The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of dietary replacing corn with Lilium brownii residue on production performance of three-way crossbred （′Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire′） weaned piglets, and to determine its proper addition ratio in the diet. A total of 36 （′Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire′） three-way crossbred weaned piglets weighed （20.14±0.78） kg with good health status were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group and 3 piglets in each replicate. Lilium brownii residue were used to replace 0 （control group）, 5.00% （experimental groupⅠ）, 10.00% （experimental groupⅡ）, and 15.00% （experimental group Ⅲ) of corn in the diet. The pre-experiment period was 7 d and the formal trial period was 30 d. After the experiment, the production performance of the weaned piglets was measured. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the initial weight between the four groups （P>0.05）. At the end of the experiment, the average weights of the experimental groupⅠ, experimental groupⅡand control group were 42.08, 38.42 and 39.39 kg, respectively, which were 6.67, 3.01 and 3.98 kg higher than that of the experimental group Ⅲ, respectively. The average daily weight gain of the control group and experimental groupⅠwas 646.47 and 728.24 g/d, respectively, and both of them was significantly （P<0.05）higher than that of the experimental groupⅡand Ⅲ. The feed intake of the experimental group Ⅲ was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the control group and experimental groupⅠ, while no significant difference between the other groups was observed （P>0.05）. In terms of the feed to gain ratio, the experimental groupⅠwas significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the other three groups. The control group and experimental groupⅠseparately had only one piglet developed diarrhea and both of them were healed after treatment. There was no diarrhea in the experimental groupⅡand Ⅲ. No piglets died in each group.

[Objective] To assess the effects of dietary supplementation of compound traditional Chinese medicine （CTCM） on serum level of cholesterol and lipoprotein of piglets in nursery stage, and to provide references for the development of traditional Chinese medicine that can enhance the immunological functions of nursery piglets, for the reduction of antibiotics uses in livestock breeding industry, and for the antibiotics-free pork production. [Method] A total of 80 （28±2） -day-old ′Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire′ three-way crossbred piglets with similar weight were randomly divided into 4 treatments （groups） with 2 replicates in each treatment （group） and 10 piglets in each replicate. The first group was served as a control group which fed a basal diet. The second, third and fourth groups were fed with the basal diet supplemented with 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.5% CTCM, respectively. The experimental period lasted for 4 weeks. On the second day after the end of the experiment, the blood samples were collected from anterior vena cava at 9:00 am before feeding, and the routine indicators of the whole blood were measured. [Result] Compared to the control group, the serum content of lipoprotein lipase in the nursery piglets with dietary supplementation of CTCM were all increased, and significant （P<0.05） difference was observed between the 0.5% CTCM addition group and control group. While the elevated serum level of high-density lipoprotein was observed in all of the CTCM addition groups compared to control group, no significant difference was observed（P>0.05）; the serum level of high-density lipoprotein of the nursery piglets was reduced with the decreasement of addition ration of the CTCM. Compared with the control group, the serum content of low-density lipoprotein of the CTCM addition groups were all reduced, and it was decreased with the reduction of addition ration of the CTCM; extremely significant （P<0.01） difference was found between the 0.5% CTCM addition group and control group. The serum content of triacylglycerol had the same changing feature with low-density lipoprotein, but no significant difference was observed between the CTCM addition groups and control group （P>0.05）. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of CTCM elevated the serum content of lipoprotein lipase and high-density lipoprotein of the crossbred nursery piglets, and reduced the serum level of low-density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol.

Selenium is an essential trace element in animals which plays an important role in anti-oxidation defense, immunity, and maintenance of normal growth, development and reproduction of animals. Due to its advantages of low toxicity, high biological activity and minor environmental pollution, nano-selenium has a broad application prospect in livestock and poultry production. The purpose of this paper is to review the research progress on the application of nano-selenium as a new selenium source in animal husbandry industry from the aspects of its basic information, function, application and corresponding limitation, in hoping to provide reference for the application of nano-selenium in animal husbandry industry.

Brachyury （T） gene is the first identified gene in the T-box family, hence the name of the gene family was obtained. Scientists have been exploring the molecular structure and physiological functions of Brachyury genes and members of the T-box family. Studies have found that Brachyury gene has high homology in various animal species, which indicates that the T gene is highly conserved during the evolution process. Brachyury gene plays an indispensable role in the formation of notochord, tail buds and allantois during mammalian embryonic development, and the cause of the impediment in embryonic development is most likely the up-regulation or down-regulation of factors related to the Wnt and FGF signaling pathways induced by the changes in the Brachyury gene. Later researches have also found that the formation of the short tail phenotype in animals also seems to be closely associated with the expression of the Brachyury gene during embryonic development. Based on the research status of Brachyury gene at home and abroad, we summarized the homology of Brachyury gene and its regulatory role during embryonic development, in hoping to provide a reference for related researches.

[Objective] To analyze the polymorphism of c.A99G mutation site on exon 1 of adiponectin gene （NC_006096） of Wuding chicken. [Method] The whole blood samples of 67 Wuding chickens were collected from the wing veins, and the genomic DNA was extracted. The PCR products digested with Hsp92Ⅱ restriction enzyme were analyzed via PCR-RFLP assay. [Result] Three genotypes of AA, AB and BB were observed at the synonymous mutation site of c.A99G, in which the frequency of A gene was 0.686 6 and that of B gene was 0.313 4; the PIC was 0.337 8, indicating that the site was a moderate polymorphic site;χ² fitness test showed that the adiponectin gene c.A99G site was in equilibrium. [Conclusion] The PCR-RFLP method effectively detected the c.A99G mutation of adiponectin gene of Wuding chicken. There were 3 genotypes at this locus, and the alleles were at the level of moderate genetic polymorphism and were in equilibrium.

miRNAs are a class of small molecule non-coding RNAs that play a regulatory role in many physiological and pathological processes of the body. Our previous research found that the expression level of miRNA-1185-5p in the ovary of double-lambing ewes was significantly lower than that of the single-lambing ewes. In order to further explore the role of miRNA-1185-5p in reproductive process of ewes, the genomic location of miRNA-1185-5p was assessed by using bioinformatical methods. Furthermore, the target genes prediction and their corresponding GO annotation of miRNA-1185-5p were bioinformatically performed. The results showed that miRNA-1185-5p was an intron miRNA located on sheep chromosome 18; a total of 23 genes were predicted as the target genes of miRNA-1185-5p via miRDB and microT methods, which were involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism and other biological processes. Among the target genes, AhR gene was found to directly participate in the reproductive process. This study suggests that miRNA-1185-5p may regulate the reproductive process of ewes by acting on its target genes such as AhR.

The mining dump is a product after the reclamation and utilization of grassland. Vegetation restoration is of great significance to the damaged grassland ecosystem. Nematodes are the main component of the grassland underground ecosystem and are sensitive to the soil environment. Accordingly, they can be used as a good indicative organism. In this study, in order to reveal the effects of grassland vegetation restoration on soil nematodes in dumping grounds of mining areas, the numbers, species, diversity and community structure of nematodes in the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers of the dumping grounds of mining areas treated with artificial vegetation restoration for 4 and 8 years were assessed. Meanwhile, the dumping grounds of mining area without vegetation restoration treatment for 4 years and the natural grasslands without treatment were also included. The results showed that a total of 51 genera of soil nematodes were isolated in the four tested areas. Different grassland vegetation restoration ways had impacts on the species and dominance of soil nematodes. There were differences in the dominant species of soil nematodes under different restoration ways. The number and nutrient groups of the obtained soil nematodes varied among different grassland vegetation restoration ways, and the number of isolated soil nematodes and that of their corresponding genera were as follows: artificial vegetation restoration for 8 years > artificial vegetation restoration for 4 years > natural grasslands > no vegetation restoration for 4 years. The number of predatory/omnivorous nematodes in the tested areas with artificial vegetation restoration for 4 and 8 years was higher than that in the area with no vegetation restoration for 4 years, and increased diversity of the entire underground soil nematodes in the two areas with artificial vegetation restoration was observed. The H′ diversity index of the area with no vegetation restoration for 4 years was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the other three tested areas, which indicated that restoration of grassland vegetation exerted maturity and stability role in soil nematodes community and revealed the soil restoration status. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the selection and implementation of ecological restoration measures for dumping grounds of mining areas.

[Objective] To isolate the heat-resistant Bacillus strain from the fermentation liquid of microorganisms, and to evaluate the disinfective effect of several commonly used disinfection techniques on Bacillus circulans. [Method] The heat-resistant strain was screened from the fermentation liquid of microorganisms by heat treatment at 100 ℃for 30 minutes. The obtained heat-resistant strain was identified via colony morphology, cultural characteristics, Gram staining, biochemical confirmation and molecular biological identification. A phylogenetic tree was constructed for gene sequence alignment analysis. The disinfective effect of hot air treatment, ultraviolet irradiation and peracetic acid disinfection techniques on the isolated strain was assessed. [Result] One heat-resistant bacterial strain was isolated from the fermentation liquid of microorganisms, and it was identified as Bacillus circulans. By comparing the disinfective effect of different disinfection technologies on Bacillus circulans in micro-ecological preparations, it was found that when the bacterial solution was treated at 120 ℃ for 60 minutes under the dry heat condition and treated at 120 ℃ for 10 minutes under the humid heat condition, and when the ultraviolet irradiation time exceeded 140 minutes （radiation intensity reached 110 μW/cm²） and the volume fraction of peroxyacetic acid was higher than 2.75%, the growth of Bacillus circulans was effectively inhibited. [Conclusion] The Bacillus circulans strain was successfully isolated from the fermentation liquid of microorganisms, and the disinfection effective test provided references for the subsequent safe production of micro-ecological preparations and optimization of the fermentation conditions of the bacteria.

Biogas is a green, clean and renewable energy source that has been included in the national energy development strategy. The development of biogas can not only help to alleviate the supply-demand imbalance of natural gas in China, reduce external dependence, ensure national energy security, promote the transformation of energy structure, but also can solve the environmental pollution problems caused by organic wastes such as livestock manure and straw. This article introduces the development status of biogas in China, analyzes the potential for biogas development, and proposes corresponding measures to accelerate the healthy development of biogas. China needs to establish a unified biogas standard, introduce and absorb the foreign mature and advanced technology, conduct independent innovation research to form suitable biogas purification technology and complete sets of purification equipment in China, and increase support in terms of policies and subsidies, especially in subsidies for operation management and end products (biogas, straw, organic fertilizer and liquid fertilizer).

Based on field investigations on some animal husbandry industry banners and counties in Inner Mongolia, we summarized and analyzed the achievements and main problems in animal husbandry industry development in Inner Mongolia pastoral areas represented by 33 animal husbandry industry banners and counties. Furthermore, we systematically put forward some high-quality developmental strategies of animal husbandry industry in Inner Mongolia pastoral areas from the aspects of emphasizing industrialized operation, focusing on plan of professional production layout, stressing on transformation of grassland animal husbandry production ways, underlining systems of improved breeding of livestock, underscoring adjustment of the herd structure and breeding methods, and concentrating on construction of complementary utilization systems of forage resources between agricultural and pastoral areas, in hoping to provide references for promoting the modernization of pastoral areas in Inner Mongolia.

The objective of this study were to characterize the spatial distribution pattern of transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner of Inner Mongolia, and to reveal its corresponding formation mechanism. The Kriging interpolation method was used to assess the spatial differentiation pattern of transfer prices of grazed grassland in this region, and then correlation analysis and spatial measurement model were employed to reveal its formation mechanism. The results showed that the transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner gradually decreases from the northern and southeastern areas to the periphery, and presented a trend of high in the eastern area and low in the western area. Significant spatial autocorrelation characteristics and an obvious spatial agglomeration pattern of the transfer prices of grazed grassland was observed, but there was also a pattern of local dispersion due to a small amount of spatial heterogeneity. The use purpose and grass yield of the transferred grazed grassland as well as signing contract or not during the transferring process had the most significant impacts on the transfer prices, followed by the annual net animal husbandry income of herdsmen and contracted grazed grassland area of herdsmen. Our results provide a reference information for macro-controlling the overall situation of transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner and improving the grassland transfer market in different regions.

In order to further promote the development of grass and animal husbandry industry in Ar Horqin Banner of Chifeng City, based on a field survey, the current developmental status and implementation achievements in grass and animal husbandry industry in this region were summarized, the existing problems in the development of this industry in this region were analyzed, and some reasonable developmental countermeasures were proposed.

Lipids are extremely complex and diverse biomolecules, and at least more than 400 types of milk fat triacylglycerol （TAG） have been reported. The content of nearly 60 reported types of TAG exceed 1% in milk fat. At present, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （LC-MS） is the commonly used method to separate and identify TAG molecules, including reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography （RP-HPLC）, silver ion high-performance liquid chromatography （Ag⁺-HPLC）, two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography （2D-HPLC）, and supercritical fluid chromatography （SFC）. Moreover, the mainly used molecular ionization methods are electrospray ionization （ESI） and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization （APCI）. Mass spectrometry can determine molecular weight and fatty acid positions, but molecular isomer identification remains a challenge. Systematic researches on TAG for cattle, goats, horses, camels, yaks and buffalos are limited in China. The establishment of the TAG profile can not only evaluate the nutritional characteristics of milk fat and guide the scientific improvement of breeding methods, but also help to establish an identification model of species, breeding methods, origin and processing methods of milk. This article reviews the research progress on determination and analysis methods of milk fat triacylglycerol, in hoping to provide a theoretical basis for dairy product quality control as well as food integrity and authenticity identification.

Cellulase is widely used in animal husbandry industry, feed industry, biotechnology and bioenergy utilization. Cellulase gene engineering, as one of the hot topics in biological fermentation researches, can improve enzyme yield and stability and has broad application prospects. The pMG36e vector was transformed by using genetic engineering technology, and a food-grade recombinant plasmid with double-selected markers and external secretion function of cellulase was successfully constructed. The plasmid was then transformed into Enterococcus faecalis 19855 strain and gene expression was determined. The secreted cellulase activity was 0.92 U/mL. Our results lay a foundation for the further development of food-grade engineering bacteria.

[Objective] To investigate the chromaticity parameters of beef and mutton produced in Inner Mongolia, and to evaluate the feasibility of using chromaticity value modeling to distinguish the beef produced in free-grazing or confined condition and the geographic origin of mutton produced in free-grazing condition. [Method] A total of 39 beef samples produced in free-grazing condition and 14 beef samples produced in confined condition were collected from Ewenki Autonomous Banner and Hohhot City of Inner Mongolia, respectively, and a total of 117 mutton samples produced in free-grazing condition were collected from different geographic regions of Inner Mongolia, including Ewenki Autonomous Banner, New Barag Left Banner, New Barag Right Banner, Abag Banner and Sonid Left Banner, were also collected. The chromaticity parameters of biceps brachii, longissimus dorsi muscle and fat of the collected beef and mutton samples were measured using a Hunter Lab colorimeter, and a difference test and principal component analysis （PCA） were performed. [Result] The a^* value （15.93±0.75） of the longissimus dorsi muscle of beef produced in free-grazing condition in Ewenki Autonomous Banner was significantly （P<0.01） higher than that produced in confined condition in Hohhot （12.81±0.84）, and the former had darker color; the fat b^* value of beef produced in free-grazing condition （27.86±1.55） was 3.1 times as high as the beef produced in confined condition （8.94±0.57）, and the former showed lemon yellow to orange yellow in color; for beef, PCA analysis demonstrated a significant clustering separation between the two different feeding condition. For the mutton sampled from the above five banners, the a^* and b^* values of the biceps brachii （18.14±0.64 and 9.02±1.22） was higher than those of the longissimus dorsi muscle （17.00±0.78 and 8.14±1.71）, respectively, and significant differences were observed （P<0.05）; the chromaticity parameters of mutton samples collected from Abag Banner was significantly different from those of the samples collected from the other banners, and PCA analysis demonstrated that the chromaticity parameters of mutton collected from Abag Banner formed an independent cluster apart from those of the mutton originated from the other banners; there were differences in fat chromaticity parameters of mutton collected from the above five banners, which could be used to identify the geographic origin of sheep. [Conclusion] It is feasible to use the model with muscle and fat chromaticity parameters to distinguish beef produced in free-grazing or confined condition, and to employ the model with fat chromaticity parameters to differentiate the geographic origin of mutton. Establishing the color standards for beef produced in free-grazing and confined condition and for mutton with different geographic origin in Inner Mongolia is conductive to the featured beef and mutton industry in Inner Mongolia, especially the brand development of beef and mutton produced in free-grazing condition. However, the establishment of relevant standards requires more systematic and detailed detection and analysis.

In order to determine the optimal extraction conditions for polyphenols from Ephedre sinica root, a single factor test was performed using the concentration of the extraction reagent, the soaking time and the material-liquid ratio as evaluative indicators. Based on the single factor test, orthogonal experiments were performed to optimize the extraction process of polyphenols from Ephedre sinica root. The results showed that the best extraction performance with polyphenols yield of 0.586 0 mg/g was obtained under the conditions of the material-liquid ratio of 1:30, the ethanol concentration of 60%, and the soaking time of 15 h. This study provides references for the future development and utilization of Ephedre sinica root.

[Objective] To assess the antibacterial activity of an antibacterial peptide against a clinically isolated antibiotic resistant bacterial strain. [Method] A bacterial strain with antimicrobial resistance was isolated from the bloody stool sample of cattle with diarrhea by the resistant plate streaking method, and was subsequently identified by 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing. The antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolate was carried out via agar hole diffusion method with the antimicrobial agents of spectinomycin, ampicillin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol. The antibacterial activity of an antibacterial peptide against the isolate was evaluated. [Result] The obtained isolate was molecularly identified as Staphylococcus cohnii. It was sensitive to ampicillin but resistant to the other tested antimicrobial agents. The antibacterial peptide of different concentrations expressed obvious antibacterial activity against the isolate. [Conclusion] The antibacterial peptide can effectively inhibit the growth of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus cohnii and has potential to serve as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock production.

In order to understand the infection status of digestive tract nematodes in free ranging sheep in Yuci District of Shanxi Province, the infection rate and infection intensity of gastrointestinal nematodes in four sheep in the northern suburb of Yuci District were studied by using complete helminthological dissection. The results showed that the total infection rate of digestive tract nematodes of the four sheep was 100% （4/4）, and a total of 7 kinds of nematodes were detected. The observed nematodes species and their corresponding infection rate and average infection intensity were as followed: Haemonchus contortus （100%, 51）, Ostertagia circumcincta （100%, 39）, Bunostomum trigonocephalum （50%, 5）, Nematodirella longispiculata （100%, 29）, Oesophagostomum columbianum （50%, 4）, Trichuris ovis （100%, 12）, and Chabertia ovina （100%, 81）. The t-test showed that there was no significant difference in infection intensity between Haemonchus contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta in abomasum; in the small intestine, the significant difference in infection intensity between Bunostomum trigonocephalum and Nematodirella longispiculata was observed; in the large intestine, there was significant difference in infection intensity between Trichuris ovis and Oesophagostomum columbianum, Chabertia ovina. Furthermore, the isolates of Nematodirella longispiculata were morphologically redescribed.

Sheep coenurosis is a parasitic disease that seriously affects lambs, which is caused by infection with the metacestode larval stage （Coenurus cerebralis） of Taenia multiceps. Coenurus cerebralis mainly parasitizes in the brain and spinal cord of ruminants such as cattle and sheep, and always results in a series of neurological symptoms and even causes the death. In this study, the clinical symptoms, pathological changes, diagnosis method, and surgical treatment of the clinical cases of coenurosis in sheep were introduced, the causes of the disease were analyzed, and comprehensive prevention and control measures for coenurosis were proposed.

In order to investigate the effect of oxygen supply with different concentrations on the hatching of Lhasa white chicken breeding eggs, the 5^th generation Lhasa white chicken breeding eggs were selected for hatching. A total of eight groups were included in this study, and there were 1 000 Lhasa white chicken breeding eggs for each group. The control group did not receive oxygen supply during the whole experiment. The oxygen concentration range supplied for experimental group 1 to 7 were 21.00%-22.50%, 22.51%-23.50%, 23.51%-24.50%, 24.51%-25.50%, 25.51%-26.50%, 26.51%-27.50%, and 27.51%-28.50%, respectively. During and at the end of the experiment, the indicators associated with hatching of Lhasa white chicken breeding eggs in different groups were recorded, calculated and compared. The results showed that the total number of hatchlings （851）, the number of healthy hatchlings （813）, the healthy hatchling rate （95.53%）, and the hatching rate of hatched eggs （85.10%） and fertilized eggs （91.21%） in the experimental group 7 were the highest; the number of dead embryos （18） at first candling, the sperm death rate （1.93%）, the number of dead embryos at second candling （29）, the weak hatchling rate （3.88%）, the number of hairy eggs （35）, and the stillbirth rate （3.75%) in the experimental group 7 were the lowest; the number of non-spermatozoa eggs （68）, the number of dead embryos at first candling （87）, the sperm death rate （9.33%）, the number of dead embryos at second candling （146）, the number of dead hatchlings （8）, the rate of dead hatchlings （1.42%）, the number of hairy eggs （136）, and the stillbirth rate （14.59%） in the control group were the highest; the number of fertilized eggs （932）, the fertilization rate （93.20%), the total number of hatchlings （563）, the number of healthy hatchlings （529）, the healthy hatchling rate （93.96%）, and the hatching rate of hatched eggs （56.30%） and fertilized eggs （60.40%） in the control group were the lowest; the experimental group 2 had the highest weak hatchling rate of 4.88%; the highest number of the fertilized eggs （942）, the fertilization rate （94.20%） and the number of weak hatchlings （37） were observed in the experimental group 6, and the lowest number of the non-spermatozoa eggs （58） and the rate of dead hatchlings （0.49%） were also found in this group. This study provides a theoretical reference for the hatching experiments of Lhasa white chicken breeding eggs at oxygen supply condition conducted in the plateau.

Emerging information technology is widely used in the field of education. Local colleges and universities use MOOC + SPOC mode to strengthen education and teaching reforms, and integrate the flipped classroom teaching mode into teaching operations. According to the teaching characteristics of pharmaceutical specialty courses in universities, this paper explored the teaching of pharmaceutical engineering major associated courses from the aspects of teaching information platform construction, course contents, assessment and evaluation, in hoping to improve the connotation of curriculum teaching and to explore the role of the established teaching mode in training pharmaceutical engineering talents and in improving teaching quality.

In the teaching process of Animal Anatomy Experiment, the ′heart and arterial vascular trunk′ immersed specimens play a very important role in teaching and learning. In this study, sheep were used as experimental animals, and the ′heart and arterial vascular trunk′ immersed specimens were successfully prepared through patient stripping. We summarized and reported the preparing process of these specimens, in hoping to provide references for teaching of Animal Anatomy Experiment.

Deepening the reform of curriculum teaching and establishing a teaching system based on market demand is an important task for the development of animal science major and the training of technical personnel. Sheep and Goats Production is one of the professional courses in animal science major in agricultural colleges. It has strong theoretical and practical significance. Aiming to construct the professional and technical personnel training system oriented by the sheep industry market demand, the teaching reform of Sheep and Goats Production was conducted via expanding the teaching content, improving the teaching methods and means, and strengthening practical teaching. The implementation of the teaching reform improved the undergraduates′ interests on professional knowledge, enhanced the teaching effects, and elevated the teaching quality, laying a foundation for the training of professional and technical personnel adapting to the development of modern sheep industry.

Animal Infectious Diseases is the main and compulsory course of veterinary medicine major in agricultural colleges. Experimental courses, playing a verificative and supportive role for theoretical course, are of great significance for undergraduates to integrate theory with practice and to cultivate innovative thinking ability. Combining the relevant teaching concepts and teaching experiences at home and abroad, we conduct the teaching reform of Animal Infectious Diseases Experiment by improving teaching models, emphasizing on biological safety, and optimizing teaching contents, in hoping to improve teaching quality of this course and to lay a theoretical foundation for training innovative talents in livestock and poultry industry.