In its common modern meaning, a mule is the offspring of a maledonkey and a femalehorse. Compare hinny – the offspring of a male horse and a female donkey. The term "mule" (Latinmulus) was formerly applied to the offspring of any two creatures of different species – in modern usage, a "hybrid".
The mule, easier to breed and usually larger in size than a hinny, has monopolised the attention of breeders. The chromosome match-up more often occurs when the jack (male donkey) is the sire and the mare (female horse) is the dam. It has been known for people to let a stallion (male horse) run with a jenny (female donkey) for as long as six years before getting her pregnant. Mules are almost always sterile (see fertile mules below for rare cases), as almost all hinnies are. (see External links). The sterility is attributed to the different number of chromosomes the two species have: donkeys have 62 chromosomes, while horses have 64. Their offspring thus have 63 chromosomes which cannot evenly divide.
A female mule, called a "molly", has estrus cycles and can carry a fetus, as has occasionally happened naturally but also through embryo transfer. The difficulty is in getting the molly pregnant in the first place.
Mules are considered more intelligent than both horses and donkeys.
Grain Moisture Measurements May Divert Mold, Insect Infestation Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:26:00 -0500
Monitoring carbon dioxidealong with the
standard humidity and temperaturemay help detect insect and mold problems
more effectively. Photo courtesy of Microsoft Clipart.
Newly renovated ARS grain
research center dedicated
ARS-adapted grain sorter
sees fungal poisons under "new light"
Optical sensors help
farmers find high-quality wheat
Grain Moisture Measurements May Divert Mold,
Insect Infestation By
Sharon Durham August 28, 2008
Grain storage bins are routinely monitored for temperature to
control insect and mold problems. Now an Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
scientist and his colleagues at Kansas State
University (KSU) have preliminary research findings showing that monitoring
carbon dioxide--along with humidity and temperature--also may help detect
problems more effectively.
Grain moisture content and temperature are the primary factors
affecting grain deterioration in storage. If these factors are not properly
monitored and controlled, grain quality can deteriorate quickly due to mold
growth and insect infestation.
ARS engineer
Paul
Armstrong at the agency's
Grain
and Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, Kan., and Haidee
Gonzales and Ronaldo Maghirang at KSU monitored a simulated grain storage bin
during aeration to determine if high-moisture grain, or adverse storage
conditions, in the bin top could be detected using sensors to measure relative
humidity, temperature and carbon dioxide levels.
Relative humidity and temperature can be used to estimate grain
moisture, while carbon dioxide levels indicate the amount of respiration due,
primarily, to molds. Current technology allows relative humidity and
temperature sensors to be placed at multiple points within the grain mass.
Carbon dioxide sensing is more feasible at an aeration duct.
In the study, sensors were placed at different depths in the bin.
High-moisture grain-- comprising about 11 percent of the volume--was placed at
the top of the bin and produced high amounts of carbon dioxide, which in most
cases was easily detectable during aeration.
Lowering grain temperature with aeration diminished the amount of
carbon dioxide produced, making it more difficult to detect unless the carbon
dioxide sensor was located very close to the wet grain.
Relative humidity and temperature sensing gave good estimates of grain
moisture for all conditions, but under some grain conditions, high carbon
dioxide levels persisted for grain considered to be at safe moisture and
temperature conditions. Combining relative humidity, temperature and carbon
dioxide measurements gave reasonably accurate measurements of grain moisture
content as well as overall storage conditions.
ARS is the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's scientific research agency.
ARS Scientists Test MRI Device to Measure Body Fat in Piglets Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:46:00 -0500
A new device can more
accurately and precisely measure total body fat, lean tissue mass, free water
mass and total body water in piglets and may have future applications for human
pediatric use. Click the image for more information about
it.
Scientists study excess
fat in chickens
Pig gene database supports
human nutrition, immunity studies
DXA measures meat, fat
composition in pork
ARS Scientists Test MRI Device to Measure Body Fat in Piglets
By Sharon
Durham August 27, 2008
A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based device--more advanced
than the technology used today for body composition tests--can accurately and
precisely measure total body fat in piglets using the principles of
quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR), according to
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
scientists who evaluated the new technology.
The new device, called EchoMRI, was tested by ARS researchers to
measure not only total body fat, but lean tissue mass, free water mass and
total body water in piglets. The research was done under a grant from the
National Institutes of Health, which wants to
know if the new technology could have future applications for human pediatric
use.
Standard MRI systems are commonly used to scan and visualize tissue in
humans. However, when used for body composition analysis, imaging systems are
subject to substantial error rates caused by the interpretation of visual
images using software that relies on population averages.
EchoMRI uses a new type of QMR methodology to obtain body composition
results. Its measurement principle depends on the density of hydrogen nuclei
and the physical state of the tissue.
ARS animal scientist
Alva
Mitchell at the
Animal
Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., tested the
device, developed by Echo Medical
Systems, to determine EchoMRI's precision and accuracy in piglets as
compared to dual x-ray (DXA) technology and chemical analysis.
Twenty-five piglets, each weighing between 3.5 pounds and 8 pounds,
were screened live, anesthetized, and post-mortem, using a prototype EchoMRI
device for infants. The piglets were also scanned using DXA and then subjected
to chemical analysis.
After DXA scans, EchoMRI screenings, and chemical analyses were
completed, EchoMRI was found to be a precise and accurate method suitable for
measuring piglet whole body composition, total body fat, lean tissue mass, free
water mass, and total body water. While these studies were conducted on
piglets, EchoMRI may be transferable to market-weight pigs.
EchoMRI allows for measurements to be conducted in only a few minutes
without anesthesia or sedation, is radiation-free, and does not require the
subject to remain completely motionless. This facilitates convenient,
low-stress repeated tracking of small changes in body composition and can be
advantageous to researchers to optimize feed utilization. It could also help
researchers identify high-value hogs for breeding.
ARS is a scientific research agency of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Fingerprinting" Helps Make Great Grapes Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:49:00 -0500
Genetic
fingerprints, now being developed for the 2,800 wild, rare and domesticated
grapes in ARS's northern California genebank, will help grape breeders pinpoint
unusual characteristics. Click the image for more information about
it.
Autumn King seedless
grapes: Big and luscious!
Thomcord grape: Flavorful,
attractiveand seedless!
Sweet Scarlet grape: New
variety readied for growers
Fingerprinting Helps Make Great
Grapes By Marcia
Wood August 26, 2008
At about this time next year, nearly all of the 2,800 wild, rare and
domesticated grapes in a unique northern California genebank will have had
their "genetic profile" or fingerprint taken. These fingerprints
may help grape breeders pinpoint plants in the collection that have unusual
traits--ones that might appeal to shoppers in tomorrow's supermarkets. Other
grapes might be ideal for scientists who are doing basic research.
Thats according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant
geneticist
Mallikarjuna
Aradhya. He's heading the grape fingerprinting venture.
The grape collection that Aradhya is fingerprinting encompasses
vineyards and screened enclosures, called screenhouses." It is part of
whats officially known as the ARS
National
Clonal Germplasm Repository for Tree Fruit and Nut Crops and Grapes, in
Davis, Calif.
To glean a distinctive genetic fingerprint of each member of the
collection, Aradhya uses pieces of genetic material--or DNA--known as
microsatellite markers. Eight markers are all that are needed for a genetic
fingerprint of more familiar grapes, like close relatives of those already used
for making wine or raisins or for eating out-of-hand.
But the lesser-known ones--wild grapes and some prized types from
China, for instance--require twice as many markers for reliable identification.
Thats due, in part, to the fact that the taxonomy, or relatedness of one
kind of grape to another, is quite jumbled, Aradhya noted.
He has already fingerprinted 1,100 better-known grapes and 300 wild
specimens.
ARS is a scientific research agency of the
U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service Reports
Dairy Products Prices Cheddar Cheese prices received for US 40 pound Blocks averaged $1.83 per pound for the week ending August 23.... Rice Stocks August 1 Rough Rice Stocks Down 54 Percent from June....
Training - Paul V. Smith mule training, stud service and horse drawn farm equipment in scenic Crossville, TN.
Meta Description: [ Paul V. Smith mule training, stud service and horse drawn farm equipment in scenic Crossville, TN. ]
Bray Haven Farm - BJ is the perfect choice to sire your next mule. We call his get Designer Mules because they are bred for specific riding and light driving persuasions.
Brayer Hill Farm - Saddle Mules for sale National Champion Performance Mules trail riding mules Exceptional quality
Meta Description: [ Brayer Hill Farm is involved in breeding for, showing & training of quality saddle mules. ]
Cameron Mule Company - Professional mule training by Brad Cameron. Training videos, training clinics and seminars taught (USA) from coast to coast.
Meta Description: [ Brad Cameron's expert mulemanship is now available on video. Saddle mule clinics, tips and tricks, slobber straps, lariat ropes, and other mule training gear available. ]
Diamond C Mule Ranch - Mule breeders offering a large number of quality mules ready for the riding season. Located in Claremore, Oklahoma, USA.
Diamond Creek Ranch - Breeding facility for working mules and donkeys. Quality is the primary interest, producing only a few mules and donkeys each year from proven mares and jennets.
Meta Description: [ Diamond Creek Ranch Mules-Home of Diamond Creek Major, Mammoth Jack, with Stock for Sale, Mules, Donkeys and Shipped Semen ]
Equines by Design - Raising, training and showing mules. Sanger, Texas.
Meta Description: [ Quality Mules for Sale website is devoted to our good saddle mules that are offered for sale. Suitable for trailriding, ranch or show, they are good-minded and perform as ]
Gate Farm, Home of Diamond C Montana Jack - Home of Diamond C Montana Jack; producing large colored and solid mules. Located in Rock Cave, WV, USA.
Meta Description: [ Breeders of quality Miniature, Standard and Mammoth Donkeys and Mules. ]
Horse and Mule Trail Guide USA - This site lists by state Horse and mule trails, trail rides and overnight accommodations for livestock and people.
Meta Description: [ Home page for horse and mule trail riders guide for all states, includes horse camp grounds, trails, overnight accommodations for horses, and commercial trail rides where you bring your own horse. ]
J Star Mule Farm - Riding mules, arena, hunting, and Ozark Mules.
Meta Description: [ Quality Mules from J Star Mule Farm. Riding Mules, Arena Mules, Hunting Mules, Ozark Mules. ]
Jayemule's Farm - You will find a variety of mule information and a few things just for fun.
Knute's Kustom Mule Kompany - Standing four mammoth jacks for stud; also have mules for sale as well as backcountry tents and pack saddles. Bitterroot Valley, Montana.
Locust Creek Mules - Specializing in the breeding, training, show and sales of gaited mules.
Meta Description: [ Locust Creek Mules specializes in quality, gaited show and trail mules. ]
Lucky Three Ranch - Offer training, breeding and promotion of mules.
Meta Description: [ Information for longears owners. Everything you need to understand and train your mule or donkey. Renowned trainer and advocate Meredith Hodges brings you Training Mules and Donkeys, the first correspondence equine-training course. Discover a systematic, safety-minded and resistance-free approach... ]
M Gaited Mules - At RM Gaited Mules our purpose is to raise naturally gaited saddle mules of good conformation and superior temperament and to promote the gaited saddle mule. AGMA registered gaited jacks.
Meta Description: [ Home page ]
Molakai Mule Ride, Inc. - Moloka'i Guided Mule Tour; owned and operated by Molokai Mule Ride, Inc. which is a concessioner of the National Parks Service. (Molakai, HI)
404Mule Home Page - Mule history and origin, terminology, breed characteristics and organizations.
Mule Skinners Home Page - This site contains mule clipart, pictures and a large selection of links to other related sites.Learn the truth about mules.
Meta Description: [ A web site devoted to mules and the people they own ]
Queen Valley Mule Ranch - Queen Valley Mule Ranch is a college for mules and their human companions. They train mules and educate and train humans about the lowly beast of burden.
Rancho Santiago - A Texas equine ranch dedicated to the raising and training of show and riding mules, registered Appaloosa brood mares, and Percheron draft horse teams.
Meta Description: [ Quality Trail, Riding, and Hunting Mules ]
The Mule Store - The Mule Store's purpose is to provide quality Mule and Donkey products and gifts at reasonable prices.
Meta Description: [ The Mule Store homepage ]
The Saddle Mule News - Archive articles specifically about saddle mules used under saddle and in light harness in English and western disciplines.
Western Mule Magazine - Your mule connection to the nation.
Meta Description: [ Your Mule Connection to the Nation. ]
, Arizona, last Friday evening, November 2. Image shows four drug "mules" carrying illicit cargo. Six people were in the ...