To investigate the effect of oat ［<italic>Avena sativa</italic> L. （Av）］ seeding rates on dry matter productivity in mixed planting with Italian ryegrass ［<italic>Lolium multiflorum Lam</italic>. （IR）］, the experiments were conducted using ‘Kyushu 1’（very early） and ‘Hayamaki 18’（early） for IR blast resistant cultivars, and ‘Sniper’（extremely early） for Av cultivar. Av seeding rates of 50, 100, and 150 seeds/m² were applied in mixed planting, while for 200 seeds/m² in pure planting. Through, Italian ryegrass seeding rate of 3 g/m² in pure and mixed culture. Dry matter yield of winter cutting in pure Av and mixed planting increased as the amount of Av sowing increased. While regrowth IR cutting yield in following spring decreased with Av seeding increased. However, a consistent trend was not observed for total dry matter yield （winter + regrowth cutting） with increasing seeding rate of Av.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）：3-13，2026

Beef cattle are actively grazed in the Aso region of Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture. No published data or detailed information about grazing accidents among the beef cattle in the Aso region are available. We analyzed livestock statistics from two institutions that record details of cattle grazing accidents in Aso. Our analysis of the grazing fatalities among cattle enrolled in the NOSAI （Agricultural Mutual Relief （AMR） system） Livestock Mutual Insurance program revealed that in the Aso region, the most common causes of grazing fatalities were falls and disappearances. We observed that >30 grazing fatalities occur annually in Aso, translating to a grazing fatality rate at ~0.5%–1.0%. Differences in grazing livestock numbers and grazing mortality rates were also observed among municipalities in the Aso region. The number of grazing fatalities showed a high correlation with both the number of grazing animals and the grazing area. Older cattle （>10 years of age） were likely to be involved in non-transportable grazing fatalities, with pregnant cows at 1 month before their expected calving date constituting the majority of these cases. Although the age at which grazing is possible may be higher in Japanese Brown cattle compared to Japanese Black cattle, our analysis revealed that the incidence of grazing accidents was equivalent between Japanese Brown and Japanese Black cattle, with no significant difference observed. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the characteristics of grazing accidents that have occurred among beef cattle in the Aso region.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）: 15-21, 2026

The study aimed to obtain basic information on the effects of free-ranging call ducks on the weeding and pest control in paddy fields. Call ducks and free-ranging Aigamo ducks (Satsuma Black Aigamo Ducks) were fed in paddy fields (area 300 m²) and their weeding and pest control abilities were compared during the period June to October 2024. Two treatments were applied each in a 110 m² plot: 1) Aigamo plot with three free-ranging Aigamo ducks (7 days old, male, average weight 117 g), and 2) Call duck plot with two free-ranging call ducks (4 years old, male, average weight 750 g) in a 110 m² plot. In the call duck plot, the duck’s activity caused the water appear muddy immediately, and many Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) C. Presl were observed floating on the water surface. The number of M. vaginalis plants collected from the drainage port tended to be higher in the call duck plot than in the Aigamo plot, indicating higher weeding effects of the former during the early stage of rice growth. Call ducks also exhibited pest control effects, and there were no missing plants or yield losses. These results indicate that free-range call ducks in paddy fields have weeding and insecticidal abilities comparable to those of Aigamo ducklings, and can be used in integrated rice-duck farming.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）: 23-29, 2026

This study investigates the relationship between postpartum uterine inflammation and morphometric measurements of dams and calves in Japanese Black cattle. Twenty multiparous cows and their newborn calves were examined. Morphometric measurements were taken, including withers height, hook width, pelvic width, ischial width, and rump length in dams, as well as facial dimensions and limb traits in calves, were recorded. Uterine endometrial samples were collected using the cytobrush technique at 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks postpartum (1 WP, 3 WP, 5 WP, and 7 WP), with polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) determined as an inflammation indicator. Among dam traits, only rump length showed significant nonlinear associations with PMN% at 1 WP and 3 WP. Cows with very short or long rumps tended to show a decrease in PMN% from 1 WP to 3 WP, suggesting resolution of inflammation. Calf face width and limb length were also significantly correlated with PMN% levels and their changes between weeks. These findings indicate that simple, non-invasive morphometric traits may help predict postpartum uterine recovery. In particular, tracking PMN% changes over time (e.g., Δ1–3w, Δ3–5w) may provide a more accurate assessment than single-time measurements. This approach may aid in identifying cows at risk of delayed uterine recovery and support improved reproductive management in Japanese Black cattle.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）：31-40，2026

This study was conducted to evaluate the palatability of beef from fattened retired breeding Japanese Black cow fed a fermented Total Mixed Rations （TMR） composed of food by-products and ryegrass hay. A sensory evaluation of fermented TMR beef was carried out in comparison with control beef produced using conventional diet composed consisting of formula feed and digitgrass hay. The nutritional analysis revealed that the fermented TMR beef had higher moisture and crude protein contents, but lower crude fat content compared to the control beef. The fatty acid composition of the rib eye showed no significant difference between the two groups, with both containing approximately 45％ oleic acid, 48％ monounsaturated fatty acid and 50％ saturated fatty acid. Based on the result of the paired comparison test, using the control beef as the reference （0 point）, the fermented TMR beef was positive scores in 7 out of 10 sensory items. It was rated higher than control beef in aroma tasting, flavor and deliciousness, though not in taste intensity, flavor depth, or fattiness. The overall judgement score for the fermented TMR beef was +0.69 point, indicating a tendency for it to be more preferred than control beef.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）：41-47，2026

This study aimed 1） to analyze the marbling shape for the thoracic longissimus muscle and the trapezius muscle of the 6-7^th rib of the carcass were taken using the mirror type photographic equipment from carcasses of Japanese Black cattle in Kagoshima; and 2） to estimate the genetic effects of sire on the marbling shape. Genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood （REML） approach with a single-trait animal model. Breeding values associated with marbling percent, coarseness index of marbling and fineness index of marbling were calculated using the best linear unbiased prediction （BLUP） method. Furthermore, phenotypic and genetic correlations between marbling percent, coarseness index of marbling or fineness index of marbling and each carcass trait were evaluated using REML with a two-trait animal model. As a result, the heritability of marbling percent, coarseness index of marbling and fineness index of marbling was estimated to be 0.54, 0.56 and 0.47 for the thoracic longissimus muscle, respectively. As a result, the heritability of marbling percent, coarseness index of marbling and fineness index of marbling was estimated to be 0.80, 0.56 and 0.56 for the trapezius muscle, respectively. Positive genetic correlation existed between the coarseness index of marbling of the thoracic longissimus muscle and rib eye area, rib thickness, and marbling percent of the thoracic longissimus muscle. The coarseness index of marbling of the thoracic longissimus muscle were negatively, and strong, genetically correlated with the fineness index of marbling of the thoracic longissimus muscle. In conclusion, the measurable marbling shape for the thoracic longissimus muscle and the trapezius muscle are traits that can be bred genetically.

Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 69（1）：49-55，2026