Animal Production Science
Volume 63 Number 3 2023
AN22051An assessment of global ruminant methane-emission measurements shows bias relative to contributions of farmed species, populations and among continents
, G. C. Waghorn, R. E. Vibart and A. Jonker
Ruminant methane-mitigation strategies rely on data from animal methane measurements. Studies published between 1995 and 2018 were evaluated to determine the species measured, the global distribution and the focus of the research in relation to ruminant methane emissions. The survey showed that only 27% of studies were undertaken in Africa, Asia and South America, despite these regions accounting for 77% of ruminant emissions, and beef cattle (especially Bos indicus) and buffalo species were under-represented in studies.
AN22051 Abstract | AN22051 Full Text | AN22051PDF (756 KB) | AN22051Supplementary Material (299 KB) Open Access Article
AN21452Diversity and population structure of indigenous chicken in Congo, using MHC-linked microsatellite LEI0258
A polymorphism marker showed high genetic variation among indigenous chicken in South Kivu (Africa). The South Kivu chicken populations’ genetic material is composed of three gene pools and 14 specific alleles of the microsatellite locus LEI0258. Our result suggests that most chickens from South Kivu have been exposed to Newcastle disease and may have developed enhanced immune resistance to the disease. Findings will contribute to improved breeding and conservation programs.
AN22082A simplified approach for producing Tier 2 enteric-methane emission factors based on East African smallholder farm data
, C. J. L. du Toit , T. Takahashi, M. Robertson-Dean, K. Butterbach-Bahl, L. Merbold and J. P. Goopy
Reducing enteric methane emissions from the livestock sector can be a promising action to reduce the effect of climate change due to increased greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. There is need to produce accurate baseline emission estimates for benchmarking to measure the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation options for emissions reduction. It is possible to have a simplified protocol to produce Tier 2 enteric-methane emission estimates for GHG inventory. This will facilitate better emission accounting and tracking, especially in developing countries.
AN22082 Abstract | AN22082 Full Text | AN22082PDF (648 KB) Open Access Article
AN22073Ruminal dry matter disappearance, total gas and methane production, and fermentation parameters as affected by fat and protein concentration in by-product supplemented grass hay-based diets
As part of the natural process of feed digestion, cattle produce methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. This study evaluated the impact of varying the fat and protein concentration of a hay-based cattle diet by including by-products from cereal/oilseed processing, and determining the impact on methane emissions. Overall, higher dietary fat reduced methane emissions; however, it reduced digestibility of the diet, which is an important consideration for its impact on animal productivity.
AN22189Predicting the extent to which excess lipid is deposited in the physical components of a broiler when dietary protein content is reduced
, Nilva K. Sakomura , Jefferson M. Azevedo, Gabriel S. Viana , Juliano César P. Dorigam, Joao Batista K. Fernandes and Robert M. Gous
The broiler’s lipid deposition is affected by genetic potential, environment and feed. In a previous publication, we described how the lipid deposition changes with dietary balanced protein. Whatsoever, the lipid may be deposited at different proportions in each commercial body part and understanding such results may be beneficial for poultry industry. The response of two strains (male and female) of broiler chickens consuming feed with crescent level of protein were investigated. Finally, proper equations are given to predict such responses.
AN22183Effects of germination on the energy value of cereal grains for livestock
, A. M. Tredrea, S. H. Bird, R. J. Hughes and S. G. Nielsen
Unusually wet weather in eastern Australia during the 2021–22 summer resulted in prolonged preharvest germination of a large proportion of cereal crops. The research was to investigate the impact of various periods of germination on the energy value of various cereal grain species for different livestock types. The energy content of preharvest germinated grains for animals was not decreased, but increased for barley fed to chickens and for sorghum fed to ruminants after at least 5 days of germination.
AN22183 Abstract | AN22183 Full Text | AN22183PDF (1.4 MB) Open Access Article
AN22197Availability to ruminants of nitrogen in senesced C4 tropical grasses
and R. J. Mayer
Tropical grasses with a C4 photosynthetic pathway that provide forage for grazing ruminants are often deficient in protein when mature and senesced. Measurements were made of the proportions of protein in such grasses that can be digested in ruminants. The availability of protein in senesced C4 tropical grasses with high fibre and low protein contents was substantially lower than in C4 grasses during vegetative growth or in C3 temperate grasses.
AN22197 Abstract | AN22197 Full Text | AN22197PDF (904 KB) Open Access Article
AN22011Similar grazing mechanisms explain contrasting intake and sward-height dynamics under different grazing management
, Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho, Anderson Michel Soares Bolzan , Jean Víctor Savian, Gentil Félix da Silva Neto, Ángel Sánchez Zubieta and Emilio Andrés Laca
Most livestock in the world is raised on pastures, and the production and sustainability of these systems depend on their management. However, managers have disregarded the heterogeneity of pastures and their impact on grazing management. Our results demonstrated that systems with similar average sward height may have different sheep intake responses due to sward heterogeneity in time and space.
AN21277Phenotypic causal networks between boar taint compounds measured in biopsies and carcasses
, Marcos Soares Lopes, Pramod K. Mathur, Egbert F. Knol, Daniele B. D. Marques , Paulo Sávio Lopes, Fabyano Fonseca e Silva, Simone Eliza Facioni Guimarães and Renata Veroneze
A move away from surgical castration of male pigs will result in higher incidence of boar taint, an off-aroma and flavour in pork. Our research sought to understand the causal relationships between boar taint compounds measured in biopsies and carcasses aiming at the use of biopsies in the prediction of boar taint. Our results indicated that causal information of boar taint compounds is passive to be used in breeding programs, improving the prediction of these compounds.
