 million in 2031. The PCWL associated with OA increased from $12 billion to $17.5 billion in constant 2008 Canadian dollars. Around 38% of this increase was due to the increase in OA prevalence and changes in demographics, while the rest was due to increase in real wage growth. Male and female OA patients between 55 and 64 years of age had the highest total projected PCWL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The total PCWL associated with OA in Canada is estimated to be substantial and increasing in future years. Results of this study could be used to inform policies aiming to increase employment sustainability among individuals with OA.

Search for Sterile Neutrinos Mixing with Muon Neutrinos in MINOS.

We report results of a search for oscillations involving a light sterile neutrino over distances of 1.04 and 735 km in a ν_{µ}-dominated beam with a peak energy of 3 GeV. The data, from an exposure of 10.56×10^{20} protons on target, are analyzed using a phenomenological model with one sterile neutrino. We constrain the mixing parameters θ_{24} and Δm_{41}^{2} and set limits on parameters of the four-dimensional Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata matrix, |U_{µ4}|^{2} and |U_{τ4}|^{2}, under the assumption that mixing between ν_{e} and ν_{s} is negligible (|U_{e4}|^{2}=0). No evidence for ν_{µ}→ν_{s} transitions is found and we set a world-leading limit on θ_{24} for values of Δm_{41}^{2}≲1 eV^{2}.

Limits on Active to Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments.

Searches for a light sterile neutrino have been performed independently by the MINOS and the Daya Bay experiments using the muon (anti)neutrino and electron antineutrino disappearance channels, respectively. In this Letter, results from both experiments are combined with those from the Bugey-3 reactor neutrino experiment to constrain oscillations into light sterile neutrinos. The three experiments are sensitive to complementary regions of parameter space, enabling the combined analysis to probe regions allowed by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) and MiniBooNE experiments in a minimally extended four-neutrino flavor framework. Stringent limits on sin^{2}2θ_{µe} are set over 6 orders of magnitude in the sterile mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}. The sterile-neutrino mixing phase space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments is excluded for Δm_{41}^{2}<0.8 eV^{2} at 95% CL_{s}.

First Measurement of Electron Neutrino Appearance in NOvA.

We report results from the first search for ν_{µ}→ν_{e} transitions by the NOvA experiment. In an exposure equivalent to 2.74×10^{20} protons on target in the upgraded NuMI beam at Fermilab, we observe 6 events in the Far Detector, compared to a background expectation of 0.99±0.11(syst) events based on the Near Detector measurement. A secondary analysis observes 11 events with a background of 1.07±0.14(syst). The 3.3σ excess of events observed in the primary analysis disfavors 0.1π<δ_{CP}<0.5π in the inverted mass hierarchy at the 90% C.L.

Intravesical chondroitin sulphate for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. Bladder instillation is one avenue of treatment but evidence for its effectiveness is limited. Chondroitin sulphate solution 2.0% (Urocyst) is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) replenishment therapy instilled for patients with IC/PBS. We assessed its effectiveness for treating IC/PBS in Northern Ireland. METHODS: Patients with IC/PBS were assessed with the O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis index score and global response assessment questionnaire prior to commencing treatment. Assessment with these questionnaires was performed after 6 treatments (10 weeks) and again after 10 treatments (24 weeks). Assessment end points were pain, urgency, symptom score and problem score. RESULTS: Data was collected on 10 patients, 9 female and 1 male. 6 patients had failed RIMSO-50 dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) 50% treatment prior. At baseline the mean pain score was 6.6, urgency score 7.00, symptom score 13.5 and problem score 12.5. After 24 weeks the mean pain score fell to 2.0, urgency score to 1.80, symptom score to 6.89 and problem score to 5.67. At 10 weeks the global response to treatment was 100%. Nocturia was the first symptom to improve with urgency and pain following. No side effects were noted during instillation and all patients tolerated the treatments. CONCLUSION: IC/PBS is a difficult disease to treat. It requires a multimodal approach. We found that intravesical chondroitin sulphate reduced pain, urgency and O'Leary-Sant symptom and problem scores in patients with IC/PBS. All patients tolerated the treatment and no side effects were reported.

Observation of the ψ(1 3D2) State in e+e-→π+π-γχc1 at BESIII.

We report the observation of the X(3823) state in the process e+e-→π+π-X(3823)→π+π-γχc1 with a statistical significance of 6.2σ, in data samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4.230, 4.260, 4.360, 4.420, and 4.600 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII electron positron collider. The measured mass of the X(3823) state is (3821.7±1.3±0.7) MeV/c2, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic, and the width is less than 16 MeV at the 90% confidence level. The products of the Born cross sections for e+e-→π+π-X(3823) and the branching ratio B[X(3823)→γχc1,c2] are also measured. These measurements are in good agreement with the assignment of the X(3823) state as the ψ(1 3D2) charmonium state.

The effect of stocking rate on soil solution nitrate concentrations beneath a free-draining dairy production system in Ireland.

Economically viable and productive farming systems are required to meet the growing worldwide need for agricultural produce while at the same time reducing environmental impact. Within grazing systems of animal production, increasing concern exists as to the effect of intensive farming on potential N losses to ground and surface waters, which demands an appraisal of N flows within complete grass-based dairy farming systems. A 3-yr (2011 to 2013) whole-farm system study was conducted on a free-draining soil type that is highly susceptible to N loss under temperate maritime conditions. Soil solution concentrations of N from 3 spring-calving, grass-based systems designed to represent 3 alternative whole-farm stocking rate (SR) treatments in a post-milk quota situation in the European Union were compared: low (2.51 cows/ha), medium (2.92 cows/ha), and high SR (3.28 cows/ha). Each SR had its own farmlet containing 18 paddocks and 23 cows. Nitrogen loss from each treatment was measured using ceramic cups installed to a depth of 1m to sample the soil water. The annual and monthly average nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and total N concentrations in soil solution collected were analyzed for each year using a repeated measures analysis. Subsequently, and based on the biological data collated from each farm system treatment within each year, the efficiency of N use was evaluated using an N balance model. Based on similar N inputs, increasing SR resulted in increased grazing efficiency and milk production per hectare. Stocking rate had no significant effect on soil solution concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, or total N (26.0, 0.2, 2.4, and 32.3 mg/L, respectively). An N balance model evaluation of each treatment incorporating input and output data indicated that the increased grass utilization and milk production per hectare at higher SR resulted in a reduction in N surplus and increased N use efficiency. The results highlight the possibility for the sustainable intensification of grass-based dairy systems and suggest that, at the same level of N inputs, increasing SR has little effect on N loss in pastoral systems with limited imported feed. These results suggest that greater emphasis should be attributed to increased grass production and utilization under grazing to further improve the environmental impact of grazing systems.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV.

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5) pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6) MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2) MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.