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 13 May 2024

AN24035The reproductive performance of phosphorus-deficient mature cows improved rapidly when given supplementary phosphorus in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory

T. J. Schatz

, M. N. Hearnden and C. Maxwell

This study investigated how long it takes for the performance of phosphorus (P)-deficient mature cows to improve once they are supplemented with P, and whether their long-term performance is compromised by P deficiency early in life. The performance of P-deficient cows improved to be similar to that of P-adequate cows within a year of P supplementation commencing. However, P deficiency early in life did have some residual stunting effects, resulting in lower hip height and liveweight.

Published online 13 May 2024

AN23352Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using lifecycle assessments

M. A. Copley

, E. J. McGahan, K. McCormack and S. G. Wiedemann

This study assessed the environmental impacts of Australian pork, and is the most comprehensive (70–72% industry) of its kind in Australia. Eutrophication potential was generally lower than in international pork production. The rate of environmental improvement was slow compared with historic trends. Covered pond, litter-based and outdoor systems produce pork associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Australian pork has significant potential to further reduce environmental impacts.

AN23352 Abstract | AN23352 Full Text | AN23352PDF (863 KB) | AN23352Supplementary Material (1.5 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 13 May 2024

AN23398Strengthening the role of innovation brokers in the livestock advisory services system of Pakistan

H. M. Warriach

, M. Ayre, R. Nettle

, K. Height, H. Iqbal, A. Aziz, K. Hayat, A. Afzal, S. Majeed, A. Kumbher and D. M. McGill

A well-functioning farm advisory services play a vital role in the improvement of livestock sector in low-income countries. We explored the ways in which capacity building through a particular training and professional-development intervention can lead farm advisors to act as innovation brokers within the advisory services system of Pakistan. The results are highly instrumental in strengthening farm advisory services and the role of farm advisors in low-income countries to support farmers in improving their livelihoods.

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

AN23398 Abstract | AN23398 Full Text | AN23398PDF (617 KB) | AN23398Supplementary Material (646 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 13 May 2024

AN23109Effects of melatonin implants on reproductive performance in sheep: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ender Uzabaci

and Hakan Ustuner

This study, evaluated the effect of melatonin on reproductive performance in sheep via meta-analysis. Pregnancy rate, lambing rate and litter size were used for reproductive performance parameters. Effect sizes of reproductive performance parameters were calculated according to breeds, production characteristics and seasons. The positive effect of melatonin was found greater in the non-reproductive period than in the breeding period for the three reproductive performance traits examined. This comprehensive research examined the effect of melatonin on sheep according to different factors.

Published online 07 May 2024

AN23419Cow age, resilience and productivity of cow–calf systems

Amir Gil Sessim, Tamara Esteves de Oliveira, Gabriel Ribas Pereira, Fredy Andrey López González, Fabiana Moro Maidana, Daniele Zago, Concepta Margaret McManus and Júlio Otávio Jardim Barcellos

The sufficient length of the cow’s lifetime in the beef cattle herd allows to mitigate problems in the cow–calf systems generated by the reduction in food availability. The intermediate age (6 years) of culling the cows allowed better resilience of the herd, after restriction (50% or 75%) of energy during 60 days pre- and 60 days postpartum for the cows. The intermediate lifespan of cows allowed for better resilience and productivity in cow–calf systems.

Published online 06 May 2024

AN23142Milk yield and feeding behaviour responses to two flat-rate levels of concentrate supplementation fed over a period of 8 months to cohorts of grazing dairy cows, differing in genotype, bodyweight, or milk yield

Pieter J. M. Raedts

and James L. Hills

In pasture-based dairy systems little is understood regarding production responses or pasture substitution with different amounts of concentrates fed. Cohorts of cows were selected on contrasting differences for three parameters and fed concentrate at two flat-rate levels, while milk yield and feeding time were monitored. Contrasting responses were found between cross-breed and Friesian cows. Differences between cohorts demonstrated potential for targeted concentrate feeding to contrasting cohorts of cows, and the need to consider both marginal milk response and pasture intake.

This article belongs to the Collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.

AN23142 Abstract | AN23142 Full Text | AN23142PDF (334 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 03 May 2024

AN23407Identifying high-value tactical livestock decisions on a mixed enterprise farm in a variable environment

Michael Young

, John Young

, Ross S. Kingwell

and Philip E. Vercoe

Under Australia’s renowned climate variation, it is profitable for farmer to implement short-term tactical management adjustments in response to the unfolding weather conditions. This paper has identified and quantified optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years for a mixed-farming system in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

AN23407 Abstract | AN23407 Full Text | AN23407PDF (731 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 03 May 2024

AN23287Effects of a blend of acidifiers added continuously to the drinking water of nursery piglets

Huillian Zecchin, Aline Carolina Tillmann, Bruna Camila Ladwig, Liliana Bury de Azevedo, Pedro Silva Careli, Damares de Castro Fidelis Toledo, Hellen Lazarino Oliveira Vilela, Silvana Teixeira Carvalho, Leandro Batista Costa, Daiane Carvalho, Jansller Luiz Genova

and Paulo Levi de Oliveira Carvalho

Post-weaning period causes drastic changes in piglets. Therefore, there is a need to investigate strategies to improve the general health of the animals. The administration of a blend of acidifiers to reduce the pH of the piglets’ drinking water has shown interesting results, but still needs further investigation. Our results showed a reduction in mortality and an improvement in beneficial bacteria, which is reflected in animal welfare. These findings have provided information on farm conditions and scientific issues.

Published online 02 May 2024

AN23013Red propolis extract reduces the lipid oxidation of lamb meat

João Wilian Dias Silva, Vitor Visintin Silva de Almeida, Aline Cardoso Oliveira, Leandro Soares Santos, Tarcísio Ribeiro Paixão, Ana Paula Gomes da Silva, Laize Vieira Santos, Dorgival Morais de Lima Júnior

and Robério Rodrigues Silva

Red propolis extract was offered at increasing levels to feedlot lambs and we observed that the animals’ carcass weight and physico-chemical parameters of the meat were not influenced by these treatments. Furthermore, the inclusion of 7 mL/day of extract in lamb diet was enough to reduce the oxidation of lamb meat, and also improved the lipid profile. We recommend the inclusion of 7 mL/day of red propolis extract in the diet of feedlot lambs.

Published online 01 May 2024

AN23354Dietary chromium-methionine supplementation and broiler (22–43 days) responses during heat stress. 2 - Physiological variables, and heat shock protein 70 and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression

Felipe Santos Dalólio

, Luiz Fernando Teixeira Albino, Haniel Cedraz de Oliveira, Alba Kyonara Barbosa Alves Tenorio Fireman, Alvaro Burin Junior, Marcos Busanello, Nilton Rohloff Junior, Guilherme Luis Silva Tesser

and Ricardo Vianna Nunes

In the challenging world of broiler farming, the use of organic trace minerals sheds light on ways to improve the performance of heat-stressed chickens. Chromium–methionine (CrMet) supplementation has significant impacts promoting growth, regulating hormones, and altering genetic activity in broilers exposed to heat stress. CrMet supplementation supports animal health and nutrition for a more robust broiler production.

AN23354 Abstract | AN23354 Full Text | AN23354PDF (361 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 01 May 2024

AN22445TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of serum from domestic sheep in early pregnancy

Yujun Ren

, Zhunxuan Wang, Yishan Sun, Hongbin Gong, Su Xie, Ruonan Gao, Xin Chen, Qingchun Li, Shihao Lu, Tao Huang

and Min Yang

The present study enables to advance the diagnosis of pregnancy in ewes to the first oestrous period after breeding. The differentially expressed protein in serum was found to be a highly specific and sensitive biomarker for early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes. Its application in production can reduce the number of days of mating loss in ewes, reduce production costs and improve economic efficiency.

Published online 29 April 2024

AN23368The role of goat production in smallholder systems in Lao PDR: implications for improving productivity and scaling up production

Eoin Liehr

, Joanne Millar, Stephen Walkden-Brown, Malavanh Chittavong and Luisa Olmo

Goats fulfil unique subsistence and socio-cultural roles in smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Laos. Increasing goat productivity can improve conditions of farmers’ livelihoods, but it is unclear which approaches are most appropriate for resource-constrained farmers who balance multiple farming enterprises on small plots of land. Some approaches to increasing goat productivity are more applicable in Laos than are others. These approaches should be prioritised by the Government of Laos’ policy and development projects to benefit the widest cohorts of farmers.

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

AN23368 Abstract | AN23368 Full Text | AN23368PDF (525 KB) | AN23368Supplementary Material (1.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 23 April 2024

AN23422Career profile and pattern of racing for Thoroughbred jumps-racing horses in New Zealand

M. J. Gibson

, K. A. Legg, E. K. Gee, Y. Y. Chin

and C. W. Rogers

Jumps racing in the southern hemisphere is unique and poorly described. This study aimed to describe the career profile and pattern of racing for jumps-racing horses in New Zealand by using industry race data. All jumps-racing horses in New Zealand had a primary career in flat racing, before repurposing in a jumps-racing career for a further 2 years, increasing specialisation as the horse aged. This strategy results in a decrease in wastage from the racing industry.

This article belongs to the Collection Equine Science Part II.

AN23422 Abstract | AN23422 Full Text | AN23422PDF (951 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 22 April 2024

AN23331Perspective on scientific truth versus scientific evidence; maintaining integrity in global food systems

Peer Ederer

Three case studies of high-profile scientific endeavours in animal-related sciences are examined on where there is a dividing line between science being poorly practiced (which can be remedied) or science lacking integrity, as characterised by Richard Feynman’s as cargo cult scientists (which should not be tolerated). The cases are the WHO IARC 2015 cancer evaluation on red and processed meats, the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 cases.

AN23331 Abstract | AN23331 Full Text | AN23331PDF (305 KB) | AN23331Supplementary Material (1.8 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 19 April 2024

AN23349Improving the market for household livestock production to alleviate food insecurity in the Philippines

Minh-Phuong Thi Duong

, Ni Putu Wulan Purnama Sari

, Adrino Mazenda

, Minh-Hoang Nguyen

and Quan-Hoang Vuong

We found that the challenges faced in production and selling processes substantially positively affect the likelihood of food insecurity likelihood among livestock smallholders in the Philippines. Nevertheless, the impact of these challenges depends on the degree of food insecurity. The market plays a crucial role in facilitating not only livestock trading but also livestock production (e.g. purchase of feed and medicines). Market mechanisms can be used to alleviate food insecurity among livestock smallholders.