Promoting sustainable breeding programs requires several measures, including genomic selection and continuous data recording. Digital phenotyping can be used to track animal activity and behavior like feeding and walking time and distress continuously. Coupled with machine learning techniques, any feature of interest can be extracted and used as phenotypes in genomic prediction models.

Whereas negative impacts of heat stress on production and health outcomes of dairy cattle are well described during lactation, recent studies support the concept that even dry cows are negatively impacted by heat stress in late gestation. Indeed, heat stress in the dry period programs a reduction in milk yield and immune status that persists for the next lactation.

Genomic Structural Variants (SVs) are large genetic duplications and deletions that are known to contribute to animal production and fertility. Unfortunately, SVs are quite difficult to accurately and efficiently detect in livestock populations as they have false discovery rates that range from 15-30%.

Respiratory Rate (RR) is an important physiological indicator for dairy cattle, providing insights into both herd and individual health, as well as responses to environmental factors like heat stress, thermo-resilience, and respiratory diseases. Our study explores Computer Vision algorithms to recognize the respiratory patterns of dairy cattle.

The process of weaning pigs and transitioning to a new environment and source of nutrition is challenging, but important because subsequent growth and livability is directly related to the pig’s ability to start quickly on feed. In order to minimize stress and improve performance, management strategies such as creep feeding before weaning and mat feeding immediately after weaning will help pigs start on feed.

Greenhouse gas emission mitigation on farm can encompass manure, soil, diet and animal management. All of these components of farm management must be considered prior to changing one aspect to reduce emissions so reductions in one area do not contribute to increased emission in another.

Research efforts in micronutrient supply, developmental programming, and strategic supplementation has practical relevance and should yield translatable results in terms of: 1) optimal animal growth and production, 2) long-term environmental sustainability, 3) sustained economic viability, and 4) increased food security.

The maternal environment during gestation and lactation affects foal health and growth. Obesity during lactation may decrease milk production and alter milk composition. Moderately obese pregnant and lactating mares have altered insulin and glucose dynamics relative to lean mares.

Growth is dependent on a higher rate of protein synthesis than degradation and in young animals, is largely attributable to the high rate of protein synthesis. The ingestion of food stimulates the synthesis of protein in skeletal muscle and this response is profound in early life. This feeding-induced stimulation of protein synthesis is crucial to support the rapid muscle growth during early postnatal life and the maintenance of body protein in adulthood.

Predictive growth models are unable to properly account for the effects of changes to body composition on the energetic efficiency of lamb growth and improving these models has been limited by the realities of data collection. By tracking changes in individual animal body composition, it is likely that better predictions of the effects of genetics, nutrition, and management on lamb growth can be made.

Stocker cattle are exposed to several stressors within a short period of time, which impair their immunity and lead to bovine respiratory disease (BRD). With the increased regulations regarding the use of antimicrobials in cattle nutrition, novel dietary strategies to improve health and productivity of stocker cattle are warranted.

Brewer’s dried yeast has a high nutritional value and has long been utilized by the animal feed industry as a source of protein, B-complex vitamins, and minerals. Because yeast is rich in polyphenols, mannanoligosaccharides, and β-glucans, it may also be used as a functional ingredient, providing benefits beyond that of its nutrient content.

The effects of the exposure to daily maximum temperature-humidity index (THI) and daily THI fluctuations (∆THI, maximum–minimum THI) around birth (−2 d, birth date [0 d], +2 d, and +7 d) on serum total protein (STP) and health of preweaned Holstein heifers were evaluated. Heifer calves exposed to small ∆THI (<20 units) at 0 d had greater STP compared with medium ∆THI (≥20 to ≤30 units).

Initial findings on genomic selection indicated substantial improvement for major traits such as growth or milk yield and even successful selection for secondary traits such as fertility or survival. However, recent unofficial reports indicate an increased frequency of problems in several secondary traits. This study looks at potential sources of those problems and mitigation strategies.

Beef cattle are exposed to several stressors during the initial days in the feedlot, which impair their immunity and lead to bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Strategies to mitigate stress upon feedlot arrival are warranted, including administration of the maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS).

In precision livestock farming, monitoring animal activity is crucial to ensure their health, well-being, and productivity. While digital cameras and computer vision algorithms offer a promising solution for this task, tracking individual animals of similar appearance when housed in groups can be challenging. Close interaction among animals can lead to a loss of individual identity, which affects tracking accuracy.

Calves are prone to growth retardation because of insufficient energy intake during the weaning transition period. Starch is the main energy source used in the formulation of calf starters. However, there is a concern that preweaned calves do not have sufficient functional rumen and small intestine to digest large amounts of starch, causing diarrhea, and decreased feed intake.

The Japanese black cattle, or Wagyu, are known because of its exceptional meat quality and its high degree of marbling. However, to achieve this condition, animals are fed with high amount of concentrate and over long periods of time. In order to decrease both environmental impact and economic profitability of Wagyu producers, feed efficiency may be improved.

Generally, beef heifers are managed on grazing pastures during early gestation, which are subject to fluctuations in forage quantity and quality. Variations in the nutrients available to the dam can impact the developing offspring during early gestation. Providing energy/protein supplements to grazing cattle is a method to ensure nutrient requirements are being met and to enhance the rate of gain.

In Australia, 53% of lamb deaths annually are caused by birthing difficulties, otherwise known as dystocia. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies in ewes during late gestation are suspected to be causing cases of dystocia. We evaluated a supplement that provided a negative dietary cation and anion difference which can influence calcium metabolism, and in turn, may reduce lamb death rates.