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Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science is an international journal publishing original research and reviews on the production of food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Bryden

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Animal Production Science is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 14 April 2025

AN24215Climate-smart approaches for enhancing livestock productivity, human nutrition, and livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries

Adegbola T. Adesogan, Mulubrhan Balehegn Gebremikael, Padmakumar Varijakshapanicker and Diwakar Vyas 0000-0002-7657-0267
 

Severe weather events associated with climate change have several negative impacts on livestock, but livestock do contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Most climate-smart approaches to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are inappropriate for low-and middle-income countries where food insecurity and the need to adapt livestock systems to a changing climate are greatest. This paper gives an discusses climate-smart approaches for enhancing livestock Productivity to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase livestock adaptation to climate change and improve food security in low- and middle-income countries.

This article belongs to the collection: Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.

AN24215 Abstract  |  AN24215 Full Text  | AN24215PDF (2.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 April 2025

AN24210Use of 15N abundance in tail hair to predict feed efficiency and response to a urea supplement in young cattle fed a tropical grass forage

B. C. Fraser, K. Eyre 0000-0002-8270-9827, J. B. Gaughan, G. Wijffels and L. F. P. Silva 0000-0003-3271-9864
 

Cattle exhibit significant variation in growth performance, enabling the selection of superior animals. Efficient nitrogen use in cattle, which can be predicted through nitrogen isotopes in tail hair, correlates with improved growth performance. This study highlights how steers with better nitrogen use efficiency respond positively to a urea supplemented diet, demonstrating enhanced growth on low-quality feed. Identifying such cattle allows for more effective and economical feed and supplement strategies.

AN24210 Abstract  |  AN24210 Full Text  | AN24210PDF (576 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 April 2025

AN24413Meta-analysis of garlic in small ruminant nutrition: dry matter intake, rumen fermentability, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemical indices

C. A. Mbajiorgu, I. P. Ogbuewu 0000-0003-4895-7867 and M. Mabelebele
 

The use of dietary garlic to enhance ruminant productivity has gained attention in the animal production industry due to its several pharmacological properties. However, there are inconsistent results on the effects of dietary garlic on ruminant productivity. This meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of dietary garlic intervention in enhancing small ruminant productivity while reducing methane emissions.

AN24413 Abstract  | PDF (497 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 31 March 2025

AN23386Role of plant bioactive compounds in improving ruminant resilience to heat stress challenge

Farhad Ahmadi 0000-0002-8760-053X, Hafiz A. R. Suleria and Frank R. Dunshea
 

The efficacy of plant bioactives in supporting health and productivity of lactating cows and growing ruminants under heat stress remains underexplored. This review provides an overview of existing studies to address this gap. Heat-stressed animals may experience reduced feed intake, compromised immunity, oxidative stress, and productivity losses. Some phytogenics have shown promise in mitigating these effects, especially in lactating cows. However, further research, particularly in pre-weaning calves and under different heat stress severity and durations is needed to validate these findings.

AN23386 Abstract  |  AN23386 Full Text  | AN23386PDF (612 KB)  | AN23386Supplementary Material (404 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 March 2025

AN24228Metabolic costs related to protein turnover, fat turnover, and rate of gain determine the energetically optimal size of growing sheep

Michael R. Murphy 0000-0002-9090-8359 and Bruce M. Hannon
 

An adequate understanding of how the energy required to maintain a growing animal changes with body mass is critical to development of efficient animal production systems. Previously we reported that a cubic relationship existed between these variables; therefore, we aimed to determine whether causal factors could be identified that explained this finding. Protein turnover, fat turnover, and rate of growth explained the cubic relationship between maintenance costs and body mass, and identified the energetically optimal mass of a growing animal.

AN24228 Abstract  | PDF (321 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 27 March 2025

AN24116Effects of exogenous melatonin in pregnant ewes on offspring performance, live weight and daily growth rate of lambs for fattening, as well as milk quality

J. A. Abecia 0000-0003-2827-3054, E. Espés, S. Jiménez and F. Canto
 

Melatonin implants have been used to improve the survival and growth of lambs, and the improvement of colostrum and milk quality. In this study, we have demonstrated that implanting ewes 30 days before lambing increased growth rates of lambs, particularly in males. Moreover, implanting lambs at 45 days of age produced the highest growth and feed conversion rates in the fattening period. Melatonin treatments pregnant ewes and lambs at weaning are promising methods for increasing productivity of lamb meat production.

AN24116 Abstract  | PDF (584 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 27 March 2025

AN24280Effect of number of measurement days on variance in methane and carbon dioxide emissions measured using GreenFeed units in grazing dairy cows and growing heifers

M. M. Della Rosa 0000-0001-8845-2797, M. A. Khan, T. J. Bosher, P. Maclean and A. Jonker 0000-0002-6756-8616
 

GreenFeed units are widely used globally to measure methane emissions. In grazing systems, cattle may decrease their visitation frequency to these units, leading to an increased number of measurement days or animals required to precisely determine greenhouse gas emissions. In total, 12–18 measurement days and 9–19 animals are required to estimate methane emissions in grazing cows and heifers.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

AN24280 Abstract  |  AN24280 Full Text  | AN24280PDF (1.6 MB)  | AN24280Supplementary Material (441 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 March 2025

AN24284Transitioning to low chemical nitrogen perennial ryegrass white clover pastures on wetland grazing dairy systems

H. Walsh 0000-0001-9435-3517, D. Patton, J. J. Collins, L. Delaby, K. Pierce and B. Horan
 

This study looked at the white clover inclusion in perennial ryegrass swards on a wetland soil type in the border midland and western region of Ireland. The focus of this study was to substitute chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser applications with white clover as it can sufficiently support the N requirements of the sward due to its N fixation abilities. The results of the study found very successful clover establishment with significant savings in chemical N fertilier.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

AN24284 Abstract  |  AN24284 Full Text  | AN24284PDF (368 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 March 2025

AN24247Exploring the impact of replacement rates on carbon footprint in south-east Australian dairy herds

Saranika Talukder 0000-0002-0453-3678, Long Cheng, Richard Eckard 0000-0002-4817-1517, Sineka Munidasa 0000-0002-9510-4640, Lachlan Barnes, John Morton 0000-0001-8926-5942 and Brendan R. Cullen
 

Higher replacement rates in dairy herd lead to increased costs associated with rearing and/or purchasing replacement heifers and greater greenhouse gas emissions from the herd. Reducing the replacement rate has the potential to enhance farm milk solids production and reduce emission intensity. The findings of this study underscore the importance of considering both environmental factors, such as greenhouse gas emissions, and economic aspects, such as net farm income, when evaluating and implementing strategies for sustainable dairy farming.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

AN24247 Abstract  |  AN24247 Full Text  | AN24247PDF (438 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 March 2025

AN24395Liver functionality and its association with milk production and ovarian activity in dairy cows

Arturo Geovany Fuentes-Castillo, Carolina Bespalhok Jacometo, José Isaac Norato, Edil Enrique Araúz-Santamaría and Pablo Montero-Prado 0000-0002-1471-2741
 

The liver function index (LFI) indicates liver status and may be key during the postpartum period in dairy cows. This study, which included two groups of cows with two dietary supplements, examined the relationship between the LFI, milk production and ovarian activity. Cows with LFI greater than zero were found to produce more milk at baseline and at 28, days and 89% of cows were in estrus within the first 90 days and had larger ovarian and follicle sizes.

AN24395 Abstract  | PDF (937 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 13 March 2025

AN24212Evaluation of methane prediction equations for Australian feedlot cattle fed barley and wheat-based diets

A. K. Almeida 0000-0003-3065-0701, J. P. McMeniman, M. R. Van der Saag and F. C. Cowley 0000-0002-6475-1503
 

This study aimed to evaluate existing methods for predicting methane emissions from beef cattle fed barley and wheat-based diets typical in Australian feedlots. All the tested equations were found to be inaccurate to methane emissions of feedlot cattle, underscoring the importance of developing methods with region- or country-specific data. To address this, the study developed new equations that showed better accuracy and precision in predicting methane emissions for cattle on barley and wheat-based diets.

AN24212 Abstract  |  AN24212 Full Text  | AN24212PDF (2.1 MB)  | AN24212Supplementary Material (420 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 March 2025

AN24320Feed form and probiotic supplementation improve egg production and reduce environmental impact in laying hens

Youssef A. Attia, Nicola F. Addeo 0009-0004-3489-6893, Fulvia Bovera 0000-0001-7201-3060, Khalid A. Asiry, Rashed A. Alhotan, Gamaleldin M. Suliman, Mohamed A. Al-Banoby, Sameer A. Nagadi and Majed S. Alrefaei
 

Producing high-quality eggs is essential to ensure food safety and animal health. This study examined the effect of different diets, with and without the addition of probiotics, on egg production and quality in laying hens. The results showed that pelleted diets not only improve production performance but also reduce environmental impact, suggesting that this strategy could be beneficial for the poultry industry.

AN24320 Abstract  | PDF (393 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 07 March 2025

AN24290David Blair Coates: a career of contribution to the northern Australian cattle industry

Rob M. Dixon 0000-0002-8107-9456
 

David Coates, a highly respected agricultural scientist who spent a lifetime working for the benefit of the northern Australian cattle industries, passed away on the 24 January 2024. David had exceptional knowledge and experience of the practical aspects of the industry. He excelled in his contributions, especially towards understanding of phosphorus nutrition in both pastures and cattle in northern Australia, and in his leadership in the development of near-infrared spectroscopy of the dung of cattle for rapid and economical measurements of the diets of cattle grazing rangelands.

AN24290 Abstract  |  AN24290 Full Text  | AN24290PDF (583 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 06 March 2025

AN24282The effect of pasture-based dam-rearing on attention bias after disbudding in dairy calves

Sandra Liliana Ospina Rios 0000-0002-3279-8921, Caroline Lee 0000-0003-1900-635X, Sarah Jane Andrewartha 0000-0003-1973-9502 and Megan Verdon 0000-0002-3971-4161
 

Understanding how cow–calf dairy systems can reduce the emotional impact of painful procedures such as disbudding is key to improving calf well-being. This research found that the behaviour of disbudded calves in attention bias tests (ABT) was unaffected by whether they were dam-reared or commercially reared, likely owing to compounded stress factors. Developing methods to assess dam-reared calf emotions within their natural environment will enhance our understanding of their experiences in pasture-based extended suckling systems.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

AN24282 Abstract  |  AN24282 Full Text  | AN24282PDF (332 KB)  | AN24282Supplementary Material (448 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 04 March 2025

AN24354Effect of early gut microbiota intervention using pre-designed poultry microbiota substitute on broiler health and performance

Advait Kayal 0000-0002-0048-1516, Sung J. Yu, Thi Thu Hao Van, Yadav S. Bajagai 0000-0002-3043-071X and Dragana Stanley 0000-0001-7019-4726
 

Commercially available Aviguard product was tested in an animal trial to determine its effect on the health and performance of the chickens. The study showed that if the chickens are exposed to beneficial gut microbiota immediately after hatching, gut colonisation can be controlled. If this is reproducible, it can have beneficial effects for the chickens by improving health and quality of life for the birds.

AN24354 Abstract  |  AN24354 Full Text  | AN24354PDF (1.2 MB)  | AN24354Supplementary Material (978 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

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Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024

This collection brings together selected research and review papers presented at the 2024 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Christchurch, NZ. The 2024 symposium was a special occasion, marking 20 years since the first ADSS conference in Shepparton, Victoria.

Collection Editors
Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ)
James Hills (Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania)
Arjan Jonker (AgResearch NZ)
Samuel Wilson (Massey University)
Omar Al-Marashdeh (Lincoln University)

Last Updated: 13 Feb 2025

Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023

The papers in this Collection of Animal Production Science were presented at the 9th biennial conference of Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC23), held in Vientiane, Laos in 2023. The meeting created a forum for collaboration among animal scientists, producers, and policy makers from developing countries, fostering the exchange of experiences and the development of sustainable animal agriculture practices.

Collection Editor
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)

Last Updated: 20 Aug 2024

Equine Science in Australasia II

This Collection follows the first Equine Science special issue of Animal Production Science published in 2020. Since the first Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS) in 2006, there have been six biennial symposia that have provided a platform for equine researchers to enjoy a collegial atmosphere dedicated to the horse. The papers in this collection reflect the strength and diversity of Australasian Equine Science.

Collection Editors
Chris W. Rogers (Massey University)
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)

Last Updated: 13 Jun 2024

ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science

Animal Production Science brings together a Collection of research and review papers presented at the 2022 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium. The theme of the 2022 symposium was ‘A Changing Climate for Dairy Science’ so while this special issue includes papers on a range of topics, a common theme throughout the papers is addressing the challenges faced by the Australian and New Zealand dairy sectors.

Collection Editors
Keith Pembleton (University of Southern Queensland)
Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ Ltd)
James Hills (University of Tasmania)

Last Updated: 23 May 2024

Animal Production Science in the 21st Century

Animal Production Science celebrated 60 years of publication in 2021 and to celebrate, we marked this milestone with this selection of key review papers published in the journal over the last decade, highlighting research breakthroughs, social and economic issues that have influenced primary producers, and the practice of animal production.

Last Updated: 30 Jul 2021

Research Front: GGAA2016 Part 2

This Research Front comprises papers from the 6th Greenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA2016), held on 14-18 February 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. This Research Front follows the GGAA2016 Special Edition published in Volume 56, issue 2–3. Taken together, these issues provide the latest summary of the current state of knowledge on policy developments, measurement, modelling and mitigation of greenhouse gasses from animal agriculture.

Last Updated: 08 May 2018

Research Front: Invited Papers: Australian Society of Animal Production Biennial Conference 2016

This Research Front comprises invited papers from Animal Production 2016 – the 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, jointly held with the New Zealand Society of Animal Production in Adelaide, South Australia from 5–7 July 2016. With a theme of ‘Animal Welfare – Meeting Consumer Needs and Increasing Productivity’, keynote speakers included animal behavioural expert Professor Temple Grandin, whose paper is published open access within this issue, alongside papers from the named ASAP lecture series.

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2018

Research Front: Orange EverGraze proof site

This Research Front comprises selected papers detailing the research conducted at the Orange proof site (Panuara, NSW Central Tablelands) as part of the national EverGraze program. The EverGraze program aimed to develop livestock systems based in productive perennial pasture to increase profit and improve environmental outcomes in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia.

Last Updated: 31 Jul 2017

Research Front: Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2015

This Research Front comprises selected papers from the 5th International Conference on Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC2015) held in Pattaya. SAADC was established by a non-profit volunteer group of researchers and academicians in 2007 with the primary objective of providing a platform for researchers, particularly those from developing countries, to share their research findings and to network for the promotion of sustainable animal agriculture in developing countries.

Last Updated: 26 Jun 2017

Research Front: National Agricultural Manure Management Program – Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options For Intensive Livestock Industries

The papers published in this Reearch Front comprise research outcomes from the National Agricultural Manure Management Program (NAMMP). This program was developed by a consortium of rural research and development corporations who recognised similar knowledge gaps in manure management systems across Australian intensive livestock production. These gaps included gathering information on the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from different livestock and manure management systems, together with the sources and causes of GHG emissions in the different systems. The NAMMP consortium proved successful for both researchers and industry and is a model that should be considered for any future cross-sectoral programs.

Last Updated: 27 Jul 2016

Animal Breeding and Genomics

New genomic technologies have revolutionised our approach to animal breeding and increased the rate of genetic change. This Collection brings together a selection of research articles that review research progress and updates our knowledge of the delivery of livestock genomics research applications, specifically for the beef and dairy cattle and sheep industries globally.

Last Updated: 19 Aug 2013

Research Front: Animal Production in a Changing World

This Research Front marks a very special milestone in the life of the ProSafeBeef programme (http://www.prosafebeef.eu/) funded by the European Community. It comprises the presentations, discussion and outcomes from an International Workshop entitled ‘Animal Production in a Changing World’ held in Clermont-Ferrand on 9–10 September 2009 and organised by INRA (France) under the auspices of the ProSafeBeef programme.

Last Updated: 15 Dec 2010

Research Front: Dairy Science

The National Dairy Alliance held its second Dairy Science Symposium in Mount Gambier, South Australia on 13 and 14 February 2006. This Research Front contains a selection of plenary papers presented at the Symposium by distinguished scientists developing technologies in the above areas, which are likely to have significant impacts on the future dairy industry.

Last Updated: 06 Aug 2007

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