Reducing dietary levels of crude protein (CP) and the use of feed-additives such as sodium butyrate protected by medium-chain fatty acid salts are currently under investigation as nutritional strategies with beneficial effects on the intestinal barrier, and consequently on the health of weaned piglets.

The gastrointestinal tract serves a number of essential functions in the animal and exposure to physiological and environmental stressors can lead to disruption of its barrier function and compromise nutrient absorption. In nonruminants, mechanisms to cope with pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory stressors are essential for maintaining gut function.

Turkeys have been bred for several purposes over the past decades. We studied growth patterns of turkeys of two genetic lines bred for either meat production or egg production.

The NCCC308 Multistate Research Coordinating and Information Exchange Group currently consists of members from 18 Agricultural Experiment Stations with a long and strong history in conducting applied finishing cattle nutrition and management research and Extension. The committee has met yearly since 1982, typically at a University or research center, in May.

This study investigates intramuscular (IM) adipocyte development in the Longissimus muscle (LM) between Wagyu- and Angus-sired steers compared at a similar age and days on feed (D) or similar body weight (B) endpoint by measuring IM adipocyte cell area and lipid metabolism mRNA expression. Angus-sired steers (AN) were compared with steers from two different Wagyu sires (WA), selected for either growth (G) or marbling (M), to be compared at a similar days on feed (DOF; WA-GD, and WA-MD) in Exp. 1 or body weight (BW; WA-GB, and WA-MB) in Exp. 2.

The intramuscular fat depot, also called marbling, is a vital component of beef quality. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the weaning strategy (early vs. normal) and the subsequent backgrounding management on marbling deposition of beef carcasses.

With the global warming getting worse, heat stress (HS) has been a serious problem faced by poultry industry. As one of the main target organs, the intestine is easily affected by HS.

This article aims to provide data-driven information about the relevance of the U.S. beef cattle herd to our society and its greenhouse gas (GHG) contribution to climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that U.S. beef cattle emitted 22.6% of the total agricultural emissions, representing about 2.2% of the total anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Infectious bacterial contamination in broiler production is a food safety concern and can be transmitted to humans via contaminated meat and derived products. Minimizing bacterial infections using beneficial bacteria called probiotics can reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the livestock industry.

A new bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA.) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) that would require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or parent/guardian. The Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth (ADD SOY) Act would make soy milk available to children in schools who need an alternative to cow’s milk.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has issued an open letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, calling for milk pricing reform. The letter comes as a response to recent proposals from the International Dairy Foods (IDFA) Association and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) to increase allowances.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), American Sheep Industry Association (ASIA), Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), National Pork Producers Council, and the United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) sent a letter to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. The letter expresses the groups' support of legislation to allow livestock market owners and operators to own or invest in small or regional livestock packing facilities.

President Joe Biden has recently vetoed a bill that would overturn the Waters of The United States rule (WOTUS), which has been in effect since March 20th. The vetoed bill had bipartisan support, as well as the support of those in the agricultural industry.

Assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be available to farmers and ranchers affected by the severe weather and EF-4 tornado in Mississippi last month. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is also helping affected residents take steps to reduce their risk of foodborne illness as they return to their homes after severe weather.

The Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act has recently been introduced by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). The ACE Act would support high-risk, high-reward agricultural research and development at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A new bipartisan bill titled, New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, has been introduced to allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. The goal of the bill is to create new markets for farmers and livestock producers across the country while maintaining high inspection standards.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and nutrient management grants through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. USDA will invest $40 million in 31 projects, as well as a $19 million investment in two projects focused on nutrient management funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to host a series of regional economic development workshops on the “Path to Prosperity”. The workshops will take place in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Georgia, to provide small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, with the resources and tools they need to grow.

Propionate metabolism by the liver is thought to be a key regulator of appetite and feed intake of animals, including cattle. Previous research has shown that providing propionate to the rumen of cattle decreases feed intake.

Folic acid (FA) is an essential vitamin with anti-oxidant and growth-promoting properties. Notwithstanding, studies have shown that, like other bioactive substances, its efficacy can be affected by dosage and delivery routes. However, the in ovo delivery of bioactive substances directly to the developing embryo continues to show promising results in poultry production.