Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) were determined in broiler chicks. A total of 180-d-old male broiler chicks (Ross 708) were fed a commercial broiler starter diet to day 13 of age. On day 14, birds were weighed and placed in cages (10 birds per cage; n = 6) and allocated one of two semi-purified cornstarch-based diets. The diets were nitrogen-free diet (NFD) for estimating endogenous AA losses and 20% crude protein test diet with BSFLM as the sole source of AA. All diets had 0.5% titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as an indigestible marker and the ratio of cornstarch to sucrose and soy oil in the test diet was identical to NFD to calculate AMEn by difference method. Birds were given feed and water ad libitum. Excreta samples were collected on days 17–20 and ileal digesta on day 21. The SID of lysine, methionine, cysteine, threonine, isoleucine, and valine was 86.3%, 88.7%, 72.8%, 85.5%, 89.6%, and 88.6%, respectively. Apparent retention of gross energy in BSFLM was 64.5% ± 2.27% and AMEn was 2902 ± 101 kcal kg^-1 dry matter. The data will aid in accurate incorporation of BSFLM in poultry feeding programs.

This study aimed to examine the phenotypic variation observed in fine milk components, the use of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to predict these components, and the correlations with other milk production traits. A total of 4116 milk samples were collected from 414 dairy cows from 44 Canadian herds. Overall 3117 samples were analyzed for casein micelle size, 986 and 937 for total and soluble calcium, respectively, and 2054 for lactoferrin. Individual milk MIR spectra were obtained. Linear mixed models with repeated records were used to test the effects of herd nested within breed, breed, days in milk class, parity, and season on milk components. Lactoferrin content in milk increased with stage of lactation and parity number. Prediction equations were developed by partial least squares regression to predict each milk component using MIR spectroscopy, with the greatest coefficient of determination achieved for lactoferrin (0.55). Pearson correlation coefficients for lactoferrin with somatic cell score and protein percentage were 0.49% and 0.40%, respectively. The estimated correlation increased to 0.53% for predicted lactoferrin and protein percentage. The examined fine milk components exhibited variation, but low accuracies for their MIR prediction may limit the utility of this technology for their phenotyping.

This study evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics, and centesimal composition of the meat of intact and castrated lambs of the Santa Inês breed and of the crossbred animals: one-half Santa Inês × one-half Texel. Thirty-four lambs were used, nine intact and nine castrated males of the Santa Inês breed, and seven intact and nine castrated crossbred males, all aged between 6 and 7 mo and with an average live weight of 18.2 kg. The design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial (two crossing and two sexual conditions), with statistical analyses performed in the STAT version 9.4 program. There was a significant difference the Santa Inês and the Texel and Santa Inês crossbred animals in feed conversion and average daily gain, with superiority of the latter group. Castration of animals aged <12 mo had no significant effect on the performance and on the carcass traits of the Texel and Santa Inês crossbred animals, whereas the genotype had a great influence on weight gain and on subjective and quantitative carcass characteristics, demonstrating that crosses in sheep are needed to explore the complementarity of breeds, and heterosis is needed to achieve better performances and carcass characteristics.

Two experiments examined the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product (AO; Amaferm^®; BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, MO, USA) on productive variables in transition dairy cows. In experiment 1, 33 Holstein cows (22 multiparous and 11 primiparous) were enrolled from -21 to 60 days in milk (DIM). Cows were individually fed either a control total mixed ration (TMR) diet consisting of primarily alfalfa hay and steam-flaked corn [62:38 and 59:41, forage:concentrate (F:C) for prepartum and postpartum phases, respectively] or the control diet along with 15 g d^-1 of AO. In experiment 2, 455 multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled from -21 to 121 DIM. Cows were group-fed either a control TMR diet (n = 228) consisting primarily of corn silage and rolled corn (44:56, F:C) or the control diet (n = 227) with 15 g d^-1 of AO. In experiment 1, cows fed AO had increased (P < 0.05) milk production compared with controls (37.7 vs. 34.6 kg d^-1). Milk composition, dry matter intake, body weight (BW), and BW loss both prepartum and postpartum did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments. Cows fed AO tended to have decreased plasma nonesterified fatty acids levels (14%, P < 0.10), but plasma glucose concentration did not differ (P = 0.89). In experiment 2, cows fed AO had decreased milk yield (43.0 vs. 43.8; P < 0.05), and increased milk fat content (3.50% vs. 3.38%; P < 0.01) but similar quantities of 3.5% fat-corrected milk (42.5 vs. 42.7 kg d^-1; P > 0.10). Results suggest that AO has the potential to improve aspects of milk production efficiency, but the percentage and types of forage utilized may influence the response.

This paper evaluates the bioavailability of allium derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) in the pig gastrointestinal tract by means of an in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal tract simulator system (GITSS). The GITSS is based on a membrane bioreactor comprising a continuous stirred-tank reactor connected in series to a continuous plug-flow tubular reactor. Bioavailability values have been evaluated for different vehiculization strategies, including mere carriers such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate (a nonionic surfactant also known as Tween 80) and encapsulation matrices (β-cyclodextrin vs. mono- and di-glycerides of edible fatty acids mixed with hydrogenated sunflower oil) and compared with the absorption of free PTSO. The net absorbed amount of PTSO in the GITSS when Tween 80 was used as a carrier was over 3.5 times higher than the one for free PTSO. Neither the encapsulated PTSO in β-cyclodextrin nor by means of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids plus a vegetable oil succeeded to improve absorption values for free PTSO. These promising results indicate that Tween 80 provides an interesting and high resistance to the PTSO molecule against the simulated digestive conditions in the stomach, and thus it enables favorably the subsequent absorption process of PTSO along the intestine.

Buffalo milk is economically important, and an understanding of the genetic basis of milk production traits may facilitate buffalo breeding for this purpose. In this study, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism was used to analyze polymorphisms in prolactin receptor (PRLR) exons 3, 5, 7, and 10 in Murrah, Nili-Ravi, and crossbred buffaloes and Holstein cows. A site in PRLR exon 3 exhibited variation in all three buffalo breeds and cows, and the three genotypes GG, GT, and TT were detected. In PRLR exon 5, nucleotide differences were detected between buffalo and Holstein dairy cow populations; the genotypes AA, AG, and GG were observed. In PRLR exon 7, polymorphisms were not detected. In PRLR exon 10, at 9637 bp, the TT, TC, and TT genotypes were observed. At the three polymorphic loci, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was reached in the crossbred buffalo population for exons 3 and 5 and in all three buffalo populations for exon 10. In an analysis of the associations of the three polymorphisms with milk production traits, only PRLR exon 10 in Murrah buffaloes was associated with milk yield, with a significant difference between the TT and CC genotypes.

This study examines the effect of including graded levels of safflower meal (SM) [0 (SM0), 150 (SM15), or 200 g kg^-1 dry matter (SM20)] in diets of Katahdin–Pelibuey lambs on ruminal fermentation, growth performance, and meat quality. Experimental diets were randomly allocated to 24 lambs (29.25 ± 0.55 kg) in a 60 d feeding trial. On day 30, rumen fluid was collected from each sheep at 0, 3, and 6 h after morning feeding to measure pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acids. Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality were also measured. Feed intake, ruminal volatile fatty acids concentration, dry matter, and crude protein digestibility were not affected (P > 0.05) by diets. Lambs fed on SM15 had higher (P < 0.05) ruminal pH at 3 and 6 h post feeding compared with those on SM0 and SM20. Inclusion of SM increased (P < 0.05) ruminal ammonia concentration at 3 and 6 h post feeding; however, daily gain decreased with increasing levels of SM. Diets did not affect (P > 0.05) carcass and meat quality traits. Feeding SM-containing diets resulted in similar feed utilization, carcass characteristics, and meat quality to the control diet while improving ruminal fermentation parameters.

Two metabolism studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of variety and level of inclusion of barley silage on ruminal fermentation and total tract nutrient digestibility using beef heifers fed backgrounding (Study 1) and finishing (Study 2) diets. Both studies were 4 × 4 Latin square designs with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (barley varieties, CDC Cowboy and Xena; levels of inclusion, LOW and HIGH). Barley varieties did not vary in 30 h neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility and averaged 37.1% ± 1.86% (% of NDF) across varieties. Heifers fed CDC Cowboy had greater (P = 0.05) mean ruminal pH and a lower (P = 0.01) duration under pH 5.8 relative to those fed Xena in Study 1, whereas heifers fed HIGH-silage diets had lower (P = 0.05) duration under ruminal pH 5.8 than those fed LOW-silage diets in Study 2. Variety of barley had minimal impact on ruminal fermentation and total tract nutrient digestibility in heifers fed barley silage, although high NDF content decreased energy intake. High NDF barley varieties and greater inclusion levels also increased ruminal pH which may improve total tract fiber digestibility in heifers fed finishing diets.

Using 960 brown laying hens from 20 to 48 wk of age, in a 4 × 5 factorial arrangement, the effects on production, quality of eggs, and nutrient balance of analysed 18, 41, 61, and 111 mg kg^-1 of copper (Cu) and of 0.550%, 0.679%, 0.793%, 0.845%, and 0.948% of methionine and cysteine (Met + Cys) were evaluated. Treatments were administered to six replicate cages (eight hens per cage). At the 49th wk of age, 320 of these hens were kept under the same experimental conditions to evaluate the nutrient balance, and each treatment was allocated to four replicate cages (four hens per cage). The trend of interaction effect between Cu and Met + Cys levels was observed on egg weight and mass. The interaction between mineral and amino acid was characterized on egg quality variables. Quadratic equations indicated that increasing the dietary level of Cu reduced the estimate requirement of Met + Cys for hens. Across the entire experimental period, the total estimated Met + Cys level was 0.755% ± 0.021% based on the performance variables. As Cu increased in the diet, it decreased the estimated Met + Cys level to ensure egg weight, mass, and egg quality. Level of chelated Cu above 23 mg kg^-1 may negatively affect the egg quality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability, genetic and phenotypic associations, and genetic gains of birth (BW), weaning (WW), and yearling (YW) weights, loin muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BF), rump fat thickness (RF), scores of body structure (BS), finishing precocity (FS), and muscling (MS) in Nelore cattle. Genetic parameters were obtained through Bayesian inference using BLUPF90 programs. All studied traits showed genetic variability, with heritability ranging from 0.29 to 0.47. In all studied ages, weights presented positive genetic correlations with LMA (ranging from 0.13 to 0.53), being generally stronger in comparison with the other carcass traits analyzed (BF and RF). Similarly, weights were higher genetic associated with BS (0.47–0.92) than with FS (0.18–0.62) and MS (0.22–0.65), respectively. The BF and RF showed positive and moderate genetic associations with FS and MS (0.31–0.36). Genetic trends were significant (P < 0.05) and favorable for WW, YW, and visual scores. Selection for increasing BW, WW, YW, and LMA will result in modest or no change in BF and RF (correlated response ranging from -0.04 to 0.07 mm per generation). In this population, carcass traits must be included in the selection indexes to obtain genetic gains in carcass quality, if desired.

In experiment 1, a total of 30 weaning pigs were allotted to three dietary treatments to check the palatability of the dietary feed. Diet treatments were as follows: reference diets = basal diets + 0.05% saccharin (50% Saccharin-natrium), TRT1 = 0.03% saccharin–neotame mix (50% Saccharine-natrium + 2% Neotame), TRT2 = 0.02% neotame (10% Neotame), and TRT3 = 0.02% saccharin–neotame mix (10% Saccharine-natrium + 10% Neotame). TRT2 group was significantly higher than other treatments in palatability (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, a total of 52 weaning pigs were allotted to four dietary treatments. In the average daily gain and average daily feed intake over 1 wk, the TRT2 group was significantly higher than the TRT1 and TRT3 groups (P < 0.05). The concentration of triglyceride in the blood was highest in the TRT1 treated group and the lowest in the TRT2 group (P < 0.05). The Lactobacillus was significantly higher in the TRT2 and TRT3 treatments compared with 0.05% saccharin (50% Saccharine-natrium) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of Escherichia coli (P < 0.05). In conclusion, diets supplemented with neotame could improve palatability, and artificial sweeteners can affect nutrient digestibility, blood characteristic, and fecal microbiota.

This study was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in four fibrous ingredients [corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), soybean hull, wheat bran, and corn bran] fed to barrows at three different growth stages. Thirty growing barrows, 30 finishing barrows, and 30 fattening barrows (initial body weights of 29.04, 58.57, and 105.65 kg, respectively) were individually housed in metabolism crates and allotted to one of four test diets or a basal corn–soybean meal diet in a 3 × 5 factorial design. Fecal and urine samples were collected for 5 d after a 12 d adaption period. The DE and ME values and ATTD of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), crude protein, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in wheat bran, as well as the ATTD of GE, OM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ADF in corn DDGS, and ATTD of NDF and ADF in soybean hull, were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs at stage 3 compared with those at stages 1 and 2. In conclusion, both body weight and fibrous ingredients have effects on energy values and nutrient digestibility in barrows.

A 6 wk trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of nucleotide supplementation in improving performance, nutrient digestibility, and immune blood profiles so as to reduce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine stress in growing pigs. A total of 120 growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 25.76 ± 1.83 kg were used. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments (eight pens per treatment; three barrows and two gilts per pen) based on BW and sex. Pigs were injected with FMD vaccine at 84 d of age (2 wk after experiment started). Dietary treatments consisted of (1) CON: corn–soybean-meal-based diet, (2) NUC1: CON + 0.5% nucleotide, and (3) NUC2: CON + 1.0% nucleotide. In the current study, the growth performance of gain:feed ratio (G:F), the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen was linearly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing level of nucleotide. After injection, the concentration of cortisol and epinephrine was decreased (P < 0.05) linearly in nucleotide treatments. In conclusion, nucleotide supplementation to FMD vaccinated pigs showed positive effects on improving performance, immune system health, and reducing vaccine stress in growing pigs.

Cholesterol deficiency (CD) is a recessive genetic defect in Holstein cattle, which affects the rearing success of calves. We investigated whether CD has been spread into the People’s Republic of China. A total of 138 Holstein bulls and 90 cows were screened for CD using polymerase chain reaction amplification and then seven bulls (5.07%) and one cow (1.11%) were identified as CD carriers. Pedigree analyses revealed that all seven CD carrier bulls were traced back to MAUGHLIN STORM and CD may have spread into the People’s Republic of China through his daughter, Braedale Baler Twine. Our results demonstrated that the CD defect exists in the Chinese Holstein population.

The meat from hunted wild boar juveniles (N = 18) and yearlings (N = 17) was analysed to assess the influence of age and the ultimate pH value on selected quality traits. The analysed meat of 55.56% of the juveniles and 64.71% of the yearlings was characterised with normal pH. The pH had been measured 24 and 48 h post mortem. More cases of high ultimate pH (pH_u > 5.8) and high maximal pH (about 6.2) have been noted in the meat of younger animals compared with older ones. We found no effect of pH_u on the colour coordinates of analysed wild boar meat. A slight effect of age was observed for the lightness (L*) coordinate. The postmortem time was the most important factor influencing meat colour [L*, yellowness (b*), and hue angle]. A high pH_u was related to lower drip loss (P = 0.001), lower percentage of free water (P = 0.036), lower cooking loss (P = 0.001), and lower plasticity (P = 0.042). The meat from juveniles showed higher plasticity than meat from yearlings. Summing up, both the pH_u level and the age of wild boars may affect some qualitative patterns of meat, changing the technological usability of this raw animal product.

The aim of the study was to determine the basic chemical composition and mineral content in the sirloin and offal of fattener pigs, taking their sex into consideration. In addition, comparative analysis of the content of chemical and mineral components in the sirloin and offal was performed. The experimental material included 24 crossbred (Polish Landrace × Polish Large White) fatteners, from which samples of sirloin (musculus longissimus lumborum), liver, heart, and kidneys were collected for the analysis. A significant effect of the sex on the fat content in the sirloin and liver and on the level of magnesium (Mg), zinc, and iron (Fe) in the sirloin was demonstrated. Significant differences were found in the basic chemical composition and mineral content between the sirloin and the offal. In comparison with the liver, the sirloin contained lower amounts of protein and fat and higher potassium and Mg contents. In turn, the offal was shown to be a rich source of sodium, calcium, and trace elements (Fe, manganese, and copper). The mean cadmium concentration in the sirloin and offal was significantly lower than the threshold values for these elements, i.e., it accounted for 26% and 6.2% (liver)–19.5% (heart) of the allowable content of this element in pork meat and offal.

Eighteen lactating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were used in an experiment to determine the effects of fermented garlic by Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM35046 on growth performance, blood constituents, nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, and fecal scores in sows and their piglets. The experiment was started before farrowing 30 d to weaning, and sows were randomly assigned to the following dietary treatments: control basal diet (CON) and the CON + 0.1% or 0.2% fermented garlic (FG). During the lactation period, sows had free access to feed and water. At farrowing day and weaning (day 28), body weight (BW) loss of sows reduced linearly (P = 0.042; P = 0.006, respectively) in FG diets. There was a linear improvement in piglets’ BW with increasing dietary FG levels at weaning (P = 0.033). Piglets fed the diets with the FG linearly increased the average daily gain (ADG) at the 3rd and 4th weeks (P = 0.041; P = 0.002, respectively). Overall, the ADG of piglets linearly increased when lactating sows fed the diets with FG supplementation (P = 0.004). Red blood cell concentrations linearly decreased (P = 0.004) in sows fed dietary FG supplementation at the weaning day. Dietary inclusion of the FG tended to increase the fecal Lactobacillus population and decrease Escherichia coli population of piglets at weanling day (P = 0.075; P = 0.051, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that dietary supplementation of FG (0.1% and 0.2%) improved growth performance in sows and their piglets.

Fur color in domestic goats is an important, genetically determined characteristic that is associated with economic value. This study was designed to perform a comprehensive expression profiling of genes expressed in the skin tissues from Laiwu Black goat and Lubei White goat. Comparisons of black and white goat skin transcriptomes revealed 102 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 38 were upregulated and 64 downregulated in black skin compared with white skin. Among the DEGs, we identified six genes involved in pigmentation, including agouti signaling protein (ASIP), CAMP responsive element binding protein 3-like 1 (CREB3L1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), premelanosome protein (PMEL), transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 1 (TRPM1), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1). Notably, there were no significant differences in the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase between the black and white skin samples, whereas ASIP expression was detected only in white skin. PMEL, TRPM1, TYRP1, and DCT showed higher expression in black goat skin, but ASIP and CREB3L1 had higher expression in white goat skin. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results for PMEL, TRPM1, DCT, TYRP1, and CREB3L1 expression were consistent with those for RNA-seq. These results will expand our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of skin physiology and melanogenesis in goats, and provide a foundation for future studies.

PPARγ2, PGC-1α, and MEF2C play an important role in skeletal muscle development and fat deposition. This study aimed to determine their mRNA expression levels in longissimus dorsi (Ld), semitendinosus (Se), and soleus (Sol) muscles of crossbred Simmental bulls and estimate their association with intramuscular fat (IMF) content and meat shear force (MSF). We measured the muscle fiber (MF) density and area, IMF content, and MSF of 6-, 12-, and 36-mo-old bulls. We found that the expression patterns differed with age: the PPARγ2 expression in the three muscles of 36-mo-old bulls was greater than that in the muscles of 6- and 12-mo-old bulls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PGC-1α expression in Sol of 36-mo-old and MEF2C expression in Ld of 12-mo-old bulls were higher than those in the respective muscles of 6- and 12-mo-old bulls, and 6- and 36-mo-old bulls, respectively (P < 0.05). The MF area, IMF content, and MSF increased with age (P < 0.05). The PPARγ2 mRNA expression in Ld, Se, and Sol was positively correlated with MF area and IMF content (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with MF density (P < 0.05). Thus, PPARγ2 might be a candidate marker, which is positively correlated with IMF content and MF area.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of essential oils (carvacrol, thyme, and oregano) on anti-immune stress, antimicrobial properties, and repairing the intestinal damage caused by Salmonella enterica lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in broilers. A total of 100 Ross 308 broilers (21-d-old; 1.10 ± 0.11 kg) were randomly allocated to five groups: T1, basal diet + saline; T2, basal diet + LPS; T3, basal diet + 200 μL carvacrol oils + LPS; T4, basal diet + 200 μL thyme oils + LPS; T5, basal diet + 200 μL oregano oils + LPS, with 20 replicates each, and one chicken per replicate per cage. Those challenged by LPS resulted in an immune stress, which manifests as the abnormal growth (P < 0.05) in immune organs, and the content of immunoglobulin G (P < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05), and the rectum temperature (P < 0.05) increased compared with other groups. The oral administration of essential oils controlled the immune stress to a certain extent. The essential oils could reduce harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) and Salmonella enumeration (P < 0.05), in vivo of broilers. Meanwhile, the essential oils repaired the intestinal damage, which showed a reduction in the villi height (P < 0.05) and goblet cell (P < 0.05) caused by LPS. In conclusion, the essential oils (carvacrol, thyme, and oregano essential oils) controlled the stress reaction and maintained intestinal health to a certain extent.

A total of 600 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens with an average body weight of 43.00 ± 0.42 g were used in a 35 d growth assay to investigate the supplemental effects of three levels (600, 1200, and 1800 β-glucanase units kg^-1) of β-glucanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and meat quality in wheat–barley–soybean-meal-based broiler diet. During days 19–35 and overall period, chickens’ body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) improved linearly following the levels of β-glucanase supplementation. The digestibility of crude protein and gross energy were significantly (P < 0.05) increased linearly with the levels of β-glucanase supplementation. Significant linear increase (P < 0.05) due to increasing β-glucanase supplementation was observed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Increasing β-glucanase supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) the meat quality. In conclusion, broiler diets supplementation with increasing β-glucanase could improve the growth performance, enhance the digestibility, and modulate the concentrations of BUN linearly. Meat quality was not influenced.

The feedlot industry in Brazil is still evolving, and some nutritional management recommendations adopted by nutritionists changes from year to year. The main objective of this survey was to provide a snapshot of current nutritional management practices adopted in Brazilian feedlots. The 33 nutritionists surveyed were responsible for approximately 4 228 254 animals. Corn remained as the primary source of grain used in feedlot diets by the participants, whereas fine grinding was the primary grain processing method. Corn silage was the primary roughage source indicated by nutritionists, and for the first time, physically effective neutral detergent fiber was the preferred fiber analysis method. The average dietary fat recommended was 50 g kg^-1 of dry matter, which is about 10% higher than values reported in previous surveys. The use of truck-mounted mixers increased, which may have increased the percentage of feedlots using programmed feed delivery per pen, allowing the increase of energy content of finishing diets. Feedlots did not increase their capacity and nutritionists reported an improvement in feeding management. Results reported in the current study provide a baseline that can be used to improve practices and aid in the development of feedlot industry in Brazil and similar tropical climates.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a diet containing solid-state fermented corn gluten meal (FCGM) with Bacillus natto and Lactobacillus on the growth performance, serum parameters, immune indices, and intestinal morphology of three-yellow broilers. A total of 450 one-d-old three-yellow male broilers were randomly allocated into three dietary treatment groups: control (without FCGM), T₁, and T₂ [5% and 10% replacement with corn gluten meal (CGM) and FCGM, respectively]. Ten replications per treatment and 15 birds per repeat were utilized. The results showed that the FCGM had a lower neutral detergent fiber content and higher small peptide content than the CGM. The average daily gain values, globulin content, the thymus and spleen indices of three-yellow broilers fed 5% and 10% FCGM were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control group, and the three-yellow broilers that were fed 10% FCGM increased more than those that were fed 5% FCGM (P < 0.05). The villus lengths and the ratios of the villus height to crypt depth (V:C) of the duodenum of three-yellow broilers fed 5% and 10% FCGM were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). From this study, it can be concluded that the productivity performances of three-yellow broilers fed with 5% FCGM and 10% FCGM increased, and with the additive level increase in the diet, increases of the productivity performance were observed.

The effects of early feeding time on growth performance, organ weight, blood biochemical, and leukocyte profile were investigated in posthatch broiler chickens to 35 d of age. From 7 to 21 d, early feeding (3 h after hatching) had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on body weight gain, and at 14 d, chicks fed 3 and 12 h after hatching were significantly heavier (p < 0.01) than those fed later. At 7 d, feed intake (FI) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) among chicks fed 3 and 12 h after hatching. At 21 d, chicks fed 3 h after hatching showed significantly higher FI (p < 0.01) than those fed later. At 3 d, gizzard weight was significantly heavier (p < 0.05) in chicks fed 24, 36, and 48 h after hatching than in those fed earlier, and small intestinal weight was also significantly higher (p < 0.05). At 35 d of age, alanine aminotransferase was higher (p < 0.01) in chicks fed 36 and 48 h after hatching, and the eosinophil level was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in chicks fed 3, 24, 36, and 48 h after hatching.

Salmonella enterica serovar Bareilly (S. Bareilly) has been among the top 20 most frequently isolated serovars in the United States and has been observed recently in layer flocks in Korea. Between 2013 and 2014, 45 S. Bareilly isolates were obtained from five commercial layer farms and nine retail markets in Korea. Among the 45 isolates, four pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were observed, with pattern B being the predominant and comprising 67% of the 45 isolates. The most common antimicrobial resistance was streptomycin (24.4%) and cephalothin (6.7%). This is the first report describing epidemiological characteristics of S. Bareilly, including geographical variation, in Korea.