The aim of this study was to compare wool growth and quality in twin- and tripletbearing/rearing ewes, offered different SWARD heights. After pregnancy scanning, 94 Romney ewes of six week wool growth were randomly allocated to four different SWARD heights (2, 4, 6 and 8 cm). Within the first 24 hours of parturition ewes were transferred to one of two SWARD heights (4 and 8 cm). In ewes shorn 87 days after parturition, the fleece was weighed and a sample taken from midside for evaluation of fleece characteristics. Fleeces from twin bearing/ rearing ewes tended to be heavier (P<0.1; 2.0 Kg vs 1.9 Kg) than those from triplet bearing/ rearing ewes. Other wool characteristics were not affected by litter size. Ewes offered 2 cm long SWARD during the last half of pregnancy bore lighter (1.6 vs 2.2 Kg, P<0.05) and finer (39.0 vs 41.8 mm, P<0.05) fleeces than those offered 4 cm, but there was no increase in weight or fineness for those offered SWARD more than 4 cm height. Post parturition nutritional treatments had no significant effects on wool characteristics. In terms of wool growth and wool processing characteristics, it seems being of little benefit to offer twin or triplet bearing ewes a SWARD higher than 4 cm. There were no interactions observed between nutritional treatment and litter size for any wool characteristic measurements.

Successful pasture-based milk production systems pivot on balancing dairy cows’ feed requirements with seasonal and annual fluctuations in pasture production. In order to maximise cow production from grazing dairy systems, it is necessary to reach an efficient utilization of grazed grass for feeding cows and the de-velopment of appropriate grazing management systems designed to maximize daily pasture dry matter in-take (PDMI) per cow and per hectare, while maintaining high SWARD quality over the grazing season by keeping high pasture levels of crude protein, water soluble carbohydrates and digestibility of organic matter and low levels of acid and neutral detergent fibers in the SWARDs. To maximize PDMI, cows need to con-sume plants that have characteristics that allow rapid consumption and lead to fast rates of passage through the rumen. This review considers the role of SWARD factors which affect the short-term feed budget of cows at pasture and, therefore, condition cow feed requirements at grazing and influence on PDMI. Furthermore, it highlights the relevance that have for the development of pasture-based milk production systems the study of the species of grasses and / or legumes that integrate the pastures, the changes on SWARD structure, the seasonality in grass production, the pasture chemical constituents, the SWARD botanical composition, the grass feeding value, the digestibility of pastures, the intensity of SWARD defoliation, and the importance of SWARD height and herbage mass in relation to maximizing PDMI. The amount of herbage consumed is the major determinant of cow production but it is yet one of the most difficult aspects of forage quality to pre-dict. In this review, three methods for PDMI calculation are presented as faecal output/diet digestibility method, SWARD difference method and the grazing-behaviour method. Also, three equations for PDMI esti-mation are described considering different SWARD and animal variables.

AField experiment was conducted at Research Farms of Center of Excellence for Special Crops, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, in 2006 to evaluate the effect of planting density on forage and grain yield of kochia (Kochia scoparia). Experimental design was a randomized complete block with split-plot arrangement of treatments, with three replications,  where different planting densities (10, 20, 30 and 40 plant m-2) were assigned to main plots and number of cutting (including a single cutting, two cutting and no cutting i.e. allowing the crop to grow until maturity) allocated to sub-plots. At each harvest date (cutting) the biological yield, leaf and stem dry weight, plant height, number of branches and the individual plant biomass were measured. Grain yield and thousand seed weight were also determined at the end of growing season. Result showed the highest biological yield and leaf and stem dry weights for kochia obtaind at 30 plant m-2. The total biomass, leaf and stem dry weights, plant height, numbers of branches were greater for the first cutting as compared to the second cutting. Planting density and cutting number interacted to affect the leaf dry weight. At physiological maturity stage there were no significant differences among planting densities for plant height and number of branches. The best planting density, in terms of biomass production and leaf and stem dry weight, was found as 30 plant m-2, while for grain production a planting density of 20 plant m-2 could be recommended.

Oxygen metabolites as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as major factors in male infertility. In the present investigation, we aimed to study the effect of different concentrations of ascorbate/vitamin C (300-2000 micromolar), on membrane integrity, acrosome reaction, and viability of bull (Holstein) spermatozoa in presence of iron (ferrous) ions as lipid peroxidation (LPO) promoter. LPO is one of the manifestations of ROS attack in biological membranes. LPO impinges on membrane integrity, triggers inactivation of membrane bound enzymes which involve in sperm motility. Ascorbate in concentrations below 1000 micromolar protects spermatozoa from free radical damages as evidenced from improvement in their membrane integrity (data of LPO test), elevated acrosome reactions, and increased viability. Concomitantly, there is also witnessed depletion of malondialdehyde (MDA) (an end product of LPO) generation following ascorbate supplementation. Ascorbate at 1000 micromolar concentration and above, however, is not protective, as evidenced by abrupt fall in sperm membrane integrity and rate of acrosome reactions and lowered % live sperm cells. Collectively, ascorbate acts as a double-edged SWARD in different concentrations and researchers must keep in mind this negative side of ascorbate application in their research fields like in vitro fertilization, cell culture, and preservation of gametes to minimize its deleterious impacts on biological systems.

Reward management in context of performance management is defined as an integrated reward system that ensures equal income and provides financial and non financial needs of employees and acknowledges to their shares in acquiring organization targets. Reward management is important for the success of performance management and has unlimited potentiality in motivation of employees to better performance. Reward management and leveraging it in performance management strategy need a professional acuity and total approach. Reward is a two sided SWARD. Reward should be determined and paid considering both personal and collective interests of employees. It should have internal relation and consistency with organization strategy targets. This article is taken from the second chapter of the performance management book and centered on reward which is the main element of reward management. The significance of reward in performance management mentioned and then reward-based performance management drivers and interventions reviewed. The main target of first intervention which is called promoting reward-based performance management allows organizations to create performance-based reward management. The total of ten drivers will help the accomplishment of this intervention. The second intervention or capitalizing on reward strategy for internalization of performance management is an organization method and the employees’ style life. This intervention is consisted of ten drivers.

The objective of this research was to study the genetic variation for total dry matter yield and three quality characteristics: digestible organic matter in dry matter (DOMD), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude protein content (CP) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under spaced plants and SWARDs conditions. A polycross nursery containing 24 genotypes were established. Prior to planting, each parent was vegetatively propagated to give 8 clones. At harvest, seeds of propagated clones of each genotype was combined. Both seed of half sib families and their clone propagated parents were grown as spaced plants and SWARD over two years. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) was used to estimate the quality parameters. The broad sense heritability estimates (h2b) were relatively high for quality traits (h2b= 0.48-0.80), but moderate for dry matter yield (h2b= 0.25-0.49). Narrow sense heritability (h2n), was low for dry matter yield (h2n=0.03-0.26)and high for quality traits (h2n=0.03-0.92). Genetic analysis indicated that non-additive genetic variance was the major component controlling DM yield, while, additive genetic variance was more significant for quality traits. The genotypic correlation of DOMO and WSC was significantly positive, while the relationship of CP with WSC was significantly negative. These results were consistent over two years. None of the phenotypic or genotypic correlation estimates of DOMD and CP were significant. OM yield and DOMD were negatively correlated under SWARDs. The genetic correlation of DM yield with WSC was positive, however, its relationship with CP was negative.

Introduction: In the present investigation, we aimed to study the effect of different concentrations of ascorbate/vitamin C, on membrane integrity, viability, and acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa in presence of ferrous (Fe2+) ions as lipid peroxidation (LPO) promoter. Material and Methods: We used 12 semen samples from healthy donors in Shahrekord. The samples were then washed twice with Tyrode's ringer and centrifuged (500 xg, for 10 min) to separate semen plasma from sperm cells (dissolved in Tyrode's ringer). LPO test was performed to assess generated MDA in media spectrophotometrically. Eosin staining method was used to detect dead or alive sperm cells. To assess the ability of sperm cells undergoing acrosome reaction, the gelatin digestion test was performed in which iron and ascorbate were added to sperm cells and stained with comassie blue dye. Number of sperm cells with/without halo around their heads was recorded. We used Hest as statistical analysis.Results: Ascorbate in concentrations below 1000 micromolar protects spermatozoa from free radical damages as evidenced by improvement in their membrane integrity (data of LPO test), elevated acrosome reactions, and increased viability. Concomitantly, there is also witnessed depletion of malondialdehyde (MDA) (an end product of LPO) generation following ascorbate supplementation. Ascorbate at 1000 micromolar concentration and above, however, is not protective, as evidenced by abrupt fall in sperm membrane integrity and rate of acrosome reactions and lowered percent of alive sperm cells.Conclusion: Collectively, ascorbate acts as a double-edged SWARD in different concentrations and researchers must keep in mind this negative side of ascorbate application in their research fields like in vitro fertilization, cell culture, and preservation of gametes to minimize its deleterious impacts on biological systems.