The aim of the study was to find out the effect of different feeding systems on the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics, and meat quality of &nbsp;Norduz male lambs. Lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 each, as follows: 2M (2 meals/day), 4M (4 meals/day) and SF (self-feeder). Then, lambs were fed according to these regimes for 70 days to determine the feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, carcass fatness and meat quality traits such as pH, color and water holding capacity. Although live weights and daily weight gains were found to be similar among the groups, significant differences were found in the daily feed intake (2M: 1.53 kg; 4M: 1.70 kg; SF: 1.89 kg) among groups (p&lt;0.05). No significant differences were observed in slaughter and carcass characteristics except dressing percentage (2M: 49.69%; 4M: 50.59%; SF: 48.46%). Meat quality traits were also similar among groups, except for pH24h (2M: 5.77; 4M: 5.95; SF: 6.10) (p&lt;0.01).

Effect of different feeding systems on the fattening performance,&nbsp;slaughter-carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs

Background: Androgens, encompassing testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, serve as pivotal regulators of semen quality in bulls. Despite their recognized efficacy in enhancing sexual performance and fertility in humans, herbal feed supplements remain relatively unexplored in the realm of animal husbandry. Moreover, the prevailing issue of suboptimal semen quality among crossbred bulls poses a significant challenge to the cattle industry. This study aimed to study the impact of herbal feed supplementation on the dynamics of androgen hormones in breeding bulls and its potential to enhance semen quality. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Eighteen Frieswal breeding bulls were divided into three groups: a control cohort (G-I, n=6) provided with a standard diet and two treatment groups (G-II and G-III; n=6 each) enriched with herbal feed supplementation. The supplementation regimen comprised a mixture of Safed musli, Kali musli, Ashwagandha, Shatawar, Vidhara, Bidarikand, along with Gokhru and Sahajan seeds, administered at doses of 35 g and 70 g in G-II and G-III, respectively, over a duration of four months. Semen quality and hormonal levels (testosterone, DHT, DHEA and androstenedione) were assessed and blood/semen was collected from individual animal at day 0 (initial), 60 (first cycle) and 120 (second cycle) of experimental feeding. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results obtained revealed that DHT levels were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in both G-II and G-III after 60 and 120 days of supplementation compared to those recorded in the control group. However, testosterone, DHEA and androstenedione levels did not vary significantly among groups. The inclusion of herbal supplements significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved semen volume and initial progressive motility, suggesting enhanced sperm functionality. Additionally, sperm viability increased and abnormality decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in supplemented groups, further indicating improved semen quality. It was concluded that herbal feed supplementation improves sperm motility and semen volume in breeding bulls and the concurrent decrease in blood dihydrotestosterone levels suggests a potential mechanism underlying these enhancements. 
&nbsp;

Novel Insights into Androgen Hormone Dynamics and Semen Quality Response to Herbal Feed Supplementation in Breeding Bulls

In dairy production, rigorous herd management is essential to ensure the well-being of cows, their metabolic health and ultimately, the quality of the milk produced. This study compares two types of dairy farms: Modern farms (Category 1) and resource-limited farms (Category 2). The objective is to assess the impact of feeding practices on the health and welfare of dairy cows by measuring metabolic parameters via blood sampling and behavioral observation. At the same time, milk quality is analyzed, both in terms of hygiene and physicochemical properties, using techniques such as lactofermentation tests and infrared spectroscopy. Finally, the study examines livestock infrastructure and its correlation with zootechnical performance, based on criteria defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). A statistically significant comparative study (P&lt;0.05) highlights that optimized feeding practices on modernized category 1 farms lead to high cow welfare (65/100) and increased milk production (25.75 kg/day).&nbsp;In contrast, category 2 farms with stressful practices exhibit poor well-being (21/100), metabolic issues like low sugar (1.09 g/L) and triglyceride (0.86 g/L) levels, decreased production (19.67 kg/day) and reduced milk protein content (&lt; 3%).&nbsp;The study confirms that the rearing environment, high-quality feeding practices and animal welfare are intrinsically linked to cow health, quality milk production and farm sustainability. Investment in these areas, particularly herd hygiene and welfare, directly translates into robust health, improved animal welfare and increased milk production, thereby justifying the implementation of necessary adjustments for farms. 
&nbsp;

Feed Management: Impacts on Dairy Cow Welfare, Metabolic Health and Milk Quality: A Review

<div>Background: India ranks first in global livestock production and it is an important subsidiary enterprise that support more than 75 per cent of the rural community. But fodder production is not well practiced in our country and animals generally consume naturally grown grasses and shrubs which are of low quality in terms of protein and available energy. Hence, there is an urgent need to look for new fodder resources that are sustainable in nature and cover our fodder deficit. Keeping the above in view, the present study has been proposed to evaluate the predominant tree fodders and shrubs of Southern Kerala as a quality livestock feed. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during January-September, 2020 to assess the nutritional value of predominant tree fodders and shrubs in Southern Kerala as a quality feed for cattle. Ten different fodder trees and shrubs that locally fed to the cattle viz., Agathi (Sesbania grandiflora), erythrina (Erythrina indica), Drumstick (Moringa oleifera), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Glyricidia (Glyricidia maculate), Matti (Terminalia elliptica), Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), Cassava (Manihot esculenta), Banana (Musa acuminate) and Mango (Mangifera indica) were selected and analysed for proximate composition, crude fiber and mineral status. 
 
Result: The result revealed that mean values for dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and total ash in tree fodders were 37.07&plusmn;4.02, 18.52&plusmn;1.72, 18.56&plusmn;2.07, 4.68&plusmn;0.51, 8.72&plusmn;0.66, respectively. The study also proved that Sesbania grandiflora (Agathi) is nutritionally superior to other tree fodders with high crude protein (25.24%) and lower crude fiber (8.43%) content. The Neutral Detergent Fiber content of fodder tree leaves varied from 17.34- 65.32 per cent and that of Acid Detergent Fiber from 11.10-48.69 per cent. Phosphorus and potassium status of top feeds comes under the range of 0.26-0.93 per cent and 1.0-2.7 per cent respectively. However the highest amount of Calcium as well as magnesium was found in Moringa oleifera (2.75 and 0.60 per cent respectively).</div>

​Nutritional Evaluation of Predominant Tree Fodders and Shrubs of Southern Kerala as a Quality Livestock Feed

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of local feed ingredients and Moringa leaf flour supplementation on the growth, egg production and meat quality of Balitbangtan Superior Village (KUB) chickens. 
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Methods: A total of 200 chickens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using a completely randomized design (T1: 100% commercial feed; T2: 100% local feed; T3: both commercial and local feed); T4: 50% moringa leaf flour + 50% commercial Feed). The parameters were studied to analyze growth performance, egg production, egg and meat quality. 
&nbsp; 
Result: T1 and T3 treatment significantly improved BWG, FCR and HDP compared with T2 and T4 (P&lt;0.05). T1 treatment resulted in the highest meat pH, while T2 produced the highest yolk weight. In addition to meat pH, no significant differences were observed in quality of meat and eggs. In conclusion, utilization of local feed up to 50% can provide good growth performance in native chickens.

The Utilization of Local Feed Ingredients and Moringa Leaf Flour Supplementation in KUB Chickens: Impacts on Growth,&nbsp;Egg Production and Meat Quality

Background: Maize abundantly cultivated in the North Eastern region of India, mainly for human consumption, although it&rsquo;s having good potential to be used as a livestock feed to improve their productive performances. Presently, different improved varieties of maize are cultivating worldwide for use in animal feeds. Studies indicated normal maize is deficient in protein including the most essential amino acids, however, the quality protein maize (QPM), a special maize verity have a balance ratio of leucine to iso-leucine which helps in enhancement of the biological value of the protein in livestock and poultry. The present study was planned to assess the efficacy of normal maize Vis-a-Vis QPM on performance of lactating yaks. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Ten lactating yaks of uniform age, body weight and pariety were randomly divided into two groups of five animals in each and were fed on mixed rations for a period of 112 days. The normal maize part of the concentrates in Ration-1 (R1) was completely (w/w) replaced with QPM in Ration-R2 and offered to group T1 and T2, respectively. &nbsp;Standard managemental practices were adopted for all the experimental animals. At the end, a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was carried out in all yaks. 
 
Results: The average DMI/100 kg body weight and average daily gain were higher with better feed efficiency in the group T2 fed diets based on quality protein maize. The nutritive values in terms of Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) showed no significant variations between the groups and the values were 5.11&plusmn;0.52 and 58.15&plusmn;0.74 and 5.43&plusmn;0.42 and 59.78&plusmn;1.11 percent in T1 and T2, respectively. Apparent digestibility of dry matter as well as in all organic matters and their nitrogen balances were comparatively higher in T2 than that of T1 group (P&gt;0.05). It was concluded that normal maize can easily be replace with quality protein maize for lactating yaks for better economic returns. 
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Performance of Lactating Yaks based on Feeding Normal Vis-A-Vis Quality Protein Maize

<div>Background:&nbsp;The study was attended in Oromia special zone around Finfinne with the objective to asses feed quality composition, detect and quantify the amount of aflatoxine (AFM1) in raw cow&rsquo;s milk and AFB1 in home-mixed feed of dairy. 
 
Methods: For this purpose, 90 milk and 90 samples of feed from dairy farmers were collected. Analysis for AFM1 and AFB1 was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;The study discovered that the occurrence of AFM1 in all samples of milk and detection level ranged from 0.02 ppb to 0.08 ppbL. Overall, 64 (71.1%) out of a total of 90 milk samples contained less than or equal to 0.05 ppb of AFM1. Moreover, 26 (28.9%) milk samples exceeded 0.05 ppb. All the feed samples were contaminated with AFB1 minimum 12.67&nbsp;ppb and a maximum of 45.67 ppb. Overall, out of a total of 90 feed samples collected, about 66 (73.3%) contained AFB1 at a level less than or equal to 20 ppb. At the same time, 34 (26.7%) of the feed samples contained AFB1 at a level exceeding 20 ppb. The linear regression displayed that the significant associations between the presence of AFB1 in the feed and the levels of adulteration in AFM1 in milk. The level of aflatoxin pollution found during this study in milk and feed ought to prompt action to spot appropriate interventions. These results recommend that risk mitigation should focus on reducing aflatoxin impurity in raw materials feed which can ultimately minimize AFM1 in milk.</div>

​Feed Quality, Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Dairy Feed and Raw Milk in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Ethiopia

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing probiotics and antimicrobial agents on the meat quality of broiler chickens. 
 
Methods: A complete randomized design was used and 90 male chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments which were replicated 3 times with each replicate having 6 chickens. The treatments had the same nutrients (20% CP and 12MJ/kg) but different supplementation levels of the probiotics and antimicrobial agents.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have any effect (p&gt;0.05) on feed intake, growth rate and live weights. A significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) feed conversion ratio was observed with supplementation of the antimicrobial. Blood glucose levels were optimized at an effective microorganism supplementation level of 29.00 ml of EM/l of drinking water. Supplementation with 100 ml of EMs per litre of drinking water reduced significantly (p&lt;0.05) the pH of ileum. Effective microorganism supplementation level of 85.00 ml per litre of drinking water optimized the crop pH value. Antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have any influence (p&gt;0.05) on live weight, carcass weight, breast weight, drumstick weight ad thigh weight. Similarly, antimicrobial and effective microorganism supplementations did not have influence on meat tenderness, juiciness and flavour. There were no antibiotic and effective microbe residues in the meat. It is, therefore, concluded that effective microorganism supplementation did not have much effect on production parameters, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Ross 308 broiler chickens.</div>

Effect of Feed Supplementation with Probiotics and Antimicrobial Agents on Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Background: Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) have enormous potential to replace commercial productive performance enhancer in layer quail diet that can be owed to their active principles, easy availability, non-toxic and residue-free nature. The present study was aimed to select an ideal PFA by evaluating the supplemental effect of various phytoadditives on egg quality indices. 
 
Methods: Three hundred sixty quail layers (6 weeks old; same hatch) were randomly distributed into eight groups (n=45), having three replicas of 15 quail layers per group. Basal diet was similar in all groups, except PFA supplementation. Different dietary groups were: Negative control (NC; contains no additive), positive control (PC; herbal growth promoter), whereas T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 groups were supplemented with 1% dietary additive namely turmeric, garlic, fenugreek, cumin, aloe vera and oregano powder, respectively. Eggs were evaluated for external and internal egg quality indices at monthly intervals, but yolk cholesterol was determined at end of trial.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Our investigations revealed that average monthly egg number was significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) in the PC and PFA supplemented groups during the first 3 months of laying. Mean egg weight of the trial was found significantly higher in PC, T1, T2, T4 and lowest in NC, with intermediate egg weights for rest groups. Shell thickness was found highest in PC, T1, T3 and lowest in NC, T5, T6 whereas rest groups have intermittent values. However, shape index showed higher values in PC, T1 and lower values in NC and T3. Average Haugh unit was found significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in T1 than rest of the groups, but yolk index showed no significant difference. The cholesterol content of quail egg yolk (mg/g yolk) was highest in NC group followed by PC and lowest in T2 and T3. Cost benefit ratio was found highest in T1, T3 and T5 and was lowest in T6 group. It may be inferred that turmeric supplementation is comparable to commercial herbal additive in terms of egg quality of layer quail.

Influence of Supplementation of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Egg Quality of Layer Quail

Background: Mango is national fruit of India and it is suffering with many problems in cultivation among which fruit drop is major which leads to low production. So, the application of nutrients and plant growth regulators would be helpful to minimize fruit drop and to get better yield with quality fruits. The aim of the present study to study the effect of foliar feeding of nutrients and gibberellic acid on yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits cv. Dashehari. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted at Horticulture Farm, Rajawala and in PG Laboratory of Doon (PG) College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Camp Road, Selaqui, Dehradun during the years 2017-2018 with the use of GA3 (100 ppm), Urea (1.5%) and Boron (0.2%) alone and in combinations, these all were compared with control treatment. 
 
Result: All the treatments used were found better to improve the yield and quality of fruit but the treatment combination of Boron (0.2%) + Urea (1.5%) + GA3 (100 ppm) was found significantly effective to increase the fruit retention, fruit yield, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and sugars. However, fruit drop and titrable acidity were drastically decreased while the fruit volume was found non-significant.

Effect of different feeding systems on the fattening performance, slaughter-carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs

Novel Insights into Androgen Hormone Dynamics and Semen Quality Response to Herbal Feed Supplementation in Breeding Bulls

Feed Management: Impacts on Dairy Cow Welfare, Metabolic Health and Milk Quality: A Review

Nutritional Evaluation of Predominant Tree Fodders and Shrubs of Southern Kerala as a Quality Livestock Feed

The Utilization of Local Feed Ingredients and Moringa Leaf Flour Supplementation in KUB Chickens: Impacts on Growth, Egg Production and Meat Quality

Performance of Lactating Yaks based on Feeding Normal Vis-A-Vis Quality Protein Maize

Feed Quality, Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Dairy Feed and Raw Milk in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Ethiopia

Effect of Feed Supplementation with Probiotics and Antimicrobial Agents on Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Influence of Supplementation of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Egg Quality of Layer Quail

Effect of Foliar Feeding of Nutrients and Gibberellic Acid on Yield and Quality of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Fruits cv. Dashehari