This experiment explored how eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during late gestation affects the fatty acid composition of dam plasma, milk, and plasma of the offspring. Pregnant ewes were divided into three groups, each receiving a different amount of an EPA and DHA source at 0, 1%, or 2% of dry matter intake.

Non-lactating and non-dairy cattle are the largest animal source of methane emission, contributing to global warming. The use of feed additives has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy to reduce enteric methane emission from ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing growing calves from 5 mo of age with the methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).

Oxidative stress is a condition that involves an imbalance of prooxidants and antioxidants, abnormally high levels of free radicals, and a decline in antioxidant defence mechanisms. Flavonoids are important feed additives, and are a group of naturally occurring polyphenols in plants that exhibit a broad variety of biological effects and have potential applications in animal feed. Ginkgo leaves are rich in flavonoids and have a strong antioxidant capacity, which can eliminate free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress reactions in animals.

The use of calcium formate (Ca-formate) to partially or fully replace limestone in piglet diets is a nutritional strategy to reduce the dietary buffering capacity and lower stomach pH. Phytase activity is optimal at low pH, which raises the question of whether this strategy can also increase phytase efficiency.

Bovine mastitis, a significant inflammatory response of the mammary gland, adversely impacts dairy cow health and milk production globally. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has been identified as the important bacterium causing mastitis in dairy cows. However, the mechanism remains to be fully elucidated.

Low birth weight (LBW) has always been an important problem in animal husbandry, contributing to high mortality and morbidity rates in the neonatal period. Placental and fetal development are regulated by hormones, and studies have shown that cortisol has the ability to regulate nutrients transport during placental development, but the specific mechanism is not clear.

Agronomic production of industrial hemp was relegalized in the United States in 2018, and the residual biomass of hemp may be useful as an alternative roughage source to cattle. Previous studies have used mostly in vitro methods to estimate the nutritional value of hemp to cattle, and data are still limited on how hemp variety and botanical parts influence estimates of the nutritional value of hemp.

Ruminant animals naturally produce methane during fermentative processes; however, this process represents a loss of dietary energy and has been scrutinized for its potential environmental impacts. Nutritional management strategies, such as the use of feed additives, have been investigated as a possible option for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle.

The amount of dietary protein (DP), specifically reduced DP, in weaned diets has inconsistent effects on performance and gut health of nursery pigs. The conflicting results may be due to the variability in the digestibility of protein ingredients and may differentially contribute to protein flow into the hindgut. Therefore, it is possible to formulate diets with similar DP but varying indigestible dietary protein (IDP) fraction.

The current study investigated how the addition of either finely or coarsely ground oat hulls (as an insoluble fiber source) at 15% affected gastrointestinal development and function during the immediate post-weaning period. We observed improvements in parameters related to gastrointestinal development and function.

This study developed a computer-controlled closed-circuit respiratory calorimetry system to accurately measure oxygen (O2) consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) production in broilers, which are essential for determining total heat production. The system includes components for controlling the chamber environment, quantifying O2 use, filtering air, and absorbing CO2.

Extra-label bisphosphonate use has occurred in the juvenile horse despite a lack of scientific evidence, due to perceived anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clodronate disodium (CD) on biomarkers of cartilage metabolism and intra-articular inflammation within the articulating joint of the juvenile horse using an intra-articular inflammatory model.

Microorganisms that live in the digestive system of cattle help break down food, improve nutrient absorption, and can even affect how much methane the animals produce. These microbes may also influence traits important to beef production, such as meat quality and animal growth.

On November 12th, President Trump signed legislation ending the longest government shutdown on record. Democrats and Republicans had been at an impasse since the shutdown began, but negotiators were ultimately successful in getting a package to pass the Senate by a filibuster proof margin. The House quickly moved to approve the Senate legislation sending the bill to the White House for signature.

The November Edition of The Giving Herd, an ASAS Foundation Newsletter

George Fahey's Animal Science Journey

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a common dairy herd health issue. Variation among cows in the severity of SARA is a chance to understand the etiology of SARA and prevent the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the severities of SARA in the first lactation with that in the second lactation in terms of reticular pH metrics, microbiota and systemic health.

Fumaric acid can be supplemented in the ruminants’ diets without compromising DMI. However, reductions in methane production and yield were observed only in small ruminant (sheep and goats), whoever FA supplementation appears to be less effective in mitigating methane emissions in cattle.

The gut microbiome, which is made up of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, plays a crucial role in the development of a newborn’s digestive and immune systems. The composition of this microbiome is influenced by several factors, including the diet of the mother. This study focused on how supplementing the diet of lactating sows with a specific amino acid, i.e. arginine (Arg), can affect the growth and health of piglets, as well as their gut microbiome.

Feed-grade medications have been widely used in swine production due to their ability to treat a diagnosed pathogen challenge, regulate gut microbiota, promote growth, enhance feed efficiency, and reduce inflammation. Due to concerns of bacterial resistance, some feed-grade medications have been restricted as a growth promotor in some countries.