The health promoting effects of including whole grains in the diet of humans are well known. However, the capacity to lower blood glucose and lipids seems to differ between different whole grains, with oats and rye showing beneficial effects more frequently than wheat.

This study evaluated whether the source of dietary trace minerals (zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and selenium) could affect healthy adult dogs’ mobility, inflammation, and overall health during an exercise regimen. In this experiment, 40 Labrador Retrievers were fed either a diet including traditionally sourced inorganic minerals (ING) or an amino acid complexed organic source (TMC) for 9 wk, during which dogs underwent increasingly strenuous running challenges.

The well-being of workers in the beef production system is a key component of its social sustainability. Feedlot workers, who are responsible for the care and management of cattle, play a crucial role in animal welfare, but their perspectives have gone largely understudied.

We evaluated the use daily feed intake data that is routinely collected on purebred male selection candidates in high-health nucleus herds to derive indicator traits to select them in order to improve disease resilience of their crossbred progeny in commercial environments. For the latter, we used data from a large-scale natural disease challenge of crossbred Landrace x Yorkshire barrows.

Swine inflammation and necrosis syndrome (SINS) is a newly identified condition characterized by inflammatory and necrotic signs in various body parts of suckling piglets, weaners, and fatteners. Although evidence indicates a primarily endogenous cause in newborns, the genetic basis and mechanisms underlying the development of SINS are largely unknown.

Efficiency is output divided by input. When discussing beef cattle efficiency, this is usually measured with feed intake within a controlled environment such as a feedlot. However, mature cattle that make up the US cow herd live primarily outside of confinement in open pasture and range systems.

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

Over the past two decades, the world has had increasing discussions on environmental sustainability. Agriculture provides basic needs of humans. As the world faces current and newly evolving challenges, we are reminded that agriculture must do its part in conserving nutrients to feed a growing population with a shrinking agricultural land mass.

Choline is a key nutrient that supports the liver and overall health of egg-laying hens, while also helping them produce eggs efficiently. Traditionally, poultry diets include use of synthetic choline chloride. In this study, we tested a novel, organic form of choline called choline propionate to assess if it could work similar or better than choline chloride.

In commercial swine farming, the ability to predict the productivity of sows is extremely valuable as it provides herd management guidance, improving the farm cost efficiency. However, sow productivity is a multifaceted phenotype that involves complex patterns between various measurable sow attributes.

To meet the growing demand for beef driven by a rising population, cattle operations must improve efficiency of nutrient utilization by the rumen and the entire digestive tract. This can be achieved by enhancing forage quality or implementing nutritional strategies that optimize forage and overall nutrient digestibility, such as supplementing cattle with Bacillus-based probiotics.

Trace minerals are added to commercial pig diets because their availability in conventional plant-based feed ingredients is typically low. Levels supplemented are sometimes far in excess of NRC recommendations. Reducing supplementation may improve environmental sustainability by reducing trace mineral waste.

Weaning is a stressful period for piglets, often leading to digestive problems that can slow down growth and weaken health. Adding fiber to their diet is one strategy to reduce these issues. In our study, we evaluated whether almond shells (AS), a by-product of almond farming, could serve as an alternative insoluble fiber source for piglets.

Animal agriculture has long been recognized as both widely accessible and adaptable to the diverse circumstances found around the world. It has served as a source of economic and cultural stability, while also offering opportunities for continued advancement. However, the relationship between people and animal agriculture is complex.

Gender equality is one of the 17 core objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015 by all 193 United Nations member states. As stated in SDG 5—Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls—“Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

From food commercials to the United States Department of Agriculture, there are calls for more educated agriculturalists. Meanwhile, the Food and Agricultural Education Information System published data showing that in 2022, 12.1% of the total agricultural undergraduate student enrollment was Hispanic/ Latiné (Food and Agriculutral Education System, 2025).

Animal production in the south, particularly Africa, faces several challenges that limit productivity, sustainability, and economic contribution to local and national economies. Challenges include harsh environmental conditions, climate change, limited feed resources, diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and poor animal well-being and welfare. Addressing these challenges requires concerted effort from researchers, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and farmers.

Animal science organizations have been working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for over two decades. These efforts began with a strong focus on recruiting and retaining women in the field. In the early 2000s, women made up less than 10% of professional-level animal scientists in academia, with the exception of equine science, where female involvement has a long tradition. Today, women represent more than 50% of professional animal scientists and an impressive 80% of equine scientists.

On December 10th, the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services jointly announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.

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