Commercially available Aviguard product was tested in an animal trial to determine its effect on the health and performance of the chickens. The study showed that if the chickens are exposed to beneficial gut microbiota immediately after hatching, gut colonisation can be controlled. If this is reproducible, it can have beneficial effects for the chickens by improving health and quality of life for the birds.

Determining the reasons for among-animal variation in performance of beef cattle on pasture is difficult. In this study, differential diet selection and differences in rumen fermentation were largely ruled out as causal factors. Pen-based studies suggested that differences in voluntary intake under conditions of adequate nutrition may be a factor explaining differences in performance on pasture. A pasture-based method for measuring intake is essential to confirm this hypothesis.

Perennial wheat offers potential as a novel forage source in a dual-purpose grazing and grain production system; however, it requires supplements to meet the mineral requirements of grazing ruminants. In this study, we found that grazing compatible legumes increased carrying capacity and had similar liveweight output to animals grazing perennial wheat with a mineral supplement. The comparative improvement in grain yield from intercropping, coupled with increased liveweight gain, supports the use of legume intercrops in dual-purpose perennial grain systems.

In addition to the countless problems facing rural communities, climate change is a major concern for them. Knowing that rural women are vulnerable in managing livestock in the face of climate change, the study aims to analyze the perception of female small ruminant breeders in the face of climate change in northern Benin. The study recommends promoting training initiatives for women herders, so that they are better prepared to adapt to climate-related disasters to increase their livestock production.

We determined climate change-driven heat stress risk for outdoor dairy cows in New Zealand’s pasture-based systems. Using climate projections from 2006 to 2098, we calculated temperature–humidity index and grazing heat-load index values, which indicated that THI may not fully capture outdoor heat stress dynamics, with solar radiation and wind speed playing critical roles. Key dairy regions in New Zealand already experience high heat stress risk and are projected to experience intensified risk in the future, necessitating adaptation strategies such as shade provision, genetic selection, and modified feeding practices.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.