Heat Stress in Poultry: Physiological Impacts and Nutritional Mitigation Strategies

Introduction Poultry are homeothermic animals with a normal body temperature range of 41–42°C. Under optimal thermal conditions, typically defined as the thermal neutral zone (18–22°C), birds can maintain their core temperature without expending additional energy. However, deviations from this range, particularly during brooding when higher ambient temperatures are necessary, impose significant physiological and behavioural adjustments. […]

Die belangrikheid van Fosfaat aanvulling op weidings

geskryf deur Andries Kruger, hersien en verwerk deur Johan Loubser (Herkouerspesialis)     Fosfaat aanvulling op groen somerweidings, veral in meer ekstensiewe boerdery praktyke, is ‘n konsep wat al vir baie jare lank nagevors en bewys is. Die noodsaakliklikheid van fosfaat aanvulling kan dus nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie. Vir weidende diere, veral vleisbeeste, word […]

Nutrient Requirements of Pigs at Different Life Stages

Ruan Nowers: Technical Advisor, AFGRI Animal Feeds Feed is one of the most critical factors in producing high-quality animal protein. As pigs grow, their nutritional needs evolve, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these changing requirements to optimize growth, health, and productivity. Pigs experience several distinct life stages, each characterized by specific physiological changes that demand […]

Gars as ʼn Bron van Stysel in Skaaprantsoene

deur Pieter Louw.     Met die huidige hoë mielieprys moet daar gekyk word na goedkoper of alternatiewe bronne van energie vir skaapgroei en afrondrantsoene. Daar is verskeie opsies wat oorweeg kan word wat soortgelyke groei bewerkstellig sowel as die produksie van die besigheid handhaaf. Met weersomstandighede wat ideaal is vir die produksie van gars, […]

Importance of feed intake in commercial layer systems

 By Herman Rossouw, technical advisor,  AFGRI Animal Feeds The feed component of the average poultry production system makes up 70% of all expenses. Given the sharp increase in feed prices these past three years, there is renewed focus on the consumption and effectiveness of rations. In March this year, the average layer meal was 80% […]

Feeding the transition cow

By SP Els, AFGRI Animal Feeds Sound nutrition and management practices during the transition period will have a positive financial impact on dairy businesses. Most farmers have specific, quantifiable goals regarding milk production, milk solids, feed and labour costs, and profitability in terms of profit per hectare or per cow. However, it seems that the […]

Heat Stress – Causing the Dairy Industry to lose billions in revenue each year.

The effect of heat stress (HS) is detrimental to a variety of dairy production parameters including milk yield and reproduction and will become a greater challenge in the future due to global climate change. Therefore, the negative impact HS has on our dairy parameters is a significant financial burden on our dairy producers. Heat stress […]