Epigenetic markers change in response to stressors such as environmental factors, nutritional challenges, among other overlooked players that altogether could drastically impair animal performance.

Titanium dioxide is a marker fed to animals to help determine diet digestibility indirectly by measuring the concentration of TiO2 in fecal samples.

Given the growing concern regarding nutrition during gestation, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of energy on the reproductive performance and lipid metabolism of primiparous sows.

In opening up the several-hour meeting, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said he hopes to receive a set of recommendations for USDA from the commission to ensure farm programs address equity and inclusion concerns.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $80 million in additional funding into the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives. The DBI Initiatives support dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to the Deputy Director of Science and Society, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) suggesting the creation of a national government-wide public-access policy for federally funded research with a focus on equity, sustainability, and strategic technological development, guaranteeing rapid access for all federally funded research articles with broad re-use rights.

“Through these grant programs, we are able to maximize opportunities for economic growth and ingenuity in the local and regional food system. These grants have generated new income sources for small, beginning, and historically underserved farmers; increased local food access across rural and urban communities; and provided platforms for value-added and niche products to shine,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

With food prices at an all-time high, the letter expresses extreme concern that further consolidation will raise poultry prices even higher for Americans. Currently, chicken prices have increased by 15% compared to pre-pandemic prices, with cut pay for farmers and limits protections for workers.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released the FAO Food Price Index for February 2022, and if you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you will not be surprised to hear, food prices have reached a record high. The highest two categories were vegetable oils and dairy products.

“Today’s decision underscores our commitment to using a risk and science-based, data-driven process that focuses on safety to the animals containing intentional genomic alterations and safety to the people who eat the food produced by these animals,” said Steven M. Solomon, D.V.M., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

All that American dairy farmers want is fair and good-faith implementation of USMCA’s dairy provisions. That doesn’t seem like a high bar, yet it appears to be insurmountable for Canada based on yesterday’s proposed dairy TRQ scheme changes,” said Jim Mulhern, President, and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is expected to have a rippling effect throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Experts warn the U.S. agriculture system could suffer because of the conflict, with disruption of trade flows, greater inflationary pressures, and an increase in volatility across a wide range of global markets.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced there will be up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.

In nonruminants, oxygen-derived free-radicals such as hydrogen peroxide produced during stressful events impair insulin responsiveness including glucose uptake, protein synthesis, and fatty acid metabolism.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is naturally present in breast milk as well as other natural sources such as coconut oil and is widely used as a food additive. Dietary α-GML is used in animal production due to its safe-guarding health and growth-promoting effects.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification in eukaryotes. Current studies showed that the m6A modification widely regulates a series of life processes, such as biological metabolism, growth and development, inflammation, and cancer.

Heat stress (HS) negatively impacts livestock health and carcass quality. Supplementation of livestock with β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) increases muscle mass and decreases fat deposition.

A variety of functional ingredients—those that provide benefits beyond their nutritional value—may be added to pet foods to support gastrointestinal and immune health.

The American Society of Animal Science would like to help you in recognizing your outstanding animal science students.

Many attendees joined ASAS National President, Dr. Tokach at his Midwest Meeting Reception on Tuesday, March 15th.