Animal Production Science is an international journal publishing original research and reviews on the production of food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals. Read more about the journalMore
Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Bryden
Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available
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, L. A. Tait, F. C. Cowley , J. M. Morton , S. Creevey and J. Wilkes
Manure deposition on livestock export voyages contributes to air ammonia (NH3), impacting human and animal health. This study examined how bedding application rate (BAR) and air change rate (ACH) affect air NH3 and pad NH4+ levels in housed beef cattle. Higher BAR improved pad conditions by reducing pH, moisture, and NH4+, while increased ACH lowered air NH3. Optimising air changes and bedding use can effectively mitigate NH3, offering practical solutions to enhance human and animal welfare during livestock transport.
AN23410 Abstract | AN23410 Full Text | AN23410PDF (2.8 MB) | AN23410Supplementary Material (672 KB) Open Access Article
Since the 19th century, when little was known about chemical composition of feeds, gross feed analysis for trade and estimating energetic contributions has been based on the Weende method (moisture, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen-free extract). A new, Armidale Method, is proposed here. It consists of 13 chemical categories based on modern knowledge of feed chemistry (moisture, true protein, nonprotein nitrogenous compounds, neutral and polar lipids, sugars, oligosaccharides, starch, pectin, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and ash).
This paper belongs to Animal Science Reflections and Collection: Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - Australia 2025.
AN24176 Abstract | AN24176 Full Text | AN24176PDF (290 KB) Open Access Article
, Alisson Lima Viana, Cristiane Cunha Guimarães, Maria Fernanda da Silva Gomes, Alexandre Augusto Barai, Tiago Cabral Nóbrega, Maiko Willas Soares Ribeiro, Antônio José Inhamuns da Silva, Francisco Alberto de Lima Chaves, Marco Antonio de Freitas Mendonça, Joel Lima da Silva Junior, Pedro de Queiroz Costa Neto and Adriano Teixeira de Oliveira
The challenge of feeding our planet sustainably is more pressing than ever, pushing us to find smarter ways to use available resources. This study looked at using Paullinia cupana peel meal (PCPM) as a new ingredient in the feed of slow-growing broilers. The research found that adding PCPM improved the growth and health of slow-growing broilers, suggesting that it could be a game-changer in sustainable livestock farming.
and James Thurlow
Livestock sector growth assumptions should be looked at from the perspective of the dynamics in the domestic and global economy, and uncertainties around the driving forces of the transition. This study used the case of Ethiopia to provide an analysis of alternative national development trajectories relating to the prospects of growth performance and urbanisation. It generates insights into the importance of integrating economy-wide and livestock-system models to provide a risk-based approach to the prospects of the livestock sector.
, Tuba Riaz , Youssef A. Attia, Faran Hameed and Fahad Javaid Siddiqui
Due to the growing global demand for more sustainably produced animal protein, there is an intensive search for alternative feeds to replace soybeans, which increases the cost of feed due to limited availability in some countries. Black soldier fly shows great potential for substituting soybeans in poultry diets as it is a sustainable and protein-rich alternative to conventional protein sources for broilers. A meta-analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that it enhances growth performance and can reduce competition for plant protein sources among humans and animals.
, E. J. McGahan and M. A. Copley
Long-term production efficiency gains and changes to production have significantly improved the environmental performance of Australian pork over time. This study was a long-term trends analysis of Australian pork between 1980 and 2022 and found that greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater consumption fell by 74% and 90% over the analysis period. Although novel low carbon production systems were identified, the rate of environmental improvement was found to have slowed since 2010.
, Thiago Luis Alves Campos de Araújo , Renata Nayhara de Lima, Allison Ferreira de Lima, Hélia Maria de Souza Leite, Dorgival Morais de Lima Júnior and Patrícia de Oliveira Lima
We compared Saanen and Saanen × Boer kid meats and found that the Saanen × Boer crossbreed contributes to increased carcass yield and greater acceptance of the meat by consumers. When comparing different slaughter ages (30 and 60 days), we observed that the carcass fat content increased and lipid oxidation in the meat decreased when the kids were slaughtered at 60 days of age.
, C. B. V. Rabello, H. S. H. Oliveira, M. J. B. Santos, D. A. Silva, A. C. F. Santos, A. G. Ribeiro, O. S. Lins Júnior, L. D. N. Sousa, I. L. C. Máximo and M. V. Navarro
The use of alternative foods, as well as additives that improve the use of these foods for birds, is an area of study that is constantly growing owing to the constant search for ingredients that make feed cheaper. Several studies have already used Moringa oleifera as an alternative food in poultry diets; however, studies that combine this food with exogenous enzymes, additives that can improve its use and bring benefits to the animals’ health, are still almost non-existent.
, Yueshang Wang, Min Li, Fukuan Li, Zhennan Wang, Yan Yang, Hui Wang and Shenjin Lv
Ewes and lambs are often temporarily separated during daily management. This study showed 1 h temporarily ewe-lamb sensory separation affected stress-related behaviours of Small-tailed Han ewes. The ewes showed more exploring or urinating behaviour when separated through lack of tactile contact only with lambs. It suggests that when ewes are temporarily separated from their lambs, avoiding the ewes hearing and seeing the lambs may partially reduce their stress response, thereby improving ewe welfare.
, William H. E. J. van Wettere, Alyce M. F. Swinbourne and Alice C. Weaver
Around half of lamb deaths in Australia are caused by long/difficult births and the diet of the ewe in late pregnancy might be contributing to this. We tested this by comparing diets with different energy levels in twin-bearing ewes. We found that increasing the energy levels of the diet by 25% increased the duration of time for ewes to give birth to the first-born lamb. This indicates that overfeeding ewes may not have any production benefits.
AN24158 Abstract | AN24158 Full Text | AN24158PDF (367 KB) Open Access Article
and Pip Brock
In Australia, there is a poor understanding of how much soil cattle ingest while grazing. We conducted a literature review and found 11 papers to inform our views, but there were no published papers from Australia. Ingestion levels varied among countries, and between dairy and beef enterprises. We estimated that cattle ingest about 0.5 kg/head.day; however, this varies according to circumstance. Research is required in Australian environment to better inform managers.
AN24130 Abstract | AN24130 Full Text | AN24130PDF (261 KB) Open Access Article
, Paulo C. G. Dias Junior, Ana C. S. Vicente , Rhaissa G. de Assis, Matheus S. P. Carlis , Janaina S. Biava, Tharcilla I. R. C. Alvarenga , Jamile H. Comelli, Alexandre V. Pires, Alejandro E. Relling and Evandro M. Ferreira
There is great availability of dried distiller’s grains (DDG) for ruminant feeding in Brazil, but little information on their utilisation. Lambs showed low acceptance of DDG, even at the lowest level of dietary inclusion (150 g/kg DM), as DMI was impaired. Feeding DDG decreased ADG and the carcass traits of feedlot lambs. This research showed the need for further studies on feeding lambs with other types of Brazilian DDG.
and Martina Gerken
Coat colour plays an important role in heat tolerance of livestock, because dark coat colour may increase animal heat stress as a result of higher absorption of solar radiation. We focused on the influence of head pigmentation of Boer goats and found light brown-headed animals to be more efficient in eliminating the solar heat gained during outdoor grazing when returned to the shade. In view of global warming, breeding for light coat colour in domestic ruminants could alleviate heat stress.
In sheep farming, understanding energy needs is important to improve productivity and maintain health. Our study found that male Djallonke sheep in Africa have higher energy requirements for maintenance than previously thought, challenging existing guidelines from national research councils. These findings suggest the importance of updating diet formulations and feeding practices for Djallonke sheep, potentially enhancing the efficiency of sheep farming in the region.
, Pedro Henrique Pinto, Nadiala Ramalho, Caio Cezar Cunha, Sandra da Silva, Alejo Menchaca, Rodolfo Ungerfeld and
Felipe Brandão
, Surinder Chauhan , Minh Ha, Linton Batt, Frank Dunshea and
Robyn Warner
, Dariusz Piwczyński, Karolina Tarasiuk and Jozef Bujko
, Zoey Durmic , Gavin Flematti, Dominique Blache and
Graeme Martin
, Jentina Pinxterhuis, Jane Lacy-Hulbert and Claire Phyn
, Suriya Ramiah, Eddy Jamein, Zulkifli Idrus, Idris Lokman, Faiz Amirul, Samad Fadzlin, Afifi Ghani, Mohd Saad, Anuraga Jayanegara and
Hasliza Abu Hassim
, Aynur Gul Karahan , Askar Kondybayev, Aliya Kudaibergenova, Alina Nurgazina, Nurlan Akhmetsadykov, Aikerim Ospanova, Shynar Akhmetsadykova
, Peggy Schrobback, Stephen McFallan, Dianne Mayberry
, D. Kongmanila, S. Bani, F. Pasefika-Seuao
, Abubeker Hassen , Khoboso Lehloenya
, Frank R. Dunshea , Kristy DiGiacomo , Hafiz A. R. Suleria
, Robert Hewitt , Sally Tritton, Darryl Nicholas D’Souza, Majid Shakeri, Yasir Iqbal, Minh Ha, Robyn D. Warner , Frank R. Dunshea, Jeremy J. Cottrell
, Huu Van Nguyen, Xuan Ba Nguyen, Thi Nga Bui , Cuc Thi Kim Ngo, Viet Don Nguyen , Nam Hoang, Luis Emilio Morales , Stephen Walkden-Brown
, David S. Beggs
, D. P. Poppi
, Carolina A. Munoz , Grahame J. Coleman , Rebecca E. Doyle , Stuart R. Barber
, H. Fahey, P. Tyndall, R. Lowrie, B. Xu, F. Ataollahi , M. R. Norton
, Rina Hannaford , Arjan Jonker
, E. J. McGahan, K. McCormack, S. G. Wiedemann
, Pip Brock
, V. H. Oddy, P. F. Arthur, M. B. McDonagh
, C. Gardiner, B. Gummow, A. Mialon, G. Walker
, K. Shai, M. Mabelebele, N. A. Sebola
This Collection compiles papers presented at Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - Australia 2025 (RAAN-A 2025).
Collection Editor
Wayne Bryden (The University of Queensland)
Last Updated: 14 Oct 2024
The papers in this Collection of Animal Production Science were presented at the 9th biennial conference of Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries (SAADC23), held in Vientiane, Laos in 2023. The meeting created a forum for collaboration among animal scientists, producers, and policy makers from developing countries, fostering the exchange of experiences and the development of sustainable animal agriculture practices.
Collection Editor
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)
Last Updated: 20 Aug 2024
This Collection follows the first Equine Science special issue of Animal Production Science published in 2020. Since the first Australian Equine Science Symposium (AESS) in 2006, there have been six biennial symposia that have provided a platform for equine researchers to enjoy a collegial atmosphere dedicated to the horse. The papers in this collection reflect the strength and diversity of Australasian Equine Science.
Collection Editors
Chris W. Rogers (Massey University)
Wayne L. Bryden (University of Queensland)
Last Updated: 13 Jun 2024
Animal Production Science brings together a Collection of research and review papers presented at the 2022 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium. The theme of the 2022 symposium was ‘A Changing Climate for Dairy Science’ so while this special issue includes papers on a range of topics, a common theme throughout the papers is addressing the challenges faced by the Australian and New Zealand dairy sectors.
Collection Editors
Keith Pembleton (University of Southern Queensland)
Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ Ltd)
James Hills (University of Tasmania)
Last Updated: 23 May 2024
Animal Production Science celebrated 60 years of publication in 2021 and to celebrate, we marked this milestone with this selection of key review papers published in the journal over the last decade, highlighting research breakthroughs, social and economic issues that have influenced primary producers, and the practice of animal production.
Last Updated: 30 Jul 2021
New genomic technologies have revolutionised our approach to animal breeding and increased the rate of genetic change. This Collection brings together a selection of research articles that review research progress and updates our knowledge of the delivery of livestock genomics research applications, specifically for the beef and dairy cattle and sheep industries globally.
Last Updated: 19 Aug 2013
