PRESS RELEASE

Society-Owned Animal Science Journals Join Forces to Address Challenges in Scientific Publishing

A group of Editors-in-Chief from leading animal science journals has published a collective perspective on today’s rapidly shifting world of scholarly publishing. Titled “Values Shared by Journals of Learned Societies, Associations, and Scientific Institutions in Animal Science” this jointly authored editorial underscores how society-owned journals preserve scientific integrity, maintain rigorous peer review, and ensure responsible access to research findings—even in an increasingly author-driven environment.

Simultaneous Publication

The editorial is published across multiple journals, including:

• animal and animal – open space (Elsevier Limited on behalf of the animal Consortium)
• Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications (Elsevier Limited on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association)
• Poultry Science and Journal of Applied Poultry Research (Elsevier Limited on behalf of the Poultry Science Association)
• Journal of Animal Science and Translational Animal Science (Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science)

Why Society-Owned Journals Matter

In an era of constant change, society-owned journals continue to serve as a vital anchor for the credibility and sustainability of animal science research. By reinvesting their resources into professional societies, these journals benefit scientists, practitioners, and the broader public. Prioritizing editorial policies grounded in rigorous standards also enables them to uphold high levels of scientific quality and drive meaningful advancements in animal science.

Challenges in Peer Review

One significant challenge highlighted in the editorial is the growing difficulty of securing qualified reviewers. Peer review—a recognized “mark of quality”—relies on the voluntary service of the scientific community. As many researchers face increasing demands on their time, maintaining a robust peer-review system becomes an ever-greater concern.

A Call to Action

The editorial calls upon researchers, reviewers, and publishers alike to share in the responsibility of ensuring the quality and impact of animal science research. According to Jaap van Milgen, Chairman from the animal Consortium, “The role of society- and institution-owned journals is more important than ever in an open-access world. We are committed to prioritizing scientific quality and reliability above market trends, ensuring that the needs of science and society are at the forefront of publishing.”

Read the Full Article

The complete editorial is now available through the participating journals’ platforms. You can read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae379