Whole stillage, a byproduct of ethanol production, is frequently available to beef producers as a potential low-cost feed supplement. The acidic pH of whole stillage is a concern for supplementing high-forage diets and its effects on ruminal fiber digestibility and fermentation are not well characterized.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is responsible for a disease characterized by reproductive and respiratory complications in pigs. PRRSV exhibits substantial genetic diversity throughout the genome, so it is important to utilize whole-genome sequencing to accurately depict the full variation present.

The cashmere goat is a type of livestock primarily known for its cashmere. Cashmere is a vital raw material in the textile industry, possessing significant economic value. The embryonic stage is the main stage of the formation of hair follicle structures, which directly influence both the yield and quality of cashmere.

Pig farming is an activity of great relevance for the Brazilian economy and worldwide food security. Feed efficiency, which is defined as the ability of animals to convert feed into performance outputs (e.g., body weight in pigs), is directly related to the long-term sustainability of the pig industry due to its impact on production costs and the environmental footprints of the industry. Therefore, selective breeding for improved feed efficiency has been a primary goal in the pig industry.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth performance and carcass traits of feedlot heifers sourced and finished in different geographical regions in the United States. Overall, heifers transported to higher ambient temperatures had decreased dry matter intake, final body weight (BW), and carcass quality, but had improved carcass cutability compared to non-transported heifers.

The delay in fertilization after ovulation or retention of ovulated oocytes in the fish body causes postovulatory aging. Postovulatory aging leads to time-dependent deterioration of oocyte quality and loss of fertilization capacity. The mechanisms behind losing oocyte quality and developmental capacity due to postovulatory oocyte aging remain elusive.

The February Edition of The Giving Herd, an ASAS Foundation Newsletter

Kristin Hales ASAS Journey

This study explores carnosic acid (CA) from rosemary as a natural feed additive in poultry farming to counter heart inflammation caused by environmental stressors and infections, which often harm growth or lead to sudden death. Researchers tested CA’s protective effects in broilers by treating them with various doses before inducing heart inflammation through lipopolysaccharide.

Frequent respiratory problems during broiler breeding not only affect the growth performance of broilers, but also jeopardize the health and safety production of broilers in serious cases. Luo Han Guo is a traditional medicinal and food plant, and its extract mogroside V (MGV) has biological functions such as blood glucose lowering, bacteriostatic, antioxidant, and antiinflammator.

Field beans and soybean meal promote better growth and nutrient utilization compared with brewers’ spent grains when fed as the main protein source for growing beef cattle. Growing beef cattle that were fed a diet consisting solely of Italian ryegrass reduced enteric methane emissions per kg of feed consumed without affecting methane intensity but also reduced their growth rate and efficiency in using dietary energy and nitrogen, compared with beef under diets including more concentrate feeds.

Specific changes in the mother’s uterine environment during pregnancy can have a long-term impact on the progeny. This study examined the effect of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met) during the periconceptional period on pre- and postnatal traits of female progeny.

Ewe productive life has a key economic role in sheep production, as longer-lived ewes generally contribute more to lamb outputs over time. In this context, the impact of various factors on the length of Katahdin ewe productive life defined as the time between their first and last lambing was evaluated.

Research on nutritional and metabolic factors that influence the production performance and health of cattle is highly important. This study investigated how different severity of ruminal pH drop influences lactation performance, energy balance, and blood metabolites in primiparous cows when these are fed a similar high-grain diet.

Horses have evolved as grazing nonruminant herbivores with a relatively small stomach and a highly specialized hindgut capable of fermenting fibrous feeds. However, domestication might have altered the feeds consumed by horses, and today conserved forages and starch-rich concentrates often make up the ration as a substitute or supplement to grazing.

The supplementation of oils in pigs’ diets can affect pork’s fatty acid (FA) composition. It is recommended that humans consume more unsaturated fats due to their health benefits. One strategy to enhance the unsaturated fat profile of pork is feeding dietary fat sources high in unsaturated fats to pigs.

Litter sizes on commercial pig farms have increased in the past number of decades. To support these large litters, creep feeding suckling piglets with a dry pelleted starter diet is commonly practiced on commercial farms, but creep feed intake can be low and variable. Increasing creep feed intake should increase pre-weaning growth and better prepare pigs for weaning.

The rumen is the largest digestive organ in adult ruminants, where feed is digested into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and where most VFAs are absorbed and metabolized. However, ruminants are not born with a large, functional rumen. The rumen undergoes significant growth and functional changes from birth to adulthood.

A preweaning socialization system is described as the co-mingling of non-littermate piglets before weaning. This approach allows 2 or more unfamiliar litters to interact and socialize during the lactation period. This system involves the removal of dividers between farrowing stalls and walkways and allows piglets to freely socialize while the sow remains in her stall.

President Trump Begins Second Term with Numerous Executive Orders:
In the first week of his Administration, President Donald Trump has signed dozens of Executive Orders (EOs) impacting a wide variety of policy areas. A summary of selected actions follows.