Effect of feed on immune response
Modern animal nutrition is heading towards specialised feeding, not only to meet the animal’s dietary needs but also to feed the genes and the immune system. As more research studies are conducted to investigate the effect of certain feed ingredients on immune responses, more insights are gained to make the animals healthier and stronger through feeding.

Life cycle climate assessment for farmed salmon
Climate awareness is an issue worldwide and agriculture and aquaculture need to take their responsibility in this. To test the CO2 output from aquaculture, a Life Cycle Assessment study was carried out by the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology (SIK).

EvaPig: Software tool to predict feed value
Feed accounts for more than 50% of the cost of pig production. From technical and economical points of view, it is therefore essential to know accurately both the animals’ nutritional requirements and the nutritive values of feeds. A new software tool can help to predict the nutritional values say Jean Noblet and colleagues Alain Valancogne, Gilles Tran and Yvan Primot.

New insights for effective mould control
Recent studies indicate that mould inhibitors are more effective when the propionate fraction is activated during the production process. For mould control, it means a more cost effective strategy to maintain the nutritional quality and safety of raw materials and feed.

Evaluating research on feed additives
Additives are often in the focus of modern research efforts worldwide as their trade plays a major part in international animal nutrition business. For most additives, results under most practical conditions remain largely inconclusive and quite often difficult to evaluate.

Mulberry leaves as sheep feed supplement
Mulberry leaves are high in crude protein and low in crude fibre. This combination makes it a perfect feed supplement for sheep according to Kandylis, Hadjigeorgiou and Harizanis from the agricultural University of Athens in Greece.

Dairy production update at BSAS meeting
While milk output potential of the dairy cow has improved enormously through breeding, this has been at a cost of lowered reproduction performance. At the British Society of Animal Science meeting held in Southport recently, this issue was addressed through attention to nutritional strategies.

Lactoferrin supplementation for calves (Part 1)
Lactoferrin is a natural anti-oxidant and supports the immune system among others. Tthis makes it an ideal supplement for calves. In this first article of a two part series we review the positive effects of lactoferrin supplementation.

Heavier piglets with omega-3 fatty acids
Healthy omega-3 fatty acids can benefit both the sow and her offspring. Francis Palmer explains a trial in which this was put to the test.