14—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 18, 1972 Animals Are “Tricked” Into Eating More Electronically controlled feeding behavior eating and size of meals. Dr. Paul unit at Penn State shows sheep eating Wangsness, in charge of the experiments, from rotating turnable. The device studies electronic “printout” of the measures the frequency and length of sheep’s eating and drinking patterns. Experiments to trick livestock and dairy cattle into eating more feed than they normally consume are a new approach to more economical meat and milk production Such studies are being earned out by animal nutritionists at The Pennsylvania State University The Penn State scientists have been able to increase short-term feed intake of calves and sheep tenfold by injecting a small amount of tranquilizer, pen tobarbital, into a specific area of the brain. The studies have shown that certain areas of the brain control an animal’s feeding behavior Directing the studies were A. D. Peterson, Dr. B. R. Baumgardt, and Dr C. A. Baile GET Get a " Winterized“ FORD LAWN AND GARDEN TRACTOR! - Power with economy. - Handles snow throwers to 38 inches - 4-speed gear transmission. - Electric implement clutch better engagement - Deep, wide foam-rubber seat and backrest. 2166 Willow Street Pike Lancaster, »> > • < of the department of animal science The work indicates that there are “feeding centers” in the brains of cattle and sheep which signal the animal to start and stop eating. The blood acts as a communicator between all parts of the body and the nervous system. As an animal eats, end products of digestion are .ab sorbed from the stomach into the blood. The end-products, or other chemicals triggered by them, can quickly reach the brain and communicate a signal of being fully fed. Unfortunately, today’s high energy feed rations tend to produce a “full” signal from the THE DRIFT. LANCASTER FORD TRACTOR INC. wirriw, t v*. t for easier, Ph. 464-2746 brain and animals stop eating before their stomachs are full. This occurs in feedlots and dairy operations where the trend is toward large amounts of grain concentrates and small amounts of roughage. Rations high in grain are desirable since they produce increased yields of meat and milk per dollar of feed. Dr. P. J. Wangsness, a new member of the animal nutrition faculty, is working with the Penn State research team to determine exactly how the control mechanism of feed intake works. Such knowledge will enable nutritionists to develop the most economical ways for farmers to control feeding of livestock. Equipped with adequate in formation, farmers could in crease feed intake above that now possible for milking cows and meat producing animals. On the other hand, farmers could more easily limit the feed intake BROWN & REA ATTENTION: DAIRY FARMERS Since installing a New Gram Crimper we are able to supply you with improved more palatable coarse textured feed for your Dairy Herd and Horse feed needs. We will be able to crimp your home grown grains so that you can incorporate them into your feed mixture. For Complete Information Call or Visit our feed store at your convenience BROWN & REA INC. ATGLEN, PA. 'V',? ’ ’*( ? '*i for mature, non-milking livestock. The Penn State experiments are carried out in unique, elec tronically controlled feeding unit. Using a rotating turntable, the unit allows the animal to eat and drink whenever it desires. The device measures the frequency and length of eating and size of meals. The unit helps identify changes in levels of disestive end-products in blood or rumen fluid which may act to control feed intake. Sheep placed in the feeder units are surgically equipped with plastic sampling tubes. These long tubes enable researchers to remain outside the feeder unit while withdrawing blood or YEAR END ON ALL HOG For heavy use hold nervous gilts up to largest of sows. “Railroad steel” frames spring back when others fold up. Sides adjust to make 22, 24 or 26 inch pen widths. Use singly, or join with panels for row-type installation. WE SELL, SERVICE AND INSTALL Creep Feeders ,Hog Feeders Trojan Waterers Engineered Ventilation Infra Red Gas Brooders ‘WS’VW'* ’t '