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ABSTRACT: Public interest in the cannabis plant has increased after its legalization in many countries. Cannabis sativa residues (CR) are a part of the plant waste in the cannabis industry. The CR contain medicinal properties that could be used as a feed additive in poultry production. The trial was conducted to investigate the effects of CR on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design, 256 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 8 replicates and 8 birds per replicate. These 4 dietary treatments included a basal diet with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% CR for 40 d. The results showed that 2% CR supplementation reduced feed intake (FI) in the starter phase (d 3–23, P < 0.05). The birds in the CR groups had lower FI in the finishing phase (d 24–40, P < 0.01) and the whole raising period (d 3–40, P < 0.01) than the control. However, the body weight and carcass yield were not different (P > 0.05). In addition, the CR diet had no adverse effects on the blood biochemistry profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin, albumin, and direct bilirubin (P > 0.05). In addition, total bilirubin and malondialdehyde were better in the plasma of CR-supplemented birds than in the control groups (P < 0.05). The observations on intestinal morphology showed that CR supplementation improved the ratio between villus height and crypt depth in the ileum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CR supplementation can improve intestinal morphology and oxidative stability of broiler chickens. This suggests that CR could potentially be used as an alternative feed additive in broiler production.

ABSTRACT: The condemnation of broiler carcasses in the poultry industry is a major challenge and leads to significant financial losses and food waste. This study addresses the critical issue of condemnation risk assessment in the discarding of antibiotic-free raised broilers using machine learning (ML) predictive modeling. In this study, ML approaches, specifically least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), classification tree (CT), and random forests (RF), were used to evaluate and compare their effectiveness in predicting high condemnation rates. The dataset of 23,959 truckloads from 2021 to 2022 contained 14 independent variables covering the rearing, catching, transportation, and slaughtering phases. Condemnation rates between 0.26% and 25.99% were used as the dependent variable for the analysis, with the threshold for a high conviction rate set at 3.0%. As high condemnation rates were in the minority (8.05%), sampling methods such as random over sampling (ROS), random under sampling (RUS), both sampling (BOTH), and random over sampling example (ROSE) were used to account for imbalanced datasets. The results showed that RF with RUS performed better than the other models for balanced datasets. In this study, mean body weight, weight per crate, mortality and culling rates, and lairage time were identified as the 4 most important variables for predicting high condemnation rates. This study provides valuable insights into ML applications for predicting condemnation rates in antibiotic-free raised broilers and provides a framework to improve decision-making processes in establishing farm management practices to minimize economic losses in the poultry industry. The proposed methods are adaptable for different broiler producers, which increases their applicability in the industry.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the factors of dead-on-arrival (DOA) incidents during pre-slaughter handling is crucial for informed decision-making, improving broiler welfare, and optimizing farm profitability. In this study, 3 different machine learning (ML) algorithms — least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), classification tree (CT), and random forest (RF) - were used together with 4 sampling techniques to optimize imbalanced data. The dataset comes from 22,115 broiler truckloads from a large producer in Thailand (2021–2022) and includes 14 independent variables covering the rearing, catching, and transportation stages. The study focuses on DOA% in the range of 0.10 to 1.20%, with a threshold for high DOA% above 0.3%, and records DOA% per truckload during pre-slaughter ante-mortem inspection. With a high DOA rate of 25.2%, the imbalanced dataset prompts the implementation of 4 methods to tune the imbalance parameters: random over sampling (ROS), random under sampling (RUS), both sampling (BOTH), and synthetic sampling or random over sampling example (ROSE). The aim is to improve the performance of the prediction model in classifying and predicting high DOA%. The comparative analysis of the different error metrics shows that RF outperforms the other models in a balanced dataset. In particular, RUS shows a significant improvement in prediction performance across all models compared to the original unbalanced dataset. The identification of the 4 most important variables for predicting high DOA percentages - mortality and culling rate, rearing stocking density, season, and mean body weight - emphasizes their importance for broiler production. This study provides valuable insights into the prediction of DOA status using an ML approach and contributes to the development of more effective strategies to mitigate high DOA percentages in commercial broiler production.

This study investigated the meat quality, expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and metabolism-related genes, ribonucleotides and fatty acids in Longissimus thoracis of Thai native pigs (TNPs) from different geographical regions (GR). Forty-one 9–10-month-old castrated TNPs (BW 60 kg), consisting of 18, 11 and 12 pigs from Northern (NT), Southern (ST) and Northeastern (NE) regions, respectively, were slaughtered. GR did not affect (p > 0.05) the expression of MyHC, phosphoglycerate mutase 1, cytosolic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase 1 and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein genes. The trend of MyHC was MyHC IIx > MyHC IIb > MyHC IIa > MyHC I. The NT loin had higher (p < 0.05) glycogen, C18:2n6, C20:4n6 and cooking loss, lower inosine, inosine monophosphate and hypoxanthine and a shorter sarcomere length than the ST and NE loins. The ST loin had a lower (p < 0.05) a* compared to other loins. Principal component analysis established significant relationships between the TNP and specific meat quality traits. This finding suggests that GR affected the meat quality, ribonucleotides and selected fatty acids in TNPs. These results provide relevant information that can be used to optimize the use of Thai native pork.

ABSTRACT: In Thailand, knowledge about the factors affecting broiler losses during the preslaughter process is very limited, especially for broilers raised without an antibiotic program. The objective of this study was to determine the preslaughter factors that influence the incidence of dead on arrival (DOA), condemnations, and bruising in broilers raised without antibiotics. Data from 13,581 truckloads of broilers raised without an antibiotic program in 95 contract farms of one of Thailand's largest broiler producers in 2021 were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model that accounted for farm as a random effect. Results showed that the following risk factors were associated with the occurrence of DOA, condemnations, and bruising: season, time of transport, sex, age at slaughter, mortality and culling rate, and weight per crate. While mean body weight affected the incidence of condemnations and bruising, transport time and lairage time affected DOA and bruising. Feed withdrawal time affected DOA and condemnations. Rearing stocking density only affected condemnation rate. Reducing or eliminating the effects of these risk factors could reduce production losses due to DOA, condemnations, and bruising, thereby improving animal welfare and producer profitability. Reducing weight per crate could reduce DOA, condemnations, and bruising. Reducing lairage time could reduce DOA and bruising, while reducing feed withdrawal time could reduce DOA and condemnations. Raising broilers at a younger age with a lower slaughter weight could prevent the occurrence of DOA, condemnations, and bruising.

The effects of roughage sources in the fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) and the level of energy intake on meat quality, collagen solubility, and troponin T degradation in longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of native Thai cattle (NTC) were investigated. Results showed that roughage source affected fatty acid composition in the LT muscle (p < 0.05), as NTC fed Pakchong 1-Napier-based FTMR had higher monounsaturated fatty acid content and ω 6:ω 3 ratio. The high-energy ad libitum group had lower drip loss, lower shear force, and higher percent collagen solubility (p < 0.05). However, energy intake had no effect on troponin T degradation and fatty acid composition (p > 0.05). Longer aging of 14 days showed lower shear force values, higher collagen solubility, and troponin T degradation rate but higher cooking loss (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the meat quality of NTC could be improved by ad libitum feeding with NG-FTMR, as their meat had higher MUFA content, lower drip loss, lower shear force, and higher collagen solubility. In addition, the tenderness of NTC meat could be further improved by longer aging of 14 days post-mortem.

Objective This study investigated the meat quality characteristics, endogenous proteolytic enzymes, collagen content, and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms of different muscles of Thai native cattle (TNC). Methods Infraspinatus (IF), Longissimus thoracis (LT), and Supraspinatus (SS) muscles were obtained from two TNC breeds, Kho-Lan (KL, n = 7) and Kho-Isaan (KI, n = 7). The muscle and meat characteristics of TNC breeds and their relationship with MyHC expression were examined. Results Three MyHC isoforms namely MyHC I, MyHC IIa, and MyHC IIx were detected in the muscles. The KL had higher (p

Thai indigenous pigs (TIPs) are important genetic resources. Crosses with exotic pig breeds and wild boars may cause genetic losses. To date, the physical characteristics of TIPs have been inconsistent. The classification of TIPs by genetic information is needed to pursue an appropriate conservation program. In this study, the genetic diversity, cluster analysis, and phylogenetic relationship of TIPs were investigated using twenty-nine pig microsatellite markers. Blood samples were collected from TIPs from three regions of Thailand: north (NT, n = 118), northeast (NE, n = 61), and south (ST, n = 75). The mean total number of distinct alleles and the effective number of alleles per locus were 11.851 and 5.497, respectively. The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) and mean expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.562 and 0.837, respectively. The F values of the microsatellite loci were positive under Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium at p < 0.001, with overall mean values of Fis, Fit, and Fst of 0.247, 0.281, and 0.046, respectively. A total of 5, 5, and 17 private alleles were found at frequencies greater than 0.050 in the NT, NE, and ST pigs, respectively. Three optimal clusters (K = 3) were proposed within the TIP populations. Pigs from the NT and NE regions were mixed in two clusters, while members of the ST region were clearly separated. The phylogenetic tree confirmed that the pigs from NT and NE were each divided into two subgroups, while the pigs from ST were clustered into one group. A microsatellite analysis revealed the high genetic diversity of the TIP populations and confirmed the genetic divergence of the TIPs from the European and Chinese breeds. A genetic admixture of the TIP with the local wild boars was detected.

Objective We investigated visual marbling level (VML) influence on pork loin physicochemical traits, consumer palatability responses, VML liking, purchase intent, and their relationships. Methods For each of five slaughtering dates, at 24-h postmortem, nine paired Duroc castrated male boneless Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were categorized into low (LM, score 1 to 2, n = 3), medium (MM, score 3 to 4, n = 3), and high (HM, score 5 to 6, n = 3) VML. Meat physicochemical quality traits and consumer responses (n = 389) on palatability and VML liking, and purchase intent were evaluated. The experiment was in randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance, Duncan’s multiple mean comparisons, and correlation coefficients were determined. Results VML correspond to crude fat (r = 0.91, p0.05). Compared to the others, HM had lower collagen solubility percentage (p0.05) Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). No differences (p>0.05) were found in juiciness, overall flavor, oiliness, and overall acceptability, but HM was more tender (p0.05). Corresponding to VML preference (r = 0.45, p

Objective This study investigated carcass characteristics and meat quality of purebred Pakchong 5, crossbred pigs sired by Pakchong 5, and crossbred pigs sired by Duroc. Methods Forty-eight pigs (average body weight of 22.25 kg) were composed of three groups as purebred Pakchong 5 (PP), Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Pakchong 5 (LWLRP), and Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Duroc (LWLRD). Each group consisted of eight gilts and eight barrows. At 109-day-raising period, pigs were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles from left side of carcasses were evaluated for meat quality and chemical composition. Data were analyzed using general linear model procedure, where group, sex, and their interaction were included in the model. Results The PP had greater carcass, total lean, and ham percentages than crossbred pigs (p< 0.05). LWLRP had thicker backfat and more carcass fat percentage than LWLRD (p0.05) on cutting percentages from tender loin, loin, boston butt, and picnic shoulder among groups. The PP and LWLRP had larger loin eye area (LEA) than LWLRD (p0.05). PP and LWLRP had larger muscle fiber diameters than LWLRD (p0.05). Conclusion Pakchong 5 purebred has good carcass and lean percentages. Compared to Duroc crossbred pigs, Pakchong 5 crossbreds have similar carcass and lean percentages, larger LEA, and slightly more carcass fat, with comparable meat quality and chemical composition. Pakchong 5 boars are more affordable for very small- to medium-scale pig producers.

This study investigated the effects of dietary energy density in rice straw and cassava pulp fermented total mixed ration on pH, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and collagen content of 2- or 14-d-aged native Thai cattle (NTC) Longissimus thoracic (LT) muscles and fatty acids and ribonucleotides of 2-d-aged LT. Eighteen yearling NTC (Bos indicus) were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (T1 = 8.9, T2 = 9.7, and T3 = 10.5 MJ ME/kg), with six bulls per treatment. The results showed that T1 had the highest WBSF (p < 0.05). However, T2 had similar WBSF to T3 (p > 0.05). With aging, cooking loss increased (p < 0.01), while WBSF decreased (p < 0.01). Insoluble and total collagen decreased with aging (p < 0.05). Dietary energy density had no effect (p > 0.05) on collagen content, ribonucleotides and most fatty acids. However, T1 had more (p < 0.05) decanoic (C10:0), vaccenic (C18:1n9t), trans-linolelaidic (C18:2n6t), eicosatrienoic (C20:3n6), and docosadienoic (C22:2) acids than T2 and T3. In terms of lowest feed cost with comparable tenderness to T2 and highest energy density, T3 may be well suited for feeding NTC. Aging for 14 days improves LT tenderness, but its cooking loss may affect yield and juiciness.

The effects of guanidinoacteic acid (GAA) supplementation on productive performance, pectoral myopathies, and meat quality of broilers were studied. Treatments consisted of corn/soybean-based diets with a GAA supplement (0%, 0.06%, and 0.12%). A total of 546 one-day-old Ross-308 males were randomly allocated to 42 floor pens with 14 replicates (13 birds/pens) for each treatment. The results showed that GAA at doses of 0.06% and 0.12% improved feed conversion, increased the percentage of normal breast, and decreased the severity of wooden breast. Breast muscle myopathy severity was positively correlated with heavy birds and negatively correlated with breast muscle creatine and glycogen. Breast muscle creatine and glycogen correlated positively with normal, less severe pectoral myopathies and meat quality. In conclusion, GAA supplementation improved broiler performance without exacerbating pectoral myopathy or affecting meat quality.

The effects of different starch sources (ground corn (CO), ground cassava (CA) and pineapple stem starch (PI)) and ageing period (14 and 21 days) on meat characteristics of Holstein steers were investigated. Starch sources had no effect on meat characteristics, while meat aged for 14 days had less thawing loss than that aged for 21 days. Meat from steers fed PI had higher levels of inosine monophosphate (IMP) than the others (p < 0.05). With increasing duration of ageing, the content of IMP and guanosine monophosphate in the meat decreased, while the content of hypoxanthine increased (p < 0.05). Meat from steers fed CO had the highest oleic acid but the lowest erucic acid (p < 0.05) in contrast to meat from steers fed PI, which had the lowest oleic acid but the highest erucic acid. Steers fed CO appeared to produce healthier meat as this was positively associated with monounsaturated fatty acid content. Meat from steers fed PI had higher levels of IMP, which may be associated with good taste.

Carcass composition, meat quality, calpain activity, fatty acid composition, and ribonucleotide content were examined and compared between male Southern Thai native goats (NG, n = 10) and three-way crossbred goats (CG, 50% Boer × 25% Saanen × 25% Southern Thai native, n = 10). All animals were fed 1.5% body weight of concentrate (16% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients) and fresh Napier grass for 4 months. At the end of raising period, the final weight between the two genotypes was not significantly different. The percentage of carcass, bone, and fat of CG were higher than those of NG. NG presented lower shear force values, insoluble and total collagen content but higher collagen solubility and calpain-1 activity at 24 h postmortem. Additionally, NG meat was high in monounsaturated fatty acids but low in saturated fatty acids. However, the amount of ribonucleotide was no significant difference between two genotypes.

Objective: This study investigated carcass characteristics and meat quality of purebred Pakchong 5, crossbred pigs sired by Pakchong 5, and crossbred pigs sired by Duroc. Methods: Forty-eight pigs (average body weight of 22.25 kg) were composed of three groups as purebred Pakchong 5 (PP), Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Pakchong 5 (LWLRP), and Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Duroc (LWLRD). Each group consisted of eight gilts and eight barrows. At 109-day-raising period, pigs were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles from left side of carcasses were evaluated for meat quality and chemical composition. Data were analyzed using general linear model procedure, where group, sex, and their interaction were included in the model. Results: The PP had greater carcass, total lean, and ham percentages than crossbred pigs (p< 0.05). LWLRP had thicker backfat and more carcass fat percentage than LWLRD (p<0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) on cutting percentages from tender loin, loin, boston butt, and picnic shoulder among groups. The PP and LWLRP had larger loin eye area (LEA) than LWLRD (p<0.05). Gilts had more loin percentage and lower L* value than barrows (p<0.05). No meat color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were affected by groups (p>0.05). PP and LWLRP had larger muscle fiber diameters than LWLRD (p<0.05). However, water holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and chemical composition of LT were not affected by group or sex (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pakchong 5 purebred has good carcass and lean percentages. Compared to Duroc crossbred pigs, Pakchong 5 crossbreds have similar carcass and lean percentages, larger LEA, and slightly more carcass fat, with comparable meat quality and chemical composition. Pakchong 5 boars are more affordable for very small- to medium-scale pig producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]