There are no published feed-energy standards for growing rabbits. Even nutritional factors that affect intake and digestibility, and consequently performance, are not well documented. Two experiments were carried out, as part of a programme to develop energy feeding standards for growing rabbits. Experiment 1 investigated the effect of physical and chemical characteristics on intake and digestibility of diets. Experiment 2 investigated the effects of level of feeding on digestibility of diets varying in energy density.

A 3 x 2 factorial design was used in both experiments, with 20 Individually-fed weaned rabbits per treatment (initial weight approximately 800 g). Diets were pelleted (4 mm die diameter) and were of the same formulation in both experiments. Diets (LH, MB, HH) were formulated to contain different crude fibre levels (Table 1) by varying, the inclusion rates of grass hay - (LH, Low Hay, 273 g/kg; MB, Medium Hay, 556 g/kg and HH, High Hay, 831 g/kg). Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of crude protein. In Experiment 1 the hay component In diets LHf, MHf and HHf was ground through a 1 mm screen whereas that in diets LHc, MHc and HHc was ground using a 6 mm screen. In Experiment 2, diets LHf, MHf and HHf were fed ad libitum or at 70% of ad libitum Intake.

The suitability of feeding whole grain cereal (maize or sorghum) in diets was investigated in three individual-feeding trials conducted under simulated tropical conditions. In each trial rabbits were allocated to one of four diets (Table 1); complete pelleted diet based on maize (PM), whole maize plus pelleted concentrate supplement (WM), complete pelleted diet based on sorghum (PS) or whole sorghum plus pelleted concentrate supplement (WS). In Trial 1 whole maise and whole sorghum contained 84 and 103 g crude protein/kg dry matter (DM) respectively. In Trials 3 and 3 whole maize and whole sorghum contained 60 and 98 g crude protein/kg DM and 18.87 and 18.67 MJ gross energy/kg DM respectively.

A study was initiated to explore the possibility of farming red deer more intensively on upland sown pastures. It was recognised that economic viability would depend not only upon high levels of animal performance but also on low winter feed costs; the study was concerned essentially therefore In comparing two different wintering systems.

Recognised that economic viability would depend not only upon high levels of animal performance but also on low winter feed costs; the study was concerned essentially therefore In comparing two different wintering systems.

Two groups of 34 hinds each were kept on two systems of management which differed In two respects, for a period of two years. Both groups were grazed at 10 hinds per hectare on sown upland pasture from mid May; calving took place In late May and June. A proportion of the grazed area was used for conservation in the early summer. However, one group of hinds, System A, was mated (October) and then wintered on a heather dominant hill pasture of approximately 11 hectares. The second group of hinds, (System B), was mated on Its sown pasture area and then wintered in a small paddock where it was fed daily.

Liveweight loss during the winter in both herds was controlled where necessary by feeding additional hay and concentrate as required to achieve a liveweight of 80.0 kg by the end of March.

There are strong links between diet and health. Dietary recommendations have been formulated by many organisations aiming to improve the population's health. One recommendation with wide support is “Eat less fat.” In the British diet fat is supplied by a range of foods; for some there Is consumer resistance to a reduction In fat, but for meat there is a (coincidental) rejection of fat for reasons of palatability. Consumer demand is for lean meat. This consumer choice ought to be advantageous to meat producers since fat production generally requires a greater feed input. However, evidence from the abattoir reveals that many animals have excessive fat cover. It was decided to solicit the views of farmers on questions relating to the issue of lean rather than fatty meat.

Comments were invited by way of an open letter published widely in the farming press early in 1983.