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This study examined the effects of mixed-species direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, gas emissions, meat quality, nutrient digestibility, and the fecal score of finishing pigs. A total of 100 crossbred finishing pigs ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc) weighing 58.97 ± 3.12 kg were randomly assigned to one of two diets (5 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts); 50 pigs per treatment) in an 8-week trial. Dietary treatments comprised of the basal diet without probiotics control or basal diet + (0.1%) mixed probiotics (DFM). Mixed DFM supplementation showed a tendency to increase (P = 0.093) the body weight of finishing pigs during day 56. Comparing mixed DFM with the control diet, mixed probiotics significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) during weeks 5–8 (P = 0.024) and overall (P = 0.013). DFM-supplemented diets reduced the emission of CH4 and NH3 significantly at weeks 4 and 8 compared with control. DFM supplementation did not affect H2S, methyl mercaptans, acetic acid, or CO2 emissions. Mixed DFM supplementation showed a tendency to increase (P = 0.07) nitrogen digestibility. Pigs receiving mixed DFM had improved ADG and reduced NH3 and CH4 emissions without affecting meat quality, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbes, and fecal score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 206 breast fillets were purchased from grocery stores in the province of Quebec and evaluated for the presence of different quality defects. Of these fillets, 48.5% showed breast muscle myopathies (BMM), 19.4% showed pale, soft, and exudative (PSE), and 6.8% showed dark, firm, and dry (DFD) attributes. BMM were equally present (P > 0.05) in fillets of economical, commercial, and high-quality brands, while PSE-like fillets were more present in economical brands (P < 0.0001). The combined effect of BMM and DFD induced significantly higher counts of Salmonella (P = 0.03) and Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.03) in myopathic than in unaffected fillets. These quality defects also altered the nutritional quality of breast meat: BMM-affected fillets had greater fat content (P < 0.0001) and DFD fillets had lower protein content (P = 0.041) than normal fillets. The technological quality was only slightly impacted by BMM, while PSE-like fillets had higher cooking loss (P = 0.009) and a tougher texture after cooking (P < 0.0001) than DFD fillets. For the first time, this study confirmed the presence of multiple quality issues in the Quebec poultry supply chain, and provided valuable data to support future research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of dietary lupin (LP) as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) on the performance, meat quality, and blood parameters of broilers. A total of 960 1-day-old Ross 708 broilers were divided into four dietary groups. The four diets were formulated with different levels of dehulled LP content in place of SBM; LP0: 0, LP50: 50, LP100: 100, and LP200: 200 g/kg. There was a trend (P < 0.10) for reduced weight gain in the LP200 group compared with other groups. The feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in the LP200 group than in the LP0 and LP50 groups. Concerning breastmeat characteristics, the lightness color (L*) was lower (P < 0.05) in the LP200-fed group compared with the LP0 group. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher (P < 0.05) in LP100- and LP200-fed chickens than in LP0-fed chickens. Serum HDL cholesterol was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the group fed LP200 compared with the groups fed LP0 and LP50. A higher serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-2 was found in groups fed LP100 and LP200 than in groups fed LP0 and LP50. Our results suggest that LP could be a dose-dependent SBM substitute, and that the optimal level of LP inclusion is approximately 100 g/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred twenty crossbred steers were allotted to six weight blocks. Within each block, steers were allotted to one of four pens in a randomized complete block design (5 head per pen, 24 total pens). Treatments were low forage control diets (LFC) or high forage diets supplemented with soybean oil (HFO), without or with anabolic implant in 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. As compared with LFC, HFO reduced dry matter intake and average daily gain, without affecting the gain:feed ratio. Feeding HFO also decreased dressing yield and backfat thickness, with no impact on the longissimus dorsi area and Warner-Bratzler shear force. Meat from steers fed HFO contained greater relative proportion of cis-9, cis-12 18:2, cis-9, trans-11 18:2, and cis-9, cis-12, cis-15 18:3 as compared with LFC. Implanted steers had greater dry matter intake, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio. Implants improved dressing yield, tended to increase the longissimus dorsi area, decreased backfat thickness, and increased meatWarner-Bratzler shear force. Meat from implanted steers contained greater relative concentration of cis-9, cis-12 18:2 and cis-9, cis-12, cis-15 18:3, without affecting cis-9, trans-11 18:2, as compared with non-implanted animals. No interaction of diet by implant was observed for these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)