Recently, Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) cases have been reported in many countries worldwide. FAdV is a contagious agent associated with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) and hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) in chickens. It belongs to the Aviadenovirus genus of the family Adenoviridae. The virus is classified into five species (A to E) and further divided into 12 serotypes. Depending on the serotypes, they have diverse characteristics of virus that can either be pathogenic or nonpathogenic strain. From the viewpoint of epidemiological as well as vaccine development, it is very important to detect FAdV strains. Previous studies have been conducted on molecular research, but the continuity of this study in Malaysia has been limited. This study aims to identify the serotype classification of five Malaysian FAdV isolates obtained from field outbreaks during 2017-2019. In this study, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted based on Hexon gene. Results from the nucleotide sequence analysis discovered that the five isolates showed high similarity with FAdV-8b strains. High bootstrap values in phylogenetic analysis supported the clustering of the Malaysian FAdVs isolates into FAdVs species E. Consequently, the result of this study contributed important information on the epidemiology and culminated in the importance of control strategies against FAdV infection in Malaysia.

Liquid manures stored produce a significant amount of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) gas from biological anaerobic fermentation. Studies carried out to evaluate a potential biological cover on inhibiting gases emission and simple cover design to overcome the high cost of biogas production on covered lagoon types that are available on the market. The agriculture waste from rice straw, cocopeat, hay, and sawdust were used as biological covers in reducing CH4 emission and NH3 volatilisation from ruminant slurries. During ninety days of the undisturbed storage period, immediate reduction of CH4 and NH3 gases fluxes were observed after the application. Rice straw and coco peat were found to effectively reduce the emission of CH4 and NH3 between 45.5% and 56.9%. Other biological cover showed a slightly lower reduction on NH3 volatilisation and much lower in CH4 inhibition percentage (28-29%). Covering method was found to be suitable with Malaysia’s climate in reducing greenhouse gas emission from slurry manure.

To investigate premium palm kernel cake (PKC) based diet’s effect on amino acid digestibility, this study conducted a feeding trial. Four groups of 150 day-old broiler chickens in every group were given four isocaloric diets using these formulation: Diet 1 - commercial feed for both starter and grower phase Diet 2 - broiler feed that contains 30% PKC for starter phase + commercial grower, Diet 3 - commercial starter + broiler feed that contains 45% PKC for grower phase (and Diet 4 - broiler feed that contains 30% PKC for starter phase + broiler feed that contains 45 % premium PKC for grower phase. During the experiment’s day 31, bird faeces’ samples were collected based on group diets in order to estimate the availability of amino acid as well as the digestibility of amino acids using balance experiment. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with photo-diode array detector was used to analyse amino acid. The findings showed no significant difference in digestibility of amino acids with p<0.05 in the feed broiler chickens’ comparison with commercial feed in terms of different levels of PKC based diet. This study shows that by including 30-45% premium PKC in poultry diet, it could contribute as protein source in broiler feed production with suitable supplementation of essential amino acid. Further studies are encouraged to combine the analysis of excreta, ileal digesta and growth performance in order to achieve more concrete findings.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is contagious and fatal to humans. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns on food safety and security are rising due to potential interspecies transmission. As such, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on imported meat and animal parts is carried out and reported in this study to safeguard food safety and security. Overall, none of the 225 samples from various livestock (buffaloes, cattle, goat and pig) imported from seven countries were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from July 2020 to November 2021. This study finding serves as a baseline data for SARS-CoV-2 in imported meat and animal parts. Notably, this study accentuated the importance of active surveillance to prevent zoonosis and to safeguard food safety and security.

Information on common diseases is important for effective disease control and management programme. This paper aims to identify the common equine parasites infection diagnosed in Peninsular Malaysia using existing laboratory data system records from government veterinary laboratories. Equine data were analysed on the basis of disease diagnoses, states, types of programme, and breed from January 2014 to December 2018. For this purpose, laboratory data from parasitology unit in six (06) Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) laboratories across Peninsular Malaysia were compiled and a total of 7,123 samples sent to the laboratories during the time period were analysed. A total of 623 samples (8.75 %) were positive of 7 different endoparasites, with helminthiasis recording 4.45 % and protozoan infections recording 4.28 %. Monitoring programme recorded second highest number of samples received (33.58 %) but with highest positive samples (6.96 %), while import programmes had the highest number of samples received but with only 0.62 % of the samples were recorded positive. State of Johore (7.97 %) had the highest number of horse positive sample followed by Perlis (0.24 %) and Pahang (0.21 %). Thoroughbred were breed with the highest number of samples received (66.31 %) with 7.28 % were positive. In conclusion, this study provides an idea of prevailing equine common parasite status in Malaysia as per handled in the DVS laboratories, as DVS continues to emphasize horse health by conducting disease screening primarily associated with import and export programmes as well as conducting disease monitoring to ensure sustainability of the industry

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) and sperm quality for bull fertility screening by using Brahman bulls. A total of 17 Brahman bulls were sampled from the Department of Veterinary Services’ farm at Pusat Ternakan Haiwan (PTH) Ulu Lepar, Kuantan, Pahang, with age ranging between 2 to 7 years old. All candidates had undergone BSE and sperm quality test. All the data collected were analysed using SPSS software. The average age of the Brahman in this study was 55.06±14.37 months with 36.53±3.21 cm of scrotal diameter. The average libido score recorded for Brahman bulls in this study was 5.35±1.90. The minimum libido score was two (2) while the maximum score was seven (7). For sperm quality traits, the average parameter recorded for Brahman bulls were as follows: 54.41±20.15 % (sperm motility), 62.94±26.94 % (live sperm) and 49.40±8.53 % (normal sperm). The minimum and maximum score for sperm motility was 10 % and 80 %, respectively. For live sperm, the minimum score was 10 % and maximum score was 80 %. Meanwhile, normal sperm had a minimum score of 30 % and a maximum score of 65 %. The bull that fulfilled the requirements of the screening can be assigned as a superior bull for breeding program, thus making fertility screening a useful tool in monitoring potential breeder of the farm.

Total solids content in milk is measured to ensure the quality of fresh milk. In Malaysia, The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) monitors the quality and safety of fresh milk from the dairy farm to milk processors through the Milk Collection Centre (MCC). The aim of this study is to assess the quality of milk produced by dairy farmers from four MCCs in Perak based on the milk’s total solids content. This parameter was used to grade fresh milk into Grade A, Grade B and Grade C, and used by DVS of Perak state for milk pricing. The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) had received a total of 2397 samples of fresh milk from MCCs in Perak in the year 2018. Statistical analysis showed that the mean total solids content in milk from the four MCCs were significantly different (p<0.05) (Sg. Siput: 13.26%, Tapah: 12.60% Parit 12.87% and Taiping 12.99%). Overall, about 69.17% of samples were that of Grade A, 24.81% were Grade B and 6.02% were Grade C. This study showed that Sungai Siput MCC was the main contributor for Grade A milk while Taiping MCC was the highest contributor of Grade C milk. The result of this study also indicated that milk produced by dairy farmers in Perak was of good quality, yet there are still the needs for improvement in providing constantly high quality of milk.

Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important, contagious poultry viral disease reported across the globe. No recent reports on ND circulating in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of the study is to characterize 16 Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) isolated from chickens in Malaysia in the year of 2019. All isolates were genotypically analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers specific to the viral fusion (F) protein gene. Analysis of the F protein cleavage site’s deduced amino acid sequences revealed that from the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates, three of them were virulent with two different motifs of 112RRQKRF117 and 12RRRKRF117 while other isolates were avirulent. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that three isolates were grouped in genotype VII, five in genotype I while eight in genotype II. All genotype VII isolates were clustered under sub-genotype VII.2 (VIIh and VIIi) which is the same strain causing previous outbreaks in Malaysia. Therefore, findings in this study demonstrated that there is no new introduction of NDV genotypes in Malaysia. However, farms should implement biosecurity measures at strict level as well as executing continuous monitoring and surveillance of the disease as these implementations would help them to conduct proper preventive measures and control of panzootic viruses in future.

Cost of feed is one of the primary stumbling blocks for goat farming in Malaysia. Stage feeding was introduced as a method to formulate feed at minimum cost based on the requirement of different stages of production to improve overall farm productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate 5 feeding rations formulated based on the requirements of different production stages on Katjang-Boer crossbred. Ration formulated of creep feed (CF) for a period of 101d, starter grower (SG) (70d), grower finisher (GF) (98d), flushing feed (FF) (97d) and maintenance feed (MF) (155d) were compared with commercial feed (CCF and CMF) as control. Results showed a significantly higher (P<0.05 preweaning bodyweight of 12.83 ± 3.61 kg in CF at 101 days of age. Post weaning also achieved significantly higher bodyweight (P<0.05 of 22.20±2.78kg and 31.5±4.67 in SG (223 days) and GF (361 days) of age respectively. Feed cost per kg gain obtain in CF (RM5.68), SG (RM9.03) and GF (RM6.57) were lower compared to CCM of RM6.14, RM10.27 and 12.99 respectively. FF showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of 67.01 ± 14.42 g while MF was able to maintain body weight at minimum cost. Stage feeding proved to be able to meet nutritional needs through significantly higher body weight in CF, SG, GF and FF as well as lower feed cost per kg gain rendering it as a more economical option.

Information on the nutritional content of animal feed is very important in improving milk production and the quality of milk produced. Data on the nutrition and nutritional quality of feed given to livestock are not comprehensively evaluated and recorded in any dairy farms in Johore. The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional content of selected feedstuffs, with production and quality of milk in selected dairy farms in Johore. Data were collected from 94 dairy farms during field visits through face-toface interviews. Feed samples collected were dairy cattle pellet, Napier grass, palm kernel cake, palm kernel expeller, soybean hull, corn, cassava peel and agricultural waste. Proximate analysis was performed using standard AOAC methods. The result of this study found that 67.0% of dairy farmers in Johore use Napier grass as the main source of fodder. The survey showed that 46% of the farmers in Johore give a suitable quantity of Napier grass based on body weight, while for milk production, the survey showed that 54 dairy farms in Johore produce less than 100 litres/day, 18 farms produce 101-200 litres/day, 12 farms produce 201-300 litres/day, and 10 farms produce more than 300 litres/day. The overall status of dairy farms in Johore shows that 60% of the farms produce an average of 5.1-10 litre milk per cow per day in which 92.5% of milk samples collected had acceptable Total Dissolved Solid values indicating good quality of milk production.