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 is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 22 May 2025

AN24245The potential of various phenotypic traits to predict feedlot production in cattle – a systematic review

Andreas H. R. Hentzen and Dietmar E. Holm

Beef cattle have been improved over a long time, mostly by subjective visual appraisal, but are these phenotypic traits predictive of feedlot production potential? This review investigates evidence of an association between phenotypic traits and feedlot production, and found valuable evidence in the literature of a number of traits that are associated with production outcomes. This provides the foundation for the establishment of precision farming systems based on individual animals’ production potential.

Published online 13 May 2025

AN25081Effects of almond hulls on the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal protein degradation of lucerne silage

Selim Sirakaya

and Selma Büyükkiliç Beyzi

Almond hulls are a significant by-product produced in quantities roughly double that of the kernel. The elevated tannin concentration is a limiting factor in their application in food and feed. Incorporating almond hulls into lucerne silage enhances the protein utilization efficiency of lucerne while reducing the tannin content in the hulls. Incorporating almond hulls into lucerne silage provides a dual advantage.

Published online 13 May 2025

AN25037Anti-inflammatory effects of hard antler button extract on inflammation in vitro and prostatitis in vivo in mice

Huixin Xing, Chao Ma, Xiaoli Wang, Yan Zhao, Yudong Shang, Hengxing Ba

and Chunyi Li

Deer hard antler button (HAB), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been valued for its anti-inflammatory properties for centuries. This study demonstrated that HAB extract has stronger anti-inflammatory effects than deer hard antler shaft (HAS) extract, supported by cellular, animal model experiments, and metabolomics analysis. By identifying key bioactive compounds, the findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of HAB and highlight its potential applications in promoting health and well-being.

Published online 06 May 2025

AN24358Insights into the pathogenesis of catastrophic spontaneous humeral fractures in first-lactation dairy cows

A. S. Wehrle-Martinez

, K. E. Lawrence, P. J. Back, C. W. Rogers

, M. J. Gibson

and K. E. Dittmer

Catastrophic spontaneous humeral fractures in young dairy cows have introduced significant challenges to New Zealand’s dairy industry, affecting animal welfare and farmers’ livelihoods. This review identifies poor bone formation and excessive bone removal as likely key risk factors leading to osteoporotic bones that fracture. Ensuring cows receive proper nutrition during key growth periods might help prevent these fractures and support a healthier, more productive dairy industry. Further research is essential to fully tackle this issue.

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

AN24358 Abstract | AN24358 Full Text | AN24358PDF (5.7 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 06 May 2025

AN24340Impact of tree integration in crop–livestock systems with varying nitrogen rates

Luiza de Souza Carneiro, Luiza Chiezi Mendes, Debora Rodrigues, Vanderley Porfírio-da-Silva and Laíse da Silveira Pontes

Incorporating trees into crop–livestock systems (ICLS) plays a vital role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in plants and soil. Our study showed that integrated systems can yield up to 573 kg/ha in areas typically fallow in winter; however, integrating beef heifers grazing cool-season grasses with immature Eucalyptus grandis trees negatively affected forage production, animal performance and tree quality. These results highlight the need for careful selection of trees, planting density, and arrangement to optimize the benefits of ICLS.

Published online 05 May 2025

AN24303Metagenomic comparison of the microbial load colonizing lucerne hay and gum astralagus (Astragalus glycyphyllos) in ruminants

Mehtap Güney

and Sükrü Önalan

In this study, the digestion, fermentation profile and the microbiota associated with two different quality roughages (Astragalus glycyphyllos and lucerne hay) in the rumen were investigated in vitro. The composition and diversity of the microbiota colonizing the rumen significantly affect the digestion and fermentation of feeds, and thus the growth performance of animals. It was observed that these results are very important in terms of improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization of roughages in the desired direction.

Published online 01 May 2025

AN24346Can soil and tree carbon sequestration maintain zero net emissions grazing?

A. Macdonald

, J. Court, R. Meyer, M. Wootton, E. Kantor, R. Keenan, H. Stewart and R. Eckard

The inclusion of carbon sequestration in trees and soils to offset greenhouse gas emssions (GHGe) in agricultural carbon accounts, also known as carbon insetting, is a rapidly growing area of interest. Through a livestock enterprise case study, we demonstrated that although soil and tree carbon sequestration can produce low net emissions systems, they cannot maintain zero net emissions indefinitely. Whereas GHGe are continuous over time, sequestration eventually plateaus, further establishing the need for methods that avoid GHGe.

AN24346 Abstract | AN24346 Full Text | AN24346PDF (393 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 22 April 2025

AN24386_COCorrigendum to: The influence of genetic and environmental factors on performance of Brahman heifers grazing pastures in northern Australia

E. Charmley, G. J. Bishop-Hurley, M. K. Matthews, J. Simington, C. S. McSweeney, S. E. Denman, G. Martinez-Fernandez, J. Padmanabha, P. Giacomantonio and J. Cheung

AN24386_CO Full Text | AN24386_COPDF (139 KB)

Published online 22 April 2025

AN24355Dose-responsive efficacy of heat-stable xylanase in weaned pigs fed corn–soybean diets

Junyoung Mun, Habeeb Tajudeen, Abdolreza Hosseindoust, Sanghun Ha, Serin Park, Anushka Lokhande, Santosh Laxman Ingale and Jinsoo Kim

Xylanase is an enzyme that breaks down xylan, a key plant cell wall component, into simpler sugars. In weaned pigs, whose digestion is still maturing, xylanase supplementation aids in breaking down fibrous feed, enhancing nutrient absorption.

Published online 22 April 2025

AN24258Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens

Afsana A. Jahan, Hiep Thi Dao

, Md Sohel Rana, Peta S. Taylor, Tamsyn M. Crowley and Amy F. Moss

This study investigated the effects of AM/PM feeding on free-range laying hens via several welfare, behaviour and health parameters. The AM diets (12.5 MJ AME/kg, 20.1% CP, 2.5% Ca) were provided from 08:00 hours to 16:00 hours, and the PM diet (10.8 MJ AME/kg, 17.5% CP, 5.6% Ca) from 16:00 hours to 08:00 hours. AM/PM feeding demonstrated possible benefits for laying hen welfare, including the reduction in feather pecking and improved outdoor activity and bone health.

AN24258 Abstract | AN24258 Full Text | AN24258PDF (779 KB) | AN24258Supplementary Material (839 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 15 April 2025

AN24017Dietary microbial 6-phytase concentration effects broiler growth, short-chain fatty acid profile, and intestinal histomorphology

Hamid Raei

, Fatemeh Azari Ghaleh Joogh, Shahram Golzar Adabi

and Mohammad Amir Karimi Torshizi

Phosphorus in poultry diets is mainly in the form of phytate, which may remain unused. The addition of high concentrations of phytase can reduce the use of inorganic phosphorus resources, and thus lower the production costs. The present study found that the dietary inclusion of higher concentrations of phytase could improve the performance of broiler chickens.

Published online 14 April 2025

AN24215Climate-smart approaches for enhancing livestock productivity, human nutrition, and livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries

Adegbola T. Adesogan, Mulubrhan Balehegn Gebremikael, Padmakumar Varijakshapanicker and Diwakar Vyas

Severe weather events associated with climate change have several negative impacts on livestock, but livestock do contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Most climate-smart approaches to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are inappropriate for low-and middle-income countries where food insecurity and the need to adapt livestock systems to a changing climate are greatest. This paper gives an discusses climate-smart approaches for enhancing livestock Productivity to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase livestock adaptation to climate change and improve food security in low- and middle-income countries.

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

AN24215 Abstract | AN24215 Full Text | AN24215PDF (2.3 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 11 April 2025

AN24210Use of ¹⁵N abundance in tail hair to predict feed efficiency and response to a urea supplement in young cattle fed a tropical grass forage

B. C. Fraser, K. Eyre

, J. B. Gaughan, G. Wijffels and L. F. P. Silva

Cattle exhibit significant variation in growth performance, enabling the selection of superior animals. Efficient nitrogen use in cattle, which can be predicted through nitrogen isotopes in tail hair, correlates with improved growth performance. This study highlights how steers with better nitrogen use efficiency respond positively to a urea supplemented diet, demonstrating enhanced growth on low-quality feed. Identifying such cattle allows for more effective and economical feed and supplement strategies.

AN24210 Abstract | AN24210 Full Text | AN24210PDF (576 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 03 April 2025

AN24413Meta-analysis of garlic in small ruminant nutrition: dry matter intake, rumen fermentability, nutrient digestibility, and blood biochemical indices

C. A. Mbajiorgu, I. P. Ogbuewu

and M. Mabelebele

The use of dietary garlic to enhance ruminant productivity has gained attention in the animal production industry due to its several pharmacological properties. However, there are inconsistent results on the effects of dietary garlic on ruminant productivity. This meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of dietary garlic intervention in enhancing small ruminant productivity while reducing methane emissions.

Published online 31 March 2025

AN23386Role of plant bioactive compounds in improving ruminant resilience to heat stress challenge

Farhad Ahmadi

, Hafiz A. R. Suleria and Frank R. Dunshea

The efficacy of plant bioactives in supporting health and productivity of lactating cows and growing ruminants under heat stress remains underexplored. This review provides an overview of existing studies to address this gap. Heat-stressed animals may experience reduced feed intake, compromised immunity, oxidative stress, and productivity losses. Some phytogenics have shown promise in mitigating these effects, especially in lactating cows. However, further research, particularly in pre-weaning calves and under different heat stress severity and durations is needed to validate these findings.

AN23386 Abstract | AN23386 Full Text | AN23386PDF (612 KB) | AN23386Supplementary Material (404 KB) Open Access Article

More content

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.

AN25046, Accepted 22 May 2025

Managing predators on livestock producing properties in South Africa and Western Australia – producer perspectives.

Tracey Kreplins

and Haemish Melville

AN25046Abstract

AN24372, Accepted 22 May 2025

Effects of transport stress on gene expression and biomarkers in broilers with/without Anti-stress supplement

Jaydip Rokade

, Sky Krishna Gopal, Sagar Khulape, Nagesh Sonale, Prashant Patel, Abhijeet Champati, Gautham Kolluri and Monika Madheshwaran

AN24372Abstract

AN24154, Accepted 19 May 2025

Predicting Weaning Weight in Hair Goat Kids: A Comparative Analysis of Tree-Based Machine Learning Approaches Using Environmental and Herd Data

Necati Esener

and Yavuz Kal

AN24154Abstract

AN25092, Accepted 19 May 2025

Growth curves of three broiler chicken strains fed diets of different nutritional densities

Josiane Panisson, Isabella Dias

, Marley dos Santos, Leopoldo de Almeida, Everton Krabbe, Alex Maiorka and Simone Oliveira

AN25092Abstract

AN25057, Accepted 13 May 2025

Economic analysis of benefits from grazing unharvested standing lupin crops in a mixed farm enterprise in south-west Western Australia

Amelia Gooding

, Serina Hancock, Andrew Thompson

and John Young

AN25057Abstract

AN24108, Accepted 28 April 2025

Investigating the effect of larval instar, post-harvest treatments, and substrate on the nutritional profile of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens)

Shanmugam Alagappan, Hung Hong, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Sandra Olarte Mantilla, Peter James

, Olympia Yarger, Louwrens Hoffman

and Daniel Cozzolino

AN24108Abstract

Effect of number of measurement days on variance in methane and carbon dioxide emissions measured using GreenFeed units in grazing dairy cows and growing heifers

Animal Production Science 65 (6)

M. M. Della Rosa , M. A. Khan, T. J. Bosher, P. Maclean, A. Jonker
A narrative review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy cows in larger Australasian pasture-based production systems

Animal Production Science 64 (12)

Megan Verdon , David S. Beggs
Evaluation of methane prediction equations for Australian feedlot cattle fed barley and wheat-based diets

Animal Production Science 65 (5)

A. K. Almeida , J. P. McMeniman, M. R. Van der Saag, F. C. Cowley
Role of plant bioactive compounds in improving ruminant resilience to heat stress challenge

Animal Production Science 65 (6)

Farhad Ahmadi , Hafiz A. R. Suleria, Frank R. Dunshea
Probiotics effects on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

Animal Production Science 64 (13)

Nazerke Begdildayeva , Aynur Gul Karahan , Askar Kondybayev, Aliya Kudaibergenova, Alina Nurgazina, Nurlan Akhmetsadykov, Aikerim Ospanova, Shynar Akhmetsadykova
Use of ¹⁵N abundance in tail hair to predict feed efficiency and response to a urea supplement in young cattle fed a tropical grass forage

Animal Production Science 65 (6)

B. C. Fraser, K. Eyre , J. B. Gaughan, G. Wijffels, L. F. P. Silva
Selection for growth rate at pasture in Angus cattle results in heavier cattle that eat more in the feedlot

Animal Production Science 64 (9)

R. M. Herd , V. H. Oddy, P. F. Arthur, M. B. McDonagh
Goat meat supply and demand in Vietnam: global context and opportunities and risks for smallholder producers

Animal Production Science 64 (12)

Luisa Olmo , Huu Van Nguyen, Xuan Ba Nguyen, Thi Nga Bui , Cuc Thi Kim Ngo, Viet Don Nguyen , Nam Hoang, Luis Emilio Morales , Stephen Walkden-Brown
Can soil and tree carbon sequestration maintain zero net emissions grazing?

Animal Production Science 65 (7)

A. Macdonald , J. Court, R. Meyer, M. Wootton, E. Kantor, R. Keenan, H. Stewart, R. Eckard
Factors influencing the variability in performance of cattle grazing tropical pasture

Animal Production Science 64 (17)

E. Charmley , G. J. Bishop-Hurley, C. S. McSweeney, R. Takeuchi, G. Martinez-Fernandez, S. Denman
Regional differences in beef cattle trade and movements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Animal Production Science 64 (14)

Joshua Aboah , Peggy Schrobback, Stephen McFallan, Dianne Mayberry
Regional heat stress maps for grazing dairy cows in New Zealand under climate change

Animal Production Science 65 (4)

S. J. R. Woodward , P. C. Beukes, J. P. Edwards , K. J. Verhoek, J. G. Jago , C. Zammit
Using alpacas as guardian animals in Australia: a survey of sheep producers

Animal Production Science 64 (17)

Paige Matthews , Emma Doyle , Amanda K. Doughty, Wendy Y. Brown, Jamie Barwick
Choice of companion legume influences lamb liveweight output and grain yields in a dual use perennial wheat/legume intercrop system

Animal Production Science 65 (4)

Matthew T. Newell , Richard C. Hayes, Gordon Refshauge, Benjamin W. B. Holman , Neil Munday, David L. Hopkins, Li Guangdi
Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens

Animal Production Science 65 (7)

Afsana A. Jahan, Hiep Thi Dao , Md Sohel Rana, Peta S. Taylor, Tamsyn M. Crowley, Amy F. Moss
Determinants of women small ruminant farmers’ perceptions of climate change impact in Northern Benin

Animal Production Science 65 (4)

Elodie Dimon , Youssouf Toukourou, Janvier Egah, Alassan Assani Seidou, Rodrigue Vivien Cao Diogo, Ibrahim Alkoiret Traore
Insights into the pathogenesis of catastrophic spontaneous humeral fractures in first-lactation dairy cows

Animal Production Science 65 (7)

A. S. Wehrle-Martinez , K. E. Lawrence, P. J. Back, C. W. Rogers , M. J. Gibson , K. E. Dittmer
Growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs fed diets supplemented with antioxidants and organic acids in late summer

Animal Production Science 64 (13)

Hieu H. Le , Robert Hewitt , Sally Tritton, Darryl Nicholas D’Souza, Majid Shakeri, Yasir Iqbal, Minh Ha, Robyn D. Warner , Frank R. Dunshea, Jeremy J. Cottrell
Sheep producers report docking tails shorter than recommended, knowledge–practice gap, and inconsistent length descriptions: an Australian survey

Animal Production Science 64 (11)

Madeleine E. Woodruff , Carolina A. Munoz , Grahame J. Coleman , Rebecca E. Doyle , Stuart R. Barber
Comparison of suckling and artificial rearing on calf growth and milk requirements in pastoral dairy systems

Animal Production Science 64 (16)

Racheal H. Bryant , Paige Beckett, Lucas Tey, Riki Burgess, Jeffery Curtis, Axel Heiser, Sally-Anne Turner, Alison J. Hodgkinson

Collections

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

Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024

This collection brings together selected research and review papers presented at the 2024 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Christchurch, NZ. The 2024 symposium was a special occasion, marking 20 years since the first ADSS conference in Shepparton, Victoria.

Collection Editors
Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ)
James Hills (Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania)
Arjan Jonker (AgResearch NZ)
Samuel Wilson (Massey University)
Omar Al-Marashdeh (Lincoln University)

Last Updated: 13 Feb 2025

Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - Australia 2025

This Collection compiles papers presented at Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - Australia 2025 (RAAN-A 2025).

Collection Editor
Wayne Bryden (The University of Queensland)

Last Updated: 14 Oct 2024

Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023

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

Equine Science in Australasia II

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

ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science

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 in the 21st Century

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

Research Front: Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2017

This Research Front comprises selected papers from the 6th International Conference on Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC 2017) held in Malang, Indonesia.

Last Updated: 01 Nov 2019

Research Front: GGAA2016 Part 2

This Research Front comprises papers from the 6th Greenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA2016), held on 14-18 February 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. This Research Front follows the GGAA2016 Special Edition published in Volume 56, issue 2–3. Taken together, these issues provide the latest summary of the current state of knowledge on policy developments, measurement, modelling and mitigation of greenhouse gasses from animal agriculture.

Last Updated: 08 May 2018

Research Front: Invited Papers: Australian Society of Animal Production Biennial Conference 2016

This Research Front comprises invited papers from Animal Production 2016 – the 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, jointly held with the New Zealand Society of Animal Production in Adelaide, South Australia from 5–7 July 2016. With a theme of ‘Animal Welfare – Meeting Consumer Needs and Increasing Productivity’, keynote speakers included animal behavioural expert Professor Temple Grandin, whose paper is published open access within this issue, alongside papers from the named ASAP lecture series.

Last Updated: 15 Feb 2018

Research Front: Orange EverGraze proof site

This Research Front comprises selected papers detailing the research conducted at the Orange proof site (Panuara, NSW Central Tablelands) as part of the national EverGraze program. The EverGraze program aimed to develop livestock systems based in productive perennial pasture to increase profit and improve environmental outcomes in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia.

Last Updated: 31 Jul 2017

Research Front: Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2015

This Research Front comprises selected papers from the 5th International Conference on Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC2015) held in Pattaya. SAADC was established by a non-profit volunteer group of researchers and academicians in 2007 with the primary objective of providing a platform for researchers, particularly those from developing countries, to share their research findings and to network for the promotion of sustainable animal agriculture in developing countries.

Last Updated: 26 Jun 2017

Research Front: National Agricultural Manure Management Program – Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options For Intensive Livestock Industries

The papers published in this Reearch Front comprise research outcomes from the National Agricultural Manure Management Program (NAMMP). This program was developed by a consortium of rural research and development corporations who recognised similar knowledge gaps in manure management systems across Australian intensive livestock production. These gaps included gathering information on the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from different livestock and manure management systems, together with the sources and causes of GHG emissions in the different systems. The NAMMP consortium proved successful for both researchers and industry and is a model that should be considered for any future cross-sectoral programs.

Last Updated: 27 Jul 2016

Animal Breeding and Genomics

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

Research Front: Animal Production in a Changing World

This Research Front marks a very special milestone in the life of the ProSafeBeef programme (http://www.prosafebeef.eu/) funded by the European Community. It comprises the presentations, discussion and outcomes from an International Workshop entitled ‘Animal Production in a Changing World’ held in Clermont-Ferrand on 9–10 September 2009 and organised by INRA (France) under the auspices of the ProSafeBeef programme.

Last Updated: 15 Dec 2010

Research Front: Dairy Science

The National Dairy Alliance held its second Dairy Science Symposium in Mount Gambier, South Australia on 13 and 14 February 2006. This Research Front contains a selection of plenary papers presented at the Symposium by distinguished scientists developing technologies in the above areas, which are likely to have significant impacts on the future dairy industry.

Last Updated: 06 Aug 2007

Research Front: Meat Standards. 1

This Research Front presents papers describing meat standards in animal production.

Last Updated: 02 Jul 2007

Animal Production Science

Latest

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

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