Poultry: Examining virus-virus interactions in flocks
Joint Indian/UK research has found that co-infections of Newcastle Disease virus and avian influenza - two economically important diseases - exacerbate the clinical outcome of Newcastle Disease in vaccinated flocks.
Poultry: Swapping steak for chicken may reduce breast cancer risk
A new study by U.S. researchers found an association between increased red meat consumption and a higher risk of breast cancer in women. Those who ate the most red meat had a 23% higher risk of developing the disease than those who ate less red meat. Eating more poultry was associated with a lower chance of contracting breast cancer.
Poultry: Solving the mystery of piling behaviour
There's a deadly downside to non-cage laying systems for hens that are designed to improve the bird's ability to move more freely. Piling behaviour leads to smothering where hens can be suffocated, and Swiss poultry welfare researchers are trying to better understand this behaviour.
Swine: Reducing temperature loss to improve piglet survival
Researchers at the University of Illinois looked at the effect of piglet birth weight on body temperature changes post-farrowing. Following more than 1,000 sows and their 13,200 piglets, they evaluated various activities for managing temperature loss and increasing piglet survival. Combining drying and warming for low birthweight piglets proved the most effective.
Swine: Norwegian algae adds to swine nutrition
The benefits of feeding algae to swine includes more intestinal well-being, effective immunostimulation and increased fertility. A variety of algae (Ascophyllum nodosum) meets the requirements for a widely available, high quality and cost-effective option for the livestock sector, and it proliferates in Norwegian fjords.
Beef: Study shows potential for reducing methane
An international team of scientists have shown it's possible to breed cattle to reduce their methane emissions. The study found the level and type of methane producing microbes in the cow are largely controlled by the cow's genetic makeup - opening the possibility of selecting cattle that are less likely to have high levels of methane-producing bacteria in their rumen.
Beef: Newly discovered cattle genes linked to sustainability
University of Alberta researchers have discovered a new series of genes related to feed efficiency that could help make cattle farming cheaper and more sustainable. The team found that 19 of the 20,000 genes expressed in the bovine rumen, liver, muscle and back fat appear to be associated with feed efficiency.
Dairy: Animal physiology leads to variation in milk yield
A new study at Penn State found the amount and composition of milk produced by dairy cows appears to be regulated more by internal, annual biological rhythms than environmental factors such as heat and humidity. Researchers studied production records from herds across the U.S. for more than a decade.
Dairy: Researchers discover new milk compounds
University of Alberta researchers have created a new online database of more than 2,000 compounds - including vitamins and amino acids - and 168 components never previously report. Their work will help dieticians, physicians, producers and consumers to understand milk's nutritional value.
Aquaculture: Effects of biodensity on the growth, stress physiology, and welfare of Arctic charr in freshwater
Biodensity is a major factor affecting the production and welfare of farmed fishes. During a 91 day study, Artic charr were held at 5 biodensities and examined key growth, stress physiology, and welfare parameters. Growth rates were lower in charr reared at the highest biodensities while feed efficiency was negatively affected at both the highest and lowest biodensities. The results support an optimal biodensity range for charr culture between 60 and 90 kg/m3 to optimize production and welfare.
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