Animal manures may be a sustainable alternative to rock phosphate-based fertilisers, provided they have similar agronomic phosphorus (P) fertiliser values. If higher application rates from manure are required to match crop yield responses to mineral P fertilisers, soil P can accumulate and P use efficiency of the farming system is reduced. This study investigated the P fertiliser value of various manures compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP). A P dose-response experiment assessed the impact of cattle (CaM), chicken (ChM), and pig (PiM) manures compared to MAP on wheat growth (biomass, grain yield) and P uptake in an Arenosol. The effects of subsurface banding versus incorporation were also evaluated in an Arenosol and a Ferralsol, with post-harvest soil P fractions analysed in selected treatments. To achieve 95 % maximum grain yield, P rates required were in order PiM > CaM = MAP > ChM. The ChM treatment had poor growth at high manure application rates due to sodium toxicity. Mixed through the topsoil, CaM and PiM increased biomass (95 % of maximum) by 12.3 % and 9.9 % and grain yield (95 % of maximum) by 19.7 and 20.9 % relative to banded MAP. Subsurface banding enhanced P uptake in a high P-sorbing Ferralsol, while incorporation enhanced uptake in a low P-sorbing Arenosol. In the Ferralsol, more P was retained in the sodium bicarbonate extractable organic P (NaHCOs-Po) fraction with CaM and in the inorganic P (NaHCOs-Pi) fraction with MAP. Cattle manure and PiM had comparable or greater P fertiliser value than MAP for wheat yields, with the application method likely impacting P availability. These findings demonstrate that certain manures can match or exceed the agronomic P fertiliser value of MAP in wheat production.

Hybrid breeding can increase the competitiveness of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Sub-Saharan Africa by fostering more public-private partnerships and promoting investment by the private sector. The benefit of hybrid wheat cultivars in South Africa has previously been demonstrated but due to the high cost of hybrid seed production, hybrid breeding has not received significant attention in the past decade. Considering the renewed commitment of the private sector to establish wheat as a hybrid crop globally, coupled with significant research investment into enhancement of outcrossing of wheat, hybrid wheat breeding in Southern and Eastern Africa should be revisited. Our study aimed to identify genetically distinct germplasm groups in spring wheat that would be useful in the establishment of heterotic pools targeting this region. Multi-environment yield testing of a large panel of F1 test hybrids, generated using global elite germplasm, was carried out between 2019 and 2020 in Argentina, Africa, Europe, and Australia. We observed significant genotype by environment interactions within our testing network, confirming the distinctiveness of African trial sites. Relatively high additive genetic variance was observed highlighting the contribution of parental genotypes to the grain yield of test hybrids. We explored the genetic architecture of these parents and the genetic factors underlying the value of parents appear to be associated with their genetic subgroup, with positive marker effects distributed throughout the genome. In testcrosses, elite germplasm from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) appear to be complementary to the genetically distinct germplasm bred in South Africa. The feasibility of achieving genetic gain via heterotic pool establishment and divergence, and by extension the viability of hybrid cultivars in Sub-Saharan Africa, is supported by the results of our study.

Abstract Background Understanding the genetic control of pod shatter resistance and its association with pod length is crucial for breeding improved pod shatter resistance and reducing pre-harvest yield losses due to extensive shattering in cultivars of Brassica species. In this study, we evaluated a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population derived from an F1 cross between two Brassica carinata parental lines Y-BcDH64 and W-BcDH76 (YWDH), originating from Ethiopia and determined genetic bases of variation in pod length and pod shatter resistance, measured as rupture energy. The YWDH population, its parental lines and 11 controls were grown across three years for genetic analysis. Results By using three quantitative trait loci (QTL) analytic approaches, we identified nine genomic regions on B02, B03, B04, B06, B07 and C01 chromosomes for rupture energy that were repeatedly detected across three growing environments. One of the QTL on chromosome B07, flanked with DArTseq markers 100,046,735 and 100,022,658, accounted for up to 27.6% of genetic variance in rupture energy. We observed no relationship between pod length and rupture energy, suggesting that pod length does not contribute to variation in pod shatter resistance. Comparative mapping identified six candidate genes; SHP1 on B6, FUL and MAN on chromosomes B07, IND and NST2 on B08, and MAN7 on C07 that mapped within 0.2 Mb from the QTL for rupture energy. Conclusion The results suggest that favourable alleles of stable QTL on B06, B07, B08 and C01 for pod shatter resistance can be incorporated into the shatter-prone B. carinata and its related species to improve final seed yield at harvest.

Acid soils limit yields of many important crops including canola (Brassica napus), Australia’s third largest crop. Aluminium (Al3+) stress is the main cause of this limitation primarily because the toxic Al3+ present inhibits root growth. Breeding programmes do not target acid-soil tolerance in B. napus because genetic variation and convincing quantitative trait loci have not been reported. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the BnASSYST diversity panel of B. napus genotyped with 35 729 high-quality DArTseq markers. We screened 352 B. napus accessions in hydroponics with and without a toxic concentration of AlCl3 (12 μM, pH 4.3) for 12 days and measured shoot biomass, root biomass, and root length. By accounting for both population structure and kinship matrices, five significant quantitative trait loci for different measures of resistance were identified using incremental Al3+ resistance indices. Within these quantitative trait locus regions of B. napus, 40 Arabidopsis thaliana gene orthologues were identified, including some previously linked with Al3+ resistance. GWAS analysis indicated that multiple genes are responsible for the natural variation in Al3+ resistance in B. napus. The results provide new genetic resources and markers to enhance that Al3+ resistance of B. napus germplasm via genomic and marker-assisted selection.

MacLeod and Fish have recently suggested that there is no adverse impact on the engraved rock art of Murujuga (the Burrup Peninsula) from industrial pollution. This highly controversial conclusion demands examination because it could influence future government decision-making concerning ongoing applications to expand industrial activity on Murujuga. We, therefore, review the data and arguments underpinning that conclusion. We find the conclusion unsubstantiated, misleading and potentially damaging for the long-term preservation of the Murujuga rock art. Evidence suggests that the petroglyphs are already actively degraded by industrial pollution.

In acid soils, the toxic form of aluminium, Al 3+ , significantly inhibits root growth and elongation, leading to less water and nutrient uptake. Previous research had shown differential Al toxicity tolerance among cultivated Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea); however, the potential for developing tolerant cultivars is limited by the narrow genetic diversity of cultivated chickpeas. Recent collections from Turkey of wild Cicer species, Cicer reticulatum , and Cicer echinospermum , have increased the available gene pool significantly, but there has been no large-scale screening of wild Cicer for acid tolerance or Al 3+ toxicity tolerance. This study evaluated 167 wild Cicer and 17 Australian chickpea cultivars in a series of screenings under controlled growth conditions. The pH of 4.2 and Al concentrations of 15 and 60 μM Al were selected for large-scale screening based on dose response experiments in a low ionic strength nutrient solution. The change in root length showed better discrimination between tolerant and sensitive lines when compared with shoot and root dry weights and was used as a selection criterion. In a large-scale screening, 13 wild Cicer reticulatum accessions had a higher root tolerance index (≥50%), and eight had higher relative change in root length (≥40%) compared with PBA Monarch, which showed greater tolerance among the Australian domestic cultivars screened. In general, C. reticulatum species were found to be more tolerant than C. echinospermum , while genetic population groups Ret_5, Ret_6, and Ret_7 from Diyarbakir and Mardin Province were more tolerant than other groups. Among C. echinospermum , Ech_6 from the Siv-Diyar collection site of the Urfa Province showed better tolerance than other groups. In this first detailed screening of aluminium toxicity tolerance in the new wild Cicer collections, we identified accessions that were more tolerant than current domestic cultivars, providing promising germplasm for breeding programs to expand chickpea adaptation to acid soils.

This study compared longissimus lumborum (LL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles, in 48 lamb carcasses, to determine their pH decline parameters and achievement of ideal pH criteria (hitting the window). These include the pH at temperature 18 °C (pH@18) and temperature at pH 6 (temp@pH6). No practical difference were found between muscles for pH@18 or the temp@pH6, although there were differences between the experimental carcasses evaluated. Indeed, for all but three carcasses, there were insignificant differences between the LL and ST in terms of their pH@18. This outcome suggests that the lower value and more accessible ST muscle can be measured to determine lamb carcass pH decline parameters, instead of the LL. Because of the scale of this study, additional investigation is advised prior to any adoption.

Purpose The combined effects of grain digestibility and dietary fibre on digesta passage rate and satiety in humans are poorly understood. Satiety can be increased through gastric distention, reduced gastric emptying rate and when partially digested nutrients reach the terminal ileum to stimulate peptide release through the ileal/colonic brakes to slow the rate of digesta passage. This study determined the effects of grain digestibility and insoluble fibre on mean retention time (MRT) of digesta from mouth-to-ileum, feed intake (FI), starch digestion to the terminal ileum and faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in a pig model. Method Twelve grain-based [milled sorghum (MS), steam-flaked-sorghum, milled wheat, and steam-flaked-wheat (SFW)] diets with different intrinsic rates of starch digestion, assessed by apparent amylase diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fibre from oat hulls (OH) at 0, 5 and 20% of the diet were fed to ileal-cannulated pigs. Result MRT was affected by grain-type/processing (P < 0.05) and fibre amount (P < 0.05). An approximate tenfold increase in ADC showed a limited decline in MRT (P = 0.18). OH at 20% increased MRT (P < 0.05) and reduced FI (P < 0.05). Ileal digestibility of starch increased and faecal SCFA concentration decreased with ADC; values for MS being lower (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.05), respectively, than for SFW. Conclusions Lower ileal digestibility of starch, higher faecal SCFA concentration and longer MRT of MS than SFW, suggest the ileal/colonic brakes may be operating. FI appeared to decrease with increasing MRT. MRT increased and intake decreased with grain-based foods/feeds that have low starch digestibility and substantial amounts of insoluble fibre.

Sustainable canola production is essential to meet growing human demands for vegetable oil, biodiesel, and meal for stock feed markets. Blackleg, caused by the fungal pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans is a devastating disease that can lead to significant yield loss in many canola production regions worldwide. Breakdown of race-specific resistance to L. maculans in commercial cultivars poses a constant threat to the canola industry. To identify new alleles, especially for quantitative resistance (QR), we analyzed 177 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from an RP04/Ag-Outback cross. DH lines were evaluated for QR under field conditions in three experiments conducted at Wagga Wagga (2013, 2014) and Lake Green (2015), and under shade house conditions using the 'ascospore shower' test. DH lines were also characterized for qualitative R gene-mediated resistance via cotyledon tests with two differential single spore isolates, IBCN17 and IBCN76, under glasshouse conditions. Based on 18,851 DArTseq markers, a linkage map representing 2,019 unique marker bins was constructed and then utilized for QTL detection. Marker regression analysis identified 22 significant marker associations for resistance, allowing identification of two race-specific resistance R genes, Rlm3 and Rlm4, and 21 marker associations for QR loci. At least three SNP associations for QR were repeatedly detected on chromosomes A03, A07 and C04 across phenotyping environments. Physical mapping of markers linked with these consistent QR loci on the B. napus genome assembly revealed their localization in close proximity of the candidate genes of B. napus BnaA03g26760D (A03), BnaA07g20240D (A07) and BnaC04g02040D (C04). Annotation of these candidate genes revealed their association with protein kinase and jumonji proteins implicated in defense resistance. Both Rlm3 and Rlm4 genes identified in this DH population did not show any association with resistance loci detected under either field and/or shade house conditions (ascospore shower) suggesting that both genes are ineffective in conferring resistance to L. maculans in Australian field conditions. Taken together, our study identified sequence-based molecular markers for dissecting R and QR loci to L. maculans in a canola DH population from the RP04/Ag-Outback cross.

Abstract Drought stress due to water deficiency threatens production of canola worldwide. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C), a trait that can be used to assess efficient water use, provides an opportunity to exploit natural variation in canola for stable production. Here, we show that substantial genetically controlled phenotypic variation in water use efficiency (WUE) component trait, Δ13C (20.4 to 23.6‰) exists among accessions of canola. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis revealed ten loci for Δ13C, each accounting for 2.5% to 16.5% of the genotypic variation. One of the significant QTL for Δ13C was co‐localized with a QTL for flowering time, a trait implicated in drought escape and was mapped in the vicinity of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) on chromosome A07. Gene expression analyses revealed that among FT paralogs, BnC6.FTb expression was significantly correlated (r = 0.33, p < .01) with variation in Δ13C across at least two environments in a canola DH population. Integration of data based on instantaneous single leaf gas exchange, dry matter Δ13C, and whole plant measurements suggests a possible trade‐off between early flowering and WUE. Our findings provide insights into the complexity of Δ13C and WUE which could enable the development of canola varieties resilient to drought and increasing canola productivity under water‐limited conditions.

Specific for lamb, this study aimed to test the effect of Nix Pro Color Sensor (NIX) repeat measures on the precision of L*, a*, b*, hue and Chroma (colour traits); compare colour traits captured using the NIX and HunterLab MiniScan (HUNTER) instruments; and establish the impact of NIX settings (Illuminant and standard observer) on retail colour stability. This used the longissimus lumborum muscles from the right-side of 150 Merino carcasses were sampled and then aged in vacuo for 5 days. It was found that six repeat measures were appropriate in general to achieve precise colour data for lamb meat. Observed colour trends over retail display were analogous, but not interchangeable between NIX and HUNTER instruments-except for a* data which was comparable between instruments. Only b* and hue were found to be impacted by NIX Illuminant and standard observer settings, and Illuminant A captured the greatest magnitude change in b* over retail display. These findings support the reproducible and robust assessment of lamb meat colour using the NIX.

Drought stress especially at the reproductive stage is a major limiting factor that compromises the productivity and profitability of canola in many regions of the world. Improved genetics for drought tolerance would enable the identification and development of resilient varieties, resulting in increased canola production. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis of seed yield under water-limited conditions in canola. A doubled haploid population derived from a cross between two Australian parental lines, RP04 and Ag-Outback, was evaluated to identify the genetic variation in fractional normalised deviation vegetative index (NDVI), above ground shoot biomass accumulation, flowering time, and plasticity in seed yield under irrigated and rainfed field conditions in two consecutive years. An irrigation treatment was applied at the 50% flowering stage and an incremental drought tolerance index (DTI) was estimated for seed yield. By utilising a genetic linkage map based on 18,851 genome-wide DArTseq markers, we identified 25 genomic regions significantly associated with different traits (LOD ≥ 3), accounting for 5.5 to 22.3% of the genotypic variance. Three significant genomic regions on chromosome A06, A10 and C04 were associated with DTI for seed yield. Some of the QTL were localised in the close proximity of candidates genes involved in traits contributing to drought escape and drought avoidance mechanisms, including FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT ) and FLOWERING LOCUS C ( FLC ). Trait-marker associations identified herein can be validated across diverse environments, and the sequence based markers may be used in a marker assisted selection breeding strategy to enhance drought tolerance in canola breeding germplasm.

The amount of energy available for metabolism from grain-based feeds determines pig growth rate. Available energy is influenced by feed intake (FI) and the relative extent of digestion in the small intestine (SI), compared with fermentation of undigested feed in the large intestine (LI). Milled and steam-flaked sorghum and wheat were used to evaluate the following hypotheses: 1) an increase in grain digestibility increases FI, decreases the extent of large-intestinal fermentation and improves the efficiency of feed use; and 2) faecal short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFA) and pH are indicators of the extent of grain fermentation in the LI. Apparent-amylase-diffusion-coefficients (ADC) were measured in vitro as an indicator of intrinsic starch digestibility. Pigs were fed ad libitum the four grain-based diets. FI, average-daily-weight-gain (ADG), feed-conversion-ratio (FCR, FI:ADG), faecal SCFA-concentration and pH were measured weekly. Linear models were fitted between: 1) ADC and ADG, FCR, SCFA-concentration, and pH; 2) ADG and SCFA-concentration, and pH; and 3) FCR and SCFA-concentration, and pH. Grain digestibility did not affect FI, but sorghum reduced ADG (14-21 day: P<0.05; 7-28 day: P<0.1) and increased FCR (7-14 day: P<0.05; 14-21day: P = 0.001) compared to wheat. Sorghum produced more faecal SCFA than wheat at 7 day & 28 day (P<0.1), and decreased faecal pH by 0.4 (14 day, 21 day & 28 day: P<0.001). ADG and FCR were correlated with faecal SCFA and pH (P<0.001 to 0.05). Low intrinsic starch digestibility increased fermentation in the hind-gut, with assumed loss of energy in heat, methane and voided microbes, resulting in less energy for metabolism. Providing pigs with cereal grains of high intrinsic digestibility should increase growth rate and efficiency of feed use without increasing feed intake.

Large variation in the nutritional value of cereal grains, within and between animal types, is due predominantly to differences in digestive tract anatomy, site and extent of microbial fermentation, and amount and type of dietary fibre. Energy available from digestion is reduced by grain fibre in pigs, broilers and ruminants. The effects are greatest for broilers and least for ruminants, reflecting large differences in intestinal microbial populations. Individual grain samples are often better suited for digestion by one animal type than another. In pigs, the extent of starch digestion in the small intestine scales with the rate of amylase diffusion into grain particles, grain particle size and the time particles have for digestion, determined by residence time of digesta to the terminal ileum. Amylase diffusion rate is influenced by endosperm tissue and cell wall integrity, solubility of grain protein matrix, composition of starch and processing methods. Rate of passage of digesta to the terminal ileum increases as fibre content of the diet increases to ~15% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), then declines with additional fibre causing distention of the stomach. Diet hydration capacity, which is influenced by soluble fibre content, slows digesta passage rate once it exceeds ~1.2 g water/g dry matter. Undigested starch reaching the colon causes a decrease in passage rate through activation of the ileal/colonic brakes. Voluntary feed intake in monogastric animals is related to rate of passage to the terminal ileum for nutritionally balanced grain-based diets. Approximately 15% of energy in starch fermented in the large intestine is lost to the pig as heat, methane and microbial products excreted in faeces. Algorithms predicting effects of diet fibre, water-holding capacity and amylase diffusion rate can be used to predict threshold grain particle size, where all starch is digested by the terminal ileum, and the likely loss of energy through fermentation.

Undigested nutrients and fermentable fibre in the distal ileum and colon stimulate intestinal brakes, which reduce gastric-emptying and digesta-passage-rate, and subsequently limit feed/food-intake. Fibre can also stimulate passage rate potentially increasing feed intake (FI). In order to experimentally determine the relationships between these two hypothesised actions of fibre, five levels of wheat-bran (WB) or oat-hulls (OH) were added to a highly digestible starch-based diet fed to pigs ad-libitum for three weeks. Average-daily-feed-intake (ADFI), faecal short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFA) and related parameters were determined at 7, 14 and 21d. A linear mixed model was fitted to FI and fermentation parameters. Overall, WB diets showed 8-11% lower ADFI (7-14d: p < 0.05; 7-21 & 0-21d: p = 0.053) than OH diets. WB diets produced over 20% more (21d: p < 0.01) SCFA than OH or Control diets. WB at 25% produced 22% more (7d: p < 0.05) SCFA than any other diet. Diets with WB at 25 and 35%, showed higher hydration capacity than any other diet (p < 0.001). OH at 10% had an unusually low FI and a markedly higher hydration capacity. With increasing levels of OH, intake of base diet was 7% more than control at 5% OH, but 8% less than control at 20% OH. With increasing WB content, intake of base diet decreased. From these results, we propose that three mechanisms control the effects of fibre on FI: initial increase in passage rate and feed intake at low concentrations of non-swelling fibres; a depression in FI from high fibre bulk; and reduced feed intake from stimulation of ileal and colonic brakes.

Large variation in the nutritional value of cereal grains, within and between animal types, is due predominantly to differences in digestive tract anatomy, site and extent of microbial fermentation, and amount and type of dietary fibre. Energy available from digestion is reduced by grain fibre in pigs, broilers and ruminants. The effects are greatest for broilers and least for ruminants, reflecting large differences in intestinal microbial populations. Individual grain samples are often better suited for digestion by one animal type than another. In pigs, the extent of starch digestion in the small intestine scales with the rate of amylase diffusion into grain particles, grain particle size and the time particles have for digestion, determined by residence time of digesta to the terminal ileum. Amylase diffusion rate is influenced by endosperm tissue and cell wall integrity, solubility of grain protein matrix, composition of starch and processing methods. Rate of passage of digesta to the terminal ileum increases as fibre content of the diet increases to similar to 15% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), then declines with additional fibre causing distention of the stomach. Diet hydration capacity, which is influenced by soluble fibre content, slows digesta passage rate once it exceeds similar to 1.2 g water/g dry matter. Undigested starch reaching the colon causes a decrease in passage rate through activation of the ileal/colonic brakes. Voluntary feed intake in monogastric animals is related to rate of passage to the terminal ileum for nutritionally balanced grain-based diets. Approximately 15% of energy in starch fermented in the large intestine is lost to the pig as heat, methane and microbial products excreted in faeces. Algorithms predicting effects of diet fibre, water-holding capacity and amylase diffusion rate can be used to predict threshold grain particle size, where all starch is digested by the terminal ileum, and the likely loss of energy through fermentation.

In recent decades several pasture legumes have been available in southern Australia as potential alternatives to the most widely used annual pasture legume Trifolium subterraneum. Little is known about their soil phosphorus (P) requirements, but controlled environment experiments indicate that at least some may differ in their P fertiliser requirements. In this study, pasture legume varieties, including T. subterraneum as the reference species, were grown at up to four sites in any one year over a 3-year period (in total, seven site × year experiments) to measure herbage growth responses in spring to increased soil P availability. A critical soil test P concentration (corresponding to 95% maximum yield) was estimated for 15 legumes and two pasture grasses. The critical soil P requirements of most of the legumes did not differ consistently from that of T. subterraneum, indicating their soil fertility management should follow the current soil test P guidelines for temperate Australian pastures. However, the critical P requirement of Medicago sativa was higher than that of T. subterraneum, but remains ill-defined because extractable soil P concentrations in these experiments were often not high enough to permit a critical P estimate. Three forage crop legumes (Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium purpureum, Trifolium vesiculosum) and two pasture legumes (Ornithopus compressus, Ornithopus sativus) had lower critical soil test P concentrations. It may be feasible to manage pastures based on these species to a lower soil test P benchmark without compromising yield.

The hemibiotrophic fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans is the most devastating pathogen, causing blackleg disease in canola (Brassica napus L). To study the genomic regions involved in quantitative resistance (QR), 259–276 DH lines from Darmor-bzh/Yudal (DYDH) population were assessed for resistance to blackleg under shade house and field conditions across 3 years. In different experiments, the broad sense heritability varied from 43 to 95%. A total of 27 significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for QR were detected on 12 chromosomes and explained between 2.14 and 10.13% of the genotypic variance. Of the significant QTL, at least seven were repeatedly detected across different experiments on chromosomes A02, A07, A09, A10, C01, and C09. Resistance alleles were mainly contributed by ‘Darmor-bzh’ but ‘Yudal’ also contributed few of them. Our results suggest that plant maturity and plant height may have a pleiotropic effect on QR in our conditions. We confirmed that Rlm9 which is present in ‘Darmor-bzh’ is not effective to confer resistance in our Australian field conditions. Comparative mapping showed that several R genes coding for nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptors map in close proximity (within 200 Kb) of the significant trait-marker associations on the reference ‘Darmor-bzh’ genome assembly. More importantly, eight significant QTL regions were detected across diverse growing environments: Australia, France, and United Kingdom. These stable QTL identified herein can be utilized for enhancing QR in elite canola germplasm via marker- assisted or genomic selection strategies.

Capacity to routinely, accurately and cost-effectively measure variation in the nutritional quality of feed ingredients before diet formulation represents a fundamental pillar of sustainable pork production worldwide. Factors driving sustainable pork production include pork price, feed cost, utilisation of co-products and downgraded raw materials and variation in pork production, with all being related to the definition and ultimate nutritional quality of feed ingredients. The present paper defines rapid measures of nutritional quality in feed ingredients for pigs and demonstrates the range that can exist in these parameters, specifically digestible energy of cereal grains and the reactive-lysine concentration of oilseed meals. It provides an overview of the development of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations for key nutritional-quality parameters and how they are being applied by the pork industry. Adjunct ways to measure nutritional quality of feed ingredients for pigs such as the glucose-release index and how these can be used in conjunction with NIRS are reviewed. The paper reports advanced correlation analysis between chemical components and digestible-energy concentration of cereals, and how these could be used for screening of NIRS outliers, and discusses future opportunities for application of nutritional-quality analysis using NIRS calibrations, including feed intake and portable solutions. Using advanced NIRS calibrations for digestible energy in cereals and reactive lysine in oilseed meals, pork producers will ensure that they make best use of limited resources and, as a consequence, pork will remain a nutritionally accretive food source for increasingly discerning consumers worldwide.