Methane is a major greenhouse-gas contributor to global warming in the livestock sector and it is entirely produced by a certain group of microorganisms called methanogens. The aim of this review was to explain methanogens diversity across different species, including humans, as well as highlight the main factors that can potentially alter methane production.

Milk is the most important source of animal protein, vitamin and minerals in many countries worldwide. Yet, the levels of productivity on farm and hygiene with product handling along marketing chains and then use by the consumer is often compromised. This perspective explores some of the recently identified properties of milk and ways in which the product can be produced, marketed and then used in the household to preserve these unique properties. Experiences in different countries are highlighted.

Enzymatic treatment significantly reduced the crude fibre and increased the crude protein contents of palm kernel expeller (PKE). However, these improvements were not reflected in the growth performance of broilers chickens, and the benefits of enzymatic treatment diminish when higher percentages of PKE were included in the broiler diets.

The technology of vitamin A restriction in Korean native steers has not yet been clearly established. Therefore, the present research was to determine the effect of vitamin A restriction on serum metabolites and carcass performance in Korean native steers during a fattening period, and our results showed that vitamin A restriction with a vitamin premix could affect serum vitamin A concentration and carcass performance as well as causing metabolic changes. This makes a contribution to the marbling development and health management of steers.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) provides various health advantages. The present study showed that tropical forage species and grazing system have the potential to improve forage intake and CLA content in dairy goat’s milk, therefore providing useful information for dairy-goat farmers in tropical and subtropical countries to transform from an indoor-fed to grazing system to achieve better results.

Tropical plants such as leucaena, cassava and Siamese neem have high potential to be used as ruminant feed. These plants contain condensed tannins (CT) with varying concentration and chemical structure, which affects ruminal fermentation, especially methane production. High molecular weight of CT from Siamese neem shows a stronger effect on inhibition of ruminal methane production than low molecular weight of CT from leucaena. Feeding of CT-containing plants to ruminants could manipulate rumen fermentation and mitigate methane emission.

A greater knowledge of ovarian structures and function are essential to the increase and improvement of animal reproduction. To our knowledge, the present study is the first investigative research seeking to provide data on the locational relationship between ovarian corpus luteum and ovulatory follicles in beef cows of Asian origin. The growth rate and diameter of a further ovulatory follicle during luteolysis increased more significantly in Thai indigenous beef cows with an ipsilateral relationship (same ovary), than in cows with a contralateral relationship (opposite ovaries).

Animal vocalisations provide information related to age, gender, rank and breeding status. A vocalisation-parameter analysis of Hanwoo cattle in different situations enabled the classification of an auditory communication system on the basis of their physiological and emotional states. Such vocalisation research data can be used for animal welfare and to enable more advanced and precise cattle farming.

The provision of effective extension services to the smallholder farmers significantly increases their farm productivity and profitability. The main objective of the present study was to demonstrate the impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers. A country-wide extension program has great potential to significantly increase on-farm efficiency and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farming households across Pakistan.