Production Performance Research Articles

Swine Industry in Canada: Biosecurity in Live Animal, Semen Transportation, and Embryo Transfer

The pork industry, a key player in the Canadian economy, significantly contributes to livestock production, international trade markets, and employment. The multi-faceted swine industry is comprised of nucleus, multiplier, and commercial herds. The recognition and application of exemplary internal and external biosecurity measures are paramount for maintaining sustainable swine production. Historically, live animal transport has been an important means of disseminating superior genetics between production herds and poses a considerable risk for disease transmission and biosecurity breach points. The industry has evolved over time to employ other methods, through the shipping of boar semen and the adoption of artificial insemination practices to acquire genetic resources with a lower risk of disease transmission. These effective changes have led to an improvement in herd health, production performance, and efficiency. In particular, the industry’s dedication to enhanced biosecurity is evident in the effort to streamline embryo collection and transfer procedures. Such advances reduce the potential need to transport live animals, thereby lowering the risk of introducing infectious agents. This review article explores the different forms of disseminating swine genetics, namely, live animal, semen transportation, and embryo transfer, examining potential breaches in biosecurity, and discussing mitigation strategies that reduce disease transmission to protect the health of animal stock.

Effects of replacement soybean meal with fermented cassava pulp by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in DIETS on Rumen fermentation in growing goats.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with fermented cassava pulp by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (FCSC) in the diet of growing goats. Growing goats were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments according to replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design. Dietary treatments were five levels of replacement SBM to FCSC at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of crude protein in concentrates. The results showed that total dry matter intake (DMI, g/day) was increased (P < 0.05) with increasing FCSC. The highest for body weight change was found in 75% replacement of SBM by FCSC. The results suggested that FCSC could replace up to 75% of SBM in concentrate of growing goats fed rice straw as roughage. Based on this result, using 75% FCSC as the main source of protein to completely replace soybean meal was beneficial to growing goats in terms of feed intake and productive performance.

Evaluation of photocathode materials in combination with commercial fiber-coupled UV photon sources as a compact electron source in mass spectrometry

Abstract The design of a compact electron source for mass spectrometry applications based on commercially available plug-and-play light sources and sturdy materials is presented, and its performance of photo-electron production is evaluated. We report quantum yields ranging between 1 – 2.5 x10-5 for aluminum, 9 x10-8 – 3 x10-6 for stainless steel, 1 – 2.2 x10-6 for molybdenum, 6.3 x10-7 – 5.1 x10-6 for tantalum, and 1.4 – 2.1 x10-6 for titanium, depending on the wavelength range of the irradiation source. In terms of quantum yield, the deuterium lamp provided better results compared to the two UV LEDs for all metals. However, due to their higher optical output power, the LEDs nevertheless yield a higher photoelectron current for all metals except for stainless steel. The measured photo-currents ranged from 1 – 2 nA for aluminum to 0.01 nA for Stainless Steel samples.

Assessment of the dietary amino acid profiles and the relative biomarkers for amino acid balance in the low-protein diets for broiler chickens.

Research on low-protein-level diets has indicated that even though the profiles of essential amino acids (EAAs) follow the recommendation for a normal-protein-level diet, broilers fed low-protein diets failed to achieve productive performance compared to those fed normal diets. Therefore, it is imperative to reassess the optimum profile of EAAs in low-protein diets and establish a new ideal pattern for amino acid balance. Furthermore, identifying novel sensitive biomarkers for assessing amino acid balance will greatly facilitate the development of amino acid nutrition and application technology. In this study, 12 dietary treatments [Con(+), Con(-), L&A(-), L&A(+), M&C(-), M&C(+), BCAA (-), BCAA(+), Thr(-), Thr(+), Trp(-) and Trp(+)] were established by combining different EAAs including lysine and arginine, methionine and cysteine, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), threonine, and tryptophan to observe the growth and development of the broiler chickens fed with low-protein-level diets. Based on the biochemical parameters and untargeted metabolomic analysis of animals subjected to different treatments, biomarkers associated with optimal and suboptimal amino acid balance were identified. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, hepatic enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters, and breast muscle mRNA expression differed significantly between male and female broilers under different dietary amino acid patterns. Male broilers exhibited higher sensitivity to the adjustment of amino acid patterns than female broilers. For the low-protein diet, the dietary concentrations of lysine, arginine, and tryptophan, but not of methionine, cystine, or threonine, needed to be increased. Therefore, further research on individual BCAA is required. For untargeted metabolomic analysis, Con(+) was selected as a normal diet (NP) while Con(-) represented a low-protein diet (LP). L&A(+) denotes a low-protein amino acid balanced diet (LPAB) and Thr(+) represents a low-protein amino acid imbalance diet (LPAI). The metabolites oxypurinol, pantothenic acid, and D-octopine in birds were significantly influenced by different dietary amino acid patterns. Adjusting the amino acid profile of low-protein diets is required to achieve normal growth performance in broiler chickens fed normal-protein diets. Oxypurinol, pantothenic acid, and D-octopine have been identified as potentially sensitive biomarkers for assessing amino acid balance.

Mechanisms of Heat Stress on Neuroendocrine and Organ Damage and Nutritional Measures of Prevention and Treatment in Poultry

Heat stress (HS) due to high temperatures has adverse effects on poultry, including decreased feed intake, lower feed efficiency, decreased body weight, and higher mortality. There are complex mechanisms behind heat stress in poultry involving the neuroendocrine system, organ damage, and other physiological systems. HS activates endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, and gonadal, by the action of the hypothalamus and sympathetic nerves, ultimately causing changes in hormone levels: HS leads to increased corticosterone levels, changes in triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels, decreased gonadotropin levels, reduced ovarian function, and the promotion of catecholamine release, which ultimately affects the normal productive performance of poultry. Meanwhile, heat stress also causes damage to the liver, lungs, intestines, and various immune organs, severely impairing organ function in poultry. Nutrient additives to feed are important measures of prevention and treatment, including natural plants and extracts, probiotics, amino acids, and other nutrients, which are effective in alleviating heat stress in poultry. Future studies need to explore the specific mechanisms through which heat stress impacts the neuroendocrine system in poultry and the interrelationships between the axes and organ damage so as to provide an effective theoretical basis for the development of preventive and treatment measures.

Effects of regional network economies on industrial productivity in Japan: dynamic total factor productivity function approach

AbstractImproving productivity performance is essential for achieving regional economic sustainability. With the advent of the network society, regional economic agents have benefited not only from local within-region interactions but also from external out-of-region economies. However, it remains unclear whether localized external economies or spillovers of externalities through inter-regional networks are more significant in improving productivity performance. Therefore, this study examined the relationships between productivity performance and geographical externalities from an industry perspective using regional economic data for Japan and employed a dynamic total factor productivity function approach. It also assessed the impact of high-quality transportation infrastructure improvements on productivity catch-up. The results revealed the long-run effects of inter-regional networks on the productivity performance of industries. Furthermore, it revealed that, as a geographical externality, the “borrowed size” effect contributed significantly to productivity improvements in both manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries. These findings suggest that enhancing both high-quality transportation infrastructure and inter-regional transportation networks is likely to improve industry productivity performance.

Application of PID algorithm in temperature control of pig houses farmers' mental health from the perspective of social ecological system and its implications for agricultural production efficiency

This study investigates the application of PID algorithm-based temperature control systems in pig house environmental management and its impact on agricultural production efficiency. Through field experiments conducted at Dongshun Aquaculture Ecological Development Co., Ltd. in Nanping City, Fujian Province, we evaluated the system's effectiveness in energy efficiency, production performance, and animal health. Results show that the PID system achieved 18.5% energy savings, a 9% increase in daily weight gain, and a 7.1% improvement in feed conversion ratio. Additionally, meat quality scores improved by 8.3%, and disease incidence rates decreased by 21.9%. Economic analysis indicates that the system begins to generate a positive return on investment in the second year, with cumulative benefits reaching 192% within five years. These findings highlight the potential of PID temperature control systems in improving pork production efficiency and sustainability, offering a valuable solution for modern pig farming.

Well-Test Interpretation Model of Water-Injection Well in a Low-Permeability Reservoir and Its Application

For low-permeability reservoirs, water-flooding development is usually adopted, which leads to induced fractures near the wellbore, increasing reservoir heterogeneity, and making water-flooding development more complex. This paper focuses on low-permeability reservoirs, considering the characteristics of induced fractures and elliptic-flow composite, and the well-test model for injection wells is established. The mathematical model in Laplace space is obtained through dimensionless transformation and Laplace transformation. Subsequently, the Mathieu function is introduced to obtain the bottom hole pressure, and the pressure response curve is drawn. The six flow stages of the curve are defined, and the sensitivity of parameters such as half-length of induced fractures, range of lateral-swept area, permeability in unswept area, and outer boundary distance at constant pressure are analyzed. The results show that the half-length of the fracture mainly affects the linear flow of the fracture, the range of the lateral wave-affected area mainly affects the radial flow of the swept area, the permeability of the unswept area mainly affects the radial flow of the unswept area, and the outer boundary distance at constant pressure mainly affects the boundary flow. Based on the production performance of a certain injection well in J Oilfield, a series of key parameters are obtained through analytical solution model inversion, including the induced-fracture half-length of 10.32 m, the lateral-swept range of elliptic partition flow of 128.95 m, the permeability of the swept area of 6.87 mD, and the mobility ratio of 119.92, which show the superiority of the analytical solution model.

The economic and financial performance of biogas production: a retrospective analysis of the French case

Purpose While numerous studies have focused on the economic impact of technical changes made to anaerobic digestion plants, there is limited understanding of the overall economic and financial performance of the biogas production units. This study aims to analyse the economic and financial performance of the biogas production sector over a 5-year period using various accounting indicators. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on an examination of financial data of French biogas units over a five-year period (2015–2019). Following a research protocol detailed in the study, 334 units were studied: 192 projects run by farmers, 83 projects run by industrial companies and 59 run by a mixed partnership (farmers, local authorities, and industry). Findings This study reveals that biogas production is performing well both economically and financially, but the performance varies depending on the type of producer: farmers better perform from an economic point of view, while industrialists are looking for financial profitability. Farmers exploit their competitive advantage based on waste disposal. Industrialists offset this disadvantage by a better ability to raise funds to negotiate payment terms and interest rates. Originality/value The originality of the study lies in its business approach. It completes the energy efficiency one which is more usual in energy sector management publications. Additionally, the study spans a five-year period, providing a longitudinal perspective of companies’ economic and financial performance. Furthermore, the data is sourced from reliable government sources.

Structural variations in livestock genomes and their associations with phenotypic traits: a review

Genomic structural variation (SV) refers to differences in gene sequences between individuals on a genomic scale. It is widely distributed in the genome, primarily in the form of insertions, deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations. Due to its characterization by long segments and large coverage, SVs significantly impact the genetic characteristics and production performance of livestock, playing a crucial role in studying breed diversity, biological evolution, and disease correlation. Research on SVs contributes to an enhanced understanding of chromosome function and genetic characteristics and is important for understanding hereditary diseases mechanisms. In this article, we review the concept, classification, main formation mechanisms, detection methods, and advancement of research on SVs in the genomes of cattle, buffalo, equine, sheep, and goats, aiming to reveal the genetic basis of differences in phenotypic traits and adaptive genetic mechanisms through genomic research, which will provide a theoretical basis for better understanding and utilizing the genetic resources of herbivorous livestock.

Comparative ultrastructural and transcriptomic profile analysis of skin tissues from indigenous, improved meat, and dairy goat breeds.

High-quality goatskins are valuable byproducts usually produced by indigenous goat breeds with poorer production performance in Asia and Africa. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms underpinning goatskin's biomechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength) remain elusive. Mechanistic exploration of these traits could greatly aid the genetic improvement and genetic resource conservation of native breeds in these regions. To fulfill this purpose, we collected skin tissues from three goat breeds: Huai goat (HG), a Chinese native variety producing high-quality goatskins; Yudong meat goat (YDMG), a crossbreed of HG and Boer goat; Henan dairy goat (HNDG), a dairy goat breed. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis of skin tissues found that the collagen fiber diameters, collagen fibril diameters, and crimps significantly differed among the three goat breeds; however, collagen fibril diameters are similar in HG and HNDG. A sum of 230, 775, and 86 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from YDMG versus HNDG, HG versus HNDG, and YDMG versus HG, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that signaling pathways involved in fatty acid, retinol, steroid metabolisms, and GO items related to the physical properties of the skin (e.g., collagen-containing extracellular matrix) are significantly overrepresented in DEGs identified from meat versus dairy goats. Furthermore, 106 DEGs (e.g., COL1A1, COL1A2, and SPARC) showed specific expression patterns in HG and YDMG versus HNDG. Items about biophysical features of skin (e.g., extracellular matrix organization and ECM proteoglycans) are markedly enriched. Protein-protein interaction analysis suggested that two growth factors (IGF1 and PDGFD) are latent collagen and other ECM protein expression modulators. Ultrastructural analysis of goat skin tissues suggested that collagen fibril diameter is not a major factor affecting goatskin quality. Transcriptomic profiles unveiled core genes and associated biological processes potentially involved in regulating goatskin quality. These discoveries shined new light on deeper understanding the mechanisms of hide-related traits in goat and other livestock.

Silk Flocked Flexible Sensor Capable of Wide-Range and Sensitive Pressure Perception.

In recent years, there have been advancements in high-performance soft sensors with simultaneous moderate sensitivity and wide linearity. However, it remains challenging to combine high-efficiency production and high performance for soft sensors. The skin and hair structure provide an elegantly simple sensing model, where hair acts as signal receptors and basal skin acts as signal processors. Herein, we used efficient electrostatic flocking and extrusion printing to engineer comb-shaped electrodes with conductive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flocked with conductive silk fibers as a biomimetic flexible sensor. The mechanical and electrical properties of modified PDMS and silk fibers were characterized to optimize the functionalization process. The sensor unit exhibited a high linear range up to 2,000 kPa and a competitively good sensitivity of 0.0285 kPa-1 in the contact mode with conductive materials, as well as good resolution in the noncontact mode. Such sensors and a sensor array demonstrated potential applications for detecting pressure disturbances from acoustic activity and for human-robot interactions. We anticipate that the straightforward design and facile fabrication of soft sensors with vertical fibrous morphology for perception will open new avenues for the next generation of high-performance soft sensors integrated with artificial intelligence.

Robotic Edge Intelligence for Energy-Efficient Human–Robot Collaboration

Energy-efficient human–robot collaboration poses significant challenges to the sustainable operation of production systems. Therefore, our work proposes novel robotic edge intelligence to address the issue. First, robotic edge intelligence is proposed to fully utilize the embedded computing capabilities of edge robots, and the state transition diagrams are developed for jobs, humans, and robots, respectively. Second, a multi-objective model is designed for the energy-efficient human–robot scheduling problem to evaluate the production performance and energy efficiency as a whole. Third, a heuristic algorithm is developed to search for the optimal solutions based on an artificial plant community, which is lightweight enough to be run on edge robots. Finally, a benchmark data set is developed, and a series of benchmark experiments are implemented to test the proposed system. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively enhance energy efficiency and production performance with satisfying solution performance.

An Investigation of the Barriers and Drivers for Implementing Green Supply Chain in Malaysian Food and Beverage SMEs: A Qualitative Perspective

The food and beverage (F&amp;B) sector in Malaysia is experiencing rapid growth, largely driven by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, many Malaysian F&amp;B companies are encountering challenges when it comes to adopting environmentally friendly practices to enhance their environmental performance. This research aims to pinpoint the obstacles that hinder the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) in the F&amp;B industry and to identify the drivers that influence companies' adoption of GSCM initiatives. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals from five different F&amp;B SMEs (Companies A, B, C, D, and E) using a qualitative methodology. The data was analyzed using ATLAS.ti version 10, and themes were identified through coding. The study's findings revealed that a lack of knowledge and information sharing presents the most significant barrier to GSCM implementation, as there is insufficient awareness and dissemination of green concepts and practices among SME employees and consumers. Information sharing is crucial for facilitating green activities and promoting collaboration within the supply chain. Additionally, green manufacturing was identified as the most important driver in encouraging environmentally friendly practices among the top five drivers. SME companies need to find a balance between production performance and meeting sustainability requirements. Understanding the barriers and drivers of Malaysian F&amp;B SMEs will enable practitioners to make well-informed decisions regarding GSCM implementation, ultimately enhancing the performance of the F&amp;B industry and ensuring a sustainable food supply.

Integrating Deep Learning with Generative Design and Topology Optimization for Efficient Additive Manufacturing

Abstract. Additive manufacturing (AM) through generative design and topology optimisation creates complex, lightweight structures with exceptional material efficiency and structural integrity. When coupled with deep learning functionality, generative design and topology optimisation can explore broader design spaces and optimise more efficiently, creating novel AM structures that utilise material more efficiently and have better strength and performance than their counterparts created through conventional AM methods. The study tackles how deep learning models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be integrated into generative design and topology optimisation and how these integration help optimise material usage, production time and performance. Case studies from the aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries exemplify how these synergies resulted in more resilient, cost-effective designs that would not have been possible through conventional AM approaches. The study focuses on material usage efficiency, reduction in production time and performance improvement to showcase how deep learning integrations enhance the process from design conceptualisation, through iterations, to final production.

The impact of irrigation duration on crop N uptake, lint yield and internal NUE in cotton using standard urea

Context This is the first research to investigate the impact of irrigation duration on crop productivity and nitrogen (N) performance indicators in southern New South Wales (SNSW), Australia, as the industry strives for improved N productivity. Aim To benchmark the impact of different irrigation durations on waterlogging and related impacts on available soil and fertiliser N, cotton productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Methods Two field experiments were conducted in SNSW where cotton was grown with varying rates of fertiliser N application interacting with different durations of furrow irrigation applications during the period from first flower to crop maturity. Key results Waterlogged conditions occurred within the top 20 cm of the soil profile during irrigations. These conditions coincided with fertiliser placement and high concentrations of available mineral N, which created conditions conducive for N loss. However, the internal NUE (kg lint kg crop N uptake−1) and N balance were not impacted by irrigation duration in either experiment, despite differences in duration of waterlogged conditions that averaged 15 h irrigation−1. Partial N budgets suggested that 48% of the available N to the crop could not be found in the plant or soil mineral N pools after harvest. Conclusion Modification of the duration of irrigation applications was not an effective management option to improve NUE in irrigated cotton; however, it improved water productivity (bales per megalitre). Implications Further research is required to consider the implications of other irrigation systems such as overhead sprinkler and drip systems for improvement of NUE.

Acute phase responses in clinically healthy multiparous Holsteins with and without calcium dysregulation during the early postpartum period

Patterns of calcium dysregulation resulting in low total serum calcium concentrations (tCa) at 4 DIM, known as dyscalcemia, commonly occur in multiparous Holsteins. Dyscalcemia is associated with risk of disease, decreased production, and poor reproductive performance. Inflammation is well-documented early in lactation and is associated with similarly suboptimal outcomes. The acute phase response produces markers and mediators of inflammation; therefore, the objective of our case-control study was to evaluate postpartum patterns of 3 positive acute phase proteins in cows with and without dyscalcemia. We hypothesized that dyscalcemic cows would experience more activated inflammation than eucalcemic cows and that inflammation would precede dyscalcemia diagnosis. Multiparous Holstein cows at 2 commercial dairy farms in central New York were enrolled from a parent study based on tCa at 4 DIM, at a 2:1 ratio of eucalcemic (tCa >2.3 mmol/L; n = 32) to dyscalcemic cows (tCa <2.2 mmol/L; n = 16). Blood was collected 1 to 3 d before parturition and once every 24 h postpartum through 4 DIM. Samples were analyzed for 3 acute phase proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP). Patterns of protein concentrations in blood over time were compared using linear mixed effects models including fixed effects of calcium status group, time, parity group, farm, relevant 2-way interactions, and the random effect of cow. Overall, dynamics of acute phase proteins showed that dyscalcemic cows experienced increased acute phase responses compared with eucalcemic cows, and that these responses preceded dyscalcemia diagnosis at 4 DIM. Dyscalcemic cows had elevated concentrations of SAA beginning at 2 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 13.88 µg/mL, 95% CI = 11.34 to 16.99 µg/mL; dyscalcemic: mean = 32.95 µg/mL, 95% CI = 24.55 to 44.21 µg/mL). and continuing through 4 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 8.14 µg/mL, 95% CI = 6.66 to 9.95 µg/mL; dyscalcemic: mean = 30.01 µg/mL, 95% CI = 22.60 to 39.83 µg/mL). Haptoglobin concentrations were also elevated in the blood of dyscalcemic cows from 2 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 0.39 g/L, 95% CI = 0.31 to 0.49 g/L; dyscalcemic: mean = 1.11 g/L, 95% CI = 0.79 to 1.56 g/L) through 4 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 0.27 g/L, 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.34 g/L; dyscalcemic: mean = 1.65 g/L, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.28 g/L). Concentrations of LBP exhibited a different pattern with a small difference between groups at 3 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 4.67 µg/mL, 95% CI = 4.02 to 5.42 µg/mL; dyscalcemic: mean = 7.91 µg/mL, 95% CI = 6.49 to 9.63 µg/mL) that became larger at 4 DIM (eucalcemic: mean = 4.88 µg/mL, 95% CI = 4.22 to 5.64 µg/mL; dyscalcemic: mean = 10.79 µg/mL, 95% CI = 8.84 to 13.17 µg/mL). Our work supports the hypothesis that dyscalcemia and inflammatory activity are associated in dairy cows under naturally occurring postpartum conditions. While the causal structure of this relationship remains unknown, improved understanding of inflammation and dyscalcemia may provide insight into mechanisms by which some cows experience maladaptation during the early postpartum period.

Screening, Identification and Application of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Degrading Mycotoxin Isolated from the Rumen of Yaks

Mycotoxin contamination is a major food safety issue worldwide, posing a serious threat to animal production performance and human health. Lactic acid bacteria are generally regarded as safe fermentation potential probiotics. They have the advantages of low toxicity, small pollution, strong specificity and high safety, and can reduce the contamination of microorganisms and mycotoxins. In this study, we compared the mycotoxin degradation capacity of 15 lactic acid bacteria strains from the rumen of Qinghai yak, through comprehensive analysis, we finally identified the strains as potential probiotics because they have a fast growth speed, strong acid production capacity (pH &lt; 4.5), and they can grow normally in an environment with a pH of 3.5, bile salt concentration of 0.1%, and good self-agglutination and hydrophobicity. It was found that the fermentation group (Pediococcus acidilactici C2, Pediococcus acidilactici E28, Pediococcus pentosaceus A16 and Enterococcus lactis C16) could significantly reduce mycotoxin content, and both the nutritional and fermentation quality of the feed improved after 7 days of fermentation, meaning that the fermentation group can be used as a functional feed additive.

Innovation and Utilization of Functional Feed Additives from Maize By-Products in Broiler Chickens

Supplementation with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as an exogenous enzyme in broiler diets represents a promising nutritional strategy to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs. To assess the effects of SMS enzyme products on various parameters, including growth performance, blood chemistry, carcass and meat quality, and gut health, a study was conducted with one-day-old broilers (n = 500). The broilers were separated into five groups: a control diet (CON) and an antibiotic group (AGP) which were added to the diet at 0.25 g kg−1, and SMS from Flammulina velutipes supplementation groups which were added to the diet at 0.5 g kg−1 (SMS0.5), 1.0 g kg−1 (SMS1.0), and 2.0 g kg−1 (SMS2.0). Final body weight and average daily gain in broilers which were fed the AGP diet were higher than in broilers which were fed the CON, SMS0.5, and SMS1.0 diets. Broilers in the CON group had a decreased average daily feed intake compared to other groups. The addition of AGP and SMS2.0 diets improved the feed conversion ratio and reduced the feed cost per gain in broilers. Broilers that were fed the CON diet had the highest serum cholesterol, while the AGP diet increased triglyceride. Dietary supplementation of SMS improved some carcass characteristics and ceacum microbial content in broilers, especially with the SMS2.0 diet. Broiler fed CON and SMS0.5 worsened the villus height/crypt depth ratio of duodenum histology. In conclusion, SMS supplementation at 1.0 and 2.0 g kg−1 can improve productive performance and health in broiler diets; however, SMS2.0 had the best efficiency.

Spatiotemporal variation in grain production performance and efficiency of the cultivated landscapes in Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia: the impact of residual moisture-based farming on water and food security

Analysis of grain production performance can provide reference information to explore multiple cropping options and further improve the resource use efficiency of farming methods. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of grain production performance and efficiency of major crop production systems (CPS) in the Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Basin. The results show that only 39% of the basin is currently cultivated, although a significant cropland expansion (10%) was recorded between 1985 and 2020. The study identified 11 major CPS, mostly practiced in the basin. Of these, single cropping based on the main rainy season (Meher-Only) covers the largest area (26%), followed by Meher-Residual-Intermittent (12%) and Meher-Belg-Dependable (11%). Extended-Meher, Meher-Residual-Dependable, Meher-Residual-Intermittent, and Meher-Belg-Dependable are the four more powerful CPS with higher efficiency. Comparatively, CPS practiced in Wet-Woyna-Dega and Wet-Dega have better overall performance. Findings confirm that agricultural space management (land) and green-water (rainfall) utilization are the most influential factors, followed by land use planning and land use systems (CPS) invention. As landscape suitability for grain production governs future performance, in the low elevation and flood plains parts of the basin, the possibility of creating additional space into the food system is very high. In mountainous and high-altitude regions, the efficiency of grain production will decrease because incorporating additional arable land into the food system is trivial. In the last three decades, in BNB, only 10% of arable land (equivalent to 30 million quintals of food) has been added to the good system, which can support approximately 6 million people. Compared to the population growth of the basin (12 million 1985–2020), its contribution to the food system was less than 50%. This confirms that multiple cropping systems, such as Residual moisture-based CPS, have played a significant role in boosting the food system in the basin. Therefore, improving grain production performance/efficiency requires targeted investments, including the invention of more adaptable crop varieties, efficient cropping practices, and the introduction of advanced agricultural space and water management technologies. The results of the study will help identify important policy gaps and suggest possible options to enhance residual farming and other multiple cropping systems.