This study investigates the impact of pedigree completeness on genomic–polygenic evaluations for milk yield, fat percentage, and age at first calving in Thai multibreed dairy cattle. By testing nine pedigree omission scenarios, we reveal that genomic data offset moderate gaps, but accuracy and ranking stability collapse when losses exceed 20%. These findings provide novel evidence that robust pedigree recording is vital for reliable genetic progress in tropical smallholder systems.

This study analyses weekly body weight records from Japanese quail from hatch to 9 weeks of age to understand how genetic influences change during growth. The model accurately described changes in body weight over time, while simulated selection scenarios revealed that selection between 21 and 35 d of age provided the most balanced genetic response across the entire growth trajectory, marking it as the optimal selection window.

This study was conducted to determine the slaughter and carcass characteristics of Lalahan sheep, a new genotype in Türkiye, at different slaughter weights. The results indicated that the optimal slaughter weight for meat production, when both feeding performance and slaughter and carcass characteristics were evaluated together, was 40 kg. 

Short-term whole safflower seed supplementation was evaluated in anestrous ewes. Ewes were synchronized using a 7 d progestagen-based protocol during the non-breeding season. Safflower seed supplementation did not improve estrus, pregnancy, lambing rate, or litter size. Serum estradiol increased and PGFM (13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2α) decreased over time in both experimental groups. Whole safflower seed cannot be recommended as a short-term nutritional adjunct for improving out-of-season reproductive performance in ewes.

This study evaluated a selection index based on body weight, shank length, and breast width to improve turkey performance, examining its relationship with growth hormone (GH) gene expression. Selected turkeys showed higher expected genetic gains and significantly increased GH expression in both sexes, indicating a positive association between GH expression and body weight, and its potential use as a genetic selection marker.

In this study, meat quality parameters in Lalahan sheep, a new genotype, were examined in detail at different slaughter weights. In addition, the expression levels of certain genes important for fat metabolism were evaluated in detail in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. 

Semantic modelling is a procedure that can be used to assess overall animal welfare. Through the selection of scientific statements, semantic models can generate overall welfare scores. Our objective was to provide guidelines to make semantic modelling more formalised and transparent and to facilitate the use of this methodology to assess (farm) animal welfare. Ultimately, those guidelines should aid (new) modellers in applying the principles of semantic modelling in a standardised way.

We developed the ANyWEL (ANimal WELfare assessment of anY farm animal) model for improved semantic modelling. The model allows for the synthesis of scientific information about animal welfare. Housing conditions can be compared and ranked and welfare-relevant properties can be distinguished. We explain how this procedure works through a fictitious animal species. Herewith, semantic modelling becomes more transparent with regard to how scientific knowledge can be used to produce overall welfare scores.