The integration of cameras and data science has great potential to revolutionize livestock production systems, making them more efficient and sustainable by replacing human-based management with real-time individualized animal care. However, applying these digital tools to animal data presents challenges that require computer programming and data analysis skills, as well as access to computing resources.

Jim Oltjen's family history of animal scientists spans three generations, and ASAS has been part of that journey since 1958. They have been mentored by and mentors to those who are now lifelong friends. He and his wife, Sharon, encourage you to reflect on your animal science family tree and ASAS journey and urge you to consider your legacy with ASAS by becoming a 1908 Society Member and ensuring a bright future for aspiring animal scientists.

Green banana flour (GBF) is a novel ingredient in the pet food industry but has been gaining popularity in human nutrition. Not only can GBF be a source of dietary fiber in pet foods, but the natural brown color and hygroscopic properties also show the potential in contributing to physical characteristics.

The reduction of methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) excretion from livestock production systems can help mitigate environmental impact and improve feeding efficiency. The energy requirements of livestock are crucial for enhancing their performance and minimizing environmental impact.

This project evaluated bison industry stakeholder perceptions on management, animal welfare, and meat quality with in-person and online surveys. Additionally, multiple live animal factors were measured to benchmark their influence on specific meat quality attributes.

In cow–calf production, periods of poor forage availability or quality can result in nutrient restriction during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that even moderate maternal feed restriction during pregnancy, including very early in pregnancy, has profound effects on fetal and placental development, potentially having lasting impacts on calf growth and body composition later in life.

Necrotic enteritis (NE), a severe digestive disorder in broiler chickens caused by Clostridium perfringens (Cp), a gram-positive bacterium, is a widespread issue in the global poultry industry, leading to significant economic losses. Nisin (Ni), a polypeptide bacteriocin produced by probiotic lactic streptococci, has been found to enhance daily weight gain and feed intake, while also exhibiting inhibitory effects on gram-positive bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties.

Virtual fences are commercially available but face restrictions in some countries due to animal welfare concerns. For virtual fencing (VF), animals are equipped with collars that emit audio tones (ATs) followed by electric pulses (EPs) when they cross a virtual boundary tracked by global navigation. Existing studies have so far not covered the aspect of longer-term learning, impacting possibly VF suitability.

Livestock production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Animal breeding programs have been proposed as a sustainable mitigation strategy to reduce enteric methane emissions in livestock production.

Insufficient dietary energy can cause many negative effects on animal production and cause intestinal diseases, which are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in rabbits. Results of some experiments demonstrated that betaine has various physiological functions such as improving energy utilization and intestinal health.

Water containing a high concentration of sulfate increases the risk of hydrogen sulfide production in the rumen and consequently of polioencephalomalacia. In addition, water with a high-sulfate concentration may induce copper deficiency indicated by depleted liver copper concentration.

Nutrient requirements increase substantially during late gestation in the beef female; however, poor forage nutrient availability can result in undernutrition. For heifers, the added nutrient requirements needed to continue growing during their first pregnancy and lactation pose an even greater challenge.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) has published the 2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast report. This annual report measures, forecasts, and explains indicators of economic performance for the U.S. farm sector and farm businesses by resource region and commodity specialization.

The United States Chamber of Commerce, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Western Growers Association, California Chamber of Commerce, Central Valley Business Federation, and Los Angeles County Business Federation have recently filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the state of California regarding the corporate disclosure laws that were signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023.

A new bipartisan bill was introduced to increase transparency and clarify labeling requirements for plant-based and cell-cultured alternative meat products. Several meat industry groups have come out in support of the act.

A group of pork producers have filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts against the Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals (Question 3). Passed by voters in November 2016, Question 3 imposes confinement requirements on out-of-state pork producers and prohibits the sale of pork meat within the state from offspring of an animal confined in a manner inconsistent with Massachusetts' requirements, regardless of where in the nation the animal was raised.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted over $270 of funding in partnership with state departments of agriculture, to build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held the 100th Annual Agriculture Forum. The forum is the largest held by the USDA, with over 1,700 in-person attendees and thousands more virtual attendees, comprising farmers and ranchers, food and ag industry representatives, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations.

Cow temperament was evaluated in 1/2 Nellore 1/2 Angus cows from four distinct generations (five herds) from 2005 to 2022. Cows were scored when their calves were processed (1 d age)...

Two studies were conducted to evaluate 1) the minimum requirement for dietary Phe and 2) the effects of Phe on gastric emptying (GE) and food intake in adult cats. In study 1, the minimum Phe requirement was estimated using the direct amino acid oxidation (DAAO) technique.