The poultry industry is the most advanced and independent among livestock industry in Malaysia with over 100 percent self-sufficient level (SSL) since 2004. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) has launched National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) in October 2021. One of the objectives is to increase the poultry’s SSL to 140.2 % by 2030, an increase from 104.10 % in 2020. The objective of this study was to analyze the production cost of selected commercial broiler farms in Malaysia. The scope of the study was to evaluate the economic assessment of broiler production in order to understand the industry widely and also to identify which segments along the production line need to be improved and at the same time to ensure that this industry remains competitive and productive. Production cost data were obtained from selected commercial broilers via questionnaire forms. The result showed that the average broiler production cost is RM4.40/kg. Small farms have higher total average cost per kg, which is RM4.70, followed by commercial scale farms at RM4.43 and medium-scale farms at RM4.29, respectively. Feed cost contributes 66 % of the total production cost of whole expenditure followed by day-old chick’s cost, 19 %. The average profit estimation is RM0.65/kg based on RM5.05/kg for the ex-farm price of live poultry.

Four types of products made from Neem namely, neem leaf decoction, neem capsule, neem fresh juice and neem extract were given to 4 groups of goat for a period of 10 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these products in controlling natural gastrointestinal helminth infection. During the course of the study, faecal egg counts, Packed Cell Volume and FAMACHA readings were
monitored weekly. Results of feeding these products were variable when compared to untreated control animals, however, a 40-60% worm control was observed. Further testing is required to fine tune these
products for use in the field especially where anthelmintic resistance deems drugs to be ineffective.

Kedah-Kelantan cattle (KK) being an indigenous breed are highly adapted to the hot-humid Malaysian climate and can survive in harsh, marginal environments. This makes the KK a valuable genetic resource, given the challenges of climate change and the changing demands of the livestock sector. Hitherto there is no comprehensive programme to genetically improve the purebred KK. Genetic improvement of the KK would be to fulfill the breeding objectives of increasing lean meat growth rate, enhancing meat quality, raising feed efficiency, improving fertility and maintaining adaptability. The breeding structure proposed is a 2-tier breeding structure, with a nucleus tier followed by a commercial tier below it. The nucleus tier would comprise of a number of pedigree farms run as a community
breeding project. A sire reference scheme is proposed, where progeny of reference sires are used as genetic links between pedigree herds and between years. Some guidelines are offered on the establishment
and implementation of the scheme. Modern breeding technology such as BLUP using an Animal Model, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, tissue scanning, MAS and MAI could be used as tools to support the KK genetic improvement programme. To address the problem of genetic erosion, emphasis should be given to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the KK. The programme is expected to have a high impact on the livestock sector. Substantial investments are needed to develop infrastructure and human capital associated with the KK breeding programme. The establishment of a KK breed society will improve awareness concerning the KK and protect the interests
of the KK breeding community.

Anthelmintic resistance which is escalating in Malaysia and other
countries is forcing farmers worldwide to look at alternative, green technologies to improve productivity and reduce diseases caused by helminths in livestock. One such method is the use of effective microbes or Useful Microbes (UM) for worm control. Therefore, a preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of UM on nematode parasites of goat in a government farm. Fifteen Boer goats were randomly selected and fed with UM Bokashi mix (effective microbes in the form of granules) with commercial goat
pellets and UM fluid in drinking water. UM used in this study was produced by Department of Veterinary Services Penang by fermenting UM stock culture with a fruit base and molasses. Faecal egg counts
(FEC) using the modified McMaster technique was carried out weekly for 5 weeks. The results show that the UM used for animal feeding (5% Bokashi with commercial goat pellet) and ad lib UM fluid in drinking water, fed over a period of 1 month showed Faecal Egg Count
reduction from 3240 e.p.g. to 677 e.p.g. (79% reduction). The general packed cell volume also increased in a majority of the animals indicating better general health. Further studies are necessary to establish the systematic use of UM in smallholder farms as well as large commercial establishments and to determine its mode
of action in the pathophysiological aspects in the face of common limitations such as poor nutrition and other stress factors.

Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). It has been reported in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world which raises significant socioeconomic concerns for international trade in animals and animal products. However, recent and updated information related to the current prevalence of BT in Malaysia is limited. The last holistic report was reported during BT outbreaks in the year of 1990s. This study aims to determine the current status of seroprevalence of BT among ruminants in Malaysia from 2013 to 2019. A total of 9,787 serum samples from buffalo, cattle, deer, goat as well as sheep were received from January 2013 until December 2019. All these serum samples were subjected to Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test to detect the presence of antibodies towards BTV. The overall status of BTV was 20.18 % (1,975/9,787), with 56 % (14/25) in deer, 46.4 % (428/922) in cattle and 35.7 % (60/168) in buffalo. Positive BT antibodies were detected in young animals (<6 months) with 30.60 %, while 23.61 % in adult animals (>2 years). The results of this study revealed that BTV is still circulating at low level in domestic and wild ruminant livestock animals in Malaysia. It is suggested that this disease needs close monitoring to prevent possible outbreaks in the future.

The Malaysian Pangolin (Manis javanica) is an endangered species,&#xD;but is widely hunted for its medicinal value in body parts. A total of sixteen pangolins were screened for blood protozoa and six&#xD;pangolins were confi rmed to be positive for eperythrozoonosis infection based on morphology from blood smears stained with 8% Giemsa. The causative organism, Eperythrozoon sp., with a size of 0.3 μm were observed under a compound microscope at 100× magnification on the surface of red blood cells as blue coloured dots. This is the fi rst report of Eperythrozoon infection from pangolins in Malaysia. Further identifi cation using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is necessary to confi rm E. ovis or wenyonii,&#xD;which is uncultivatable in artifi cial media.

This paper reports the relationship between mixed infections ofstrongyles with fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood and FAMACHA in experimental sheep in VRI. The third larval stage (L3) of strongylid nematode were fed orally to two experimental sheep. Each animal was given 3 ml L3 or equivalent to 3000 larvae. Faecal samples were then collected weekly for a 10 week duration. The FAMACHA scale for anemia estimation was used and blood collection through ear tip was also done twice a week to measure the packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood. The results show that the PCV decreases while faecal egg counts increase over the study period.The FAMACHA scale also increases with time indicating a progressive anemia with the decreasing PCV. As helminth infections are common in small ruminants, the effects of anemia are critical parameters to be monitored in any flock as this will determine its productivity in terms of mortality and morbidity.

A solar dryer was designed and constructed to dry fodder for livestock. The objectives of this project were to design and construct solar dryer systems for fodder drying and to evaluate the performance of the systems developed so that farmers can compare and choose an appropriate drying system to dry fodder. Two types of solar driers were designed in this study named as a) prototype solar dryer and b)greenhouse solar dryer. The performances of both systems were evaluated by observing their ability to achieve and maintain an optimum temperature of 60oC for a perfect drying process. In 2011, the prototype solar dryer was constructed at the Malaysia Veterinary Institute; however the results obtained were not as expected as the highest temperature achieved with the system was 44.9oC. Therefore, in 2012, the greenhouse solar dryer was constructed to replace the prototype model and the system has the ability to achieve the temperature up to 72.7oC.

Melioidosis usually results in chronic debilities that reduce the&#xD;productivity of animals and condemnation of carcasses in abattoir. Melioidosis is reemerging among animals and humans, and anecdotal reports suggest an increase in disease observation. This study described the seroprevalence of melioidosis in livestock based on the data obtained from the Department of Veterinary Services, Putrajaya and the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh. The data were summarized according to animal species, state, and year. The seroprevalence rate in animals was 7.6, 48.2, 2.6, 13.6 and 3.6% in cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigs respectively. The&#xD;seroprevalence of the disease varies in different states of the federation. For all species, the seroprevalence vary between&#xD;2.6% and 48.2%. The seroprevalence over the years increased from 4.2% in 2000 to 12.0% in 2003 after which it varies between&#xD;the period 2004- 2007 and apparently declined between 2007 and 2009.