The present study provides an in-depth comparison of two high-density SNP arrays currently used to genotype Zebu cattle. This investigation has shed new information on the potential to design more efficient genotyping platforms for Nellore cattle. Furthermore, our findings are of great relevance when deciding which genotyping platform to use when investigating certain genomic regions or for specific research purposes.

Molecular-marker technology offers the possibility to select elite animals for important traits at an early age. Typically, Sfakia sheep are selected on the basis of their muscularity, and without consideration of the possible effects of this selection on milk-production traits. In the present study, sequence variants of the myostatin gene (MSTN) and calpain 3 gene (CAPN3) were associated with decreases in milk production, non-fat solid and fat contents. Knowledge of the MSTN and CAPN3 genotypes could be utilised to improve milk-production traits in Sfakia sheep.

Two veterinary adjuvants were assessed for their efficacy to potentiate an antibody repertoire to the anorexic peptide obestatin in late pregnant sows. The objective was to passively immunise newborn suckling piglets through their intake of colostrum to stimulate feed intake and growth. One of these – DEAE with the oil polysorbate emulsion of BP85 : Span80 – appeared to be a more promising alternative for future development of a commercial vaccine.

All dairy cows are susceptible around parturition to metabolic disorders that can be minimised by appropriate nutritional and bodyweight management throughout the dry period to calving. Being overweight before parturition is likely influence the overall cellular responses to metabolic stress after parturition. Management of dry matter intake and bodyweight during dry period may improve the health and production status of cows after calving.

Dairy production in south-eastern Australia is based on pasture-based feeding systems, where perennial ryegrass is the most common pasture species grown. This research provides novel information on the degradation characteristics of perennial ryegrass cultivars grown on farms in Australia, with degradability decreasing as the pasture matures. This will help farmers to formulate supplementary grain rations to match nutrient supply from pasture.

Feed shortage is one of the principal challenges prohibiting the development of the animal production sector in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Hence, non-conventional feed sources, such as agro-industrial by-products, are gaining increasing importance. The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritive value of lentil, common vetch and bittern vetch screenings as feeds for ruminants. The results showed that these screenings have a high nutritive value, which can replace part of expensive feeds in the diet of ruminants.

Choice of pasture base and sheep-management system alters production. This study compared four management systems varying in ram breed, lambing time and proportion of lucerne, and showed that although greater lucerne area increased meat production, stocking rate was key to high wool production. Flexible sheep-management systems are needed to reduce risk and optimise production in varying seasons.

Choice of sheep enterprise alters wool and lamb production potential. A range of systems gave similar per head wool and lamb performance, but flexibility was key to sale weights. Managing ewes to nutrition targets minimised system production differences.

The number of lambs produced can be altered by sheep management. A 5-year grazing study compared sheep reproduction under four management systems, finding inconsistent differences in fetal numbers and lamb survival but large differences in number of lambs weaned. The number of lambs weaned per ewe was 10% higher in winter-lambing systems, but number of lambs produced per hectare was 59% higher in spring-lambing systems as a result of more ewes per hectare.

Seasonal variation alters the productivity and risk of different sheep-production systems, complicating identification of profitable management. Simulation modelling was used to compare several sheep-production systems, and although ram breed, stocking rate and time of lambing influenced gross margins, there was no single optimal system. Producers need to consider these factors in context because making a single change has variable consequences for productivity, risk and gross margins.

Milking frequency during the first month after calving strongly affects subsequent performance of dairy cattle in an automatic milking system. The aim of the study was to indicate the relationship between milking frequency of primiparous cows during the first month of lactation and their overall milk performance. It is suggested that by promoting frequent milkings at the beginning of lactation, farmers may increase the overall lactation milk yield.

Feeding a mixed ration can increase the milk production of dairy cows. The key question for a farmer is whether the extra milk income is sufficient to cover the extra costs. This study showed that a partial mixed ration or a formulated grain mix system can be more profitable than feeding grain in the dairy during milking and forage in the paddock. The formulated grain mix system presents an option for farmers to expand their systems by feeding a mixed ration without investing in additional infrastructure.

In many countries there is a consumer segment preferring chicken meat of a quality different to that provided by broilers. Crossbreeding of indigenous chickens with layer-type chickens enhanced carcass and breast meat yields compared with the purebreds. This was achieved at mostly unchanged high meat quality that was superior to broiler meat especially in colour, fatty acid profile, content of flavour relevant nucleotides and oxidative stability.