Animal Production Science
Volume 64
Number 7 2024
The sufficient length of the cow’s lifetime in the beef cattle herd allows to mitigate problems in the cow–calf systems generated by the reduction in food availability. The intermediate age (6 years) of culling the cows allowed better resilience of the herd, after restriction (50% or 75%) of energy during 60 days pre- and 60 days postpartum for the cows. The intermediate lifespan of cows allowed for better resilience and productivity in cow–calf systems.
In pasture-based dairy systems little is understood regarding production responses or pasture substitution with different amounts of concentrates fed. Cohorts of cows were selected on contrasting differences for three parameters and fed concentrate at two flat-rate levels, while milk yield and feeding time were monitored. Contrasting responses were found between cross-breed and Friesian cows. Differences between cohorts demonstrated potential for targeted concentrate feeding to contrasting cohorts of cows, and the need to consider both marginal milk response and pasture intake.
This article belongs to the Collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Under Australia’s renowned climate variation, it is profitable for farmer to implement short-term tactical management adjustments in response to the unfolding weather conditions. This paper has identified and quantified optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years for a mixed-farming system in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
Post-weaning period causes drastic changes in piglets. Therefore, there is a need to investigate strategies to improve the general health of the animals. The administration of a blend of acidifiers to reduce the pH of the piglets’ drinking water has shown interesting results, but still needs further investigation. Our results showed a reduction in mortality and an improvement in beneficial bacteria, which is reflected in animal welfare. These findings have provided information on farm conditions and scientific issues.
Red propolis extract was offered at increasing levels to feedlot lambs and we observed that the animals’ carcass weight and physico-chemical parameters of the meat were not influenced by these treatments. Furthermore, the inclusion of 7 mL/day of extract in lamb diet was enough to reduce the oxidation of lamb meat, and also improved the lipid profile. We recommend the inclusion of 7 mL/day of red propolis extract in the diet of feedlot lambs.
In the challenging world of broiler farming, the use of organic trace minerals sheds light on ways to improve the performance of heat-stressed chickens. Chromium–methionine (CrMet) supplementation has significant impacts promoting growth, regulating hormones, and altering genetic activity in broilers exposed to heat stress. CrMet supplementation supports animal health and nutrition for a more robust broiler production.
The present study enables to advance the diagnosis of pregnancy in ewes to the first oestrous period after breeding. The differentially expressed protein in serum was found to be a highly specific and sensitive biomarker for early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes. Its application in production can reduce the number of days of mating loss in ewes, reduce production costs and improve economic efficiency.
Goats fulfil unique subsistence and socio-cultural roles in smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Laos. Increasing goat productivity can improve conditions of farmers’ livelihoods, but it is unclear which approaches are most appropriate for resource-constrained farmers who balance multiple farming enterprises on small plots of land. Some approaches to increasing goat productivity are more applicable in Laos than are others. These approaches should be prioritised by the Government of Laos’ policy and development projects to benefit the widest cohorts of farmers.
This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.
Jumps racing in the southern hemisphere is unique and poorly described. This study aimed to describe the career profile and pattern of racing for jumps-racing horses in New Zealand by using industry race data. All jumps-racing horses in New Zealand had a primary career in flat racing, before repurposing in a jumps-racing career for a further 2 years, increasing specialisation as the horse aged. This strategy results in a decrease in wastage from the racing industry.
This article belongs to the Collection Equine Science Part II.
Three case studies of high-profile scientific endeavours in animal-related sciences are examined on where there is a dividing line between science being poorly practiced (which can be remedied) or science lacking integrity, as characterised by Richard Feynman’s as cargo cult scientists (which should not be tolerated). The cases are the WHO IARC 2015 cancer evaluation on red and processed meats, the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 cases.
In sheep, the severity of helminth infection is related to eosinophil density in the mucosa of the abomasum and jejunum, the most immunologically active sites in the gastro-intestinal tract. The severity of helminth infection is also related to mast cell density in the mucosa of the duodenum. Eosinophil and mast cell responses to helminth infection help explain ‘hypersensitivity diarrhoea’ in helminth-resistant sheep.
We found that the challenges faced in production and selling processes substantially positively affect the likelihood of food insecurity likelihood among livestock smallholders in the Philippines. Nevertheless, the impact of these challenges depends on the degree of food insecurity. The market plays a crucial role in facilitating not only livestock trading but also livestock production (e.g. purchase of feed and medicines). Market mechanisms can be used to alleviate food insecurity among livestock smallholders.
Grazing of cereal forage by late-pregnant and lambing ewes is perceived as a risk to perinatal lamb survival. This study investigated whether the duration of grazing ewes on oat forage would reduce lamb survival, and found that grazing oats continuously through late pregnancy and lambing gave similar survival as did grazing legume pasture, whereas grazing oats only during lambing reduced survival. Producers may safely graze oats with late pregnant ewes when supplemented with calcium, magnesium and salt.
