Estimates of genetic/phenotypic covariances and economic values for slaughter weight, growth, feed intake and efficiency, and three potential methane traits were compiled to explore the effect of incorporating methane measurements in breeding objectives for cattle and meat sheep. The cost of methane emissions was assumed to be zero (scenario A), A$476/t (based on A$14/t CO equivalent and methan...

Our objective was to determine an optimum Lys:calorie ratio (g of total dietary Lys/Mcal of ME) for 35- to 120-kg barrows and gilts (Pig Improvement Company, L337 x C22) in a commercial finishing environment. Seven (3 barrow and 4 gilt) trials were conducted using randomized complete block designs (42 pens per trial, a total of 7,801 pigs). Six treatments with increasing Lys:calorie ratio were ...

(allowed to eat according to appetite). Generally, this allows for maximum performance because energy consumed above the maintenance requirement is available for gain. However, recent work suggests that limit-fed animals may have better feed efficiency. This has economic importance in that changes in feed efficiency have three times the impact on cost of gain as an equal change in rate of gain....

Using a new-generation open-circuit calorimeter capable of monitoring the cost of activity, and thereby both the real thermic effect of feeding (TEF) and basal metabolism in free-moving freely-feeding rats, we have reassessed the proposal that when food intake is restricted an adaptative reduction in energy expenditure participates in the achievement of energy balance. Total energy expenditure,...

Most breeding programs have focused on improving economically relevant output traits such as growth, carcass quality and fertility to enhance the economic viability of beef production systems. Generally absent from current breeding programs in the U.S. are avenues for exploiting genetic variation in feed efficiency, even though reductions in feed inputs would substantially improve profitability...

Shortage of animal feed in most developing countries and the increasing cost of feed ingredients mean that there is a need to improve feed utilization. Although developing countries accommodate a majority of the world’s people, there is a risk that biotechnology research and development may by-pass their requirements. However, there are beginnings of using biotechnology in animal production par...

Effective utilization of available feed resources is the key for economical livestock rearing. Complete feed system is one of the latest developments to exploit the potential of animal feed resources in the best possible way. The complete feed is a quantitative mixture of all dietary ingredients, blended thoroughly to prevent separation and selection, fed as a sole source of nutrients except wa...

This paper focuses on identifying the cost limits of two single-stage pressure–vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) cycles for post-combustion CO 2 capture if “ideal” zero-cost adsorbent can be discovered. Through an integrated techno-economic optimisation, we simultaneously optimise properties (adsorption isotherms and particle morphology) process design variables to determine lowest possible avoide...

This paper focuses on identifying the cost limits of two single-stage pressure–vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) cycles for post-combustion CO 2 capture if “ideal” zero-cost adsorbent can be discovered. Through an integrated techno-economic optimisation, we simultaneously optimise properties (adsorption isotherms and particle morphology) process design variables to determine lowest possible avoide...