The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will initiate the implication of 3 proposed rules to support the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S).

A paper recently published in the Journal of Animal Science aimed to determine whether feeding animals a diet of equal proportions of cut fresh herbages alter dry matter intake, animal performance, nitrogen excretion, and animal welfare in comparison to a conventional monotonous diet of ryegrass.

A recent paper published in the Journal of Animal Science by Batson et al., “Effects of feeding diets containing low crude protein and coarse wheat bran as alternatives to zinc oxide in nursery pig diets” to describe how the addition of fermentable fiber (wheat bran) and synthetic amino acids, and reduction of crude may reduce post-weaning growth lag and diarrhea incidence in piglets.

A paper recently published in the Journal of Animal Science aimed to evaluate the effects of the novel carbohydrate sources on total apparent total tract digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fermentative end-product concentrations and to evaluate the effects of novel carbohydrate sources on the postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in healthy adult dogs.

A recent article published in the Journal of Animal Science used 30 yearling crossbred steers being fed a steam-flaked corn-based diet to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A supplementation on myogenic gene expression and skeletal muscle fiber characteristics during the finishing phase.

A study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science took this a step further by investigating whether intravenous infusion of glucose from observed nest-building behavior to 24 hours postpartum would affect the farrowing kinetics and colostrum production in sows.

Researchers studied how concomitant versus separate vaccination against brucellosis and clostridiosis affected the intake, performance, behavior and immune responses of dairy calves in this recent Journal of Animal Science study.

Recently published in the Journal of Animal Science, this study assessed the components of transition milk and early postpartum mammary IgG kinetics.

A recent work published in the Journal of Animal Science by Harvey et al. evaluated the effects of supplementation of organic complexed and inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn to beef gestation diets on growth and reproductive performance of calves.

The authors of this recent Journal of Animal Science study hypothesized that Lactobacillus-fermented plant extracts would offset these negative effects by ameliorating oxidative stress.

A study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science aimed to identify the effects of protein supplementation of either cottonseed meal or dried distillers grains with solubles on greenhouse gas emissions and energy loss of steers fed low-quality forage.

The objective of this study that was recently published in the Journal of Animal Science, was to devise and conduct an animal-based welfare assessment during both the grazing and housing periods of dairy cows

The authors of this recent Journal of Animal Science study hypothesized that Lactobacillus-fermented plant extracts would offset these negative effects by ameliorating oxidative stress.

A study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science examined the influence of extended supplementation of quebracho extract to beef steers consuming a hay diet on digestion, ruminal, and blood parameters.

Data from the current study suggests that sustained maternofetal inflammation in late gestation results in tissue-specific fetal programming and alters neonatal growth rates, body composition, and metabolism.

In this recent Journal of Animal Science study, pigs were observed over specific time intervals to create “time budgets” associated with specific behaviors.

Industry and academic swine nutritionists will gather on the Iowa State University campus on August 11th and 12th, 2021, for the International Conference on Swine Nutrition.

On-farm innovation ups production, sustainability at NSW piggery.

Edwina Beveridge, pig farmer in NSW, will open the conference sharing her perspectives on the need for innovation in Australia’s livestock industries.  An innovator herself, Edwina will also share the innovation applied in their system, and her understanding of the needs of the consumer.  We sat down with Edwina and asked her to tell us a bit about herself, her enterprise and the innovative solutions implemented to increase efficiency and decrease costs.

Who are you?

Along with my husband Michael I am the owner of a large pig farm in NSW, which runs 23,000 pigs. Our Blantyre Farms piggery enterprise in located near Young in New South Wales. Besides the intensive livestock enterprise, we also have a diverse family-run operation which incorporates cropping, beef cattle, wool and lamb production.

By Chloe Mitchell, ASAS/ASAP communications intern

Animal Production 2016 speaker highlight: Joanne Conington

Footrot is an endemic disease of sheep, causing not only pain to the animal but also significant reduction in production as well as economic losses to the UK sheep industry.

As footrot is highly contagious, its economic impacts are severe. There are major labour costs involved in management of the disease, as well as costs for prophylactic and veterinary treatment and the indirect costs incurred through reduction in sheep milk production, reduced fertility and other production losses.

Holly Webb (USyd graduate) and Chloe Mitchell (UofA graduate) are currently working as interns at the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) head office in Champaign, IL. Please take a minute to read about their backgrounds and activities in the United States.



Holly Webb

I completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (BAnVetBioSc) at The University of Sydney, graduating with Honours. My studies and professional experience has sparked a wide range of interests including animal behaviour and welfare, livestock production and wildlife management.