Tag: Farm management

According to agricultural research, selenium-deficient soils are widespread globally, impacting the selenium content in forage and crops. This makes supplemental selenium, often delivered via mineral blocks, crucial for livestock health and productivity. So, do trace mineral blocks have selenium? The answer is yes, many are specifically formulated to provide this essential trace mineral.

Research indicates that poor-quality feed can lead to stunted growth, lower milk production, and increased susceptibility to diseases in livestock. Identifying feed quality problems early is crucial for maintaining animal health, productivity, and farm profitability.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), feed costs can account for up to 70% of an animal production operation's total expenses. Understanding what are the advantages of animal nutrition, therefore, directly impacts a farm's economic viability by influencing feed efficiency, health outcomes, and overall productivity.

According to Penn State Extension, approximately 78% of small dairy farms in Pennsylvania utilized component feeding in 2017. Component feeding is a method of livestock nutrition where feed components like forages, grains, and supplements are provided individually rather than as a blended mix. This approach contrasts with modern Total Mixed Ration (TMR) systems and is often used in smaller operations or with grazing herds.

Domestic animals in good health can live for approximately 60 days without food, but only about seven days without water. This statistic underscores a critical truth for livestock management: water is the single most important nutrient for livestock survival and a foundational element for their overall health, productivity, and well-being.

Did you know that protein is approximately 16% nitrogen, a fact central to how animal nutritionists measure feed quality? Understanding **what is crude protein in livestock** is essential for optimizing animal health, growth, and reproduction across all species.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, nutrient imbalances from agriculture are a major global concern. A nutrient budget is a powerful management tool used to track and balance the flow of nutrients on a farm, field, or even national scale.

Feed costs can account for up to 75% of total livestock production expenses. To maximize the return on this significant investment, it is crucial for farmers and managers to understand what are the qualities of a good feed that contribute to animal health, growth, and overall productivity.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a supplement is a feed used with another to improve the nutritive balance of the total diet. Supplementary feeds provide specific nutrients, like protein or energy, that are lacking in an animal's primary diet, such as pasture or hay. They are a critical tool in modern farming to ensure livestock receive complete and balanced nutrition for optimal health and productivity.

Dairy cows' milk composition, particularly fat and protein, can fluctuate significantly, directly impacting the milk's overall energy value. The formula for energy corrected milk in KG provides a standardized metric, allowing dairy farmers to accurately compare milk production across different cows and time periods for better management decisions.