Heat stress (HS) and Zearalenone (ZEN), a toxic feed contaminant, affect growth, production efficiency, and animal welfare, and can cause death. As HS and ZEN independently increase oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radical production and clearance, and the likelihood of ZEN contamination during heat events, we hypothesized concomitant exposure would induce oxidative stress in pig skeletal muscle more than either agent alone.

One of the longest standing regional projects, the NC1184 group consists of 26 member agriculture experiment stations with a rich history of benchtop discovery in muscle biology with translation to the meat and livestock production sectors.

Skeletal muscle is a heterogenous population of cells that are classified into muscle types based on contractile speed and metabolism. The various types of muscle cells utilize different biochemical pathways to produce energy to support cellular functions.

Satellite cells are the resident stem cells found within skeletal muscle. Following strenuous exercise, the cells become mitotically active to supply progenitors for muscle repair. The signals responsible for their exit from the dormant state are largely unknown.

Turkey breast muscle growth and development are sensitive to temperatures immediately after hatch due to an immature thermoregulatory system. Meat yield or quality problems may arise from external thermal stress during this period.

Skeletal muscle growth is largely dependent on the proliferation and differentiation of muscle-specific stem cells known as satellite cells (SC). Previous work has shown that dietary inclusion of the vitamin D3 metabolite, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3), also called calcidiol, can promote skeletal muscle growth in post-hatch broiler chickens.

Heat stress reduces pig performance due to metabolic responses to heat. During heat stress, pigs lose the ability to metabolize fatty acids for energy and rely on carbohydrates to fuel growth.

Poor maternal diet during gestation results in changes in body composition and metabolism in the offspring. Here, we demonstrate that over- and restricted-feeding during gestation alter global protein expression in the longissimus dorsi muscle of offspring during gestation and just after birth.

Myoblasts are stems cells whose functional capacity can limit muscle growth. However, stressful intrauterine conditions cause these cells to be intrinsically dysfunctional. This restricts muscle growth capacity, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the fetus, low birth weight, and less muscle mass after birth.

Mitochondria, colloquially referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, are essential for sustained energy production, which is particularly important for athletic performance. During exercise, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a normal byproduct of muscle contraction.

Among all the eating quality attributes of beef, tenderness is considered an essential factor influencing consumers’ overall satisfaction and future purchasing decisions. However, managing and predicting tenderness of meat products is challenging for the meat industry, as many factors can influence this attribute.

Two methods that the beef cattle industry can use to potentially improve efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability are growth promotants and crossbreeding cattle of different breed types. In the United States, over 90% of cattle receive at least one anabolic implant during the production cycle resulting in improvements in production and overall economic and environmental sustainability.

President Joe Biden has signed the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 into law, extending partial school meal flexibilities through the next school year five days before they were set to expire. The Act will provide important funding and flexibility for communities to provide children healthy meals this summer and provide support to schools and daycares to respond to supply chain challenges and high food costs for the coming school year.

United States Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS) and Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), along with 12 members of Congress, have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to hold India accountable for violating their commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Current WTO rules allow governments to subsidize up to 10% of the value of commodity production, however, the Indian government continues to do so at more than half of the value of production for several commodities, including rice and wheat.

A new economic report by The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) highlights how America's swine farmers significantly contribute to the United States' agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights the pork industry value chain contributions and growth over the past five years.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) recently introduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. PASS is said to prevent foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of the United States’ agriculture industry.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted a petition to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to begin the rulemaking process to eliminate its label-approval program for any labels relating to claims about the conditions in which animals were raised. PETA is claiming companies are taking advantage of the FSIS’ approval of claims for financial gain.

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced the kickoff of the 13th annual Feds Feed Families Program. The program is a voluntary food drive that encourages employees from all federal agencies to give in-kind contributions, food, services, or time, to food banks and pantries of their choice.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized the Guidance for Industry (GFI) #245: Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals (FSMA) to help animal food facilities develop a food safety plan that complies with FDA’s Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls requirements.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released the June 2022 FAO Food Price Index. While the Price Index fell from May 2022, it is still higher than the previous year.