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Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
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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 is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 20 June 2025

AN24278Pregnancy scanning of sheep in southern Australia. 1. Scanning for litter size was profitable across all modelled regions, times of lambing and genotypes

John M. Young 0009-0009-5557-5585, David J. Brown and Forbes D. Brien 0000-0002-4758-4862
 

We modelled the profitability of pregnancy scanning across a wide range of environments, times of lambing, and production systems in the winter and summer rainfall regions of southern Australia. The average increase in profitability enabled by scanning for litter size was A$5.75 per ewe in the winter rainfall regions and A$4.44 in the summer rainfall regions. Pregnancy scanning for litter size is a low-cost and high-profit tool for improving reproductive rate, lamb and ewe survival rates, and lamb growth rates.

AN24278 Abstract  |  AN24278 Full Text  | AN24278PDF (403 KB)  | AN24278Supplementary Material (781 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 June 2025

AN24276Integrating climate-change adaptation and greenhouse-gas mitigation in the livestock industry: a review

Sineka Munidasa 0000-0002-9510-4640, Brendan Cullen, Richard Eckard 0000-0002-4817-1517, Long Cheng and Natalie Doran-Browne
 

Climate actions in the livestock industry have primarily focused on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, whereas adaptation has often been addressed separately. As climate change progresses, a more integrated approach is essential. This paper examines the co-benefits and trade-offs of combining adaptation and mitigation interventions at the ruminant livestock farm level, presenting two Australian case studies as examples. Strengthening this integration is crucial for developing resilient and low-emissions livestock production systems.

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

AN24276 Abstract  |  AN24276 Full Text  | AN24276PDF (676 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 June 2025

AN24311Seasonal effects of Moringa oleifera as a concentrate replacement on health parameters and production performance in Barbari goats

Apeksha K. Ukey, Sohan Vir Singh 0000-0002-9520-780X, Smaranika Biswal, A. K. Misra, Yallappa M. Somagond, Gaurav Kumar and Nikita Bhalakiya
 

The cornerstone of Indian society is livestock husbandry, which is providing rural populations with nutritional security and significant amount of jobs. In temperate, subtropical, and tropical locations, seasonal stresses result in significant losses in livestock productivity. Maintaining livestock productivity and livelihoods depends on innovative and versatile ways to deal with these challenges. Alternative feed resources such as Moringa oleifera with potential nutritional and medicinal benefits can improve the resilience and production performance of goats across various seasons.

AN24311 Abstract  | PDF (2.1 MB) - $35.00   | AN24311Supplementary Material (251 KB)
Published online 17 June 2025

AN24186Effects of by-product feed inclusion in a grass hay-based diet on nutrient disappearance, total gas and methane production, rumen fermentation and protozoal populations in an artificial rumen (RUSITEC)

S. Robinson, P. Tamayao, A. Saleem, K. Ominski, T. McAllister, G. Crow, K. Wittenberg and E. J. McGeough 0000-0001-7763-3306
 

As part of the natural process of feed digestion, cattle produce methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. This study evaluated the impact of fat in grass hay-based cattle diets by including by-products from cereal/oilseed processing and determining the impact on methane emissions. Overall, higher dietary fat reduced methane emissions; however, it reduced digestibility of the diet, which is an important consideration for its impact on animal productivity.

AN24186 Abstract  | PDF (736 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 17 June 2025

AN25046Managing predators on livestock producing properties in South Africa and Western Australia – producer perspectives

T. L. Kreplins 0000-0002-6439-7858 and H. A. Melville
 

South Africa and Western Australia have long histories of livestock production and predator management, which impacts livestock productivity and viability. A survey of producers in both regions found farm sizes to be generally similar. More predators reside in South Africa, and as poison use is illegal, most farmers rely on shooting as their primary control method. Losses to predators are higher in South Africa, where predator management is responsive rather than proactive, unlike the Recognised Biosecurity Groups in Western Australia.

AN25046 Abstract  |  AN25046 Full Text  | AN25046PDF (701 KB)  | AN25046Supplementary Material (257 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 June 2025

AN24415Mapping the use of insects in animal feed: scientific and technological data of Tenebrio molitor, Hermetia illucens, and Zophobas morio

Jade Silva Oliveira 0009-0002-4170-4760, Camila Duarte Ferreira Ribeiro, Carolina Oliveira de Souza 0000-0002-8028-5418 and Cláudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro 0000-0001-8676-3225
 

Tenebrio molitor, Hermetia illucens, and Zophobas morio are species rich in nutrients essential for animal nutrition. However, it is still unclear whether these species are studied with the same frequency, which areas of animal production benefit the most from their use, and the main objectives of the most recent studies. Identifying these knowledge gaps can support the development of innovative research on the use of insects in animal feed.

AN24415 Abstract  | PDF (1.9 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 16 June 2025

AN24372Effects of transport stress on gene expression and biomarkers in broilers with and without an anti-stress supplement

Jaydip Rokade 0000-0001-8202-5751, Sky Krishna Gopal, Sagar Khulape, Nagesh Sonale, Prashant Patel, Abhijeet Champati, Gautham Kolluri and Monika Madheswaran 0000-0002-3980-0983
 

Transportation stress in poultry negatively impacts bird welfare, productivity, and meat quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an anti-stressor supplement combined with suitable lairage conditions to alleviate such stress. Results, validated using molecular tools, showed significant improvements in bird health and meat safety. The formulated anti-stressor package effectively reduced stress, enhanced profitability for stakeholders, and supported the One Health approach by ensuring better meat quality and safety, highlighting its potential as a practical solution in poultry production systems.

AN24372 Abstract  | PDF (1.1 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 16 June 2025

AN25047Effect of methionine and lysine supplementation on performance and intestinal morphometrics of finisher broiler chickens fed diets containing processed cassava peel meal

Tolulope O. Adebowale 0000-0002-7325-5691, Muhammed A. Arowolo, Mukaila Adekola, Tolulope Adeleye and Oyegunle E. Oke 0000-0002-9425-4217
 

Researchers have been exploring sustainable feed alternatives for broiler chickens due to the rising costs of conventional feed ingredients and environmental footprints associated with agricultural by-products. This study investigated the use of processed and fortified cassava peel meal as a replacement for corn in broiler diets and found that it supports growth and reduces production costs without compromising gut health. However, some morphological alterations were observed in the liver and intestinal tissues of the chickens, which require further investigation.

AN25047 Abstract  |  AN25047 Full Text  | AN25047PDF (2.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

AN25057Economic analysis of benefits from grazing unharvested standing lupin crops in a mixed farm enterprise in south-west Western Australia

Amelia Gooding 0009-0008-1717-7626, Serina Hancock, Andrew Thompson 0000-0001-7121-7459 and John Young 0009-0009-5557-5585
 

In the south-west of Western Australia, weaned lambs typically graze dry pastures and crop stubbles from late spring to autumn, which limits growth rates without supplementation and can contribute to ill-thrift and mortality. This study tested whether incorporating grazing of standing lupin crops improves whole-farm profitability. Grazing lupins on 7% of the farm area increased profitability by almost A$30,000 (A$200/ha), primarily by increasing stocking rate. Across a range of crop yields and prices, grazing was always more profitable than harvesting.

AN25057 Abstract  |  AN25057 Full Text  | AN25057PDF (333 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 June 2025

AN24154Predicting weaning weight in Hair goat kids: a comparative analysis of tree-based machine learning approaches using environmental and herd data

Necati Esener 0000-0002-2773-3234 and Yavuz Kal
 

We applied tree-based machine learning techniques to predict weaning weight in Hair goat kids, offering a fresh approach to goat farming. We used these tree-based machine learning models to analyze a variety of data sources, such as herd features and environmental factors like weather and geography. We found that these methods achieved strong predictive performance, suggesting that incorporating diverse environmental data into weight prediction models can help goat farmers make better decisions, especially with the challenges posed by climate change.

AN24154 Abstract  | PDF (1.4 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 05 June 2025

AN25092Growth curves of three broiler chicken strains fed diets of different nutritional densities

Josiane Carla Panisson, Isabella de Camargo Dias 0000-0003-0375-2462, Marley Conceição dos Santos, Leopoldo Malcorra de Almeida, Everton Luis Krabbe, Alex Maiorka and Simone Gisele de Oliveira
 

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth curves of three broiler chicken strains and the effects of different dietary nutritional densities on growth performance. The Gompertz model explained 99% of the variation in chicken weight. Chickens fed a regular diet had slower maturation and lower growth rates, whereas Strain A showed lower bodyweight and feed intake than did Strains B and C. Higher nutritional density diets increased growth rates, but all strains exhibited similar allometric growth patterns.

AN25092 Abstract  | PDF (1 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 30 May 2025

AN24108Investigating 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 0000-0003-1237-0212, Olympia Yarger, Louwrens Hoffman 0000-0003-2736-1933 and Daniel Cozzolino 0000-0001-6247-8817
 

This study explored the nutritional quality of BSFL reared on five different food waste streams from two different commercial farms. Additionally, the effect of post-harvest treatments (blanching and drying) and larval instar (fifth and sixth) on the nutritional profile of BSFL was investigated.

AN24108 Abstract  |  AN24108 Full Text  | AN24108PDF (687 KB)   Open Access Article

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 0000-0002-9340-6573
 

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.

AN24245 Abstract  | PDF (629 KB) - $35.00   | AN24245Supplementary Material (644 KB)
Published online 13 May 2025

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

Selim Sirakaya 0000-0003-2733-1726 and Selma Büyükkiliç Beyzi 0000-0002-4622-0645
 

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.

AN25081 Abstract  | PDF (2 MB) - $35.00 
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 0000-0003-0882-8841 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.

AN25037 Abstract  | PDF (1.9 MB) - $35.00   | AN25037Supplementary Material (1 MB)

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