Fossil shell flour (FSF), also known as Diatomaceous earth, or diatomite, consists of amorphous silicates with important physical and chemical characteristics, including porosity and permeability, low density and thermal conductivity, tiny particle size, high surface area, solubility, hydrophobia, and absorption capabilities, which are molecular filter actors, substituting their integral cations without physical changes. The substance is nontoxic, cheap, and readily available in large quantity in many countries. Recently, FSF has been modified as additives for several uses. Recent studies have supported its use as animal growth promoter, vaccine adjuvant in livestock, water purifier, mycotoxin binder, inert dust applications in stored-pest management, pesticide, animal feed additive, as a natural source of silicon in livestock and as natural anthelmintic. Numerous advantages of FSF include its low-cost and availability, its nontoxic characteristics, and the fact that food grade diatomaceous earth is safe for human consumption. In this paper, we review the main uses of FSF in the livestock industry, with reference to similar works earlier published that elucidate their important roles.

The study investigated the perceptions of milk producers on milk quality and safety. Randomly selected large-scale farmers (n=158) and small-scale farmers (n=186) were surveyed using semistructured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of farmers considering milk quality and safety important. Large-scale farmers were 3 times more likely to consider that breed affects milk quality compared to their small-scale counterparts. Farmers aged over 30 years were 3 times more likely to indicate that hygiene affected milk quality. The likelihood of milk transportation affecting its quality was 4 times higher in small-scale farmers compared to large-scale producers. Postmilking contamination of milk was perceived to occur during transportation by small-scale farmers, whilst commercial farmers ranked storage as the important source of contamination after milking. Udder diseases were ranked first by large-scale farmers while small-scale farmers ranked milking environment as the major cause of milk spoilage. The likelihood of milk safety being important was two times higher in large farms compared to small-scale farms. Intervention programmes on milk safety should mainly target small-scale dairy farmers since they are less concerned about milk quality and safety.

Routine selection for litter size has resulted in an increase in the proportion of lightweight piglets. There is a need to balance prolificacy with litter uniformity to maximize profit. A total of 3,465 piglets from 310 litter records obtained from 2016 until 2019 at the Pig Industry Board research unit, Arcturus, Zimbabwe were used to determine the relationships between litter size, sex ratio, and within-litter birth weight variation in the sow herd and consequences on performance at weaning. The regression procedure of SAS was used to determine the relationships between litter size, sex ratio, and within-litter birth weight variation. The regression procedure was also used to determine the relationships between number born alive, within-litter birth weight variation, and sex ratio, and litter performance traits at weaning. Parity of sow, year, and month of farrowing did not affect sex ratio (P > 0.05). The number born alive and number of piglets born had no relationship with sex ratio (P > 0.05). As the sex ratio increased, percent survival of piglets at weaning also increased linearly (P < 0.05). As the proportion of males in litters increased, within-litter birth weight variation and within-litter weaning weight variation increased reaching maximum as the proportion of males in litters approached 0.5 and then decreased onwards. As the proportion of males in litters approached 1, within-litter birth weight variation and within-litter weaning weight variation reached their least values. In conclusion, within-litter sex ratio does not vary with parity, year, and month of farrowing. Within-litter weight variation is highest in litters with equal number of male and female piglets and lowest in unisex litters. This implies that the production of unisex litters can help to reduce the variation in the weight of pigs at birth, weaning, and marketing which is one of the biggest economic challenges faced by pork producers.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently recognized as a major emerging threat to human and animal health. The burden of antimicrobial-resistant infections affects the economy in developed and developing countries. There is a rapid rise in AMR in human and veterinary medicine globally. AMR profiles are poorly documented in Fiji, and limited data are accessible. Fiji currently has no national veterinary antibiotic resistance surveillance network or regulations and guidelines on veterinary drug use. However, available literature shows that although human drugs are better managed than veterinary drugs, the knowledge is still constrained and dispersed. Furthermore, Fiji was chosen as a case study to develop a prototype AMR surveillance and control in the Pacific region. Pacific Island countries share similar geographic and climatic conditions. Currently, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has funded an AMR project that addresses some gaps in managing AMR in the region. The project is the first to adopt the One Health approach to research the AMR in humans, animals, and the Pacific region's environment. Combating AMR needs human health and veterinary personnel to work with all other stakeholders. Continuous surveillance for resistant clinical isolates in humans and animals and the development of appropriate policy intervention measures in human and veterinary drug use are necessary to alleviate AMR burden. Therefore, there is a need to educate farmers, human patients, and the public on the fight against AMR. In addition, AMR data are necessary to develop effective AMR control strategies. This review gives a comprehensive information assessment on AMR in Fiji and the other South Pacific Islands in relation to global trends. Suggestions on the most appropriate ways of effectively managing AMR in Fiji have been made.