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Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals

Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science is an international journal publishing original research and reviews on the production of food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Bryden

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Animal Production Science has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 18 September 2024

AN24102Average daily gain in lambs grazing mixed annual forage species compared with single species and relationship to feed on offer

E. H. Clayton 0000-0002-3302-3781, H. Fahey, P. Tyndall, R. Lowrie, B. Xu, F. Ataollahi 0000-0002-6538-8566 and M. R. Norton 0000-0003-2649-5307
 

Annual forage crops provide high-quality fodder for livestock during autumn and winter feed-gaps in south-eastern Australia. We investigated potential animal-production benefits of grazing mixed annual forage crops. Average daily gain was lower for female, but not male, lambs grazing brassica only than for those grazing forage mixtures. The low rumen pH when lambs grazed brassica only could have been associated with subacute rumen acidosis. Future studies should assess the effect of forage mix on fibre degradation and growth rates over a longer grazing period.

Growth and carcass weight of meat goats on tropical pastures is determined by forage, and especially grass, quality. Supplementation of urea or cottonseed meal in Australian farms is common, but Desmanthus, as a shrub tropical legume that is rich in true protein, was also found to greatly increase bodyweight and yield heavier carcasses when fed to Boer goats. More work is required to identify alternate sources of true protein in tropical regions.

Published online 09 September 2024

AN24138Prediction of the apparent ileal digestible amino acid contents of canola meal for broilers from crude protein content

X. Li 0000-0003-3109-5789, Y. M. Sun 0000-0002-9887-2303, D. Zhang, K. H. Huang, V. Ravindran and W. L. Bryden 0000-0002-7187-4464
 

Canola meal (CM) is a potentially important protein source for poultry. The amino acid profile of CM is reasonably well balanced, but digestibility of amino acids is key to the nutritional value of CM. Amino acid analysis and in vivo digestibility assays are costly and time consuming. The aim of this study was to determine whether the digestible amino acid content of CM could be deduced from its crude protein content, which is routinely determined.

This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.

Published online 09 September 2024

AN23402Regional differences in beef cattle trade and movements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Joshua Aboah 0000-0003-1000-2109, Peggy Schrobback, Stephen McFallan and Dianne Mayberry 0000-0003-1584-8066
 

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, agricultural activities were permitted to continue as essential services in Australia. This study showed that most regions in Australia did not experience significant changes in farm-level decisions concerning beef cattle movement and trade during the COVID period. Instead, minor adjustments were made to address the demand changes. The findings show the effectiveness of government policies in response to a disease outbreak like COVID.

Published online 02 September 2024

AN23424Probiotics effects on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

Nazerke Begdildayeva 0000-0003-3302-5215, Aynur Gul Karahan 0000-0001-7625-5868, Askar Kondybayev, Aliya Kudaibergenova, Alina Nurgazina, Nurlan Akhmetsadykov, Aikerim Ospanova and Shynar Akhmetsadykova
 

This study examined the effectiveness of probiotics derived from fermented camel and mare’s milk products (shubat and koumiss) in Kazakhstan for improving broiler chicken production. Several probiotic strains had a significant effect on body and carcass weights, and average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were also improved. Considerable presence of these traditional fermented dairy products in Kazakhstan offers a promising opportunity for the creation of locally derived probiotics specifically designed for poultry use. This potentially enables the adoption of more environmentally friendly and specialised broiler-farming practices in the area.

Global demand for protein in the form of red meat is growing, especially in Southeast Asia, with income and population growth driving an increase in beef consumption. To meet this demand advances in smallholder large-ruminant production and profitability have been achieved. However, to achieve regional food security ongoing challenges and opportunities need to be addressed.

This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.

Published online 26 August 2024

AN23313Growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs fed diets supplemented with antioxidants and organic acids in late summer

Hieu H. Le 0000-0001-8649-6892, Robert Hewitt 0000-0002-3353-2754, Sally Tritton, Darryl Nicholas D’Souza, Majid Shakeri, Yasir Iqbal, Minh Ha, Robyn D. Warner 0000-0001-5313-8773, Frank R. Dunshea and Jeremy J. Cottrell 0000-0002-1899-2090
 

The management of heat stress is an increasing topic of interest in pork production, especially during summer. This study approaches nutritional management to mitigate the negative impacts of environmental temperature on pork production and meat quality by supplementing selenium and vitamin E in pigs’ diets, along with organic acid in drinking water. The results of this study suggest that during cool seasons, supplementing antioxidants and organic acids in grower-finisher’s diets may be unnecessary, reducing the feed cost.

Published online 23 August 2024

AN23206Nutritive value and multi-mycotoxin occurrence in feeds and milk of dairy cattle

Amal Mannai, Cristina Juan, Jordi Manes and Hichem Ben Salem 0000-0002-4806-4578
 

The safety and nutritional quality of milk for human consumption depends on the quality of the feed sources consumed by dairy cattle. Our study has shown that mycotoxins, harmful toxins, detected in some feed sources (e.g. forage silages, hay and concentrates) could be transferred to milk. Strategies for efficient management of feed sources should be developed and the transferability of mycotoxins to milk should be controlled to ensure that the food supply chain is safe and free from harmful toxins.

Understanding input efficiency in specialised milk farming is crucial for enhancing sustainability and productivity in the European Union (EU) dairy sector. This study addressed the problem of inefficient resource utilisation in EU milk farming, discovering that countries such as Ireland and the Netherlands achieve full efficiency, whereas others have significant potential for improvement. The findings indicated that improving resource efficiency can lead to significant cost savings, environmental benefits, and increased competitiveness within the dairy industry.

The role of animal products in providing balanced diets to minimise nutrient deficiencies in the peoples of Laos, Vanuatu and Samoa is reviewed in this perspective.

This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.

Published online 19 August 2024

AN24013Effect of cooling rates and equilibration times on post-thaw sperm quality of Kail rams

Nasir Hameed 0000-0002-1964-3650, Muhammad Zubair 0000-0003-1872-443X, Nasim Ahmad, Aneela Zameer Durrani and Muhammad Irfan-ur-Rehman Khan 0000-0002-2432-5753
 

The conflicting results regarding the impact of equilibration time on sperm quality warrant further research to improve the post-thaw sperm quality of ram semen. The findings of the present study indicated that slow cooling and equilibration time of 4 h better-preserved sperm quality. The optimisation of sperm-freezing protocol will be beneficial for the widespread use of artificial insemination in sheep.

Published online 15 August 2024

AN24070Growth rate of male Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) fed leucaena and rice straw diets with increasing levels of cassava

  Dahlanuddin, L. A. Kariyani, T. S. Panjaitan, R. A. Putra, K. J. Harper 0000-0002-3443-6692 and D. P. Poppi
 

Supplementing Bali cattle rations in leucaena-based smallholdings with locally available cassava as an energy source, provides an opportunity to increase cattle live weight gain, extend the utilisation of leucaena and increase farmer profitability. Weight gain and profitability were maximised up to 45% cassava, but higher levels reduced feed intake, average daily gain and income over feed costs. Feeding cassava meal to leucaena-based diets is an important strategy to preserve leucaena as well as to increase profitability and meat production nationally.

Published online 13 August 2024

AN24148Effect of egg weight and maternal flock age on egg characteristics, incubation traits, and offspring performance

Filipe Augusto Moreno 0000-0002-7246-7027, Fabiano Dahlke 0000-0001-9004-8435, Leandro Nagae Kuritza 0000-0001-9446-8154, Marcus Vinícius Niz Alvarez 0000-0001-7104-3954, Isabella de Camargo Dias 0000-0003-0375-2462 and Alex Maiorka 0000-0001-5468-7731
 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flock age and egg weight on egg characteristics, incubation traits, hatchling weight, and initial offspring performance. Eggshell thickness and albumen height were lower, but albumen weight, yolk weight, and percentage of yolk were higher in eggs laid by older broiler breeders. Feed intake, bodyweight, and feed consumption rate were affected by the age of the hens and egg size.

Pasture-based dairies of the future are likely to be bigger, have higher stocking rates and feed more concentrate. This review uses the five-domains framework to consider risks to the welfare of dairy cows in these larger pasture-based systems. Risks to cow welfare are broadly categorised as (1) emerging welfare risks that can be managed, (2) emerging welfare risks that require research to be managed, or (3) persisting and/or exacerbated welfare risks. Suggestions are made for future research, development and extension.

Published online 12 August 2024

AN24057Phytase super-dosing modulates bone parameters and the concentration of the calcium epithelial carrier calbindin-D28k in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) under thermal stress

A. G. Ribeiro 0000-0001-6730-0209, R. S. Silva 0000-0001-9988-4755, F. S. Costa 0000-0003-2763-4348, E. G. Silva 0000-0002-1123-086X, J. E. Santos Ribeiro 0000-0001-9493-6392, E. P. Saraiva 0000-0001-9461-1723, F. G. P. Costa 0000-0003-4075-1792 and R. R. Guerra 0000-0001-8226-8606
 

Thermal stress induces significant changes in the bioavailability of minerals, especially calcium, compromising egg production and egg quality in quails. The use of additives becomes necessary to optimise nutrient absorption and mitigate the negative impacts of high temperatures. Phytase stands out as it breaks down phytate molecules, releasing vital nutrients such as calcium. It also helps combat the effects of thermal stress on the calcium transporter calbindin-D28K. This optimisation consequently enhances calcium absorption for use in egg production.

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

AN24137, Accepted 02 August 2024

Effects of Paullinia cupana peel meal on the growth performance, meat quality, and hematological and serum biochemical parameters of slow-growing broilers

Adriene Núzia de Almeida Santos, Alisson Lima Viana, Cristiane Guimarães, Maria Fernanda da Silva Gomes, Alexandre Augusto Barai, Tiago Cabral Nóbrega, Maiko Willas Soares Ribeiro, Antônio José Inhamuns da Silva, Francisco Alberto de Lima Chaves, Marco Antonio de Freitas Mendonça, Joel Lima da Silva Junior, Pedro de Queiroz Costa Neto, João Paulo Rufino 0000-0002-1605-5255 and Adriano Teixeira de Oliveira
 

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Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

The papers in this Collection of Animal Production Science were presented at the 9th biennial conference of Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC23), held in Vientiane, Laos in 2023. The meeting created a forum for collaboration among animal scientists, producers, and policy makers from developing countries, fostering the exchange of experiences and the development of sustainable animal agriculture practices.

Collection Editor
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)

Last Updated: 20 Aug 2024

This Collection follows the first Equine Science special issue of Animal Production Science published in 2020. Since the first Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS) in 2006, there have been six biennial symposia that have provided a platform for equine researchers to enjoy a collegial atmosphere dedicated to the horse. The papers in this collection reflect the strength and diversity of Australasian Equine Science.

Collection Editors
Chris W. Rogers (Massey University)
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)

Last Updated: 13 Jun 2024

Animal Production Science brings together a Collection of research and review papers presented at the 2022 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium. The theme of the 2022 symposium was ‘A Changing Climate for Dairy Science’ so while this special issue includes papers on a range of topics, a common theme throughout the papers is addressing the challenges faced by the Australian and New Zealand dairy sectors.

Collection Editors
Keith Pembleton (University of Southern Queensland)
Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ Ltd)
James Hills (University of Tasmania)

Last Updated: 23 May 2024

Animal Production Science celebrated 60 years of publication in 2021 and to celebrate, we marked this milestone with this selection of key review papers published in the journal over the last decade, highlighting research breakthroughs, social and economic issues that have influenced primary producers, and the practice of animal production.

Last Updated: 30 Jul 2021

New genomic technologies have revolutionised our approach to animal breeding and increased the rate of genetic change. This Collection brings together a selection of research articles that review research progress and updates our knowledge of the delivery of livestock genomics research applications, specifically for the beef and dairy cattle and sheep industries globally.

Last Updated: 19 Aug 2013

Committee on Publication Ethics

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