A technology revolution is taking place across the livestock industry. So in order to keep improving our performance, it is necessary to improve the access, communication, and implementation of such technologies. In this episode, Dr. Yijie Xiong explains how agricultural engineering and precision...
The poultry industry faces a constant and significant threat from pathogens. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites result in decreases in production, higher mortality rates, and substantial economic losses in poultry. Thus, a better understanding of bird microbiota, antimicrobial...
The journey that dairy products undertake starts at the dairy farm and ends at the consumer's table, where milk fluid or other dairy products are consumed. Throughout that process, milk stability is critical, and farms can contribute to a positive consumer experience by managing farm-level...
It is a fact that trace minerals and vitamins – such as zinc, copper, iron, manganese, iodine, and selenium – play a critical role in pig performance and health, as they serve various structural and metabolic functions. However, it is also a fact that, when compared with other...
In today's episode, Dr. Allison Meyer – an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Missouri – discusses various topics related to cow-calf development. She talks about the pros and cons of calving during spring and fall, the impact of nutrient...
Robotics has revolutionized the broiler farming industry by allowing unprecedented efficiency and precision: from monitoring the health and growth of individual birds to collecting dead animals, those dynamic machines can perform a wide range of tasks. In this episode, Dusty Reynolds discusses...
In recent years, automatic milking systems have become a valuable tool for dairy farmers, offering solutions to labor challenges and providing efficient management of cow milking. With it, farmers can streamline their daily tasks while also gaining valuable insights into cow behavior and...
It’s clear as day that it's hard to build a robust swine industry without technology, especially with the challenges we face today at our barns. Among the different tools we have available, there is one that raises a lot of attention: precision feeding. That's because it seems to play a...
Extensionists play a crucial role in the development of beef cattle production. This episode features one of the best: Travis Meteer – a beef cattle extension specialist – shares his journey and insights. He emphasizes the importance of personalized decision-making that considers the...
The enzyme phytase plays a crucial role in poultry nutrition, since it breaks down phytic acid – a component of most plant-based feed ingredients – as well as releases phosphorus and other nutrients for the birds. Thus, phytase promotes better growth and development for poultry by...
Management is the heart of every business and profitability is its oxygen, both working together and indispensable to keep us alive. Two aspects we must make sure that we are doing right are managing our input costs and preparing the next generation to take over our farms. These are not trivial...
We must all agree that vaccines play an important role in building a robust and productive global swine industry – the vaccination programs conducted by most pig farms are crucial for protecting animals from diseases and boosting their immune systems. As it is such an important topic, we...
