Mohair fibre diameter and production are proportional to the liveweight of Angora goats. If fibres grow so that they maintain similar shape then fibre length would be expected to be proportional to liveweight. We found no evidence of an effect of liveweight on staple length. This implies that the biological determinants of size of fibres related to cross-sectional area are different to the size determinants of fibre length.

This study investigated the effect of nutrition on the wool harvesting efficiency of a biological wool harvesting system (Bioclip) that utilises EGF to induce shedding of the fleece. Efficiency of wool harvesting was reduced in sheep with greater skin wrinkle, poorer body condition and poorer nutrition in both pre- and post-injection periods.

As concern about climate change increases, greater pressure is being brought to bear on the wool industry to demonstrate environmental credentials in this area. Through this paper we provide data about emissions from wool production typical to the Yass Region in NSW. We also more broadly support the Australian wool industry to respond to an array of emerging emissions-related issues, by providing objective information and broad methodological development about livestock emissions calculation.

Nutrition in utero influences birth weight and body composition of Merinos and this has implications for developing practical ewe feeding systems. Lambs lighter at birth had more fat and muscle; however, differences were small. These small changes in body composition would have no impact on carcass value when Merino ewes and their progeny are managed under nutritional scenarios typical of commercial farms.

Lambs can be finished using an olive oil cake-based supplement when forage is limiting in Mediterranean pastures. Carcass quality does not differ from that of conventional, maize-based diets or from those obtained under grazing. Early weaning and supplementation of lambs leads to increased liveweight of ewes with potential benefits on their subsequent performance, but pasture on offer may decrease due to increased forage intake by heavier ewes.

Optimisation of nutrient intake would reduce cost egg production. An experiment with WL layer (21 to 72 weeks) was conducted to study performance of the birds fed various nutrient concentrations. A daily intake of 1.157 MJ metabolisable energy, 18.42 g crude protein, 865 mg lysine, 409 mg methionine, 3.68 g calcium and 358 mg non-phytate phosphorus per bird was adequate for layers for optimum performance.

This study considered the effect of feed processing (meal or steam-pelleted), feed presentation (liquid or dry) and enzyme addition (300 ppm xylanase of 100 ppm phytase) on the performance of newly weaned pigs. Pigs fed liquid diets had a better food conversion ratio but poorer growth than pigs on dry diets. When diets were fed in liquid form, prior steam pelleting of the diets and enzyme supplementation did not provide additional benefit.

This study considered the effect of steeping a liquid diet for 1 or 24 h before feeding and enzyme addition (300 ppm xylanase) on the performance of newly weaned pigs. Pigs fed liquid diets had a better feed intake, growth rate and food conversion ratio growth than pigs on dry diets. Enzyme supplementation did not provide additional benefit.

Approaches to improve seminal quality in breeder roosters have been greatly welcomed. This study, addressing the reproductive and blood attributes in sage extract-administered roosters, showed a considerable enhancement in seminal characteristics. The findings may be beneficial to increase fertility rate in breeder stocks.

Artificial insemination is an important tool in animal breeding and is associated with synchronisation of oestrus, using intravaginal devices impregnated with hormones. However, in ewes application of such devices induces bacterial growth, and localised inflammation with mucus accumulation, which is related also to a high incidence of unfertilised ova and low pregnancy rate. We observed similar changes in goats than those previously observed in sheep that, could negatively affect the fertility at synchronised oestrus.

Even subtle variations in the fat composition of milk used to manufacture dairy products can impact on the quality and functional properties of dairy products. The present study showed that the milk fatty acid composition and solid fat content were affected by the stage of lactation, whereas the milk fat colour and free fatty acid levels were more influenced by cow diet associated with seasonal factors. Opportunities exist to adjust milk composition according to product manufacturing requirements by pooling milks from autumn- and spring-calved cows at different stages of lactation.

The efficiency of milk harvesting plays an important role in the performance of the dairy farm business. Large dairy herds are often milked through rotary dairies, which are increasing in size as average herd size grows. Results from this study indicate that large rotary dairies (>60 clusters) on average achieve greater throughput than medium-sized rotaries (40–60 clusters) but are not more operator efficient. Therefore, large rotary dairies are best suited to farms where additional throughput is required, for example on farms where total herd milking time is more important than operator efficiency.

Hazardous concentrations of noxious gases produced in animal housing systems may affect worker and animal health and wellbeing; we monitored concentrations at an Australian pre-export assembly depot for sheep. Even though atmospheric ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were all below recommended safety thresholds for humans and livestock, ammonia correlated (r = 0.50, P = 0.01) positively with ambient temperature and moisture content, and negatively with distance from animal excreta. These relationships will help increase understanding of ammonia concentrations within these buildings.

A ring test of an in vitro gas production system was performed to assess differences in gas production parameters between four European laboratories. The test showed that the most homogeneous results were found for the 48 h and the asymptotic gas production. Further standardisation of the procedures should focus on the animal’s diets to the treatment of rumen fluid at the laboratory.