Although the economic and environmental importance of feed efficiency traits, the genetic selection has been little used as a selection criterion in zebu breeding programs. The inclusion of genomic information could improve the reliability of genetic parameters, which is fundamental for their adoption as a large-scale selection criterion. Traits such as residual feed intake, residual average daily gain and residual intake and average daily gain can be used for genetic selection for feed efficiency, without affecting other profitability traits.

Photoperiod application is a significant factor in the poultry industry because it directly affects birds’ metabolic activity. In this study, photoperiod extension did not affect thyroid organ development or thyroid hormone concentrations in broiler chicks to Day 42. The study suggests that, although thyroid function significantly affects physiological processes during growth of broilers, photoperiod extension does not promote thyroid function.

Heat stress is a serious concern in poultry farming and dietary manipulation provides one way to control it. In our study, we evaluated the effects of the dietary protein content or efficiency of a phytonutrient product containing carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin, in broiler chickens under heat-stress conditions. The results showed a potential advantage of phytonutrient to improve gut health, especially when applied to the diets of heat-stressed broilers with a low protein content (90% of the commercially recommended content).

Cholesterol is a common nutrient in the human diet and eggs are a major source of dietary cholesterol. The association of dietary cholesterol or egg consumption with cardiovascular disease and mortality has remained highly controversial. Supplementing high monacolin K red yeast rice to laying hens can produce low cholesterol egg with no adverse effects on laying hens.

Within the conditions of the study, Bos indicus steers treated with nitrate develop a methaemoglobinaemia that does not exceed 20% of total haemoglobin for 70 days. Although the data in the current study supports the Australian government’s recommended dose rate as safe for cattle the data represents Bos indicus steers in a sedentary state. Further research is required to validate the dose rate of nitrate for cattle in an active state.

The use of gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) in place of limestone (Ca(OH)₂) has increased considerably; however, research on the effects of this substitution is still rare. It is believed that gypsum may reduce the moisture and temperature of the litter, thus improving the welfare of the birds. Gypsum added to the litter on top at 0.5 kg/m² produced the best results with respect to litter quality, with consequent reduction of pododermatitis featuring an economic positive outcome for the poultry industry.

Concurrence for land use has been putting soybean production and beef cattle production in conflict. In this scenario, the producer can specialise or diversify his production system but this choice brings risks of negative economic results, mainly when the beef cattle producer decides to undertake soybean cultivation himself. The present research could contribute to help farmers make better decisions when deciding to integrate their beef cattle production with soy crop production, and to be more prepared to the risks involved.

Heat stress (HS) has a negative economic and performance effect on the dairy industry. There is little information of a temperature–humidity index of <72 but >68 on dairy cows in the last period of gestation. Providing shade shows that solid-corrected milk was positively affected but calf weight, composition of colostrum, body condition score change and, days to first ovulation postpartum were not affected.

Meat quality varies among animals of different bovine breeds. Consumer assessment of the quality of meat obtained from different buffalo breeds has not been reported previously. The present study reports on the comparison of the eating quality of meat cuts obtained from Nili-Ravi and Kundhi buffalo from Pakistan, and its relationship with physical measures of the muscles and their proximate analysis.

In this study, non-destructive smartphone and benchtop near-infrared spectroscopy sensors were used to predict chemical composition and quality of meat. Both sensors showed similar precision and accuracy for most traits of interest (pH, water content, intramuscular fat, stable isotopes). However, more research is required before these sensors can be used by consumers or in the meat industry.