Marker-assisted selection plays an important role in livestock genetic improvement. The g.88430T > A locus has significant effects on litter size. The combined genotypes TTAA can be used in marker-assisted selection.

Ovariectomy would induce carcass weight gain and be beneficial for developing the meat flavour by improving the fatty acid (FA) composition of muscle tissues. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on the FA composition and the mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolic genes. We found ovariectomy affects fatty acid composition potentially by altering the expression of LPL, HSL, FAS and ACC in the skeletal muscles of young female goats. These data provide a scientific theoretical basis for the application of ovariectomy in livestock production.

The mechanism responsible for the divergence in feed efficiency of animals selected for different residual feed intake (RFI) phenotypes is unclear, and no biological markers have been reported. The present study was warranted to find the biological marker and mechanism responsible for the divergence in feed efficiency between different RFI phenotypes. These results provide the theoretical basis applicability of feed efficiency in sheep as measured using RFI, and identify potential physiological biomarkers for predictors of RFI.

Nitrate-based supplements have been demonstrated to reduce methane production from beef cattle. However, nitrate can be toxic to cattle. Nitrate toxicity increased in a dose-dependent manner but was reduced when the same dose was divided equally and fed in two portions each day. Caution should be exercised when intentionally feeding nitrate salts as a urea substitute and/or a methane abatement strategy.

Healthy food of animal origin can only come from animals which are healthy and fed diets free from undesirable chemical- and antibiotics-based feed additives. A phytochemical-based feed additive has been developed as a potential alternative to synthetic chemical feed additives for ruminants. This work was to determine if the additive would improve the health and welfare of target animals.

The factorial method is the basis for development nutritional requirement prediction equations, which facilitates the establishment of more appropriate nutrition programs. This study aimed to estimate the crude protein requirement for the maintenance, weight gain and egg production of free-range hens, and produce a predictive protein requirement equation. Based on the requirements that were estimated, we developed an equation that can be used to predict the protein requirements of free-range hens during the laying phase.

Perennial ryegrass toxicity is a condition that can result in hundreds of thousands of sheep deaths in some years, while other years the effects are not severe. This study investigated the effects of different doses of perennial ryegrass alkaloids and found sheep were affected according to alkaloid dose, and animal production and efficiency were compromised. The results suggest that even over a short period of time animal health can be compromised and producer profitability may suffer as a consequence.

Feed ingredients used as concentrate feed to enhance milk production are often contaminated with fungal toxins, which after ingestion are transferred into milk. Transfer of aflatoxins from feed to milk was found in 4.6% of buffaloes. Using mycotoxin binder was effective at minimising its transfer and helping to improving the health status of milk consumers.

Supplying cattle with the appropriate levels of minerals through a balanced diet reduces the excretion of excess minerals into the environment and reduces feed costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef cattle with a reduction of minerals (calcium and phosphorus) in diets. The results of this research support a reduction of minerals in diet and consequently, reduction in environmental pollution (phosphorus) and in cost of production of beef, without compromising the performance of bulls.

High concentrate feeding to ruminant resulted in rumen acidosis due to the increasing lactic acid being produced leading to a reduction in rumen pH. Banana flower powder is reported to contain a high mineral element and could be used as a rumen buffer in maintaining rumen pH prior to high concentrate feeding. Therefore, banana flower powder is potentially used as a rumen buffer agent for high producing dairy cattle promising to replace sodium bicarbonate.

Herb-clover mixes containing chicory, plantain, and clovers are potentially higher in nutritive value for lamb growth over the spring period in New Zealand than the widely used ryegrass/white clover mixes. Lambs grazing herb-mixes grew faster and were heavier at slaughter and had higher dressing-out percentages than lambs grazing ryegrass/white clover pastures. Therefore, herb-mixes are effective as a spring feed to finish lambs in addition to their well established use in summer.

Phytase effects may vary depending on ingredient mix within a given diet. Most phytase studies are based on data generated in diets that use soybean meal. There is a need to explore possible variance in phytase effects in diets based on alternative protein sources such as lupin seed meal. The study reported herein examined the effect of phytase in diets based on alternative protein source and it can be concluded that phytase is an effective nutritional intervention in diets containing lupin seed meals.

Fenugreek has a significant positive effect on the physiological aspects in the body. The objective of our study was to collect information on fenugreek seed extract as a feed ingredient by measuring growth performance, total tract digestibility, haematological and biochemical blood properties, and excreta gas emission in broilers fed with diets containing two dietary levels of metabolisable energy. The results of the present study confirmed the applicability of fenugreek seed extract as a feed ingredient in broiler diets.

When changes in the production systems are carried out in order to improve productivity, life conditions of the animals can change and consequences on normal behaviour be developed. This work characterised the behaviour of steers in different production systems and showed that these animals are motivated to graze, regardless of the system. Thus, the design of steer-production systems should consider and allow these types of behaviours.

There is a need to evaluate the ability of lamb production systems taking advantage of the high potential of tropical pastures. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5 using different levels of concentrate supplementation. The supplementation provided a negative impact on pasture structure and animal behaviour. The change in pasture structure should be considered when using concentrate for finishing lambs.

Patagonian meadow and Milium are forage resources of increasing importance for ruminants; however, both are rich in fibre with low nutritional quality. In this context, enzymes could help improve forage utilisation. The addition of a fibrolytic enzyme showed no differences with respect to Control treatment. Nevertheless, a protease addition was associated with lower ruminal digestibility without consequences on methane production. This finding suggests that both enzymes at the dose rates assayed here would not improve forage digestion, neither would reduce methane production.

Plant extracts in ruminant diets might have beneficial effects on nutrient degradation in the rumen while mitigating methane production. The potential of five different essential oils and quebracho condensed tannin extract as antimethanogenic additives in ruminant feeds were investigated. It was concluded that the use of cinnamon oil had a desirable effect on methane production without negative effects on rumen fermentation. Quebracho condensed tannin extract supplementation resulted in no significant changes in methane production and fermentation parameters except for ammonia-N concentration.

Methane production from cattle in New Zealand account for 21% of total national greenhouse gases produced. However, only dry matter intake (DMI) and a fixed methane yield factor are considered in this inventory. In this study, the effect of fresh pasture forage quality, feeding level and supplementation on methane production was determined in growing beef cattle. All these parameters had only minor effects on methane per unit of DMI and DMI alone explained 71% of variation in methane production.

The Canadian beef cattle sector is a major contributor for agricultural GHG emissions. Our study evaluated the impacts of amount and time of hog manure application in a cow-calf production system using whole-farm models. Farm productivity was greater for the split manure application than single application. However, the environmental benefit (GHG) of the two scenarios was not consistent between models. Application of whole-farm approach in beef production systems is important to evaluate the environmental impacts of beneficial management practices.

The transportation of cattle can lead to fatigue and subsequently reduce meat quality from the carcass. Transferring rumen digesta to bulls post-transport resulted in an increase in feed intake; however, there was no effect on muscle glycogen concentrations. Repopulating the rumen with microflora from a healthy donor will assist in the recovery of feed intake in bulls that have been transported.

The differences between the pigs grouped according to genotypes at three CAST loci (HinfI, MspI and RsaI) in meat quality, carcass traits, chemical composition and calpain activity of hybrid pigs were investigated. The differences among genotypes at CAST/HinfI locus in economically important carcass traits were significant. The relationship between shear force and calpain activity was noticed, since EE genotype at CAST/HinfI locus exhibited the highest calpain activity and the lowest shear force values.

The use of precision dairy technologies is increasing. A survey conducted with a group of New Zealand dairy farmers highlighted the potential benefits of the technologies and also the opportunities for greater use through better understanding of the technologies and training options. Dairy industry organisations have an important role to play in providing independent information on technology options for farmers, and in guiding training.