This paper reports on the genetic relationship between growth, wool, carcass and reproduction traits and ewe bodyweight and body condition in the Information Nucleus Flock. The genetic variation in weight and body condition and their genetic relationships with production traits were highly consistent across ages and the production cycle. Selection on body condition has the potential to assist in improving maternal performance and the feed costs associated with maintaining ewe body condition.

Phytogenic feed additives are being researched as part of intervention strategies targeting improved broiler growth performance and health. The inclusion level is critical for phytogenic efficacy and this was evaluated in the case of a menthol and anethole blend. The optimal inclusion level for beneficial effects on broiler growth, meat and blood antioxidant capacity and biochemical properties has been reported.

The present manuscript concerns the estimation of the effect of GHSR/Csp6I and LEPR/Bsp1236I polymorphisms on the most important growth, slaughter and broiler chicken meat quality characteristics. The results obtained will be helpful in verifying potential use of GHSR and LEPR genes as a genetic marker in selection. The presented data could form a basis for further research in the field of the genetics of quantitative traits in broiler chicken.

In a previous experiment, the proportion of female Border Leicester × Merino first-cross lambs was higher when their Merino dams were fed a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids around mating. In the present study, the effect of diet previously fed to dams around mating on the potential reproductive rate of these Border Leicester × Merino ewe offspring at their first mating was determined. The mean number of fetuses per Border Leicester × Merino ewe at pregnancy scanning was higher when their dams had previously been fed a diet high in omega-6 compared with low in omega-6 fatty acids around joining. This is the first study to show an intergenerational effect of diets differing in fatty acid content fed to dams in the peri-conceptional period.

This work is the first research on melatonin treatment in cashmere-perennial goats. Implantation of melatonin could improve cashmere growth and production in cashmere-perennial goats. Moreover, plasma melatonin concentrations were correlated with plasma prolactin in the regulation of cashmere growth. This study enriches the theoretical knowledge on the elucidation of the mechanism by which melatonin regulates cashmere growth.

Animal exposure to inappropriate environmental conditions can disturb normal cellular functions and integrity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the Lippia extract dietary supplementation on selected biochemical metabolites, plasma oxidative status, and on some productive and reproductive parameters in rabbit does. The results of this research highlight the positive role played by dietary supplementation with Lippia extract on does during the pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to assess the severity and distribution of hepatic lipidosis in dairy cows during the transition period by the evaluation of body condition score, lipomobilisation indicators and histological liver lipid content. A contemporary increase of non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate immediately after calving accompanied by a high lipomobilisation with a mild to moderate fat infiltration were found. Our results suggest that hepatic lipidosis is associated with long-term histological and metabolic changes in dairy cows.

Methane represents an energetic loss for the ruminant host, and is at the same time a threat to the climate. Thus, strategies for reducing methane emissions are highly important. This paper shows that crushed rapeseed lowered enteric methane emissions from dairy cows on pasture.

Dietary energy can affect the growth and health of rabbit. The present study investigates the effects of varying the digestible energy density on growth performance, meat quality, caecum fermentation and microbiota of rabbits. The results show that average daily gain and meat quality were improved with increasing digestible energy concentration, and the microbiota was also affected by dietary energy density.

Recurrent lack of access to feed nitrogen is a common challenge in farming systems with strongly seasonal climates, and it is understood that underfeeding reduces feed digestibility and may have ongoing impacts for animal performance. Accordingly we conducted an investigation to learn if sheep that are fed the same diet perform differently immediately following underfeeding with and without additional nitrogen. We found that the sheep that had initially been given additional nitrogen while underfed used feeds more efficiently after underfeeding ended.

The suitability of different domestic herbivore species to utilise partially improved heathlands for meat production was studied. Horses proved to be less efficient than cattle, sheep and goats as they had greater forage intakes and lower digestibility compared with ruminants. In terms of offspring gains, sheep was the most productive species, whereas goats’ ability to utilise woody vegetation makes them a good complement for mixed systems with grazer species.

Knowledge on the use of milk replacer is essential to develop lambs that could further provide mutton with high quality. We compared different time points at which milk replacer was used and concluded that it is better to give milk replacer at 10 days after birth. This finding could provide valuable information for the industry.

Increasing fertiliser costs and environmental concerns require more efficient use of inputs. We examined whether fertilisation of pastures or supplementation of cattle was more beneficial to animal performance, forage quality, and economics. Average daily gain was improved with either fertilisation or supplementation compared with controls, however, due to the high cost of fertilisation, it tended to result in the lowest return on a per-head basis. Due to similarities in final bodyweight, the most economically advantageous system would involve no inputs; however, it is unclear what long-term ramifications on pasture health such a system would have.

Oilseeds can be fed raw and replace ground corn and soybean meal in dairy cow diets. Whole oilseeds are less expensive than oilseed meal due to the necessity of industrial processing. However, the use of oilseeds has been avoided because of the possible presence of anti-nutritional factors, which may negatively influence fibre digestion, impairing animal performance. Whole raw soybean and whole cottonseed decrease feed intake without effects on milk yield and, thus, may reduce dairy cow feed costs.

The intensive fermentation of newly ingested feed particles leads to an uneven pH and concentration of fermentation products down through the rumen. This study shows that the gradient of pH and fermentation products in heifers fed grass/clover silages of different harvest time depended on time after feeding and decreased with greater fibre intake.

The use of no-cereals feeds represents a critical point in the livestock field for environmental and ethical reasons; however, these feeds can contain substances able to affect animal metabolism. High levels of dehydrated citrus pulp (up to 35%) have been successfully included in lamb diets, without consistently modifying animal welfare and performance. Animal feeding can reduce waste disposal needs for the citrus industry.

This study looked at the knowledge of smallholder cattle and buffalo farmers in northern Laos about liver fluke, a common, production-limiting parasite that can also infect humans. Smallholders had minimal knowledge about this parasite and its potential impact nor knew about or implemented any specific control measures. The identified knowledge gap confirm the need for investment in effective extension capacities that effect changed practices amongst smallholders to provide opportunities for them to increase large ruminant production for better food security and safety in the region.

Results from this study may be useful in order to include animal welfare as an extrinsic quality attribute of dairy products in Chile and to define a market-oriented strategy including animal welfare.

The movements of cattle dealers along the trade chain in Thailand may allow the spread of infectious diseases. We then analysed the trade network and found that cattle dealers connected with many sources and destinations of animals travelled long distances. Our findings are useful for related authorities in designing appropriate infectious disease control measures in the trade chain.

Keeping livestock mobile is an important strategy used by pastoralist communities to produce livestock, but this practice is hampered by various constraints. This paper investigated the impact of reduced mobility on livestock production and established that cattle’s reproductive performances were lowest in areas facing the severest of constraints. This emphasises the importance of livestock mobility in influencing livestock production and echoes the call for policies aimed at protecting mobility practices.

The vectorial and dispersal capacities of flies make them a significant biosecurity and food safety risk on intensive livestock facilities. This paper reports the major nuisance fly species present on egg farms in southern Australia, their seasonal abundance and dispersal patterns and discusses implications for biosecurity and control programs.

Feeding diets high in readily fermentable carbohydrates and low in physically effective fibre can compromise optimal rumen function. We investigated the effects of ruminal stimulating brushes, consisting of synthetic polymer bristles, on rumen fermentation and plasma oxidative stress and subsequent milk measures and found an increase in biological antioxidant potential in lactating cows administered with the ruminal stimulating brushes.

Sulfur, which is considered an important vital mineral, is involved in many chemical and biological reactions in the body. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of processed sulfur on the manufacturing process of dry cured ham. We found that the storage stability and nutritional quality were improved in dry-cured ham made from processed sulfur-fed pigs. In conclusion, the manufacture of dry-cured ham using processed sulfur-fed pigs might contribute positively to the meat industry and consumers.