With available agricultural land decreasing and meat protein demand increasing, intensive livestock production systems may be the only solution to ensure that global demand can be met. However, the intensification of animal production needs careful consideration, as overly high stocking…
This study evaluated the effects of thymol and cinnamaldehyde (T+C) supplementation on growth performance, selected blood metabolites, and diarrhoea occurrence in pre-weaned Holstein calves. Forty Holstein calves (20 females and 20 males) were initially enrolled, with 10 calves assigned to…
Cryopreservation of bovine semen supports artificial insemination by allowing the long-term storage and dissemination of genetic material; however, it also causes oxidative stress and structural damage to spermatozoa, decreasing motility and fertilising capacity. This study evaluated the effects of vitamin…
This study investigated the effects of the in ovo injection of luteoloside on broiler chickens. A total of 160 eggs were divided into four groups and injected on day 14 of incubation with 0, 10, 25, or 100 nmol of…
This study examined whether combining Azomite (a volcanic clay) with zilpaterol hydrochloride enhanced productive performance, dietary net energy utilisation, carcass traits, meat primal cuts, and visceral mass in finishing lambs. Twenty-four Pelibuey × Katahdin intact male lambs (38 ± 2.64…
Wet carcass syndrome (WCS) is a defect that occurs in sheep and is characterised by a wet, translucent appearance of the carcass, resulting in condemnation and industry losses. This defect is undetectable until the carcass has been chilled after slaughter,…
This study evaluated the effects of supplementing a reduced-energy diet with a compound enzyme on sow performance, nutrient utilisation, and faecal characteristics. Thirty healthy multiparous Danish hybrid sows with similar parities and expected farrowing dates were randomly assigned to a…
This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of bacteriocin (nisin) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, small intestinal histomorphology, and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 100 one-day-old male chicks were divided into four…
This experiment investigated the potential of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as an indoor artificial light source for Brown Tsaiya ducks. A total of 144 birds (16 weeks old, average body weight: 1270 g) were randomly allocated to three light-source treatment…
The global livestock sector is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by the need to improve production efficiency, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare in response to growing demand for animal-derived protein. Precision livestock farming (PLF) has emerged as a paradigm shift from…
The estimation of genetic parameters allows for the accurate prediction of estimated breeding values (EBVs), which play a crucial role in developing selection indices used to generate genetic progress for economically important traits. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters…
A growing concern in South African feedlot systems is the increased prevalence of non-adapting weaner lambs. This study aimed to identify on-farm risk factors associated with poor adaptation using retrospective production data and a structured questionnaire administered to 80 lamb-rearing…
This study investigated the impact of increased vitamin E and nutrient intake during early gestation on reproductive performance in sows. Thirty first-parity sows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average initial body weight of 163 kg were used. Sows…
The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry production has raised concerns for human, animal, and environmental health owing to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. These concerns have triggered global efforts to decrease AGP use and have…
This study examined the rumen microbiota of Brown Hanwoo, Jeju Black, and Brown Hanwoo × Jeju Black cross-bred steers reared under the same dietary and environmental conditions. Nine steers were included in the study, with three animals per genetic type,…
Frequent power outages in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), disrupt critical dairy operations such as milking, cooling, feeding, and pasteurisation, thereby compromising the microbial, physical, and chemical quality of raw milk. This review evaluates the impact of load-shedding on…
This study determined the selected reproductive traits and growth and survival rates from birth to weaning of Awassi sheep raised in the Adıyaman province of Türkiye between 2016 and 2018 within the scope of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding…
Over 75% of South Africa’s electricity is generated by coal-powered plants that are primarily located near large coal deposits in the north and east of the country. The Transvaal Highveld region is characterised by commercial agricultural enterprises dispersed among coal-powered…
This study investigated the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis supplements on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, dressing percentage, morbidity, and mortality of weaner lambs under commercial South African feedlot conditions. The blinded field trial included 649 Merino…
The efficacy and safety of beta-adrenergic agonist use in modern swine production are controversial. This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary ractopamine hydrochloride and salbutamol on the performance of 440 male and female finisher pigs (Topigs Norsvin TN70),…
