Researchers from Arba-Minch University and Borena University in Ethiopia have reviewed the effects of genetically modified (GM) crops used as livestock feed, finding no adverse impacts on animal health or production.
Published in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, the study notes that GM crops have been widely adopted to improve yield, nutrition, and resistance to disease and pests. Safety assessments typically rely on the concept of substantial equivalency — comparing modified crops to their conventional counterparts — and the researchers found that the nutritional composition of GM feeds is generally comparable to non-modified crops.Public concerns around GM feed remain, including questions about antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, gene flow to wild plants, and biodiversity loss. The study acknowledges these issues while also pointing to the broader benefits of biotechnology, such as improved crop yields, better livestock productivity, and enhanced nutritional value.The researchers note that some differences in nutritional composition require further investigation to better understand their biological relevance.
Exposing eggs to light while they develop leads to chicks engaging more with environmental enrichments after they hatch, a new study has shown.
Researchers found that chicks incubated in light were more likely to use shelters in their environment than chicks that developed in darkness.
Understanding how early-life conditions shape behavior could help inform practices that improve welfare across the egg and poultry sector.
"We have shown that light exposure during incubation shapes early-life behaviour. Further, larger studies could investigate the feasibility of light during incubation, and the provision of sheltered enrichments for chicks, in industrial settings," said Professor Simone Meddle at the Roslin Institute.
Egg incubation
Scientists at the Roslin Institute studied groups of eggs incubated under different conditions. Some eggs were kept in darkness, while others were exposed to light. After hatching, some of the chicks were given access to a small, dark shelter in their pen, while others were not. The researchers then observed how the chicks behaved in the days and weeks following hatching.
The study found that all chicks made use of sheltered spaces to rest within or against, and to perch upon. Chicks that had been exposed to light while in the egg, by comparison, interacted with the shelter more often than those incubated in darkness.
Sheltered, dark and warm spaces are thought to mimic maternal care in the first days and weeks of life, reducing stress and unwanted behaviors, like injurious pecking, the team suggests.
Overall, chicks provided with a shelter were less active and rested more. As the grew older, they increasingly engaged with the shelter, mostly using it to rest inside, as well as resting against it or perching upon it.
Light effects
In commercial poultry production, eggs are usually incubated in darkness. In contrast, eggs incubated naturally by a hen are exposed to daylight when she leaves the nest.
The findings suggest that light exposure during incubation may provide benefits for chicks after hatching. Previous research has shown that light during incubation can improve hatching success, support growth, reduce stress, and influence brain development.
The study adds to growing evidence that simple environmental enrichments, such as shelters, can improve chick welfare by offering places to rest, perch, and take breaks away from other chicks.
Growth impact
Females that were incubated in light conditions weighed more by four weeks of age, compared with females incubated under darkness, which could have implications for productivity in egg-laying systems.
Light exposure did not affect when individual chicks hatched. However, the researchers suggest that regular light–dark cycles during incubation could help synchronize hatching across a clutch. This is because birds have light-sensitive receptors deep in their brains that help regulate daily rhythms, that are responsive to light signals even before hatching.
"Understanding the impact of light during incubation on early life behaviours in chicks provides an opportunity to influence their brain development, behaviour and welfare – all of which could have benefits for their health and productivity. Many factors influence hatching, including light cues, temperature, sounds and activity from nearby hatching chicks," said Louisa Kosin at the Roslin Institute.
World Farming Agriculture and Commodity news -13th April 2025
The world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis, has warned that the war involving Iran is disrupting its global operations and will lead to higher consumer prices in 2026.The conflict has blocked key shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the company to reroute cargoes, face sharply higher transport costs, and deal with delays. Some shipments of perishable products like butter and cream risk spoiling at sea if they cannot reach markets in time.Lactalis Chairman Emmanuel Besnier said the company will have to pass these extra costs — including higher energy, transport, and packaging expenses — on to customers. He expects price increases of only a few percent, which is much lower than the 20–25% rises seen during the 2022–2023 energy crisis.The company’s 2025 results showed revenue growing to €31.2 billion (up 2.9%) and net profit rising to €528 million. However, strong performance was partly offset by a high euro exchange rate.Lactalis continues its global expansion, recently acquiring General Mills’ Yoplait yogurt business in the US and Fonterra’s consumer business in Asia and Oceania. These deals have increased its debt and will limit further large acquisitions in the near term.Overall, the Iran conflict is adding new pressure to already strained food supply chains, contributing to rising world food prices and threatening higher grocery bills for consumers worldwide.
- Peak fertilizer application season is still some months away in key regions such as South Asia and Brazil. Farmers are buying only what they need immediately ("hand-to-mouth") instead of stocking up at high prices.
- Many farmers, especially in the United States, are skipping or reducing phosphate applications this year due to high costs. U.S. fall demand is estimated to be down 20%, with spring demand possibly even lower.
- Surprisingly, the U.S. is still exporting phosphate, which suggests weaker domestic demand.
- China (normally the world's largest phosphate exporter) has stopped or sharply reduced exports.
- Production is struggling in the United States and Saudi Arabia.
- Major inputs for phosphate — ammonia and sulphur — are in short supply. Three of the top 10 ammonia exporters and roughly half of the world’s tradeable sulphur supply have been disrupted by restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Morocco’s OCP Group is bringing forward maintenance, cutting up to 30% of its second-quarter production.
- South Africa’s Foskor has halted MAP production due to lack of sulphur and ammonia.
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