Minerals have always been important for the nutrition of cows – even more so when it comes to preparing the animals for calving, since they play a role in helping prevent disorders like hypocalcemia. The most successful example of that is DCAD diets. With that in mind, what are the latest...
Pursuing sustainability is a pressing global demand. However, as complex as it may be, innovative livestock production methods can significantly enhance sustainable practices. For example, we can strengthen the sustainability of beef cattle production by incorporating novel coproducts into diets...
Mycotoxins are often present in poultry diets and can pose a significant challenge. That is because co-occurrence of mycotoxins reduces the tolerance levels of individual mycotoxins; in other words, multiple mycotoxins in poultry feed, even at subclinical levels, can exacerbate mycotoxin...
Cow welfare has now become a concern for both producers and consumers. In this context, if we are aware of consumer priorities and industry plans regarding the issue, we can better address the main challenges on our dairy farms. In this episode with Dr. Jennifer Walker, we talk about animal...
Concerns have been raised regarding the disconnection between the sales ring and the commercial world – but, there is still some hope. In this episode, Dr. Dan Shike goes into the foundational purposes of judging programs and the way they have evolved into some kind of sport. However, he...
The poultry industry is complex and full of challenges – farmers have to constantly go up against new hurdles. So what can we do to make the most of what we have? Guaranteeing that we're doing the basics should be the first and last thing on our minds. For example, a healthy poultry house...
Having successful lactating cows in the future depends on having successful heifers in the present. However, it is not that simple, as we need to be prepared for any challenges and disorders that heifers may face. With that in mind, how do we deal with udder edema? To answer the question, in this...
The US beef industry has been shifting towards larger, consolidated operations that are more automated, technological, and have a growing number of feedlots to provide grain-based diets for fattening cattle. Additionally, sustainability concerns have prompted an increased focus on improving...
Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) play vital roles in various physiological processes in poultry, including bone and feather growth, muscle contractions, and energy metabolism. Bearing that in mind, it is important to consider that feed type and form, along with the presence of other dietary...
Technologies have come to stay on our farms! They may help us make better decisions and work with more precision, but in order to get the most out of them, we have to be up to date with the latest news and innovations. So what technologies are being successfully implemented on farms right now? To...
In the breeding of beef cattle, animals with desirable traits are selected and bred to produce offspring with improved meat-producing qualities. This process involves identifying the characteristics which are needed for meat production, such as growth rate and muscle development, and selecting...
The focus of research on diseases lies primarily on the immune response to infection and pathogenesis. That is because pathogens often affect the metabolism of their hosts by targeting their immune systems, both of which are extensively intertwined. So to better understand disease pathogenesis...
