ASAS has been a constant presence in my family's life, opening doors and providing opportunities for three generations. It all began with my father-in-law, Gerald Hancock, as an undergraduate student at MU, where he had the privilege of taking Dr. Preston's classes. Then, I pursued my Ph.D. at Texas Tech, also studying under Dr. Preston. And now, the legacy continues with my daughter, Sydney Schnur, who recently graduated with a degree in animal science from Purdue and completed her Ph.D. in Veterinary ImmunoPathobiology at Kansas State under the guidance of a former student of Dr. Preston, Dan Thomson, Ph.D./DVM.



ASAS has been more than just an organization to us. It has been a second family, a source of support, and a catalyst for our growth and success. I am grateful for the doors it has opened for my family and for the countless opportunities it continues to provide.

Deana Hancock, Ph.D. | Director, Global Applied Research and Technology | Novus International

Historically in livestock production, employing combinations of traits as selection criteria for indirect selection of related traits has been a challenging task, particularly when this implies selection for reproductive traits based on the animal morphology. However, if the decision about animal selection is based on morphological traits that are quick and easy to obtain, in addition to early reproductive traits, selection responses can be improved and made earlier.

In-depth analysis of the molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in the development of yak skeletal muscle can aid in the identification of crucial functional genes that may enhance the quality of yak meat in the future. Our research is the first to investigate the expression of long-stranded non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in Tianzhu white yaks at different ages (6, 30, and 54 mo).

Highly productive ruminants face short-term nutritional deficits during demanding phases of their life cycle. They remain productive and healthy during these periods through a series of metabolic adaptations. Current models in ruminant biology attribute the coordination of these adaptations to circulating hormones and bioactive metabolites but have not considered the possibility that the central nervous system (CNS) is also involved.

Weaning is a critical period for piglets. Some plant extracts, known to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or antibacterial properties, may improve piglets’ robustness at weaning. This study investigated the effects of a maternal and/or a direct supplementation of piglets with a combination of plant extracts on sow and piglet metabolic, immune, inflammatory, and oxidative status during lactation and around weaning.

High consumption of red meat is associated with increased risk of human cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, meat is also considered important for human diet by providing intake of essential compounds.

Fiber-degrading enzymes have been extensively studied in growing pigs with minimal studies focusing on gestating sows; however, commercial gestating sow diets often contain more fiber than grower pig diets to stimulate the sensation of satiety without influencing weight gain. A challenge with dietary fiber is its hindrance on digestibility of nutrients.

Glycine is the simplest but the most abundant amino acid in the bodies of animals including fish and pigs. The content of glycine in plant-sourced feedstuffs (e.g., soybean meal) is generally low. Glycine can be synthesized de novo in all animals and, therefore, has traditionally been classified as a nutritionally nonessential amino acid for fish and mammals.

This study evaluated the effects and mechanisms of supplementing multicarbohydrases to gestating sow diets containing either corn-dried distiller grains or sugar beet pulp fibrous co-products. Findings revealed significant energy, dry matter, and fiber digestibility enhancements with carbohydrase supplementation, irrespective of adaptation time.

The objective of this study was to analyze the associations of body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (∆BCS) during the dry period and the first 100 d of lactation with daily milk yield. The involvement of health status in these associations was also evaluated.

Accurate estimates of enteric methane (CH4) emissions are needed to ascertain the efficacy of mitigation strategies proposed for cattle in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Models used for cattle in SSA were developed using data on metabolic processes measured from cattle in temperate regions which may lead to inaccurate enteric CH4 estimates.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in humans, and in addition to the known modifiable risk factors, evidence suggests early life undernutrition increases heart disease risk in adulthood. Specifically, low birth weight (LBW) has been linked to poor infant cardiac development which could be made worse by an inadequate postnatal diet.

Feeding companion animals with high-protein diets has been a demand of the market and pet owners. However, the protein quality and quantity consumed can interfere with the amount of undigested protein that reaches the hindgut and be fermented. Intestinal fermentation can be desired when well controlled.

Feline obesity continues to rise, impacting the wellness, quality of life, and longevity of cats. Understanding the metabolic and gastrointestinal changes that companion animals face with the onset of weight gain and obesity may help with future prevention and treatment plans.

Horses and ponies are prone to suffer from laminitis if they produce too much insulin after eating a high-sugar/starch meal. Laminitis associated with high insulin is very painful and can result in the affected animals having to be put down. The reason why some ponies over-produce insulin is not known.

The body condition of dairy cows is a crucial health and welfare indicator that is widely acknowledged in dairy cattle management. Routine recording of high-quality body condition phenotypes is required for adaptation in dairy herd management.

The historical use of capybaras in Colombia has resulted in numerous regulatory stages; however, a crucial factor has been the environmental authorities’ low technical capacity to implement management plans.

Yak meat is a source of protein, essential amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially n-3 PUFA, and is also low in fat content.

Zinc oxide and copper sulfate are commonly used to prevent diarrhea in weaned piglets as an alternative to antibiotics. However, this strategy has been questioned due to environmental issues and public health concerns related to bacterial resistance. Recently, it was reported that high dietary zinc levels and/or high dietary zinc/copper ratios impair zinc and copper homeostasis and are detrimental to postweaning piglets’ health.

In order to explore the possibility of Pseudostellaria heterophylla polysaccharide (PHP) as green and healthy feed additive, we evaluated the effects of PHP on the growth, development and liver metabolism of chicks by feeding chicks diets in this study.