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The influences of variations in thickness and colour of agricultural plastic film on silage preservation conditions and silage quality were investigated. Thirty cylindrical plastic containers (mini‐silos; 0·3 m3) were filled with chopped maize and covered with five different types of film (90 µm white, 150 µm transparent, 150 µm white, 150 µm black, 200 µm white). Four mini‐silos of each variant were placed in the open air, and two were housed and subjected to a test procedure. The maximum storage period of silages was 104 d. The surface temperature of the films was found to be strongly dependent on the type of sheet. The temperatures inside the mini‐silos directly under the film differed significantly, whereas this effect was not recorded in the centre of the mini‐silos. In all, the differences were quantitatively small. Results of the chemical analysis of silages did not reveal any significant influence of film type. This was also the case when restricting the analysis to the uppermost silage layer. These findings are discussed against the background of the relatively small temperature differences and likely effects on gas permeability. On the basis of the results presented, it is concluded that, under the conditions of the experiment, well‐preserved forage of high nutritive value can be produced with silo sheets of differing colour, as well as with those of reduced thickness. Adequate mechanical robustness has to be ensured, if there is a reduction in film thickness.

Growth, carcass and meat quality parameters of purebred and crossbred goat kids in extensive pasture AbstractGoats are more and more used as shrub-fighters in landscape conservation. Important traits for the extensive production system are vitality and robustness but also acceptable meat production of kids during the grazing period. To investigate possible selection traits for "landscape conservation suitability", 35 kids were investigated for vitality parameters directly after birth whereas all-in 65 kids were investigated for performance traits under extensive grazing conditions. Birth weight as a parameter for vitality and survivability of kids was significantly influenced by sex, genotype and age of doe. Besides rectal temperature 3 hours p.p., other factors regarded as possible vitality parameters were not influenced by birth weight. Birth weight had a significant influence on daily weight gain during the extensive period; kids with higher birth weight showed slightly better weight gain. Birth weight had also a significant effect on some carcass parts, indicating that higher birth weight implies a high probability of a better carcass performance especially in some valuable parts. Still, the effect of the genotype on carcass performance was considerably higher than any other investigated effect. As a result of the present study, there are indications that birth weight can be taken as a parameter for kids' vitality. Also, it is indicated that goats of Cashmere type as fibre animals are not appropriate for landscape management whereas crossbred animals with a meat, dairy and fibre component in their genotype showed to be a vital animal with acceptable efficiency also in harsh conditions and with an average meat and carcass performance.

The aim of the investigation was to determine the influence of variations in thickness and colour of agricultural plastic film on silage preservation conditions and grass silage quality. For this purpose, 30 cylindrical plastic containers (mini‐silos; 0·3 m3) were filled with chopped grass and covered with five films of different thickness and colour: 90 μm, white; 125 μm, green; 150 μm, black; 200 μm, green and 200 μm, white. Four replications of each film type were placed in the open air. Two replications were housed indoors and exposed to an ‘artificial sky’ in a test apparatus. The surface temperature of the films was found to be strongly dependent on film thickness and colour. Results of the chemical analysis of silages did not reveal any significant influence of the films. This was also the case when restricting the analysis to the uppermost silage layer. The results showed that under the conditions of this experiment, well preserved forage can be produced with films of differing colour, as well as of lesser thickness.

In 2003, a deposit system for one-way packaging was introduced in Germany. Since that time, polyethylene terephthalate beverage packaging is collected through various collection systems, a deposit system, a reusable packaging system and the 'Green Dot' (the dual system) with the yellow bag. The manner of collection had a decisive influence on the quality of the generated recycled materials. The research at hand shows for the first time how the quality of polyethylene terephthalate flakes depends on the type of collection system. The results are based on a 14-year time frame, during which the quality of the polyethylene terephthalate flakes was examined using the different collection systems. The criterion used was the amount of contamination of polyethylene terephthalate flakes with various polymers, metals and other substances. Grain size and bulk density were also compared. The outcome shows that material from the deposit systems resulted in a better quality of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes.