This review presents a new model for a multidisciplinary approach to development of modern forage cultivars for the mixed farming zones of Australia. This involves farmer input and the measurement of key traits that drive profitability of livestock such as feeding and nutritive value much earlier in the development pipeline.

Although mating of ewe lambs increases farm profitability and can reduce environmental impact of meat production, uptake is low owing to low reproductive success. We showed that significant embryo loss, a key driver of poor reproductive success, occurred prior to Day 3 of pregnancy in peripubertal ewe lambs. We identified quality of the oocyte and oviduct as key to improving reproductive success in peripubertal ewe lambs and thus facilitating uptake of mating of ewe lambs.

There are few studies on the application of bamboo resources in broilers. This study found that adding micronised bamboo powder at 1% to replace equivalent maize can improve intestinal development and increase the content of bacteria that promote fatty acid metabolism and fibre degradation in broilers. Bamboo can be used as beneficial fibre for broilers as a means to alleviate global shortage of feed materials.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional geometric isomers of linoleic acid mainly known for its antioxidant activity, but when fed to broiler breeders, despite resultant modifications on the size and composition of the eggs, yolk and albumen, CLA can be an alternative for preservation of the internal quality of fertile eggs during storage and to increase the quality of day-old chicks.

Alnus viridis (green alder) encroaches on many mountain pastures. As these areas are still grazed, we tested the performance and carcass and meat quality of Dexter cattle and Engadine sheep under different encroachment levels. The Dexter cattle were slightly less efficient in forage valorisation, but both robust animal species produced satisfactory carcass and meat quality regardless of the shrub encroachment levels. Extensive grazing of A. viridis-encroached pastures is therefore possible without restrictions on meat production of a unique quality.